Indian Weekender 12 May 2017 by Indian Weekender

I’ve always got great roles

12 MAY2017

Parineeti Chopra

Vol. 9 • Issue 8

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Migrant taxi drivers www.iwk.co.nz | 12 May 2017

A tale of hope, struggle and aspirations ¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH

ew Zealand is an immigrant nation that has been formed and built upon the immigration, which brings migrants from different parts of the world who contribute to New Zealand society and economy. However, the attitudes and responses of the average New Zealanders towards all migrants are not same and have been a subject of the ongoing political discourse of the day. Recently, some of the new migrant workers perceived to be doing low-skilled jobs have come under a scanner resulting in a call for purging immigration numbers. According to a prominent immigration lawyer, most of the noises in the current immigration debate are rooted in growing public resentment against the most visible section of migrant workers such as restaurants, petrol stations, and dairy stores etc, which can now conveniently be clubbed as "low-skilled workers." In addition to this, recently New Zealand Herald reported a survey that boisterously stated that Indian migrants were the "least happy" group of migrants in New Zealand behind the migrant from the United States (US). In response to this changing discourse around immigration in New Zealand and the question mark on the "emotional health" of Indian migrants in New Zealand, Indian Weekender took a plunge to probe further.

“

The sight of long queues of migrant taxi drivers in Auckland super city is another way of reminding everyone about Auckland's growing size and diversity

Towards this endeavour, Indian Weekender took a microscopic view of the taxi industry to throw some light on some of the individual human stories around migration and happiness of m igrant communities. Taxis of a city have incredible stories to tell. Just like sampling the cuisine of a place,

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travelling in a local taxi can give an insight into the culture of that particular place. Similarly, apart from an insight of the culture of the city where they operate, taxi drivers have human stories of hope, despair and aspirations to share with everyone. The stories become more interesting and compelling when the sample is of - migrant taxi drivers - people who chose to drive taxis in distant lands driven by various motivations and situations in their individual lives. For some of our globetrotting fellow residents, the sight of 'migrant taxi drivers' lined up in queues, especially late in the night, waiting to serve customers seeking help to be transported to their respective destinations is not an uncommon experience. In fact, depending on the geographical and economic size of the city, especially in the global-west, chances are that such a sight

of 'migrant taxi drivers' is becoming more a norm, than an exception. Be it the London's iconic Black Cabs or New York city's Yellow Cabs, or it is the sight of taxis in big cities in our own backyard like Sydney and Melbourne, 'migrant drivers' operating different taxi services in the major world cities, especially in the Anglospheric world, are a new social reality of our contemporary world. The sight of long queues of migrant taxi drivers in Auckland super city is another way of reminding everyone about Auckland's growing size and diversity and the role immigration plays in defining the contemporary Auckland.

How important are migrant drivers for the taxi industry?

peaking with Indian Weekender, John Hartz, Executive Director NZ Taxi Federation acknowledges the value migrant drivers bring to the taxi industry. "Migrants, especially Indian, have been very important for the taxi industry throughout New Zealand," Mr Hartz asserted. "For most of the migrant taxi drivers, the main objective is to provide an education for their children and the real benefit to New Zealand comes from the next generation, who get professional qualifications and

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make very significant contributions to the economy," Mr Hartz added. How is the experience behind wheels in a distant land? Like everywhere else in life, not everyone behind the taxi wheels has the same start. While many have gradually drifted into the job after exhausting their efforts in finding something else meaningful, many have chosen the career deliberately driven by the flexibility, the opportunity to work hard and make a reasonable and a dignified living. Similarly, some were more articulate than others, in clearly evaluating their experience of driving taxis in Auckland. Indian Weekender’s question about the experience of driving taxis was often met with bewilderment, with most of the drivers initially struggling to find words to describe their experience crisply.

Not everyone starts driving taxis out of sense of compromise

ignesh Patel from Gujarat has been driving taxi since last few years after initially arriving New Zealand on a student visa studying Diploma in Business Management. He drifted into taxi driving after working some time for good brands such as CocaCola in pursuit of better flexibility and being his own boss at work. "I started this job couple of years ago after there was some problem in my previous job. "I liked taxi driving as it gives you lot of flexibility and the opportunity to be your own boss," Mr Patel said. Similarly, another thirty-some driver from Punjab who wanted to be known only as "Vishu" have been driving taxis since last two years. As many other taxi-drivers to which Indian

Sunitha and Jagan Reddy

Jignesh Patel (above) and Vishu(above)

Weekender got an opportunity to speak with his favourite topic was about the impact on Uber on the earning potential of taxi drivers and their accompanied resentment towards the perceived absence of appropriate regulation of the Uber drivers. However, that was not the main theme of Indian Weekender’s interaction with these migrant taxi drivers. Mr Patel and Vishu paused a bit in response to the question if they were "happy" with their current job before hesitatingly agreeing that they were "happy." Nevertheless, their sense of self-esteem and pride became evident as soon as we asked them if they do realise the great work they do in keeping Aucklanders moving day and night. Pat came the nod, followed with a childlike enthusiasm about the "job" they do. "Yes, we definitely take a pride in taking people home safely every night," Vishu affirmed.

Meet the "couple taxi drivers" in the community

lthough, meeting couples working in the same profession or business is not an exception, however meeting a couple driving taxis and willing to share their stories with everyone does not happen very often. Sunitha and Jagan Reddy have in between them a 24-year combined experience of driving taxis on the Auckland roads. The husband, Jagan Reddy has done most of the taxi driving for around 20 years with wife Sunitha starting to drive taxis since last four years. A mother of a university going son and a teenage daughter who finished her year 12 recently, Mrs Reddy had every sense of contentment of doing taxi job. "I started full-time taxi driving about four years ago after I was inspired by my husband to do so. "Before that, I was doing school runs whereby dropping children to schools," Mrs Reddy said.

However, it's not surprising that Sunitha and Jagan, like many other migrant taxi drivers in the industry, did have an altogether different work experience back from their country of origin. Sunitha was a schoolteacher by training and meandered into this taxi-driving job after being unsuccessful in securing a job in the same industry in New Zealand. Jagan was a lawyer and multiple-business owner back in India before migrating to New Zealand in the skilled migration category. Nevertheless, that does not belittle their "enthusiasm and sense of satisfaction" with the job. Jagan rose to become Chairman of a South Auckland based taxi company TaxiUnited and cherishes his job thoroughly. "I enjoy driving taxi, meeting and talking to new people every day. "Not everyone who comes from India has an unassuming background. "I was working as a lawyer and owned multiple family businesses before coming to New Zealand...[and] I am happy with my current situation," Mr Reddy asserted in the end.

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www.iwk.co.nz | 12 May 2017

Be proactive to prevent robbery in your store: NZ Police

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he Auckland City District Police hosted Robbery Prevention Seminar on Tuesday, May 9 at Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Eden Terrace. The event was attended by community leaders, victims of aggravated robberies and retailers from different parts of the city. The seminar was a part of the ongoing ‘Operation Dukan’ campaign by NZ Police. Police officers have visited more than 900 local retail stores in last few months such as dairy stores, petrol stations, liquor stores in Auckland educating them on preventive measures to take during unanticipated incidents of robberies. The seminar opened up defining robberies and shoplifting by Constable Rob Stanton and the basic precautions the retailers should take to prepare for such situations and mitigate such incidents proactively. The seminar focussed on different aspects of keeping one’s stores safe, the most important messages being keeping the store equipped with accurately positioned CCTV cameras, having a clear view of the parking and walking space outside the store to note anything suspicious, installing fog cannons and keeping the aisles spacious and lower in height so the movements of the prospective offenders can be monitored. The seminar also encouraged the retailers to avoid getting into a physical scuffle with the offenders in such situations as it has the propensity of making the matter violent. “A good proactive work for the retailers is to have a good view of the space outside the store, including the parking area. Most of the

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offenders remain in that vicinity inspecting the area and the movements in the store. Note the car type, name and registration numbers, gently request people entering with hoodies and caps to take it off for a clear view of their face and report if anything is deemed suspicious, it helps the police locate and catch the offenders faster,” Senior Constable Gary Boles said. Constable Boles also emphasised on giving a complete description of the offender when they [store owners] call 111 during robberies and shoplifting as it is vital to track down the offenders based on their looks and clothing. The seminar concluded with a Q&A session with the police and attendees were also handed a booklet as a guideline to make sure retailers are proactively prepared for such unanticipated incidents.

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Dairy owner pledges to thrash the next robber turning in his store F ¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD

rustrated over his staff being hit by two robbers on Sunday, May 7 during an aggravated robbery attempt, a dairy shop owner in Onehunga has pledged to thrash the next robber who enters his store. Two robbers armed with screwdrivers entered the Jellicoe Park Dairy on Trafalgar Street at around 2 p.m. on Sunday and charged the worker present in the shop. “He pushed my staff onto the counter and demanded cash from the till. The offender hit my staff a few times before he got into a scuffle,” owner of the dairy, Joga Singh said. Although the plot of the robbers to take cash and cigarettes from the shop failed as they attempted to take out the cash till, one of the two staffs present at the counter was left injured and terrified. “I have a bat at the counter and an iron rod inside, the next time I wouldn’t think twice before putting these robbers on the floor, let the police do what they want, they [the robbers] have to be taught a lesson,” Mr Singh told Indian Weekender. The offenders failed to open the till and quickly drove into a car waiting outside, apparently driven by the third accomplice. The car was later found dumped in the neighbourhood and is believed to be stolen. The police arrived at the dairy after being called by a customer and cordoned the shop area for investigation. “My staff also works at the store next door and had come to the dairy to have his lunch. He was beaten while he was leaving the counter and confronted the robbers before being hit back to the ground,” Mr Singh added.

Mr Singh expressed his disappointment on the action of the police and the lawmakers. He alleged that when the police come to investigate the scene, they close the shop for hours, asks many questions to which the answers already lie in the CCTV video footage. “We gave the police the car number, the CCTV footage and yet they are unable to catch the offenders in time. When will the lawmakers take a strong and an effective action, the day we lose our sons and daughters to a gunshot, stabbing or a hammer blow to the head??,” Mr Singh questioned. “The police already has limited powers and can barely do anything to these offenders, they get away in three days, and we are back to square one,” he added. “I have the police visiting the store today evening, and I will tell them on their face that I will not leave the offender next time, I will make sure he gets the lesson of his life,” Mr Singh said. The robbery came just two hours before the Crime Prevention Group meeting was scheduled to be held in Papatoetoe where the members of parliament, community leaders, shop owners, victims of robbery and other media gathered to discuss solutions to this rising crime in the city.

Jellicoe Park Dairy, Onehunga

“ T h e s e meetings will only result in another meeting, and no constructive results will come out. In the end, the people at the receiving end will only suffer,” Mr Singh said. Mr Singh said he would ask all the dairy owners in the country to go on a strike for one day and close all their shops. “All dairies should be closed for one day, it is not to make the community suffer but ask them to understand our plight and demand the government for a quick remedy to this menace of the rise in robbery and assaults on small dairy and liquor stores,” Mr Singh concluded.

“

Mr Singh said he would ask all the dairy owners in the country to go on a strike for one day and close all their shops.

