Indian Weekender—November 27, 2015

27 November, 2015 • Vol. 7 Issue 36 • www.iwk.co.nz

NZ’s first Kiwi-Indian weekly newspaper

The pulse of Kiwi-Indians

GURPURAB MESSAGE OF PEACE, LOVE AND COMPASSION

PHIL GOFF DESIGNS ON AUCKLAND

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CONTENTS

27 November 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

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NEW ZEALAND

Sikh student mistaken as terrorist

Pg 17

OPINION/EDITORIAL After Paris attacks, Western media as arbiter

Pg 21

SPORTS

Djokovic beats Federer to win fourth ATP finale

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INDIA

India Malaysia trade talks

Pg 23

SPECIAL FEATURE Beach therapy

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NEW ZEALAND

www.iwk.co.nz | 27 November 2015

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Time to bring out those travelling shoes

New Zealand tops in the world’s best travel destinations, but do we, who are so blessed to live in this God’s own country venture out to discover and explore this beautiful country?

Maya Shivam

Bay of Islands

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ew Zealand, the land of the long white cloud, the Middle-earth or God’s own country, whichever way you describe it, it tells the story of how this country’s unique combination of landscapes, people and activities cannot be found anywhere else in the world—it is a “100% Pure New Zealand” experience.

The Tourism NZ campaign over the years has used 100% pure relaxation, 100% pure welcome, 100% pure adrenalin and 100% pure you—all connected back to the core premise of 100% Pure New Zealand to describe the travel experience in New Zealand.

The latest adaption is 100% Middle-earth, 100% Pure New Zealand, leveraging the huge exposure New Zealand is getting around the world from the first Hobbit movie. 100% Middleearth, 100% Pure New Zealand

was named best destination marketing campaign at the 2012 World Travel Awards.

Awards or not, the sheer experience of traveling through this abundantly endowed country is nothing but pure bliss. With the daylight saving giving us an extra

hour and summer giving us longer days, it is the best time to enjoy the experience of discovering this beautiful country. So as the school holidays approach and the silly season catches up, it may be the best time to head out and experience the wonders of this

A growing industry with current skill shortages NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN HORTICULTURE L4 (ADVANCED) • • • • •

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• We are part and parcel of the horticultural sector and are continuously in touch with the industry needs.

• Our training emphasis is on ‘learning by doing’ and the graduates will be skilled in operations with awareness to safety, quality and traceability.

• An acute shortage of skilled staff is projected in various disciplines of Horticulture • Students have high chances of getting good jobs and building successful and satisfying careers in Horticulture Production.

Contact Dr Raj Saini at 027 278 2789 / 09 2363770 FRANKLIN INSTITUTE OF AGRI-TECHNOLOGY 760, Glenbrook Road, RD4, Pukekohe 2679, AKL Email: enquiry@fiat.ac.nz Web: www.fiat.ac.nz Office: 09 2 36 37 38 Fax 09 236 3772

Part of the Rupex Group of companies www.rupex.co.nz

beautiful country. In this issue, we bring you some options that are worth considering. A snapshot on the short and quick trips around Auckland that are easy on the pocket and on the time at hand but promise the full New Zealand experience.

We hope to cover the length of the country in different issues and start right from the top in this one, starting from the Bay of Islands.

The Bay of Islands is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in New Zealand, conveniently located just over three hours from Auckland by road. The weather is usually warm all year round, which makes it popular for big-game fishing, snorkelling, diving, and sailing as well as other water-based activities. The Bay of Islands is also home to several historical attractions such as the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and the Stone Store. No matter your age or

interests, you are sure to discover activities of your liking here, be it relaxing on the golden sandy beaches or exploring the hidden caves of the islands.

The Bay of Islands has 144 islands and includes the tourist towns of Russell, Opua, Waitangi and Paihia. There are an abundance of picturesque views that will take your breath away, as well as a host of exciting activities to keep you entertained. Great options include going kayaking, chartering a yacht, or walking along the seaside with your family and friends. You can also go on the famous ferry ride to the town of Russell, visit the Hundertwasser attractions in Kawakawa, view the scenic sunset on the 90 Mile Beach, hang out at one of the famous cafes or collect souvenirs from flourishing art shops in Kerikeri.

Continued on page 22

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NEW ZEALAND

27 November 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

For a better Auckland Phil Goff Labour MP

job creating export enterprises.

There’s a lot to attract good people and good enterprises to Auckland.

We have a beautiful natural environment, framed by our spectacular coastline, harbours, our maunga, islands and regional parks. Those are assets that must be respected and protected for generations to come.

We need to make Auckland a place where our urban environment and lifestyle matches the quality of our natural environment. Good urban design and protecting our green open spaces is vital as the city intensifies. And we must be an inclusive city—where diversity brings richness not division.

To realise this vision, we must confront the challenges head-on.

While we have made progress,

we have also missed valuable opportunities. Mayor Robbie was right all those years ago. We needed to anticipate the future and plan for it. Instead, too often, we have responded after the event and continue to do so.

Our infrastructure has not kept up with growth. Our roads are congested. Without the investment we need, the gridlock will just get worse, causing even more frustration, pollution and lost productivity. This is an investment that will pay dividends to all of New Zealand in the future.

Auckland must succeed for New Zealand to succeed.

It’s the same for housing.

Median house prices in Auckland have gone up by over $180,000 in the last year. The Kiwi dream of owning your own home is

slipping out of the reach of more and more Aucklanders. We are now in the world’s top ten least affordable cities.

There are ways to bring supply and demand in housing back into balance and Auckland should be strongly advocating for those solutions. Policies that give the building industry confidence and certainty to gear up for construction. Policies that put home buyers ahead of speculators.

More intensive housing in the city and along arterial routes is needed. But that must be balanced by good urban design, plenty of public open space and protection for areas of high heritage value.

We need to enhance and sustain our environment. We should be opening up our harbours to people, not extending the port further into the Waitemata to create parking spaces for imported cars. We have to address pollution, silting in the Gulf and harbours and protect our access to recreational fishing. We need an urban forestry programme to green our city.

Last but absolutely not least, for Auckland to succeed, it must operate effectively and efficiently.

The Super City was supposed to eliminate bureaucratic duplication and waste. It’s fallen short of that target. Under my leadership, we will be fiscally prudent. We will learn to do more with less. Rate increases have to be brought under control and offset by cutting waste and finding savings. We need to

Sikh student mistaken as terrorist Kumar Suresh

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ow does one describe a terrorist?

These days, a beard, a turban, coloured skin and a few wires dangling out of one’s bag is probably enough to brand a person as one. Twenty-one-yearold Jaspreet Singh found out about this the hard way.

The University of Auckland medical student was at Colombus Coffee in Grafton to meet his professor. When he reached, he stopped the music and placed his headphones in his bag. This was enough for a customer at the cafe to dial the emergency number to alert them about a “guy with some wires in his bag”.

When Mr Singh removed his headphones from the bag, the police realised it was a mistake and apologised before leaving.

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Phil Goff has announced his decision to stand as an independent candidate for Mayor of Auckland next year. As Mayor, Phil Goff promises to focus on a number of issues that directly impact on the lives of Aucklanders, including tackling traffic congestion and increasing the housing supply.

Mr Goff is committed to working in an inclusive way with future fellow councillors and the government, whatever its political makeup. He talks about his vision for Auckland in this piece.

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or three decades I have enjoyed the privilege of representing Aucklanders from Mt Roskill and New Lynn in Parliament. Over the years, I have seen Auckland grow and change.

It has become more diverse and dynamic.

As the city has grown so too have the opportunities and choice for learning, work and recreation.

We are an internationally competitive city and the best chance New Zealand has to attract and keep talented people in this country.

A million Kiwis live overseas on a long-term basis. On average, about 50,000 of our best and brightest people leave every year.

Auckland is the place that can attract those Kiwis back here to live and raise their families.

The late scientist and entrepreneur Sir Paul Callaghan talked of making New Zealand a place where talent wanted to live.

He got it absolutely right.

My vision is of Auckland unleashing itself as a creative, innovative and entrepreneurial city. It should be a centre of learning and a centre of culture.

This is a city that should be producing more high-tech, highpaid jobs. New Zealand is sixth in the world in publishing hightech research reports. But it’s only 63rd in high-tech manufacturing output. We need measures to promote R&D investment and venture capital to translate good ideas into successful and

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Jaspreet Singh

Police spokesperson Scott Leonard later confirmed the incident: “Someone saw a male with headphones out and then put wires into what looked like a transistor radio in a backpack.”

“Personally, I feel no anger.

It is just slightly disappointing that something like that is still happening in a country like ours.

Because of the Paris attacks, people are a bit scared, and I think that had a part to play in this as

well,” said Mr Singh. The question that one needs to ask is whether this individual, who called the emergency number, is actually the face of society she lives in?

There can be no denying the fact that such incidents actually are the by-product of fear, racism and ignorance.

One can understand the fear in common man when he/she reads or hears acts of violence such as the ones seen in Paris recently, but to allow it to control one’s judgment and thinking is only going to glorify the cause for which organisations such as ISIS and Al Qaeda stand for. It would be playing into the hands of these terror groups who want to inflict physiological damage on the mankind. In these times, to blindly point fingers at someone in public and calling him a terrorist is nothing less than a crime.

The number of people who are fighting ISIS on the ground is innumerable compared to the western forces that at best are flying sorties after sorties over Syria. One should understand and appreciate the effort from all the sects who are contributing towards the war against ISIS. The most beautiful line at the end of the day came from Mr Singh himself when he said in his Facebook page: I think today is not about holding that one lady accountable for what she did, but rather serves as a reminder that we cannot let fear get the best of us…I will leave you with this quote from Professor Larkin who was with me during this incident—“We must not let ignorance and fear run the show...It is unjust, immoral, unfair, inconsiderate, and a huge step backwards for humankind”.

put our own house in order and make Auckland New Zealand’s best performing city. When we do that, we are in a stronger position to leverage Government resources to meet the needs created by rapid growth.

Auckland needs someone with skills and political experience.

Thirty years as an MP and Cabinet Minister has given me a unique set of skills. I’ve led teams of diverse people and led large organisations tackling complex issues on tight budgets.

I know how central government works and what it takes to make it responsive to our needs. I don’t pretend to have all the answers— no one does. But I have a record of sound judgement and doing the job I am entrusted with.

I am running as an Independent. I want to bring an inclusive approach to the Mayoralty and forge a team that works well together for the benefit of this city.

The solutions to our city’s problems are not ideological.

They must be evidence-driven. I will work with any Government, National or Labour led, to get the best deal for Auckland. The interests of the city and its people will come first. And I will be their fiercest advocate.

Above all, I want to lead a council that remembers that it is a public, democratic and transparent institution—and accountable to Aucklanders.

HRC praises Mr Singh Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy praised the way Mr Singh responded after a stranger rang the police because she thought his headphones were a bomb.

“We can all learn a lot from Jaspreet Singh and the way he responded to prejudice and fear with dignity and mana,” said Dame Susan. “It is ironic that Jaspreet is a third-year medical student who will no doubt go on to help save many lives.”

“My friend London bombing survivor Gill Hicks has a saying, Make Peace a Verb, and this is exactly what Jaspreet and others like him are trying to do. Violent extremists don’t want us to stand alongside one another in peace and solidarity, they want us to fear and hate: we must not let them win,” she added.

NEW ZEALAND

www.iwk.co.nz | 27 November 2015

Australian horticulture students visit Franklin Agritech

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wenty students from the University of Sydney, pursuing a Bachelor of Agriculture and Business, descended on the new Franklin Institute of Agri-Technology as part of a week-long study tour to explore the horticulture industry in New Zealand where they spent a whole day in Pukekohe.

University of Sydney students at Franklin Agritech The students were brought to New Zealand by Dr Brian Jones, Associate Dean Practices): quality, safety and traceability Undergraduate Studies of the University’s and how these components form Department of Plant and Food Sciences. an essential part of greens supply The group was hosted by Dr Raj Saini, chain management.

CEO of Franklin Agritech and Director The group was impressed to see the of Rupex Growtech Ltd. The day also effective use of simple technology and included visits to Jivan Produce Ltd mechanisation that is not only cheaper to where BharatJivan, the chairman of the install but also easier to maintain and is still Pukekohe Vegetable Growers Association, capable of sophisticated and high quality briefed them about vegetable growing on a outcomes. They learned the importance of commercial scale. an integrated approach to pest control in Students also visited A.S. Wilcox & Sons which hygiene, environmental regulation Ltd and Hari R.C. & Sons Ltd, which are and balanced plant growth through among the largest local enterprises for field balanced nutrient application, are all in crop production. balance rather than relying simply on the The students were impressed to see application of chemicals. things happening on a large scale and Dr Saini introduced them to the how academic knowledge is being applied economic imperative of developing a to actual growing on a commercial scale. steady flow of trained staff to sustain the They were particularly interested in the future of the industry as his rationale for close integration in the Pukekohe area of developing the new training institution, the various aspects of the greens supply Franklin Agritech. chain and Rupex’s balance of crops between He also explained how the training vegetable seedlings for the domestic provided in New Zealand would benefit market and cymbidium orchids for the young international students returning to their home countries with fresh thinking international cut-flower market. about innovative ways to serve changing Students heard about the three basic supply chain needs in these countries. components of GAP (Good Agricultural

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NEW ZEALAND

27 November 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations Public memorial IWK Bureau

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ne of the most sacred festivals in Sikhism, Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated by Sikhs, Hindus and followers of Guru Nanak’s philosophy. The day is observed to the mark the birth of the first Sikh and the founder of Sikhism.

This year, more than 2,500 Sikh pilgrims from India have arrived in Lahore to participate in the religious rituals to mark the 547th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. From Lahore, the pilgrims left for Hasan Abdal town in Attock district to visit the temple of Panja Sahib.

Sikhs in New Zealand also celebrated the birth anniversary of the great saint at Gurudwaras around the country. Gurudwara Sri Kalgidhar Sahib in Takanini and Otahuhu held celebrations on November 25. The programme included kirtan samagam, which was followed by a display of fireworks.

On November 21, Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Hamilton also organised a kirtan

service for Jonah Lomu Red

darbar, which was followed by langar.

