Indian Weekender 24 February 2017

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24 FEB2017

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Vol. 8 • Issue 47

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24 February 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

Students to leave, end of NZ dreams ¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH

A

ny hopes of a last minute turn around in government’s position on deportation notices served on the group of eight students who took symbolic sanctuary in the Unitarian Church was quashed on Wednesday February 22, with the government choosing to stand firm on its original stand.

The student deportation saga which began mid last year when hundreds of students alleged to have provided fraudulent documents at the time of filing their first student visa in India were served deportation notice after Immigration New Zealand (INZ) came to know about the alleged fraud.

While a majority of students are believed to have already left New Zealand a small group of students had been pushing the boundaries of protestation against deportation orders, whereby among other tactics, taking a symbolic sanctuary in the Unitarian Church in Auckland at the beginning of this month.

This move had attracted significant media and last minute political attention along with some visible confusion within INZ compliance team on how to execute deportation orders inside the church, a place conceded by immigration minister as a “place of worship”, where arresting people might not be palpable for anyone.

Probably that apparent confusion within INZ since last week might have created some hopes, which

eventually turned out to be only ‘false hopes’ as government stood firm with their decision to deport students.

It all started on February 17, when negotiations between student’s lawyer Alastair McClymont and the INZ officials resulted in a reprieve for students where they were assured to not to be detained, if they choose to voluntarily leave New Zealand on or before Wednesday, February 22.

This reprieve had generated some hopes for the students as their lawyer sought to extract some more concessions from the INZ including avoiding a deportation stamp on student passports and getting a waiver from the five-year entry ban in New Zealand as is the current norm. These negotiations had generated hope and anxiety for students in the last three days as student expectations have clearly

moved away from getting an outright cancellation of deportation orders to at least get a waiver from deportation stamp on passports and retaining a right to return back legitimately to New Zealand on a valid visa.

Unfortunately, in the end, none of these goals was achieved for the students. The only concession extended to students was that they were given another few days to leave the country without being detained.

Now students are expected to leave

by Saturday, February 25, or Sunday, February 26, depending upon their individual travel arrangements.

Meanwhile, the students have decided to launch a request to the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate INZ’s interpretation of the character waiver process which occurs in Visa applications and “good reason” reviews on Deportation Liability Notices.

Mr McClymont says that “the students and INZ have discussed the process under which they may apply for visas to return to New Zealand, and we have reached an understanding as to what the appropriate process should be.”

Although INZ had not revealed if any special concession has been made to the students and continue to maintain that they will access the individual application on a case by case basis as is the current practice.

“It is the student’s intention to await the outcome of any Ombudsman investigation before applying for visas to return to NZ,” Mr McClymont further says.

The students are hoping that if the Ombudsman finds in their favour, then they will have a strong case to make for their deportation status to be re-examined.

“

The Alastair McClymont students and INZ have discussed the process under which they may apply for visas to return to New Zealand, and we have reached an understanding as to what the appropriate process should be.

Regardless of what happens in future, the harsh reality is the government has firmly stood its ground and students have to leave the country for allegedly colluding with their immigration agents in providing fraudulent documents.

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www.iwk.co.nz | 24 February 2017

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Burgled twice in three months, Police fails to attend in reasonable time ¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD

It took two-and-a-half months for [the insurance company] to assess our claim and decline it eventually, which obviously frustrated us the most, and I decided to get rid of my insurance company just two weeks ago only to be burgled again without any content insurance in place.

A

n Auckland family, who has become a victim of two burglaries in the last three months, has expressed their dissatisfaction with the actions taken by the police.

Lavanya Devaraj Mohan, 35, lives with her husband and two kids on May Road in Mt Roskill, Auckland.

On Monday, February 20, her house was burgled the second time in a span of three months and goods worth $8,000 were taken away.

“I came back home from work at 6:30 p.m. and saw the room window was broken and the whole house [turned] upside down. The beds were ripped off, every cupboard and drawers were opened, clothes were thrown on the floor, [and the] suitcases [were] slashed,” Mrs Mohan said.

“Of the things taken by the burglars were an iPad, a laptop, Xbox, a Tag Heuer watch worth $6,000 alone, and our documents from the bag including passports of the whole family. My husband and I are on a temporary visa here, and it will take at least a couple of thousand dollars to get new passports and visa stamps for the whole family.”

Mrs Mohan said she called the police at 6:45 p.m. on Monday, 15 minutes after she returned home, but the police did not turn up and instead sent a forensics team the next

morning. “It took me about 15 minutes just to s p e a k [to] the police on 111 to report the incidence of burglary on Monday evening,” she added.

The forensic team did not find much evidence from the scene examination and advised her to install cameras and other safety equipment.

Burglars had previously broken into her house in November 2016 by entering through the bathroom window. At that time, some neighbours had seen three intruders

Scan the QR Code to watch Mrs Lavanya shares her story

Top: The house in mess after the burglary. (Bottom right) Mrs Lavanya Devaraj Mohan

leaving the property with goods. Ms Mohan said that the police had not done enough in either apprehending the burglars or deterring future incidents in the area.

“Even last year, the police had failed to arrive at the scene on the

same day and had sent the forensic team the next morning. They took many pieces of evidence, fingerprints of the burglars, but so far no progress has been made to the case,” she said.

She added that the total loss incurred by her in these two burglaries amounts to $15,000 and she has had no luck from the insurance company.

Her previous request to claim insurance was declined a couple of weeks ago based on the police assessment that they had left the bathroom window open.

“It took two-and-a-half months for [the insurance company] to assess our claim and decline it eventually, which obviously frustrated us the most, and I decided to get rid of my insurance company just two weeks ago only to be burgled again without any content insurance in place,” Mrs Mohan said.

She added that another house in the same neighbourhood had been burgled some 10 days ago.

In August 2016, the then Police Minister Judith Collins had declared burglaries as priority offence and to be immediately attended by the police.

The minister had then acknowledged that a police attendance at a burglary “would send a clear message to the offenders,” The public was assured of full police attendance, where a crime officer or a constabulary would attend the crime scene within a reasonable time.

However, Mrs Mohan says the police failed to respond in both cases.

However, in this case, police failed to turn up at the burgled house and apparently “no message was sent to the offenders,” thus resulting a second burglary within three months.

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24 February 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

The Indian connection in the Royal NZ Navy I ¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH

n 2016, the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) celebrated its 75th anniversary through a series of events over the year, culminating in an International Fleet Review in mid-November when vessels from international Navies visited Auckland for five days. RNZN was keen to project that event as an opportunity to celebrate “the story of the Navy, our history, our values and how we serve New Zealand.”

Following this cue, Indian Weekender was keen to find and celebrate stories about the contribution of Kiwi-Indians or New Zealanders of Indiandescent to the Navy and New Zealand.

In this regard, it is important to note that although Indian immigrants arrived in New Zealand in the late 18th century, it was not easy to find many people of Indian-origin serving in the Royal Navy.

This was when the earliest Indian settlers in New Zealand largely included Lascars (Indian seamen) and Sepoys (Indian soldiers) from the East Indian Company ships, who stopped in New Zealand on their way back to Australia from India.

The reasons can be easily found in the history of Royal New Zealand Navy, the shaping of New Zealand nation itself as separate and distinct from the Great Britain, and the evolution of immigration policies that have shaped our nation.

Nevertheless, our search for any Indianorigin serving naval personnel eventually led us to Harrai Chan Sund alias Peter Sund who is now officially recorded as the first Indian-origin personnel to serve in the RNZN. Mr Sund has not only completed his full term in the RNZN but has also served as a reservist for almost a decade. He was also involved in the International Naval Fleet Review, from where our interest on the issue originally began.

Since the Navy plays such an important part in building the nation, it was tempting to find and recognise the contribution of people of Indian-descent in this endeavour.

To our astonishment, Mr Sund had joined the RNZN in 1985, a period when the total population of people identifying their ethnicity, as Indian in New Zealand was roughly around 11,600.

Moreover, by that time, RNZN itself had a history of four decades of independent existence as a state institution separate from the Royal Navy (British Navy).

RNZN was officially established on October 1, 1941, and had a long gestation period as an institution of the state during which it gradually evolved away from the initial British influences.

The fact that an Indian-origin immigrant became a serving member of the RNZN within four decades of its independent existence deserves some merit about the New Zealand nation-building and the overall role of new immigrants in the nation-building.

We bring you excerpts of the interview with Mr Sund and his wife Paramjeet Sund.

IWK: Can you tell us a little more about yourself and the feeling of being the first person of Indian-origin to serve in the RNZN? Peter: I joined RNZN in 1985 in the engineering branch and later in 1995 changed over to Naval Police trade. I retired from the regular service in 2006 as Warrant Officer, Head of Naval Police trade. Since then, I have been a reservist in the Navy and was also associated with the latest International Naval Fleet Review.

IWK: Please tell our readers about your history in New Zealand. How long have you been in this country?

Peter: I am a fourth generation Kiwi-Indian.

My great grandfather Libu Ram Sund arrived in New Zealand in 1916. We celebrated 100 years in New Zealand last year. My grandfather Singu Ram Sund then came to New Zealand at the age of 14. My father was born in New Zealand in Napier, and I was obviously born in New Zealand as well. My boys are fifth generation Kiwi-Indians.

Peter: Yes, I have and on a number of occasions. I do recall that in the late 1980s and early 1990s when I was on HMNZS Endeavour, we were called upon to assist in relief and rescue operations in the South Pacific. We have assisted in Bougainville Peace Talks and evacuation assistance in Solomon Islands.

Therefore, there have been many occasions.

IWK: Do you have any message for the youngsters in our Kiwi-Indian community?

Peter: For anyone considering a career, it’s [navy] definitely a fantastic opportunity that one should consider. There is lots of comradeship; the opportunities are immense and it’s going to be a career that would be very fulfilling. It is a career that I wholeheartedly encourage people to consider seriously.

Top: Peter Sund with his wife Paramjeet Sund.

IWK: Talking to you and your family, especially your young boys, it seems that you have maintained a connection with your culture and roots back in India very well. Can you tell how you have managed that?

Paramjeet: We make it a point that our boys and the coming generations remain well connected with our culture and roots.

Therefore, we prefer to speak at home in our native language (Punjabi) and take our boys regularly to Gurudwaras and often back to our ancestral place in India. We want them to cherish our cultural heritage.

Recently, we went to India for six weeks and arrived back in New Zealand just last week.

We took our boys to different places around India, apart from our native place in Punjab, such as Udaipur, Delhi, Chandigarh, and Agra, just for them to have a feel of Indian culture.

IWK: How was their experience?

Paramjeet: They just loved it. In fact, we were surprised that among all the places they visited, they felt most attached to our ancestral village in Punjab.

IWK: Coming back to your career in Navy, military career may not be a usual career choice for the Indian immigrants in New Zealand. What prompted you to choose Navy as a career?

Peter: I was looking for a career that was different from other mainstream jobs, which gives me some travelling opportunity and above all, offers a sense of fulfilment. I would say that at the end I was able to achieve all of those in my naval career.

IWK: When you started your service in 1985, at that time there were around 11,600 people of Indian-origin in New Zealand. It must have been an exclusive feeling to be serving in the Navy then.

Can you tell our readers little bit more about that feeling?

Peter: Yes, it was an exclusive feeling. I do recall that when I joined the service, obviously, there were no Indians in the Navy. It was a novelty to

I was looking for a career that was different from other mainstream jobs... and above all, offers a sense of fulfilment.

have Indians in the Navy, and it was very enjoyable.

IWK: Do you recall any day-to-day experiences related to your ethnic identity of being of Indian-origin?

Peter: I can recall an experience during a church service right at the start of training where our group was being commanded to split into two denominations—Anglican and Catholics.

At that time, they would say “...and will have one Sikh stand to one side (laughs),” knowing that they did not have Gurudwaras for the Sikhs to visit at that time.

That was an opportunity for me to stay back in barracks and work on my uniforms and kits.

IWK: Can you share some moments and high points from your naval career that you cherish most?

Peter: In 1988, I was a part of the commissioning crew of HMNZS Endeavour, which is a New Zealand refuelling tanker, and that tanker was commissioned in South Korea. We were part of that commissioning crew that brought back the ship to New Zealand via Singapore and Perth.

I remained on that ship for about three years after commissioning.

In addition to that, I was a part of the second rotation crew on the HMNZS Te Mana where I remained posted for two-and-a-half years.

It is a part of my career, which I thoroughly enjoyed. In 1995, when I changed over to Naval Police trade, I had some opportunities to attend several events involving my trade, which I also enjoyed.

In 2003, I served in Bosnia under NATO and remained posted there for about nine months.

IWK: Have you ever been a part of any major sea operation in New Zealand or overseas or any other overseas deployment.

NEW ZEALAND

www.iwk.co.nz | 24 February 2017

Phil Goff convenes Auckland Housing Task-Force Meeting M ayor Phil Goff convened the first meeting of the Auckland Mayoral Taskforce on Auckland Housing Supply on February 20 that includes experts from both, public and private sector.

The Mayoral Taskforce will comprise of Auckland Council, central government officials and the private sector. This twenty-four members group will meet several times before May to release a public report on how to tackle the Auckland housing crisis.

Its objectives are to: »» Identify barriers and constraints to building more homes in Auckland at a pace and scale which meets the demand created by population growth »» Identify options and make recommendations to overcome those barriers and constraints.

“Growing by around 900 people a week, Auckland faces severe housing difficulties as the supply of housing fails to keep pace with demand,” Mayor Phil Goff said.

“The number of extra houses the city needs each year is estimated at around 13,000, and we have been building only around half that number. The accumulated shortfall in homes grows each year.

The taskforce will bring together people with a diverse range of expertise to analyse the current situation and find solutions to the problem.

“To the extent possible, we will try to find common ground on these things and make recommendations aimed at resolving the problems,” Mr Goff said.

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NEW ZEALAND

24 February 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

No ministerial intervention for

an immigrant family in Australia ¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH

I

f the latest student deportation issue and the ensuing abstention of the Immigration Minister from providing any relief to the applicants was not enough, then the most recent case from Australia where a desperate immigrant family is denied a favourable ministerial intervention suggest that the Trumpeffect is indeed beginning to gain a foothold in our part of the world.

States are increasingly hiding behind bureaucratic walls to become less sympathetic about human conditions and miseries in the changed post-Trump world.

In this case across Tasman, two doctors and their children will be deported from Australia this week after the Assistant Immigration Minister Alex Hawke had decided it wasn’t “in the public interest” to intervene in their case.

The immigrants in question are a reputed Bangladeshi doctor couple from a Western Sydney suburb. Doctor Nasrin Haque and Dr Shafiqul Bhuiyan have lost their right to remain legitimately in Australia along with their teenage son under Australia’s “one out, all out” approval provision for families.

The refusal was handed because Dr Haque’s teenage daughter Sumaya had a developmental delay

and was deemed too burdensome for Australian taxpayers.

This was after both parents made an undertaking that their flourishing medical practices do not necessitate them in any manner to be dependent on state and public funds to raise their child in Australia.

Apparently, Mr Hawke has taken the decision to not intervene on the pretext of “public interest.”

“Not much was revealed by the minister himself or the spokesperson of Department of Immigration and Border Protection sighting rule that “[the Minister] cannot be compelled to exercise his powers, and he is not required to explain his decisions in any case.”

“What is or is not in the public interest is entirely a matter for the minister considering each case on its own merits,” Mr Hawke’s spokesperson said.

Earlier, about 31,600 people have signed an online petition pleading for Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to block the family’s deportation.

Local Federal MP Susan Templeman had also written an “urgent” request for Mr Hawke’s intervention where she insisted there “is more than enough ‘public interest’ for Dr Haque and her children to remain in Australia.”

“Deporting a whole family who provides significant services to the

“

Doctors Nasrin Haque (centre) Shafiqul Bhuiyanand (front left) their two teenage children Sakir (back left) and Sumaya (right).

States are increasingly hiding behind bureaucratic walls to become less sympathetic about human conditions and miseries in the changed post-Trump world

Hawkesbury community because of their daughter’s developmental delay is not only unjust and unfair but will [also] deprive my community of the contribution that Dr Haque makes,” Ms Templeman had written.

In a coincidence, Dr Haque and her family will be deported on

Nasrim and her daughter Sumaya will be deported this week. Source: Supplied

Wednesday, February 22, the day when the Indian students previously holed in a Ponsonby church in Auckland are also expected to

depart voluntarily as a part of a deal between the students’ lawyer and Immigration New Zealand.

Oamaru gets its first Islamic Centre ¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD

M

uslim residents of Oamaru have secured a place in the town as their first Islamic centre.

Opened on January 27, the new centre on the first floor on 2 Trent Street, Oamaru, North Otago, will now be used for the purpose of praying, educating children, and celebrating Islamic events in the town.

Hendriani Trisaptayuni, a member of the Muslim Association in Oamaru, led the fundraising initiative from the community in November last year.

The ‘fund me’ page set up for raising money for the mosque received more than $10,000 over the last four months and aims to collect more to purchase the property in the future.

The Association will need $200,000 to $300,000 to purchase a property.

Donations for the mosque have been collected from across New Zealand mosques and people from Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, etc. have also contributed.

“I was in Indonesia in November last year when I started the donation page so people can help from there, and together, we have been able to raise more than $10,000, which is the mosque’s approximate rent for the next one year,” Ms Trisaptayuni said.

Prior to the opening of the Islamic centre on Trent Street, the community

The Oamaru Muslim Community gathered at the Newly built Islamic Centre. (Bottom) People praying at the Centre

members offered their houses for congressional prayers.

“We are small but growing Muslim community that mix culture from Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Fiji, Jordan, Turkey, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Egypt,” Ms Trisaptayuni added.

“The town houses 11 Muslim families and has a total of 58 Muslim people including children.

The Muslim population in the region is growing and there was a dire need for our own Islamic centre.”

The new centre is the third Islamic centre in the Otago region.

The other two are Masjid-al-Huda (Dunedin Islamic Centre) in Dunedin

and a centre at Otago University arranged by Otago Muslim Students Association (MUSA). The mosque will

now be convenient for the travellers to stop by and offer their regular prayers. “Oamaru is a transit place

between Christchurch and Dunedin.

Travellers crossing this region would often look for a place to pray, and now we have it,” Ms Trisaptayuni said.

There are two sections in the mosque, one for prayer and the other for activities of the community. The praying section has a separate room for men and women, and it can accommodate a total of 80 people at a time.

“We received numerous copies of the Quran and other Hadith (Islamic teachings) books as a contribution from the community here and overseas,” she said.

Ustad Mohd Idris Osman is the Imam (cleric) of the Masjid and hosts regular five time prayers while Ustad Khairul Azhar Muhamed conducts the Friday congressional prayer.

“The centre hosts Madarsa classes (Islamic teaching sessions) for the children twice a week, and we also hold Quran and Hadith reciting sessions between Maghrib (prayer at sunset) and Isha (late evening prayers) every day for the attendees at the mosque,” Ms Trisaptayuni added.

