(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
California’s Governor Gavin Newsom officially made Diwali a state holiday on Tuesday when he signed Assembly Bill 268 into law. The new law lets community colleges and public schools close on Diwali, and it gives state employees the option to take paid leave on the day.
The bill also allows school officials to put Diwali into the curriculum, offering lessons and celebrations that highlight the festival’s message of light, unity, and hope. It’s part of a broader push to recognize the vibrant South‑Asian community that makes up nearly a million Californians and drives innovation in places like Silicon Valley.
Ajay Bhutoria, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and former advisor to President Biden on Asian American and Pacific Islander affairs, praised the move. On X, he thanked Newsom for signing AB 268 and credited Assembly members Ash Kalra and Dr. Darshana Patel for championing the bill. “Diwali is a reminder of hope over hardship and knowledge over ignorance,” Bhutoria said. “This is a powerful affirmation of the Indian diaspora’s legacy in the Golden State.”
With Diwali scheduled for October 20, the law gives families the chance to celebrate traditions like lighting diyas and creating rangoli without work or school deadlines. The gesture reflects California’s growing commitment to multicultural inclusion and highlights the lasting impact of its South‑Asian citizens on the state’s culture, economy, and spirit.
Source: aninews
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