In a press release on public holidays for 2003 released on 4 March 2002, the Ministry announced that:
(a) Deepavali would fall on 23 October 2003 (Thursday) based on calculations;
(b) the date would be counter-checked with the Indian Almanacs when they are available towards the end of 2002 as the actual Deepavali date is based on the Indian Almanacs; and
(c) should there be a difference, the Ministry of Manpower would announce it.
2 The actual date for Deepavali in 2003 is now known. It will fall on 24 October 2003 (Friday) instead of 23 October 2003 (Thursday).
