PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Tsering Diki, Executive Director of New York Tibet and Service Center, on Intro 100 for Losar Parking Holiday
4:30:15
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127 sec
Tsering Diki, Executive Director of New York Tibet and Service Center, testified in support of Intro 100, which would suspend alternate side parking on Losar (Tibetan New Year). She emphasized the cultural importance of Losar to the Tibetan and Himalayan community in New York City and the practical benefits of not having to move cars on this significant holiday.
- The Tibetan diaspora in New York City numbers over 60,000 people
- Suspending alternate side parking on Losar would show recognition and inclusivity for Himalayan New Yorkers
- Losar is considered the most important festival of the year for the Tibetan community, involving family gatherings, traditional clothing, and cultural activities
Tsering Diki
4:30:15
Good afternoon.
4:30:16
Cho Women Brooks Powers and members of the Transportation Committee, and our very own council member Krishna.
4:30:25
And my name is Sereng Dickey.
4:30:27
I am the Tibet, a new yoga.
4:30:29
I came from Tibet, and I live in Queens, New York.
4:30:33
I am a business owners, and I'm also the executive director of New York Tibet And Service Center.
4:30:39
A nonprofit organization that looks after the social needs of Himalayan communities in New Yorkers.
4:30:47
And I'm here to testify to support the introduction of 100 from council member, Julie Wong, to make the Losar or Tibetan lunar new year a holiday for alternate site parking.
4:31:00
This field is important to me because the Losar is the most important festival of the year in the Tibetan diaspora.
4:31:08
And here in New York, city, the Tibetan Himalayan community celebrates the 1st day of New Year with the family enjoying festive meals, dressing in the best traditional clothing, making offerings, drinking homemade rice wine, and playing games at home.
4:31:25
It is considered a bad luck for people to have to worry about anything on the 1st day of our new year.
4:31:31
Losar is the happiest day of the year for all of our community members and imagine have having to interrupt the precious moments like that with your children and elders to have to sit in your car and wait for the DSNY to clean the streets.
4:31:49
New York is home to over 60,000 Tibetan Buddhism from Himalayan regions.
4:31:55
And in addition to the practical benefit of not requiring us to move our cars on this important Buddhist holiday, It is important for all New Yorkers to see themselves represented in the civic fabric of the laws of our city.
4:32:11
By suspending the ASP almost, our New York city sends a powerful message to all Himalayan New Yorkers that our city sees us and we will tailor the belonging to the city.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
4:32:22
Thank you.