Babbu Maan

7 APRIL2017 Vol. 9 Issue 3

wows
Auckland 10

NZs only Kiwi-Indian weekly Auckland | Christchurch | Wellington | Hamilton | Palmerston North | Hastings | Invercargill | Tauranga The Pulse of Kiwi-Indians since 2009 www.iwk.co.nz

JOIN
2 PaTssEes
l
Cl

Looking for IELTS/

PTE Coaching
12 We have Weekend Batch
Saturday and Sunday
From:10am - 3pm
Evening Batch Fees
Monday to Friday starts from

INDIA NZ BILATERAL From: 6pm - 9pm $99.99

TRADE has HUGE 6
NEW ZEALAND
POTENTIAL: INSTITUTE OF
Phil Goff LEARNING
12 2C/302, Te Irirangi Drive,
I I NDI A Botany South, Flat Bush,
K IW N
Auckland 2013

?
For more details visit
NZIOL.
www.nziol.co.nz
facebook.com/nziolflatbush
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Ph: 022 159 3477 /
Nominate online at www.halloffame.co.nz 09 273 1537

NEED HELP

SETTLING IN?
TALK TO US TODAY
Living in a different country is an exciting challenge. We know because many of our banking experts are migrants themselves. Whether you have recently
arrived in New Zealand, or you have lived here for a while, we can help by giving you unique banking benefits as part of our ANZ Migrant Banking Package.
ANZ2251_IW1/2

To see how we can help you make the most of life in New Zealand, visit anz.co.nz/migrantcentres or call us on 0800 269 296

Package details, lending criteria, terms and conditions apply. A copy of our Package terms and conditions are available on request from any ANZ branch. ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited.
 2 NEW ZEALAND 7 April 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

Shopkeeper appalled by delay in police

emergency response when locked inside with robbers
SANDEEP SINGH would not be able to come before

A
liquor shop owner is
appalled by less than
satisfactory response from
Police emergency services after
his store manager had locked a
robber inside the shop and called
the emergency line 111 to seek
immediate help.
The incident took place in a
liquor shop at Newmarket on
Sunday, April 2, at around 5
p.m. when an offender who had
returned to the shop after having
escaped earlier in the day without
paying for the bottles, possibly
to try his luck again, only to be
identified by the store manager.
The store manager immediately
put the shutter down and called
the police before informing the
store owner.
What happened from here has
left the store manager and the store
owner aghast and in disbelief.
The store owner, Rutul Jani, who
was at Lynnfield at the time when
his store manager had called to
inform about the fact of a robber
being locked inside the shop
managed to reach the shop in next
20 minutes only to find that police
had still not arrived at the scene.
Surprised by the delay in the
arrival of police, Mr Jani chose to
30 minutes. Eventually, based on
our conversation on the phone, the
Although my first operator issued a trespass notice for
that robber and asked me to open
reaction was to hold the store and let that guy go, a
that guy in the shop visibly baffled Mr Patel said.
and get the police By the time, store owner Mr Jani
managed to bring Police on his own
take him away, from the nearest police station; the
situation got tense store manager was advised by the
operator on the emergency line to
as increasingly it
allow the robber to leave.
became evident that Sunny Kaushal, a community
police would not leader and the lead organiser of
Crime Prevention Group, a new
be coming
community initiative formed to
anytime soon raise awareness and solidarity
Chintan Patel at Bottle Shop liquor store in Newmarket about the increasing numbers
also locked inside the shop. got tense as increasingly it became of aggravated robberies on local
walk to the Police station across the businesses expressed his dismay on
Speaking to Indian Weekender, the evident that police would not be
road and get help. the failure of police to respond in a
store manager Chintan Patel, who coming anytime soon.
Two policemen had timely manner.
was at the forefront of this saga I became more and more scared
accompanied Mr Jani immediately If members of public and
described the situation as scary and confused while speaking with
from the police station, but almost shopkeepers have to go to Police
and tense when inside the shop the operator on the emergency
after half an hour of their first call station, literally begging them to
with the robber. line, Mr Patel further said.
to the police emergency line. come and catch the offenders then
Earlier in the day two offenders The fact that police emergency it is very shameful for the New
However, the emergency had escaped with bottles, and then team chose not to come to the Zealand police and the Minister,
response team did not one of them returned to the shop scene immediately even after Mr Kaushal said.
arrive altogether. to get more stuff from the shop. being categorically told by the This was the fifth robbery
Nevertheless, this was not the I recognised him immediately store manager that robber was still incident reported by the community
end of their story about frustration and brought the shops shutter locked inside the store is a cause directly to the Crime Prevention
with police response to a situation down, Mr Patel said. of concern. Group indicating that the group
which could have easily worsened Although my first reaction was The operator kept on asking me is getting some momentum in
and risked the safety of his staff and to hold that guy in the shop and get about the looks and appearance of the community on the issue of
a member of the public who was the police take him away, situation the robber and also told that police robberies and aggravated assaults.

Trial the Kumon English or Maths Programme from 1531 May 2017 and find out how Kumon can
develop in your child
calculation and reading ability
concentration
a daily study and reading habit T WO-
WEE
the confidence to learn independently
FREEK
To secure your childs place in the Free Trial call 0800 458 666 for contact details of your
nearest Kumon Centre. TRIAL
15-31
MAY
KUMON CENTRES IN NEW ZEALAND
AUCKLAND MANUKAU HEIGHTS CHRISTCHURCH WELLINGTON
ALBANY MANUREWA FENDALTON JOHNSONVILLE
BIRKENHEAD MT ALBERT ILAM KARORI
BROWNS BAY MT ROSKILL KILBIRNIE
DANNEMORA
EPSOM
NEW LYNN
PAKURANGA
PAPANUI
LOWER HUTT
MT COOK
Must Register
DUNEDIN
FLAT BUSH
FORREST HILL
PAPATOETOE
REMUERA SOUTH DUNEDIN
NGAIO
by 8 May!
GLENFIELD ROYAL OAK
HENDERSON TAKAPUNA HAMILTON
HOWICK WEST HARBOUR ENDERLEY

Terms and conditions apply. Please visit: http://nz.kumonglobal.com

 www.iwk.co.nz | 7 April 2017
NEW ZEALAND 3

Take back control of our town centres in

South Auckland, community urges to the police
SANDEEP SINGH However, members of the governments line of argument that

I
n a passionate plea by many
small businesspersons of the
Indian community, the police
is being urged to take back control
of many town centres in South
Auckland, which according to them
are currently under the clutches of
gangs of young criminals.
I think the biggest problem
today is that youth gangs have
taken over thetown centres. The
police needs to do something to
take back the control of these
town centres, one of the business
owners from South Auckland said
in a community meeting on rising
crime in Auckland.
A group of small business owners
were interacting with Associate
Minister for Justice Mark Mitchell
at a community meeting convened
by National Party MP Kanwaljit
Singh Bakshi on Saturday, April
1, in Papatoetoe, over the issue
of the recent spate of aggravated
robberies.This was a follow-up
meeting from an earlier meeting
held on the previous Saturday
(March 25), where a group of
aggrieved shop owners under
the aegis of a recently formed
community action groupCrime
Prevention Grouphave sought
immediate government attention.
The meeting was well attended,
however, many from the previous
meeting, including Sunny Kaushal,
the lead organiser of Crime
Prevention Group, were not
present at the meeting.
Associate Minister for Justice Mark Mitchell at the meeting
Crime Prevention Group was
formed a fortnight ago after a
brutal attack on husband-wife duo
owners in a Mt Roskill dairy in
Central Auckland, which left the
owner badly injured.
The dairy owner, Jitesh Patel, is
still not back to work, even after
three back-to-back surgeries in
the North Shore Hospital, and is
without any financial support for
the business.
An incensed community had
then formed Crime Prevention
Group with the intention to attract
governments immediate attention
to the problem of the rising spate of
aggravated robberies, which largely
affects small business members in
the wider community.
This meeting was a departure
from many previous meetings
on the issue in a sense that the
Minister chose to bring an array
of senior officials from police
and different ministries in the
government to demonstrate their
commitment towards the rising
crime, particularly aggravated
robberies in the community.
It is to the credit of Mr Bakshi
for bringing in a well-prepared
Minister and his troops from the
officialdom and in being better
prepared himself than he was at
the previous meeting a week before
to respond to the concerns of many
in the community.
The key speakers, apart
from the Minister, were Andy
Costa, Assistant Commissioner
of Police and Deputy CEO in
the Ministry of Justice; Allan
Warren, Assistant Commissioner
of Police and CEO of the newly
formed Ministry for Vulnerable
Children,OrangaTamariki; and
Rajesh Sharma, Deputy Secretary
of Policy, Ministry of Justice.
community, many of who have
been victims of robberies, did
not seem much impressed with
the rosy picture painted by the
officials and the Minister about the
declining numbers and statistics
of crime in New Zealand.
Despite best efforts from many
speakers in the meeting, the
community remained unfazed by
what the government was doing
behind the scene and what had
been done in the past.
Their questions and concerns
were about now and todaythe
recent increase in robberies in
and around South and Central
Aucklandwhich remained
largely unanswered.
In fact, it would not be an
exaggeration to comment that
the meeting continued at two
different levels. At one level,
the representatives from the
government shared insights on how
governments efforts were leading
to a decline in crime, and at the
other level, the victims continued
to share their plight and evidence
of operational lapses on the part
of police and justice system in
apprehending and holding alleged
perpetrators of crime behind the
bars. To be fair to the officials
and other speakers, they fully
acknowledged the plight and
sense of pain among the victims
of crime but perpetuated on the
crime numbers are declining.
One glaring omission from
the responses of government
representatives was the issue of
recent spate in ram-raids and
aggravated robberies. There
has been a surge in the number
of aggravated robberies since
the beginning of this year, and
in particular, in the last couple
of months.
Indian Weekender has published a
detailed story about the spate of
crime and sense of perpetual fear
among the small business owners,
particularly in South Auckland.
In the meeting, almost everyone
agreed that the sheer audacity of
ram-raids has increased manifold in
recent times, which was unforeseen
by many in the community
for decades.
The Minister and the other
government representatives failed
to enlist what immediate urgent
actions they have initiated at an
operational level to control and
deter the rising nuisance of youth
crime. Against this backdrop, the
Ministers comment that many
of seasoned offenders that we are
seeing today were the product of
a generation of a dysfunctional
social system, coming eight years
after National Partys reign in
the government, deserves some
further explanation.

Real Estate
Sales Agents
James Law
Realty is one of the
Wanted Now!
most innovative and
fastest growing real estate Join Us!
company in Auckland.

We are looking for highly motivated

and passionate real estate professionals
who believe in the culture of success to join
our Head Office in Epsom. Whether you are
already licensed, or you are going to obtain your
real estate licence soon, we are a great company for
you to advance your real estate career!

What do we offer? If you want a promising career in real estate,

please contact Janine Tan on 022 075 1068
1. Generous commission rates. and send your cover letter and resume to
2. Ongoing training for sales people. recruitment@jameslaw.co.nz.
3. In-house REAA compliance training.
4. Services of professional design team
and excellent IT support.
5. In-house proprietary system.
6. Award for top performers.
7. Good team environment. Level 1, Building A, 382-386, Manukau Road,
Epsom, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
www.jameslaw.co.nz
 4 NEW ZEALAND 7 April 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

Green Party seeks inroads in Kiwi-Indian community;

launches Raj Singh as candidate in Manukau East
SANDEEP SINGH they will surely be able to take an the Green Party if that is what they

T
informed decision. want to vote for. As a Green Party
he Green Party is continuing
IWK: Is there any one member and candidate, I will be
its push to make fresh
particular policy that you want going to people to explain what
inroads into the regions and
to talk more than anything else Green Party has to offer them.
territories considered beyond its
to the Kiwi-Indian community? IWK: Are you included in the
influence in a bid to form their first
ever government in New Zealand. Mr Singh: Yes, certainly, with recent provisional list released
us Kiwi-Indians being the new by the Green Party for the
In 2014, more people had voted
migrants in this beautiful country, parliament?
for Green than ever before and the
I will like to talk to them about Mr Singh: No, I am not on
Party is hopeful that it has a real

chance to be in the government
in 2017. Towards this goal, it
seems, the Party is coming up with
innovative strategies and measures,
and connecting with
After the recent announcement of
provisional list of candidates, which
had many young and popular faces,
the party has announced a Kiwi-
Indian Barrister and Solicitor Raj
Pardeep Singh as their candidate in
Manukau East.
Mr Singh is the founder and
principal of Legal Associates, a law
firm based in South Auckland.
Indian Weekender spoke with Mr
Singh on his candidacy with the
Green party and the value that he
can offer to the Kiwi-Indian voters
in the 2017 general elections.
IWK: Why did you choose
Green Party over other main
stream parties like the National
and Labour Party?
Mr Singh: I find myself personally
aligned with Green Partys beliefs
and values, especially in ecological
wisdom, transparent governance,
and centrality of Treaty of Waitangi
in their deliberations, and non-
violence. Ecological wisdom to me
means that man is more important
than the machine, which should be
our key emphasis. Similarly, as a
new migrant in this country, I find
myself looking towards the Treaty
of Waitangi as a basis for everyone
getting equal and fair treatment in
New Zealand.
IWK: Is there any particular
Green policy which attracts you
the most?
Mr Singh: Yes, transparent
governance. I feel that there had
not been much transparency in
many previous governments,
especially the National Party
led governments.
the intelligence of our Kiwi-Indian
IWK: How are you going to
convince the Kiwi-Indian
voters for the Green party, as
Green Partys migration policy.
It is one policy that is dear to my
heart. As a Green party member,
I am putting my personal bill for
three key policy areas visa for
life, home for life, and water
for life. As migrants and residents
in this country, we all need a visa,
home, and fresh water for life,
Mr Raj Pardeep regardless of our situation.
Singh is the founder IWK: Do you think that the
current National government
and principal of or the Labours previously have
Legal Associates, not done enough on migration?
Mr Singh: Once Green Party
a law firm based in
makes a government with
South Auckland. the Labour Party as per the
Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU), we will work together on
migration and lets see what we can
do more for the migrating families,
apparently Indian voters do their parents and their children.
not know much about the IWK: How do you see adding
Green Party? value to the lives of Kiwi Indian
Mr Singh: Well, I believe that we community all over in NZ as a
should not be unnecessarily judging Green Party candidate?
Mr Singh: This is the first time
voters. I am confident that when that our Kiwi-Indian voters will
we speak to them about the Green have a choice to vote for a co-
partys values and policies, then member from the community in
the list as I choose to be an
electorate candidate only, as
I need to first prove myself to
the Indian community and the
Green Party. I will be talking to
Green Party leadership that we
need to understand what Indian
migrants and other new migrant
communities are seeking from the
Green Party. We need to work
in ways that bolster the imagery
that Green Party is receptive and
inclusive for all the communities in
New Zealand.
IWK: Do you think Green Party
has put you in a winnable
position in this election?
Mr Singh: Winnable position!
Well that a good question. Of
course, its not a winnable position
because South Auckland is the
weakest area for Green Party.
We are around four per cent vote
here in South Auckland, which
includes Mangere, Manukau East,
and Manurewa. Our main in this
election is to increase party votes
in South Auckland and make the
party stronger.

get

EGGcited! weve got all the EASTER AND SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN
WEEK 1 WEEK 2

Tuesday 18th April Wednesday 19th April Monday 24th April Wednesday 26th April
Easter Crafts Workshop Paint & Create Face Painting & Animal Riders
(Gold Coin Donation) (Gold Coin Donation) Balloon Twisting (Gold Coin Donation)
10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm

Thursday 20th April Friday 21st April Thursday 27th April Friday 28th April
Brick Builders Brick Builders Paint & Create Craft Workshop
LEGO Workshop LEGO Workshop (Gold Coin Donation) (Gold Coin Donation)
10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm
HE
MEE T T UNNY
B
EASTER h&
Sat 15t pril
th A
Mon 17 - 2pm
10am
www.royaloakmall.co.nz
 www.iwk.co.nz | 7 April 2017
NEW ZEALAND 5

Typhoid scare grips Auckland

IWK BUREAU numbers have since risen to 16 along with a

A
uckland is currently in the grip of a
Typhoid related mini-endemic where
one person had already died, and 18
people are reported to be suffering from the
illness. The illness is believed to be brought
back from Pacific after an overseas visit.
The Mt Roskill Samoan Assembly of God
Church is at the centre of this outbreak of
typhoid and all those suffering from the
illness are members of this church.
The news of typhoid scare was broken
in a media statement released by Auckland
Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) on
Friday, March 31, almost three days after the
death of the woman. It was then reported
that ten people had been hospitalised after
a typhoid outbreak in Auckland and the
death of a woman.
The woman, from Mt Roskill, died
in hospital on Tuesday, March 28, in
Auckland Hospital.
Auckland Regional Public Health Service
Clinical Director Dr Julia Peters had said that
the person was hospitalised with some serious
health issues and the typhoid infection was
another complicating factor.
Other confirmed cases linked to the
outbreak are being treated in hospital. They
are all members of the church but lived in
locations across central and south Auckland.
Auckland Regional Public Health Service
and the Ministry of Health had come under
severe criticism about the handling of this
mini-endemic.

Auckland pounded by bad weather

T
he former tropical cyclone Debbie has
moved south towards Central North
Island and the South Island after
causing havoc in Auckland earlier this week.
The overnight deluge has left many parts
of the region saturated with widespread road
closures, houses threatening to topple into
the sea and massive landslides.
Auckland Civil Defence had been on alert
and monitoring the situation throughout the
week. Auckland Councils building inspectors
had been sent out across the region on the
morning of Wednesday, April 5, assessing
Photo courtesy: stuff.co.nz
damage and risk to properties.
In particular, structural engineers have
focused on areas in Kohimarama Road and Central New Zealand is on high alert with
Sharon Road, Browns Bay. forecasters predicting some areas will get
three times Aprils normal rainfall in just
The remnants of the cyclone have now
48 hours.
moved on towards the south.

