Indian Weekender 2 September 2016

2SEP2016 Vol. 8 • Issue 24

NZ’s only Kiwi-Indian weekly

Auckland | Christchurch | Wellington | Hamilton | Palmerston North | Hastings | Invercargill

KAREENA KAPOOR GETS EMOTIONAL WHILE WALKING THE RAMP

The Pulse of Kiwi-Indians since 2009

Present at the launch of NZ People’s Party constitution were (standing from left) Dr Ajit, Joga Singh, Anand Naidu, Narinder Singla JP, Ambrish Gupta, (seated from left) Ashokbhai Darji, Jeet Suchdev, Roshan Nauhria, Anil Sharma, Rupinder Virk and Madanjeet Banga

ISLAM REACHES OUT TO KIWIS

AUCKLAND MAYORAL ELECTIONS

MEET THE CANDIDATES

www.iwk.co.nz

NEW ZEALAND

www.iwk.co.nz | 2 September 2016

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NEW ZEALAND

New ethnic-based party creates a stir Kiwi-Indian businessman Roshan Nauhria’s newly-formed New Zealand People’s Party will be focused on law and order and address the rising crime against Indians and Asians ¡¡ Esha Chanda, Swati Sharma

T

here’s a new player on New Zealand’s political battleground.

New Zealand People’s Party, formed by successful Kiwi-Indian businessman and member of the New Zealand Order of Merit Roshan Nauhria, will focus on law and order and address the rising crime rate against Indians and Asians in New Zealand.

“The biggest issue with our people is law and order,” said Mr Nauhria. “We are always targeted...no one is listening to us. A murder happens, it is reported, the MPs and PM issues a statement, but it doesn’t solve the problem.”

The party, which was formed earlier this week, has already drawn criticism from political leaders.

Taking about the party, NZ First leader Winston Peters said: “New Zealand cannot afford to get caught up in race-based politics.

No country is going to progress if we have political parties spending time accentuating their differences.

Roshan Nauhria, the founder of New Zealand People’s Party

“For people to come into New Zealand and say we’re going to start an ethnic-based party is an extraordinary demand to make.

They are already well-presented in Parliament. New Zealanders would not consider making such a demand in any country in Asia.”

(Read more about his view on Page 12).

However, Mr Nauhria said Asians contributed only 13–14% to New Zealand’s population and

he felt that they were not fully represented in parliament and local council or government jobs.

“We have three Indian MPs, one Chinese and one Korean. There are so many issues concerning us, for instance, the immigration scam. Twenty per cent of the students had to go back because they were victims. Does the government know about this?

Yes, but there are not doing

New Zealand People’s Party, formed by successful KiwiIndian businessman and member of the New Zealand Order of Merit Roshan Nauhria, will focus on law and order and address the rising crime rate against Indians and Asians in New Zealand. anything. They are happy with the money that comes in.”

him about the allegation that a new party would divide people, he replied, “Winston Peters is only making noise. We are not doing anything undemocratic. We have the right to create a party. It is then up to the people of New Zealand to decide who they want to work for.”

Prime Minister John Key said a new party was not surprising considering the recent focus on migration.

“It’s not just Winston Peters with an anti-migrant message; it’s also been people like Labour. So you’re always going to get people wanting to make sure their voice is heard the other way,” Mr Key told the NZ Herald.

However, he added that ethnic communities would be better served by major parties selecting candidates from the communities rather than a new party being formed. “I think that’s far more effective and likely to be successful.”

Indian Weekender spoke to community leaders and politicians to know their views on the new party.

When Indian Weekender asked Read their comments on the next page.

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I support the Ethnic Expressions like the formation of NZ People’s Party. The reason this party has been formed is that major political parties have not given enough hearing to these sections of NZ population. When we look at National, we need to ask ourselves, ‘do we really have quality representation and have we really achieved anything or has this been used just to collect funding.

Look at the Labour party; they don’t even seem to care at all. It is not only MPs; what about the representation in bureaucracy and 100s of government boards.

2 September 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

New Zealand is a democracy. People have the right to form political parties and a responsibility to vote for the parties and candidates they want in Parliament.

The party may or may not be able to secure seats in forthcoming elections to get into the Parliament but a stir will definitely be created in the political spectrum. This will in turn help in real representatives of people, who actually understand and are capable.

I joined the Labour Party 10 years ago because the Labour values—of social justice, and fairness of opportunity for all regardless of race, religion, sex or social standing—reflect my own. Over the past 100 years, Labour has driven significant progressive change for New Zealanders.

Labour has also been vocal on issues that disproportionately affect migrants— the Office of Ethnic Affairs and a comprehensive settlement support strategy are just two examples.

I strongly believe that our Parliament should reflect and represent all of us.

Ethnic MPs are well-placed to contribute based on individual expertise and on issues that disproportionately affect ethnic communities.

As far as the issue of dividing people on race is concerned, this party may gather Asian candidates, but it is open for everyone and not just Indians or Chinese. If Maori Party has a reason to be there, I think it is apt to have a party focused on other ethnic groups such as Indian or Chinese communities. I believe this is a typical outcome of a democracy.

If these many (500) people want such a party to be formed, I think there is a genuine reason behind it. And whatever Winston Peters says (about dividing people on race), it is his viewpoint.

While it’s important for MPs to be held accountable by those who elect them, I suspect we may be a bit harsh on ethnic MPs who have a disparate electorate of about 500,000 people to represent. As Dr Rajen Prasad said in his valedictory speech, it is potentially more difficult for ethnic MPs to have a strategic impact in Parliament because the structures they operate within are largely monocultural.

While this must change over time, a new party in Parliament in the current climate will be operating within the same structures and limitations.

Veer Khar

President, Manukau Indian Association

Priyanca Radhakrishnan

Elected member, Labour Party Policy Council Former Labour List Candidate (2014)

I know Roshan quite well. I like him. He has been a strong backer of the National Party in recent years but has clearly become disillusioned with it. We live in a democracy, so people are free to vote for whoever they want and to set up their own parties if they wish. It’s up to members of the Indian community to make their own decisions on this.

Speaking for Labour, we are keen for the Indian community to be active in our party. There has been a close and longstanding relationship between Labour and the community, and I have enjoyed a strong support from it.

I have been at meetings with the New Zealand Indian Central Association and Manukau Indian Association where I have heard strong criticism of the MPs. I think sometimes that has been a little unfair. I know that Labour will have strong representation from the community in the candidates we select for the next election.

There is a party already based on race— the Maori Party. My own preference is for parties that represent all ethnicities. What divides people is race-based comments that politicians sometimes make.

Phil Goff

MP for Mt Roskill Labour Spokesperson for Ethnic Communities

New Zealand is a mature democracy.

We are fortunate to enjoy the fruits of living in a democracy. That anyone or a group of people can get together and form a political or any organisation is a tribute to this democracy. Any political or other organisation should be inclusive, not exclusive.

However, I also believe that the best way to seek representation of any group is through mainstream political parties having representatives of their communities, so National has it—two Indian MPs, a Korean MP a Chinese MP. We have representation across a wide range of ethnic groups. I think that’s far more effective and likely to be a successful rule, than a standalone political party. Further, National Party has led the way in seeking representation from Asian and Indian communities. Pansy Wong was the first Asian Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister. Other political parties have tried to follow examples set by National Party.Furthermore, others have tried this approach before forming a political party, however, based on their experiment, I feel that this is a waste of community resources that can be used for other fruitful purposes.

I feel that our community should stand behind current representatives in the time to come.

Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi National List MP

Students’ deportation bid sparks protest ¡¡ IWK Bureau

M

ore than 150 international Indian students are about to be deported from New Zealand because their India-based agents used fake financial documents to get them into the country on student visas.

The students had no idea that the agents were using fake documents and feel that being deported for something they didn’t even know about is unfair.

The students are organising a protest on Saturday, September 3, outside National Party list MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar’s office.

The students have paid tens of thousands of dollars to the educational institutes in New Zealand who worked with the recruiters in India but now they are being told that the fees cannot be refunded if they are sent back home.

Despite the fact that Immigration New Zealand has been informed about these agents, no action has been taken against fraudulent agents.

Sunil Chinta, a student at AWI International Education Group says, “We are here for studying and international exposure, not for cheating someone. We are honest, hardworking, and law-abiding migrants in the country. Please don’t deport us for something that we have not done.”

Pradeep Sudini, another student at New Zealand Institute of Studies, says, “Don’t punish me. I have not cheated in any way to get my student visa. The financial

document that was given to Immigration New Zealand on my behalf was done by the agent and not me.”

Sairup Teegala, a student at Royal Business College says, “I came to New Zealand with a lot of dreams but now this situation is a nightmare. Had I known [this] earlier, I could have acted to correct the situation. I could have stopped at the airport to avoid this grief and hassle.”

Hafiz Syed, who graduated from NZSE, says, “I opted for New Zealand for education over the US and Canada. When I applied for my student visa, I had no idea about any fraudulent document. When I applied for my open job search visa, I was told about the fraudulent documents.

If deported, I will not be able to face my family and friends. [If] anything happens to me, Immigration NZ will be accountable for it.”

Anu Kalloti of Migrant Workers Association is calling students to join the protest at noon on September 3 outside the Stoddard Road shops in Mount Roskill, Auckland.

www.iwk.co.nz | 2 September 2016

NEW ZEALAND

Aucklanders plan grand Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations ¡¡ Esha Chanda

F

or Indians, Ganesh Chaturthi spurs up memories of delicious home-cooked modaks, visiting homes in the neighbourhood for darshan, and Ganesha aartis. Back home, this 10-day-long celebration unites the community like no other, with public gatherings seen in housing complexes and temporary mandals set up in various parts of the city.

A part of the festival comes alive in Auckland this year with different celebrations planned across the city.

Auckland Marathi Association is organising Ganeshotsav on September 11 at the Mount Eden War Memorial Hall. Aarti would begin at 3 p.m., which will be followed by several cultural programmes, a speech from the chief guest Phil Goff—mayoral candidate for 2016 and former MP for Mt Roskill—and a dinner from 6:15 p.m. onwards. While entry for members is free, non-members can register for the event by dropping an e-mail by September 5 to nzmarathi@ gmail.com to purchase a ticket for $15.

Another celebration planned on the same date but earlier in the morning will see the community come together at Malaeola Community Hall in Mangere in an event planned by Sri Ganesh Food and Spice, Mandap Events and Hire, and Humm FM. The programme,

which will go on from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with visarjan starting at 2 p.m., will see Ganpati ahishek, followed by a puja and aarti.

As Indian community organisations get together over the next weekend, Kiwi-Indian homes will be celebrating the festival that falls on Monday, September 5. Last year, Auckland resident Anjana Iyer decided to bring Ganesha to her home. This year, too, she will be setting up a small mandap at her home and has invited friends over for darshan.

“I miss the energy and enthusiasm throughout Bombay (Mumbai), visiting all the Ganesh pandals with my friends and family and, of course, my mother’s delicious home-cooked food.” For Iyer, a get-together at home is a small way of continuing the tradition from back home.

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2 September 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

Know your mayoral candidates

In our first in the mayoral special series for the month, we introduce our readers to the candidates vying for the position of Auckland mayor.

¡¡ Esha Chanda

I

n the weeks leading up to the elections, Indian Weekender will speak to each candidate and ask them about their vision for Auckland, how they plan to address the two important issues faced by Aucklanders—public transport and housing—and their stand on the much debated Auckland Unitary Plan. This week, we spoke to David Hay, Vic Crone and Susanna Kruger. Here’s what the city’s potential future leaders had to say.

David Hay

AUCKLAND

LOCAL ELECTIONS

2016

The plan expands the range of housing types across the city, offering more choice to homeowners. We now have to ensure that those homes are built to high standard and that vibrant communities are able to develop in and around development areas.

Your approach housing and transport issues

M

ost Aucklanders would remember David Hay from his Green Party days before his departure following a dispute over leadership and direction of the party, particularly Green’s “lack of attention to, and engagement with Auckland issues”. He stood for parliament twice, in 2008 and 2011, and has held various positions with the Greens. Hay is now standing for Mayor of Auckland as an independent candidate with the vision statement—cool Auckland: carbon zero by 2060 or sooner.

Your plan for the first 60 days in office if elected

My first priority will be to provide emergency housing for Auckland’s homeless. I think we could do that in 60 days or less if we really tried. If there were just one thing I could achieve in two months, that would be it.

Your views on the Auckland Unitary Plan

I am in favour of the Unitary Plan. It has some flaws, and we can deal with those, but overall it is well thought out and sets a direction for Auckland’s future.

Vic Crone

V

to the public

These aren’t just Auckland’s issues; they’re issues for all of New Zealand. The housing problems are complex and a solution will require a joint effort by the council and government. The council has some control over issues of land and infrastructure supply but little control over housing supply or demand. The council will do what it can, but it can’t solve the housing problem without the central government’s involvement.

A solution to Auckland’s transport problem is quite simple, in theory: we need to build the Rapid Transit Network, which is already in the Auckland Plan. It’s an electric rapid rail system to move people on, of, around, and across Auckland’s central isthmus.

In practice, however, there have been difficulties to get the central government to sign up to building rail instead of motorways.

We need to create a cross-party consensus, at the central government level, to fund the Rapid Transit Network and address issues of housing supply and demand. And that consensus has to endure over a period of years or decades.

Three initiatives you plan on undertaking as the mayor

Auckland underwent major reforms when it became the “super city”. Those reforms need to be continued, consolidated, and completed. I will focus on three key ares: Government Relations: Working with other local authorities, political parties, and the government of the day to improve the working relationship between the central and local government in New Zealand.

Some of the difficulties we are experiencing are not Auckland’s alone; our size and rapid growth

rate have exposed serious flaws in the way central and local government work together. We can’t fix Auckland’s problems without addressing this issue, and it would be best to do that on a nation-wide basis.

Stronger Democracy: Changing the structure of local boards and devolving power to them, also introducing Single Transferable Vote elections and replacing the Independent Maori Statutory Board with councillors elected by Maori wards.

High-performing Council: Significant reforms to the management of the council organisation and CCOs to make them more efficient, effective, and responsive.

Your vision for the future of Auckland

“Cool Auckland: carbon zero by 2060 or sooner.”

We mustn’t lose sight of our long-term goals, and our plans to get there while dealing with the current problems.

Climate change is the most profound challenge that Auckland faces in the long term. All over the world, cities and regional governments have been taking the lead on reducing carbon emissions and dealing with the effects of climate change, while national governments are still dithering.

Auckland is already a part of the international cities movement through its membership of the C40 group, and we have a Carbon Action Plan in place. I will keep pushing forward and harder on reducing carbon emissions so that we will achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2060, at the very latest.

My approach to transport is as an integrated smart system.

There’s more than $6 billion in transport investment planned over the next seven years, out of the $60 billion 10-year spend. I’ll move more of council’s total spend into transport and broaden funding sources through partnerships.

ic has 20 years’ experience across business, government, and social enterprise. She resigned last year as Managing Director of Xero to shake council up. Her vision for Auckland: a world class city that is smart, inclusive, and competitive.

She says that at the moment, it is more expensive than ever to live here and harder to get around.

Your plan for the first 60 days in office if elected In the first 60 days, my main priority is to get an honest and clear picture from the inside of the council finances, particularly the situation with housing and transport. I will make those observations public.

Your views on the Auckland Unitary Plan

There are a few things I’d like to tweak if I’m mayor. Firstly, removing the Metropolitan Urban Limit and secondly, more intensification near good public transport. Ultimately, the council needs to genuinely take communities along on the journey rather than shutting them out.

People have valid concerns about how their neighbourhoods will look like and how schools, roads, and local facilities will cope.

Your approach to housing and public transport issues

My plan to speed up the housing supply chain includes getting tough on land bankers and property speculators with additional targeted rates, making sure we have strict development expectations in contracts for the land council sells, and a lean process review on the consenting system, which is out of control.

