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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 64896, member: 636"] Several Indian American community members and advocacy organizations in the United States welcomed California’s official recognition of Diwali as a statewide holiday after the bill became law on Oct. 6. California became the third state to declare Diwali a holiday, following Pennsylvania in 2024 and Connecticut earlier in the year. The Indian Consulate General in San Francisco expressed gratitude to the state for honoring Diwali and extended greetings to those celebrating. Advocacy groups thanked California Governor Gavin Newsom and recognized the contributions of Assembly members Darshana Patel and Ash Kalra for sponsoring the bill. Organizations such as the Hindu American Foundation and Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America called the decision a significant milestone. These groups said the law would help integrate Diwali into the holiday season and encouraged other states to adopt similar measures. [/QUOTE]