Mortgage and Insurance Experts

Dream of owning a home, dont let you dream get away
Service offer:
Mortgage: Insurance:
Home Loan, Life Insurance
Refinance, Trauma,
Investment Property Loan and Income and Mortgage Protection and
Business Loans Health Insurance
Get up
to $400 if you
We will shop around to save you money buy personal risk
and time to Maximize your investment insurance or
home loan*

*Term n conditions apply, disclosure statement available on request

Raman Chauhan Email: raman@rjayfinance.co.nz

Website: www.rjayfinance.co.nz
Address: 3/137 Kolmar road,
Phone: 0800 753 678
Landline: 09 281 2866 Papatoetoe 2025
 6 NEW ZEALAND
O Jatta aayi Vaisakhi
SWATI SHARMA
F
ar away from their
homeland, it is the festivals
that bring the Indians
together and connect them with
their culture and traditions.
It wasnt long before when we
welcomed the new year, and now
it is already April. It is the time to
celebrate one of the most famous
festivals of North Indian and, more
specifically, PunjabVaisakhi, also
called Baisakhi.
This festival rejuvenates the
desi communities, bringing to life
a scene from the real Punjab, the
old Punjab.
For many years, Vaisakhi has
been the time when farmers get
ready to celebrate a new year after
putting their sickles to the harvest.
With upgrading technology
every day, the sickles have now been
replaced by the modern automated
machinery while the farmers are
replaced by the outsourced migrant
workers. The celebrations have
also seen a downfall in the cities
and town, but it is celebrated with
the same vigour and fanfare in
the villages.
Vaisakhi has a great significance
for the Sikhs. This was the day
when the Sikh religion was founded
by the tenth guru of SikhsGuru
Gobind Singh in 1699.
It is a vital part of the social
and religious customs of Punjabis
settled in various regions of the
NEW TRADES
COURSES
CONSTRUCTION ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
PLUMBING & GASFITTING ALLIED TRADES
FREE Courses Available*
Land an Apprenticeship
Theory and Practical
Gain Hands-on Experience
Dedicated Job Support
world. With the community in
different countries celebrating
the festival in their own way, the
celebrations have evolved over the
years becoming more modernised.
In the United States, there
are parades through the streets
followed by the religious gatherings
at the gurudwaras. New York,
New Jersey, Chicago, San Jose,
Las Vegaslarge number of cities
throughout America host the
Punjabi mela to mark the festival.
Canada is one of the countries
with the largest Punjabi population.
The local Sikh and Punjabi
communities in cities such as
Vancouver, Surrey, Brampton and
Montreal hold the annual Vaisakhi
celebrations in mid-April. The city
parades, gurudwara ceremonies,
cultural shows, and dance and
sports competition give a healthy
ENROL TODAY
0800 222 792
www.nzma.ac.nz
7 April 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz
Wednesday, April 19, which will
include cultural performance
displaying not only the traditions
from northern states of India but
also from across the country. This
harvest festival is celebrated with
various names in different states of
India and this years celebration at
the parliament will showcase these
various cultures.
Apart from the celebrations in
the Parliament, various gurudwaras
across New Zealand will hold
one of the weekends of April as it religious events on the weekends of
allows people working on weekdays April 8-9 and 15-16.
Vaisakhi has a to join the celebration. Gurudwara Sri Kalgidhar Sahib
great significance in Otahuhu will lead their 22nd
Vaisakhi in New Zealand
for the Sikhs. This
T
nagar kirtan or street procession on
he Punjabi diaspora in New
Saturday, April 8, starting from the
was the day when Zealand, just like around the
gurudwara till Otahuhu Shopping
the Sikh religion world, also celebrates the festival
Centre. The parade will begin at
with much fervour. As the festival
was founded by has both religious and cultural
12:30 p.m. and will reach back to
the tenth guru of connection to it, people celebrate
gurudwara by 3 p.m.
On Sunday, April 9, the Otahuhu
SikhsGuru Gobind it in different ways to lift up
gurudwara will host a samagam,
their spirits.
Singh in 1699. paath and kirtan by renowned paathi
Recognising the contribution of
Singh Sahib Maan Singh and
the Punjabi community in New
kirtani jathaa from Golden Temple,
Zealand, the Parliament celebrated
Amritsar and Bhai Harnaam Singh
dose of desi masala, tradition the festival in the parliament
Srinagar Waale. The event will be
and culture. building in 2016 for the first time
held from 10 a.m. to noon.
Similarly, in other parts of the ever. This was seen as a huge
A similar function will be held
world the festival is marked by acknowledgement of the work that
at the gurudwara in Takanini on
religious events in gurudwaras. community does for the country.
April 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The entertainment side of the This year too, the festival will
festival mostly takes place during be celebrated in the Beehive on
*CONDITIONS APPLY. LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE.
 www.iwk.co.nz | 7 April 2017
NEW ZEALAND 7

Auckland celebrates diversity in

International Cultural Festival
RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
A
ucklanders celebrated diversity
in style at the 18th edition of the
Auckland International Cultural
Festival 2017 held on Sunday, April 2 at Mt
Roskill War Memorial Park in Mt Roskill.
The cultural extravaganza brought together
Auckland Indian Society were some of the
many Indian groups showcasing the diverse,
rich culture of India. Two performance
stages were set, one for the bands to perform
live music and the other for the dancers.
The other performances during the day
included Romanian Folk Dance, Dalmatian
Folk Society, Nepal, Taiwanese, Fijian, Arab,
More support to keep our
ethnic communities safer
these services. They are, after all, available
24 hours a day, seven days a week and free
of charge.
Making services like Victim Support more
Bill English
accessible is just the first step in keeping our
Prime Minister communities safer. We are also reforming a
number of laws and investing in Police in a

people from about 50 nationalities living in
Auckland from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The organisers of the event estimate that
more than 10,000 people visited the festival.
The fun-filled annual event organised by
Auckland Council celebrated the diversity
of the city through food, music, dance
performances, arts and sports. The venue
hosted more than 100 stalls that included
food delicacies from different nations,
clothing, cultural artefacts, and sports events.
The children enjoyed the bouncing castles,
face painting, joy rides at the venue while the
others delved into band performances and
danced to the tunes of different ethnic music.
The performers represented Turkey,
Thailand, Ethiopia, France, Germany,
Hawaii, Italy, Pacific Islands, Egypt,
Libya, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Ghana,
Rwanda, Iran, Syria, India, Pakistan, Serbia,
Mongolia, etc. The Anujay School of Dance,
Mt Roskills Bollywood Dance Group, Tamil
NZ School of Dance, and the University of
Egyptian, Moroccan dance groups and the
Arabian Belly dancers.
Mixit- a popular dance group from
Auckland, comprising of performers from
Zimbabwe, Armenia, Afghanistan, Palestine,
Sudan, Sri Lanka and New Zealand received
a thunder of applause for their performance.
A group of African men played bongo at
their stall while the crowd formed a circle
and danced to their tunes.
This is what Auckland International
Cultural Festival is all about, its a melting
pot of different cultures, Ella Kumar, MC
at the event and Puketapapa Local Board
Member said.
The visitors attended various workshops,
browsed the arts and craft stalls, or worked up
an appetite playing some traditional Mori
or Highland games. People gathered to learn
Maori Kite making, explored Mamas Hangi,
Palestine made artefacts, Chinese Sugar Art,
Malaysian Carriage, Pearl of Islands- Art
and Crafts, etc.
W
ere here to make a difference
in the areas that really matter
to Kiwis.
Thats why we have been working hard to
put in place a comprehensive plan aimed at
preventing and reducing the impact of crime
to help build a safer New Zealand.
Last week, Police Minister Paula Bennett
and a number of other National MPs
joined Police and Victim Support staff and
volunteers to officially launch a range of
new Victim Support brochures for ethnic
communities. These will make Victim
Supports services more accessible to victims
of crime who have limited English.
This new material is available in Hindi,
Korean, Japanese, Tongan, Samoan and
simplified Chinese, and will be available at
Police stations and Victim Support offices
around New Zealand.
These new brochures have important
information about Victim Supports
services that can help people affected by
crime, trauma and suicide. It guides them
on how to participate fairly and fully in the
justice system and get through the tough
times in life.
It is great to see that more of our ethnic
communities will now have better access to
the support they need and that language
will no longer be a barrier to receiving
wider effort to make our ethnic communities
feel safe.
Justice Minister Amy Adams recently
introduced The Family and Whnau
Violence Legislation Bill to Parliament in
order to overhaul the Domestic Violence Act
and amend 39 other pieces of legislation,
regulations, and Orders in Council.
This new legislation helps build a new
way of dealing with this issue and will go a
long way to reducing New Zealands rate of
family violence.
Early this year, Police Minister Paula
Bennett and I also announced a new $503
million Safer Communities package to reduce
crime, prevent reoffending and make our
communities safer. It will see increase total
police staff numbers by 1125 and include
another 880 sworn officers.
This investment also includes 20 new
Police ethnic liaison officers. These officers
will provide Police with additional resources
to help Indian, Korean, and other ethnic
communities go about their lives and business
safely and with confidence.
This National-led Governments drive to
reduce crime and create safer communities is
central to our plan to build a brighter future
for all New Zealanders. You and your family
deserve to be safe at home, at work and in
your communities.

We specialise in new and refinanced loans of

ALL types and personal risk insurances.
Get in touch with us if you are in the market to:
Purchase your dream home
Find a better deal on an existing loan
Purchase a rental property or a business
Review your insurance- Life, Health, National is boosting Police staff numbers by 1125, including
Trauma, Disability, Cover, Income Protection 880 sworn officers, through our $503 million Safer
Communities package. We are ensuring Police attend at
least 98 per cent of all home burglaries within 48 hours. The
package also provides $7.5 million for 20 ethnic liaison officers
who will work with Indian and other ethnic communities and
businesses to stop crime in these communities.

RT HON BILL ENGLISH

PRIME MINISTER

Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160 | P 04 817 9999

Contact Prateek Malhotra on 09 215 6912, Mobile: 021 424 119
Email: info@everesthomeloans.co.nz www.everesthomeloans.co.nz facebook.com/pmbillenglish | @pmbillenglish
Visit us at 557 Blockhouse Bay Road, Blockhouse Bay Funded by the Parliamentary Service and authorised by Rt Hon Bill English MP, Parliament, Wellington.

*Lender Criteria and conditions apply. Disclosure statement available on request

 8 NEW ZEALAND 7 April 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

SOUTH LINE News-in-brief

from South Island

Earthquake-affected red 2074th Hindu New Year coming up

zone to get a makeover

GAURAV SHARMA

C
hristchurchs rebuild after
the 2011 earthquake got
a major breakthrough
last week with Regenerate
Christchurch (RC) announcing
Gerry Brownlees minister
supporting Greater Christchurch
Regeneration approval for Children performing at a Canterbury Nepalese Society event in 2016

the companys approach for
developing a Regeneration Plan for
the tkaro Avon River Corridor.
RC is a new entity, established in
2016 to lead the regeneration of
Christchurch including the central
city, residential red zone and the
eastern New Brighton.
Known as the Outline for
the tkaro/ Avon River
Corridor Regeneration Plan, it
will determine the preferred land
uses and activities for the area,
including who will be paying for it.
The Canterbury community
now has a clear picture of how the
regeneration of the tkaro/ Avon
River Corridor will take shape.
Having considered the feedback
we have received, we are confident
that we have developed an
approach that will make the most
of this great opportunity, noted
RC chairman Mr Andr Lovatt.
Notably, the Canterbury
earthquakes of 2010 and 2011
caused unprecedented and
widespread damage to the Avon
River corridor, an area covering
A good crowd gathered during the recent Otakaro Avon River Community Day at
Haeata Community Campus to share thoughts on how this area could shape an
exciting future for Christchurch
over 600 hectares, which was
later identified as residential red
zone land. Since then much of
the land within this area has
been acquired and cleared by the
Crown, with deliberations ongoing
on what to do with it. RC has been
also organising community and
open days to get the community
participation in sharing ideas on the
regeneration plan.
More than 80 proposals have
already been put forward by various
proponents and theyre all on the
table, plus ideas from more than
1000 children as well as many more
from our recent Community Day.
But we are still in the early stages
of planning and open to all ideas
as this regeneration opportunity
takes shape, added RCs Chief
Executive Mr Ivan Iafeta.
RC also shared details of a recent
survey of Christchurch residents
about the future of the river
corridor. 79 per cent emphasised
on safety in regenerated areas,
75 per cent on protection of
unique and indigenous nature, 66
per cent on well-designed urban
environment, 64 per cent on a
good transport system, 54 per cent
on community connection, 47 per
cent on good places to work, visit
and invest, 45 per cent on valuing
culture and heritage, and only
39 per cent on range and choice
of housing.
T
he 300-member Canterbury
Nepalese Society (CNS),
which was established in
2015, is gearing up to celebrate
the Hindu New Year 2074 in
Christchurch on April 14.
Mr Bishnu Pokhrel, President
CNS noted, By organizing this
event we aim to showcase our
Nepalese culture to the wider
community. That day, we will
have a Nepalese fashion show
flaunting traditional Nepalese
dresses, followed by traditional
Nepalese dances and other cultural
performances, and of course,
not to mention mouth-watering
Nepalese cuisine.
Also, one day earlier, on April 13,
the Nepal New Zealand Friendship
Society of Canterbury (NNZFC)
is organising the NNZFC Nepali
New Year 2074 at Linfield Cultural
Recreational Sports Club.
This years celebrations are
special as it marks few milestones in
NNZFCs journey. Ten years of our
weekly radio program Namaste
Nepal, ten years since we published
our first annual magazine Namaste
Nepal, and ten years of our
Nepali language classes. We will
be releasing the annual Namaste
Magazine followed by cultural
performances, informed Mr
Saurab Gautam, Joint Secretary
of NNZFSC.
In Nepal, much like in North
India, the traditional lunar
Hindu calendar is followed,
with this year been the Hindu
New Year 2074 or Vikram Nav
Varsh Samvant 2074. This
so because it is believed that
Vikram Era was started by King
Vikramaditya in 57 BC as a
commemoration of his victory
over the Shaks.
Thats how the Hindu
calendar came to be known
as Vikram Samvant after
Vikramaditya. According to the
Hindu calendar, the New Year
is the first day after no moon
in the month of Chaitra, which
this year began on March 29.

Telugu Association celebrates Ugadi and Ram Navmi

GAURAV SHARMA New Year by recognising a change one of the founding members of

T
asiNZ, or the Telugu
Association of South Island
New Zealand, an informal
group in existence since 2006,
celebrated Ugadi, the Telugu
New Year, and Ram Navmi, in
Christchurch last Saturday. Ugadi
or Yugadi, as it is called in the
Deccan region of India, marks
the commencement of the Hindu
in the lunar orbit. It also signals
the advent of Spring.
The first day of bright half
of the lunar month Chaitra is
considered to be the day for Ugadi
celebration, which generally
falls in the months of March/
April of the English calendar. Mr
Diwakar Kandula, a researcher
at the Lincoln University, and
TasiNZ, informed, We had 80
people attending the festivities,
which included prayers, dance and
Telugu song performances.
The evening ended with dinner.
This year, we also appreciated
the achievements of our
children in academics, sports,
Telugu Association's new year celebrations in
and extracurricular activities, Christchurch. Picture courtesy TasiNZ
by distributing certificates
of excellence.

Gold-ATM International
The Gold buying machine
The machine will pay you more with its unique
built in System The Very Fair Price System.
The higher the quantity you place in the machine,
the higher the price you get. Same with quality-
the higher the carat the higher the rate you get.
Combined together and connected to the Gold
International Spot Rate. Very simple, accurate,
Botany Town Center super fast and at a conveniant location. The
(Farmers Entrance) machine will buy any type of gold in any condition
M. 022-1621266 even broken or damaged, Indian, Chinese or NZ
E. info@gold-atm.com gold. You can Accept the offer and get paid or
www.gold-atm.com Reject the offer and take your gold.
 www.iwk.co.nz | 7 April 2017
NEW ZEALAND 9

Canterbury Police
expresses concern
over aggravated robberies
C
hristchurch Police has expressed
concern about the increased number
of recent aggravated robberies across
the city, many affecting Indian businesses.
These are a priority for our staff and a
dedicated team of 20, including a team of
detectives, has been formed, with specialists
now working across shifts to take positive
action and solve these offences.
We understand how distressing these
events can be for the victims involved, and
have offered them ongoing support and advice
as we work through our investigations, said
Detective Inspector Darryl Sweeney, Field
Crime Manager, Canterbury Police.
A team will continue to provide prevention
advice to businesses, and if any business
would like a visit from the police, please
contact us on (03) 363 7400.
You can also contact the same number
if you know of someone involved in
recent offending, or alternatively phone
Crimestoppers anonymously if necessary
on 0800 555 111.

We also encourage anyone who witnesses
Canterbury District Commander Superintendent
any concerning or suspicious behaviour John Price addressing concerns of Indian commu-
to contact 111 straight away, with as much nity about aggravated robberies late last year
detail as possible.
Notably, one of the most oft-repeated
victim of aggravated robberies is a dairy on
Ferry Road, Woolston, Christchurch, which
was subjected to nine robberies, between
August 20, 2016, and March 8, 2017. We understand how
Eight out of these nine robberies have distressing these events
resulted in 15 arrests, which is a fantastic
result and the remaining robbery continues can be for the victims
to be an active investigation. involved, and have
In addition, we continue to work with offered them ongoing
retailers to support them both in the event of
a crime taking place, as well as in a prevention
support and advice as
role. We have dedicated staff who work within we work through our
the communities to help offer advice and investigations
prevention strategies, said Acting Inspector
Paul Reeves, Area Prevention Manager
for Canterbury.

For latest news and updates, subsribte to

Indian Weekender Newsletter

New Zealand
Immigration/Visas and
General Legal Services
Foy & Halse
Lawyers
Well established law firm close to Mt Eden
Village with over 35 years in general legal
practice in property, business, trusts and
investments. Now providing immigration advice
Nelson Wu at reasonable prices with experienced staff.
Senior Associate
LL.B, B.Com, B.Sc.
nelson@foyhalse.co.nz
Work visas Tourist visas
Student visas Business visitor visas
Skill-based resident visas Family reunions
Section 61 requests

Candice Tian
B.A.(Hons), LL.M
Professional, Practical and Reasonable
Legal Assistant 539 Mt Eden Road, Mt Eden, Auckland 1024, New Zealand.
candice@foyhalse.co.nz +64(09)638 7151
10 NEW ZEALAND
Womens freedom shouldnt be labelled
as vulgarity: Babbu Maan
SWATI SHARMA
I
t was probably the biggest
Punjabi show you would have
ever seen in Auckland. A fully
packed auditorium with many
standing to watch their favourite
singer superstar who returned to
Auckland after six years.
Singer-songwriter Babbu
Maan enthralled the audience
at Aucklands Logan Campbell
Centre on Saturday, April 1. But
apart from the show being a sold-
out one, there was something
different and special about it.
Known for this honest and frank
opinions and up-front attitude
Tejinder Singh Maan aka Babbu
Maan and lovingly also known as
Khant wala Maan (after his village
Khant), had some important
messages for the young generation
and the NRIs.
Not only his songs reflect his
perspective of life, but also his
opinion about the changing world
forces one to re-visit their thoughts.
Maan was praised for his
knowledge of literature and the
way he incorporates his knowledge
in his songs and script writing for
his movies.
About the kind of songs that
Punjabi music industry is producing
these days, he said that change is
the demand of the time.
I think all the songs are good. It
is all about your perspective. Every
labour.org.nz
Backing the
Kiwi Dream
In Maungakiekie
Maungakiekie includes the suburbs of
Point England, Tamaki, Panmure and
Mt Wellington to the East;
and Onehunga, Te Papapa,
Oranga, Penrose, Ellerslie
and One Tree Hill to the West.
Please get in touch with me if
you would like to chat about
any issues, or if there is
anything I can help you with.
Email priyanca@labour.org.nz
fb.com/PriyancaNZLabour
twitter.com/Priyanca02
Priyanca
Radhakrishnan
Labour Candidate for Maungakiekie
MKK_IndianWeekenderAd060417.indd 1
artist has a particular taste of songs
or writing or genre, and they are
good at what they do, he said.
Not impressed by the music
compositions in Punjabi industry,
he said that the industry needs
to start experimenting and do
something new.
We have been listening to the
same tunes for years. When I
started, there was no concept of
music composition. Now its high
time that people start producing
good and new music. Thats the
only way to grow and stay there for
a long time.
Talking about his up-front
attitude, he said that he doesnt like
to be two-faced. I have learnt this
from my parents. Either you are a
friend, or you arent, there should
be no hanging in-between. And we
all need to get away from this kind
of two-faced attitude.
His views about the obscenity
in Punjabi songs would have won
every feminists respect. Unlike
other Punjabi singers from his time
and with literary knowledge, Maan
seemed quite open-minded about
the way women should lead their
lives and said that he believes that
they should not be judged on the
basis on what she wears.
Why should men decide what a
woman should wear. It is a woman
who should determine that.
Authorised by Andrew Kirton, 160 Willis Street, Wellington
7 April 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz
Babbu Maan performed live in Auckland on April 1
We have changed ourselves
almost entirely if we look back
at 50-60 years from now. And
we also need to change with the
changing time.
When asked about what would
be his message or advice for the
NRIs, he said that they are making
NRIs are India and Punjab proud with the
success they have achieved. But
making India and they shouldnt let others misuse
Punjab proud with their goodwill.
the success they If you are sending a donation in
India for a good cause, you should
have achieved. But ask for the accounts of where it has
they shouldnt let
been used. Dont let your hard-
others misuse their earned money go down the drain,
he said.
goodwill. Babbu Maan performed live for
a gathering of more than 2600. His
Womens freedom shouldnt be performance was a mix of poetry,
romantic numbers and upbeat
labelled as vulgarity. Till the time
songs. It was almost impossible to
we men control womens freedom
make the crowd sit on their seats,
or what they should wear, every who was cheering throughout
song would look vulgar. the show.
*Conditions Apply
6/04/17 10:59 am
He said that it was his best show
ever from around the world and
he would very much like to return
soon for an even bigger show.
Also known as the king of
romance in Punjabi music industry,
Maan rose to fame in 2001 with
his hit music album Saun di Jhadi,
featuring several hits such as Chann
Chaanani, Raat Guzaar layi and Dil ta
paagal hai among others.
So far he has released eight studio
albums and six compilation albums.
He has also acted in, written
screenplays for and produced
Punjabi films, and has sung for a
few popular Bollywood songs as
well. He was highly appreciated in
Punjabi movie HasharA Love Story
that released in 2008.
Maan suggested that he would
soon return with another film and
looks forward to bring songs in
English, Hindi, and Punjabi.
 www.iwk.co.nz | 7 April 2017
NEW ZEALAND 11