Council must work better with these stakeholders, including social housing providers.

My approach to transport is as an integrated smart system.

There’s more than $6 billion in transport investment planned over the next seven years, out of the $60 billion 10-year spend.

I’ll move more of council’s total spend into transport and broaden funding sources through partnerships. There are six key

projects I’ll bring forward not included in council’s plan or are too far away. They include the North-Western Busway, Penlink, AMETI, Lake Road, Mill Road, and electrifying rail to Pukekohe.

To make public transport more user-friendly, I’ll increase ferry services, improve feeder services, and focus on better safety.

Three initiatives you plan on undertaking as the mayor

A line-by-line review of all spending and making it public so people can see how their money is being spent. I’ll broaden our funding sources to take the pressure off rates and taxpayers.

Finally, I’ll move council towards a digital council so it is better equipped for the future and to serve you.

Your vision for the future of Auckland

My vision for Auckland is a world-class city; one that’s smart, inclusive, and competitive on the world stage.

NEW ZEALAND

www.iwk.co.nz | 2 September 2016

Susanna Kruger

A

business school owner offering the Young Entrepreneur Program and Create Your Own J.O.B. course while pioneering the Professional Entrepreneur Pathway, Susanna Kruger comes from Namibia where she was a Government Consultant of Public Service Reform specialising in education, culture, youth, and sport.

Your plan for the first 60 days in office if elected On the 60th day in office, I will announce a date, budget, venue, programme, and a team for holding one big inter-cultural festival with food and performing arts by all nations. As part of this, I will invite delegates from other cities across the globe presenting awards to individuals representing ‘winds of change’.

Your views on the Auckland Unitary Plan The Unitary Plan is a corrupt corporate project

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claiming to address the needs of the community benefitting construction and related industries, bringing nothing more than a new name for an old agenda. I will facilitate investigations into it and into other alleged historic city plan fraud getting corporations to pay out communities, making housing affordable for everyday Kiwis.

virtual employees, reversing unemployment, exploitation, and crime. The City Rail Link is a second-millennium solution for a third-millennium problem, increasing debt and rates unnecessarily, making Auckland livable only for those who can afford it.

Your approach to housing and public transport issues

As author/speaker/ consultant/entrepreneur, I will make Auckland safe by (i) advocating and combating family and structural violence including all sorts of other abuse such as bullying and cruelty, (ii) exposing and banning chemical and poisonous substances from kitchens, bathrooms, and gardens, stopping the producers and sellers of such products, and (iii) challenging and balancing perspectives between locals and immigrants addressing the fears of both groups, creating a culture of seeking to understand.

These three initiatives are my current community projects that I will be able to transfer to public projects.

Minister for Ethnic Communities Hon Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga (extreme right), along with Member of Parliament Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi (second from left) met with President Veer Khar (third from left); Vice President Suresh Ramji; Paramjit Dhatt and Balubhai Mistry, executive members of the Manukau Indian Association to discuss construction of the Manukau Indian Assocation hall. The minister listened to ideas and suggestions proposed by the group for the hall at 25 Tui Road, Papatoetoe in Auckland.

Your vision for the future of Auckland

T

Auckland’s housing crisis is the result of a win-lose judicial system, a lobbyist political system, and an employment-driven education system. I will employ a mega micro-business plan to allow at least one member of the family to work primarily from home; reversing homelessness, welfare dependency, and poverty. WINZ and related agencies are at best a refuge and at worst a trap administered by employees instead of entrepreneurs.

The gate to ‘working towards self-employment’ has to be swung wide open so that I can help people turn hobbies into businesses.

Auckland’s transport crisis is the result of uncontrolled immigration, old-school legislation, and a corporate workforce. I will roll out a job-creating digital transport system to allow for the emerging gig economy to reduce road congestion through freelancing

Three initiatives you plan on undertaking as the mayor

My vision for Auckland is to make it the young entrepreneur capital of the world creating a truly healthy society, free from abuse and violence and presenting it as an international prototype.

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2 September 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

SOUTH LINE

News-in-brief from South Island

Devotees celebrate

Krishna Janmashtami

¡¡ Gaurav Sharma

M

ore than 200 devotees from in and around Christchurch got together on Saturday, August 27, in the Garden City to celebrate Krishna Janmashtami (Lord Krishna’s birthday) with great devotion at an event hosted by the city-based social and cultural organisation, Indian Cultural Group (ICG).

The event was a first-of-itskind in Canterbury incorporating a public pooja of Ladoo Gopal, with specially made Makhan Matki cake.

Charlotte and Divyana, who are dancers from Revathi Performing Arts—a Bharatnatyam school in Christchurch—also performed a specially choreographed arti pujan on the occasion.

A daring matki phod competition, where chocolates replaced the traditional makhan, was organised, too.

Jeet Gadhvi of Youngistan, an Indian youth group, which participated in the matki phod and dandiya ras that followed, said, “These two are a huge part of Gujarati culture, the state from where most of our members come from. It’s exciting to be able to celebrate Janamashtami in New Zealand’s South Island.”

Monty Parti from Mike Pero Bishopdale Real Estate, who was the main sponsor for the event, expressed great delight in being a part of Lord Krishna’s birthday celebrations.

“Indian community in Christchurch has grown exponentially in recent years, which has made celebrations such as these possible. We are honoured to do our bit in contributing towards it.”

The highlight of the evening was the Krishna-Sudama act performed by Raman Saini, Anmol and others.

Above: Attendees enjoying the dandiya ras night; Below: The highlight of the evening was the Krishna-Sudama skit performed by the members of Indian Cultural Group

“Coordinators for this event were Aman Saini, Rashik, and Navtej, who had put in a lot of effort to make this event a reality.

Bringing to life the greatest story of friendship in Indian culture was a special thing,” noted Sandeep Sachdev, President of ICG. Buoyant by the success of the event, ICG has already started planning its next endeavour, which will be the Children’s Day celebrations on the weekend before November 14, he concluded.

The event, organised by ICG, was a first-of-its-kind in Canterbury incorporating a public pooja of Ladoo Gopal, with specially made Makhan Matki cake

The first Indian Women Expo in South Island a roaring success ¡¡ Gaurav Sharma

present at the expo to provide information about its various course to potential students.

For those interested in trying out ethnic Indian wear, the citybased firm Jalsa Unique Indian Wear showcased Indian dresses in a fashion show. Ranjeeta Chand, the owner, noted, “We thank the CIWG’s organising committee, especially Archnaji for giving us this opportunity.” The final word belonged to Kevin Park, former

C

anterbury was put on the national map this weekend with the successful organisation of the first-ever Indian Women Expo in Christchurch. The six-hour long event, which had 47 stalls divided into nine zones, saw almost 1,000 people attending with several ministers and MPs including Amy Adams, Nicky Wagner, Parmjeet Parmar, and Ruth Dyson.

An initiative of the Canterbury Indian Women Group (CIWG)— established on March 8, the International Women Day—the expo provided a platform to Indian women for showcasing their skills, talents, and successes in different spheres including business, art, culture, education, health, and well-being.

“When we started thinking about organising such an event a few months back, we never imagined we would get such an overwhelmingly positive response from the Indian and wider community. Chances are that it might become a regular annual affair on the Christchurch’s events calendar,” said Archna Tandon, founder of CIWG and the main brain behind the expo.

Informing about the goals of CIWG, she added, “Our vision is to help Indian women and their families maintain cultural values, promote health and well-being and collaborate to

Learn Indian languages in Christchurch

Above: From left: Nicky Wagner, Amy Adams, Archna Tandon, Surinder Tandon, and Parmjeet Parmar at the expo Right: Various Indian classical dance performances enthralled the audiences

share knowledge and information for mutual support, capacity building and empowerment.”

Going by the idea of having something for everybody, the expo’s nine different zones were beauty, cuisine, fashion, home decor, art and culture, business, education, health and information.

An obvious hit among these was the Henna Body Art. Other attractions included: in the Fashion Zone, Punjabi juttis; in Home Decor, Rencontres Blings, which specialises in scented soy candles; in Art and Culture, the Lincoln University Dance Club and Bharatnatyam Group of Christchurch; in Health Zone,

President of the Korean Society of Christchurch, who attended the expo with family and friends, “The organisation of the expo, the gathering, the crowd management and the participation of businesses in the event has been wonderful.

“It didn’t look like CIWG is a new group, or that this is the first event they have organised, at all.

Such was the professionalism we experienced.”

Free classes for Hindi, Gujarati, Telugu, Sanskrit, and Punjabi

O Pegasus Health, Art of Living, Reiki; as well as Christchurch Resettlement Services and Citizen Advice Bureau in the Information Zone.

For those new to Christchurch, the Business Zone had many handy stalls including the Western Union for transferring money to India, Eco Travels for air fares, as well as several real estate companies.

With growing importance of Indian students to NZ’s education sector, the Ara Institute of Technology led by its International Director, Beth Knowles, was also

ne of the most widely appreciated zones during the expo was the Education Zone, which had information about free weekend classes for those wishing to learn or brush up their language skills in Hindi, Gujarati, Telugu, Sanskrit, and Punjabi.

Kala Nand, who immigrated to New Zealand in 2002 from Fiji, is a primary school teacher and teaches Hindi. She noted, “The free classes are part of our contribution to the community and an effort to teach the younger generation our history, culture and develop a sense of belonging.

Our flagship annual event is the Hindi Divas, which we are organising on September 14.”

Uma Varma, who is starting Sanskrit classes in Christchurch soon and also teaches

Bharatnatyam at her dance school, Revathi Performing Arts, added, “Those wishing to learn Bharatnatyam have to have a basic understanding of the language to gauge the meaning of various hastas (dance moves).

But those wishing to learn the language only can come to our free Saturday classes.”

Similar sentiments were expressed by Lavanya Kasibhatla, who takes free Telugu classes in Christchurch. Kasibhatla, who also provides astrology services and writes personalised poems to be given as memorable gifts felt that the expo was a life-changing event for her, providing great exposure to potential clients.

Information was also available for free Gujarati and Punjabi classes conducted in Christchurch

by Manisha Sonigra and Kuljeet Kaur respectively.

NEW ZEALAND

www.iwk.co.nz | 2 September 2016

Kiwi-Indians urged to unite Saraswathi idol to be installed in Auckland at NZICA’s open forum ¡¡ IWK Bureau

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¡¡ IWK Bureau

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mportant issues affecting Indians in New Zealand will be on the agenda at New Zealand Indian Central Association’s (NZICA) open forum to be held on September 11.

The open forum will address issues such as immigration, race relations, discrimination, human rights, health and welfare, law and order, promotion of Indian cultural events, suppression of white league, portability of retirement pension, Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), political representation in NZ, Indian TV in NZ as well as Indian news media newspapers and radio broadcast.

The wider community forum is being arranged to strengthen the Indian bonds working together for a united voice.

The aim is to actively involve all the Indian groups to continue doing their good work as independent associations/groups having a link to an umbrella body ‘New Zealand Indian Central Association’, which is well recognised in New Zealand.

With an established track record of 90 years’ existence, NZICA Inc. takes the lead role in association with all other Indian groups to raise voice against any discrimination. NZICA Inc., established

he goddess of wisdom, learning and art, Saraswathi, will be installed at the Thiru Subramaniyar Aalayam on Sunday, September 4, with prayers and Maha Kumbabishegam. According to the temple committee, this is the first ever installation of the goddess in New Zealand.

The main prayers following the Kumabishegam will start from Friday, September 2 and devotees will be allowed to offer oil to the goddess on September 3 after 8 p.m. Smt Bhavani’s students will recite Veena at 7:30 p.m. onwards as an offering to the goddess of music, dance, and art.

The Maha Kumbhabishegam will take place on Sunday, September 4 between 11 a.m. to noon, and the rice offered to the devi will be distributed among the devotees.

The ceremony will conclude with Maha Abhisgegam, Alangaram, bhajans by Bobby Naidoo Andra, Maha Deeparathani and Prasaatham distribution.

The 45-day-long Mandalapoojai will start from Monday, September 5, for which performers and sponsors are being welcomed. Interested people can contact the temple priests or committee members to book their spot and offer their performance as upacharam (offerings to the goddess).

The temple committee invites everyone to be a part of the grand ceremony at 69 Tidal RoadMangere, Auckland.

Halal guide listed on NZ Tourism Website ¡¡ Rizwan Mohammad

Prakash Biradar, General Secretary of NZICA

in 1926 with three branches of Indian Association throughout New Zealand, now has 10 full branches, one associate branch, five associate members and one probationary associate member.

Fighting against discriminations, the members of NZICA Inc. have worked relentlessly in the last 90 years creating a good living environment for Indians in New Zealand.

The open forum will take place 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Mahatma Gandhi Centre, 145 New North Road, Eden Terrace, Auckland.

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ourism NZ has released a Halal food guide in conjunction with Kiwi Muslim Directory and FIANZ for the benefit of the Muslim travellers to the country. New Zealand houses an increasing number of Muslim travellers every year especially from Indonesia, Malaysia, Middle Eastern countries and other nationalities of Muslim descent.

Muslim community follows the Islamic rule for consuming only Halal certified food, and this guide will help them locate Halal certified restaurants, meat shops/ groceries, mosques, etc. during their stay in the country. Kiwi Muslim Directory (KMD) has been serving the community for more

than seven years and will be releasing their eighth edition soon. The directory provides information about prayer timings across the nation, mosque locations, Halal food outlets, etc. that caters to the basic needs of the Muslim travellers.

KMD is compiled with the help of many Muslims organisations in the country such as New Zealand Muslim Association (NZMA) and especially Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) that provides Halal certification to retail outlets and restaurants/ takeaways, etc.

The Halal directory is listed on newzealand.com (Tourism NZ website) and can be downloaded as well.

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2 September 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

Islam opens its doors to the public ¡¡ Rizwan Mohammad

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riendly debates, knowledge sharing, fun activities and an outpour of queries and doubts is the summary for Islam Open Day exhibition held at Aotea Square last weekend.

The exhibition saw a footfall of more than 1,500 visitors during each of the two days that kept the volunteers busy.

Sporting a blue t-shirt that read “Ask me!

I am Muslim’’, the volunteers interacted with visitors from different ethnicities and walks of life.

On display were posters on the history of Islam, long white pillars signifying the five pillars of the religion, a model of the Prophet’s mosques, booths with face painting for children and free scarves and henna for women, and stalls hosted by representatives of some Islamic countries such as Malaysia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Palestine.

Indian Weekender spoke to both, the volunteers and visitors at the venue, to know more about the exhibition and what people had to say about the religion. Some volunteers mentioned that most of the queries the visitors had were if Islam was somehow linked to terrorism and what does the Quran say about it.

Many present at the event said the religion had been framed by big corporate houses for political and economical gains.

The following are some of the quotes given to Indian Weekender by the visitors and volunteers at the venue.

Christine Anne Soranson

Two female concert goers

Abdul Jaleel Patel (volunteer)

“We were off to a theatre show nearby and this music drew me in. I was curious about hijab so I asked the lady at the booth. I know the media is responsible for spreading hate against the faith that we see today.

Exhibitions such as these are important to educate people about the real teachings of the religion and to clarify doubts.”

Jonas

“I am a poet and a photographer on a tour from Australia. I was passing by the street and this beautiful chant and colourful view caught my attention. I am a messenger of peace myself through the work that I do.

I tried the hijab and it feels so safe and complete wearing it. Now I understand why women in Islam wear them. I am so glad to have stumbled by the booth today, and I look forward to learning more about Islam.”

overview on various different subjects such as responsibilities towards animals, rights for women, and miracles of Quran. ”

as I am a strict follower of Christianity and the volunteer I spoke to was a Kiwi-Muslim from Afghanistan. But they are peaceloving people and it was a delight to know about Islam and its teachings, most of it match with ours.”

