Considering the population ratio to holidays already allotted to certain religious sect, sure a Hindu holiday should be included. Which also add or acknowledges the diversity in our great city. Now the question is how many people of Hindu faith are in your city?
I agree with lincol above, especially in toronto we see a large variety of cultures and religions. Now that immigration is increasing, the government should welcome and support their native practices. Maybe in the future, although I see eid having a better chance in becoming a holiday than diwali, lots more muslims in my area than hindus and undoubtedly carry more attention in the media right now.
Eid was made a hoilday starting from this year but not diwali. The mayor here in ny says that they have no plans on making diwali a national school hoilday
Of course, it's Hindus new year and if everyone else can have their holiday off, why not the hi sis too
Politics rules. Unless Hindus unite as a group as a (political) force nothing will change. I understand the last Diwali parade was cancelled because of bickering by top religious head. I would love to see unity for where there is unity there is strength. There is need for a Hindu priest like Guyana late, Reepu Daman Persaud.
Yea, I agree it would be nice to see that we get a holiday, but we def are not united like many religions out there to really make much of an impact unless something changes. In Toronto, we have no holiday for any religion besides Christian...working with that theory that's fine. However, if in NY there are allowing Eid to become a holiday then that's messed up to not acknowledge anyone else.
Not a good idea because the kids lose lesson time, however if all the hindu teachers stay home then city hall will take notice. So kids stay in school and become teachers.
Diwali can definitely be a holiday if there is political mobilization to push it to happen. Lets organize something Mobilization has to reach further than the hindu community as well.
then again if all the religions have their holidays reconized kids will stay home half the school year
Guyana people don't respect the Hindu religion, they always make a joke of it and mix it up, it's not a good thing, we don't have to make a mix of new generation and Hindu religion. They always use coolie, they don't know what coolie means, coolies means in India for helpers carrying luggage in railway stations, that means all Guyana Hindu guys carrying luggage in railway. But Guyana don't have Railway, they seems to be idiot.
In Canada, you will get into a lot of religious and political debates over this subject. Becomes a very touchy topic. It would be nice but then members of other religions will want the same respect for their religious holidays. Then you get too many days off and we know North America business does not like days off.
