LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION paying tribute to the Malwa Brothers Organization
of the State of New York upon the occasion of celebrating the Holiday of
Diwali

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body, in keeping with its
time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those who
foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of cultural diversity which
strengthens the fabric of the communities of this great State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to pay trib-
ute to the Malwa Brothers Organization of the State of New York upon the
occasion of celebrating the Festival of Diwali; and
WHEREAS, The Festival of Diwali (Festival of Lights) is a major holi-
day that has religious and historical significance for Hindus, Sikhs,
and Jains; and
WHEREAS, The word Diwal is a shortened version of the Sanskrit term
Deepavali, which translated means "a row of lamps"; Diwali is a Festival
of Lights, during which time celebrants light small oil lamps, then
place them around their homes, and pray for health, knowledge and peace;
and
WHEREAS, Celebrants of Diwali believe that the "rows of lamps" symbol-
ize the light within the individual that rids the soul of the darkness
of ignorance; and
WHEREAS, Diwali, which falls on the last day of the month in the lunar
calendar, October 30, 2016, is celebrated as a day of thanksgiving and
the beginning of the new year for many Hindus; it is a celebration of
the victory of good over evil; and
WHEREAS, For the Sikhs, Diwali is feted as the day that the sixth
founding Sikh Guru, or revered teacher, Guru Hargobind Ji, was released
from captivity from the ruling Mughal Emperor; and
WHEREAS, For Jains, Diwali marks the anniversary of the attainment of
moksha or liberation by Mahavira, the last of the Tirthankaras, who were
the great teachers of Jain dharma, at the end of his life in 527 B.C.;
and
WHEREAS, Currently, there are over 300,000 people who make up the
South Asian community in New York City; their contributions to the
communities they reside in are plentiful and have enriched the culture
of the great City of New York; and
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to recognize
those organizations and its members of true purpose and worthy accom-
plishment who provide opportunities to celebrate their rich ethnic
flavor and who strive to preserve their cultural heritage; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay
tribute to the Malwa Brothers Organization of the State of New York upon
the occasion of celebrating the Festival of Diwali; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Malwa Brothers Organization of the State of New York.