Leonard “We have received a very good response this year. I have noticed that people are more interested in questions related to terrorism and then about the religion. I belong to Masjid-e-taqwa from Papatoetoe and once every month we set a stall in Aotea Center and Kiwis, Maori, and sometimes Pacific Islanders visit our stall. A few years ago, seven people reverted to Islam and they were of English, Scottish, and Irish descent. Some people were also interested in the history and literature of Islam and we have distributed many books to them.

Miles Opey “There are many Muslims in Germany but not in a majority. I am a student here and I work on farms as well. I liked the way things are lined up over here; the posters telling the history of Islam, some have an

“I came to know about Islamic Awareness Week last week through a community member at a gathering. I have met a number of Muslims here from Egypt, Oman, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Afghanistan. Yes, we have our disagreements about the faiths

“Speaking to these young minds gives me a better perspective and understanding about the religion. The exhibition looks vibrant with these crafted informative posters, model of the Kaaba and beautiful chanting in the background.”

NEW ZEALAND

www.iwk.co.nz | 2 September 2016

Police to deal with burglaries as priority offence

Father-son fend off armed robbers ¡¡ Rizwan Mohammad

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¡¡ Swati Sharma

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n a move to curb the rising crime in the country, especially in Auckland, NZ Police will now deal burglaries as a priority offence, effective from Monday, August 29.

According to the latest crime statistics, there has been an increase in the burglaries by 11.9% over the past 12 months.

Police have responded by raising dwelling burglary from a volume crime to a priority offence.

In our issue last week, we published a report about the rising crime rate in Auckland, with more common crimes being robberies and burglaries.

“This shows that police are serious about tackling burglary and also sends a clear message to offenders,” Police Minister Judith Collins said.

The new policy will ensure public of full police attendance at dwelling burglaries, where a scene of crime officer or a constabulary will attend the crime scene within a reasonable time.

“Given the nature of policing

there will be occasions where they cannot attend a dwelling burglary for a range of reasons, including adhering to the wishes of the victim. However, the Commissioner of Police has made his expectations clear,” Ms Collins said.

“Police have assured me that they continue to make burglary a priority with ongoing work in every district to reduce this crime type while also focusing on increasing resolution rates.”

Opposition leader Andrew Little said fewer numbers of police officers had led to the rise in the crime rate.

He said that if police would be visiting every burglary site, it would mean that “they’re going

11

to have to drop something else they’ll be otherwise doing”.

New Zealand First has said that more frontline police force is the solution and they will increase it by 1,800 if they hold the balance of power after the election next year.

While there are many robbery victims awaiting justice or even their stories to be heard, this announcement comes as a relief for the Kiwi-Indian community that has been a regular target of robberies and burglaries.

If you know of any unattended burglary, let us know and we will approach and question the concerned authorities. Write to us at reporter@indianweekender. co.nz

father-son duo in Napier successfully defended an armed robbery in the early hours of Friday last week.

At 5:41 a.m., two armed men stormed the Te Awa Dairy in a robbery attempt. The father-son duo at the counter fought the offenders with their hockey sticks chasing them off in just 15 seconds.

The offenders in balaclava armed with claw bar and hammer entered the store and attacked owner Manmohan Singh, 61, and his son, Sukhjinder Pal Singh, 32.

Sukhjinder, stationed at the computer scanner, pulled out a hockey stick from the shelf inside in his defence while his father on the cash counter-attacked the other robber with a baseball bat.

The attacker pushed Manmohan to the glass showcase that fell off the counter and shattered into pieces. Manmohan came back with a heavier blow pushing him off the counter. The robber then used the iron stand to cover himself and ran off the store and the second escaped the scene the very next moment.

“We somehow defended ourselves as we had kept the sticks just inside the counter as suggested by the patrolling police a few days ago.

“My father and I are miraculously unhurt, but I am sure the offenders may have suffered some bruises” Sukhjinder told Indian Weekender.

The police arrived in four minutes, but by then the offenders successfully escaped the scene through the playground across the road.

“We lost goods and property worth $5,000 approximately, and we are shaken with this horrific experience,” Manmohan said.

“In the last 10 days, the suburb has witnessed more than six such robbery attempts including ours, but we are vigilant than ever now.

The police have the CCTV footage but the offenders have not been caught, as they were masked.”

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NEW ZEALAND

2 September 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

POWER COLUMN

Keeping our communities safe T

John Key Prime Minister

here’s been a lot of discussions recently about crime and safety in our communities.

Some people in our Indian and other ethnic communities are telling us that they’re scared and concerned for their safety. I would like to reassure you that National remains as focused as ever on preventing crime and helping to keep our communities safer.

There’s no doubt there has been a recent upturn in burglaries. I’ve been burgled three or four times over the years before I became Prime Minister, and I know what an invasive and disturbing experience this can be.

That’s why I’m pleased to see police making moves to put more focus on preventing and reducing

burglaries and capturing those responsible and holding them to account.

From September 1, police will raise the priority level of house burglaries to a priority offence so all break-ins are attended by police staff within a reasonable time frame.

I also want to reassure you that despite the perception, and while there has been a recent upturn in burglary, the crime rate is still at near historic lows.

Overall, crime is down by 16% on five years ago—that’s more than 53,000 fewer crimes. And violent crime is down eight per cent and youth crime is down 38%.

Police are working hard to address crime in ethnic communities and have special officers who work closely with those communities to discuss any specific concerns.

While the ideal would be that no one in New Zealand is the

victim of crime, unfortunately, no country in the world is crime-free and New Zealand is no exception.

However, in today’s increasingly uncertain world, we are one of the safest countries in the world to live. A recent international survey rated us the world’s fourth safest country out of 162 countries.

We have heard people’s concerns, though. That’s why recently I indicated we are looking at likely increasing police numbers even further. Since we came into government, we’ve increased the number of police on the beat by 600.

We’ve also increased frontline policing by half a million hours a year by investing in new technology—that’s equivalent to around 350 more police out and about protecting New Zealand’s communities.

This year we also gave a $300 million funding boost to support police and the good work they do, preventing crime in our

communities. We’re also cracking down on the perpetrators of crime. We introduced the three-strike policy that ensures the worst repeat criminals receive the maximum allowable sentence with no parole and have toughened sentences for a range of other crimes.

People can do a lot to keep themselves and their families from becoming victims of crime.

Together, communities can become safer and more resilient by looking out for each other, getting to know each other, and making sure they know where family members are.

I would also urge you to visit your local police station if you are feeling unsafe or have been the victim of a crime. They are there to help.

National cares a lot about law and order. We’ve been investing heavily in that area and we will continue to focus on it so we can help make our communities safer.

Race-based political parties Health target results come back positive not good for NZ society Winston Peters NZ First Leader Kanwaljit Bakshi National List MP

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rustration and disappointment often calls for a dramatic action.

Who can ever forget the tragic stabbing of Arun Kumar in his Railside Dairy in Henderson two years ago?

Unfortunately, for too long, dairies and liquor stores have been the target of thugs and thieves.

In spite of all the propaganda from the Minister of Police Judith Collins, dairy owners and others in the Indian community feel unsafe; they believe they are not being listened to.

And they are right; their concerns are not being addressed by the National government or Ms Collins.

With this background, some in the Indian community have taken the dramatic step of establishing their own Indian-led party.

However, it must be said this move is neither in the best interests of the Indian community nor of New Zealand society as a whole. Already in New Zealand, we have elements of divisiveness,

E which have been a weight on this nation’s back.

Whilst Maori may feel aggrieved and many of them today feel disadvantaged and left out, but that is not a reason to go down the cold, narrow path of separatism.

New Zealand First believes this is a dangerous route that leads only to more pain and suffering and will hold both Maori and the country back.

Far better is the situation of people of different ethnicities working together in a system of one law for all, irrespective of ethnic background.

It is important, therefore, to have political parties working for all New Zealanders, regardless of their origins.

The acting leader of the New Zealand People’s Party, Roshan Nauhria, says it is about time Indians and Asians were represented. If he looked at local government and at our Parliament he would see that that has been happening for some time.

The problem is the National government does not just ignore the Indian dairy and liquor store owners; there is now a majority of ordinary New Zealanders who know they are being ignored as well.

Separatist race-based politics is not the answer. Voting for politicians who do listen to the concerns of ordinary people regardless of background is the only sound solution.

nsuring New Zealanders can access better, sooner, more convenient healthcare remains the government’s number one funding priority, and the latest quarterly data shows our progress from the previous quarter has been largely maintained.

District health boards (DHBs) are once again performing more elective surgeries, surpassing the health target by eight per cent.

People are spending less time waiting in emergency departments with 94% of patients admitted, discharged or transferred from the ED within six hours. Immunisation coverage for our children remains at 93% and more people are being supported to make healthy changes to their lifestyles by quitting smoking.

Access to elective surgery is a priority for this government. As part of Budget 2016, we invested an extra $96 million over four years to ensure more New Zealanders receive the surgery they need.

Since National came into government, the number of First Specialist Assessments has increased from 432,047 in 2008-09 to 551,013 in 2015–16. As a result, the number of patients receiving elective surgery

has increased from 117,951 in 2007–08 to 171,608 in 2015–16.

DHBs are working hard to continue to improve the services they deliver.

The target for more heart and diabetes checks was again met this quarter with 91%.

While it will remain an accountability measure for DHBs, this is the last quarter that the more heart and diabetes checks target will be reported, as it’s been replaced by the new childhood obesity health target.

The new health target will see 95% of obese children identified in the Before School Check (B4 School Check) programme offered a referral to the services they and their family need to support healthy eating and activity. By December 2017, more than 4,000 children a year are expected to be supported to achieve a healthy weight.

Focusing on results, we are working towards specific, measurable targets to improve the lives of families, particularly the most vulnerable.

These latest health target results are a credit to our health workforce throughout the country.

NEW ZEALAND

www.iwk.co.nz | 2 September 2016

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South Auckland designers to showcase at inaugural Pacific Fusion Show ¡¡ IWK Bureau

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merging and established South Auckland designers will come together at the inaugural Pacific Fusion Show on Saturday, September 3.

The first-ever Pacific Fusion Fashion Show began as a competition for emerging Maori and Pacific fashion designers from South Auckland to showcase their style. And now, it has expanded to include designers from beyond the Pacific living all over Aotearoa. The competition allows these creatives to showcase the fashion they have designed based on their own unique cultural values, beliefs, and identities.

The Pacific Fusion Fashion Show at Andrew Simms-Botany will feature the man that “broke the internet” during the Rio Olympics—Tongan flag bearer Pita Taufatofua.

Taufatofua was slated to be a model in the show long before he captured the attention of the worldwide audience as the glistening athlete, proudly holding the Tongan flag during the Parade of Nations.

Guest judge Anna Hood is also in hot demand as the co-owner of NZ Fashion Week in Auckland that ended last week. Despite her busy schedule, she says she is excited to be part of the new Pacific Fusion event. “I agreed to judge this competition because I believe it’s important to represent NZ designers and provide them with opportunities to showcase their work.”

The full line-up for the Pacific Fusion Fashion Show competition features a mix of emerging and established designers such as AIMN, Dane Dagger, Deborah De Loree, Kujo—Tekura and Moana Leota, Mac Vicious Society—Glen MacLachlan, Made by Ngarima— Ngarima Tarati Matatia, Zoe Beck, Wallflower, Mae King Clothing and Vanessa Clothing.

A talented team of organisers have joined forces to turn the Pacific Fusion dream into reality.

Fashion stylist Nora Swann of Kila Style says, “This show represents who we are, what we value and what we are passionate about. We chose a venue in South Auckland because we wanted to host a high-end fashion experience here in our neighbourhood.”

The event will feature a competition for emerging and established designers, a non-competitive showcase of designs from Sewtec Fashion Academy students, and a pop-up shop allowing fashionistas to purchase styles directly from the catwalk. Nora and her Kila Style crew will also do an up-styling show. The live, interactive up-styling show provides practical ideas on how to mix, match and create fashionable ensembles.

The supreme winner of the Pacific Fusion Fashion Show will travel to Sydney in October to represent Aotearoa at Pacific Runway Fashion.

The show starts at 6 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased on Event Finda.

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NEW ZEALAND

2 September 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

Local Board elections: Kiwi-Indians take the lead ¡¡ Swati Sharma

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n the upcoming Local Board elections, the Indian community has got a wider representation of candidates to choose from. More than 15 candidates of Indian descent are standing for local board and district health board elections, which are just a few weeks away now.

While Kiwi-Indians are yet to make up their minds about their ideal candidate, Indian Weekender introduces the readers to the future leaders of your constituency through a multi-issue election special feature.

Anne Degia-Pala QSM Whau Ward, Independent Council Candidate

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nne Degia-Pala is standing for Council in Whau Ward that includes Avondale, Blockhouse Bay, New Lynn, New Windsor, Green Bay, Kelston, and area in Titirangi.

Ms Pala is a well-known ethnic community leader and works in community development, human rights activism, local and central government issues and nongovernmental sectors.

Born in Fiji with family roots in Gujarat, India, Ms Pala migrated to New Zealand in 1990 with husband and two children, settling in West Auckland. She says that it was passion about diversity and cross-cultural integration that inspired her to step forward and work for the community.

Ms Pala is a founding member of the Auckland Council Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel, former president of the Waitakere Ethnic Board, Trustee of NixCrew Road Safety Trust, and Governance Board Member of WaterSafe Auckland. She is also a company director of WinMac Solutions Ltd

based in West Auckland. She has also been fundamental in organising community events such Diwali Festivals, International Food Festivals and fundraisers for Safety and charity.

In 2007, Ms Pala received QSM for her work for the betterment of women and children in the larger community.

Baljit Kaur

Howick Local Board (Botany subdivision), Labour Council Candidate

Message to the community If elected, Ms Kaur seeks to focus on the seven policies set up by the Labour Party team:

¡¡ Being more accessible to the public

¡¡ Lobbying for better transport

Message to the Community: Ms Pala says her focus will be on: ¡¡ Prioritising home and street safety ¡¡ Considering local views expressed for economic, social and cultural well-being of all ¡¡ Promoting youth initiatives for education, training and employment ¡¡ Supporting growth and development in Avondale and Kelston and ¡¡ Being vocal about Council borrowing and debt reduction “Diverse Auckland needs diverse representation. This is an opportunity to influence decision making in Council on behalf of our ethnically diverse communities and together we can bring change to Auckland Council,” says Ms Pala.

member of Life’s Charitable Trust NZ. Ms Kaur is standing for Council in Botany subdivision of Howick Local Board.

B

aljit Kaur migrated to New Zealand in 2002 from a village of Punjab, India.

Currently working as a Medical Underwriter for Southern Cross Health Society, Ms Kaur has previously worked as assistant nurse in the rest homes in New Zealand and Australia.

As a chairperson of New Zealand Sikh Women Association Otahuhu, she supports initiatives to stop domestic violence. She is also working towards her passion to help senior citizens, as a board

links with Howick and Auckland ¡¡ To better preserve, adequately fund and resource our local heritage ¡¡ Provide better community facilities that cater for our vast local interest groups ¡¡ Focus on better events and support networks for senior citizens and those with disabilities ¡¡ Push for better public safety ¡¡ Build a stronger community through the arts and cultural heritage “I will work closely with the community and ensure that we keep our channels of communications open. This is the best way to identify their needs and make an earnest attempt to their issues,” says Ms Kaur.

NEW ZEALAND

www.iwk.co.nz | 2 September 2016

Narinder Kumar Singla JP

Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board (Papatoetoe subdivision), Independent Council Candidate; Counties Manukau District Health Board Candidate

N

arinder Kumar Singla is a Papatoetoe resident from past 14 years. He is a local board candidate for Papatoetoe subdivision of Otara-Papatoetoe and is also standing for Counties Manukau District Healthboard that includes Pakuranga, Howick, Botany, Flatbush, Danamore, Otahuhu, Mission Heights, Manukau Heights, Otara, Papatoetoe, Mangere, Manurewa, Takanini, Drury, Papakura, Pukekohe, Tuakao, Waikiu, Clendon.

