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Volume 11 | Issue 2 | JUL-AUG 2022

Is Hong Kong Hong Kong? still

Let's Let'sfight fight climate climate change change as as aa community community

A group of South Asians who are just starting their adult life discuss how their lives have changed as Hong Kong has changed.

COVER STORY

A-Desiflava talks to Kinsen Au PROFILE

Will life ever be the same again?

FEATURED 18

Holistic Health and the Pandemic SPIRITUAL LIVING

22

Horoscope for July & August 2022 ASTROLOGY 30

LABOUR DEPARTMENT

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FOR ETHNIC MINORITY JOB SEEKERS

LD provides comprehensive employment services to help job seekers at no charge. Our services are conducted in both Chinese and English. If you speak neither of these languages, we can arrange free-of-charge interpretation service for you.

Dedicated employment services for ethnic minority job seekers such as special counter and resource corner, personalised employment advisory service, employment briefings and inclusive job fairs are available.

For details, please visit the dedicated webpage for ethnic minority job seekers on LD’s Interactive Employment Service website (https://www.jobs.gov.hk/ EM) or its Mobile App. You may also contact any one of our Job Centres/ Industry-based Recruitment Centres through the telephone numbers as listed below:

LABOUR DEPARTMENT EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AMBASSADORS

RECRUITMENT DAY ON 1 AUGUST 2022

The Labour Department (LD) is now recruiting Employment Services Ambassadors for Ethnic Minorities. Selected candidates will be provided with free training on job search, interpersonal and customer service skills as well as vocational Cantonese training, and a 12 months’ on-the-job-training with pay in LD’s Job Centres/Industry-based Recruitment Centres.

Details of the Recruitment Day are as follows:

Admiralty Job Centre

2591 1318

Hong Kong West Job Centre

2552 0131

North Point Job Centre

2114 6868

Kowloon East Job Centre

2338 9787

Kowloon West Job Centre

2150 6397

Kwun Tong Job Centre

2342 0486

Shatin Job Centre

2158 5553

Sheung Shui Job Centre

3692 4532

Tai Po Job Centre

2654 1429

Tsuen Wan Job Centre

2417 6197

Tuen Mun Job Centre

2463 9967

Tung Chung Job Centre

3428 2943

Yuen Long Job Centre

3692 5750

Recruitment Centre for the Catering Industry

2594 7800

Recruitment Centre for the Retail Industry

2594 7833

Construction Industry Recruitment Centre

3428 3303

Date:

1 August 2022 (Monday) (Limited interview

Time:

9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Venue:

Kowloon West Job Centre of LD 9/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon (Exit C1, MTR Sham Shui Po Station)

Post for Application:

Employment Services Ambassadors for Ethnic Minorities Main Job Duties: Work in Job Centres/Industrybased Recruitment Centres and job fairs to provide and promote employment services for ethnic minority job seekers

Salary:

$10,400 per month

Working Hours:

Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:36 p.m.

Saturday (on duty once every 3 weeks) : 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

Eligibility:

Applicants should register as trainees of Youth Employment and Training Programme of LD (school leavers aged 15 to 24 between F.4 and sub-degree academic level); able to communicate in either English or Chinese; and proficient in one of the following languages: Hindi, Indonesian, Nepali, Punjabi, Tagalog, Thai, or Urdu

Enquiry & Reservation:

quotas available. Please make reservation by phone in advance.)

Tel.: 2383 4932

Please refer to YETP’s website (https://www.yes.labour.gov.hk/ YETP/Other/EthnicMinorityAmbassador?c=en) for more information.

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E D I T O R ’ S

N O T E

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From the

E D I TO RS ‘To talk about the pandemic these days seems almost cliché now that the worst is probably behind us. But there is nothing cliched about the scars it has left in its wake. Before we move on and Hong Kong rebuilds itself, A-Desiflava felt the need to record some of the struggles faced, and to celebrate the triumphs. We feature here today stories from members of our community, stories which will resonate with our readers, who without doubt have faced their own trials and tribulations.

We have to also recognize what we are doing to our planet, that at some point we have to give future generations a real chance at a meaningful life on this earth. To that end, we have taken on the theme of sustainability, and would like to highlight the work of enterprising individuals in this area. We do hope you will enjoy the In Profile column, which challenges our current assumptions about the recycling process.

Do take the time to read our book review sections, where we endeavour to find and recommend books that our community will enjoy. And we will always have a fun movie to talk about, after all, that is what weekends are for.

Do sit back with coffee or chai, and enjoy!’

CHIEF EDITOR: Gaurav Pardeshi

PUBLISHER: Neha Gaurav Pathak

ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Sharan Gill

DESIGN CONSULTANT: Julian Fernando PHOTOGRAPHY Azake Rehman (Cover Story)

Sharan Gill

PROOF READING & EDITING: A-Desiflava Team

Let me take this opportunity to introduce Sharan to our readers.

FOR ADVERTISEMENTS PLEASE CONTACT:

Associate Editor

Sharan is a human rights lawyer with a special interest in marginalized groups. An active proponent of civil rights, she volunteers pro bono legal services to several nonprofit organizations. A devoted mother of two beautiful girls, she is an active member of the local Clearwater Bay community. She is an ardent reader, and has recently become a yoga convert, which she is convinced is good not only for the body but kickstarts the brain as well.

A big thanks to Sharan, for accepting the offer to become the Associate Editor for A-Desiflava Magazine. I hope to pass on the baton to somebody who will run faster and run a better marathon for A-Desiflava.

The COVER STORY was an impromptu idea that struck my head while traveling on MTR when I heard a group of south Asian teenagers discussing the future of Hong Kong. I walked towards the group, and struck a conversation by asking them “Is Hong Kong still Hong Kong?”. I convinced the group to give an Interview for A-Desiflava and voice out their concerns and perspective about the entire situation in HK. The idea is to get an understanding of what’s in the minds of these young guns, who are going to be called the future of Hong Kong.

Alongside the Cover story, we have our regular columns that will keep you glued until the last page. I’m sure many of you just flip straight to the astrology and Aunty MVP section first, but this time make sure you read from front to back!

Thank you all, and enjoy reading!

Gaurav Pardeshi (Gary) Editor gp@aplomhk.com

Phone: +852 9543 3660 Email: gp@aplomhk.com PRINTED BY: 01 Printing Limited, Suite M, 3/F, Tower 3, 448 Kwun Tong Road, Kwun Tong Industrial Center, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel: +852 28111183 DISCLAIMER: No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without permission. The publisher, layout designer, Contributors, their employees and partners are not responsible for the results of any actions, error or omissions take on the basis of information contained in this publication and expressly disclaim all and any liability for any such action of any person.

The views expressed in A-Desiflava are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor layout designer or contributors. The publisher, layout designer and editor cannot he held responsible for difference of opinion or statements published in good faith.

The mention of specific companies or products in articles or advertisements does not imply that the are endorsed or recommended by this magazine or its publisher in preference to other of a similar nature which are not mentioned or advertised.

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C O N T E N T S

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12 Let's fight climate change as a community

Is Hong Kong still Hong Kong?

6

Will life 18 ever be the same again?

Holistic 22 Health and the Pandemic

CONTENTS Aunty

MVP

26 30

ASTROLOGY - Horoscope

Book Review

28 34 CONTESTS

5

A group of South Asians

who are just starting their adult life discuss how their lives have changed as Hong Kong has changed.

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A

-Desiflava magazine formed this group in order to learn more about how the past few years have impacted the quality of life of young adults in Hong Kong, as well as how they manage to juggle Hong Kong life with their desi roots. The purpose of this Interview article is to simply show readers how this generation is finding its way around a city that has been losing its identity.

is quite high." As a result, they must pay a high price.

Aside from that, one of the difficulties people face in Hong Kong is that things are becoming increasingly expensive.

“Does Hong Kong have a bright future?”

"I think it does. It is one of the world's busiest cities. And it is so popular that people from all over the world come to visit.

Furthermore, if they like it, they will want to settle down here, find work, and build a life.“

“What do your parents think?”

Arshad Sanaullah,

a Pakistani born and raised in Hong Kong, is in his early twenties and has recently discovered that he wants to pursue a career in education after taking a year off to work. He is about to begin his bachelor's degree in early childhood education while also working as a freelance tutor.

“What is the most difficult aspect of living in Hong Kong?”

"The most difficult aspect of living in Hong Kong is for people who do not own their own flats because the rent

"In reality, my mother wants me and my sisters to study and graduate in Hong Kong and then find good jobs." She says it's up to us whether we stay here or relocate to another city or country."

“What message do you have for people wanting to leave?”

“I would say that. It's actually their own choice. They have to think about themselves but if I have to tell them something, I would say that if you can find any better city or country than Hong Kong then sure you can go ahead, but think about what you would be missing. “

“What president/ prime minister would you like to see as Hong Kong’s Chief executive?”

"Imran Khan, I'd say. He is Pakistan's Prime Minister, and he has done a lot of good. For example, in one of the cities, He established a free cancer hospital. Following that, he is repaying Pakistan's debts to various countries. He follows through on his words and does not back down.

No prime minister from Pakistan has gone to the United States to confront the terrorists since September 11, 2001. He was the first to actually lay out plans for how we could collaborate. He traveled to the United States and spoke with the public in a press conference in front of their president about how Pakistan and the United States can build a good relationship in the future.”

