The Deputy Commissioner at the New York City Mayor’s office, Dilip Chauhan, on Saturday lauded the city’s office decision to announce Diwali as a public school holiday for the first time.

Mr Chauhan said that the decision was the result of years of dedicated advocacy by the Indian diaspora and the Indian-American community.

He added that the Indian diaspora worked really hard to achieve success in this initiative.  Diwali was announced as a holiday by New York City Mayor Eric Adams in June.