Mr Singla is currently the chairman of Hunters Corner Town centre Society, President of GOPIO South, a White Ribbon ambassador, an independent marriage celebrant and President of newly formed Life Vision Society Charitable.

Message to the community Mr Singla says that, if elected, he will do his best to promote communities, and work towards providing them a safer, caring and prosperous environment. He will also focus on health and sound family values by strengthening bylaws to regulate prostitution on the streets.

As a District Health candidate, he stands

15

for health related issues among children, youth and adults by utilising the resources properly. He also seeks to open service desks to help multilingual communities.

“I will certainly work for enhancement of transparency in governance and for welfare of our community. I will promote unity in diversity and strengthening and protecting our vibrant communities and neighbourhood,” says Mr Singla.

The feature will continue in our next issue on September 9, where we’ll introduce more Kiwi-Indian candidates standing for the Local Board elections.

Send your feedback to us on reporter@indianweekender.co.nz

Religious Diversity Centre celebrates its launch ¡¡ Esha Chanda

R

eligious Diversity Centre celebrated its earlier launch in Wellington in March with an event held in Auckland on Thursday, September 1.

Swami Agnivesh, a global leader in the world of inter-religious relationships and a spiritual scholar, was the keynote speaker for the evening.

Addressing the crowd gathered at St Columba Hall in Ponsonby, he spoke on ‘Our future world of diversity and challenge calls for an applied spirituality of justice, unity, compassion, and peace’.

Earlier this year, in the presence of its patron, former Prime Minister Helen Clark, the newly established Religious Diversity Centre was launched in the Parliament building. Back then, the centre was still planning for an office space and for programmes for the next year.

“As a national centre, we want the centre to be introduced to people around the country — outside Wellington,” says Jocelyn Armstrong, Chairperson of the centre. Auckland seemed to be the obvious choice for the centre. “The city has the most concentrated diversity of culture and religion in the country. Auckland was shown by the 2013 consensus to have the largest percentage of people with a religion in the country.”

With an office space secured in the University of Otago Centre in Queen Street, Armstrong says they decided to have an event to celebrate the earlier launch.

Following the Auckland event, the centre will plan events in other places around the country, which includes interaction with and supporting Interfaith Councils in New Zealand.

The centre will focus on research on religious diversity in New Zealand. Talking about the centre’s work, Armstrong says, “...First will be a mapping of the religions in the country including the historical detail.

[The] research will inform and undergird the centre’s contribution to informed and evidence-based policy recommendation and expert advice. The centre will be the point of contact for people involved in policymaking or for the media when issues arise.” The centre will have also educational courses that will help people learn about the different religions.

The initial trustees comprise people who have a wide experience in interfaith work and in education. It includes Jocelyn Armstrong (Chair), Dr Kevin Clements, Dr Jenny Te Paa Daniel, Professor Paul Morris, Professor Douglas Pratt, Aarif Rasheed, Verpal Singh, Dr Nicholas Thompson, Ricky Waters. Dr Todd Nachowitz was recently appointed as the Centre Establishment Coordinator.

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WHAT DO YOU THINK ?

Are you happy that police will now attend to all burglaries?

Editorial

A people’s party for all?

T

he emergence of a new party, based on race, raises an interesting spectre on the local political scene. On one hand, it may have got the major political parties a bit worried about losing a slice of the ethnic vote, and on the other hand, they are pretending not to be too worried about it at all.

The People’s Party, for the moment led by Auckland businessman Roshan Nauhria, emerged on the scene early this week, aiming to fight the general election next year on crime and security issues concerning the Indian and Chinese communities in particular.

And, for a change, NZ First leader Winston Peters and Prime Minister John Key have agreed on something—neither thought it had a chance and both believed those ethnicities were better represented within the ranks of broader parties. Key’s National has two list MPs in Dr Paramjit Parmar and the long-serving Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi.

The People’s Party has already raised the ire of Peters, who says a move to set up a new ethnicity-based political party for Asian and Indian immigrants is “an extraordinary demand”, which will harm New Zealand.

While race-based political parties, or any organisation, can be seen as bad news, and loosely interpreted to further divide a multiracial society, it does exist in New Zealand—in parliament (Maori Party) and in local government (Maori seats) to name a few.

It may be an “extraordinary demand” for migrants to come to New Zealand and start an ethnic political party, whether it gathers enough support from the community it claims to represent to make it into Parliament, remains another matter.

Major party leaders say the ethnic communities are better served by the bigger parties—their voices are better heard and are more successful at accentuating their demands.

Many smaller parties have emerged in the past and have disappeared, and the People’s Party has already its first hurdle—its name. The term “People’s Party” resonates a party for all New Zealanders, but the founders have said it will focus on one particular community.

Only time will tell what’s in store for the People’s Party.

Driving the transport issue

T

he work seems to be cut out well for the new team coming in to take charge of the Super City after the Auckland Council elections next month.

Grappling with myriad issues ranging from rising rates, housing, and transport, the new mayor will be expected to deliver a lot to an ever-increasing population in the country’s biggest city.

The 19 candidates vying for the mayor’s job need to offer robust solutions to take the city forward without burdening the ratepayers with hefty rates increases year after year.

Transport in the city could prove to be a contentious issue. While the current council is trying to get more people out of their cars and onto public transport, the key will be to make the buses and trains cheaper for the commuter.

Whatever options they offer need to be able to make a real difference to congestion, and the are limits to what ratepayers will be prepared to pay —asking for too much could turn a whole pack against a programme.

Making broad promises at campaigns is easy; delivering results that will satisfy the public is much harder.

Get it right and the political rewards could be high; get it wrong and it’s a long road back.

Sandip Mandal,

Teacher, Blockhouse Bay It is ridiculous that now the police are realising the consequences these burglaries have on middle class families like ours. It’s not a just personal property loss, burglaries drive fear among people which much more disturbing. Yes, it is not too late to declare burglary to be a priority offence, but the police should have taken this action long back.

Shikha Shukla,

Chef, Blockhouse Bay

I think it’s a smart move to consider burglary a priority offence now but once again, I think this decision has come considerably late.

Sneh,

Childcare teacher, Hillsborough I heard my son talking about this new law yesterday that burglary is now priority offence and will be dealt with as important as life threatening. I think this will reduce the crime because strict and prompt action will send a message of stringent repercussions to the offenders.

Sanjay Lal,

Businessman, Mt Roskill

The police deal traffic offence with much more severity than burglaries and theft. I haven’t been a victim but have come across many stories from others. I doubt the police will be able to deliver as they promise.

Ajay Kumar,

Store manager, New Lynn What? Now burglary has become a priority issue for the police? What were they doing all these years when we would call for action during burglaries? My house was burgled once and my car was stolen too. It’s a good move that the police should have taken long back.

Indian Weekender : Volume 8 Issue 24 Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited Managing Editor: Bhav Dhillon | bhav@indianweekender.co.nz Chief Reporter: Swati Sharma | swati@indianweekender.co.nz Reporter: Rizwan Mohammad | rizwan@indianweekender.co.nz Reporter: Esha Chanda | esha@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.: accounts@indianweekender.co.nz Sales, Marketing & 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 Indian Weekender is published by Kiwi Media Publishing Limited, 711 Mt Albert Road, Auckland Printed at Horton Media, Auckland Copyright 2016. Kiwi Media Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved.

Māori Phrase: Eke panuku!

English translation: Win! Made it!

Thought of the week

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

— Eleanor Roosevelt

www.iwk.co.nz | 2 September 2016

OPINION/EDITORIAL

Why NZ needs an ‘Indian-New Zealander’ as the next High Commissioner to India now? ¡¡ Sandeep Singh

T

here is nothing more audacious than appearing to be instigating a demand for an “Indian-New Zealander” to head New Zealand’s diplomatic mission in India.

The simple reason being that the appointment of a diplomatic representative overseas has rarely been a concern for an average New Zealander, and least for an Indian-New Zealander. More often than not, an overwhelming number of New Zealand Heads of Mission are professional diplomats, who belong to an elite diplomatic corps, rigorously trained and skilled in the art of negotiation, with equally adept foreign diplomats. Against this backdrop, any suggestion even vaguely appearing as a political demand, for sending an “IndianNew Zealander” as Head of Mission in New Delhi, can be seen in much public distaste. Despite this quandary, I will argue that the appointment of an “IndianNew Zealander” as Head of Mission in New Delhi is in order, and is very much in pursuit of our national interest —New Zealand’s national interest.

For those who are uninitiated, there is already an emergent trend of Indian origin western diplomat as Head of Mission in New Delhi.

Recently, Australia became the third western country after the United States and Canada to send an Indian origin diplomat to represent their respective governments in New Delhi.

Given that our foreign offices work in close alignment with our geopolitical allies such as the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, especially outside of developed world, it is not entirely unusual to expect New Zealand to follow the suit and send an IndianNew Zealander as the new High Commissioner to India.

The expert opinion on the subject matter varies on both sides of centre. While some foreign policy experts are cautious, and rightly though, in first, accepting this as an observable trend, and then subsequently in overemphasising the value of the role of any individual ambassador in shaping relations between any two countries. Associate Professor David Capie, Director of Centre for Strategic Studies, at the Victoria University, notes that “the background of any individual ambassador is a pretty small factor in the relations between

any two countries,” and also states that “the overwhelming number of New Zealand Heads of Mission are professional diplomats, appointed on the basis of their skills and experience”.

Similarly Dr Mark Rolls, Director IRSS programme at the University of Waikato and Fellow of the New ZealandIndia Research Institute, also appears slightly apprehensive in commenting that “it is hard to envisage how an early announcement and subsequent taking up of the post, of this nature can, by itself, push the relationship much further.”

The message is clear that such appointments are more an internal reflection of the western world rather than signalling any departure in the way they conduct their external affairs, where decades of migration has changed the composition of their societies, including diplomatic corps.

Whereas some other experts stretch it a bit far in commenting on the political nature of any such potential appointment. To paraphrase Dr Ashok Sharma, Fellow at Australia-India Institute, the University of Melbourne, and Deputy Chair of New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Auckland Branch, “Just being a person of Indian origin would not help. The person needs to be well connected.”

Like everywhere else in life, the truth is somewhere between these two lines of thinking, which is a little bit towards the extreme end, rather than at the centre. What is missing in these arguments is an accurate pacing with the changing nature of contemporary international politics. It will be too naive to assume that suddenly all major AngloSaxon powers have come to this divine realisation that decades of migration have transformed their societies and it needs to be reflected, almost simultaneously, in their respective choices of diplomatic representatives being sent to India. This is neither a coincidence nor an avoidable symbolism. It is realpolitik, as these powers are seeking to engage with India through a myriad of diplomatic resources available to them, which are helpful in

getting across ‘crucial messages’ to the Indian policymakers, at an opportune time, when India is ready more than ever to engage with the outside world. Do New Zealand’s policymakers not have any ‘crucial message’ that they need to subtly send across Indian political elites? Or is New Zealand inattentive to the fact that today’s India is ready more than ever to engage with the outside world?

It is high time that New Zealand’s policymakers tune to realpolitik in its engagement with India, again.

Undoubtedly, traditionally, India has been a difficult player to do business with, either in foreign policy goals or in trade and economic engagement. But things have changed dramatically since the end of the Cold War when the new liberal economic thinking replaced the previous archaic socialist way of thinking within India. New Zealand was attuned to these changes within India and has responded positively to build upon our common love for cricket and generally amicable people to people relations into a workable political relation between the two countries.

In the recent past, Prime Minister John Key has taken the lead in engaging India on talks about the proposed FTA between two countries. Simultaneously, in the last decade, India has emerged as our primary target market for export of education and immigration. Despite these growing convergences, and a widely acknowledged mutually favourable dispensation among the political elites of the two countries, the relationship between India and New Zealand has reached a plateau. The mojo of this relationship has become blurred, if not lost altogether.

While New Zealand has struggled to make Indian move fast on the FTA, India, on the other hand, has stumbled upon New Zealand’s ‘principled’ opposition to its much-desired entry into the coveted Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG). There is a need for some political ingenuity to bring back this relationship on track.

While India is seeking to host

Prime Minister John Key soon (if insiders are to be believed) in order to seek New Zealand’s support in their renewed attempt to seek entry into the NSG, what is New Zealand doing on its part?

For me, Prime Minister John Key will do well, by announcing well in advance, an Indian-New Zealander successor to the current incumbent in New Zealand’s mission in India. There will be three clear tangible benefits of this political move. First, New Zealand will demonstrate to Indian decision makers that New Zealand is attentive to the fact that today’s India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keen, more than ever before, to engage with the outside world. As a consequence of this attentiveness, New Zealand, like other global players, also understands that its communication with those who matter in India has to be up to the mark.

Indian communication style, like many other societies of the orient, is at best confusing, or say, different from what we are adept to understand in the western world. Employing an Indian-New Zealander resource, at this opportune time when India is ready more than ever before to engage with the world, will ensure that we succeed in driving through some ‘crucial messages’ across Indian official establishment, subtly, that we may not have succeeded yet in our direct style of communication.

One important message that needs to be driven past through the Indian foreign policy bureaucracy, albeit subtly, is that there is a need for wider recognition for New Zealand’s sense of pride in playing an effective role in global affairs.

The intent to punch above its weight on the international stage, and desire to pursue an independent foreign policy, is very much in the DNA of New Zealand’s political system, and this needs to be acknowledged by one and all. Currently, the level of sensitisation on the Indian side is short of our expectations, which often leaves a residual chilliness in the track II level engagement between two countries. This is one area where an Indian-New Zealander diplomatic resource will do a slightly better job.

In fact, if executed deftly, it will be a great service to the New Zealand nation and beneficial to the future trajectory of New Zealand-India bilateral relations.

The third and probably most relevant contribution that an Indian-New Zealander incumbent would be able to do better than anyone else in the present situation is building a bridge between the current position and cherished goals of Prime Minister John Key and Prime Minister

17

Narendra Modi. Prime Minister John Key might want to leave a legacy of securing a successful FTA with India, the second fastest emerging economy, like erstwhile Prime Minster Helen Clark, who succeeded in signing an FTA with China. Similarly, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invested significant emotional capital towards securing India’s entry into the NSG. Today, both these leaders appear stranded in a territory where mutual help is the only help available to them.

In the world of diplomacy, mutual help is often secured, depending upon how deftly messages are communicated and received.

Sometimes, key messages get 17 lost or diluted when travelling across cultural barriers, and therefore, it requires extra efforts in ensuring that messages travel and reach their intended audience accurately.

It will be too naive to assume that decision makers on both sides are not aware of this current state of the art in our bilateral relations.

Also, it will be blasphemous to infer that all of the abovedescribed tasks on hand could not be pursued effectively by any other professional diplomat. Let it be absolutely clear that this is not the intention here. What has been argued here is the fact that some situations in international politics, like in domestic politics, are so opportune that it requires timely action. Today’s India presents itself at that opportune moment for New Zealand that requires timely action.

This point is illustrated by the fact that if there is anyone in India who has enough political capital to make India sign FTA with New Zealand, and simultaneously manage domestic concerns against proposed opening for our agricultural exports, then it is Prime Minister Modi alone. So let us woo him and get the job done.

To explain the whole argument made above in cricketing parlance, a language that both New Zealand and India understands better, employing an Indian-New Zealander as the next High Commissioner to India is a captain’s call in the tense last over of a match. A captain may have more than one bowler available to him to bowl, yet sometimes, he is required to take an informed decision based on his discretion and choose one bowler over the other.

His choice of decision is not a reflection of ability or talent of those bowlers who have not been chosen to bowl, rather it is best a reflection of the captain’s reading of the situation, and the current reading of India-New Zealand bilateral relations suggest that Prime Minister Key may take a captain’s call in appointing an Indian-New Zealander as the next High Commissioner to India.

