Indian Weekender 17 March 2017

Papal medal conferred on Wenceslaus Anthony

17 MARCH2017 Vol. 8 • Issue 50

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South Auckland dairy owners live in ‘perpetual fear’ ¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH

I

n four days starting from Friday, March 10 to Monday, March 13, there have been eight incidents of aggravated robberies and assault that have been reported nationwide.

The incidents of robberies have occurred in places such as Christchurch, Hastings, Hamilton, New Plymouth, and Auckland, and are reported to have involved chains, hammers, crowbar, rods, and firearms.

Although it may be a small number nationwide and yet to be substantiated statistically to express any concern about the general law and order situation, the recent spurt in these incidents of dairy robberies and assault still deserves some attention.

However, much before this recent notable spurt in aggravated robberies as reported in the mainstream media, Indian Weekender has been conducting its own investigation in the South Auckland region, speaking with several dairy owners in the community about their experience about the threats of aggravated robberies and assault.

Although we approached many dairy owners in the community in the South Auckland region, not everyone was keen to go on record for the reasons of safety and their business interests.

Kishore Patel, Pamir Dairy, Papatoetoe

However, almost everyone was willing to speak in private about their experience of owning a dairy business and the feeling of vulnerability that is so often seen to be associated with this dairy business.

Fortunately, almost everyone agreed to have enjoyed a smooth and safe run for the most part of the last two decades of owning their respective businesses.

They all have their stories of experiences of peace, tranquillity, and a sense of belongingness to the community while owning and managing their local businesses.

“

Usually, every customer walking in the store during such hours is seen with some degree of suspicion and fear.

Dairy owners were also unanimous in displaying an immense trust and faith in their respective local communities, rejecting any suggestions about the involvement of residents in incidents of shoplifting, assault or robbery.

In their world view, offenders always come from some other distant places, and in most cases, have changed their tactics where they prefer to put young adults at the forefront of shoplifting and robbery while adult accomplices wait in the cars outside ready to escape after committing the crime.

There was a consensus among dairy owners that the sense of vulnerability of being robbed and assaulted almost at the will of alleged perpetrators is a relatively ‘new’ thing in the Kiwi life, which had not existed in the past.

“It is a new thing, and the people of the younger generation are involved in such bad things,”

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Kishore Patel, owner of Pamir Dairy in Papatoetoe, said.

“I have owned this liquor store since the early 1990s, and in the past, we never use to hear such stories of robberies and assault so often as we hear now,” affirmed another store owner in Papatoetoe, who wished to remain anonymous.

However, most of them seemed to be extra careful in illustrating what time-frame would describe as ‘new’—two years, four years, eight years or more.

Probably, the challenge of speaking with their co-ethnic media representative and being depicted publically as a supporter of one political party over the other was making them extra cautious.

Regardless of their caution, there was unanimity that this sense of vulnerability is relatively a new, and to some extent a permanent thing in their otherwise tranquil world.

Almost everyone stated, either outrightly on record or subtly off the record that they are living in the sense of perpetual fear in their dairy shops.

This sense of fear gets exasperated towards the wee hours of the day, either in the evening or early in the morning or when the weather is bad.

Usually, every customer walking in the store during such hours is seen with some degree of suspicion and fear.

NEW ZEALAND

www.iwk.co.nz | 17 March2017

“I own this business since last six years and feel a sense of fear every evening or when the weather is bad,” Bharat Patel, owner of Hari Superette on Puhinui Road, Papatoetoe said.

“We are in constant touch with other neighbourly store owners over the phone and make it a point to close our shops together in the evening time,” Mr Patel added.

“If I am away from my dairy or at home, then I have to call my son three to four times a day only to make sure that everything is okay and everyone is safe,” a dairy owner in Papatoetoe, who has twice faced aggravated robberies in the last two months and wished to remain anonymous, said.

“The police come and do their work, which is mostly paperwork, but fail to create a sense of reassurance,” they further asserted.

Only a few shop owners were as forthright as above to express their dissatisfaction about the police’s role in creating a sense of assurance.

A large number of dairy owners with whom Indian Weekender spoke with acknowledged police’s support in general.

However, there is an apparent gap between what police do, or can do, in a given situation and the sense of fear and vulnerability in which people owning, and working, in dairy stores are forced to live currently.

There is an overwhelming feeling among the dairy owners in the community that the law is too weak and needs to be strengthened to deter petty criminals.

There is also a subtle feeling about some room for improvement in police patrolling to deter such criminal activities at the first place

Bharat Patel of Hari Superette, Puhinui Road

Pamir Dairy, Papatoetoe

Puhinui Superette, Puhinui Road

Kimpton Road Dairy, Papatoetoe

and then in their response to crisis situations.

“When we call emergency number reporting a crime at our shops, the operators ask too many questions and waste crucial respond time,” Kishore Patel of Pamir dairy, Papatoetoe said.

It seems that a big question that looms large in almost every dairy owner’s minds within the community, especially in the South Auckland, is how to bridge the gap between what the police and current law can do to deter

robberies at their workplace.

Apparently, leaving this gap wide open for long is contributing much to the sense of “powerlessness” in the minds of dairy owners.

It is a question for the policymakers and the social scientists to promptly address.

“We have invested in the business, and we do not have a choice. We have to work despite an overwhelming sense of fear,” a shopkeeper and victim of two robberies in the last two months summed up at the end.

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Some of the dairies robbed in South Auckland this year Name

Suburb Date

Handy Store

Papatoetoe

Tuesday, February 28

Liquor Store

Papatoetoe

Sunday, March 5

Kimpton Road Dairy

Papatoetoe

Sunday, March 5

Gas Petrol Station

Grt South Rd, Manukau

Tuesday, March 7

Puhinui Superette

Papatoetoe

Saturday, March 11

Crown Superette

Mt Roskill

Sunday, March 12

BP Petrol Station

Kumue

Sunday, March 12

IdleWild Dairy

Mangere

Monday, March 13

3

NEW ZEALAND

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17 March 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

Community gathers in One staff in serious condition solidarity with Roskill robbery victims Crown Superette robbery: ¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD

A

group of six people—four male and two female—wielding a baseball bat and a crowbar, robbed Crown Superette on Melrose Road in Mt Roskill on Sunday, March 12.

The armed miscreants entered the store just after 7 a.m. demanding cash and cigarettes from the counter. The offenders hit the store keeper Jitesh Arora and his wife. One of the offender hit the couple multiple times with a baseball bat and a crowbar, while others took cash from the till and cigarettes from the rack behind.

Mr Arora received serious injuries on his head and arms and started bleeding profusely.

The offenders fled in two cars waiting outside the store with an unknown amount of cash.

While the robbery took place, two customers waited in fear outside the store witnessing the whole incident.

Police arrived at the scene with medical aid and both victims were treated by ambulance staff at the scene before being taken to the hospital. Mrs Arora received minor injuries and was discharged from the hospital the same day.

“The store is looked after my brother-in-law and his wife. I am just shocked and enraged with this incident,” Raj Chopra, owner of Crown Superette told Indian Weekender.

“The offenders hit Jitesh around 30 times.

His skull is fractured, and there was so much bleeding that he could barely stand. He has received around 10 stitches to his head.

“He injured his right arm while defending himself from the baseball bat and crowbar. He

¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD

C Crown Superette after the robbery

has multiple severe fractures on his arm, and his muscles are almost dead. He underwent his third surgery in three days,” Mr Chopra said.

“The offenders have not just attacked just two people, they have bruised our whole family,” he added.

Raj Chopra owned Melrose Road dairy for 17 years and had recently handed over the business to his brother-in-law.

“I have known the dairy owners for years, and I am appalled [by] this incident. The offenders need to be caught and charged for this despicable activity; this has to stop,” Sunny Kaushal, community leader for Mt Roskill said.

The police have taken two females aged 13 and 14 related to the robbery into custody, and they will appear in the Youth Court. The other five perpetrators are still at large, and the police is currently investigating the crime.

ommunity leaders, local retailers, and members of the public gathered outside Crown Superette in Mt Roskill on Tuesday, March 14 at 6:30 p.m. to share their solidarity towards the victims of Sunday morning robbery. The gathering raised concerns on the increasing number of assaults and robberies in Auckland.

The protest was an aftermath of the aggravated robbery at Crown Superette on Melrose Road that left the shopkeeper grievously injured and is awaiting his third surgery to be conducted at North Shore Hospital.

It was earlier reported on Indian Weekender that an armed group of seven robbers stormed the dairy just after 7 a.m. on Sunday, March 12 and hit the shopkeepers Jitesh Arora and his wife Preeti Arora, before taking an unaccounted amount of cash and cigarettes from the store.

The gathering organised by community leader Sunny Kaushal garnered support from local store owners and members of the public from different parts of Auckland.

Jeet Suchdev from Bhartiya Samaj, Navtej Randhawa from Radio Spice, Alkesh Sharma, president of Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), Suresh Ramji, Vice-President of the Manukau Indian Association, and Shail Kaushal, a member of Puketapapa Local Board were present at the gathering.

“This act of despicable crime needs to stop. The law should be more stringent for the perpetrators,” Mr Kaushal said.

A community action group has been formed because of the number of robberies and assaults on local retailers in the area.

“These brutal attacks and daylight robberies say that these offenders have no fear of police or the law and the consequences,” he added.

Attendees gathered outside Crown Superette

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Nek Mohammad, Senior community leader

“This Crime Prevention Group will closely work with the police and educate the public and the businesses on prevention and safety initiatives. It will include different religious bodies, education groups, local boards, and retailers so that we together can make the community feel safer,” Mr Kaushal said.

The owner of the store Raj Chopra said that he has been in the business for 17 years, and there have been small shopliftings earlier but this attack was despicable.

“This attack is not just on two people; it was an attack on the whole family. We all are disturbed, the shop is closed, my sister is hurt, and brother-in-law is in the hospital with multiple fractures and stitches. It is just appalling,” Mr Chopra told Indian Weekender.

Area Commander for Auckland City, western area Inspector Jacqui Whittaker spoke at the gathering and assured the police is working towards catching the offenders.

“Just to update the public, we have arrested two teenage girls with regards to this incident and the other four have been identified, and the police staff is doing everything to hunt them down,” Ms Whittaker said.

“We want to be a part of this action group and ask you to please involve us in the action group discussions,” she added.

“I know the family for 20 odd years, and they are lovely people,” Nek Mohammad, a family friend of the victim said.

“There is a black market for these stolen cigarettes and gangs are using teenagers to get them using violence,” he added.

“We do not need another Arun Kumar or Navtej Singh for lawmakers to take this issue seriously,” a member of the public at the gathering said.

Indian Weekender live streamed the solidarity gathering for the victims on its Facebook page and received numerous encouraging comments and support from the viewers.

The police and forensics investigated the scene of the crime on Sunday, and the dairy store was later opened for the public to view.

The scene inside the dairy was disturbing to many as blood spots of the victims lay splattered on the floor throughout the store.

The cash till was empty with a few coins on the ground, the cigarette rack had been emptied as well, the food and drinks stall was damaged, and furniture had been turned upside down.

“I know Raj Chopra. I occasionally work with him at his motel, and I have been coming to this dairy since I was a kid. This area is not safe at all. Three people’s houses were broken into the same night last week,” Johnny, a neighbour and friend of the victim, said.

“The police need to make it illegal for the gangs to operate from the houses. That is where they do their planning and operate from, so the police should close the gang houses down,” he added.

“I have spoken to the businesses in this neighbourhood, and we have come up with some recommendations and suggestion we will be looking at,” Shail Kaushal, Puketapapa Local Board Member, said.

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We are too scared to open our business again: Crown Superette robbery victim ¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH

I

t was just like a scene from any Hollywood flick, where the serenity inside a local shop on a calm Sunday morning was vehemently disrupted by a group of armed intruders who launched a massive, sustained, and completely unprovoked attack on two staff members inside the shop.

The attack continued relentlessly for a few minutes by one single person, while six other accomplices were busy gathering cigarettes, cash, and other stuff from the shop.

The attack was not only relentless but was systematically executed as well, with the female staff member receiving few hits from the baseball bat, so as to be scared, whereas the male member received successive blows so as to be neutralised.

The shock, the thrill, and the pain in this scene were picture perfect as if everyone in the scene had practised their part to perfection.

In fact, the realist pun added to such scenes, as in a good movie, was also perfect when one of the offenders returned, calmly, to the shop from the car to collect the remaining cigarettes as if they believed it was rightfully theirs.

The only deviant in this scene was that the scene was a real life incident and not a movie flick, and the pain, both physical and emotional that it created is for real and is going to remain for a prolonged time.

Raj Chopra, owner of Crown Superette at North Shore Hospital

Indian Weekender spoke to the two victims of Crown Superette aggravated robbery in the North Shore Hospital to find out more about what actually happened on the morning of Sunday, March 12.

The description of the above scenario came directly from the victim and the family members supporting them in the hospital.

The victims are husband-wife duo who has been managing this shop—owned by their brother-inlaw Raj Chopra—since the last two years and were expectedly too traumatised and injured to speak about the incident.

Jitesh Arora was not in a condition to talk and was waiting for his third surgery to be conducted on Thursday, March 16 and his wife, Preeti Arora, was too traumatised to risk any further “attack” as the offenders were still “roaming out free.”

However, in the end, Mrs Arora agreed to speak with Indian Weekender along with Mr Chopra. Excerpts from the interview below.

IWK: How are you feeling today?

Mrs Arora: Not too bad. Just trying to get over what happened on Sunday morning.

IWK: Would you like to tell us what happened on Sunday morning?

Mrs Arora: We had opened our shop in the morning around 7 a.m. and after cleaning and our morning prayers, we were standing in the middle of the shop thinking of making tea for us when a sixfoot-tall man came running inside our store followed by six other people. That man started hitting us incessantly with his baseball bat. I was too scared and shocked.

IWK: Just to be a little bit clear here, did they hit you spontaneously or you had provoked them in any manner by resisting or refusing to cooperate?

Mrs Arora: No, we did not provoke them in any manner. We didn’t even realise what happened.

This man walked into the store and went straight to my husband and started hitting him on the head and all over the body. My husband

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started bleeding profusely. I tried to hold his baseball bat but was kicked by that man and then I am not sure how many times the baseball bat hit me. Then I just put my hand on my husband’s head to stop bleeding, and somehow we managed to escape through the back office and closed the door.

It was a scary moment for me, as my husband collapsed and I thought for a second that I was going to lose my husband. We are so shaken right now that we could not even sleep in the night due to that nightmare.

IWK: What injuries did Mr Arora receive?

Mrs Arora: He has got many stitches on the head and multiple fractures on the hand and will be undergoing third surgery tomorrow morning. Doctors have indicated that it might take five to six months for him to completely recover.

IWK: Who called the police and emergency and what was the time of their response?

Mrs Arora: I am not sure. All I remember is that I started shouting for help from our neighbours from the back office. It was only when the neighbours started coming in that the offenders escaped in their car. Then I ran straight to my family who lives next door. I think one of our neighbours would have called the police, as when I came back an ambulance was there and they took my husband to the hospital.

IWK: How prepared are you to go back and open your store?

Mrs Arora: I am really not sure, as I am badly injured myself with sore arms and multiple bruises. My husband is still undergoing surgery, and I have to be at his bedside to look after him. Plus, honestly speaking, we are too scared of the thought of going back and opening our business.

IWK: Mr Chopra, you are the owner of the shop and a close family member. So how are you currently managing the situation?

Mr Chopra: We are in a bad situation here, as on one side we have got our family members gravely injured, and on the side, our business is closed, and we do not have any idea when we will be able to open again.

I am not much impressed with the way entire victim support system is working, as we have to deal individually with different departments such as victim support, ACC, and insurance, and their individual actions are dependent on several pieces of information such as police report and medical report.

Why cannot we have a one window support for the aggravated robbery victims?

This is not a crime on an individual, as it affects the whole family and entire business.

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www.iwk.co.nz | 17 March2017

Historic Punjab elections keep community at an edge in Papatoetoe

Punjabi community gathers at Papatoetoe to watch live Punjab Election results

¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH

AAP and all other players. Organisers had unjab elections were historic not planned well and arranged for tea, coffee, only for its eventual outcome where snacks and nibbles for everyone to enhance Congress stormed back to power after the fun and fervour on occasion.

