Washington, DC: US lawmakers, spearheaded by Congresswoman Grace Meng, have reintroduced legislation in the House of Representatives seeking to designate Diwali as a federal holiday.
The Diwali Day Act has secured the backing of 19 lawmakers, including Indian-origin representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi, Suhas Subramanyam, Shri Thanedar, Ro Khanna and Ami Bera.
Meng, who heads the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, stated in an official release, "My Diwali Day Act will help educate Americans about the importance of this day, and I will continue working to create a more inclusive nation that honours the rich cultural traditions of its people."
The draft legislation defines Diwali, also referred to as Deepavali or the Festival of Lights, as a pivotal annual observance for several religious groups, encompassing Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists.
The celebration is also observed by billions across South Asian, Southeast Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities.
Meng noted that while the festival carries diverse significance across various religious, ethnic and cultural groups, it binds observers together through reflection, prayer and gatherings with loved ones.
"Diwali represents the triumph of good over evil and…