18

OPINION/EDITORIAL

2 September 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

We spoke to Dr Ashok Sharma, Fellow at Australia-India Institute, the University of Melbourne and Deputy Chair of New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Auckland Branch; Dr Mark Rolls, Director IRSS Programme, Senior Lecturer, and Fellow at the New Zealand-India Research Institute; and Associate Professor David Capie, Director, Centre for Strategic Studies, Victoria University.

Excerpts from the interview below.

Dr Ashok Sharma,

Fellow at Australia-India Institute, the University of Melbourne and Deputy Chair of New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Auckland Branch.

(NZ Citizen, Australian Resident of Indian origin)

There is a new trend of Indian-origin Western diplomats being sent to lead their respective missions in New Delhi.

Recently, Australia became the third western country after the United States and Canada to send an Indian origin diplomat to represent their respective states. What do you have to say about this trend? Is this a trend at all or just a trivial coincidence?

I am not surprised. It can’t be said as trivial coincidence. Australia’s present High Commissioner, and one past High Commissioner to India, both are of Indian origin.

Associate Professor David Capie, Director, Centre for Strategic Studies, Victoria University

There is a new trend of Indian-origin Western diplomats being sent to lead their respective missions in New Delhi.

Recently, Australia became the third western country after the United States and Canada to send an Indian origin diplomat to represent their respective states. What do you have to say about this trend? Is this a trend at all or just a trivial coincidence?

I’m not sure I’d say three appointments constitutes a trend, but I’m sure it’s not a coincidence either.

Do you see this trend as a new look of the western diplomacy on the Asian stage? Or do you see it more as an India specific phenomenon?

To me, it’s a policy that might become a trend in countries that h has a significant presence of Indian Diaspora. This could also be seen in the context of a number of factors—growing trust resulting from the interaction between people to people at the professional level, business level and at the bureaucratic level , the democratic tradition, rule of law, commonwealth legacy.

This trend is visible only in Anglosphere countries, where there is a significant India origin population. These countries are ready to trust India’s democratic and bureaucratic tradition.

Do you see this trend as a new look of the western diplomacy on the Asian stage? Or do you see it more as an India specific phenomenon?

Certainly, this helps in a better diplomatic engagement. Looking It’s not entirely new and it’s not something that’s only happening with respect to India.

The former US Ambassador to China (2011-14), Gary Locke, is a Chinese-American, and his appointment initially attracted hugely favourable comment in China. I think it really says something about how decades of migration has changed the look of ‘western’ countries – including their diplomats.

Although a state’s decision of appointing it’s respective Heads of Missions to other states, can emanate from numerous calculations including professional merit of the appointee, yet, more often than not, there are political reasons that overweigh other factors.

Would you agree with this statement?

The overwhelming number of New Zealand Heads of Mission are professional diplomats, appointed on the basis of their skills and experience. There are a few posts, such as London and Washington, and some places in the Pacific, that have seen political appointments, but these are a distinct minority, and usually the appointments are more about rewarding a former politician for their public service than singling someone out because of their personal background or ethnicity.

at India’s rising economic prominence many Western nations are looking at India as a big market for their services and products. Also, there is strategic convergence on larger strategic matters in the Indo-Pacific region and India’s deepening security ties with the US, engaging India is becoming both on the economic and strategic front.

A better understanding of how Indian system works is important.

Though India is modernising and ready to embrace the international economic system, it is still a traditional society and comes with a lot of complexities, which needs a better understanding of its society, bureaucracy and commercial set-up which would help to frame a better policy to engage India. The question of India specific needs to be seen in the larger context—India is expanding, its people are coming out and interacting globally, its Diaspora is expanding.

India’s young, English speaking

Given this trend, do you think that it is only natural to expect that New Zealand will soon follow the lead and appoint an Indian Origin High Commissioner to India?

It’s possible, but I’m not sure it’s going to be the most important factor in choosing our representative.

There are a few posts, such as London and Washington, and some places in the Pacific that have seen political appointments, but these are a distinct minority, and usually the appointments are more about rewarding a former politician for their public service than singling someone out because of their personal background or ethnicity.

Though India is modernising and ready to embrace the international economic system, it is still a traditional society and comes with a lot of complexities, which need a better understanding of its society, bureaucracy and commercial set-up which would help to frame a better policy to engage India and skilled demography of assimilative attributes are going to be future workforce for many Western countries which have low birth rate and ageing society

Although a state’s decision of appointing it’s respective Heads of Missions to other states, can emanate from numerous calculations including professional merit of the appointee, yet, more often than not, there are political reasons that overweigh other factors.

Would you agree with this statement?

The current state of bilateral relations between New Zealand and India is at a stage of impasse where both countries despite enjoying a very cordial people to people relations and an equally favourable dispensation among their respective political elites are finding it difficult to move their mountains. Critics argue that this is owing to bureaucratic inertia within both states. In this regard do you think that an early announcement of an Indian Origin High Commissioner to New Delhi can yield favourable results for both the nations?

It would be nice to think it was that simple, but the background of any individual ambassador is a pretty small factor in the relations between any two countries. I think the New Zealand government is interested in a much closer political, economic and security relationship with India, but right now that feeling is not reciprocated in New Delhi.

That’s mostly because we’re a small, fairly distant country that exports agricultural products, which India wants to keep out, and the fact India has a long line of other suitors.

Yes.

Given this trend, do you think that it is only natural to expect that New Zealand will soon follow the lead and appoint an Indian Origin High Commissioner to India?

It’s possible.

The current state of bilateral relations between New Zealand and India is at a stage of impasse where both countries despite enjoying a very cordial people to people relations and an equally favourable dispensation among their respective political elites are finding it difficult to move their mountains.

Critics argue that this is owing to bureaucratic inertia within both states. In this regard do you think that an early announcement of an Indian Origin High Commissioner to New Delhi can yield favourable results for both the nations?

Provided, the person appointed is able to engage with the current Indian government and well connected. Many India-origin people have their own political leanings, NZ government must be careful in appointing a person of Indian origin. Just being a person of Indian origin would not help.

www.iwk.co.nz | 2 September 2016 are more Indian-origin diplomats working in foreign missions in New Delhi nowadays, these three are still the only Heads of Mission.

Dr Mark Rolls,

Director IRSS Programme, Senior Lecturer, and Fellow at the New Zealand-India Research Institute

Do you see this trend as a new look of the western diplomacy on the Asian stage? Or do you see it more as an India specific phenomenon?

There is a new trend of Indian-origin Western diplomats being sent to lead their respective missions in New Delhi.

Recently, Australia became the third western country after the United States and Canada to send an Indian origin diplomat to represent their respective states. What do you have to say about this trend? Is this a trend at all or just a trivial coincidence?

At this stage, I think it is more coincidence (though not trivial) than a trend.

After all, the appointment of Harinder Sidhu as the new Australian High Commissioner comes more than twelve months after the Canadian High Commissioner and US Ambassador presented their credentials: coincidentally, on the same day. Although there

Since I do not, yet, regard it as a trend this is a difficult question to answer in one sense. To date, of four Western states (Australia, Canada, the UK and the US), only the US has so far appointed someone of Chinese origin to be the ambassador to Beijing for instance. New Zealand hasn’t appointed anyone of Chinese origin to be the ambassador there yet either.

It would, therefore, seem to be an Indiaspecific phenomenon. Australia effectively broke the mould when it appointed its first Indian origin diplomat as Deputy High Commissioner to India—Rakesh Ahuja—back in the 1990s.

Although a state’s decision of appointing it’s respective Heads of Missions to other states, can emanate from numerous calculations including professional merit of the appointee, yet, more often than not, there are political reasons that overweigh other factors.

Would you agree with this statement?

Whilst political reasons can explain the appointment of US ambassadors in many cases, I

don’t think this is true for countries such as New Zealand by and large.

If one looks at the backgrounds of the three Indian origin Heads of Mission discussed above, then they are all very experienced and have held a range of both highlevel government and diplomatic posts. That such high achievers are being appointed to New Delhi suggests how important India has become.

Given this trend, do you think that it is only natural to expect that New Zealand will soon follow the lead and appoint an Indian Origin High Commissioner to India?

Again, I do not yet see it as a trend.

It is certainly possible, however, that at some stage New Zealand will appoint someone of Indian origin as High Commissioner to India though this may not be sooner rather than later.

The current state of bilateral relations between New Zealand and India is at a stage of impasse where both countries despite enjoying a very cordial people to people relations and an equally favourable dispensation among their respective political elites are finding it difficult to move their mountains.

Critics argue that this is owing to bureaucratic inertia within both states. In this regard do you think that an early announcement

OPINION/EDITORIAL

19

After all, the appointment of Harinder Sidhu as the new Australian High Commissioner comes more than twelve months after the Canadian High Commissioner and US Ambassador presented their credentials: coincidentally, on the same day of an Indian Origin High Commissioner to New Delhi can yield favourable results for both the nations?

There are indeed a number of obstacles preventing the bilateral relationship from progressing as far as Wellington would like, especially with regard to the Free Trade Agreement, It is hard to envisage how an early announcement and subsequent taking up of the post, of this nature, can, by itself, push the relationship much further. The current and recent past holders of the post of High Commissioner have invariably been dynamic, experienced diplomats. It is much more likely that a breakthrough would be made as the result of a high-level visit.

19

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FIJI

2 September 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

FIJI Youth resilience PASIFIKA VOICES TO commended following FEATURE IN DISNEY MOVIE Cyclone Winston U F SP lecturer and choir leader Iglese Ete led the choir in the recording for the Disney animation Moana to be released in November.

The Pasifika Voices choir a fortnight ago recorded an official soundtrack for a Hollywood movie, a Disney animation Moana at the University of the South Pacific.

Ete said it would be great to get the whole country around to celebrate the achievement which will happen at the global release of the movie on November 23.

“I also want to organise the Red Carpet Premiere to celebrate the involvement of Pasifika Voices, and I’m hoping to bring Dwayne Johnson who plays the lead Maui in Moana,” he said.

“This will benefit all performing artists in Fiji and the Pacific, obviously for Pasifika Voices it’s a huge boost to our global profile as we will now be heard all around the world come November.”

The recording of the soundtrack was held at the ICT Japanese Theatre on campus at USP from August 14 to 15. The movie Moana follows the journey of a spirited teenager by the name of Moana

Pasifika Voices choir members during the recording session with Disney producers at the ICT Japan Theatre, USP in Laucala Bay, Suva

This will benefit all performing artists in Fiji and the Pacific, obviously for Pasifika Voices it’s a huge boost to our global profile as we will now be heard all around the world come November as she sails the Pacific Ocean to complete her ancestor’s quest.

In 2014, Ete was called to Hollywood to work on a movie soundtrack and while there he was able to meet Disney directors John Musker & Ron Clements (Little Mermaid, Alladin, Prince

and The Frog). “This gives me the opportunity to be in contact with other very influential, creative and like-minded people in the entertainment business in Hollywood,” he said.

He believes this will allow him to push performing arts, creative works to the international arena, creating jobs for struggling artists as its very difficult for performing artists in Fiji and the Pacific.

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ijian youths are to be commended for their resilience and contributions towards rehabilitation postTropical Cyclone Winston in affected areas.

Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Iliesa Delana made the comments at the end of his visit in Ovalau.

“Most villages suffered from TC Winston and it is the young people in these villages that are logging and re-building houses and re-planting basic food items,” Delana said.

“Most of them are starting from scratch as their houses and farms were destroyed.

“It is encouraging to hear stories of their resilience and collective efforts towards rebuilding their lives and their villages.”

Delana commended the youths of Vatukalo, Waitovu, Vuma, Aravudi, Tavea and Rukuruku villages for their efforts towards rehabilitation. The youths of these villages also requested for a basic training in carpentry.

“We have halted most projects to concentrate on rebuilding

houses in our village,” said Vatukalo youth leader Tevita Dra. “However, we lack the proper skills.

“We are in need of basic carpentry training or at least Government to send us skilled carpenters to provide proper guidance so we can build homes to withstand cyclones,” Dra said.

District Officer Lomaiviti Inoke Koro said, “There is a real need for skilled carpenters on Ovalau Island. The Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Natural Disaster Management is aware of the need and we are trying our best to address the need.”

EU, Red Cross inaugurate first pilot shelter

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he first pilot demonstration house designed as part of a European Union-funded project was inaugurated following Tropical Cyclone Winston to better withstand future cyclones.

It was opened by the European Union ambassador to Fiji and the Pacific, Andrew Jacobs in Naboutolu village, Ra province.

This initiative is funded by the EU’s humanitarian aid budget and implemented by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

This is done under the one-year ‘Early Recovery Assistance to Families affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston’ initiative.

Ambassador Jacobs said, “The European Union is proud to partner with the Red Cross movement in this initiative, designed to make Fijians more resilient to natural hazards.

“This effort on shelter reconstruction complements the EU’s support in other areas such as water and sanitation, rural electrification, fruits, vegetables and sapling distribution,which have been undertaken since Tropical Cyclone Winston struck.”

The Fiji Red Cross and IFRC plan to build a total of 50 demonstration houses (core shelters with additional features), across its branches in the North, West and Central divisions of Fiji, 10 of which are funded under this project.

“The construction of these 10 demonstration houses will be spread across the 10 most affected Red Cross branches in Fiji,” said IFRC shelter delegate Colin Price. “They will be used as a training ground and the means of communicating Build Back Safer awareness sessions to 5000 households.

“This training and demonstration phase will also open the way for 120 trainee carpenters to repair 2,000 damaged houses.

“Basic construction skills covered by the two-week programme include carpentry, masonry and plumbing for housing and safe sanitation.”

This effort is in line with the government’s Build Back Better scheme and the house is one of a series of core shelters being built around the country in the worst hit villages.

Reconstruction efforts also act as a training exercise, enabling other villagers to rebuild their homes to be safer and stronger using quality materials.

INDIA

www.iwk.co.nz | 2 September 2016

21

INDIA

India, Britain to create joint sub-fund under NIIF: Jaitley

F

inance Minister Arun Jaitley, on Monday, August 29, said that India and Britain are exploring the possibility of creating a joint sub-fund under the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF).

“Officials from both India and UK are jointly exploring the creation of an India-UK sub-fund under the NIIF umbrella.

“We look forward to the implementation of this task expeditiously and positively in near future,” Jaitley said during his meeting with visiting British Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox. Jaitley said government accords high priority to investment in infrastructure, manufacturing and service sectors.

NIIF, India’s first Rs 40,000 crore sovereign wealth fund,

The MP, UK, Secretary for State for International Trade, Dr Liam Fox calls on Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Arun Jaitley, in New Delhi

The UK is interested in forging deeper trade and investment arrangements with India has been set up for attracting investments for infrastructure development in the country.

Financial Times, London has adjudged NIIF as the most innovative structure in Asia

Pacific under finance category.

Jaitley further said that the Union Cabinet has approved a new model text for the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), the new text of which has already been shared with the British government in April this year.

The Finance Minister also raised the issue of proposed Brexit implications on the Indian businesses and working professionals in Britain.

He also mentioned a new Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Britain depending on terms and conditions of its withdrawal arrangement from the EU. Fox was on a three-day visit to New Delhi and Mumbai from August 28 to 30 to boost bilateral commercial ties. He said, “The UK is interested in forging deeper trade and investment arrangements with India.”

India best market for e-commerce growth: Infosys co-founder

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W

Kris Gopalakrishnan

the software major’s former chief executive said with increasing per capita income ($2,000), their aspirations too increased.

“As the economy will double in the next 10 years, the e-commerce industry will also grow,” he observed at a panel discussion on ‘Are Indian e-commerce firms heading in the right direction’, organised by Hurun Report India.

Hurun Report, a monthly magazine, published by Luxembourg-born Rupert Hoogewerf, whose Chinese name is Hu Run, and has been ranking the wealthiest in China since 1999 under its ‘China Rich List’.

Hurun also presented Gopalakrishnan the ‘Most Respected Entrepreneurs 2016’ award for his contribution to Indian philanthropy as a pioneer of technology, SMEs (small and

medium enterprises) and startups at its fifth edition of the meet.