The Crime Prevention Group that was started after an aggravated robbery in Mt Roskill that left the owner Jitesh Arora hospitalised with four consecutive surgeries and their store shut down for the last two months. Crime Prevention Group organised a protest march on Sunday, April 30 that witnessed participation of 700 people who demanded a solution from the government. The Prevention Group has also signed a petition against rising crime and taken 7,000 signatures from all over New Zealand and will soon march to the parliament.

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www.iwk.co.nz | 12 May 2017

Indian state parliamentary delegation visits NZ

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The Maharashtra parliamentary delegation with Speaker Rt Hon David Carter.Source: Office of the Clerk

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New caller location system Steven Joyce defends immigration numbers, says for mobile 111 calls

housing prices won’t be affected

¡¡ IWK BUREAU

olice Minister Paula Bennett, Communications Minister Simon Bridges and Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne, today announced a new caller location system for 111 mobile phone calls that will improve public safety and help save lives. “The new system will automatically provide emergency services with a probable location of a caller when they dial 111,” Mrs Bennett said. It will still be important for 111 callers to tell emergency services operators where they are. However, if the caller does not know their address or exact whereabouts, the new system will automatically provide emergency services with a more precise location of a 111 caller than is currently the case. Each year, there are more than two million calls to emergency services. Last year, more than 80 per cent of calls to 111 were made from a mobile phone, and Police recorded over 1,800 incidents where they had to make a special information request to a network provider for a caller’s location. “Where people can’t give an accurate address emergency services can experience real difficulty pinpointing the caller’s location,” Mr Dunne said. “This new system will enable police, fire and ambulance services to respond more quickly to emergency events from mobile phones, as they will have more accurate information about the caller’s location.” The level of location accuracy will still vary depending on a number of

¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH

M factors such as the type of mobile phone and the location source available. “This solution sees New Zealand leading the way in emergency response systems, alongside the United Kingdom and other European countries. New Zealand is the first country outside of Europe to go live with Google’s Android Emergency Location service nationally,” Mr Bridges said. “Technology is changing the way people and communities interact. As we continue to use technology to improve New Zealand, it’s important that we strike a balance between innovation, security and privacy protection.” Minister Bridges says the project team worked closely with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner to address any privacy concerns in developing the new system. “I appreciate that some people may have concerns around privacy, which is why the phone’s location services are switched on only when the 111 call is made and then returned to the caller’s original settings within 25 seconds of the 111 call being initiated. All location data will only be held for 60 minutes and will then be deleted,” Mr Bridges said.

inister of Finance Steven Joyce has brought some serenity to an otherwise anxious immigration debate in New Zealand by saying that “overall we have got right immigration numbers,” and “there isn’t much upside in the housing market at the moment.” Seemingly, a widely-perceived causal linkage between historic net immigration and the heatedup housing market, particularly in Auckland, has been at the centre of the current immigration debate prompting many political parties to call for a massive purge of immigration numbers by “tens of thousands.” The Minister was speaking earlier today at THE AM SHOW on Newshub about the latest report of International Monetary Fund (IMF) on New Zealand economy. The IMF report has rated the New Zealand economy as strong, however suggesting that record immigration could re-ignite the housing market. The report is also recommending new taxes to cool “housing speculation” - another topic of interest for the opposition parties. The Labour Party has consistently criticised the government for its perceived inability to stop speculation in the housing market, particularly from overseas-based investors, which according to them are one of the main reasons for shooting up of housing prices. However, the Minister categorically denied any plans to bring speculation taxes, stating that the measures introduced so far like bright-line test and LVRs are doing well in keeping housing market under control. The bright-line test involves a special tax when residential land is purchased and sold within two years. It does not apply to a person’s main home.

“Auckland house prices over the last eight months with both bright-line test and LVRs have been flat to falling,” the Minister said. Similarly, denying any further ammunition to the detractors of the government on what is beginning to be perceived as an “open door immigration policy,” the Minister asserted that “overall we have got the right numbers.” “When you look at [what bodies like] IMF and Moody reviewing New Zealand economy says that one of the reasons why NZ is growing well and adding jobs is because companies are able to hire skilled workers both domestically and offshore. “That’s quite important otherwise that growth will occur somewhere else,” the Minister asserted. Allaying growing fears among some quarters, that increasing number of the incoming skilled workforce from offshore might be contributing in pressurising the infrastructure, the Minister pointed out that “it’s about a balance.” “[infrastructure] things have to be built at the same time. “The fact of the matter is that the New Zealand economy is performing one of the best in the OECD countries. “The Aussie budget came out last night and if you put the two countries side by side then we are getting a stronger growth, a more employment growth and a low unemployment rate and one of the reasons for that is we can add more skilled workforce in our economy,” the Minister said. Nevertheless, it is another matter that despite this assertion by the Minister, the government has recently raised the bar for all prospective immigrants to an “unrealistic” income threshold of $49,000 annually to be eligible to gain residency as a “skilled worker” in New Zealand.

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Remembering Shalvin Prasad through a friendly football match

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n the late 2012, a 21-year old Shalvin Prasad - resident of Flat Bush - was deceitfully killed by two of his friends who were trying to fraud him of $30,000 cash. Shalvin’s charred body was discovered on a rural road in Kingseat on January 31, 2013. The story had then grappled the community and Aucklanders alike, for not only the fate of young life lost so early but also for the element of treachery and deceit involved in the act. The life has moved on so much since then, but not for the family of the illfated boy. The family came together with Counties Manukau MPES Team and the Cane Cutters Club members (NZ Police Staff from Fiji) on Sunday, May 7, to organise a friendly football match in the memory of slain Shalvin Prasad at the Centre Park Grounds in East Mangere. “Every year we organise a football match remembering our beloved Shalvin. He was cheerful, enthusiastic, decent and a great sportsperson,” Pravin Prasad, Shalvin’s elder brother

Pravin Prasad with Shalvin’s portrait at the ground

told Indian Weekender. “He loved football, if, given the opportunity, he would have played soccer all his life,” Pravin added. The football match gathered the support of more than 100 community members who attended the event in memory of Shalvin Prasad. The match was played between the teams Shal’s family, friends, and Manukau United. “Manukau United is a social team; I, Shalvin and our dad played for this team for about 15-years. Every Sunday, we get together and have a game, and this is how we wanted to celebrate and remember Shalvin,” Pravin said. “What better way to remember Shalvin than doing that one thing he loved the most,” he added. “My son was a great soul, he was smart, empathetic and everybody loved him, Shammi Prasad, Shalvin’s mother who is now a police employee said. “I thank my friends and community members for coming today and making this event a success, Shalvin will always be alive in our hearts,” Pravin said.

ore young people living with cancer will have access to special services provided by Canteen, thanks to the generosity of the listeners of Humm FM 106.2. Humm FM embarked on a special campaign last week where listeners donated cash through various platforms over three days. ‘Humm FM Light of Hope’ commenced on Thursday, May 4 from 6:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 6. The Humm FM and Canteen team members were positioned with donation buckets at different locations in the city between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and collected funds for the cause. A total of $18,480.62 was raised during the campaign, and all funds have been handed over to Canteen. Humm FM Director, Roshila Prasad said they have been incredibly overwhelmed by the generosity, listeners have shown. “Listeners have always opened up their hearts to give to the worthy cause. We had set a target of $10,000, but the listeners took it beyond $18,000,” Ms Prasad said. Humm FM in the past has also run other successful campaigns such as ‘55 Hours Christmas For Kids’ where Humm FM team members went live for continuous 55 hours to collect gifts for kids. All gifts raised in the last two years were given to Auckland City Mission and Salvation Army for distribution. The Humm FM team members also went on a water diet to raise funds for the victims of Cyclone Winston Fiji in 2016. The campaign raised over FJ$30,000 which were handed over to Fiji Red Cross Society.

The proud Humm FM team

Ms Prasad said Humm FM, apart from providing the best radio programs, is also committed to working for and with the community. “The campaign came up at the right time when Humm FM had recorded the highest listenership by any Indian radio in Auckland and the right way to celebrate it was to give something back to the community. According to the latest GFK survey results, Humm FM has recorded over 47,000 listeners,” Ms Prasad said. Meanwhile, CanTeen’s Northern Regional Manager, Graeme Thorpe said this is the first time any radio station has come forward to help them. He said the response to the campaign has been beyond his expectations. “Apart from raising the much-needed funds, the campaign has created a lot of awareness on cancer. CanTeen, which supports young people living with cancer, has received no funding from the government and money raised through Humm FM’s Light Of Hope campaign will go a long way in helping many young people who need their support,” Mr Thorpe said.

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NEW ZEALAND

12 May 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

Investing to change lives Bill English

Prime Minister

elivering better public services that improve New Zealanders’ lives is one of the National-led Government’s top priorities. The Better Public Services targets we introduced in 2012 have delivered tangible and long-lasting results such as reduced welfare dependency, better educational achievement, improved healthcare and less serious crime. Each of these represents real and positive change - but I believe there is always more we can do. And our growing economy and clear economic plan give us a rare opportunity to achieve things we simply hadn’t thought possible ten years ago. We can make genuine improvements to even the most challenged lives and we can set our country up for real and sustained success. Last week I outlined a new set of 10 targets which establish the Government’s expectations for the public service, and build on the success of the initial targets set in 2012. The new targets will focus on improving maths and literacy in primary schools, getting better health outcomes for new mums and their children, reducing child abuse and serious crime. They also aim to further reduce the number of people who depend on welfare

and cut the time it takes people to access social housing. Every six months we will publish a progress update, so you can see exactly how your money is making a difference, and how lives are changing. I also announced that Budget 2017 will include a $321 million Social Investment Package, with 14 initiatives designed to support some of our most vulnerable New Zealanders. Social investment is about tackling our most challenging social issues – intervening early to help the most at-risk New Zealanders lead better lives. A key part of the package is for children most at risk of long-term disadvantage. Some $68.8 million will be used to support children with behavioural issues, communication problems or challenging family environments. Investing early in these children will help them overcome barriers to leading successful lives. This Government is committed to funding initiatives across the social system that really work. That is why Budget 2017 will include the most rigorous investment criteria ever used to ensure funding goes to evidence-based proposals that deliver long-run benefits for vulnerable people and for taxpayers. In Budget 2017 we set a challenge to Government agencies – show us it will work and we will pay for it. This National-led Government is determined to grasp the opportunities that a strong economy offers, including tacking some of our most pressing social issues, so everyone can share in New Zealand’s success.

