New York City schools close for Diwali in historic first; White House hosts celebration

For the first time in history,

New York City schools

will close on November 1 to observe Diwali, marking a major milestone for the

Hindu festival

's recognition.
According to the news agency ANI, the deputy commissioner of the Mayor's Office for International Affairs,

Dilip Chauhan

, highlighted the significance of the decision, praising

community leaders

and advocates for their years of dedication.
"With 1.1 million students in the city’s schools, this is a tremendous step forward," Chauhan stated, acknowledging the challenges faced by families celebrating Diwali while balancing school commitments.
"This year, students won’t have to choose between their education and celebrating this important festival", he added.

In Washington, President Joe Biden and

First Lady Jill Biden

hosted their final Diwali celebration as President and First Lady at the

White House

on October 28.

Indian-Americans

from across the US attended, bringing a special touch to this year’s celebrations.
The White House shared festive photos on X, captioning, "Happy Diwali from the White House! Together, may we show the power in the gathering of light."

The decision to observe Diwali as a school holiday, officially declared in June, was made under

Mayor Eric Adams

’ administration.
Recognised for years by Hindu, Jain, Sikh, and Buddhist communities, Diwali is one of the largest festivals, symbolising light triumphing over darkness.