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice President Hamid Ansari greeted people on the occasion. “On the joyous occasion of the birthday of Guru Nanak Devji, I convey greetings and good wishes to all my fellow countrymen,” the president said.

Stating that Guru Nanak believed that service of man is supreme, Mukherjee urged people to lead a moral and righteous life.

In his message, Hamid Ansari said Guru Nanak, the first of the 10 Sikh gurus, h a s

remained an icon of truth, compassion, and righteousness through his noble life.

He noted the divine teachings of Guru Nanak would forever inspire people to follow the path of righteousness and show respect for all humankind irrespective of caste, creed or religion.

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rime Minister John Key has announced details of the public memorial for Jonah Lomu.

A public service will be held on Monday, November 30, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Eden Park in Auckland.

“Jonah touched people’s lives across the country and around the world,” says Mr Key. “This service will be open to all members of the public who want to remember the significant contribution Jonah made, not only to rugby here and overseas, but also to the wider community through his work with charities such as UNICEF and Kidney Kids NZ. “The service will be a celebration of Jonah’s life and I expect a large number of people will want to be there.” In addition there will be special ‘Aho Faka

Famili’ (Day of the Family) event allowing Pasifika to pay their respects in their traditional way.

This will be held at the Vodafone Events Centre on Saturday, November 28 from noon.

A private funeral for Jonah will be held on Tuesday, 1 December.

Lomu family spokesperson John Hart says family members were grateful to the government for their support.

Make a difference

Voting opens for new flag design

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W

IWK BUREAU

NEW ZEALAND AIDS FOUNDATION

ecember 1 is observed as World AIDS day. Here are ways you can raise awareness and help prevent HIV in New Zealand.

three million New Zealanders from

Wear a tee Order and sport special World AIDS Day t-shirts from www. mrvintage.co.nz . In New Zealand, a high level of condom use has kept HIV at very low levels. But this has also made HIV invisible in our communities. HIV still exists— almost 3,000 Kiwis currently live with the virus. People living with HIV say that the stigma of HIV is worse than managing the virus.

With modern medicines and treatment, people living with HIV can lead long lives.

Go to the theatre Friday, 27 November is the opening night of the sixday theatre project Puāwai, marking World AIDS Day at the Te Pou Theatre. Body Positive and Positive Women Inc are hosting this event. It marks the start of a week of performances that aim

November

20,

Deputy

Prime Minister, Bill English, is

Drink coffee Show your support by grabbing a coffee from one of NZAF’s partner cafes around New Zealand. Each cup carries a different HIV fact and is designed to increase knowledge and reduce stigma. Auckland: Garnet Station, Up Cafe, Coco’s Cantina, Marcello’s Caffé, Blue Rose. Wellington: Flight Coffee Hangar. Christchurch: STAT Espresso, Beat Street Cafe, C4 Coffee, Hello Sunday.

ith voting papers being delivered to more than

encouraging Kiwis to have their say on what New Zealand’s flag should look like.

The

voting

pack

being

delivered between November 20 and 27 includes voting paper, a return free post envelope, full information on how to complete to help reduce HIV stigma through laughter and song.

Volunteer Shake a bucket on November 27 at the World AIDS Day Street Collection and help fundraise.

Collectors in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin will be on the street in their red sashes with red ribbons raising money to support people living with HIV. Donate If you spot one of NZAF’s volunteers on November 27, smile, wave and…donate! By making a financial contribution, you’ll be helping to take positive action in New Zealand towards UN AIDS targets of 90-90-90: 90% of people with HIV to be diagnosed, 90% of those diagnosed to be on medication and 90% of those on medication with undetectable viral load. Donations can also be made online and in-store at MAC Cosmetic outlets.

Wear the iconic red ribbon

the paper, and information about

The red ribbon is symbol of showing solidarity with people living with HIV and those who have died due to AIDS related illnesses. You can ask our volunteers Street Collectors for one on November 27.

the five flag options. The first

Join NZAF at Aotea Square

have ever asked their citizens for

For the first time, Auckland will be hosting the World AIDS Day Hub at Aotea Square from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on November 27. Atomic Coffee will be bringing their Airstream Coffee Cart from noon to 3:00 p.m. with proceeds from coffee cup sales going to the The Wellness Fund, and MAC Cosmetics be doing special World AIDS Day ‘red lips’ from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

their views on the design of their

Post, like, follow and #hashtag

to announce the official result of

Once completed, voting papers

this first referendum on December

should be placed in the return

15. That design will then proceed

envelope, and posted in a New

to a second binding referendum in

Zealand Post post box by Tuesday,

March, where voters will choose

December 8 to ensure they get

between it and the current flag.

back in time.

Access and share accurate information via your social media presence, to help clarifying facts about HIV and dispel myths.

postal referendum will run until December 11.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Very

few

governments around the world

national flags.

“I’d encourage everyone who is eligible to vote to have their say and choose the flag they feel best represents New Zealand’s proud, pioneering past and its exciting, ambitious future,” Mr English says.

The Electoral Commission aims

The five proposed designs for the new New Zealand flag

Enrolled voters who do not receive their pack should visit elections. org.nz or call 0800 36 76 56 to get a replacement paper. They can also request a replacement paper if they make a mistake, lose, or destroy their paper.

NEW ZEALAND

www.iwk.co.nz | 27 November 2015

MoneyGram customers in NZ can send money to bank accounts in India

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Accelerating success.

Reach more people - better results faster.

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oneyGram (NASDAQ: MGI) has announced that customers in New Zealand can now send money to all Rupee-denominated bank accounts in India in as little as three hours*, when sent during Indian banking hours.

Customers can choose to send money from any Lotus Exchange or Travel Money locations or one of the 70 MoneyGram agent locations across New Zealand.

“As more immigrants from India move to New Zealand, the demand for money transfer services is increasing,” says Michael Minassian, MoneyGram’s senior regional director Australia and New Zealand.

“We are pleased to offer our loyal customers a quick, reliable and secure way to get money to their friends and family in their home country.”

The service taps into the national Indian banking payments network, National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT), to provide customers around the globe with a quick and easy method to send international money transfers directly into Rupee-denominated bank accounts.

This new service is available to all major banks in India including Axis Bank, Punjab National Bank, ICICI, HDFC, SBI and many more. Indian banking hours are generally Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Indian Standard Time), and Saturday, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

(Indian Standard Time).

Receivers of money transfers in India who do not have access to a bank account can still use a traditional cash-to-cash MoneyGram service accessible through more than 50,000 agent locations in India.

According to the World Bank, remittances from New Zealand to India were USD $312 million in 2014. *Transactions completed after banking hours will be deposited the next business day. Timing of funds availability is subject to banking hours and compliance with regulatory requirements.

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NEW ZEALAND

27 November 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

Change our thinking, not our climate Barry Coates Green Party

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crucial climate change summit will take place in Paris, starting on November 30. This is the time that New Zealand needs to step up to meet the challenge of climate pollution. But this will mean some changes in the ways that we look at climate change.

Firstly, it isn’t a debate. The scientific evidence is overwhelming. Ninety-seven per cent of peer reviewed science says climate change is happening and human activity causes it.

Secondly, it isn’t in the future. It’s now.

Hundreds of thousands of people around the world, particularly in the poorest communities of India, Bangladesh and Africa, are already suffering. In my previous role as CEO of Oxfam New Zealand, I saw the ways in which climate pollution-related floods, storms and droughts meant that homes were destroyed, harvests were ruined and water sources were dry. Millions of vulnerable people are affected. As New Zealanders, we need to agree to take action to support people at risk and prevent an

even greater humanitarian crisis. Thirdly, it’s doesn’t just affect someone else. It’s us as well. This week, a report from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment identified 9,000 New Zealand homes at risks from storms, flooding and coastal erosion.

She called for early action to manage a retreat from high risk areas and to prepare for the impacts. The government dismissed the report as “speculative”, continuing its head-in-the-sand approach to climate pollution. But we need to plan ahead and prepare if we are to avoid houses being uninsurable and communities devastated.

Fourthly, we can take action to prevent the worst impacts. This means we need policies to start the transition to a low emissions economy.

Despite our good environmental reputation and a large base of renewable hydroelectric power, New Zealand has done little. Instead of emissions reducing, our

emissions have risen by 20% under this government. Lastly, taking action can be good for us. Countries around the world are investing in solar energy, electric vehicles, public transport and a range of clean technologies that are creating decent jobs in rapidly growing global markets.

But New Zealand is being left behind.

Low emissions policies would strengthen our economy and make our cities and towns better places to live. The arguments for action are strong, and the Green Party has been at the forefront of innovative ways for New Zealand to step up to the challenges of climate change. New Zealand needs to do better, urgently.

We must do everything we can to reach a good global agreement at the forthcoming climate summit in Paris. There will be a family-friendly People’s Climate March in Auckland on Saturday, 28 November, starting at 11 a.m. in Albert Park. Please join us.

Hunters Plaza completes $10m upgrade

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$10 million upgrade has just been completed at Hunters Plaza that now gets new Italian marble floor and the addition of a second travellator linking 700+ undercover car parks to a newly-refurbished Countdown store.

The new format Countdown store has an expanded range of fresh meat and produce and a new layout, making it easier for customers to navigate.

To celebrate, Hunters Plaza will be rewarding 1,000 customers with a $15 Countdown Gift Card for every $40 purchase at any store from Thursday, November 26 to Sunday, November 29.

The centre will also be running a number of prize draws, retailer offers, complementary voucher giveaways and free entertainment for the whole family.

Hunters Plaza has been servicing the Papatoetoe area and beyond since 1991 and remains a strong supporter of the local community through partnerships with local charities including PACT, The Attainable Trust, Totara Hospice South Auckland and The Papatoetoe Returned Services Association.

With more than 40 specialty stores, Hunters Plaza is anchored by Kmart, Noel Leeming and Number One Shoes.

The centre continues to build its choice of retail with new stores including Number One Shoes, Precious jewellery and accessories and a unique G-Shock concept store.

Spreading the message of love

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e the change, Be ‘Mother Teresa’, that was the message that came from the inter-faith committee meeting that was held in Auckland recently.

This is an annual event held by The Mother Teresa Centennial Committee. This year’s meeting was held on November 21 at Christ the King Church, Auckland and saw the Minister of Ethnic Affairs, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, attending and addressing the gathering. Mr Lotu-Iiga said, “In today’s world, the teaching of love, of Mother Teresa is even more important than ever before.”

Dr Jebamalai, the former Principal Adviser to the Director General, UNIDO, Vienna, Austria and Chairman, Experience Foundation was the Guest Speaker this year. Dr Jebamalai mentioned about his experiences in Africa and how he worked to make a change following the teachings of Mother Teresa. He said, “If you want to be a true follower of the Mother, then become the Mother. Spread Love and caring and make the change.”

The Catholic Bishop of Auckland, Diocese Patrick Dunn also addressed the gathering and said that Mother Teresa’s message of love is the most important to heal the world. Bishop Dunn lit the lamp, along with the other dignitaries present.

The convener of the inter-faith committee, Mr Wenceslaus Anthony, emphasised the need to start spreading love from your immediate circle, from your family and community. He said, “If everyone starts taking care of people in their immediate community or event one person of a family in need, the world would be a better place.” Mr Anthony also showed

Clockwise from above: The Mother Teresa Centennial Committee members along with the chief guest, Chief guest Dr Jebamalai lighting the lamp, (from left to right) Kevin McKenna, NZTE, Most. Rev. Bishop Patrick Dunn, Bishop of Auckland; Chargé d’affaires Indian High Commission, Sandeep Sood; Convener, Interfaith committee, Wenceslaus Anthony and gathering at the Mother Teresa interfaith meeting.

a video clip of Mother’s message to the people. This was a ‘direct message from the Mother’, and everyone loved to see it.

Mr Anthony quoted Gandhiji: “An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.” Gandhiji like Mother Teresa was propagating Love and Peace. He said that if we have an eye for eye in the family

and in the community, the family and the community will be blind. However, if we practice what Mother Teresa and Gandhiji preached to radiate love and oeace, we will

have clear vision and enjoy the joy and the beauty of this world for which we have been created by the Almighty.

The meeting saw an impressive line-up of dignitaries, from the sitting parliament MP Mr Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Dr Parmjeet Parmar, to the chargé d’affaires Indian High Commission, Mr Sandeep Sood. There was representation from NZ Police, with inspector Rakesh Naidoo.

As part of the proceedings, there were hymns and prayers from various faiths. Also students from St Mary’s school, Avondale, gave a beautiful rendition of We are the world.

Among those on the committee are representatives of the Hindu, Muslim, Buddhists, Christians, Sikhs and Zoroastrians communities from around the Auckland region.

NEW ZEALAND

www.iwk.co.nz | 27 November 2015

White Ribbon Day puts spotlight on family violence

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hite Ribbon Day highlights the need for a continued focus on helping to reduce family

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Enjoy this season with friends and families at

and sexual violence, Justice Minister Amy Adams says.

The theme for this year’s White

We use fresh Meat and vegetables in our cooking and cholesterol free oil. The Experience begins when you visit us. Our Menu includes South Indian like doas and curry Indo Chinese like Manchurian and chilly Veg and non veg North Indian cuisines including Tandoor’s

Ribbon campaign focuses on respectful relationships between men and women, ‘consent’ as a necessary requirement of all sexual relationships, and challenging attitudes and behaviour around violence against women.

“While the government has a significant amount of work underway to help reduce family and sexual violence, campaigns [such as] White Ribbon Day are a reminder that there is still a long way to go,” says Ms Adams.

Domestic

commitment to tackle this issue head on. This includes an overhaul of New Zealand’s family violence legislation and implementing a range of family violence initiatives such as the recently announced Chief Victims Advisor to government,” she

growing

said. Ms Adams says there is also a suite

around

of sexual violence reforms underway

the world. Ms Adams says the same is

including looking at alternative ways for

seen in New Zealand. “New Zealand has

victims to give evidence and ensuring

the highest reported rate of intimate

adequate support and advice for victims.

issue

violence

in

India

is

a

and

partner violence in the developed world.