The ‘Most Respected Entrepreneurs’ is the highest honour awarded annually by Hurun Report, which estimates the influence of Indian entrepreneurs in past year.

Chinese entrepreneur Alex Tang, who featured in Hurun’s China Rich List, said he would soon set foot into the Indian market although he focused only on the China market in the past.

“Indian cities have an international appeal and India is regarded as one of the biggest potential markets. We will soon have a space business here,” he declared. About 200 entrepreneurs, chief executives and business leaders participated in the event, which provided a platform to develop, build and

U

nion Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday, August 31, said the government is seeking ways to increase India’s exports to the automotive global supply and also attempting to implement a scrapping policy for old vehicles to reduce vehicular pollution.

Elaborating on automobile industry’s support to curb pollution and agreeing to move straight to BS-VI from BS-IV, he said, “We are attempting to implement a scrapping policy for old vehicles, which will help reduce pollution.”

The minister said five lakh accidents occur annually leading to 2.5 lakh deaths and India needs the industry’s support to address the issue of accident spots across the country.

A British official said that in a bid to reduce pollution, his government is focusing on manufacturing ultra-low emission vehicles.

No permit required for e-rickshaws, e-carts: Government

With GDP hitting 7.5% and possibly 10% in some time, India is the best market for e-commerce growth.

The increased mobile penetration will also help the industry grow. ith five of the top global IT services firms being Indian, India was the best market for e-commerce growth as the industry was heading in the right direction, said Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan on Sunday, August 28.

“With GDP hitting 7.5% and possibly 10% in some time, India is the best market for e-commerce growth. The increased mobile penetration will also help the industry grow,” said Gopalakrishnan at an event.

The five Indian IT services firms are Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies and Tech Mahindra. Also noting that India was a high growth market for e-commerce business, thanks to its 1.2 billion people as consumers,

Government seeking ways to increase India’s exports to global supply: Gadkari

strengthen key B2B and B2C relationships, source new ideas and gather latest business data.

“By studying the country’s top entrepreneurs, promoters can gain insight into what makes a business successful. Some of them were able to turn a failing company around, while others incubated a start-up from an idea,” observed Hoogewerf.

Hurun Report India, which began its operations in 2012, serves as the country’s voice celebrating wealth creation and growth under Hurun India Rich List and Hurun India Philanthropy List.

“Our objective is to promote entrepreneurship and India is one of the hottest markets, topping third after the US and China,” said its head Anas Rahman Junaid.

he government on Wednesday, August 31 announced that e-rickshaws and e-carts will no longer require permits to ply on roads but the same can be regulated by states under appropriate traffic laws.

According to the notification, the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 66 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 will not apply to e-carts and e-rickshaws (as defined in section 2A of the said Act) that are used for carrying goods or passengers with personal luggage.

This means that vehicles that are registered as e-carts or e-rickshaws will not require any permits. State governments can, however, impose restrictions under appropriate traffic laws on plying of these vehicles in specific areas or specific roads.

On being asked if there was any demand from people, who drive e-rickshaws or and e-carts, to make them permit-free, the ministry official said it was done keeping in mind their utility and the rickshaws being environment-friendly.

22

INDIA

2 September 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

INDIA, US SIGN MILITARY

LOGISTIC AGREEMENT I ndia and the US, on Monday, August 29, signed a historical agreement on sharing logistics, with both Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter clarifying that it will not involve in setting up of military bases.

The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) was “in principle” agreed on during Carter’s visit to India in April. The two sides also discussed India’s “Major Defence Partner” designation, which was announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington in June, and the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) between the two countries. A joint statement issued by US Department of Defense after the meeting said, “Welcomed the signing of the bilateral logistics exchange memorandum of agreement (LEMOA), which will facilitate additional opportunities for practical engagement and exchange.” Talking about the LEMOA in a joint press conference, Carter said it will be a “very substantial enabler” for the two countries to work together. “I want to make clear what it does is make possible and make easier operating together when we choose to. It doesn’t by itself create those agreements,” Carter said.

He added that decisions on operating together will be taken on case by case basis.

“When they do agree it makes all much more smooth,” he said.

Parrikar also clarified the agreement will not involve in setting up bases.

US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter (left) with India’s Minister of Defence Manohar Parrikar

“It does not have anything to do with setting up bases. It is for logistic support to each other... Like supply of fuel, the supply of any other things that are required for joint operation, humanitarian assistance and many other...” Parrikar said. “The defence relationship between India and the US is based on the two countries’ shared values and interests, and their abiding commitment to global peace and security,” the joint statement said. It said the two sides discussed “the wealth of progress in bilateral cooperation and the deepening strategic partnership between the US and India”.

“The visit—their sixth interaction to date—demonstrates the importance both sides place on strengthening defence ties across many areas: from increased strategic and regional cooperation to

Tourism now a work stream under India-US Commercial Dialogue

I

ndia and the US on Tuesday, August 30 agreed to add partnership in the travel and tourism sector to the existing work streams under the bilateral Strategic and Commercial Dialogue, Indian Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in New Delhi.

“We agreed to make a new addition to existing work streams under the Strategic and Commercial Dialogue on partnership in the travel and tourism sector,” Sitharaman said briefing the media at the conclusion of the dialogue in New Delhi.

“Both sides recognize the huge potential for engagement in advancing bilateral trade in travel and tourism services and it was agreed to observe 2017 as the Travel and Tourism Partnership Year,” she said.

Sitharaman in her opening remarks earlier had noted the significant progress made under the four work

The defence relationship between India and the US is based on the two countries’ shared values and interests, and their abiding commitment to global peace and security

streams of standards, ease of doing business, innovation and entrepreneurship, and infrastructure and smart cities.

Declaring that both sides had agreed to take a focused intervention in various areas, Sitharaman said India had launched a Government e-market place (GeM) and has agreed to look at best practices exchange with GSA Advantage which deals with government procurement in the US. “We have agreed on a programme called ‘Silicon Valley comes to India’ which will have experts from USA coming to India to interact with start ups and provide the required momentum to Indian entrepreneurial eco-system,” she added.

She also announced that next year’s Global Entrepreneurship Summit will be held in India and it will be co-hosted by the US.

deepened military-to-military exchanges, to expanded collaboration on defence technology and innovation,” the statement said. Discussing the “Major Defense Partner” designation, the two sides agreed on the importance this framework will provide to facilitate innovative and advanced opportunities in defence technology and trade cooperation.

It added that the US has agreed to elevate defence trade and technology sharing with India to a level commensurate with its closest allies and partners.

Carter also welcomed India’s membership in the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and reaffirmed US support for India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). The two also noted the signing of an information exchange annexe under the framework of

the Aircraft Carrier Joint Working Group.

Secretary Carter and Minister Parrikar also agreed to continue to their close consultation on Make in India proposals.

The two sides also discussed cooperation on capabilities to augment India’s capacity for maritime domain awareness (MDA).

The US acknowledged India’s “positive contributions” to regional security and stability, including in matters beyond the maritime space. Carter and Parrikar announced their agreement to further consultations in this area, including through the next Maritime Security Dialogue, which will be held later this year.

They noted recent high-level official exchanges including the visit to New Delhi of Gen. John Nicholson for consultations on Afghanistan, as well as by the Secretary of the US Navy and the Secretary of the US Air Force earlier this month.

India bags orders to launch 68 foreign satellites

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iding on the success of its rocket launches and domain expertise in space technology, India secured new orders to launch 68 satellites for overseas customers, including a dozen from the US, said a top official on Tuesday, August 30.

“We got fresh orders to launch 68 satellites from various countries, including 12 from PlanetiQ, a US-based weather forecasting satellite firm,” said Rakesh Sasibhushan, Chairman and Managing Director of Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of the Indian space agency.

Through Antrix, the staterun Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched 74 foreign satellites, including many from advanced countries like Belgium, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Israel and the US over the 15 years, using its most reliable workhorse— the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

“We estimate that about 2,500 satellites will be built in the next decade to meet the needs of countries and private customers for navigation, maritime, surveillance and other spacebased applications,” Sasibhushan told reporters in Bengaluru ahead

of the fifth biennial Space Expo.

The new orders include launching smaller and nano-satellites with different payloads (instruments) for experiments, data generation, image-capturing and transmitting signals for communications, broadcasting, remotesensing, earth observation and weather conditions.

“We also got an order to launch a heavier earth observation satellite from an overseas customer, said Sasibhushan without naming the customer, and asserted that Antrix would try to be competitive to win more contracts.

The smaller rocket (PSLV-C34) set a record in July by launching 20 satellites, with a combined weight of 1,288 kg including ISRO’s 728 kg Cartosat-2 from its rocket port at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, about 80 km north-east of Chennai.

Asserting that polar rocket was commercially competitive, he said its record success was attracting global attention and many countries were interested in using it for launching their satellites in near-earth orbits.

OneWeb, a global consortium of British multinational Virgin Group, Indian telecom major Bharti Enterprises and US-

based chip maker Qualcomm, is planning to put a record 648 smaller satellites as a constellation to beam high-speed internet to local terminals.

ISRO also is bracing up for commercial launch of two-tonne and above satellites using its heavier rocket—Geosynchrnous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) to place them in geo-stationary orbits, about 36,000 km from the Earth.

The operational GSLV MkII rocket with an indigenous cryogenic upper stage is set for launch in September with a weather satellite onboard.

With more nations and private customers keen on having their own satellites for various applications, India is pitching in the multi-billion dollar launch market due to shortage of rockets and launchers worldwide and owing its cost advantage.

INDIA ABROAD

www.iwk.co.nz | 2 September 2016

23

INDIA ABROAD

India got 72% H1B visas this year: US official

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he US issued more than a million visas this year in India which also accounts for 72% of all H1B visas issued worldwide, said a top US official on Friday, August 26. While a vast majority of travellers to the US are travelling on tourist and short-term business visas, India is also the largest beneficiary of H1B visas.

“Beyond tourism and short-term business travellers, the US welcomes travel by skilled Indian workers. India is the largest beneficiary by far of H1B visas vis-A-vis skilled workers visas.

“So far just in this year, Indian workers received 72% of all the H1B visas the US issued worldwide. Similarly, Indian workers received 30% of all L visas also long term business travel visas that we have issued worldwide,” said Michele Bond, Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs.

She said while there is no limit for issuing tourist visas, it was for the US Congress to take a decision on increasing H1B and L1 visas for India.

“I can’t predict whether that is likely to happen. It’s pretty obvious that there is more demand for those visas. We will see what decision is taken about whether and when that cap might be increased,” she told reporters. The US issues 138,000 H1B visas per year worldwide and on an average Indians get 70% of these visas. This year Indians have already received about 72%.

The highest ranking US official on consular issues said they understand Indian companies’ concern about a higher fee for H1B and L1 visas. She, however, clarified that the fee hike is not targeted at India. “That hike was a

Our food not only curries, tikkas: Indian MasterChef Australia contestant ¡¡ Sugandha Rawal

India is the largest beneficiary of H1B visas

Beyond tourism and short-term business travellers, the US welcomes travel by skilled Indian workers.

India is the largest beneficiary by far of H1B visas vis-A-vis skilled workers visas result of legislation that was passed.

The level of interest in visas has not changed because of this. We hope to continue to see very strong interest in applying for business visas and working in the US,” she added.

Stating that the commercial, economic and social ties between the two countries had strengthened, Bond pointed out that the number of business and tourist visas issues in India had

gone up by 81 percent in five years.

Last year, the US mission in India issued 60,000 student visas. The US consulate general in Hyderabad issued the largest number of student visas in India, more than any of the consulates and the embassy.

“This consulate general in Hyderabad issues the fifth largest number of student visas in the world. It is at fifth position among more than 200 embassies and consulates around the world. We are really proud of our team in Hyderabad and the role they are playing in strengthening the bonds between two countries,” she said.

Bond noted that the number of Indian students in the US increased to more than 132,000 last year. Indian students comprise second largest international student population in the US. She said the work on the new consulate building in Hyderabad will begin next year and it is scheduled to be completed in 2020. The new facility will have 52 interview windows against 16 at its existing location.

N E W ZEAL AND FIRST L IST MP

MAHESH BINDRA B A SED IN AUCKL AND

Contact Auckland Office

Level 1, 21 East Tamaki Rd, Papatoetoe, Auckland 2025 Ph: 0800 BINDRA (246372) mahesh.bindra@parliament.govt.nz

Authorised by Mahesh Bindra, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

F

rom her fellow contestants to judges, she made everyone on the sets of MasterChef Australia fall in love with desi spices. Nidhi Mahajan, whose exit from the globally-renowned TV cooking show was an emotional affair, says Indian cuisine goes way beyond the misconceptions that people across the world have about it.

“I would love to tell people that there is nothing as massive as Indian cuisine and each dish, each ingredient, has a history behind it and how it became a part of our cuisine,” Nidhi said in an email interview from Adelaide.

“Indian food has made its place on the global platform. People around the world love Indian food for its flavours and versatility,” added the former call centre employee, whose roots are in Chandigarh.

She found her way into Season Eight of MasterChef Australia, which is aired in India on Star World and Star World HD, for her expertise in traditional Indian cooking. She entered the kitchen with a mission to put the desi style of cooking on the global map.

Thus, among the dishes she cooked on the show were creamy lemon pepper chicken with parantha and potato wafers; Aussie Classic Indian Way (one episode required the contestants to use Australian elements like meat and three vegetables and give it a twist—so she gave it an Indian twist); goat curry with fried bread, cucumber raita and pickled onions; and tea-infused parfait, cornflake and ginger wine crumble.

Indian food might be finding a spot on the global palette, but there are still many misconceptions attached to it, said Nidhi, and many believe it is “very fattening, hot, oily and time-consuming. It is nothing like that, apart from the rich cuisines, if we talk about our daily, routine food it is not at all oily, hot or time-consuming.

“Indian food is just not about curries and tikkas.

We have so many other dishes which are fermented, pickled, baked, sautéed and steamed.”

She left a long-lasting impression on the judges— Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris, and even world-renowned chef Marco Pierre White— for her desi gestures. Her decision to bow at the judges’ feet “as a mark of respect” after elimination brought everyone to tears.

Nidhi, who shifted to South Australia’s Adelaide in 2013 with her husband, asserted that desi cuisine is quite popular on the show itself and that “people are crazy about Indian food and judges love Indian food”.

She first stepped into the kitchen to cook on her own when she was all of 12, and has been pursuing her love of cooking ever since. Nidhi looks up to chefs like Sanjeev Kapoor, Vikas Khanna, Jamie Oliver and the late Tarla Dalal.

She has already set up a home-catering business and is taking cooking classes. A restaurant is in the pipeline and she hopes “to set it up by end of 2016 or start of 2017”.

She would also love to write a recipe book “but with a twist—the book will have recipes and also a story behind each recipe and my cooking journey”.

24

SPORTS

2 September 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

SPORTS Rosberg wins Belgian Grand Prix, Force India’s Hulkenberg fourth

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From left to right: Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardees Sakshi Malik, Jitu Rai, Dipa Karmakar and PV Sindhu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi

io Olympics medallists, shuttler P.V. Sindhu and wrestler Sakshi Malik, and gymnast Dipa Karmakar along with shooter Jitu Rai were awarded the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awards— the country’s highest sporting honour—on Monday, August 29.

President Pranab Mukherjee presented the awards amid thunderous applause at the Darbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of National Sports Day. For the first time in the history of the National Sports Awards, four athletes were chosen for the Khel Ratna award. In 2009, boxers Vijender Singh and M.C. Mary Kom and wrestler Sushil Kumar were given the award together.

