California Now the Third US State to Recognise Diwali as an Official Holiday; Why every nation wants to be the champion of Bhartiya culture?

 

Bharat has one of the world’s oldest, richest, and most continuously evolving cultural traditions, having its root deeply embedded in the soil of Bharat, with the Indus Valley Civilisation around 4,500 years ago encompassing influential contributions to Sanatan accompanied by the knowledge of mathematics (the invention of zero), philosophy, languages, and arts. This diverse culture of Bharat features a variety of classical and folk traditions in music, dance, and festivals, alongside unique customs that unite the whole world under the spirit of universal brotherhood.

 

An epitome of this can be seen in global trends today. In October 2024, Pennsylvania became the first state to officially recognise Diwali as a state holiday, followed by Connecticut this year.

 

In a historic development for the Indian diaspora, California has designated Diwali as an official state holiday, becoming the third state in the US to officially recognise the Indian festival of lights as a holiday.

 

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Tuesday that he had signed a bill by Assembly member Ash Kalra designating Diwali as a state holiday.

 

 

In September, the bill titled ‘AB 268’ to designate Diwali as an official state holiday had successfully passed both houses of the legislature in California and was awaiting final action by Newsom.

 

At its heart, Bharat’s cultural mosaic is sustained by a single civilisational idea, ‘Dharma’. It is this guiding principle that has allowed Bharat to absorb and adapt without losing her essence. As Rabindranath Thakur once said, “India has never had a real sense of nationalism. Her nationalism is in her dharma.”

 

Unlike the Western notion of multiculturalism, which often represents a patchwork of competing identities, Bharat’s diversity stems from an organic and harmonious evolution. The civilisational idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the world is one family, has ensured that Bharat’s pluralism is inclusive, not divisive.

 

 

Here, spirituality and material progress have walked hand in hand. The same land that gave the world Yoga, Ayurveda, and the Upanishads continues to inspire the world with its wisdom.

 

Our legacy of many generations has led Bharat to where we are today, making this country one of a kind in the world. Known to be one of the oldest cultures in the world, our story dates back to around 4,500 years ago. Bharat has a very expansive heritage which varies throughout different parts of the country. Our culture has evolved equally in intellectual, philosophical as well as creative aspects. Bharat has been home to ancient civilisations like the Indus Valley Civilisation, which had organised and systematic town planning and societal hierarchy. The Rigvedic Sanskrit is one of the oldest attestations of any Indo-Aryan languages and one of the earliest attested members of the Indo-European language family. The earliest inscriptions of Tamil have been found on pottery dating back to 500 BC. Indian classical music, performing arts like dance and drama, express and bring to life a deep connection of the performer to the art, linking it to a spiritual level.

 

From Kashmir’s saffron fields to Kanyakumari’s serene shores, from the deserts of Rajasthan to the lush plains of Assam, Bharat embodies diversity that coexists within unity. Every few hundred kilometres, the dialect changes, the attire varies, and the cuisine acquires a distinct flavour, making the culture of Bharat a living mosaic of beauty and balance.

 

 

Today, Yoga echoes in the culture and lifestyle of the world. The practice of Ayurveda heals in and around the globe. Diwali lights up the dark winters of the West. The world is not merely adopting Bharat’s traditions; it is embracing the Bharatiya soul. This global acceptance reflects more than fascination with exotic customs. It signifies a deeper recognition of Bharat’s timeless civilisational wisdom rooted in harmony, balance, and spirituality. Bharat’s culture does not impose, it inspires. Its message of unity amidst diversity and of peace through Dharma resonates across faiths and borders.