Veteran actor
28 APRIL2017
Vinod Khanna
passes away
Vol. 9 • Issue 6
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www.iwk.co.nz | 28 April 2017
Aggravated robbery victim
3
demands ‘interim relief’ from insurance ¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH
T
he victim of Crown Superette aggravated robbery, which has left a dairy shop owner and his wife badly injured and out of work for the last 43 days is demanding some “interim relief ” from their insurance provider to keep their business “alive.” The fact that the crime prevention group - the community group formed immediately after this aggravated assault is planning to organise a public protest march (read the full story on page 5 and indianweekender.co.nz) next Sunday, April 30, asks for a quick revisit on the current situation of the store owners. A group of seven teenagers had barged in and assaulted the husband-wife duo Jitesh and Preeti Arora at the Crown Superette in Mt Roskill with baseball bats and iron rods on the early morning of Sunday, March 12. Jitesh Arora was badly hurt while trying to shield his wife and had received four successive surgeries since then. The attack had then incensed the community to the extent that a community action group was formed with a stated goal of raising voice against the rising menace of youth crime, in particular on the
Robbery victim Jitesh Arora
small businesses and members of the community. Indian Weekender found the local Mt Roskill business still closed, a good 43 days after the attack suggesting that worst nightmares of the owner’s family that they “might not able to open their business again” might be coming to true. The husband-wife duos that are the only working members of their family and had worked seven days a week in their dairy business before the attack has no other means to reopen and run their business. The bills and cost associated with the business are running unabated with many service providers already knocking at their doorsteps for debt-collection - a situation sincerely despised by the store owners and their families.
“What do you think we cannot pay this amount?” asks an agitated family member Raj Chopra. “Both Jitesh and Preeti are a hard working couple and have always paid their bills, mortgage, and other liabilities associated with the business. “You can check with their banks and financial institutions about their credit history. “But now the fact that after bearing the physical pain of the assault they have to bear the pain of a wrecked credit history is appalling,” lamented Mr Chopra. However, owners have received some respite from this situation after a story appeared in New Zealand Herald earlier this week and the concerned service providers (read electricity and Efptos) chose to budge from their stated position and withdrew disconnection notices. Many kind hearted members of public have also come forward as reported by New Zealand Herald to help the bashed couple. Indian Weekender also spoke with some concerned and generous customers of Crown Superette earlier on Monday, April 24, who dropped by the half open shop when Indian Weekender’s team was visiting to inspect the amount of financial loss suffered by the
business. One such concerned customer Borris Brown, who lives locally in Mt Roskill and has been a frequent visitor to the shop expressed his “unhappiness and anguish” about the assault, and the delay in recovery and rehabilitation of the friendly dairy owners. “I do not feel good as I have to go elsewhere for my milk, my bread, my lotto ticket and other small supplies. “Really sad about what happened, not happy about it... I don’t think anyone is,” Mr Brown said. Another passerby who dropped in the half open shop out of sheer curiosity about the fate of the owners and the business told Indian Weekender that he was overseas when this disgusting assault happened and was worried about owners. The gentleman who chose to remain anonymous was, however, keen to help the owners and was directed to a Givealittle page created earlier by some generous donors to help the couple. Meanwhile, the victim Jitesh Arora had expressed anguish and frustration about the delay and bureaucratic apathy in providing immediate relief by their insurance providers. “I am not getting any help
whatsoever from my insurance provider. All the stuff that was robbed including cigarettes and other stuff that has expired due to business remaining closed needs to be replaced before we can open the business,” Mr Arora lamented. Apparently, this bureaucratic delay from the insurance providers is pushing the troubled owners to bankruptcy as they struggle to reopen their business. The business is losing approximately $3800 to $4000 worth of business every week by remaining non-operational according to the owners. “Right now all we are hearing from them is send this paper or that paper without any actual help arriving even 43 days after the day of the assault,” a visibly frustrated Mr Chopra said. “Wouldn’t it be nice if the insurance company can at least provide us with some interim relief while they investigate further so as to allow us to start our business and get back on our lives,” pleads Mr Chopra. Explaining “interim relief,” further Mr Chopra said that “insurance company could provide an agreed amount of lump sum for us to replace the damaged good and pay for two workers to assist in opening the business.”
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Labour Party again shies away from giving accurate ‘numbers’ on immigration L ¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH
abour Party leader Andrew Little is calling for a further reduction in immigration numbers, though once again shying away from giving accurate numbers of migrants that the Party would like to bring in New Zealand. In a media statement released on Wednesday, April 26, Andrew Little is saying that the “latest figures showing another record year for immigration underline the need for an urgent rethink on how this country can continue to absorb so many people.” Mr Little’s media statement was in response to the latest revelation from Statistics NZ about the record surge in net immigration. As per latest data released by Statistics New Zealand today, the migrant arrivals in March 2017 have swelled to a new annual record of 129,500. Migrant departures were 57,600 in the 12 months to March 2017. This led to a record annual net gain in the migration of 71,900, which surpasses the previous annual record net gain of 71,300 migrants in the February 2017 year. “New Zealand needs immigrants and is all the better for the skills and rich culture they bring. But now, more than ever, we need to pause and rethink our current settings. We need to ensure the people arriving have the skills we need and that our cities can cope with any increase in numbers. “Nearly half – 35,772 – decided to live in Auckland putting the city under even more pressure. That’s 4,500 more people than for the same period the year before and equates to demand for about 12,000 homes alone.
Labour Party leader Andrew Little
Auckland only built around 7,000 homes last year. “We can’t continue to bring so many people into our biggest city which is already suffering from traffic congestion, overcrowded schools and soaring house prices,” Mr Little said. There is nothing new in this anti-immigration rhetoric in the election year after brushing off recent proposed changes in immigration policy by the government last week as mere “tinkering.” “Labour will reduce immigration numbers, better match migrants with the skills our industries need, accelerate investment in vital infrastructure and build the houses that a growing population needs,” Mr Little said. However, Mr Little and the Labour Party still need to come up with accurate numbers
on immigrants before the elections that their party seeks to bring in the country. In a recent appearance on The Morning Show on Newshub, Mr Little has stopped short of giving a precise figure on immigration numbers after stating that a Labour government would cut tens of thousands of immigrants from coming into the country. It is apparent that the Labour Party is playing safe before elections this year by just beating the drum on record levels of net immigration without coming up with accurate numbers and appropriate strategies, if any, to temper the unprecedented levels of ‘internal migration to Auckland city’. It is important to understand that the record level of net migration to New Zealand per se, is not fuelling the current popular anti-immigration sentiments that all political parties are seeking to ride; instead, it is the record numbers of arrivals in Auckland – the New Zealand’s largest city which is creating the major stir. The current antiimmigration narrative is largely dominated by pressures on Auckland’s infrastructure such as traffic chaos, fuelling house prices and pouring sewage into the harbour, whereas businesses and industries mainly based outside Auckland such as wine, horticulture, fishing and construction still struggle to get employable workforce. Many industry representatives and advocacy groups are already echoing these sentiments. “In many rural areas there are just aren’t New Zealanders to employ, and in a lot
of cases, when farmers seek applicants from Work and Income NZ, no-one is put forward for the job,” says Andrew Hoggard, a National Board member of Federated Farmers – a leading independent rural advocacy organisation. “In that instance, I’m concerned about the prospect of a migrant being forced to leave after three years, after they have worked hard to develop a core set of skills, just for the farmer to have to employee another migrant because there were no New Zealanders available,” Mr Hoggard said. Similarly, Aged Care Association chief executive Simon Wallace has also casted aspersions on the ability of their industry to recruit employable workforce after the recent changes in work visa are implemented as reported by Radio NZ earlier this week. Against this backdrop, it is not altogether incorrect to expect all political parties, including the National and the Labour Party to stop running amok with immigration numbers callously which may affect New Zealand’s long term growth. Immigration means money for the country apart from valuable skilled workforce and cultural diversity, as new immigrants bring more taxable income and spendable dollars in the economy which boosts overall growth. The record migration numbers has played an important and an undeniable part in steering New Zealand’ economy from the global economic turndown and shoving away those numbers purely on whim may not be best decision for the country’s long term growth.
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www.iwk.co.nz | 28 April 2017
Crime Prevention Group plans a
5
protest march against increasing crime ¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH
T
he crime prevention group – a community action group, formed last month in Auckland after a violent attack on a couple managing a dairy store in Mt Roskill, which had left them badly injured, is planning to organise a public protest march on Sunday, April 30, at Manukau. The protest is against the rising spate of crime on the small businesses and communities. “We need to send a very strong message to the government on the issue of rising crime. “In the last 30 days there had been more than 14 incidents of robbery and aggravated attacks, and the situation is not getting any better,” says Sunny Kaushal, the lead organiser of crime prevention group. Earlier in February this year, the government has announced an increase in police numbers and the Police Commissioner Mike Bush had already declared where those new appointees would be deployed. Crime Prevention group is arguing that it is too little and too late. “The police numbers that the government is talking about are not going to hit the ground before next four years, and we need action now,” Mr Kaushal asserts. The public protest planned this weekend is aiming to demand more police patrols in the community and more powers for the police. “The fact that young offenders in our communities have an absolute disregard of the police and about possible consequences of their actions is a big question mark on our police and legal system,” Mr Kaushal further argues.
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The crime prevention group is seeking a review of the law based on the fact that the nature of crime have changed in today’s globalised world and these changed realities should be adequately reflected in New Zealand’s current legal system. The group has initiated a public petition for the review of law and demand of allocating more powers to New Zealand police and is aiming to collect public signatures of more than 10,000 residents. As of now, the group claims to have gathered a support of around 5000-6000 members of the public. “The petition is really getting a strong response, and members of the public are coming forward to support this petition for a strong law. “We have got the support of five to six thousand people, and it is still going strong. “We are expecting more signatures and support on the day of protest on April 30,” Mr Kaushal told Indian Weekender.
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28 April 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz
Auckland looks forward Bay of Plenty team to a musical evening wins the Kabaddi finals P
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
T
he Kabaddi Season 2017 organised by the New Zealand Kabaddi Federation concluded on Sunday, April 23 with the Bay of Plenty team lifting the champion’s trophy. The 12th edition of the Kabaddi Cup commenced on March 19 with 11 clubs from around North Island competing for the title. The matches of the last tournament of the 2017 season were held at Sri Kalgidhar Sahib Gurudwara sports ground in Takanini organised by Malwa Sports Club. More than 3,000 people attended the tournament on the final day and cheered their respective teams. The four teams that made into the semi-finals were Kalgidhar Sports Club, Punjab Kesri Sports Club, Bay of Plenty Sports Club and Waikato Sports Club. The Bay of Plenty Sports Club defeated the Kalgidhar Sports Club of Auckland in the final match winning the championship title.
Over the years Kabaddi has gained immense popularity across the globe, and New Zealand too hosts a number of tournaments every year. This year 24 players were invited from India to be a part of the Kabaddi season, two for each team. Labour Party Leader Andrew Little and Mayor of Auckland Phil Goff were present on the occasion to witness the Kabaddi tournament. Both the guests, Mr Little and Mr Goff, met the Kabaddi teams and the spectators present on the ground. “It’s the first time I have seen this match of Kabaddi; I was very intrigued. It looks like a combination of Bull Rush and Rugby,” Mr Little told Indian Weekender. Bunty, Major and Gunji from the Bay of Plenty Sports Club were awarded as the players of the tournament. (Kabaddi players are recognised by their short names). Auckland Mayor Phil Goff acknowledged the players and the crowd and cheered the Auckland team who were competing in the final match.
andit Ravi Shankarji once said, “There are thousands of ragas, and they are all connected with different times of the day, like sunrise or night or sunset. It is all based on 72 of what we call mela or scales. And we have principally nine moods, ranging from peacefulness to praying, or the feeling of emptiness you get by sitting by the ocean.” Most of us have grown up listening to various forms of music that has always been very close to our heart. Music keeps our society well connected and helps us embrace our diversities. Some may like old hindi songs where as some may like the new ones. Irrespective of where we live today, music is something that has always brought us all close to each other. One such evening to connect us with each other will be held in Auckland on Saturday, April 29. Three young ladies who followed their passion for music from a very young age have decided to come together to present a musical evening rightfully to be known as Ek Surmayee Sham. Seema, Rini and Sreesutha have been performing in Auckland for many years but this time they decided to come together as ‘Swaranjali Group’ to present a memorable evening for all.
Dharmesh Parikh is accompanying the singers on keyboard, Navneel on tabla, Araad on drum, and Stanly on guitar. Swaranjali group invites everyone for this pleasant evening which will be filled with melodies, memories and lots of fantastic music. All the profits from the event will be given to Balmoral Temple.
