Scores of Indian Americans crowd Albany legislature to lobby for Diwali in public schools

February 14, 2023

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New York State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar leads scores of Indian Americans to Albany to voice demand for Diwali as school holiday. Photo: Twitter @JeniferRajkumar

New York State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar led a delegation of scores of Indian-Americans to Albany Feb. 9, 2023. The large crowd trouped through the halls of the State Capitol to voice their demand for Diwali to be declared as a public School holiday in New York City.

The campaign for Diwali as a public school holiday has been ongoing for many years around the country especially where Indian-origin residents are in significant numbers.

The Mayor of New York City Eric Adams has also expressed his support for such a measure.

Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, State Senator Kevin Thomas at the rally Feb. 9, 2023,, in Albany to call for Diwali public school holiday in NYC. Photo Twitter @JeniferRajkumar

Rajkumar posted a video of the procession as it made its way inside the legislature, describing it as “HISTORY in the making!! Watch me & hundreds of South Asians ascend the Capitol steps and declare support for Diwali to be a School Holiday once and for all in the City of New York. After over 20 years of advocacy, the time is now for this community. 2023 must be the year!”