Plea to NYC Mayor for Diwali holidays in schools

BY A STAFF WRITER

 New York (NY) —  A coalition of about 40 New York City organizations and temples has urged Mayor Bill de Blasio to include Diwali alongside the new proposed public school holidays for Eid and Lunar New Year.

The Diwali Coalition of NYC has, in a letter sent to the Mayor earlier this week, highlighted the importance of Diwali for the city’s Hindu, Jain, and Sikh communities and drawn his attention toward scors of the city’s public school children who celebrate this popular festival of lights.

“Diwali is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in our community,” said the Coalition member Dr. Uma Mysorekar, who is also president of the renowned Ganesh temple in Flushing, Queens.

“For Hindus, Diwali celebrates the victory of good over evil and is a time for families to come together to pray for the well-being of all.  We hope the Mayor will take our community’s request to heart and include Diwali among the new public school holidays.”

Congressman Joe Crowley (NY-14), co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, along with Reps. Charles Rangel (NY-13), Grace Meng (NY-6), Carolyn Maloney (NY-12), Yvette Clarke (NY-9), and Gregory Meeks (NY-5) have also come out in support of the inclusion of Diwali.

In a letter to Carmen Farina, Chancellor of Education, spearheaded by Crowley, they noted the “increased recognition” Diwali has gained on the national stage.  Crowley and other members hosted the first-ever Congressional Diwali celebration in 2013, and the White House has recognized Diwali under successive administrations.

Both letters also pointed toward the huge number of temples and gurdwaras in the five boroughs as well as the plethora of Diwali celebrations in the city that drew thousands each year.  The Diwali Coalition of NYC also noted that the City Council of New York had last year urged the Department of Education to “establish Diwali as an official school holiday for NYC public students”.

Organizations forming the Diwali coalition range the full spectrum, from national groups such as the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) and Sikh Coalition to local faith-based organizations like Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus and Judson Memorial Church to interfaith organizations such as the Interfaith Center of New York