The Muslim Association in Oamaru is planning to host an Open Day for the mosque in the next few months so the wider non-Muslim community of the region can visit the mosque and learn more about Islam and its teachings.

www.iwk.co.nz | 24 February 2017

Connecting youths to Indian culture ¡¡ SWATI SHARMA

M

ore than 2,000 people gathered at Logan Campbell Centre on Saturday, February 18, for Antarkhoj, a stage show organised with an aim to bring the young generation closer to its roots.

Organised by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, the show was a combination of acting, dance, and music.

The play was focused on showcasing the fundamental principles of basic family values and encouraging the modern Indian society to stick to its roots, culture, and values to generate a harmonious society.

The chief guests for the event were Sadguru P.P. Tyagvallabh Swami and Sant Mandal, who are visiting from India.

The programme was arranged and executed by more than 100 BAPS volunteers, who were not only a part of the stage act but who also took the responsibility of photography, light and sound and more.

Volunteer Manoj Daiya said the two-hour-long act was prepared in a short time of one month.

“Everything was arranged and organised by our team in New Zealand, Australia, and India—from scripting to the final execution.

And all that in only one month,” he said.

The event was well produced and well received by the attendees. It concluded with prasad and complimentarydinner for all. Meanwhile, the Indian communitywill soon have another BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. Sadguru P.P. Tyagvallabh Swami and Sant Mandal will be in Hamilton on Sunday, February 26, for shilanyasvidhi (brick-laying ceremony) of the land where the newest Swaminarayan Temple will be built. Members of the community can attend the ceremony that will be held at 10 Tawn Place, Pukete, Hamilton from 4 to 7 p.m.

Lost ‘Zealandia’ under Pacific close to recognition as continent

Z

ealandia – a lost continent submerged in the southwest Pacific – is a step closer to being recognised, the authors of a new scientific paper have claimed.

A paper published in the journal of the Geological Society of America on February 17, contends that the vast, continuous expanse of continental crust, which centres on New Zealand, is distinct enough to constitute a separate continent, the Guardian reported.

The paper’s authors argued that the incremental way in which it came to light goes to show that even “the large and the obvious in natural science can be overlooked”.

Zealandia covers nearly 5 million sq. km, of which 94 per cent is under water, and encompasses not only New Zealand but also New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, the Lord Howe Island group and Elizabeth and Middleton reefs.

The area, about the same size as the Indian subcontinent, is believed to have broken away from Gondwana – the immense landmass that once encompassed Australia – and sank between 60 and 85 million years ago.

“This is a big piece of ground we’re talking about, even if it is submerged,” said Nick Mortimer, a New Zealand geologist who co-

authored the paper.

Geologists have argued in favour of Zealandia being recognised as its own continent intermittently over the past 20 years.

Zealandia would be the world’s seventh and smallest continent, after Eurasia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, and Australia.

NEW ZEALAND

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NEW ZEALAND

24 February 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

SOUTH LINE

News-in-brief from South Island

‘Indian’ driver filmed driving on the wrong side in Queenstown

A

n Arrowtown based television producer posted a video of a tourist repeatedly crossing the centreline near Queenstown, questioning should tourists be allowed to hire rental cars.

Later, the producer wrote that the driver was an Indian tourist driving the car. When contacted by Indian Weekender, he acknowledged knowing that India also has lefthand driving similar to New Zealand, and that the tourist might be someone of Indianorigin but from a country with right-hand driving.

It all started when Mr Damon Forde, who owns a news and television production service based in Arrowtown, New Zealand, called Live24 New Zealand, posted a one minute and 26 seconds long video on January 28 on Facebook, showing a driver repeatedly crossing the centre line on the Crown Range Road - New Zealand’s highest main road reaching an altitude of 1121 metres.

Mr Forde captioned the video as, “Should overseas tourists be allowed to hire rental cars in New Zealand?

After following this driver over the Crown Range last week I personally would like to see only people with a NZ issued licence on our roads. Driver was stopped by Police and won’t be driving here again.”

Later, when replying to

comments and the messages he received, Mr Forde added, “For those messaging me and saying ‘Why didn’t you stop him & take the keys’ and ‘How do you know it was a tourist’.

1): I did attempt to stop this vehicle but he arrogantly just carried on despite two attempts.

(2): I know he was a tourist and not drunk because I was there when he was stopped.

This was a rental car driven by an Indian Tourist driving on a license from his own country.”

After lying dormant for few weeks, the video suddenly picked traction last week, with over 188k views and counting.

The national media too reported the story.

When contacted by Indian Weekender, Mr Forde was very candid in his views on the video.

“I didn’t actually see the driving license. But the person looked like an Indian, as I saw him when he was stopped by the police. So it’s a possibility that he might be someone of Indian-origin but from a country with right-hand driving. And yes, I do know that India also has left-hand driving similar to New Zealand.”

“See, I have nothing against any nationality or race. I drive on these roads every day and I know how challenging it can be. I just want this issue to be resolved. The tourist drivers

are not the only ones at fault here. The Government, which is not putting enough money in improving the infrastructure to match the growing influx of tourists; the rental car companies, which are not putting any driving tests in place; and other tourism-sector related companies, which are only concerned about earning profits, are all to be equally blamed.”

On the oft-repeated reasons for allowing overseas tourists to hire rental cars here, Mr Forde noted, “Our public transportation is not up to the mark as of now. And I do realise that if we don’t allow rental cars on our roads, our tourism industry, and in turn lots of towns which are solely dependent on the tourist dollars will take a hit economically.”

“And I do understand that these arrangements [of recognising each others driving licenses] are done reciprocally.

So if we stop European or American driving license holders from driving on our roads, Kiwis may loose that privilege too.

But to keep our roads safe, I am willing to make that sacrifice. So if I go to the US and I am made to sit for a driving test, I am fine with it.”

“I don’t claim to have all the answers. It’s just that we should all work together to find them,” Mr Forde concluded.

Domino’s stabbing accused appears in Court Two Indians suffered injuries in an aggravated robbery ¡¡ GAURAV SHARMA

I

n a major development in the aggravated robbery incident that happened on February 13, where two Indians were stabbed while working at a Domino’s Pizza outlet in Bishopdale, Christchurch, one person has been arrested by the Canterbury Police.

Gordon Nicci Mana Haar Kopara, who has been charged with robbery and causing grievous bodily harm in connection with the case, had made an appearance in the Christchurch District Court last week.

After this, the court remanded him in

custody for an appearance on March 9. As reported earlier, at approximately 10:10 p.m. on that day, two heavily disguised men entered the pizza outlet carrying a firearm and a knife.

The two Indian staff members—Amrit and Bhupinder—were threatened by these men and later stabbed.

One received serious but non-lifethreatening wounds to the stomach and was transported to Christchurch Hospital, while the other was treated at the scene.

The two men have now fully recovered and returned to work.

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Chinese Lantern Festival ends Even though bad weather cancelled day one, day two drew huge crowds ¡¡ GAURAV SHARMA

M

ore than 60 food stalls and exhibits, including eight brand-new lanterns, non-stop entertainment from 28 performers including the Nair Ensemble from Inner Mongolia in China’s far North West, were the highlights of Christchurch’s 11th Lantern Festival held on Sunday February 18.

Other attractions included the Shanghai Shangwu martial arts bubble and magic show, the young Chinese knotting master Zhou Lingling demonstrating her knot tying skills, and toffee artist Huang Hongmei showcasing the traditional Chinese craft of painting with caramelised sugar.

Asia New Zealand Foundation Director of Culture, Jennifer King, noted, “Each year, the foundation works with partner organisations in China to choose performers that help capture the diversity of Chinese culture.

The aim of the festival is to acknowledge the contributions that people of Chinese heritage have made to New Zealand and to give non-Chinese New Zealanders the chance to have real-life, authentic experiences of Chinese culture. It’s the second year of our partnership with Christchurch City Council,

and we’re really delighted with the way they have been dealing with the event and their commitment to authenticity.”

On the question of locals supporting the event, Christchurch City Councillor Jimmy Chen, who hails from Taiwan, noted in a Facebook post, “There were more than 20,000 people participating in the event to experience Chinese culture through hundreds of vibrantly coloured lanterns, food and craft stalls, as well as the staged cultural performances. That’s really fantastic!”

Meanwhile, officials of Christchurch City Council informed that half of the proceeds from all lantern sales at the event will go towards the Mayors Welfare Fund, which will aid in the Port Hills fire relief.

Art of Living coming to Christchurch ¡¡ GAURAV SHARMA

F

ounded in 1981 by the renowned Indian guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, The Art of Living—which is a social organisation engaged in stress-management and service initiatives in 152 countries—is organising it’s ‘Happiness Programme’ between March 8 and 12 in Christchurch.

Coming especially for the event from the organisation’s Pune headquarters is international teacher Amit Thanedar, who intends to teach attendees what the organisers call “profoundly transformative” Sudarshan Kriya technique. Aurora Smith, who is a teacher at The Art of Living, Christchurch, noted, “Before the main event, I will be running a free introductory workshop this

weekend to get people used to gentle yoga stretches and pranayama (breathing exercises).

Our organisation, though small, has done some wonderful work in the aftermath of the 2010–11 earthquakes in Canterbury.

A little more than 1,200 people have benefitted from the free-of-charge de-stress courses that we have been running regularly over the past six years.”

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NEW ZEALAND

www.iwk.co.nz | 24 February 2017

Canterbury Earthquake Memorial dedicated to the nation

9

¡¡ GAURAV SHARMA

T

he nation came together in Christchurch on January 22 to mark the anniversary of the 2011 Canterbury earthquake and dedicate the Oi Manawa Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial to the memory of the This 185 victims who lost their lives in the devastating memorial is earthquake six years ago. a place of love and Prime minster Bill English addresses the gathering “This memorial will be a place for people respect. It’s a national to reflect on the devastating earthquakes that The Memorial Wall on the south bank place of remembrance. changed Canterbury and its communities It’s also an international of the site was unveiled by first responders forever, honouring those who lost their lives memorial and our way of after Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy on 22 February, 2011, and acknowledging expressing gratitude to the dedicated the space to honour and respect the those who were seriously injured and world community, which memories of the victims. Before her, Prime everyone who helped in the rescue and stood by us and helped our Minister Bill English and Christchurch Mayor recovery operation,” Christchurch City community in our hour Lianne Dalziel also made speeches.

Council said. of need” “The impacts of the quakes went right through The Memorial is a joint initiative of Ōtākaro the country and around the world for those who lost Limited, Christchurch City Council, Te Rūnanga o loved ones in our city on this day six years ago.

Ngāi Tahu, and the Ministry of Culture and Heritage.

“It is a time to reflect on our shared sense of loss and also The Civic Commemoration service included the reading to give thanks for the incredible work that emergency services of the names of the 185 people who died in the earthquake, did in our city after the quakes,” Christchurch’s Mayor Lianne which were read in an order reflecting their arrangement on the Dalziel noted, adding that the memorial is the culmination of Memorial Wall, guided by the wishes of their bereaved families. the undertaking given by city’s former Mayor Sir Bob Parker of Later, a minute’s silence was held 12:51 p.m., the time the providing a space where the names of the 185 victims would be earthquake had hit. engraved forever.

“Since 2013, dozens of pieces of correspondence have been translated into five languages and sent to a group of more than 300 affected people in 15 different countries. Incorporating the wishes of these people has been a very important part of creating this Memorial,” Ōtākaro Limited Chief Executive Albert Brantley noted, expressing that he was grateful to the people who have provided important input to the memorial.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Chief Executive Arihia Bennett added that the unveiling of Oi Manawa Canterbury National Earthquake Memorial is a positive step forward following an extended period of upheaval.

The PM, in his short address, remembered the war hero and fire-fighter Steve Askin who lost his life fighting the Port Hills Fire last week.

“This memorial is a place of love and respect. It’s a national place of remembrance. It’s also an international memorial and our way of expressing gratitude to the world community, which stood by us and helped our community in our hour of need,” he concluded.

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NEW ZEALAND

24 February 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

Working towards safer communities

New Zealand Police works with the community to make NZ safe and secure for its citizens. We seek to prevent crime, improve public security, and detect offenders. The unwavering commitment of NZ Police officers to provide service to the public helps in maintaining the law and order in the country. As a part of the NZ Police force, we are actively involved with the community to ensure that we address the grievances of the citizens. ¡¡ Get a Life Tube from Age Concern or

Neighbourhood Support. In an emergency the red Life Tube sticker on your fridge will alert Police, ambulance or fire service that vital information about you is available inside the refrigerator. ¡¡ Ask for a security checklist from Neighbourhood Support.

Don’t be tricked

¡¡ SERGEANT GURPREET ARORA, DISTRICT ETHNIC SERVICES COORDINATOR, COUNTIES MANUKAU

Police in Action

A

t about 3.10 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14, two men walked into a Dairy in Papatoetoe armed with weapons.

At the time there was one attendant present in the store. One of the males jumped onto the counter and picked up cigarettes from the shelves.

The other man stole cash from the cash register. The store attendant ran to the back office area. The men took cash and cigarettes and ran from the store on foot. The Police investigation is ongoing to identify offenders.

At about 8 p.m. on Monday, February 13, two men walked into a superette in Manukau.

At the time there were two attendants present in the store. One of the men produced a weapon pointed towards the victims. Victims ran to the rear of the store.

The other male reached over the counter and pulled the cash register by its cord. The men stole the cash register and ran out of the store on foot. The Police investigation is ongoing to identify the offenders.

Older people – safety advice

A

s an older person, there are a number of things you can do to keep yourself secure at home. Remember that New Zealand is a relatively safe place to live and it is unlikely that you will ever have an intruder.

If you have crime or safety concerns about your neighbourhood, then you should get in touch with your local Police, who will be happy

Keeping NZ moving Bill English

Prime Minister

I

nfrastructure supports our daily lives. It delivers the electricity we use, the water we drink and the roads we drive on.

That is why the National-led Government is investing more than ever in transport infrastructure right across the country. We are utterly committed to keeping a growing New Zealand moving.

Last week, Transport Minister Simon Bridges and local MP Nathan Guy opened the MacKays to Peka Peka Expressway - four months ahead of schedule. The Expressway is a $630 million, 18km four-lane motorway on the Kāpiti Coast, and includes 18 bridges and 16km of walking and cycle ways. It will result in faster, more reliable and safer journeys through the region.

It will also improve the Kāpiti Coast’s resilience to major weather events like those we’ve recently experienced in Wellington.

This is just one part of the Government’s $11 billion investment in seven roads of national significance and 13 important regional roading projects across New Zealand.

In April, Auckland’s critically important $1.4 billion Waterview Connection will open. And work on the $2.4 billion Western Ring Route, an alternative to State Highway 1 around Auckland, is also well advanced and expected to be completed in the next two years.

In Christchurch, two major projects are underway, including the new $240 million Christchurch Northern Corridor project,

which includes a new 8-kilometre, fourlane motorway, starting at the Waimakariri River and finishing in the city. The second project is a $195 million extension to the Christchurch Southern Motorway, which will halve travel time between Rolleston and the city. In the Waikato, construction on the seventh and final section of the $2.1 billion Waikato Expressway has begun.

This 102-kilometre long road is a gamechanger for the region as it will provide stronger links between the business and agricultural centres of Auckland and the Waikato, as well as the Bay of Plenty.

As a small, sparsely populated country, New Zealand relies on its transport network to move people, goods and services safely and efficiently.

That’s why we are getting ahead of this issue by investing in infrastructure now to encourage future economic growth.

We don’t want to wait until the strain on the network becomes a handbrake on progress.

Our investment in infrastructure continues to build a strong platform for growth.

A more competitive and productive economy is the only way we will create jobs, boost incomes, and provide the high-quality public services New Zealanders expect.

On a final note, I had been planning to open the MacKays to Peka Peka Expressway myself.

However, I changed my plans to head to Christchurch in support of the people who were battling the fires.

I’d like to acknowledge here the incredibly hard work of the many firefighters who helped get the fire under control, and I express my sincere sympathies to all who were affected, Apart from witnessing the devastation, what I also saw was the incredible community spirit that comes to the fore in these situations. People helping people.

It made me proud to be a New Zealander.

to discuss these with you. There are some other agencies you can contact for help and advice, such as the Citizens Advice Bureau and Age Concern.

One of the best actions you can take to make your place safer is to get to know your neighbours.

Think ahead

¡¡ Don’t open the door to strangers. Install a peephole in your door. If you don’t know someone, keep the door closed. ¡¡ Have a phone by your bed. ¡¡ Arrange with a neighbour to phone or visit you if your curtains are still drawn after a certain time in the morning. ¡¡ Have a personal or medical alarm that you can press in an emergency. ¡¡ Never tell someone that you are alone in the house.

If someone you don’t know asks to make a phone call from your home, get the phone number and offer to make the call yourself.

Then they don’t need to enter your home and you don’t need to open the door.

Never do business with strangers who come to the door, phone you or contact you via email.

Never talk to strangers about your financial affairs.

Never give out your name and address or chat if you receive a wrong number phone call.

Use tried and trusted trades people. Get several quotes. Ask your family to recommend someone or contact Age Concern.

If you are cheated, tell Police. You could help Police catch the criminal and stop other people from being cheated.

If you suspect an older person is being cheated or abused, contact Citizens Advice Bureau, Age Concern, your community constable or local Police for advice.

You can contact Sergeant Gurpreet Arora, District Ethnic Services Coordinator, Counties Manukau on 021 191 0461

Going Green Barry Coates Green Party List MP

I

t has been several decades since the environmental movement started sweeping the western world, started by concerns over industrial pollution, water quality and disappearing wild places. Since the Earth Summit in 1992, the urgent need to reduce poverty and improve living standards has been linked to environmental quality in developing countries through the concept of sustainable development. Now, in an era of climate change, all countries are aware of the need for urgent action to protect people and the environment from the impacts of pollution.

Environmentalism is also at the core of the teachings of the world’s faiths. Respect for nature and other species is core to Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and in Christianity, as recently highlighted by Pope Frances in his powerful encyclical last year.

India has had a long and proud history of environmentalism including in the independence movement. As the former head of Oxfam New Zealand, I have been privileged to visit grassroots projects in India, combining poverty reduction with protecting forests, saving seeds and promoting renewable energy. Over recent years, tackling air pollution in India’s major cities has become an urgent priority to prevent widespread respiratory disease. The Modi government has responded by embarking on a huge solar power programme that will replace coal-fired power with cheap and clean energy, as well as provide energy to an estimated 450 million people who rely mainly on burning wood or dung.

The environmental movement has changed over time. In the early days, it was mainly scientists, concerned citizens, deep green activists and NGOs, but many businesses have now joined them. The sustainable business community is growing rapidly worldwide, with leading businesses putting community and the environment at the core of their business strategies.

The environmental movement has also spawned political parties. There are wellestablished Green Parties in Europe, Australia and Canada, and new Green political parties have been started in India and across Asia, Africa and Latin America. InAotearoa New Zealand, the Greens are the third largest party in Parliament, with 14 MPs. We have diverse and strong candidates standing for the election coming up this year (on September 23), and we look forward to building strong ties with the Indian community.

We want to make the step to be part of the next government, and we need your help!

