Diwali Proposed to be Federal Holiday in US; Bill Introduced in Congress

A bill was introduced in the US Congress to declare Diwali, the festival of lights, a federal holiday. This move was welcomed by different communities in America.

The Diwali Day Act, when passed by Congress and signed into law by the President, would make the festival of lights the 12th federally recognized holiday in the United States.

“Diwali is one of the most important days of the year for billions of people across the globe, and for countless families and communities in Queens, New York, and the United States, Congresswoman Grace Meng told reporters soon after introducing the bill in the House of Representatives on Friday.

Establishing a federal holiday for Diwali, and the day off it would provide, would allow families and friends to celebrate together, and demonstrate that the government values the diverse cultural makeup of the nation, the Congresswoman said.