“What advice do you have for upcoming generations?”

S T O R Y

My advice to them is to just be themselves, whether they are Pakistani, Indian, or Nepali, and to learn about their cultures. I would also advise you to learn Chinese because it will be extremely beneficial to you. I would also advise you to have dreams, goals, and plans in order to succeed and fulfill your dreams. Also, remember to enjoy your childhood and adolescent years when you're in primary, secondary, and college because you won't get this time back. So have fun with it.

“Hong Kong, stay or leave?”

I have a lot on my plate. For example, I must complete my degree, find a good job, earn money, save up, and then travel. After that, I might consider leaving Hong Kong.

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S T O R Y

Brar Auntarpreet Kaur is in her early 20’s

an Indian born and raised in Hong Kong, currently, a year three psychology student majoring in counseling, working part-time as a tutor and a waiter. She normally uses English as a mode of communication, her mother tongue is Punjabi. Moreover, she can speak Hindi, English, workable Cantonese, and French.

“What do you think is the most difficult aspect of living in Hong Kong?”

"The most difficult aspect of growing up in Hong Kong is the competition." Because everyone is in such a hurry, this is a huge challenge.

Everyone is striving for such lofty goals that people are falling behind. If you fall behind in anything, you will be left behind, so keeping up with the pace is difficult in Hong Kong.

“Do you believe Hong Kong has a promising future?”

With the passage of the national security law and the

extradition bill, China will soon take over Hong Kong. As a result, I believe Hong Kong's future is either jeopardized or protected, only time will say.

Maybe it might become the next Shanghai or Shenzhen, you never know.

“What do your parents think?”

“Actually growing up, I was always told that we will move out of Hong Kong. So my parents already had this ideology because they've seen that they moved here around 26 years ago, I think 20-something years ever since the handover they've been complaining constantly about Hong Kong's deterioration in terms of Government support and social security and even the environment. They feel people are not being as serious as they were before and things are not as organized anymore.

“What message do you have for people wanting to leave?”

"It's good that you're moving out because if you're moving out, it could be because you believe you have a better future in another country."

I also believe they are wise, mature, and intelligent enough to recognize that Hong Kong might not hold a promising future for people who have grown up with a lot of freedom, perspective, and point of view”.

If you fall behind in anything, you will be left behind, so keeping up with the pace is difficult in Hong Kong.

“Which president or prime minister would you like to see as Hong Kong's Chief Executive?”

Trump, I believe, because he has strong opinions and is not afraid of anyone. So I believe Hong Kong requires

someone who is not afraid of any other country. The other one is Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand's prime minister, who has made the country free without restricting its people, and who has closed borders for everyone. But she did not abandon her people. She also assisted a great deal with welfare.

Lastly, Sweden's president as she has made all feminine hygiene and baby care products free, you don't have to pay, you can just stroll into the store and pick it up."

“What advice do you have for upcoming generation?”

"Education, they say, is the key. True, I would say that the competition for the Ethnic

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“What do you think is the most difficult aspect of living in Hong Kong?”

Minority Community’s new generation is really strong, not because of what's happening in the market, but because of schooling or employment opportunities, because our generation and the next generation will have to set greater bounds."

When our parents came to Hong Kong as migrants, they didn't expect to become merchants, doctors, or teachers. As a result, they began to anticipate that from our generation, and our generation is on its way.

“Hong Kong stay or leave?”

“Leave, as I foresee danger here, Hong Kong provides a lot of conveniences, along with convenience comes a lot of stress and I want peace.” I’d move to either New Zealand or Sweden.

Memona Abid, a Pakistani woman in her early twenties who was born and raised in Hong Kong.

She is currently employed as a full-time teacher and will begin her bachelor's degree in social science this year. She is fluent in five languages: Urdu, Cantonese, Mandarin, a smattering of Korean, and English.

"The most challenging aspect of living in Hong Kong is finding a place to live. I believe that the majority of individuals are having difficulties with their housing. If you don't have government housing, for example, most young people struggle to find a place to rent, which is highly expensive in Hong Kong. As a result, I believe that the most pressing issue in Hong Kong is housing.

“Is Hong Kong's future promising?”

For the time being, I do not believe Hong Kong has a bright future. The reason for this is that following the protests in 2020, Hong Kong's national law changed significantly. That is why the majority of Hong Kong's youth are fleeing the city, as they see Hong Kong's transformation into China, all the freedom will be gone.

“What do your parents think?”

"My parents believe that Hong Kong's future is in jeopardy. However, in terms of security and transit, Hong Kong is a very convenient city."

“What message do you have for people wanting to leave?”

S T O R Y

"Be financially stable before leaving since leaving a city is a significant change, and if you're not financially stable, you'll struggle and encounter many hurdles because living in Hong Kong is convenient."

“Which president or prime minister would you like to see as Hong Kong's Chief Executive?”

"I would say that Imran Khan is wise and open-minded, which is appropriate for our generation." If he becomes a CE, he will have no trouble getting along with the kids.

“What advice do you have for upcoming generation?”

"My advice to them is to complete their education and get a good degree because, in Hong Kong, most children drop out in the middle of secondary school and then struggle to find work, but if they have a solid degree in hand, their future can be bright." Even if they do not wish to live in Hong Kong, if they travel to other countries and wish to settle down, having a degree makes it easier for them to obtain work and advance in their careers.

“Hong Kong, stay or leave?”

I'd leave, because Hong Kong is transforming from "one country, two systems" to "one country, one system".

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“What do your parents think?”

"Okay, my parents used to think that Hong Kong was a great place, that it was secure for everyone, but the protests in recent years have exacerbated the problem." As a result, my parents believe that if they had the option, they would leave Hong Kong.

Farooq Shamila, a 20-yearold Pakistani who was born and raised in Hong Kong, is now pursuing a degree in teaching while also working as a teacher. She speaks Cantonese, English, Urdu, and Punjabi.

“What do you think is the most difficult aspect of living in Hong Kong?”

"The most difficult aspect of living in Hong Kong is the communication gap between locals and EMS because to the language barrier, as we always have trouble connecting with people, such as while visiting hospitals or during teacher training

“Is Hong Kong's future promising?”

“For me, If it's handled with care and If the government makes every decision carefully Hong Kong can have a bright future.”

“What message do you have for people wanting to leave?”

If you believe you have a future in Hong Kong. Of course, I'll try to persuade you to stay, but ultimately, it's your decision. We should always put ourselves first.

“Which president or prime minister would you like to see as Hong Kong's Chief Executive?”

"I'd say either Imran Khan or Barack Obama." I'd include Trump as well, but he's unattractive. Imran Khan and Barack Obama's handling of the country's politics is admirable, as they prioritize the needs of their inhabitants.

there are more prospects here, but I'd also continue to visit Pakistan."

“What advice do you have for upcoming generation?”

‘Okay. So, my advice to the future generation is to prioritize their education and contribute as much as possible to their studies. And, of course, pick a field. They care about what they want, not what their families want, and they give their all to make their parents and themselves proud.'

“Hong Kong, stay or leave?”

"I'd stay in Hong Kong since it's my second home, and

Saffa Hussain, a first-

year adult who was born in Pakistan and raised in Hong Kong, is set to begin an associate's degree in professional communication in English while also completing an internship. She speaks English, Urdu Punjabi, and basic Chinese.

“What do you think is the most difficult aspect of living in Hong Kong?”

"Rent is a problem, as is the language barrier; it's difficult to get around in Hong Kong if you don't understand basic Chinese, as you'll need it in everyday situations like doctor visits, jobs, and even shopping." The houses we rent are quite small and have very little space, yet we have to pay a lot for them.

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S T O R Y

“Is Hong Kong's future promising?”

"I believe that for the time being, Hong Kong does not have a bright future because of the situation with China; there are so many people leaving Hong Kong, and I believe that once they leave, they will obviously be talking about how much the situation has deteriorated; as a result, Hong Kong will not be known to be as great as it once was."

“What do your parents think?”

"They are eager to return to Pakistan." They don't want a future here for themselves, but they do want us to stay here until we finish our studies and then make our own decisions."

“What message do you have for people wanting to leave?”

"I have a message for them: always be prepared." If they're going to go, they'll need to make sure they have contacts there because they've lived here their entire lives and will be able to inquire how to get around if they have contacts. However, I believe that transportation in Hong Kong is quite convenient. Other countries may not have as excellent of transportation, therefore they may need to contact someone to help them start a life elsewhere."

Hong Kong will not be known to be as great as it once was.

“Which president/ prime minister do you want to see as Hong Kong Chief Executive? “ I'd vote for Imran Khan since he has done so much for Pakistan. For example, he is no longer Prime Minister of Pakistan, and the situation has gotten worse since he left. For example, the crime

rate has risen significantly, as have prices for gasoline, food, and groceries; there are even companies that are shrinking as a result of the worsening financial situation, all within a month."

“What advice do you have for upcoming generation?”

"The advise I have for them is to, respect themselves because a lot of individuals, when they're young, are affected by their peers and end up doing things they later regret." So my counsel to them is to stay focused, to think about their future, and to prioritize themselves.”

“Hong Kong stay, or leave?”

"I'd leave without a doubt." The houses are the primary reason for my departure. "The room

is quite limited, and for the prices, we pay for residences here, we could buy a mansion elsewhere."

