Diwali is a religious holiday widely celebrated by those in the Hindu faith. Hillsborough County Public Schools voted to add Diwali to the list of religious holidays that qualify as an excused absence. Tampa Bay has a rich Hindu and Indian population that Mahesh Modha said he's proud to be part of. "I think 50,000 plus Indians living here and Hindus are probably measured at almost 40-45,000," Modha said.