We will protect New Zealand’s natural environment, invest in public transport, provide affordable housing, support families and deliver opportunities for all New Zealanders in a modern, sustainable economy. Please visit our website to support us www.greens.org.nz.

Barry Coates is a Green Party list MP from Auckland. He received the Sustainability Champion award from the Sustainable Business Network in November 2016.

Voters in Mt Albert can cast their vote for Green Party candidate Julie-Anne Genter in the by-election.

NEW ZEALAND

www.iwk.co.nz | 24 February 2017

A decade of success

2

016 turned out to be another very successful year in terms of students’ achievements for Brilliance Educare Centre which is in the 10th year of its operations in New Zealand.

After bagging the New Zealand’s topper award for Cambridge IGCSE Religious Studies, a top achiever’s scholarship, and an engineering scholarship for the University of Auckland by its students, six other students of Brilliance got 10 NCEA scholarships for a variety of subjects.

Two students got scholarships in Calculus, Physics, Chemistry each, three in Statistics, and one in Biology.

Jacob Anithottam who won four scholarships—one each in Calculus, Statistics, Physics and Chemistry—will get a monetary benefit of $2000 each for three years.

All the year 13 students of Brilliance in 2016 gained university

entrance. Many are enrolled in prestigious courses like Bio Med, Health Science, Engineering (Hons) and Law in leading universities including Auckland University, AUT, Otago University, Monash University and Griffith University.

96% of last year’s NCEA students of Brilliance got excellence or merit endorsement, and most students of Cambridge and IB streams came out with flying colours, some scoring up to 98%.

One of IGCSE students gained 7 A*s with an aggregate score of 96%.

Brilliance conducts after-school tuition classes for all school subjects in all year levels and all three streams-NCEA, Cambridge and IB. Brilliance is located at 20 Frost Road, Mt Roskill near the Mt Roskill Schools. For more details visit www.brillianceducare.co.nz or call 09 6204690/ 09 6240829/ 02102405015. The above material is supplied by the advertiser.

Get the latest buzz @ www.iwk.co.nz

11

‘University of Auckland study shows refugees’ & immigrants’ resilience in disasters

A

ccording to research from the University of Auckland, many immigrants and refugees were resilient to the Canterbury Earthquakes due to their previous experiences of disasters and war in their homelands.

It debunks previous research and some common stereotypes in the mainstream society which identify immigrants and refugees as socially vulnerable as a general rule.

Sociology academics from the Faculty of Arts - Doctoral Candidate Shinya Uekusa and Associate Professor Steve Matthewman interviewed refugees and immigrants caught up in the Canterbury Earthquakes in 2010-2011, and the 2011 Tohoku, Japan, 9.1 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that killed nearly 16,000 people.

The study titled Vulnerable and Resilient?

Immigrants and Refugees in the 2010-2011 Canterbury and Tohoku Disasters have been published in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction.

The study involved 28 in-depth interviews with immigrants, refugees and supporting organisation staff conducted in Canterbury and Tohoku in 2015 and 2016. Organisations included the Canterbury Refugee Council (CRC) and Tohoku Help!

The interviewees were of varied backgrounds including India, Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq, the Pacific Islands and Russia.

“As we found, some social groups can be simultaneously vulnerable and resilient to disasters, and/or are resilient because they are vulnerable,” Associate Professor Matthewman said.

“The positive impacts of these disasters cannot be denied for the socially vulnerable.

These 2010 and 2011 disasters in New Zealand and Japan ironically made formally invisible groups “hypervisible” and facilitated their community participation and communication with the mainstream. In a sense, disaster can empower the oppressed,” Shinya said.

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The research found that those who had previous experiences of disasters were generally better equipped to deal with the Canterbury and Tohoku disasters. Some of the study’s Canterbury interviewees, such as the Afghan, Iraqi and

Somali refugees, explained that because they had gone through civil war, displacement, and then resettlement in a foreign country, the series of 20102011 earthquakes was, while still frightening, still within the realm of manageable.

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12

24 February 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

Diasporas and the challenges of ‘social cohesion’ ¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH

T

he Indian diaspora is at the centre of global attention as India has emerged as a major source country for migrants all around the world in the last decade.

Experts from academia, government, bureaucracy, and media got together last weekend on February 17 and 18 in a two-day conference on the New Zealand Story of Global Indian Diasporas at the Auckland campus of Auckland University of Technology (AUT).

The conference was organised by the New Zealand–India Research Institute (NZIRI), a national centre of Indian studies in New Zealand, in collaboration with AUT and with the support of Asia New Zealand Foundation, Human Rights Commission, and Education New Zealand.

Different experts expressed their views on various aspects of diasporic activities such as economy, food and culture, but the challenge of social cohesion was high on the agenda.

Several experts, notably from the government and other prominent New Zealand public institutions, focussed their talks on the challenge of social cohesion that emerges from any large scale migration of people in a relatively short span of time.

The present New Zealand society is undergoing that change and in a relatively short span of time where maintaining adequate social cohesion will be the next biggest challenge for the planners and policymakers.

Leading the concern on the challenge was Dr Jian Yang, National List MP and Parliamentary Private Secretary for Ethnic Communities, who made opening remarks on behalf of the Minister for Ethnic Communities.

Professor Spoonley, a leading researcher, sociologist, and demographer enlightened the audience about the changing New Zealand population due to migration and its possible effect on the social fabric of Aotearoa New

“

Different experts expressed their views on various aspects of diasporic activities such as economy, food and culture, but the challenge of social cohesion was high on the agenda.

Zealand and the meaning of diversity.

The audience was enthralled to know that Auckland has emerged as the fourth most diverse global city. With 39% of its population born overseas, the city is revealed to be more diverse than Sydney, Los Angeles, London, and even New York.

To the surprise of many, the Indian population in Auckland was larger than the Chinese community.

Professor Spoonely also emphasised that Auckland was doing well, given the rapidity with which the city has changed.

The other key message of his talks was that the New Zealand story was not necessarily the

same as the Auckland story of migration and diversity.

Nevertheless, regardless of the speed of change in diversity and population, New Zealand was doing well in dealing with incoming diasporas through a set of noninterventionist policies.

Simone Draper from Asia-NZ Foundation, the leading non-government authority on Asia,

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informed the audience about their institution’s efforts in shaping New Zealand’s perspectives and attitudes towards Asia.

Mr Drapper also hinted that Asia–NZ foundation would be coming up with the latest report next month on Asia’s investment in New Zealand.

The key message of Mr Drapper’s talks was how their institution was trying to build from people-to-people and cultural ties between the countries of Asia, including India, and New Zealand to be better prepared in the Asian century.

Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy cautioned that despite New Zealand doing relatively well than many other countries in managing community relationship, there was no room for complacency.

Ms Devoy emphasised that the challenge to social cohesion was real and required persistent work from different stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and harmonious society.

The conference had many other academic experts, emerging researchers, and students who presented interesting facts about the Indian diaspora.

Notable among them were Dr Tracey Berno, Dr Alison Booth, and Dr Paula Ray. Dr Berno traced the fascinating evolution of Indian food and curries in the new Indo–Fijian cultural landscape.

Dr Booth spoke about politics of identity visible in Auckland’s Diwali festival.

Dr Paula Ray threw some light on how digital technology and social media had enhanced social cohesion within the diasporic community itself and the social ties of the diasporic community with their places of origin.

NZIRI Director Dr Sekhar Bandyopadhyay, the lead academic consortium on NZ–India relationship, promised to organise more such events related to the Indian diaspora in New Zealand.

NEW ZEALAND

www.iwk.co.nz | 24 February 2017

More services ahead of “March Madness”

13

A

uckland Transport is putting on more services to meet passenger demand during March.

Group Manager AT Metro Operations, Brendon Main says in the morning peak there will be 56 more city bound bus trips each morning compared to March last year. That’s 5% more capacity overall for bus services and an increase of up to 34% on some corridors.

“We know the number of public transport passengers peaks in March as students head back to their studies, schools are in term and lower numbers of people are on leave. It’s known as “March Madness” and since March last year we’ve worked hard to get more services on some of our busiest routes.”

Mr Main says last March some peak time trips were crowded and these are the services being targeted with extra buses this year.

“We will have more than six and a half thousand extra spaces on buses and trains, this will go a long way towards meeting demand.”

Bus capacity has increased by close to 5400 spaces and timetable changes for trains from 12 March will mean an additional 1200 spaces are available in the morning peak.

Getting that elusive IT Developer Job ¡¡ RAEWYN BOERSEN

T

he thing that impressed me most when I was working as an academic with new New Zealanders, was their optimism that they would be able to find work in their field in NZ. And for those that did, it was wonderful, I rejoiced along with them.

This wasn’t the norm though. I saw that even though some had great skills, time after time they did not even get an interview. And for many reasons, some unknown, some known.

No NZ work experience, no interview. A far too detailed CV, no interview. No teamwork experience, no interview. And then when they did get an interview, there was no resulting job offer. I felt for them and saw the struggle for them to continue applying after each rejection.

My sense of justice was offended. I could see all of these good people with solid experience as software developers not even getting a chance to prove their worth. Who had come to NZ because they were told there were many job opportunities in NZ’s growing IT sector.

And this was true, so what was going on?

I thought it was worth investigating further so I did a small survey of international students studying IT in Auckland’s educational institutes. I found that about 40% thought it would take 6-24 months to find IT work. This didn’t seem right as the sector is growing by about 3000 jobs a year so intuitively I felt that the job search period should not be that long.

I then spoke to recruiters who said that some candidates were too hard to place because employers wanted people with NZ work experience. The employers said that their issue was the lack of ‘soft’ skills, that is non-technical skills required to fit into their workplace and that some candidates did not have experience in the latest technologies and methodologies that we use in NZ. With these insights and working with Designertech, an IT company with a significant software development division, we saw that a well-targeted and designed intervention could benefit all. This goal is made much more achievable as at the end of the programme, each participant is able to add NZ work experience to their CV, they have a 360 degree reference and we introduce them to selected employers and recruiters who understand our programme. One of the employers had said “It was good to read a CV that was focused and clear, I could easily see that the person had the skills I was looking for, plus there was feedback from his peers and this was a great starting point in our interview”.

The programme can make a difference to those who are serious about finding employment in NZ’s IT industry. For more details, visit www.designertech.co.nz/ITWork-Programme.

Mr Main says double decker buses are also coming to Birkenhead to help with the demand.

From next Monday, 27 February, four double decker buses will commence services on routes between Beach Haven, Glenfield and the central city providing much needed additional capacity along Onewa Road.

Additional rail services The timetable change due on 12 March adds 1,194 spaces inbound during the morning peak. This additional capacity is split between the Eastern Line (796 spaces) and Southern Line (398 spaces).

Additional ferry services Most routes have sufficient capacity now to cope with anticipated patronage demand, even given the significant growth experienced over the past year.

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14

FIJI

24 February 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

Fiji PM to rally nations for Paris Agreement P rime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said a number of countries who were united in Paris in 2015 were pulling out of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

But in a short exclusive interview following the 2016 ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards at the Sheraton Fiji Resort on Saturday, Mr Bainimarama said he would do everything he could as COP 23 president to keep the Paris Agreement on track.

Earlier the Prime Minister told the large gathering at the awards function that the multilateral, decisive approach that all countries took in Paris to lower the global temperature was already being questioned.

“We have not started the negotiations yet but we have heard through the grapevine that a lot of people are trying to pull away from the Paris Agreement,” Mr Bainimarama said.

Fiji is the incoming President of COP 23 – the ongoing United Nations negotiations to tackle the greatest challenge the world has ever faced. Mr Bainimarama said as head of COP 23, his task was monumental but he would be driven on by the memories of those who had died during Tropical Cyclone Winston a year ago today.

“There have been talks of a softening up of the Paris Agreement by those who wanted to pull out but I hope they will come around,” he said. “I will need to go back and talk to them,” Mr Bainimarama said.

In his incoming speech as

A

delegation from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) is attending the biennial International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX), which opened in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, yesterday.

The delegation led by chief-of-staff Colonel Litea Seruiratu is participating at the 13th edition of the event through the invitation of their UAE counterparts. The event is the largest international defence exhibition in the Middle East North Africa region (MENA) which showcases the latest military hardware and technology on land, sea and air.

The 5 day conference and exhibition is being attended by foreign dignitaries, defence personnel, industry contractors and leaders.

A Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama

President of COP 23 delivered on February 10, Mr Bainimarama called on all countries that were part of the Paris Agreement to work together as a global community to increase the proportion of finance available for climate adaptation and resilience building.

“We need a greater effort to develop products and models to attract private sector participation in the area of adaptation finance,” he said.

He had appealed to the entire world to support Fiji’s effort to continue building the global consensus to confront the greatest challenge of this age.

“We owe it not only to ourselves, but to future generations to tackle this issue head on before it is too late and will be counting on that support all the way to Bonn and beyond,”

he said. Mr Bainimarama said he owed it to the victims of TC Winston and to every other Fijian to fight as hard as he could to get the global community to stick to the promises they all made in Paris at the end of 2015.

“To reduce the carbon emissions that are causing global warming and the extreme weather events, rising seas and changing weather patterns that threaten our way of life and lives of billions of others around the world,” he said.

“We must stick to the plan we reached in the Paris Agreement, not walk away from it. So as the ball is passed to me as COP 23 President, I will be striving to hold the team together, to move the global agenda forward and eventually secure victory for all 7.5 billion people on the planet.”

Australia maps COP 23 assistance plans for Fiji

A

T

Fiji in big global military meet in Abu Dhabi

Indian classical music programme

MSAF meets NZ envoy to discuss scholarship

he Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) met with the New Zealand High Commission to discuss the current scholarship, via NZ Aid, for MSAF staff to study at the New Zealand Maritime School.

The meeting took place last month in Suva.

“This is one of several initiatives undertaken by MSAF to upskill its staff to increase the quality of service to an international level. I would like to thank the New Zealand High Commission for assisting MSAF in its capacity building programme which will assist the MSAF in implementing its national and international obligations under the IMO treaties that Fijiis a signatory to,” said MSAF chief executive officer, John Tunidau.

This training would benefit the shipping industry and give valuable

NEWS in BRIEF

experience for MSAF and Fiji. The training is effective and of high standard and helps ensure that Fiji has trained personnel to regulate the industry.

Two MSAF staff have so far been awarded the scholarship to study in New Zealand.

Captain Samuela Bulimetuira is currently in the process of attaining his Master Class 1 Certificate while Semiti Tomasi is completing the Engineering Class 1/2 course in New Zealand Maritime School.

Two more staff are earmarked to commence study in 2017/2018 through this programme.

The New Zealand High Commission has already provided MSAF/Fiji with Oil Spill Cleaning Equipment worth approximately 1.2 million and continued discussions is under way between on other similar capacity building assistance.

ustralia has mapped some plans where it can best assist Fiji in assuming its presidency role during the COP 23 meeting scheduled to take place in Germany in November this year.

Australia's Minister for International Development and Pacific, Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells said Australia was very supportive of Fiji's role and would wait for any formal request for its assistance.

"We are considering at this point how best we can support Fiji.

Ambassador Suckling (Patrick) came to visit and spoke with officials and had meetings with various ministers and so at this point in time we are waiting for any request from Fiji as to how best we can assist them," she said.

"So we've certainly canvassed areas in which we can assist, so I think at this point in time we will await any formal request from Fiji as to the best ways that we can assist them to best deal with the presidency of the COP 23."

Meanwhile, Mrs Fierravanti-Wells said her visit had also enabled her to meet various government ministers.

"We have also discussed various things that we are doing with different ministers.

“In particular I had a very important meeting with the Health Minister.

programme to promote Indian classical music to churches was organised on Saturday, February 18, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Suva.

Chief guest and the High Commissioner of India to Fiji, Vishvas Sapkal said all roads and paths went towards one direction and the ultimate aim was truth and God. Methodist Church in Fiji, divisional superintendent Indian division Reverend Immanuel Ruben welcomed the initiative and thanked the High Commission of India.

Angelina Christi and her choir presented devotional singing and hymns imbibed with Karnatic classical music.

High Commissioner of India to Fiji, Vishvas Sapka

New Electoral Commission chair promises fair elections

N

ewly appointed Electoral Commission Chairperson Suresh Chandra says he will ensure that all Fijians receive election services of the highest possible quality.

Chandra, who was appointed to his post by President Jioji Konrote on the 3rd of this month, says he wants all election activities to be conducted in line with the Fijian Constitution and all other laws governing elections.

The Chair led his first meeting yesterday whereby it was decided to award the seat vacated in Parliament due to the resignation of Tupou Draunidalo to Pramod Chand of the National Federation Party.

Chandra also commends the Fijian Elections Office on the work achieved so far in preparation for the upcoming General Election and says he looks forward to doing his part to contribute to the preparatory efforts.

Usamate visits seasonal workers in New Zealand

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bout one hundred workers are expected to be sent to New Zealand by April, this year.

That was highlighted by the Minister for Employment Jone Usamate who is currently in New Zealand. Usamate says the main purpose for his trip to New Zealand is to get feedback from Fijians who are working under the Seasonal Worker Scheme. Usamate will also negotiate on the Minister for Employincreasing of Fiji’s participation under the scheme. ment Jone Usamate He adds that the new recruitment strategy of Tikina based selection, have greatly contributed to the success. Usamate and a government delegation is on a week-long tour visiting the Fijian seasonal workers.

Fiji is to hold its first census in ten years this September

F

iji media reported recruitment is to start soon to gather information from households around the country.

The economy minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum told the Fiji Sun the census will help determine government policies and the number of seats in parliament as well as help development partners.

He said the Bureau of Statistics’ increased budget allocation this year would enable it to buy the appropriate technology to make census work easier. He said a lot of young people could be deployed for the exercise.

Fiji remains unbeaten at the 2017 ICC World Cricket League Qualifier

F

iji remains unbeaten at the 2017 ICC World Cricket League Qualifier – East Asia Pacific. They currently share the top of the table at the end of day 2 in Bendigo. Fiji beat Samoa by three wickets in their second match last week.

Samoa chose to bat first and got off to a great start with an 85 run partnership for the first wicket.

But Fiji showed its experience and depth with an 84 run partnership between Sekove Ravoka (58) and Seru Tupou (70) steering Fiji to a comfortable three wicket win.

Editorial Ministry of Education report: Indian student’s behaviour revealed

T

here is wide recognition within the government that international students play an important role in New Zealand through the contribution they make to the economy, the diversity they bring to New Zealand and its education system, and the lifetime links that are created between their country and New Zealand.

International education is country’s fifth-largest export earner, and the government has been working to double the economic value of international education to $5 billion over the next 15 years. Towards this goal Ministry of Education regularly conducts various studies and research to explore ways to offer our international guests a fulfilling experience while they remain in the country. Recently a new report titled Moving places: Destinations and earnings of international graduates had been released by the Ministry of Education to enhance their understanding of international student’s behaviour in New Zealand.