Date: April 29, 2017 Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Venue: 258-260 Balmoral Road, Bharatiya Mandir Community hall Ticket cost: $15 with refreshments
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www.iwk.co.nz | 28 April 2017
Centenarian Man Kaur creates history
NEW ZEALAND
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
C
entenarian Man Kaur has not only won four gold medals at the World Masters Games 2017 but won the hearts of millions of fans all around the globe. Ms Kaur was swamped with wishes, as all cameras zoomed and clicked to her bright face as she crossed the finishing line in the 100m and 200m race earlier this week. By achieving double gold medals at 100m and 200m at a global sporting event, Ms Kaur now joined the league headed by Usain Bolt. The 101-year old ran the 100m on Monday, April 24 at 9:30 a.m. at the Trust Arena and finished the race beating her earlier record of 1 minute 21 seconds to 1 minute 14 seconds. On Wednesday, April 26 she clinched her second gold for her 200m which she completed in 2 minute 58 seconds and the third gold in the shot put with a throw of 2.1 metres. Her final take was at WMG 2017 was the 400g javelin throw in her age category on Thursday, April 27 scheduled at 10:50 a.m. at Trust Arena. In the javelin throw, she created another world record for her age with the 5.12m throw. With this new record, she may also get into the Guinness Book of World Records for the farthest javelin throw by an athlete in her age category. “I feel really good winning all four gold medals, and this is not it, I will come back and
C re a te Centenarian Man Kaur hold her javelin throw gold medal.
compete again at the Master Games 2020 in Japan,” Ms Kaur told Indian Weekender. As Ms Kaur appeared at the podium to receive her fourth gold medal, she was congratulated by fellow athletes and scores of fans who waited the whole morning to catch a close glimpse of her and take a picture. A Canadian athlete offered her sports t-shirt from Canada as a souvenir that symbolised her achievement in athletics, while others offered her bouquets seeking her blessing. Accompanied by her athlete 79-year old son Gurdev, Ms Kaur will now tour the rest of New Zealand before travelling back to Punjab, India where her fans and family are eagerly waiting for her. With WMG 2017, Ms Kaur has achieved a total of 20 Gold medals since her first haul eight years back. – More on Page 22
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SOUTH LINE
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Uniquely Kerala: Community marks
Buddha Jayanti celebrated at 10th anniversary Christian Easter and Hindu Vishu together temple’s ne of the most sacred
I
n what can be termed as an excellent example of religious harmony in New Zealand, and more so, shining a bright light on India’s age-old diverse traditions, last weekend, Keralites in Christchurch celebrated Easter, a Christian festival, and Vishu, a Hindu festival, together. First up on Saturday, April 22, was the celebration by the Kerala Cultural Forum (KCF), which was formed in 2009. This was followed by the event Uma Varma and her students from Revathi Performing Arts performing Bharaton April 23, hosted by the oldest natyam at Christchurch-based Kerala Cultural Forum’s Easter and Vishu celebrations on April 22_picture courtesy Joy Kochakkan Malayali organisation in the City – since 2005 - the Vishukaineetam. Christchurch Kerala This It refers to hansel given Association is aimed to children by elders (CKA). at our vision in the form of coins, N o t a b l y, of nourishing the preferably gold. It’s a w h i l e Malayali culture and symbolism for blessings Christians passing on our rich for the oncoming new around the traditional values year. world celebrate to the next Moreover, the belief is Easter marking generation” sharing one’s wealth with the death and loved ones, will bring in even resurrection of Jesus more prosperity. Christ, Vishu is a Hindu Christchurch Kerala Association festival celebrated in Kerala, with “And we were lucky that we had celebrating Christian Easter and Hindu decorating lights and bursting elderly parents of some of our Vishu together in Christchurch on April 23_picture courtesy CKA_Tulsi Gopal of firecrackers. signifying the members in Christchurch right beginning of a new year. now, who gave Vishukaineetam to the attendees that KCF’s will be over 30 children that day. Overall, The most important event starting free Malayalam classes on the celebrations were attended by in Vishu celebrations is called Thursday evenings from June. 140 people. Vishukkani meaning - the first thing “This is aimed at our vision of Lord Vishnu sees after waking up. “The highlight of the day was nourishing the Malayali culture Ms Uma Varma and her students Thus, articles signifying and passing on our rich traditional from Revathi Performing Arts prosperity are ritually arranged values to the next generation.” performing several Bharatnatyam around Lord Krishna and Similar were the celebrations by pieces. Next up, will be the traditional oil lamps are lit, with the CKA, of which Mr Ajesh Jose, a Onam celebrations sometime hope and prayer that these are the member, noted, “Our celebrations in September, which is the things Lord Vishnu will see first after started at 7pm with almost 5 0 of biggest festival in Kerala.” Mr waking up. our members attending the event. Mobin Mathew, treasurer of This ritual, it is believed, bring While there were few Malayali KCF informed. good luck and prosperity to dance and music performances, the Mr Dinesh Kumar, president of the community. Another, and evening’s highlight were the prayers the Forum added, “Moreover, it was probably the most adored offered for both Jesus Christ and also decided and communicated to ritual during Vishu, is called Lord Vishnu.”
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Buddhist festivals in the world, celebrating the birth, along with commemorating the enlightenment and death of Lord Buddha, and known as Buddha Jayanti or Buddha Purnima in India, which falls on May 3, this year, was celebrated in Christchurch on April 22. The event was co-organised by the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island NZ and Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple (FGSBT) South Island, which reopened its door late last year after four years of intensive earthquake repairs. It was also the temple’s 10th year of establishment, causing the celebrations to be bigger than usual. Notably, BLIA was founded in 1992 by Grand Master Hsing Yun, who is also the founder of the Fo Guang Shan International Buddhist Order. Born in 1927 in Jiangsu in China, Yun moved to Taiwan during the Cultural Revolution where he started the Order, which promotes Humanistic Buddhism – whose ideals and main tenants were introduced to Christchurch during the weekend celebrations. “The best example of this is what we call Prayer of Many Faiths – in which representatives of Islam, Hinduism, Christianity and Buddhism recite prayers in praise of almighty God. Cultivating compassion, and actualizing altruism, joyfulness, and universality, are the fundamental concepts of Humanistic Buddhism, as propagated by Grand Master Hsing Yun,” noted FGSBT
Bathing the Buddha ceremony during the celebrations
officials. Apart from prayers, the celebrations also included tea meditation, multicultural performances, vegetarian stalls, baby blessing ceremony, sutratranscription, and bath the Buddha depiction. Significance of bathing the Buddha very important ritual during Buddha Jayanti celebrations is bathing the Buddha. BLIA explains the significance behind the ritual as, “Just like how water is soft in nature and can diffuse with anything and everything it comes into contact with – how wonderful it will be if we can adopt the characteristics of water, and present religion, culture and life as an interconnected entity. Thus, the significance of bathing the Buddha is profound. As one bathes the Buddha, the individual makes the following wishes: ‘As I bathe the Buddha, may I be cleansed of greed, hatred and ignorance, may I maintain a pure mind, may society be purified of violence and fraud, and may all be beautified by all that is good.”
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Easter celebrations by St Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Community
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recently registered non-profit organisation comprising mainly members of the Malayali Christians in Christchurch - the St Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Community celebrated Easter and marked Good Friday this month. The holy week started with Palm Sunday on April 9, followed by Maundy Thursday on April 13, Good Friday on April 14, and Easter on April 15’s midnight. Mr Renju George, who is the President of the newly-formed outfit, informed, “While we had over 200 people on other days, almost 380 people got together for the Easter mass at the St Peters Catholic Church, which was led by Fr Francis Kolenchery. Now that we are a registered society, our next steps involve bringing the entire Syro-Malabar Catholic community in New Zealand together, followed by building our own church here in Christchurch and bringing in our own priest.” “And to give this vision an impetus, we will be hosting Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church Mar George Cardinal Alencherry in Christchurch in September,” he added.
www.iwk.co.nz | 28 April 2017
Syro Malabar food fest gets multicultural community together ¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
F
ood, dance and tug of war were the highlights of the Fun and Food Extravaganza 2017 held on Saturday, April 22 at Malaeola Samoan Convention Centre in Mangere. More than 4,000 people turned up at the event to taste the delicacies of the Pacific, Indian, South Asian and Kiwi cuisines. Organised for the second time in two years, the food carnival was a successful idea by the Syro Malabar Catholic Mission of Auckland that witnessed people travelling from Whangarei, Hamilton and Rotorua to participate in the event. The event commenced with a welcome dance and followed by a number of cultural performances by different ethnic groups. A total of 12-food counters stalled at the large ground adjacent to the community hall offered various delicacies with fervour of their culture. Taste of Philippine, China, Samoa, South and North India, Malaysia and many other cuisines were presented to the visitors. Drums of Pacific, Indonesian group, the popular Aaja Nachle group of Auckland, the Syro Malabar Youth group, Salsa performers, and Padma Indian classical were some of the 13 groups who dazzled the event. The Tashi Drums, fusion performance by Bollywood Bhangra, Samoan Youth dance, and a live performance by community member Ravi Mathunikam added to the beauty of the food extravaganza. “There is a cause behind organising this event, as a community we want a community centre and get the multicultural community to come together and enjoy the weekend
A stall owner makes dosa at the food fest
under one roof,” Joby Cyriac, convenor of the Syro Malabar Catholic Mission told Indian Weekender. The enthusiasm of the community members was evident in the much-awaited tug of war that was held towards the afternoon. The highlight of the fun and food extravaganza drew the attention of hundreds of visitors when three teams competed for the title. The teams of seven players each team namely Pala Brothers, Gardener Avenue and KCANZ competed against each other with Pala Brothers winning the finals. The cultural program continued after the tug of war, and the visitors crowded the food stalls again to serve their taste buds. “The response we have received today is incredible; people have had a great family time today, children enjoyed the fun rides, and others enjoyed the food presented to them,” Blessen M Jose, a member of the organising committee said.
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Mortgage matters: The interest rate trend N ¡¡ NATHAN SAMINATHAN
ew Zealanders have so far enjoyed low-interest rate for the last few years, but this is going to be the thing of the past. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) kept the Official Cash Rate (OCR) low in the last few years, and the reason behind this was that inflation was low and there was a fear of getting into economic recession. So the RBNZ kept the OCR low to stimulate the economic growth, but the last economic report came up, and inflation is above 2 per cent. This holds good for economic growth but is not favourable for mortgage holders. The RBNZ is watching very closely on how the next quarterly report will come and is also keeping an eye on the other economic indicators. I believe that the interest rate will move sooner than later after the inflation report is out. The world trend also indicates that the low-rate regime is over. We can expect that the rate will be on the positive curve, but at the moment one year rate is around 4.59 per cent, and five-year rate is around 5.85 per cent. These are special rates, and the banks’ standard rates are still higher. For the loan of $500,000, the interest differential of 0.5% will cost an individual an extra $208 a month. In my opinion, it is high time to fix the rate two to three years. The fixing of rate also depends on individual circumstances, and one needs to talk to their financial advisers.
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The world trend also indicates that the low-rate regime is over.
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The biggest Bollywood show ends with a bang, leaves people wanting for more
Would like come to New Zealand often, if the journey was shorter, says Salman Khan ¡¡ SWATI SHARMA
T
he Bollywood fans in Auckland were seen waiting for hours around the Auckland Airport, The Langham or Spark Arena on April 20-21, just to catch a glimpse of the visiting celebrities for the biggest Bollywood show. While with social media taking the lead, Indian Weekender brought you live updates related to the show—celebrities’ arrival, press conference, rehearsals, and the show itself, yet for those who missed us out on social media, we have got it sorted for you here. Da Bang The Tour was officially the biggest Bollywood show in New Zealand as declared by Ticketmaster. The organisers say that they sold 98 per cent of the tickets. Apart from the ticket sales, the show was a big one also in
terms of the grandeur of the production, lighting, fireworks, and staging arrangement. “It was like one of those big award shows that we watch on TV, like IIFA,” said a member of the audience. The Bollywood celebrities that included Salman Khan, Bipasha Basu, Pabhu Deva, Maniesh Paul, Badshah and Daisy Shah arrived on Thursday, April 20 while Sonakshi Sinha landed in New Zealand on Friday, April 21. They performed to an almost full house show at the Spark Arena in Auckland. The fact that was liked by the most of the people was that Salman Khan was seen on stage for the maximum time. While the screams and cheers were the loudest when Salman Khan came on the stage with a power-packed entry, his comedy segment with Maniesh Paul made
everyone laugh to their bits. The artists made the audience be a part of the show not only by watching it but also interacting with the celebrities, be it Bipasha Basu, Salman Khan or Maniesh Paul. The dancing legend Prabhu Deva’s solo opening act on Urvashi Urvashi was a delight to watch. His dance acts with Sonakshi Sinha and Salman Khan made many groove in the audience. It became very difficult to stop people from leaving their seats when Badshah came on stage and entertained the audience with his lakk-shaking songs. The highlight of the show was the grand finale act where Salman performed with all the other stars one by one and people saw the magical jodis of Salman-Sonakshi, Salman-Bipasha, Salman-Prabhu, and Salman-Daisy and then
everyone together on the stage. It was surely one of the best organised Bollywood show in New Zealand featuring artist of this calibre. Speaking to Indian Weekender, the show-goers said that it was an absolute value for their money and they would like to see more such shows in New Zealand. When asked if he would be visiting New Zealand in future to shoot a movie, Salman said that he would like to consider it but “if you can shift New Zealand closer to India”. He said that the flight journey is too long to come to NZ as there is no direct flight between India-New Zealand. “I have come here before for a show and to shoot an ad film many years back. If we can come for a 2-minutes ad film, we can surely come to shoot an entire movie. But the flight is too long,” he said during the press conference at The
Langham, Auckland on April 20. With Bollywood lovers growing in numbers in the country and Bollywood movie-market in NZ growing the fastest in the world, a direct flight would undoubtedly increase the number of Bollywood films coming to New Zealand for shooting and hence will boost the New Zealand tourism. Indian Weekender also spoke with Salman Khan regarding his upcoming movie Tubelight, which, as per the local distributor, is going to be the biggest Bollywood release this year. The interview will be telecasted soon. Till then, those who could not watch the show or even those who did, you can visit Facebook. com/IndianWeekender and watch the snippets of the grand Bollywood night that Auckland witnessed after a long time.
