Hindus ask for Diwali holiday in Sunnyvale schools in California

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Correspondent

19 May, 2011

Hindus living in Sunnyvale school district are asking the authorities to declare Diwali a holiday. Diwali is important for Hindu families to celebrate together at home, says Zed, who is the President of Universal Society of Hinduism.

HINDUS WANT Sunnyvale School District (SSD) in California (USA) to add Diwali, the most popular Hindu holy day, to the holiday calendar.

Esteemed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, urging SSD to announce Diwali as a school holiday, saying that it was important for Hindu families to celebrate Diwali day together at home with their children. According to reports, Asians make up about 41 per cent of Sunnyvale’s population, and a sizeable portion of those were of India descent.

Zed, who is the President of Universal Society of Hinduism, argued that awareness about other religions, created by such holidays, would make pupils of the District well-nurtured, well-balanced, and enlightened citizens of tomorrow. It would make the district look good, besides bringing cohesion and unity in the community.

According to Rajan Zed, Diwali, the festival of lights, aims at dispelling the darkness and lighting up the lives and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Hindus worship goddess of good fortune and beauty Lakshmi, god of wisdom and auspiciousness Ganesh, and mountain Goverdhan on this day.

Also on this day, coronation of Lord Ram was held, Lord Hanuman was born, Lord Vishnu returned to the kingdom to monkey king Bali of Kiskindha, Lord Vishnu and goddess Lakshmi married, Lord Krishan killed demon Narakasur, and ancient king Vikramaditya was crowned. On this day of forgiveness, festivities, and friendliness; families and friends get together to worship followed by a sumptuous and elaborate feast. It is also considered a harvest festival. Zed stressed that all school districts across USA should declare Diwali as school holiday. Diwali falls on October 26 this year.

SSD, which runs 10 schools, is a high performing school district whose Sunnyvale Middle and Cherry Chase Elementary are National Blue Ribbon Schools. Dr. Benjamin H. Picard is the Superintendent.

Known as the heart of the renowned Silicon Valley, Sunnyvale is home to Yahoo, Lockheed Martin, AMD, etc. Notable people associated with Sunnyvale include actress Teri Hatcher, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, Nobel laureate Andrew Fire, Olympic gold medalist Benny Brown, and talk show host Mark Levin. Melinda Hamilton is the Mayor while Gary Luebbers is the City Manager.

Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.

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COMMENTS (2)

The real solution isn't to start another school, but not give in to these holiday demands. We don't need it!!!! The simpletons on here who say to start a private school should be the first ones to donate their money to the school or just stfU!!!!

I concur with those who don't want to see this added as a legal holiday to the school system. I doubt they can, I think it might be unconstitutional with the separation of church and state issues. It would simply be advocating one religion over others. Besides this would set a bad precedence regarding other issues when it comes to other religious holidays or historical moments in another culture's history. Should there be school holidays for every religion in the world? Should there be holidays for every historical moment in a culture's history as well? there just aren't enough days in the year to suit every culture. Leave things as they are. LEt them celebrate this religion in their own country or on their own time.