“There are benefits and drawbacks to living in such a busy city which the society can deal with, but seeing the city transform into a whole new country makes citizens wonder if it still has the same potential."

To summarize, Hong Kong has changed, making it simpler to leave; nonetheless, being a Hongkonger is and will always be a part of our identities, whether we choose to stay or go."

Article written by:

Saffa Hussain

A-Desiflava Magazine

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P R O F I L E

Let's fight climate change as a community A-Desiflava talks to Kinsen Au

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When we buy something that we think can be recycled, quite often that is not the case; Associate Editor Sharan Gill interviews Mr Kinsen Au, Managing Director at Natpak, a solution provider for sustainable packaging.

Mr. Au tells us how we can fight climate change as a community by disrupting the traditional packaging industry with more mindful and sustainable solutions.

Kinsen mentions ‘I spend a lot of time designing, developing, executing meaningful products to the market. After twenty five years in the luxury packaging industry, it has become our duty to take a deeper dive into giving used packaging a second life or closing the circular loop, either through recycling or reusing’.

Q: Could you tell our readers a bit more about yourself, and what drove you to introduce sustainability in the manufacturing industry?

A: Over two decades ago, I decided to join the family business, which involves the manufacture of packaging for luxury goods such as watches, jewelry, eye wear and cosmetics. More recently, we have expanded into retail and e-commerce, packaging exporting to many places around the world. The

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volumes involved in producing packaging for goods from the mid to high end market are quite considerable.

About five years ago, my wife and I went on a hike, you get to a certain point where you can see the landfill in Tseung Kwan O. I believe we were within 200-250 meters off the ground and when I first saw the landfill, it was same height as we were, much wider and with more depth. The enormity of how much waste goes into our landfills was striking, that was the point at which it hit me that as a manufacturer who contributes to waste products, I had to play my part in addressing this.

Our company started to invest in research to see how to make our packaging more sustainable. To this end we also involved our different stakeholders in the conversation. As a result, the packaging that we have introduced worldwide is making a significant impact in the recycling world.

Q: As consumers when we pick up a packaged item and there is a logo which indicates that an item is "recyclable", we think automatically that we are doing our bit, but are we really?

A: There is a lot of green washing in almost any

no company will recycle these products because there are too many materials combined together which are almost impossible to be separate.

consumer packaging. It can be quite tricky identifying whether an item is truly recyclable.

Take face masks for example, some brands have a little recycling logo, but if you look carefully, some have a silver foil inside and often, the exterior will have plastic lamination. What this means is that no company will recycle these products because there are too many materials combined together which are almost impossible to be separate, or the cost to do so is too high.

There needs to be better understanding of what recycling companies will pick up and what they will not.

The Hong Kong government is launching 6 Green HK

recycling shops in almost every community now. Some of them are pretty good, and specify clearly what they will take and what they will not. I have been there myself, and they do go out of their way to explain why certain items are not welcome. From what I understand, this is because they will ultimately have to send these to a recycling company that would be willing to pick them up. If the items are not suitable for recycling, these items will end up in a landfill anyway.

The advice I can give the readers is this: Rather than look at the logo or what is written on the packaging, the best way is for consumers to look for items with single material packaging, as it will more likely be able to be recycled. If you see something that contains plastic or it is mixed with some other material, the chances are the recycling company will not take it.

Q: Are there any regulations that govern when a product can use the recycled logos?

A: This is still a gray area, especially because different countries have different regulations. In effect what this means is that anybody can slap on a triangle logo. Whilst it could technically mean that one of the materials used might have been recycled, for example the foil may have been reused and then laminated with plastic film, this

does not necessarily mean that the product can therefore be recycled.

There are no regulations that apply universally, it really is up to the individual brands who are willing to take those steps to be more transparent.

Q: Are there any red flags that the consumer should be looking for to know for certain that a certain item of packaging is fully recyclable?

A: Unfortunately there is no clear way to do so. I should point out that there is no perfect product, but there are brands that are making a transition and taking clear steps to be more upfront about what their product involves and whether it is fully recyclable.

To name a couple good examples; Slowood in Kennedy town and Central uses packaging which clearly indicates whether it is recyclable or reusable. They also carry out sustainable practices, for example they sell cereal by weight. You can bring your own reusable container or you can buy a container that you can reuse again, instead of relying on single use plastic containers.

Body Shop is also doing quite a good job in terms of recycling. They have a collection box in their shops to pick up used plastic

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containers, and they also provide incentives if you recycle and repurchase certain items.

There are therefore brands that are taking steps forward, you just have to be more careful in knowing what to look for.

Q: There are approximately 6 million plastic bottles that are disposed of daily in Hong Kong, is there any suggestion that you think we could get around this problem?

INVICTA’S OLD PACKAGING, PRE-MAKEOVER

A: It will take many different parties to make anything happen. The government obviously has to make a step forward in terms of educating citizens and perhaps setting up more collection points around the city to make it easier for consumers to recycle.

We could even introduce a point collection system to encourage consumers to recycle. The MTR corporation for example, has provided collection points at the various stations for water bottles, in return for ticket or retail credit.

These are the things that the public can engage and involve itself in.

As for the private sector, we have to really start from the ground up, and design a product from an economic point of view from day one.

INVICTA'S SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING

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We need products that do not end up in the landfill, and that will have a second chance at life when the consumer is done with it. These are things that will take a while but I think we are making progress, especially in the past one to two years.

exterior that is wrapped with leatherette and there is velvet with foam inside. The whole thing is encased in a plastic shell and laminated all together. There are multiple materials used and it is impossible to recycle.

This is how we tackled it;

The government is also stepping in. They are working on a five year plan towards zero landfill. Essentially what this means is that all consumer or commercial garbage will not go to the landfill, and that every single piece that is thrown in the bin will be recycled. It is an excellent plan, to have a zero landfill objective and then work backwards to make it happen.

Q: Do you find that you come up with resistance when raising issues of sustainability in packaging with your clients?

A: When we first started exploring this area three or four years ago, yes we did, particularly as sustainable materials were expensive.

Over time prices of raw or recycled materials have come down, now it is a matter of accessing these materials and redesigning and reengineering the packaging to be able to meet sustainability standards.

This is a sample of luxury packaging for watches. The traditional version has an

We kept the concept of luxury because that is what the customer wanted. We changed the complete packaging to single material, it is all made out of paper now and almost fully recyclable. Only the foam is not recyclable, but it is detachable so you can recycle separately. It is not 100 % but I think we’re about 80-90% there.

We changed the complete packaging to single material, it is all made out of paper now and almost fully recyclable.

The next step is to make this easier to fold flat because that is one of the criteria for recycling. The boxes need to be folded flat by consumer, this is the next goal that we are working on. This has been quite a milestone for us, to develop with a client to make a change towards sustainability.

difference in cost in terms of the final product?

Q: Now that the price of raw materials is decreasing, if a client were to make a transition from the old non-recyclable packaging to recyclable packaging what would be the

A: Budget wise we cannot go a penny over our original cost, but to keep the structure it takes new manufacturing technology, to make the recyclable material to a strength and durability that can be compared with plastic.

These are areas developers of packaging should really look at, not just changing the materials, but to research the construction of a particular design in order to be able to adapt these new materials for use.

Q: Would you generally be able to assist in formulating and designing a sustainable packaging product for a client?

A: Yes, we can completely redesign traditional packaging from the ground up. We have a library of sustainable materials to choose from, and we will come up with solutions based on the project and the particular industry, for example how long it needs to be kept on the shelf and what kind of area, and the location it will be sent to because geographically that makes a difference as well.

Q: It is rather disconcerting that as a consumer, we do not really have any specific way of determining whether or not a product is fully recyclable, is there any further advice you could give to the readers to make sure that we can play our part?

A: The more you start recycling you will start to learn how exactly it works. Take for example a milk carton, there is a little plastic opener which is attached to the paper packaging. Right now the

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recycling company will ask you to cut out the plastic part, rinse the interior and fold it flat and only then they will take it.

I think you now have an idea why they requesting this, why you have to cut out the plastic first. It is a lot easier for the consumer to do this, it will take just thirty seconds, than to leave it to the recycling company faced with a warehouse full of milk cartons. The more a consumer recycles, the better he she will get at making sure that it is done in an effective manner.

Q: That is interesting, so if we add things that contain parts which are not recyclable such as plastic caps on milk cartons into the recycle bin, does this mean the whole lot cannot be recycled now?

A; Yes, I am afraid that will sometimes happen, it really depends on the recycling company. If it sees a batch of different kind of stuff in the recyclable collection they might reject the whole shipment. For example, if it sees coke bottles still with coke inside that means they will have to spend time to rinse them, and might not want to take on that extra cost. . It is important to balance the P&L in the

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It is important to balance the P&L in the recycling world too, the consumer needs to take that extra step to help make the process work. recycling world too, the consumer needs to take that extra step to help make the process work.

Q: As consumers we do not sometimes realize the impact of these little acts, on a public scale though, is there more that can be done?

A: I think things are still slowly heading into the right direction. The government is launching a garbage bag scheme for next year. What this is means is that we will

have to use government supplied plastic bags for waste or it will not be taken away.

lives. Hopefully with the cooperation of the various stakeholders, we will be able to get this off the ground.

