The Punjab government’s official calendar has declared a holiday for Diwali on October 20 and Vishwakarma Day on October 22. Industries in the state, however, will observe the festival on October 21.
This is a repeat of last year’s confusion when the Punjab government’s gazetted Diwali holiday was on October 31 and Vishwakarma Day on November 2, while industries had celebrated Diwali on November 1 followed by Vishwakarma Day on November 2.
“Diwali and Bandi Chhor Diwas will be celebrated at the Golden Temple, Amritsar, on October 21. Hence, our organisation and the industries affiliated with it will also celebrate on the same day,” Gurmeet Singh Kular, president of the Federation of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings (FICO), said.
“Bandi Chhor Diwas marks the release of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind, from the Gwalior Fort by Mughal Emperor Jahangir, along with 52 Hindu kings. The day is celebrated with fervour,” he added.
Kular said a fireworks display will be held at the Darbar Sahib premises on October 21. “Therefore, FICO’s more than 2,500 members will celebrate Diwali on October 21 and Vishwakarma Day on October 22. We cannot say anything about the Punjab government’s decision. The confusion over festival dates has been continuing since last year,” Kular added.
Lakhminder Dicky Chhabra, convenor of the United Cycle Parts and Manufacturers Association, said, “The cycle industry will observe Diwali on October 21 and Vishwakarma Day on October 22. We have no confusion about it.”
Bobby Jindal from the Punjab Dyers Association agreed. “All dyeing units, as well as textile and knitwear units, will also observe Diwali on Tuesday itself. Once again, confusion has been caused over the dates, but the industry has unanimously decided to observe the holiday on October 21,” he said.
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Meanwhile, the state-level Vishwakarma Day function organised by the Punjab government will be held on October 22 in Ludhiana.
