PROCLAMATION: RECOGNIZING DIWALI IN DUTCHESS COUNTY

DUTCHESS COUNTY LEGISLATURE Proclamation: Recognizing Diwali in Dutchess County Resolution No. 2025170 The Dutchess County Legislature offers the following and moves its adoption: WHEREAS, Diwali, also known as Deepavali or the Festival of Lights, is one of the most significant and widely celebrated festivals observed by South Asian Hindu and Indo Caribbean communities, as well as Sikh, Jain, and some Buddhist communities, and WHEREAS, Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil, representing hope, renewal, and the triumph of righteousness, and WHEREAS, the word "Diwali" derives from the Sanskrit term "Deepavali," meaning "a row of lamps," and the celebration is marked by the lighting of diyas (oil lamps) placed around homes, symbolizing the light of knowledge and truth within each individual, WHEREAS, Diwali is celebrated over five days during the Hindu month of Kartika, with each day holding its own significance and traditions, and marks the traditional end of the harvest season and the beginning of the new year, and WHEREAS, the celebration strengthens family bonds and community ties through prayers, festive meals, the exchange o gifts and sweets, and the joyous display of fireworks and illuminated colors that convey a message of unity, an WHEREAS, Dutchess County is home to a vibrant and diverse South Asian community whose members have enriched our county through their cultural traditions, professional contributions, and civic engagement, and WHEREAS, Diwali serves as an opportunity for all residents of Dutchess County to learn about and appreciate the rich cultural heritage of our South Asian neighbors and to celebrate the diversity that strengthens our community, and WHEREAS, recognizing and honoring the traditions of all our residents fosters mutual respect, understanding, and harmony throughout Dutchess County, now, therefore be it, RESOLVED, that the Dutchess County Legislature, on behalf of all the people of Dutchess County, recognize Diwali and encourage all residents to join in recognizing this joyous occasion and the valuable contributions of our South Asian community to the cultural fabric of our county. STATE OF NEW YORK S5: COUNTY OF DUTCHESS This is to certify that I, the undersigned Clerk of the Legislature of che County of Dutchess, have compared the foregoing resolution with the original resolution now on file in the office of said clerk, and which was adopted by said Legislature on the 14h day of October 2025, and that the same is a true and correct transcript of said original resolution and of the whole thereof. IN WITNESS WIIERSON, I have hercunto set my hand and scal of said Legislature this 14% day of Oeföber 2025. eigh tace IGH WAGER, CLARK OF THE LEGISTURI