California Declares Diwali a State Holiday
California has officially recognised the Diwali festival as a state holiday. It has now become the third state in the United States of America, after Pennsylvania and Connecticut, which declare Diwali as a state holiday.
Governor of California Gavin Newsom signed the bill introduced by Assembly member Ash Kalra, granting paid time off to state employees and allowing schools to observe the festival. Community leaders hailed the move as a milestone that honours the contributions of Indian Americans to the state’s economy, government, and society.
