Bill to make Diwali official holiday in New York gets closer to reality
Originally published in
Desi Talk
New York Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar introduced a new bill in the State Assembly (Bill #A7062), which establishes Diwali as a school holiday in New York. The bill appears to have a better chance of making the holiday a reality with the support it has garnered.
Rajkumar told Desi Talk she is working to get Republicans in the Assembly to lend their backing for what she says is a universally acknowledged cause. The bill will have to pass both the lower and upper house before Gov. Andrew Cuomo signs it into law.
The bill relating to the same issue has been in the New York State Senate introduced by Sen. Kevin Thomas, the only Indian-American in that legislative body.
Senator Thomas has a bill (S151) that would amend the education law to allow Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Diwali, and Onam to be considered school holidays in districts where a considerable portion of students observe such religious or cultural days.
Sen. Thomas’ bill also includes an important section to prevent loss of state funds resulting from observance of these traditional and religious days and have those holidays calculated as session days if necessary.
Senator Leroy Comrie who represents the 14th Senatorial District that encompasses portions of Jamaica, Cambria Heights, Queens Village, Hollis, Rosedale, Laurelton, and Kew Gardens among other neighborhoods, is listed as a co-sponsor of this bill as are Senators Andrew Gounardes (22nd District), Roxanne J. Persaud (19th District), and Jessica Ramos (13th District).