Speaking to Indian Weekender, Khushmeet a decade but also for the anticipation buildSidhu, National Secretary AAP NZ, reflected up in the lead up to the election results. similar popular sentiments and confidence in Undoubtedly, this election was historic for her Party’s landslide victory. generating a tremendous and unmatched However, actual voters of Punjab have expectation build-up in the Punjabi diaspora planned otherwise to spoil the party for community all around the world. enthusiastic supporters of AAP all around Punjabi community in Auckland was no the world as Congress Party took an early different than any global Punjabi diaspora lead among others in the counting. around the world and was completely on The crowd at Papatoetoe were in absolute edge on the vote counting day on Saturday, disbelief as this was not an expected script for March 11.

Many enthusiasts and leaders in the the occasion.

The pre-counting cheers and loud community had come together to organise a greetings were quietly transformed into a community gathering where supporters from all political spectrum in Punjab elections stunned silence and even to denial for many viewers who were struggling hard to grasp the could watch live election results together.

Indian Weekender was present at the local AAP’s rout and struggle for a second place in venue – The Wedding Place - in Papatoetoe the counting.

Such was the discomfort about AAP’s loss to cover the event. among the crowd that they failed to clap and For a large number of supporters, especially acknowledge one enthusiast’s announcement among the diaspora community all around the world, who have invested a tremendous about Congress Party’s absolute victory in amount of financial and emotional capital in the elections.

In the end, many disheartened supporters AAP’s campaigning, the electoral contest was weekender LOTF ad quarter.pdf 1 15/03/17 9:28gradually am of AAP started leaving the venue expected to be a lopsided contest between giving it a deserted look.

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Gujarati Sahitya Mandal hosts literary legends Kaajal Oza Vaidya and Jay Vasavada at the Gujarati Sahitya Mandal's talk show 'Love You Zindagi' in Green Bay

¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD

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uckland-based Gujarati Sahitya Mandal hosted a talk show ‘Love you Zindagi’ with two Gujarati literary legends Kaajal Oza Vaidya and Jay Vasavada on Saturday, March 11 at the Performing Art Centre, Green Bay High School, Green Bay. Gujarati Sahitya Mandal (GSM) was introduced to the Indian community in 2016 with the objective to spread to spread awareness about the language to the new generation of Indian origin Gujarati New Zealanders. It also aims to cherish the beauty of the Gujarati literature.

People from different parts of North Island especially came from Napier and Hamilton attended the talk show.

“People have appreciated our efforts.

We have got some great response from our community. Many people have personally requested us for more shows of this kind in the future,” Shailesh Prajapati, the President of GSM said.

Kaajal Oza Vaidya is the daughter of the renowned journalist, late Mr Digant Oza. She entered in the Gujarati literary world with her first novel Yog-Viyog in 2005. YogViyog has seen a tremendous success and

ever since she has penned down more than 56 books which include essays, letters, short stories, novels, dramas and also a collection of poems. Her novel Krishnayan has been translated into many languages, and even Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan had mentioned it in his blog. She is famous for her honesty and transparency in her work. She has delivered numerous lectures, seminars and also taken part in many talk-shows in India as well as around the globe.

Jay Vasavada is considered as one of the legends of Gujarati print media. He has been writing columns such as Spectrometer and Anavrut in Gujarat Samachar Daily, India’s leading Gujarati Newspaper for the last 20 years. With his work, he has touched more than 75,000 people on various social media platforms. He is famous for his motivational books such as Jay Ho, Preet Kiye Sukh Hoy, and Jay Shree Krishna to name a few.

“The show would not have been possible without such dedicated members of GSM who worked tirelessly towards the success of the show, our supporters NCBT, Neer Mehta and Patel Pike. We will soon bring a comedy Gujarati play for the Indian community here,” Mr Prajapati added.

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17 March 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

Government invites application for Electric Vehicle funding ¡¡ IWK BUREAU

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usinesses, local councils and organisations with projects to spark interest in electric vehicles can apply for the second round of the Government’s Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund, opened on March 15 by Energy and Resources Minister Judith Collins.

The fund is one of a suite of initiatives in the government’s electric vehicles programme, which has a target of doubling the numbers of electric vehicles every year to reach approximately 64,000 by the end of 2021.

“The government wants to see more people swap to electric vehicles which are cheaper to run and maintain than petrolfuelled vehicles,” Ms Collins said.

“Electric vehicles are powered by New Zealand’s more than 80 per cent renewable electricity and will reduce transport emissions, which is good for New Zealand.”

Up to $3 million is available in this round with another funding round planned to run later this year.

“Electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly viable option for New Zealanders with prices becoming more competitive and more models available which can cover a distance of over 200km on one charge.

“The first round of this fund saw 15 projects funded, including the delivery of at least 100 new public charging stations around the country. It

also saw support for an electric car sharing scheme and electric trucks, buses and supermarket delivery vans.

“New Zealanders will be able to see electric vehicles and charging stations in their neighbourhoods. This fund is helping kickstart innovative projects that are building momentum for change,” Ms Collins said.

The fund will offer up to 50 per cent funding towards projects that encourage and support the uptake of electric vehicles and other low emission vehicles on public roads and that make use of New Zealand’s renewable electricity advantage. This could include projects in the areas of: electric and plug-in hybrid electric cars, vans, trucks and buses, or associated technologies or services.

Applicants have six weeks to submit their proposals to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) with the funding round closing on April 26.

NEW ZEALAND

www.iwk.co.nz | 17 March2017

Extending the period of New Zealand Superannuation for Migrants Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi

National List MP

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he changes to superannuation for new migrants arriving in New Zealand after the legislation is passed will require residency requirement from 10 years (with five years after the age of 50) to 20 years (retaining the five years after 50 provision).

Those who have residency or citizenship before the legislation comes into effect will not be affected.

It is very important for migrants to understand that the Retirement Commissioner had recommended increasing this residency requirement to 25 years. The Government settled on 20 years as a fair and appropriate requirement for migrants.

That level of spending on superannuation is affordable if we constrain spending on other areas. But we don’t want to have to cut spending on healthcare and education or to put up taxes.

Improvements in healthcare and lifestyle mean that we are living longer today than we ever have. New Zealanders’ life expectancy had increased by 12 years in the last 60 years, including a four-year increase since 2001 when the retirement age became 65.

This means that someone qualifying for New Zealand Super today is expected to live another 21 years. By 2037, that number is forecast to rise to more than 23 years.

That’s why the Government intends to progressively increase the age of eligibility for New Zealand Super to 67, starting in 20 years’ time.

A person born or raised in New Zealand will usually start their working life at 20. If we are to compare this with a new migrant who arrives here later in their life, however, is entitled to the same super annulation terms it clearly raises issues of fairness as well as an extra burden on the New Zealand taxpayers.

Superannuation legislation in other OECD countries is far more stringent.

New Zealand’s superannuation rates are amongst the best in the world. If we want this to continue, we must adapt to changing times.

Legislation to make changes to Super will be introduced next year.

The NZ Super changes are about striking the right balance and making it fair to both present and future generations at a time when there is increasing pressure on government finances.

National remains committed to the universal nature of NZ Super with no means or asset testing. In addition, we remain committed to NZ Super being indexed at 66 per cent of the average weekly wage.

KiwiSaver will continue to be available to savers once they turn 65.

This Government has a strong track record of supporting our older citizens – since 2008 weekly payments to super annuitants have increased by 35 per cent after tax while inflation has increased by 14 per cent.

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17 March 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

Pope Francis confers papal medal on Wenceslaus Anthony ¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD

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enceslaus Anthony, an ardent community worker and the chairman of the Mother Teresa Interfaith Committee recently received the Papal Medal, Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice (Decoration of Honour of the Roman Catholic Church) awarded by Pope Francis of Vatican. Mr Anthony is also a leading Kiwi-Indian businessman, an ex-chair of India New Zealand Business Council(INZBC) who has accompanied former Prime Minister John Key twice on his official visit to India.

In a short conversation with Indian Weekender, Mr Anthony shared his journey from a modest living in Auckland to establishing himself as a successful businessman.

IWK: When did you get the news of the award that you received?

Mr Anthony: I was in Tonga for my son’s birthday two weeks ago, when I received an email from Bishop Dunn confirming that Pope Francis has conferred an award Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice on me. I didn’t know much about that, and in fact I had to google about it. It was only then that I came to know that this is the highest award given to a layman by the Pope. I wrote back

to the bishop that I am not worthy, but in the name of all the people, I consider this as their award, and I am just a face for the award. I do think of my parents at this moment as they have been a great influence.

IWK: How did you start your Kiwi-Indian journey?

Mr Anthony: I am a very strong believer that I am weak, but in God I am strong, my strength comes from Almighty God. I came to New Zealand in 1999, and every day I would say that I will go back.

Having worked in India, I knew I would never get a job here; I was unsure if I would be happy doing a job here. I lived in Mt Roskill then opposite to a church, and I would pray that I should not get a job and instead start a business so that I can bring food to the table.

I came across a gentleman in one of my Australia visits, and during a normal conversation with him, he was surprised by my answer to his question about my intent to start a business without any decent fund in hand. I simply said that God would provide the means, which took him by surprise.

Long story short, he asked me to meet him next day, and he agreed to fund my venture and then I started my import business there. It was a big turning point for me.

I am fortunate to have very good friends in New Zealand who have provided immense support to me.

The first few years were very hard, but slowly it picked up.

One very good thing about New Zealand is that if you do a good job, word of mouth spreads very fast.

IWK: You travelled with the former Prime Minister twice to India. How was the experience?

Mr Anthony: I was an integral

part of the former Prime Minister’s state delegation to India in 2011 and 2016. I had the fortune of being in his inner circle, both in the aircraft and the meetings.

That was an excellent exposure and with the charisma of Hon. John Key and as the chair of India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC) at that time we opened new chapters in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. We worked progressively towards building strong business relations with Indian business bodies.

IWK: What are the various community activities you are involved with?

Mr Anthony: In 2010, it was the 100-years birth anniversary of Saint Teresa. The best way to honour Mother Teresa’s birth anniversary was to organise an interfaith meet for her.

Few of us got together and under Bishop Patrick Dunn, the Catholic archbishop of Auckland we hosted Mother Teresa Interfaith meet.

People from all walks of life and religion came to the meet; the then Governor Sir Anand Satyanand also joined us which led us to make it as an annual meet. I happened to know mother very well; I was blessed to be a part of her funeral in Kolkata, India.

IWK: Could you tell us about your association with the church here?

Mr Anthony: I believe in Mother Teresa’s philosophy ‘Love is about giving till it hurts’. We have organised several activities and events in Auckland to bring the different communities together. We called Father Augustine Vallooran, the Director of Divine Retreat Centre in India for the six-day spiritual feast. Under Catholic Caring Foundation under Bishop of Auckland, we give grants to various agencies on certain criteria to support families and communities.

We also have Conquest Boys Club that trains young leaders of tomorrow between ages 8-16 year.

We also host Mother of Velankali Devotion feast to St Mary’s Church in Avondale.

IWK: What is your message to the community?

Mr Anthony: We all have vertical and horizontal relationships; my horizontal relationship is with you and vertical relationship with God. We sometimes astray from the vertical relationship, but the sooner we get back to God, the better it is for us. I feel proud to see the Kiwi Indian community progressing, and the children are doing so well in their education, businesses, and different professions.

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www.iwk.co.nz | 17 March2017

Mt Roskill ‘women heroes’ appreciated

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t a special function to celebrate the International Women’s Day, National MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar presented Certificates of Appreciation to 16 ‘women heroes’ in recognition of their highly valued and outstanding contribution to the Mt Roskill community.

“I was thrilled with the nominations of so many wonderful women in the Mt Roskill area who give generously of their time to the community – leaders in education, religion and ethnic groups, as well as more personal nominations of spouses and friends,” Dr Parmar said.

Nominees included Ella Kumar, Nilima Venkat, Marian Caulfield, Tili Leilua, Julie Fairey, Pratima Nand, Rev Nyasha Gumbeze, Jane Hotere, Hema Danthala, Farida Sultana, Kate Longmuir, Dr Mary Smitha Shaji, Janice Chandler, Sue Braithwaite-Smith, Purity Misquitta and Alexandra Christev.

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17 March 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

SOUTH LINE

Indian women

News-in-brief from South Island

take the lead in South Island ¡¡ GAURAV SHARMA

I

ndia is often criticised— and rightly so—as a deeply patriarchal society.

But things are changing. Be it PM Modi’s widely hailed Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojna or the recent decision by the Indian Parliament to give mums-to-be 26 weeks of paid maternity leave, the third longest in the world.

All this is a result of several wellmeaning women and men who have dedicated their lives to women empowerment in India.

In a similar vein, and taking a cue from their sisters back home, Indian and Indian-origin women in New Zealand are also contributing, in their own ways, towards making the New Zealand society even better, either in terms of tackling social issues such as domestic violence or promoting multi-culturalism.

First up is Archna Tandon, Chairperson, Shakti, Christchurch, who has been a long-standing community leader in Christchurch.

During Shakti’s commemoration of International Women’s Day in the Garden City, she expressed her concerns about the recent decision by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) to stop funding Shakti Wellington Refuge.

“We are not happy with MSD’s decision and were quite taken aback. This shows that the fight for women issues, especially those from

migrant groups, still has a long way to go,” Ms Tandon said. Referring to the data from Shakti Wellington, which notes that it aided more than 350 women in 2016 with more than 200 referrals coming in from the police, she added, “Wellington needs its women refuge up and alive.”

Then is Navjot McCormack, the head of English language learning at Linwood College in Christchurch, who just organised the college’s first-ever multicultural event Festival of Nations, which had representation from 47 different nationalities.

“This is social studies in action.

[More than] 700 students are participating in the events spread across these two days. Our students come from diverse backgrounds and a lot from migrant and refugee families. This is our way of telling them that they belong here. I believe, as educators, our responsibility extends beyond imparting knowledge. We need to make sure that these new Kiwis attain full membership in the Kiwi life,” Ms McCormack noted. She has worked in media organisations in more than nine countries, speaks seven languages, and moved to Christchurch in 2005 with her Kiwi husband.

Then we have Kala Nand from Fiji, who, since 2008, has been taking free weekend Hindi classes in Christchurch. Held every Sunday from 1 pm, the classes

Archna Tandon, Chairperson of Shakti Christchurch addressing the gathering at a function marking the International Women's Day

I believe, as educators, our responsibility extends beyond imparting knowledge. We need to make sure that these new Kiwis attain full membership in the Kiwi life – Navjot McCormack are also about preserving the Indian culture, history, traditions, and language, by passing on the knowledge of the language to the younger generation who otherwise are accustomed to speaking English, she said. Ms Nand also organises Hindi Diwas every year in honour of what she calls “the most beautiful language—Hindi”.

Another Indian woman working in the community is Nimi Bedi, Sahaayta’s coordinator in Canterbury. Sahaayta is a community organisation based in Manukau, which works predominantly with South Asian migrant and refugee families providi ng them counselling

Navjot McCormack with her team of young students after successfully organising the Festival of Nations in East of Christchurch early this month

services as well as social support.

“We have recently started a much needed once-a-month meeting-over-coffee club whose next gathering is on the coming Saturday, March 18. It’s a platform for South Asian women to come together and exchange life experiences and deliberate ideas for women empowerment,” she informed. Finally, deep south in Dunedin is a young Indian lady from Calicut in Kerala, who for the

past five years has been running the only Indian classical dance school in Otago—Natyaloka.

Slowly growing to reach 35 students now, the school is the brainchild of Swaroopa Unni, an acclaimed dancer herself. “I teach Bharatnatyam and have plans to introduce Mohiniyattam in the near future as well. My goal is to make the classical dances of India relatable to the young generation here,” she added.

Faag mandlis the highlight Vaisakhi Mela rocks the Garden City at Fiji-style holi ¡¡ GAURAV SHARMA

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¡¡ GAURAV SHARMA

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he Christchurch Fiji Association (Cfcessa) organised a Fiji-style holi on Sunday, March 12 with more than 100 people attending from the community.

While exchanging sweets, applying colours, and singing karaoke were all part of the celebrations, the highlight was the Faag mandalis, which sang faag (Holi-related folk songs)—a Fiji tradition—late into the evening.

Vinesh Prakash, the secretary of the association, noted, “Our coordinator for this event was Virendra Prasad, who did a great job.

Back home, we have this tradition where we sing Holirelated folk songs on the full moon night holika is set on fire.