“We’re also improving education around

That’s why I’ve made helping to reduce

sexual assault and consent and helping

family and sexual violence one of my

to support victims of sexual violence by

core priorities.

funding a Sexual Violence Advocate as well

“The government spends $1.4 billion

as specialist sexual violence court advisors

each year responding to family and

who have supported more than 1,400

sexual violence and we’ve made a firm

victims in the last year.”

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NEW ZEALAND

27 November 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

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PM welcomes closer partnership with ASEAN

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rime Minister John Key has welcomed an agreement to work more closely with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to boost trade and investment links and announced New Zealand will invest more than $200 million into the region.

Mr Key made the announcement that New Zealand’s formal relationship with ASEAN would be upgraded from a Comprehensive Partnership to a Strategic Partnership, at the ASEAN-NZ Commemorative Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

“This year we celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations with ASEAN, a key regional partner,” Mr Key says.

“The region—home to 625 million people and with GDP expected to grow to USD$5.2 trillion by 2030—presents significant opportunities for New Zealand and in recent years we have seen strong growth in trade. Mr Key also announced

Philippines President Benigno Aquino III, left, and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key react, during the Gala Dinner at the 27th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

New Zealand will increase its investment into the region to more than $200 million over the next three years. New Zealand’s development assistance programme in the ASEAN region will be the second-largest after the Pacific. “The funding will focus on building the capability of the region’s people and creating links between our young leaders and emerging entrepreneurs—the

people who will build on the ties we have forged in the past 40 years,” Mr Key says.

“We will also expand trade and economic cooperation and capacity building efforts, focusing on New Zealand’s trade and agricultural expertise, and we will increase our efforts to help improve the ability of ASEAN member states to respond to natural disasters.

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new report shows that New Zealand invests a larger portion of its public spending in education than all but a handful of other OECD countries.

Education At a Glance 2015, which was released overnight, shows that New Zealand ranks in the top two OECD countries for expenditure on both school and tertiary education as a percentage of total public expenditure.

“The results demonstrate New Zealand’s commitment to equipping our students with the skills they need for the 21st century,” says Mr Joyce.

“The survey shows 30 per cent of adult New Zealanders (those aged 25 to 64) have a degree compared with the OECD average of 28 per cent and that tertiary qualification rates for women in New Zealand are among the highest in the countries studied.

New Zealand also has high levels of people studying for vocational qualifications.”

The annual survey revealed that the number of 15- to 19-year-olds staying in secondary school has increased in recent years. New Zealand has in fact just posted its lowest-ever level of 15–19 year olds not in education, employment or training.

“These gains show our efforts to deliver a quality education to all New Zealanders are bearing fruit,” says Heika Parata.

“I want to thank all our teachers, schools and tertiary institutions for the difference they are making to the future of our young people.”

The report also notes that New Zealand is in the top third of OECD countries for early childhood education participation, funding and teacher-child ratios.

The country is one of only nine OECD countries where salaries for experienced tertiary-educated teachers compare favourably with salaries for people with equivalent qualifications in other occupations.

‘Clinical Hub’ pilot among St John Ambulance successes

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ssociate Minister of Health Peter Dunne says a funded pilot service in Auckland to screen 111 calls for urgency helped keep 6,000 people out of hospital often by treating them at home or providing advice over the phone.

The Clinical Hub pilot service, which saw registered nurses and paramedics providing telephone assessments for less urgent 111 calls, is one of the initiatives reported in the organisation’s annual report.

“St John’s assessed most of those 6,000 people as able to be given advice over the phone and treated at home. As well as providing callers with more appropriate care faster, ambulances and Auckland Emergency Departments were freed up to treat more urgent cases.

“The pilot continues to be funded while it is assessed for its wider applicability,” Mr Dunne said. The Annual Report includes highlights for the 2014–15 year—from response times to life threatening incidents to St John’s ongoing work in the community.

“In the last year, St John has increased its frontline resourcing with 158 additional staff in 35 locations across New Zealand, jointly funded by government and St John. This has resulted in a significant improvement in response times, and more ambulances are now fully crewed.

“St John received four per cent more ambulance 111 calls in 2014–15 but succeeded in dispatching ambulances to life threatening incidents 20% faster than in previous years.” 2014–15 has also seen

St John make significant advances in its ICT infrastructure, in partnership with the Ministry of Health’s Information Group.

The introduction of electronic patient report forms provides for secure transmission of patient information between ambulances and emergency departments and will allow further integration with primary care information systems in future years.

While embracing technology, St John continues its work on the ground with increased participation rates in programmes such as St John in Schools and First Aid Training. An independent review of St John and Wellington Free Ambulance funding for ambulatory services is currently underway to help inform future financial support arrangements.

“Both St John and Wellington Free Ambulance provide quality ambulance services New Zealanders can feel proud of. Because of this, I am confident ambulance services will continue to serve New Zealanders well in the face of rising demands and resource constraints. The review will provide useful advice on the funding arrangements that would best support this,” Mr Dunne says.

NEW ZEALAND

www.iwk.co.nz | 27 November 2015

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$250,000 to Centre for education leadership

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Centre for Education Leadership Excellence is to be established to build leadership across the education system, Education Minister Hekia Parata has announced.

The centre will be established by the Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, the newly-formed professional body for teachers and will be partially funded by the Ministry of Education, which is contributing $250,000 to its set-up costs.

Its initial focus will be the principals who have been selected to lead the new Communities of Learning established to foster systematic collaboration across the education system.

“I am particularly pleased that the Education Council will be leading professional development for this group of principals,” Ms Parata says.

“The Council was established to raise the quality and status of the teaching profession and this is a practical demonstration of how it plans to fulfil its mandate.

“Research tells us that quality leadership is one of the two most important inschool influences on student learning.

Growing leadership capability across our education system will make a material

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NEW ZEALAND

27 November 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

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Failing to plan ahead on rising sea level Winston Peters NZ First leader

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hen the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment brought out a paper calling for serious planning against the threat of rising sea levels, the government took little notice.

As an independent advisor we would expect the government would listen and act on her well-evidenced and carefully thought through views.

She said there was no need to panic but carbon emissions must come down and money put aside to deal with any future crises.

With the Paris Climate Change Conference soon to get under way the

File photo of waterfront properties in Miami, USA

timing of her report on sea level rises was appropriate. But Minister of Climate Change Issues Tim Groser revealed only a smugness about his knowledge of the issue, and would not take her warnings on board.

At the same time, Finance Minister Bill English claimed her advice, based on science, was speculation. He was contradicted by several mayors who said

they had already started planning for changes along our coastlines which might affect homes.

The commissioner warned that the current government’s advice and direction is not up to it. Remember she said it is not a time to panic but rather a time to look at serious plans here and overseas to either mitigate change or in some areas accept it.

First-homes for Kiwi Families Kanwaljit Bakshi

National List MP

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uying a first home is exciting, but it can also be a challenge for many average New Zealanders. Thanks to the government’s KiwiSaverHomeStart scheme, thousands more New Zealanders have been helped into achieving the Kiwi dream of home ownership.

In April this year, the government doubled support for first-home buyers and since then almost 6,300 KiwiSaverHomeStart grants have been approved.

Young families around the country are telling us they couldn’t have bought their home without this scheme, and that it really is a “dream come true.”

These grants are helping people right across New Zealand, not just in the main

cities. We’ve had feedback from Auckland and Tauranga, right down to Christchurch and Invercargill.

Around another 2,500 additional applications have been pre-approved and those people are now looking for the right house to buy.

Couples buying a newly built home can receive government grants of up to $20,000 and those buying an existing home can get up to $10,000 to put towards a deposit on their first home. First home buyers can now

also withdraw almost all their KiwiSaver funds to put towards their first home.

The KiwiSaverHomeStart scheme is expected to help 90,000 New Zealanders into their first home over five years. The government is investing $435 million into this scheme to support more Kiwi families onto the property ladder.

We’ve also expanded eligibility for Welcome Home Loans, which help firsthome buyers with only a 10 per cent deposit. In the six months to September,

But this is typical of this National government; it’s planning by the day, by the issue. Putting out fires as they spring up, but with no vision for what might lie ahead.

As far as climate changes goes, overseas experience suggests some of the changes can be handled and some may not be able to be. But doing nothing is not an option.

Even President Obama said sea level rise was a threat to people’s safety, infrastructure and the American economy.

He has had his ears and mind open to his advisers, something this government is not doing.

One wonders why a government would bother to have eminent people, like Dr Jan Wright, holding the position of Commissioner if they are not going to heed their advice.

It will be embarrassing indeed to be part of this government in Paris. What does the Minister say when someone asks him why he isn’t listening to the advice of the Parliament Commission for the Environment?

nearly 1,200 new Welcome Home Loans were approved.

While KiwiSaverHomeStart is delivering on its goal to help thousands of New Zealanders into their first home, the government also has a package of initiatives helping to improve housing affordability.

One of our main priorities is increasing the supply of housing. Eight housing accords and Special Housing Areas across the country are freeing up more land for housing by fast tracking and streamlining consents. The total number of Special Housing Areas in Auckland is now 106, with potential for more than 48,000 new homes.

The government has also taken action to constrain building material costs, cut compliance costs, and improve productivity in the building industry. We’re also ensuring everyone, whether from New Zealand or overseas, pays their fair share of tax on housing investments. Through our wide reaching housing programme, the government remains committed to helping more New Zealanders into their own home.

NEW ZEALAND

www.iwk.co.nz | 27 November 2015

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Karekare Surf Lifesaving Club moves into the drone zone

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n a New Zealand first, Karekare Surf Lifesaving Club will receive a surveillance drone, to trial in partnership with Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Surf Life Saving Northern Region, to further improve rescue response times in keeping our community safe in the water.

equipment,” says club patrol captain and fully qualified drone operator Matt Wade.

“It won’t take away the need for rescue craft and lifeguards but it will give us another pair of excellent eyes where it really counts.”

The Karekare club is 80 years old this season, the second oldest club in Auckland,

Mayor Len Brown presents the drone to club patrol captain Matt Wade, Karekare lifeguard Jeremy Gershen and Surf Lifesaving Northern Region acting CEO Matt Williams

The drone was a gift from the Mayor of Guangzhou to Mayor Len Brown who decided to gift it to Karekare after a discussion with club stalwart and Auckland Champion Sir Bob Harvey.

It is envisaged the drone will be used during a trial at the beach. Huge potential exists in its ability to be directed to fly to an area needing to be searched prior to other manned air assets coming onto the scene. Similar research is being conducted in Australia which SLSNZ has been looking into. Lessons learnt from there, together with this trial, will add to the understanding of how this technology could be used to save lives in the future.

“We are absolutely delighted to be able to have the necessary equipment to start the process of trialling this exciting piece of new

and has saved 5,000 people since its inception in 1935. Valued at around $1,000, the GHOST Basic drone’s merchandise describes it as the world’s easiest to fly and takes all editions of GoPro cameras including an auto-levelling function.

“Ideally we will be able to fly the drone north over the infamous Cauldron where many rescues take place and south over unpatrolled areas toward Whatipu, and we will ensure we operate within Civil Aviation Authority regulations,” says Mr Wade.

“It will alert the lifeguards to people swimming out of the patrolled area and generally enhance our ability to save lives.”

Drones have been trialled by a surf club in Queensland with great success according to Mr Wade who says the club is grateful to the Mayor for the gift.

Westfield St Lukes consent decision

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uckland Council’s Hearings Committee has determined that the resource consent application from Scentre Group to extend Westfield St Lukes will proceed on a nonnotified basis.

The decision, made in the confidential section of the committee’s meeting on 17 November, is now public as council has informed the applicant.

There is an existing Westfield St Lukes resource consent in place to extend the shopping mall, which was granted in 2011.

This latest application makes some amendments and additions to the already consented proposal, including the replacement of rooftop parking above the consented mall and expanding retail areas.

Councillor Linda Cooper, Chair of the Hearings Panel, says that the effects in the application are considered less than minor.

“The proposal is in line with the St Lukes Concept Plan, which was developed

following extensive public consultation.

“The proposal will have a height and separation distance to neighbouring properties that will avoid dominance, amenity or shadowing effects for neighbours.

“It also considers all traffic aspects and does not anticipate additional parking demands on surrounding roads.”

Independent commissioners have been appointed to decide the outcome of the resource consent application.

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FIJI

27 November 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

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Hindus welcome prayer room at Fiji airport

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indus have welcomed the idea of “prayer room” at Fiji’s main airport and regional hub for South Pacific, Nadi International Airport.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA), said that having a “prayer room” at the airport would be a step in the positive direction.

It would help infuse spirituality into the atmosphere of this

important airport and would provide a place for reflection and prayer for passengers, employees, visitors, and others using the airport.

The currently progressing $105 million upgrade at this airport, expected to be complete in mid-2016, reportedly includes a “prayer room” in the first floor departure lounge.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism,

pointed out that prayer/worship to God was highly important in Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents, and it would be nice to have a Hindu prayer service at Nadi “prayer room” so that Hindu passengers did not miss their daily worship rituals/ rites while travelling through; which might include recitation of texts, repetition of mantras and dhayan (meditation). Hindus would appreciate if a corner of

this “prayer room” had murtis (statues) of popular deities, copies of sacred scriptures, a traditional bell and recorded devotional music; and once-a-week kirtan and arti session was held in it, Rajan Zed noted.

Zed indicated that Nadi should also seriously consider providing “yoga room” for the passengers if it wanted to help reduce their stress levels and be a “world-class” airport.

Many international airports already

have yoga spaces. Rajan Zed urged all major airports across the world to make a provision for sacred space in the shape of “prayer room” and a “yoga room”.

Many airports reportedly already do have multi-faith prayer-rooms.

Airports Fiji Limited, fully owned Government Commercial Company, owns and manages Nadi International Airport. Faiz Khan is Executive Chairman. Nadi already has a “massage parlour”.

Accessing climate change fund

Tradition attire to represent all Fijians at Miss Pacific Islands pageant, says Miss Fiji

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hile France and the European Union have pledged multibillion funding for climate change initiatives, accessing these funds have been somewhat difficult for Pacific Island countries.

However, charge d’affaires of the European delegation for the Pacific, Johnny Engell-Hansen said Fiji was one of the countries in the region that was able to access the funding because of the technical expertise within the country.

