Senate Resolution No. 3022

BY: Senator COMRIE

RECOGNIZING the celebration of the Festival 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
recognize the celebration of the Festival of Diwali; and

WHEREAS, The Festival of Diwali (Festival of Lights) is a major
holiday 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"
symbolize 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 19, 2017, 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
accomplishment who provide opportunities to celebrate their rich ethnic
flavor and who strive to preserve their cultural heritage; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations
recognize the celebration of the Festival of Diwali.