This is also carried on the next morning during dhuleti when all of us play with colours.

During that day, the faag

Fiji-style holi in Christchurch

mandalis also visit homes of friends and relatives, exchanging sweets, applying colours, and playing music.”

his year’s Vaisakhi Mela in Christchurch, which featured established stars including Garry Sandhu, Nimrat Khaira, and Ninja, and the upcoming singer and winner of Voice of Punjab competition Simranjeet, was a mix of melody Over 800 people attended the Vaisakhi and trendy.

Mela 2017 in Christchurch (Picture courteAn initiative of the newlysy: JK Images) launched The Youngsters Group (TYG) comprising six friends, the Zealand almost a decade back, and Nimrat were awesome, too,” Mela saw more than 800 people nothing much used to happen Amrinder said. in attendance. here. Now, when our youngsters He along with his friends “As more and more are taking the lead in organising Arvinder, Amitoj, Now, Indians are coming such events, we are there to when our Amit, Bavnesh, and to Christchurch, youngsters are support them and give back to the Maninder formed mainly from the taking the lead in community in whichever way we TYG recently and northern part of organising such events, can.” plan to bring more India, it’s events we are there to support Mr Singh was also involved in the such events to the them and give back to like these that University of Canterbury Indian city in future. the community in make us feel more Students’ Association welcome Amrit Singh of whichever way we at home in New party called Namaste 2017, which Value Mart—an can Zealand. While Ninja took place on Saturday, March 11.

Indian retailer and the set the stage with his The singers have now moved main sponsor of the event— tune-with-the-times trendy on to Melbourne to carry on added, “Our goal is to support Punjabi songs, Garry Sandhu with the second leg of their as many community initiatives as enthralled the crowd with his more Trans-Tasman tour. possible. When we shifted to New traditional numbers. “Simranjeet

NEW ZEALAND

www.iwk.co.nz | 17 March2017

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17 March 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

PM meets European government reps

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iji and Norway have explored mutual co-operation in the renewable energy sector at a meeting in Suva between Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Norwegian Foreign Minister Tone Skogen.

Mr Bainimarama noted Norway’s successful record in renewable energy, particularly with regards to vocational training offerings, and expressed Fiji’s

interest in pursuing development co-operation and knowledge transfer in the renewables sector.

The meeting also covered bilateral collaboration in aquaagriculture development.

Mr Bainimarama outlined Fiji’s leadership agenda at the Conference of Parties (COP23), and sought Norway’s commitment to assist with preparations in the lead-up to the COP 23 negotiations

and to the United Nations Oceans Conference, which Fiji will co-host in June 2017.

He concluded the meeting by thanking the Norwegian Government for their significant contributions to the peacekeeping efforts through NATO and the UN. Mr Bainimarama on Monday also received the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Australia and New Zealand,

Kamir Kusen. Mr Bainimarama thanked Ambassador Kusen for visiting Fiji and sought support from the Republic of Croatia for Fiji’s presidential agenda at the 23rd Session of the Conference of Parties (COP23) in November of this year.

“Climate change is a global issue that will require global engagement to confront, and I look forward to working alongside the Republic of

Fiji and India sign air services agreement

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lthough Fiji is economically and geographically much smaller than India, we went at the table as equals The Attorney-General and Minister for Civil Aviation, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, last night in New Delhi, signed a new Air Services Agreement (ASA) with the Indian Government.

This new ASA will replace the previous ASA, which was signed between the two Governments more than 40 years ago, in 1974.

In a statement last night, Mr SayedKhaiyum thanked India’s Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Ashok Gajapathi Raju, and the Indian Government for their good faith, goodwill and respectful posture throughout the negotiations.

“Although Fiji is economically and geographically much smaller than India, we were at the table as equals,” he said.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the new agreement was necessary to keep in line with the modern economies of both countries

The Attorney General and Minister for Civil Aviation, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum (second from right), India’s Minister for Civil Aviation Shri Ashok Gajapathi Raju (third from left) with representatives from the High Commission and government after the Air Services Agreement signing in New Delhi

and to serve the vastly increased need for air transport.

“This new agreement is good for both countries. The new ASA has been negotiated to meet the conditions that exist now and will exist in the foreseeable future,” Mr SayedKhaiyum said.

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“As for the agreement itself, India is in a period of tremendous growth and technological advancement, and Fiji has positioned itself well to be the economic and technological hub of the South Pacific.

“And we have a first-rate national airline that is a desirable partner for code sharing and connections with other top airlines. Anything that improves trade and the exchange of people between our two countries will have benefits for us and for our neighbours in the Pacific for years to come.”

The new ASA, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said, would spur economic growth and create opportunities for trade, investment and tourism.

“Under the ASA, and to ensure ease of travel between the two countries, Fiji Airways has already signed a code-share agreement with Jet Airways of India to allow seamless travel between Fiji and a number of Indian cities.

“Fiji is now in the process of reviewing and updating its ASA with other countries, with the goal of increasing the scope and quality of economic activity and connectivity, while at the same time protecting the Fijian aviation industry,” he said.

Croatia and all EU member states as we drive implementation of the Paris Agreement in Bonn later this year,” said the Prime Minister.

The meeting also covered cooperation in education, trade and tourism between Fiji and Croatia.

Mr Bainimarama also raised the possibility of visa exemption arrangements between the two countries.

Cardiology hub

A

Surgeon who has been performing free surgeries in the country for the past 10 years, says Fiji has the potential to be the main cardiology centre in the Pacific.

Cardiologist Dr Albert Ko is from Ascot Hospital in Auckland and performed Fiji’s first angioplasty at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) on April 6, 2011. “Since the first angioplasty about six to seven years ago, there hasn’t been much development in terms of equipment,” he said.

“However, the local staff are very good people who have been trained by us. They are just as good as those in Australia and New Zealand, but these people need a career pathway, they need to know where they’re headed towards in terms of salaries, training prospects, upskilling themselves and acquiring the best interest in their jobs.”

Dr Ko said Fiji had the capability to provide services on a level comparable to Australia and New Zealand, so patients from Pacific Island countries would pay a lower cost to receive treatment in our country.

He said he performed a total of 40 surgical procedures with the local medical team at CWM Hospital in one week, showing Fiji had the capability and potential to make something very little into something big.

Dr Ko said in order for Fiji to gain the recognition it deserves in the Pacific, the Government would have to step in and help develop and support the cardiology unit.

He added the objective behind the efforts was to ensure cardiology services in Fiji were easily available, cheap and increase the standards of healthcare in the country.

“I know a lot of Chinese here in Fiji who travel all the way to China for treatment but we have to let them know that we have a really good cardiac unit so you don’t have to go anywhere else,” he said.

Confidence is key for consideration: Blake

C

onfidence in oneself is the key ingredient for one to be considered to represent Fiji in the next Miss World pageant. That was the word from Miss World Fiji Director Andhy Blake after Saturday’s audition at Village 4 Cinema in Lautoka.

This was the first time the audition had taken place in Lautoka, or outside of Suva.

Mr Blake said the 14 women who turned up for the auditions were up to expectations.

“The response from Lautoka and we were happy with the auditions,” he said.

“Actually I saw some potential from those that took part to be in the top 10. The girls were confident and that was what we were looking for.” Mr Blake said part of the criteria was looking into the background of all who came for audition. In the international contest, we saw the confidence played a big

MWF Director Andhy Blake and Jackie Speight

role in judging and that is what we are looking for,” he said. He said the next audition would be held in Nadi on March 18.Top 10 finalists would vie for the Miss World Fiji 2017 crown. Last year Pooja Priyanka represented Fiji and was placed in the top 20 at the international competition in the United States.

Source: Fiji Sun

FIJI

www.iwk.co.nz | 17 March 2017

Oceania U20s Championship expands to four nations with Fiji and Samoa T he Oceania U20s Championship will expand to four nations in 2017 with Samoa and Fiji joining New Zealand and tournament hosts Australia on the Gold Coast this May. The tournament is now in its third year but for the first time will have representation from four Pacific Powers as all four nations continue their preparation for the World Rugby U20s Championship to be held in Georgia in June.

Despite an unheralded victory

by Australia over NZ last year, New

Zealand has won every version of the tournament since 2015.

Some graduates from the Oceania Rugby U20s Championship who have made the transition to professional Rugby teams include Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Blake Gibson (Blues), Andrew Kellaway (NSW Waratahs), Adam Korczyk (Queensland Reds) and Jonah Placid (Melbourne Rebels).

Rugby Services ManagerOceania for World Rugby, Bruce Cook said: “We are very excited

to see this competition expand with Fiji and Samoa participating alongside NZ and Australia.”

“Each year the tournament’s standards have continued to rise and it is a great opportunity for people to see the next generation of potential Rugby stars come together to play in what will be an outstanding tournament.”

“We look forward to seeing these sides play in this international competition at the Oceania tournament and to go on and perform on the World stage at the

15

Fiji celebrate qualifying for 2017 Championships at the Oceania Rugby U20 Trophy

World Rugby U20s Championship in June.”

ARU National Performance Programs Manager, Adrian Thompson said: “The ARU is very appreciative of the efforts of Oceania Rugby to secure the future of this competition.”

“The Championship has continued to grow each year and gives each participating nation further opportunity to test themselves before competing at the World Rugby U20s Championship.”

Datt: One party from coalitions

F

ormer politician Krishna Datt says while talk of coalitions are good in the lead-up to the 2018 General Election, it may be time to take a further step and form Former politician Krisha single party out of na Datt these coalitions. Mr Datt said with talk of smaller parties forming coalitions and common manifestos, it made sense to consolidate all their potential votes under a single banner to form an effective opposition.

“In the present electoral system it makes no difference. You will still take away your share of votes and if you look at the last election results, if you count all those votes of individuals and political parties that didn’t make it, the opposition would have had a much higher number,” he said.

Currently for any party to make it into Parliament, they must secure at least five per cent of the total number of voters.

In the 2014 elections, four parties did not meet the threshold.

They were the People’s Democratic Party that received 3.2 per cent of the total number of votes, the Fiji Labour Party which received 2.4 per cent, One Fiji Party- 1.2 per cent and the Fiji United Freedom Party had 0.2 per cent.

Independents captured a further 0.3 per cent of the total votes.

“If you have a manifesto and say we will all have a common manifesto, why don’t you have a common party with your quota of people in that party?” asked Mr Datt.

“Your political identity and your plans for what you want to offer are contained in your manifesto and if you are talking about having a common platform, you have lost your identity anyway and you are talking about your ego that is left.”

Mr Datt said FijiFirst had already done a lot of work on the ground and still had a large following with opposition parties having to capture votes from the already well-established party.

“And let me tell you that my own feedback from the ground is that is not going to be very easy.

“Government in power always has the upper edge you know, so they are able to use that effectively.

Mr Datt said coalitions and political parties which insisted on contesting elections without receiving the required five per cent threshold were “spoilers”.

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Editorial Can anti-robbery community action group succeed?

I

t is not the intention of this opinion piece to either discourage or necessarily encourage the formation of a community action group by some small business owners and leaders in the community. The intention here like any other responsible media is to note, observe, and analyse all events and incidents related to community and in our case the Kiwi-Indian community.

For uninitiated, few aggrieved local business owners and leaders in the community, who gathered on Tuesday, March 14, to express their solidarity with a fellow dairy owner and the latest victim of another aggravated robbery and assault in Mt Roskill, Auckland, had announced forming a Community Action Group to take joint action against the rising menace of robberies and assault.

The announcement and the follow-up action, if any, are at very early stages. In fact, when Indian Weekender interviewed the victim and their family in the North Shore Hospital, they found them expectedly more in pain, than being ready for initiating a sustained action to bring any effective change in the social perception towards the rising menace of aggravated robberies and the response offered to this problem. Like everywhere else in the life, few people are taking the lead in organising this proposed community action group, while a majority of others are sitting on fence for various reasons.

One main reason that would be keeping many people away from this endeavour apart from most people’s general lack of interest in most of the things in life would be suspicion on political motives of those who are taking the lead in this action group. To be fair to many community leaders with different political leanings other than that of those who are taking the lead in this community action group, it will be an unfair expectation for them to come and join this initiative immediately. However, the intention of this piece is not to comment on the divide in the community, either political or social.

The intention is to provide for some intellectual resource to how to make such a public initiative successful or at least meaningful for those who chose to support it in any manner.

It is important to note that the success of any similar social or political movement depends on two foundational elements - ‘ideas’ and ‘organisation’. The planners will have to be careful enough to offer clear ideas to the people they are trying to mobilise for their cause because history is evident that successful movements are built and sustained on the basis of big ideas. The ideas are different from mere rhetoric on any particular issue.

They can learn better from the electoral rout of one of the ethnic political party formed recently in Auckland. Rhetoric alone does not always necessarily translate into popular support. Aggravated robbery is an important issue, but merely raising rhetoric, may not be very successful. There has to be engagement with bigger ideas that defines New Zealand, such as how New Zealand addresses the question of crime, how New Zealand treats their prisoners or criminals, etc.

The success for this community action group will depend on how good they eventually prove to engage with ‘big ideas’. Similarly, their success will also be dependent on their organisational efficiency. One important part of organisational efficiency is the ability to set clear goals about what they want to achieve from this community action group and then effectively disseminate those goals among all supporters. Better, the clarity in goal setting and transparency in sharing of those goals, among prospective supporters, better are the chances for this initiative to survive for a considerable time.

A cue from Gandhi’s armoury in this regard would be of some help for the planners behind this latest community initiative. Gandhi was not a mere an inspirational leader, as is widely believed but he was a great strategist who never launched a movement when under a siege of emotional upheaval.

Rather, he waited for his emotions to subside before beginning something substantial, because he was of the opinion that if his intentions could not outlast his emotional upheaval then how he can expect other people to be supportive of his cause after their initial emotions subside.

Only time will tell what is in future, but there is no denial in the fact that our dairy owners and local businesses could not be expected to live in perpetual fear because of the inability of society and system to respond effectively.

Indian Weekender : Volume 8 Issue 50

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

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

“You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.”

— Rabindranath Tagore

This week in New Zealand’s history March 19, 1839: Honey bees brought to New Zealand Mary Bumby, the sister of a Methodist missionary, was probably the first to introduce honey bees to New Zealand. She brought two hives ashore when she landed at the Mangungu Mission Station at Hokianga in March 1839. The commercial production of honey in New Zealand began during the late 1870s following the introduction of the Langstroth hive, the boxed-framed beehive model still used today..

March 20, 1834: New Zealand’s first recognised flag chosen New Zealand flag was first suggested in 1830 after Sydney customs officials seized a Hokianga-built ship. Australia was subject to British navigation laws under which ships had to carry official certificates. As New Zealand was not then a British colony, New Zealandbuilt ships could not sail under a British flag or register. Without this, they and their cargoes would continue to be seized. The preferred design – that of the CMS flag – incorporated the flag of the Anglican diocese of New South Wales into the Royal Navy’s white ensign.

Busby declared it the national flag of New Zealand.

March 21, 1994: Kiwis win Oscars for The piano Eleven-year-old Anna Paquin became the first New Zealander to win an Academy Award for acting when she picked up the best supporting actress award for her role as Flora McGrath in the acclaimed historical drama The piano. She was the second youngest recipient of this award in Oscar history.

In 2013 Campion revealed that she had originally intended Hunter’s character to die at the end of the film, but changed her mind during shooting.

March 21, 2003: Race Relations Day celebrated for first time Race Relations Day was first formally celebrated in 2003 with the theme, ‘Hands Up for Kiwis of Every Race and Place’. The theme for 2016 is ‘Welcoming diversity’. March 21 is observed around the world as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It recalls the killing of 69 black protestors at Sharpeville in South Africa in 1960. The day has been dedicated by the United Nations to the achievement of the goals of the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. New Zealand signed the convention on 25 October 1966 and ratified it on 22 November 1972.

Māori kidnap victim dies on French ship March 24, 1770 Ranginui was a Ngāti Kahu chief from Doubtless Bay who was kidnapped by the French explorer Jean François Marie de Surville. De Surville’s ship, the St Jean Baptiste, had arrived off the west coast of northern New Zealand in December 1769. He rounded North Cape in a storm on December 17, unaware that James Cook’s Endeavour was nearby, sailing in the opposite direction. The French expedition then spent two weeks in Doubtless Bay, resting and recuperating. Ranginui was treated well by his captors. But no land was encountered, the crew sickened and Ranginui died of scurvy on 24 March 1770.

www.iwk.co.nz | 17 March 2017

OPINION/EDITORIAL

17

Post assembly elections, time for bold reforms T he just-concluded assembly elections and the unparalleled performance of the BJP have been the highlight of the weekend. The elections, happening mid-way of the partys term at the Centre and coming immediately post-demonetisation, were practically a referendum on Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership.