Indian High Commission urges students to take

advantage of MADAD an initiative to support students
SANDEEP SINGH to facilitate direct interface with to be a continuing process and can

I
ndian High Commission
is reminding international
students from India to take
advantage of Government of
Indias initiative called MADAD,
which was launched only last
year in July 2016 with the single
objective of providing support
to the Indian students while
being away from their family and
country. Taking a note of the
recent increase in the number of
Indian students who are regularly
finding themselves in trouble of
one kind or the other here in New
Zealand, the High Commission is
urging more and more students
to register themselves with this
initiative so as to be able to be in
a position to deliver time-sensitive
services as and when required.
The decision to study overseas,
in a distant location, away from
ones family and the comfort of
ones culture can often entail
lots of challenges for the young
international students in an
alien land.
These challenges are further
magnified when students find
themselves in the clutches of
rogue employers or duped by
immigration agents back home
who falsifying their documents
submitted to Immigration New
Zealand, which can often result in
abrupt deportation.
Most of these students, leave
Indiaa large number of them
from rural villages, leave their
families and home country
with stars in their eyes, in search
of their dreams. But alas, the
reality is nowhere near what
they expect.
One can only imagine the plight
of students who already feel under
immense pressures from their
families, who perhaps mortgage
their homes and lands to meet the
expenses of their children studying
abroad, and are then served with a
deportation notice.
Often, all such situations leave
students clueless regarding whom
to contact or ask for help.
The Government of India had
last year sought to ameliorate
such situations for Indian students
when away overseas by adding
a specific student module to its
Consular Grievances Monitoring
System (MADAD).
The home page link of the
MADAD portal (https://portal1.
our students here so that in times develop further only through an
of need, both sides can reach the interactive manner.
other quickly. They can share their It is hoped that this new initiative
experiences and concerns with is supported by our student
us. We want to ensure that we do community and they work with
everything possible to promote the High Commission of India
their well-being. This would also to ensure that the students are
madad.gov.in/A ppConsular/ help us to take up their concerns better supported and have better
welcomeLink) now provides basic with respective institutions and outcomes to the various issues that
guidance on how students can first government agencies. This is going they are faced with.
register themselves on this module
and then proceed to provide basic
information. This information Date Day Festivals & Observances
will help the concerned Indian 1 Apr Sat Lakshmi Panchami
Embassy/High Commission to 2 Apr Sun Sasht, Yamuna Chhath, Rohini Vrat
engage effectively with the students
3 Apr Mon Navapad Oli begins
and render them all possible 4 Apr Tue Masik Durgashtami, Ashoka Ashtami
assistance. The data entered in this 5 Apr Wed Sri Rama Navami, Mahatara Jayanthi, Swami Narayan Jayanthi
module can be accessed and used 7 Apr Fri Kamana Ekadashi
exclusively only by Indian Missions 8 Apr Sat Pradosh Vrat, Shani Trayodashi
and Ministry of External Affairs. 9 Apr Sun Mahavir Jayanthi
The High Commission of India 10 Apr Mon Panguni Uthiram
in New Zealand is encouraging all 11 Apr Tue Hanuman Jayanthi, Chaitra Purnima, Navapad Oli ends
Indian students in New Zealand Baisakhi, Puthandu, Mesha Sankranti, Ambedkar Jayanthi, Good
14 Apr Friday Friday, Sankastha Chathurthi, Vishu Kani, Pohela Baishak
to register them and provide basic
16 Apr Sun Easter
information about them through
19 Apr Wed Kalashtami
this platform. This will then allow
23 Apr Sun Varuthini Ekadashi
the High Commission to support 24 Apr Mon Pradosh Vrat
these students when required. 25 Apr Tue Masik Shivaratri
Speaking about this new initiative 26 Apr Wed Vaishaka Amavasya
then, the High Commissioner,
28 Apr Fri Chandra Darshan, Parashuram Jayanthi
Mr Sanjiv Kohli had said, The 29 Apr Sat Akshaya Tritiya, Matangi Jayanthi, Vinayak Chathurthi, Rohini Vrat
advisory is to convey new initiatives
that we are taking to enable us to
With compliments from
maintain an updated database and The largest hindu online Puja platform

GUARANTEED RENT
if your tenant wont pay the rent, we will.

We can manage your properties

FREE for 2 months

We inspect your properties

every 3 months

Your rent will be reviewed

every 6 months
L I ST & S E LL WI TH ME, YOU WILL G E T

A FR E E T RI P TO IN DIA
FREE FIND-A-TENANT SERVICE AVAILABLE
ALL WEBSITE ADS + CREDIT CHECKS
*Terms & conditions apply
*Terms & conditions apply

CALL
Co nta ct me to fin d ou t mo
re! 09 361 7704
TO DISCUSS
Sanjay Gujarathi
09 376 7250 | 021 175 7269 WE COVER
sgujarathi.ponsonby@ljh.co.nz ALL OF AUCKLAND

Property Management
Ponsonby Estate Agents Limited Licensed REAA 2008
12 NEW ZEALAND 7 April 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

Manukau Indian Association rebrands itself Ugadi celebrated with great

as Indian Association of New Zealand pomp and show in Auckland
IWK BUREAU

N
ew Zealand Telugu
Association (NZTA)
welcomed the Telugu
New Year with a religious fervour
for Ugadi festival on Sunday,
March 26 at Dorothy Winston
Centre in Auckland. NZTA
called for the celebrations in high
spirits that included breathtaking
traditional performances
New team of the newly formed IANZ showcasing the culture, customs
IWK BUREAU

T
he Manukau Indian Association (MIA) has
rebranded itself as the Indian Association of
New Zealand (IANZ), a unanimous vote took
the decision at the associations annual general meeting
held on Sunday, April 2.
Suresh Ramji was elected as the new president of
this rebranded entity replacing Veer Khar who was
president for the last three years.
The new name reflects the fast-changing profile
of the Indian diaspora and better represents the
associations influence in the community and the
direction in which we are moving, Mr Ramji, the
newly elected president said. The story of Manukau
Indian Association began in 1979 with a few Gujarati
and Punjabi Indian families living in South Auckland
teaching their children their mother tongue.
Following this desire, classes were started in hired
rooms at the Papatoetoe Central Primary school, on
weekends. The parent would drop off their children
and wait outside while they attended classes.
The main aim of the association was to hold
language classes, celebrate festivals, preserve and
promote Indian culture and pass our heritage on to
the new generation. In 1980 the society raised funds
and purchased a property at 25 Tui Road, Papatoetoe,
to serve as their headquarters. Manukau which was
relatively unknown in the early 1980s had transformed
into a thriving suburb. In 1997, the society adopted a
new identity as the Manukau Indian Association with
an ambition of becoming an inclusive, diverse and
modern association. According to Roy Kaunds, the
communication director of this newly revamped body,
the world has changed manifold in the last 20 years
thus necessitating another change to remain relevant
in contemporary times.
In this global, multi-media, digital age the name
Manukau Indian Association sounds like a private
suburban club catering to the small local community,
Mr Kaunds said.
It restricts our scope of activities and does not
accurately reflect what we do. Today we have Indians
from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Fiji to South
Africa, as our members. We also do a lot of work with
the wider community and engage with people across
New Zealand, Mr Kaunds further asserted.
The current lot of Indians who moved to NZ after
2000, and our Millennials, are a different demographic.
They have different aspirations, backgrounds, tastes
and needs, and the association has to evolve to meet
these needs. While we are changing, our name also
needed to reflect this change, Veer Khar said.
IANZ vice-president Ram Lingam, who holds
an MBA in marketing and branding, adds, When
an organisation expands and starts moving in a new
direction the first thing that you need to change is the
brand identity, Today, in an interconnected world,
we should look at an expanding and inclusive identity,
Mr Lingam said.
and integral features of the Telugu
people, followed by authentic
Andhra delicacies.
Ugadi, a New Year celebration
for Telugu people, in literal terms is
translated as Yug (new) and adi (the
beginning). Each year of Ugadi has a
specific name in Panchangam (Hindu
calendar) based on the astrological
influences and the name of the year
represents the characters of the
time. The year 2017-18 in Telugu
calendar is called as Hevalambhi
Nama Samvastaram. The people of
Karnataka also rejoice the festival
as Ugadhi while in Maharashtra it is
celebrated as Gudi Padwa.
The celebrations at Dorothy
Winston started with Jyothi
Prajwalana and Vandematram,
followed by Panchanga Sravanam, a
recital of astrological predictions
(mundane and personal) by a
Brahmin priest. According to
the Vedas, listening to Panchanga
Sravanam helps people to convert
concealed good deeds in the heart
to the implementation stage and
passes on the virtues to the family
and the future generations.
One of the reasons for NZTAs
grand Ugadi celebrations was to
emphasise on the significance
of the festival and the need for
educating the younger generation
of the cultural celebrations
of the Telugu community in
New Zealand.
A special dish called Ugadhi
Pachadi was served on this
occasion for the attendees. This
dish is usually made using selected
seasonal ingredients including raw
mango, neem, jaggery, tamarind,
chilly and salt representing various
flavours of life such as bitterness,
surprise, fear, sorrow, anger
and happiness.
The significance of this
particular food is that it reminds
oneself of their life and the variety
of excitements that come along
motivating them to stay composed
during all the phases of emotions.

Mayor Phil Goff seeks government

support for Aucklands development
IWK BUREAU

A
uckland Mayor Phil
Goff has sought the
central government
support for Aucklands
development needs.
As Auckland is New
Zealands only worlds-class
city, the central government
also needs to pitch into the
cost of the development,
Mr Goff said.

Mr Goff was speaking at
an event organised by the
India New Zealand Business Auckland Mayor Phil Goff with Sameer Handa and
Wenceslaus Anthony at the INZBC event
Council on Wednesday,
March 29, 2017, at Auckland Institute
of Studies.
During the meet, Mr Goff shared his vision During the
on the development of the city and gave his meet, Mr Goff
thoughts on FTA with India. shared his vision on the
The Mayor informed the members about
the ongoing development of Auckland and development of the city
talked about the improvement of public and gave his thoughts on
transport, especially from Airport to CBD.
FTA with India.
To keep this city world-class and pollutions
free, we need to take steps for making public
transport more feasible and extensive, Mr
Goff further added. India and New Zealand has a lot in
The Mayor also touched upon the common; still we havent achieved that
education sector saying that the focus should potential with the trade.
be on the quality of students and not on the
Asia has the most dynamic economy in
quantity. Mr Goff was signalling towards
the recent issue of student-deportation the world and India has the second highest
touching the broader Indian community in population with the fastest growing economy.
New Zealand. However a good quality FTA can take
Mr Goff spoke eloquently about the some time, Mr Goff said.
importance of bilateral trade in promoting At the end of the event, the Mayor had an
bilateral relations between India and opportunity to meet and speak with members
New Zealand. of INZBC representing various industries.

Syro Malabar Food Festival in Auckland
RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
T
he Syro Malabar Catholic Mission
of Auckland (SMC) has organised a
day of food and fun at the Malaeola
Samoan Convention Centre in Mangere
on Saturday, April 22. The Annual festival
is expected to be attended by more than
5000 people that commence from 11 a.m.
until 7 p.m.
The Auckland Syro Malabar Catholic
Mission Inc. started as a community in 2006
with 40 families, which have now grown
now close to 300 families and individual
members; mainly, from the southern part of
Kerala, India.
Fun and Food Extravaganza is the second
food fest organised by the SMC after the
huge success of the event in its inaugural
year in 2016. Last year the event attracted
approximately 4000 people from different
parts of Auckland. People from various
communities including Kiwi, Pacific and
South East Asia visit the food extravaganza.
This years food fest will include cuisine
treats from various parts of India, Philippines,
IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE WITH
THE MOST VISIBLE KIWI-
INDIAN PUBLICATION IN TOWN.
NO OTHER PUBLICATION HELPS YOU REACH
INDIAN COMMUNITY IN NZ LIKE INDIAN
WEEKENDER ADVERTISE WITH THE LEADER
FOR CUSTOMISED ADVERTISING SOLUTIONS THAT FIT
YOUR BUDGET, CALL US AT 022-3251630 OR
021-1507950
www.iwk.co.nz | 7 April 2017
Samoa, New Zealand and much more. This
festival is an opportunity for the food lovers to
give try new cuisines from India and different
countries.
Besides food, an entertainment programme
is also planned for the day to keep the visitors
glued to the venue. Musical and dance
performances will be given by different ethnic
groups to highlight the multicultural society
of Auckland. There will also be activities for
the children such as quiz contests, fun rides,
bouncy castles, etc.
The purpose of this event is not just to
serve different cuisines to the food enthusiasts
but also to raise funds and use it towards the
betterment of the community. The funds
generated through sales, sponsorships and
donations at the food fest will be used to build
a centre for the children and the youth of the
community.
Last year we had people came from
Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton and
Rotorua and this year the arrangements have
been made to cater more than 5,000 people
at the event, Joby Cyriac, project convener
of Fun and Food Extravaganza 2017 said.
Children and young peoples
safety and wellbeing comes
first in new ministry
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi
National List MP
I
ts important our vulnerable children
and young people have a safe, stable and
loving home so they can go on to lead
successful lives.
The new Ministry for Vulnerable
Children, Oranga Tamariki, was launched
this afternoon by Prime Minister Bill English
and Minister for Children Anne Tolley.
It will work with families and whnau
to ensure children and young people have
access to the care and support they need.
It will do this by putting children and
young peoples safety and wellbeing first, and
ensuring they have a say in the decisions that
affect them.
As the Prime Minister acknowledged in his
opening address, young people themselves
can be the best ones to ask about what works
and what doesnt.
The launch of the new Ministry is another
milestone on a journey this government
began six years ago to better understand
the lives of our more vulnerable people
and what they need to change their lives for
the better.
It represents a major transformation
programme to build a more child-centred
NEW ZEALAND 13
care and protection system which focuses
on harm and trauma prevention and early
intervention.
It recognises that crisis management is not
the answer.
It represents real change and courage
on the part of those who recognise change
is needed.
The Ministry itself will be
just one part of the equation.
The other lies with our communities. We
need to help people build their own ability to
be caring and nurturing.
So partnerships matter. But rather than
spending time trying to find the perfect
partnership model we want to get out there
and do it.
Iwi, Pacific peoples and NGOs need to be
in their own communities using their own
models, practices and experiences to change
the conditions and circumstances that lead to
disconnected and dysfunctional whnau.
We do not want to repeat the failings of
the past.
Thats why we will focus on providing
children and young people with safe and
secure environments along with a sense
of belonging.
And its why we will support whnau,
Iwi, Aiga and families to help them provide
nurturing, safe and loving environments so
that the future for our vulnerable children
will be brighter.
 14 FIJI 7 April 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

Religious festivals give us spiritual strength

L
ord Rama symbolises
courage, commitment and
good virtues, says Minister
for Education, Heritage and Arts,
Mahendra Reddy.
He made these remarks during
the Ram Naumi celebrations at
Fiji Brahma Kumaris Rajyog
Meditation Centre in Suva
last week.
He said there were many
messages that could be portrayed
from Lord Ramas character.
As a son, we should respectfully
and lovingly obey our fathers
orders, Mr Reddy said.
There can be situations in life
even when we should consider
sacrificing our own comfort for our
A dancer performs the welcome dance for guests at the Ram Naumi gathering at the
Fiji Brahma Kumari Raj Yog Meditation Centre
fathers dignity and parents wishes.
As a brother, we need to always
remain loyal to our brothers. We
should care for them and be ready
We need to be
thoughtful about the
people in difficulty around
us and at times need to
make sacrifices in order
to assist them. Lord Rama
taught us how to respect
our gurus, teachers,
parents, elders, women
and youngsters
to support them at every phase
in life. We should be the pillar of
strength for them, he said.
As a husband, we have certain
obligations and responsibilities,
such as, protection of our wives.
But there are times when
ones divine path must even take
precedence over the path of
a householder.
He said Lord Rama sacrificed
everything for the people of
his kingdom.
We cannot only be always
concerned and worried about our
own comfort, convenience and own
pleasure, he said.
We need to be thoughtful about
the people in difficulty around us
and at times need to make sacrifices
in order to assist them.
Lord Rama taught us how to
respect our gurus, teachers, parents,
elders, women and youngsters.

2017 Fiji Census begins on September 17
G T
o v e r n m e n t
Statistician Epeli
Waqavonovono has
confirmed that Sunday,
September 17 has been fixed
as the Census night and the
data collection period will
last 7 to 10 days.
Waqavonovono says
preparatory works started
last year with the mapping
exercise for the 2017 census
and the country will be
subdivided into 1,900
Enumeration Areas.
He says Enumeration
Areas are small
geographic units which
are demarcated based on a
workload criteria. He has
also confirmed the 2017
census is funded by the $7.8
million budget allocation
with the technical support
from the Pacific Community
(SPC), the Australian Bureau
of Statistics, the World Bank
and the United Nations
Population Fund. The
Population and Housing
Census aims to gather
information on Age, Sex,
Marital Status, Religion,
Family Structure, Education,
Disability, Employment
and Unemployment, Types
of Economic Activities,
Toilet Facilities, Water and
Electricity supplies.
M e a n w h i l e ,
Waqavonovono says census
this year will be different from
previous years, for the first
time enumerators will use
tablet devices to collect and
store data.The Population
and Housing Census are
conducted every 10 years
in Fiji.
Fiji eyes qualified doctors from India
he Health and Medical
Services Ministry is
interested in bringing
in qualified doctors from
India, says the ministry's
permanent secretary
Philip Davies.
He said Health and Medical
Services Minister Rosy Akbar
was in India and would meet
organisations to foster closer
collaboration between the
Governments of India and
Fiji in areas of work, medical Minister for Health and Medical Services Rosy Akbar and the Perma-
nent Secretary Philip Davies during a briefing
supplies and equipment,
and co-operation on the delivery of we've got doctors from all over the world who
hospital services. are working in our system now.
"We are always open to bringing in well- "We do rigorous checks before they practise
trained health professionals from anywhere but we are not closing our doors on anyone
in the world who can contribute to our who can contribute." The Government
health service. had allocated $8.8m for the recruitment
Obviously we do take careful steps to of doctors from overseas in the 2016-2017
make sure they are appropriately trained and Budget to help bring Fiji's doctor to patient
qualified regardless of whether they come ratio to 1:1000 in line with World Health
from India, Australia, the US, Sri Lanka Organization standards.

