California makes Diwali a state holiday

During the Diwali celebration, people light rows of clay oil lamps (diyas) to celebrate the inner light and
guard against spiritual darkness. 

California Governor Gavin Newsom just signed a bill, AB 268, making Diwali a statewide holiday. The bill got signed on Oct. 6 and it goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. This is a big deal, folks.

For years, many members the Indian American and broader South Asian community have been celebrating Diwali as best they could. Family and friends gathered together for a party, light some diyas, and make some rangoli, but it was all done after work or on the weekend. It was a cultural and spiritual celebration that was isolated from the rest of their lives at school or work. But not anymore.

Indian American Assemblymembers Ash Kalra (San Jose) and Dr. Darshana Patel (San Diego) co-authored this bill, and it’s a testament to the fact thatSouth Asian voices matter and that they're a recognized part of California's vibrant tapestry.

"Diwali brings communities together with the message of goodwill, peace, and shared sense of renewal. California should embrace Diwali and its diversity, not keep it hidden in darkness," said Kaira.

California is the third state to declare Diwali a state holiday, following Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Some other states, like New York and New Jersey, have specific school districts that observe Diwali as a holiday, and Texas also recognizes it.

While Diwali is a major Hindu festival, the legislation acknowledges that it is also celebrated by Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists.

According to a 2025 Pew survey, 960,000 out of the nation's Indian population of 4.9 million — or 20% — live in California.

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Light, will be celebrated Oct. 20 this year.

Next year, state employees have the option to get a paid day off, and public schools and community colleges can choose to close down. Think about that for a second. For the next generation, South Asian American kids won't have to choose between going to school and celebrating with their families. They can proudly share their traditions with everyone, and that's a beautiful thing.

This isn't just about a day off; it's a statement about our community's place in the Golden State, from Silicon Valley to Sacramento. This is about inclusivity, about recognizing hope over despair, and light over darkness. It's a win for all of us.

Lobbying for the bill was L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn, whose supervisorial istrict includes Artesia, home to the “Little India” and also includes the city of Norwalk where Radha Krishna temple, one of the oldest Hindu temples west of the Mississippi River, is located.

“Diwali is significant for thousands of families across L.A. County, and I think it’s important for government to recognize that. I’m proud to have led our County in doing that for our Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist communities,” Hahn said in a press release. “And now more than ever, we can find comfort and hope in the defining message of Diwali: Light will triumph over darkness and good will triumph over evil.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

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Celebration of Diwali is gaining support and recognition in US

THE WHITE HOUSE

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris host a Diwali celebration at the White House.

The White House celebrated Diwali, a South Asian celebration Monday. Kamala Harris, the nation's first Indian American Vice President, along with President Biden lit candles to celebrate the Festival of Light.

Vice President Harris recalled how her family celebrated Diwali as they were growing up in California. She said the holiday represents hope to her. “Diwali reminds us to see the light in our world, in each other and in ourselves.”

Celebrated across South Asia  by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists, the multi-day festival is gaining in popularity in the United states as the Festival of Light s gaining in popularity in the United States and observed  by Americans of all ethnicities. 

The celebration of Diwali by the President and Vice President along with 200 White House staff and South Asian celebrities and leaders is another step of America  being America, a nation of immigrants. President Obama was the first President to observe the festival in 2016 at the White House.

The South Asian festival will also become a new holiday for New York City public schools starting in 2023. New York State Assembly member Jenifer Rajkumar announced the news last week that New York City will be making Diwali a holiday for city schools. 

In Rajkuma's Instagram video, whe says, “Today, I am proud to say the time has come. The time has come to recognize over 200,000 New Yorkers of the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Jain faiths who celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights.”

The caption of her video read, “In a historic move, the New York City Mayor announced on Thursday that Diwali would be a public school holiday from next year. The Big Apple city is home to nearly two lakh South Asians and, for years, scores of them have been demanding Diwali to be declared a school holiday.”

Upon viewing the video, Indian American actress Priyanka Chopra reposted Rajkumar's video in which Chopra wrote on her own Instagram account, “After all these years! My teenage self living in Queens is crying tears of joy. #representationmatters.”

Chopra spent part of her teenage years in NYC before moving back to India after experiencing bullying in her Queens high school.

The dates of Diwali fluctuate, and this year, the 5-day festival started on Monday,  October 24.

Rajkumar, who sponsored the bill making the Indian celebration part of New York City's holiday schedule, represents the 38th District in Queens and also chairs the sub-committee on diversity in law. New York City.

According to New York State education laws, 180 days of school education are required in a year. However, in order to meet this criteria, no more school holidays could be declared.

Hence, Rajkumar brought forth the legislation for Diwali to replace 'Anniversary Day' as a public school holiday, calling the latter "an obscure and antiquated day" compared to the festival of lights.

Over the weekend South Indian markets and stores in Queens and California's Silicon Valley were packed with customers buying sweets and gifts for their family celebrations. In the weeks leading up Monday, South Asians observed Diwali with  outdoor celebrations. Celebrations are slated into November.

Diwali is good for business too as US merchants learn more about the celebration. With the food, greeting cards and gifts, the festival is attracting merchants who are discovering consumers who are a marketer's dream. The Indian American household income of $119,000  is the highest among all American ethnic groups, surpassing even White Americans.

South Asian celebrities, business leaders and influencers gathered in New York Oct. 23 in Manhattan adding fashion glitz and glamor to the holiday party hosted by Paramount Pictures and Vogue Magazine. Some of the guests to the formal event, included Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi, fashion designer Prabal  Gurung, Vanity Fair editor-in-chief Radhika Jones, actors Sarita Choudhury and Kal Penn.

Many of the New York City celebrities were guests at the White House celebration two days later to join Biden and Harris.

"As we celebrate this gathering of light, we know—as this community has experienced too often—that there is always darkness lurking," Biden said in a statement. 

"American history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we are all created equal and the harsh reality that that we have never fully lived up to it. By marking the victory of light over darkness, Diwali is a reminder that each of us has the power to bring light to the world, whether here in America or around the world."

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.

President Obama becomes first President to light diya for Diwali

President Obama lights the die in the Oval Office with some White House staff.

By Louis Chan
REPRINTED FROM ASAM NEWS

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA on Sunday (Oct. 30) became the first president ever to light a diya in the Oval Office.

The President joined Indian/American staff members in the White House for a small celebration.

“I wish you and your loved ones peace and happiness on this Diwali,” said the President in a message sent out on social media.

The post and picture generated 4,400 comments, 209,000 likes and 48,000 shares on Facebook.

Sreejith Vignesh wrote “Not sure the other U.S. presidents will honor us like this. On behalf of each and every Indian, I record here my sincere thanks.”

Nisha Graves said, “As an Indian-born American, I am truly honored! Thank you for acknowledging Diwali - you are a class act! Thank you for acknowledging diversity! Happy Diwali to you!”

Nana Thompson said “This is who we are, Americans! Respect and honor diversity, embrace the good in all faiths, all cultures, and shine the light!”

Obama became the first President ever to celebrate Diwali in 2009, but did not light a diya.

“We recognize that this holiday rejoices in the triumph of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance,” wrote the President in his Facebook post. 

“It also speaks to a broader truth about our shared American experience. It’s a reminder of what’s possible when we see beyond the differences that too often divide us. It’s a reflection of the hopes and dreams that bind us together. And it’s a time to renew our collective obligation to deepen those bonds, to stand in each other’s shoes and see the world through each other’s eyes, and to embrace each other as brothers and sisters – and as fellow Americans.”

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