The same goes with the plastic bags they used to distribute for free, in supermarket. Once they start charging, people will hesitate to acquire plastic bags in the supermarket. The price for these bags may be raised to one dollar next year.

Q: This is an excellent initiative that you are taking, could you also share significant moments in your journey towards sustainability?

In terms of the private sector, we are working with different partners in Hong Kong to build a more efficient circular economy. For example we are partnering up with different recycling parties and hopefully bringing a shipping company on board the collection process. In the end it is about minimising the carbon foot print, by picking up and delivering simultaneously.

We are also trying to build a chemical recycling factory that is able to pick recyclable products that traditional mechanical recycling companies will not take. For example, plastic bags, a lot of colored or pre printed plastic bags. The enormous volumes of these are now ending up in landfills.

We are exploring the technology on how we can launch this in Hong Kong once we are able to recycle these water bottles, plastic bags etc. And even to try to re-manufacture them into new products, to give these products endless

A: We made a pledge for our company three years ago that within five years 100% of our products that we ship has to be sustainable, either recyclable, biodegradable or reusable. Today we are at about 80%, so we are confident that within two years we will meet our target.

Hopefully along the way we will help other brands to change their traditional packaging to a more sustainable option. More conversations like these will really help us do this.

Natpak identifies alternative sustainable materials from its extensive library, develops products that contribute to the circular economy, and most of all, designs sustainable and affordable packaging solutions tailored specifically to the brand’s needs.

Interview & Article by Sharan Gill, Associate Editor, A-Desiflava Magazine Transcript by Saffa Hussain, Intern A-Desiflava Magazine

THEY SAID I AM

RETIRED. AGED. TIRED. BUT I KNOW

I CAN

AND

I AM READY.

LAUNCHING SOON...

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WILL

LIFE S

omething a lovely lady said at a dinner party last night rang home, “every time someone asks me how I have managed the last two years, it has taken everything I have got not to burst into tears’. When she sent her son to school in New Zealand early 2020, little did she think that she would not see him again for two long, very hard years.

How many of us have emerged unscathed after the ravages of the last two long hard years?

Covid-19, Delta, Omicron BA.1, BA.1. BA.2., the viruses have come, and have still not quite gone away. But a little light is creeping in at the end of the tunnel, there are fewer deaths, schools and offices have reopened, people are going out and

EVER BE THE SAME AGAIN?

hawan, singing, dancing, food tasting, a time of family and fun.

Little did we know that would be the last get together for some time to come.

meeting again, countries have opened their borders, Hong Kong is beginning to relent, one week in a hotel, though not pleasant, is still far better than three weeks in one. The virus is still there, but we are learning to live it, life just has to go on.

But can things really return to normal? How have families coped these last few years, can we really recover from this, or will human spirit ultimately triumph?

A-Desiflava talks to a few families, who tell us of their struggles and personal triumphs through these difficult times.

Amita’s story December 2019-we had all gathered as a family in my parents’ home in India to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary-my sister, her two teenage daughters (her husband could not make it due to work commitments), my teenage boys, husband and myself. It was a huge celebration, with all uncles and aunts, cousins, family, friends and most importantly with my maternal grandparentsmy nana and my nani in attendance. It was ten days of preparations, dance practice,

Jan 10th, 2020-we moved our elder son to Christchurch, New Zealand to complete his last two years of school. We took this decision in order for him to both study, and pursue his passion for cricket. He is a cricketer who has represented Hong Kong at various levels and wanted to play cricket at a more serious level. The move from Hong Kong, where cricket is still at nascent stage, to one of the primary playing nations seemed imperative at the time, and our vote went to New Zealand.

Though the school session in New Zealand was starting on January 29th, he left Jan 10th to make the most of the

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cricket season, which is rather short due to intense winters.

Jan 29th 2020-I joined him in New Zealand to help him start his school year. I spent three lovely days with him. Saying goodbye wasn’t easy but knowing that I would see him again in April during the Easter break helped.

Little did I know that it would be a long two and a half years before I would see my son again. I often wonder had we known this, would we have still taken this decision to send him, a young sixteen year old, so far away to a place where we did not know anyone?

The plan at that time, was to meet him in April during Easter break, then in July during their winter break, once more in between and then again in December. How the pandemic dashed those plans! From being mentally prepared to meet him four times a year, to not seeing him at all is something we were completely unprepared for.

I am so grateful that with the help of technology we have survived through this. It was difficult, but we comforted ourselves that we could see him during our video calls.

Thankfully, on the health front all remained well. Surely there were good days and bad ones.

We were constantly checking on him, to make sure he was doing okay. As parents, this is something we were genuinely worried about. The physical impact of the pandemic was visible all around but no one was discussing mental health at that time.

Initial strict border controls made full sense as we all

saw it as a necessity. Both Hong Kong and New Zealand had the strictest border controls and we appreciated and supported it fully. But as days turned into months and then years, our patience started to wear thin. Seeing kids from the UK and the USA being able to come back to Hong Kong, doing their time in quarantine, and then being able to come home, stay and then go back again did not make it easy. As much as we were happy that these kids were able to do that, equally hard was having the feeling of being trapped between New Zealand and Hong Kong.

The fact was that whilst students could leave New Zealand, as they were only on student visas, they would not be allowed to go back in. And once in Hong Kong, if they tested positive, they would probably be sent to one of the government quarantine facilities in North Lantau Island, no one could say for sure for how long. There were enough stories floating around to make us worried. It was a highly stressful time.

April 2022-finally New Zealand relaxed rules for international students who could leave the country and be able to come back in. We were over the moon and started to look for tickets.

Totally loved the hustle and bustle of booking tickets, looking at flight details, a concept that had become so alien to us. The excitement was short lived. The Hong Kong government announced mass testing for the entire population, which coincided with his homecoming.

Pressure to do time in quarantine and then mass

testing, with the possibility of being sent to Penny’s Bay, just seemed too much.

Instead of bringing him back to Hong Kong, we decided that he would be better off going to the USA to my sister’s place.

It was a whirlwind of emotions, meeting him seemed an uphill task, the wait seemed endless.

Inside of me, I blocked off all emotions and thoughts involved with “meeting your child”. There was a time someone would take his name or ask me how is he doing and I would start crying. But now I did not allow these emotions to surface at all. We had to be practical after all.

And not calling him to Hong Kong seemed the best option.

I was just happy that he was able to get out of New Zealand and be with the family he loved. The sheer pampering he received from his aunt, uncle, cousins made me forget for a brief moment that I could not be there with him. If there is one silver lining that this pandemic has shown us, it it is that families are irreplaceable. With the quarantine period being reduced to one week, my husband also decided to go to the USA to meet him. I did not join him as my younger one was having his exams, and one of us had to be around. I could not have asked for more. It felt as if I had met my son again through my husband.

Finally, there is light on the horizon. My elder son is now scheduled to come to Hong Kong end June. Tickets are booked. He will be out of quarantine one week later, and I will finally be able to see my son after a long two and a half years. I am trying not to get too excited as I feel it is still too early. And not to mention how excited the younger brother is, who will be seeing elder brother he adored after such a long time. He does not say much, but I am sure he is counting the days, though boys being boys, he will deny it outright!

The pandemic has brought home to us the full meaning of two age old sayings, ‘Live each day to fullest’ and ‘Do not take things for granted’.

The life as we knew changed overnight, literally. Something none of could even imagine in our wildest dreams. It is the 21st century after all, or so we thought…

Amita Prakash is a professional in the field of fashion who has made Hong Kong her home for the

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last 17 years. She is staying here with her husband Akhil Bhagwat and two sons, Aarush Bhagwat and Parth Bhagwat. As a family they love travelling, exploring new places, participating in outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, swimming and more.

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been both good and bad. My daughter graduated from high school in 2020 and was supposed to leave for college in USA in 2020, but thanks to the pandemic she stayed back in Hong Kong, did online tuition for a year and left in August 2021. Sadly for her, she missed out on the

Aarush and Parth Bhagwat, pictured 2019, before the pandemic

Shveitta’s story We are four in our family, my husband, our daughter Inara, myself and our dog Henry.

I came to Hong Kong at the end of 1989 as a flight attendant for Cathay Pacific.

An initial plan of staying for two to four years turned into three decades of a love affair with Hong Kong. This place has a charm that is difficult to resist and temptation got the better of us. I have loved every minute of being in this place I called home for over thirty years.

The past two years has been a roller coaster ride for us.

First, it was the protests of 2019 and then the virus.

Personally I think it has

At 18, I couldn’t wait for Inara to leave. We had our disagreements over everything and both of us were looking forward to college. The extra year was a watershed year. The teenage angst just vanished and I got to see the most loving wonderful child, and that made the eventual parting very hard.

Interestingly I never came back home to Hong Kong after dropping her in USA. After being in USA for two months we went to India. That too turned out to be a silver lining.

I had never spent more than ten to fifteen days at anytime in India. This time I spent seven months and reconnected with my motherland. It was the best feeling ever.

Of course, there are lots of lessons to be learnt. No one can deny the pain that many are going through, but let us not ignore all the good that has come out too.

The last couple of years have been very tough for many.

Lives have been impacted physically, mentally, socially, financially and emotionally.

