"Last week the California Legislature passed Assembly Bill 268, which would add Diwali, also known as Deepavali and the Hindu "Festival of Lights," to the state's official holiday list. The Assembly bill would authorize community colleges and public schools to close on Diwali. State employees would be allowed to elect to take the day off; certain community college and public school employees would be given time off with pay under the proposed law."
""Designating Diwali as an official state holiday not only recognizes the festival's religious and historical importance but will better enable those throughout the Indian diaspora and beyond to take part in one of the world's oldest religious holidays," said Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San José), who introduced the bill. Diwali is celebrated over the course of five days and marks the beginning of the new year in the Hindu calendar, according to the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art."
Assembly Bill 268 passed the California Legislature to add Diwali, also called Deepavali or the Hindu Festival of Lights, to the state's official holiday list. The bill would authorize closures of community colleges and public schools for Diwali. State employees could elect to take the day off, and certain community college and public school employees would receive paid time off. Governor Gavin Newsom must sign the bill before Oct. 12 for it to become law. Diwali spans five days, marks the Hindu new year, is traditionally celebrated after the final harvest in October or November, and honors the goddess Lakshmi.
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