California will formally recognise Diwali as a state holiday after Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new bill on October 6, allowing public schools and community colleges to close and enabling state employees to take paid time off for the festival. The law, AB 268, was co‑sponsored by Assemblymembers Darshana Patel and Ash Kalra and backed by advocacy groups including the Coalition of Hindus of North America. Assemblymember Ash Kalra, chair of the Assembly Judiciary Committee, took to social media to celebrate the approval. “Thank you so much @CAgovernor @GavinNewsom and to my Capitol and Judiciary Committee staff who worked tirelessly all year on these important policies that are now state law! More to come!” he wrote on X. Kalra added that designating Diwali as a state holiday “will upl

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