Many could not travel to be with their loved ones during their most vulnerable time, many mourned and celebrated in isolation. We have all had our fair share of pain and scars run deep, the effects of which will linger for some time.

graduation ceremony and the graduation trip, but for me, I think I hit the jackpot. The extra year that I got with her was like winning the lottery.

Somehow the change in behavior from 18 to 19 is just so amazing that under normal circumstances I would have never experienced this 180 degree turn.

The loosening of restrictions made things much easier, that is why I am back in Hong Kong. The three week quarantine was a big deterrent for us. Even though we were ready to come home, the thought of spending three weeks in a room was not something I could see myself doing. As soon at the quarantine went down to a

week all three of us decided to come back home to be with our dog.

All said and done there is no place like Hong Kong, especially when it has been home for so many years.

Would I consider staying long term here? That is a million dollar question. Like I said, there is something so magical about Hong Kong that even the thought of leaving Hong Kong makes me sad. It has been our home for thirty four years. All my good years were spent here. My daughter was born here and her allegiance lies with Hong Kong. Even if I mention that we may relocate, she gets very upset and distressed. For her, home will always be Hong Kong.

Also having been here for so long, I have seen the cyclical downturns that Hong Kong has experienced, and have always seen it rebound and come back stronger. This cycle seems to be longer than others but if you think about it, the further the pendulum goes back the further it goes forward.

This just may be the reset button that will take Hong Kong to new heights. I am an optimist at heart and want to see Hong Kong back to its glory days. It might not be the same Hong Kong, where hedonism and excess defined the fragrant harbour. It just might be a more introspective and accepting Hong Kong.

Of course, there are lots of lessons to be learnt. No one can deny the pain that many are going through, but let us not ignore all the good that has come out too. Many parents got a chance to

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spend quality time with their children. Work from home and study from home, despite its challenges, brought families together. Unnecessary travel and purchases took a back seat. Carbon foot print world wide reduced by 7%. The biggest drop ever!

The air cleaned up. The world saw the most gorgeous sun rise and sunsets.

WhatsApp messages were full of people sharing beautiful pictures from nature.

With people in various kinds of lockdown, nature flourished and reminded us that every thing does not need to be managed. Sometimes leaving things alone allows it to flourish..

Many of us understood the difference between want and need and realized that human connection is the most important aspect of being human. We were leading such fast and furious lives that we hardly stopped to think if there was a different way.

The last two years made us aware of our shortcomings and how our incessant desire for more and more was just a way to keep ourselves distracted. We keep ourselves distracted and engaged in the world that allures us through its various temptations. We move from place to place, from person to person in search of fulfillment, not realizing that what we seek lies within. This slow down and the silence gave us an opportunity to reconnect and listen to our soul.

Now, however things are getting back to normal (what ever we think is normal) and

in the cacophony of noise the silence will drown. We will go back to our old ways.

20 years ago and fell in love with this place and the people here.

When I landed in Hongkong and saw the empty airport, my heart missed a beat. This once bustling airport looked like a dystopian nightmare.

But looking outside from my window at the quarantine hotel, I see the bustling city not ready to back down or giving up on its can do spirit.

Hong Kong will always be a unique amalgamation of old and new, and will come out stronger and better.

The pandemic has affected everyone globally, we ourselves have really missed visiting our family. We have obviously kept in touch but the face to face meetings has been greatly missed. We missed many landmark moments with our family; my mum turned 70 and we had planned a surprise visit which had to be cancelled, later my dad turned 80 and yet again we missed this milestone. My nephews have had their 18th and 21st birthdays which we were absent from. I feel we have deprived the children of time with their cousins and grandparents.

Shveitta Sethi Sharma is the founder and Chief Happiness Officer of the School of Happiness that aims to open hearts, enlighten minds and enrich lives. She is a crusader for positive change and is a Personal Coach & Mentor to CEOs and Senior Corporate Professionals.

She has spoken multiple times at TEDx, IITs , IIMs and Google Offices in Asia. She focuses on Happiness as a 'learnable skill' and builds on a clinical understanding of happiness through studies in positive psychology, neuroscience, epigenetics, and various mind/body/spirit healing techniques.

Shveitta dreams of a world where there are no boundaries and people celebrate life for the sake of life itself. She loves entertaining, listening to soft music, spending time with her family and watch her daughter play golf.

Sangeeta’s story We are a family of five.

We arrived in Hong Kong

My older son at the start of the pandemic was sitting GCSE’s and they were cancelled. He has had a turbulent two years of A level’s with school being on and off. He has also missed university visits and had to apply for degree programs without having seen the place where he would eventually study.

We have missed traveling and having a real break from work.

The complete reset.

We have remained positive and upbeat that the situation will get better. We have spent more time with friends and as a family because my husband has not traveled for work. The seven day quarantine has meant that we can visit our family. We are desperate to see them.

We love Hong Kong and although it has been a strange time during the pandemic, we feel it will get better. If there is a lesson to be learnt from this pandemic, it has taught us to be more spontaneous.

In hindsight, we would have travelled to see our family earlier. We would have made the most of the situation.

Despite all the issues over the last few years we are excited to be in Hong Kong. It is a vibrant and exciting place that continues to reinvent itself.

Sangeeta Buffonge is a long time resident of HK. Born in UK, Manchester but has spent most of her adult life in HK. She is a dedicated mum with three teenagers at Kellett school.

She is involved in the school as a class parent.

Sangeeta loves hiking and walking up the Peak at the weekend. She also loves cooking and baking.

She makes time to bake with her children. Her passion is reading for pleasure and oil painting when she can find time. She is currently reading Empire of Pain.

Article by : Sharan Gill, Associate Editor A-Desiflava Magazine

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OLISTIC EALTH

AND THE PANDEMIC The pandemic gave birth to many opinions, and let’s face it, many conflicts. There is a positive change on the horizon though;

Remember the days when health consciousness was just a trend? When you could choose whether it was worth your time, worth the sacrifice and energy to kick those pesky habits?

Well my dear friends, those days are over. The good news is that as we enter the third year of the pandemic, we have increasingly begun to embrace the idea of holistic health. People are no longer satisfied with thinking about their health only when something unexpected comes along. Holistic health with a focus on building immunity has proven to be a far more rewarding path.

What exactly is holistic health?

The holistic view of health is one which recognises the links between the mind, body and non-physical aspects like energy. The belief behind holistic health is that any

disease or discomfort can be linked to a root cause. Holistic health is focused on ancient practices that can discover a root cause with the emotional and energetic bodies before it manifests itself into the physical body.

Essentially, if you are able to manage the non-physical root causes, you can gain the most out of your physical health.

While it has been a touchy subject, we have to face the reality that everyone has a right to what enters their body.

The great news is that holistic health has been around for centuries and it focuses more on natural, continuous and preventative measures. It also considers the person as a whole, and how to create optimal health for different types of needs. Holistic health is primarily focused on balance and energy flow, or as a zen proverb goes, “balance brings harmony”

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What are the 5 aspects of holistic health?

Physical Emotional Social Spiritual Mental

If your energy body is in full vibrancy, the physical body will naturally fix itself.

– Jaggi Vasudev.

of them is heart disease. It is the leading cause of death for men and women worldwide.

So take a moment to ask yourself if you understand your body’s unique needs, do you give back to your body as much as you expect from your body?

One of the most common areas people struggle with, is fitting in at least thirty

minutes of dedicated physical exercise. Modern lifestyles and urbanized living makes it harder for us to prioritise exercise, however, it is possible to make a change.

Most sages and ancient healers know that the body is the final manifestation.

This means that everything we experience in the body, has already happened at the energetic level.

Physical Body One of the more common practices is to care for the physical body.

This generally involves practices like physical exercise, sleep, diet, habits and general care. Long before Covid, we have been dealing with many silent killers, one

Do you give back to your body as much as you expect from your body?

Emotional Body The emotional body is something that most people are not aware of. We tend to think of emotions as something that simply happens inside of us.

More people are now becoming aware of the power of emotions. Our thoughts and emotions play a significant role in our health. According to the School of Energy Healing (UK), there are seven layers of the emotional body. This goes to show how much more there is for us to explore in terms of true emotional health.

These seven layers are; Etheric: the actual physical body, Emotional: our feelings,

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Spiritual Connection

Mental: logical mind and positive thoughts, Astral: the record of all past and future experiences, Template: divine will and our soul purpose, Celestial: divine love and angelic realms and Causal: Divine wisdom. Imagine how it would be if each layer could be activated and kept at a high vibration through energetic work.

Essentially there is increased awareness between our spiritual connection and our health. There are different forms of spiritual connection like meditation, to deeper practices like learning about energy healing. We are seeing people from all walks of life accelerate their practices in these areas.

Ask yourself: How are you honouring your emotional body?

Are there emotional practices that you have started since the pandemic?

Which layer do you feel you would love to work on more?

Social Settings One of the biggest shifts we have had to face during the pandemic is social distancing.

The impact of having schools, workplaces and communities closed has made us realise how important social connections are for our health.

It is no wonder then that social settings are included in our holistic health. Research has shown that people who have strong relationships with those in their immediate settings and wider community are far happier than those who have not.

Our relationships can bring us a lot of joy or pain. As we go through life, we start to realise how we interact in

these relationships and in the community. We start to see our own personalities and what are positive interactions. You may notice that the healthier we are emotionally and physically, the more we are able to participate in the community and have healthier relationships overall. Human beings are social creatures and if there is one lesson to be learnt, it is that we can spend more time nurturing our relationships.