KiwiSaver HomeStart helping Kiwis to their first homes Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi

National List MP

ational values home ownership it provides stability for families, strength for communities and security in retirement. We are working hard so that more people can achieve the Kiwi dream of owning their own home. The latest Housing New Zealand Financial Products Quarterly Report Government’s KiwiSaver HomeStart scheme is delivering for first home buyers and is helping more New Zealanders into home ownership. The scheme provides three different programmes. New home buyers can receive grants of up to $10,000 for an existing home and $20,000 for a new one. It is complemented by enabling first home buyers to access their KiwiSaver funds and a government guarantee for bank loans, called Welcome Home loan. The support provided for all three programmes has grown strongly since the scheme was launched two years ago. The Housing New Zealand Financial Products Quarterly Report shows the scheme has helped more first home buyers overcome the most difficult hurdle of pulling together the funds for a deposit. 11,943 first home buyers received assistance with $55.6 million in grants in year one, and a further 15,038 buyers received

$72.9 million in grants in year two. The scheme is forecast to grow around $100 million next year, and is on target to help 90,000 first home buyers with $435 million in grants over five years. The report also shows that the value and proportion of the HomeStart grants being used for new home purchases is growing. In year one, $9.35 million was used for new homes, or 17 per cent. This has increased to 22 per cent in year two, with $15.7 million being used for new homes. The use of KiwiSaver funds for purchasing a home has also trebled in the past three years - from $201 million in the year prior to HomeStart, to $627 million in the year to March 2017. KiwiSaver HomeStart is the most generous government support for home buyers in more than a generation, with grants for first home buyers and enabling access to KiwiSaver funds. The scheme has helped 26,981 first home buyers, with over $128 million in grants over the past two years. This reflects how KiwiSaver is becoming an increasingly important part of the solution for getting young people into home ownership. The government’s housing policies are working, with strong growth in new home building and stabilisation in house prices.

NEW ZEALAND

www.iwk.co.nz | 12 May 2017

Housing is more affordable for renters than for first home buyers: MBIE report ¡¡ IWK BUREAU

new report released by the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) today, has confirmed the long felt fear that the market is currently skewed unfavourably towards the renters than the first homebuyers. A new approach to measuring housing affordability will provide important information to support Government and other stakeholder decisions on housing, MBIE Deputy Chief Executive Building, Resources and Markets, Chris Bunny said today when releasing the Housing Affordability Measure. “Following a review of the Official Statistics System in August 2012, Cabinet directed MBIE to develop a statistic on housing affordability, because none of the existing housing affordability measures captured the state of housing affordability at a detailed level,” Mr Bunny said. Using household-level data from the Statistics New Zealand Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI), the Housing Affordability Measure provides a more accurate picture of how much New Zealanders spend on housing, and tracks whether housing is becoming more or less affordable over time for renters and aspiring first home buyers.

“MBIE developed the Housing Affordability Measure using a robust collaborative process with Statistics New Zealand and key technical stakeholders,” Mr Bunny said. “The measure provides a picture of shifts in affordability, broken down by the local council and by ward in Auckland. This robust measurement of how much income households have left after their basic household costs have been paid will inform policies and decisions for Kiwis and their housing. “The more finely detailed information about smaller areas available in the Housing Affordability Measure can also be of use to the Government, local authorities and other organisations with an interest in housing affordability,” Mr Bunny said.

The results of this first measure cover the period March 2003 to June 2015, with new releases planned for quarterly intervals. The findings of this first Housing Affordability Measure show that housing is more affordable for renters than for first homebuyers. The report also confirms that the Auckland market continues to be challenging for first homebuyers. “MBIE is releasing the Housing Affordability Measure today as an ‘experimental statistical series’, which means it will continue to be refined to ensure it remains fit-forpurpose and that results are robust and meaningful. We will work with Statistics New Zealand to refine the measure and get it adopted as part of the official statistics system. ” Mr Bunny said.

Youth Sports Carnival ahead of Ramadan ¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD

he bi-annual youth carnival of the Muslim community organised by New Zealand Muslim Sports Association (NZMSA) is scheduled to be held on Sunday, May 14 at Rangomai Park in Flat Bush. The carnival will host a number of activities for the age group 8 and 18 years such as football match for a team U-10 and U13 with teams of 7 on each side and U16 and U18 with 11-players in each team. There will be the tug-of-war, entertainment for the children and food stalls for the visitors. NZMSA in association with Federation of Islamic Association of New Zealand (FIANZ) hosts two community sports events every

year, Unity Cup, which is held in April-May and Eid Cup, just after the Eid-ul-Adha festival. The event is set to bring more than 150 young athletes to the bi-annual sporting event. The carnival will also host DawahQuran competition on Sunday in which children can participate in the Quran recitation, and Naat recitation. “We want to get the community members to come out encourage the youth and the children competing at the sporting event. It will be a fun day for the families and a great time to spend with the community just ahead of Ramadan, which starts in the last week of May,” Shaheem Rah’mani, Chairman of the Tournament said.

Indian High Commission gears up for International Yoga Day ¡¡ IWK BUREAU

to bring their own mats. International Day of Yoga igh Commission of India is going to host the will also be celebrated in other International Day of Yoga important cities in New Zealand on Sunday, June 18, in Wellington. like Auckland, Christchurch and Recognising Yoga’s universal others in collaboration with the appeal, the United Nations had on Indian diaspora associations. December 11, 2014, proclaimed Event details: June 21, as International Yoga Day by resolution 69/131. Date: 18 June 2017 (Sunday) Venue: Bharat Bhawan, 48 This year High Commission of India is celebrating International Kemp Street, Kilbirnie Wellington Yoga Day on Sunday, June 18, Time: 10:30 am – 11:30 am at Bharat Bhawan in Wellington. Free: Registration required The participants are encouraged Action Required: Please bring your own mats!

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NEW ZEALAND

12 May 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

News-in-brief from South Island

Christchurch’s Holi team

helps schools in India and NZ

Upcoming events in Christchurch Indian Social and Cultural Club Connects – meet, greet and sangeet

stablished in 1997, the Indian Social and Cultural Club (ISCC) in Christchurch, is organising ISCC Connects 2017 this Saturday. With the tagline as “meet, greet and sangeet”, the organisers informed that the evening will be an informal fun-filled affair with games of all sorts including the very Indian Antakshari, and Bollywood quiz, followed by dinner.

Sahayaata’s forum for South Asian women on ‘how to fight out the depression that migration brings’

he monthly meeting of a recently-launched coffee club by the Christchurch-based Indian Cultural Group and community organisation Sahaayta, will focus this Saturday on ways and means to fight depression caused by leaving your homeland and migrating to a foreign country. The speaker this time is Ms Kala Nand, a local community leader from Fiji, who also organises free weekly Hindi classes for children of Indian origin in the city. While women from Afganistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, and India are the target groups, the invite is open to all, informed Sahaayta’s co-ordinator in Canterbury Nimi Bedi.

Children with their new lunch boxes at Shanti Niketan Higher Secondary School in Bhopal

ollowing from a highlysuccessful Holi this year, the team behind the free community event attended by over 6,000 people across communities this March, has fulfilled their promise of giving back to the community. A fraction of the proceeds have been distributed to Allenvale School in Christchurch, and Shanti Niketan Higher Secondary School

in Bhopal, India. While Allenvale got cash donation, Shanti Niketan’s 60-odd students got shining new lunch boxes. Mr Hitesh Sharma, co-partner in Revel Events, a Christchurchbased event management company, which organised the event partnering with Christchurch Multicultural Council (CMC), Christchurch City Council, and the city’s new Crown company

Otakaro Limited, informed, “It was always our intention to donate a part of the proceeds from colour and t-shirt sales to charitable causes working for children welfare in India and New Zealand. We covered two schools this time around and hope to increase the number substantially in the years to come.”

Launch of Christchurch City Council’s multicultural strategy - a major milestone in the City’s route to ethnic diversity

hristchurch City Mayor, Lianne Dalziel will be launching the Christchurch Multicultural Strategy - Our Future Together, at Rehua Marae, this Saturday. This is in line with the Council’s commitment to the collective responsibility of making sure that everyone feels welcomed and a part of a richly diverse city, informed the organisers.

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NEW ZEALAND

www.iwk.co.nz | 12 May 2017

Kiwi Indian MP’s bill to enrol newborns could become new law

Mara Var No Varghodo returns on popular demand

¡¡ SWATI SHARMA

N P

arliament has accepted a new bill from a Kiwi-Indian MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar about registering all newborn children in New Zealand with a GP within six weeks from their birth. Dr Parmjeet Parmar’s Newborn Enrolment with General Practice Bill was drawn in the Parliamentary Ballot today and will be introduced for its first reading. “The bill requires all newborns to be enrolled with a general practice and primary health organisation before his or her first immunisation at six weeks of age,” Dr Parmar says. The proposed law change is mostly a guide for doctors than being a compulsory measure for the families of newborns. Enrolment with a general practice provides families with improved access to immunisation for their newborns and the opportunity for earlier detection of health and social issues. “It is important that our children receive the best start in life, and the Government is working hard to provide high-quality health services for Kiwi families. Our immunisation programme is already protecting thousands of young babies from potentially life-threatening illnesses. We have also introduced free GP visits and prescriptions for all children under 13, as well as free after-hours services,” Dr Parmar said.

ot that one needs a reason to be happy, but Aucklanders are now set to experience comedy extravaganza with upcoming comedy production. Popular Gujarati comedy production Mara Var No Varghodo is back to take you on a non-stop laughter ride. The full-length comedy play is ready to give the Gujarati patron a taste of their homeland. After three full-house shows in 2011, Mara Var No Varghodo (meaning my husband’s wedding procession) is returning on May 27- 28 and will be performed at Green Bay High School Performing Arts Centre, 161 Godley Road, Auckland. The play is quite high on the comedy quotient and is sure to leave you in splits just like it was seen in the last three shows. It is not only a comedy but also has a message for everyone to take home with them. The Gujarati theatre productions in Auckland have increased manifolds as compared to a few years back. The team says that unlike other Gujarati productions in the past, this play has no language barrier. Anyone who knows Gujarati, Hindi or Marathi would be able to understand and enjoy it. Scripted by Jayesh Bateriwala, the play features renowned theatre artistes from Auckland including Rupal Solanki, Jayesh Bateriwala, Jyotsana Trivedi, Shweta

The cast and crew are all excited to showcase the evergreen production and is ready to give an opportunity for the diaspora to see a high-quality production. This play is not to be missed if you want to enjoy a relaxing laughter-filled evening and the surprise elements in the play. The tickets are available at the following outlets:

Diwaker, Kuntal Trivedi, Chirag Solanki, Sachin Purohit, Prashant Belwalkar, Richisha Desai and Sidhhraj Solanki.

• Travel Corner Limited Dominion Road, Mt. Eden • Eggs & More, Sandringham • Yogi Ji’s Food Marti, Mt. Roskill • Unique Beauty & Hair, Mt. Roskill • Giriraj Food & Spices, Avondale • Patel Brothers Indian Supermarket, Northshore Or call Jayesh Bateriwala 021 150 4149 or Ram Iyer 021 529 982 for more information

FIJI

12 May 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

NZ and Fiji continue to share expertise T he Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority (FRCA) is determined to continue its partnership with the New Zealand Customs Service (NZCS) in ensuring that expertise is shared regionally and collaborative projects are developed. These were the words of New Zealand's High Commissioner to Fiji, Mark Ramsden, during the opening ceremony of the Pacific Leadership Programme (PLP) in Suva last week. PLP was initiated in 2012 as an opportunity for members of Customs services from across the Pacific to build on their knowledge and expertise on becoming great leaders and decision-makers in the workplace. The workshop is

New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Fiji, Mark Ramsden

conducted by NZCS and a private training provider brought in from New Zea-land. Mr Ramsden said NZCS had a lot of shared interests

around Customs as countries in the Pacific also shared the same risks in Customs. "In this programme, we've got participants from the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, and the New Zealand Immigration Service joining us so, it's truly a regional initiative," he said. "It sits within a whole lot of other positive pieces of collaboration of different parts of the Fiji Government and the New Zealand Government." Mr Ramsden said they had collaborative work with Fiji to ensure Customs is properly monitored. "A great example is of the work that Fiji police and FIRCA had conducted with New Zealand po-

lice and NZCS to getting a capable detector dog at Nadi that worked on making radical seizures and this will extend to Suva shortly," he said. FRCA chief executive officer Visvanath Das said the training would go on for one week per month for the next eight months. "The good thing about this project is you go back to your workplace, implement things and then come back to report, validated by evidence. So the success of their work is monitored," he said. "This would transform the managing of changes for the better by providing the much needed tools for managing changes, managing transformations, people and of course various other leadership tools essential for the workplace."