NEW ZEALAND
www.iwk.co.nz | 28 April 2017
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Legal Associates’ Legal Clinic Taste of Puketapapa– an initiative to support local businesses offers free consultation
L
egal Associates, the law firm based in Papatoetoe, Auckland is launching a two-hour free legal consultation with the lawyers of the firm commencing Saturday, May 6. ‘Legal Clinic’ is the first of its kind, the free consultation service will be provided to people who have legal concerns and do not know what direction they can take to proceed with their issue. “Often people have legal matters to deal with but are not sure what to do about it. The ‘Legal Clinic’ will give them an opportunity to see a lawyer free-of-charge and get some directions about what they could do and proceed further with their case,” Ashima Singh, solicitor and partner at Legal Associates said. Legal Associates was one of the finalists in the Business Excellence in Innovation, and Best Medium-sized Business category and Ashima Singh, the partner at the firm won the Business Woman of the Year at the ninth Indian Business Awards in 2016. The firm will conduct two-hour sessions every Saturday from 10 a.m. till noon. This clinic’s service is free, and it will give people an opportunity to come in and discuss their legal issues with a lawyer and obtain initial advice on what options they have available to them to have their issues addressed. People interested in utilising this service will need to book an appointment in advance to be able to attend the clinics. Every individual will get 15 minutes to discuss their matters
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
Legal Clinic
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
FREE 2-hour
legal consultation. Saturday: 10am to 2pm Legal Associates Office with the lawyer. The lawyers will then give the directions on what they can do and who they could see next to address their concerns. This free service is limited to only giving right directions to the attendee and does not make the firm their legal lawyer. “Seeking advice from our lawyers at Legal Clinic does not make us their attorneys, to act as their laywer, the attendee needs to engage and get into an official agreement with Legal Associates,” Raj Pardeep Singh, Principal Solicitor and founder of Legal Associates said. Legal Associates specialises in Immigration Law, Property Law, Employment Law, Family Law, Criminal Law, and Wills & Trusts. The firm has a diverse ethnic team of lawyers and administrators that come from different backgrounds such as India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Samoa, China, Tonga, and Japan. “The ethnic diversity in our team helps us to connect with our clients and gain a better understanding of their issues. Thus, we can provide the best legal advice,” Mrs Singh said.
A
12-day food carnival commenced on Wednesday, April 26, to encourage the growth of local businesses in the Puketapapa region. Taste of Puketapapa is an initiative by the local board to promote its rich cultural diversity, bring employment and support local businesses. The event is bringing 44 eateries from across Mt Roskill, Sandringham, Three Kings, Hillsborough, Lynnfield and Royal Oak suburbs, and is offering their signature dishes for $12 and under. The food fest aims to treat everyone to the delicious Indian, Chinese, European, Japanese, Sri Lankan, Taiwanese, Vietnamese and Malaysian cuisines.
Those participating in the event can get into a draw to win a year of dining. The customers will need to drop their receipts with contact details into the entry boxes at the participating eateries, every time they try their signature dish. Bake n Beans, Bikanervala, Homemade Food, Hyderabad Kitchens, Rajwadi Indian Cuisine, Shivani, Sreeji, Spice Traders and Xotic Sweets are among the 15 Indian restaurants participating at the event.
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FIJI
More Fijians complete
28 April 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz
Fijian in Canada is nominated for top immigrant award
undergrad degrees in India W J ust two weeks ago, five Fijians completed their undergraduate degrees from India’s Acharya Institute of Graduate Studies (AIGS) affiliated with Bangalore University, India. This week, three more Fijians graduated from the same institution. Leaving the comfort of their homes to pursue their dreams to a foreign place is not always an easy journey. But last week’s graduation paid off for Naksheema Shareen Ali, Mayuri Ben and Manveer Singh. Ms Ben graduated with Bachelor of Computer Application. I’d She is from Varadoli like to thank in Ba and a former everyone who has From left: Naksheema Ali, Manveer Singh and Mayuri Ben Xavier student. been supportive of me Mr Singh taught me been a pillar of strength g r a d u a t e d throughout my three years how to live an to me.” here and not forgetting my with Bachelor independent Mayuri Ben thanked the Indian friends from India and of Computer life, learning Council for Cultural Relations other countries who have Application. He is to sacrifice our (ICCR) for giving her the helped me in this from Lautoka and luxurious life and opportunity to achieve her goal. journey” a former Tilak High being away from “Today I have achieved a School student. family members. milestone in my life,” she said. Ms Shareen Ali graduated with “I would like to thank the “This achievement is dedicated Bachelor of Computer Application. almighty Allah for giving me the to my parents. This opportunity has She is from Drasa, Lautoka and a strength and power to overcome all taught me a lot of positive things. former Tilak High School student. odds throughout the three years.” “Though my parents were not The trio dedicated their She paid tribute to her father, here today I am grateful to them achievements to their parents who, who took leave without pay just for all that they have done for me,” from the start, believed that this day witness her moment. she said. would be coming. “I thank my parents Mr and “I’d like to thank everyone Naksheema Ali said over the past MrsNaseem Ali, relatives, friends who has been supportive of me three years adapting was challenge. and well-wishes for their great throughout my three years here “During our stay in Bangalore support and encouragement. and not forgetting my friends from we had faced lots of challenges “I salute my dad for his presence India and other countries who have like change in environment, living during my graduation. helped me in this journey.” standards and especially the type of “He took leave without All three studied under the ICCR food,” Ms Ali said. pay to attend. He has always Scholarship programme. “Being far away from home
Indian High Commission presents $20,500 for Girmit Centre
T
he Fiji Girmit Centre received a timely boost from the Indian High Commission when it was presented with a cheque amounting to $20,500 at the Fiji Girmit Centre in Lautoka on Friday, April 21. The grant was provided under a funding scheme of the Ministry of Culture of the government of India earmarked for Indo-Fijian Friendship associations. Presenting the cheque to the Fiji Girmit Council board members the Indian High Commissioner, Vishvas Sapkal said that he was mindful of the long and special relationship between the government of India and the Government of Fiji and the history behind the establishment of the centre. He praised the Council for its efforts and perseverance in maintaining its services despite facing financial and resource constraints. “The High Commission was happy to provide the financial support for the financial year 2016/2017 to assist with the delivery of the cultural programmes offered
Indian High Commissioner, Vishvas Sapkal (second from left) during the cheque presentaion.
by the Centre,” he said. Fiji Girmit Centre They board member “They recognised recognised Kamlesh Arya the important role the important role thanked the High the Centre was the Centre was playing Commissioner playing in promoting in promoting and and the and preserving preserving Indian culture government of Indian culture and the historical India for the and the historical perspectives of g e n e r o u s perspectives girmits” contribution. of girmits. He said the grant “I assure the board would not only ensure the members that this grant was just a beginning and the Commission continuity and sustainability of will continue to explore further the current activities but would opportunities to partner with the also enhance our capacity to Council in other activities and offer more programmes that were projects of common interest in being planned as part of our new initiatives. the future.”
hen Raghwa Gopal left for Canada 38 years ago, he only had US$300 (F$625.06) to his name, but a dream several times more that amount. Today, the Fijian who lives a comfortable life in Kelowna, Canada’s British Columbia province, is well-regarded and respected for the contribution he’s made in modern technology and education. The 59-year-old who was born and bred in Kasavu, Nausori has been nominated for Canada’s Top 25 Immigrants. This is an annual campaign that recognises outstanding immigrants who have come to Canada and have made a positive difference living in the country. Looking back on his formative years, Mr Gopal remembers his humble beginnings too vividly when he worked at a grocer cleaning bottles and filling it with kerosene. From that to being nominated for Canada’s Top 25 Immigrants, can be described as a story of determination and inspiration. He co-founded the very first hightech company Vadim Software the same year, which became the primary supplier of software and services to municipal governments across Canada. But how? “One day while touring Kelowna, I stopped at a store to buy some supplies and spotted a small computer company next door and decided to go inside to see what it was about,” said Mr Gopal. Inside, he spoke with Mike Schleppe who not only gave him a job but would become his future business partner for the next 30 years. “Since then I have invested in at least a dozen companies which focus mostly in technology,” he said. Mr Gopal attributed his success to his wife of 36 years, Sarita Gopal and their two children and his mother, who has been a pillar of strength. “I owe a lot to my mum who was adamant and persistent that I get an education even though it wasn’t easy in those days. “And a lot of credit goes out to the late P.R Patel who not only gave me my first job but also paid for my education from Class 6 until university.” He also thanks Lionel Yee, a former general manager of the Fiji National Provident Fund, where under his leadership he got to learn about business. Mr Gopal over the years has launched numerous successful
Raghwa Gopal
businesses and volunteered to support disadvantaged groups at home and abroad. He has mentored over 100 business and entrepreneurs, employing 1200 people, help raise over CA$22million (F$34.03m) in equity funding and help create over 400 local jobs. Paying it forward has been my life’s calling and I believe all citizens should find a way to show gratitude for the small and large blessings bestowed upon them” – Raghwa Gpoal He was recently appointed Governor for the University of British Columbia and is the first Fijian Canadian to hold the post. Last year, he was named Man of the Year for the city of Kelowna amongst other accolades. Although he has been away from Fiji for almost 39 years, he still considers Fiji home and comes home annually. His family is passionate about helping the poor and needy. In the past, they have supported St Christopher’s Home, Treasure Home and helped raise funds for the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Winston victims. “Paying it forward has been my life’s calling and I believe all citizens should find a way to show gratitude for the small and large blessings bestowed upon them.” His advice to those who want to make it abroad is to have a good work ethic, focus, and drive and to be risk-taker. “I’m extremely excited and humbled to be nominated for Canada’s Top 25 Immigrants as it is a highly coveted award and I hope this will inspire others to follow and do the same,” he said. You can vote for Mr Raghwa Gopal at www.rbctop25.com. Generate on the QR code below, follow the instructions and vote for Mr Gopal.
ANZAC Day dawn service to remember the fallen
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ijian President Jioji Konrote, members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) and members of various diplomatic corps were part of the ANZAC Day dawn service at the Suva Military Cemetery on Tuesday, April 25. Members of the public were also present in numbers to pay their respect and commemorate the lives of servicemen and servicewoman of Australia and New Zealand who sacrificed their lives for their country. The dawn service this year was hosted by the New Zealand High Commission.
www.iwk.co.nz | 28 April 2017
Four gold medals for science star
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ionel Prakash Joseph had a memorable graduation yesterday as he scooped the Vice Chancellor Prize for Academic Excellence gold medal. The 21-year-old also won three other gold medals for Outstanding Science Student, Outstanding Student for Chemistry and Biology at the University of Fiji graduation ceremony in Lautoka. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry. “I’m feeling so excited and I would like to thank God for giving me this opportunity and my parents for their guidance and support towards my education.
Miss World Fiji top 15 beauties chosen
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ifteen young Fijian women will be vying for the Miss World Fiji crown but only one will represent Fiji at the 67th Miss World Finals that will be held in China. Pageant director Andy Blake yesterday unveiled the Miss World Fiji top 15 contestants. He said they initially had 41 contestants from the four main centres around the country including one from New Zealand. Mr Blake said it was hard to choose only 10 contestants as was the norm every year, and so they did it differently this year. They chose the top 15 women. “These girls will now compete to represent Fiji in the 67th Miss World finals in November and we will groom them to become Miss World contestants officially and then start engaging them in public events,” Mr Blake said. Mr Blake said for the first time the pageant would have their public judging event on June 5, known as the Miss World Presentation. The event will be held at Damodar City. He said this will be open to the public and they would be able to view the contestants as they compete in the evening gown, top model and interview competition. “We never opened our interview to the public but this is the first time that the public can see the girls live on stage.” He said on June 10, they will then hold the grand coronation at the Grand Pacific Hotel where the winner will be crowned as Miss World Fiji. From the start of the selection to the final top 15, their main criteria were looking for confidence in the young women. “For me confidence is really important because that is what sells at the Miss World International pageant and yes there is also physical beauty and beauty from within. “I can honestly say that we have 15 beautiful confident young Fijian women”. He said it would be a challenge and huge task to train the women, but they were looking forward because this year’s standard of pageant was unlike previous years. He said the contestants are experienced beauty pageants. The final 15 includes one from Labasa, two from Suva, one from New Zealand and the rest are from Nadi and Lautoka. Mr Blake acknowledged the sponsors, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, Fiji Airways and Grand Pacific Hotel. He also encouraged the public to show support to the young ambassadors because at the end of the day one of them would represent all Fijians on the larger platform of fashion and beauty.
“Science is very fascinating to me. I enjoy doing science subjects and achieving this was not very hard,” he said. Mr Joseph said his parents were supportive towards his education Science and without their help he is very would not have been able to fascinating to graduate. His father Praneel me. I enjoy doing Prakash Joseph could not control his tears and said: science subjects and achieving this “I appreciated whatever my was not very son has done for me and I am hard” proud of him. “All the family members have supported him with his education and achievements,” he said.
FIJI
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Lionel Prakash Joseph after his graduation.
Thought of the week
Editorial Is it about ‘anti-immigration’ or about ‘Asian-immigrants’?