The party’s historic performance in the country’s most populous state must have provided him with a sense of vindication and confidence after months of criticism for his bold demonitisation gamble on November 8, 2016. However, the implications of these election results lie far beyond the states and the party. The economy has much to gain or lose depending on the course policy-making takes from here onwards.

The magnitude of support shown by voters for the BJP in the states leaves it with a high possibility of being re-elected in the 2019 general elections. The current electoral performance also ensures the party a majority in the Rajya Sabha by 2019, which has been a major hindrance for any productive functioning of the Parliament off late. A sense of continuity and political stability is the best outcome that the nation could have hoped for in times of global uncertainty.

The election results act as a positive signalling mechanism for multiple stakeholders in the economy.

First, political stability begets

economic stability. An assurance of continuity in government policies sends out a positive signal to foreign and domestic investors about the country’s economic scenario.

No sudden policy shocks to the economy are generally expected to take place in such a situation like the ones taking place in the US right now with the repeal of TransPacific Partnership (TPP) and Obamacare. This will also ensure continuity in the functioning of GST, which is expected to be inflationary in its initial years of implementation and can become an electoral issue in 2019.

As the world moves towards uncertain protectionism, an economy with a stable political regime and sound economic

policies that is welcoming to foreign investors can be a beacon of hope. It can also go a long way in reviving the subdued domestic investor sentiment.

Although, the latter will also require bold reforms to deal with the problem of bad debts.

This brings us to the second point.

The confidence instilled by voters in the party can encourage it to bring about a slew of bold reforms that political parties have been holding back for decades due to the fear of losing political ground. To begin with, the long-standing call for labour reforms can be addressed.

Such a move will complement the government’s intent on improving the ease of doing business and

also inspire investor confidence.

Additional Measures can include reforming the direct tax code, introducing a Uniform Civil Code and privatisation of white elephant PSUs. An opportunity to make such radical policy changes that have significant long-term benefits come rarely. The Modi government can do well to capitalise on it.

The third significant signal: The Indian vote bank has been infamous for catering to caste politics. Uttar Pradesh has been the epitome of such electoral practices owing to its varied population distribution.

On the contrary, in the current elections, the voter base seems to have responded to practical calls for development rather than to an emotional connect of erstwhile

rulers of UP’s political corridors.

The change in voting behaviour highlights two important points.

The obsession with caste is losing importance at the ground level, and it is the time that the media and political parties recognise this fact and follow suit. Second, the shift to focus on development signifies the rising aspirations of the Indian population and their rising demand for more jobs and opportunities, which has been promised to them.

This is an area that the government has been unable to improve upon along with restoring investor confidence in the country.

Now, with a significant portion of north and west India under its belt, cooperation between the Centre and the State and coordination between their policies will be much 17 achieved easily. This is much truer in the case of BJP than it was for earlier ruling parties at the Centre since the state Chief Ministers will recognise the contribution that the Prime Minister has had in their electoral wins and will be wary of resisting any policy suggestions from PMO. Therefore, materialising voter aspirations by improving investor confidence, which will already be given a boost owing to the current political scenario, should be on top of the government’s agenda. It now has considerable power to act upon this.

German President-elect has an Indian ‘intellectual connection’

G

erman President-elect Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who will be assuming office on Sunday, has an Indian connection -- not political but an intellectual one!

He enjoys an intense literary relationship with Indian-origin poet, Rajvinder Singh, who has been living in Berlin since January 1981, and has repeatedly quoted from his oeuvre in his speeches the world over.

Steinmeier has now dedicated a chapter to Rajvinder Singh’s essay “Seeing with Six Eyes” in his recently published memoires in German titled “Flugschreiber” (Aero-writer), a pun on his many air journeys that provide him time to write.

Steinmeier, 61, assumes office on March 19. He has twice served as the Foreign Minister for a total of eight years.

“Gone are the days when the moment one thought of Germany, Nazi names like Hitler, Goebbels or Himmler and their awful inhuman deeds would instantly appear in our minds. Today, Germany is a world leader in economy, technology, democracy, human rights, diplomacy, literature and philosophy,” Rajvinder Singh told

the media in an interview while on a visit to India.

This three-time German poet laureate, whose writings are known to contain delightfully philosophical and intellectually motivating ideas, believes literature crosses boundaries of culture and language.

“Of all the books published around the world every year, about a tenth are essays, and we ask ourselves whether these intellectual assertions against an increasingly hostile atmosphere are also read.

Steinmeier’s example is living proof that they are read and quoted, even

“

This threetime German poet laureate, whose writings are known to contain delightfully philosophical and intellectually motivating ideas, believes literature crosses boundaries of culture and language

by busy politicians who are open to the world,” he said.

Though free from any constraints of leading the reader towards a specific moral path, Rajvinder Singh’s occasional essays showcase his intellectualism, prudence and courage as he ventures into new vistas. Be it “Culture is: Self-Culture”, “Trans-Cultural Identities”, “Dialogue of Cultures” or his recent essay “Seeing with Six Eyes”, the one Steinmeier quoted from.

These essays tend to offer solutions to the predicaments faced by a free mind in enjoying the rightful freedom of being, of faith, of thought and of speech.

They urge readers to know the world as it truly is, and help them promote in their actions a sense of accountability and reconciliation.

Rajvinder Singh, who was born in Punjab’s Kapurthala town and spent his initial years in Chandigarh and in Jammu, occupies a pretty prominent place in German literary circles.

His poems are inscribed in stone and are displayed at four public places, which include the city park and three senior schools in Trier, the oldest German city where Karl

Marx was born and brought up.

He was twice invited by Steinmeier, as the Foreign Minister during 2005-09 and 2013-17, to join him on his official visit to India and he did accompany him.

Acknowledging the contribution of Rajvinder Singh to German literature and culture, Steinmeier had remarked in his opening speech at the Frankfurt Book Fair: “I have already mentioned Rajvinder Singh as an example of someone who enriches and refines our German culture through his writings.”

Reciprocating the camaraderie, Rajvinder Singh believes: “Steinmeier wants to turn to the youth in direct communication as he believes that for the preservation of the democratic foundation, a different and more intensive approach would be helpful to the younger generation.”

For this goal, he definitely has an intellectual partner in this poet, who had launched a “Nobel for India 2013” campaign and was declared the poet laureate of Trier in 2007, besides 1997 in Rheinsberg and 2004 in Remscheid.

Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in

18

WORLD

17 March 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

Indian MPs participate in

parliamentary conference in Pakistan

R

epresentatives of 23 countries, including three MPs from India, are participating in a key session of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) that began in the Pakistani capital on Tuesday, March 13.

Indian parliamentarians Shashi Tharoor, Meenakshi Lekhi and Swapan Dasgupta are participating in the four-day conference.

Tharoor tweeted a photograph of the three MPs attending the conference: "The Indian parliamentary delegation at the #AsianParliamentaryAssembly Political Affairs Committee meeting in Islamabad @M_ Lekhi @swapan55." The session, scheduled to last till March 17, was formally inaugurated by Pakistan Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani and Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.

More than 70 delegates from 23 countries, including members of parliament and speakers, participated on the inaugural day of the meeting being hosted by the Senate. The session has various agendas listed, including establishment of an Asian Parliament, Geo News

Facebook, Instagram ban developers from using data for surveillance

T

o curb spying by authorities and other law enforcement agencies, Facebook has banned developers from using data obtained from them to provide tools that are used for surveillance.

In a post, social networking giant that also own Instagram explained that over the past several months they had taken enforcement action against developers who created and marketed tools meant for surveillance, in violation of their existing policies.

"Our goal is to make our policy explicit. We want to be sure everyone understands the underlying policy and how to comply. We also adopt policies that limit how developers, advertisers, and others can use our platform," said Rob Sherman, Deputy Chief Privacy Officer at Facebook in the post. According to a report in the Guardian on Monday, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has praised the policy reform saying that written policies must be backed up by rigorous oversight and swift action for violations.

"Now more than ever, we expect companies to slam shut any surveillance side doors and make sure nobody can use their platforms to target people of color and activists," Nicole Ozer, technology and civil liberties director at the ACLU of California siad.

NEWS in BRIEF 24mn Americans to lose coverage under Republican health plan: Report

T Congress Leader Shashi Tharoor with Writer Tarek Fatah.

reported. Addressing the session, Ayaz Sadiq stressed the need for working together for achieving the desired goal of regional peace, development and prosperity.

He said APA member states should intervene for peaceful solution of all outstanding disputes in accordance with UN resolution and as per aspirations of the people.

"We must work together for confronting shared challenges of terrorism, extremism, poverty and climate change," he added.

Raza Rabbani expressed confidence that the special committee on creation of an Asian

Parliament would make a positive beginning towards the cherished objective. He said it would be unrealistic to expect a blueprint of the Asian Parliament at the conclusion of the session "but we should move towards narrowing our differences".

The Asian Parliamentary Assembly dates back to September 1999 when a group of Asian Parliamentarians decided to join hands for promoting peace and human rights in Dhaka, Bangladesh, by setting up the Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace (AAPP), which was later converted to APA in 2004.

Parliament passes Brexit bill

T

heresa May’s Brexit bill has cleared all hurdles in the Houses of Parliament, opening the way for the Prime Minister to trigger Article 50 by this March-end.

Peers accepted the supremacy of the House of Commons after MPs overturned amendments aimed at guaranteeing the rights of EU citizens in Britain and giving Parliament a "meaningful vote" on the final Brexit deal, reported the Guardian.

It paved the way for the Article 50 Bill to be given Royal Assent on Tuesday, after peers in the upper chamber also caved in, rather than deciding to "ping" it back to the Commons in a series of late-night votes.

But May's victory was overshadowed by Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's demand for a second referendum on the Scottish independence.

Accusing May of blocking Scotland's desire for a special deal with the EU, Sturgeon said the referendum should be held between autumn 2018 and spring 2019 – without last-minute concessions.

Within hours, No.10 Downing Street announced May would not, as widely expected, trigger Article 50 as early as Tuesday, instead suggesting it would take place in the final week of March.

The day of drama began when Sturgeon called a press conference to warn that May's Brexit strategy made a second referendum all

he Republican proposal to overhaul health care in the US could cause as many as 24 million people to lose their coverage over the next nine years, the Congressional Budget Office said.

The study released was highly anticipated given that the CBO independently evaluates the effects of congressional bills, on both the political and economic levels, Efe news reported.

Nevertheless, the proposal to replace the Affordable Care Act achieves one of the key objectives of Republican lawmakers, reducing the federal deficit by $337 billion over 10 years, according to the report.

The US deficit in 2016 amounted to $587 billion.

"The reductions in insurance coverage between 2018 and 2026 would stem in large part from changes in Medicaid enrolment - because some states would discontinue their expansion of eligibility, some states that would have expanded eligibility in the future would choose not to do so, and per-enrollee spending in the program would be capped," the report said.

The bills have already been approved by House committees and they are expected to pass to the full chamber in the coming days, but the major obstacles will come in the Senate, where the Republican majority is narrow and several conservative senators have expressed opposition to the new plan.

China hopes India, Pakistan will improve ties through dialogue

C

hina has expressed hope that India and Pakistan will overcome their differences through a renewed dialogue process that stalled last year following unrest in Jammu and Kashmir and the Uri terror attack. “Both India and Pakistan are China’s important neighbours and important countries in South Asia. China hopes that India and Pakistan can enhance mutual trust and improve relations through more dialogues,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

“This is conducive to not only the two countries themselves but also to regional prosperity and development,” Chunying added.

The spokesperson added that China also looks forward to the early accession of Pakistan and India to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as full members so they could work with other members for the security, stability, development and prosperity of the region.

“The memorandum on the obligations for India and Pakistan to obtain membership in the SCO was signed at the SCO Tashkent Summit in 2016. Currently, all sides are going through relevant legal procedures in accordance with the memorandum,” the spokesperson said while responding to a question.

Relations between Pakistan and India worsened in September 2016 when militants attacked an army base in Uri town of Jammu and Kashmir, killing 19 soldiers. India has blamed the attack on Pakistanbased Jaish-e-Mohamed terror group. The Indian Army on September 29 carried out surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the Line of Control, which added to the tensions.

Bangladesh PM to pay 3-day state visit from April 7

British Prime Minister Theresa is expected to start the Brexit process by the end of the month.

but inevitable. She accused May of refusing to discuss full Scottish access to the single market, saying: "The UK government has not moved even an inch in pursuit of compromise and agreement."

May immediately accused Sturgeon of playing a "game", telling her "politics is not a game", and accused her of "tunnel vision", the newspaper reported.

"The tunnel vision the SNP has shown today is deeply regrettable; it sets Scotland on a course for more uncertainty and division," May said.

Brexit Secretary David Davis said Britain stands on the threshold of the "most important negotiation for a generation" after Parliament gave May the power to trigger Brexit.

B

angladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will pay a three-day state visit to India from April 7, her first visit to the country in seven years. During the visit, Hasina will hold official talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 8. Hasina’s last visit Sheikh Hasina will be in India till April 10 to India was in January 2010, which was followed by a visit to Dhaka by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2015. “The upcoming visit is expected to further expand the cordial and cooperative relationship between India and Bangladesh and build on the strong ties of friendship and trust between the leaders,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

Hasina was earlier scheduled to visit India during last December but the visit was postponed as both sides could not agree on dates.

Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar was in Dhaka in February and met the Bangladesh Prime Minisster after which it was announced that the visit would take place in April. Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla in Dhaka after meeting Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque said they were attaching “highest importance” to the visit.

Hasina is the head of government of “a neighbouring friendly country with whom we share the longest land boundary. And both land and maritime boundary issues between the two countries have been resolved within a very short time”, he said, explaining the importance of the visit, according to bdnews24.

INDIA

www.iwk.co.nz | 17 March 2017

Jaitley defends Goa Governor's

decision to invite BJP to form govt

H

itting back at the Congress for accusing the BJP of using money to "steal the mandate" in Manipur and Goa, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday, March 13, said the Congress "complains a bit too much" and that the Goa Governor could not have invited the "minority" of Congress MLAs to form the government.

"The Congress did not even submit a claim to the Governor. It had only the support of 17 MLAs. In the face of claim of the 21 MLAs led by Manohar Parrikar, the Governor could not have invited the minority of 17 MLAs to form the Government," Jaitley said in Facebook post.

Jaitley also cited several precedents to support the decision of the Governor, including the 2013 verdict of Delhi Assembly polls where the BJP won 31 seats but the Aam Aadmi Party with 28 MLAs with support of Congress was invited to form the government.

"The Congress Party complains a bit too much. It accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of ‘stealing' the mandate in Goa. It unsuccessfully petitioned before the Supreme Court. It attempted to raise issues in the Lok Sabha," Jaitley said.

The Finance Minister said that the assembly elections in Goa produced an inconclusive verdict.

"There was a hung assembly.

Obviously in a Hung Assembly

Jaitley takes charge as Defence Minister

F

inance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday, March 13, assumed charge as Defence Minister, a day after he was given additional responsibility of the ministry.

This comes after Manohar Parrikar resigned on Monday as Defence Minister to head a new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Goa. On the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Pranab Mukherjee directed Jaitley to be assigned the charge of the Defence Ministry in addition to his existing portfolios.

Jaitley was earlier handling Defence from May 26, 2014 – when the Modi government was sworn in – till November 9, 2014, when the portfolio was handed over to Parrikar.

Modi’s victory parade in Delhi

A Finance and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley

post-poll alliances will be formed.

The BJP managed to form an alliance and presented to the Governor 21 out of 40 MLAs," he said.

To suppport the Goa Governor's move, Jaitley also cited an example of March 1988 when President K.R. Narayanan invited Atal Behari Vajpayee to form the Government.

According to Jaitley, the President had said "when no party or pre-election alliance of parties is in a clear majority, the Head of State has in India or elsewhere, given the first opportunity to the leader of the party or combination of parties that has won largest number of seats subject to the Prime Ministers so appointed obtaining majority support on

the floor of the house within a stipulated time. This procedure is not, however, all time formula because situations can arise where MPs not belonging to the single largest party or combination can, as a collective entity, out-number the single largest claimant.