“Australia is a vital destination in our network and this is a significant step forward, providing more travel opportunities for Fijians and Australians.” Both governments have also agreed to update their air services agreement, which was initially signed in 1982, and to hold further discussions on more flexible code sharing arrangements including

third party code shares between the two countries. A report by 9news.com.au states that Australia’s Transport Minister Darren Chester said the “long sought-after” arrangement of about 10 per cent increase in passenger capacity and a doubling of air freight capacity would boost a $4.2 billion tourism and trade relationship.

Fiji, Australia air deal

ustralia and Fiji have agreed to increase passenger and freight capacity for their designated airlines. This is a result of a recent successful air services meeting by both governments in Suva. The Fijian delegation was led by Sharvada Sharma, the SolicitorGeneral and Permanent Secretary responsible for civil aviation who said: “The discussions were conducted in a very open and friendly manner and due to Fiji being a popular holiday destination for Australians and the increased demand for seats between the two countries, we have agreed to an additional entitlement of 500 seats per week for each country, which will provide for an extra 1000 seats per week in the market. “Both parties have also agreed

to double the freight capacity from 70 to 140 tonnes per week for each country.” Stephen Borthwick, acting executive director, Aviation and Airports, Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, led the Australian delegation and said: “The discussions built on the close aviation relationship between Fiji and Australia and will provide additional opportunities for airlines to strengthen business and tourism links between our two countries.” The executive general manager, Corporate Affairs for Fiji Airways, Shaenaz Voss was pleased with the outcome of the negotiations and stated that: “Fiji Airways is committed to expanding its network and growing the number of visitors to Fiji.

Fiji releases $7 note celebrating rugby team’s 2016 Olympic gold medal

Fiji attracts film-makers

ij’s incentives for movie makers from India have been a driving force for Indian travellers to make the long haul trip to the South Pacific. Wingspan Group director Tasneem Udaipurwala said the growing Indian market in Fiji had attracted a lot of attention in India. The Mumbai-based travel agent said Fiji had drawn a lot of attention from the Indian market because of the incentives for Bollywood and Tamil film-makers. "We sell a lot of luxury travel packages and Fiji has been a very interesting prospect for us and we have been looking at this market for a number of years now," said the travel agent who is one of 160 international sellers at the 2017 Fijian Tourism Expo in Nadi. "Another thing that my company does and something that we are acutely interested in Fiji is film shoots and Fiji has been on our radar for a long time. “There have been a lot of movies already shot here but I think there is potential for a lot more and that again can be a great form of marketing from a tourism perspective for Fiji. "We started looking at Fiji about five years ago when Tourism Fiji and Film Fiji came to India and an-nounced their incentive which was really attractive to the Indian market. "It was really practical and immediately there were film shoots here in Fiji and we were very happy about that." Ms Udaipurwala is part of a large contingent from India attending the Expo at the Sheraton Resort and Spa Convention Centre on Denarau Island.

Fijians who wish to travel Commemorative note for victory in Rio is companion to new coin to India have to apply for a visa

wo million pieces of a legal tender, circulating $7 commemorative bank note celebrating Fiji’s gold medal in the Rugby Sevens competition at the 2016 Rio Olympics were released by the Reserve Bank of Fiji on April 21. The odd denomination (each the equivalent of $3.40 in U.S. funds) is in recognition of the sport, in which the nation excels. This is the first Fiji bank note on which one side is oriented horizontally but the other side vertically. The primary color is blue, corresponding to Fiji’s flag. An action portrait of Rugby Sevens Olympic Captain Osea Kolinisau is its main image, with the nation’s flag in the background. Also shown, in smaller detail, is coach Ben Ryan sitting in the Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park, as well as a diagram of a play. The reverse of the bank note features a group portrait of the

F The two sides of Fiji’s new $7 bill. (Right): The two sides of Fiji’s commemorative coin minted in honour of their Olympic gold-winning rugby sevens team.

Fiji Rugby Sevens gold-winning Olympians with the prime minister of Fiji, Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, and team officials. Optically Variable Ink is used on the face of the note in the

form of a round gold patch, depicting the gold medal, with the Reserve Bank of Fiji logo added along with the year 2016.

ijians who wish to travel to India have to apply for a visa. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced in a statement that there would be visa on arrival for Fijians in November 2014. The Indian High Commission says people have to apply for a visa online and the result will be notified to the applicant within 72 hours. We have sent questions to the Indian High Commission on when this initiative will be implemented.

FIJI

www.iwk.co.nz | 12 May 2017

Big plans for solar power in Fiji A renewable energy company specialising in solar, has made presentations in the country to stakeholders to work with them and assist them to adopt solar to generate electricity. The New Zealand based company, Green Solar 24 Limited, has already got its presence in various parts of the world, including South East Asia, the UAE and Jordan. Director Reginald Tora, said the company will work closely with everyone concerned, including the business sector to introduce mobile solar technology in the country in partnership with its German partners. It will also package solutions in the fields of LED and solar street lighting for the nation and solar for marine vessels.

The company also intend to construct solar power plants in the country, he said. He added that the company intends to set up a solar panel manufacturing plant in Fiji, the first in the South Pacific. “We have embarked We on sourcing a suitable have location for that Plant embarked on and have already sourcing a suitable earmarked a few sites location for that Plant in the Nadi /Lautoka, and have already regions”, said Mr earmarked a few sites components, to make it affordable Tora. in the Nadi /Lautoka, to the locals, and will also provide They will provide regions” employment to them. panels with the latest The Company plans to expand its technology, drastically production capacity and export the panels to reduce the cost of panels and solar

other South Pacific Islands. Fiji will be the hub and we intend to further put Fiji on the international radar as the leader in the fight against climate change, said Mr Tora.

NZ eye specialists to serve Northern interiors

ye doctors from New Zealand will be arriving in July and for the first time, are expected to reach as far as Saqani in Cakaudrove and Nabouwalu in Bua. This would give an opportunity for people in the rural interior areas of the Northern Division to have their eyes examined, receive glasses if they have eyesight problems and even get eye op-erations, all which will be for free. This was confirmed by the Lions Club of Labasa president, Mohammed Imraan Rizwaan. He said: “The team is scheduled to arrive in July and when they come this year, we have sched-uled for the team to reach as far as Nabouwalu, Bua and Saqani, Cakaudrove for the first time. “The main intention is to decentralise their services so people in the rural areas can access what this team has to offer.” He said an eye specialist team would be in the division for two weeks. “The first week they would be doing outreach along areas from Coqeloa to Saqani and then the second week, they will attend to areas from Labasa towards Nabouwalu. “Some of these people cannot come to the hospital, so what we do is that we reach out to them. Sometimes they cannot afford to purchase glasses to aid with their sight and some cannot get to the hospital to get their eyes operated on.So the services offered by this team coming in from overseas are free of charge, and we want people to see again if their visions are being affected. While one of their main intentions is for the eye clinic, other members in the team are here for other diseases and health issues.” He said they had confirmed upon which villages they would be stopping in to set up their tents at during their tour, which will be announced at a later date. “Every year we try and widen our coverage so we are able to help people in the outer areas. This team will also be visiting Mali Island in Macuata,” Mr Rizwaan said. “I am urging people when they do arrive, please make use of their services.”

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Thought of the week

Editorial

A call for urgent change in the police response system to robberies

t will be surreal to expect that all those who attended last week’s public meeting where community leaders, police and Members of Parliament had met together on Sunday, May 8, to discuss the rising incidences of robberies and assault would have come out of the meeting with a sense of satisfaction. After all, it is not every day that one in the community sees Members of Parliament of all political parties, along with other Members of Parliament especially from the regions in Auckland widely perceived to be the biggest victim of aggravated robberies come together to delve into the situation. Therefore, the confusion or bewilderment or the sense of exasperation as experienced by many after the meeting was much expected. However, it is to the credit of Crime Prevention Group and the movers behind this group to have brought together such a battery of community leaders, Members of Parliament and the police on one platform. At least, this will drive home to lawmakers the seriousness and sense of frustration within the small business owners who are at the forefront of rising incidences of assault and robbery in the community. The meeting was on expected lines with shopkeepers continuing to put forward demands for heavy penalties for resellers of stolen goods, the right for shop owners to defend themselves and a larger police presence on the streets. Sunny Kaushal, the president of the Crime Prevention Group exclaimed, “Each day begins with fear [of facing an assault at work].” David Yang, representing the Chinese community in the meeting emphasised “the urgent need for lawmakers to review and toughen the laws against offenders.” The lawmakers responded around their respective party lines. The National MPs blamed the dysfunctional families, the Labour and the Green Party blamed the increasing poverty and growing gap between rich and poor as the cause driving young offenders. Act Party identified tobacco tax, and the NZ First added: “increasing population” as what they believed as the factors propelling the incidences of aggravated robberies. Another point of divergence among political parties was around the “actual police numbers on the streets. While the National Party seems to reiterate about their recent $500 million investment in increasing police numbers, the NZ First still wanted 1800 police recruits. The Labour Party, apart from continuing to pledge 1000 new recruits emphasised on “community patrols” and the opening of closed police stations in the community. However, despite these visible divergences in responses of Members of Parliament towards the incidences of crime, one consolable convergence in this election year was on “the plain acknowledgement of the increase in crime” by one and all. Almost everyone, from the National Party in the government to the Labours, Greens, Act and the NZ First conceded the recent spurt in attacks on shopkeepers and retailers, which in itself is a good outcome from the meeting. An honest acknowledgement of the problem is much needed to necessitate immediate remedial actions. Expectedly, the meeting has some high tensile moment when Act leader David Seymour and NZ First’s Winston Peters chose to engage in a casual war of words about describing the severity of the problem and proposing remedies to them. Given that, both Act and NZ First are known to have limited presence within the ethnic communities such a display of passion and temper was unsurprising. It’s another matter that the NZ Herald had recently reported after the event that NZ First’s influence in the ethnic Chinese community is on the rise. It is important to note that the recent spurt in incidences of aggravated robberies has coincided with the election year, which gives communities and action groups like crime prevention group best chance to be heard by the lawmakers and authorities. Against this backdrop, some more concerted actions can be expected in the near future from the crime prevention group, at least until there is a marked change in the numbers of aggravated robberies or there is an immediate change in the current “police response system” to the incidences of robberies.

“The world breaks everyone and af ter ward many are strong at the broken places.” – Anonymous Auckland Weather forecast for the week May 13 - May 19

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This week in New Zealand’s history 13 May 1995 New Zealand wins the America’s Cup Few New Zealanders in 1995 could have avoided television commentator Peter Montgomery’s famous line, ‘the America’s Cup is now New Zealand’s cup!’ The phrase was repeated endlessly as New Zealand enjoyed one of its most significant sporting triumphs.