A clear understanding of student’s behaviour and motivation for choosing New Zealand as their preferred destination for international education could go a long way in setting right expectations for the students much before they arrive in New Zealand. It has long been felt in some quarters of the Indian community that there could be some gaps between government’s expectation about ‘international education experience’ and their targeted customers international students. While Indian Weekender is still studying this 70-page report in detail, some key findings of the report deserve immediate attention.

Like everywhere else in life, the international student is a wide category depending upon their age, gender, the level of study and country of origin, which also determines their international education choices including that of remaining back in the country after successfully completing their education. One significant finding that would curb some anxiety around the international education system in the country is that two-thirds (66 percent) of all first student visa (FSV) holders in 2009 had returned overseas five years after they obtain their FSV. Another important outcome of this report and relevant for the Indian community is the revelation of the fact, that Indian graduates are less likely to return overseas when they have completed their studies, and are more likely to stay in New Zealand and work.

The study captures the return rate of Indian students at different levels of studies such as Level 1-4, Level 5-7 certificate or diploma level, and postgraduate level. The percentage of Indian students going overseas after their completing their education in New Zealand was on an average 10-12% lower at all levels in comparison to graduates from ASEAN and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries who are more likely to return overseas.

In contrast, the percentage of young, international Indian graduates who work in New Zealand and do no further study after completion of their qualification is considerably higher than the rate for all young, international graduates, at all qualification levels and in all eight years after completion of a qualification.

The rate is 20 to 30 percentage points higher, on average, three to eight years after completion of a qualification. The rate is also considerably higher than that for Chinese, ASEAN or GCC international graduates. These results all strongly suggest that many Indian students come to New Zealand to study with the intention of gaining work in New Zealand after they complete their studies.

This fact was largely known to the community that for a large number of Indian students choice of international education destination is not independent of opportunity to work and permanently settle in those host destinations - a revelation that may come as surprise to the government, if not a shock, as they have chosen to remain in denial for a long time about any such expectation among the Indian students. It will be interesting to see if ENZ will “reposition” New Zealand in any manner in the Indian student market after this new insight on Indian student behaviour.

Indian Weekender : Volume 8 Issue 47

“Gamble e ve r y t hing f or love, if you are a t r ue human be ing.

Half he arte dne s s doe s no t re ach in to maje s t y” — Rumy

This week in New Zealand’s history February 28, 1945: Kiwi soldier faces firing squad After more than a year on the run in northern Italy, New Zealand prisoner of war David Russell was recaptured and executed. His courage in the face of death earned him the first George Cross awarded to a member of New Zealand’s military forces. For his heroism Russell received a posthumous George Cross in 1948. The following year Napier Hospital opened the David Russell Memorial Ward in his honour.

February 29, 2004: LORD OF THE RINGS WINS 11 OSCARS Sir Peter Jackson’s last film in the colossal Lord of the rings trilogy, The return of the king, won all eleven Oscars it was nominated for at the 76th Academy Awards in Los Angeles.

This set a record for the highest clean sweep in one night and equalled the highest amount of wins with Ben Hur (1959) and Titanic (1997).

Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited Managing Editor: Bhav Dhillon | bhav@indianweekender.co.nz Content Editor: Sandeep Singh | sandeep@indianweekender.co.nz Chief Reporter: Swati Sharma | swati@indianweekender.co.nz Reporter: Rizwan Mohammad | rizwan@indianweekender.co.nz Chief Reporter—South Island: Gaurav Sharma Chief Technical Officer: Rohan Desouza | rohan@indianweekender.co.nz Sr Graphics and Layout Designer: Mahesh Kumar | mahesh@indianweekender.co.nz Graphic Designer: Yashmin Chand | design@indianweekender.co.nz Accounts and Admin.: 09-6366306 | accounts@indianweekender.co.nz Sales and Distribution: 022 3251630 | sales@indianweekender.co.nz Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher is not responsible for advertisers’ claims as appearing in the publication 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 Kiwi Media Publishing Limited - 133A, Level 1, Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland.

Printed at Horton Media, Auckland Copyright 2017. Kiwi Media Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved.

March 1, 1916: NEW ZEALAND DIVISION FORMED After the evacuation from Gallipoli in December 1915, New Zealand forces returned to Egypt to recover. In February 1916, it was determined that Australian and New Zealand infantry divisions would be sent to the Western Front. On 1 March, the New Zealand Division was formed. The Division’s last major action was capturing the French town of Le Quesnoy on 4 November – just a week before the end of the war.

OPINION/EDITORIAL

www.iwk.co.nz | 24 February 2017

It’s rightists vs left-liberals in media slugfest ¡¡ AMULYA GANGULI

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major reason the media is being targeted by rightwing establishments in both India and the US is the belief among the “official” ideologues that large sections of the newspapers, magazines and TV channels are dominated by left-liberals, a legacy of Nehruvian times.

Hence, the derogatory terms of “presstitudes” and media workers (apropos of sex workers) coined by the saffron brotherhood to describe journalists and the charges of dishonesty and fake news levelled by US President Donald Trump against the scribes in America.

The media is certainly not blameless, depending as it often does on sensationalism to outdo rivals while the TV “debates” are marked more by rancour than reason. But since it has rarely been under such sustained attacks as now, it must have touched a raw nerve among presentday politicians.

It is no secret that a long-standing grouse of the Hindutva Parivar in India has been that the years of dominance by the secular, left-ofcentre Congress led to the projection of these ideologies as the only legitimate objectives for the country.

The political slant represented by the ruling party at the Centre from 1947 to the 1980s influenced both the academia and the press.

In contrast, the right remained on the sidelines for decades, its

marginalisation being reinforced by its association with Gandhi’s assassination. As a result, being a right-wing politician was not quite respectable.

But the times have changed. The ascendancy of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), based on what Vice President Hamid Ansari has called “religious majoritarianism”, from the 1990s, has disassociated rightwing politics from the unwashed masses and made it acceptable on the cocktail circuit, especially in the Lutyens power zone in Delhi.

The BJP has also taken advantage of its position in the corridors of power to plant saffron ideologues in the groves of academe even if they are regarded as unworthy of the posts by the leftist intelligentsia.

However, even as the right has now captured the high ground of politics and the academia, the media

“

The media

is certainly not blameless, depending as it often does on sensationalism to outdo rivals while the TV “debates” are marked more by rancour than reason

has evaded its grasp. Not only that, rightist political views -- the economy is another matter -- are still not accorded the respect which is given to more holistic presentations in line with the “idea of India” representing inclusive pluralism.

The right has had to depend, therefore, on the trolls in the social media even if their abuses point to a sense of inferiority complex.

The BJP must have been disconcerted, however, by the fact that for all the shrill support which it receives from the saffron netizens, the party’s electoral performance has been quite dismal in the last two years when it lost in Delhi, Bihar, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puduchery. The BJP’s only success was in distant Assam.

Since the mainstream media remains one of the last bastions of the left-liberals, it is not surprising that the saffron lobby in India and the Trump acolytes in the US lose no opportunity to lambast the “presstitudes” and purveyors of “fake” news.

But, for them, there is one more hurdle. It is the judiciary. As the outlawing of Trump’s travel bans on immigrants from seven Muslimmajority countries by the judges in the US has shown, the right is not having all in its own way.

In India, too, judges have set up roadblocks to stop the government from acting arbitrarily. For instance, in the case of a Greenpeace activist who was taken off a London-bound plane by the police, the Delhi High Court said that “criticism by an individual may not be palatable; even so, it cannot be muzzled”.

In a case concerning human rights activist Teesta Setalvad, who is known for her humanitarian role during the 2002 Gujarat riots, the Supreme Court, rejecting a plea

17

by the government counsel for her arrest, asked: “Can the liberty of a person be put on a ventilator?”

Little wonder that Prime Minister Narendra Modi once advised the judges to be wary of “five-star activists”.

However, the right in India is a great deal more moderate than Trump, not to mention the alt-right in Europe such as Marine Le Pen’s National Party in France or Geert Wilders’ Party for Freedom in the Netherlands or Norbert Hofer’s Austrian Freedom Party.

Besides, Modi has made a conscious attempt to rein in some of the BJP hardliners. As a result, there are no more reports of campaigns like ghar wapsi, which “persuaded” Muslims to reconvert to Hinduism, or about the vigilantism of gau rakshaks, the self-appointed protectors of cows.

Evidently, the “idea of India” has influenced its purported critics as well because of their realisation that stable governance is only possible 17 if the rulers adhere to what former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee called “raj dharma” -- the religion or the work ethic of governments which did not distinguish between citizens on the basis of caste, creed or community.

It is not impossible that the European far right and the proTrump Republicans will realise sooner or later the value of accommodation and compassion.

Amulya Ganguli is a political analyst. The views expressed are personal.

Solar revolution in India continues unabated T ¡¡ SAPTAK GHOSH

he solar revolution in India marches on, with renewed momentum, if the recently concluded reverse bidding auction for a 750 MW Solar Park in Madhya Pradesh is any indication.

While the rest of the world watched in disbelief, Mahindra Renewables Pvt. Ltd., Acme Solar Holdings Pvt. Ltd. and Sweden’s Solenergi Power Pvt. Ltd. successfully bid INR 2.979/kWh, Rs 2.97/kWh and Rs 2.974/kWh to build 250MW plants each. These bids are the lowest in the history of solar tariffs in India.

The previous lowest bid was INR 4.34/ kWh for a 70 MW unit in Rajasthan.

A variety of reasons led to this unprecedented crash in solar tariffs, from reduced cost of photovoltaic (PV) modules to risk mitigation for developers and intricate financial planning.

Chinese module manufacturers dropped module prices to less than INR 20 per watt (30 cents) because of oversupply in the market. Reports say that manufacturers are selling below cost. With major manufacturers already having preferential rates for the Indian market, it is unlikely that module prices will go up significantly in India even after the glut clears out.

Assuring developers of risk mitigation in terms of electricity off take, by Rewa Ultra Mega Power Limited (a joint venture of Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited and Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited), also contributed to the drop. This risk mitigation aspect allows developers to access finance at lower costs and reduce their expectations on returns by a few percentage points as long as the project proves to be sustainable and financially viable.

The remarkably low tariffs discovered in this auction will have far-reaching implications for the country’s solar landscape. With both international and domestic investors looking at

India as a serious place to set up solar businesses, the 100 GW target is no longer being brushed aside as over-ambitious and unrealistic. The result is that developers are competing and bidding aggressively, with lower margins, to get their foot in the door in states with high solar potential.

Grid parity of solar with conventional fossil fuel sources, such as coal, is no longer a distant dream and shatters most myths associated with the high cost of renewable. The model of price escalation aligns with increasing coal prices in the recent past. Large-scale solar is now in a strong position to compete with any other source of electricity in India, which is extremely encouraging for the National Democratic Alliance’s plans to promote solar both in India and in the International Solar Alliance proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 and launched the same year at COP-22 in Paris.

Domestic and international financial institutions will now have more confidence in lending to the Indian utility-scale solar market.

Now that off take risks are reduced because

of joint ventures between state and central agencies, lower interest rates with longer tenures and lower hedging of currencies will be observed in the coming years.

Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractors will be under pressure

because developers and investors will reduce costs in this aspect by either further reducing their margins or vertically integrating themselves to perform such tasks on their own.

This is going to put intense pressure on EPCs to finish projects quickly whilst adhering to quality standards. Instead of taking a month to install 10 MW as was the norm two years ago, EPCs will have to finish 250 MW in less than six months to gain more contracts in one financial year and survive.

Domestic manufacturers of PV modules will feel more threatened than earlier because of the tremendous rate cuts in imported modules.

They are likely to seek further protection through subsidies from the government.

However, considering the fact that India is already in troubled waters with the US in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) clause for solar, it is unlikely that more measures will be taken by the government to carve out niche spaces beyond solar rooftop projects for domestic manufacturers.

Overall, these record low prices in Madhya Pradesh will usher in an era which will be dominated by solar headlines at every auction henceforth. If these trends of oversupply of modules, access to low cost finance, highly effective and efficient EPCs and support and encouragement from both state and central governments spread to other states, then prices might fall even further in India.

Solar power is here to stay and make significant contributions to the country’s energy mix at extremely competitive rates. The solar market is wide open for both domestic and international investors and the time is ripe for innovations in both technology and finance.

Saptak Ghosh is a research scientist at Bengaluru’s Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy [CSTEP]. The views expressed are those of CSTEP. He can be contacted at saptakg@cstep.in

18

INDIA

Millions vote in crucial Maharashtra civic elections

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illions of voters exercised their franchise on Tuesday in Maharashtra to elect members of 10 major civic bodies, including India's largest and richest civic body BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) where many Bollywood celebrities cast their votes.

The elections to 11 Zila Parishads and 118 Panchayat Samitis also are widely seen as a referendum on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

At close of balloting in the evening, an estimated 55 per cent of Mumbai's 9.2 million (92 lakh) electorate had voted, making it the highest turnout for any elections since 1991.

The country's commercial capital has generally recorded a dismal voter turnout. In 2012, it notched just 44.7 per cent voting.

The total average voting across the municipal corporations in the state was 56 per cent, and 69 per cent for Zila Parishads and Panchayat Samitis, state Election Commissioner J.S. Saharia said late on Tuesday.

The encouraging turnout prompted Fadnavis to tweet: "Thank you Mumbai for the record voting percentage and... for participating in festival of democracy!"

Controlled by the Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for four terms, the BMC has a budget of Rs 37,052 crore for 2016-17 fiscal, catering to a population of around 18.30 million.

In comparison, neighbouring Goa's budget last year was around Rs 14,700 crore. Voting was also conducted in other nine civic bodies (besides Mumbai) – Thane, Ulhasnagar, Nashik, Pune, PimpriChinchwad, Solapur, Amravati, Akola and Nagpur.

This is the first time the fate of a state government hinges on the

outcome of a municipal election, given the bitterness between the BJP and Shiv Sena in the run-up to the polls.

An aggressive Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray has put the BJP government "on notice period" and said he would decide whether to continue the state-level alliance after the results. Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar has ruled out support in such an eventuality and predicted mid-term assembly polls.

For the BJP, the election is a virtual midterm report card on its muchbandied issue of transparency and clean governance.

A generous dose of glamour, glitz and power play was visible in Mumbai at the 7,304 booths to elect 227 BMC corporators from among 2,275 candidates.

Early voters included Tina Ambani, wife of industrialist Anil Ambani, Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar, Sharad Pawar, his daughter Supriya Pawar, nephew Ajit Pawar, Uddhav and wife Rashmi Thackeray, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj and wife Sharmila Thackeray and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, former cricketer Sandeep Patil and others.

Chief Minister Fadnavis and his wife Amruta voted in Nagpur. So did Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat.

Among the Bollywood personalities who voted – and asked everyone to vote too – were Rekha, Hema Malini, Prem Chopra, Kamini Kaushal, Shah Rukh Khan, Ranveer Singh, Anushka Sharma, Kiran Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, John Abraham, Vivek Oberoi, Arshad Warsi and Shreyas Talpade, renowned poet Gulzar and filmmaker Subhash

24 February 2017| www.iwk.co.nz

People wait in line to cast their vote outside a polling booth at Cuff Parade in Mumbai on Tuesday

Actress Sonali Kulkarni Sachin Tendulkar along with wife Anjali Tendulkar displays the indelible ink mark on their fingers after casting the vote for the municipal corporation election in Mumbai.

Senior citizens are showing more enthusiasm in the morning

Ghai. Several tele serial actors and Marathi film stars too exercised their franchise.

BJP state spokesperson Shania N.C. and actor Varun Dhawan could not vote as their names were found missing from the voter lists.

As many as 3.77 crore voters sealed the fate of 17,331 candidates for 5,512 seats, including 1,268 in 10 municipal corporations, 2,956 in 11 Zila Parishads and 1,288 seats in 118 Panchayat Samitis in the second and final phase of the polling.

A 67-year-old, physically challenged, yet one of the first ones to cast vote from Worli.

India launches 'Cyber Swachhta Kendra' Microsoft launches 'Made to protect citizens for India' Skype Lite app

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t a time when cyber attacks are increasing, the government through its Computer Emergency Response Team (CERTin) on Tuesday, February 21, launched "Cyber Swachhta Kendra" – a new desktop and mobile security solution for a secure cyber space in the country.

The new solution will notify, enable cleaning and secure systems of endusers to prevent further infections.

"India today joined the distinguished club of countries that have malware-cleaning systems for the use of its citizens. As of now, we have 13 banks and internet service providers using this facility. With the expanding digital footprint in the country, I see a surge in start-ups in the area of cyber security by the end of the year," said Union IT and Electronics Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad at the event.

"This centre will work in

coordination with the internet service providers (ISPs) and Industry. This Kendra will also enhance awareness among citizens regarding botnet and malware infection along with measures to be taken to secure their devices", Prasad added.

The minister also announced that the National Cyber Coordination Centre will be operational by June 2017. The government also announced it would set up CERT-Ins at the state level as well.

"The government will set up 10 more STQC (Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification) testing Facilities. Testing fee for any start-up that comes up with a digital technology in the quest of cyber security will be reduced by 50 per cent. We will also empower designated forensic labs to work as the certified authority to establish cyber crime," Prasad noted.

Part of the solution, USB

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Union IT and Electronics Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad

Pratirodh is a desktop security solution that controls the usage of removable storage media like pen drives, external hard drives and other USB-supported mass storage devices.

M-Kavach tool offers a comprehensive mobile device security solution for Android devices addressing threats related to mobile phones. AppSamvid is a desktop solution which protects systems by allowing installation of genuine applications through white listing.

This helps in preventing threats from malicious applications.

icrosoft on Wednesday, February 22, launched Skype Lite, an exclusive "Made for India" app to provide seamless experience in messaging, audio and video calling even at lower bandwidths.

"Packed in a 13MB file, the new app is available only for Android devices and is especially designed to save data," Satya Nadella, Indianborn CEO of Microsoft, told the media at the company's "Future Decoded" event. The lightweight app supports Indian languages including Gujarati, Bengali, Hindi, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu.

"Skype Lite" has data-friendly features such as "tracking data usage" which tells a user about how much data was used.

It also categorises the internet usage into two sections – the amount of

mobile data or Wifi used while using the app. With these new features, the app lets a user to share multimedia files without downloading them to the device. Microsoft also introduced a dark theme for the new app making it easy for users to work in the night without having much strain in the eyes.

"Skype Lite" is an all-in-one app and has functionalities such as integrated calling and SMS by which a user can make it the default calling and messaging app.

"Skype Lite" has an integrated camera app with it and added fun bots with a conversational interface that runs on Microsoft's AI technology. The bots, for example, can recognise a selfie and tell about a person's age and his/her character using the algorithms and artificial learning.

INDIA

www.iwk.co.nz | 24 February 2017

India, Bangladesh to strengthen border management

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ndia and Bangladesh have decided to implement the Coordinated Border Management Plan in “letter and spirit” to curb the menace of trans-border crime, including smuggling of arms, drugs, and fake currency.

In a joint press statement on Tuesday, February 21, Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) discussed various issues concerning border management during the 44th Border Conference being held in Dhaka.

BSF Director General K.K. Sharma and his Bangladesh counterpart Major General Abul Hossain jointly chaired the fiveday conference, which began on February 18.