Sindhu scripted history by winning the silver in women’s singles badminton in the recently concluded Rio Olympics, while Sakshi took bronze in the

Rio 2016 stars conferred

with Khel Ratna Award President Mukherjee also gave women’s 58kg freestyle category at the Games. Sindhu’s coach away the Dronacharya awards to Pullela Gopichand had received Dipa’s mentor Bisweshwar Nandi, the Arjuna Award in 1999. He along with Indian cricketer Virat has also been conferred with the Kohli’s coach Raj Kumar Sharma, Dronacharya Award in 2009 and athletics coach Nagapuri Ramesh, the Padma Bhushan in 2014. boxing coach Sagar Mal Dhayal, Shooter Jitu failed to impress Pradeep Kumar (swimming, at the Rio Games, but the 2014 lifetime) and Mahabir Singh Commonwealth Games gold (wrestling, lifetime).

They were given certificates medallist has won numerous and a cheque of Rs.5 tournaments, including Sindhu lakh each. a gold at the Asian scripted Apart from Games in Incheon. history by winning the silver in women’s this, 15 All the Khel singles badminton in the sportspersons Ratna awardees recently concluded Rio were given received a medal, Olympics, while Sakshi took Arjuna certificate and bronze in the women’s 58kg the A w a r d s . cash prize of Rs. freestyle category at the Among them Games 7.5 lakh each.

were Olympian runner Lalita Babar, boxer Shiva Thapa, shooter Apurvi Chandela, and hockey players V.R. Raghunath and Rani Rampal.

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was stretchered out after dislocating her right knee halfway into the first period of her 48kg quarterfinal fight, was also given the Arjuna award.

Goalkeeper Subrata Paul was the lone footballer in the list of Arjuna awardees.

Veteran athlete Satti Geetha, hockey player Sylvanus Dung Dung and rower Rajendra Pralhad Shelke were presented with the Dhyanchand Award.

eam Mercedes’ German driver Nico Rosberg, on Sunday, August 28, won the Belgian Grand Prix, the 13th race on the 2016 Formula One World Championship schedule. Team Red Bull’s Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo finished second, while Rosberg’s British Mercedes teammate, Lewis Hamilton, finished third, reports Efe. Force India’s German driver Nico Hulkenberg came in fourth, followed by team-mate Sergio Perez Sergio Perez Mexican Sergio Perez, while team Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel came in sixth. Team McLaren’s Spanish driver Fernando Alonso finished seventh, followed by team Williams Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas in eighth and Ferrari Kimi Raikkonen in ninth. Brazilian Williams driver Felipe Massa came in 10th.

Sunday’s victory is Rosberg’s 20th of his F1 career and he is currently ranked second in the F1 standings, with 223 points, just nine points behind Leader Hamilton. Ricciardo is third, with 151 points, followed by Vettel, with 128 points and team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, with 124 points.

India vs Windies second T20I abandoned, Dhoni’s men lose series

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he second match of the two-match Twenty20 International (T20I) between India and the West Indies on Sunday, August 28, was called off due to rain, leading to the latter clinch the cricket series 1–0.

After bowling out the West Indies for 143 in 19.4 overs, India were 15/0 in two overs when the dark clouds hovering over Lauderhill opened up, interrupting the play.

The match was called off and West Indies bagged the series, thanks to their one-run win in the first match on Saturday, August 27. In the second match, India’s bowlers showed improvement, bowling out the West Indies for 143 in 19.4 overs. India opted to bowl and Jasprit Bumrah (2/26), Mohammed Shami (2/31), Amit Mishra (3/24) and Ravichandran Ashwin (2/11) perfectly exploited the West Indian batsmen’s loopholes as the latter struggled

from the start and even failed to play the full 20 overs. Unlike their previous encounter, India’s bowlers operated with discipline and didn’t allow the West Indies batsmen to swing their bat freely.

Due to this, Lewis (7), especially, was frustrated as he mistimed pacer Shami for an easy catch for Mishra at short fine leg in the fourth over, with the team’s score at 24.

The other opener Charles was

Stuart Binny in the match, struck on his first delivery. Charles’s innings ended when he failed to clear Ajinkya Rahane at the long on boundary.

Later, Indian continued to cash in on the West Indies’ lack of discipline and resoluteness.

Off-spinner Ashwin had Lendl Simmons (19) stumped by gloveman Dhoni as the righthanded batsman missed the wide ball outside the leg stump as the West Indies reached 76/3 in 9.5 overs. Bumrah then dealt a telling more successful as he tonked a six blow by removing veteran In and two fours in the same Marlon Samuels (5), the second over.

Bhuvneshawar match, India’s who edged to Dhoni Kumar too faced an bowlers showed in the first ball of improvement, bowling assault from the rightout the West Indies for the 11th over. hander with two fours 143 in 19.4 overs and the Ashwin had team looked very much in in the fifth over. contention to share the Kieron Pollard (13) With the West honours in the series leg before wicket in a Indies reaching 50/1 in carrom ball that forced five overs, Indian skipper the batsman to move back Mahendra Singh Dhoni brought at the crease. After these wickets, in Mishra for the sixth over and the West Indies were reeling at the leg-spinner, who replaced 92/5 in 11.5 overs and they were in

dire need of a partnership but that didn’t materialise. Andre Fletcher (3) looked for runs as he opened up for room only to see a Bumrah yorker rattling his stumps and Dwayne Bravo (3) too missed the googly from Mishra only for his stumps to be dislodged, reducing his team to 111/7 in 15.2 overs.

Bhuvneshwar then removed Andre Russell (13), with the batsman’s hoick at a low full toss ending up in the hands of Virat Kohli at long off.

Then Mishra bowled captain Carlos Braithwaite (18) as the West Indies’ struggle reached 133/9 in 17.5 overs.

Shami ended the West Indian innings clean bowling Samuel Badree (1) in the final over as they were bowled out for 143.

In reply, opening batsmen Rohit Sharma (10 not out) and Ajinkya Rahane (4 not out) took India to 16 in two overs. But rain forced an early end to the match, as the Indian hopes evaporated.

KIDS ZONE

www.iwk.co.nz | 2 September 2016 First Grade

25

Addition 1-10, #1 Add the numbers together for each problem.

Write your answer in the blank space.

Fun Riddles for Kids Find Me! I start with P and end with E, but I have thousands of letters. Who am I? Answer: Post Office What is a word comprise of 4 letters, stills is also made of 5. Occasionally written with 12 letters and later with 5. Never written with 5 but happily with 7.

Answer: What, Still, Occasionally, Later, Never, Happily When you do know me about me, them I am definitely something. You will always search for me. But when you know me, I am nothing. Who am I? Answer: I'm a Riddle!!

1 3 =

1 1 =

6 3 =

4 3 =

2 6 =

2 3 =

4 5 =

3 5 =

I have all the knowledge you have. But I am small as your fist that your hands can hold me. Who am I? Answer: I'm your brain!

How many strawberries

I am the biggest alphabet, as I contain the most water in the world. Who am I? Answer: Alphabet C

are in the fruit salad? _________

I have 28 days in a month. Which month I am?

Answer: All months in a year have 28 days and many have more than 28 days. Find me who am I. I am the building with number stories.

Answer: A Library Scientists are trying to find out what is between earth and heaven.

Can you find me?

Answer: AND What is the word that is spelled incorrectly in all dictionaries?

Answer: Incorrectly Everyone in the world break me when they speak every time. Who am I? Answer: Silence

Soduku

Brain teaser

Did You Know

Months that begin on a Sunday will always have a Friday the 13th"

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

Join the Dots

If 5 men takes around 3 hours to dig 3 holes, how long will it take for 2 men to dig half a hole?

Answer: There is nothing called a half whole and it cannot be dug!

26

FEATURES

2 September 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

Celebrating the men in our lives ¡¡ Jeffery Chan

A

s Father’s Day approaches, if you would like to celebrate the men in your life, what better way to celebrate that moment with some photos at STUDIO81 that you can cherish forever?

Here are some of the ways that we have help captured those moments:

First-time dad photo

The pride and joy of lifting up your child and having your child look you in your eyes with the cutest smile.

A photo to remember his smile

This Father’s Day, let the team at STUDIO81 make it a memorable one for your dad.

The generations photo

The idea behind it is to capture different generations of men in a single photo.

This will make a great heirloom that can be passed down to future generations.

We have a special promotion that includes the following: • One 6x9” print • Photoshoot up to an hour • $150 print credit towards wall art • $200 print credit towards packages • MK men mini facial for dad • Enjoy a cup of fine tea or coffee

Dad playing with the kids

Whether you share the same sports or hobbies, kids just love to hang out with their father.

All this for only $99

For more details and bookings, please visit http://www.studio81.co.nz/ celebrating-dad/ or call 09-5222 581. Choose from the Newmarket or East Tamaki studio.

EDUCATION

NZTC awarded for cultural diversity and inclusion

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huge team effort to produce a te reo Māori learning book in-house at New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC) hasn’t gone unnoticed.

NZTC has been awarded Highly Commended at the prestigious Diversity Awards that recognise and celebrate New Zealand businesses and organisations championing diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Held at the SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre on Wednesday, August 25, evening, the Cultural Celebration Award recognised NZTC’s recent publication of Te Reo Māori: He taonga mō ā tātou mokopuna, otherwise known as He Taonga, a Māori teaching and learning book developed to support the college’s students and the early childhood sector.

More than 100 staff members, with more than 20 different cultural backgrounds, came together to create He Taonga.

Many different skill sets contributed to its creation including academic, IT, design, communication, marketing, registry, pastoral support and finance teams.

Each staff member was gifted a copy of

NZTC team with the award

the book to assist not only themselves with their Māori learning, but also sharing with friends and family.

More than 5,000 copies of the independently funded book will be gifted and distributed throughout New Zealand this year to early childhood centres.

The college entered the Diversity Awards to celebrate the achievement of their incredibly diverse team of people in New Zealand, India and China, who combined their various cultures, talents, gifts and professions to complete a humbling project that will support the future of te reo Māori

“The uniqueness of our goal was that it was to be a uniting one, to develop a book to support, teach and nurture te reo Maori, beginning with our early childhood students and teachers alongside young children throughout New Zealand.”

teaching and learning. “In our project we asked team members to wholeheartedly and confidently bring their diversities to the table, to challenge and prompt each other, work and learn together, to achieve a goal beyond anything we could have done as individuals,” said NZTC Chief Executive Selena Fox. “The uniqueness of our goal was that it was to be a uniting one, to develop a book to support, teach and nurture te reo Māori, beginning with our early childhood students and teachers alongside young children throughout New Zealand.”

Accolades for Unitec’s diversity and inclusion initiatives

U

nitec Institute of Technology and its partner The Mind Lab by Unitec scooped three of the 10 2016 New Zealand Diversity Awards. New Zealand’s largest institute of technology took out the Cultural Celebration Award for its ground-breaking work with ‘Courageous Conversations About Race’ while The Mind Lab by Unitec received both the Tomorrow’s Workforce and the Walk the Talk awards.

The Diversity Awards NZ recognise and celebrate the NZ businesses and organisations championing diversity and inclusion in the workplace—and reaping the benefits. Unitec’s Chief Executive Rick Ede is thrilled with the multiple recognition of the great diversity work happening at the organisation. Courageous Conversations About Race (CCAR) at Unitec evolved four years ago when Dr Matthew Farry, the then Unitec Equity and Diversity Manager introduced Glenn Singleton’s CCAR protocol to Unitec and New Zealand. Earlier this year, Unitec and the Pacific Educational Group established an Institute for Courageous Conversation—a Pacific-wide hub for inclusive and equitable leadership.

The Mind Lab by Unitec began, in part, to engage school students with technology, then evolved to increase teachers’ skills and confidence with collaborative and digital learning.

FEATURES

www.iwk.co.nz | 2 September 2016

Next iPhone will soon be here— what to expect?

27

¡¡ @Maheshk

F

anboys rejoice!

Apple recently announced its September event, which will take place in San Francisco on Wednesday, September 7. It is believed to launch the next iteration of iPhone on the day along with other announcements.

World over, millions of people are eagerly awaiting Apple’s announcement. So what is expected this time? Let us have a look at various rumours about the next iPhone that have been floating in the tech landscape.

Since the launch of iPhone 3GS model in 2009, Apple has been used an “S” every other year when the iPhone didn’t get any major redesign: ¡¡ 2007: iPhone ¡¡ 2008: iPhone 3G ¡¡ 2009: iPhone 3GS ¡¡ 2010: iPhone 4 (new design) ¡¡ 2011: iPhone 4s ¡¡ 2012: iPhone 5 (new design) ¡¡ 2013: iPhone 5s ¡¡ 2014: iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus (new design)

¡¡ 2015: iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus

Going by the history of iPhone, the next phone is expected to be badged as iPhone 7 but might not have a new design. Chances are that Apple will continue with last year’s design but with some subtle changes. Also, like the last two years, there will be two versions— the 5.5-inch and the 4.7-inch display. Some rumours suggest that one of them might be called iPhone Pro. On the looks aspect, some analysts have indicated that there might be a new blue colour.

One of the most expected change is that the phone will no longer have the ubiquitous 3.5-mm headphone socket forcing users to either use a lightning cable or use a Bluetooth-enabled headphone.

This means you will either have to buy a pair of headphones that use a lightning cable, get an adapter, or use Bluetooth headphones.

On the internal side, phones are expected to be powered by nextgeneration A10 processors and hopefully, storage space will also get a boost. It might ship with

2GB RAM while the iPhone 7 Plus might have 3GB RAM. The phone will most definitely see a bump in camera with rumours saying that the phone might support a dualcamera setup and improved lowlight performance.

Some leaks suggest that the new iPhone will be available for preorder from September 9.

There have also been rumours that the new phone might be waterproof like the Samsung Galaxy series and might feature fast-charging technology that gives the phone several hours

of battery life with just a few minutes of charging.

Apple is also expected to announce Apple Watch 2, iPad Mini 5 and iPad Pro 2.

By Manisha Koushik

Manisha Koushik is the talented daughter and associate of world renowned celebrity astrologer Dr Prem Kumar Sharma.

A practicing astrologer, tarot card reader, numerologist, vastu and fengshui consultant is based in India but maintains a global presence through the online channels. She is available for consultations online as well. Let her tarot cards do the magic and numbers make you understand which choices in life will be best for you! E-mail: support@askmanisha.com | Website: www.askmanisha.com Contact: +91-11-26449898 Mobile/Whatsapp: +919015607139

WEEKLY FORECAST: SEPTEMBER 2 TO SEPTEMBER 8 ¡¡Aries (Mar 21-Apr 20) You may find yourself totally involved in something serious this week. There seems no respite from additional work on the professional front, but you will enjoy it. A focussed approach on the academic front is likely to do wonders for your performance. Coming out unscathed is foretold for those who have invested heavily in shares. A family youngster is all set to make you proud.

You will be motivated by someone close to coming back in shape.

Lucky no.: 1 Lucky colour: Maroon

¡¡Taurus (Apr 21-May 20) It will be difficult to ignore someone, despite his or her imprudence. Raising finances for higher education may pose difficulties but persistence will pay. Work front is likely to keep you tied up with extra workload, upsetting your other plans. A family elder may become the talking point in your social circle. You will be able to deal with a competitor on the romantic front in a most subtle way.

Implement all preventive measures to remain healthy.

Lucky no.: 22 Lucky colour: Dark turquoise

¡¡Gemini (May 21-Jun 21) Now is the time to lay the foundation of your future plans, since you have the capital and other resources. Keep in touch with what is happening on the academic front, even if you are absent.

Those with additional skills can hope to

get a good break. Following the advice of someone clued up financially may save you a lot of hassle. The domestic front will be most peaceful and family most accommodating. Herbal alternatives will benefit.

Lucky no.: 7 Lucky colour: Orange

¡¡Cancer (Jun 22-Jul 20) Getting the go ahead in a personal endeavour will bring you nearer to realising your dream. A good job opportunity may come your way.

Money is likely to disappear if you are not careful of your spending. A chance to spend some time in solitude with lover may not come about despite your efforts. This is the right time to take up a fitness programme. You may get nagged over an issue by spouse or a parent.