13 May 1936 National Party founded Following their crushing defeat by the Labour Party in the 1935 general election, the remnants of the United– Reform coalition government met in Wellington on 13–14 May 1936 to establish a new ‘anti-socialist’ party.

14 May 1941 New Zealand minesweeper sunk near Hauraki Gulf HMS Puriri was a converted 927-ton Anchor Company coaster that was commissioned into the 25th Minesweeping Flotilla on 19 April 1941.

16 May 1981 All Whites beat Australia on road to Spain The New Zealand football team’s 2–0 victory in Sydney was a defining moment in an epic qualifying campaign for the 1982 World Cup finals. Indian Weekender : Volume 9 Issue 08 Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited Managing Editor: Bhav Dhillon | bhav@indianweekender.co.nz Content Editor: Sandeep Singh | sandeep@indianweekender.co.nz Chief Reporter: Swati Sharma | swati@indianweekender.co.nz Reporter: Rizwan Mohammad | rizwan@indianweekender.co.nz Chief Reporter—South Island: Gaurav Sharma Chief Technical Officer: Rohan Desouza | rohan@indianweekender.co.nz Sr Graphics and Layout Designer: Mahesh Kumar | mahesh@indianweekender.co.nz Graphic Designer: Yashmin Chand | design@indianweekender.co.nz Accounts and Admin.: 09-6366306 | accounts@indianweekender.co.nz Sales and Distribution: 022 3251630 | sales@indianweekender.co.nz Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher is not responsible for advertisers’ claims as appearing in the publication Views expressed in the articles are solely of the authors and do not in any way represent the views of the team at the Indian Weekender Kiwi Media Publishing Limited - 133A, Level 1, Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland. Printed at Horton Media, Auckland Copyright 2017. Kiwi Media Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved.

OPINION/EDITORIAL

www.iwk.co.nz | 12 May 2017

India’s NPA problem has a flip side to it– the issue of rising corporate debts T ¡¡ AMIT KAPOOR

he IMF, in its latest Global Financial Stability Report, warned that rising corporate debts were a risk to growth in emerging markets and pointed out that India’s debt is one of the highest among these economies. In fact, in 2016-17, trading in corporate debt securities at Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and national Stock exchange (NSE) shot up by 44 per cent. There is a deep underlying problem within the system that is causing this issue of rising debt, which is so commonplace in corporate practices that it is often overlooked: The goal of “maximising shareholder value”. In a recent speech at the University of Virginia, Infosys cofounder N.R. Narayana Murthy said that “good governance is all about maximising shareholder value”. The statement was not always passed around as truism till a few decades ago. The phenomenon first arose in the developed world and India merely imported these corporate practices. In the immediate post-War era, the role of shareholders was restricted and the managers of large corporations enjoyed relative autonomy. The financial sector was strictly regulated and limits were imposed on the movement of capital. Corporations tended to retain the profit they earned and the people they employed

repeated stock buy-backs to reduce the supply of shares in the market and artificially prop up their prices. The shift towards shareholder value orientation of firms has resulted in a short-term strategy of boosting share prices rather than a

-- and they reinvested this profit in accumulating physical and human capital. In the 1960s and 1970s, this strategy of “retain and reinvest” hit a roadblock due to a massive growth of corporations. Through mergers and acquisitions, corporations grew too big with too many divisions in different kinds of businesses. Following this, there occurred two institutional changes that aligned the management’s interests with that of the shareholders: Development of new financial instruments like junk bonds and tender offers that allowed hostile takeovers and changes in compensation of managers who were offered performance-related pay schemes and stock options. The 1970s also witnessed the financial and banking deregulation of the American economy, which would help hostile takeovers in the next decade by allowing the risky trade in junk bonds -- a corporate or government bond that the bondrating agencies consider being below “investment grade”. Managers responded to the

“shareholder revolution” by a marked shift in their strategy. William Lazonick and Mary O’Sullivan famously wrote in 2000: “In the name of creating ‘shareholder value’, the period following the hostile takeover movement witnessed a marked shift in the strategic orientation of top corporate managers in the allocation of corporate resources and returns away from ‘retain and reinvest’ and towards ‘downsize and distribute’.” Under the new regime, top managers downsize the corporations they control, with a particular emphasis on cutting the size of the labour forces they employ, in an attempt to increase the return on equity. It has been empirically shown that “reduction in force” announcements have a positive effect on share prices. Rational pursuit of these managers led them to do whatever they could to keep the stock prices up and the shareholders happy. There was a rise in dividends paid out to shareholders and

“

n the name of creating ‘shareholder value’, the period following the hostile takeover movement witnessed a marked shift in the strategic orientation of top corporate managers in the allocation of corporate resources and returns away from ‘retain and reinvest’ and towards ‘downsize and distribute

focus on long-term growth of the firm with real investment for nonfinancial firms. Indian firms also began pursuing this self-destructive strategy, which ties to the corporate debt problem that they are currently facing and eventually to the country’s ever-widening NPA crisis. During the boom years of 2004-08, India’s corporate

profit as a percentage of GDP rose from 4.5 percent to 7.1 percent, as per RBI data. Post-crisis, profits immediately started falling, eventually reaching 4.5 percent in 2014. However, between 2004 and 2014, corporate debt-to-equity ratio consistently rose from 0.68 to 1.1. In value terms, corporate debt rose by 8.1 times while net profit had merely climbed 3.2 times. It is quite clear that the debt was not being taken for productive purposes. On the contrary, despite troubling times, Indian corporates were generously handing out dividends. Between 2011 and 2016, the country’s top listed companies had tripled their dividend payments while their profits rose by merely 17 50 per cent. They were quite honourably sticking to Narayana Murthy’s idea of good governance. This is not to argue that shareholders are not an important constituent of a firm, but the obsession with such a metric creates the wrong incentives for managers. They are forced to focus on boosting quarterly results rather than enhancing long-term growth; and satisfying shareholder needs rather than those of its customers and employees. Today, Indian firms are burdened with unmanageable corporate debt due to such misaligned goals. Firefighting the NPA issue will not help the economy in the long-run if inherent corporate practices maintain status quo (Amit Kapoor is chair, Institute for Competitiveness, India. The views expressed are personal.

Modi’s war on black money incomplete without taxing farm income ¡¡ AMIT KAPOOR

axing agricultural income has always been a politically sensitive topic in India. This was evident last week after NITI Aayog member Bibek Debroy spoke in favour of this above a certain threshold. Immediate clarifications followed that the official stance was not the same. Throughout the history of independent India, similar suggestions have met the same fate. Most famously, B.R. Ambedkar, who was critical of the land revenue system of the British, supported a progressive tax on agricultural income. More recently, the Economic Survey of 2016 suggested similarly. In short, the topic of agricultural taxation is neither new nor without merit and should not be dismissed as such. The first argument in favour of such taxation is that an exemption in the sector allows nonagricultural entities to evade taxes by declaring agriculture as their source of income. This undermines any effort to curb the circulation of black money in the economy. Postdemonetisation, a Parliamentary panel raised concerns that there was a rise in the number of cases

with farm income higher than Rs on such a small proportion of the 1 crore. The Modi government’s country’s population. fight against black money will Fourth, a uniform taxation be rendered incomplete if the of agricultural income across agricultural sector is not brought the country will eliminate the within its ambit. competitive disadvantage farmers Secondly, it hardly makes sense of some states face due to taxes to keep big farmers and agricultural imposed by their state governments. companies out of purview of the For instance, plantations in Kerala tax department. Companies are taxed at 50 per cent, The like Kaveri Seeds while farmers in Modi and multinational neighbouring Tamil government’s Monsanto India Nadu pay no taxes. fight against black claimed exemption Such a scenario of Rs 186 crore money will be rendered hurts farming incomplete if the and Rs 94 crore as activities in the agricultural sector is agricultural income taxed state and not brought within in the year 2014-15. leaves little scope for its ambit Surely such companies agricultural growth. and farmers owning land Finally, agriculture above a certain threshold can acts as a depressant on be brought under the tax net. the tax to GDP ratio of any Third, the scale of tax exemption country due to exemptions. Indira in the sector is such that the Rajaraman estimated in a crossgovernment will have to consider country analysis of developing levying income tax on them. Bibek countries that a one per cent Debroy pointed out that two-thirds increase in the share of agriculture of India’s 225 million households in GDP reduced tax revenues as are in rural India and are effectively a percentage of GDP by a little not taxed. Moreover, India has over a third of a percent. For a 110-120 million cultivators and developed country, where the share a tax payer base of 64.4 million. of agriculture in GDP is quite It is both unfair and inefficient to small, non-taxation of agriculture impose the burden of taxation becomes a minor concern. But,

for a country like India, where agriculture still accounts for about 18 percent of the GDP, the loss in tax revenue is significant. A major problem that arises out of any move towards agricultural taxation is that of the process. An agricultural income tax above a certain limit based on self-declaration of income will be difficult to verify due to the prevalence of cash transactions and absence of any standard book-keeping. The few states that have tried taxing agricultural income since independence have witnessed a natural evolution of taxation towards plantation crops. This is mainly because plantation agriculture is the only form of agricultural activity that has largescale operations, formal records of accounts, and connection to the banking system. But devolving taxation powers to local levels can be an effective mechanism of taxing agricultural income. First, local governments will have a greater sense of the ground reality of agricultural practices. It will be difficult to conceal farm earnings from a local tax authority than when the state government is in charge of

tax collection. Second, when the taxpayers have the assurance that their money will be used for local development, or more preferably reinvested in improving the local agriculture sector, they will be more compliant. To ensure higher compliance, expenses on inputs can also be made deductible from income and depreciation subject to rebates. This will also incentivise farmers to invest in inputs, thus boosting agricultural productivity. Taxation of agriculture isn’t as ghastly a proposition as it is portrayed. In fact, it can be a blessing in disguise for the tax authorities and for the agricultural sector itself. More importantly, an income threshold will leave a majority of Indian farmers, who have small land holdings, unaffected. According to the Agricultural Census 2010-11, 95 per cent of Indian farmers has operational holdings below four hectares. The case for not taxing agricultural income is weak and only the fear of being perceived as “anti-farmer” has been holding political parties back. The key is to change the narrative around making such a move by highlighting its inherent benefits.