"The President's choice of Prime Minister is pivoted on the would be Prime Minister's claim of commanding majority support," Jaitley added.

He said the Governor in Goa had only one claim of 21 MLAs out of 40 elected MLAs with Manohar Parrikar as their leader.

"The 17 MLAs of Congress did not even make a claim nor elected their leader. How could the Congress ever be invited to form the government?," he asked.

After Punjab victory, Amarinder

seeks bigger role for regional leaders

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day after he led the Congress to a sweeping victory in the Punjab assembly polls, state Congress president Amarinder Singh called for a “bigger role” for regional leaders. Amarinder Singh told media in Patiala, that it was important to promote regional leaders in order to counter other regional parties in states.

“It is vital to project a regional face that could identify with the people of the region,” he said, noting that the absence of a regional face was as one of reasons for the drubbing received by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the state. Regarding Navjot Singh Sidhu’s role in the new dispensation in Punjab, he said the decision in this matter rested with Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi. Amarinder said that the priorities of his government would be to eradicate the prevalence of drugs in Punjab and implement the non-monetary promises made in the Congress manifesto.

He announced that a Special Task Force (STF) would be set up to crack down on the drugs racket

NEWS in BRIEF

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Amarinder Singh With his collegues after the election

in Punjab. Amarinder, during the campaigning, had vowed to eradicate drugs from Punjab within four weeks of coming to power. “The drug that we are after is ‘chitta’ (white synthetic drug).

We will take action,” he said.

Ruling out any ‘vendetta’ politics by his government, he said that proper investigations would be conducted to pin responsibility in drugs and other crimes, and suitable action will be taken against those found guilty.

Amarinder said that the election results had blown the lid from the hype created regarding the popularity of the AAP in the state, while the Congress’ winning performance in three of the five states that went to polls showed that the party’s overall standing had improved.

He said that he would be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon to discuss various development projects for Punjab.

Asked about farm loan waivers, a key poll promise in the manifesto, Amarinder said he was fully committed to implementing the same and would ensure that adequate funds are raised for it.

“Global tenders would soon be floated to procure smartphones, as promised under the ‘Captain Smart Connect programme’ launched ahead of the polls,” he said.

Regarding the controversy over the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, Amarinder stressed the need to first ascertain the quantum of water available to the state.

The Congress returned to power after 10 years, winning 77 seats in the 117-member assembly.

day after BJP stormed to power in Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday undertook a victory parade in the national capital.

Amid the presence of thousands of party activists and supporters, Modi, flanked by prominent party leaders, began the march from Le Meridien Hotel to the nearby party headquarters on Ashoka Road where the BJP parliamentary board was to meet to decide on the Chief Ministers for the two states. Top party leaders, including BJP president Amit Shah, were also expected to brainstorm about the future course of action in Goa where the recent polls have resulted in a hung assembly.

Elaborate security arrangements were made by Delhi Police for Modi’s victory parade.

Right time to elevate Rahul as Congress chief: Amarinder

P

unjab’s Chief Minister-elect Amarinder Singh on Tuesday, March 13, reiterated it was the right time to elevate Rahul Gandhi as the Congress President.

Amarinder made the remark after he called on Rahul Gandhi at the Congress Vice President’s residence in New Delhi to congratulate him on the Congress victory in the February 4 Punjab assembly polls, where it Punjab’s Chief Minister-elect Amarindbagged 77 of the 117 seats. er Singh with Rahul Gandhi “Now is the right time to elevate Rahul Gandhi as party President. I have been maintaining this for the past one year,” Singh said. After a 10-minute meeting with Gandhi, the Punjab Congress President and Congress Legislature Party leader told the media: “It was a courtesy call. There was no discussion on Cabinet formation during the meeting.” Singh invited Rahul to attend the swearing-in ceremony slated in Chandigarh. This was the first meeting between the two after the Punjab elections. Rahul expressed the confidence that Punjab will once again rise to its true potential under a Congress government. Amarinder also lashed out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for refusing to accept its defeat gracefully.

“Instead of acknowledging that his party failed to connect with the voters of Punjab, (Delhi Chief Minister) Arvind Kejriwal is making allegations about (tampering of) Electronic Voting Machines.

Incidentally, his own party workers were guarding the EVMs,” said Singh.

Saudi King’s India visit expected this year

I

ndia looked forward to the first official visit here by King Salman of Saudi Arabia to further deepen the strategic ties between both countries, an official said.

“We are looking forward to the visit of the King of Saudi Arabia later this year,” External Affairs Secretary (Economic Relations) Amar Sinha, said at an event here organised by the Saudi petrochemicals giant SABIC. “Our historical and deep relations have been growing rapidly over the last couple of years. Both countries have intensified joint production and investment and are looking at new investments in infrastructure, manufacturing and pooling of technical resources and skills,” he added.

Salman was crowned the new king in January 2015, following the death of his half-brother, King Abdullah.

SABIC, which has a major presence in India, including an advanced R&D facility in Bengaluru, announced its CSR activity to test the eyesight of over 100,000 government-aided school children in Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru, Vadodara, Chennai and Mumbai.

In his address, Saudi Ambassador Saud Al-Sati invited India to play a key role in the kingdom’s economic transformation as it seeks to reduce its dependence on oil exports following a long period of decline in crude prices and emergence of new fuels by diversifying its sources of income and attracting foreign investment.

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INDIA

17 March 2017| www.iwk.co.nz

Modi calls for a ‘New India’ by 2022

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agenda and without an emotional bserving that the results of the recent assembly polls issue. But we have done that," he were food for thought for said. Asserting that he was never experts, Prime Minister Narendra bound by electoral motives, Modi Modi on Sunday, March12, called upon the people of the envisioned a "New India" that country to strive towards creating looks to contribute and not just to a "New India" by 2022. take.

"I have seen the deluge of pollA day after BJP secured a centric dreams, I envision a new historic mandate in the assembly India.

We want 1.25bn Indians polls, Modi undertook a victory collectively striving to make march from Le Meridien Hotel to New India. the nearby party headquarters on Ashoka Road, thanking the people "We respect and accept the and party workers. work done by all Prime Ministers "There are many reasons and Chief Ministers. In 2022 for winning an election but the when we will celebrate 75 massive voting that led to this years India, we want There massive win has become are many to have a new food for thought for reasons for winning India. An India political pundits," an election but the of the dreams Modi said addressing massive voting that of the youth, party workers. led to this massive win of empowered "I have been seeing has become food for women and opinions of political thought for political their dreams. A pundits and media pundits” new India that looks reports. We have seen to contribute and not emotional issues dominating just to take. The India that seeks elections. No party has won elections only on development opportunities to grow.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

"We have five years and if all Indians pledge their commitment, then India can never lag back," he said, adding the results of the assembly polls have boosted the country's aspirations.

He also asserted that he would seek to relieve the "most burdened" middle-class.

"The middle class is the most

to utilise their hard work. The

burdened section, burdened of

strength of the poor and the

tax, societal norms... This burden

aspirations of the middle class can

needs to go and that will happen

take India to new heights," he said.

once the poor are empowered to

He also said BJP was having its

shoulder their own burdens.

"And today's poor do not look for doles, they want opportunities

Parrikar takes charge in Goa for fourth time

B

JP leader Manohar Parrikar, who quit as the Defence Minister a day earlier, was sworn-in as Goa Chief Minister for the fourth time on Tuesday, March 13. The Supreme Court directed his new government to prove its majority via a floor test in the state assembly.

The Congress has accused Goa Governor Mridula Sinha of acting unilaterally and inviting the Bharatiya Janata Party to form a government in Goa, without even meeting the 17 elected leaders of the Congress, which has emerged the largest party in the 40-member assembly after the state elections. The Goa Governor administered the oath of office to Parrikar at Raj Bhavan on Tuesday evening.

While Parrikar and his nine-member cabinet were being sworn-in, hundreds of people protested near Raj Bhavan, accusing the newly appointed Chief Minister and the leader of Goa Forward of trying to subvert the electoral mandate and using unfair means to come to power in the coastal state.

Speaking to reporters after being swornin, Parrikar said the support garnered by the Bharatiya Janata Party was for the development of Goa. "If there was support, then why did you (Congress) not go to the Governor?

The support extended to BJP to form government is only for Goa's development," Parrikar told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony.

The four-time Chief Minister also said the Congress could not stake claim to form government because "no MLA wanted to support the Congress".

Parrikar's cabinet includes two ministers from the BJP, namely Francis D'Souza

and Pandurang Madkaikar, three from regional party Goa Forward – namely Vijai Sardesai, Vinod Palienkar and Jayesh Salgaonkar, and two from another, older regional party Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party -- Sudin Dhavalikar and Manohar Azgaonkar.

Two Independent legislators Govind Gawde and Rohan Khaunte who joined the BJP coalition bandwagon on Sunday also were rewarded with berths. The third Independent MLA Prasad Gaonkar also joined the BJP coalition on Monday and tendered his letter of support to the Governor.

The 13-member BJP legislature party – the second largest after tghe Congress's 17 – has been supported by three MLAs each from the Goa Forward and MGP and three Independent MLAs, taking the majority headcount to 22.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated Parrikar on his new appointment.

"Congratulations to @manoharparrikar and his team on being sworn in. My best wishes in taking Goa to new heights of progress," Modi said in a tweet.

Earlier on Tuesday, hectic political developments played out in Goa as well as

the national capital, where the Supreme Court, which was hearing a petition filed by the Congress challenging the Governor's invitation to the BJP to form government, directed Parrikar to prove his majority on the floor of the Goa assembly by Thursday.

Governor Sinha while inviting Parrikar on Sunday to form the government had directed him to prove his majority in the assembly within 15 days from being sworn-in.

The apex court on the Congress petition, however, refused to interfere with the Governor's decision to appoint Parrikar as the Chief Minister.

Before the Supreme Court hearing, the Congress camp met at the state party headquarters, from where its 17 newlyelected legislators, in presence of Congress General Secretary Digvijaya Singh, were ferried to Raj Bhavan in a bus.

After meeting Sinha, state Congress President and Navelim MLA Luizinho Faleiro said the party had requested her that the Congress should be allowed to form a government as the single largest party with 17 MLAs as against the BJP's 13. To this, the Governor said that she would consider the request.

come but was a result of four generations of toil and sweat.

'India needs to create 12-15m non-agricultural jobs per year'

O BJP chief Amit Shah greets Parrikar after he was sworn in yesterday. Also seen are Goa Governor Mridula Sinha, federal ministers Nitin Gadkari, M Venkaiah Naidu and MGP leader Ramkrishna Sudin Dhavalikar.

golden period that didn't suddenly

ver the next five years, India needs to create 12-15 million jobs in non-agricultural sectors every year to address the gap in jobs, with more young people joining the workforce, a report said on Tuesday, March 13.

"Over the next five years, India will need to create 12-15 million non-agricultural jobs per year. However, between 2005 and 2012, only eight million such jobs were created. Hence, the gap of 4-7 million jobs a year needs to be addressed, which is likely to rise with the rise in young people joining the labour force," a joint report by Boston Consulting Group and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) said.

The report titled Growth and Jobs in the New Globalisation was unveiled here.

"By 2040, India is projected to have the maximum share of working-age population. Coupled with its historically low job creation, the situation begets the need for specific strategies that address both growth and jobs," the report said.

Historically, growth in India has not been met with the same pace of job creation, it said.

"Between 2004 and 2012, GDP growth was 8.1 per cent but job growth averaged only two per cent.

Between 2000 and 2012, 355 million jobs should have been created in India; however, only 75 million jobs were created," it added.

According to the authors, India also faces the challenge in view of the global growth slowing down and is unlikely to exceed 3.5 per cent in the short to medium term.

"Protectionism is on the rise and industry is changing the costs and productivity of manufacturing, eroding the advantage held by low-cost labour intensive countries and reshaping global supply chains," it said.

"Against this backdrop, India will have to grow at 8 per cent or higher in order to go from being a lowermiddle income country to an upper-income country in the next 20 to 30 years," it added.

INDIA ABROAD

www.iwk.co.nz | 17 March 2017

Illegal immigration, not H1B visa an issue for US: India

I

ndia said the contribution of the Indian technical professionals helps the US economy become competitive, and added that currently, illegal immigration is the priority of the US administration and not the H1B visa.

“It is widely agreed that the presence of Indian technical professionals makes the United

States more competitive and helps its economy. You would have seen that senior US officials have stated that illegal immigration and not H1B is their priority,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay said in a briefing.

Speaking on the discussions held between Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar with his interlocutors

in the US last week, Baglay said: “There was a wide-ranging and strong recognition as well as respect for Indian skills and contribution of the Indian technological manpower to the US economy.”

Giving Indian perspective on the Indian professionals working in the US, the spokesperson said they were positive for the US economy.

Calling the H1B a trade and business issue, he said: “Our views have been clearly conveyed to the concerned US interlocutors. We believe that the plans of the US administration for the US economy present an opportunity for the two countries to further consolidate their strong economic partnership.”

Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar,

during his visit to the US last week, said that H1B visas should be considered a trade and services issue and not purely an immigration issue.

Jaishankar acknowledged that Trump’s administration had a new perspective on the world and that India had to “adapt to it and look at new possibilities”.

ormer US President Barack Obama shared a letter by an Indian-American woman on the occasion of International Womens Day, urging others to read about her “inspiring” story.

“When Michelle and I came back from vacation, we found this note from a woman named Sindhu waiting for us. I’m proud of Michelle for the difference she made in this young woman’s life, and I’m inspired by Sindhu’s story, so I thought I’d share it with you today,” Obama wrote in a blog post.

In her letter, Sindhu, a 38-year-old Indian-American woman, thanked Michelle Obama for inspiring her years ago, reported American Bazaar Online.

“One day in Fall 1966, an idealistic 17-year old Indian girl was inspired while sitting in a chapel. She didn’t remember the name of the woman who spoke.

But she will never forget the fire that was lit to make something of her life, and to use that life to serve

others,” the letter read.

Sindhu wrote that after that speech, she signed up to be a volunteer at a hospital and signed up for an after-school programme teaching creative writing and literature for underserved children in the community.

“I later found out that the inspirational powerhouse of a woman who spoke was Michelle Obama,” she wrote.

“Thank you to both of you for your profound levels of activism within our community, leading up to a historic event that I did not think I would witness in my lifetime.

Thank you for how you treated children, both your own and all of Americans, with kindness, humour, and spontaneity,” she wrote, thanking the former first couple.

The letter ends with the Indian-American woman telling the Obamas that “she’s in” for changing the world for better once they come back from their vacation.

shares Indian-American ‘Indian-American in running for Obama woman’s ‘inspirational’ letter key Justice Department post’ F

A

prominent IndianAmerican woman attorney is in the running for leading the civil rights division of the US Department of Justice, a media report said.

Harmeet Dhillon is a successful trial lawyer in California and the first woman and Indian-American to represent her state in the Republican Party. The post will be heavily scrutinised, given the Trump administration’s positions on issues such as voting rights, and because of past controversial statements about race made by the department’s leader, US Attorney General Jeff Sessions, reported Los Angeles Times.

A series of hate crimes have also taken place in the weeks since President Donald Trump’s election.

Dhillon declined to comment, but a source said she was interviewed for the job last week in Washington, D.C. Dhillon has been

Harmeet Dhillon

the public face of the state GOP in recent years. The largest stage for her was at the Republican National Convention last year, when she delivered an invocation by singing a Sikh prayer. The media savvy 48-year-old has been in the public eye since she was in college. Born

in Punjab, Dhillon came to the US as a small child with her family.

She attended public schools in North Carolina, where her father started his medical practice, and she graduated from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics.

A lifelong Republican, she served as Vice Chair of the California Republican Party for three years before becoming the first woman-of-colour “National Committeewoman” to the Republican National Committee (RNC) in May last year, when the California GOP elected her at the state convention, reported community newspaper New India Times. Dhillon has been a vocal supporter of Trump. If selected for the post, she would replace Vanita Gupta, another Indian-American who held the post in the second term of the Obama administration, said the report.

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SPORTS

17 March 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

Clarke happy India, Australia resolved DRS controversy

F

ormer Australia captain Michael Clarke on Tuesday hailed the joint decision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket Australia (CA) to resolve the Decision Review System (DRS) controversy, saying it is for the greater good of the game. that the difference are put to bed.