Lucky no.: 15 Lucky colour: Turquoise

¡¡Leo (Jul 23-Aug 11) A hobby or game may prove timeconsuming and may distract you from work or studies. Those feeling listless for the past few days can expect improvement in their condition. There is a fair chance of a flat or plot being registered in your name. Your workable solution to a professional problem will get the go ahead from higher ups. A commitment you are scared of making will no more seem threatening. Mental tensions disappear.

Lucky no.: 4 Lucky colour: Violet

¡¡Virgo (Aug 24-Sep 23) You are likely to work hard and party harder, enjoying life to the hilt! Good networking will help you raise capital for a project. Cancellation of a posting or transfer will be in your favour. Those in the private sector may be given a raise or a higher appointment. Family support will be forthcoming in a new venture that you are planning. Changed diet will help in reducing the waistline. Gauge the mood of partner before getting romantic!

Lucky no.: 3 Lucky colour: Saffron

¡¡Libra (Sep 24-Oct 23) A side business is bound to do well, so go ahead with it. Do something about a situation on the personal front before it puts you in the dock. This is not the week to invest money on sheer guess work. You may find it difficult to get a loan sanctioned. With good networking, a prized posting can be yours. It is best to keep a family elder in good humour.

Take up healthy activities.

Lucky no.: 4 Lucky colour: Lavender

¡¡Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22) You may find yourself busier than usual on the academic front. A policy decision may not turn out to be favourable and prompt you to take some desperate steps. Lack of attention to details may put you in the firing line on the domestic front. Newlyweds may experience some differences and become

incommunicado. An old ailment may play up and cause trouble, but it will be nothing alarming. Your cost cutting measures will prove effective.

Lucky no.: 11 Lucky colour: Light pink

¡¡Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 11) Your views in an important matter may be sought by someone close. Health problems of someone close may compel you to devote time, money and energy on it. Don’t expect money given to someone as a loan to be returned soon.

The opportunity you had been waiting for may arrive when you least expect it, so be ready at all times. Worrying over a trivial issue may unnecessarily tense your mind. Expenses need to be curbed with a firm hand.

Lucky no.: 11 Lucky colour: Lemon

¡¡Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 21) If some avenues get blocked, many others open. So, don’t worry on this score. Someone on the social front may take you unawares by expressing deep appreciation for you! Your gift to partner is certain to make his or her. This is the right time for investing in a scheme you had been contemplating for long. You feel ready to take on this period with full energy and dynamism. This seems to be a good week for job seekers.

Lucky no.: 6 Lucky colour: Coffee

¡¡Aquarius (Jan 22-Feb 19) Sarcasm will get you nowhere. On the contrary, it may incense those who were neutral till now. Only hard work will impress higher-ups at work. Consider carefully before giving an expensive gift to someone, as the expected returns may not be forthcoming. Finding the right candidate for specialised work may prove difficult. Don’t get carried away by shoptalk and invest in something useless. Those staying singly need to be careful about their security. Health remains satisfactory.

Lucky no.: 17 Lucky colour: Off white

¡¡Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20) Keeping higher ups informed of your plans is in order. Soft approach and soothing words will help pacify a distraught family member. Interact with others, if you don’t want to get caught on the wrong foot. An opportunity on the financial front, if seized immediately, may earn good profits. Your current diet may not be suiting your system well, so try out some more. Take steps to reignite the fires of passion for making the romantic front exciting!

Lucky no.: 9 Lucky colour: Red

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ENTERTAINMENT

2 September 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

When Kareena got ‘emotional’ while walking the ramp

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ctress Kareena Kapoor Khan, who is expecting her first child with Saif Ali Khan in December, turned showstopper for designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee for the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Winter/Festive 2016 and she says that it was an emotional moment for her as this was the first time “we were taking the ramp together”.

The actress was seen proudly flaunting her baby bump in an elegant lehnga with a glowing face adding more spark to her beautiful persona. Kareena says that this edition was different for her.

“Everyone made this edition so special for me. For me, it’s quite an emotional moment as this was the first time we (she and her future child) took the ramp together. It was a moment to cherish,” the actress told reporters at the show conference after finale show.

She also says that she was not scared to walk the runway and her pregnancy can never be hindrance in anything.

“I was happy and confident. Pregnant woman can walk and fly and for me it’s absolutely normal. When it comes to my work, acting is my passion and I will work till I die. As long as I am doing what I love, I am going to do that,” she said. The

¡¡ Preetha Nair

A

ctor Tabu, who got rave reviews for movies like Fitoor, Drishyam and Maqbool says she wants to essay the role of a warrior.

Speaking at a packed session at the seventh edition of the Mountain Echoes Literary Festival, the actor, known for her powerhouse performances, said that she can do justice to such a role.

“I want to do the role of a warrior and I am sure I will look good in that role,” said Tabu.

The three-day festival, which concluded on Sunday, saw the participation of more than 50 authors from India, Bhutan, Australia and Bangladesh among other countries.

Speaking to the media, the actor said that social media has never fascinated her and she chooses to stay away from it.

“I don’t find a reason to be on twitter or Facebook. This is my temperament and I can’t put myself out 24/7 out there.

However, I am not judgmental about others being there,” said the actress.

The actor known for her versatile performances also said that she hates labeling and

A

Kareena Kapoor Khan stuns in a rich Sabyasachi number at the Lakme Fashion Week Winter/ Festive 2016 grand finale

designer showcased a collection of lehangas, saris, dresses and some of the sharply cut menswear line at the finale show that left a mesmerising effect on audience that comprised of Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone, Karisma Kapoor, Kajal Agarwal and many more. Talking about his showstopper, the designer said that he never got the chance to work with her but hopes to design for her soon.

“She is gorgeous and added more volume to the outfit. I hope our association will continue from here on,” he said.

I want to play a warrior: Tabu her selection of roles are not deliberate. “I never want to stick to one genre of movies and was opened to do everything. Most stabilizing part of my career is that I have done all genres. I hate classification,” said the actor.

Talking about her noteworthy roles in Maqbool and Haider, Tabu said that it was a life-changing experience for her. “Vishal wrote the roles for me and have lot of faith in him.

The conflict was playing the mother and I defeated the fear ultimately. Though the characters are dark, I tried to connect with their emotional quotient. Not all films and characters give you the chance to express the way you wanted,” she explained.

The actor, who drew inspiration from talk show host Oprah Winfrey and author Mayo Angelo admitted that her roles in films such as Maachis and Chandni Bar have made her thinking.

“When I did Maachis, I was

Would love to go out-ofthe-box, says Abhay Deol

playing a young girl who takes to militancy. Till Chandni Bar, I had no idea of the underbelly of Mumbai. These characters made me thinking. I couldn’t read beyond a few pages of Chandni Bar. Every film has opened my mind,” she said.

Though she has portrayed many women-oriented roles, Tabu doesn’t want to be slotted as a feminist “ I don’t disown feminism but I don’t believe in such labels,” she said, adding that young female Bollywood actors are getting varied roles and better remuneration than before.

Contrary to her image of an actor of the parallel cinema, Tabu said that she loves to do more light-hearted movies.

“I want to do more roles such as Biwi No. 1 and Hera Pheri.

Working in comedy movies is fun and you discover new ways to make things funny,” she said.

ctor Abhay Deol is keen to break his “nonmainstream” image in Bollywood and says he would love to come out-of-the-box and do mainstream films like an actioner.

Asked if he will ever do an outand-out actioner, Abhay said, “I hope so.

Action requires a budget, especially the ones we make in our industry. It would be great to read a script, which is an action script uniquely written so that it doesn’t cost an arm or a leg because we are now accustomed to seeing action in the superhero form.” The actor, who has done films as different as Dev.D and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, says since he has done a lot of “non-mainstream” cinema, he doubts if film-makers will offer him an action film.

“The thing is that because I have gone and done non-mainstream movies, the reaction will occur that, ‘He is not mainstream’. So they (film-makers) themselves won’t offer me those films,” he added. Abhay says he wants to do commercial films, but he feels he has been “boxed” as a type in the industry. The 40-year-old actor said, “It’s not that I don’t want to do different films. The non-mainstream stuff that I did, started to get successful...

But for an industry which runs essentially on money, they do put you in a box. You try hard to do what you believe in and try hard to not put yourself in a box, but you inevitably get put in a box.”

Abhay, who was recently seen in Happy Bhaag Jayegi, says he would like to come out of the box.

“But now for me to get out-ofthe-box and do something like an action film that I would love to do, someone else too has to take that chance with me. I can’t do it alone,” he added.

Unconventional choices bring out best in me: Nimrat

N

ot one to be scared of taking risks, actress Nimrat Kaur says she has “always been interested in unconventional choices”—and she says they bring out the best in her.

“Whether it’s here (western TV space) or in India, if there’s

something that catches my fancy as an audience, and if it is something that I’d like to watch, I’m not afraid to try it.

I have always been interested in unconventional choices and I feel like they bring out the best in me and keep me alive,” Nimrat said

“I have been very fortunate. So, it’s just a question of how much more exciting can we get,” added the critically-acclaimed actress, who has worked in films such as The Lunchbox and Airlift.

Nimrat has even made her presence felt internationally after being associated with foreign TV

shows such as Homeland and Manoj Night Shyamalan’s TV series Wayward Pines. Now, Nimrat wants to try her hand at comedy. “I would love to do something fun. I haven’t signed anything yet...It would be great to do a comedy or something light hearted,” she said.

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30

FEATURES

2 September 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

Young leader strives to make a difference

At the age of 16, he was selected as the Youth Member of Parliament. At 18, he was the youngest Campaign Manager in NZ. Three years ago, 22-year-old Shail Kaushal became the youngest candidate to contest the Local Government Election from Mt Roskill, and this year, he is standing for the elections again. Indian Weekender spoke to Kaushal to know more about his vision and his campaign. ¡¡ Esha Chanda IWK: What to politics?

drives

you

Shail: I’m driven to politics because of the values I believe in, including equal opportunities and fairness, and that if you have the best start in life, your hard work and focus can achieve just about anything.

It was the same case in my family when we moved to New Zealand. We were given a fair go and were able to achieve the rest through hard work, resolve, and determination. This is something I learnt from my parents.

I’m driven by the elementary principles of human rights, fairness, and treating everyone equally; to ensure all Kiwis have the basic opportunities on which they can build their future and families.

Shail Kaushal, young politician IWK: You’re possibly the youngest candidate in the upcoming elections.

Do you think you bring a fresh perspective?

Shail: Yes, one of the youngest and definitely the youngest from our community. Being youngest also brings challenges to match the best-skilled players in t h e

game. During the last election in 2013, I was only a few 100 votes away from winning the community our first seat at any level of Auckland Council. Currently, there is a vacancy on the Board, and I’m the next highest polling candidate from 2013 who is running. I have experience working in both the public and the private sector.

What I am bringing to the board is energy, enthusiasm, and fresh ideas that are relevant for today’s society and addresses issues head-on.

IWK: What’s your vision for Mt Roskill?

Shail: I’m standing for Mt Roskill (Puketapapa Local Board), which comprises Mt Roskill, Three Kings, Lynfield, Waikowhai, Hillsborough and Wesley. It is the most multicultural and diverse area in New Zealand.

My vision for the area and wider Auckland is for an inclusive and safe society that celebrates the richness of its diversity; a place where enterprise can thrive, and everyone has an equal opportunity to get ahead in life.

IWK: What issues do you campaign for?

Shail: I’m campaigning for a better Roskill.

I’m campaigning for bringing light rail (trams)

Paryushan

Date: Monday, August 29 to September 5 Time: Time varies on each day Venue: 44F Portage Road, New Lynn Jain community members are invited to participate in the celebration of Paryushana Maha Parva that will see full-day programmes starting from August 29. For more details, call Parag Shah on 021 278 8912 or check the website nzjainsangh.org.

CAB Manurewa session on employment Date: Saturday, 3 September 2016 Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Venue: Manurewa Library Community Room, 7 Hill Road, Manurewa

Participants at the session can find out about how to search for work, develop your CV and gain knowledge about their employment rights. For more information, call Patricia Pera at 0211222014 or Armmajit Kaur at 0211421855 or e-mail at settlement.manurewa@cab.org.nz

Pakuranga Toastmasters

Date: Monday, September 5 and 19 Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Venue: Te Tuhi Centre for the Arts, 13 Reeves Rd, Pakuranga Founded in 1975, Pakuranga Toastmaster provides a safe, friendly, welcoming and fun environment for people of all walks of life to build confidence, leadership skills, and improve their communication and public speaking skills. Themes, props, and sense of humour are ingredients that allow participants to learn and grow in a fun environment. Admission is free.

CAB Workshops

Parenting workshop in English and Chinese Date: English groups on Monday, August 29, September 5, 12, 19 and on Friday, September 2, 9, 16, 23 Time: 10 a.m. to noon Venue: Manaia Room, Pakuranga Library Building, 7 Aylesbury St Pakuranga Citizens Advice Bureau

I’m driven by the elementary principles of human rights, fairness, and treating everyone equally; to ensure all Kiwis have the basic opportunities on which they can build their future and families

on Dominion Road and Mt Eden Road to address ever-growing gridlocks and clogging on roads with more than 800 cars being registered each week in Auckland.

Light Rail enables us to address the extra 3,000 cars that will be added to Mt Eden Road post the 1,500 houses built on Three Kings Quarry. Currently, we have support on this issue from City Vision, Labour Councillors, Auckland Transport and Phil Goff who will be Mayor post-October 8.

I am campaigning for a safer community and a well-lit Mt Roskill, where people can live without any fear.

I’m campaigning for affordable housing. I believe the heart of addressing the housing crisis lies in building more houses through the shared equity model, which enables council to make a social

CAB will be holding a free parenting workshop for all families with children up to 12 years old, living in Counties Manukau. Participants can learn to deal with difficult parenting issues by observing, discussing, and practicing positive parenting strategies. Workbooks and tip sheets will be provided. Register by calling 021459520 or drop an e-mail at settlement.pakuranga@cab.org.nz.

CAB Whangarei session on consumer law

Date: Thursday, 8 September 2016 Time: noon to 1:30 p.m.

Venue: CAB Whangarei, Municipal Building, 71 Bank Street, Whangarei Participants at the session will learn about consumer rights such as auctions, buying and selling goods and services, and online trading.

For more information, call Moea Armstrong at 09 4388046 or email her at Whangarei@cab.org.nz.

investment future.

in

our

resident’s

IWK: How do you think your past experience will help you?

Shail: Currently, I am Phil Goff’s electorate chairperson. I have had the opportunity of learning directly from him over the years.

He has been a great inspiration and mentor. I have grown up in Mt Roskill, attended schooling and graduated from there. My roles and skills that I learned have allowed me to represent Mt Roskill nationally and internationally. I have the local knowledge and know the community well.

IWK: Last year, you were selected not only to represent New Zealand overseas but also elected to lead a multilateral and multinational delegation.

How was your experience?

Shail: It was a great learning experience, heading an entire multilateral delegation comprising Kiwis, Australians, South Korean and Taiwanese. This role has previously been filled by a Deputy Foreign Minister. I got to lead a great team of people that included editors of large Australasian think tanks, staff, and advisors to the former Prime Minister John Howard, and current ministers as well as senior members of overseas political parties, staff, and advisors of NZ ministers and senior MPs besides Foreign Affairs staff. It was a privilege and honour that provided me with an opportunity to demonstrate my acquired skills..

CAB Eden-Albert session on Employment in New Zealand Date: Friday, September 9 Time: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Venue: CAB Eden Albert, 82 St Lukes Road (adjoining the Library), Auckland 1025 Participants can learn about tips to apply for a job, presenting their skills, the Kiwi workplace culture, and how to network in a new country. It’s a free session.

For more information, send an e-mail to trainingTL.cabac@cab.org.nz or call Pauline Proud on 09 573 2611.

Auckland to New Delhi from $1170 return*

*Selling Period: 04 September 2016 onwards