INDIA

PM Modi calls for setting up model solar cities P rime Minister Narendra Modi has called for setting up some model solar cities where power requirement is fulfilled solely by solar energy, an official statement said. Modi, who reviewed progress of key infrastructure sectors including petroleum and natural gas, power, renewable energy and housing, also called for greater emphasis on ethanol blending, said a PMO release on Tuesday, adding that the review meeting came soon after the review of connectivity-related infrastructure sectors in the last week of April. "The Prime Minister called for establishment of some model solar cities, where the power requirement is fulfilled solely by solar energy," it said. Modi said a similar effort can be made to make certain localities kerosene-free. He said manufacturing of solar equipment should be given priority to boost employment generation and derive maximum benefit from the renewable energy drive. Seeking a consolidated approach to various schemes, such as electrification, IT networks and housing, he called for a focused approach on the 100 worst performing districts in each case. He directed that future reviews should focus on problems at the

12 May 2017| www.iwk.co.nz

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

district-level, so that the progress of poorly performing districts can be better monitored. The release said that Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana has benefited 1.98 crore below poverty line households so far, while contribution of gas to the primary energy mix has risen to eight percent with 81 cities being covered under City Gas Distribution networks. Laying greater emphasis on ethanol blending, Modi said that setting up of second generation bio-ethanol refineries should be expedited to utilise agricultural residues. The release said that rural electrification programme was on the track for targeted

completion and over 13,000 of the 18,452 identified villages had been electrified. It said over 22 lakh rural BPL households were electrified in 2016-17 and over 40 crore LED bulbs were distributed in the same period. The total inter-regional transmission capacity has been significantly enhanced, with 41 GW transmission capacity being added from May 2014 to April 2017. The release said that total renewable generation capacity has crossed 57 GW, with an increase of 24.5 percent being registered in the last fiscal year. Modi enquired about the training and skills being given to rural masons, who were involved with this scheme.

NEWS in BRIEF

India’s rise a very welcome development: Foreign Minister

utch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders, termed India's rise a "very welcome development" as in the new emerging world order, it will protect and promote democratic values. "India's take-off is a very welcome development. It is welcome from a political point of view because we share many values," Koenders said while addressing an event organised by Confederation of I Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders ndian Industry. "They range from human rights to the rule of law, and from free elections to peace and security. Such principles are deeply embedded in your society - supported by Indians rich and poor, and regardless of religious conviction. As the global order is being reshaped, we look to the world's largest democracy to protect and promote those values with us," he added.

India preparing law on Antarctica

ndia is preparing a law for safeguarding its interest in Antarctica, an official of the Ministry of Earth Scienc-es (MoES) said. “India doesn’t have laws for Antarctica. We are preparing it and it is in circulation in the law ministry,” MoES secretary Madhavan Nair Rajeevan told the media. “The law entails regulating our activities. When we go there if we do a mistake, what will happen, what to do. It is about safeguarding our own interests,” he said. Rajeevan said India is also poised to expand its research activities in the coldest continent. Maitri, which is India’s second research station in Antarctica as part of the Indian Antarctic Programme, will be replaced by a new one in the next few years. “The Maitri station will be replaced by a new station in the next three-to-four years. Scientific activities will be expanded. We are also planning to buy a ship which can go to Antarctica,” Rajeevan added. Yogi wields broom, vows to make UP ODF by 2018. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday wielded the broom and undertook a cleanliness drive. He also vowed to make the state open defecation free (ODF) by 2018.

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INDIA

www.iwk.co.nz | 12 May 2017

India successfully launches South Asia Satellite

ndia successfully launched, in copy book style, the South Asia Satellite, intended to serve “economic and developmental priorities” of South Asian nations, using its heavy rocket Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F09). Precisely at 4.57pm, the GSLV-F09 rose into the sky from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at the Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh, carrying the satellite, intended as an Indian Gift for its fellow Saarc nations except for Pakistan which had opted out. The 49-metre, 415 tonne rocket slung the 2,230 kg satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit, from where it would be taken up to its final geostationary orbit. In 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tasked the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to develop a satellite for use

by the Saarc countries. Costing around Rs 235 crore, the satellite was initially known as the Saarc satellite. But with Pakistan deciding to keep out, it is called the South Asia Satellite. With a life span of over 12 years, its objective is to provide communication applications in Ku-band for the user nations. The satellite, with its 12-Ku band transponders-transmitters and receivers of radio signals, will enable telecommunication, teleeducation and tele-medicine as well as mapping of natural resources. It would also provide/augment internet connectivity and would be useful in disaster management. Modi has said the South Asia Satellite would go a long way in addressing the region’s economic and developmental priorities. “Natural resources mapping, telemedicine, the field of education, deeper IT connectivity or fostering

I welcome all the South Asian countries who have joined us on this momentous endeavour,” he had said. According to an official, the ISRO decided to have electric power for the satellite. “We have not reduced the volume of the traditional on-board fuel because of the electric power.

We have added electric power facility to check its performance for use in future satellites,” the official said. He said the next satellite with electric power will be the GSAT-20 slated for launch in 2018. The GSLV is a three stage/ engine rocket. The core of the first stage is fired with solid fuel while the four strap-on motors by liquid fuel. The second is the liquid fuel and the third is the cryogenic engine. One of the spin off benefits for India through this launch is that in the international satellite launch market, GSLV-Mk II rocket may gain the confidence of potential customers. India puts into orbit foreign satellites for a fee, using its lighter rocket, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). However the weight of third party satellites is not much.

where train, metro and monorail were not practical. He said a high-speed link to connect Dharamsala with the state capital Shimla would also be built. “The suspended cars on the skyway can run at a speed from 50 to 500 kilometres per hour. Since not much land is required, acquisition won’t be a problem,” he said. The minister added that

the system would be silent, safe and earthquake-resistant, as the “area comes under the seismic zone”. While the suspended cars can be customised in size for carrying two to 34 passengers at a time, Sharma said six-person driverless cars would be introduced in Dharamsala with a capacity of carrying up to 20,000 passengers per day.

ISRO’s communication satellite GSAT-9 on-board GSLV-F09 lifts off from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota on May 5.

people-to-people contact, this satellite will prove to be a boon in the progress of the entire region,” he said. “It is an important step by India to enhance cooperation with the entire South Asia... It is an invaluable gift. This is an appropriate example of our commitment towards South Asia.

Dharamsala to boast of world’s first ‘skyway’: Minister

haramsala is going to be the first city in the world to have suspended “skyway” transport system, which will become operational within three years, Himachal Pradesh Urban Development Minister Sudhir Sharma said. Sharma said the feasibility of a high-speed “skyway link” between Dharamsala and Shimla was

also being studied. The minister was speaking here on the eve of signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Himachal Pradesh government and Belarus-based company Skyway Technologies. Sharma said a 15-kilometre stretch had been identified in Dharamsala where work would start in the next two-to-three

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months. “The plan is to complete all formalities over the next couple of months and then immediately start work on the project,” he said. Skyway is an elevated lightrail transportation system with suspended carbon-fibre cars moving at high speed on steel rails. Sharma added that skyway technology was ideal for the hilly terrain in Himachal Pradesh,

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INDIA ABROAD

Australian visa policy changes 20

12 May 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

won't affect Indians much: Envoy

fter Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced last month that he will be abolishing the existing 457 Visa programme, currently used by temporary foreign workers to gain employment, the country's High Commissioner to India Harinder Sidhu said that she did not expect the move to affect Indians much. Speaking at a media interaction organised by the Indian Women's Press Corps here, Sidhu said the move to abolish the 457 Visa programme was aimed to ensure that people who come to Australia should be properly qualified. The 457 Visa programme is used mainly to hire foreign workers in the restaurant, IT and medical industries and the majority of such visa holders came from India, Britain and China. Turnbull's statement, coming days after he visited New Delhi, caused a lot of consternation in India. According to government

statistics, 95,758 people were living in Australia under 457 Visa programme last year, with the highest proportion coming from India (24.6 per cent), followed by Britain (19.5 per cent) and China (5.8 per cent). Sidhu said that most of the Indian 457 Visa holders work in the IT sector and, given the "great shortage" of IT workers in her country, "we expect Indians to continue to qualify" for Australian visas. She said that the number of student visas issued to Indians has also continued to rise over the last three years. From 46,000 student visas issued in 2014, the number rose to 53,000 in 2015 and to over 60,000 in 2017, the High Commissioner said. As for incidents of racism in Australia, Sidhu, who is a person of Indian origin, said that Australia was "one of the most successful multicultural societies" with people from 120 countries. "There is a policy of zero tolerance at all levels of government

(on racism)," she said. In this connection, she also pointed out that 48 per cent of Australia's total population of 24 million are first and second generation migrants. As for India-Australia ties, the High Commissioner said that both countries shared "a fairly strong bilateral relationship". She said that during Prime Minister Turnbull's visit to India last month, he and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi agreed to "add fresh momentum" to the bilateral ties. Stating that both countries shared common strategic and security interests, Sidhu said that military ties were growing in numbers, "notably bilateral naval exercises". She also said that both countries shared a "strong economic relationship" while mentioning that Modi and Turnbull have agreed to "move forward" on the proposed Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).

High Commissioner to India Harinder Sidhu

SPORTS

Rohit, Shami back as selectors back Dhoni for Champions Trophy defence

as it has shaped up well in the last four months. he fit-again duo of Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami was recalled to "May be, one place here and there. But this the 15-member India squad for next is the best side." On including Ashwin month's ICC Champions Trophy, as the cricket without testing him in a match situation, selectors also reposed their faith on talismanic Prasad said the Chennai tweaker's injury wicketkeeper-batsman's abilities. was not serious and he merely required some rest. BCCI's chairman of selectors M.S.K. Prasad had no hesitations in calling the "The injury was not serious. The former India skipper "the best stumper" (IPL) franchise was magnanimous in the world despite his erratic run enough to listen to our request to rest with the willow in the ongoing Indian him. Rest is what Ashwin required as the Premier League (IPL). last game that India played, he was there. That shows he is fit and not like others "We all believe that he is still the who are getting rehabilitated after best wicket-keeper in the world. surgery," Prasad said. He is invaluable to the team in terms of inputs," Prasad told The chief selector also responded reporters after BCCI joint in the negative when asked if skipper secretary Amitabh Choudhary Kohli or all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja announced the Virat Kohlineeded some rest from the IPL, l e d squad. considering their respective teams are out of the race to the IPL play-offs. While "He is the best person to Virat's Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are g u i d e Virat. In the past 10at the bottom of the standings, Jadeja's Gujarat plus years that I have seen when Lions are two spots above RCB at sixth. he has played for India, he has never had a bad day as far as gloves are "Virat didn't play the last Test (against concerned. The phenomenal performance Australia) and also the first few matches he puts in behind the wicket, nobody â&#x20AC;&#x153;We in IPL. The more he plays, it is better looks at that," he added. respect IPL but for him. We have also given Jadeja in the longer format, a break. (But) considering how Besides Rohit and Shami, offwe have to also consider fit he is, it wasn't a problem," spinner Ravichandran Ashwin the English conditions that he said. also made his way back after a we are playing in. Not just brief injury lay-off. While an in-form Gautam IPL but one needs to take Gambhir failed to grab the While Rohit sustained into account the perforattention of the selectors, a thigh injury during the mance of last one year the other senior members One Day International (ODI) also in such a big -- Suresh Raina and Dinesh series against New Zealand in tournament.â&#x20AC;? Karthik -- were, however, kept as October last year Shami's last standby players alongside the young appearance in ODIs was in the 2015 trio of Rishabh Pant, Shardul Thakur and World Cup semi-finals. Ashwin, who suffered Kuldeep Yadav. a sports hernia, was also advised six-to-eight weeks of rehabilitation after a gruelling Test "As of now, we have picked Shikhar series against Australia. With no surprises in the Dhawan and Rohit Sharma as openers and team, Prasad said it was easy to pick the squad Ajinkya Rahane is the back-up opener,"

Prasad replied when asked about Gambhir. The stand-by players will be issued visas and will practise at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, Prasad said. Explaining the reason behind Pant and Kuldeep's omission, Prasad said: "We are completely impressed with Rishabh Pant. But he missed out because of squad combination. We will groom him for the future." "We respect IPL but in the longer format, we have to also consider the English conditions that we are playing in. Not just IPL but one needs to take into account the performance of last one year also in such a big tournament," Prasad said. The eight-team tournament will be played in June, with defending champions India pooled with South Africa, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Group B. India will start their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 4.

