Hindus laud two US schools for including Diwali in calendar

06 October, 2012

Hindus have applauded Smithfield Public Schools and Barrington Public Schools in Rhode Island in the US for listing Diwali on their respective calendars, calling it 'a step in the right direction'.

ACCORDING TO their 2012-2013 School Calendar (Smithfield’s was approved on October one), Diwali is listed at November 13 under "Major Religious & Cultural Holidays".

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement, said that awareness about other religions thus created by such listings would make the Smithfield and Barrington Public Schools’ pupils well-nurtured, well-balanced, and enlightened citizens of tomorrow. Zed asked all school districts in Rhode Island to list Diwali as a religious/cultural holiday.

Both Smithfield and Barrington Public Schools have six schools each and Robert O’Brien and Michael B. Messore III are superintendents of Smithfield and Barrington Schools respectively.

According to 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 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 for worship followed by a sumptuous and elaborate feast. It is also considered a harvest festival, Zed added.

Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal. There are about three million Hindus in the US.