Hossain expressed grave concern over border firing and alleged killing of Bangladeshi nationals.

He emphasised the need for bringing the death toll to zero through exercise of extreme caution by the BSF and sensitising Indian nationals, the release said.

The Indian side, however, said that though “non-lethal strategy” has proved extremely successful in reducing deaths on the international border, it has also resulted in an alarming increase in attacks by criminals on BSF personnel.

There was unanimity to secure the borders to prevent cross-border infiltration and human trafficking

Sharma said BSF personnel fire only in self-defence.

The BSF chief also sought BGB cooperation in stopping Bangladeshi nationals from crossing the International Border (IB).

“The BGB and the BSF will undertake increased coordinated patrols in areas vulnerable to cattle and drug smuggling, educating border population about the sanctity of IB and preventing criminals from crossing the IB,” it said.

Both sides also agreed to conduct joint spot verification and appraisal on major incidents or killings in bordering areas to reduce differences of opinion or understanding

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regarding any major incidents.

Sharma sought cooperation from the BGB to destroy hideouts of Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs) in Bangladesh and safe release of Indian nationals whenever abducted

by IIGs. In response, the BGB chief said there are no IIG hideouts in Bangladesh. He said Bangladesh does not allow her soil to be used by any entity or element hostile to any country. The BSF chief also urged Bangladesh to expedite verification of nationality for early repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals lodged in Indian jails and correction homes to ensure their early repatriation.

President Pranab Mukherjee

Allahabad High Court which is the largest in the country had less than 50 percent of its sanctioned posts of 180 judges filled.

"If this situation of the higher judiciary is so bad, one can imagine the conditions of the lower judiciary.

State and Union Governments should work hand in hand to address the shortage of basic infrastructure such as courtrooms and essential

facilities for judges," he said. Modi meanwhile said the law universities should have talent which takes into account fast-paced technological changes and works towards laws that can stand the test of time.

"Our law universities should have that kind of talent to look at all the issues at hand and then work," he said after releasing the book.

Modi said India need to bring about faster changes to have its voice heard in the changing global order as it has a golden opportunity to fill the vacuum due to latest changes in the global scenario.

"Our aim should not only to hold up in the changing global order but we should have our voice also. And it will happen when we will become powerful and our policies, rules, behaviour will be in accordance with the expectation of the world.

So we will have to bring about faster changes to overcome the challenges," Modi said

India may meet its energy needs from moon by 2030

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ndia may be able to meet all its energy requirements from resources on the moon by 2030, a scientist associated with the ISRO said on Saturday.

Sivathanu Pillai, a distinguished professor at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), said here that India’s all energy requirements can be met through Helium-3 mined from the moon.

“By 2030, this process target will be met,” Pillai said while delivering the valedictory address at the three-day ORF-Kalpana Chawla Space Policy Dialogue, organised by Observer Research Foundation.

Pillai, a former chief of BrahMos

NEWS in BRIEF India to link Kathmandu with Delhi, Kolkata by rail

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Indian judicial system needs major changes: President resident Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday, February 22, said Indian judicial system established decades ago require major changes.

Speaking after receiving the first copy of a book: "Judicial Reforms Recent Global Trends" from Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan after its formal release, Mukherjee pointed out that no reform is possible without adequate infrastructure.

"Our judicial system established decades ago require major changes.

Reform is a continuous process. It cannot be stop and go. Every system develops clogs. There is need for constant change," Mukherjee said.

"It is high time for everyone to not just think but also act on judicial reforms."

The President pointed out that no reform is possible without adequate infrastructure. He said in his entire period as the President, the

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Aerospace, said mining lunar dust, which is rich in Helium-3 is a priority programme for the ISRO. According to an ORF release, Pillai said other countries are also working on the project and there is enough helium on the moon, which can meet the energy requirements of the world.

“In a few decades, people will be going to the moon for honey-moon,” Pillai quipped.

Lt. Gen. P.M. Bali, Director General, Perspective Planning, Indian Army, said the launch of GSAT-7, India’s first dedicated military satellite, is a testimony to the country’s outlook towards using

the outer space for national security.

He noted that India possesses one of the largest constellations of communication and remote sensing satellites covering Asia Pacific.

Lt. Gen. Bali said although India continues with a civilian orientation to its space programme, the changing regional and global realities require it to also develop military assets in space and on ground as an emerging regional and global power.

He said there is a need for a dedicated military space programme with adequate resources at its disposal because of “the changing realities in our neighbourhood”.

ndia’s Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhu announced that it would soon link Kathmandu to New Delhi and Kolkata using direct railway lines, in a bid to strengthen cross-border connectivity and facilitate movement of people between the two countries.

Prabhu, who is here to address the Nepal Infrastructure Summit, said that this could happen as soon as Nepal signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for engineering surveys. He added that India was ready to share its drone technology and experience with Nepal for monitoring the project.

According to experts, this move a counter to China’s bid to expand its rail network towards Lumbini via Kathmandu.

Prabhu held separate meetings with Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari,Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Ramesh Lekhak, Civil Aviation, Culture and Tourism Minister Jiwan Bahadur Shahi and Energy Minister Janardan Sharma. He also met Nepalese business leaders, political leaders, industry heads, with whom discussed a wide range of infrastructure development issues.

There is a limit to sycophancy: Congress on Modi’s working hours remark

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eacting to BJP President Amit Shah’s remark that Prime Minister Narendra Modi works for 21 hours a day, Congress on Monday, February 20, said “there is a limit to sycophancy”.

“We have the right and duty to criticise the Prime Minister because we are in the opposition. Amit Shah is an acolyte of Naredra Modi and an ardent follower. I have no objection to that,” said senior Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma.

“The point is if he works for 21 hours a day, then it should have reflected in the government’s works in the past 34 months,” Sharma said.

“He also takes time to change his dress, to travel and to eat. If he is saying that the PM hasn’t slept for the past 34 months, then it is very difficult to understand. There is a limit to sycophancy. There is also a limit to assume that people are fools. This is just a joke,” he added.

On a question that BJP demanded President’s rule in Kerala following the molestation of an actress, Sharma said: “Then President’s rule should have been imposed multiple times in Gujarat for the atrocities against women, for the atrocities against Dalit, literally lynching of people.”

“This matter should not be trivialised for political agenda. Its a larger question, its a shocking and condemnable thing,” the spokesperson said.

“The Union and the state government have to ensure that the dignity of the women is upheld and their safety is ensured. Stringent and deterrent action must be taken against those who outrage the modesty or harass women in any manner,” he said.

Corporate philanthropy lesser known in India: Jaitley

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inance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday, February 21, said that conventionally corporate philanthropy was lesser known in India, but it has begun well as an institutionalised mechanism in the form of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

“Conventionally corporate philanthropy lesser known in India. But it has begun well as institutionalised mechanism,” Jaitley said here in his keynote address after felicitating the recipients of HCL Grant 2017.

Talking about the initial resistance when Finance Minister Arun Jaitley CSR was introduced in 2013, he said, “It was not free of doubt. There was some resistance. It was thought of as an additional tax.”

‘Project Sangam’ to skill, employ peo-ple in India: Nadella

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n a major push for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Skill India’ mission, Microsoft’s Indian-born CEO Satya Nadella on Wednesday, February 22, launched “Project Sangam” to help the government not only train but also assist peo-ple get jobs via professional networking website LinkedIn that was acquired by the company last year.

Aimed at employing and empowering the people, “Project Sangam” will commence from Andhra Pradesh.

“The company will allow people to enroll through Aadhaar cards and later utilise LinkedIn to manage their pro-files,” Nadella said during Microsoft’s prestigious “Future Decoded” event. As soon as the training is completed, Microsoft will update their profiles for employers to shortlist and hire the skilled workers. The candidates will also receive job options according to their skills. Billed as one of the largest such pacts in the global social media space, Microsoft acquired LinkedIn for $26.2 billion in an all-cash deal last year.

LinkedIn, which has more than 35 million of its over 430 million users in India, retained its distinct brand, culture and independence.

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INDIA ABROAD

24 February 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

Guterres extends Khare’s term as UN UnderSecretary General

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ecretary General Antonio Guterres has extended the term of Atul Khare, the highest ranking Indian civil servant at the UN, as the Under-Secretary General for Field Support till April 2018.

Khare plays a key role in tamping down the sexual abuse and exploitation scandal in UN peacekeeping operations.

"The Secretary General has decided that the mandate of senior officials working in the Peace and Security pillar should be maintained for another one year," his spokesperson Farhan Haq said.

This also related to Guterres setting up a team to review the working of the UN in order to carry out his promise of reforming the UN. "This important work will require both expertise and experience from principals and all staff members," Guterres said while announcing the review.

Khare will also serve on the UN's Senior Management Group, the high-level body chaired by the Secretary-General that deals with policy and planning matters across the UN. A medical doctor by training, Khare joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1984 and has since

NEWS in BRIEF A.R. Rahman to perform in UAE after 7 years

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scar winner A.R. Rahman will stage a live concert in UAE on March 17 after a gap of seven years.

Media house Mathrubhumi Group will host the evene at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

M.V. Shreyamskumar, Director - Marketing and Electronic Media of Mathrubhumi Group, said that A.R. Rahman they are excited about getting Rahman to perform, especially as he will take to the stage in UAE after so long.

"The show will be staged using the most modern electronic gadgets and would be technically superior," said Shreyamskumar, a former legislator in the Kerala Assembly.

Trump: Nikki Haley doing ‘awfully’ good job for us

China, which has dramatically served in several UN positions, many increased its participation in the relating to peacekeeping. peace-keeping operations in recent Appointed in 2015 by former years, had unsuccessfully lobbied Secretary-General as the head of the for that job, according to diplomatic Department of Field Services, Khare sources. It is expected to keep has the crucial role of overseeing the Under-Secretary-General for the agency that provides logistical, Economic and Social Affairs position administrative and human resources now held by Wu Hongbo. support to the UN peacekeeping and The term of Jeffrey Feltman, political missions around The the Under-Secretarythe world.

Secretary General for Political Amid the scandal General has Affairs, was also of sexual abuse and decided that the extended till April exploitation by UN mandate of senior 2018, Haq said. That peace-keepers, he slot is held by an officials working in the emerged as the point person for Peace and Security pillar American. should be maintained With a push for dealing with it by for another one a woman to succeed enforcing a zero Ban failing, Guterres year tolerance policy. promised to increase the Under-Secretarynumber of women at the UN, General for Peacekeeping especially in its top ranks. He has Operations Herve Ladsous, appointed Amina Mohammed under whose leadership the UN of Nigeria to the second highest peacekeeping suffered a blow to its post of Deputy Secretary General image and reputation because of the and Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti of sex scandals, is leaving the the world Brazil as his chef de cabinet or chief body when his term ends in March. of staff. Vijay Nambiar of India, Haq said that Jean-Pierre Lacroix who was Ban's Special Adviser on will succeed Ladsous. Both men are Myanmar and served on the Senior French and France has traditionally Management Group left the UN held the top peacekeeping spot under when Ban's term ended in December. the UN spoils system for Security Earlier, he was Ban's chef de cabinet.

Council permanent members.

Researchers find how six-legged robots can run faster

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ffecting a breakthrough in making insect-inspired robots run faster, Swiss researchers, led by an Indian-origin scientist, have found a new way by which six-legged insects increase their walking speed.

Six-legged insects run fastest using a three-legged, or "tripod" gait where they have three legs on the ground at all times – two on one side of their body and one on the other.

Researchers at University of Lausanne and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland revealed that there was a faster way for six-legged robots to locomote on flat ground, provided they don't have the adhesive pads used by insects to climb walls and ceilings.

In the findings, published in Nature Communications, the designers of insect-inspired robots broke away with the tripod-gait paradigm and consider "bipod" gait as other possibility of locomotor strategy.

"We wanted to determine why insects use a tripod gait and identify whether it is, indeed, the fastest way for six-legged animals and robots to walk," said Pavan Ramdya, colead and corresponding author of the study.

Researchers find how six-legged robots can run faster

The scientists carried out a host of computer simulations, tests on robots and experiments on Drosophila melanogaster – the most commonly studied insect in biology.

They found that the common insect tripod gait did emerge when they optimised their insect model to climb vertical surfaces with adhesion on the tips of its legs.

By contrast, simulations of groundwalking without the adhesiveness of insects' legs revealed that bipod gaits, where only two legs are on the ground at any given time, are faster and more efficient – although in nature no insects actually walk this way.

"Our findings support the idea that insects use a tripod gait to most effectively walk on surfaces in three dimensions and also because their legs have adhesive properties," said Ramdya.

The researchers then built a sixlegged robot capable of employing either the tripod or bipod gait and found that the bipod gait was faster, corroborating the simulation algorithms' results.

Finally, the experimenters examined flies and it was found that when their claws and adhesive pads were covered, the flies quickly began to use bipod-like leg coordination similar to the one found in robots.

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S President Donald Trump has praised Indian-American Nikki Haley, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, saying that she is doing an “awfully” good job.

Haley is the first Indian American to hold the Cabinet-level position and served as the 116th governor of South Carolina from January 2011 to Nikki Haley January 2017.

“I want to also thank your former governor, Nikki Haley, who is doing an awfully good job for us, “Trump said. She’s representing America very well as our ambassador to the United Nations. She is doing a spectacular job. It’s early, but she has just been really great,” he added.

Trump comments came as he was attending the unveiling of the new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, a new commercial aircraft designed to carry over 300 passengers and manufactured at the US company’s plant in South Carolina.

Flipkart to use Microsoft cloud to boost e-tail sales

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eading e-commerce major Flipkart on Monday tied-up with global software major Microsoft to use its Azure cloud platform to boost its e-tail sales.

The strategic partnership was announced by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadela on his maiden visit to this Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella tech hub after he took over the reins and Flipkart group CEO Binny Bansal during an event on startup of the world’s largest software firm in stalwarts of India about digital information, intelligent Cloud February 2014.

Flipkart co-founder and its group CEO Binny Bansal and Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani were also present on the occasion.

Indian violinist L. Subramaniam hopes for equality in Sri Lanka

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ndia’s violin icon L. Subramaniam says music can change a lot of things, and even offers his help to better the humanitarian crises in Sri Lanka, from where his family fled to escape the anti-Tamil riots in the 1950s.

“The diplomatic situation has improved but the real situation, what is happening there on the ground, is not what we are reading (in newspapers). People are still missing. Whatever has happened has happened, but there should be equality between human beings, respect for India’s violin icon L. one another,” he said.

Subramaniam “I hope there will be better understanding and anything I can do in that direction, I will help,” Subramaniam said on the sidelines of the Amaravati Global Music and Dance Festival where he collaborated with the Kazakh State Philharmonic Orchestra. He was also the Artistic Director of the gala.

Celebrated for his work with maestros Yehudi Menuhin, Stephane Grappelli, Ruggiero Ricci and Jean-Pierre Rampal, the Grammynominated artiste and Padma Bhushan awardee recalled his younger days when he trained in the violin in the Carnatic style under the tutelage of his father, V. Lakshminarayana, an accomplished musician.

His debut, as a performer, was at a festival in Jaffna, at the age of six.

Subramaniam, hailed as creator of the global fusion concept, became emotional as he narrated how music kept the family going in the aftermath of the ethnic cleansing turbulence in the island nation.

“My father was a visiting professor there. In 1956, the anti-Tamil pogrom started in Jaffna and riots broke out.

“We all escaped and came back to Madras (now Chennai) in 1958 and started life afresh. What kept us going was music. Father used to say there may not be food, no place, but music will keep us going. There was some kind of a divine guidance,” he observed.

WORLD

www.iwk.co.nz | 24 February 2017

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NEWS in BRIEF

Mass deportation not goal of

Sri Lankan Airlines named 'best in South Asia'

ass deportation is not the goal of the Trump administration, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has said after new memos on Tuesday, February 21, outlined a plan to detain and deport certain undocumented immigrants.

Spicer on Tuesday rejected that description of the pair of memos issued by Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly serve as guidance to immigration and border agents and officers on how to implement the immigration executive orders that President Donald Trump issued earlier. One of the memos says the immigration agency will “no longer exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement” with certain exceptions including children, the ABC News reported. It called former President Barack Obama’s prioritisation of deporting certain undocumented immigrants “failed” and said “department personnel may initiate enforcement actions against removable

China’s new supercomputer will be 10 times faster

immigration memos: White House S M aliens encountered during the performance of their duties”. The memos offer the clearest picture yet of how Trump plans to tackle the issue of undocumented immigration, including calling for enlistment of local law enforcement to help detain and remove unauthorised individuals, construction of the border wall and expansion of detention facilities.

One of the memos also directed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to hire 10,000 officers and agents and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to hire 5,000 additional border patrol agents and 500 air and marine agents and officers. Spicer said: “Those who are in this country and pose a threat to our public safety or have committed a crime will be the first to go and we will be aggressively making sure that happens. That is what the priority is.”

He said that by removing protocols prioritising certain immigrants for removal that were in place during the Obama administration, “the

President wanted to take the shackles off” law enforcement and immigration officials.

The memos state that “detention is the most efficient means to enforce the immigration laws at our borders” as opposed to the “catch-andrelease” policies in the past.

“Detention also prevents such aliens from committing crimes while at large in the US, ensures that aliens will appear for their removal proceedings, and substantially increases the likelihood that aliens lawfully ordered ‘removed’ will be removed,” the memo states.

That memo calls for the Director of ICE to “take all necessary action and allocate all available resources to expand their detention capabilities at or near the border with Mexico”.

The plans stated in the memos have raised concern among immigrants’ rights and civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union.

Obama ranked 12th best

US president by historians J ust weeks after leaving the White House, former President Barack Obama ranks as the 12th best US President overall in a new poll of historians conducted

by C-SPAN. It's the first time Obama was eligible for the Presidential Historians Survey, which asked 91 historians to rank all 43 former presidents across 10 categories, USA Today reported on Monday, February 20. The polll was conducted conducted

by C-SPAN ahead of President's Day. Those include "Pursued Equal Justice for All," in which Obama ranked 3rd, to "Relations with Congress," in which he ranked 39th. Abraham Lincoln retained his top spot for the third time in the poll, which debuted in 2000 and last took place in 2009. Other consistently high-ranking presidents include George Washington, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Theodore Roosevelt, all of whom made the top five overall in each survey. Also notable – George W. Bush bumped up three spots to 33rd since the poll's 2009 edition, while Bill Clinton stayed steady at 15th.

The biggest loser since the 2009 survey is Andrew Jackson, the populist president whose portrait adorns the wall of President Donald Trump's Oval Office. Jackson dropped five spots, from 13th to 18th. James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson and Franklin Pierce have taken the bottom three spots in each edition of the poll, C-SPAN noted, beneath even William Henry Harrison, who held office for only one month.

A team of advisers, including professors from Rice University and Howard University, guided all three of C-SPAN's surveys, approving criteria, assisting with participants and overseeing collection of the results.

It's the first time Obama was eligible for the Presidential Historians Survey, which asked 91 historians to rank all 43 former presidents across 10 categories.