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Mother’s day: What working mothers say ¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD

other’s Day is a day for many people to show their appreciation towards mothers and motherly figures worldwide. Often in our endeavour to appreciate mothers on this day, we inundate them with choicest gifts, and telling them how much we value them in our lives. This year Indian Weekender thought to do something differently and hear from mothers, instead of telling them how much they are valued about how they manage to do things for which they are so valued. Celebrated in over 40 countries, Mother’s Day honours the mothers for their love, sacrifice and the bond they share with their children. Be a single mother, a homemaker, or a working mother, motherhood is challenging and yet an enchanting experience for a woman. Like homemakers, working women face a further challenge of creating a balance in work, life and giving time to their children. New Zealand will celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 14. Indian Weekender spoke to some of the working mothers in Auckland who shared glimpses of their journey being a proud mother, managing work and children.

Sabitra Hari Kandel, Indian takeaway owner

extracurricular activities, prepping meals and just making sure we as parents spend time with our boys. I have to be organised and plan my days and months in order to overcome these challenges. One thing I have learned being a working mother is finding patience in all aspects of life, and motherhood has given me an entirely different perspective of life.

being a mother is being able to “give” that unconditional love.

Akshita Nama, Retail manager

Ella Kumar, Local Board member and health and wellbeing promoter

have two children, nine and 12 years old. As they are growing up fast, keeping up with their pace of need gets quite challenging at times, but it also gives me a sense of satisfaction and completes my day. Like many working mothers, I have to get them prepared for school, make sure they take their meals on time, they get adequate outdoor sports time, study time and I get to spend some quality time with them.

Vandana Patel, Real estate agent

n a daily basis, the challenges of being a working parent are many like managing time between work and pick-up/drop-offs, their sports commitments,

Mother's Day around the world

otherhood is challenging. The feelings of giving in to anything the children say or want, especially while working, it is easy just to say yes to them then, but there are always consequences that follow. So separating their demands and requirements is important. To make an instant decision that is right for them in our stressed and overworked life is quite a challenge. Nevertheless, I do enjoy being a working mother, it is also a stress buster for me, speaking to them and spending time with them is bliss. The one thing I enjoy about

am very lucky that I have my parents and my in-laws who look after my boys while I work. At the same time I miss them a lot and have a sense of guilt always that I could be there for them more. I think the best part of being a mother is seeing your children grow and learn. It’s exciting to see what their personalities are going to be, what their interests are going to be. Nothing compares to the smiles and laughter of your children, it can brighten the worst of days. I love being able to devote myself to the growth of my children, where you come last, being a mum makes you realise how much potential a woman has and how much we can really do. I want to be home to see my boys grow but at the same time i want them to see their mum working so that they know that a women can do anything..

The special day in the honour of the most important woman in our life, Mother’s Day, is celebrated in several countries around the world in different ways. Not that we need a special day to thank and love her, but this is an ocassion when you can make her—the woman who is tirelessly working 24x7 to make you happy—feel special, and express your love and affection. If you are looking for ideas on how to make this day special for the most precious woman of your life, here are a few ideas from around the world for some inspiration. flag is hoisted on every house and important South Africa India New Zealand

other's Day Celebration in India are slowly catching! The concept of celebrating Mothers Day on the second Sunday of May is very new in India and it can be said that in a time span of less than a decade, Mothers Day has been a great success. Time to Reflect and Rejoice Just as in the West, Indians too take Mothers Day as a time too reflect on the importance of mothers in their life. They take it is time to think about all the pains their mother took while they were sick, the hardships she went through in bringing them up and all the sacrifices she made so that they lead a better life. Mothers Day is the time to say a big thank you to mother for all this and for being a constant guiding force in our lives. In India, people send cards to their mamas on Mother’s Day. Make a meal for Mothers so that she can have a days rest from the kitchen. Tradition of giving gifts on Mothers Day is also rampant. The whole idea of celebrating Mother’s Day is to thank mother, to make her feel important on the day and be happy about mothering caring children. Mothers should be pampered on the day by children and on the whole should be given a happy Mothers Day.

In New Zealand Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in the month of May. The festival of Mother’s Day has turned out to be a big day for the people of New Zealand. There is a big euphoria over the day and people celebrate the day by going out for picnics and dinners. Markets see a busy time as people make it a point to buy gifts for their mothers, grand mothers and friends and relatives who are mothers. Flowers and cards business particularly flourish at this time of the year. People also indulge their mothers by treating them with breakfast in bed and baking a Mother’s Day special cakes for them. Some also like to give their mother a day’s rest from the kitchen and household chores and treat them with a spa or beauty treatment.

USA In USA Mothers Day is a national holiday and is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and gaiety. On this day people reflect on the importance of mothers in their life and thank them for their unconditional love and support. Mothers and children in USA look forward to celebrate the day with each other. Besides, in United States the national

buildings on the occasion of Mother's Day to honour motherhood and the mothers of the country.

Australia In Australia, Mothers Day is celebrated with lot of enthusiasm and joy. It falls on the on the second Sunday in the month of May and is celebrated in a similar fashion as in US. People of Australia take Mothers Day as an opportunity to express gratitude to their mother. Children show love to their moms by gifting flowers and cards to them. Just as in US there is a tradition of wearing carnation on Mothers Day in Australia. A coloured carnation signifies that a person's mother is living while a white carnation is used to honour a deceased mother. \Besides their own mother’s children honour their grandmothers and other women who love and care for them as a mother does. Children ponder over the role of mothers in their lives and acknowledge the hardships their mother go through while raising them up. As a mark of respect children pamper their mother on Mothers Day by treating them with breakfast on bed and with gifts and cakes.

In South Africa, Mothers Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in the month of May. People of South Africa celebrate Mother's Day in its true spirit by acknowledging the importance of mothers in their lives and thanking them profusely for all their love and care. People also gift flowers and cards to their mother as an expression of their heartfelt feeling of gratitude and affection. The most commonly used flowers on Mothers Day is the traditional carnation. People wear red or pink carnation for the mothers who are living while white carnation is used as a symbol of mothers who are dead. In South Africa, Mother's Day is taken as an opportunity to thank not just mothers but also grandmothers and women who are like mothers.

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www.iwk.co.nz | 12 May 2017

May 12 to May 18 | By Manisha Koushik ¡¡ Aries (Mar 21-Apr 20)

¡¡ Cancer (Jun 22-Jul 20) You may need some time out to relax and rejuvenate, so take a break! Those ailing are likely to be on the road to recovery. There is a need to adopt a daily routine and stick to it to preserve health. Ups and downs on the business front cannot be ruled out for some. Support of family will encourage you to take up a challenge. Accompanying someone for an out of town trip cannot be ruled out.

Lucky Number- 17 / Lucky Colour- White

Lucky Number- 1 / Lucky Colour- Peach

¡¡Taurus (Apr 21-May 20)

¡¡ Leo (Jul 21-Aug 22)

You may have to keep on the right side of those who matter at work. Those separated from home can feel homesick. Don’t get too much concerned about workplace competition, as your work speaks for itself. Money will pose no problems, but you must get into the habit of saving. Home front will be most inviting for rest and relaxation this weekend. It can take an effort for some to bring romance back into their lives! Lucky Number- 7 / Lucky Colour- Cream

¡¡ Gemini (May 21-Jun 21)

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

¡¡ Libra (Sep 24-Oct 23)

You will have to stick to what is promised, if you want to prosper in your field of expertise. This week things may not go right on the professional front. Your comments about someone may not go down well with him or her. Break up in a relationship is foretold for some. Don’t try out a new vehicle in busy traffic. Some of you can get embroiled in a legal battle over property. A cash crunch needs to be overcome.

You may have to deal with a situation this week that you have not encountered before. Keeping your professional front in order will be an ample proof of your efficiency at work. Someone in the family expects you to loosen your purse strings, so don’t disappoint. A social event may give you an opportunity to meet new people. Encouraging signs appear for the eligible on the marriage front. A journey you want to undertake is likely to materialise soon. Lucky Number- 2 / Lucky Colour- Pink

¡¡ Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)

¡¡ Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 21) You may have to hire someone to share your workload, so start thinking on those lines. Freelancers and contract workers will manage to make clients agree to their terms and conditions. You may get involved in arranging something on the family front. Falling in love is a strong possibility as you get serious about someone from the opposite camp. A personal job may entail a lot of travelling, so be ready for it. Good health is foreseen. Lucky Number- 8 / Lucky Colour- Electric Grey

¡¡ Aquarius (Jan 22-Feb 19)

Lucky Number- 9 / Lucky Colour- Cream

Visiting new places to enjoy new experiences is on the cards, but don’t overdo it. Someone may be planning to take you out for a meal, so remain available! On the work front, you are likely to reap rich dividends with minimum efforts. Financially, all your worries are likely to disappear. You may remain surrounded by relations and friends. News of someone homecoming may add to your excitement. Romantic front will remain warm and cosy, so rejoice!

You will need to be on the forefront in whatever you undertake to get noticed. This is an excellent time to showcase your talents on the professional front for furthering your career. You will be able to raise money for something specific without any problems. Bidding adieu to a recurring health problem is possible for some. Planning an outing together with family is on the cards and will be exciting. A property matter will be resolved amicably.

¡¡ Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 23)

Lucky Number- 15 / Lucky Colour- Green

Lucky Number- 22 / Lucky Colour- Dark Slate Grey

Slow progress of something important may frustrate you, but not for long. Some worry on the family front can trouble you. Your love life may hit a bad patch and it will be up to you to set it right. Stability is likely to be achieved on the professional front. It may be difficult to find a solution to depleting financial resources. Investment options may appear confusing.

¡¡ Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)

¡¡ Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20)

You will have to give priority to something, before it becomes an albatross around your neck. Chances of owning a house of your own look bright for some. You may get the feeling that the tasks given to you at work are serving no purpose. A decision on the home front regarding a family youngster will have to be taken quickly. Your romantic moves will be fully reciprocated by partner.

An issue regarding someone in the family is likely to become clear soon. You will find this week fruitful on the professional front. Those feeling a bit under the weather on the health front may show improvement. Those staying away due to professional compulsions may manage to pay a quick visit. You are likely to find love where you least expect it. Setting out early on a journey is advised. Don’t reject an offer coming your way.

Someone may make you do something extra at work this week, but take it in your stride. A social gathering may find you in the spotlight. Fame and recognition comes to you from work on the professional front. Financial worries become a thing of the past as money comes from various sources. Going in for a lifestyle change at this juncture will find you fitter and more energetic. Family will be loving and supportive of your ideas.

You may not have the confidence to do a task alone, so don’t shy away from taking help. Tremendous improvement is foreseen for those suffering from an ailment. On the professional front, you will have time on your hands to complete what had been pending for long. Those looking for a quick buck are likely to grab every opportunity they can lay their hands on. Family togetherness will prove immensely fulfilling and help create a happy home environment.