NZ acting high commissioner

NEW ZEALAND FIRST presents cheque for FJ$15,000
LIST MP to Leadership Fiji
N
ew Zealand Acting High equipped to take Fiji forward as a united
Commissioner Amanda Vercoe has dynamic nation.
presented a cheque for FJ$15,000 Fong says that it also exposes participants
to Leadership Fiji that has boosted the 2017 to leaders from across the society, in a
Leadership Fiji Programme. structured manner, providing them with the
Vercoe says that New Zealand High opportunity to deepen their understanding
SPOKESPERSON FOR Commission values and supports the effort of their country, its history, economic and
of Leadership Fiji in the development and social structure. Leadership Fiji has also
CORRECTIONS enhancement of the quality of future Fiji been heavily involved in the development
CUSTOMS
Leaders. of regional leadership programmes. Around
ETHNIC AFFAIRS
L A N D I N F O R M AT I O N N Z She adds that the High Commission has 350 leaders from various back grounds
been associated with the Programme since and careers have graduated from the
If you would like to discuss these or any other its inception in 2002 and over the years it programme and are part of the vibrant and
issues, please contact my office: has enriched and nurtured the skills of many enthusiastic alumni.
P 04 817 8367 young leaders.
E mahesh.bindra@parliament.govt.nz
Leadership
A FREEPOST
Parliament Buildings
Fiji Executive
Wellington DirectorSharyne
W www.nzfirst.org.nz Fong says the
AUCKLAND OFFICE Leadership Fiji
P FREE PHONE
Programme
0800 BINDRA provides an
or 09 250 4070 opportunity for
A Level 1, 21 East Tamaki Rd the development
Papatoetoe
of a new
Auckland 2025
generation of
Authorised by Mahesh Bindra, Parliament Buildings, Wellington
l e a d e r s New Zealand Acting High Commissioner Amanda Vercoe and Leadership Fiji
Executive Director Sharyne Fong

Police Commissioner to Fijian asylum-
seekers in Australia: Safe to live in Fiji
I
t is safe to live in Fiji, declares
Police Commissioner Brigadier-
General Sitiveni Qiliho.
Brigadier-General Qiliho was
responding to a claim by Fijian
couple Jiten and Joytika Prasad,
who are facing deportation from
Australia, that it is not safe for them
to return to Fiji.
The Commissioner said:
Australians make the biggest
number of tourists that visit
our shores.
We are a safe country. That is
why they visit here, year in and
year out.
He said the security environment
was conducive to tourists enjoying
their holiday in Fiji.
That is why Australian tourists
keep coming here, he said.
We recently released our crime
statistics which showed an overall
reduction of four per cent in the
crime rate in the country last year.
The Prasad family arrived in
Sydney in the year 2000 and have
two Australian-born children who
cannot be deported because they
are full citizens, with Australian
passports. They have lived for
17 years in Eastlakes, Southern
Sydney, with children Jasmita, 15,
Myths from Fiji and India
SHALVEEN CHAND
B
efore men could take to
cave drawing and writings,
accounts of creation or
how to explain nature were passed
down to each generation in the
form of stories. These collections
of stories which are unique to each
culture have become myths.
While no two myths from
two different cultures are the
same, there are rare cases where
similarities in some way do exist.
Our island nation has its own
myths and legends but a certain
story from India has a very
uncanny resemblance to Fijis very
own story of creation.
This is the story of Degei, the
snake god of Fiji and the Hindu
mythical tale of how Lord Krishna
as a child vanquished the poisonous
serpent known as Kaliya.
The similarities in the two stories
are that both mythical creatures
talked about are humongous
snakes, both the stories have
another mythological creature
which also happens to be a hawk.
Story of Kaliya
Kaliya, in Hindu tradition,
was the name of a poisonous
snake living in the Yamuna River,
in Vrindavan.
According to the myth, the water
of the Yamuna for four leagues
all around Kaliya boiled and
bubbled with poison. No bird or
beast could go near and only one
solitary kadamba tree grew on the
river bank.
www.iwk.co.nz | 7 April 2017
Couple in Sydney facing deportation claim it is not safe to return
Jitend Prasad and his wife Joytika arrived in Australia in June 2000 shortly after the military coup in Fiji. They have exhausted
every possible legal avenue to stay in the country
Jasneel, 12, attending Randwick
Girls High and Mascot Public
respectively.The Prasads sought
asylum status, but were refused.
The family claimed that they
were caught up in threats and
The proper home of Kaliya was
Ramanik Dwip. The meaning of
the word dwip is island.
Kaliya had been driven away
from Ramanik Dwip by fear of
Garuda, the foe of all serpents.
Garuda in Hindu mythology was
a large hawk/eagle-like humanoid
creature who fed on snakes.
Garuda had been cursed by
a sage dwelling at Vrindavan so
he could not come to Vrindavan
without meeting his death.
Therefore Kaliya chose Vrindavan
as his residence, knowing it was the
only place where Garuda could
not come.
Once Krishna and his friends
were playing ball, and while
playing Krishna climbed up the
kadamba tree and hung over the
river bank, the ball fell into the
river and Krishna jumped after it.
Kaliya rose up with his hundred
and ten hoods vomiting poison and
wrapped himself around Krishnas
body. Krishna became so huge
that Kaliya had to release him. So
Krishna saved himself from every
attack and sprang on to Kaliyas
head and assumed the weight of
the whole universe, and danced on
the serpents heads.
This was killing Kaliya and
his wives prayed to Krishna with
joined palms, worshipping Krishna
and praying for their husband.
Kaliya surrendered to Krishna
promising he would not harass
anybody. So Krishna pardoned
violence by indigenous Fijians
(iTaukei) from a nearby village
during the 2000 coup in Fiji and
would suffer discrimination and
degrading treatment on the grounds
of their ethnicity if they returned.
Australian Assistant Immigration
him and then let him leave the
river and back to Ramanik Dwip.
Some identify it as Fiji.
And many Hindus believe
that Kaliya still lives in a lake
in Nakauvadra.
Story of Degei
According to Fijian legend
and stories compiled in the book
Creation Myths of Fiji by John
Black, in the beginning it was only
water and twilight everywhere and
only an island existed, the island of
the Gods which floated somewhere
at the edge of the world and could
be visible when the sun rose.
Degei was alone and the only
living creature was the female
hawk named Turukawa.
Turukawa could not speak and
the only thing she would do was
to fly around Earth, until she
started gathering leaves and grass
creating a nest and finally two eggs
were created.
eat from the banana tree and not
The god Degei took the two eggs
to his house where he made a bed
for them and kept them warm with
his body. When the eggs hatched,
two tiny human beings came out,
they were his children.
Once the first humans were
born, they were transferred to
a vesi tree where Degei built a
shelter for them, fed them and
taught them the secrets of nature.
But he kept his children separate.
He planted trees around them
so they could find food, trees like
banana trees, dalo and yams.
Minister Alex Hawke declined to
exercise his discretionary powers
to keep the family together and
compliance officials from the
Immigration Department have
warned the family that deportation
action could begin from today.
However, humans could only
dalo and yams, because they did
not know the art of fire. Dalo and
yams were the food of the gods.
When the first humans grew
up they met each other and asked
Degei to show them how to harness
the power of the fire and how to
eat the food of the gods, and so
Degei taught them. And it was
after a while that the first humans
left Degei and went to live on their
own and had their first children.
Degei wasnt upset since he knew
his children and their children
FIJI 15
NZ wary of Fiji
threat at Hong
Kong
N
ew Zealand Sevens coach
Scott Waldrom says his
team is fully
aware of the
challenge Fiji
pose at this
weekend's
Hong Kong
tournament.
Scott Waldrom
The two
old rivals are in the same pool,
alongside Wales and Japan.
Waldrom said Wales were a side
with speed and a huge work-rate
while Japan would gain an insight
into the Kiwi camp, having former
New Zealand assistant coach and
player Damian Karauna at the
helm. However, Waldrom said Fiji
could well be the team to beat at
the tournament.
"Fiji has just been on fire the last
few years," he said.
"They love being in Hong Kong,
that's why they are the team that
has won the most tournaments
in Hong Kong. They get up for
it and they love being here,"
Waldrom said. Fiji go into the
tournament lying in third place
on the World Series table on 100
points with New Zealand 16 points
back in fourth place.
would worship him as their god.
According to the legend, Degei
then established the first village in
Fiji, Viseisei Village. He himself
is said to have gone into the
mountain ranges of Nakauvadra
where he is said to be living in
a cave.
Both these stories are from
different cultures and different
places but have similarities
nonetheless. And perhaps more of
a reason why the stories of Fiji and
its people remain interesting.
Myths they may be, but still very
much interesting.
 Dont worry about failures, worry about
Editorial the chances you miss when you dont
even try.
Does NZ Police emergency Jack Canfield
response system need a revamp?
T
he latest incident in the community where a liquor store manager was left confused
and on his own when an emergency operator had categorically told him that it Auckland Weather forecast for the week April 8 - 14
would take them more than 30 minutes to send any help as they have other priorities
is a matter of concern. Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thu Fri
Although, currently there seems to be something unusually wrong about the entire New
Zealand police system and the way question of law and order is being addressed, yet this
piece will refrain from venturing into that territory and remain focused on the concern
about how the police emergency response system is operating.
It has been almost six months for the then Police Minister to accept publically for what Turning Cloudy A stray Mostly
A Partly Partly
was being reported in the media and believed by the members of the public for some time, morning cloudy,
Cloudy with a Morning Sunny Sunny
that crime figures are rising. Nothing concrete has happened so far on the ground to bolster shower shower shower showers with a with a
public confidence, which is cracking, if not breaking altogether. cloudy around shower shower
Interestingly, even political parties are raising all voices around the question of investments
in our police system and new recruitments, as if the lack of investment is the only avenue 21 21 21 21 21 21 21
of improvising police efficiency. 16 17 17 17 16 15 14
The Labour Party and Winston Peters New Zealand First party for long had vouched for
immediate recruitment of 1000 and 1800 police personals respectively. To which National
Party had responded with their promise of recruitment of 1100 personal over a period of
next four years and in the process taking away all the sheen from oppositions main roaring
point on law and order situation. In fact, both of them, the government and the opposition
repeatedly express satisfaction in the manner in which our police personal work everyday
and risk their lives to keep everyone safe. In that regard, opposition is as guilty as the
government in failing to hit hard on shortcomings of NZ police.
There is nothing wrong in repeated public support for the police, and in fact, this is
reiterated here as well that our police personnel do an incredible job in keeping everyone
safe. Nevertheless, there is no denying of the fact that sometime inadequacy in the system
can undermine best individual efforts.
The latest case of a New Market liquor shop where the store manager had apparently
locked himself with a prospective robber or even with a thief and had called on the
emergency line in the hope that immediate help will arrive soon, the emergency response
system failed on him. The help, however, arrived, when the store owner who was outside
the shop choose to walk to the nearest police station and get two police personnel come
to their rescue. The point is that police personnel worked entirely in a reasonable manner,
rising to the occasion and delivering the service in a safe way, whereas the system, on the
other hand, had failed to deliver and provide assistance to the person in need.
The other point is that not everyone will be lucky next time to have a police station next This week in New Zealands history
door and get someone else to walk and get police help for them.
It is precisely for such situations when people are caught in a vulnerable situation that the 7 April 1856
emergency system is designed to provide immediate assistance. First state secondary school opens
It is high time that our political parties get their act together and comes out of hiding
The first state secondary school in New Zealand, Nelson College, opened in temporary
behind the ivory towers of political correctness on the question of rising robberies and
assault and the less than satisfactory responses of police and legal system. Experiences premises in Trafalgar St with a roll of just eight boys. It eventually attracted boys from
overseas have shown that people are increasingly feeling appalled, if not disgusted, by the around the country as well as the local area. It now has a roll of over 1000 and continues to
necessity of political correctness. take both boarders and day pupils.
Someone out there, government or the opposition should be willing to play a hard-
cop on the police and ask questions that eventually improvise their service delivery to the 11 April 1869
members of the public.
New Zealands first royal visit
Indian Weekender : Volume 9 Issue 03 The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Alfred Ernest Albert, arrived in Wellington as captain of the
Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited
frigate HMS Galatea. The first member of the British royal family to visit New Zealand, he
Managing Editor: Bhav Dhillon | bhav@indianweekender.co.nz
was greeted with haka, speeches and bunting.
Content Editor: Sandeep Singh | sandeep@indianweekender.co.nz
Chief Reporter: Swati Sharma | swati@indianweekender.co.nz
Reporter: Rizwan Mohammad | rizwan@indianweekender.co.nz 12 April 1913
Chief ReporterSouth Island: Gaurav Sharma
Chief Technical Officer: Rohan Desouza | rohan@indianweekender.co.nz
HMS New Zealand begins tour of nations ports
Sr Graphics and Layout Designer: Mahesh Kumar | mahesh@indianweekender.co.nz The Royal Navy battlecruiser HMS New Zealand arrived in Wellington as part of a 10-week
Graphic Designer: Yashmin Chand | design@indianweekender.co.nz tour during which an
Accounts and Admin.: 09-6366306 | accounts@indianweekender.co.nz estimated 500,000
Sales and Distribution: 022 3251630 | sales@indianweekender.co.nz
New Zealanders
Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher inspected the vessel.
is not responsible for advertisers claims as appearing in the publication Ten sailors deserted
in Auckland, while
Views expressed in the articles are solely of the authors and do not in any way represent
the views of the team at the Indian Weekender boats ferried Dunedin
Kiwi Media Publishing Limited - 133A, Level 1, Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland.
sightseers to the ship
because it was too
Printed at Horton Media, Auckland
large to enter Otago
Copyright 2017. Kiwi Media Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Harbour.
 www.iwk.co.nz | 7 April 2017
OPINION/EDITORIAL 17

Bangladesh PMs visit: Needed a Hasina-

Modi visit for sub-regional cooperation
C UDAY BHASKAR for investing in the long term challenge for India is to nurture the

B
angladesh is Indias most vital
and empathetic neighbor
and this is symbolized in the
decision by Dhaka to posthumously
honour 1,661 Indian soldiers for
their contribution and sacrifice in
the blood-soaked birth of its nation
in December 1971. This rare
honour by a visiting leader will be
conferred by the Bangladesh Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina during her
visit to New Delhi from April 8-10.
I would make the case that this
summit level visit is the most critical
for Prime Minister Narendra Modi
for a number of reasons that have
a historical resonance as Delhi
prepares for the 70th anniversary
of Indias independence and
the bloody partition of the
subcontinent in August.
The Hasina visit would also be
the first summit-level meeting for
Modi after the spectacular electoral
victory that he single-handedly
delivered to the BJP, particularly
in Indias most populous state of
Uttar Pradesh
The high-octane triumph of
Hindu majoritarianism was also
reflected in the manner that the
Chief Minister of UP was chosen
and it will be instructive for Indias
external interlocutors to monitor
how electoral triumphalism will
play out in foreign policy.
The run-up to the 70th
anniversary of August 1947 is
embedded in the manner in which
Indias two principal neighbors --
Pakistan and Bangladesh -- relate
to the historical narrative. While
Pakistan observes March 23, 1940
as the day of the Lahore resolution
that envisioned a nation based
exclusively on religion -- in this
case the Islamic faith -- the very
birth of Bangladesh in 1971 and
its trajectory of the last 45 years
negates the two-nation theory
that led to the partition of August
1947. The Pakistan Army is yet
to accept the mea culpa of having
killed almost three million of its
own citizens during 1970-71 in the
most tragic yet forgotten chapters
of 20th century history.
Bangladesh, under Prime
Minister Hasina, has adopted
March 25 as Genocide Day and
will urge the United Nations to
declare this day as World Genocide
Day. What is relevant is the profile
and orientation of Pakistan and
Bangladesh -- the former slipping
further into religious bigotry and
sectarian violence even as Hasina
has steered her relatively young
nation towards enviable progress
and tolerance within the extended
Islamic world.
It may be recalled that even
before he assumed office as Prime
Minister, Modi had embarked on
innovative diplomacy and invited
all the regional leaders for his
swearing-in ceremony in May 2014.
There was considerable optimism
that Indias neighborhood policy
would be one of amity and
tangible cooperation but, barring
Bangladesh, there is little that
can be held up as a triumph or
breakthrough for the Modi-led
foreign policy.
Dhaka is the exception. An
objective review would indicate
that while Pakistan remains Indias
most visible and intractable security
and strategic challenge; and China
the more abiding and complex,
it is Bangladesh that represents
the neighbour with whom India
can demonstrate its positive
intent and showcase the incentive
cooperative endeavour.
Like most major Muslim
nations, Bangladesh (population
164 million) is also grappling with
the post 9/11 Islamist fervour
and its more virulent Wahabbi-
Salafi variant. Indias worst-
case security scenario would be
a neighbourhood on its eastern
flank that corresponds with the
Pakistan-Afghanistan violence and
Islamist ideology.
Hasina has demonstrated
commendable political courage
and conviction in her commitment
to the secular principle and
one may conjecture that she is
determined that her nation should
not go down the Pakistan path. Yet
there are deeply entrenched forces
of obscurantism and religious
bigotry and the more recent killing
of liberals in the name of Islam
is illustrative.
Hasina is seeking to maximise her
nations foreign policy options and
here, the relationship with China is
distinctive -- both for Bangladesh
and India. While it is evident
that the Sino-Pak relationship is
unlikely to alter its core anti-India
orientation, the China-Bangladesh
relationship should not be allowed
to acquire an adversarial or prickly
texture vis--vis India. This will
be the critical challenge for Modi
when he receives Hasina.
Beijing has already acquired a
substantive footprint as a major
military supplier in the Indian
neighbourhood and Chinese built
submarines in the Bangladesh navy
is a tactical reality that India will
have to factor in. But the deeper
Bay of Bengal region into a domain
where India and its neighbours can
cooperate and if Beijing wishes to
be part of this sub-regional effort
then Modi should make some bold
and innovative investments.
The most viable is to resurrect
the dormant BIMSTEC initiative
that brings together Bangladesh,
India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and
Thailand and impart traction into
this sub-regional entity. Modi has
outlined his vision of SAGAR
(security and growth for all in the
region) in the past and this came up
at the BRICS (Brazil, India, China,
Russia, South Africa) Summit in
Goa last October where Hasina
was a special invitee. 17
The April 8 summit is an
opportune moment for India
and Bangladesh to bilaterally
implement many of the suggestions
that are already in the pipeline and
identify the low-hanging fruit.
My personal wish-list would be
to prioritize the connectivity from
the Indian east coast (Odisha/
Andhra) through Bangladesh ports
to Agartala in the Indian northeast
and beyond. The Hasina-Modi
vision could also enable Dhaka to
outline a common sub-regional
blueprint that will maximize
the collective advantages that
can accrue from investing in the
Blue Economy -- that related to
the ocean.
C Uday Bhaskar is Director,
Society for Policy Studies. The
views expressed are personal. The
article is in special arrangement
with South Asia Monitor

Which Donald Trump will Xi Jinping meet at Mar-a-Lago?