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inston Peters will take some satisfaction from the fact that he has successfully ‘regained’ one-upmanship among all political parties in the fray for the next elections on extolling anti-immigrant sentiments. For long Mr Peters had enjoyed an unchallenged sway on this constituency of fermenting anti-immigration sentiments. Lately, this unchallenged position had been facing some stiff competition from all main political parties including the National and the Labour Party. Seemingly, Mr Peters was not creating much furore to attract enough attention of voters. Now, the man has got a chance to make some noise on anti-immigration, and he does it with a style and aplomb that we can only expect from Winston Peters – attacking the ethnicity of New Zealand Herald journalists alongside their argument that maximum Work Visas arrivals have not come from Asia. Although, New Zealand Herald have done well in counter attacking Mr Peter’s personal attack on the ethnicity of their journalists, still, Herald will have to concede the fact that they have contributed in some way in adding venom to the current anti-immigration narrative. Now the narrative is not just about “anti-immigration” but is about the “Asian immigrants.” Untill now, the main political parties have been carefully avoiding this trap and keeping the narrative around, for and against, the value of “low-skilled migrant workers” for New Zealand economy and society. National Party had been carefully orchestrating immigration policies since September last year, in anticipation of next elections, effectively closing doors of immigration in the preparation of what could be a record fourth successive term in government. The recent-most changes announced by the Immigration Minister last week in Queenstown about quelling the number of migrants on “low-skilled” work visa – the latest scapegoat of rising anti-immigrant sentiments have come even after Prime Minister Bill English had earlier commented in February this year that some local Kiwis were unemployable because of “drugs.” At that time, it was assumed that the National Party would hold its ground on their public statement about un-employability of some local kiwi-workers and therefore the value that migrant workers bring in the areas of low-skilled jobs and would go into elections without any further tweaking of immigration policies. However, within a short span of two months, the Party came to an ‘eclectic understanding’ that it was not enough to be in a winnable position in this election particularly, without being seen publically opposed to “low-skilled migrant workers,” who are conveniently believed to dislodge local kiwi-workers and hence not welcome anymore in New Zealand. The government’s proposal of new income threshold of $49,000 to be considered eligible for Skilled Migration Category (SMC) migration route is clearly designed to eliminate those seemingly large numbers of low-skilled migrant workers who have become new ‘acne’ in public eyes purely because of their visibility in public eyes. Not to be left behind the Labour Party is not satisfied with this measure and is calling for cutting down “tens of thousands of immigrants from coming to this country,” without any suggestion of accurate numbers that they would allow in a Labour government. Their tirade is also against the highly visible and now dispensable “low-skilled migrant workers.” Clearly, Labour party has also been stepping up the ante on anti-immigration. However, in this race to the election, few things are conveniently ignored by all stakeholders in the anti-immigration debate, about the value that low-skilled workers could bring to strengthen an economy. Last year, this conventional wisdom that workers with lower skills are a drag on the economy was challenged by a Harvard University Economics Professor Dale Jorgenson who argued that absence of low-skilled workers from an economy could be holding back economic growth. The working paper was titled Education, Participation, and the Revival of U.S. Economic Growth co-written by Professor Jorgenson along with researcher Mun Ho of Washington, D.C.-based think tank Resources for the Future and Jon D. Samuels, a research economist at the Bureau of Economic Analysis and published by National Bureau of Economic Research. Although the working paper examines the drivers of U.S. economic growth from 1947 through 2014, there could be some learning for our New Zealand economy as well. The paper had found that productivity, often assumed to be a major factor in growing the economy, has actually accounted for only about 20 percent of economic growth since the end of World War II. A much larger share—80 percent—came from investment in capital and equipment and from a “growing labour force.” The paper argues that as the economy grows and the service sector expands, the lowskilled workers will once again become in higher demand. Thus essentially establishing a link between the fact that low-skilled workers being in demand in an economy is a sign of growing economy especially of the service sector. Many Kiwis would take a trip to their memory lanes and recall that late night petrol station, dairy stores, restaurants and others businesses in the service industry were not a common sight in Auckland, as they are now. Not everything about “low-skilled migrant workers” is as bad as is made to believe in the current anti-immigration narrative.
“Your value does not decrease based on someone’s inabilit y to see your worth.” – Anonymous Auckland Weather forecast for the week April 28 - May 3
Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thu Fri Some A sun couple than of turning showers cloudy 20° 18° 15° 12°
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This week in New Zealand’s history April 28, 1915 First British rugby tourists The first British rugby team to tour New Zealand played its first match, against Otago, at Dunedin’s Caledonian Ground in front of 10,000 spectators..
April 29, 1952 ANZUS treaty comes into force Signed by Australia, New Zealand and the United States, the ANZUS treaty recognised that Some an armed attack in the Pacific area on one member would endanger the peace and sunsafety than of the others. The signatories pledged to ‘act to meet the common danger’. truning
cloudy
May 2, 1964 New Zealand’s last electric tram trip
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Tram no. 252, displaying the message ‘end of the line’ and driven by Wellington Mayor Frank Kitts, travelled from Thorndon to Newtown zoo. Large crowds lined the streets to witness the end of electric trams in New Zealand.
May 2, 1897 New Zealand’s first woman doctor registered 3 Margaret Cruickshank, the first female doctor registered in New Zealand, practised in Waimate, South Canterbury, until her death from influenza in 1918 Indian Weekender : Volume 9 Issue 06 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.
www.iwk.co.nz | 28 April 2017
OPINION/EDITORIAL
ANZAC Day: Let’s also remember the 1,400 Indians killed at Gallipoli! ¡¡ GAURAV SHARMA
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New research points that about 15,000 Indian troops – almost three times more than previously thought – served at the Turkish battlefield side-by-side the Anzacs. As New Zealand paid tribute to the 102nd year of Gallipoli landings on April 25, historians across the Tasman are calling for greater acknowledgement of the important role Indian troops played during the eight-monthlong campaign. In a new book titled, Die in Battle, Do not Despair: The Indians on Gallipoli, 1915, Peter Stanley, a military historian at the University of New South Wales in Australia, has challenged the past historical records that had put the number of Indians who fought at one of World War I major battlegrounds at around 5,000. Drawing from previously unpublished official and private records from the UK (including forgotten British officers’ memoirs), Australia and the National Archives of India, Professor Stanley has now put a powerful argument for revising this figure to 15,000.
This contingent or Indian Expeditionary Force G – as it was called then - comprised of the 29th Indian Infantry Brigade, the 7th Indian Mountain Artillery Brigade, and the Indian Mule Corps with over 4,000 animals at its disposal to transport supplies. According to Prof Stanley, it is this mule contingent from India, which made the most important contribution by keeping the forces alive during the eight-months-long campaign.
Meanwhile, the soldiers came mainly from Gurkha, Punjabi and Sikh regiments - notably the 14th Ferozepur Sikh, 1/6 Gurkhas, and 69th and 89th Punjab. To get a sense of the human cost involved, New Zealand’s Ministry of Culture and Heritage estimating the country-wise total casualties put the figure at 4,779 for India. Of this, 1,358 died, and 3,421 soldiers were wounded, the ministry said. Most disastrous was the Third
Is it Cold War-II already?
Battle of Krithia in which the 14th Ferozepur Sikh regiment lost 80 percent of its men, according to reports published in Indian newspapers at that time. Though to be sure, Indians are not the only ones to be left out of Gallipoli remembrance and tributes. In an earlier published book – Gallipoli: A Ridge Too Far – fifteen historians from Australia, Britain, France, New Zealand, India, and
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has let it be known that Russian strategic bombers like Tu-95 are flying near the US and Western countries, and battleships are out in the Pacific near Japan and South Korea. North Korea, China’s second military ally after Pakistan, has warned again of destroying the US with long-range nuclear missiles, and the US has vowed to penalise if it conducts another nuclear or missile test. As it happens, it may be remembered, Islamabad got its missile technology from Pyongyang in exchange for nuclear weapons tech, apparently with blessings from Beijing. US, Western and Afghan forces have had a tough time in fighting the Islamic terrorists who hide in and operate from, the deep caves in the mountains. The terrorists conduct guerrilla strikes from these caves and move back in
and, according to reports from Washington, the commander of the US and international forces in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, had been considering the use of America’s biggest nonnuclear bomb, the MOAB, or Massive Ordnance Air Blast, for some time. In military terms, this was the right and appropriate weapon to demolish the deep caves and kill everyone in them -- reportedly about a hundred at that time -- by burning up the oxygen. Nonetheless, the use of this MOAB, technically designated GBU 43/B, has proved to be earthshattering in the global canvas of power play. To Russia and China, and those opposed to the US, this indicates an aggressive willingness on the part of Trump to execute some threats he has been making.
Turkey, collaborated and noted that while the French suffered almost twice as much as Australians in terms of casualties, they have always been left out of the Gallipoli story. The chapter on Indian troops in this book was contributed by Rana Chhina, a military historian at the Delhi-based United Service Institution of India, who in 2015 teamed up with Professor Stanley and helped in organising photographic exhibitions at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi commemorating the role of India at Gallipoli. “Gallipoli and the Anzacs 17 are at the absolute heart of our collective sense of national identity in both Australia and New Zealand, and India’s important role in this campaign deserves a far greater audience,” noted Patrick Suckling, the then Australian High Commissioner to India, while inaugurating the exhibitions – Camera on Gallipoli, and Indians and Anzacs. The exhibitions showcased 27 black-and-white photographs highlighting the Indian contribution to the Gallipoli campaign.
“
Both Russia and China have stepped up military movements on land, air and sea, particularly around US allies like Japan.
¡¡ GULSHAN LUTHRA
he April 13 Mother of All Bombs (MOAB) strike by the United States on ISIS terrorists in Afghanistan has triggered suggestions that a second round of the Cold War is set to begin. Particularly as the new US President, Donald Trump, seems to be brash, abrasive and capable of taking action without thinking of consequences. In fact, the Second Cold War, or the Cold War-II, has been in the making due to the rise of Islamic terrorism from Pakistan and Afghanistan to the Middle East, drawing inevitable military interventions by the major powers -- Russia’s anger at the US-led bombings in Syria where it wants President Bashar Assad to stay, and China’s attempts to annex most of the South China Sea and also the acquisition of Pakistan’s Arabian Sea port of Gwadar for 40 or more years as a strategic naval base with its operational Command and Control lying with Beijing. Both Russia and China have stepped up military movements on land, air and sea, particularly around US allies like Japan. The official Russian news agency Sputnik is steadily issuing hardhitting statements against the US, particularly against Trump, and
17
Surprisingly, more than China, it is Russia which is challenging the US with rhetoric and news reports of its new military innovations like making the world’s biggest nuclear submarine, and supplying new air defence missiles like the S400, or still newer, to Syria. As for Gwadar, and the string of naval facilities China is creating in the Indian Ocean, the implications are enormous. For China, Gwadar will now be The Pivot of its Look West strategy; it will be second non-regional, non-Indian Ocean power after the US to be there, not just for oil and trade but to play a dominant role in the warm waters of the ocean and beyond. As against the two former players in Cold War-I, the United States and the Soviet Union, this time there are three, and although Russia may have more military
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muscle in terms of equipment, China will be far better placed to deliver its arsenal thanks to its emerging Gwadar military base, some 70 submarines, three (including those planned) aircraft carriers, and a large fleet of ships that should bunker in Gwadar as a home port. China has purchased some 5,000 acres of real estate in and around Gwadar, and for all practical purposes, it will be a Chinese Foreign Territory. The implications are not only enormous but ominous. Cold War-II will be bitter, and more threatening to humanity than the Cold War I. Gulshan Luthra is Editor of India Strategic Defence magazine and website. The opinions expressed are personal. He can be contacted at gulshan.luthra@ indiastrategic.in
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INDIA
28 April 2017| www.iwk.co.nz
Significance of Modi’s Israel visit enormous, says Israeli envoy
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mbassador to India Daniel Carmon on Tuesday, April 25, called the coming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel as enormously significant. “Its timing is so right. The fact that this visit happens after so many years, after being so hesitant, after not talking about it... things have evolved. It took an effort,” Carmon said after delivering a special address on ‘India-Israel: Enduring Partnership’ at an event organised by Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation at the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. “The (bilateral) relation is very deep,” he said. On the importance of the bilateral defence relationship, the envoy Terrorism said, “The defence is one of the relationship is there. It challenges that we is not the only facet of face and India and Ambassador of Israel to India Daniel Carmon addresses during a our relation. In order Israel have suffered press conference, in Bangalore to reflect the depth a lot due to Israel. On a query on mechanism; the world even lacks of our relation, we terrorism” terrorism, Carmon said: the definition of what terrorism is.” should be doing more in “Terrorism is one of the “This is a new battlefield and it is other areas.” challenges that we face and India not between the armies anymore,” Although the dates have not and Israel have suffered a lot due he added. been finalised, Modi is expected to to terrorism.” Carmon also talked of the visit Israel in July while returning “The challenge is how to unite challenge of safeguarding human from G-20 Summit in Hamburg the forces – either bilaterally rights while fighting terrorism. (Germany) from July 7-8. or through an international During his address, Carmon This will be the first prime mechanism. The world lacks the said his country’s focus now is ministerial visit from India to
on cooperation in the field of water resources management, dairy farming and agricultural cooperation at the next level. He also talked about promotion of better understanding between the people of the two countries about each other’s culture and history. Offering his condolences on the death of CRPF jawans in the Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh, Carmon said: “Very sad news from Chhattisgarh. We have sent out our condolences to the victims’ families.” India and Israel are celebrating 25th year of their diplomatic relationship. India established diplomatic relations with Israel on January 29, 1992. Since then, two Israeli Presidents – Ezer Weizmann and Reuven Rivlin – have visited India, in 1996 and 2016 respectively. President Pranab Mukherjee visited Israel in October 2015. Israel Aerospace Industries on April 6 announced the signing of contracts worth almost $2 billion for the supply of medium-range surface-to-air missiles and the missile defence systems to the Indian Army. Israel is one of the largest and most reliable suppliers of military hardware to India.
India to help Sri Lanka build roads in Jaffna
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ndia has agreed to help develop the road infrastructure in Sri Lanka's Jaffna region, official sources said on Wednesday, April 26. The issue came up for discussion when Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari called on visiting Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Vickramasinghe. "During the discussions, the Sri Lankan Prime Minister invited the Indian government to take up development of three major road stretches - Jaffna to Mannar, Mannar to Vavuniya and Dambulla to Tricomalee," a Ministry official said. Gadkari assured Vickramasinghe, who is on a five-day visit to India, full cooperation in "developing world-class infrastructure" in the region. He also suggested that taking up these stretches for development may only be possible with the active support of Sri Lankan agencies on land acquisition and local clearances. Gadkari reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to India's active support in strengthening bilateral relations.
