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13 January 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz
Fiji to host big Parliament Forum
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round 23 countries will converge at the 25th Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum. The forum will be held at the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa in Natadola from January 15 to 19. There are 27 member Parliaments/ Countries of the forum however only
23 member countries are expected to be part of this year’s forum. A Parliamentary Secretariat said that each member country was only allowed around 10 delegates to attend the forum. The members of the forum were Australia, Cambodia, Canada, China, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica,
Ecuador, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, the Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, the United States of America, and Vietnam. The official said Fiji was member and it would host.
“It is important to note that delegates at the forum are key policy and decision-makers in their respective countries. “They are influential persons in terms of law making, Government oversight and representation of electorates in their countries,” the official said.
The forum’s proceedings will address political, security, economic, social and cultural issues. “Thus furthering regional cooperation and building relationships between and among parliamentarians from the Asia Pacific region,” the official said.
Diverse Fijian culture celebrated in India Bollywood Directors may
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hobna Chanel Dance Group represented Fiji at the International Folk Dance Festival recently in India. During the festival, they performed at the capital city of India, New Delhi and the capital of the Indian state of Odisha, Bhubaneswar. Shobna Chanel Dance Group, Choreography/Group manager, Shobna Chanel said, “We were happy and proud to represent Fiji at the International Folk Dance Festival. “We show cased the multicultural aspect of Fiji. We also took Fiji’s diverse culture with us. “We performed traditional Fijian dance and showed a fusion of Indian and Fijian dance,” she said. Ms Chanel said they also showed a little documentary about Fiji. “The International Folk Dance Festival is organised by the Indian Cultural Council Relations in India and invites countries around the globe to participate in the festival. It’s all about collaboration of cultures,” she said. Ms Chanel said the trip only became possible by the assistance of the Ministry of Education,
boost local economy: Khan
T Shobna Chanel Dance Group performing at the International Folk Dance Festival in India. Photo: Shobna Chanel
Heritage and Arts. The ministry assisted them financially. Indian High Commissioner to Fiji Vishvas Sapkal said, “This event in which the Fijian dance group represented has definitely boosted our bilateral cultural relation. “It has made the relationship between Fiji and India even stronger. “They have mesmerised the audience in both the places by their performance and people really appreciated their performance,” he said.
Mr Sapkal said this event was sponsored by Ministry for Education and Indian High Commission. “Countries around the globe also represented at the International Folk Dance Festival and it was also a very good opportunity for them to interact with other countries. “This was the second time the Shobna Chanel Dance Group represented Fiji at the International Folk Dance Festival and we will sponsor them next years as well,” he said.
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op Bollywood directors Abbas and Mustan Burmawalla are hoped to boost the local economy following a visit next month. Nadi businessman Bobby Khan confirmed, the brothers, known for directing Bollywood films in the thriller and action genres, will be looking out for favourable shooting locations in Fiji. Also Mr Khan’s best buddy, Bollywood’s famous Actor/ Comedian Johnny Lever is coming in February too. The brothers have frequently cast top Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar, Bobby Deol, Akshaye Khanna, Bipasha Basu, and Kareena Kapoor in their work. The duo directed landmark Bollywood films like Khiladi, Baazigar, Soldier, Ajnabee, Baadshah, Aitraaz, Humraaz, 36 China Town, Race and Race 2. Mr Khan met with the two during his visit to India a week ago. “Last week I have been to India and I had convinced some of the
directors to come to Fiji and it’s a beautiful place to do some movies here,” he said. “We need to get stars here to Fiji to shoot some movies. Mr Khan said other Bollywood directors are also interested. “Abbas Mustan are coming to see the location and they are planning to shoot a movie here this year.” He said there are a lot of things happening in Bollywood and the other things they said they need good cars. Mr Khan, a sports car enthusiast, also promoted Fiji on the improved infrastructure and the use of cars. This includes a Ford Mustang V8 (2016 model). The only such car on Fijian soil was imported on New Years for his son. “We have gone far ahead, and there are a lot of sports cars which can be used for Bollywood movies,” Mr Khan added. “Beautiful islands scenery and thanks to the government through the Film Fiji incentive and rebate put in place.”