In the second Test in Bengaluru, Aussie skipper Steve Smith unlawfully sought the nod of his teammates from the dressing room for using DRS after he was adjudged leg before wicket to pacer Umesh Yadav. Though India won the Test to level the four-match rubber 1-1, the BCCI decided to lodge an official complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC). After a meeting between the CEOs of both boards, it was mutually decided to lay to rest the controversy.

“Whatever happened in the previous Test match is gone and now what’s important is they come out and play in Ranchi. I don’t know who made the decision, I think it was BCCI in communication with Cricket Australia saying ‘you know what we are not taking this any further’,” Clarke said while interacting with former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who launched the Australian’s autobiography My Story.

“I think it’s really important (to let the game go on) as this Test series has been fantastic to watch.

I think it wouldn’t be any different

in Ranchi or Dharamsala. Both teams want to be really competitive and so I think this decision is good for the game of cricket,” added Clarke, who led Australia to the 2015 World Cup. The middle-order batsman, who retired in late 2015, gave his World Cup winning shirt as memorablia to the Fanattic Sport Museum, which hosted his book launch.

Ganguly held the shirt for the photographers present.

Later, the city-based southpaw made tongue-in-cheek comment about that World Cup moment.

“I did not want to hold that T-shirt because they beat us in that 2003 World Cup final. And then again in the 2015 they beat India in the semi-final.”

Asked to compare India captain Virat Kohli with Ganguly as both are aggressive captains, Clarke said it is Kohli’s attitude of risking even

defeat for a taste of victory that intrigues him most.

“Virat Kohli has his own style.

Sourav had his own way. It’s like Ricky Ponting and I. He (Virat) has love, passion, and desire that he wants to win at all cost. Virat has the aggression to risk losing for the sake of winning. That is a great trait,” Clarke said.

Clarke did not want to run down the Indian batting becuse they failed to play spin that well in the first Test and also in the second where Steve O’Keefe and Nathan Lyon respectively got the better of them.

“The Indian team haven’t played as well as they can. They are good players of spin. I would like to give more credit to Nathan Lyon and O’Keefe as they deserve a lot of credit. Yes, these are spin friendly conditions but they had to exectue it,” Clarke said.

Patel's fire burning

Jeetan Patel never planned to play for the Blackcaps again

F

ully committing himself to his UK County side Warwickshire and having not featured for the Blackcaps since 2013, the wily right-arm offspinner had conceded his dream of playing for his country again.

Fast forward to March 2017 and the 36-year-old is a key figure in the Test team and could play a major role for the one-day side in conditions he knows well at June’s Champions Trophy in the UK. “It’s exciting,” Patel said.

“They’re such a great bunch of guys and they’re certainly going somewhere with their cricket and I want to help them get there.

"I didn't plan to play for New Zealand again. But when the stars align, it's beautiful. You get an opportunity to make up for lost time, for an opportunity I may have missed.”

Patel was used as the frontline spinner in the first ANZ Test against South Africa in Dunedin, called on

by Kane Williamson in the sixth over on the first morning.

“It’s a nice responsibility. I have a real desire to do something for this team. I know I am not going to be in this team forever so I am enjoying every moment I've got. To come back in and play test cricket again in New Zealand is pretty special to me and

to my family, who have obviously sacrificed a lot for me to continue in my career." The father of two is also excited about the prospect of Thursday’s second Test in his hometown of Wellington.

“I’d love to play a Test match at the Basin, I think it’s the greatest ground in New Zealand and almost the world. It’d be great to play in front of my home crowd, but you don’t always get what you want. We’ll have to sit and see what the wicket is and what our better weapons will be to attack them.”

Patel bowled 69 overs at the University of Otago Oval last week, taking four wickets at an impressive economy rate of just over two runs an over.

He also continued his edge on South African master blaster Quinton de Kock, who fell to the right-arm spinner for the third and fourth time consecutively this tour.

Patel believes the Blackcapswill take a lot from their efforts in the first Test, where the hosts went toe to toe with the Proteas for four days before rain ruined any chance of a result.

“It’s huge. To be able to stand up to the number three team in the world and beat them in the first innings that’s a little win in itself. Our guys are an amazing bunch. They always find another way.”

NEWS in BRIEF

India tour can give identity to skipper Smith’s side: Pacer

A

ustralian pacer Pat Cummins, who replaced injured Mitchell Starc for the upcoming Test matches in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, said a tour like India can define a team as well as his captain. Having made his Test debut in 2011, Cummins, who has not played another match till now, also said he was happy to be part of this big tour.

“Being at home for the first two Tests, I really appreciated how much passion is in this tour and how much Test cricket means. A big Indian tour like this can really identify a team and Steve Smith’s captaincy.

I’ve just been pumped watching it at home and to be over and potentially being part of the series is really cool,” Cummins said.

“India is a tour that really brings the team and the squad together, it doesn’t feel like a tour where there are one or two stand-outs. Everyone in the eleven needs to contribute. Winning over here is just one of those things that can bring a team together. And bring them together for the next 10 years or so,” he added.

The 23-year-old, who was quietly placed on standby for the India tour in January, revealed that he was preparing for the Ashes, which is to be played Down Under later this year, but the sudden call-up for India tour was quite surprising for him.

S. Africa lose bid to host 2022 Commonwealth Games

D

urban will not host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) said.

South Africa won the bid in mid-2016, after Canada withdrew its offer to host the tournament. South Africa initially failed to appoint the local organising committee within the required 180 days after the announcement and also failed to pay the initial deposit to the CGF, reports Xinhua news agency. In a statement mailed to Xinhua, the CGF confirmed that South Africa’s bid has been withdrawn.

President of the CGF Louise Martin said the federation is actively exploring alternative options, including a potential replacement host.

“The CGF will continue to have an open dialogue with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the Republic of South Africa and remains committed to realising the shared ambitions of a future Commonwealth Games in Africa,” said Martin. CGF stated that the decision has been necessitated by key obligations and commitments in areas such as governance, venues, funding and risk management.

Dhoni’s career hinges on Champions Trophy success

I

ndia stalwart Mahendra Singh Dhoni could continue in international limited overs cricket till the 2019 World Cup if he succeeds in the coming ICC champions Trophy, his childhood coach Keshav Banerjee said. The iconic wicketkeeper-batsman, who announced his retirement from Test cricket in 2014 December, quit the captaincy from the limited overs sides’ earlier this year. Recently, he was also removed as the captain of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rising Pune Supergiants.

Though the 35-year-old continues to play the One-Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), many feel that his best days are behind him. Dhoni has enjoyed a storied and highly successful career, captaining India to glory in the 2007 World Twenty20 championship, 2011 and the 2013 Champions Trophy. India will defend Champions Trophy in June. The Ranchi star was also a central figure in the country achieving the top-ranked status in Test cricket.

“Now, Dhoni’s only focus is on the Champions Trophy. Success in that tournament would help him continue in international limited overs cricket till the 2019 World Cup,” Banerjee said.

Google Doodle celebrates 140 years of Test cricket

G

oogle dedicated a Doodle to celebrate the 140th anniversary of official Test cricket, remembering the first Test match played between England and Australia in 1877.

The first official cricket Test match in history began on this day in 1877 between an established English team and a newly-formed Australian squad at the Melbourne Cricket ground. It finished in a 45-run win for Australia. The hosts batted first and the first ball was bowled by Alfred Shaw to Charles Bannerman, who went on to become the first centurion in Test by scoring 165 when he retired hurt with a right hand index finger injury. England, however, squared the two-Test series by winning the next game at the same venue by four wickets.

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Sudoku puzzle No. 3794 2017-03-03 Sudoku puzzle No. 3795 2017-03-04Sudoku puzzle No. 3793 2017-03-02

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Daily1Sudoku puzzle No. 3799 2017-03-08 Medium level Daily Sudoku puzzle No. 3798 2017-03-07

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www.iwk.co.nz | 17 March 2017

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History Quiz Answer 1. 6 (George VI, Edward VIII, Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, Prince George, Duke of Kent and Prince John) 2. 1605 3. Joseph Goebbels 4. Andrew Bonar Law 5. Boston Tea Party 6. Jimmy Carter 7. India 8. Mary I (of Scotland)/Mary Queen of Scots 9.21st April 1926 10. The Golden Hind

Spot the difference

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

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Advertise for FREE

in the Indian Weekender Classified section.

Email: sales@indianweekender.co.nz

Flatmates Wanted

Situation Vacancy

Situation Vacancy

¡¡Auckland CBD

¡¡Night Patrolman

¡¡ New World – New Lynn

Rent: $255. As I’m moving out of my single room, my flatmate is looking for a flatmate in her 2 bedroom apartment on 149 Nelson Street. She is Indain, full time working and in her 20s. She’s looking for a male or female flatmate to move in at the 3rd of April. You should be clean and tidy and pay your rent on time.

Price is $255 per week including all expenses. Bond is $350. If you are interested, send a message to me or text Sana on 0273738777.

¡¡Henderson Looking for flatmate to rent one bedroom. Price include water, electricity, unlimited internet. Open plan living area and large designer kitchen nearby Henderson mall and train station.Ideal flatmates: full time worker, student who pay rent on time. $180 per person and couple $ 220. No pets allowed.

Contact no. 02108591565

Accomodation ¡¡Auckland City Centre I need accommodation for myself on urgent basis near Auckland City Centre ASAP. Please call of text 0275059506.

¡¡Dominion Rd, Sandringham

Currently looking for a full time Nightly Patrolman for our Security Company. If you are interested please text your details to 021 082 03359

¡¡Weekend Retail Assistant Cheerful and enthusiastic person with good customer service skills required for busy retail shop in West Auckland. Hours available are Weekends and School Holidays. Must be able to work Saturday and Sundays. Send CV and covering letter to: email samanogueira@gmail.com Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.

¡¡Part Time Retail -Sylvia Park Strandbags – Sylvia Park, Auckland We are currently seeking a dynamic and experienced Store Manager to lead the team and build on the success at this location. As a Strandbags Store Manager you will take charge of all aspects of running a busy store. Your focus will be to drive sales by involving, motivating and encouraging all members of your team. You will also be responsible for their recruitment, coaching and performance management. Strandbags offers: • a fun and rewarding work environment, generous staff discounts, • a fabulous and achievable monthly incentive scheme for managers • opportunities for ongoing career development • To be successful, key requirements are:

Looking for an accommodation around Dominion Rd, Sandringham, Avondale or st lukes or anywhere from Unitec and City is easy to go with. Looking for Individual room along with washroom with lockable wardrobe. Apartments are more preferable.Dont want to stay with couples. So please dont call if you are a couple. I am 25 Indian. Vegetarian - Gujju guy.

UNITEC student. Please call immediate if you have rooms available. Rent will be paid on time so no need to worry about that. Looking for cool buddies to stay without any restrictions.

• must have previous management experience in a fashion/specialty retail environment

Contact me @ 0220977132 – HARDIK.

• Apply today: CM.Truong@strandbags.com.au

• must be highly organized with a ‘can do’ attitude • must have superior customer service standards

¡¡ Aries (Mar 21-Apr 20)

Do you always strive to be the best at what you do?

We are currently looking to fill some part time roles we have available in our store. These roles cover a range of shifts between 7am and 10pm during both weekdays and weekends. We have part-time shifts available in Chilled & Frozen Foods, Produce, Grocery and Checkouts. If you are successful in your application you will be responsible for helping to ensure the department you work in runs smoothly and all customers are given an outstanding shopping experience.

To be part of our team you will need to demonstrate high personal presentation standards, a high degree of self-motivation and excellent communication skills. The successful applicants will also need to have the desire to excel, the ability to use their initiative, and the drive and enthusiasm for the position.

Our ideal applicant would have had some previous work experience and can demonstrate that they would be committed to achieving the best possible results over an extended period of time. They will also be flexible in the hours they are able to work and must have access to reliable transport for shifts finishing at 10pm.

Toyota Wish 2006. New shape.. Face Lift model Silver colour, Done only 95000km. Fuel efficient and low maintenance 1800cc Cam Chain engine. Seats: 7. Great vehicle for work, travel.family use etc. Very economical and reliable, running very smoothly.

CHAIN DRIVEN engine, NOT CAM BELT. Fully groomed and serviced, the car has passed a 200 point VTNZ check with 1yr WOF. Looks and runs great.The mileage has been verified by A A and VTNZ safety certified.

Vehicle has VTNZ compliance inspection and one year WoF. Be the first owner of this awesome car.

1, 2 and 3 years mechanical warranties available for extra cost. Buy Now: $6450.00 + ORC. RMVT. Call us on: 02102748354 /02102482664

¡¡1997 Mitsubishi Chariot Grandis $3,000 in Pukekohe • 2500cc • 166,190km • 2 spare wheels • Spare key • 7 seater • Petrol • 4 cylinder • WOF: September 2017 • Registration: March 2018

We are now accepting applications through the foodstuffs career website: http://careers. foodstuffs.co.nz

• No problem at all....excellent condition

For us to consider your application please provide the following: A cover letter detailing the department you are applying for, the days and hours you are available and why you think you would be a good fit for the department you are applying for. We will also need a detailed CV.

• If interested, please contact me on 021733377

Applications close unless filled prior

• If you are after an exciting and challenging new career,

Closing Date: Friday, 24 March 2017

¡¡ Cancer (Jun 22-Jul 20)

¡¡Toyota Wish 2006

Are you friendly and customer focused with a can do attitude? Do you have the ability to work within a team environment as well as unsupervised?

• must be a self motivator and demonstrate your ability to coach and develop your t eam to success.

March 17 to March 23 | By Manisha Koushik

Vehicle For Sale

on

24

March

2017

Location: Auckland, New Lynn

• Perfect family vehicle • Welcome to view

Categories: • Flatmates Wanted • Situation Vacancy • Job Wanted • Buy and Sell • Business • Personal Just email your ad’s content with your full details at sales@indianweekender.co.nz

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

¡¡ Libra (Sep 24-Oct 23)

¡¡ Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 21)

Your performance on the academic front may show a downward trend. There is a likelihood of total breakdown of communications with spouse over a domestic issue. This is the right time to go in for finer adjustments needed on the professional front.

You will be expected to invest extra time at office.

The success you receive at work will motivate you to perform better. You will need to nurture your romance to strengthen the relationship. Health and finances remain satisfactory.

Keep tabs of subordinates at work this week to avoid mistakes. You will need to consult someone knowledgeable before you set off on a venture. Financially, you will be winner all the way. Businessmen are likely to hit it rich as more opportunities come their way. Some are likely to get a new vehicle home. Those appearing for interviews should prefer wearing shades of blue. Students are likely to get a competitive edge on the academic front.

Despite qualifications, some of you may find it difficult to land a decent job. Do not lose heart; it is just another not so good time professionally.

Appreciation from those in your social circle is likely to give you a high. A function may be organized by some through their own efforts and resources. Your eagerness and never-say-die spirit can make you the frontrunner in the corporate rat race. Some of you may survey property and contact property dealers this weekend.

Lucky number: 4 / Lucky colour: Dark grey

Lucky number: 11 / Lucky colour: Cream

Lucky number: 8 / Lucky colour: Bottle green

¡¡ Aquarius (Jan 22-Feb 19)

¡¡ Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)

Right moves on the professional front will help you take high strides in career. You are likely to remain socially active and may even plan a family gathering.

Marriage of the eligible in the family is on the cards and may be solemnized soon. Those playing the stocks need to be careful. Previous investments promise to fetch handsome returns. Physical workout will recharge your mind & body. An overseas trip is on the anvil for some. Curtail frivolous expenses.

¡¡Taurus (Apr 21-May 20) Your good gestures will be reciprocated and help you to be upbeat with those around you. You may be called by someone in authority at a short notice this week. Praise for good work done on the professional or academic front is in the pipeline for some. Expect to take your romance to the next level. Organizing a party or a get-together may fall on your shoulders on the social front. Someone is likely to do you a good turn. Those in advisory capacity at work may feel their relevance wearing thin.

Lucky number: 22 / Lucky colour: Maroon

¡¡ Gemini (May 21-Jun 21)

¡¡ Leo (Jul 21-Aug 22) Work on the domestic front can hinder enjoyment, so delegate it to lighten your burden. Busy schedule may keep you from meeting lover, but you will make up for it. Someone may resent your not paying enough attention to a matter of common concern.

