Last year, the Valley Indian Seniors Association (VISA), (a non-profit organization that serves to empower, educate and entertain Indian seniors in the San Fernando Valley) was invited to Los Angeles City Hall to commemorate Diwali, the Festival of Lights.  

This year, we wanted to go a step further. Together with USIndianSeniors, we wanted to go from a city centric focus to a state level.  We discovered and were thrilled to hear about AB 268 (authored by Kalra and Patel) that seeks to make Diwali an official state holiday in California. 

 

 

Even though California is considered a trailblazer, they are behind in the Diwali movement. New York City,  Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Illinois, and Florida have already recognized Diwali within their states.   AB 268 is California’s opportunity to create history on the West Coast.  In a nutshell, AB 268 would:

• Add Diwali to California’s list of state holidays
• Allow public schools and community colleges to close for the day
• Enable state employees to take paid leave to celebrate

Think about it, California is home to over 1.2 million people who celebrate Diwali or an analogous festival during the same period: 1 million Hindus (Diwali), Sikhs(Bandi Chhor Divas), Nepali Americans (Tihar), Jain (Dipalika), and Buddhists (commemoration of the day when Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism).  All these communities have enriched the state’s technology, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and arts sector — yet our biggest cultural holiday, Diwali remains unrecognized.

Diwali is more than symbolism—it's a sacred expression of cultural identity, family tradition, and spiritual renewal. For our youth, it combats invisibility, counters bullying and sends a message that our stories and traditions belong in the mainstream.  

We created a public awareness website that guides individuals on how to advocate for Diwali recognition at a local level.  It’s a central hub for resources, action steps, and local advocacy efforts in schools, museums, libraries and other community centers.  

We have rallied many community organizations within California to join our mission and get this bill passed.  We have asked them to support AB 268 and get their volunteers to actively reach out to local libraries and schools and begin to spread awareness about Diwali through cultural programs, storytelling, and community events.  These are some of our growing list of partner organizations:

• Americans4Hindus
• Caring Hand for Children
• CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America)
• Gujarati Association of SFV
• Hindu American Foundation (HAF)
• India Friends Association (IFA)
• Nepali Association of Northern California (NANC)
• Saahas for Cause
• USIndianSeniors
• Valley Indian Seniors Association and many more... 

The following diverse group of legislators need to be recognized for their support of AB 268 (authored by Kalra/Patel):

• Senator Aisha Wahab (D–Fremont) – First Muslim woman in the CA Senate
• Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains (D–Bakersfield) – First Sikh woman in the Legislature
• Senator Caroline Menjivar (D–San Fernando Valley) – LGBTQ+ advocate for equity
• Rep. Brad Sherman (D–Sherman Oaks) – Longtime ally of the Indian diaspora
• Councilmember Nithya Raman – Champion of community and culture in Los Angeles and the one who invited us to raise a voice in Los Angeles City Hall

This coalition represents what California is and can be—interfaith, inclusive, and forward-thinking.

This is a pivotal moment and it’s time to step up and make a difference.  Let’s all be able to say that we did our part and were involved in the passage of this Diwali bill.  

1. Go to GoldenStateDiwali.  
2. Click on 'What can you do?'
3. Identify your state legislator (Senator and Councilmember) and urge them to support AB 268.  Also, go to your local library and school and volunteer to help them create a program or event around Diwali.  

Let's turn this Diwali movement into a milestone.   It's already passed the Assembly.  Now, it's going to the Senate floor then to Governor Newsom.  Contact your legislators today!

Let’s Make History, CA!