MAYANK CHHAYA spoken to Taiwans leader since 1979. Trump Organisation that were pending for and his cohorts have been busy rubbishing

C
hinese President Xi Jinping may have
a hard time understanding which
President Donald Trump he will
encounter when the two meet in Mar-a-Lago
in Florida on April 6 and 7.
Would it be the Trump who has accused
China of raping our country and being
a currency manipulator, or the more
transactional and ideology-free businessman
with next-to-nothing grasp of complex
diplomacy? There are apprehensions that
while Xi will come fully prepared to the
meeting, as is his wont, Trump will improvise
as he goes along. One will bring deep
deliberateness to the exchange even as the
other will choose to wing it.
The highly contrasting styles between the
inscrutably modest Xi and the unabashedly
vainglorious Trump are expected to inform
the first meeting between the two leaders.
The US President has already telegraphed
via Twitter that he expects the meeting to be
very difficult because of the massive trade
deficits. Xi, on the other hand, has refrained
from hyper-ventilating in keeping with the
traditional style of the Chinese leadership.
The choice of Mar-a-Lago, a property
owned by Trump, is a careful one aimed at
giving a tropical backdrop to a relationship
which is at best unpredictable. Trump
muddied the waters early on when he chose
to speak to Taiwans President Tsai Ing-wen
in December last year, weeks before being
sworn in, much to Beijings chagrin. It was
for the first time an elected President had
China regards Taiwan as one of its
breakaway provinces and Washington has
historically respected the one-China policy.
In playing down the disquiet over his phone
conversation with the Taiwanese leader,
Trump had then tweeted: Interesting how
the US sells Taiwan billions of dollars of
military equipment but I should not accept a
congratulatory call.
The Taiwan matter appears to have been
put to rest after, according to The New York
Times, Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner,
in tandem with Chinese Ambassador to
Washington Cui Tiankai, arranged a phone
call between the two leaders in February.
According to the newspaper, during that
conversation Trump pledged to abide by
the four-decade-old one-China policy on
Taiwan, despite his earlier suggestion that it
was up for negotiation.
That, coupled with not following up on his
rather ludicrous promise of declaring China
a currency manipulator on day one of his
administration -- now more than 70 days into
it -- is expected to have given Xi some sense
of the chasm between what Trump declaims
and what he actually might do. There are
reports of Chinas diplomatic establishment
having learned that the best way to reach
and influence Trump is via his family. To that
end, his son-in-law Kushner has emerged as
the conduit.
Beijing has also been rather kind to
Trumps business in China by approving
several trademark applications of The
quite some time. Kushner came close to
selling a prime piece of New York real estate
to the politically well-connected Chinese
company, Anbang Insurance Group, but
shied away amid mounting criticism over
conflict of interest.
None of this, of course, still means that
Trump will not play hardball with Xi for
public consumption in order to keep his core
base in good humour. There are expectations
that recognising the value of not triggering
a trade war and creating an appearance of
helping the US President, Xi might announce
some significant investment in infrastructure
projects, which Trump can then relay as a
triumph of his tough talk on Twitter.
Last year, China invested $45 billion
in America in real estate, finance and
entertainment. A sizable investment in
infrastructure projects with the potential
to create construction jobs of the kind that
would benefit Trumps core constituents is an
attractive proposition for the Chinese leader.
The two will meet amid a polar switch
in the way they view the global roles of
their respective countries. Xi has emerged
as a passionate advocate of unfettered
global trade while Trump has been a vocal
proponent of protectionism and trade
barriers as part of his America first and
buy American, hire American philosophy.
Even on the existential crisis of climate
change, it is China that has been taking the
global leadership position even as Trump
the whole science behind it.
No one seriously believes that the meeting
will convert Trump back to a globalist and
a supporter of climate change policies. In a
way, Trumps policy of retreat from a global
engagement suits China eminently as it goes
about assertively assuming that mantle.
At the same time, Xi will be mindful that
Trumps threat of imposing a 45 per cent
tariff on Chinese imports does not become a
reality considering that the Chinese economy
is experiencing its own often understated
albeit serious strains.
One particular issue that is expected to
consume considerable oxygen is North
Korea, particularly in the light of Trumps
ultimatum that the US would go it alone if
China did not lean on Pyongyang to end its
nuclear programme. In an interview with
The Financial Times, he said: Well, if
China is not going to solve North Korea, we
will, but refrained from giving any details on
how. This could be part of his characteristic
grandstanding before his meeting with Xi.
On his part, the Chinese leader may be
keen on resolving North Korean President
Kim Jong-uns increasingly belligerent
posturing but without destabilising the
already embattled neighbour because that
will have direct consequences for Beijing.
It is one of those meetings where China
may opt to play chess even as America goes
for checkers.
 18 INDIA 7 April 2017| www.iwk.co.nz

India, Malaysia sign 7 agreements

to further enhance bilateral ties
M
alaysia and India on
Saturday signed six
Memorandums of
Understanding (MoUs) and an
Agreement that paves the way
for further economic growth and
development between the two
countries. India and Malaysia
celebrate the 60th anniversary of
diplomatic ties this year.
Visiting Prime Minister Datuk
Seri Najib Tun Razak and his host
and counterpart Narendra Modi,
witnessed the signing ceremony at
Hyderabad House in the capital.
It was held in conjunction with
Najibs six day official visit to India.
Among the prominent MoUs
is the proposed development of a
urea and ammonia manufacturing
plant in Malaysia and an Offtake
of Existing Surplus Urea from
Malaysia to India.
The project is expected to cost
US$2 billion, with a capacity to
produce 2.5 million tonnes per
annum, and dedicated to supplying
the Indian market.
MIGHT Technology Nurturing
Sdn Bhd also inked a deal with
the Andhra Pradesh Economic
Development Board (APEBD)
on implementation of the fourth
generation Technology Park in the
southern state.
The park is anticipated to attract
private sector investments of
US$100 million, as well as spinning
off the involvement of 75 small
medium enterprises, and providing
5,500 jobs. Both countries also
signed a bilateral air services
agreement which would enhance
air connectivity.
Other MoUs were between the
Association of Indian Universities
(AIU), New Delhi and the
Malaysian Qualifications Agency
(MQA) on mutual recognition
of educational qualifications, to
encourage students to study in
each others country in all India
courses. also welcomed
Also signed were Malaysias initiative
MoUs between to expand the visa-free
Pembangunan programme to Indian
Sumber Manusia nationals visiting Malaysia
Bhd and the effective today until March 31,
E n t re p re n e u r s h i p 2018 under the Electronic
Development Institute Travel Registration and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak witness the exchange of
of India, the Malaysian Information. agreements at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on April 1, 2017.
Palm Oil Board (MPOB)
and Institute of Chemical Malaysias initiative
Technology (ICT) on collaboration to expand the visa-free
in technology development in the programme to Indian nationals
field of palm oil. visiting Malaysia effective today
In a joint statement issued after until March 31, 2018 under the
Electronic Travel Registration and
the bilateral meeting between
Najib and Modi, both sides also Information (eNTRI).
agreed to explore the possibility India also expressed satisfaction
of enhancing cooperation in the at the participation of Malaysian
financial sector. companies in road projects in
It includes participation in each the state of Rajasthan. It looked
others capital market, as well the forward to the conclusion of
significant infrastructure projects
grant of commercial banking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak witness
licences. India also welcomed there and in other states by the exchange of agreements at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi.
Malaysian companies.

AIR CHINA (DEL/BOM)

Economy return fares starting from 899*
Departures between 20 May to 30 November17.

Economy return Fares starting from 1399*(Dec Special

Departures between 01 December 17 to 15 January 18.

MALAYSIA AIRLINES
Economy return fares starting from NZD 949*
( CHENNAI / MUMBAI / HYDERABAD / BANGALORE / DHAKA / NEW DELHI / COLOMBO)
Departures between 20 April to 31 May 17.

Economy return fares starting from NZD 1049*

Departures between 01 June to 30 November 17.
Sales ends on 27 APRIL 2017.

*Conditions apply
 www.iwk.co.nz | 7 April 2017
INDIA 19

PM Modi tells Kashmir youth, Skill development

only way to create

choice is between tourism and terrorism P

jobs: President
resident Pranab Mukherjee
stressed the importance of

O
bserving that 40 years
of violence had done no
good but only brought
bloodshed to Jammu and Kashmir,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on
Sunday, April 2, said the youth of
the Valley had to choose between
tourism and terrorism to shape
their future.
Inaugurating the Chenani-
Nashri tunnel, Modi said the
countrys longest tunnel would
change the fortunes of the state
and its economy and asserted the
Centres commitment in boosting
tourism in the state.
I want to tell the youth of the
valley, you have two paths which
can decide your fate On one
hand you have tourism and then
there is terrorism.
For the past 40 years so many
innocent lives have been lost. This
has done no good to anybody but
has only left the valley bloodied.
This bloodshed has not done good
to anybody but has only snatched
sons from their mothers, he said.
Had these 40 years been used
for developing tourism things
would have been different,
he said.
He also congratulated the
Mehbooba Mufti-led Jammu and
Kashmir government for utilising
central funds for the development
developing skills of youths
to deal with unemployment and
said training the young workforce
was the only way to ensure
their employability.
Inaugurating an exhibition on
skill development here, Mukherjee
said unemployment was the basic
problem for the country despite
having a huge workforce more
than two-thirds of the population
falls in the working age group.
Imparting training to the youths
and their skill development is the
only way to ensure employability,
the President said.
Mukherjee also launched several
projects across the state, including
laying the foundation stone of a
Software Technology Parks of
India (STPI) centre at Jasidih
in Deoghar.
The STPI will
cater to the needs
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the country's longest road tunnel that links Kashmir Valley with Jammu by
an all-weather route and reduces the distance by 31 kms. After the inauguration, Modi, along with Vohra and Mehbooba, travelled of information
in an open jeep through the tunnel for some distance. technology in-
dustry and also
of the state and assured his the money. Such packages often income, Modi asked the people boost the entre-
governments continued support. remain in paper and take years of the Valley to work shoulder to preneurship and
Last year the Centre to materialise. But her shoulder with the government to IT export from
I
announced a package government has done a change the fortunes of the state. Jharkhand. The
want to tell
of Rs 80,000 crore commendable job, He termed the Chenani-Nashri President also inaugurated
the youth of the
for the state and he said. tunnel as the valleys fate line two of the 31 new Pradhan Man-
valley, you have two
I congratulate Stressing on the and said it will boost the economy tri Kaushal Kendras in Jharkhand
paths which can decide and six others in Bihar.
Mehbooba and states tourism of the state and farmers will be
her government your fate On one hand potential and able to send their produce to Delhi These centres are meant to
for already utilising you have tourism and ability to boost the markets promptly and without provide high-quality training
more than half of then there is terrorism countrys per capita concerns of delay. in multiple sectors with special
emphasis on manufacturing and

Dalai Lama in Arunachal:

services trades.
Addressing the gathering, the

India tells China not to

President said many projects
were launched to help hone the
peoples skills and benefit them.

interfere in its matters

... it will widen the employment
landscape in this land of heroes,
Mukherjee added.

I
ndia-China diplomatic tensions
rose afresh over the Dalai
Lamas visit to Arunachal
Pradesh, with New Delhi asserting
on Tuesday, April 4, that no political
motive should be attributed to
the visit and asked Beijing not to
interfere in its internal affairs.
Beijing in a fresh salvo slammed
the Dalai Lama as an anti-China
separatist and attacked New Delhi
indirectly for its support to the
Tibetan leader.
Union Minister of State for
questioned Chinas sovereignty
and has respectfully adhered to
the one-China policy.
So we expect that China also
should not interfere in our internal
matters, he stated. His comment
came as the Ministry of External
Affairs said that the Dalai Lama
has visited the state six times
earlier and no additional colour
should be given to his visit starting
from April 5.
Dalai Lama meets Indian guard from 1959 flight from Tibet
Rahul hails
Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama being welcomed on his arrival at Thubchog
Gatsel Ling Monastery in Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh Yogi's farm loan
Reacting to the visit, the Chinese waiver
C
The Chinese government is
Foreign Ministry told Efe news: ongress Vice President Rahul
The 14th Dalai Lama is an anti- resolutely opposed to any countrys
Gandhi on Wednesday
China separatist who has long lived support and facilitation for the 14th
hailed Uttar Pradesh Chief
in exile following a failed armed Dalai groups anti-China separatist Minister Yogi Adityanath's decision
rebellion by the reactionary group activities, read the statement to waive off farm loans calling it a
of high-ranking feudal serf owners
without alluding directly to India. step in the right direction. He,
in Tibet in March 1959.
however, cautioned the Central
government against "discriminating
among states".

Home Kiren Rijiju, who is from
Arunachal Pradesh, said that
no political motive should be
attributed to Dalai Lamas trip.
India has always been non-
interfering in the neighbours
internal affairs in our approach,
Rijiju told reporters in New Delhi.
In the same manner, we expect
the same from our neighbours,
he said.
When Dalai Lamaji is in
Arunachal Pradesh, he will be
confined only to religious matters.
He is not there to make any
political statement and he is not
there with any political motive,
he said.
Rijiju, who is scheduled to go
to Arunachal Pradesh to meet the
Dalai Lama, said India has never
T
he Dalai Lama has come
face to face with an Indian
soldier who guarded him
almost 60 years ago as he fled from
Tibet to exile in India.
The Tibetan spiritual leader, 81,
met Naren Chandra Das, 79, as he
paid a visit to northeast India.
Looking at your face, I now
realise I must be very old too,
he said. He first met the guard
in 1959 after agruelling two-
week trekacross the mountains
from Lhasa, after a failed Tibetan
uprising against Chinese rule.
Disguised as a soldier, the
Dalai Lama made his way with
a small entourage to the border,
having received assurances of
Indian help.
Mr Das, a retired member of
the Assam Rifles, said: Guards
of the Assam Rifles Platoon No
9 had brought the Dalai Lama
from Zuthangbo and handed him
over to five of us at Shakti [in
Arunachal Pradesh, which borders
China and Bhutan].
We brought him to Lungla
from where he was escorted on
his onward journey to Tawang by
another group of guards, he said.
Troops had not been allowed to
talk to the Tibetan spiritual leader.
Our duty was only to guard and
escort him during his journey,
he said. The Dalai Lama thanked
the former soldier, saying he was
very, very happy to meet part
of the team that escorted him
to safety inside India. After his
The two men encountered each other
in 1959, close to the Tibetan border
escape, he stayed briefly at the
Tawang monastery, before settling
in Dharamsala, in the north of the
country, which is now home to the
Tibetan government-in-exile.
"A partial relief for UP (Uttar
Pradesh) farmers, but a step in the
right direction. The Congress has
always supported loan waivers for
farmers in distress."
"I'm happy BJP (Bharatiya Janata
Party) has finally been forced to see
reason," Rahul tweeted.
He also advised the Centre not to
"play politics with our farmers who
are suffering across the country".
"The Central government
must have a national response to
the widespread distress and not
discriminate...," he said.
The Uttar Pradesh government
on Tuesday cleared a Rs
36,359-crore proposal allowing
waiver of loans for marginal and
small farmers of the state.
 20 INDIA 7 April 2017| www.iwk.co.nz

India-UK launch 240m pound NEWS in BRIEF

joint fund for green energy
I T
ndia and Britain on Tuesday,
April 4, agreed to jointly set up a
fund with corpus contributions
of 120 million pounds each to
finance Indian infrastructure
projects, it was announced.
"In a major step taken today
(Tuesday, April 4) on the National
Investment and Infrastructure
Fund (NIIF), a sub-fund with UK
and NIIF participation was agreed
upon," Finance Minister Arun
Jaitley told reporters.
He was briefing the media after
the ninth India-UK Economic
and Financial Dialogue here
with the British delegation led
by Chancellor of the Exchequer
Philip Hammond.
"The Green Growth Equity
Fund will have contributions of
120 million pounds from each
participant to finance energy needs
in India," he added.
The joint statement at the
end of the talks said the "joint
fund aims to raise 500 million
pounds by also leveraging private
sector investment from the city
of London to finance Indian
India to get over 9 lakh tamper-
proof EVMs before 2019
he Election Commission
will replace over nine
lakh Electronic Voting
Machines (EVMs) with advanced
M3 machines before the 2019 Lok
Sabha polls, the government has
informed Parliament.
These machines will become
inoperable the moment someone Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)
attempts to tamper with them. The
new EVMs are likely to be introduced by the end of 2018. The move
comes in the wake of allegations of EVM-tampering by several political
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond leaders in the February-March assembly polls. While the M3 EVMs are
address a joint press conference in New Delhi, on April 4 technologically advanced, there is no operational difference between
these and other EVMs and they do not affect booth-management
infrastructure projects." India set Both ministers said they also system, Minister of State for Law and Justice P.P. Chaudhary told the
up the NIIF in December 2015 as discussed a possible free trade Lok Sabha in a written reply earlier this week.
an investment vehicle for funding agreement (FTA) after Britain The minister said the Election Commission has decided to replace
commercially viable formally leaves European 9,30,430 EVMs purchased before 2006 in a phased manner before the
greenfield, brownfield Joint Union (EU) through a
fund aims General Election and simultaneous assembly polls in 2019.
and stalled projects. protracted process that
Last year, the
to raise 500m
pounds by also
is expected to take Arvind Kejriwal's legal fees: I gave
g o v e r n m e n t leveraging private sector about two years to
announced that it investment from the city complete.
a discount to Delhi CM: Ram
is in the process of of London to finance "Post-Brexit, Jethmalani
M
setting up two sub- Indian they are looking aking light of his bill
funds under NIIF infrastructure for more open of over Rs 3.5 crore for
one in renewable projects trade, and more trade defending Aam Aadmi
energy, and another with arrangements with India," Party chief Arvind Kejriwal in a
focus on highway projects. Jaitley said. criminal defamation case, noted
lawyer Ram Jethmalani said he had
given a concession to the Delhi chief
minister. "As a matter of fact, I have Ram Jethmalani
given a concession to Kejriwal while
defending him in the criminal defamation case. I have not asked for the
retainer fee I normally charge my other clients. I have also reduced the
fee for each appearance in court. Moreover, I have not charged him a
penny for the elaborate conferences prior to each hearing in the trial
court," Jethmalani Said.
Jethmalani had charged Kejriwal Rs 1 crore as retainer fee and Rs 22
lakh per hearing in the case filed against him by finance minister Arun

India court gives sacred Ganges

Jaitley. Conference fees charged by senior lawyers are almost as much as
what they get for their appearance in court.
New liberalised visa regime being
and Yamuna rivers human status implemented: Minister
C
ommerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on said that
the government has started to implement the new liberalised visa

A
court in northern Indian
has given the Ganges and
Yamuna rivers the status
of living human entities.
The high court in the Himalayan
state of Uttarakhand said this
would help in the preservation
and conservation of the highly
polluted rivers.
It added that the legal status
ensures that polluting the rivers
would now amount to
harming a human being.
Both rivers are
considered sacred
in India and are
considered goddesses
by the majority
Hindu population.
The ruling comes a
week after the Whanganui
River in New Zealand became the
first in the world to be granted the
same legal rights as a person.
The court said in its ruling that
Hindus had deep faith in the
two rivers and they collectively
connect with them.
The rivers are central to
the existence of half of the
Indian population and their
health and well being. They
have provided both physical
Hindu devotees gather on the banks of the Ganges to take
holy dips on Somvati Amavasya, Haridwar
Whanganui River in New Zealand
and spiritual sustenance to all
of us from time immemorial,
it added. It went on to add that
both rivers had become heavily
polluted due to industrialisation
and rapid urbanisation.
regime from April 1, 2017. The Union Cabinet headed by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi had on November 30, 2016, approved various
measures for liberalisation of the visa regime.
Multiple entry tourist and business visas for a period of five years will
now be available to nationals of most of the countries, Sitharaman said.
The new regime had sub-divided e-Visa into three categories e-tourist
visa, e-business visa and e-medical visa for nationals of 161 countries
to enter India through 24 airports.
E-visa facility extended to Cochin, Goa and Mangalore sea-ports (to
benefit cruise tourism) soon also at Mumbai and Chennai sea-ports,
Sitharaman said.
Upon urgent requests, business visa and medical visa will be granted
within 48 hours of application.
The minister pointed out, Separate immigration counters and
facilitation desks to assist medical tourist at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata,
Chennai, Bengluru and Hyderbad. The government has also
introduced a new category of visa for film production in India (F)
Visa which has a maximum duration of one year with multiple
entry facility.
Anti-Romeo squads doing good
job: UP government
T
he Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday, April 4, said the anti-
Romeo squads were doing a good job and slammed opposition
parties for creating a controversy about them.
Addressing the media after the first cabinet meeting of the Yogi
Adityanath government, the states Power Minister Srikant Sharma said:
Anti-Romeo squads are doing a good job and are being hailed by the
Two top state officials have been
people of the entire state.
appointed as the legal guardians
Sharma said that opposition parties tried to create controversy and
of the rivers and will represent
demean it after the squads were formed.
their rights. He said that before going to the field, members of the squads are
Activists say the order is likely to properly briefed by senior police officials.
fast track efforts to clean the rivers.