Having a strong spiritual connection can provide moments of comfort, clarity, acceptance and faith.

Ask yourself: How do I stay in touch with the community?

Are my relationships serving my highest purpose?

Which relationship areas do I need to work on?

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Covid-19 can overwhelm us if we let it and many people have found comfort in tapping into the spiritual divine grace that is around us and inside us all.

Having a strong spiritual connection can provide moments of comfort, clarity, acceptance and faith. This level of connection has a positive impact on the mind, body and overall energy.

Situations like the pandemic have been a catalyst for many to strengthen their faith and expect miracles during impossible times.

Spiritual connections refer to the both religious and nonreligious practices. It is your own way to reconnect with nature and divine forces that exist in our universe.

Mental Wellness

The conscious mind is responsible for 5% of how we respond to life while the subconscious mind drives 95% of all our thoughts and behaviours.

Ask yourself: Do I have a daily spiritual practice?

Is there an area of my life I feel I need guidance with?

Are there others I can connect with to strengthen my practices?

And finally, the most important, we must embrace the reality that Covid-19 has produced an enormous amount of stress that leads to other mental health imbalances.

Mental health refers to all aspects of the mind, how we think and how we respond to life’s situations.

The mind plays an important role in helping us create things and process the many situations and decisions we face on a daily basis.

However the mind also needs proper care and rest. We can serve our minds best by practicing mindfulness just a little more.

Neuroscience research has shown the beneficial effects of positive thinking and processing negative triggers in a mindful manner. This helps the body to release any negative energy produced by harmful thoughts.

The conscious mind is responsible for 5% of how we respond to life while the subconscious mind drives 95% of all our thoughts and behaviours. People who want to get the best of their holistic health need to work the subconscious mind to make real lasting changes.

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Ask yourself: How do I strengthen my mind?

Are there any negative thinking patterns I want to work on?

How do I give my mind a mini holiday?

Holistic health draws from many ancient and modern disciplines with an aim to create balance and free flowing energy through the body. We trust you have enjoyed this article and we would love to hear about your experiences with holistic health practices.

Anisa Tan is a Life Coach and Energy Healer based in Hong Kong. She is a passionate do-er of life and has ventured to different lands to learn more about cultures, people, and the nuances of life. She is a devoted mum and in her spare time, she guides brave souls through big life shifts using different healing modalities. She believes that when there is a sense of purpose, mountains shift miraculously.

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Aunty

MVP

Q & A:

At times, you might need someone to just listen and help you cope with your problems. Aunty is here to help!

everything unfolds in HK? what is your advise to me.

1 Q Hi Aunty, my name is Edwin

and I am originally from Mumbai. I am in Hong Kong for over 10 years now and am enjoying pretty much everything in HK. Good life, Comfortable living and Good Country in overall. But after the recent unrest and protests and also China taking over HK slowly, most of my friends have moved to Dubai, Singapore, UK and Australia.

I also feel like moving out because future in HK looks very uncertain now. My biggest problem is that my girlfriend is a chinese and she has a very stable government job in HK. She cannot leave her job for sure, because its a very well paid job for her. I am not sure what I should do?

Should I break-up with her and move-out to another country, or should we just wait for few more years and see how

A Dear Edwin, I understand your concern, a lot of people don’t see any bright future in Hong Kong.

Nevertheless, everybody’s situation is different. In your case you have a girlfriend, who is holding a steady job, and assume you are working too. Furthermore, I couldn’t agree more with you that everything will unfold with time.

In addition, please talk to your girlfriend about your relationship and how it would affect you both after you separate.

If your love for her is strong then sacrifice has to be considered. One always feels grass is greener on other side. You are still young. A few more years of wait should not matter to you. At the same time, listen to your inner voice.

“One friend with whom you have a lot in common is better than three with whom you struggle to find things to talk about.” By Mindy Kaling Best wishes to you both.

2 Q Hi Poonam Mehta Ji, I am

a big fan of your column in A-Desiflava magazine. I am 58 years old and an avid reader of A-Desiflava Magazine. I am always the first person who calls A-Desiflava office to ask them, when the next issue is coming out. Poonam Ji, I am a widow and living alone in HK, my wife passed away 5 years ago. My children are all settled abroad. I feel very lonely and separated at times.

Recently I met one Punjabi Domestic helper who is only 32 years old and has fallen in love with me. I have told her many times, that our age difference is very big and also it does not look good for

Poonam V Mehta

myself to be informed in any romantic experiences at this age. But my girlfriend, always keeps saying that age is just a number and she does not care about the age difference, society and other things. She comes to meet me every weekend, makes good food for me and also takes care of me. I am really confused and want to get your advise with what I should really do. Should I continue this relation or call it a quit forever, also I am not so sure about the real intentions of my girlfriend. Please help here.

A At your age , firstly two things

you have to consider. That is , either you want a companion who can take care of you, or are you ready to take an additional responsibility of a new family. Any young woman may want to have a child of her own.

Furthermore, being a domestic helper her motive maybe to get Hong Kong Identity. She

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also knows the way to reach your heart is through your stomach. Think twice before making any decision.

Stay away from fake people.

While you share your true feelings about your actions , watch her fade away. ‘Look before you leap’

3 Q Hi Aunty MVP, my name

is Ali (name changed on request), and I’m a Pakistani living in Hong Kong. I am in love with a Filipino girl living in Hong Kong. We are in a relationship from 3 years now.

My biggest problem is that I have a wife and 2 children back in Pakistan. Sometimes I feel guilty, that why am I in a relationship with another women, and how shall I end this thing with my girlfriend in HK. The main problem is that I am living alone in Hong Kong, and I also need sometimes a partner to share my feelings, emotions and good and bad times. Should I continue with my relationship with the Filipino girl or should I let my wife know about it and carry on with it? Please help here.

A Dear Ali, Your situation is understandable. It must be

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difficult for you to stay away from family.

You have been honest to admit your guilt feelings.

Remember, no wife will be able to accept another woman in her life especially when she is nurturing two children single handedly. I have known a similar case where in the bargain children suffer.

Is it possible for your wife and children to join you?

4 Q Hello Aunty, my name is Chris

and I’m a Hong Kong Chinese person in a living relationship with an Indian guy. We are living together from the past 4 years now. We both have a lot of similarities, and our likes and dislikes are almost the same. We both hardly fight with each and we share a very good understanding among us. The only and biggest problem is, I am already married and have a 10 year old son from my first marriage.

My parents are against my relationship with the Indian guy, and my dad has clearly said that if I get married to the Indian guy, they will disown me and will not take care of my son anymore. My Indian boyfriend also is not very

comfortable with keeping my son along with us, though he has never said it, but I can get this feeling. I am really not sure how I should take this relationship further. I really want some meaning to our relationship, and not just be in a living relationship for my entire life. Please help here Aunty.

A Hi Chris, Are you a divorcee? who has the custody of the child?

Understand the mother’s role first and your duty towards your son. It appears rather a very selfish act on your part.

Are you comfortable neglecting your 10 years old son? You seem happy and comfortable in your current relationship, at the expense of your son’s future. Your boyfriend does not want to take the responsibility of your son.

So leaving your son without any one parent around is not fair to this young boy.

I understand mothers heart is child’s first school. So please perform duties in the best interest of your child.

Finally, listen to your parents they are your well wishers.

‘A child gives birth to a mother’.

Enjoy your motherhood.

If you ever need any advice come to Aunty for help. Please send us your questions by email to adesiflava@gmail.com with subject line : Aunty MVP In love light & healing, Poonam V Mehta President (M. Ed. Guidance & Counselling) Educator & Counsellor Be the Change HK Ltd Reg: under section 88 MOB: 9235-6628 www.bethechangehk.org

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A BIT OF EARTH

BY SUCHEN CHRISTINE LIM

THE BOOK OF MEMORY

BY PETINA GAPPAH

A BIT OF E A S U C H E N C R T H BY HRISTINE LIM

coolies and pledges allegiance to the brotherhood of the White Cranes.

He was a poet’s son. A doctor’s son. Yet the more he got to know them, the more he felt an affinity with them

A

Bit of Earth is a novel based on the history of Malaya which spans three generations and four decades. We are taken into the lush rainforests of Malaya, the villages, the mining towns and cities of the Straits settlements; but much more than that, we are taken

into the lives of the early immigrants.

Wong Tuck Heng has escaped from his native village in China, crossed the South China Sea to land in the fictional town of Bandong, Perak with only the clothes on his back. He joins the ranks of China born

The land of Kinta Valley is rich with tin and the Chinese towkays have negotiated deals with the Malay Peghulus (local leaders) to mine this precious metal. The work is backbreaking and there are often skirmishes with rival gangs and the native Malays.

But above all hunger spurs the young man’s ambitions.

When the peace of the mines is disrupted in the local wars, the English lords of the Straits Settlements intervene and a treaty comes into effect.

A British resident is placed

in the state to preside over security and administrative duties. The local Malays leaders find their powers curtailed and this resentment leads to revolt and murder.

Tuck Heng is adopted and his new family includes members of the Baba Chinese community; Chinese descendants of immigrants who settled in the Straits settlements of Malacca, Singapore and Penang. He is introduced to whole new world of English-speaking Chinese, who have adopted the dress and manners of their British masters and with it, the right business and political connections to ensure further success.

