BILL WOULD DESIGNATE DIWALI AS STATE HOLIDAY IN PENNSYLVANIA

A bill recognizing a major South Asian holiday called Diwali as a state holiday in Pennsylvania may soon reach the governor’s desk.  Versions of the bill about the celebration based on the Hindi Festival of Lights have passed both the House and Senate. Representative Arvind Venkat of Pittsburgh, who is of Indian descent, has sponsored the measure. He says such a state holiday would reflect the increasing diversity of Pennsylvania, including the growing Indian and South Asian communities.