With the 2015 Paris Summit or COP21 around the corner, discussions were held at the Grand Pacific Hotel on how the private sector could contribute to reducing global warming.

The event was organised by Women in Business, the EU and the French Embassy and featured topics on the business climate and the way forward, benefits of sustainable tourism enterprise and how the private sector could be involved in sustainable development. Mr Engell-Hansen defended the stringent criteria reminding the forum that they

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iss Fiji, Zaira Begg says her traditional attire at the Miss Pacific Islands pageant in the Cook Islands next month will represent all Fijians.

Begg is working with her designers to make a costume that will truly represent Fiji and the struggles we have gone through as a nation.

Twenty-one-year-old Zaira Begg who hails from Ba is a dancer and model with her passion centered on cultural dance, fashion and acting.

The Miss Pacific Islands Pageant will be held at the Cook Islands from December 6 to 13.

Miss Fiji Zaira Begg

also had to play a balancing act.

With past failed projects, the donors had a duty to ensure taxpayer funds were utilised well.

However, he added, the EU was also ready to assist countries with their submissions by providing technical expertise.

French ambassador Michel Djokovic said they were ready and keen to assist countries access this funding to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Mr Djokovic also said the contribution of the private sector was vital for the success of COP 21.

MV Suilven sinks in the Suva Habour

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aritime Safety Authority of Fiji’s (MSAF) oil spill equipment is on standby at the Government Shipping Services (GSS) ready for deployment after the MV Suilven, owned by Venu Shipping, sunk in the Suva Harbour on Tuesday afternoon.

This ship went down with 25 20-feet reefer containers with a few trucks.

Infrastructure and Transport Ministry permanent secretary Francis Kean confirmed that MSAF had also liaised with oil companies for their oil spill equipment to be on standby for deployment should the need arise.

Mariners have been advised to proceed with caution when navigating within the vicinity of

the entrance to Suva Harbour and to be on the lookout for any floating containers.

In a notice sent from Mr Kean, he stated the RORO (roll-on, rolloff) ship sunk at the entrance of Suva Harbour at the coordinates of 18 degrees 08.433’S and 178 degrees 23.69’E. Mr

Kean confirmed that at the time of the accident, the ship was carrying 30 crew members and four passengers who were truck drivers.

“Initial reports from the owners, Venu Shipping, indicated that the container cargo lashing failure contributed to the listing

of this RORO ship. All crew and passengers were safely evacuated on board the Tug Tanunda,” Mr Kean said.

Mr Kean confirmed that the Tug Tanunda, under the charter Fiji Ports Corporation Ltd (FPCL), was first to respond to the scene with their pilot boat Murimai.

He said Kiro was also deployed to render assistance after they were informed of the incident.

Fiji Navy Commander John Fox said they co-ordinated with FPCL and had given them the operation to take charge of.

The only woman crew Fuga Luse, who was a cook with the ship, said they could not divulge what was wrong with the ship but they were thankful to be alive.

“The only thing that I have saved is my mobile phone so I

could call home and the clothes I’m wearing,” Ms Luse said.

Another crew member claimed there were about five engineering students on the ship with others studying at the Maritime School of the Fiji National University, and they were told not to divulge any information about the accident before they were evacuated off the ship.

Venu Shipping’s boss Bob Naidu confirmed that the ship did not carry passengers and was only a cargo ship but he would not comment any further as the case was being investigated by the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji.

The ship is understood to have been built around the early 1970s and has been around for about 40 years.

FIJI

www.iwk.co.nz | 27 November 2015

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We will not give up on sugar cane in Fiji: PM

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rime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says that despite the odds that are stacked against us, we do not intend to give up on sugar cane in Fiji.

While speaking during the 48th Session of the International Sugar Organisation Council in London, Bainimarama says it is about continuing the programme to modernise the industry, to embrace new technology to improve the yields and provide information that is needed to make better planning decisions.

He says it is about continuing Fiji’s programme of extracting as much sugar as possible from a single plant and value adding with new products and by-products.

The Prime Minister also says it is about building resilience to the threat posed to

NEWS in BRIEF PM leads Fijian delegation to international sugar meet

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rime Minister and Minister for Sugar Industry Hon. Voreqe Bainimarama is leading Fiji’s delegation to the 24th International Sugar Organisation (ISO) Seminar in London. The ISO is an intergovernmental body devoted to improving conditions on the world's sugar market through Debate, Analysis, Special Studies, Transparent Statistics, Seminars, Conferences and Workshops. Reforms implemented to revive and improve Fiji’s sugar sector has been carried out through close consultations with the ISO. Fiji’s participation in the ISO Seminar will enable the government to work closely with sugar experts from across the globe. In turn, this will enable government to replicate in Fiji some of the best practices carried out in other sugar-producing nations.

the industry by climate change and it is about constantly scanning the horizon for new markets and working as hard as we can as an industry to give those markets what they require.

Bainimarama says the challenge for our industry in Fiji has never been greater, as our preferential access to the European market draws to a close in 2017.

He says Fiji remains confident that we can meet that challenge as we continue to fast-track our capital projects to diversify our revenue streams.

Bainimarama says Fiji’s crushing performance last year was again hit by a prolonged drought that started in March and the planting programme had to be aborted because of the lack of rainwater, and that we planted a mere 1,300 hectares

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama with the Fiji delegation at the International Sugar Organisation Council in London

against a planting target of 3,000 hectares.

According to Bainimarama as of November 2, two of the four sugar mills completed their crushing and the other two mills should finish their crushing by November 30. He says against the crop estimates of 2.1 million tonnes made in March, crop harvested has yielded 1.9 million

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mployment and Industrial Relations Minister Semi Koroilavesau has instructed his ministry to make preparations for the Employment Relations Advisory Board (ERAB) to meet every month in preparation for a visit by the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) tripartite mission early next year.

The move, he said, was critical to ensure labour laws and reform issues between the government, Fiji Trades Union Congress and Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation were addressed and ironed out before January end.

“At the end of January, the International Labour Organization’s Governing Body’s mission will visit Fiji and we are working very hard to achieve the expected outcomes in this regard,” he said. Mr Koroilavesau said getting the tripartite partners to meet immediately after returning from Geneva had not been possible because of Parliament duties and debates on the 2016 National Budget.

The ILO Governing Body made a decision to defer a commission of inquiry into Fiji and had opted to send a tripartite mission to investigate issues surrounding Fiji’s inability to submit joint progress and implementation reports in regards to labour law issues and reforms.

tonnes and the sugar make was 197,000 tonnes with a tonnes of cane to tonnes of sugar of 8.34.

Bainimarama adds that these figures compare with cane production of 1.83 million tonnes and 226,000 tonnes of sugar with a tonnes of cane to tonnes of sugar of 8.0 in 2014.

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Thought of the week

You get what anybody gets— you get a lifetime.

— Neil Gaiman

Editorial

Courtesy : Satish Acharya sify.com

From the desk of the Managing Editor

“

Almost without exception, people who have done great things have also experienced great failures.” —Bernard Roth from The Achievement Habit

He talks about the fact that Oprah was fired from her first job as a television anchor, Dr Seuss’s first book was rejected dozens of times (it only got published because a friend decided to publish it himself), and, of course, Edison failed countless times in pursuit of a commercially viable light bulb.

It’s like what Winston Churchill said, “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” Failure and success are Siamese twins; they don’t exist without each other. There’s no way around it. The problem with the word ‘failure’ is that it connotes that you’re a loser—and losers don’t succeed or win or get the girl (or guy or pie or pot of gold or whatever it is you want to get). As a result, many people would rather play it safe, not take chances, not explore, and never, ever stick their neck out to actually try.”

So every time we reach a roadblock, a failure, let us just brace ourselves and get ready for another try. In the end, it is all about our attitude and approach. It is not for nothing that it is said that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Each successful person will tell you how many times he or she failed and picked himself or herself up before they made it.

Another packed week. This week we celebrated Guru Nanak Jayanti, so timely, as it brings us back to the lessons of love, harmony, peace and compassion; especially at a time when the world is rife with all the violence and hatred and the debate on intolerance, which is currently very hot. It is a good time to remind ourselves that peace starts with each one of us. I hope everyone had a good Gurpurab. On behalf of the entire team at Indian Weekender, I greet all our readers on the occasion of Gurpurab.

The White Ribbon week was also observed; a week to remind us that violence in our homes is not ok. It is also timely to remind ourselves that violence isn’t always physical, verbal and psychological violence can be equally damaging. With the growing instances of these numbers being reported within the Indian community, it is a good reminder to each one of us to say NO to violence.

As we approach summer and the silly season, all of us are looking to spend time with our family and friends. In this issue, we bring special stories on short trips and other travel ideas that are also easy on the pocket and a great way to enjoy the outdoors with your families, especially the children. We have also included a column with the best apps for your smart devices that enhance your travel experience. So take that time out to get away and hopefully our stories can help inspire some plans.

We would be delighted to hear about your travels and experiences. Please share them with us.

Pick of the week

Until next time.

Giri Gupta

A Hindu devotee takes a selfie before offering prayers to the sun rising over Yamuna river during the festival of Chhath Puja in Delhi. Photo credit: Anindito Mukherjee.

Indian Weekender : Volume 7 Issue 36 Publisher: Kiwi Media Group Limited Managing Editor: Giri Gupta | girigupta@xtra.co.nz Editor: Annu Sharma | editor@indianweekender.co.nz Chief Reporter: Swati Sharma | reporter@indianweekender.co.nz Reporter: Rizwan Mohammad | iwk.rizwan@gmail.com Reporter: Esha Chanda | iwk.eshac@gmail.com Reporter: Kumar Suresh | iwk.kumar@gmail.com Chief Technical Officer: Rohan Desouza | rohan@indianweekender.co.nz Graphics and Layout Designer: Mahesh Kumar | mahesh@indianweekender.co.nz Graphic Designer: Yashmin Chand | designer@indianweekender.co.nz Accounts and Admin.: Farah Khan | accounts@indianweekender.co.nz Sales and Marketing: 022 3251630 / 021 1507950 | 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 Indian Weekender is published by Kiwi Media Group, 98 Great South Road, Auckland Printed at Horton Media, Auckland Copyright 2015. Kiwi Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

Tiki tour Pronounced: Tiki tour Meaning: Go on a journey with no destination in mind

Usage: Let’s take a tiki tour around the South Island.

Tip from the trenches

Hangover remedies

Here’s what works when you wake up from a throbbing pain in your head after a night of binge drinking • Water—no surprises there. Drinking alcohol makes your body dehydrated. The best way to avoid a hangover is by drinking water before you go to sleep. Or replace it with electrolytes.

• Refuel at the breakfast table—scrambled eggs and toasties. Although the thought of consuming any food may seem repulsive, a good breakfast often helps in easing a hangover.

• Exercise—it might sound crazy but a light workout can make a big difference.

OPINION/EDITORIAL

www.iwk.co.nz | 27 November 2015

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After Paris attacks, Western media as arbiter

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Saeed Naqvi

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he massacre in Paris is not just a French or a Western tragedy. It has caused universal outrage. Yet the global media’s coverage of the horror tends to give the West a monopoly on pain.

Why, hours before the Paris attack, nearly 50 Shia Muslims were slaughtered by the IS and more than 200 injured in Beirut; 27 members of a Shia leader’s funeral were butchered in Baghdad, which has lost count of such occurrences. And all of this on the heels of a Russian passenger aircraft brought down over Sinai, killing all 224 passengers, and the October massacre in Ankara, killing 102 and so on and so forth including the 141 school children slaughtered in Peshawar at the hands of terrorists now wearing the IS garb.

Could all those smart anchors on the streets of Paris not have reflected on the pain outside their immediate surroundings? This is the parochialism of the contemporary media, focused only on “us” and “our kind”.

In the imperial global hierarchy, the media covering such events and the one that is beamed worldwide happens to be in exclusive control of Washington and London. This media’s perspectives are prioritised by Western interests. Whatever the explanation, the coverage of an event such as Paris divides the world into two sets of audiences.

Folks in the West, their anxieties heightened by the outrage, find comfort in the international community getting into

After the Paris attack, the media has boosted the antiterror mood to the sort of pitch reminiscent of the first Gulf war. This time even Russia is part of the pack. a scrum on the issue in Vienna, Antalya… wherever. They find the coverage in tune with their fears and concerns.

This powerful community is not even aware of the popular Cairo blog, which asks the question: “The international community keeps asking what the region is doing to stop the spread of the ISIS; the region keeps asking why ISIS is only a problem when it strikes Western targets.” Social media in the region lampoons the West’s

reactions. A cartoon shows two patients in a hospital: one covered head to toe in bandages is named “Syria”, and the other, in the adjacent bed, with a bandaged finger is called “Paris”. A man in a three piece suit, labelled the international community, leans over to kiss the bandaged finger.

Since there is in the Arab world (as in India) no media capable of live coverage of events such as the attack in Paris, there is among these populations an acute sense of helplessness. Each family is riveted on its TV set that blares Muslim terror at them but never dwells on Muslim pain. Iraq, Libya, Syria—three efficient dictatorships have all been destroyed. Nearly three million have been killed by Western bombardment, the IS, consequent civil wars. Hundreds of thousands are on the march towards a Europe torn between hospitality and its

exact opposite. Self-centred coverage by the Western media comes across to them as frames from which their continuing tragedies are missing.

I am sensitive to these disparities, as I was present at the inauguration of the global media when in February 1991 CNN brought the first ever war live into our drawing rooms. This was the Operation Desert Storm.

What irks Arab intelligentsia most is a sense of impotence at two levels—one at the level of their own authoritarian regimes, which are often in cahoots with the West, and secondly with the West itself that is impervious to popular Arab discontent.

It is an article of faith in the Arab world that the ISIS is, in its origins, a US, Saudi, Turkish, Israeli creation. Off the record, Arab ambassadors in New Delhi will testify to this widespread belief in their respective countries.

After the Paris attack, the media has boosted the anti-terror mood to the sort of pitch reminiscent of the first Gulf war. This time even Russia is part of the pack.

Incidentally, the media forgot to mention the first effect of the Paris attack— cancellation of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s visit to France, Italy and the Vatican, an outcome that must have pleased Riyadh. Western resolve to fight terror will be on test in Africa where the entire belt from Nigeria right up to Somalia is in the line of fire of IS look-alikes such as Boko Haram and Al Shabab.