Haley says she sounds
strong because that's how T
her Sikh parents raised her
A
Punjabi may be out of
Punjab, but Punjab is
never out of her.
Nikki Haley, the outspoken US
ambassador to the UN, says if she
comes out sounding strong, it's
because that's how she was raised
by her parents, who are Sikhs
from Punjab.
She does her "job to the best of
my abilities and if that comes out
blunt, comes out strong, I am one
of two brothers and a sister and my
parents raised us all to be strong,"
she said at a news conference on
Monday, April 3.
Her father Ajit Singh Randhwa,
is from Amritsar district. He is an
agriculture science professor. Her
mother is Raj Kaur Randhwa.
One of her brothers, Mitti
Randhwa, was an Army officer
who saw action in Operation
Desert Storm, 1990-91, leading
a company tasked with finding
chemical weapons.
Just over two months into her
office as the first Indian American
to be appointed to a cabinet-level
position, she has made waves by
calling a spade a spade, if
not a shovel, in an arena
where a diplomat
may delicately call it
a spoon.
She has called
the UN Human
Rights Council
"corrupt", the UN
of being a partner
of a "corrupt"
government, and
Syrian President Bashar
al-Assad a "war criminal",
and declared she was free to
"beat up on Russia".
And she perceives her job as
shaking up the UN and pulling
it by its purse strings, kicking and
screaming, to carry out reforms.
A TV reporter addressed her as
"Madam President" because she
presides over the Security Council
this month, and quipped that's
what she may be called in eight
years a hint that she may become
the nation's President.
Haley said that in every job she
has held "people assumed I was
looking for something bigger".
But, she said, "In reality I am
the daughter of Indian parents
who said to me whatever you do
be great at it and make sure people
remember you for it.
That's all I have ever shown,
try to be."
ADVERTISE WITH INDIAN WEEKENDER
AND GROW YOUR BUSINESS
FOR CUSTOMISED ADVERTISING SOLUTIONS THAT FIT
YOUR BUDGET, CALL US AT 022-3251630 OR 021-1507950
www.iwk.co.nz | 7 April 2017
Nikki Haley
Haley
h
emerged
a s
as
the face of American
diplomacy with her outspokenness
and availability to the public and
the media - she was on three
Sunday morning TV talk shows
speaking out on US foreign policy,
in addition to a speech at the
Council on Foreign relations.
In reality I am the daughter
of Indian parents who said
to me whatever you do be
great at it and make sure
people remember you for it.
Thats all I have ever shown,
try to be
Nikki Haley
Unlike most of President Donald
Trump's cabinet and top officials
she has a warm relationship with
the otherwise belligerent media.
In contrast, Secretary of State
Rex Tillerson has kept away
from the media and minimised
public appearances. Even his
spokesperson, Mark Toner, is a
holdover from President Barack
Obama's administration.
This makes Haley the only
accessible authentic voice of
Trump foreign policy, raising her
public profile.
That in turn has led to media
speculation in recent days that she
is likely to succeed Tillerson.
Answering a question if she
was offered the job of Secretary
of State, Haley said that Trump
did not make the offer when she
met him at the Trump Tower
barely two weeks after the election
in November.
But she said, "The original call
that I got to go to Trump Tower
was to discuss Secretary of State."
She added, "When we went
in that was the position we
were discussing."
Changed H-1B visa norms dont
mean much for India: Nasscom
he Indian IT industry
body Nasscom aid the
clarifying guidance by the
USCIS on eligibility for computer
programmers under the H-1B visa
norms will have little impact on
its members, as the clarification
has been the adjudicatory practice
for years.
The March 31 USCIS
memorandum reinforces an
existing practice by adjudicators
and clarifies requirements for
certain computer professionals,
said the National Association
of Software Services and
Companies (Nasscom).
The US Citizenship Our
and Immigration member
Services (USCIS) companies provide
On March skilled talent and
31 issued a solutions to US firms. The and solutions to
clarification H-1B visa system exists
that computer specifically because of the
programmers, persistent shortage of
to be eligible highly-skilled domestic
under the H-1B IT talent in
visa norms, must the US
prove that theirs is
a specialty occupation.
Merely obtaining a computer
degree may not be enough.
Coming just ahead of start of
the new season for H-1B visas for
skilled workers, it was largely seen
as the tightening of norms by the
US authorities for hiring computer
programmers, thus putting a
squeeze on Indian IT companies.
US embassies the world over
started accepting next years H-1B
visa petitions from April 3.
Indian techies have been the
biggest beneficiaries of the H-1B
visas obtaining about 70 per cent
of such visas -- with companies
posting thousands of employees to
the US.
Indian-American entrepreneur to
challenge Democrat for Senate race
I
ndian-American entrepreneur
Shiva Ayyadurai will challenge
liberal icon and Democratic
Senator Elizabeth Warren in the
2018 US Senate race from the state
of Massachusetts.
The Indian-American, who
claims that he invented the email,
first announced his candidacy last
month to "defend the American
dream", the American Bazaar
Online reported on Thursday.
On his campaign website,
Ayyadurai stated: "I'll always be
grateful for the opportunities
I've found here (America). Now
I'm committed to preserving,
protecting, and expanding those
opportunities for the citizens
of Massachusetts and for all
Americans. That's the new
American Revolution, and I hope
you'll join me in this fight."
The Mumbai-born entrepreneur
has four Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (MIT) degrees and
is also a contributor to BreitBart
news, a far-right American news,
opinion and commentary website.
Ayyadurai, who is so far the only
declared Republican candidate,
INDIA ABROAD 21
This visa allows work in the
particular area for six years,
extendable after that. It is also the
route to a US permanent residency
or a US Green Card.
Noting that several of its
members have applied for visas for
higher level professionals this year,
the apex body said the evidence
showed that the jobs were complex
and required professional degrees.
Our member companies
provide skilled talent and solutions
to US firms. The H-1B visa system
exists specifically because of the
persistent shortage of highly-skilled
domestic IT talent in the US, the
statement pointed out.
Indian IT companies
would continue to
provide skilled talent
fill that gap and
keep US firms
competitive globally,
it added.
In its policy
memorandum, the
USCIS mentioned: Based
on the current version of the
Handbook, the fact that a person
may be employed as a computer
programmer and may use
information technology skills and
knowledge to help an enterprise
achieve its goals in the course
of his or her job is not sufficient
to establish the position as a
specialty occupation.
The memorandum said: A
petitioner may not rely solely on the
Handbook to meet its burden when
seeking to sponsor a beneficiary for
a computer programmer position.
Instead, a petitioner must provide
other evidence to establish that
the particular position is one in a
specialty occupation...
Indian-American entrepreneur Shiva
Ayyadurai
has been going after Warren right
from the beginning, hashtaging her
as "FAKEFIGHTER" on Twitter.
During her political carrier,
the Massachusetts senior senator
has earned a name as fighter for
consumers and the working class.
In a recent tweet, he launched
a rather "Trumpesque" attack on
the Senator Warren for her call
to increase federal investment in
medical research.
Ayyadurai came to the US at
the age of seven in 1970 and
went on to become a renowned
systems scientist, inventor,
and entrepreneur.
 22 WORLD 7 April 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

Trump may get involved in India- False

Facebook post
Pakistan peace process: Haley costs woman

T $500,000
he US is concerned about another country to facilitate talks
the state of India-Pakistan between them and asked if the US
relations and President would get the leaders of the two
Donald Trump himself may get countries to talk.
involved in a peace process between With Secretary of State Rex
the two South Asian antagonists, Tillerson keeping a low public
Nikki Haley, the US Permanent profile and generally avoiding
Representative to the UN said on the media, Haley is emerging as
Monday, April 3. the public face of US diplomacy
This administration is making her presence felt in the
concerned about the relationship media aided by her cabinet status.
between India and Pakistan and Her statement about India-
very much wants to see how we Pakistan relations, therefore,
de-escalate any sort of conflict

going forward, Haley, who holds
a cabinet rank in the Trump
administration, said.
I would expect that the
administration going to be in talks
and try and find its place to be part
of that (process). She added, And
also wouldnt be surprised if the
President participates as well.
India has opposed external
involvement in bilateral issues with
Pakistan. During his campaign
in 2016, Trump had offered
to mediate between India and
Pakistan, but was careful to add
Zardari, Bilawal
President Donald Trump
that it was only if the two nations
wanted him to.
In an interview to The Hindustan
Times he said that he would be
honoured to be a moderator.
I think if they wanted me to, I
would love to be the mediator or
arbitrator. Haley was answering
Cabinet approves MoUs with Bangladesh
Washington in May when the two
a question from a reporter at her
news conference on assuming the
presidency of the Security Council
for the month of April.
The reporter pointed out that
India does not want an interlocutor
for talks with Pakistan, while
Islamabad wanted the US or
assume importance and it is the first
high-level Trump administration
statement on Indias relations
with Pakistan. While it is not clear
what steps the US could take,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
is expected to meet Trump in
Telegraph.co.uk,
could discuss it.
Former President Barack
Obama also had said during his
2008 campaign that the US should
mediate the Kashmir dispute. The
offer met with strong opposition in
India and he did not actively follow
it up when he became President.
A
judge in North Carolina
has ordered a woman to
pay $500,000 for writing a
Facebook post falsely accusing her
former friend of killing her son.
According to a report in
Jacquelyn
Hammond from Asheville wrote
on Facebook, in 2015, of Davyne
Dial: "I didn't get drunk and kill
my kid."
But Dial who claimed to have
nothing to do with her son's death
sued Hammond for defamation,
intentional infliction of emotional
distress and negligent infliction
of emotional distress. Dial and
Hammond's friendship had broken

A
hit out at Sharif head of Bangladesh Prime locales for shooting. India has so down after the failed attempt to
work together on the radio station.
for failed' policy Minister Sheikh Hasina's far entered into audio-visual co-

F
ormer Pakistan President
Asif Ali Zardari and his
son Bilawal Bhutto lashed
out on Tuesday at Nawaz Sharif-
led government for "not doing
much against terrorism during last
two years".
"The country (Pakistan) has
made no progress against terrorism
and is standing exactly where it was
two years ago," claimed Pakistan
Peoples Party co-chairperson
Bilawal Bhutto while addressing a
mammoth rally held to mark the
38th death anniversary of party
founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
Bilawal cautioned Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif about the
dangerous game of undermining
federation by allocating huge funds
for certain areas.
"Mian Sahib, you are playing
a dangerous game. What do you
want to prove by approving Rs 37
billion gas project for an area,"
he said.
Regarding the glamorous
political life of PPP's founder
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Bilawal
maintained that it (April 4) was
the darkest day in the history
of Pakistan.
"On this day, the leader who
defeated dictators was hanged,"
Bilawal said. The 28-year-old
chairman enquired about the
progress made during the PML-N's
current stint and added that billions
of rupees were being spent in an
extravagant fashion to advertise
this progress.
Zardari maintained that he was
waiting for the Panama papers
verdict to chalk out the future
strategy and claimed that his
party was ready for parliamentary
elections even in 2017.
visit to India this week, the production agreements with Italy, "There are no filters on social
Union Cabinet approved various media to say whatever you think
the United Kingdom, Germany,
behind the safety of your screen.
bilateral MOUs on river transport, Brazil, France, New Zealand,
She had made other untrue
judicial cooperation, audio-visual Poland, Spain, Canada, China and
statements through the years, but
cooperation and media. South Korea.
when this happened, it was very
Among these Memoranda of The MoU on mass media will
Understanding (MoUs) is one on painful," said Dial.
facilitate training and study tour of
the development of Ashuganj- media personnel and cooperation The announcement delivered
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh last month awarded Dial $250,000
Zakiganj stretch of Kushiyara Hasina between educational, training and
in actual damages and $250,000
river and Sirajganj-Daikhawa research institutions in mass media
and protocol routes between India in punitive damages, for a total
stretch of the Jamuna river to field.
and Bangladesh to ferry people judgment of $500,000.
improve connectivity between the This will also facilitate accredited
on water crafts between the two "I think people today don't
two countries. An official release countries. mass media representatives to set
recognise the importance of
said the MoU will help reduce up offices on reciprocity basis in the
The MoU that got the nod aims at their words," said Missy Owen, a
logistics cost of cargo movement two countries.
strengthening mutual cooperation lawyer in North Carolina, adding
to northeast India and also reduce between the judiciaries of the two India and Bangladesh are set to that people should learn from
congestion through the Siliguri's countries through exchange of ink 35 agreements during the visit Hammond's mistake.
Chicken's Neck corridor. knowledge in infrastructure and of Bangladesh Prime Minister "Just because it is very easy to get
Both countries will undertake information technology. Sheikh Hasina to India from your words out there does not mean
necessary dredging jointly via the The agreement in audio-visual April 7 to 10. Hasina's last visit to you should. You can get in trouble
India-Bangladesh protocol route. field will cover coproduction of India was in January 2010. Prime anytime you make a false statement
Another MoU pertains to films, documentaries, animations Minister Narendra Modi visited about someone else that damages
passenger cruise services on coastal films, and utilisation of Indian Bangladesh in June 2015. their character or reputation."
NASA's Cassini probe set to end 20-year journey
N
ASA's Cassini spacecraft, which was Using expertise gained over the mission's
launched in 1997 and arrived at Saturn many years, Cassini engineers designed a flight
in 2004, is about to begin the final plan that will maximise the scientific value of
chapter of its remarkable story this month. sending the spacecraft toward its fateful plunge
On April 26, the spacecraft will make the first into the planet on September 15.
in a series of dives through the 2,400-kilometre Cassini will transition to its grand finale
gap between Saturn and its rings as part of the orbits, with a last close flyby of Saturn's giant
mission's grand finale, NASA said. moon Titan, on April 22.
"No spacecraft has ever gone through As it has many times over the course of the
the unique region that we'll attempt to mission, Titan's gravity will bend Cassini's
NASAs Cassini
boldly cross 22 times," said Thomas flight path. Cassini's orbit then will shrink so
numerous dramatic discoveries, including
Zurbuchen, Associate Administrator for the that instead of making its closest approach
a global ocean that showed indications of
Science Mission Directorate at NASA H to Saturn just outside the rings, it will begin
hydrothermal activity within the icy moon
eadquarters in Washington. passing between the planet and the inner edge
Enceladus, and liquid methane seas on its moon
"What we learn from Cassini's daring final of its rings.
Titan. Now 20 years since launching from
orbits will further our understanding of how When Cassini makes its final plunge into
Earth, and after 13 years orbiting the ringed
giant planets, and planetary systems everywhere, Saturn's atmosphere on September 15, it will
planet, Cassini is running low on fuel.
form and evolve. This is truly discovery in action send data from several instruments most
In 2010, NASA decided to end the mission
to the very end," Zurbuchen added. notably, data on the atmosphere's composition
with a purposeful plunge into Saturn in 2017.
During its time at Saturn, Cassini has made until its signal is lost, NASA said.

Sindhu conquers Marin
to bag maiden India Open title V
I
ndias Olympic 2016 silver medallist
P.V. Sindhu overcame her Rio Games
conqueror Carolina Marin of Spain
in straight games to win her maiden
India Open Superseries badminton title
at a packed Siri Fort Sports Complex on
Sunday, April 2.
The match-up between Sindhu and
Marin was a repeat of the 2016 Rio
Olympic final which saw the Spaniard
taking away the gold medal in a hard-
fought encounter.
But in front of her home fans here,
third seed Sindhu posted a 21-19, 21-16
triumph in 46 minutes to give another
display of her fast-rising career.
Since the Rio final, it was the second
contest between the two shuttlers and the
21-year-old Hyderabadi has won both.
With this win, Sindhu also equalised 5-5
in career meetings against the two-time
reigning world champion.
The Spanish top seed struggled with
her net game which proved to be the
difference between the two. But Sindhu
also had to be credited for showing her
ever-improving game, especially in the
cross-court net-game and defence.
Backed by a partisan crowd, Sindhu
got off to a flying start, opening up a 6-1
lead but Marin got her act together to
reduce the deficit to one at 6-7, thanks
to her delectable half smashes.
Sindhu then upped the ante and then
pushed Marin into all corners. Hitting to
the right of left-hander Marin, Sindhu
gained the ascendancy even though the
fighting Marin kept coming back at her.
Sindhu felt the pressure as Marin
equalised at the 16-point mark and for
the first took the lead at the next point.
The see-saw game continued till the
19-point mark.
Then, a powerful stroke from Sindhu
to which Marin put it wide made it 20-
19 for the Indian. Sindhu then sealed
the first game when Marin was slow to
defend a half smash.
The second game also saw Sindhu
getting in the lead early, forcing Marin
to play the catch-up game.
Marin seemed to be struggling with
her movement due to a right foot niggle.
But the warrior that she is, the Spaniard
fought back to come within a point of
Indias P V Sindhu (R), pictured here with her opponent Carolina Marin, celebrates after win-
ning womens singles final of the 'Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2017 tournament', in New Delhi
www.iwk.co.nz | 7 April 2017
equalising at the seven-point mark.
But Sindhu pushed on, holding
an 11-7 lead at the mid-game break.
Marin fired two angling smashes to
make it 9-11 before the Indian snatched
three consecutive points to have a
five-point advantage.
Then onwards, double World
Championship bronze medallist
Sindhu never looked back and sealed
the match with a 21-16 victory.
In the mens final, top seed Viktor
Axelsen of Denmark won his first
India Open title as he thrashed
Chinese Taipeis Chou Chen Tien
21-13, 21-10 in 36 minutes. It was the
Rio Games bronze medallist Axelsens
third straight final appearance as the
Dane further enhanced his domination
in career meetings against Chou
to 6-1.
The mens doubles title went to
Indonesian fourth seeds Marcus
Gideon Fernaldi and Kevin Sanjaya
Sukamuljo, who took only 30 minutes
to see off compatriot sixth seeds Ricky
Karanda Suwardi and Angga Pratama
21-11, 21-15 to retain their crown.
In the womens doubles final,
Japanese seventh seedss Shiho
Tanaka and Koharu Yonemoto
defeated compatriot third seeds Naoko
Fukuman and Kurumi Yonao 16-
21, 21-19, 21-10 in an hour and 12
minutes. It was Tanaka and Yonemoto
pairs first Superseries title.
In an all-Chinese mixed doubles
clash, second seeds Lu Kai and Huang
Yaqiong got the better of top seeds
Zheng Siwei and Chen Qingchen
22-24, 21-14, 21-17
in an hour and
f o u r
minutes.
SPORTS 23
NEWS in BRIEF
Paes wins Leon
Challenger title
eteran star Leander
Paes and his Canadian
partner Adil Shamasdin
notched up a straight sets win
to clinch the mens doubles title
at the Leon Challenger Tour
tennis tournament.
The Indo-Canadian
combination defeated Luca
Margaroli of Switzerland and
Brazils Caro Zampieri 6-1, 6-4
in the final of the $75,000 hard
court event. This is 20th ATP
Challenger title of Paess career
and his first final this season. He
had earlier reached the semi-finals
of the Dubai Championships and
the Delray Beach Open.
Federer wins 3rd
title in Miami,
defeating Nadal
R
oger Federer won his third
ATP World Masters 1,000
tourney at the Miami Open
in Key Biscayne, Florida, once
again defeating Spains Rafael
Nadal 6-3, 6-4 in an hour and
34 minutes.
The Spaniard this year has lost
all three of his confrontations with
the Swiss champ, including the
Australian Open final.
Im moving up in the (Emirates
ATP Rankings) and I just want to
stay healthy, Federer told ESPN
on Sunday after the match, Efe
news reported.
When Im healthy and feeling
good, I can produce tennis like
this. Thats why taking a break and
resting during the clay season and
focusing on Roland Garros, the
grass and the hard courts after that
is best. It would be great to be No.
1 again, but its a long way away,
the No. 4-ranked star added.
Messi back for
Barcelona; Real
Madrid take on
Leganes
A
rgentine talisman Lionel
Messi is back for FC
Barcelona as they look to
maintain their La Liga football
title hopes with a home game
against Sevilla on Wednesday,
April 5. Wednesday could be
decisive in the race for the La
Liga title as Real Madrid kick off
their game away against Leganes
almost as soon as the final whistle
blows in the Camp Nou stadium in
the Barcelona-Sevilla tie, reported
Xinhua news agency.
Barcelona kick off two points
behind Real Madrid and with an
extra game played, but Messis
return after suspension and that of
defender Gerard Pique, who was
rested for the 4-1 win away over
Granada, will be a major boost for
Luis Enriques side.
Neymar and especially Luis
Suarez ensured that Messi wasnt
missed at the weekend, but his
return will be important against a
Sevilla side that looks to have run
off the rails in recent matches.
 Play sudoku online at: Play sudoku online at: Play sudoku online at:

FUNZONE
www.sudokukingdom.com www.sudokukingdom.com www.sudokukingdom.com
24 7 April 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

Sudoku
Daily Sudoku puzzle No. 3821
Fill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, column and each of the 3x3 squares
contains
2017-03-30 allMedium
thelevel
digits from
Daily1Sudoku
to 9.puzzle No. 3820 2017-03-29 Medium level Daily Sudoku puzzle No. 3822 2017-03-31 Medium level
Answers to last week's puzzles
5 3 1 2 5 3 4 2 6 9