Lucky Number- 11 / Lucky Colour- Lavender

Lucky Number- 3 / Lucky Colour- Dark Yellow

Lucky Number- 5 / Lucky Colour- Parrot Green

Lucky Number- 4 / Lucky Colour- Blue

Going beyond religious conflict ¡¡ SADHGURU, ISHA FOUNDATION

he moment man became religious it should have been the end of all conflict, but unfortunately, everywhere in the world, religion has become the main source of conflict. This has taken the maximum number of lives and caused the maximum amount of pain on the planet for thousands of years. This is only because people believe in something that is not a reality for them. Somebody believes in something, somebody else believes in something else, and naturally conflict cannot be avoided. Today or tomorrow they are going to fight. They may avoid conflict for some time, but some day they will fight. As long as you believe that only your way is right, and somebody else believes his way is right, you are bound to fight. Though all religions started as an inward path, over time they have gotten twisted up and have simply became a set of beliefs. Though all religions have taught about the value of a human life, for the sake of the same religion, today people are willing to take each other’s lives. Unfortunately, much pain and conflict has risen in this planet

because of this. This basic problem has not been properly addressed. People are always trying to do patch up jobs between one group and the other, but they do not last for long and somewhere conflict will arise— the basis being, people only believe in something, something which is not yet a reality for them. If you come down to reality, it is the same reality for everybody, no matter what religious background you come from. When you come to belief, each group has their own belief of what is right and what is wrong, what is true and what is false. You believe

would like to call it, by approaching it either through the body, the mind, emotion, or through inner energies. These are the only four realities that you know. Everything else is imagined. Everything else has been taught to you. These are the four basic ways of yoga. If the body is used for growth, it is karma yoga. If the mind or intelligence is used, it is gnana yoga. If emotion– love and devotion, are used, then it is bhakti yoga. If you transform your energies and grow, it is kriya yoga. This is just like referring to head, “Yoga heart, hands and energy. is about ‘I am That is what you willing to change are; that is what every myself.’ This is not human being is. about wanting to in things that you Nobody is all head, change the world; have not seen and or all heart, or all you are willing to experienced. This has hands, or all energy, change.” become the basis of all they are a combination conflict. of these four dimensions. The basic purpose of yoga So if a person has to grow, he has always been to pursue religion needs a combination of these four as an experience, as an inner paths of bhakti, gnana, kriya and experience, not as a belief. karma. All the four need to be Do not start with any belief; start there in your life, only then there looking inward. Whatever is true, is growth. Only then there is a experience it and go further. possibility of reaching the ultimate Approach it as a science, not as nature. Otherwise we have groups a belief. In yoga, we just see that and groups– quarrelling groups fundamentally a human being can everywhere. Spiritually, there grow or reach their ultimate nature, is nothing happening. Unless God or the divine, or whatever you something of true value happens

within a person, nothing of tremendous value can be done in the external world. Whatever you do, it is only your quality that you are going to spread. Whether you like it or not, this is the reality. Who you are is what you are going to spread everywhere. If you are concerned about the world, the first thing is that you must be willing to transform yourself. Yoga is about ‘I am willing to change myself.’ This is not about wanting to change the world; you are willing to change. When you say, ‘I want everybody else to change,’ only conflict will occur. Only when you are willing to change, a change can really happen in this world. It is this selftransformation that will lead to true wellbeing for the individual and society. This is a true revolution. Isha New Zealand conducts free monthly Isha Kriya meditation practice and Upa yoga for public. For more information, contact 0221099771 or visit www. ishafoundation.org. Ranked amongst the fifty most influential people in India, Sadhguru is a yogi, mystic, visionary and bestselling author. Sadhguru has been conferred the “Padma Vibhushan” by the Government of India in 2017, the highest civilian award of the year, accorded for exceptional and distinguished service. http://isha.sadhguru.org/

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Virtuality Reality wows Auckland

12 May 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

11 surprising home remedies for constipation The cure for constipation may be as close as your kitchen! Try these natural cures for quick relief

Sesame seeds Lemon water The citric acid in lemon juice acts as a stimulant to your digestive system and can help flush toxins from your body. Squeeze fresh lemon juice into a glass of water every morning, or add lemon to tea; you may find that the refreshingly tart water not only acts as a natural remedy to your constipation but also that it helps you drink more water each day, which will improve your long-term digestion.

¡¡ @MAHESH

have been hearing about virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) for far too long. What seemed like a fascinating but far-fetched, straight-from-sci-fi stuff, took painfully long to turn into something tangible and exciting. Today, with all the major tech companies worth its salt—from Google, Facebook to HP, HTC—getting in the play, the segment seems to explode with new possibilities and potential. Virtual Reality has come to be regarded as one of the most disruptive technology with phenomenal growth potential. According to a report by Goldman Sachs, VR/AR revenues are predicted to surpass the TV market, making it an $80 billion dollar industry. Recently, Auckland got to play with some of these exciting technology at Magnify AR/VR Expo Summit 2017 on May 7-8. A part of the Techweek 2017, the exhibition showcased some real cool demos and the technology that had people queuing up to experience. Founded and organised by Matt Coleman, the Skycity Convention Centre that hosted the summit, was thronged by technology enthusiasts, gamers and just-curious computer geeks. Even the Prime Minister Bill English was captured taking a taste of Virtual Reality when he tried out an HTC Vive. Over 100 events were organised as a part of the Techweek throughout New Zealand. The idea behind the summit is not just to educate and create awareness about the technologies but also explore practical solutions for the industry and provide a platform for creative and technology professionals to network and develop new work. Prominent names among the sponsors and exhibitors were Air NZ, HP, Fulldome, BendVR, Joyful Immersive eXperience, Samsung, and Staples VR.

I too took my son along who is an avid gamer, and it was like a candy store for him. He kept queuing up at all the stalls battling aliens, playing cricket, riding a roller coaster or just fishing. Needless to say, he loved the experience. The second day of the summit had keynote session and talks from renowned content developers, hardware manufacturers and thought-leaders from all around the world. It tried to help understand that VR and AR will not only be limited to gaming or entertainment but also become a major part of our day-to-day life and a driving technology in industries as diverse as healthcare, education, and research. Some of the technologies that wowed the attendees were Fulldome Pro and Omen by HP among others.

The oily composition of sesame seeds works to moisturize the intestines, which can help if dry stools are a problem. Add the seeds to cereals or salads for crunch, or pulverize them in a coffee grinder and sprinkle on food like a seasoning. This home remedy for constipation is a favorite of Amish and Chinese folk healers.

Molasses One tablespoon of blackstrap molasses before bed should help ease your constipation by morning. Blackstrap molasses is boiled and concentrated three times, so it has significant vitamins and minerals; magnesium in particular will help relieve your constipation.

Fulldome Pro

Coffee Coffee can stimulate your colon and speed up your trip to the bathroom. Other hot drinks work too: Herbal tea or a cup of hot water with a little lemon juice (a natural laxative) or honey may stimulate your colon as well. Coffee is also a diuretic, however, so make sure to keep drinking water or your constipation could become worse.

Raisins Fiber

Fulldome Pro was founded in 2010 and is the global leader offering an immersive dome experience. The technology can connect up to 64 projectors, play up to 8K 360 content right from a single server with extremely precise calibration. Headquartered in Los Angeles, USA Fulldome Pro has over 200 employees with regional offices in Thailand, China, India, Brazil and Russia. Having partnered on nearly 300 projects worldwide, Fulldome Pro excels at designing new concepts for the dome and creating immersive digital art.

Fiber acts like a pipe cleaner, scrubbing food and waste particles from your digestive tract and soaking up water. It adds bulk to your stool, giving the muscles of your GI tract something to grab on to, so they can keep food moving along. Aim for 20 to 35 grams of fiber a day to stay regular. Foods particularly high in fiber include bran cereals, beans, lentils, oatmeal, almonds, barley, many vegetables, and fresh and dried fruits. If you’re constipated and taking in additional fiber, be sure to drink more water than usual to keep your stool soft and easy to pass.

Prunes

Mint or ginger tea

HP Omen HP is quite serious about gaming. Through Omen, HP has collaborated with experts to offer the ultimate in virtual reality. With the latest VR systems and an OMEN PC, the platform offers a seamless out-of-the-box experience. There were many other cool games' demos, including one by NZ Fire service which showcased immersive 'Escape My House’ project via Samsung Oculus headset. All in all a great experience which left us all wanting for more.

High in fiber, raisins also contain tartaric acid, which has a laxative effect. In one study, doctors determined that panelists who ate 4 1/2 ounces of raisins (one small box) per day had their digested food make it through the digestive track in half the time it took other subjects who did not. Cherries and apricots are also rich in fiber and can help kick your constipation. Eat these fruits with a bowl of yogurt for the added benefits of gut-soothing probiotics.

Mint and ginger are both proven home remedies to help alleviate a slew of digestive problems. Peppermint contains menthol, which has an antispasmodic effect that relaxes the muscles of the digestive tract. Ginger is a “warming” herb that causes the inside of the body to generate more heat; herbalists say this can help speed up sluggish digestion. In tea, the hot water will also stimulate digestion and help relieve constipation. Dandelion tea is also a gentle laxative and detoxifier.

These fiber-rich fruits are a go-to home remedy for getting your digestion back on track. Three prunes have 3 grams of fiber, and they also contain a compound that triggers the intestinal contraction that makes you want to go. Another great dried fruit choice is figs, which may not cause as much bloating as prunes.

Exercise Even a daily 15-minute walk can help move food through your bowel more quickly. If you feel sleepy after a heavy meal, try to move around instead of lying down. Jumpstarting the digestive process can help you avoid that painfully full feeling that often follows a large meal.

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12 May 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz

Winter wakey: Fashion tips for the season

¡¡ AKANKSHA MEHRA

Reusing your summer wear in the winter means double the clothes. Woopie! Try teaming those summer dresses or dungarees with turtle necks like below[image]. If you are too committed to fight the cold then a pair of tights is always helpful under a dress.

aking up on a dark dingy winter morning can be daunting. To make things tougher, dressing up for work can be a task. This is when it is tempting to wear black leggings, black top, black coat, black hoodie, black boots and rush to work. Being cosy and looking slim was never easier, right? But wearing colour can make your Monday morning and life cheerful. Follow the following tips to pep up your winter style this season.

Coloured puffer jackets: Puffer jackets are a staple for New Zealand winter. The only piece of everyday clothing which keeps you warm, protects you from the inclement wind and unforeseen rain. Try going for bright coloured jackets like blue, purple or green which will keep you warm and trendy. The good ol’ boots: Keep your feet high and dry with never-tobe-underestimated power of boots. Velvet boots are trending this season. Colours like red, blue and metallic have also made their way swiftly. Don’t forget to cuff your jeans a roll up to show off those killer ankle boots. Get a sweatdress: Who doesn’t love a chic easy-to-wear-anywhere kind of dress! This is exactly what a sweatdress is. This piece will keep you warm while accentuating your silhouette. You could choose a cold shoulder, halter neck or simple version of this dress and pair it with flats, pumps, shoes or boots to compliment with. As resourceful as it could get!

Winter scarves: Try adding a splash of colour with colourful scarves. Invest in pastel colours like pink, orange, peach and turquoise which are versatile and mesh to take your look a notch higher whilst keeping the winter at bay.

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