HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.1 Presentation of the Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month and Diwali ProclamationsCELEBRATING
STAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
DUBLIN
CALIFORNIA
Agenda Item 3.1
DATE: October 18, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Linda Smith, City Manager
SU B,ECT : Presentation of the Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month and
Diwali Proclamations
Prepared by: Cierra Fabrigas, Executive Aide
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City Council will present the Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month and Diwali
proclamations.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Present the proclamations.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.
DESCRIPTION:
Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month
Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month is celebrated annually in the month of
October, the month of Mahatma Gandhi's birth and a time when major Hindu holidays such as
Navaratri and Diwali are celebrated. This month marks a global movement highlighting Hinduism
as a tradition and recognizing the contributions Hinduism has made to society.
Diwali
October 24, 2022 will mark the celebration of Diwali or Deepvali. Diwali, recognized in autumn
each year by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhist, and others around the world, is celebrated by lighting
the Diya, or oil lamp, which symbolizes dispelling darkness and bringing light into life with
traditional offerings, rituals, and festivals. Diwali is a festival of lights that includes many
traditions such as gathering with friends and family for community prayer, exchanging gifts,
setting off fireworks, and decorating houses with colorful rangolis. Diwali is also the Hindu New
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Year, and it is celebrated on the last day of the last month in the lunar calendar.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
None.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
The City Council Agenda was posted.
ATTACHMENTS:
1) Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month Proclamation
2) Diwali Proclamation
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Attachment I
A PROCLAMATION OF THE
CITY OF DUBLIN, CALIFORNIA
"Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month"
WHEREAS, the City of Dublin and the nation have been influenced by the extraordinary cultural and ethnic linguistic and religious
diversity of its residents; and
WHEREAS, there is an estimated one billion Hindus worldwide, and approximately 1.4 million Hindu Americans live across the
nation; and
WHEREAS, Hindu Americans in the City of Dublin represent diverse ethnic backgrounds, including individuals of Indian, Pakistani,
Bangladeshi, Malaysian, Indonesian, Afghan, Nepali, Bhutanese, Sri Lankan, Fijian, Caribbean, and European descent; and
WHEREAS, the City of Dublin and our nation have greatly benefited from Hindu Americans, especially through the Vendanta
philosophy, Ayurvedic medicine, classical Indian art, dance, music, meditation, yoga, literature, and community service; and
WHEREAS, the year 2022 marks the 129th anniversary of when Hinduism was officially introduced to the United States by Swami
Vivekanda at the 1893 World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago, IL, and the 122nd anniversary of when he founded the Vendanta
Society in San Francisco, California in 1900; and
WHEREAS, Hindu Americans promote the ideals of tolerance, pluralism, and religious freedom, which are inherent to their beliefs
and respect the diversity of all faiths, and the Vedas, the 5,000-year-old texts of Hindu Americans, provide the basis for these core
principles: "Truth is one, the wise call it by many names (Ekam sat viprah bahudha vadanti); and
WHEREAS, our diversity is one of our greatest strengths, and the City of Dublin joins with all those around the world celebrating
Hindu Americans.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin hereby proclaim October 2022 as `Hindu
American Awareness and Appreciation Month" in the City of Dublin.
DATED: October 18, 2022
Mayor Melissa Hernandez Vice Mayor Jean Josey
Councilmember Sherry Hu
Councilmember Shawn Kumagai Councilmember Michael McCorriston
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Attachment 2
A PROCLAMATION OF THE
CITY OF DUBLIN, CALIFORNIA
"Diwali — October 24, 2022"
WHEREAS, the City of Dublin, along with the nation, has been influenced by the extraordinary cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and
religious diversity of its residents; and
WHEREAS, Diwali or Deepavali, is celebrated in autumn of each year by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhist, and others
throughout the Bay Area and the World; and
WHEREAS, Diwali is celebrated by lighting the Diya or oil lamp, which symbolizes dispelling darkness and bringing light into
life with traditional offerings, rituals, and festivals; and
WHEREAS, Diwali is also the Hindu New Year, and it is celebrated on the last day of the last month in the lunar calendar;
and
WHEREAS, for Hindus, Diwali is a celebration of good triumphing over evil, and light prevailing over darkness; and
WHEREAS, Hindu Americans in the City of Dublin represent diverse ethnic backgrounds, including individuals of Indian,
Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Malaysian, Indonesian, Afghan, Nepali, Bhutanese, Sri Lankan, Fijian, Caribbean, and European
descent; and
WHEREAS, our diversity is one of our greatest strengths, and Dublin joins with all those around the world celebrating Diwali.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin hereby proclaim October 24, 2022 as
"Diwali" in the City of Dublin and encourages citizens to recognize the contributions of all Hindu, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists
in all aspects of our vibrant economy and civic society.
DATED: October 18, 2022
Mayor Melissa Hernandez Vice Mayor Jean Josey
Councilmember Sherry Hu
Councilmember Shawn Kumagai Councilmember Michael McCorriston
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