Sonia Gandhi back in action to fight Modi juggernaut
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elhi is witnessing something strikingly similar to what happened in 2004: Congress president Sonia Gandhi is leading her party’s efforts to work for unity with frontline leaders of other Opposition parties, despite not being in the pink of health. If Gujarat riots and Pota were used by Gandhi-led Congress for coalition overreach against the Vajpayee regime, the spectre of the Modi government and BJP running over electoral space of Congress and regional parties have made Gandhi and other leaders bond over shared concerns and political urgency for self-defence. By making the upcoming presidential election an immediate platform for exploring larger unity, Gandhi has in the past few days met JDU’s Nitish Kumar and CPM’s chief Sitaram Yechury and telephoned NCP chief Sharad Pawar, and CPI’s D Raja to invite them for talks. She met JDU’s Sharad Yadav and is expected to reach out to Mamata Banerjee of Trinamool, Lalu Prasad of RJD, SP leaders, KarunanidhiStalin of DMK, Sorens of JMM, Abdullahs of NC, etc Congress leaders are even mulling the option of Gandhi reaching out to turf rivals such as Naveen Patnaik of BJD, Jagan Mohan Reddy of YSR Congress etc. Like the Congress, all these parties feel the pressure of BJP’s expansionist mission. This does not mean that
the de facto leadership of Rahul Gandhi is being rolled back. “Rahulji is leading the Congress’ revival efforts as our chosen leader for the future,” asserted a senior AICC functionary, while adding, “with a unanimous resolution by CWC already urging Rahulji to take over as party president, it is just a matter of time before the Gandhi family and the collective party leadership choose the timing for his formal elevation, especially as organisational elections are announced.” However, some party insiders say two factors have prompted
Sonia Gandhi’s decision to lead the party’s reach out: Topmost leaders of many Opposition parties are senior and experienced than Rahul Gandhi and more receptive to the senior Gandhi. When Congress managers attempted to push Rahul Gandhi to hold a meeting of the Opposition last year, almost all senior Opposition leaders kept away, leaving the scion to bond with junior MPs. Since then, coordination meetings are back to the room of Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad. Secondly, Sonia Gandhi seen as getting back into action is an
internal requirement when there is widespread unrest and drift in the Congress. Many Congress leaders have quit, questioning Rahul’s style and leadership, triggering talks of more desertions to BJP. While Sonia may involve Rahul in meetings with other opposition leaders at some stage, the latter “remains focused on Congress re-building and organisational strategy for the coming assembly and next Lok Sabha polls,” according to an insider. This ‘preoccupation’ has seen him holding unending ‘strategy sessions’ with Congress leaders/ functionaries from various
states. New-style electoral and organisational management agenda, dispatching volunteers to poll-bound states for shoring up campaign and booth management, making organisational elections creative exercise for social engineering, firming up Congress ideological positioning against BJP, etc have been mooted by Team Rahul during the meetings. However, the debacle in UP has created fresh doubts in the party about his skills, something that seems to have prompted the party to have an ‘active protective ring’ of Sonia Gandhi
Modi, Nepal PM
INDIA
www.iwk.co.nz | 28 April 2017
discuss bilateral tie
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rime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, April 25, discussed India-Nepal ties with his Nepalese counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda over telephone. “The Prime Ministers discussed recent developments in IndiaNepal relations, including the recently concluded highly successful state visit of President of Nepal Bidhya Devi Bhandari to India,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement. Bhandari was in India from April 17 to 21 in what was her first foreign visit abroad after assuming office in October 2015. “Prachanda spoke about the ongoing efforts of his government to take all stakeholders on board in the constitution implementation process,” the PMO statement said. “Prachanda also spoke about Nepal holding the first local elections in nearly 20 years and requested for India’s assistance in this connection.” According to the statement, Modi conveyed the good wishes of the people and government of India to Nepal in its national efforts to achieve peace, stability and socio-economic transformation. He assured Prachanda that India will extend all possible assistance for local elections. “The two Prime Ministers reiterated their commitment to advance multi-faceted India-Nepal cooperative ties for the benefit of the two peoples,” it said.
India, Armenia sign 3 agreement
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ndia and Armenia on Tuesday, April25, signed three agreements after Vice President Hamid Ansari held a bilateral meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan in Yerevan. “Vice President reviews entire gamut of bilateral relationship with Prime Minister of Armenia; #IndiaArmenia sign three agreements,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted. The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on peaceful uses of outer space, another MoU on cooperation in youth matters and a programme of cultural cooperation for the years 20172020. Ansari reached the Armenian capital.
Northeast India’s largest IT hub opens in Tripura
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ortheast India’s sixth and largest Information Technology (IT) hub was inaugurated here on Monday to boost employment and e-governance besides to export software technology. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, accompanied by IT and Education Minister Tapan Chakraborty and Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Director General Omkar Rai inaugurated the IT hub, set up at a cost of Rs 50 crore. Sarkar said that this IT hub would help to create employment opportunities for the IT educated youths and to further extend the e-governance to the door step of people. Rai said that it would help the state to bring famous IT companies of India to set off their business and services taking the facilities of this newly set-up IT hub. According to Rai, the STPI, under the union Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology, shared technological knowledge with the state government to set up this hub, sixth of its kind in northeast India and largest such hub in the region.
Anandiben best candidate for President, tweets Swamy
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Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (front)
Sharad meets Sonia to discuss joint opposition Presidential candidate
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day after Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D. Raja met Congress President Sonia Gandhi to discuss a joint opposition candidate for the upcoming presidential election, senior JD-U leader Sharad Yadav also met her on the matter. Yadav, who is also considered as one of the potential candidates for the top post, however, refused to divulge the details of the meeting, saying it was a "courtesy call" while Raja said he conveyed his party's stand to support a "common candidate" put up by all the "secular democratic parties". "The issue of presidential election came up for discussion. I have expressed our party's position on presidential election. We will go along with other secular democratic parties to put up a common candidate. We are also talking to other parties. “If a common candidate is put up. that will be good," Raja said. Raja also said no name for the candidature was discussed in the meeting, which took place on Monday. "She listened to us and agreed
NEWS in BRIEF
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P’s Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy on Tuesday said former Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel is an ideal candidate for the President’s post. “One of the best candidate for President is former Gujarat CM Anandibehn Patel,” the Bharatiya Janata Party leader posted on his Twitter handle. “So what if she is Gujarati? I too am Gujarat’s son-in-law,” he added. Simultaneously, Swamy retweeted a message he received in reply that pitched for External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for the post. “One of the best candidate for President is @SushmaSwaraj. So what if she is Punjabi? Why not prefer a lady,” responded Arvind@Bhatia. Swamy kicked up a veritable debate, with two more responses suggesting why was the politician himself not pitching for the coveted post. However, there was a barrage of responses that Sushma Swaraj was doing a commendable job as a Minister and should not be moved from the External Affairs Ministry.
Ban meat at public meetings like Germany, PETA requests PM
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Sharad Yadav termed the meeting with Sonia Gandhi as a mere 'courtesy call'
with me. She has already met several people and is trying to reach out to others also," he added. Raja said there were discussions on the current political situation and on the issue of cow vigilantism. "There is growing intolerance in the country and the situation demands some kind of united people's resistance and she also agreed to it," he said. The meeting of these two leaders with Sonia Gandhi took place days after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Communist Party of India-Marxist General Secretary Sitaram Yechury met her to discuss
the upcoming presidential elections and the need to field a joint opposition candidate. Sources in Congress said that party is willing to give a joint fight to the ruling National Democratic Alliance in the presidential election and in the effort it is trying to make consensus with all like minded parties. Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters that no discussion has taken place yet on candidates but the party is evolving all possibilities to give a joint fight. "As and when something evolves, you will be informed," he said.
nimal rights organisation PETA India asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take meat off the menu from all government events, taking a cue from the German Environment Minister’s initiative to ban all meat products from public meetings. “I hope you will agree that India should also set a good example where environmental conservation is concerned by eliminating animal-derived foods from the menus of all government or government-sponsored meetings and functions,” said Nikunj Sharma, Lead – Public Policy at PETA India in the letter. PETA said that after going veg, public functions could go vegan. “PETA is calling on Prime Minister Modi to set a global example by ensuring that exclusively healthy, humane, and environmentally friendly vegan meals are served at all government functions.” Stating, “animals are not ours to eat”, PETA claimed that meat production causes climate change due to which people around the nation suffer through severe droughts, heatwaves, and more.
Kejriwal must resign, BJP will clean Delhi in 4 months: Manoj
A
s the BJP was poised to sweep the civic polls, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal must resign and promised that the BJP, which has been heading the civic bodies for the past 10 years, will “clean the city in four months”. “We will make Delhi a clean city in the next four months. It will be a hygienic, dirt and disease free city,” Tiwari promised. Counting trends in the Municipal elections showed the Bharatiya Janata Party leading in all three corporations (North, South and East), with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party at a distant second. He said that Kejriwal must “resign as the Aam Aadmi Party had failed to fulfill its promises”.
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28 April 2017| www.iwk.co.nz
Earth Day 2017:
environmentalists,
students, MNCs join
chorus to save planet
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he 48th Earth Day celebrations on Saturday, April 22, saw participation from school children in awareness drives, campaigns in social media, emotional appeals from MNCs and a request from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to keep the planet clean and green. While describing the Earth Day “a day of gratitude to mother earth”, Modi said: “It is our duty to live in harmony with the plants, animals and birds we share the earth with. We owe this to our future generations.” He hoped that this year’s theme of “Environmental and Climate Literacy” would help in creating awareness about protecting nature and natural resources. According to the Earth Day Network, a global environmental movement, April 22 marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environment movement in 1970. As part of the Earth Day activities, the US embassy, in cooperation with programme partner Clean Air Asia, organised a two-day campaign “Better Air, Better Earth” to promote air quality awareness. The campaign involved volunteers from the embassies
of the US, Sweden, Spain, the High Commission of Canada and Clean Air Asia’s Youth Clean Air Network (YCan), who were posted at various locations here to record PM 2.5 levels and take a perception survey. “We are proud to support Clean Air Asia’s efforts to raise awareness about air quality in India. Projects like these are at the heart of this year’s Earth Day theme – environmental literacy,” Richard Pinkham, Director of Programmes, New Delhi American Centre, said. It is our duty to live in harmony with the plants, animals and birds we share the earth with. We owe this to our future generations. – PM Narendra Modi Manaswi Singha, a student of Delhi University, and Nishant, an engineering student of Delhi Technological University, who were conducting the survey, said that they chose to be a part of the campaign as they wanted to create awareness and understand the real cause of pollution. Also, NGOs, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and
People participate in a workshop on Palm Leaf & Natural Fiber to observe “World Earth Day” in Kolkata. (Below right) School students plant a sapling on “World Earth Day” in Bikaner
Wildlife SOS organised a Snake Awareness Workshop. The aim of the workshop was “to promote wildlife wakefulness among public and to mitigate the effects of wildlife human conflict”. “Eat less meat, opt for carpooling and unplug unused electronic devices – do your bit and make a huge difference to saving Earth,” suggested Google’s Earth Day doodle. The doodle followed the story of a fox, who dreamt about an Earth that had been polluted and adversely affected by climate change. Doing these small things could go a long way to help save the
only known planet in the universe that harbours life, it said. “Whatever you do today, we hope you’re able to take a moment to savour and cherish this boundless, stunning Earth that we inhabit,” Google said. At an estimated 4.543 billion years of age, the Earth is also the densest planet in the solar system and the largest of the four terrestrial planets.
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www.iwk.co.nz | 28 April 2017
Son of soil to Mayor of Middleton
INDIA ABROAD
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Indo-American Gurdip Brar sworn in mayor of a US city ¡¡ AVTAR SINGH TEHNA
“
The journey of thousands of miles begins with a single step.” This quote has been proved true by Gurdip Brar, who was recently sworn in as the Mayor of City of Middleton in the US. He defeated Hans Hilbert by securing 51.80 per cent votes. He is a retired senior research scientist and an alumnus of Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana (India). 70 years ago, no one would have expected that the child of an ordinary farmer would become a Mayor in the United States in future. He was the first school-going child in the family and used to foot march more than 8 km every day to go to school. Soon he was recognised in his village as the most brilliant boy and he started to teach some of his companions.
Gurdip Brar
Remembering early years, His school-mate Dharam Singh Gill from his native village said, “Bawa (Gurdip) was an intelligent student during his study in Khalsa High
School Faridkot (Punjab)” Brar, who was born and raised in a small village Tehna in district Faridkot, Punjab (India), migrated to US in year 1970 after completing
his M.Sc. (genetics) from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. He completed Doctorate degree from the University of California, Riverside in 1974. There he met his now wife Dorothy. He has been living in Middleton since 1982. He worked at the universities of India, Germany and the US, and retired as a senior research scientist after a long service of 21 years in research and development in plant biotechnology with the Agracetus campus of Monsanto company. His political career started in 2007 when his neighbours and
friends approached him to represent them. He easily got elected as an alderman of District 2 of Middleton and served for 9 years. He has worked in Youth Commission, Middleton Area Development Corporation, Middleton Airport Commission, EMS Commission, Library Board and Conservation Lands Commission. His wife Dorothy Brar is a senior research specialist at the University of Wisconsin, Madison while his daughter Gloria Brar is an Assistant Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. His son Victor Brar is an Assistant Professor of Physics at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Gurdip Brar has emerged as a role model for the youth who achieved great success by overcoming the geographical as well as language and cultural barriers.
H-1B not immigration but trade, services issue: India
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ith US President Donald Trump ordering tougher conditions for issuance of H-1B visas, the biggest beneficiaries of which are Indians, a senior official here said on Thursday that it is not a matter concerning immigration but that of trade and services. “It is not an immigration matter as we have said earlier, it is basically a trade and services issue,” External Affairs Ministry
spokesperson Gopal Baglay said in his weekly media briefing. “There is the mutuality of interests involved over here,” he said. On Tuesday, hammering his “America First” campaign theme, Trump signed an order tasking the department heads of State, Justice, Homeland Security and Labor to propose reforms in order to ensure H-1B visas are given to the “mostskilled or highest paid” petitioners.
The move is seen as a deterrent to Indian IT firms which send software engineers to the US on H-1B visas. Baglay said that just as there are Indian companies in the US, there are US multinationals operating in India. He said that the government is talking to industry bodies as the matter directly concerns Indian workers in the IT industry. “We have already pointed out then contribution
Jaitley, RBI chief say market force will temper US protectionist trends
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inance Minister Arun Jaitley and Reserve Bank Governor Urjit Patel say that market forces will ultimately temper the protectionist tendencies emerging in the the US that may affect India. Speaking on Monday at two different venues here, they were both asked about the likely impact that protectionism in the US under President Donald Trump may have on India. Jaitley, who spoke at the Council on Foreign Relations, said Trump’s policies on H1-B visas and trade are unlikely to have long lasting effects as market and economic forces will have a correcting effect. He said that he did not see any strains on India-US commercial ties lasting beyond the initial phase “for the reason that for economies to say that my companies must buy costlier material or my companies must hire costlier services, even when better alternatives are available eventually is not going to help the economy itself.” He added, “And therefore, the very force of the economy and the market economy itself is capable of pulling in the other direction.” Reserve Bank Governor Urjit Patel gave a similar prognosis after delivering the Kotak Family Distinguished Lecture at Columbia
which the Indian professionals have made to the competitiveness of the US economy and the innovations within the US economy,” he stated. “We have also earlier on referred to the contribution of these professionals as bridge builders between the two economies of the United States and India as well as between our societies.” The spokesperson said that what has happened in the US is that an
executive order has been passed. “Now, it has to be acted upon and as a result of which it could perhaps be expected that there could be a legislation in the US Congress or there could be some other sort of process concerning the H-1B visas,” Baglay said. “So, once that process takes place, then we will have to make an assessment depending upon the details at that stage of the changes made.”
