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| 6 | 7 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 7 | 8 | | WHEREAS, Diwali, the festival of lights, is being celebrated |
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| 8 | 9 | | across the world by followers of Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and |
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| 9 | 10 | | Buddhism in October 2025; and |
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| 10 | 11 | | WHEREAS, The five-day-long celebration derives its name from |
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| 11 | 12 | | the Sanskrit word dipavali, meaning "row of lights," and it is one |
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| 12 | 13 | | of the largest and most anticipated religious festivals for |
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| 13 | 14 | | adherents of the Hindu, Jain, and Sikh faiths; it spans the dark |
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| 14 | 15 | | half of the lunar month Ashvina and the light half of the lunar |
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| 15 | 16 | | month Karttika, a period that typically falls in late October or |
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| 16 | 17 | | early November on the Gregorian calendar; and |
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| 17 | 18 | | WHEREAS, While Diwali generally symbolizes the victory of |
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| 18 | 19 | | light over darkness, the specific traditions associated with the |
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| 19 | 20 | | holiday vary between regions and religions; Hindus customarily |
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| 20 | 21 | | light diyas, small earthenware lamps filled with oil, on the night |
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| 21 | 22 | | of the new moon to welcome the presence of Lakshmi, the goddess of |
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| 22 | 23 | | wealth and prosperity; the people of Bengal worship the goddess |
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| 23 | 24 | | Kali, while in northern India, the festival celebrates the royal |
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| 24 | 25 | | homecoming of Rama to the city of Ayodhya after vanquishing the king |
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| 25 | 26 | | of demons; in South India, festivities center around another story |
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| 26 | 27 | | of good prevailing over evil, the legend of Krishna's defeat of the |
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| 27 | 28 | | demon Narakasura; and |
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| 28 | 29 | | WHEREAS, For Sikhs, Diwali commemorates the return of Guru |
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| 29 | 30 | | Hargobind, the sixth guru and an important figure in the Sikh faith, |
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| 30 | 31 | | from his captivity in the city of Gwalior; Diwali also holds |
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| 31 | 32 | | tremendous significance to people of the Jain faith, for whom it |
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| 32 | 33 | | represents Mahavira's attainment of nirvana, or complete knowledge |
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| 33 | 34 | | and enlightenment; although it is not a major festival of Buddhism, |
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| 34 | 35 | | it is celebrated by some Buddhists to honor Emperor Ashoka's |
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| 35 | 36 | | conversion to Buddhism in the third century BCE; and |
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| 36 | 37 | | WHEREAS, Diwali is a celebration for people of all ages; in |
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| 37 | 38 | | many homes, wives perform a series of rituals to bless their |
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| 38 | 39 | | husbands with longevity, and husbands present their wives with a |
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| 39 | 40 | | special gift to reward their care and devotion; families, friends, |
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| 40 | 41 | | and colleagues alike also exchange gifts during Diwali as a gesture |
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| 41 | 42 | | of love and affection, and the occasion further includes a feast |
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| 42 | 43 | | complete with a variety of desserts; children participate in a |
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| 43 | 44 | | range of customs, which include lighting diyas and candles and |
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| 44 | 45 | | setting off sparklers, and the final day of the festival |
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| 45 | 46 | | specifically celebrates the bond shared by brothers and sisters; |
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| 46 | 47 | | and |
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| 47 | 48 | | WHEREAS, Every year, the festival of Diwali brings together |
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| 48 | 49 | | more than a billion people across the globe in the spirit of joy, |
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| 49 | 50 | | unity, and hope for humankind, and it is indeed fitting to |
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| 50 | 51 | | acknowledge the profound importance of the holiday to many who |
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| 51 | 52 | | reside in our state; now, therefore, be it |
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| 52 | 53 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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| 53 | 54 | | Legislature hereby recognize the festival of Diwali 2025 and extend |
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| 54 | 55 | | warmest wishes to all those who are taking part in the observance. |
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