Guwahati: A bill to officially recognise Diwali as a holiday was passed by the Pennsylvania State Senate, according to Nikhil Saval, a senator from Pennsylvania, who made the announcement via Twitter. Nikhil Saval appreciated Greg Rothman for allowing him to co-introduce the bill on Twitter to show his appreciation.
He wrote on Twitter, “The Senate voted unanimously to recognize Diwali as an official holiday! To all Pennsylvanians who celebrate this festival of light and connection: you are seen, you are welcome, you matter. Thank you, @rothman_greg, for the opportunity to join you in introducing this bill.”
Meanwhile, Greg Rothman tweeted that the Pennsylvania Senate had approved the Diwali recognition bill by a vote of 50-0.
“My legislation to recognize Diwali in Pennsylvania just passed the PA Senate 50-0. Today’s vote upholds and celebrates our Commonwealth’s rich cultural diversity. Thank you @SenatorSaval for agreeing to cosponsor this piece of legislation,” wrote Rothman on Twitter.
Greg Rothman in an official statement said, “Thousands of Pennsylvanians celebrate Diwali each year, including many residents of the 34th Senatorial District.” He further said, “Recognizing Diwali as an official state holiday upholds and celebrates our Commonwealth’s rich cultural diversity.”
He mentioned that South Asian residents in Pennsylvania consider Diwali as a “time of reflection and gathering.” “For many of Pennsylvania’s nearly 200,000 South Asian residents, the Diwali “festival of light” is a time of reflection and gathering. This year, Diwali will be observed on Nov. 12,” Rothman stated.
Meanwhile, Nikhil Saval in the statement said, “Our Commonwealth’s official recognition of Diwali sends a clear message of inclusion to the thousands of Pennsylvanians who celebrate this festival of light and connection each year: you are seen, you are welcome, you matter.” He further stated, “It is fitting that this time for reflection on the endless struggle of light over darkness be extended statewide.”