Sri Lanka PM to visit India ahead of Modi visit
S Finance Minister Arun Jaitley during a conversations on C Peter Mc Colough Series on International Economics at Council on Foreign Relations in New York City
University. “The country that advocates protectionism is ultimately affected,” he said. “The most efficient corporations in the world, including in the US, benefit (and) their share prices are where they are because of the global supply chain,” Patel said. “Where would Apple be, where would Cisco be, where would IBM be if they were not sourcing the best products and talent from across the world?” Patel added. He ascribed the calls for protectionism in the US to income inequality and said they “should be addressed through domestic fiscal policies, in other words, taxation and income transfers.” “Using trade instruments like
Reserve Bank Governor Urjit Patel
customs duty, border tax, etc. is not the most efficient way. In fact could end up somewhere else.” Trump, who ran for President on a platform of “Buy American, Hire American”, has called for restricting the H1-B visas for professionals to higher-level technical positions paying higher wages and for bringing back manufacturing to the US.
ri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will be visiting India from April 25-29, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis scheduled visit in the island nation next month for the Vesak Day celebrations. Modi will inaugurate the 14th United Nations Day of Vesak celebration in Sri Lanka on May 12, an important Buddhist festival. The Vesak festival would be held from May 12 to 14. The opening ceremony would be held at Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), while the closing ceremony will be held in Kandy. Several countries have been invited for the UN Day of Vesak celebration in Sri Lanka, which is being held under the theme ‘Buddha's Teachings, Social Justice and Sustainable World Peace. The celebration are being held in Sri Lanka for the first time in 13 years. Prime Minister Modi will be hosting a luncheon meeting with Wickremesinghe here on April 26. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe
Road Transport and Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari will call on the Sri Lankan leader. Last year, Ranil was on on a three-day official visit to India from October 4-6 to attend the opening plenary of the India Economic Summit. During the visit, both countries are likely to discuss the dispute over fishing activities in the Palk Bay and cooperation in the shipping and port sector.
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SPORTS
28 April 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz
101-year-old athlete Man Kaur sets world record to win World Masters gold W henever the 101-year-old Man Kaur sets foot on the athletics track, the aim is to get better. The world’s fastest centenarian broke her world record to clinch gold in 100m at the World Masters Games – considered the Olympics for veterans – in Auckland, New Zealand, on Monday, April 24. Improving on her world record by seven seconds in the 100-plus category, the great grand mom completed the race in 1 minute and 14 seconds Man Kaur made headlines last year when she become the world’s fastest centenarian by clinching gold in 100m at the American Masters Games in Vancouver with a time of 1 minute 21 seconds. “We trained for the last five months and as per her timing at training, she should have completed the race in one minute. She couldn’t react immediately to the starter’s gun and took time to realise the clock had started to tick,” her 79-year-old son, Gurdev, told HT from Auckland. Mann was assured of victory as she was the only competitor in the 100-plus category, but her participation itself is a motivation for the young generation, and she was mentioned as the ‘Miracle from Chandigarh’ in the New Zealand media. “Before the start of the race we knew gold was hers, but our target was to improve the timing and she was able to do it and that’s a victory,” said Gurdev. “For the last few days she was in pain due to her bent spine, but she was so happy after completing the race that she forgot all about it.”
On Wednesday, she will compete in 200m and shot put, and a day later in javelin throw. Gurdev, who introduced Mann to sports eight years ago, won silver in long jump (3.21m) and bronze in 100m (17 seconds). “Earlier, my best performance at the Games was fourth, but this time we had trained well at the Punjabi University, Patiala, and it helped both of us,” said Gurdev.
101-year-old Man Kaur from India celebrates after competing in the 100m sprint in the 100+ age category at the World Masters Games at Trusts Arena in Auckland. Kaur clocked one minute 14 seconds as a small crowd cheered her on -- ending a mere 64.42 seconds off Usain Bolt’s 100m world record set in 2009
Are qualifications or job choice more important for recent graduates?
T
here are ongoing debates about the right quantity and mix of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills, and about whether other skills deliver similar benefits to employers and the economy at large. A new paper by Motu Economic and Public Policy Research Trust focuses on the early career employment and earnings dynamics of young graduates from both STEM and non-STEM disciplines. “We’re looking at the career paths of different graduates in the six years after graduation,” Dr David Maré, Senior Fellow at Motu and a co-author of the report said. “We also estimate how well their wages match their contribution to productivity over time.” The research looks at the following groups: ¡¡ high STEM graduates with a bachelor degree or above in a STEM field; ¡¡ high non-STEM graduates with a bachelor degree or above in a non-STEM field; ¡¡ low STEM graduates who have a sub-bachelor qualification in a STEM field; and ¡¡ low non-STEM graduates who have a sub-bachelor qualification
in a non-STEM field. “All recent graduates tend to have jobs that begin paying more highly in the first year or two after graduation,” Dr Maré said. “They also tend to move into higher paying firms and industries and larger firms, as their careers progress.” All graduate groups start their careers with relatively high average pay. High-STEM graduates not only have the highest median earnings rate in the first year after graduation ($45,000), they also have a relatively high 49 percent growth in median earnings over their first six years post-graduation. “STEM graduates with a Bachelor’s degree or above change
jobs less than other graduate groups, but are more likely to end up in high paying industries, high paying firms within industries, and larger firms,” Dr Maré said. “Among graduates with less than a Bachelor’s degree, STEM and non-STEM graduates start at around $30,300 a year, but STEM graduates’ earnings grow more strongly.” When it comes to productivity, degree-qualified graduates become markedly more productive between the first three years after graduation and the subsequent three years. They also experience strong wage growth. Relative wages more than double for STEM graduates, and rise
by around 50 percent for nonSTEM graduates. “The relative wage paid to high STEM graduates is around 25 percent higher than their contribution to productivity. In contrast, high non-STEM graduates are estimated to make a higher relative contribution to productivity, and their relative wage is lower than their relative productivity by around 34 to 41 percent,” Dr Maré added. “What our analysis suggests is that the level of qualification tells us more about graduate outcomes than the field of study. However, there is almost certainly considerable variation within each group.” The non-STEM group includes high-paid fields such as accountancy and law, as well as lower paid fields such as creative arts.” New Zealand’s skilled graduates are very mobile. In the sixth year after graduation more than 20% of low-STEM graduates are overseas and 40% of high-STEM (and high-non-STEM) graduates have left New Zealand. The research uses Statistics New Zealand’s Integrated Data Infrastructure, an integrated data environment with longitudinal
microdata about individuals, households and firms. “Unfortunately our analysis can’t observe students who train overseas, the career outcomes of New Zealand graduates who travel overseas, or graduates who are self-employed or work in the informal sector,” Dr Maré said. “And because we’re looking at productivity variation within industries, our estimates may not reflect the impact that the changing supply of skilled workers has on the growth of innovative and knowledge-intensive sectors.” The independent report “Productivity and the allocation of skills” by David C Maré, Trinh Le, Richard Fabling and Nathan Chappell was funded by the Productivity Hub (a partnership between the Productivity Commission, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Statistics New Zealand and the Treasury, which aims to improve how policy can contribute to the productivity performance of the New Zealand economy and the wellbeing of New Zealanders). Motu Economic is the top-ranked economics organisation in New Zealand and is an independent economic research institute.
FEATURES
www.iwk.co.nz | 28 April 2017
23
Ageing parents and living overseas -
The guilty expat life ¡¡ AKANKSHA MEHRA HARIDASANI Thousands of us move away from India to live the big ‘foreign’ dream. We emigrate in search of higher education, quality living, career advancement, lucrative salary packages and better lifestyle. Moving away could mean a step closer to our dream which will be viewed through the society’s lens of “success”—a stable job with a six-figure salary, happily married, living in a dreamy picket-fenced house with two children. What more could one ask for? Lest we forget, the picture-perfect veneer of a ‘settled life’ required us to leave our parents behind. They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder. But it is difficult to say goodbye to drooping shoulders. We lead a global lifestyle and seek exposure from very early age. For most of us, it begins with studying abroad, and our folks make it possible for us. They work incessantly, spare a chunk from their retirement savings, take loans and leave no stone unturned to somehow make it happen for us. They
surely get expensive gifts, holiday at exotic locations and humblebrag about their sons or daughters back home. But between the broad smiles, there is a saga of anxiety, loneliness and uncertainty which remains untold. Festivals feel mundane and simple errands like going to the doctor or bank become a task. They heavily depend on neighbours or close-by relatives in many instances. Parents then start socialising by engrossing themselves in mandir (temple) groups or kitty parties to curb the growing feeling of loneliness. As an expat, we all understand the feeling of being ‘stuck in the middle’ or the idea of ‘identity crisis’ because it is hard to cut all cords. As time passes, the idea of ‘home’ seems far distant yet remains thoroughly intact through our identity and culture. We were dependent on our parents as kids but have grown up to be independent of them as adults. However, living on another continent does not change the fact that our parents need us. So how does an expat adult look after their parents? The key lies in communication and planning. Thank you ‘video calling’! My life revolves around Facetime, and I am quite lucky that my family is technologically advanced. But for elderly parents or grandparents who were
not born as digital natives, video calling can be a burden. Make some effort and teach them the basic functions of Skype, Facetime or WhatsApp video calling because seeing one another can make all the difference in the world. Diligently scheduling at least one video call a week is not a lot to ask for. You could share the highlights of your week and discuss their health care at length. In this way, you could be intimately engrossed with them without being physically present. Another important aspect is keeping a record of their health support personnel. Even though you live in a different country, make sure that you are able to contact their health support person or concern near ones in case they become incapacitated and require your help.
During a recent health hazard back home, I realised that I am placed miles away in New Zealand which is not an ideal location to reach India in a short while. Hence ensuring that one has all the necessary travel conditions fulfilled and a visa ready in case of an emergency, is extremely important. Distance cannot lead to the demise of a relationship. Living in a distant land means that we cannot physically check on our parents but can still provide adequate care. Unable to spend quality time with ageing parents can cause frustration and can distract you from your daily life. Take time to look after yourself too and enjoy your life. Let me end this on a KJo (Karan Johar) note: it’s all about loving your parents.
Ten apps that will help you learn faster ¡¡ @MAHESHK
My Study Life
Duolingo
iTunes U
The app recently added a new feature to scan documents and print them straight from the phone.
Learnist: iTunes / Android
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Earnist is an app that lets you learn from tens-of-thousands of topics with detailed sequenced lessons that are crowd-sourced and categorised. Think of it as a social network for learning with text, videos and LearnBoards.
PhotoMath Android
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lanning to learn a new language? This multiple-award winning app makes it easy and great fun. It not only helps you practice your speaking, reading, listening, and writing skills but also improve your vocabulary and grammar skills through games. The app supports many languages including English, Spanish, French, Swedish, Russian, Italian and German.
Khan Academy
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han Academy is no longer a secret. The treasure trove of videos on almost any subject is just incredible. The app boasts access to over 10,000 free downloadable videos. So whatever you are looking to learn- K-12 maths to computer science to economics, trust Khan Academy to help you learn stuff.
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hotoMath is a unique concept. Many times, you come across a math problem where you get stuck. With PhotoMath, you just point your phone camera on the notebook or textbook and voila! The app gives you the step-by-step solution with the answer. Simple but life-saver.
GradeProof
A
re you trying to improve your writing skills? With GradeProof, you can improve your writing style, check for originality, and identify grammatical issues. The magic is in GradeProof ’s intelligent algorithms and patentpending AI technology that also offers you to rephrase or reword your writing. While the app is free, you can upgrade to GradeProof Premium for power features.
Being on top of multiple classes, homework, and assignment exams could be daunting for some students. My Study Life app is a cross-platform planner for students and teachers that helps you plan and organise many aspects of your learning. Students can see due homework and assignment or plan for exam revisions. You can create a timetable and track your homework, assignments, etc. too.
Periodic Table
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his app is not just an interactive Periodic Table but goes beyond that. The app features images, videos and podcasts to help you learn about the elements. Irrespective of the fact that you are a beginner or an advanced student, you will find something that suits your learning level. You can also customise the app to see what interests you.
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pple’s iTunes U is a fullfeatures learning app for students and teachers. The app also features access to over 1 million free lectures, videos and other resources on thousands of subjects. Students can view assignments, homework, and tests. They can also interact with the teacher and other students, view their grades and track their progress. Teachers can plan the lessons, prepare teaching material and engage with students through the app. They can also grade student work and even publish their content for other teachers.
Studious
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tudious is much more than a planner app. It lets students plan and organise their homework, assignments and exams with reminders of due dates. It also allows you to send emails to teachers and even take brief notes.
Quizlet: iTunes / Android
Q
Uizlet is a basic app that excels in just one thing– learning from flashcards. You can browse through a vast collection of quizzes created by other students and teachers. Whether you are learning your ABCs or preparing for SAT exams, you will find a quizlet just for yourself. You can also create your own flashcards. The app allows offline access and can be upgraded for extra features.
FUNZONE
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Play sudoku online at:
www.sudokukingdom.com
Sudoku Daily Sudoku puzzle No. 3841
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Tricks to remove coffee stains from clothes
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f you are in a committed relationship with your coffee, chances are you have faced this situation many times - spilling coffee on your favourite dress or shirt! Even though coffee stains are one of the most tough ones to get rid of, we suggest few simple tricks to get rid of those stubborn stains:
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Fill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, column and each of the 3x3 squares contains all the digits from 1 to 9.
