Naresh Solanki becomes Cerritos first Indian-American mayor as LA County formally recognizes Diwali

The South Asian community of Cerritos secured two landmark civic achievements in close succession. Naresh Solanki was unanimously elected by the City Council to become the first Indian-American mayor in city history, drawing a record crowd of supporters to City Hall. Separately, LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn led the Board of Supervisors to formally recognize Diwali for the fourth straight year, with the annual SoCal Diwali Festival centered in Cerritos.

🗳️ Naresh Solanki Makes History as Cerritos First Indian-American Mayor

In a milestone celebrated across the South Asian diaspora, Naresh Solanki was unanimously chosen by his City Council colleagues in a 5-0 vote to become the first Indian-American mayor of Cerritos. The selection took place at Cerritos City Hall, where Solanki, who had been serving as Mayor Pro Tem, accepted the role before a record-setting crowd of supporters who traveled from across Southern California to witness the historic occasion. The moment carried particular emotional weight because Solanki had been bypassed for the position two years earlier when the city broke with its longstanding tradition of rotating the mayoral role among Council members, a departure that drew widespread criticism. Distinguished guests including LA County Board of Supervisors Chair Janice Hahn and former Supervisor Don Knabe attended to show their support. In his acceptance speech, Solanki pledged to make public safety his top priority, to be fiscally prudent with city resources, and to continue investing in Cerritos signature civic assets, including its nationally recognized public library and its state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center. Planning Commissioner Deepak Jhaveri called the selection a victory for the entire Indian-American community, expressing hope that Solanki would inspire the next generation of South Asian civic leaders. [3]

🪔 LA County Formally Recognizes Diwali for Fourth Year Running

For the fourth consecutive year, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion brought by Supervisor Janice Hahn of the Fourth District to officially recognize Diwali, the Festival of Lights observed by more than one billion people around the world. Hahn first led the effort to have the county recognize Diwali in 2022, marking the first time in county history that the celebration received formal governmental acknowledgment. The Fourth District encompasses Cerritos, a city with one of the most concentrated South Asian communities in Southern California, making the recognition particularly resonant for local Hindu, Sikh, and Jain families. To mark the 2025 observance, Supervisor Hahn joined festivities at the annual SoCal Diwali Festival held in Cerritos, reinforcing the county commitment to honoring the cultural traditions of its growing Indian-American population. Community advocates and residents welcomed the repeated recognition as meaningful evidence that local government continues to take seriously the civic inclusion and visibility of the South Asian diaspora. The unanimous Board vote also reflects broader momentum across California to formally elevate Diwali as a recognized observance at the state level. [1]

Sources: [3] India Journal · [1] COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES (.gov)