Those include "Pursued Equal Justice for All," in which Obama ranked 3rd, to "Relations with Congress," in which he ranked 39th.

Abraham Lincoln retained his top spot for the third time in the poll, which debuted in 2000 and last took place in 2009. Other consistently highranking presidents include George Washington, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Theodore Roosevelt, all of whom made the top five overall in each survey. Also notable: George W. Bush bumped up three spots to 33rd since the poll's 2009 edition, while Bill Clinton stayed steady at 15th.

The biggest loser since the 2009 survey is Andrew Jackson, the populist president whose portrait adorns the wall of President Donald Trump's Oval Office. Jackson dropped five spots, from 13th to 18th. James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson and Franklin Pierce have taken the bottom three spots in each edition of the poll, C-SPAN noted, beneath even William Henry Harrison, who held office for only one month. A team of advisers, including professors from Rice University and Howard University, guided all three of C-SPAN's surveys, approving criteria, assisting with participants and overseeing collection of the results.

NASA telescope finds clues to dark matter at Andromeda galaxy

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ASA's Fermi gamma-ray space telescope has found a signal at the centre of the neighbouring Andromeda galaxy that could be coming from dark matter, an unknown substance that makes up most of the universe, according to a study.

The gamma-ray signal is similar to one seen by Fermi at the centre of our own Milky Way galaxy.

"Our galaxy is so similar to Andromeda, it really helps us to be able to study it, because we can learn more about our galaxy and its formation," said study co-author Regina Caputo, a research scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Centre in Greenbelt, Maryland.

Gamma rays are the highest-energy form of light, produced by the universe's most energetic phenomena.

They are common in galaxies like the Milky Way because cosmic rays, particles moving near the speed of light, produce gamma rays

Andromeda galaxy

when they interact with interstellar gas clouds and starlight.

Surprisingly, the latest Fermi data shows the gamma rays in Andromeda – also known as M31 – are confined to the galaxy's centre

instead of spread throughout, said the study to be published in an upcoming issue of The Astrophysical Journal.

To explain this unusual distribution, scientists are proposing the emission may come from several undetermined sources. One of them could be dark matter.

"We expect dark matter to accumulate in the innermost regions of the Milky Way and other galaxies, which is why finding such a compact signal is very exciting," said led scientist Pierrick Martin, an astrophysicist at the National Center for Scientific Research and the Research Institute in Astrophysics and Planetology in Toulouse, France.

"M31 will be a key to understanding what this means for both Andromeda and the Milky Way," Martin said.

Another possible source for this emission, according to the scientists, could be a rich concentration of pulsars in M31's centre.

ri Lankan Airlines, the island country's flag carrier, was named "the Best Airline in South Asia" by China's Top Travel magazine, the airline said.

Sri Lankan Airlines was recently crowned the World's Leading Airline Operating to the Indian Ocean Region at the prestigious World Travel Awards and Best Full Service Airline in Central and South Asia for the second consecutive year at the Future Travel Experience Asia Awards.

The airline was also last year named the Most Innovative Marketing Airline in China

by Life Weekly magazine, Xinhua news agency reported. Sri Lankan Airlines Country Manager in China Ravindran Veeraperumal said: "This is a great acknowledgement and encouragement for our efforts to promote travel on Sri Lankan. We strive to maintain our highest standard and delight our customers."

China is Sri Lanka's second largest tourism market after India.

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hina has started to build a newgeneration supercomputer that is expected to be 10 times faster than the current world champion, a media report said.

This year, China is aiming for breakthroughs in high-performance processors and other key technologies to build the world’s first prototype exascale supercomputer, the Tianhe-3, said Meng Xiangfei, the director of application at the National Super Computer Tianjin Centre.

The prototype is expected to be completed by 2018, the China Daily reported.

“Exascale” means it will be capable of making a quintillion (1 followed by 18 zeros) calculations per second. That is at least 10 times faster than the world’s current speed champ, the Sunway TaihuLight, China’s first supercomputer to use domestically designed processors. That computer has a peak speed of 125 quadrillion (1 followed by 15 zeros) calculations per second, he said.

“Its computing power is on the next level, cementing China as the world leader in supercomputer hardware,” Meng said.

It would be available for public use and “help us tackle some of the world’s toughest scientific challenges with greater speed, precision and scope”, he added.

Tianhe-3 will be made entirely in China, from processors to operating system. It will be stationed in Tianjin and fully operational by 2020, earlier than the US plan for its exascale supercomputer, he said.

Tianhe-1, China’s first quadrillion-level supercomputer developed in 2009, is now working at full capacity, undertaking more than 1,400 assignments each day, solving problems “from stars to cells”. Tianhe-3 also could simulate earthquakes and epidemic outbreaks in more detail, allowing swifter and more effective government responses, Meng said.

SpaceX set to fly first cargo from historic Apollo launch pad

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paceX is set to fly its first resupply mission to the space station from the historic launch pad which was built for the Apollo/Saturn V missions that carried astronauts to the moon. The liftoff is scheduled for 10.01 a.m. EST (8.31 pm on Saturday India time) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

“Looks like we are go for launch,” SpaceX CEO Elon Musk tweeted.

A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft will carry about 2,500 kgs of experiments and supplies as part of the mission. The gear is packed into a SpaceX Dragon capsule that will fly into orbit aboard the company’s Falcon 9 rocket.

Launch Complex 39A - originally built for the Apollo/Saturn V missions -- was modified for space shuttle launches. SpaceX modified it again for rockets such as the Falcon 9.

It will take two days for the Dragon to catch up to the space station and move within reach of the station’s 57-foot-long robotic arm, NASA said.

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SPORTS

24 February 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

Another cliffhanger:

New Zealand vs South Africa F The Blackcaps got their own back on South Africa, prevailing in another final over thriller to level the ANZ ODI series 1-1.

In front of a full house at Hagley Oval, Ross Taylor scored a New Zealand record 17th ODI hundred and with help from Jimmy Neesham (71* off 57) the Blackcaps posted a solid 290 run target.

As they did in Hamilton, South Africa seemed to be tracking nicely in the chase before a mid innings collapse turned the game on its head.

This time the bowlers closed it out despite some late Protea hitting, with Trent Boult finishing with three wickets to help the Blackcaps to a six run victory.

Hagley hangout With the number one side in the world in town and 25 degree heat, Hagley Oval was the place to be on Wednesday in Christchurch. A sold out crowd of 7,541 packed into the venue to enjoy the second ODI, and once again they were treated to a scintillating spectacle – and this time with the right result to compliment it.

A familiar duo Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor have long been recognised as New Zealand’s premier pair of batsmen and they were true to from once again on Wednesday. The skipper and star number four came together at 53-2 and added 104 runs for the third wicket at a run-a-ball to lay a sound platform. There’s been a

focus on the Blackcaps top order bringing the goods – not surprisingly, they were the two to do it. 103.00 Batting average 64.00 An errant sweep from Williamson broke the major partnership, with South Africa then capitalising with the early capture of Neil Broom for two. At 166-4 and under pressure, the Blackcaps were in need of another significant partnership.

Neesham nails it Coach Mike Hesson said at the start of the series that Jimmy Neesham deserved a crack at six and the powerful all-rounder has already validated his promotion. Neesham played partner to Taylor for the final 17.2 overs of the Blackcaps innings, finishing with an unbeaten 71 off 57 balls himself and combining with Taylor for a record fifth wicket partnership against South Africa of 123 runs.

Taylor the Great Ross Taylor now stands alone as the New Zealand batsman with the most ODI centuries (ever). The 32-year-old was unflappable enroute to century number 17, overtaking Nathan Astle’s record. While the calibre of each century is difficult to quantify, the value in this one must be as immense as any.

Taylor’s approach oozed calmness and composure and and climaxed off the final ball of the innings when he slapped the ball to the boundary and celebrated in front of an elated Hagley Oval. Whats more, the record breaking century came against the

number one side in the world – class.

Below is an interactive wagon wheel - select any player to see where they scored their runs and even identify which bowlers they targeted! While 289 these days is almost considered under-par, on this slightly stick wicket it would prove enough … just.

Déjà vu South Africa made a very similar start to their innings as the Blackcaps.

While they found the fence, they could’t find the singles and found themselves limping out of the opening power play at 52-2, with Tim Southee trapping the dangerous Hashim Amla (10) in front LBW and Colin de Grandhomme clean bowling Faf du Plessis (11).

With Quinton de Kock (57) and JP Duminy (34) at the crease the Proteas were in control at 108-2 in the 22nd over. On a flattening pitch and against a quality batting line-up it was imperative that the Blackcaps bowlers stuck to their task; and they did that in spades.

Williamson worked his bowlers expertly as the spin and pace combo slowly chipped out the South Africans. Santner and Sodhi picking up a couple of key wickets to get things going.

Boulty backs it up Selling for one million dollars in the IPL action on Monday was always going to heap the pressure onto Trent Boult. The champion

left armer stood up when it counted at Hagley Oval, claiming the big wickets of de Kock, AB de Villiers (45) and Dwaine Pretorious for 50. Cometh the hour - cometh the man! Class!

Nail biting finish After a period of 4-22, including the big wicket of the master chaser de Villiers, South Africa should have been done and dusted at 218-8. But they’re the best side in the world for a reason and Pretorius put the large Christchurch crowd on notice with some punchy rearguard action. His rapid 50 off 26 balls got the visitors into a winning position needing 20 off the last two overs… they needed 22 in Hamilton.

will compete hard with India: Lyon Afridi announces international retirement Australia in his bowling after watching footages of the ubbishing veteran India off-spinner

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O

ne of the most flamboyant and controversial cricketers of his generation, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has finally called time on his international career.

The decision, announced after the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final on Sunday night, put an end to an illustrious and colour 21-year career. The 36-year-old however, will continue to play in the PSL for the next two years.

“I have said goodbye to international cricket,” Afridi was quoted as saying by Cricinfo.

“I am playing for my fans and will continue to play this league for another two years but it’s goodbye from international cricket,” he added.

“Now my foundation is important for me. I have played with seriousness and in a professional way for my country.”

Known for his slam bang style of batting, Afridi produced a typically whirlwind stint of 54 runs off just 28 balls that almost earned a victory for Peshawar Zalmi against Karachi Kings. Afridi burst onto the international scene in October 1996 with a 37-ball century against Sri Lanka in only his second One-Day International (ODI) match.

The veteran all-rounder had retired from Test cricket and ODIs earlier. He had announced

Shahid Afridi

and revoked his retirement from Test cricket in 2006 before walking away from the longest format of the game for good in 2010. He retired from ODIs after the 2015 World Cup. Afridi’s international career includes 27 Test matches which yielded 1,176 runs with a highest score of 156 and 48 wickets. He also scored 8,064 runs in 398 ODIs with a highest score of 124 while taking 395 wickets with his leg-spin.

He has also featured in 98 Twenty20 International matches, scoring 1,405 runs and claiming 97 wickets.

Harbhajan Singh's claims of a 4-0 whitewash in favour of the hosts in the four-Test cricket rubber, started on Thursday, February 26, Australia tweaker Nathan Lyon said the visitors have a strong squad and are confident of a good fight.

Harbhajan had earlier predicted a 4-0 clean sweep of the Kangaroos and termed the current Aussie outfit as one of the weakest to visit India.

"Everyone has his opinion. Good luck to him. We are not worried about what everyone believes and thinks about this team. We have got a really strong squad with unbelievable talent in the room out there. We have got good leaders with David Warner as vice-captain and Steve Smith as captain. There are some very young talents," Lyon saidW. "We are confident in our change room. We'll come out and compete hard with India. We know it's going to be hard work, we know it's going to be a challenge. India are the No. 1 side for a reason. We're playing in their backyard.

We don't expect our big fast bowlers to come out and get them five down (on the first day). It's a big challenge for us. We are looking forward to it," he added.

Hailing his Indian counterpart Ravichandran Ashwin as a "world-class" spinner, Lyon revealed that he had worked on a few things

Chennai tweaker.

"I have watched a lot of Ashwin. He is a world class bowler and I can learn a lot from him. I'm not going to tell you what I have been working on. I definitely changed my approach to the subcontinent conditions as compared to four years ago," said Lyon, who has 228 wickets from 63 Tests.

"I have been watching a lot of footage of Ashwin, the way he goes about it, his different release points. He is a world-class spinner, the best at the moment in the world, there is a reason for it.

Been studying him a lot, hopefully I can put that in play," he added.

Currently the leader of Australia's spin attack, Lyon said he is using the opportunity to help out the young spinners in the side.

BCCI congratulates women's team for World Cup qualifier final win

T

he Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday, February 21, congratulated the women's team for for pulling off a last-ball thriller against South Africa in the final of the World Cup qualifier at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo.

Chasing a decent 245, captain Harmanpreet Kaur struck a run-aball 41 to steer the team over the line

by one wicket on the final ball of the match after opener Mona Meshram (59) and Deepti Sharma (71) set the tone with a 124-run second wicket stand. It was also India's highest successful run chase in One-day Internationals (ODI).

"The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) would like to congratulate the women's cricket team for winning the ICC World

Cup Qualifier 2017, in Sri Lanka," the BCCI said. "Having already secured their ICC Women's World Cup berth courtesy a dominant run in the tournament, India finished on a high, staying unbeaten in the event. It was an all-round show from India as Deepti Sharma topped the run charts while Ekta Bisht finished as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament," the statement added.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India congratulated the women’s team for for pulling off a last-ball thriller against South Africa in the final of the World Cup qualifier

Inviting nominations for Kiwi Indian Honours 2017 K IW

I I NDI A

The guidelines, which need to be adhered to, for nominations, are as follows: 1.

He/she needs to have an undisputable recognition in his or her field of work.

2. Nominated by a nominator of repute. Further, the nominator has to be in confirmation with the nominee.

3. The nominator has to provide their full contact details. No anonymous applications will be accepted.

4. All fields of work are welcome (e.g. politics, business, sports, art, culture, or any other profession.

5. The definition of Kiwi Indian, for the purposes of this award, is defined as follows: any person of Indian origin, from any part of the world, who has settled here in New Zealand. To be of Indian origin, at least one of the parents of the nominee have to be Indian, by blood, thereby making the nominee of Indian lineage.

6. The nominee must have either a Permanent Residency (PR), or Citizenship of New Zealand to be eligible for consideration.

7. The nominee should have no prior convictions.

8. For minors, under the age of 18, parental consent will be required.

9. The successful candidate, will be required to attend the ceremony in person. In case a person is not able to attend, due to any unforeseen circumstances, the jury will use its discretion.

10. The jury’s decision will be final and binding; and cannot be challenged.

N

Established 2013

The Kiwi Indian Honours recognise those individuals who have built a road to glory for themselves and left a path for the coming generations to tread on; who have touched the lives of thousands and enriched the society with their being; who have brought fame and respect to New Zealand and the Kiwi-Indian community.

The Indian Weekender invites nominations for such personalities from the community for getting inducted into the Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame 2017.

We also invite nominations for Kiwi Indian Young Achiever of the Year and Kiwi Indian Unsung Hero of the Year 2017.

Nominate Online: visit www.iwk.nz or www.halloffame.co.nz to nominate Post your nominations: Fill this form and post it to use at the address given below.

ENTRY FORM: Form for nominating candidates for Kiwi Indian Honours 2017

Nominator Details

Nominee Details

Name of the nominator

Name of the nominee

|

Please fill and post it to the address below

About the Nominee For how long have you known the nominee?

Professional details of the nominator

Age of nominee

Sex

Address & Contact number of nominator

Category

Why do you think the nominee qualifies for the honour?

Please state your reasons for nominating the above person. You may mention the achievements of the nominee in his/her profession.

M

F

Address & Contact number of nominee

How according to you has the Nominee brought fame and respect to the Kiwi-Indian community?

Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame Kiwi Indian Young Achiever of the year (16 to 35 years only) Kiwi Indian Unsung Hero of the year

Declaration by Nominator I have received confirmation from the nominee for this application.

Yes

No

Nominee has accepted to appear in person for the ceremony, if he/she gets chosen for the nominated category for Kiwi Indian Honours 2017.

Yes

No

I hereby declare that the above information is true to the best of my knowledge. I also allow Indian Weekender and the Jury to use the information provided for background checks and to contact either me or the nominee for the purpose of getting any more information.

Signed:

Date:

What to do next?

Please take a print out of this form, sign and send to us at: Jury Panel, Kiwi Indian Honours 2017 Level1,133A Onehunga Mall, Auckland 1061

(Add extra pages to this form if required.)

For details contact Indian Weekender on 09-6366306 or go to: www.indianweekender.co.nz

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FUNZONE

24

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24 February 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

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11. SCTFRAEO 12. SNWO 13. LAIH 14. ERRSSPUE 15. RINA 16. USN 17. EFRZEE 18. DORNOAT 19. GFO 20. UMPTETREAER

Find the hidden difference between two pictures

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Solar power generates electricity Puzzle solution: from what source?

Puzzle solution: Puzzle solution: Did the Apple iPhone first become Play sudoku online at: Play sudoku online at: Play sudoku online at: available in 2005, 2006 or 2007?

Sudoku puzzle No. 3774 2017-02-11 Sudoku puzzle No. 3770 2017-02-07Sudoku puzzle No. 3772 2017-02-09 In terms of computing, what does www.sudokukingdom.com 8 1 3 9 6 4 2 5 7 CPU stand for?

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7 6 1 8 4 3 5 2 9 1 9 4 6 2 8 7 3 5 1 9 6 4 2 8 3 5 7 Puzzle solution: Is the wavelength of infrared light 4 6 1 2 8 9 3 5 7 7 4 3 Puzzle 1 9 solution: 5 8 2 6 9 5 2 Puzzle 7 1 solution: 6 4 3 8 too long or short to be seen by 3 8 5 1 4 7 2 9 6 6 1 9 8 4 2 5 7 3 1 7 4 3 5 8 9 6 2 humans?

7 2 9 5 6 3 8 4 1 2 8 5 6 3 7 1 4 9 6 3 8 4 9 2 1 7 5 Sudoku puzzle No. 3769 2017-02-06Sudoku puzzle No. 3773 2017-02-10 Sudoku puzzle No. 3771 2017-02-08 Firefox, Opera, Chrome, Safari and Explorer are types of what?

2 6 8 7 4 1 5 9 3 9 2 5 7 6 3 4 1 8 4 5 1 3 7 8 2 9 6 True or false? Gold is not a good 6 8 3 4 1 9 7 5 2 5 9 3 6 2 8 7 1 4 7 2 9 6 4 1 5 3 8 conductor of electricity?

1 4 7 2 8 5 3 9 6 7 1 4 3 9 5 2 6 8 3 8 6 9 2 5 7 4 1 The technologically advanced 2 5 9 8 4 1 6 7 3 6 7 1 9 3 4 8 5 2 5 7 3 2 9 6 8 1 4 humanoid robot ASIMO is made 8 3 6 5 2 7 1 4 9 8 2 5 1 6 7 4 3 9 9 1 4 8 5 3 6 7 2 by which car company?

