Hindus ask Diwali holiday in Glendale Heights schools in Illinois
Nevada (US), June 18 (ANI): Hindus want Queen Bee Schools District (QBSD) and Marquardt School District (MSD) in Glendale Heights (Illinois, USA) to add Diwali, the most popular Hindu holy day, to the holiday calendar. Esteemed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, urging QBSD and MSD to announce Diwali as school holiday, said that it was important for Hindu families to celebrate Diwali day together at home with their children. According to reports, Asians make-up sizeable part of Glendale Heights' population and a large portion of those are of India descent. Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, argued that awareness about other religions thus created by such holidays would make QBSD and MSD pupils well-nurtured, well-balanced, and enlightened citizens of tomorrow. It would make QBSD and MSD look good also besides bringing cohesion and unity in the community. According to Rajan Zed, Diwali, the festival of lights, aims at dispelling the darkness and lighting up the lives and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Hindus worship goddess of good fortune and beauty Lakshmi, god of wisdom and auspiciousness Ganesh, and mountain Goverdhan on this day. Also on this day, coronation of Lord Ram was held, Lord Hanuman was born, Lord Vishnu returned kingdom to monkey king Bali of Kiskindha, Lord Vishnu and goddess Lakshmi married, Lord Krishan killed demon Narakasur, and ancient king Vikramaditya was crowned. On this day of forgiveness, festivities, and friendliness; families and friends get together for worship followed by a sumptuous and elaborate feast. It is also considered a harvest festival. Zed stresses that all school districts across USA should declare Diwali as school holiday. Zed points out that South Brunswick School District and Passaic City School District, both in New Jersey, have already declared Diwali as holiday. Los Angeles Unified School District (California) lists Diwali in its "Calendar of Commemorative Dates and Observances", while New Jersey Department of Education includes Diwali in its "List of Religious Holidays Permitting Pupil Absence From School". US President observed Diwali at White House in 2009. An official Diwali reception has reportedly been held at the New Zealand Parliament for the last few years. Two east London (United Kingdom) boroughs-Waltham Forest and Newham-have announced Diwali as school closure day in all the community primary and secondary schools. Besides Hindus, Sikhs and Jains and some Buddhists also celebrate Diwali. Victoria Tabbert is the Superintendent of QBSD whose mission is to "ensure that all students learn, grow, and achieve." Tagline of MSD is "Excellence-Opportunity-Diversity" and Dr. Loren May is the Superintendent. Linda Jackson is President of The Village of Glendale Heights in DuPage County, which is a Character Counts community. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal. (ANI)