Kiwis take to virtual platforms for real world interaction Anuja Nadkarni

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ith the rapid increase of new media technologies, more Kiwis are signing up to online platforms that help arrange interest-specific meet ups.

Auckland University social psychology PhD student, Yuthika Girme, says the trend of planned get-togethers with strangers is growing in popularity.

“Back in the day who you knew and who you hung out with would be people from your social community, church, school networks and family friends, but I think now people are wanting to expand their social networks and meet and interact with people that they wouldn’t usually be able to.”

Miss Girme says the proliferation of the Internet and mobile devices are turning into a tool for people with shared interests to meet in person in the real world.

Wellington based self-proclaimed foodie Lucy Mutch is one of six co-organisers of the city’s most popular food based meet up group, The Wellington Foodies. Ms Mutch started the group in 2010 as a way to meet new people and soon joined forces with five other food enthusiasts to create an ongoing six events per month, one each hosted by each enthusiast. The events include monthly foodie book clubs, movie nights based around food and cooking classes and are often free or encourage a potluck format.

Ms Mutch says social media has played an instrumental role in organising the meet ups: “I have a constant dialogue with the followers. They contact me suggesting new restaurants or movies that we can set up an event around. It has also allowed a platform for us to speak to the masses.”

Glow in the dark meet up coordinator and

yoga instructor, Gemma One Tree Hill Tai Chi meet up co-organiser Alice Chan practices the ancient Chinese exercise at Hogan, says she thinks a Saturday morning class humans are longing to meet new people in the digital age and meet ups are enabling “strangers to forge communities”.

“I think people are more curious to try something out and give it a go. It is using the technology to connect with people and meet new people that share interests that some people may not be comfortable sharing with the people people congregate to learn the ancient they know,” Ms Hogan says.

Chinese exercise regimen that is believed to She monthly meets up on full moon enhance wellness. nights where she provides glow in English practicing meet up group the dark stickers to her attendees to organiser, Rodrigo Feitosa, originally encourage conversation. from Brazil started his group after his “It’s yoga but it’s community. You’re regular English meet up group suddenly giving people an opportunity to come discontinued one day. together, and participate in something very “I don’t speak English in Brazil because holistic and natural and just to connect they mock up if you don’t speak [well]. I with people.” have no choice [but] to speak it here. People Ms Hogan says she usually gets around are friendly [here]. When I first got here I 25 to 30 attendees each month and also was depressed because I didn’t have friends conducts weekly yoga sessions that end and was new to everything—the language. with a movie and tea session every Sunday. So I went to [an] English meet up group Several meet up websites and apps and really enjoyed [it] but [they] never meet are available. One of the most popular is again so I decide to make my own group.”

Meetup.com that has more than 22 million There are a number of other languageusers worldwide and, according to the learning meet up groups including website, an average of 400 meet ups take Mandarin, Japanese, Spanish and French place in Auckland. in Auckland.

Co-organiser for a tai chi meet up group, Mr Feitosa says many of these groups Alice Chan, says the popularity of the meet meet regularly in downtown cafes and the ups has spread through word of mouth. Mrs members tend to be new migrants and longChan’s tai chi group meets every Saturday, stay visitors keen to share their knowledge if the weather permits, at One Tree Hill, of languages of their countries of origin. in Auckland, where a group of some 30 There are at least 21 Meetup groups in

Auckland that are dedicated to developing language skills. Ms Mutch, of Wellington Foodies, says since she has been organising meet ups she has only encountered two negative experiences.

“I stipulate in our rules that we’re not a dating site and people should only join if they’re interested in food—so there’ve been a couple of instances of men where they’ve tried to contact or instigate relationships with female members that they’ve been to an event with.

“But I’ve got a blanket policy on throwing people out immediately and if they go too far I’ll have no hesitation in contacting the police.”

Mrs Chan, of the tai chi group, says two of her friends experienced similar negative encounters at meet ups.

“Sometimes people sign up for [the] wrong class. They want to look for partners but [they] go into eastern philosophy or something and make other people feel a bit uncomfortable.”

Glow in the Dark’s Ms Hogan says she has not heard or experienced any offputting incidents.

“There’s not a great deal to be lost, there is more to be gained because you can find something interesting, exciting or try something and know that it’s not for you,” Ms Hogan says.

Miss Girme says meet ups are just like any other social interaction. “Experiences with people vary as much as the people themselves,” she adds.

“At the end of the day we all want the same thing out of a relationship. We want people to hang out with, to share interests with, to get support from and have people encourage us. “All of those things haven’t changed but how we’re meeting people is changing,” Miss Girme says.

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Intolerance to inaction on climate change: Modi can make a difference Rajendra Shende

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S President Barack Obama made his emblematic statement at the G20 summit in Turkey on November 15 that the Paris attacks were an “attack on civilized world.

If left unchecked, these terrorists could pose a growing threat beyond that region, including to the United States”.

The attacks overshadowed the G20 summit as they will the Paris climate change talks two weeks from now. However, if the climate summit ends without any legally binding and ambitious treaty, the global community would certainly repeat President Obama’s statement, albeit replacing the word “terrorism” with “climate change”.

Minutes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 60,000-strong audience at London’s Wembley stadium, terrorists struck in Paris, just across the English Channel with deadly bombs and gunfire. Modi, in his speech, had said, “It is the responsibility of every human living in this world to fight global warming and terrorism...India

will show the world the path to fight both.”

While the climate messiah, former US vice president Al Gore, has described global warming as “inconvenient truth”, Modi has demonstrated, when he was chief minister of Gujarat, by implementing ambitious renewable energy projects there, that the mitigation of global warming is in fact a “convenient action”.

The convenient action was however lacking in the informal meeting of the 62 ministers, hosted by French government, in Paris between November 8 and 10. The objective was to avail the final opportunity before the Paris summit to bridge the nagging gaps in the negotiating debates When the meeting ended, the inconvenient truth seems to have emerged that there are few items of agreement among the participants. It started emerging that legally binding targets would not be decided in Paris but over the years that would follow.

The last high-level opportunity to converge on certain seminal issues seems to have been lost. The political momentum,

particularly in committing to ambitious targets, fairness in delivering climate justice, post2020 financing for the developing countries and pre-2020 action by the developed countries, has been frittered away.

A day after start of that meeting, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), which monitors global warming, signalled the crying need of action on climate change. “The amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere reached yet another new record high in 2014...In spring 2015, the global average concentration of CO2 crossed the 400 parts per million (ppm) barriers,” it declared.

Thus, levels of 400 ppm will now be the new “normal” that the world has to live with. At such rising rate, the CO2 levels in the atmosphere will reach to the level of 1200 ppm by end of this century.

And, the global thermometer will show an average temperature rise of about five degrees Celsius against the aimed figure of two degrees Celsius.

Sadly, the process of negotiating the treaty in Paris has now become “business-as-usual” diplomacy.

Its success elements could include “agreement on continuing post2015 negotiations” on all major issues of financing and the emission reduction targets.

Modi stands to make difference at this crucial juncture. He had, in the past, conveyed to the world that two most formidable challenges today are terrorism and climate change. India is now being hailed globally as genuine player in addressing climate change, mainly due to its thoughtful INDCs and steps already taken in the area of energy efficiency, renewable energy and forestry. It has acquired a legitimate position by declaring that India is not part of the problem but would like to be part of the solution.

As the leader of the world’s largest democracy and a proponent of inclusive development, Modi knows well that addressing climate change means using clean energy that would reduce air pollution— thereby reducing 1.4 million premature deaths in India. It means enhancing renewable energy generation that would reduce energy-poverty and

provide electricity to the remaining 80,000 villages of India. It means deploying sustainable agricultural practices for farmers to conserve water and quality of soil, increase their income and reduce their suicides It means increasing energy efficiency of the air conditioners by us of non-HFC refrigerants to reduce the peak loads during the summer and subsequent power blackouts. It means reducing poverty—the key sustainable development goal in post-2015 era.

Modi has convinced the world on International Yoga Day. Can he convince the world to be intolerant towards inaction on climate change? The G20 leaders observed a minute of silence to remember victims of the Paris attacks.

Would Modi lead a minute of silence at the Paris climate summit if the world leaders do not agree on an ambitious and legally binding treaty in the December of 2015? Yoga teaches us to be tolerant but not towards terrorism and inaction on climate change.

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India, Malaysia to deepen defence cooperation, expand trade I ndia and Malaysia agreed to deepen defence and security cooperation and expand bilateral trade while signing three accords in the areas of cyber security, culture and infrastructure.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the third and last day of his visit to Malysia that marked the beginning of the bilateral phase, held delegation-level talks with Malaysian Premier Najib Razak, following which the two leaders held a joint press conference.

Modi attended the 13th Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)-India Summit on Saturday and the 10th East Asia Summit on Sunday.

“I am particularly grateful to you (Razak) for our security cooperation,” Modi said at the press conference.

“It underlines our shared commitment to deal with our security challenges. We will continue to deepen our cooperation in this area,” he said.

He said the recent spate of attacks in different countries, apart from the “ceaseless terrorist attempts against India and

PM Modi and Malaysian PM Najib Razak inaugurate ‘Torana Gate’ in Malaysia

Afghanistan”, were a reminder of the global nature of this threat.

“We will also make our defence cooperation stronger, including for advancing maritime security and strengthening disaster response in our region,” the Indian prime minister said.

He also said that the agreement to cooperate in cyber-security between the two countries was very important. “As our lives get more networked, this is emerging

as one of the most serious concerns of our age,” he stated.

While the cyber security agreement was signed between the Indian Computer Emergency Team (CERT-IN) and Cyber Security, Malaysia, the one on culture was inked between the ministries of culture of the two countries. The infrastructure development agreement was concluded between India’s NITI Aayog and Malaysia’s

Stress on banks to ease post-resolution of sectoral issues: Jaitley

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he major stress on state-run banks owing to bad loans will progressively commence easing once issues are gradually resolved in various sectors, including implementation of reforms in the power sector, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said.

“The health of public sector banks, particularly in relation to the carry-over of past problems like the unacceptable level of NPAs (non-performing assets) and bad loans was discussed,” Jaitley told reporters here after a meeting with heads of PSBs. “The problems continue, but the banks’ NPAs situation will improve,” the finance minster said.

“Reforms in the power sector, once they are worked out, the stress posed by discoms (distribution companies) would give way. The highways sector has started moving,” he added. He informed media persons that the bankers had offered specific suggestions regarding the steel and aluminium sectors.

“Problems of the steel sector and steps taken by the government in this area were discussed. The secretary, department of financial services, will co-ordinate steps with the department of revenue to take further steps for the banks,” the minister said.

The gross NPAs of PSBs rose to 6.03 per cent at June-end, as against 5.20 per cent in March 2015.

“A series of steps suggested by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) which the banks are implementing will ease the situation. Additionally, the government has been proactive in solving problems of various sectors,” he added.

Jaitley has allocated Rs.7,940 crore in the budget for recapitalisation of PSBs during this financial year.

In this regard, the finance minister said, “The first tranche of money that goes to the banks has already gone.”

Noting the massive stressed assets of the state-run banks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had late last month said the government would infuse Rs.70,000 crore in the PSBs over the next few years. Jaitley had in September said the government might consider reducing its stake in PSBs to 52 per cent.

Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu).

The Indian prime minister also called for scaling up trade and investment relations with Malaysia. The two sides agreed “to promote joint collaboration, especially in infrastructure and construction sectors, and to facilitate joint projects and collaboration between the private sectors of the two countries, in line with the new developmental and business initiatives undertaken

by India, such as the Make in India, Digital India, Smart Cities and Skill Development that offered significant investment opportunities for Malaysian businesses”, the joint statement issued at the end of the talks said.

India and Malaysia also agreed to discuss further with a view to concluding the signing of an MoU on transfer of sentenced prisoners to each other’s prisons.

Modi and Razak later jointly inaugurated a Torana Gate, a traditional gateway to Hindu and Buddhist temples.

“This Torana is not merely a piece of art on stone. This is connecting the two nations and

illustrates the two great cultures,” Modi said while inaugurating the gate at Brickfields, popularly known as Little India.

Razak described the gate as a symbol of India-Malaysia friendship “Torana Gate is a symbol of India-Malaysia friendship. It offers a gateway to one of the oldest civilisations,” he said.

As the visit drew to a close, Modi held a meeting with Corporate Malaysia. “We have ended regulatory uncertainty to a large extent, creating a policy driven state,” Modi said in his meeting with the corporate honchos.

“I assure you that India wants to progress. You have the experience and expertise. We have the requirement. It is a perfect match,” he said.

Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome and a guard of honour at Putrajaya, the federal administrative centre of Malaysia, where he was greeted with a hug

by Razak.

He later left for Singapore on the second and last leg of his fourday visit to Southeast Asia.

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27 November 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

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Indian-origin student awarded presidential scholarship in US

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n Indian-origin student has been awarded a presidential scholarship in a US college for outstanding academic merit and an exceptional commitment to the field of culinary arts.

Kendall College School of Culinary Arts in Chicago awarded Aashrit Abhinav Sundar the scholarship recently following a final interview with college president, Emily Williams Knight, a press release said.

“Throughout his life, Aashrit has demonstrated a passion for the hospitality and culinary industry and a drive to build a remarkable career in the field of baking and pastry,” Knight said.

“Having completed his hospitality management degree in India, Aashrit now wants to take his love for baking and pastry and attend one of the

best programmes in the US,” she added. Sundar began classes at the institution in October 2015 and is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry. The scholarship will cover 50 per cent of the programme’s total cost.

“Aashrit is confident, driven, and passionate about his field of study,” Knight noted.

“It is clear that he is a leader and he is an example of the type of student that will thrive and lead the industry in the future.”

The US Presidential Scholars Programme is a programme of the department of education that recognises the academic achievements of distinguished US citizens graduating high school. It

Indian-American’s short film in Oscar race

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ndian-American Pixar artist and director Sanjay Patel’s animated short film Sanjay’s Super Team has been shortlisted among 10 animated short films to advance in the voting process for the upcoming 88th Academy Awards.

