SR286: SR286 Diwali Day; recognize October 20, 2025

This resolution from the Georgia Senate formally recognizes October 20, 2025, as Diwali Day. Diwali, also called Deepavali, is a five day festival celebrated by more than a billion people worldwide, including many Georgians, across Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jain traditions. The resolution describes the festival's meaning, including themes of charity, selfless service, compassion, and the pursuit of knowledge, and notes that celebrants light oil lamps and pray for health, knowledge, and peace. The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It simply states the Senate's recognition of the day and directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available to the public and the press.

• Formally recognizes October 20, 2025, as Diwali Day through a Georgia Senate resolution.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare copies of the resolution for distribution to the public and the press.
• Contains no changes to Georgia statutes, funding, or penalties, since it is a symbolic resolution rather than a law.

The resolution touches Georgians who celebrate Diwali, including Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jain communities, and serves as a public statement of recognition from the Georgia Senate rather than a legal mandate on any group.

Because this is a symbolic resolution, it creates no new legal obligations or funding. Its practical effect is a public, official acknowledgment from the Georgia Senate of Diwali's significance to the state's Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jain communities.

• The whereas clauses describe Diwali's cultural and religious significance, including its five day duration and connection to the Hindu lunisolar calendar.
• The resolved clause formally recognizes October 20, 2025, as Diwali Day in Georgia.
• A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

1. 2025-02-27Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-02-26Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)Primary sponsor
• Emanuel Jones (D, SD-010)
• Jason Esteves (D, SD-035)

• Diwali
• religious recognition
• Georgia Senate resolution
• cultural heritage