2 3 8 5 1 2 3 7 1

6 8 1 2 4 2 3 3 8 5 7

1 5 3 9 1 7 9 9 3 6

7 5 9 4 9 2 8 1 3 5

6 3 8 5 8 1 9 7 6 7 8

8 1 3 2 5 6 7 6 1 8

6 2 6 1 5 8 4 3 9

9 3 5 6 2 8 9 6 8 4

Crossword Word Scramble

1. ACEHLOOTC
2. EIHD
3. IDARYF
4. BIABTR
Page 1/2 Page 1/2
5. SGGE Page 1/2

6. BNYNU
7. HTUN
8. LHAMRMSLWOA
9. EKSABT
Play sudoku online at: Play sudoku online at: Play sudoku online at:
10. DYSANU
11. EASELV
12. AELGOFI www.sudokukingdom.com www.sudokukingdom.com www.sudokukingdom.com
13. SREET
14. ISLURQRE
15. ORBWN
16. OCNAR
17. KEAR
18. IWND Puzzle solution: Puzzle solution: Puzzle solution:
19. SANSOE
20. DER
21. PHAYP Sudoku puzzle No. 3810 2017-03-19 Sudoku puzzle No. 3811 2017-03-20 Sudoku puzzle No. 3809 2017-03-18
22. EUFCNSOD 7 1 6 4 9 2 8 5 3 4 2 7 8 6 3 9 1 5 1 6 2 7 5 8 3 9 4
23. GANYR
2 5 9 3 6 8 1 7 4 3 9 5 1 7 4 2 6 8 4 3 8 1 9 6 7 5 2
24. DRPEI
4 8 3 7 1 5 6 2 9 8 6 1 5 2 9 4 7 3 7 9 5 4 3 2 6 1 8
25. ENYLLO
6 2 8 9 3 4 5 1 7 6 7 3 4 1 8 5 2 9 3 8 4 5 2 7 9 6 1
26. ASD
3 7 5 6 8 1 9 4 2 9 1 4 7 5 2 3 8 6 6 2 7 9 1 4 8 3 5
27. ISUSRPDER
9 4 1 2 5 7 3 8 6 2 5 8 3 9 6 7 4 1 9 5 1 6 8 3 2 4 7
28. EYVN
1 6 7 5 2 9 4 3 8 1 4 9 6 3 7 8 5 2 8 1 6 3 7 5 4 2 9
29. SAEMH
30. TEEICDX 8 3 4 1 7 6 2 9 5 5 8 2 9 4 1 6 3 7 5 7 3 2 4 9 1 8 6
5 9 2 8 4 3 7 6 1 7 3 6 2 8 5 1 9 4 2 4 9 8 6 1 5 7 3

Daily Jumble Hitori 1. CARROT 11. BANANA

2. PIE 12. TOMATO
Objective and Rules of Hitori 3. FRUIT 13. LETTUCE
Eliminate numbers until there are no duplicates in 4. BACON 14. CORN
any row or column. Eliminate numbers by marking
them in Black. You are not allowed to have two Black 5. CHEESE 15. POTATO
squares touching horizontally or vertically (diagonally 6. APPLE 16. STRAWBERRY
is ok). White cells must not be isolated from the rest of
the board. 7. BREAD 17. HAMBURGER
8. VEGETABLE 18. ORANGE
9. CANDY 19. PIZZA
10. RICE 20. SOUP

Send us stories,
drawings, poems
and other contributions
by your little ones along
with their photographs
for this page. E-mail
us at reporter@
indianweekender.co.nz

General Knowledge Quiz

1. Which planet is closest to the sun? 12. True or False: All polar bears are left-handed?
2. How many holes are there in a ten pin 13. 1How many arms does a starfish usually
bowling ball? have?
3. What is a baby seal called? 14. What is the name given to a group of Lions?
4. How many valves or keys does a trumpet 15. Cats were once sacred animals in what Page 2/2
Page 2/2
have? ancient culture? Page 2/2
5. How is the number 5 written in Roman 16. Who were the backing group for Bill Hailey?
numerals? Comets
6. What cheese shares its name with an English 17. In Childrens TV, Who had the ability to
Gorge? swap heads?
7. In which country is the Louvre Museum? 18. What was the name of the cow in The
8. Which is the tallest mountain in the world? Magic Roundabout?
9. What is the name of Fred Flintstones 19. What type of sandwiches were Paddingtons
daughter? favourite?
10. How many village people were there? 20. What type of vegetable is a mange-tout?
11. How many wings does a bee have?
 www.iwk.co.nz | 7 April 2017
FEATURES 25

How technology fills void

when you feel lonely

12 foods that lower Cholesterol naturally

Oats: If you're looking to lower your even keep arteries unclogged.
cholesterol, the key may be simply changing Margarine: Switching to a margarine
your morning with plant sterols, such as Promise activ or

I
t may be easy to carry on a conversation
with Siri on your iPhone or your Google
assistant from your living room as they
can help fill a void when you feel lonely.
But, according to a new study, these
humanlike products keep people from
seeking out normal human interaction --
which is typically how people try to recover
from loneliness - thus negatively affecting
their social needs.
"Generally, when people feel socially
excluded, they seek out other ways of
compensating, like exaggerating their number
of Facebook friends or engaging in prosocial
behaviours to seek out interaction with other
people," said Jenny Olson, Assistant Professor
at the University of Kansas in the US.
However, "when you introduce a human-
like product, those compensatory behaviours
stop", Olson rued.
The study, published the in the Journal
of Consumer Research, showed evidence
that people who felt socially excluded would
exhibit these compensating behaviours unless
they were given the opportunity to interact
with an anthropomorphic product.
meal. Switching
In the study, the participants were asked up your breakfast
to play an online game of "catch" in which to contain two
other participants who were computerised, servings of
unknown to them. oats can lower
After engaging with a Roomba vacuum LDL ("bad")
whose design made it seem like it was smiling cholesterol. The
or when asked to think about their cellphone key to this cholesterol buster is beta-glucan,
in humanlike terms, participants would not a substance in oats that absorbs LDL, which
feel the need to plan to spend time talking to your body then excretes.
family or friends, the researchers noted. Red wine: Scientists are giving us yet
Nevertheless, the ability for these products another reason to drink to our health. It turns
to replace human contact has its limits out that high-
because certain statements seemed to snap fiber Tempranillo
participants back to reality. red grapes, used
"As soon as we tell people we know that it to make red
looks like the Roomba is smiling, they seemed wine like Rioja,
to realize it was a machine and not a person," may actually
Olson said. significantly lower
"The effect goes away. This seems to be cholesterol levels.
happening on a very subconscious level," Salmon & fatty fish: Omega-3 fats are
he added. one of the natural health wonders of the
The research could be important for world and have been shown to ward off heart
consumers to realise how these types of disease, dementia, and many other diseases.
products could thwart their motivation to Now these fatty acids can add yet another
interact with real people, especially because health benefit to their repertoire: lowering
so many new products feature interactivity. cholesterol. According to research, replacing
saturated fats with omega-3s like those found
Benecol, could help lower cholesterol. Plant
sterols are compounds that reduce cholesterol
absorption; a study found that women who
had a higher plant sterolbased diet were
able to lower total cholesterol by 3.5%.
Garlic: Aside from adding zing to almost
any dish, garlic makes the list of foods that
lower cholesterol; it's also been found to
prevent blood clots, reduce blood pressure,
and protect against infections. Now research
finds that it helps stop artery-clogging plaque
at its earliest stage by keeping cholesterol
particles from sticking to artery walls.
Olive oil: This common cooking
ingredient can help your health. Olive oil is
full of heart-healthy
monounsaturated
fatty acids (MUFAs),
which lower LDL
cholesteroland have
the welcome side
effect of trimming
belly fat. Use it to
make your own salad
dressings, marinate
chicken and fish, or
roast vegetables.
Spinach: This

Can Instagram help adolescents

in salmon, sardines, and herring can raise popular green food
good cholesterol. contains lots of lutein, the sunshine-yellow

fight depression?
Nuts: If you're looking for a snack food pigment found in dark green leafy vegetables
that lowers cholesterol levels, research shows and egg yolks. Lutein already has a reputation

S
ome may scoff at adolescents' use of
social media networks as they pine
for likes, but a new study suggests that
using the photo-sharing app Instagram can
actually strengthen the closeness of their
friendships which in turn may help curb
depression.
"This age group may be particularly at
risk for the impact of Instagram, given
the increasing popularity of Instagram
in adolescence and given the increase of
depressive symptoms during this stage of
life," said researcher Eline Frison from
University of Leuven in Belgium.
"This study offers practitioners greater
insight into the outcomes of adolescents'
Instagram use," Frison said.
The findings are scheduled to be
presented at the 67th annual International
Communication Association conference to
be held at San Diego, California from May
25-29, 2017.
From 2013-2014, Frison set up a large-
scale study to investigate the relationships
between adolescents' social networking site
use and their well-being.
Students filled out paper-and-pencil
surveys between six-month periods.
The surveys asked students about their
use of social networking sites like Facebook,
Snapchat, and Instagram, and their well-
being (depressive symptoms, life satisfaction,
loneliness).
The data analysed revealed that using
Instagram at one point was related to
increased closeness to friends (perception
that they are appreciated and loved by their
friends) six months later, which in turn was
related to lower levels of depression.
However, the researchers cautioned that
if the use of the photo sharing app fails to
stimulate the feeling closeness to friends, it
could be harmful in the long run.
that you should get cracking! Almonds and
cashews are other good options. However,
while nuts are heart healthy, they're also high
in calories, so practice portion control1.5
oz is about a shot glass and a half. Use a shot
glass to measure out your portion so you can
see exactly how it looks.
Tea: While tea has become well known
for its cancer-fighting antioxidants, it is also
a great defense
against high LDL
cholesterol levels.
According to
research, black tea
has been shown
to reduce blood
lipids and also help
reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
Beans: Beans, beansthey really are
good for your heart. The key to this heart-
healthy food is its abundance of fiber, which
has been shown to slow the rate and amount
of absorption of cholesterol in certain foods.
for guarding against age-related macular
degeneration, a leading cause of blindness.
Now research suggests that just cup of
a lutein-rich food daily also guards against
heart attacks by helping artery walls "shrug
off" cholesterol invaders that cause clogging.
Avocado: Avocados are a great source of
heart-healthy
MUFAs, which
may actually
help raise HDL
cholesterol
while lowering
LDL. And,
more than any
other fruit, this
delectable food packs cholesterol-smashing
beta-sitosterol, a beneficial plant-based
fat that reduces the amount of cholesterol
absorbed from food. Since avocados are
a bit high in calories and fat use them in
moderation.

Health Tip of the Week

Try black, kidney, or pinto beans; each
supplies about one-third of your daily fiber
needs. Have garlic on empty stomach every
Chocolate: This powerful antioxidant morning with water. It flushes cholesterol
helps build HDL ("good") cholesterol levels. and helps regulate weight gain.
Remember to choose the dark or bittersweet
kind. Compared to milk chocolate, it has
more than 3
times as many
antioxidants,
which prevent
blood platelets
from sticking
together and may
26 FEATURES 7 April 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

Punjabi singer-
songwriter Babbu
Maan met his fans at
the Meet and Greet at
DGrand Haveli

Photos courtesy: Pal Productions

 www.iwk.co.nz | 7 April 2017
FEATURES 27

PARENTING
Parents spending more time Mothers find parenting
with kids than in 1960s: Study more tiring than fathers
P
arents generally enjoy

D
o you feel guilty of being
unable to spend quality
time with your children?
Take heart, as according to a new
counter-intuitive study, parents
are spending more time with their
children than they did 50 years ago.
The findings showed that the
time spent with kids is highest
among better-educated parents.
"According to economic theory,
higher wages should discourage
well-educated parents from
foregoing work to spend extra
time with youngsters. Also, they
have the money to pay others to
care for their children," said Judith
Treas, Professor at University of
California, Irvine.
For the study, the researchers
studied 122,271 parents (68,532
mothers, 53,739 fathers) in Canada,
the UK, the US, Denmark, Norway,
France, Germany, the Netherlands,
Italy, Spain and Slovenia from
1965 and 2012 for the amount of
time they spent with their kids.
In 1965, mothers spent a daily
average of 54 minutes on childcare
activities, while in 2012 they
averaged almost twice that at 104
minutes per day. Fathers' time with
children nearly quadrupled. In
1965, fathers spent a daily average
of just 16 minutes with their kids,
while today's they spend about 59
minutes a day caring for them.
These numbers include parents
from all education levels. But,
the researchers found quite a
difference between parents with a
college education and parents with
low levels of education.
The college-educated mothers
spent an estimated 123 minutes
daily on child care, compared
with 94 minutes spent by less
educated mothers. Fathers with
a college degree spent about 74
minutes a day with their kids, while
less educated fathers averaged 50
minutes.
"Time spent with children
involved everything from preparing
their meals and snacks to feeding
and bathing them, changing
diapers and clothes, putting them
to bed, getting up in the middle
of the night, unpaid babysitting,
providing medical care, reading
and playing with them, as well
as supervising and helping with
homework," Treas said.
However, France was the only
country that showed a decrease
in mothers' childcare time. The
decline was not as steep for college-
educated moms as it was for less
educated French mothers, while for
dads, both education levels saw an
increase in parenting time.
According to Treas, the study
results are in line with an "intensive
parenting" ideology that has
become a cultural child-rearing
trend. "The time parents spend
with children is regarded as critical
for positive cognitive, behavioural
and academic outcomes," she said.
"Contemporary fathers -- having
more egalitarian gender views
want to be more involved in their
children's lives than their own
fathers were," Treas stated.
being with their kids but
mothers enjoy it less than
fathers because they do more of
the "work" and less of the "fun"
parenting duties, says a study.
The researchers found that
mothers reported more stress and
greater fatigue than fathers due to
parenting tasks. This experience
gap is attributed to the differing
tasks of each parent.
"Mothers are more likely than
fathers to be called on by When
kids 'around the clock'. mothers are
Fathers' sleep and with their kids,
they are more often by
down-time are less
likely than mothers' themselves. When fathers
to be interrupted by are with their kids, they
are more likely to have
kids.
This is part of other adults around, The researchers
the reason fathers are offering some back- found that not only
up.
less tired than mothers do parenting activities
when parenting," said one of between mothers and fathers
the researchers Ann Meier from differ, the environment surrounding
University of Minnesota in the US. the activity differs as well.
Meier and her colleagues Kelly "When mothers are with their
Musick at Cornell University and kids, they are more often by
Sarah Flood at the Minnesota themselves. When fathers are with
Population Centre used time their kids, they are more likely to
diary data from more than 12,000 have other adults around, offering
parents that linked to their feelings some back-up. This helps us
in the 2010, 2012, and 2013 understand why fathers are less
American Time Use Survey. stressed when with kids," Meier
The team examined the types of explained.
parenting activities mothers and Sleep also had an effect
fathers performed and individual on parents' differing levels of
well-being during the activities. happiness, Meier said.

Manisha Koushik is a practicing astrologer, tarot card reader,

numerologist, vastu and fengshui consultant based in India with a
global presence through the online channels. She is available for
consultations online as well. E-mail her at support@askmanisha.
com or contact at +91-11-26449898 Mobile/Whatsapp:
April7 to April 13 | By Manisha Koushik +919015607139 www.askmanisha.com

