For the first time ever, New York City schools will be closed on Friday, November 1, to observe the Hindu festival of Diwali. This landmark decision marks a significant recognition of the holiday within the city’s educational system.
Dilip Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, announced the closure, stating, “This year, Diwali is special. For the first time in the history of New York City, schools will close for this important festival.”
Chauhan emphasized the challenges of designating a public holiday in a city with 1.1 million students, acknowledging the years of advocacy from community leaders and elected officials. “Many community advocates started this movement years ago, and under Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, November 1 has been officially declared a school holiday,” he explained.
The decision is particularly significant for students who previously faced the dilemma of choosing between attending school and participating in Diwali celebrations. “Diwali is not just a one-day celebration; it spans five days, and students often need to perform prayers at temples during this time. Now they won’t feel pressured to choose between school and their religious observance,” Chauhan noted.
He further remarked on the timing of the holiday, following Halloween celebrations on October 31, allowing students to fully enjoy Diwali without the stress of returning to school the next day. “We are very grateful to Mayor Eric Adams for this recognition of Diwali, and we wish everyone a Happy Diwali,” he added.
This official recognition of Diwali as a public school holiday was established earlier in June. The festival, celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists, symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
In conjunction with the city’s celebration, First Lady Jill Biden and President Joe Biden hosted a Diwali event at the White House on October 28, inviting Indian-Americans from across the country. This marks their final Diwali celebration in office, and the White House shared images from the event, wishing everyone a “Happy Diwali” and emphasizing the importance of unity in the celebration of light.
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