You will be able to play your cards according to the circumstances prevailing at work. Your attempt to interfere in someone’s family matter may be highly resented. Health remains satisfactory.

Sweat and toil of many months will finally see you emerge victorious on academic or professional front.

Setting example for others to follow will be your focus at work. You will manage to knit your team together tightly and do well in a challenging task. You will be able to reap rich dividends from the past investments.

Good understanding on the romantic front can be expected. A property dispute is likely to be resolved amicably. A shopping spree with friends is in the offing!

Lucky number: 9 / Lucky colour: Purple

Lucky number: 5 / Lucky colour: Brown

¡¡ Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 23)

¡¡ Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)

Keeping up efforts in a home project will be important.

You may be at your penny-pinching best this weekend, but money will still slip out of your hands. You may be undergoing a phase of self-doubt on the professional front. Others may appear more competent at work, but that may not be so. You will take some positive steps to restore your low self-esteem. There is a good chance of catching the eye of someone you secretly love. Health remains satisfactory.

Recognition for good work will come to you on the professional front. A misunderstanding will only be removed, if you explain things clearly. You may find yourself without help for doing household chores.

Lover may stand you up, but will make up for it later.

Impressing those who matter by your dedication at work will get you up the corporate ladder. Doubling your efforts on the health front will get you back in shape in no time.

You are likely to become popular on the social front and take the centre stage in a gathering. Someone is likely to appreciate your contribution on the professional front. Hard work and efforts in the right direction are likely to pay rich dividends on the academic front. Your romantic feelings are likely to be reciprocated by the one you love. You enjoy good health. You may have to pursue someone for getting a favor done. Someone is likely to convey a piece of good news to you.

Lucky number: 2 / Lucky colour: Light red

Lucky number: 3 / Lucky colour: Beige

Lucky number: 6 / Lucky colour: Yellow

You will need to speak directly to someone for getting something done. Goodwill created by you at work will stand you in good stead. You may get the opportunity to go on a shopping spree with someone close. Those travelling abroad will find things favorable. Some of you may plan to look up an out of town relation.

Acquiring a new house is possible for some.

Lucky number: 18 / Lucky colour: Brown

Lucky number: 15 / Lucky colour: Rosy brown

¡¡ Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20) Youngsters may enjoy an excursion with their group.

Financial condition is set to improve for those feeling the pinch. Put more efforts to strike a balance between logic and intuition. This is a fun week to spend on the romantic front, so spend time with lover.

Dream come true for those willing to buy a house as your home loan gets approved. Daily exercise routine will ensure your fitness level. Some of you may become the victim of boss’s bad mood in this week.

Lucky number: 1 / Lucky colour: White

FEATURES

www.iwk.co.nz | 17 March 2017

25

Spiritual process:

a love affair with life ¡¡ SADHGURU, ISHA FOUNDATION

S

ome time ago, I was in Singapore, addressing the faculty of a premier management and administrative training college. Because I was hopping from engagement to engagement, just before entering the place, I asked, “What’s the talk about? What am I supposed to speak?” They said, “Something about leadership.” And as I was rushing into the college, I saw a banner with my picture that said, “A talk on leadership by an inspirational speaker from India.”

So I just thought, what are the things that inspire people to do something, and when and why do people need inspiration?

Only when you don’t really want to do something, you need to be inspired. If you really want to do something, you don’t need any inspiration. Do you need to be inspired to go for dinner? No, but some of you may need inspiration to wake up in the morning for sadhana.

When people are highly inspired, they can do great things or they can do absolutely stupid things.

Inspiration does not always come with wisdom. If we want to create something purposeful and focused, we need more sensible, focused people who do not need to be inspired by anyone but who clearly know what we want to do.

If there is clarity of what we want to do, our ability to create what we want is so much better than that of just an inspired lot. A group of inspired people are good for a short-term activity. Longterm activity can only be done by those people who really want to do it anyway.

Materialistic and spiritual: what’s the difference?

T

he difference between a materialistic person and a spiritual person is just this: a materialistic person is like a dog that has a bone hanging in front of it to make it win the race. The dog runs faster and faster hoping to get the bone but this never happens. A materialistic person is constantly whipped by external situations. A spiritual person does not need any external whipping since he is doing what he really wants to do.

The spiritual process is a far more intelligent way to exist because it means you are in tune with the intelligence of the Creator. Whatever you can think up is in no way comparable to that intelligence which is creating this body, which is making a flower out of mud, mud into food, food into human body, and human body into mud again, which is making the planets go round and the galaxies function—that which is the very basis of creation. Whatever kind of smart thoughts you come up with, whatever kind of equations or formulas you have produced,

are all attempts to understand the intelligence of that which is the source of creation.

What you think is science is just an attempt to understand the intelligence of the Creator. What you call technology is just a measly imitation of the technologies of life that already exist. So, what you think is human intelligence— the logical intelligence—is not comparable to the intelligence that is the basis of creation.

If you are willing to become one with that intelligence, which is the source of creation, then you are spiritual. Generally, materialistic life is not in line with that intelligence. Is it wrong? Is it wrong to eat food, to wear clothes, to have a building to live in? Is it wrong to do this and that? That is not the point. If you make the side dish of life into the main dish, it is a foolish way to live. We build a home, we wear clothes, we eat food, we do everything because we want to live, and live totally. We not only want to live, we want to know life in its entirety.

If you are only eating the skin of life, it is an unintelligent way to exist. Spiritual process is to eat the fruit of life, the juice of life, the core of life. We not only want to taste it, we also want to know and experience it in its entirety.

Spiritual process: a love affair with life

S

piritual process is not a divorce from life. It is an irrevocable love affair with life. Why is it needed? Simply because it is a more intelligent way to exist. No human being would consciously want to be a fool. Even one who fools around does it to show how smart he is. But if you think you are an exclusive piece of creation, if you think, feel, and experience life as if you are alone in this existence, then your so-called intellect works against you.

It once happened, just after the French revolution. The French had perfected the guillotine as a machine to take off people’s heads. Because they had made the machine, they had to use it as often as possible. Wherever they saw a head, they felt like taking it off.

One day, three men were brought for execution—a lawyer, a priest, and an engineer. They put the lawyer down on the board with a hood over his head and pulled up the blade. It did not fall down.

Technology failure! According to the law, they had to kill him instantly. But now they had put him through the torture of waiting there and it did not happen, which meant he might sue them the next day, so they let him go.

They put the priest on the board and pulled. Again, nothing happened. They thought this must be divine intervention and let him go. T he engineer chose to go to the execution without a hood.

Lying down, he looked up and said, “Hey, let me tell you what’s wrong with this!”

This is how human intellect is working right now. This is a distortion from the intelligence of that which is the source of creation within us and in everything. Just in everything that you touch—the food that you eat, the air that you breathe, the Earth that you walk upon, and the very space in which we exist—the hand of the Creator is obvious for someone who pays enough attention to it. The biggest thing that a human being can do is to be in tune with that intelligence and ensure that he does not distort the hand of the Creator. “Within this, can I live my life? Can I do what I want to do?” You can do everything that you wish to do and still not distort the hand of the Creator—if only you are in tune with it. If you are not in tune with it, you become an exclusive intelligence. The creation does not make room for that.

Initiation of a spiritual process means to stir up that intelligence within you, which is the source of creation. You allow it to function.

Don’t use your own stupid brain.

This does not mean I am against the intellect. I am not. Today, there is a lot of artificial intelligence in the world.

The computers are getting smart, but no computer can ever equal a human being. At some point in the future, a computer may be built to do just about everything that a human being is doing right now, but the computer can never compete with human stupidity. So we will always be incomparable!

Intellect is not the problem.

The problem is that you become an exclusive intelligence, not an inclusive intelligence.

The word yoga means ‘union’.

Union means inclusiveness—to become an inclusive intelligence so that your intelligence does not in any way distort the intelligence, which is the source of creation within you and in everything.

Isha New Zealand conducts free monthly Isha Kriya Meditation practice and Upa yoga sessions for the general public on every second Saturday of the month.

For more information, contact 021545923/02102763956.Named one of India’s 50 most influential people, Sadhguru is a yogi, mystic, a bestselling author, and poet.

5 home remedies and the science behind them

W

e all know of popular homegrown remedies but how effective are they? Home remedies offer cures with simple, ingredients such as honey, fruits, herbs and natural oils. They, at times, can cure common ailments with no side effects, but they need to be used judiciously.” We look at five common home remedies and deconstruct and explain the science behind them.

1. Have rock salt with juice to alleviate stomach ache.

Rock salt is much better than the white salt as it’s loaded with natural minerals and aids in digestion. Rock salt when taken with lemon juice helps to relieve gases in the digestive tract and system.

2.Chicken soup helps cure flu and common cold.

It helps to open up the throat and nose. It also soothes an irritated throat. The warm soup also helps to re-hydrate the body, helping it recover faster. Chicken soup inhibits the movement of neutrophils (a type of white blood cells) in the respiratory tract thus reducing congestion.

It also helps the nasal cilia to function better and facilitate the removal of mucus.

3. Turmeric milk helps heal aches and pains in the body and, in general, boosts immunity.

Turmeric boiled in milk is an excellent combination. Milk is a good source of protein, which help to heal wounds. Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe the inflamed muscles.

Turmeric also contains curcumin -which is a strong antioxidant.

4. Honey and ginger help cure cough Ginger, when boiled in water and then laced with honey, is a known cure for cough and sore throat. “Ginger is a known cough suppressant.

It is also an antioxidant that provides relief from the ailment. This, along with honey, helps alleviate the inflammation of the throat. The honey given its high viscosity soothes the lining of the throat. The ginger-honey treatment again provides symptomatic relief, and has its limitations.

Why soaked almonds are better?

M

any are unaware that the brown peel of almonds contains tannin, which inhibits nutrient absorption. Once the almonds are soaked, the peel comes off easily, allowing the nuts to release nutrients. Soaked almonds also help with digestion. It releases the enzyme lipase, which is beneficial for fat digestion.

What’s more? Almonds also help in weight loss. They contain monounsaturated fats that curb your appetite and make you feel full.

Soaked almonds are a good source of antioxidants too. It resists free radical damage and prevents ageing. Soaked almonds contain Vitamin B17 and folic acid that are vital for fighting cancer and reducing birth defects, another reason worth putting in a little effort.

So make a habit, soak the almonds overnight and have your daily share of nutrition every morning.

Health Tip of the Day

G

reen tea is a big natural source of fluoride, so this in combination with its anti-bacterial effects provides a great natural way to help strengthen your teeth, prevent cavities and help reduce bad breath Why should you have soaked almonds If you love eating almonds raw and hate the idea of soaking it overnight, then it’s time to put in that little extra effort. It’s not only about taste but more about picking the healthier option when choosing between soaked almonds and raw almonds.

26

FEATURES

17 March 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

Fall in love with timeless autumn fashion trends

Breezy, flaky, windy sometimes and with the hint of change in the weather to come is what autumn is often described as.

The autumn season and colours are in full swing. This time of year is perfect for mixing and matching your summer and winter wardrobe to get the stylish autumn outfits. This season choose between trendy shades of black, grey, brown or burgundy colours. Let`s not forget the essential outerwear – trench coats, wool jackets, coats and the inevitable biker jackets, all of which can make a strong fashion statement when combined with accessories such as cozy scarfs and hats.

Amazing Colorful Tights-Perfect For Winter!

Amazing Combination for winter- Tartan Scarf with Gloves, Woolen Cardigan, Blue Jeans and Amazing Hat with Handbag

Stylish Winter Outfit - Leather Coat , Black Tights,Leopard Scarf, Leather Handbag, JEans Shirt, White Blouse

Stylish Winter Outfit- A cardigan with blue jeans and Cozy Scarf with Leather Boots

Style with Burberry checked scarf paired with the classic skinny jeans and a cute beanie.

Brown Combination-Amazing Coat with Buttons, Blouse, Scarf Leather Boots and Handbag

Amazing Winter Outfit Tartan Plaidn Pants and Leopard Coat Lovely Hat and Fur Jacket with Grey Sweater

ENTERTAINMENT FEATURES

www.iwk.co.nz | 17 March 2017

27

AUCKL AND’S HOT TEST BOLLY WOOD STATION

Amitabh Bachchan has most desired qualities: Survey A mitabh Bachchan has emerged as a man with the most desired qualities, in a new survey.

Bharat Matrimony, a matrimony portal, has conducted a social media study to find out the most important criteria that were sought by single men and women while searching for their life partner and chose a celebrity that matched their desired quality.

According to a statement, the study was done through the Twitter and Facebook channels of Bharat Matrimony and hence, there is no specific sample size as such.

The findings of the study were inferred from the data gathered from 1500 responses – (Male: 37.3 per cent and female 62.7 per cent).

It witnessed 22 million impressions within two hours from its launch.

With actor Hrithik Roshan leading in looks (70 per cent) followed by Shah Rukh for his honesty (55 per cent), the participants were asked to select from different qualities like hard work, respect and understanding.

The study that comprised of 62.7 per cent of females showed male celebrities taking the lead, with the Paa star as a favourite among all.

Actress Drashti Dhami took the lead among the female celebrities for her good looks.

The study also stated that 55 per cent of people admired Shah Rukh for his honesty, while Ajay Devgn and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni were next in line with 30 per cent and 15 per cent

votes respectively.

On the hard work front, 25 per cent of the audience said that they admired cricketer Virat Kohli, and an equal percentage of people felt the same about actor Akshay Kumar.

When asked who they thought respected others the most, Amitabh bagged 50 per cent of votes. SRK was the next highest voted person.

Amitabh stole the show again with 50 per cent voting for him as the person who understands others the most, followed by Dhoni.

Kaushik Tiwari, Head Marketing at Matrimony. com, said: "We wanted to find out which qualities users look for when choosing a life partner and which of their favourite celebrities matched these qualities.

"The social campaign offered a platform for fans to express the opinions about the desired qualities of their favourite celebrities and the results were interesting."

Sonam superstar of Neerja, I flop of Aag: RGV

in the world give men as much happiness as Sunny Leone gives" – triggered a storm of protests on Twitter. The filmmaker, who later apologised to those "who genuinely got offended and not to those who ranted for publicity".

On the work front, Varma is gearing up for the release of his upcoming dirctorial Sarkar 3, starring megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Jackie Shroff, Manoj Bajpayee, Amit Sadh and Yami Gautam.

F

ilmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, who is in news for his controversial tweets, has now hit at out at actress Sonam Kapoor.

He has called her a superstar of the film Neerja and himself, a flop director of Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag.

Varma's tweet came after actor Kamaal R. Khan drew his attention to Sonam's comment.

"Sarkar RGV, Sonam Kapoor is saying on NDTV that nobody should take you seriously because you are nobody. Lol," Khan wrote.

To that, Varma tweeted: "She's 100 per cent right because she's superstar of Neerja and am super flop of Aag." Varma, known for movies like Satya and the Sarkar series, faced the ire of feminists, activists and political parties for his controversial International Women's Day comments on Sunny, a former porn star.

His tweet – "I wish all the women

Alia best actress, Big B chosen top actor at Zee Cine Awards

A

lia Bhatt won Best Actress Award for Udta Punjab and Amitabh Bachchan won Best Male Actor award for his performance in Pink while Kareena Kapoor Khan gave first performance post motherhood at the Zee Cine Awards 2017.

Other superstars like Salman Khan, Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt spellbounded the audience with their electrifying performances at the event.

Clad in a traditional saree, Alia Bhatt received the Best Actress Award for her outstanding performance in the film Udta Punjab and later shared a picture holding the award on her Instagram account.

Amitabh Bachchan proved again that he is the megastar of Bollywood as he won Best Male Actor award for the film Pink.

Ritika Singh, who acted opposite R Madhavan in Saala Khadoos, tweeted after winning the best debut female award and dedicated the award to her parents.

Anushka Sharma received The Viewer’s Choice Best Actor Female award for Sultan while her male counterpart Salman Khan won the award in the male category for the same film.

The producer of the film Neerja Atul Kasvekar tweeted that director Ram Madhvani won the Best Director Award for the film while Saiwan Quadras won the best screenplay award.

The star-studded evening started with celebrities, including Govinda, Raveena Tandon, Sunny Leone, Huma Qureshi, Vidya Balan, Sridevi, Hrithik Roshan, Anushka Sharma, Fatima Sana Sheikh, Sanya Malhotra, among others walking the red carpet.