Although of Chinese immigrant stock, Baba Wee regarded himself a native son.

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R E V I E W

This novel takes us across many characters of the family; wives, concubines, mothers, mother in-laws, children and step-children, all of which are a part of the fabric of the Chinese community, and have come to form a part of the Malayan landscape. This novel also shows the relationship between the Malay leaders and the early Chinese settlers, and the disparity in their views over time, which fuels political change.

She has to verify her identity; the world is not colour blind and her appearance defies assumptions.

The key question faced by the colonial masters is the loyalty of the Chinese community, which comes into question when the events in China rock the Chinese community.

Is Tuck Heng willing to forgo the material wealth and connections he has amassed though grit and tears? Is he loyal to the brotherhood? Is he prepared to sacrifice the good fortunes of his family?

How do you begin your life again after you find out that everything you thought was true about yourself is wrong?

What is homeland In which we planted Our hopes, lives, dreams and memories?

A bit of earth.

Memory is an albino woman, languishing in a prison in Harare, where she has been accused of the murder of a white man. Her lawyer insists she writes about herself, and the series of circumstances that have led to her present situation.

She narrates her story in a series of notebooks, alternating between her childhood in the townships and her life in prison. Her early memories are of her parents,

Memory maintains she was sold to Lloyd by her parents, but none of the police believe her. Why would a white man take a young albino girl into his home? Was she a person of loose morals? And why would she murder the man who gave her a home. Is she a witch, a spirit child, a ngozi?

BY THE BOOK OF MEMORY AH PP PETINA GA

her siblings, her friends in the neighbourhood. Memory is marked as a cursed child- a murungudunhu for her skin is without pigment, an albino.

She longs to be outdoor with the other children, but often sits indoors, occupied with reading and her thoughts.

At the age of nine, Memory recalls meeting Lloyd Hendricks. Her parents arrange for her to live with Lloyd, a history lecturer at the university. Memory enters a new world and has every opportunity to flourish. But her sense of rejection by her parents is deep seated, and colours her thoughts.

That is the thing about memory. Sometimes you

This well crafted novel brings to the reader the life of a young girl besieged by difficulties from the onset and her journey of life through her memories.

come to understand the things you cannot possibly have known; they make sense and you rewrite the memory to make it coherent.

Amidst Memory’s coming of age the political landscape in Zimbabwe undergoes dramatic changes: elections delayed, white farmers chased off their farms, killings, corruption and oppression.

The characters she meets in prison are well narrated and represent women from the townships who have struggled against poverty and injustice in a system that gives them no voice.

In the wide world Memory straddled a colour divide.

Black vendors address her as Madam, before switching to the more familiar sister.

Baljit Nagreh is a GP who dabbles in baking, cooking, gardening, swimming and volunteer work BUT indulges in reading at every opportunity. The books she reads takes her to new places and across different times and often fuel interesting discussions.

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Lal Kitab

Fate & Fortune remedies from 1952 Lal Kitab is said to be a collection of five works on Hindu astrology and palmistry that were written in Urdu in the 19th century. Lal Kitab is based on Samudra shastra, which contains all the fundamentals of Vedic astrology in an approachable format. The Lal Kitab includes philosophical poetry, nuances, and other passages from the Upayas or Farmanns, or suggested cures. It is also said to have its roots in Persian astronomy and linguistics. Lal Kitab has assimilated into the cultures of Pakistan and North India throughout time.

Several legendary accounts claim that Ravana is the true creator of the Lal Kitab. In his haughtiness, he forfeited all of his abilities, and in battle, he also lost the Lal Kitab. Aaad in Arabia, however, later included this book again. There, it was translated in both Persian and Urdu.

W

hen all else fails, astrology is a science and a belief that can produce amazing results. Vedic astrology, K P astrology, Naadi astrology, Lal Kitab astrology, etc. are just a few of the many subfields of astrology. All these follow certain theories and logics as written in different books and shastras.

In 1983, an astrology journal published the first mention of Lal Kitab. Lal Kitab-written remedies were published in the magazines "Fate and Fortune."

The market quickly became overrun with different Lal Kitab variations after that. The truth, however, is that Pandit Roop Chand Joshi, a Punjabi poet, is the author of the original version, which was composed between 1939 and 1952.

It is frequently seen as a component of Islam and Arab culture since it has Persian roots (to contemporary man).

Hindu astrologers disagree, however, as this form of astrology closely resembles Vedic Jyotish in that it uses the names of the nine planets (or Navagrahas) and their positions as used by Vedic astrologers. The names of the five books in the Lal Kitab Astrology set written by Pandit Roop Chand Joshi ji are: 1. Lal Kitab Ke Farman (The Edicts of Lal Kitab) published in 1939’

2. Lal Kitab Ke Arman (Ilm Samudrik Kee Lal Kitab Ke Aman) or The Aspirations of Lal Kitab, published in 1940 3. Gutka (Ilm Samudrik Kee Lal Kitab), published in 1941 4. Lal Kitab Ke Farman (Lal Kitab – Tarmeen Shuda), published in 1942 5. Ilm-e-Samudrik Ki Buniyad par Lal Kitab, published in1952 Lal Kitab provides a number of easy remedies for the planetary afflictions that are present in a person's horoscope or birth chart.

These remedies can change the path and direction of your life, but if used incorrectly, they can even backfire and cause disaster. Anyone may find peace through these healing powers, but you must use them under the supervision of an expert. It teaches you the moral dos and don'ts that you may put into practise in your daily life.

Lal Kitab’s Tip of the month: Never put salt in a plastic container as this may ruin the relationships, specially between mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law.

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Horoscope for July & August 2022 1) Aries - July, 2022 The month of July will be beneficial for Aries natives in a variety of ways. Although the month will be quite average in terms of career, you will not back down from hard work because of the presence of Saturn, the ruling lord of the tenth house, in the eleventh house. Similarly, the conjunction of the Sun and Mercury in the third house will be beneficial to you.

The students of this sign will have to work hard in their studies due to the full aspect of Saturn on the fifth house and this will impart good results. The family atmosphere will be positive due to Venus' placement in the second house. There may be a rift between you and your life partner, so be cautious. Love life, on the other hand, will be pleasant due to Mercury's conjunction with the Sun. Because Saturn is in the eleventh house and Venus is in the second house, the natives will prosper financially at this time. Although you will remain confident about your health due to the aspect of Jupiter in the fourth house, still, you will have to be careful about it.

2) Taurus - July, 2022 The folks born under the sign of Taurus will have a nice month in every way.

With Saturn in the tenth house and the presence of

Venus in the first house of its own zodiac sign, you will receive full assistance from luck in matters of career and employment advancement.

Similarly, having Jupiter's complete aspect on the fifth house would help you achieve success in the sphere of education. This period will be particularly beneficial for students preparing for competitive exams. Mercury will be present with the Sun in its own sign, bringing happiness and serenity to the family. The natives' love lives will also be fantastic as a result of Jupiter's appearance in the fifth house. Your income will rise due to the conjunction of the Sun and Mercury in the second house. However, you should be cautious about your health because Ketu's placement in the 6th house, together with Mars' full aspect, can bring issues.

3) Gemini – July, 2022 The month of July is going to be favourable for the natives of the Gemini zodiac sign.

Those who are in service will get promotions due to the presence of Mercury with Sun in its own sign and the unemployed natives will also get a job. The students will be benefited due to the presence of Venus in the twelfth house and especially, those aspiring for higher studies will achieve success. In this month, the family atmosphere will be pleasant and you will have support from your brothers

due to the aspect of Mars on the second house. However, some misunderstandings may crop up in your love life due to the presence of Ketu in the fifth house. The financial position will remain stable this month due to the conjunction of Sun and Mercury in the first house. However, the presence of Mars with Rahu can cause health problems.

4) Cancer – July, 2022 The month is going to bring mixed results for the natives of the Cancer zodiac sign.

Those who are in service will confront more challenges because of the conjunction of Mars and Rahu in the tenth house. The period is going to be suitable for the students as the aspect of Jupiter will be on the fifth house. Students will achieve success in the field of education due to the presence of Venus in the fifth house. There will remain positive vibes in the family.

Good understanding will be observed among family members due to the presence of the Sun, the ruling lord of the second house, in the twelfth house. However, certain differences may take place between lovers. There is a great possibility of stress due to the presence of Rahu with Mars in its own zodiac sign. During this time, your financial position will remain strong and you may get money from secret sources because of the presence of Sun with Mercury in the

twelfth house. You will also gain money from foreign sources. So far health is concerned, the month is going to be favourable. Problems will stay away from you on account of the complete aspect of Sun and Mercury on the sixth house.

5) Leo – July, 2022 Venus, the ruling lord of the tenth house, will stay in the same house and this will make you gain a lot of strength at the workplace. You will see positive results in the field of education due to the complete aspect of Sun and Mercury on the fifth house. If you are pursuing higher education, you will be benefited due to the presence of Mercury with Sun in the eleventh house.

You will make good plans with the help of elders of the family and may organise an auspicious function for eternal happiness in the first half of the month. Despite love and affection in your relationship with your lovemate, there will be a sense of arrogance due to the complete aspect of Sun and Mercury on the fifth house and this may lead to certain problems. The presence of the Sun in the eleventh house of Mercury will form Yogas of monetary benefits. Some old diseases may turn out to be problematic for you because of the presence of Saturn, the ruling lord of the sixth house, in the seventh house. You may also suffer from venereal disease.