As many as 60 films had originally qualified in the category before the list was narrowed down to 10.

Short films and feature animation branch members will now select five nominees for the final shortlist, read a statement on the website of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Screenings for the

film will be held in Los Angeles, London, New York and San Francisco in December.

Sanjay’s Super Team, inspired

by Patel’s childhood when he felt conflicted by the modern world and Hindu traditions of his family, follows the daydream of a young Indian boy, bored with his father’s religious meditation, who imagines Hindu gods as superheroes.

Bear Story, Carface, If I Was God..., Love in the time of March Madness, My Home, An Object at Rest, Prologue, We Can’t Live Without Cosmos and World of Tomorrow are the other nine shortlisted titles.

The 88th Academy Awards will take place on February 28 next year.

is described as “one of the nation’s highest honours for high school students” in the US. In Kendell College, the presidential scholarship is awarded each academic term to one international student who demonstrates superior academic achievement and passion for their area of study.

Kendall College, founded in 1934 and located in Chicago, Illinois, offers undergraduate degrees in business, culinary arts, early childhood education and hospitality management to a diverse and passionate community of more than 1,800 students.

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Indian-origin man’s firm raises funds for diabetes cure

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n Indian-origin man’s company organised a diabetes awareness walk in Dubai and raised funds to support on-going research to cure the disease, a media report said.

Landmark Group, a retail and hospitality group and Fitness First, a Britain-based health club group organised Beat Diabetes Walk in a bid to raise awareness about the condition and promote the benefits of a healthier lifestyle.

Nearly, 17,000 residents joined the seventh edition of the programme and took part in spot fitness challenges, in addition to yoga and body balance classes.

“We are grateful to the people of the UAE and the wider region who stepped out of their homes to

join the Beat Diabetes Walk,” said Renuka Jagtiani, vice-chairperson of the Landmark Group.

The initiative raised 350,000 dirhams ($95,296) and the money will be donated to Al Jalila Foundation—a global philanthropic organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical education and research.

“We hope the initiative continues to inspire people to make lifestyle changes to either prevent or better manage the condition,” added Jagtiani.

The people in the walk donned blue T-shirts and caps. Noted radio presenters in Dubai, Kris Fade, Priti Malik, and Big Rossi, also took part to support the cause.

Top CEOs pledge support for UN Climate Deal

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he heads of 78 major multinational companies from India, Brazil, China, Europe and the US have pledged support for the United Nations’ Climate Deal and have urged world leaders to “reach an ambitious climate deal” that they argue will “generate jobs and growth” across the world.

In an open message, CEOs from 78 companies—a crosssectoral coalition facilitated by the World Economic Forum that includes banking, manufacturing, construction and energy— extended an “open offer” to governments to co-design climate solutions ahead of the UNFCCC’s Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris.

The conference will see the leaders of nearly 200 countries

meet to finalise a global agreement on climate.

“Delaying action is not an option,” they said.

The 78 CEOs represent $2.13 trillion in revenue—equivalent to India’s GDP. “In the current scenario, emerging nations need, to some extent, to increase their carbon footprint, while developed nations are resistant to reducing theirs. This leads to a perceived dichotomy between development and sustainability. I believe this is a false dichotomy,” Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra said in a statement on the deal.

“Economic growth without environmental sensitivity is a Faustian bargain, as some of our smog filled cities in India and China demonstrate. And a focus

on sustainability without rapid development will only serve to perpetuate poverty,” he added.

The message from the CEOs has been welcomed by Christiana

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Figueres, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework

Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

She said climate action represents a “massive economic opportunity”.

“This is the first internationally directed industrial revolution and will be the source of good new jobs and strong growth for the coming decades, something developing countries are increasingly realising and taking the lead on.”

The move is part of the ongoing push to deliver a lasting legacy on climate change.

The CEOs hope to capitalise on the momentum created by pledges from more than 160 countries, notably from the US and China, in recent months to bolster the case that governments have industry support to take decisive action to combat climate change.

SPORTS

www.iwk.co.nz | 27 November 2015

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Indian hockey colts emerge Asian champs

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armanpreet Singh successfully converted four penalty corners as India overpowered traditional rivals Pakistan 6–2 in the final of the Eighth Junior Men’s Asia Cup hockey tournament at the Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium.

Harmanpreet scored his hattrick inside 30 minutes to ease the issue for India. Armaan Qureshi (44th minute) and Manpreet Jr (50th) were the other goal-scorers for India. India started the match on a positive note, pressing hard since the opening minute of the first half and was soon awarded with a penalty corner in the 10th minute. Harmanpreet converted the penalty corner to take his tally to 12 goals in the tournament and give India an early advantage of 1–0. India was again awarded with back-to-back penalty corners in the 13th and 14th minute— the second one being fruitful for Harmanpreet.

Pakistan fought back in the 28th minute with a successful penalty corner from Yaqoob Muhammad.

However, India again got back on attack and earned another penalty corner that completed hat-trick for Harmanpreet two minutes

later as India went into the lemon break with a 3–1 lead. The second half saw the Indian domination continue with Qureshi scoring in the 44th minute. Manpreet Jr. made it 5–1 in the 50th minute.

Three minutes later, senior Indian international Harmanpreet once again executed a perfect penalty corner conversion that made it a stunning 6–1 lead.

Harmanpreet took his tournament goal tally to 15 goals— highest in the eight-nation meet.

Dilber Muhammad got the second goal for Pakistan in the 68th minute as the match ended 6–2 in India’s favour. India chief coach Harendra Singh said his

Djokovic beats Federer to win fourth successive ATP finale title

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orld number one Novak Djokovic capped a perfect season as he beat six-time champion Roger Federer to win a record fourth straight ATP World Tour Finals title at London’s O2 Arena.

The 28-year-old Serb, who lost to Federer in the group stage, broke the Swiss three times to win 6–3, 6–4 in just 80 minutes on Sunday, November 22, levelling their record with the 17-time Grand Slam winner at 22–22.

It was Djokovic’s 11th title of the season, including three Grand Slam trophies. He played 88 matches in the season and won 82 of them. Djokovic, who won the event for the first in 2008, has now collected the season finale five times and surpassed Ivan Lendl’s 1987 feat. “I’m very proud for achievement,” Djokovic said. “This season could not have been better. It’s been the best of my life.”

Federer said, “It is never fun on the not winning side, but it is better than not playing at all like last year. This week was great,

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there were some crazy points tonight, but like plenty of times this year Novak deserved it.”

“With the wins that I had this season and throughout my career, especially in the last five years, I put myself in a very good position, knowing that I made a lot of records and history,” said Djokovic.

“I’m convinced with this dedication to the sport, I can achieve more. How much, I don’t know. I don’t have a sense of urgency. I don’t chase anything. I just try to be in the moment and see where it takes me.”

team was “hungry” for the title after finish runners-up to Britain in the 5th Sultan of Johor Cup last month.

“It was an exciting final and the boys displayed immaculate passion and calmness on the field.

We ended up as runners-up in the 5th Sultan of Johor Cup which made it an even bigger win as we were hungry for the podium position,” Harendra said in a release.

“The support was immense and we felt we were playing in our own backyard. We only have to look forward from here and keep giving such excellent performances.”

Klopp tastes success as Liverpool crush Manchester City

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ew manager Juergen Klopp saw the best result since his arrival to Liverpool as the Reds beat Premier League title chasers Manchester City 4–1.

A stunning first-half display of high pressing and counterattacking saw Klopp’s side, which move to within six points of a Champions League berth, surge into a three-goal lead at the Etihad last weekend.

It was the first time since February 2003 that City had conceded three goals before the interval in a league fixture.

First-half goals from Brazilian duo Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino stunned the hosts, which had fallen behind after Eliaquim Mangala put through his own net.

Firmino enjoyed his best performance in a red shirt since joining the club from German side Hoffenheim for a reported fee of 29 million pounds ($45.8 million).

He was flanked by compatriot Coutinho, who continues to thrive under Klopp. The pair was involved in all three goals as

Liverpool established a firm hold on the game.

Fit-again striker Sergio Aguero pulled one back shortly before the interval, curling a splendid effort beyond Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

City slipped to third on 26 points, two adrift of new league leaders Leicester, while Liverpool moves up to ninth with 20 points.

Lucky to have Sania as my partner: Hingis

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wiss veteran tennis player Martina Hingis heaped praise on her women’s doubles partner Sania Mirza, terming the Indian as an extremely professional and optimistic and a partner she is lucky to play with.

The unstoppable duo of MirzaHingis came up with yet another stupendous performance recently to win the women’s doubles title at the prestigious $7 million WTA Finals in Singapore.

It was the pair’s ninth title together this season, having also won in Beijing, Wuhan, Guangzhou, US Open, Wimbledon, Charleston, Miami and Indian Wells.

Sania also won the Sydney International in January with American Bethanie Mattek-Sands to take her doubles trophy count to 10 this year.

“It has been a great year for me with Sania. She is a great player. We have great respect for each other. She is extremely professional and an optimistic player. Our friendship and relationship both on and off the court has lead to this success,” Martina said at a press conference.

“Sania has improved a lot on the nets. We all know she is an extremely good at the backhand but she has improved on the nets too. Hoping to continue this good runs in days to come. Lucky to have Sania as a partner in the incredible journey,” the 35-yearold said.

Speaking on her mixed doubles partner Leander Paes, she said, “Paes is a legend in this game. I can rely on Paes as he is a great player in the nets and I can concentrate at the back. He also has great volleys.”

Praising both Sania and Paes, the Swiss star said the duo might have some weakness in the court but their strengths make them a champion in the game. “They both have different strengths

and weaknesses. They have good qualities and that makes them champion that is their strengths,” she said.

Martina is in India to play for Hyderabad Aces in the Champions Tennis League starting on Monday which is the mastermind of the legendary Vijay Amritraj.

Reigning US Open women’s singles champion Flavia Pennetta will play for Mumbai Masters in the six team tournament featuring Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Raipur, Nagpur and Chennai.

Speaking on the competition, Hingis said, “This is a great tournament to play in. I am looking forward to give my best for my team and do well. Amritraj has brought this up and I wish him all the best for this.”

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Continued from Page 3

BAY OF ISLANDS ITINERARY INSPIRATIONS These sample itineraries have been compiled to showcase the beautiful Bay of Islands’ a fantastic destination for a short trip away from the city. Whether you’re after a romantic trip for two, family fun, adventure or relaxation, the Bay of Islands has so much to offer. With its proximity to Auckland or a short flight from one of the main centres, it’s the perfect destination for a weekend’s escape or longer.

The Bay of Islands—it’s where stories begin.

See www.visitboi.co.nz for more useful information on the area.

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Cuisine themed itinerary in the Bay of Islands Day 1: Stay at the waterfront Kingsgate Hotel in Paihia - the perfect position to explore the Bay from.

Enjoy dinner at Provenir, an intimate local restaurant with a seasonally driven menu that emphasises the age-old formula of simple ingredients cooked well, with a focus on handmade and artisanal.

DAY 2: Visit the Old Packhouse Market in Kerikeri for the freshest, locally grown produce, quality meats, poultry, seafood, cheeses, flowers and more. See http://www. theoldpackhousemarket.co.nz/ Head back to Paihia to enjoy a casual lunch and drinks over the water at the picturesque Alongside Bar. Take the passenger ferry from Paihia to Russell and dine at the award-winning Duke of Marlborough restaurant on Russell’s beautiful waterfront where you can embrace the history and charm of New Zealand’s first licensed hotel. The Duke is a truly majestic destination for an unforgettable experience.

Fun and adventure themed itinerary in the Bay of Islands and Hokianga Day 1: Stay at the tropical 4 star Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands, situated at the entrance to Paihia it’s a short stroll into town to the main wharf, visitor activities, dining and shopping.

Day 2: Cruise the sparkling waters of the Bay on the Inner Island Explorer Tour. You’ll encounter diverse wildlife in their natural surroundings with a chance to swim with the dolphins.

Drive two hours to Hokianga and stay at the 4 star Copthorne Hotel & Resort Hokianga. From

the beachfront rooms, you are just a one-minute stroll to the picturesque shore, providing a relaxed ambience away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Walk through the spectacular Waipoua Forest at night to see the mighty Tane Mahuta with Footprints Waipoua.

Day 3: Let out your inner child and have fun sandboarding in the giant sand dunes of with Hokianga Express.

Family fun-themed itinerary in the Bay of Islands Day 1: Spot the thousands of luminous glow-worms at Kawiti Caves— Northland’s ultimate glow-worm experience. See www.kawiticaves. co.nz for more details.

Stay at the tropical 4 star Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands, situated at the entrance to Paihia it’s a short stroll into town to the main wharf, visitor activities, dining and shopping.

Day 2: Learn about where New Zealand’s story began with a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty grounds and an authentic Maori cultural performance including waiata, poi and haka in the Marae.

Explore the Bay of Islands on a cruise that has it all – the iconic Hole in the Rock Cruise will take you in search of dolphins and other marine life as you journey to the end of Cape Brett Peninsula to the famous Hole in the Rock on Motukokako Island.

Enjoy a unique dining experience over the water at 35 South Restaurant, the central 60,000-litre salt water Aquarium filled with local fish in the centre of the restaurant is sure to be a hit with the kids.

Romance-themed itinerary in the Bay of Islands Day 1: Stay at The Duke of Marlborough Hotel in Russell, a unique setting where you can embrace the history and charm of New Zealand’s first licensed hotel. Located on the waterfront in the heart of romantic Russell, The Duke is a truly majestic destination for an unforgettable holiday experience.

Enjoy fabulous threecourse fine dining at The Duke of Marlborough’s award-winning restaurant.

Day 2: Treat you and your special someone to a luxurious couples’ massage at La Spa Naturale at the award-winning boutique Paihia Beach Resort & Spa Hotel.

Continue to relax and unwind with cocktails and canapés at Alongside Bar perched over the water in Paihia.

Make no mistake, while the Bay of Islands itself is picturesque, the trip itself is worth every mile.

There are several cafes and scenic points to stop and soak in nature’s beauty.

So inspire yourself to choose from one of the itinerary inspirations and head out this summer. A quick check on the relevant websites (www.visitboi. co.nz) will give you more options.