Actress Vidya Balan attended the event in a white saree and traditional jewellery. She was excited on her forthcoming film Begum Jaan.

Kunal Kapoor, Irrfan Khan, Urvashi Rautela, Sophie Choudry, Rahul Bose, Javed Akhtar, Tiger Shroff, Gauhar Khan, Pritam, Sonali Bendre and Disha Patani, among others were also present at the award ceremony.

Don't let naysayers discourage you: Huma

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ctress Huma Qureshi, who has often been a victim to bodyshaming, says people will never get discouraged by naysayers if they will focus on their work. Riding high on the

I just want to entertain: Varun

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ctor Varun Dhawan, whose latest film Badrinath Ki Dulhania released last week, said his aim is to entertain the audience with whatever he does.

Varun tweeted: “My director and the entire team has put in a lot of effort I hope everyone connects with the film and message. I just want to entertain.” The actor, who is seen essaying the role of Badri in the Shashank Khaitan directorial, says the film is very special.

“Badrinath Ki Dulhania has been a

very special film in my life... Like all actors I have also worked extremely hard,” he added.

Badrinath Ki Dulhania, which also features actress Alia Bhatt in key role, is the second installment of the 2014 film Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania.” Varun has also roped in to play a double role in the remake of the popular 1997 Salman Khan starrer Judwaa.

success of Jolly LLB 2 and her first international project Viceroy's House, Huma has shot a video for denim jeans company Levi's in which she has slammed people who judge other's dressing style.

"Don't let naysayers get to you, they can keep trying to pull you down. Some may ridicule you or discourage you, say mean and nasty things, spread rumors etc. But they can't succeed if you're focused on yourself and your work," Huma said.

In the video for the brand, Huma said: "There are only two ways to deal with a bully – no, either you stop crossing paths or you give it back to the bully, because ultimately bullies are just really, really insecure people who basically are projecting their own sense of self

worth onto the outside world."

"Whoever I am today is because of the fact that I'm an outsider, because I don't fit in. Who wants to blend in when they can stand out?

I am Huma Qureshi and this is how I shape m y world."

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FEATURES ENTERTAINMENT

17 March 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

There's no dancer like

Govinda: Shiamak S tar choreographer Shiamak Davar, who has directed all the acts for an awards show here, is mighty impressed by actor Govinda and his moves.

Davar, who has made a string of Bollywood stars dance, has choreographed Govinda and actress Raveena Tandon for Zee Cine Awards. Talking about working with them for the first time for a show, Shiamak said: "Govinda came and just watched the moves and said 'No problem, I will do it' and he went.

Later, he came and learnt everything very quickly. But when you see him dancing, there is no other dancer like Govinda."

"He not only dances, but his expressions are the best thing to watch. Like Madhuri (Dixit), who is known for her expressions, Govinda is also an expression master."

Raveena will be joining Govinda on stage.

"Raveena is a powerhouse dancer.

Govinda and Raveena are fun to work with and I can assure that they will create magic on stage," said the dance therapist, who is also the Founder and Director of Shiamak Davar International India Pvt Ltd. Speaking about some of his most celebrated students, he said: "Among my students, Shahid is my favourite as he was first from my institute who became a huge star. Apart from Shahid, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra and Gauri Khan were also my students. So to see them growing so much over the years, I feel very proud of them."

In the past year, several choreographers including Remo D'Souza have tried their hands at directing films, but Shiamak says he's not interested.

Sonakshi to perform at Justin Bieber’s India gig

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ctress Sonakshi Sinha will perform at Grammy Award winner and global pop sensation Justin Bieber's Purpose World Tour in May, she said. The actress will perform as one of the opening acts at the highly anticipated gig, which will be held on May 10.

"I am really fond of Justin Bieber's music and I love how his sound has evolved over the years and today he reaches out to a universal fan base.

I'm definitely looking forward to this event," Sonakshi said.

The Lootera actress is currently working on a new single and intends to launch it at the Purpose Tour. Arjun Jain, Director, White Fox India – the sole promoters of the tour, said: "We are looking at very innovative opening acts for the

Bieber concert and we would love to have Sonakshi to be a part of it. It's too preliminary to confirm anything but the discussions are underway." The 22-yearold Canadian singer-songwriter is expected to perform hits like Where are you now, Boyfriend, Love yourself, Company, As long as you love me, What do you mean?, Baby and Purpose. Bieber's latest jaunt is in support of his fourth album Purpose, wherein he has experimented with more exploratory electronic sounds. Apart from India, the Asia leg of the tour comprises Tel Aviv in Israel and Dubai in the UAE. Meanwhile, Sonakshi Sinha, who will be donning the judge’s hat once again for the eight season of dance reality show Nach Baliye, says this time she is going to have a different experience.

On the work front, the actress said she is excited for her forthcoming movie Noor. “I am very excited and looking forward to promoting the movie. Noor is a very special film for me.” Directed by Sunhil Sippy, Noor features Sonakshi Sinha in the titular role. The film is based on Pakistani author Saba Imtiaz’s novel Karachi, You’re Killing Me! and follows a journalist-writer Noor’s mis-adventures and love life in Mumbai.

The film is scheduled for a worldwide release on April 21.

EXPERIENCE SONAKSHI SINHA LIVE IN AUCKLAND Along with Bollywood Superstar Salman Khan, Bipasha Basu, Prabhu Deva, Badshah, Daisy Shah and Manish Paul

DA-BANG THE TOUR on 21st April @ Vector Arena Tickets disappearing fast! Get your tickets now from www.ticketmaster.co.nz

How Vidya Balan transformed herself to fierce 'Begum Jaan'

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cclaimed filmmaker Srijit Mukherji revealed how Vidya Balan, who has been known for her jovial and downto-earth personality, completely transformed herself to no-nonsense brothel madam Begum Jaan.

"Before we started shooting Begum Jaan we organised two workshops simultaneously. One with Vidya, another with girls... because Vidya is a jovial down-to-earth person and she easily mingles with everybody on set and I didn't want that. I wanted certain kind of distance with the girls from Vidya," he said at the trailer launch of the film.

"Vidya used to ask many questions during the workshop like what the memories of Begum Jaan were when she was three, when she was first exploited or what happened when she got married. So at the end of the workshop, I had already completed writing four scripts... one Begum Jaan and others are the prequels and sequels. I had to keep ready all the backstories of Begum Jaan and the girls," added the Zulfiqar helmer.

"After the workshop when Vidya entered the set, I saw Begum Jaan who is a fierce, manipulative no-nonsense kind of woman, walking in. There was no trace of Vidya Balan," he told the media.

The National award-winning filmmaker said the Kahani actress has an immense commitment towards her craft. Srijit Mukherjee's directorial is a Hindi adaptation of Bengali film Rajkahini, which saw Rituparna Sengupta in the lead, and also marks his debut in Bollywood.

Vidya is portraying the character of a brothel madam, while Ila Arun, Gauahar Khan, Pallavi Sharda, Ridheema Tiwary, Ashish Vidyarthi, Chunky Pandey and Rajit Kapoor are portraying the pivotal roles in the film.

The hard-hitting plot deals with the trauma of displaced women in a brothel during India's partition.

While Rajkahini was based in Bengal, Begum Jaan is based out of Punjab.

Produced b y Mukesh Bhatt, the film is scheduled for release on April 14.

I'm not someone who looks for love: Priyanka Chopra

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ndian actress Priyanka Chopra says her life has been full of serendipitous moments, so she will let fate take control even of her love life. In an interview to Marie

Claire magazine, the 34-year-old said that she believes that her romantic life will fall into place naturally, reports dailymail.co.uk.

"I'm not someone who looks for love. I don't believe in making it happen. My life has been shaped by so many serendipitous moments so far, I feel like, 'Why screw with a good thing?'," Priyanka said.

Priyanka said she didn't even consider herself beautiful when, as a teenager, her mother entered her into the Miss India competition – which she won. The actress went on to have a very successful career as a Bollywood star before moving to the US, where she earned a gig starring in Quantico, which airs in India on

Star World and Star World HD. She is also set to star in the remake of Baywatch, and covers this month's Marie Claire magazine – which calls her "Hollywood's most bankable badass".

The Bajirao Mastani star said she wants to have as many kids as she can, and added: "I love kids. Love, love kids. I prefer their company to the company of adults, actually."

FEATURES

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17 March 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

CAB New Lynn

Date: April 8 2017 Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Venue: Library Building, 3 Memorial Drive, New Lynn CAB New Lynn will hold three free information sessions for newcomers on Finding Employment in New Zealand. The topics will cover: Pre-employment – What you need to know?

Job search – How to apply for jobs? Preparing for your first job? To register please drop in, call or email at Citizens Advice Bureau New Lynn. Phone 827 7830 or 827 4731, Email newlynn@cab.org.nz. Light refreshments will be provided.

Rang Colours

Date: Saturday March 18 and Sunday March 19 Time: 6 p.m. onwards Venue: Kavanagh College Auditorium, 340 Rattray Street, Dunedin Natyaloka presents RANG – Colours. With RANG, internationally acclaimed artists Nirupama & Rajendra are collaborating with local artist Swaroopa in bringing the dance form Kathak to Dunedin audience for the first time ever!

Tickets: $20/$10 and Gold coin entry for school children.

Available at www.dunedinfringe.nz, Fringe HQ at 26 Princes Street and door sales (cash only). For more details contact Swaroopa on 02102438737 or natyalokanz@gmail.com

Waitakere Holi Meal 2017

Date: Sunday, March 19 Time: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Venue: The Trust Arena, 65 Central Park Drive, Auckland Hosted by Waitakere Indian Association, the day will be full of colours, music and food. Get your family, friends and neighbours for a full day of fun.

CAB Pakuranga/Eastern Manukau

Date: Monday, March 20 & Friday, March 24 Time: 10 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.

Venue: Howick Local Board Meeting Room, Pakuranga Library Building, 7 Aylesbury Street, Pakuranga

CAB Pakuranga/Eastern Manukau will hold two free information sessions for newcomers on Employment.

Facilitated by Valerie Maskell, Career Consultant. Lunch provided. Please confirm your by phoning or texting Vani Kapoor at 021 459250 or email at settlement.pakuranga@cab. org.nz.

CAB Wellington Central

Date: Tuesday, March 21 Time: 5.45 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Venue: Mezzanine floor meeting room, Central library, 65 Victoria Street, Wellington CAB Wellington Central will hold a free information session for newcomers on Hiking and Tramping in New Zealand.

Learn how easy it is to go walking in the New Zealand bush and mountains. Presenters: Alison and Bill Stephenson, members of Tararua Tramping Club. For more information call CAB Wellington Central office on (04) 460 9398 or email at wellingtoncentral@cab.org.nz

CAB Upper Hutt

Date: Wednesday, March 22 Time: 1.30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Venue: Upper Hutt Library, 844 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt CAB Upper Hutt will hold a free information session for newcomers on Navigating New Zealand Health Care. Please come and join to find about Health and Wellbeing. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information please call Jane at CAB Upper Hutt at 04 528 9040.

CAB Tauranga

Date: Friday, March 24 Time: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Venue: Kaimai Room, Tauranga City Council, Willow Street, Tauranga CAB Tauranga will hold a free information session for newcomers on Job Search in New Zealand.

Presented by Brendon Gardner from MBIE and Nick Ball from

Careers New Zealand. Please confirm your place by phoning CAB office on 07 578 1592 or email at Tauranga@cab.org.nz

by Wednesday, March 22, 2017.

Wellington Colour Fest

Date: Saturday, March 25 Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Venue: Upper Frank Kitts Park, Wellington Central This event will be celebrated with colour, fun, food and entertainment. What really makes this event special is that it will be celebrating Holi at an iconic location in the heart of the capital city.

Plenty of Colour (organic & bio-degradable), and entertainment by dancers, MCs, DJs and VJs will be there. This event is supported by Wellington City Council, Food Stalls, Bouncy Castle, alcohol and drug free event, multi-cultural vibe. We are looking to attract around 2000 people to this event.

TRENZ 2017

Date: Tuesday May 9 to Friday May 12 Time: 6 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

Venue: Queens Wharf, Auckland, New Zealand TRENZ is New Zealand’s most significant business-tobusiness travel and trade show, with over 1200 delegates attending over the four day event. This leading event will captivate you with exciting new products and Sellers, combined with great networking opportunities. For more information on the event visit TRENZ website www.trenz. co.nz.

Salman Khan’s Da-Bang, The Tour

Date: Friday, April 21 Venue: Vector Arena, Auckland Bollywood heartthrob Salman Khan will set the stage on fire on April 21 at Vector Arena. The Da-bang tour will include Bollywood A-listed actors Sonakshi Sinha, Bipasha Basu, popular TV host Manish Paul, actor-dancer-director Prabhu Deva, and rapper Badshah. Tickets are available on www. dabangnz2017.com and on Ticketmaster.co.nz.

Apps to keep a check on the digital generation ¡¡ @MAHESH K

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his generation is born for digital. Our kids understand and use technology better than we do. They grasp the UI and features intuitively. Also, schools and colleges are encouraging the use of technology for studies. Not to mention the convenience of staying in touch with the kids when they are out and about.

But this also raises the question of how much screen time is too much, and also what they are doing on their devices, what websites are they browsing. As parents, we are increasingly getting paranoid about the time our kids spend on the digital devices.

OURPACT

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urPact gives parents the ability to block apps, including social media and games.

They can also block Internet browsers like Safari and Chrome and schedule screen time throughout the day.

QUSTODIO

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powerful free app Qustodio comes with a simple, web-based dashboard that is available for multiple platforms. The app lets you set time limits, block sites, and helps monitor your kid’s activities online. The BRIDE WANTED: Good looking, tall, 1987-born boy looking for a life partner.

Borngood in Dehradun, Hard working, independent, entrepreneur and looking you app runs in the background, and your child India and movedguy to NZoriginally in 2011. Hasfrom done Masters of Business Kiwi Indian Hoshiarpur.

He Management is living infrom NZ Massey since 2010. would not even notice it. The app also has a university. Currently working with NZ Bank. His parents are back in India. Dad is retired from He owns his own restaurant. location monitoring tool to help you know DRDO(Ministry of Defence). Mom is a house wife. He has one brother and one sister. He doesn’t where your child is at any given time. There drink or smoke and is aTall, vegetarian. slim, kind and animal lover. Nursing is her occupation.is a facility for the call and SMS monitoring She was born in 1986 and settled in NZ a decade ago. She is very family and blocking as well.

GROOM WANTED: Beautiful, honest and humble girl originally from Delhi, working in a reputed

For Bride:

For Groom:

orientated and religious at heart.in Auckland. Born in 1987, she has event and traffic management organisation

completed KIDLOGGER her graduation and Post Graduate Diploma in marketing and advertising. In New Zealand, she 1973 born, beautiful, soft spoken, easy going, independent nother app that also has tracking pursued graduate diploma in event manament with a scholarship. Her father has an import and spy features along with standard and caring.

She and came to NZ in 1991 and is currently working as a business in Auckland mother is a homemaker.

Her brother runs a business in Auckland. parental control tools. The app logs all finance assistant.

She is mature and understanding and has a perfect blend of traditional and modern values. activities, internet usage and time spent on To know or other available profiles, To know more aboutmore them about or otherthem available profiles, email with detailsemail to with details to the device. Keylogger feature allows you info@knotted.co.nz, call 021-0486462 or visit us at www.knotted.co.nz info@knotted.co.nz, call 021-0486462 or visit us at www.knotted.co.nz

For Groom:

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to view keystrokes and text entered on the computer. It can help you find the password that your kids use for various services.

Though creepy, this might be useful for some parents. The app can also be set to capture screenshots periodically.

ZOODLES

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his is not a parental control app but a ‘digital playground’ that facilitates kids to play and learn in a safe environment without distractions. You can enter the ‘kid mode’ and hand over the device to the child. You stay in charge, and kids can’t leave the safe digital mode without your ok. You can also measure and monitor your child’s learning progress.

This free app is available on multiple devices and syncs on all your devices.

KIDS PLACE It is a launcher app with parental controls and child lock restricting children to use apps that you have approved. This app also has a time lock and limits the usage of the phone calls.

SECURETEEN

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ecureTeen is a great tool if you are worried about the kind of websites your child is browsing. It has a strong Internet filtering feature and lets you monitor your kids’ activity on Facebook. SecureTeen’s location tracker lets you know your child’s whereabouts too.

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