Sindh Government Announces Public Holiday on November 1 for Diwali

Karachi: The Sindh government has officially declared a public holiday on November 1 in honor of Diwali for the Hindu community residing in the province. The Services General Administration and Coordination Department has issued a notification regarding the holiday.
This holiday will apply to employees of government and semi-government institutions, as well as empowered authorities, allowing Hindu employees to observe the festival without work obligations.
It is noteworthy that the Sindh government annually announces a holiday for Hindu workers and employees during Diwali, providing them with an advance salary as well. A significant portion of the Hindu population in Sindh resides in rural areas, particularly in the districts of Sanghar and Tharparkar, which border India.
The Hindu community celebrates Diwali, also known as Deepavali or the Festival of Lights, each year in the spring. Preparations for this religious festival typically begin nine days in advance, with rituals continuing for five days. The night of the new moon, or Amavasya, holds particular significance, as families light lamps in their homes on this day. Diwali is celebrated according to the Hindu lunar calendar month of Kartik and usually falls between mid-October and mid-November in the Gregorian calendar.