Goa, Oct. 29 -- Tamil Nadu has declared an additional holiday for schools, colleges and other educational institutions across the state on Monday, November 9, a day after Diwali, which falls on Sunday, November 8, this year. The decision is expected to provide students, teachers, parents and government employees with additional time to celebrate the festival with their families.

The state government announced the decision on October 28 following requests from students, parents, teachers and government employees seeking an additional day off to travel to their hometowns for Deepavali celebrations. With the festival coinciding with a Sunday, many people had expressed the need for an extended break to make their travel plans and spend time ...