4 7 1 3 9 6 8 2 5 3 4 9 5 8 2 1 7 6 2 6 8 4 1 7 3 5 9 True or false? Atomic bombs work 7 6 2 9 3 4 5 8 1 1 8 6 2 5 9 3 4 7 6 3 7 1 8 4 9 2 5 by atomic fission.

5 1 8 6 7 2 9 3 4 9 5 2 4 7 3 6 8 1 1 9 5 7 6 2 4 8 3 In terms of computing, what does 3 9 4 1 5 8 2 6 7 4 3 7 8 1 6 9 2 5 8 4 2 5 3 9 1 6 7 ROM stand for?

Did the original Sony Playstation 11. SKELETON 1. MIGRATION use CDs or cartridges to play 12. METAMORPHOSIS 2. ENVIRONMENT games?

13. ECLIPSE 3. MICROSCOPE What is the Earth’s primary source 14. PHOTOSYNTHESIS 4. TEMPERATURE of energy?

15. ASTEROID 5. ELEPHANT IBM is a well known computer and 16. ELECTRONICS 6.

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18. PRESSURE 8.

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20. EVOLUTION 10.

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True or false? In computing, 1. Hydrogen 1. True keyboards are used as input devices.

2. Hydrogen and oxygen What does the abbreviation WWW 2. A nucleus 3. Tsunami 3.

True stand for?

4. False - Pacific Ocean Nano, Shuffle, Classic and Touch |4. Nitrogen (around 78%) are variations of what?

5. Ice 5. False True or false? DNA is an 6. Chemistry 6. A few days abbreviation for ‘Deoxyribonucleic 7. True 7.

Au acid’.

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8. Potassium Page 2/2 9. Electrons 10. Mercury 11. True 12. Nuclear fission 13. Water 14. Argon (around 1%) 15. Reactants 16. False 17. Base 18. Isotopes 19. TruePage 2/2 20. Carbon

8. Clouds 9. False 10. More - Around 70% Page 2/2 11. True 12. Expand 13. 0 °C (32 °F) 14. False 15. H20 16. Mariana Trench Page 2/2 17. True Page 2/2 18. 7 19. The Nile River 20. False - It floats

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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

FEATURES

www.iwk.co.nz | 24 February 2017

25

Maha Shivarathri: The great night of Lord Shiva ¡¡ DEVIKA RANI

I

n Sanskrit, the word Shiva means perfect, benevolent, kind, and auspicious. Lord Shiva is always blissful and auspicious due to self-perfection and non-dependence on anything external.

The Shiva Purana extols the meaning, significance, and profoundness of the Panchakshara Mantra Om Namah Shivaya.

The Panchakshara or five syllables are the centre of the four vedas. They also represent the five elements air, water, fire, earth, and space.

Om is a sacred sound and symbol that is uttered at the beginning of mantras and refers to the Absolute. The actual meaning of the Panchakshara Mantra is Namah (not mine) Shivaya (belongs to Shiva).

This mantra instils humility as everything belongs to Shiva and nothing is mine. This powerful and great yet simple mantra is easy to chant and bestows enormous benefits to the devotees.

Lord Shiva, known as the auspicious one, is a revered Hindu God. The ardent devotees of Lord Shiva will celebrate Maha Shivarathri on 24 February this year.

This is the most significant day for worshipping Lord Shiva, who is also known as Shankar, Mahadev, Bholenath, Mahesh, Nataraj, Pashupathi, Umapathi and several other names. The 1008 names known as the Shiva Sahasranamam are invoked to elevate the worshipper.

Legend has it that when Goddess Parvathi asked Lord Shiva which puja offered by the devotees pleases him the most, he replied that it was the one offered on the14th night of new moon in the month of Phalgun.

This day starts with a ritual bath or Ganga snan and is celebrated as Maha Shivarathri.

¡¡ Milk for devoutness ¡¡ Yoghurt for affluence ¡¡ Honey for sweet speech ¡¡ Ghee for success ¡¡ Sugar for happiness ¡¡ Water for purity Devotees also follow a rigorous fast for the whole day and hold an all-night vigil.

Devotees believe that the vrat (fast) is auspicious and equal to the Ashwamedha Yagna.

The Shiva Purana says that puja to Lord Shiva must include Abhishek or the ceremonial bath for the–a traditional symbol for Lord Shiva. The use of the six materials or dravyas for Abhishek while chanting Chamakam and Rudram, gives a distinct blessing. The six dravyas are:

February 24 to March 2 | By Manisha Koushik ¡¡ Aries (Mar 21-Apr 20)

¡¡ Cancer (Jun 22-Jul 20)

The sacred Bilva or bhel leaves are dear to Lord Shiva. The trifoliate leaves are believed to be a symbol for the Trimurthis or for the three eyes of Lord Shiva.

Om is a sacred sound and symbol that is uttered at the beginning of mantras and refers to the Absolute. The actual meaning of the Panchakshara Mantra is Namah (not mine) Shivaya (belongs to Shiva)

Married women worship Lord Shiva for the well-being of their husbands while young girls pray for an ideal husband like Lord Shiva.

Devotees who fast all day long break the fast on the next morning after a night vigil and have the prasad offered to Lord Shiva.

Some devotees go on a pilgrimage to some or all the 12 auspicious Jyotirlinga temples.

In the Shiva Purana, the Jyotirlinga is described as the supreme infinite Shiva who appeared as a fiery column of light representing the infinite manifestation of Lord Shiva who has no beginning or end.

The 12 Jyotirlinga temples mentioned in the Shiva Purana are: ¡¡ Somnatheshwar in Prabhas Patan ¡¡ Mallikarjuna in Srisailam ¡¡ Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain ¡¡ Omkareshwar in Shivpuri ¡¡ Kedarnath in Uttarakhand ¡¡ Bhimashankar in Dakini ¡¡ Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi ¡¡ Trimbakeshwar at Nashik ¡¡ Vaidyanath in Parali ¡¡ Nageshwar in Aundha ¡¡ Rameshwar in Rameshwaram ¡¡ Grishneshwar in Devasrovar Lord Shiva is the embodiment of purity and righteousness.

He is portrayed as Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram (truth, goodness, beauty). Maha Shivarathri is a significant day to Shaivites (devotees of Lord Shiva) who invoke and receive his blessings and his divine consort, Goddess Parvathi.

It is believed that pleasing Lord Shiva on the auspicious Maha Shivarathri day will remove the sins of the past and take devotees towards spiritual progress and liberation or moksha.

With Best compliments from E-Puja.co.nz

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: +919015607139 • www.askmanisha.com

¡¡ Libra (Sep 24-Oct 23)

¡¡ Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 21)

You may need to keep an alternate option ready for something you have committed to. Be pragmatic and cut your losses if you feel certain financial arrangements are not working out. Taking too long to make up your mind may be detrimental as you could miss out on some opportunities. There is every possibility of things going your way on the social front.

Getting nominated for something prestigious cannot be ruled out. An ancestral house is likely to come in your name through inheritance.

A balanced approach regarding a manpower management problem will help you sort out the matter.

Steps that you take on the health front will certainly lead to perfect fitness. Your foresight and clarity about goals will help you steer the company in the right direction. Propose a fun outing or a romantic getaway to your lover. Being in the company of optimistic people will give you new insights. Some of you may be drawn to seek spiritual guidance.

Your initiative may get you the expected benefit. You are likely to enjoy a special status at work, where others look up to you. Some positive developments on the matrimonial front may be expected by the eligible.

Excellent performance on the academic front is likely to open many avenues for you. Politicians may have to restructure some agendas or strategies. Insecurity could prevent you from trying something unfamiliar.

Let an expert take you under his wing.

Venture out of your comfort zone and try new innovative strategies on the work front. Doubts that have cropped up regarding an issue will need to be cleared at the earliest. Deliberate well before giving your views and opinions regarding an issue at work.

Dipping sales of some retailers may require a change in strategy. Personal relationships require your time and concern to streamline things. Homemakers can feel frustrated if change of scene doesn’t happen fast!

Lucky number: 22 / Lucky colour: Navy blue

Lucky number: 9 / Lucky colour: Saffron

Lucky number: 6 / Lucky colour: Maroon

¡¡ Leo (Jul 21-Aug 22)

¡¡ Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)

Lucky number: 8 / Lucky colour: Forest green

¡¡Taurus (Apr 21-May 20) Networking for business will lead to new opportunities.

There are people who are willing to help you out, but you have to make up your mind first. Those looking for suitable employment can land a dream job.

Homemakers can remain dissatisfied with the quality of renovation work despite spending time and money on it. Expect the family to support your ideas. You are likely to have your cake and eat it too on the financial front.

Lucky number: 7 / Lucky colour: Golden

¡¡ Gemini (May 21-Jun 21)

You may need to display your authority at work to get people in line. There is strength in numbers, so garner the support of others before raising an issue at work.

Work will progress smoothly. Office is likely to become a fun place, as someone you like warms up to your romantic overtures! Becoming a couch potato can have dire repercussions for some on the health front.

A sympathetic ear to spouse will help in venting his or her pent up feelings.

Your head for figures and analytical mind is likely to attract wealth. Be confident while taking important decisions on the professional front. Don’t let anything affect business matters negatively. Those travelling on a long journey must make all preparation before starting off. Speculation may not bring in the kind of returns you have been expecting. A fellow colleague may help clear some misunderstandings to relax you mentally. Marriage is on the anvil for some.

Lucky number: 18 / Lucky colour: Light yellow

Lucky number: 2 / Lucky colour: Pink

¡¡ Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 23)

¡¡ Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)

Some of you stand a good chance for campus recruitment by top multinational companies.

Nomination for an award or honor is likely to materialize for some. An apprehension regarding a financial issue will be laid to rest. Visit to friends or relatives will prove enjoyable. A colleague’s major success or achievement will be a reason for celebration. A seemingly perfect matrimonial match may need a relook. Health of a dear one may require your time and effort.

Pending projects will be completed with the support from colleagues. Businessmen may be busy travelling while developing their network and contacts.

Depressing thoughts vanish as a special friend or relative arrives to lift up your spirits. You can avoid confusion in family matters provided you are willing to listen to everyone. Attending a family do with lover in tow is not advisable as of now. Some tiff with a neighbor cannot be ruled out for some. Yoga could be a good stress-buster.

Money will be no problem as earning stabilizes. A promise kept is likely to bring someone close to you.

Those jilted in love will need to make a fresh beginning to regain lost ground! Expect an excellent property bargain. You may have to juggle your schedule to accommodate some social obligations. Do not probe too deeply in the personal issues of the younger ones. Legal issues require your attention now. Fitness classes alone will not be of much use, so focus on dietary control too.

Lucky number: 1 / Lucky colour: Dark grey

Lucky number: 15 / Lucky colour: Dark green

Lucky number: 12 / Lucky colour: Lemon

¡¡ Aquarius (Jan 22-Feb 19) Discussions could turn into time consuming affairs but you will come up with some interesting perspectives.

Your suggestions regarding important financial decisions will be well taken. Some of you can undergo difficulties in finding a good match for an eligible family member. Those learning to drive or swim will succeed in their endeavours. A gathering of friends is likely to prove most enjoyable. Your interest in spirituality could deepen. You enjoy excellent health.

Lucky number: 5 / Lucky colour: Parrot green

¡¡ Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20) It is only a matter of time before you surmount the odds to get a stalled job back on the tracks. Chances of catching the eye of the one you admire seem most likely. You may feel stressed this week while taking decisions regarding your family’s security. Your worth at the workplace will be slowly revealed to those who matter as you begin to produce excellent results. Light workout and walks will fine tone your body. A leisure trip is in the offing.

Lucky number: 6 / Lucky colour: Lavender

26

FEATURES

Moong Dal Halwa A luscious, creamy pudding made with lentils

I

t would be fair to say that split yellow gram (moong dal) is the most unique of all the lentils used in Indian cuisine.

Thanks to its versatility (it can defy the sweet-savoury spectrum), moong dal can spark innovation in the kitchen.

Usually made into savoury dals or combined with rice to make khichdi, here it becomes a buttery, sweet concoction known as moong dal halwa.

Features Preparation Time 60 minutes

(Plus soaking time: 6 hours to overnight) Cooking Time 60 minutes Serves / Makes 8 Tastes: (on icon of spice meter) (Mild/Medium/Spicy/Hot) Mild

24 February 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

Ingredients

»» 1 cup split yellow gram lentils (moong dal) »» 1 cup caster sugar (or any other sugar) »» 1 ½ cup clarified butter (ghee) »» 2 cups full fat milk »» 4 green cardamom pods, crushed (hari elaichi) »» ¼ tsp. saffron »» 1 tbsp. warmed milk pistachios or dried fruit, to garnish

Method

W

ash the lentils thoroughly and soak them in plenty of water for at least six hours or overnight Drain the excess water and grind the lentils into a coarse paste using a food processor. Add a little water if necessary.

Steep the saffron in 1 tbsp. of warm milk and keep aside In a pan, mix the sugar with milk and bring to the boil (no more than once). Add ground

cardamom and remove from heat, keep aside.

Heat clarified butter in a heavybottomed non-stick pan on a medium flame.

Add the lentil paste and stir the mixture continuously until it becomes golden-brown in colour and the fat has separated (this can take 40–45 minutes).

Add milk and sugar mixture to the lentils and cook while stirring continuously until all the moisture has been absorbed and the fat separates.

A d d the saffron milk and mix well.

Simmer until the milk has been absorbed and once again, the fat has been separated.

Garnish with pistachios or any dried fruits of your preference and serve warm.

Ruby’s Tip Adjust sweetness by adding more or less sugar to suit your taste. Halwa can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to three days.

30-min walk boosts positivity Chewing gum may adversely affect digestive system in advanced cancer patients C

F

or patients in the advanced stages of cancer, walking for at least 30 minutes thrice a week may boost a positive attitude towards their illness and improve their quality of life, new research claims Despite growing evidence of significant health benefits of exercise to cancer patients, physical activity commonly declines considerably during treatment and remains low afterwards.

“Walking is a free and accessible form of physical activity, and patients reported that it made a real difference to their quality of life,” said lead researcher Jo Armes, a senior lecturer at London’s King’s College.

The study is a first step towards exploring how walking can help people living with advanced stages of cancer.

The findings in the programme of group walk for c a n c e r patients showed marked improvement both physically, emotionally and psychologically “The study shows that exercise is valued by, suitable for, and beneficial to people with advanced cancer,” said Emma Ream Professor at the University of Surrey in Britain.

Many participants noted that walking provided an improved positive attitude towards their illness and spoke of the social benefits of participating in group walks It also increased their motivation to reduce weight by altering diet, the researchers said, in the paper published in the journal BMJ Open.

For the study, the team included 42 cancer patients with advanced breast, prostate, gynaecological or haematological cancers.

They measured patient outcome after assessing quality of life, activity, fatigue, mood and self-efficacy that were completed at baseline of six, 12 and 24 weeks.

hronic exposure to a common food additive found in everything from chewing gum to bread can decrease the ability of small intestine cells to absorb nutrients and act as a barrier to pathogens, warns a study.

Ingestion of the compound, known as titanium dioxide, is nearly unavoidable. It can enter the digestive system through toothpastes, as titanium dioxide is used to create abrasion needed for cleaning. The oxide is also used in some chocolates to give it a smooth texture.

“Titanium oxide is a common food additive and people have been eating a lot of it for a long time—don’t worry, it won’t kill you—but we were interested in some of the subtle effects, and we think people should know about them,” said one of the authors of the study, Gretchen Mahler, Assistant Professor at Binghamton University, State University of New York.

For the study, the researchers exposed a small intestinal cell culture model to the physiological equivalent of a meal’s worth of titanium oxide nanoparticles—30 nanometers across—over four hours (acute exposure), or three meal’s worth over five days.

Acute exposures did not have much effect, but chronic exposure diminished the absorptive projections on the surface of intestinal cells called microvilli, showed the findings published in the journal NanoImpact.

With fewer microvilli, the intestinal barrier was weakened, metabolism slowed and some nutrients—iron, zinc, and fatty acids, specifically—were more difficult to absorb.

Enzyme functions were negatively affected, while inflammation signals increased, the study said.

“To avoid foods rich in titanium oxide nanoparticles you should avoid processed foods, and especially candy. That is where you see a lot of nanoparticles,” Mahler said.

Heavy drinking may cause arterial stiffness in men

M

en with heavy alcohol intake over the years may be at higher risk of developing arterial stiffness, premature ageing of arteries, increasing their risk for heart disease, says a study.

The findings showed that drinking too much can affect the elasticity of the arterial walls, causing arterial stiffness,and prematurely age the arteries, interfering with blood flow.

It has been suggested alcohol intake may increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, the good cholesterol, or decrease platelet stickiness.

"Conversely, heavier alcohol intake may activate certain enzymes that would lead to collagen accumulation, which could, in turn, exacerbate the rate of arterial stiffening," said

Darragh O'Neil. Former male drinkers were also at risk as compared to moderate drinkers who were in early old age. However, this was not observed in women. For the study, published in Journal of the American Heart Association, the team looked at alcohol drinking habits of 3,869 participants, of whom 73 per cent were males aged between 30 and 50.

Researchers compared data about participants' alcohol consumption with carotid-femoral pulse wave artery velocity (PWV) measurements, or pulse waves between the main arteries found in the neck and thigh.

The greater the velocity, the stiffer the artery. Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk for alcohol dependency, cardiovascular risk factors including high blood pressure and obesity, stroke, certain types of cancer, suicide and accidents, the researchers said.

ENTERTAINMENT FEATURES

www.iwk.co.nz | 24 February 2017

27

AUCKL AND’S HOT TEST BOLLY WOOD STATION

Nandita Das:

Relationships have no rules A

ctress-director Nandita Das, who recently split from husband Subodh Maskara after being married for seven years, says relationships have no rules and are “very personal”.

The actress doesn’t like to talk about her recent split. But when asked if it’s tough for couples from the same industry to spend lives together, she said over the phone from Mumbai: “Relationships have no rules.

Sometimes, there are people who work fantastically.

Subodh and I are not really from the same profession.

“It (Between The Lines play) was one of the projects that we did together. But I don’t like to make generalisations because a relationship is a very personal thing.” If not the minute details about the split, she spoke how Subodh made his acting debut with Between The Lines in 2012.

“When I was writing it, I hadn’t thought about it (Subodh featuring in it), but he wanted to explore acting. I said ‘Yeah’ because it is a couple’s story.

A lot of conversations that we had came from our real life,” she said.

Between The Lines narrates the story of a lawyer couple that ends up arguing on the opposite sides of a criminal trial, resulting in the unexpected blurring of the line separating their personal and professional lives. Talking about their professional relationship, she said: “It’s always easy and difficult.

At some level, there is comfort. But a lot of our conversations in the house became a part of the play and conversations in the play became a part of our real life.

“It was challenging as both of us had to travel for the play and leave our child (at home).”

And then came the new storytelling format – CinePlay, which has Subodh as its Chairman and co-founder. It allowed them to shoot the play so they don’t have to perform it every time. Nandita emphasised that the format brings the experience of live theatre plays to people’s smartphone screens. Between The Lines was one of the first CinePlays to go live on Hotstar – a video-on-demand app.