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28 April 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz
Play sudoku online at:
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Pour club soda liberally on the stain and blot, continuing until the stain has completely lifted.
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Magical vinegar
Use a baby wipe to blot up coffee spills; it absorbs both the liquid and the stain.
You can lift coffee stains from your clothing by patting the spot with a towel moistened with undiluted white vinegar just before placing the item in the wash. For large stains, soak the garment overnight in a solution of 3 parts vinegar to 1 part cold water before washing.
Egg yolk This stain remover might surprise some, but many people swear by it. Beat an egg yolk and work into the coffee stain with a towel for about a minute. Rinse thoroughly with water.
How to take care of your high heels
T By the river
here’s no two way about it that high heels ups our confidence levels and when we walk in them we feel like we are on the top of the world and there’s no stopping us. For many the mere smell of a freshly delivered shoe can enliven the minutest desires. But it is equally important to take care of these pretty heels as these will support you in the long haul. So here are tips on how to take care of those pretty heels.
Down by the river side blew a breeze like a mystical tune causing her hair to rufle to the rhythm... She seemed to enjoy the company of glistening stars it seemed as though they were fireflies frozen in time... The illusion of the gumusservi on the river made this a perfect night -Anouskha Patel Send us stories, drawings, poems and other contributions by your little ones along with their photographs for this page. E-mail us at reporter@indianweekender.co.nz
¡¡ Never drive in heels . Driving in high heels
is a sure way to damage your shoes as the pressure on your heels from driving can cause heels or shanks to break. Wear a flipflops while driving car. ¡¡ Always keep them clean . Sweep a condition polish over your leather shoes from time to time using a soft cloth. And keep your suede pairs fresh with a stiff shoe brush. Use a suede eraser to rub away any dried dirt or stains. ¡¡ If your shoes smell bad with odor , try sprinkling some baking soda which will absorb the dirt and cut down the bad smell. Remove the baking soda the following morning with a soft cloth.
Health Tip of the Week
¡¡ First and foremost don’t wear them
regularly . Give them a rest day and opt for a different footwear so that they can rest and breath and be ready for tough day’s battle ahead. ¡¡ A shoe closet is a great way to keep them safe and moist free . Invest in a good shoe closet so that they stay longer and aren’t affected by outside elements.
It’s best to stretch right after a workout, when the body is still warm. It maximizes joint flexibility.
FEATURES
www.iwk.co.nz | 28 April 2017
Bhagavad-Gita’s answers on love ¡¡ ACHARYA DAS
The cultivation of such a spiritual relationship of love with the Supreme Soul is the highest perfection of yoga. In the Bhagavad-Gita, Krishna says: I am the Supreme Soul, O Arjuna, seated in the hearts of all living entities. -Bhagavad-Gita 10.20
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ove is perhaps the greatest driving force for all of us, where we seek both to love someone and to be loved. The poets, song-writers, and film-makers all make love a central theme, that they write about, over and over again. People are drawn to a good love story and an emotional love song. But what is love? A common definition is ‘an intense feeling of deep affection’. And one identifiable symptom of love in this world is when we see a person being more concerned for someone else’s happiness than their own. There are people who might put up some form of hard exterior, pretending they aren’t interested in love, but even they will come to a point in their life where they desire a genuine experience of love. We can experience some level of love or affection in this world, but the experience we desire within our heart cannot be completely fulfilled in this world, with other material personalities. The normal progression of socalled love is that it starts off with great excitement and a fluttering heart, and then as it progresses, people often begin wishing the relationship was giving more. They are not completely fulfilled in the relationship, and yet still hold onto this ideal of finding perfect love. This is because it is part of our eternal spiritual nature to
In order to become intimately
exist in the condition of perfect spiritual love. There are so many lonely people in the world visiting dating websites and going to bars—people trying to meet each other. But everybody brings some baggage– with their own ideas of what it is that they want or what they expect of someone else. I will often advise people of the need to appreciate the reality that at some point in their relationship or marriage, they’re going to be dissatisfied with each other and that is normal. Another person or material personality is not going to be able to provide the complete fulfillment of this great spiritual need that you have - to both love and to be loved. Placing unrealistic and unachievable expectations on each other is the worst thing that you can do for a marriage or
relationship. It is perfectly acceptable and even healthy to have relationships founded on a “less than perfect” love. However, as eternal spirit souls by nature, our real and eternal need lies in re-establishing our connection with the Supreme Soul, the actual Lord of our heart. If we are not able to fulfill this natural propensity to love the true Lord of our heart, we’ll find ourselves constantly seeking this connection elsewhere. The word ‘yoga’ actually describes a union, a relationship.
April 28 to May 4 | By Manisha Koushik ¡¡ Aries (Mar 21-Apr 20)
¡¡ Cancer (Jun 22-Jul 20)
connected with the Lord who is residing within our own heart, it is necessary for us to undergo a transformative process. The material condition is where we live separately from the Lord who resides within our own heart and we become completely focused on what we consider “our life” and “our self ”. We chase after things in this world thinking that we will find some perfection here. We chase here, we chase there; we try this,
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we try that, and we always come up empty-handed. The yoga process very much involves learning to curb that tendency and redirecting our search for happiness within. The Bhagavad-Gita says: Being freed from attachment, from fear and anger, being fully absorbed in Me and taking refuge in Me, many persons in the past became purified by knowledge of Me and thus, they all attained transcendental love for Me. -Bhagavad-Gita 4.10 This is the result of full spiritual awakening. If a person has a partial spiritual awakening, they may not come to experience this actual condition of transcendental love. But when one is able to unite in love with the Supreme Soul, they will be able to come to experience the condition of true spiritual love. In this condition, not only will they love the Supreme Soul but they will also experience genuine love for all others, seeing them as His children, His parts and parcels, and individual living beings who are all intensely loved by the Supreme Soul. About the author
Acharya das is a respected teacher of Vedic and yogic philosophy, meditation and kirtan, and a practitioner of the transcendental science of Bhakti Yoga. He has spoken about yoga wisdom to international audiences for over 40 years. Acharya das is currently in Auckland and holds regular discourses. For more information about these discourses, to ask questions, visit:www. Acharyadas.com
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)
Despite your reservations, you will have to call a spade a spade at work. You may take it upon yourself to bring someone in shape on the fitness front. Accompanying someone you click with is likely to make your journey entertaining. You may have to make some allowance for a greenhorn struggling to complete something complex. Someone’s unkind comments may leave a bad taste in your mouth, but expect him or her to apologise for the same.
Travelling is likely to open many new opportunities on the professional front. Some of you are likely to get the courage to blow the lid off your romantic affair and come out in the open. Those apprehensive about travel documents can rest easy as they will manage to undertake the journey overseas. A landed property is likely to give good returns. Road users need to guard against road rage.
You may change your stance on a matter at work and it will be the right move. Chances of getting shortchanged cannot be ruled out for some. You are likely to squander a good opportunity on the professional front, if you are not careful. Need is to focus on priorities, but your heart may pull you in a different direction. Boredom is likely to set in on the romantic front, if excitement is not infused soon!
Lucky Number- 5 / Lucky Colour- Magenta
Lucky Number- 2 / Lucky Colour- Deep Sky Blue
Lucky Number- 7 / Lucky Colour- Cream
¡¡Taurus (Apr 21-May 20)
¡¡ Leo (Jul 21-Aug 22)
¡¡ Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
¡¡ Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 21) You may be called upon to undertake something prestigious. A good time is foreseen at work, as the workload seems to be minimal. You will be able to pacify a family elder, who is upset on someone. A most wonderful time can be expected in the company of lover. Earning remains good and so does splurging! Steps taken to come back in shape are likely to prove most beneficial. Performance on the academic front will be good. Lucky Number- 4 / Lucky Colour- Off White
¡¡ Aquarius (Jan 22-Feb 19)
Focus may be lacking in something new that you have started, but you will regain it soon. You are likely to omit something important in a task given to you and pay for it, if you are not careful. A slanging match with spouse or a family member is a possibility. Initial excitement of falling in love is likely to take you to seventh heaven! You will need to give up a vice, before it plays with your health.
You may need to keep some options handy on the professional front to avoid getting stuck. A new venture started by you will show promising results. Businesspersons will be able to net wellheeled clients by promoting their business in niche segments. Gains are indicated for those playing the stocks. Money loaned by a friend can become a life saver for some. You may be invited to participate in a social event.
You may be roped in by someone close for a job that may not be to your liking, but little you can do about it. There is nothing that can go wrong this week, except things involving property. You are likely to achieve a breakthrough on the professional front. Students wanting a scholarship are likely to get lucky. A function at home can keep you busy and entertained. Love may knock at your door of those looking for it.
You may be able to motivate someone to do what you had desired for long. Closeness to someone is likely to put ideas of the romantic kind in your head! You will be thorough in whatever you undertake and impress all with your performance. A hobby will help some spend their time constructively. A new venture may find support from most unexpected quarters. Travelling with family on a vacation is on the cards. Health remains good.
Lucky Number- 17 / Lucky Colour- White
Lucky Number- 11 / Lucky Colour- Pink
¡¡ Gemini (May 21-Jun 21)
¡¡ Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 23)
Lucky Number- 9 / Lucky Colour- Rose
Lucky Number- 8 / Lucky Colour- Coffee
¡¡ Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
¡¡ Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20)
You will be more than willing to participate in something on the social front and you will get your chance. An outing with lover is on the anvil and will be most enjoyable. Taking a lift in somebody else’s vehicle may become necessary this week. You may make up your mind to sell a property you own. Your actions on the home front will be much appreciated. A salary hike is possible, but not immediately. Health remains satisfactory.
You will get lucky in finding someone, who helps you out in an important matter. Getting a position of authority at work is foretold. Your shrewd moves on the social front are likely to draw many into your camp. Those seeking love may feel blessed, as they are about to realise their dreams! Some previous investments are likely to mature to make your bank balance healthy. Renovation or changes on the home front may be given the go ahead.
This is the time to do your bit on the family front to win appreciation. You can feel both proud and anxious about the profession of a family youngster. Money comes in a steady stream and is set to improve soon. Homemakers may feel tied to the home and yearn for a change. Concern of lover is likely to warm your heart. You may have to help out someone in need by extending your resources.
It is best not to meddle in anyone’s personal life. Spouse or a family member can irritate you no end. Lover’s insistence on something that you are not prepared for can be upsetting. Check the mechanical condition of your vehicle to avoid problems en route. Business persons are likely to bag a few new clients. Your financial condition is set to improve as money from an unexpected source comes to you. Keep a sharp eye on a family youngster.
Lucky Number- 18 / Lucky Colour- Dark Red
Lucky Number- 6 / Lucky Colour- Forest Green
Lucky Number- 3 / Lucky Colour- Yellow
Lucky Number- 15 / Lucky Colour- Forest Green
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28 April 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz
AUCKL AND’S HOT TEST BOLLY WOOD STATION
Sonali Bendre: Filmmakers now open to pushing strong content S he made her debut in Bollywood in 1994 with Aag and later contributed to films like Duplicate, Hum Saath Saath Hain, Sarfarosh and Kal Ho Naa Ho. Actress Sonali Bendre, who has been in the industry for over two decades, says filmmakers are now choosing stronger content over tried-and-tested formulae. Asked how the industry has changed over the years, Sonali said: “Things are much more professional now and much more streamlined... There are better roles being written for women and people are now open to pushing strong content instead of only tried-and-tested formulas.” The 42-year-old actress, who has also appeared in Telugu, Tamil, Marathi and Kannada films, says that the Indian film industry isn’t age-centric any more as things are evolving. “Things are changing, slowly and steadily... It’s a great time for Indian cinema,” said Sonali, who is married to filmmaker Goldie Behl. Asked if earlier actresses were mostly taken in films to add to the glamour quotient in films, she said: “To a great extent yes – at that time it was all about the star’s popularity and fan following. Today it’s about which actor or actress can pull off a particular role and get into a certain character.”Sonali says the industry is re-visiting the golden era of cinema. “There used to be the black-and-white era, where strong roles were written for women and I think we are now revisiting that golden era of cinema,” added the actress, who welcomed late pop legend Michael Jackson on his arrival in India in a traditional Maharashtrian nauvari sari in 1996.Sonali has started a book club on social media and she says she did so to encourage the habit of reading. Talking about her book club, she said: “I used to be a voracious reader and then I never found the time. In today’s age, everything is digital. We are constantly on our phones or in front of the television; so we no longer take the time to just sit with ourselves... I started this club to encourage the habit of reading.” The Diljale actress has also penned a parenting book titled “The Modern Gurukul: My Experiments with Parenting”. Apart from her, several Bollywood personalities like Rishi Kapoor, Twinkle Khanna and Shilpa Shetty, among others, have tried their hands at writing. Does she see actors turning into authors as a trend? “I think a lot of people have interesting stories to tell; so it’s really wonderful that everyone is penning their stories and experiences,” Sonali said. Sonali was last seen on the silver screen in 2013 in a special appearance in Once Upon A Time in Mumbai Dobaara!. She was later seen on the small screen in shows like India’s Got Talent, India’s Best Dramebaazand Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Ye. What’s keeping her away from the big screen? “I was busy bringing up my son and looking after our home, and now that I have the time, I’m open to exploring roles if the content is great and the character is interesting. Hadn’t really thought of it until now – but am open to the idea of getting back on the big screen,” she said.
