CA AR122

Recognizes Diwali festival on Monday, October 24, 2022, and encourages Californians to participate in the celebration.

Acknowledges the religious and historical significance of Diwali as celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains, with approximately 3.23 million Hindus in the United States.

Notes that Diwali ("Deepavali" in Sanskrit, meaning "a row of lamps") symbolizes the victory of good over evil and celebrates the destruction of negative qualities including violence, anger, jealousy, ignorance, greed, fear, and suffering.

Recognizes distinct meanings of Diwali for different faiths: for Hindus it marks Lord Rama's homecoming and the new year; for Sikhs it commemorates Guru Hargobind's release from captivity; for Jains it marks Mahavira's attainment of moksha in 527 B.C.; for Buddhists it celebrates Emperor Ashoka's embrace of Buddhism.

Expresses the Assembly's deepest respect for Indian Americans and the Indian diaspora worldwide on this significant occasion.