(Source – Mango, Auckland)

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Beat the heat with beach therapy

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Sun-kissed days are back, and it is time to pack your beach bags and head for the comfort of velvety sand dunes that blanket the land.

Here’s our pick of the must-visit beaches in and around Auckland.

Esha Chanda

Piha he vast stretch of black sand that covers Piha beach is one of the most popular go-to locations in summer. Situated on the west coast of North Island, it is a 45-minute drive from the city of Auckland. Make your way through the lush rainforest of the Waitakere Ranges to a beach marked by rugged cliffs. The small scenic bay is guarded by Camel Rock (Taitomo Island) to the south and Lion Rock (Whakaari) to the north.

Piha is known for its notorious wild surfs that roll in over the Tasman Sea and is a popular surfing location among tourists and Kiwis. Bask under the sun or take a dip in the turquoise waters during the day or climb the majestic Lion Rock—Piha’s iconic landmark—to see the Maori carving.

Watch the sun disappear in the horizon as the sky turns a beautiful shade of orange and pink and spend the night lying supine on the sand to watch the slow dance of the infinite stars.

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Devonport. The beach is home to sports clubs such as Takapuna Football Club and the Takapuna Rugby Club. With shops, cafes and restaurants in close proximity, Takapuna beach combines the rhythm of the city and the vibe of a beach.

Maraetai ocated on the Pohutukawa Coast in east Auckland, this swimming beach is an hour’s drive from Auckland CBD and is popular among families every summer. In Maori, Maraetai means ‘meeting place by the sea’.

Drive along the Pohutukawa Coast, swim in the water at the beach or explore the loop tracks at Omana Regional Park.

And while you are at Maraetai, stop by the neighbouring Beachlands area that has three swimming beaches—Sunkist Bay, Shelley Bay and Green Bay that form a part of the Pohutukawa Coast.

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Orewa large flat beach with golden sand, Orewa is not only one of the best

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Piha beach

Takapuna ith soft white sand and one of the most breathtaking coastlines, Takapuna is located at Auckland’s coastal suburb of North Shore. The beach, which offers a clear view of the volcanic Rangitoto Island, is a 15-minute drive across the Auckland harbour bridge and can be reached using the bus or the ferry. During a low tide, part of a fossilised kauri forest can be seen.

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Cheltenham beach

beaches in the vicinity of Auckland but also one of the best in the country. A favourite among joggers, the beach stretches for three kilometres and borders the Orewa town.

Situated at the north of Auckland’s harbour bridge, Orewa beach is a mere 20-minute ride from the city. The beach is ideal for different water sports such as windsurfing, surfing and kayaking. Families with kids can access the large playground near the beach.

Orewa beach

to numerous beaches, is a few minutes’ drive from Orewa. With numerous cafes, restaurants and bars to dine at and backpackers lodge available for accommodation, you can spend your weekend away from the city at the beach and then head towards Waiwera Thermal Resort to soak in the geothermal hot pools.

Pakiri majestic 14-kilometre long white sandy beach to the north, Pakiri is a coastal paradise. The pristine beach has a lot to offer—from fishing for fresh snappers to tackling the tumbling waves and horse riding over the dunes and through Pohutukawa groves. The magic of the beach lies in soaking the sun rays as you watch whales and dolphins on the horizon or spot rare species of seabirds on the shore.

Pakiri beach is an hour’s drive from the central city, located on the east coast from Wellsford, north of Auckland. The Pakiri

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Maraetai beach

Tourists often walk or cycle along the Millennium Walkway that starts from South Bridge and loops through Orewa before returning along the beach. The Whangaparaoa Peninsula, also home

Cheltenham he mystical allure of Cheltenham lies in the panoramic view it has to offer of the Hauraki Gulf. With a backdrop of Rangitoto Island, the beach offers a long sandy stretch and calm waters and is popular with locals and tourists for swimming and kayaking.

A 1.5-km walk from the ferry terminal, the route has beautifully restored Victorian villas and a stunning view of the ocean.

You can also access the North Head Historic Reserve from the beach. With benches located in shaded areas that overlook the waters, Cheltenham beach is popular among families for setting up picnics. A short walk away is the Torpedo Bay Navy Museum that gives an insight into the country’s military history.

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Score the best deal

Your guide to finding the best and cheapest flights

Esha Chanda

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hile travelling, the airfare is where you probably end up spending most of your vacation money. But with a little planning (and luck), it is easy to find cheap airfare for your trips. So before you book your next vacation, skim through our moneysaving tips.

Go swimming or windsurfing, or take a walk from Takapuna north to Milford (also known as the lava trail or Golden Mile)—a path that follows the North Shore heritage trail and ends at the seaside village of

beach walk is a one-hour return trail (south) from the end of the Pakiri River Rd to Goat Island. If you wish to head north, the path crosses the Pakiri River and continues for around 14 km.

Plan ahead The best way to avoid spending your month’s salary on the tickets is by booking flights in advance. If you can, plan ahead.

Airlines usually go on sale up to 11 months before the departure date.

Last-minute trips If, however, you are not a planner, try last-minute booking. Airlines are known to cut their prices when the departure flight is not full.

The 24-hour rule In most cases, it has worked. Book a flight and check the prices the next morning. If the price has gone down, call the airlines to cancel your ticket (in most cases done without a penalty), and then rebook.

Leave mid-week It is said that Wednesday is the cheapest day to fly. Most travellers leave on the weekend, which means more seats during the week. And more the number of empty seats, more likely that the Airlines will drop their prices.

Fly out early/late If you’re an insomniac, you are in luck.

Early morning and late night flights are the cheapest.

Plan manually Plan your route manually instead of relying on flight search engines. This way, you can avoid long layovers. It is also sometimes cheaper to fly out of certain airports.

Be flexible Avoid peak travelling dates by adding a few extra days before/after your vacation dates. And if you are not too fussy about your destination, you’ll be surprised to find that it is much cheaper to fly to some cities than others.

E-mail notifications Sign up for e-mail notifications from flight search engines for alerts on the best deals available.

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27 November 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

Sathyamangalam beguiles New Zealand fashion students

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oping with the heat, the new sights and smells and tastes and discovering the warmth of their new friendships is adding to the excitement for the 2015 Prime Minister’s Scholarship students from the New Zealand Institute of Fashion Technology on their five-week visit to India hosted by the Bannari Amman Institute of Technology in Sathyamangalam, Tamil Nadu.

Here in their own words, the students share their experiences and some of the many ways these are complementing their learning and will influence their future careers.

From Angela Welcome to India. This is how I feel about my stay here in India and at the Bannari Amman Institute of Technology. It’s been an enlightening experience.

India is beautiful and colourful.

It awakens deep feelings of inspiration. And the people, even though they have little, are kind to share and friendly and welcoming.

The knowledge we’re gaining from our trips to the different companies is priceless. We’re getting information and a greater understanding about production processes and how things work in the fashion industry, specifically in production and exports.

We have only seen these processes on computers and TV or to a smaller extent in New Zealand production companies, but most of those are quite a bit smaller in size. So this was a whole other level of information and we’re grateful to be able to learn so much about what is really happening in the world of fashion production.

We are also grateful for the Bannari Amman hospitality. They have been making us feel at home from day one. This is the most

welcoming and courteous country I have ever visited. I’m grateful that Bannari Amman and NZ Fashion Tech in cooperation with the Prime Minister’s Scholarship grant have made this once in a lifetime opportunity possible for us lucky 20 students. Thank you very much!

This first week in India has been so overwhelming and surreal. It definitely took a couple of days for the reality of it all to actually sink in...

From Grace This first week in India has been so overwhelming and surreal. It definitely took a couple of days for the reality of it all to actually sink in! It’s such

a beautiful country and riding for seven hours on the bus from Chennai as soon as we had landed to where we are staying at BIT in Sathyamangalam, highlighted this beauty. Even though we were

all tired, the noise, the crowd, the bright colours and the landscape were so incredible and so much to take in!

I feel as though we have become somewhat integrated into the culture here. We have been made to feel so welcome and the BIT staff have been so lovely, going out of their way for us and making us feel at home. We were welcomed by the second year fashion students with red Tilaka and cultural dancing.

Where we are staying is so nice, surrounded by coconut trees and palms and the BIT campus is huge. It’s like a small town with everything you need including a book shop and a canteen. All of the students have been so friendly and we have already made connections with people.

The biggest challenge has been coming to terms with the hardship of what is some people’s lives, which is so incomprehensible unless you come face to face with this reality. The brightness of the people and the surroundings despite this is clear and everyone is so friendly, smiling and waving to us on the streets.

We have already done so much. On the second day, here we visited the Bannari Amman Temple, which was such an amazing experience, so bright and colourful. To be able to witness such a powerful form of worship and sacrifice and to also take part in that and to learn about it was incredible.

We have already visited a cotton spinning mill, embroidery and manufacturing mill and the scale of these factories is just insane.

It is so obvious that textiles are vitally important in this region.

The colours, the prints and the intricacy of the detail of the saris we see the women wearing on a daily basis are so beautiful and unlike anything I have ever seen

Good partners make a winning business

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hen Naz Shazmaani had her car and all of her commercial cleaning equipment stolen recently, colleagues rallied round to ensure she didn’t miss a single contract.

“That’s the difference a good franchise partner makes,” she says. “They’re more like family than a business; they care about your success and nothing is too much trouble.”

Naz’ partner is Green Acres, one of New Zealand’s longestserving and most-respected franchise companies.

Naz says the company helped her out with spare equipment and materials so her home and

commercial cleaning business wasn’t interrupted, and they also helped her with the insurance claim.

It’s been a year since Fijianborn Naz abandoned a career

as a qualified chef managing a restaurant at Sky City, to become a cleaner. Wait, not a cleaner, she insists, but a person with her own cleaning business.

“Always believe in what you do. I’m proud to be managing and growing my own business, and I earn more today doing 32 hours a week than I did working full-time hospitality industry hours at Sky City,” she says.

Before joining Green Acres, Naz says she looked at other franchise offerings but settled on Green Acres as having the best offering, the most flexible business model and the most helpful team. “People there are friendly and approachable. They

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are always happy to help you out if you have any problems.”

She says Green Acres has given her a lot of opportunities to grow.

“They promoted me to ‘practical trainer’ and I have trained more than 20 new franchisees, plus I did a stint in their commercial sales office when a team member was on holiday.”

And her advice for others interested in a career as a franchise business owner? “Work hard and go the extra mile for your customers. When you do a job, make sure you do it right and check it. Communicate with your customers and ask them

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before. We have so much to learn about textiles and apparel here and have already learnt so much.

Overall, it has so far been an incredibly breathtaking experience (it has been a full-on week!). I am in love with the food; the chefs have been amazing and have increased the spice levels after a few days, but it is all so delicious. Words can’t do justice to the beauty and experiences we have witnessed!

From Melissa On Sunday after we arrived in India, we went to the Bannari Amman temple. It is such a beautiful place, and it was amazing with all the bright colours and statues everywhere.

The next day we had a tour of the campus. I also got to see my first snake and hold one, which was so cool.

On Tuesday, we had our first classes on spinning fibers into yarn, which was interesting, as we had only looked at the basics previously. Then on Wednesday, some of us visited a spinning mill while the others went to be verified by immigration the next day we swapped around.

On Friday, we went to a weaving factory where they make the fabrics. I loved seeing the process of the fabrics coming together. Saturday, we saw where they were doing embroidery. This was probably my favorite thing so far because I was fascinated by the way that the pictures were coming to life on the fabric.

We also went to a printing factory where we saw screenprinting and where they print bulk patterns on fabrics using rollers. I have had quite a few culture shocks here, but I’m loving every bit of my stay here.

All the people are lovely and have made us feel welcome. I can’t wait to see what adventures the next four weeks bring.

afterwards if they are happy with your work. If you lose a customer it’s hard to get them back, so you must look after the ones you have.” Eighty per cent of Naz’ business comes from Green Acres and 20 per cent is from client referrals. Almost all of her customers are now regulars.

And her advice on Green Acres?

“If you ever want to buy a franchise business, go and see Green Acres. They have a whole range of other home and commercial franchise opportunities as well, including carpet cleaning and lawn care.”

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KIDS

27 November 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

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Little KIDS explore outside environment Silvana Ceni

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ver the past days, gardening has been one of the children’s (and teachers) favourite activities. We are encouraging the children to enjoy this sunny time of the year by exploring the outside environment and nature in different ways. The activities include planting vegetable seeds, planting flowers, watering the garden, observing the worm farm, helping feed the chickens, mantaining and cleaning the garden, and caring for the bugs that live in our garden.

In one of these beautiful gardening days, I invited some children to help me to clear the dry leaves that were accumulating on the back yard.

Sidh was the first child to join me, followed for Naseri and Tayler.

Sidh was interested in exploring how the lawn rake works, as he persistently dragged the leaves to a pile of green waste. As we were working together, we found worms, beetles, ants and snails around the garden. Each time Sidh found a creature in the soil he ran around the area and called his friends saying: “Guys, guys, worm, worm!” And a bunch of curious children ran to observe the small creatures. By playing in the

garden Sidh could extend his English vocabulary as he repeated the name of each bug that we found in the soil, such as ants, beetles, snails, worms. Also through gardening Sidh could learn how to use new technologies (lawn rake) and develop his gross motor coordination by managing this tool.

While we were gardening, Sidh observed two snails climbing up on the fence. I commented that they looked different. What are the differences? Tayler noticed that one of the snails had a ‘house’ and the other did not.

Yes, I said, one has a shell on the back, the another doesn’t. I wonder why? Because he lost his ‘house’ said Naseri.

I explained to them that these creatures are not the same, the one that carries a shell on the back we call ‘snail’, and the other without the shell we call a ‘slug’. Sidh repeated the words.

Sidh is a great communicator, especially when concerning social relationships. We noticed

this skill when Sidh attentively observed whose parents were coming or leaving the centre. He made sure that everyone was aware of the news when something special happened, such as the arrival of someone›s parents.

Through these attitudes Sidh shows us that he is caring, responsible and values the participation of the family and friends in his learning.

We will support Sidh’s interest and skills in communication. We will use those as opportunities to increase his vocabulary in English, which will improve his participation, understanding and contribution for learning.

