DIWALI
2024
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Diwali, a festival of historic, religious, and cultural significance, is celebrated annually by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists throughout the United States, and across the globe; and
WHEREAS, the diversity of the community that celebrates Diwali comprises a vital part of North Carolina’s rich ethnic and social fabric, with languages, cultures, and religious beliefs that enrich our state; and
WHEREAS, Diwali, an abbreviation of the Sanskrit “Deepavali,” is a festival of lights during which celebrants light small oil lamps, place them around their home, and pray for knowledge, peace, compassion, and universal well-being; and
WHEREAS, the rows of lamps symbolize the light of knowledge and truth triumphing over negative qualities such as ignorance and greed; in other words, Diwali celebrates the victory of good over evil; and
WHEREAS, Diwali is celebrated by Hindus as a day of thanksgiving for the homecoming of Lord Rama and the beginning of the new year; and
WHEREAS, for Sikhs, Diwali is celebrated as the day that revered teacher Guru Hargobind was released from captivity by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir; and
WHEREAS, for Jains, Diwali marks the anniversary of the attainment of moksha, or liberation, by Mahavira at the end of his life in 527 B.C.; and
WHEREAS, for Buddhists, Diwali is commemorated as the day the great Emperor Ashoka embraced Buddhism as his faith;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim November 1, 2024, as “DIWALI” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.
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Roy Cooper
Governor
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-fourth day of October in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-four and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.