I’m work in progress: Prateik on battle with drug addiction
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rateik Babbar has come to terms with all the impression and that is why I wanted people to know complications of his life, and says he has fought about the downfall of my life. I wanted to tell them this the demons of substance abuse. But the actor happened to me and I am not perfect.” says he is still “work in progress”, and wants to write a Prateik, son of late actress Smita Patil and actorbook about his struggle to inspire people who are going politician Raj Babbar, started his acting career with a through the same. The actor said that his fans were small but noticeable role in Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na in under the impression that he was leading a “happy 2008. He followed up his act with films like Dhobi Ghat, life”, and were unaware about the dark truth of his Dum Maaro Dum and Ekk Deewana Tha. His last release life. And that is the reason he decided to talk about it in came in 2013 with Issaq. Prateik says his perspective public. He says the “guilt of being an addict yet having towards life has changed after the sabbatical and unconditional love from people with all aspirations and struggle. “There was a lot of time to introspect and hope” from him was killing him. The actor came out in resurrect. There is new direction, drive for life.” the open about substance abuse in April last year, and Prateik, who also made headlines for his relationship has maintained his distance from drugs and alcohol for with Amy Jackson and its after-effects, asserted that he over a year now. is “work in progress”. “There was a part of my life that people didn’t know “It’s a full time job – trying to be at peace in my about. All these years, people, fans and admirers saw life, trying to be a better person and be best in every me in a certain way as a good actor, a happy guy. But way I can be, be a good brother, be a good actor and a that wasn’t the case. I wasn’t happy, I wasn’t being good human being.” The actor, who will soon make his good to myself. I was a heavy addict. It was a huge Bengali debut with Auroni Taukhon, also expressed his problem,” Prateik said plans to write a book about the struggle. He added: “I wanted the While Prateik is interested in the idea of penning a fans and admirers to know book about his struggle with drugs, he says revisiting that side of my life. I didn’t the dark days will be troublesome. want them to have “But I have found my peace with it. I any false There have fought back the evils. I have come was a to terms with all the complications of lot of time to my life. It will be difficult to revisit the introspect and moments but I think it will also give a resurrect. There sense of relief that I have come out of is new direction, it, and that I have come out as winner.” drive for life”
RGV takes dig at National Film Awards
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averick filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma made snide remarks at National Film Awards, saying superstar Aamir Khans decision to skip all award events points out at the losing relevance of the system in India. The director, who often gets embroiled in controversies due to his remarks, tweeted that Aamir “doesn’t care to be measured by any Indian award committee including National (Film Awards)”. He posted: “Fact that Aamir khan, the greatest filmmaker of India does not attend any award events including National Award speaks about those events.” At the 64th National Film Awards announcement earlier this month, the Best Actor honour went to Akshay Kumar for Hindi movie Rustom, leaving much of Bollywood wondering why movies like Dangal and Aligarh were left out. It is being speculated that Aamir’s work in Dangal was not taken into consideration because he doesn’t attend any award functions. Kashmiri girl Zaira Wasim was named as the Best Supporting Actress for Dangal.
Stuntmen should get equal respect at award shows: Akshay Kumar
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tunt artists and choreographers should be accorded as much respect as heroes at every award ceremony, actor Akshay Kumar said. Introducing a special insurance scheme for all stunt artistes working in Hindi film industry, he said: “I am a stuntman first before an actor. For 10 years, I worked as a stuntman in Hindi film industry before getting the opportunity of acting. “So I know how stuntmen risks their lives to earn their bread. I know what it takes to risk their lives to entertain us. “So I think they should get equal respect even at the award shows for their work.” The actor along with renowned cardiac surgeon, Dr Ramakanta Panda of Asia Heart Institute, announced the insurance scheme that covers around 380 stunt artists between the age of 18 to 55 with a death compensation of Rs 10 lakhs.
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Baahubali
has given Indian filmmakers license to go big: Rana
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ctor Rana Daggubati, who awaits the release of Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, believes the success of S.S. Rajamoulis Baahubali as a franchise has given Indian filmmakers the faith and confidence to go big. “I think Baahubali has proved it that when you’re making a film for the entire nation, it is bigger than any film made in one language. You could be a filmmaker sitting in Madurai and if you have a great superhero film to make, you have the faith and confidence to make your film because there’s a country of audience to watch it,” Rana said. Does he feel there is sudden urge to make bigger films, especially after the announcement of Mohanlal-starrer multilingual film The Mahabharata, to be made on a budget of Rs 1000 crore? “I think it is amazing filmmakers have started to think big. ‘Baahubali’ has given them the license to go big,” he said. In Baahubali franchise, Rana plays a fictional character Bhallaladeva, who locks horns over an ancient kingdom with his brother Amarendra Baahubali, played by Prabhas. Asked if he finds surprising that a negative character vis-à-vis all the positive ones he has played so far has won him nationwide recognition, he said: “It’s a Rs 450 crore war film and it will give you far greater visibility.” “It is the biggest film in the country and even if I played any other character, it would have given me the same visibility. This is franchise cinema which is far bigger than any film that I have been part of so far,” he explained. Rana, known for being part of films such as Leader, Dum Maaro Dum and Department, says he has always been on the lookout for projects that transcended regional boundaries. ‘ Baahubali helped me explore new avenues across borders. It has given us so much strength that even while sitting in Hyderabad, we could think of making a huge franchise-based film that will be lapped up by the entire nation. It has taught me to take content to wherever I want,” he said, adding I the experience of working on the country’s think biggest film helped him to “understand and Baahubali has portray a character better”. proved it that when “It is because of the experience of working you’re making a film with finer actors and a highly talented director. for the entire nation, Everything I have learnt from both the parts of it is bigger than any the film will reflect on whatever I choose to do film made in one next,” he said. language” Baahubali: The Beginning had a phenomenal run at the box office. It ended up as one of the biggest grossers of Indian cinema. Is there a sense of nervousness ahead of the release of Baahubali 2, considering part one was a huge hit “It is the same story audiences are going to watch after two years. It’s the continuation of what happened at the end of first part. When we were making part one, we didn’t realise how big it will become and where it will take us,” Rana said. “The fact that it has become a brand and has been accepted even internationally, gives you so much more strength to make a greater part two. Ultimately, everything that we have made in this film is bigger than the first part,” he added. Talking about Baahubali 2, Rana said things got easier while working on this project. “When we were doing the first part, it was our first attempt in the war genre and everything was new to us. None of us even knew how everything that we are shooting will look in the end with visual effects. “There were challenges every single day and it was a struggle to address them,” Rana said. “Though part two was a physically taxing film in every which way, what we did here was we didn’t make the same mistakes we made in part one. We had bigger budget to shoot, thanks to the success of first part,” he said. Baahubali 2, which also stars Prabhas, Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah Bhatia, Sathyaraj and Ramya Krishnan, is slated for worldwide release on Friday, April 28.
28 April 2017 | www.iwk.co.nz
Subhash Ghai has done a lot for the industry, says Simi Garewal
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imi Garewal, who is still remembered for her negative character in Subhash Ghai’s Karz, says that the filmmaker has done a lot for this industry. “Subhash sir is so talented and he has done alot for the industry. Starting with direction, then starting Mukta Arts Productions and now Whistling Woods for children who want to learn film making. It’s His contribution nostalgic for to this industry is all of us to come tremendous and together and to know appreciable,” said that the craze of the Simi who was movie is still so warm present at the rebetween the audience premiere of the is really overcult classic starring whelming. Rishi Kapoor and Tina Munim along with Rishi and Ghai. “It Rishi revealed that he was very feels good to see that still people apprehensive about picturising one are loving our film and even after song which went to become one of seeing the movie so many times on the biggest chart-busters. TV, they have still come to theatres “When the song Dard-e-Dil was to watch the film,” she added. being shot, I was busy finding a Ghai said: “It’s nostalgic for all choreographer on the set. Subhash of us to come together and to know Ghai came and said he will that the craze of the movie is still choreograph the song. Initially that so warm between the audience is made me little worried as he was really overwhelming.” a director of an action film and Asked about his memories of this was a love song. But Subhashji the film, he said: “It was a tough assured me that he will re-shoot job convincing both the actors. the song if i don’t like it. “Now It took me 2 months to convince I am pleased to tell you that the Simi ji and few weeks to convince final version you see in the film Rishi sahab. It was a tough job as my image was that of an action was picturised by Subhash Ghai, film director and Karz was a without any choreographers,” musical screenplay.” he revealed.
Sonakshi can do things I never could: Shatrughan Sinha
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eteran actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha says that by acting in Noor his daughter and actress Sonakshi Sinha has proved that she can do things that he never could. Shatrughan doesn’t watch all the films of his daughter. But he did see her latest release Noor – and he can’t stop raving about her performance. “I speak not as a father but as a co-artiste. And while I am supposedly a great actor, she has proved she can do things I never could. I can happily say Sonakshi Sinha has managed to make a very difficult part look easy. It’s not easy to play someone so sloppy and so full of herself,” said Shatrughan, confessing that he watched his daughter’s performance nervously. Directed by Sunhil Sippy, Noor is based on Saba Imtiaz’s novel Karachi, You’re Killing Me!. “As I watched her performance I thought she would slip up and stumble. But Sonakshi kept the character going on an even graph even when the character was making one mistake after another. I applaud Sonakshi’s performance because as an actor I know how difficult her role is,” said the proud father. Does he see a growth in her performance? “Oh yes! The kind of roles. To bring so much dignity into the role of such a clumsy character is not
easy. I think this is Sonakshi’s best performance since Lootera’ I had been bowled over by my daughter in Lootera. Again, I am impressed by what she has done in Noor.” It was superstar Salman Khan who had predicted Sonakshi’s stardom. “During Dabangg, Salman had said Sonakshi will be such a big star that every girl in the audience would want to be like her. Now in Noor, she plays such an aspirational character. She portrays the uncertainties of a young city girl trying to find her bearings with such sensitivity. Every working girl would identify with her.” The proud father laments the fact that Sonakshi is not in Mumbai to enjoy her success. “She is with Salman doing the world concerts. We are really proud of her.”
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CAB Whangarei
Date: Wednesday, May 3 Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Venue: CAB Whangarei, 71 Bank Street, Whangarei CAB Whangarei will hold a free information session on New Zealand Education System. The topic will cover what is NCEA and national standards and overview of the education system to support the children to reach their goals. The session will be presented by Asma Shah and Adel Salmanzadeh of Ministry of Education. Light refreshments provided. For more information please call at 09 4388046 or email her at Whangarei@cab.org.nz
CAB Dunedin
Date: Monday, 8 May Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Venue: Dunedin Community House, Alexander McMillan Room (upstairs), 301 Moray Place, Dunedin CAB Dunedin will hold a free information session on “Know your Rights”. The topics will cover: Consumer Law – facilitated by Consumer Guarantees Act Fair Trading Act – facilitated by Kevin Flaherty Buying a car – facilitated by Stephen Duff Work rights – facilitated by Phillip de Wattignar of Fairness at Work Lunch provided. Please register your interest by phoning 03 471 6166 or Email at dunedin@cab.org.nz by Thursday 4 May 2017
TRENZ 2017
Date: Tuesday May 9 to Friday May 12 Time: 6 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Venue: Queens Wharf, Auckland, New Zealand TRENZ is New Zealand’s most significant businessto-business travel and trade show, with over 1200 delegates attending over the four day event. This leading event will captivate you with exciting new products and Sellers, combined with great networking opportunities. For more information on the event, visit TRENZ website www.trenz.co.nz.
CAB Napier
Date: Wednesday 10 May 2017 Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Venue: Raffles Street Café, Raffles Street, Napier CAB Napier will hold a free information session on Networking and Volunteering in Hawkes Bay. Learn
about the benefits of Networking and Volunteering: Learn about the regular lunch group for newcomers to Hawkes Bay Listen to a speaker from Volunteering Hawkes Bay on the benefits of giving your time to a local group Making friends and expanding your network Get information about how Citizens Advice Bureau can provide ongoing support, information and advice Refreshments provided. For more information please call Jenny Pearce at 06 835 7139 or email her at manager.napier@cab.org.nz
Shri Ram Mandir 2nd Anniversary
Date: Wednesday, June 7 until Sunday, June 10 Time: 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. onwards Venue: Ram Mandir, 11 Brick Street, Henderson Shri Ram Mandir is organising its annual Paath Uthsav, the four-day programme includes Pooja and cultural performances. Several passion-packed cultural activities all organised to engage the audience as well as helping promote the understanding and appreciation of the Indian culture. We are requesting our people in our community to come together to contribute our unique cultural heritage to highlight as a tremendous year for Shri Ram Mandir Paath Uthsav.
Kiss the Sky
Date: Thursday, June 29 until Saturday, July 1 Time: 7:30 p.m. onwards Venue: Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna Beach The New Zealand Dance Company forges its stellar reputation for choreographic mastery and extraordinary contemporary dance with the premiere of its 2017 triple bill Kiss the Sky, opening 29 June at the Bruce Mason Centre for four performances only. The season includes special opportunities to connect with The New Zealand Dance Company through an engaging “whole whanau” workshop and creative pre- and post-show talks.
WAIRAU VALLEY INVESTMENT 107 WAIRAU ROAD, WAIRAU VALLEY, AUCKLAND
• • • • •
High-profile location on Wairau Road with exposure to the Northern Motorway Over 30,000 cars passing daily Potential future redevelopment (maximum height of 20 metres) Freehold land 1,184m² (more or less) Currently returning $63,600pa + GST and outgoings
An excellent opportunity to secure an investment in the sought after location of Wairau Valley. Centrally located on Wairau Road the property has excellent exposure to the high volume traffic on both Wairau Road and the Northern Motorway. With front and rear access the property is a perfect fit for the current tenant Car7 who established their car dealer business on this site back in 2003. The Wairau Valley commercial precinct is tightly held and with low vacancy rates this will appeal to an investor entering into the market for the first time, or investors wishing to add this investment to their existing portfolio. An opportunity not to be missed so call now the sole marketing agents for further details.
Property Details Floor Area Land Area
Tenancy Details
Name of the Tenant Net Rental
40m² (approximately) 1,184m² (more or less) MSG International Limited $63,600pa + GST and outgoings
BAYLEYS.CO.NZ/1500904
Auction (unless sold prior) 11am, Wednesday 17th May 2017 Bayleys House, 30 Gaunt Street, Auckland Central, New Zealand Brian Caldwell +64 27 4815 505 brian.caldwell@bayleys.co.nz Devereux Howe-Smith Realty Ltd, Bayleys, Licensed under the REA Act 2008
Ranjan Unka +64 21 711 755 ranjan.unka@bayleys.co.nz
Devereux Howe-Smith Realty Ltd, Bayleys, Licensed under the REA Act 2008