Aries (Mar 21-Apr 20)
Some other avenues of making money may open up
for you. You can expect total support of the family
in a new venture. A luxury item is likely to be bought
soon. Your charm is likely to impress someone of
the opposite gender. A laid-back attitude towards
work may put you behind schedule. An office love
can distract you and make you lag behind at work.
Those travelling abroad will need to be careful of their
belongings. Dont take up the past under any pretext.
Lucky number: 17 / Lucky colour: Violet
Taurus (Apr 21-May 20)
You may not find yourself in the right frame of mind
to tackle anything complex at work. There is a
possibility of a prized job going to someone else, so
tighten your belt. Your steps to become financially
secure may be too little, too late. You will be able
to reap rich dividends in an overseas investment.
Spouse can feel burdened and may not appear his
or her happy self. A new health fad may not be as
beneficial, as it had first seemed.
Lucky number: 11 / Lucky colour: Lavender
Gemini (May 21-Jun 21)
Chances of promotion may seem to dwindle, as
competition grows at work. Networking will prove
worth it in getting you a better break. You may be
in a mood for some fun on the romantic front, but
lover may not share your mood. Social invites could
keep you busy. Spending on friends will may get your
wallet lighter, so dont overdo it. Getting romantically
linked with a co-worker or fellow student may affect
your reputation; stay alert.
Lucky number: 9 / Lucky colour: Magenta
Cancer (Jun 22-Jul 20)
Blowing your own trumpet gets you nowhere on the
professional front, so play it cool. Someone may bully
you but avoid reacting any further to his or her whims
and fancies. A medical problem needs to be taken
seriously, as neglect may aggravate it. A pressing
engagement may delay the deadline of the project at
hand. Mounting expenses may compel some to seek
a better paying job. Efforts will be required to win the
heart of the one you love.
Lucky number: 3 / Lucky colour: Orange
Leo (Jul 21-Aug 22)
Professional guidance may be required in completing
a project. Those in the upper tax bracket will need to
manage their finances well. If you are looking for a
soul mate, this week you get lucky. Dont let a minor
problem cropping up at home affect the harmony.
An enjoyable vacation is coming, so get set for fun.
Expenses may be on the rise. Pain in the lower back or
legs may disturb you; keep the necessary pain killers
handy.
Lucky number: 6 / Lucky colour: Dark green
Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 23)
Shopping for exotic things will be fun. You will
enjoy spending time with loved ones. Your talents
are likely to be recognized at work. You may have
to keep someone at an arms length, if you want to
retain your peace of mind. Romantic bonds are set to
become stronger through only with your own efforts.
A vacation will do you a whale of a good in relaxing.
Change your eating habits to remain energetic. You
may pick up an interesting hobby.
Lucky number: 22 / Lucky colour: Dark grey
Libra (Sep 24-Oct 23) Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 21)
You are likely to take the right course of action in a
contentious issue. Someone who is close to you may
seek your support. Those awaiting exam results can
expect to do well. An award or recognition awaits
those in the media industry. Money will pose no
problems despite your splurging. You will be able
to convince the family on your ideas and get full
support. Health may become a concern, if you eat
wrong. A little disappointment on the financial front
is indicated.
Lucky number: 4 / Lucky colour: Violet
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Dont feel left out on the social front, but go out
and participate. Your helping hand at home will be
appreciated. Person you are in love with will offer you
something you just cant refuse. A break in your busy
schedule will be most welcome. Your persuasive
ways are likely to put off someone important this
week. Students may perform below par. Repaying
a loan is likely to become a financial burden and
compel you to scrounge the bottom.
Lucky number: 8 / Lucky colour: Purple
Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20)
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Patience should be your mantra this week. Time to
impress others has arrived. Benefits accrue through
networking. You will be forced to set right a person
casting aspersions on you. An errant family member
will need to be dealt with diplomatically. Chances
of promotion start looking slim for borderline cases.
Sudden insights could lighten your tensions in love
life. Health wise, junk food is likely to become your
enemy number one.
Lucky number: 2 / Lucky colour: Indigo
Good contacts will translate into new opportunities
on the professional front. Increased workload can
keep you busy on the professional front. Your ideas
on the home front may not cut ice with spouse. Some
of you are likely to be on the lookout for a helping
hand. A child may need guidance, so spare some
time for him or her. Plan your schedule in a way that
caters to romantic breaks too. You can try your luck in
stocks. Marital woes should be nipped in bud.
Lucky number: 5/ Lucky colour: Aqua green
Aquarius (Jan 22-Feb 19)
An ailment may recur due to sheer negligence, but you
will manage to bring it under control. You can expect
to have a nice time in the company of friends this
week. Professionally a satisfying period is foreseen,
when you will be able to complete all your tasks
successfully. Focus on networking and increasing
your sphere of influence. Things start looking bright
on the financial front as earnings increase. Family
and friends will be supportive. Verify all the facts and
figures before playing with stocks.
Lucky number: 7 / Lucky colour: Grey
Something you have started will need your time and
energy for completion. Hurdles on the professional
front cannot be ruled out. You will manage to remain
motivated to undertake a difficult job and ensure
its successful completion. Those in love can plan
an outing to spend time together. You manage to
motivate yourself for workouts and keep fit. An
entertaining pastime can keep you busy. Horizon on
the academic front brightens. Travel is likely to be
hectic and stressful.
Lucky number: 18 / Lucky colour: Saffron
 28 FEATURES
ENTERTAINMENT
AUCKL ANDS HOT TEST BOLLY WOOD STATION
Priyanka
is 2nd most beautiful
woman in the world,
right behind Beyonc
P
riyanka Chopra has just
added another feather
to her much bedecked
hat. Our Desi Girl has
defeated famous personalities
like Angelina Jolie, Emma
Watson, Blake Lively and
Michelle Obama to become
the second most beautiful
woman in the world.
In a poll done by LA-based
photo journal and video-
sharing social media network
BuzzNet, Priyanka is just
behind pop diva Beyonce in
the list of the most beautiful
women in the world.
The 34-year-old star took
to Twitter to share the list and
thanked her fans for voting.
Model and Victorias Secret
angel Taylor Hill is at number
three, followed by Emma
Watson, Dakota Johnson and
Hillary Clinton at fourth, fifth
and sixth positions respectively.
Jolie is on eighth number,
The Bollywood report card
NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH
T
here have been around 25
filmsboth big budget and
small budgetthat have
released in the first quarter of 2017
and the trade report card from
January to March reveals that it
has been a mixed bag. While films
such as Raees, Badrinath Ki Dulhania,
and Jolly LLB 2 managed to bring
in moolah at the box office, there
have been many disappointments
as well. The first month saw the
release of films such as Shah
while this years Oscar
winner, La La Land
star Emma Stone
is at number 12.
Supermodel
Gigi Hadid
is on the 13
position
and the
former first
lady of the
US Michelle
Obama is on
number 21.
The list also includes
Wonder Woman star
Gal Gadot, Oprah Winfrey,
Naomi Campbell, Alicia
Vikander, Margot Robbie, and
Priyankas Baywatch co-star
Alexandra Daddario.
Priyanka Chopra became
a name to reckon with in the
West after she landed the lead
role in the TV series Quantico.
Her singles In My City
and Exotic, in which she was
seen alongside Pitbull,
also fetched her much
acclaim beyond the
countrys shores.
Over the last two
years, in the post-
Quantico world,
Priyanka Chopra has
been to the Academy
Awards, the Golden
Globes, in addition to
picking up awards for
her role in the series.
Chopra was named
the Favorite Dramatic
TV Actress at the 2017
Peoples Choice Awards.
The actor is now
looking at her maiden
Hollywood film
Baywatch, scheduled for
an April 2017 release.
Rukh Khan-starrer Raees, which
was released along with Hrithik
Roshan-starrer Kaabil. While
Raees earned 100 crore at Box
Office, Kaabil, although not in the
100-crore bracket,managed to earn
profits at the box office.
February saw the release of
Akshay Kumars Jolly LLB2, which
earned more than 100 crore and in
March, it was Badrinath Ki Dulhania,
which was a big hit, too.
The first quarter of this year has
been better than the last year, which
7 April 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz
is good for Bollywood. We had
four films [that] earned more than
100 [crore], namely Raees, Kaabil,
Badrinath Ki Dulhania, and Jolly LLB.
Kaabil was only an average hit,
considering its production cost. [It]
recovered its investment with very
fewer profits than expected, trade
analyst Amod Mehrasaid.
One of the biggest
disappointment for the quarter
was Kangana Ranaut, Saif Ali
Khan, and Shahid Kapoor-starrer
Rangoon, which was touted to gross
more than Rs 100 crore but failed
Farhan hopes to make Don 3 soon
A
ctor-filmmaker Farhan
Akhtar hopes to soon bring
the much-awaited "Don 3"
to the big screen.
The first part, starring superstar
Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka
Chopra, in the "Don" franchise
hit the screens in 2006. Its sequel,
also helmed by Farhan, released in
2011. And now, fans are rallying
for the action thriller to be brought
back for the third time.
Asked about it, Farhan said in a
video chat: "Soon I hope." He also
said "different things are happening
right now" related to work.
"You will hear about them soon,"
promised Farhan, who was last "It's exciting to see animals out
seen on the big screen in the 2016 in the wild. You rarely get to see it.
film "Rock On 2". On the personal front, I've always
As of now, he is urging his fans to had pets... be it dogs or cats," said
help him in preserving the planet. Farhan for whom environment
He has teamed up with National awareness is very important.
Geographic brand to drive an "I would love to visit the northeast
important social cause. again. It's such a great place. The
"There is something very time when we were shooting 'Rock
important and exciting that I need On 2' there... nature in that part of
to share with you all. National the world is just phenomenal. To be
Geographic and I have teamed there and to be able to breathe all
up for what is important to us. that fresh air would be amazing,"
What we are going to be talking he said. Also a singer, Farhan's
about is an issue that we will share
next stop is Dehradun where he
with you on 21st," said the "big
will perform on April 22.
animal lover".
Sussanne Khan, Gauri Shinde to
be feted as women achievers
E
ntrepreneur Sussanne Khan
and film director Gauri
Shinde will be recognised
as young women achievers by
Young FICCI Ladies Organisation
(YFLO). Sussanne, former wife of
Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan,
is a successful entrepreneur and
interior designer herself, and ad-
film and feature film director
Gauri is known for helming
English Vinglish.
The annual YFLO Achiever
Awards 2016-17 will be held at
"YFLO, as a pan-India business
Hotel Lalit in central Delhi.
organisation working towards the
Others who will be conferred
goal of women empowerment
awards include Malvika Poddar
confers the young achievers awards
(fashion), Simran Lal (business),
to women who have excelled
Kalli Purie (media), Shaina NC
in different spheres of life and
(politics), Deepa Malik (sports),
have created an impact through
Chiki Sarkar (literature), Preeti
their stupendous work in the lives
Chandra (community service),
of others," said Trupti Gupta,
Bhavna Kakkar (art) and Vidha Lal
Chairperson, YFLO.
(performing arts).
to make an impact at the
Film:
Raess:
Jolly LLB 2:
Box office collection
Badrinath Ki Dulhania:
137.51 crore
116.92 crore
112.13 crore
box office. Talking about Kaabil: 103.84 crore
the same, trade analyst
Atul Mohan says, Rangoon can be Baahubaali 2. There are some
great films lined up in the coming
considered an epic disaster. Once
quarter, and we can just hope for
again, it proved that it is only a good
the best. The most anticipated of
script that works at box office and
not just big names. On the other the lot is Baahubali: The Conclusion,
hand, Badrinath was the dark horse which is set to release on April 28,
of this quarter and established that 2017. Others to watch out include
Varun Dhawan can make a film hit Vidya Balans Begumjaan, which is
on his shoulders. releasing on April 7 and Akshays
Looking forward, the next Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, which is
quarter looks promising with some scheduled to release on June 2,
big films ready to release including trade analyst Taren Adarsh said.
 www.iwk.co.nz | 7 April 2017
ENTERTAINMENT
FEATURES 29

I'm unapologetic about my

body, sexuality: Swara Bhaskar
S
wara Bhaskar is not afraid not worthy of societal respect she is part of an inherently
to address issues on female in an obviously male-centric disreputable profession. As
sexuality that Hindi film patriarchal world. So keeping that a vocal supporter of gender
heroines generally brush under the vulnerability of Anaarkali alive, equality and an opponent of
(red) carpet. The actress, whose was my real challenge. patriarchal perversity, where
performance in the just-released Q. Was it difficult for you to do you place your character in
Anaarkali Of Aarah, says portraying perform the raunchy dances this film?
the unapologetic nature of her and lip sync the double- Absolutely. This was one of my
character in the film was not as meaning lyrics? How have non-negotiable requests to my
challenging as it may seem. you managed to make the director Avinash Das-ji when he
Swara plays a performer in a performance so free of was writing. We were certain that
village and her act is being hailed inhibition and vulgarity? there will be no doubt about our
as a breakthrough projection of a intention and message in this film,
The difficult part was not so
woman's right to decide when to say that it doesn't matter what the
much the raunchiness of the
yes or no and she is overwhelmed. woman does, what her character
steps as just the live dancing. I've
Excerpts from an interview: is, loose or slutty or whatever... She
never done a proper Bollywood may be a prostitute, but even then
Q. Your performance in Anaarkali dance number. And even though consent is paramount.
Of Aaarah is spectacular. Would I've trained in Bharatanatyam,
I think our bravest move was
you say it is the most well-received Bollywood dancing as a form is
to make Anaarkali actually
performance of your career totally different. I think credit
characterless or loose from the
so far? should actually go to Shabina point of view of a middle class
Yes I think so, and I must confess Khan for being able to keep the morality. We offer no explanation,
that I'm quite overwhelmed. choreography rustic and sensual apology or justification for the fact
Happily overwhelmed but still and yet not vulgar. I think credit also that she may have casual sex -- but
overwhelmed. I had a lot of faith goes to my dance guru Padma on her own terms. That makes the
in the story, in Anarkali's Shri Leela Samsonji, whole question of consent totally
Being
journey and in the whose rigorous non-negotiable. I think that is our
unapologetic training perhaps
intention and spirit greatest victory in this film.
about my body, my enabled me to
with which we made Q. Swara, your career has
sexuality, my lifes perform raunchy,
the film. I was hopeful so far demonstrated an
that audiences will decisions is a political bawdy and fairly
assertive will to choose
connect with the tale belief that as a overtly sensual the unconventional. Would
but I didn't expect feminist I strongly choreography it be correct to say the
this level of praise and espouse. without it being unconventional is the
such accolades. I feel both cringe-worthy. conventional for you?
vindicated and blessed. Q. I believe the dances Perhaps! See as an actor, and
Q. How difficult was it for were shot in front of actual moreover an outsider with no
you to play a woman who is live audiences? Godfather within the industry, I
so unapologetic about her Yes, while shooting sometimes don't have a whole lot of control
sexuality and so unabashed the challenge became the all-male on what kind of roles are offered
in her contempt for the lustful crowd, local to Amroha (where to me. But I can control what I
male gaze? we shot), who I think began to choose. And I like to choose tough
Honestly, the unapologetic enjoy the shoot as if it were a real roles that I haven't done before
nature of Anaarkali was not that show and passed those kinds of and roles that make me grow as an
difficult, because that's how I feel comments (smiles) some of those actor by challenging me..
as a woman about my own body. comments were pretty vulgar Q. As an outsider in Bollywood
Being unapologetic about my body, and offensive but I reacted like what has your journey so
my sexuality, my life's decisions is a Anaarkali would. I believe shedding far been like? Have you
political belief that as a feminist I inhibitions is step 1 for any actor encountered prejudice, bias,
strongly espouse. What was difficult to get into any character, so that, I cynicism and how have you
for me and my real challenge was guess I did as part of my great faith tackled them?
to preserve and express the fact in this script and this part. It's been a pretty wholesome
that however feisty Anaarkali may Q. This is an important film, journey. Tough and disappointing
seem, she is still vulnerable. perhaps extending further in parts but also very fulfilling
the idea that a woman saying in parts, so a pretty complete
Because ultimately she is a experience of Navarasa in
woman, and a woman considered no must be respected even if that sense.

Never intended to be a hero, but a credible actor: Manoj Bajpayee

M
anoj Bajpayee, who has proved
his versatility as a performer on
screen, says he never wanted to
create an image like that of a mainstream
Bollywood star.
He was rather interested in establishing
himself as a credible actor.
Asked if he ever tried to create a screen
image, Manoj said: No, I never did... Because
that was not my aim. I never intended to be a
hero but a credible actor. I also think that my
driving force as an actor is to experiment with
different roles
So when I choose a script, I make sure I
am attempting something that I have never
done before.
Whether it was as a deadly gangster in
Satya, police inspector in Shool, a cunning
politician in Rajneeti, a prince in Zubeidaa
or a homosexual professor in Aligarh
Manoj has showcased his acting prowess
in these myriad roles and more. So how
does he prepare for a role, especially when
he is not familiar with the world of a
fiction character?
Bajpayee said: I think I have had an
interesting and colourful life journey where
I have met thousands of people from various
walks of life. So whether a police officer, my
friends, landlords, villagers, politicians or
school teachers I have come across
many of them.
I
Observing them has think I have
always given me an insight had an interesting
of characterisation. No and colourful life
one is a better teacher journey where I have
than life. met thousands of
Born and brought people from various
up in small village name walks of life
Belwa in Bihar, Manoj
moved to Delhi and picked the
nuances of acting at the National
School of Drama. In his initial days as an
actor, he faced a struggle.
Now almost 70 films later, and after
bagging two National Awards and three
Filmfare Awards, does he lead a good life?
Well, financially I am not a rich person,
but I am doing good. I am leading a normal
life, doing something that I enjoy doing the
most - acting.
There was a time when I did some films
for money because I bought my house and
had to pay off my loans.
But I got very frustrated, so my wife
told me not to take up projects that I do
not believe in as that spoils domestic
harmony, he said with a smile.
Does winning awards motivate
him to do better work?
I feel humbled receiving awards,
so I thank them (who have honoured
me), but I do not feel disheartened if I
dont get it.
The day my remuneration and number
of offered scripts will increase because of
my award, perhaps I will start bothering too
much about that. Till now, a good story is
motivational for me.
30 FEATURES 7 April 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

CLASSIFIEDS
Flatmates Wanted
in the Indian Weekender Classified section.
Email: sales@indianweekender.co.nz
Advertise for FREE

Vehicle For Sale

Blockhouse Bay
Looking for a new flatmate for fully-furnished
home. Bus stop outside the house and
supermarkets nearby. Rent $200. For more
information txt 02108851027
Royal Oak
Fully furnished bedroom is available in Royal
Oak. Rent $230 for single and $260 for couple.
All bills are included except food. Will
have to share the place with three Indians.
Walking distance from KFC, Macas, Pizza
Hurt, PaknSave and many more. Cotact on
Ph:0211386760 for more details
Auckland CBD
Rent$215
One room available in 2 bedroom apartment on
Nelson Street, CBD. Rent is $215/week (Cold
water included) so only $107.5 per person if
two girls want to share it! For further details
please PM or contact 0210582110.
Mt Eden
One single room available at $200 including all
water, power and Internet bills. Sharing 1 bathroom
and kitchen with a couple and a lady. About 2 mins
drive to Asian supermarket and 5 mins drive to
countdown. 5 mins walk to Bus station. All furnished
in the bedroom, kitchen and living room. Phone or
text Victor 0211058294.
Situation Vacancy
Part-time Accounts Administrator
West Auckland Location
Part time role, supporting the accounts team.
The hours are flexible, between 15-20 hours
per week. If you have excellent communication
skills, 2-3 years accounts experience and a
professional work attitude, please contract
Sarah Bailey or Melissa Farquhar on 09 666
0807 or Melissa@grahamconsulting.co.nz
Night Shift Worker
Auckland CBD location
Shift starts from 9.30pm-6.00am.
Based in Central Auckland (ability to use
public transport to and from work or parking
available). If you are interested and can
start ASAP call Kelly on 09 379 1381 or txt
0277069074.
Inward Goods Person
Permanent position | Rosedale location.
Must have previous inwards goods
experience and good communicator.
Contact Catherine on 093033122 or email
catherine.silberstein@kellyservices.com
Situation Vacancy
Mitsubishi Colt 2006
Driver Dominos Price: $4,800
Looking for part time driver in dominos .need Mangere, New Zealand
to have own car and full license. any one need Great runner car, clean inside and outside, very
to contact me on 0228820049 good for family car, has currently WOF and
rego drives smoothly and without problem,
ks 130xxx km, 1.5 litre cheap on gas, has
Office Administrator
smart key, has turbo engine. Most welcome for
Looking to hire a part time Office Administrator viewing and test drive the car.
in Onehunga. Monday to Friday. Start time: Contact 0211645296
6.30am - 1.30pm For more information and
details about the job, please pm myself or 2001 Opel - Holden Barina
contact me direct on 027 967 5377 Prcie: $3,400
Warehouse Assistance Manukau, New Zealand
Only 110xxx kms ** $3400 offers !!
Looking for an experienced warehouse WOF to Dec, REGO to June
assistant for a warehouse in Albany. The role
1.4L Auto, 110xxx kms, Cambelt done,
includes both data capturing, and assisting in Quick & economic.
the warehouse. $18.00 per hour + holiday pay.
Alloy wheels, A/C, 6CD stereo, spotlights,
Monday to Friday 7:30am to 4.00pm.
central locking.
You must:
Excellent condition inside & out, everything
Entitled to work in NZ for 40 hours+ a works as it should.
week.
Finance Available, View in Manukau, info:
youll have Reliable Transport https://m.facebook.com/story.php.
Looking for long term temporary
assignments
Have a clean criminal record
Just email your ads content with your full
If you have previous industrial experience and
details at sales@indianweekender.co.nz
are physically fit- please email your CV to
anna.pomeroy@kellyservices.com

CAB New Lynn Salman Khans Wednesday Kiss the Sky

Date: Saturday, April 8 2017
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Venue: Library Building, 3 Memorial
Drive, New Lynn
CAB New Lynn will hold three free
information sessions for newcomers on
Finding Employment in New Zealand.
The topics will cover: Pre-employment
What you need to know? Job search
How to apply for jobs? Preparing
for your first job? To register please
drop in, call or email at Citizens Advice
Bureau New Lynn. Phone 827 7830 or
827 4731, Email newlynn@cab.org.nz.
Light refreshments will be provided.
CAB Pakuranga/
Da-Bang, The Tour
Date: Friday, April 21
Venue: Vector Arena, Auckland
Bollywood heartthrob Salman Khan
will set the stage on fire on April 21
at Vector Arena. The Da-bang tour
will include Bollywood A-listed actors
Sonakshi Sinha, Bipasha Basu,
popular TV host Manish Paul, actor-
dancer-director Prabhu Deva, and
rapper Badshah. Tickets are available
on www.dabangnz2017.com and on
Ticketmaster.co.nz.
Deep Peace
Meditation:
26th April
10.30am
Date: Thursday, June 29 until
Saturday, July 1
Time: 7:30 p.m. onwards
Freyburg Room,
Venue: Bruce Mason Centre,
Mt Roskill War
Memorial Hall, Takapuna Beach
13 May Rd.
The New Zealand Dance Company
forges its stellar reputation for
choreographic mastery and
extraordinary contemporary dance with
DEEP PEACE MEDITATION hosts special guest speaker the premiere of its 2017 triple bill Kiss
the Sky, opening 29 June at the Bruce
Mason Centre for four performances
only. The season includes special
opportunities to connect with The New
Zealand Dance Company through an
engaging whole whanau workshop
and creative pre- and post-show talks.

East Manukau
ALL WELCOME phone: 8152585 email: classes@nzsm.org.nz

Acharya Das
NO CHARGE www.meditationnewzealand.co.nz

Date: Wednesday, April 12

Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Venue: Howick Local Board Meeting
Room, Pakuranga Library Building, 7
Aylesbury Street, Pakuranga
CAB Pakuranga/Eastern Manukau
will hold a free information session
for newcomers on Healthy Living and
Mindfulness Awareness. This session
will cover mindful breathing, benefits
of mindfulness, and healthy lifestyle
facilitated by Parvin Kapila, East Health
Care. Light refreshments provided.
Please confirm your by phoning or
texting Vani Kapoor at 021 459250 or
email at settlement.pakuranga@cab.
org.nz
Date: Wednesday, April 26
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Venue: Vec Freyburg Room, Mt
Roskill War Memorial Hall,13
MayRoad,
Mt Roskill
The search for Peace and Happiness
in a stressful world.Deep Peace
Meditation hosts special guest speaker
and respected international teacher of
yoga wisdom and meditation Acharya
Das.More information on 09 815 2585
and all are welcome.
Free Event.
TRENZ 2017
Date: Tuesday May 9 to Friday May 12
Time: 6 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Venue: Queens Wharf, Auckland,
New Zealand
TRENZ is New Zealands most
significant business-to-business
travel and trade show, with over 1200
delegates attending over the four day
event. This leading event will captivate
you with exciting new products
and Sellers, combined with great
networking opportunities. For more
information on the event, visit TRENZ
websitewww.trenz.co.nz.
 SO L D
55

SECTIONS
SELLING FAST
325m2 - 800m2 FROM: $669,000
10% DEPOSIT
6 MONTHS BUILDERS TERMS
UP TO 20-METRE ROAD FRONT
EARTHWORKS ALREADY UNDERWAY
AGENT SAT & SUN
1:00PM
fairburnflatbush.co.nz
301 FLAT BUSH SCHOOL ROAD
ON SITE
to
3:00PM

AMAN PANNU
021 50 80 27
MOUNTFORT ESTATE AGENTS LTD LICENSED REAA 2008