“The play really resonated with the audience a lot. I am more of a supporter and cheerleader. I’ve acted in two of the CinePlays and I’ve coined the word ‘CinePlay’,” said the actress, who believes theatre is still seen as an “urban and more of an elitist activity”. “CinePlay makes it so much more accessible. It’s on your device. Whether it is a small town or other part of the country, you can watch it,” said the actress.

In fact, she was for long associated with the theatre group Jana Natya Manch.

What is the challenging part about doing plays?

“Every show is different. It depends on how you are feeling that day, how the audience is like, and the venue. That’s why every show changes. There is a challenge as well as excitement,” said the Fire actress. She is thrilled about her next directorial Manto, which will bring the life of Pakistan’s short story writer Saadat Hasan Manto alive on the silver screen later this year. “I’ve done a lot of research for the film. It’s totally a labour of love,” she said.

Try not to let stardom get in way of motherhood: Kajol

P

opular actress Kajol, a mother of two, says instead of hiding her children with actor-producer Ajay Devgn from the paparazzi, she tries to take them out as much as she can.

“I try to take my kids everywhere. I try not to let stardom get in the way of motherhood. I don’t know how much I succeed, but I do try to make that effort,” Kajol said at the third edition of the McVities Kid’s Culinare.

“I would have brought my kids here if I had a little more time off. But they had school and they are out, so I couldn’t get them just for a day to Delhi. But I do take them out as much as I can,” said Kajol. The Kuch Kuch Hota Hai actress, brand ambassador of McVities, has a daughter named Nysa and a son named Yug. She was here to kick off the two-day food gala, being held at PSOI Garden, Nehru Park. At the event, Kajol was spotted on the stage dancing with characters from The Jungle Book, giving the attendees a fun-filled afternoon. Talking about the importance of healthy eating, Kajol said:

Don’t want to make films to win awards: Arbaaz

A

s an actor, he might be open to taking up almost all kind of roles, but Arbaaz Khan says when it comes to producing and directing a film, he is inclined towards mainstream cinema.

“As a director, I would always want to do mainstream cinema, which has popular reception. I don’t want to make niche films or make films to win awards,” Arbaaz said at a press conference for his new film Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai. “I feel if a film is good, it will reach a bigger audience and it might end up winning awards –which is what happened with Dabangg. It won a National Award and did well at the box office too. You don’t have to make cinema only to win awards… I don’t care if I don’t win awards, I really don’t care,” he added.

Talking about his personal life, Arbaaz, who has separated from estranged wife and actressmodel Malaika Arora Khan, said: “See you have a choice, either you look back at your life and sit back, or you look at it as a lesson and say, ‘Okay, I am going to move on from here’.

“Any loss that you suffer – be it moneywise, somebody’s demise in the family or a relationship, life goes on. Human beings are meant to survive.”

When asked about the types of roles he looks for, Arbaaz said: “I just wait for people to offer me something that I feel is suited. I don’t have any real expectations. When somebody comes to me, I feel that they have somewhere made up in their mind that I fit the character. So I trust them.” Arbaaz said as a film producer, he is more selective about his choices, but as an actor he is more available.

“In a year, I can do five-six films as an actor, but I can’t do the same as a director. I have to select one. As an actor, I keep myself available because I like to experiment. When I am directing films, I am a little more particular, careful and choosy. But as an actor I love to experiment,” he said.

Directed by Keshav Panneriy, Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai, which also features Himansh Kohli, Manjari Fadnis, Prem Chopra, Ashutosh Rana and Supriya Pathak apart from Arbaaz, is slated to release on March 3.

After this film, Arbaaz said that he will start working on Dabangg 3 early next year.

Lata Mangeshkar honoured with Legendary Award

I

ndian melody queen Lata Mangeshkar has been honoured with the ‘Legendary Award’ by The Brand Laureate. She says she is thankful for her gratifying career and well-wishers.

“Heartfelt thank you to The Brand Laureate for honouring me with the Legendary Award 2017,” the 87-year-old posted on Twitter alongside an image the award.

The Brand Laureate recognises world-class achievement in branding amongst individuals and companies.

Mangeshkar’s award reads: “Asia Pacific Brands Foundation awards Lata Mangeshkar,

Legendary Award as a veteran melody queen who has given a plethora of memorable hits and soulful melodies in Hindi film music.”

In a heartfelt message to her fans, she tweeted: “I have lived through a gratifying career for which I am and will always remain in deep gratitude to all my well-wishers.”

Known for songs like Lag jaa gale, Aayega aanewala, Aye mere watan ke logon, Luka chuppi and several more, Mangeshkar’s career in films has spanned several decades.

Not keen on just dating, want to get married: Kangana

A

“I believe in good health very firmly. It is is very important for children to understand that healthy eating starts at home. Healthy doesn’t necessary need to be tasty.

“Good things can come in tasty packages...

They don’t have to be ugly and horrible tasting.

And yes, that is a challenge as a mother.”

ctress Kangana Ranaut, who has gone through her share of tumultous relationships, has revealed that she has found someone she loves “deeply”, but dating is not on her mind – she wants to take the plunge and get married.

In a tete-a-tete for film critic Anupama Chopra’s digital platform Film Companion, Kangana spoke candidly about her ideology of marriage and how it has evolved with time, reads a statement.

She said: “In your early 20s, you wonder why people get married.

In late 20s, maternal instincts kick in and you see things differently. It’s nice to come back to a partner who’s watching your back.”

“I wanted to give my best to a relationship without the baggage of legal relationships. I now want to give marriage my best but the other person must also come with the same attitude.

I have found someone who I deeply love but

I’m not keen on just dating. I want to get married.” The actress has been reportedly romantically involved in the past with celebrities like Aditya Pancholi, Adhyayan Suman and Hrithik Roshan. She was also said to have been dating a British man.

The mystery around her present love interest is yet to be unravelled.

28

FEATURES ENTERTAINMENT

24 February 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

India has to get her children off streets: Dia Mirza

I

ndia has to get her children off the streets and need to give them access to education and an identity, actress-producer Dia Mirza says.

A survey conducted in 2016 by Save the Children in Lucknow, Mughalsarai, KolkataHowrah, Patna and Hyderabad enumerated 84,563 children living on the streets.

Dia, also the Artist Ambassador for Save the Children – an NGO and child rights organisation, attended the launch of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Care and Protection of Children in Street Situations.

The document was released by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), in collaboration with Save the Children on Tuesday, February 21.

The actress said: “It breaks my heart to think that just in Delhi, there are over 50,000 children who live on the streets. We have to change this.

“The only way to change this is by engaging with these children, government and NGOs. We have to get our children off the streets.”

“We have to give them access to education, we have to give them an identity. It’s simple. It can be done. The first indication of this reality is this SOP.” Dia pointed out that there are many people, including her, who are “fearful

and afraid sometimes to collaborate with makes me love them (children). the government”.

We have so much to learn from the children,” she said.

“They (people) are never sure whether the government will support their initiative The new document provides a or not.” practical framework and guidelines for a holistic approach in providing care, The SOP shows that NGOs and the protection and rehabilitation of street government can collaborate and work together children. Gandhi said in a statement: because the goals are the same -- to make a “Our government is committed to the difference, Dia said. wellbeing of every child in India. This “The best thing about the SOP is that it is initiative will help the government to accessible to you and me. We can go to the ensure that health, education and protection website and study it. mechanisms are made available “If anyone wants to reach out to a child living to children living on the on the streets, they can. There is a framework It streets.” that helps us to make a difference,” she said. breaks my Dia also met Union Women and heart to think that Child Development Minister Maneka just in Delhi, there are Gandhi. Talking about it, she said: over 50,000 children who “When I met Maneka ji, I left her live on the streets. We have to office feeling so enthused because of change this. “The only way to her commitment. She said ‘I don’t change this is by engaging with want it to remain just a piece of paper. these children, government I want it to translate to action’.” and NGOs. We have to get our children off the The “Honeymoon Travels Ltd.” streets. actress also shared that children are her “favourite people in the world”. Dia also visited the Community Managed Toilet operated at the Indira Kalyan Vihar slum in the Okhla area of South Delhi.

“It is their resilience and their spirit that

BMC polls: Bollywood celebs vote

F

rom veterans like Rekha and Gulzar to young talent like Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma, Bollywood celebrities voted on Tuesday, February 21, in the civic polls in the hope that Mumbai will get improved infrastructure and waste management.

The celebrities were enthusiastic about voting. B-Town stars proudly flaunted their inked fingers on social media platforms and urged others to vote too.

Director Zoya Akhtar told the media: "As a Mumbaikar, I expect to live in a clean city. People should stop cutting trees and throwing garbage in the sea.

I want to tell all our fellow citizens that though we are leading a busy life, take out some time and vote." Writer Gulzar, in his typical kurta-pyjama look, also voted.

He said: "What I have noticed is that so many youngsters are here to vote. I am very happy that our future generation is concerned and taking charge of our city. There are many key issues that need to be taken care of. But I think after this poll, they will be unlocked."

Shraddha Kapoor, John Abraham, Paresh Rawal, Varun Dhawan, Kailash Kher, Shruti Seth, Kiran Rao voted too.

"Started my morning by casting my vote. Voting is our duty towards our country and its progress. Please go out and vote. Vote Kar Maharashtra," tweeted Anushka.

Shraddha wrote: "Done voting.

Please exercise your right and go vote." Filmmakers like Anubhav Sinha and Goldie Behl had trouble voting.

"Voted in 2014. Name not on the list this year. Can't Vote," Sinha tweeted.

Behl said: "Trying to vote for an hour and it's a bloody mess. BMC elections, pathetic job.

Finally left without voting. Disgrace."

Some celebrities aren't in the city due to prior engagements. While Ajay Devgn and Emraan Hashmi are shooting in Jodhpur for Baadshaho, Akhay Kumar is in Noida to promote Naam Shabana.

Actress Kangana Ranaut is in Delhi to promote her Rangoon. Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi were in Bengaluru.

Karan unveils 'Anaarkali of Aarah' poster

F

ilmmaker Karan Johar unveiled the poster of Swara Bhaskar-starrer Anaarkali of Aarah with Swara in a very different avatar. Directed by Avinash Das, the film is scheduled to release on March 24. In the colourful poster, shared by Karan on his Twitter handle, Swara is seen in a lehenga choli in a dancer's avatar.

"Here is the scintillating poster of Anaarkali of Aarah, Swara Bhaskar you go girl. Congrats Avinash... Releases March 24, 2017," he captioned the poster.

"Well done Swara for constantly breaking ground, March 24 is the date guys for this new world and engaging film. Presenting Swara in and as the feisty," he added.

In the past, Swara has worked in films like Tanu Weds Manu, Raanjhanaa and Nil Battey Sannata. Anarkali of Arrah revolves around an erotic singer (Swara) from Arrah in Bihar, who sings double meaning songs. One day

things take an ugly turn when Anarkali has a confrontation with a very powerful man who molested her and instead of bowing down she chooses to fight back.

Indian cricketers bat for film Poorna

R

Anupam Kher is in Cape Town for the shoot of a TV show. Actor Arjun Kapoor is in London and Priyanka Chopra is in the US. Meanwhile, Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai said he cast his vote in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election as he wants to see the end of corruption. “I came here to vote because I want to see the end of corruption. My perception of voting is to root out corruption. This is the biggest hurdle for our country,” Ghai said after voting.

Veteran actor Raza Murad too cast his vote and criticised people who don’t and later criticise the government.

ahul Bose’s directorial “Poorna” –a biopic on a teenager who became the youngest girl in the world to scale the Mount Everest – has found fans in cricketers like Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble and many others. Rahul has produced, directed and acted in Poorna.

After a special screening of the movie for Indian cricketers, the guests were all praise for the inspirational tale of real life star Poorna Malavath, a 13-year-old girl from Telangana who created history on May 25, 2014, by scaling the highest mountain peak.

Kumble and Kohli, along with Sanjay Bangar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Dinesh Karthik, Cheteshwar Pujara, Umesh Yadav, Abhinav Mukund, Karun Nayar, Lokesh Rahul, Wriddhiman Saha, R. Shridhar, Patrick Farhat, Anil Patel, Ravindra Jadeja and Jayant Yadav caught the film, read a statement.

Terming it a “special film”, Kohli said: “We all were very moved by it, and there’s so much to learn from the film as well... It teaches us a lot things – if we believe in something, it can be achieved and there has to be a bigger reason behind it.”

Kumble found it “inspirational” and described it as a “wonderfully documented

story”, while Karthik felt touched by the story.

“I hope a lot of people watch this movie because it’s not just inspiring for a sportsman, it’s inspiring for everybody. Like the title goes Ladkiyan kuchh bhi kar sakti hai, it’s a wonderfully put movie. A lot of people can draw a lot of inspiration from the movie,” Karthik said.

Pujara said a huge learning from the film is that “age is just a number”. “Once you aspire for something, you can always achieve it,” he said.

30

FEATURES

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Suitable for a couple with small child or two students. Near bus stop, shops and train station.

Rent @ 250 per week for two occupants including all bills. Contact at 022-3251630

¡¡Henderson Looking for flatmate to rent one bedroom. Price include water, electricity, unlimited internet. Open plan living area and large designer kitchen nearby Henderson mall and train station.Ideal flatmates: full time worker, student who pay rent on time. $180 per person and couple $ 220. No pets allowed.

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Situation Vacancy

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¡¡Sales

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PENROSE BASED SALES OPPORTUNITY If you are a bold person, risk taker, relationship builder with a competitive spirit, then I want to hear from you! You will be remunerated with a great base salary and commission opportunities.

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A spacious upper level conversion offering an affordable and easy way to get into one of Auckland’s most popular suburbs. A short walk up the road to vibrant Ponsonby Road and all it has to offer the home also is conveniently located for access to all the amenities of Grey Lynn. The home comprises of 3 double bedrooms, separate living room, one bathroom with shower and combined kitchen/dining. There is plenty of on street car parking and gas/water is included in the rent. Minumum 12 month fixed term Tenancy. Contact: Barfoot & Thompson MREINZ Ponsonby Rentals. (09) 3764819 / (027) 4319689

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Cleaning franchisee (Carpet cleaning, Oven Cleaning, mobile car cleaning, Commercial & Residential cleaning) - $45000 Including Car & Equipments

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• Restaurant Manager • Front of House staff The ideal candidate will have: • A passion for food, wine and people • A current Manager’s Certificate • Experience leading a team • Restaurant running / section & full bar service • A great attitude with nice smile :) • A fun & variety packed character • Flexible hours over days nights & weekends • Great hourly $$ • Hotel / Hospitality Education Qualification

We want someone who has the natural ability to adapt and be flexible in their approach. They must: • Show initiative • Have an excellent attitude and a strong team player • Be reliable and punctual • Have full working rights in NZ • Be able to provide 2x positive references from previous employers

Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.

In return, you would get the flexibility around temporary opportunities with competitive rates of pay and 8% holiday pay.

FRESH IMPORT- DONT MISS CHANCE TO GRAB GOOD DEAL on Prius. Easy finance option available to everyone. Contact :02102299452

Please remember your CV is key to being successful; please update this to describe your experience to be considered for opportunities with Randstad. Please apply online below & visit www.randstad.co.nz for other career opportunities.

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Only those with permanent residency in New Zealand are eligible for this role. Please email your CV’s to findmeajob@absolutejobs.co.nz. NO cover letter is needed, but please be creative within your email, attention to Kathryn. Innovation is key!

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3 bedroom unit with 1 bathroom. Rent $720 per week

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24 February 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

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For more details kindly message or email at info@lifecorp.co.nz

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CAB Lower Hutt

Date: Friday, February 24 Time: 10.15 a.m. to 12.15 p.m.

Venue: War Memorial Library – Upstairs, corner of Woburn Road and Queens Drive, Lower Hutt CAB Lower Hutt will hold a free information session for newcomers on Employment. Please come and attend this information session to find out how to get help with your job search. For RSVP: Call at 04 566 6039 or Email atlowerhutt@cab.org.nz.

CAB Manurewa

Date: Saturday, February 25 Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Venue: Manurewa Library Community Room, 7 Hill Road, Manurewa CAB Manurewa will hold a free information session for newcomers on Education System in New Zealand. Please come and join to find about New Zealand Education System, choosing the right school for your family, and understanding the obligation to study. Registration and light refreshments will be at 10am. The session will promptly start at 10.30am and finish at 1.30pm followed by light lunch. For more information please call at Patricia Pera at 0211222014 or Armmajit Kaur at 0211421855 or Email at settlement.manurewa@cab.org.nz.

Bhartiya Mandir Shivratri

Date: Saturday, February 25 Time: 8 p.m. onwards Venue: Balmoral Temple, 252 Balmoral Road, Sandringham Maharoodra Abhishek Pooja will be held, Amarnath Shivling ice will be available for Darshan, Bili patra will be available from the counter. Mahaprasad will be served from 6 pm onwards.

Malayali Community Day

Date: Saturday, February 25 Time: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Venue: Royal Oak Intermediate, 74 Symonds St, Royal Oak, Auckland Auckland Malayali Samajam is coming up with Community Day programme for the Malayali community of Auckland. The highlights of the program will be card games, chess, carom, Sangeetha Sandhya (Karaoke night) and a talent show. All Malayalis are welcome! For more information go to www. aucklandmalayalisamajam.org.nz.

Tangata Tiriti

Date: Saturday, February 25 Time: 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Venue: Ōrākei Marae, 59B Kitemoana Street, Ōrākei Tangata Tiriti – Treaty People programme, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary on Saturday 25th February, at Ōrākei Marae. in partnership with Auckland Regional Migrant Services and the New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils. There will be Welcome in pōwhiri (traditional welcome) onto Ngāti Whātua’s marae and know how the Treaty is important for everyone in New Zealand.

Holi 2k17

Date: Sunday, February 26 Time: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Venue: 1229 Coatesville-Riverhead Highway, Auckland, New Zealand 0892 The annual festival of colours to be celebrated by Holifestival of Colours Auckland is expected to witness more than 5000 people. Come to the free event with family and friends and play with colours, from noon till evening.

Christchurch Holi-Festival of Colors

Date: Saturday, March 4 2017 Time: 11a.m. to 3 p.m.

Venue: Central Christchurch 221 Gloucester Street, Christchurch This year Holi is all about celebrating the people of Christchurch. Cultural-fusion performances will showcase the many different cultures in our community, joining together for one big party. Bring cash to buy colour and enjoy delicious Holi food. Parking is limited so plan your trip before the day.

CAB New Lynn

Saturday, February 11, March 11 and April 8 2017 Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (TBC) 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, Library Building, 3 Memorial Drive, New Lynn. Phone 827 7830 or 827 4731, Email newlynn@cab.org.nz. Light refreshments will be provided.

Holi - Colours in the Park 2017 Saturday, March 18, 12pm to 7pm Time: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Venue: Three Kings Reserve, Cnr Mt Eden and Mt Albert Rds Humm FM brings you Holi- Colours in the Park 2017.

Enjoy a day full of fun, food and dance to the live DJ music.

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