To respond to Sidh’s interests as a communicator and to foster his vocabulary, we will involve Sidh more often in individual and group conversations, ask him to transmit messages to other children and teachers, and help him name the objects instead of just pointing at them.

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

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ENTERTAINMENT

27 November 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

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Tamasha not auto-biographical, says Imtiaz Ali

At the closing ceremony of the 21st Kolkata International Film Festival, Tagore, who was heading the jury selecting the best woman director and film from 14 short-listed films, lauded Salami’s bravery.

“It is very brave of her to show the courage and make this film and highlight the suffering of scores of women in the name of religion and tradition,” Tagore said.

Although Salami didn’t bag the top honours, she received special mention from the five-member jury.

In addition to Tagore, the jury comprised well-known ChineseAmerican actress Bai Ling, Polish director Filip Marczewski, Israeli

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ilm-maker Imtiaz Ali says there might be a few moments from his life in his forthcoming film Tamasha, but it’s not an autobiographical.

Talking about the story of the film, Ali said, “Tamasha has that kind of love, which makes a normal person extraordinary, which makes a commoner an artist. This is the kind of love through which you understand why you need a woman in life and how it takes you on a journey through which we identify ourselves.”

Ali, who got separated from his wife a few years back, believes that personal life incidents and thoughts suggest you the story.

But it’s not necessary that the story you’re portraying will be completely based on your personal life. “There might be a few minor moments from my life in Tamasha, which you can see. But on the whole, it’s not that this film is autobiographical,” he said.

He also shared that Tamasha as a title suits the film in every possible way.

“With Tamasha, it’s the first time that I have liked the title of my film. Tamasha means spectacle, a scene or a show, something that you watch or something that you enjoy watching,” said Ali. “Secondly, Tamasha is always associated with the stage and this film has a lot to do with the stage.

What you’ll see ultimately is that there is an artist who narrates his stories on stage. So, this title is suitable to the film in every way,” added the director.

Sharmila Tagore lauds Yemeni director

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eteran actress Sharmila Tagore heaped praises on Yemeni film-maker Khadija Al Salami, considered the first woman director from her country, for being courageous enough to highlight the sufferings of women in the name of religion and tradition in her film I Am Nojoom, Age 10 And Divorced.

film-maker Samuel Maoz and Sri Lankan actress Swarna Mallawarachchi.

Speaking on behalf of the jury, Tagore also acknowledged SwissCanadian director Lea Pool’s The Passion of Augustine for excellence in several fields.

“It was at another level but it was a beautiful level. It had beautiful photography, beautiful dialogues and stellar performances,” Tagore said.

Colombian film-maker Libia Stella Gomez won the coveted Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award for best woman director and Hungarian entry The Wednesday Child bagged the trophy for best film at the festival.

People thought Bajirao Mastani will never happen: Bhansali

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ilm-maker Sanjay Leela Bhansali says people thought he’ll never be able to make his ambitious project Bajirao Mastani—a film that he planned to make for the past 12 years. “I kept holding it for 12 years and kept thinking about it for 12 years. People thought this will never happen; that it was impossible for the film to be made.

‘Every year he begins it and every year he scraps it’,” said Bhansali.

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initially wanted to cast his Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam actors Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for the title roles.

Bhansali said, “Several people came in and several went out. But it is written in the destiny of our Bajirao, Mastani and Kashibai (actors). Bajirao, Mastani and Kashibai’s souls had a will that these people (actors Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra) do this film and nothing could go against it.

“It was their blessings. And so, when it had to be made, it got made.”

About the experience of completing the film, Bhansali said, “It’s a wonderful state to be in; that’s why we make films to experience this one moment of seeing it on the screen. Economics might matter or not matter, films are obviously made with money but more than money, it’s made with passion and with people.”

“There are several talented people who’ve worked on this film.

They’re relieved. There is that sadness, emptiness and the feeling that it’s done, now I’m jobless,” he added.

Bajirao Mastani will hit the screens on December 18.

LGBT film fest kicks off in Kolkata

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he ninth edition of DIALOGUES: Calcutta International LGBT Film and Video Festival began on Thursday with a bouquet of 38 films from 13 countries.

According to organisers, Sappho for Equality, Pratyay Gender Trust and Goethe-InstitutMax Mueller Bhavan Kolkata, this year the specially curated packages from the Dresden Film Festival and Berlin Film Festival will be featured during the four-day event.

“India’s oldest Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender film festival showcases films, shorts, and videos from national and international filmmakers, highlighting major feature films of interest to

the community and their friends.

The theme this year is ‘Insider Outsider’,” the organisers said in a statement.

Back-to-back screenings will be held at the Max Mueller Bhavan. The fest concludes on November 29.

As many as 11 features, five documentaries, one docu-fiction, 20 shorts and a short-fiction from India, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Germany, Indonesia, Morocco, Romania, Spain, UK and USA are part of the festival basket.

Qissa by Anup Sharma was the inaugural film.

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ther highlights include Romanian movie Beyond the Hills (premiered at Cannes Film Festival 2012), Plan B by Argentinian Marco Berger and the British comedy Appropriate Behaviour.

Tin Sottyi...In Fact, a documentary on lives of members of the LGBT community, produced by Sappho for Equality, will have its premiere at the fest.

Shekhar Kapur making short film on Buddha’s enlightenment Shekhar Kapur has embarked on a quest to sneak into Lord Buddha’s mind when he attained enlightenment, with his camera.

The film-maker says he is making a short film on what went in the mind of Buddha at the time of awakening in a more virtual and immersive space.

“I want to make a film on what actually happened to Buddha at the time of enlightenment. So, I’m trying to make a 13–14 minute film on it. I’m trying to give the audience a feeling of what could have happened in his mind, how he saw the world, how the world changed when he was going through enlightenment,” Kapur said.

The period of enlightenment in Buddha’s life was when he distanced himself from all the materialistic things and luxuries of life as a king and tried to find true meaning of life.

The director, best known for his award-winning films such as Masoom, Mr India, Bandit Queen and Elizabeth, delved into detail about the project.

Beaming with joy while explaining the project, Kapur said that the new virtual reality technology will enable audience to “enter Buddha’s mind, look around it, look through his eyes and come back.

It will give audience an immersive experience and they can decide how they want to see it”.

He added that the project has been on his mind for long.

“I wanted to make a three-hour long film on him, and suddenly I have found a way to use virtual reality to go into Buddha’s mind. I

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may not be right but that is my interpretation of what might happen if you experience enlightenment,” Kapur said.]]Kapur shared that he is already in talks with a couple of writers.

Won’t be directing overdramatic Indian cinema: Vidhu Vinod Chopra

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fter helming pertinent Hindi films such as Parinda, 1942: A Love Story and Hollywood film Broken Horses, film-maker Vidhu Vinod Chopra says he is planning to go back to the director’s chair, but not with some “overdramatic” script.

“Hindi cinema is very different from international cinema as it is loud and dramatic. As a director I had a crossroad and now I won’t be directing overdramatic Indian cinema.

“It’s not like I don’t like it. I love it but I have done it all. I think Eklavya—The Royal Guard was my final tribute to such kind of cinema,” Chopra said.

He added, “There is something I want to do. Let us see otherwise I will continue writing, producing and editing.”

Chopra, who after narrating stories such as Khamosh and Mission Kashmir, turned into a producer only to churn out blockbuster hits such as 3 Idiots and PK. The 62-year-old said he stumbled upon this conclusion after working in Hollywood.

“He (Abhijat Joshi) has instigated me to direct. Frankly the trouble is that I have directed in India and then Broken Horses.”

“I had an amazing distinction of being the most successful producer and writer, but then I release Broken Horses and no one goes to watch it even my friends didn’t watch it,” Chopra said.

Chopra entered the western world as a director with the mystery thriller Broken Horses this year, but failed to impress.

ENTERTAINMENT

www.iwk.co.nz | 27 November 2015

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FEATURES

27 November 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

Bon voyage digital traveller I Red

Mahesh K.

remember around eight years ago, holidaying in Goa with a few friends.

Every morning, we would head to the nearest cyber café, which invariably used to be packed with tourists from around the world. They would be Skyping, booking their next flight/hotel or just going through their itinerary. We would also be checking our e-mails or just browsing the web to see what was happening around the world.

This was a fairly standard travel routine.

Sometimes out of pure nostalgia, I do miss those tech-free holidays. The only thing we had was a camera, Walkman, books and playing cards. As you travelled, you interacted with people, made new friends and exchanged stories.

Today, it has all changed. Instead of a cyber cafe, you now look for a Wi-fi hotspot. You lug around your smartphone/ tablet/laptop. Google Maps has taken the adventure out of exploring new places.

Having said that, technology has also made travelling hassle-free and a social activity (albeit virtually).

Advancements in mobile technology have made a big difference to the way we travel. In fact, the entire industry has gone through quite a shake up. Travel companies have been adapting new technologies to stay ahead of each other and make it easier for modern travellers to explore new places, navigate cities, and document all the fun and adventure.

There have been new developments, which will potentially change the industry forever.

Mobile payment technology: Apple, Google and even Samsung have introduced their own mobile wallet systems. In another couple of years, as these systems get more stable, mobile payment will change how you spend money while travelling. Already some apps such as Uber have payment functionality built into their apps.

Wearables: Another major trend that can impact the way we travel in a big way is the emergence of Wearables. Devices such as smart watches are making waves globally.

Every major hardware manufacturer worth its salt has released its own version of the smart watch, including Apple, Samsung, Asus and Motorola.

These devices bring a world of convenience and will change how you interact with technology. You can get instant notifications about a delayed flight, weather updates or nearest lounge location.

There are apps that let you open your hotel room with a tap of your watch.

Smart luggage: The suitcase is no longer dumb. A

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Wi-fi Map This useful app lets you find Wi-Fi spots around the world with tips and passwords.

It also lets you find smart cafes/ hotels with integrated navigation facility Google Translate This brilliant app from Google helps you translate 90 languages. It features twoway automatic speech translation in 40 languages, and can use camera to translate text instantly in 26 languages. So if you are trying to converse with a local, read a menu or a signboard, just whip the app out.

crowdfunded start-up called Bluesmart promises a luggage that can weigh itself and can be locked, unlocked and GPS tracked from your smartphone.

Apps: There are a plethora of apps that are designed to make your life easy while travelling. From Skyscanner to TripAdvisor and Airbnb, these apps have become travel companions of frequent travellers.

Entrain

Say goodbye to jet lags. Jet lags or circadian rhythm sleep disorders are caused by alterations to the body’s internal clock or body’s circadian rhythms. Entrain is a free app designed by researchers at the University of Michigan that records your lighting history and stimulates your body’s clock and makes recommendations, which tell you when to seek light and/or dark.

Onavo Extend While travelling abroad, it is easy to blow up on data roaming if you can’t find Wi-fi spots. Onavo Extend saves mobile data by working in the background when you use mobile data.

Hostelworld This free app lets you book a bed or a room in more than 33,000 hostels around the globe no matter what budget you are on. mPASS

If you are in New Zealand and a frequent traveller on Air NZ, this is a must-have app.

The app puts your entire itinerary on your smartphone screen. You can book flights, board using the flight barcode and receive up-to-date flight information. itravelNZ Put New Zealand in your pocket!

With this app, you can explore beaches, museums, art galleries, events, activities and accommodation in all NZ’s regions

Campermate

Trip Journal If you keep a journal when travelling, this app can help create memorable travelogues. The app can also record your trip with GPS route tracking and lets you geotag your photos and videos.

Field Trip

If you are planning to camp while in New Zealand, give this app a whirl. CamperMate connects you with other CamperMate users and lets you find locations of all free, low cost and paid campsites in New Zealand.

You can also get other relevant information such as free Wi-fi spots, public toilet locations and petrol stations.

A gem from Niantic, Inc. Field Trip runs in the background, and when you get close to something interesting, it pops up a card with details about the location. It helps you discover cool, hidden and unique attractions around you. Give it a try! You will be surprised.

Predict Wind It can get really windy in New Zealand and whether you are on a boat, cruise or a yacht, kite surfing, wind surfing or just fishing, it always helps to have accurate wind forecast before you venture out.

Gogobot Gogobot helps you find restaurants, hotels, activities and events based on recommendations of other Gogobot members. You can also create postcards and share with friends.

Mangere East Festival

Date: Saturday, November 28 Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Venue: Walter Massey Park, 372 Massey Road, Auckland The community celebrations will showcase performances and include workshops, exhibitions, art and craft stalls, sport competitions and activities, live community mural painting and food.

Admission is free.

Santa’s Wonderland

Date: Saturday, November 28 to Saturday, December 5 Time: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Venue: Waiuku Memorial Town Hall, Cnr Queen St and Victoria Ave, AKL The Waiuku Memorial Town Hall in Queen Street, Waiuku will make its annual transformation into Santa-Land for lovers of all things Christmas. Go through the snow tunnel entrance as you look through a series of fibre optic arches and pass by the snow cave. Door sales only. Tickets are priced at $6 for adults and $2 for children.

Walking Stars

Date: Saturday, November 28 Time: 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Venue: Auckland Domain, Domain Dr, Auckland Walking Stars is New Zealand’s first night-time walking half marathon, bringing

people from across New Zealand together to light up Auckland’s vibrant CBD. The 21.1 km walk begins after sun down and takes you on a magical starlit walk past some of Auckland’s finest landmarks.

Tickets are priced at $45.

The money raised through Walking Stars will help to fund breakthrough lifesaving research and extend a helping hand to cancer patients and their families. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.walkingstars.org.nz.

First Thursdays

Date: Thursday, December 3 Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Venue: Karangahape Road, Newton, Auckland Film Thursday is set to explore Auckland’s K’Road.

K’Road is the setting and the inspiration for a collection of short films titled K’Rd Stories, which will debut at First Thursdays.

The collections—the work of 10 directors—is to premiere from 10 different locations on the strip as a film festival first.

Venues from church halls to Laundromats have been commandeered for the evening for rotational showings of the approximately seven-minute-long celluloid creations. Admission is free for all. Find more details on www.kroad.com/firstthursdays

FEATURES

www.iwk.co.nz | 27 November 2015

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