According to Senator Nikil Saval’s tweets, Pennsylvania has designated the Hindu celebration of Diwali as a national holiday. In February of this year, state senators Greg Rothman and Nikil Saval proposed legislation to declare Diwali a state holiday in Pennsylvania.
According to the sources, the decision has been taken keeping the South Asian residents residing in Pennsylvania. Taking to Twitter, Senator Nikil Saval said, “The Senate voted unanimously to recognize Diwali as an official holiday! To all Pennsylvanians who celebrate this festival of light and connection: you are seen, you are welcome, you matter. Thank you, @rothman_greg, for the opportunity to join you in introducing this bill.”
Meanwhile, Greg Rothman said that the bill has been passed in the Pennsylvania Senate by 50-0. He also took it to Twitter, saying, “My legislation to recognize Diwali in Pennsylvania just passed the PA Senate 50-0. Today’s vote upholds and celebrates our Commonwealth’s rich cultural diversity. Thank you @SenatorSaval for agreeing to cosponsor this piece of legislation.”
He further said, “Today is an exciting day. My legislation to recognize Diwali passed the #PASenate unanimously. Thank you to the South Asian residents in the 34th district who have welcomed me warmly and become friends. @SenatorSaval”
Rothman also noted that nearly 200,000 South Asian residents are living in Pennsylvania, considering Diwali and the time of reflection and gathering and festival of light, Diwali is been declared as the holiday. Notably, this year Diwali will be observed on November 12.
The formal acknowledgment of Diwali by Our Commonwealth, according to Saval, conveys a strong message of inclusion to the numerous Pennsylvanians who observe this festival of light every year: “You are seen, you are welcome, and you matter.” It is appropriate that this period of reflection on the ongoing conflict between light and darkness be made available to the entire state.
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