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6) Virgo – July, 2022 The month of July 2022 will bring positive results in some fields of Virgo people.

There will be progress and promotion at the workplace because of the conjunction of Mercury, the ruling lord of the tenth house, with Sun in its own zodiac sign. However, students will face problems owing to the presence of Saturn, the ruling lord of the fifth house, in the sixth house, and they will be able to achieve their desired goals.

Tension will prevail in the family due to the presence of Ketu in the second house and the aspect of Mars and Rahu on it. You will be financially sound as the complete aspect of Jupiter and Mars will be on the eleventh house.

You will get money from the government sector. All kinds of health problems will diminish because of the presence of Saturn in the sixth house.

7) Libra – July,2022 The month of July 2022 is going to give mixed outcomes.

You will get good results at work due to the complete aspect of Mars on the tenth house and those looking for jobs will meet success.

Students may have certain problems as Saturn will remain positioned in the fifth house of its own zodiac sign and this may make you put in hard efforts. Conflicting atmosphere will prevail in the family. Some quarrels in the family may erupt the atmosphere of the family due to the placement of Mars with Rahu in the seventh house. The month may also be full of challenges

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on the love front due to the presence of Saturn in the fifth house and differences will develop between you two.

Your financial position can be weak during this period.

Your monetary growth can be affected because of the presence of Mars with Rahu in the seventh house.

8) Scorpio – July, 2022 This month is going to bring positive results in different fields for the natives of the Scorpio zodiac sign. Natives will be successful in getting overseas jobs due to the conjunction of Sun and Mercury in the eighth house.

Good results will be visible so far business is concerned.

Students will be blessed with good concentration in their studies because of the presence of Jupiter in the fifth house. A conducive atmosphere will prevail in the family due to the presence of Jupiter in the fifth house.

Prevailing conflicts will fade away. Not only love life will remain blissful but natives will get monetary benefits because of Jupiter. Some natives may get unexpected wealth. Due care is desired in maintaining health. You may suffer from mental stress due to the conjunction of Mars, the ruling lord of the sixth house, with Rahu in its own zodiac sign.

9) Sagittarius – July, 2022 This month will churn out mixed results for the people of the Sagittarius zodiac sign.

Mercury, the lord of the tenth house, placed with the planet Sun in the seventh house

will give success in business ventures. Along with this, new employment avenues will open. Time can be difficult for the students due to the presence of Rahu with Mars in the fifth house. There will be an atmosphere of happiness and peace in the family.

Saturn in the second house will be present in the third house by passing through its own sign. Because of this, there will be full support of the family. However, love life will remain tense during this period.

The presence of Rahu with Mars can lead to disputes between partners in love.

The financial condition of the people will remain strong, but due to Saturn being in the third house, you will have to work tirelessly for success.

Health-related problems may increase in the first half of the month and you may have to suffer from mental stress.

10) Capricon – July, 2022 This month is going to be encouraging for the natives of the Capricorn zodiac sign.

Venus, the ruling lord of the tenth house, will remain positioned in the fifth house in its own zodiac sign. Due to this, those engaged in business and jobs will enjoy great benefits. This month is going to be special for students as Jupiter will stay in the third house in its own zodiac sign. The students will be able to achieve success easily. However, during this time, tension will prevail in the family on account of the presence of Saturn in the second house i.e. in the house of family in its own

zodiac sign and as a result, family atmosphere will be badly affected. On the love front, the natives of this zodiac sign will have a pleasant time and the presence of Venus will add more sweetness and strength to your relationship. In this duration, there are chances that the financial position of Capricorn people will remain sound. The presence of Saturn in the second house in its own zodiac sign will be beneficial for you but at the same time, you will have to put in great efforts.

Healthwise, you will have to be cautious. Mercury will form a conjunction with Sun in the sixth house and as a result, you will be able to ward off major diseases.

11) Aquarius – July, 2022 The month of July 2022 is going to bring success in all walks of life for Aquarius natives. Those associated with jobs will achieve progress and move forward in their career due to the full aspect of Mars on the ninth house and tenth house. Similarly, the students of this zodiac sign will get good results because of the conjunction of Sun and Mercury in the fifth house.

Mutual understanding and trust will enhance among family members due to the presence of Jupiter, the ruling lord of its own zodiac sign, in the second house. You will earn respect in the family. Your love life is going to be pleasant on account of the presence of Mercury with the Sun in its own zodiac sign i.e. fifth house. You may also plan to tie the knot with your lover. There will be an inflow of money due to the presence of Jupiter, the ruling lord of its own zodiac sign, in the

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second house. The conflict concerning the ancestral property will get resolved and as a result, you will have financial benefits. The period is going to be friendly from the health point of view. You will get rid of prolonged diseases because of the full aspect of Mars and Jupiter on the sixth house.

12) Pisces – July, 2022 This month is going to bring success to Pisces natives.

The graph of your career will scale up due to the presence of Jupiter, the ruling lord of the tenth house, in the first house. The period is going to be encouraging for students as the aspect of Jupiter and Mars will be on the fifth house.

The presence of Jupiter in its own zodiac sign will also be good for the natives. Family conflicts will come to an end due to the complete aspect of Saturn on the second house.

However, some problems may arise in love life. There will be chances of strange relations with your lover due to the complete aspect of Mars on the fifth house. Although your financial status will be stable, your expenses will increase owing to the presence of Saturn in the twelfth house.

Healthwise, you will have to be alert. On account of the full aspect of Saturn on the sixth house, some old ailments will create problems for you.

Horoscope for August 2022 : 1) Aries - August 2022 Declarations of love are one thing but you must not embarrass yourself at all.

It goes without saying that

your words are required to be chosen following care. The last thing you need to do is undermine all the goodwill which you need to build up.

2) Taurus - August 2022 Your creative energy is needed to be at a peak. But it is not perhaps since the stars are all coming on your side indeed.

On the contrary, challenging romantic stars makes us of the cliché which all great art stems from suffering. It does need to be without pain is a different way of doing it.

3) Gemini - August 2022 Success would be guaranteed on the basis of your experience as well as skill. There is no need to bluff or need to pretend so that you are something other than you are.

4) Cancer - August 2022 There is an ideal going on behind the scenes. Almost everything of significance seems to be concealed from public view. What you need to see probably but the tip of a very large iceberg indeed.

Probably, a close friend can truly help you to view the secrets below the surface.

5) Leo - August 2022 Here, the latest planetary pictures signify that in a matter of weeks you would no longer be tied to the past or restricted by different emotional demands. You need to give yourself some space to allow in the context of romantic encounters irrespective of your age or inclination.

6) Virgo - August 2022 Planetary combination comes up with a highly strong influence on different aspects of its life and career kicked off one of them indeed. Saturn introduces its job or career.

There would be a strong planetary transit involving Saturn. You will always be having new goals as well as excellent desires this year.

7) Libra - August 2022 You would be making contacts following influential people which would be enhancing your career-oriented prospects indeed. Some of you can easily plan to kick off its independent venture.

indeed. It would be finally hearing excellent news right at the beginning of the new year.

11) Aquarius - August 2022 It is time to go ahead and look for short-term gains. It is time to utilize your past experience in order to build a new future regarding yourself.

12) P isces - August 2022 Time would bring the new order and it would be slowing to embrace this newer order.

The transformation has truly begun and the pandemic has truly brought significant changes to society indeed.

8) Scorpio - August 2022 It could be overseas travel oriented to work. You will be working hard as well as putting forth your best efforts. You would be working hard as well as putting forth your excellent efforts.

9) Sagittarius - August 2022 You would be able to resolve the issues which you have been confronting in the past.

Your reputation would be improving and professional bonding along with seniors. It will get better following each passing day.

10) Capricorn - August 2022 If you have been planning to make your industry change, you need to take the plunge

By Ashishh Garg

A banker by profession, Ashishh has been practising astrology and numerology for the past five years and has a large clientele all around the world. He may be contacted for further consultation and guidance. He says "Tame the planets and the numbers". Divine Intuitions, Mobile and Whats APP+91-9930333319, Email – divineintuitions319157@gmail. com, https://www.facebook. com/divineintuitionsashishh, https://www.instagram.com/ divineintuitionsbyashishhgarg/

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KIDS & ADULTS CONTEST Find

of a photo or entries in the form ur e as yo nd se se ea Pl put the subject lin lomhk.com and ap @ gp to . f e' pd su d Is scanne desiflava Jul-Aug 'Contest Entry A tries will each receive a ct en The First 3 corre

ask. on Eye M i Musinic ts' secti Voltm ul ad e th r fo rs nounce 3 w ne

We will an r Kids section. and 3 winners fo

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A D U LT S

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C O N T E S T

1

What is the largest planet in the solar system?

Venus

Mercury

Jupiter

Saturn

2

Which is the smallest country in the world?

France

Egypt

Vatican City

Singapore 3

How many rings does the Olympic logo have?

4

5

6

7

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s t o D e h t t c e n Con e e B e h t r o l and Co

With best compliments from

Mrs. Purviz R. Shroff, MH & Late Mr. Rusy M. Shroff, BBS, MBE