The word Nowruz (Novruz, Navruz, Nooruz, Nevruz, Nauryz) means “new day” and the Nowruz celebration marks the first day of spring on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox, which usually occurs on or around March 21. It is celebrated as the beginning of the new year by more than 300 million people all around the world and has been celebrated for over 3,000 years in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East, and other regions.

Inscribed in 2009 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as a cultural tradition observed by numerous people, Nowruz is an ancestral festivity marking the renewal of nature. It promotes values of peace and solidarity between generations and within families as well as reconciliation and neighborliness, contributing to cultural diversity and friendship among peoples and different communities. Its traditions and rituals reflect the cultural and ancient customs of the civilizations of the East and West, which influenced those civilizations through the interchange of human values.

Learn more: https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-nowruz-day

Celebrating Nowruz means the affirmation of life in harmony with nature, awareness of the inseparable link between constructive labor and natural cycles of renewal, and a solicitous and respectful attitude towards natural sources of life.

Best Regards,
The SJSU IT Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Holi, an ancient Hindu festival to express the pure joy of the triumph of good over evil, is being celebrated today, March 8th, this year. Holi represents the arrival of spring, forgiving others for past wrongdoings, and promoting unity and brotherhood. This is a particularly special holiday in India because although it began as a Hindu celebration, today it is celebrated by most Indians regardless of religion.

The name Holi comes from the legend behind the holiday in which the demoness Holika was sent by King Hiranyakashipu to kill his son Prahlada, an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna. Holika tried to trick Prahlada into burning to death on a pyre, but because her intentions were evil, she was the one who was burned and killed, while Prahlada was protected by Lord Krishna.

Holi’s “color fight” actually comes from the legend of Lord Krishna, a Hindu god who is also worshiped on Holi. According to the stories, Krishna was well-known for playing pranks and being mischievous. One prank he played on the village girls involved dousing them in colors and water.

Over time, putting colors on others came to represent a way to express joy and the story of Krishna transformed into the tradition of the joyous color fight we see today.

Learn more at https://www.holifestival.org/significance-of-holi.html

Best Regards,

The SJSU IT Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Colleagues,

March is Women’s History Month, highlighting the contributions of women to contemporary society. The commemoration is a California legacy, began in 1978 as “Women’s History day” in Sonoma County, California, and was championed by Gerda Lerner and the National Women’s History Alliance to be recognized as a national week (1980) and then month (1987) in the United States, spreading internationally after that.

Learn more at: https://womenshistorymonth.gov/

What’s more, International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, occurs annually on March 8th. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women’s achievements or rally for women’s equality. You might take this opportunity to:

• celebrate women’s achievements

• raise awareness about women’s equality

• lobby for accelerated gender parity

• fundraise for female-focused charities

Learn more at https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Thank you to all of the women working at SJSU IT. Your voices are valued and we’re glad you’ve chosen our campus as a place to build your success.

Best Regards,
The SJSU IT Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee