Indian Weekender 13 May 2016

13 May, 2016 • Vol. 8 Issue 8 • www.iwk.co.nz

NZ’s first Kiwi-Indian weekly newspaper

The pulse of Kiwi-Indians

AMBEDKAR JAYANTI CELEBRATED IN PARLIAMENT

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LAST CHANCE TO NOMINATE

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CONTENTS

13 May 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

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New Zealand TPP beneficial for New Zealand

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India ninth among crony capitalist countries Pg

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Sports

Picture Perfect

Gujarat outclass KKR by five wickets

Understanding exposure

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I Am Woman Largest women’s forum set to deliver at many levels

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Travel A Disney adventure

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Honouring the best among Kiwi-Indians The most-anticipated event in the community, Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame, sails into its fourth year Esha Chanda

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n 2013, Indian Weekender achieved one of its biggest milestones: the publication inaugurated the Kiwi-Indian Hall of Fame. The award was introduced to recognise the efforts of eminent personalities in the Indian community and to honour them. Indians have been making their contribution in New Zealand for more than 150 years. They have brought fame and glory not only to the Kiwi-Indian community but also to their country.

Through Kiwi-Indian Hall of Fame, Indian Weekender provides a platform to acknowledge the success of such individuals. The first inductee was National MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, followed

by Dr Ajit Swaran Singh and Dr Kantilal Naranji Patel.

Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame started off as a mere thought, and today, four years later, it is hailed as one of the most prestigious events in the community.

Last year, Indian Weekender took yet another step forward and introduced two new awards: the Kiwi-Indian Young Achiever of the Year and the Kiwi-Indian Unsung Hero of the Year.

The Young Achiever Award recognises a young talent, between the age of 16 and 35, who has made the community proud through his or her talent and achievements in a particular field, be it sports, academics, art or culture. These youngsters are a force to reckon with. Our society thrives on new ideas and fresh perspectives, and it is the unmatched enthusiasm seen in the younger generation that keeps us moving forward.

The Unsung Hero of the Year is the one who has relentlessly dedicated his or her life for the betterment of the community.

They champion for a cause, fight against the evils of society, and touch the lives of hundreds through their work. Their contribution often goes unnoticed, and through this award, Indian Weekender hopes to find such masked heroes whose work and legacy shape the human civilisation.

The nominations for this year have been extended till May 15, so here’s your last chance to put forward the name of the person who you think is worthy of one of the three awards

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From left to right: 2013 inductee MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, 2014 inductee Dr Ajit Swaran Singh and 2015 inductee Dr Kantilal Naranji Patel

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The nominations for this year have been extended till May 15, so here’s your last chance to put forward the name of the person

who you think is worthy of one of the three awards. The recipients, selected by an independent jury, will be honoured on June 23 in Auckland in front of the crème de la crème of New Zealand.

So if you know someone who according to you should be inducted into the Hall of Fame, either fill out the form (on page 31) and send it to the Indian Weekender office or nominate online on www.halloffame.co.nz.

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praised for TPP beneficial for NZ Schools working together H T Red

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on. Todd McClay, Minister for Trade was invited by MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi for a breakfast meeting with the community to discuss the TransPacific Partnership (TPP).

Minister McClay has conducted about 44 road shows across New Zealand to share the benefits of TPP with New Zealanders. In his speech, the Minister said that TPP is New Zealand’s biggest ever free trade deal and will deliver significant benefits for the country. It involves 12 Asia-Pacific countries, which together account for 36 per cent of the world’s economy. It means New Zealand will now have Free Trade Agreements covering the country’s top five trading partners—Australia, China, the United States, Japan and Korea.

TPP is a positive agreement for New Zealand. It further improves access to international markets, which supports the exporters to grow and create new jobs, and diversify their businesses overseas.

TPP means: • 800 million potential customers for New Zealand goods and services • New Zealand’s economy is estimated to benefit by at least

IWK Bureau

Above: MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi addressing the attendees Below: MP Bakshi (left) with Minister of Trade Hon. Todd McClay

$2.7 billion a year by 2030 • It will save $274 million a year in tariffs for New Zealand exporters • It will support more jobs and higher incomes, and allow New Zealand exporters to sell more products and services to the world • $28 billion of New Zealand goods and services were exported to TPP countries last year. That’s around 40 per cent of New Zealand’s overall exports.

• Tariffs will be eliminated on 95.4 per cent of New Zealand’s exports to the United States, Japan, Canada, Mexico and Peru Not being in TPP would put

the New Zealand economy and our businesses at a competitive disadvantage compared to other countries. TPP, like any free trade agreement, will go through New Zealand’s Parliamentary processes and is expected to come into force within two years.

here are now 4,114 local students at Kingsford School, Kedgley Intermediate, Papatoetoe North School, Papatoetoe West School and Aorere College forming West Papatoetoe Community of Learning and another 3,376 local students at De La Salle College, Holy Cross Catholic School, St Annes Catholic School, St John the Evangelist School, St Joseph’s Catholic School, St Mary McKillop Catholic School and St Mary’s Catholic in South Auckland forming the South Auckland Community of Learning.

“This means Manukau East and South Auckland students will benefit from shared teaching practices and expertise, with teachers working alongside each other on goals to help improve educational outcomes in the classroom,” MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi said.

“I’m proud our schools realise that together they can achieve even more for our children.

“Across the country, more than 1,000 schools are working together in Communities of Learning to raise student achievement—supporting more than 320,000 Kiwi kids.

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“This is 40 per cent of all New Zealand schools.”

The communities are funded through the National-led Government’s $359 million investment in Educational Success initiative.

Evidence shows the quality of teaching and school leadership are the two most important factors in a child’s education, so the government is supporting those areas.

“The communities will work together on challenges they identify for their students, who will then benefit from schools sharing their expertise and resources.

“National is focusing on improving performance in the schooling system to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed,” MP Bakshi said.

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ore than 100 Kiwi-Indians gathered in the banquet hall of New Zealand Parliament on May 10 to celebrate 125th birth anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar—the principal architect of the Constitution of India.

Prime Minister John Key was the chief guest for the occasion. National MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar was lauded for her efforts for hosting the event organised

by Ambedkar Sports and Cultural Club. This new trend of recognising and celebrating days that have significance for the Indians, is the acknowledgement of the 200 thousand strong Indian diaspora living in New Zealand. Also present at the occasion were National MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi and Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand HE Sanjiv Kohli.

Popularly known as Babasaheb, Dr Ambedkar was the first law minister of India, an Indian economist, and social reformer. He campaigned against social discrimination against Dalits (untouchables). He also supported the rights of women and labour.

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Indian and Kiwi fashion designers collaborate for show in Delhi

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ith an aim to promote crosscultural fashion, the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) and Education New Zealand (ENZ) organised a fashion event—Runway to New Zealand—based on the theme Future World Connection on May 12.

The extravaganza showcased ensembles soaked in indigenous, sustainable fabrics by 12 Indian-New Zealand students. It was held at the Hyatt Regency.

As many as three students, each from Indian fashion institutes Pearl Academy (Noida, Jaipur and New Delhi), National Institute of Fashion Technology (New Delhi), as well as New Zealand fashion institutes Massey University and AUT University, worked in pairs to design for the fashion gala.

There were six teams and each of the teams consisted of one Indian student and one from New Zealand. They presented two garments each. The Indian students of the two winning teams were awarded a two-week internship at the participating New Zealand universities.

Their accommodation and hospitality will be taken care of by the Education NZ. The creations were judged by Amit Agarwal, Rina Dhaka and Rohit Bal, who selected two winning teams—one each for the AUT University internship and the Massey University internship. The evening also witnessed the presence of the High

Commissioner of NZ Grahame Morton, FDCI designers and faculty members from the NIFT and Pearl Academy. Before the fashion show, NZ High Commissioner Morton said, “We are really excited to have Education NZ work with FDCI to host this first joint competition for teams of young Kiwi and Indian student designers to develop garments that strongly reference the fabrics, cultural heritage and flair of both countries.”

FDCI president Sunil Sethi feels that the “interesting exchange between students from New Zealand and India will make it a spectacular rendition of cross cultural references, creating a surreal experience.”

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Unmatched service rewards Mercedes-Benz van salesman Rizwan Mohammad

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Quality service, prioritising the needs of your customer and delivering more than expectations is the key to good salesmanship,” states the award-winning commercial vehicle sales consultant Vijay Chhagn.

A third generation Indian, born and brought up in Pukekohe, Chhagn has been in the automobile business for almost all his life. He started as a diesel apprentice at a local Ford dealer and slowly progressed into sales, eventually landing at the Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle showroom.

Chhagn was awarded the honour of the Best Performing Mercedes-Benz Van Salesperson of the Year 2015 for the second consecutive year. The sales consultant at Trucks and Trailers Limited in Manukau City attributes his success to his passion for providing unmatched service, customer relationship skills, the products itself.

The commercial vehicle business has grown a lot in the past few years with many sectors requiring a multipurpose and customised vehicle to cater to the high and demanding needs of the market. “With the growth in parcels and couriers’ delivery

Commercial vehicle sales consultant Vijay Chhagn

business, there has been a good demand and response for vans, apart from enquiries from other sectors like tourism,” added Chhagn.

He adds that there has been a good demand in the market especially from the tourism industry where individuals and companies are asking for customised vehicles for weekend getaways and also for renting it out to tourists.

“We get 12–15 tourist vans enquiries every week.

Tradesmen and professionals such as electricians, plumbers and builders need such vehicles for their businesses. They have their individual specific requirements such the colour of the van, cabin plans, spacing, the number of windows and doors and we cater to their needs.” Truck and Trailers

Limited in Manukau City does more than just selling the commercial vehicles. The outlet provides finance options, repairs, modifications and turnkey solutions as per the market needs.

There are multiple MercedesBenz commercial vehicle stores across New Zealand and Chhagn is one of the top seller in the country.

Mercedes-Benz is renowned for its quality and a wide range of personal and commercial vehicles. At his dealership, the vehicles are modified with enhanced car-like features such as rear view and blind spot assists, safety alarms and parking assistance providing every safety aspect possible for a heavy vehicle.

“I joined in August 2013 and within a year, I sold 67 vans

and was the highest seller of the country that year. I have come out as the best salesman for Mercedes-Benz vans this year too.”

Chhagn has come a long way from being an apprentice to moving up to sales in John Deere Tractor company in Pukekohe, the first truck company in New Zealand. He has worked with Toyota in Penrose and then after a brief period, progressed to a privatelyowned Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Dealership Truck and Trailers Limited, who were also the winners of the Best Performing (Van) Dealer for 2015.

Chhagn belongs to a farmer family based in Pukekohe. His ancestors hailed from Gujarat, India and had initially settled in Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty region. They moved to Pukekohe where they took up farming for their livelihood.

He has engaged actively in community events and activities in his region and is a certified automobile engineer.

“It is not just the sales that matter, the after sales service, tech support, maintenance and ongoing relationship that bring us the most number of customers plus the MercedesBenz’s St John’s Ambulances are a big selling point for us,” says Chhagn.

Indians fall victim to fraudulent telephone calls

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everal Indian nationals have recently been receiving telephone calls where the callers have purported to be from Immigration New Zealand. The callers claim that the person’s visa is irregular and he or she will be deported unless he or she pays some money.

It was brought to the notice of the High Commission that several people have been victims of this fraud and have incurred heavy losses. While some have complained to the police, most have remained silent fearing that they might actually be deported.

The High Commission has advised that these calls are made by unknown persons who prey on the insecurities of the intending immigrants. They are only interested in attaining money and will disappear once they get it. In many cases, once the person has paid some amount, they will call and ask for more.

Indian nationals have been asked to be wary of such calls. If you receive a call, take a note of the number and report to the police.

Langham hosts Indian President’s maiden New Zealand visit Mr Franz Mascarenhas, Managing Director of The Langham Auckland, and colleagues, were delighted to extend a warm welcome to Indian President His Excellency Shri Pranab Mukherjee during his recent visit to New Zealand

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he Langham Hotel Auckland was proud to host the recent state visit of the Indian President, His Excellency Shri Pranab Mukherjee when he visited New Zealand. This was the first visit by an Indian President.

His Excellency was accompanied by a large contingent of Indian Government and trade officials who enjoyed the luxurious accommodation and exceptional service for which the Langham Hotel Auckland is renowned. During the visit, the delegation hosted community and trade events, utilising The Langham Auckland’s extensive and well-appointed meeting rooms for both, their large events and smaller private meetings. Known for its exceptional cuisine, The Langham worked tirelessly to ensure that both local and international guests enjoyed authentic Indian dishes and fresh Kiwi produce.

The Langham Auckland is well known for hosting distinguished visitors with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall in residence late last year.

Left: Langham Auckland Managing Director Franz Mascarenhas, and staff with His Excellency Shri Pranab Mukherjee; Right: Mr Mascarenhas with President Mukherjee

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Come, let’s have fun in the mud

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unning around the school g r o u n d s while covered in mud may not be everyone’s idea on how to spend their Sundays.

MUD RUN An obstacle mud run based at Arahoe School

But on May 22, 22nd May 2016 Arahoe Primary School in New Lynn is opening up its grounds to the community to encourage children SCHOOLS COMPETITION to play outdoors. The - Junior schools (yrs1-8) or Senior schools (yrs 9-13) event is a fundraiser - Winning teams based on team size, spirit and dress!

- Prize is a free 2hr teambuilding session from Rocket Events for Operation Outdoors—an initiative to boost outdoor learning facilities.

The event is open to all ages, from facebook.com/ArahoeMudRun preschoolers to adults Include your school name who will compete when you register at Proudly sponsored by: between one and three laps. The participants will be hosed off by The Arahoe MudRun will participants traverse the Titirangi Volunteer Fire Brigade at seeARAHOE the end. through the muddy wallow, Registration for the mud run is at 9 a.m. climb mud Everest and slide on the day of the event at the school and down the double the race will start at 10 a.m. The event is supported by food trucks from the Green Bay mudder all along the Street Food. For more details, go to www. one kilometre course. lacticturkey.co.nz/ArahoeMudRun.

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Traces of India’s 150 years of bone trade in Shantytown on the West Coast

How India monopolised the trade of human remains for over one-and-a-half century and how it all ended Gaurav Sharma

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ournalism is an interesting profession.

We spend most of our time chasing stories, and sometimes, we stumble upon something that we think might interest our readers.

This is what happened on a trip to Shantytown in Greymouth in South Island’s West Coast, where Indian Weekender discovered traces of bone trade from India to New Zealand. This is the story of India’s 150 years of exporting human skeleton remains, in which the country once had a monopoly.

She probably had a name; maybe a family too. But for some thousand visitors who come to Shantytown every year, she is the skeleton of an Indian girl who was just 16 when she died.

To be sure, the incorporated Society, which manages the exhibits in Shantytown has taken utmost care to maintain and preserve her dignity. The description under her display case reads: “The skeleton is female and is of Indian origin. She is said to be approximately 16 years old.

She was used for medical training purposes by the Greymouth St John for many years. She has been through two floods in Greymouth and some parts are missing as a result of that. It was poorly stored for many years until someone decided she should be better cared for. Shantytown was offered the skeleton and decided it could be used for display in the Rewa Hospital. The staff wanted to be as respectful as possible. They felt she had such a poor life after death. It was decided to build a display case for her and line it with foam and velvet. The skeleton was put together by the collections department and some parts have been rewired to ensure the parts stayed together when she was shifted.”

The skeleton displayed in the hospital

The Rewa Hospital building in Shantytown

While no statistics are available on the volume of bone trade from India to New Zealand, given that both have shared history with the United Kingdom, joining the dots is easy.

As brilliantly narrated by investigative journalist Scott Carney in his book The Red Market, as well as in his article for Wired, it all started when advancements in medical sciences in 19th century Europe meant that demand for human remains far outstripped supply.

“In England, home of many of the world’s pre-eminent medical institutions, grave robbing became so commonplace that certain cemeteries were famous for battles between grieving families and marauding medical students. To contain the problem, the government passed the Anatomy Act of 1832, allowing doctors to take any corpse that was left unclaimed in a city morgue or hospital. The law put an end to grave robbery, but the supply of legal skeletons still couldn’t keep up with demand. So British doctors looked to the colonies. In India, members of the dom caste, who traditionally performed cremations, were pressed into service processing bones. In the 1850s, Calcutta Medical College processed 900 skeletons a year,

mostly for shipment abroad. A century later, a newly independent India dominated the world market for human bones,” he writes.

There were reports that exporters made millions by this trade during the infamous Bengal famine of 1943. Indranil Banerjee in his article for the India Today wrote, “At the height of the Bengal famine in 1943, Life magazine of the US had shocked the world by running a feature on an enterprising Calcuttan[,] who was making a fortune by exporting human skeletons. Life accused the exporter, Sanker Narayan Sen, of making skeletons from famine victims fished out of rivers or picked up from the killing fields of Bengal.”

Such an unhindered trade ensured that when India gained independence in 1947 from the UK, the country was already the largest exporter of human skeletons in the world, with Kolkata [or Calcutta as it was called then] being the centre of it all.

For the next almost three decades the business went unabated till Indira Gandhi decided to ban the export in 1975.

The ban, as reported by the Los Angeles Times at that time, “came in response to long-standing complaints about the trade, in

part from neo-nationalists who viewed it as degrading and partly from Calcutta’s Muslims, who bury their dead rather than burn them and who suspected that the skeleton dealers were little more than grave robbers”.

But the ban was reversed two years later by the Janata Party Government in 1977 with a stipulation that everybody being turned into a skeleton must be accompanied by a police certificate stating that the body was collected legally.

This, while doing nothing to stop the exports, only encouraged police corruption.

Bimalendu Bhattacharjee, one of Kolkata’s major human remains exporters and a former president of the Indian Association of Exporters of Anatomical Specimens was quoted by LA Times saying, “We had to give bribes to the police each time we got a body. They’d ask for 100,000 rupees (about US$5,200) for one certificate. We’d give them 5,000 rupees for several. Well, it wasn’t all on the up-and-up, but the business went on as usual.”

By 1984, according to figures provided by Indian Customs, the export of human bones from India touched US$6.7 million annually.

The Indian parliament debated on figures of 50,000 human skeletons being exported from the

poor eastern states of Bihar and West Bengal.

In fact, as mentioned by Carney in his book, “In 1985[,] the Chicago Tribune reported that India had exported 60,000 skulls and skeletons the year before. The supply was sufficient for every medical student in the developed world to buy a bone box along with their textbooks for just US$300.”

Although, with this came an increase in incidents of body snatching and stealing partially burnt bodies from cremation grounds. Even more disturbing were the reports of some traders exporting 15,000 skeletons of children in just a few years, as such remains fetched higher prices.

All this resulted in a huge public backlash against the trade forcing the then Finance Minister of India V P Singh to ban the trade once and for all on August 16, 1985. All 13 licensed firms engaged in this trade (all were based in Kolkata) were told to shut shop.

This, as noted by Carney in his Wired article, effectively shut down international trade in human skeletons. “Medical schools in the US and Europe begged the Indian government to reverse the export ban, to no avail,” he writes, thus ending India’s reign of 150 years as the world’s primary source of bones used in medical study.

Oamaru gets a taste of bharatnatyam Gaurav Sharma

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ven though the Indian population is not substantial in the Victorian town of Oamaru, just south of Christchurch, two 12-year-olds, Rhea Ratgali and Vannisah Ramu, have taken it upon themselves to keep the Indian culture well and truly

alive here. The girls, who have been learning the ropes of bharatnatyam under Rhea’s mother Josephine Ratgali for the past seven years, recently performed a special Shiv Tandav at Oamaru Opera House on the occasion of Race Relations Day Celebrations Multicultural Concert. Organised by Waitaki

Multicultural Council and Safer Waitaki, with Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy in attendance, the event saw performances by the Polish, Indonesian, Philippines, and South American community as well.

Josephine, who immigrated to New Zealand in 2000, is a trained bharatnatyam

dancer. “I learnt it during my growing up years in Chennai.

“Now with Rhea, I have found a way to keep my passion alive.

“Even though we don’t have many Indians here, the support from the wider community has been very encouraging for the girls,” she added.

Rhea Ratgali (left) and Vannisah Ramu (right)

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The slippery slope on corruption

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Barry Coates Green Party

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s the song goes: You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it has gone. Until recently, New Zealand has enjoyed an enviable reputation as one of the least corrupt nations in the world, but it is rapidly being eroded. We were at the top of international rankings until a few years ago, but we have slid down the list.

Our most important safeguards against corruption and sound democracy are being undermined.

We need to take action before our reputation for good government, as our reputation for a clean, green environment, is destroyed.

Media freedom is crucial but with increasing levels of surveillance in New Zealand that freedom is being eroded.

When Fairfax Media political reporter Andrea Vance revealed dozens of New Zealanders were illegally spied upon by the GCSB, an investigation ordered by the Prime Minister’s office asked for details of her movements around Parliament and her phone calls from her office. Parliamentary Services handed it over. Recently, investigative journalist Nicky Hagar won a legal case against the government after his house

was raided. There is disturbing evidence that the government is acting to muzzle critical media reporting.

This is also evident in other areas of society. A report last week by leading scientist Shaun Hendy cited a long list of evidence showing independent science being suppressed, and scientists targeted for speaking out, bullied or their funding withdrawn.

Scientists that disagree with the government or big business on issues such as climate change, pollution of freshwater and obesity have been muzzled. This is dangerous. We need independent science for good policymaking in New Zealand.

Secrecy and influence by big business is on the rise in other areas of policy. For example, the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) was negotiated without access to documents for six years. The government is now trying to push through the TPPA without an independent assessment of its impacts and against the views of a majority of the public who oppose the TPPA. Our democratic safeguards are being overridden.

The Official Information Act (OIA) is one of the cornerstones of our right to know, yet it has been regularly abused by the government. The high court found that the Minister of Trade has acted illegally in refusing an OIA request for information on

the TPPA. Prime Minister John Key has admitted publicly that the government delays releasing requests as long as it can, when it suits it to do so politically.

Earlier this year, Transparency International scolded the government for “astonishing complacency.”

The recent leaks of papers on tax havens show New Zealand has been deeply involved in facilitating tax evasion and hiding illegal funds. It is also deeply worrying that the Prime Minister’s lawyer intervened to lobby against an investigation by the Inland Revenue Department, citing a discussion with the Prime Minister.

Political influence over government policy has also been evident in other cases such as the deal with Sky City over a convention centre and political donations linked to visas.

New Zealand benefits from our reputation for low levels of corruption. Therefore, recent abuse of transparency and democracy by the government should be of concern to us all. We need to have zero tolerance for the corrosive effect of creeping corruption in our institutions.

It is time to clean up our act and restore confidence in our political integrity.

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Workshop to help students settle in New Zealand

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o help international students from India settle professionally in New Zealand, Roopa Aur Aap and Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust organised an IT workshop for the students.

The guest of honour at the workshop were Yusuf Hussain, eminent Bollywood actor and Rais Ansari, famed international Urdu and Hindi writer, who is also the recipient of Sahitya Academy Award. The workshop discussed and noted the following different professional ways of settling in New Zealand • Demonstration of compliance with New Zealand professional code of conduct and work ethic • Determinine the objectives of earning living cost while searching for related jobs as per academic qualification and experience • Understanding the importance of referrals and appropriate CV • Providing specific information to the participants for survival strategy Organisers Roopa Suchdev QSM and Jeet Suchdev QSM JP thanked the participants and supporters of the event with convivial applause and appreciation.

Barry Coates is the former CEO of Oxfam New Zealand and is now establishing a Sustainability Programme at the University of Auckland Business School. He is next on the list of Green Party candidates to get into Parliament.

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Budget 2016: 3,000 emergency housing places funded

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or the first time, the government will pay for about 3,000 emergency housing places across the country

million over the next four years in Budget

per year so people have access to a roof over

essential safety net for people in crisis, and

their head when they need it most.

is an opportunity to intervene and support

The government will provide $41.1

2016 for emergency housing and grants.

“Emergency

families

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needs,”

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Housing Minister Paula Bennett says.

“Our government made a commitment to provide better access to emergency housing for our most vulnerable citizens. Emergency housing providers told us accessing funding to provide these places was difficult so now, for the first time, emergency housing will have ongoing, dedicated funding,” Mrs Bennett says.

The bulk of the $41.1 million of new operating funding will be used in two ways: • The Ministry of Social Development will

contract NGOs to provide about 3,000 emergency housing places each year • A new emergency housing Special Needs Grant to support individuals and families with the cost of emergency housing for up to seven days if they are unable to access a contracted place The new places will be available to anyone who can demonstrate they have a genuine need for emergency housing.

The first contracts with providers are expected to be in place by September.

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www.iwk.co.nz | 13 May 2016

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Learn to sign for NZSL Week

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t is the 10th annual NZ Sign Language (NZSL) Week.

This May also marks 10 years since NZSL became an official language of New Zealand.

As one of the country’s official languages, NZSL is used daily by more than 24,000 New Zealanders.

Rather than simply being a signed representation of spoken English, it is a separate language with its own structure and grammar. To celebrate, Auckland Council is encouraging all

Aucklanders to learn some basic sign language. It could be something as simple as learning to sign your name. Some great, fun resources to get you started are: • NZSL Alphabet: A free, downloadable PDF to help you learn to sign the NZSL alphabet. Master your own name and teach your whānau, family and friends to sign theirs.

• Sign Ninja: An interactive online game and resource designed to help you learn, practice and explore NZSL. Sign Ninja can be played on the desktop or mobile.

Have your say on K’ Road upgrade

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ime is running out to have your say on how K’ Road’s streetscape could be enhanced. Auckland Transport and the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) are planning to upgrade the Karangahape Road streetscape and footpath. Upgrades may include separated cycleways and other improvements to the streetscape.

Aucklanders can have their say on the K’ Road upgrades before May 13.

Project details The project includes the creation of a cycleway and enhancements to the footpath and road environment. Project objectives include: • Creating a safe, high-quality street environment that gives priority to pedestrians, bikes and public transport • Providing a safe, convenient and attractive cycle route along K’ Road, suitable for all ages and abilities

• Encouraging and supporting community involvement in the project, to create a distinct street environment that celebrates K’ Road’s unique history, character and public life Building a street for people Auckland Transport is looking at all the elements that make up an attractive and user-friendly street, including: • Footpaths • Pedestrian crossings • Cycleways • Traffic flow • Trees and plantings • Lighting • Outdoor dining • Art The K’ Road enhancement project is part of the wider cycling and walking programme to help get people around Auckland by bike and foot.

New Look and New Office for Harcourts Mt Albert Harcourts Mount Albert has open the doors to its modern new office, perfectly timed to showcase the companies bold new international rebrand. JK Realty Group Ltd Mt Albert opened the doors of its new office at 4 Mt Albert Road on January 18, moving from its previous location in Wagener Place, opposite St Luke’s. Owners Jill Findlay and Keith Ward say the new premises, which they had spent weeks renovating and refurbishing, provides the team with all the tools and facilities they need to offer clients the best possible service. With 26 salespeople of all nationalities, the Mt Albert team is perfectly equipped to service any clients needs.

“We’re thrilled with how our new office looks,” Jill Findlay says. “It’s fantastic that our move coincided with the launch of Harcourt’s new look. We’ve been able to take the key elements of the new branding and really use them to create a space that is not only great to work out of, but is pleasant and inviting for clients.” Keith Ward says the new look for the Harcourt’s and the new Mt Albert office perfectly complement each other, “but they both also reflect who JK Realty is as a business - innovative, modern and approachable.”Harcourts is New Zealand’s largest real estate company and is also NZ’s most trusted real estate brand three years running.

NZ CEO Chris Kennedy , who officially opened the Mt Albert office says the new look is designed to reflect Harcourt’s place in the modern New Zealand real estate landscape. The new look is still recognisably Harcourt’s with all the history and respect that garners, while reflecting the progressive, forward thinking company.

Harcourts Mt Albert - 4 Mt Albert Rd

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028 8508 8844

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13 May 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

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Driving the switch to electric vehicles Parmjeet Parmar

National List MP

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s a country, we pride ourselves on our clean, green and renewable image.

That’s why last week, the government announced its Electric Vehicles programme, an ambitious and wide ranging package of measures that will remove barriers and accelerate the uptake of electric vehicles in New Zealand.

New Zealand is the ideal environment

for electric vehicles for a number of reasons. Electric vehicles will maximise New Zealand’s renewable advantage, with more than 80% of the country’s electricity coming from hydro, geothermal and wind.

The increased use of electric vehicles will replace petrol and diesel with clean, green, locally produced energy.

The benefits of increasing the uptake of electric vehicles are far-reaching. They’re cheaper to run than petrol or diesel vehicles, they’re powered by our abundant renewable electricity supply, and they’ll reduce the amount of emissions that come from the country’s vehicle fleet.

What we’ve come up with is a strong package of measures that is ambitious and has real substance.

By 2021 we aim to have around 64,000 electric vehicles on New Zealand roads. To assist us in reaching this target, the package includes a contestable fund of up to $6 million per year to encourage and support innovative low emission vehicle projects.

An annual fund of $1 million will also be included to contribute towards a nationwide electric vehicle information and promotion campaign over five years.

A new Road User Charges exemption for heavy electric vehicles and an extension of the Road User Charges exemption on light electric vehicles also feature in this package.

Both will remain in place until electric vehicles make up two per cent of the heavy and light vehicle fleet, with savings of $600 a year for the average light vehicle owners

Home ownership getting harder Phil Goff

Labour MP

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real estate agent commented in the media recently that young couples who couldn’t afford to buy their first home in Auckland only had themselves

to blame. Wow! In one sense, he was right.

If you chose the wrong parents, I guess that is true. Few young families today can get into their first home if their parents can’t give them a helping hand with the deposit.

My wife and I helped our two sons into their first home. Most parents who can, want to help their children in this way.

However, for parents on lower incomes and without spare capital this just isn’t possible. And those who can’t put together

OVERSIZED 2 BEDROOM RESIDENCES $788,000

to their mortgage. It’s no wonder that the rich keep getting richer while many Kiwis simply struggle to make ends meet. The housing market isn’t working. The number of housing units being built falls behind the level of demand each year by thousands.

Ministers deny that there is any real problem let alone a crisis.

However, the fact is that the percentage of Aucklanders who can afford to buy their home is the lowest in 70 years and the prospects for the home seeker are getting worse not better. The answer lies in increasing the supply of land and housing.

Intensification, housing going up as well as out, has to happen as in every other big city.

It should be based around town centres, the CBD, transport hubs and arterial routes.

That allows us to address transport and housing problems together.

With intensification, there has to be a good urban design, good infrastructure and plenty of public open space if we are to preserve our quality of life in Auckland.

Central government can’t just sit on the sidelines and watch the crisis grow. It has to partner with the local government and with the private sector to ensure growth in supply.

And if we can lower demand by stopping foreign-based property speculators buying a large number of existing houses, creating nothing but extra inflationary pressure, we should do that as well.

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a deposit are finding that the prospect of saving enough themselves to do so is fading quickly.

Incomes aren’t keeping up with the cost of housing, which is rising by thousands of dollars a week. On top of that, with a housing shortage, rents have been rising at five times the rate of overall inflation and much faster than incomes. Soaring house prices lock those without a foot already on the property ladder, out of the Kiwi dream of home ownership. Those who have only their own home don’t benefit much either from soaring prices. You sell your home for a much higher price but then have to spend a whole lot more for a new one. The people who benefit are those with the assets to spend on multiple houses as investment and property speculators. The media last week ran a front-page story about a Papakura house sold five times in nine months, going up in value from $335,000 to $590,000. The short-term investors in that property made tens of thousands each by doing nothing. If they pretended they hadn’t bought the property to sell, they would have paid no tax on their income.

While a speculator can make huge profits in just a matter of months, the genuine home seeker is falling further behind in their efforts to afford a home. If they do manage to pay the prices pushed up by the speculators, it would add years

and much cheaper operating costs. Another feature of the government’s package includes allowing electric vehicles in bus lanes and high-occupancy vehicle lanes on the State Highway network and local roads.

Government agencies will also be coordinating activities to support the development and roll-out of public charging infrastructure, including providing information and guidance.

If we start now on the replacement of New Zealand’s fleet with electric vehicles, we can begin to significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Further information on the government’s Electric Vehicles Programme is available on www.transport.govt.nz/ev.

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DISCLAIMER: *Subject to approval by Home Bond New Zealand Limited of a Development HomebondTM security, the value of the required deposit, over a purchaser’s existing property. +Please refer to view disclaimer on Marketing Material. No responsibility is accepted for the accuracy of the information contained herein or for any action taken in reliance thereon. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to seek legal, technical or other advice to satisfy themselves on all aspects. Details and statements contained herein do not constitute any representation by the vendor or by the agents and are excluded from any agreement for sale and purchase. Changes may be made during development including to dimensions, finishes, fittings and specifications without notice.

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Tighter regulations required to combat Indian education agent fraud

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Indian education agents are ruthlessly exploiting students applying for visas to study at New Zealand’s private training establishments (PTEs) Sue Reidy

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How the scam works

mmigration application fraud by Indian education agents based in India has been going on for years, claims immigration lawyer Alastair McClymont from McClymont & Associates.

Indian education agents are paid high commissions by PTEs to source students for them. Unfortunately, this gives the agents the incentive to do whatever they can to ensure that their clients get student visas.

These agents are based overseas and if they’re caught, it’s no big deal for them. They tend to just close down and open up again under a new name. The reality is it’s very hard to penalise these agents. They are usually wealthy and often wield considerable influence locally.

Immigration NZ officers in Mumbai and Delhi are frustrated by the extent of the fraud.’

Unlike immigration advisors, who must be registered, foreign education agents are exempt from registration here.

“One solution is to regulate education agents,” says McClymont. “Our schools also need to hold these agents to account and the NZQA needs to lift its standards for school registration. Private language schools net billions of dollars in revenue for New Zealand, so there’s a lot at stake.”

Applicants will often sign blank application forms, which the education agents then complete on their behalf, often with false information. The education agents sometimes provide stand-ins to undertake the English language interviews over the phone. They can create fake bank statements, work references and qualifications. The agents may also provide their phone numbers in the application documents to enable them to take verification calls on their clients’ behalf.

“If an education agent recommends something that is fraudulent, applicants need to take personal responsibility for doing the right thing,” says McClymont. “If they don’t, they run the risk of having their application rejected by Immigration NZ. “Student visa applicants need to insist on checking the documents completed by their education agents before they are submitted.

They have one chance.

“If their visa application is declined because their documentation is false then they may never get into New Zealand. Their dishonesty will be on the record. We advise the Indian community to encourage their relatives back home to bypass these dodgy education agents and use a reputable and regulated education agent, immigration

advisor or lawyer instead.” He says that Immigration NZ is attempting to put an end to the fraud and seem frustrated that the IAA, which represents licensed immigration advisors doesn’t require education advisors to be registered. However, he admits that enforcing this would not be easy.

Most international students start their campaign for residency from the moment they apply for a student visa. This is their real goal, not education. The quality of education in some private training schools is also low, which is not good for New Zealand’s reputation abroad. Yet NZQA sets the minimum English language requirements for entry into these schools.

Good students don’t apply to small-scale private education providers. These schools make their money from average students.

Teachers at the language schools often complain that they are not allowed to fail students. In turn, students complain that their education agents promised they wouldn’t need to study and were guaranteed a pass, regardless of their academic ability.

The education agents and the owners of the schools are the only winners in this system.

Unless the NZQA can enforce higher standards and the PTEs pay closer attention to how their students are sourced, the fraud will continue.

Indian approval rates are low Immigration NZ student visa approval rates in 2015 for fee-paying Indian applications were just 49%. This compares poorly against a 91% approval rating for Chinese students, 98% approval for South Korean applicants and 74% approval rating for Vietnamese applicants.

What’s being done Immigration NZ has made English language tests compulsory for students of all non-English speaking countries applying to study at private training establishments (PTEs). Language schools can still enrol international students from countries with a student visa approval rate below 80%.

However, these students must personally undertake one of Immigration New Zealand’s approved testing programmes to demonstrate that they have the required level of English proficiency to study in New Zealand, such as IELTS or another recognised provider.

“Many private training schools have complained vociferously, but I think it’s the best initiative that’s ever come from Immigration New Zealand,” says McClymont. “However, I think that the minimum standard of English required for student visa approval is not yet high enough.”

Are you thinking of applying for a visa to stay in New Zealand?

Don’t risk having to leave New Zealand due to poor advice.

If you or your family needs advice or help on staying in New Zealand on a work, student, visitor or resident visa, under partnership (spouse) or other categories, it’s important to use a licensed immigration adviser or exempt person.

New Zealand immigration advisers, who are licensed by the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA), have met competency standards, and follow a professional code of conduct.

Use the free online register at iaa.govt.nz to find a licensed adviser who can help.

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13 May 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

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EU to strengthen ties with Fiji, Pacific

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he European Union represents the most successful process of regional integration and remains the richest continent in the world, says EU ambassador to Fiji and the Pacific Andrew Jacobs.

Speaking at the Europe Day celebrations at St Joseph’s Secondary School, Mr Jacobs

said despite the difficulties faced by the union, there was much to be celebrated.

“Over the years, our union has grown from six members in 1957 to 28, with 500 million people,” Mr Jacobs said.

“The dreams of our founding fathers have become a reality and Europeans live together in peace and prosperity, bound together

by principles of democracy and human rights. We have a responsibility to our own citizens and also to the rest of the world.”

Mr Jacobs said the union would continue to strengthen its relationship and partnership with Fiji and the rest of the Pacific Island countries in addressing climate change after the Paris Agreement. “The EU and

Priyanka credits win to parents

Source: Fiji Sun

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The young beauty queen was pictured wearing the coveted crown in a breathtaking white lace and sequin dress alongside first runner-up Nanise Raboiliku (left) and second runner-up Vika Fifita (right)

forward to start Beauty with the Purpose focusing unique styles of fashion pageant.

She aims International crown home.

I have had considerable experience, both in NZ and overseas, including over 22 years in business, sales and marketing. I have owned and successfully run a number of businesses including service stations, Lotto and superettes, dairies, liquor stores and am also very familiar with the hospitality sector. With the backing of NZ’s premier business brokerage I can offer the degree of professional service that effectively brings business buyers and sellers together to conclude successful outcomes.

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mother and her two daughters are cutting their hair to raise funds for cancer patients and the Fijian town of Ba, which was devastated by Cyclone Winston.

Kashmir Kaur and her daughters Supriti and Priyansha will cut On May 25 their long hair on Supriti’s 15th birthday as a fundraiser for cancer Kashmir Kaur and and cyclone cause her daughters Supriti, 14, and Priyansha, 10, will chop inspired by her daughters wanting their long tresses on Supriti’s to give up their birthdays held 15th birthday as part of their in April and May, along with Kashmir’s in March, to make M2M fundraiser.

One third of the money will a difference.

Supriti, Priyansha and Kaur’s go towards cancer support organisation CanTeen with the youngest, Arnav, have been rest donated to the ravaged Shastri involved with the 40 Hour Famine Memorial School in Ba during and asked for donations instead a trip the Kaurs intend making of presents for their birthdays and Christmas last year to help in December.

Kashmir Kaur was mourning fund medical supplies for children the death of her father in Fiji in need.

“My husband and I have been when the category five cyclone hit trying to foster compassion in our in February.

“That was a real eye opener. I children by asking them to come guess that was the point when my up with ideas on how we can give girls and I decided we were going back to the community in our ancestral lands,” Kaur said. to do something.

Kaur and her husband Ajay “We are really excited that we are going to make a difference Singh were born in Fiji, where and bring smiles to many faces,” Singh attended Shastri School as a child. They moved to New Zealand she said.

Freedom Wigs, a Dunedin in 2002 and lived in Lower Hutt firm that specialises in creating for eight years before moving wigs for people with diseases, to Broadmeadows. is collecting their hair. The Kashmir said she has never had M2M (March to May) name was short hair before.

BUYING A BUSINESS? SELLING A BUSINESS?

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committed to continue to work closely with the Pacific on climate change, not only alongside it in international negotiations but also as a key development partner providing support for mitigation and adaptation and on the implementation of the Paris Agreement, the next big challenge.”

Mother, daughters will chop long hair to help cancer, Fiji cyclone causes

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iss World Fiji 2016 Pooja Priyanka has credited her parents for her success.

She was crowned at Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva last night.

Ms Priyanka will represent Fiji in the Miss World Pageant in December this year.

Emotional Ms Priyanka originally of Lautoka, but currently residing in Sydney, Australia credited her parents for her success. She said they came all the way from Sydney to attend the final show.

“This is the best memory for me and I will cherish this for all my life. I want to thank my parents for coming from Sydney to attend today’s function and being such great pillar of strength for me,” Ms Priyanka said.

Ms Priyanka said she was stunned when she was announced the Miss World Fiji 2016.

“Honestly, I did not imagine to become Miss World Fiji but I am thankful to the judges, my parents, and everyone who believed in me and my talents,” she said.

Ms Priyanka also stated that the other nine contestants were the most beautiful girls and it was a great pleasure working with them.

“These girls are amazing, supportive and helpful and I know I will miss them once we depart,” Ms Priyanka said.

Ms Priyanka is now looking

Pacific partners were, and remain, leading members of the High Ambition Coalition that pushed the bar high and got results.

Pacific leaders, particularly from the Republic of Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Fiji, were effective in drawing attention to the plight of the Pacific countries and to the need for action, rapid action. “The European Union is

Mangere

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www.iwk.co.nz | 13 May 2016

Divikesh 0ff to Buckingham Palace

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ivikesh Kumar never in his wildest dream thought that his first trip in an aeroplane would take him to Buckingham Palace in London on May 13 to receive his gold award.

The 18-year-old Year 13 student of Khalsa College in Ba has never even ridden on any plane.

His background in cane farming was perhaps that extra boost that enabled him to journey through the many tasks he and the eight other Gold Award recipients of the Duke of Edinburgh International Awards went through.

The only difference between them now is Divikesh gets the privilege of travelling all the way to London and step into Buckingham Palace to receive his Gold Award there.

He was chosen to represent the Gold Award recipients from Fiji in London.

The other recipients received their awards from President Major-General (Retired) Jioji Konousi Konrote in a ceremony held at Xavier College in Ba. Divikesh was over the moon when he received his airline tickets. “I come from a cane farming family and to receive this

In acknowledging Divikesh’s achievements and good fortune, Mr Konrote said what a privilege DEAI had provided “this lad and I also wish him the best.”

award and represent Fiji in London is so overwhelming,” he said.

“I am so happy to be able to represent my country, my school and all the recipients of the different awards.

“I pay special tribute to my DEIA teacher Shelvin Raj as he had been encouraging me all through this programme.”

Divikesh said he did not know he was chosen until he arrived in school one morning to be told of his trip to London.

“The programme has certainly lifted my self-confidence and it also instils in you good leadership,” he said.

Gold Award Recipient Divikesh Kumar receiving his ward from President Jioji Konrote

Envoy invokes spirit of adventure

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ijians should invoke the spirit of adventure and speak against any wrong that is being done.

First Secretary for the Indian High Commission, JJ Varma highlighted this while officiating at a drawing competition sponsored by the Indian High Commission and the Indian Cultural Centre in Fiji—that was held for students from Year 3 to Year 13 at the Fiji Museum to mark Girmit Day .

He said Girmit Day was marked to celebrate the spirit of adventure of the indentured labourers who left India to come to a foreign country.

Mr Varma said the event was in honour the people who came from India in 1879 onwards.

“But they came so far that they could not go back, so they made Fiji their own home,” he said.

“For that we honour the memory of those people who came at that time.

One way we honour them is through our painting competition.”

Girmit Day is celebrated annually on May 14 to mark the arrival of the first group of Indians on board the MV Leonidas.

Visa-free initiative

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lans are in place for a short-stay visa waiver, which will allow Fijians to visit the European Union region visa free.

EU ambassador to Fiji and the Pacific, Andrew Jacobs said while there was no timeline as to when this would come into effect, the process might take three years.

“There is no specific timeline for the conclusion of such an arrangement, however, our experience with visa waiver agreements with some African, Caribbean and Pacific countries indicates that the process can take up to three years,” Mr Jacobs said.

He said Fiji submitted a request to the European Commission to be added to a visa exemption list in 2015. Mr Jacobs said Fiji’s request was being assessed by the European Commission.

“The commission may then make a proposal to the Council of the European Union (which is made up of EU member states) and the European Parliament to include Fiji and other countries on the visa exemption list.

“If it is agreed to go ahead, finalisation of an agreement is likely to take two to three years.”

He said next year, the EU would take a stock of the progress of Fiji’s inclusion in the list of countries whose citizens do not require a visa.

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Thought of the week

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.

Editorial

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

From the desk of the Managing Editor

“

Mediocrity doesn’t always mean underperforming—it’s a sliding scale and a state of mind. It means settling in and succumbing to stasis. Mediocrity comes from the Latin words medius, meaning middle, and ocris, meaning a rugged mountain. Literally it means to settle halfway to the summit of a difficult mountain.

It’s a compromise of abilities and potential; a negotiation between the drive to excel and the biological urge to settle for the most comfortable option.” ~Todd Henry from Die Empty

I often write about pushing out of our comfort zones and challenging ourselves to continue to achieve., So when I read this, I had to stop and think about it. So in a sense, mediocrity means to stop halfway. Mediocrity also means ordinary, average, unexceptional, unexciting and so on. Fundamentally each of us wants to be special.

We naturally do not want to be mediocre.

I, however, feel there are two ways of looking at this. One, of course, is what I always advocate—to push ourselves to continue to forge ahead; to continually inspire ourselves to do better and better. The flip side is that there may be times in life when you do need to take a break or rest to heal or cope. At such times, there is no reason to fear or be anxious about mediocrity. As it says above—it does not mean you are underperforming; it is a state of mind and as long as you realise that you are taking a break just to gather yourself again, it is fine. The most important thing in life is to keep moving forward and as long as you are doing that, all is well in your world.

Pick of the week

As we move forward, it is time now for closing our entries to the Hall Of Fame (they close this Sunday). The jury will then start to consider the nominations for this year. We are excited and are looking forward to the outcome.

This week, we bring several interesting stories. It was heartening to see that the New Zealand Parliament chose to celebrate Ambedkar Jayanti for the first time.

Baisakhi was also celebrated at the Parliament earlier this year. To me, it means two things for sure—one that our three Indian Members of Parliament are doing a stellar job at representing us, and two that the leaders of our country are now clearly recognising the 200 thousand-strong Indian population and their contribution to New Zealand.

While we recognise the strength of Indians, we must also remain alert to all the crime and scams that we can end up being a victims of. The High Commission of India has issued a scam alert that we have included in this issue. We had also featured a story on this a few weeks ago. I hope that all our readers will remain educated and aware of all of these and can identify a scam for a scam without becoming victims of it.

We hope you enjoy reading our new issue.

A wildfire moving towards the town of Anzac from Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada on May 4, which led to a state of emergency. Photo: Jason Franson / The Canadian Press via AP

Until next time.

Giri Gupta

Indian Weekender : Volume 8 Issue 8 Publisher: Kiwi Media Group Limited Managing Editor: Giri Gupta | girigupta@xtra.co.nz Editor: Annu Sharma | editor@indianweekender.co.nz Chief Reporter: Swati Sharma | reporter@indianweekender.co.nz Reporter: Rizwan Mohammad | iwk.rizwan@gmail.com Reporter: Esha Chanda | iwk.eshac@gmail.com Chief Technical Officer: Rohan Desouza | rohan@indianweekender.co.nz Sr Graphics and Layout Designer: Mahesh Kumar | mahesh@indianweekender.co.nz Graphic Designer: Yashmin Chand | designer@indianweekender.co.nz Accounts and Admin.: Farah Khan | accounts@indianweekender.co.nz Sales, Marketing & Distribution: 022 3251630 / mahesh.iwk@gmail.com 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 Published by Kiwi Media Group, 98 Great South Road, Auckland • T. +64 09 213 7335 Printed at Horton Media, Auckland Copyright 2016. Kiwi Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

Word: Pottle Meaning: A small plastic food container Usage: Could you please pass me the pottle of apricot yoghurt?

Tip from the trenches

Minimise the stress of moving day

• Create a list of things that can be packed every day to eliminate the last-minute hassle • Figure out your transport to get things from your current home to your new one. Book for rental trucks in advance for short distances and if there’s a long distance to cover, hire moving companies.

• Pack an overnight bag containing all the essentials • Pack plates vertically in boxes, as they are less likely to break • Use beer crates to carry items such as books

www.iwk.co.nz | 13 May 2016

Women run 14 per cent of Indian businesses, most self-financed

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Devanik Saha

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icha Dubey’s profession— running an online retail business that connects artisans with consumers—may not appear unusual for a modern Indian woman, but newly-released data indicate just how much women lag men.

No more than 14 per cent of business establishments in India are run by female entrepreneurs, according to the Sixth Economic Census by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO). There are 58.5 million businesses in India, of which 8.05 million are managed by women, employing over 13.48 million people. These enterprises range from corner shops to venture-funded start-ups.

India ranked 29th of 31 countries in the 2015 Global Women Entrepreneurs Leader report by ACG Inc, a consultancy, above only Pakistan and Bangladesh. With 17 points of a possible 100, India fared worse than countries such as Nigeria, Uganda and Ghana.

The report observed that in India and other low-ranked countries, unequal inheritance rights for women and work restrictions limited their access to start-up capital and collateral.

Indeed, Dubey’s business is bootstrapped, or self-financed. It’s been five years since Dubey launched 22.2 Accessories, which works with around 30 rural artisans and their families, selling the accessories they make for women.

“During my previous work with several fashion brands and travel in India, I realised that craftsmen and artisans in India do not earn their worth, unlike their counterparts in developed nations,” said Dubey. “They hardly get their due, which motivated me to start my own venture.” A native of Uttar Pradesh, Dubey, 36, runs her business

Richa Dubey

from Bengaluru, a city that has developed a startup ecosystem that offers women substantial independence to give their ideas wing. The South is particularly hospitable for female entrepreneurs, the data reveal.

Southern states lead the way; social attitudes important As many as 13.5 per cent of female-run establishments (1.08 million) are based in Tamil Nadu, more than any other state, followed by Kerala (0.91 million) and Andhra Pradesh (0.56 million).

“I cannot imagine myself being an entrepreneur in UP,” said Dubey of her home state. “It is much easier to be a woman entrepreneur in southern India compared to the Hindi heartland.”

Her argument is buttressed by the favourable sex ratio in these states, indicating a correlation with higher female entrepreneurship.

Most companies run by women are small-scale; 79 per cent are self-financed

There are three major challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, said Devika Parashar, Director (Women Initiatives), Start-up Leadership Programme, a fellowship programme to create and nurture entrepreneurs: • Having to work doubly hard to be taken seriously as an entrepreneur • Lack of female mentors and role models • Restrictive gender roles, revealed by funding patterns of investors and the 14 per cent statistic Dubey’s company, with a team of six—managing administration and logistics—falls under the 83.19 per cent of establishments that have at least one hired worker, indicating that most businesses run by women are small-scale.

As many as 79 per cent of enterprises run by women are self-financed; only 4.4 per cent have borrowed money from a financial institution or received assistance from the government.

Recently, YES Bank took a $50 million (Rs.325 crore) loan from the International

Finance Corporation, to exclusively finance about 100,000 female-owned businesses.

Sixty per cent of female entrepreneurs are from disadvantaged communities. As many as 4.81 million establishments are led by women (60 per cent) from scheduled castes (SCs), schedules tribes (STs) or other backward castes (OBCs), indicating they work because they must.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Stand Up India scheme, under which banks will give loans of up to Rs.1 crore to SCs, STs and female entrepreneurs, who will be given a RuPay Debit Card and other support such as pre-loan and marketing training.

Back in Bengaluru, Dubey dreams of expanding her business to more states and working with more artisans and craftsmen, an exception to the women withdrawing from India’s workforce, even as they become healthier and more educated.

As many as 25 million women have left the Indian labour force over the past 10 years, as IndiaSpend reported in April. No more than 27 per cent of Indian women are in the labour force, the second-lowest rate of female labour-force participation in South Asia after Pakistan, where female labour-force participation is rising. India’s is falling.

Two years of the Modi government: pluses and minuses Amit Kapoor

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he Narendra Modi government has been in office for almost two years. There have been some strong areas of performance and other areas where the government has not had stellar performance and much needs to be done.

Let us start from the traditional responsibilities of the nation state such as security, health and education. In the case of security, both domestic and foreign policy play a key role. The Modi government has been keen on the kind of vigour and agility that it has brought to the foreign policy discourse. However, the institutional capacity regarding the number of diplomats and missions to different countries has been a limiting factor. The existing framework for the foreign policy implementation for a country the size of India is far smaller than what is required.

Also, the kind of depth regarding research and experts that is needed is missing. This is

where a systematic improvement concerning capability and numbers is required. The Modi government, to its credit, has touch based with 130 countries in the two years but this will have to be substantiated with ongoing processes and engagements rather than one-off meetings.

On internal security and home affairs, the performance has been on a par with the previous regimes.

Although some incidents did take place which were “communal killings” especially like that of a man lynched in Dadri for consuming beef (an unfortunate incident), the situation is similar to the previous regimes.

The Maoist movement remains a potent threat to the peace and stability in many districts of India as it had during the previous regimes. The only way to neutralise this menace is mainstreaming the Maoists, who are misled about the nature of the Indian state.

On health and education, the government is seen shifting the responsibility more on the

states. This is because of the government’s acceptance of the proposals of the 14th Finance Commission, which increased the allocation of states from 32 per cent to 42 per cent of the divisible funds. With respect to education at the school level, the Annual Survey of Education reports (ASER) consecutively point to the glaring inadequacies with respect to attainment of basic skills like reading and arithmetic.

In the healthcare domain, the challenges seem to increase with changing disease patterns, especially with the coming of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes.

The aim of a productive population can only be fulfilled in a diseasefree society. In this context, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Programme) was a positive step.

A lot in the future will depend on how social programmes such as these find consonance with people. Only then can the country move ahead. The government’s role here is to facilitate preventive healthcare and help

provide facilities for treatment (health) and upliftment of the people (education).

Apart from the basic responsibilities, some other areas include electricity and power supply, roads and railways where the government is seen providing proactive service to people. In these areas, the improvements over the previous regimes have been significant and these are areas where the government has done good work and needs to be commended.

A field in which the government has not been able to do much and which came to the fore recently has been water.

Two years of deficient monsoon has led to a condition of drought in several parts, most notably in Marathwada in Maharashtra. The government has done well to avert a crisis by sending water trains to people in Latur and other areas.

However, the best strategy is to find long-term solutions. In this year’s budget, the finance minister spoke about several irrigation schemes to be put on

a fast track. Although the IMD is predicting an above-average monsoon this year, it would be wise to continue with the irrigation projects well into the future so that the farmers and people do not face the droughtlike situations in the future that we see today.

Another achievement of the government has been its ability to keep a tab on high-level corruption. Apart from this, the direct devolution to the cities for the Smart City development programme is another positive of the government.

A negative has been a confrontationist attitude and the inability to pass critical bills such as the GST in the Rajya Sabha, which is seen to be a negative.

On balance, the government has done well in trying to govern well over the previous two years.

How successful its programmes and policies will be, only time can tell.

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13 May 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

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Maharashtra wants Rs.10,000 crore package to combat drought

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aharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday, May 7, apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the severe drought situation in his state and sought a Rs.10,000 crore package to combat the situation.

In a detailed presentation to the PM at their meeting in New Delhi, Fadnavis also outlined details, including a short-term six-week plan, to alleviate the situation prior to the monsoon.

“CM Fadnavis and I held wide-ranging discussions on the drought in parts of Maharasthra and how to mitigate it,” Modi tweeted later about the meeting.

He said Fadnavis also apprised him of the Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan and the state government’s efforts to complete pending irrigation projects, among measures to combat the drought.

On his part, Modi stressed on vitality of increasing water use efficiency through sprinkler and drip irrigation including in sugarcane cultivation, besides

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviews drought situation at a high level meeting with Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, in New Delhi on May 7

usage of modern solid and liquid waste management practices in urban centres to benefit adjoining rural areas.

Addressing the media in New Delhi, Fadnavis said later that he made a presentation to the PM detailing the extent of rainfall, reserve water and updates in the agriculture sector.

He demanded a package of Rs.7,500 crore plans to complete

pending irrigation projects in the worst suicide-prone districts of Vidarbha and Marathwada, and an additional Rs.2,500 crore for completing similar pending irrigation projects within the next two-three years.

Fadanavis also sought to submit a supplementary memorandum seeking more funds from the central government, apart from the Rs.3,600 crores

received earlier to tackle the drought situation, with utmost attention to the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions.

He said that another 11,000 villages in the state are impacted from the current severe drought and the government would prepare a plan to improve the situation until the arrival of the monsoon, normally due by early June.

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CM launches fruit, vegetable market portal

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n May 8, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh launched an online portal of local fruit and vegetable market that will enable the farmers to sell their produce directly to wholesale buyers.

He said state’s two prominent vegetable and fruit markets—one in Solan and other in Shimla— have been linked online with the National Vegetable Market Portal, which would facilitate the timely and online sale and purchase of the produce of the farmers.

Virbhadra Singh said the farmers would get adequate price for their produce and would be able to know the day-to-day rates of fruits and vegetables of national markets while the payments would directly be deposited in their bank accounts.

Himachal Pradesh annually earns Rs. 2,500 crore from the cultivation of vegetables, while horticulture generates more than Rs. 3,200 crore annually.

The cultivation of exotic vegetables and flowers in polyhouses and setting up of controlled atmosphere chains is expected to add to earnings for growers.

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Now, parents to accompany next of kin for posthumous gallantry awards

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n a new initiative as a mark of respect to the parents of posthumous gallantry award recipients, the mother or father will now on accompany the next of kin, usually the spouse, for receiving the award.

As President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday, May 7 presented 14 gallantry awards, with two Kirti Chakra and four Shaurya Chakras being conferred posthumously, the new system in place.

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President Mukherjee to receive the award.

Similarly, Nisha Devi, the widow of Kirti Chakra winner Naib Subedar Rajesh Kumar of the Rashtriya Rifles, was accompanied by his father Rup Chand and posthumous Shaurya Chakra awardee, sepoy Dharma Ram’s medal was received by his widow Timu Devi mother Amru Devi. A total of 42 distinguished service awards, including 13 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, two Uttam

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President Pranab Mukherjee, the Vice President M. Hamid Ansari, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Minister for Defence Manohar Parrikar and other dignitaries during the Defence Investiture Ceremony-II at Rashtrapati Bhawan, in New Delhi

Monalisha Borah Koch, widow of posthumous Kirti Chakra awardee, constable Gautam Koch of Assam Police Armed Branch was accompanied by his mother Putuli Koch when she walked to

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Yuddh Seva Medals, two Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medals and 25 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, which were announced on Republic Day, 2016 were also conferred during the function.

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Modi’s degree genuine, says DU

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Union Minister for Finance, Corporate Affairs, and Information and Broadcasting Arun Jaitley and BJP chief Amit Shah during a press conference regarding PM Modi’s education qualificaiton

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rime Minister Narendra Modi’s BA degree was genuine, the Delhi University said on Tuesday, May 10.

Registrar Tarun Das said the university had checked its records and it found that the PM’s degree was authentic.

“The University of Delhi states that Narendra Damodardas Modi had qualified for the Bachelor of Arts degree with enrolment number CC594/74 and examination roll no 16594 from University in 1978,” Das told Times Now news channel.

“In this particular case, I can confirm genuineness of the degree,” he added.

His remarks came amid controversy over Modi’s educational qualifications with the Aam Aadmi Party raising questions about authenticity of the BA degree. A group of party leaders had visited Delhi University earlier in the day to check Modi’s degree and were asked to return on Wednesday.

Das said the varsity seeks to maintain privacy of all the students enrolled with it,

but the clarification had been made in view of queries and reports in the media related to the issue.

University sources said the discrepancies in the names in Modi’s two mark sheets exist in university records as well.

On Monday, May 9, Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented Modi’s BA and MA degrees and accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of telling lies on the issue.

The AAP, however, pointed out what it said were anomalies in the marksheets accompanying the degrees while Kejriwal insisted that the degrees shown by Shah and Jaitley were fake.

Following the DU’s clarification, BJP MP Bhupender Yadav attacked Kejriwal.

“Setting record straight Delhi University confirms #PMDegreeProof CM Kejriwal must introspect why is he stooping so low in public discourse?” he said in a tweet.

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13 May 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

Akash missile has potential to become India’s ‘mainstay’

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he Akash missile has the “potential” to become the “mainstay” of India defence in its category and Israeli missiles were not chosen over it, parliament was told on Tuesday, May 10.

Asked whether the army has decided to go for Israeli quickreaction surface-to-air missile (QR-SAM) after rejecting further induction of the Akash missile, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said to the Rajya Sabha, in a written reply, that the Akash missile system falls in the Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) category, which is separate from the OR-SAM. He said that procurement of QRSAM is a separate multivendor case under the ‘Buy Global’ category and vendors from Israel are among the competing firms but did not give any further

The Akash missile

details. Media reports had said that the Army decided to go for Israeli QR-SAM to take on enemy fighters, helicopters and drones after it found that the Akash missile was not fast enough. The minister also said that the Akash

system was not considered by the Indian Navy, as it is not suitable for shipborne use yet.

“The Akash System was not considered for induction by Indian Navy as its current version is not a stabilised system suitable

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for shipborne usage,” Parrikar said. “As the Akash system evolves through the process of continuous development, its current shortcomings are bound to be addressed and the missile has the potential to become India’s mainstay in the category of Short Range Surface to Air Missiles,” he said.

The minister also said that the production of the missile needs to be ramped up to meet the demands of the air force and army.

“It is relevant to mention here that as soon as the Akash missile was successfully tested, the air force had dropped its plan to co-develop the missile through the import of technology from France,” he said.

The Army signed a contract for procurement of two regiments of Akash in March 2011.

Farooq pitches for autonomy for divided Kashmir

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iving autonomy to both parts of the divided Jammu and Kashmir is the only way to resolve the Kashmir dispute, former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah said on Monday, May 9.

During a tour of Rajouri district, the National Conference leader told party activists at Budhal, “Autonomy to both sides of Jammu and Kashmir is the only viable and realistic solution to the nearly seven-decade-old problem that has cast dark shadows over the generations.

“We owe peace and dignified life to posterity. And that can be achieved only by converting the present dividing line between the two neighbouring countries into a line of peace,” he added.

Pakistan controls the northern third of Jammu and Kashmir.

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah addresses during a party meeting in Anantnag of Jammu and Kashmir

The southern two-third of the state is held by India. Abdullah is on a two-day visit to Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu region.

He said the hostilities of 70 years had retarded growth on both sides of the Line of Control and the time had come for India and

Never defended or gave clean chit to Tytler: Amarinder

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unjab Congress president Amarinder Singh said he had not “defended or given a clean chit” to Congress leader Jagdish Tytler over the latter’s alleged involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi.

“It is wrong to say that I had ever defended or given clean chit to Jagdish Tytler. It is for the investigating agencies and courts to investigate and decide,” Amarinder said while addressing Punjabi NRIs in New York on Saturday, May 7. Sikhs, including himself, could never forget the happenings of 1984, he said, “How can I ask anyone to forget 1984 when I myself resigned from the parliament and my party to protest what happened at that time? Sikhs can never forget what happened

Amritsar MP and Congress leader Captain Amarinder Singh during a press conference

in 1984 and it will always remain etched in our memory,” he said.

However, Amarinder said that the 1984 issue was raked up during every election, especially by the Akali Dal leaders.

He supported the demand of several NRIs that there should be no blacklist and no NRI should be barred from visiting the country of his roots.

Pakistan to take a bold initiative by calling a spade a spade.

He referred to the wars of the past and continued border skirmishes, saying these had only added to the miseries of the people of Kashmir. “The soft borders would open up vistas of economic

opportunities besides enabling hassle free exchange of people, which in turn will be a major dividend to peace and tranquillity in the region,” he said.

Abdullah hoped that “good sense will prevail upon all the stakeholders”.

He said denial of autonomy had brought Jammu and Kashmir to the present morass, which if ignored any further could prove detrimental to the larger interests of the state. Abdullah also spoke about alleged divisive policies being pursued by the Narendra Modi government and said politics of hate and intolerance were against the very idea of India. He said India belonged to people of different faiths and they cannot be brought into confrontationist situations for petty politics.

India ninth amongBlackcrony Orange capitalist nations: Economist

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spurt in number of billionaires and increasing wealth creation by any means have made India rank ninth among the crony capitalist countries, said a study in The Economist’s latest issue.

According to the weekly crony-capitalism index, crony fortunes had leapt relative to global GDP and as a share of total billionaire wealth. The non-crony sector wealth in India accounts for 8.3 per cent of its GDP. The index ranked Russia as the worst crony-capitalist country, followed by Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Ukraine, Mexico, Indonesia and Turkey above India.

Taiwan and China are ranked 10th and 11th after India.

The magazine’s index of crony capitalists is based on a study

by Ruchir Sharma of Morgan Stanley Investment Management and Aditi Gandhi and Michael Walton of Delhi’s Centre for Policy Research.

The index was designed in 2014 to test whether the world was experiencing a new era of robber barons’—a global re-run of America’s “gilded age” in the late 19th century.

Using data on billionaires’ fortunes from rankings by the US magazine Forbes, the article labelled each billionaire as a crony or not, based on the industry in which he is most active.

Among the 22 countries in the updated index, Germany is the cleanest while China has the biggest concentration of crony wealth in the world at $360 billion.

The study suggested that since globalisation had taken off in the 1990s, there had been a surge in billionaire wealth in industries that often involve cosy relations with the government, such as casinos, oil and construction.

President calls for increasing GDP growth rate to eliminate poverty

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resident Pranab Mukherjee on May 10 called for increasing the country’s GDP growth rate to more than 8.5 per cent over the next two decades to achieve the task of eliminating poverty.

Speaking to a group of officer trainees of the Indian Economic Service 2014 (II), the president said the service they have joined provides them an opportunity to serve the people and country for many years. He said the officers will have to advise the political executive in the formulation of policies and noted that the post of chief economic advisor is generally held by an accomplished economist.

The president said the economic survey is a highly admired document for its clarity

of thought and objectivity. He noted that the Indian economy has witnessed many ups and downs.

“From 1951 to 1979, India had an average growth rate of 3.5 per cent, which was called the Hindu Growth Rate. Our economy grew at an average rate of 5 to 5.6 per cent in the decade of 1980s. From 1991 onwards, our growth rate rose to an average of seven per cent,”

the president said. “Our present growth rate is around 7.6 per cent.

But we should not be complacent.

We must raise our growth rate to 8.5 to nine per cent annually for the next 15–20 years if we have to achieve our developmental goals. This will enable poverty elimination and not confine us to poverty alleviation,” he said.

An official release said the president told the young officers that the expectations from them were high and a heavy responsibility rests on their young shoulders.

“The world is moving fast and India has to keep pace. The time available is short but India’s strength is its mighty minds.

India needs competent and knowledgeable officials to guide policy making,” the president said.

INDIA ABROAD

www.iwk.co.nz | 13 May 2016

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Google acquires start-up founded by Indian-origin entrepreneur

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s part of its plans to scale training offerings, Google has acquired Synergyse Training, a business technology start-up founded by an Indianorigin entrepreneur, the California-based search engine giant announced on May 2.

Toronto-based Synergyse that puts a virtual guide into Google Apps, training you to be productive and stay up to date with changes was founded by Varun Malhotra and his business partners.

“We’re happy to announce Synergyse will be joining Google, and we intend to make the product available as an integral part of the Google Apps offering later this

year,” Peter Scocimara, senior director, Google Apps Operations, said in a blog post.

“In 2013, we launched Synergyse Training, with a mission to teach the world how to use Google Apps. Synergyse Training for Google

Indian-origin scientist hacks into popular ‘smart home’ security

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n Indian-origin cybersecurity researcher from University of Michigan and his team have successfully hacked into a leading “smart home” automation system and got the PIN code to a home’s front door.

The “lock-pick malware app” developed

by Atul Prakash, professor of computer science and engineering, was one of four attacks that the cybersecurity researchers performed at an experimental set-up of Samsung’s “SmartThings”, a topselling Internet of Things (IoT) platform for consumers.

The work is believed to be the first platform-wide study of a real-world connected home system. “At least today, with the one public IoT software platform we looked at, which has been around for several years, there are significant design vulnerabilities from a security perspective,” said Prakash.

“I would say it’s okay to use as a hobby right now but I wouldn’t use it where security is paramount,” he added. As a testament to the growing use of “SmartThings”, its Android companion app that lets you manage your connected home devices remotely has been downloaded more than 100,000 times. SmartThings’ app store, where third-party developers can contribute SmartApps that run in the platform’s cloud and let users customise functions, holds more than 500 apps.

Prakash and Earlence Fernandes, doctoral student in computer science and engineering performed a security analysis of the SmartThings’ programming framework. They demonstrated a SmartApp that eavesdropped on someone setting a new PIN code for a door lock and then sent that PIN in a text message to a potential hacker.

The SmartApp, which they called a “lock-pick malware app”, was disguised as a battery level monitor and only expressed the need for that capability in its code.

As an example, they showed that an existing, highly rated SmartApp could be

remotely exploited to virtually make a spare door key by programming an additional PIN into the electronic lock. They showed that SmartApp could turn off “vacation mode” in a separate app that lets you programme the timing of lights, blinds, etc., while you’re away to help secure the home.

They demonstrated that a fire alarm could be made to go off by any SmartApp injecting false messages. “The access SmartThings grants by default is at a full device level, rather than any narrower,” Prakash said.

“As an analogy, say you give someone permission to change the light bulb in your office, but the person also ends up getting access to your entire office, including the contents of your filing cabinets,” he explained.

Apps puts a virtual guide into Google Apps, helping users get the most out of their Google Apps experience and training them to be more productive,” Synergyse founders said in an official statement.

“We’re proud to have served more than 4,000,000 people and 3,000 organisations globally,” the statement added.

“By joining the Google Apps team, we can accelerate our mission because we will be working even closer with the teams that build Google Apps,” the statement noted.

With the new acquisition Synergyse Training for Google Apps will be free, enabling all Google Apps customers

to take advantage of the solution, the company said.

Malhotra specialises in training and strategy and has more than 10 years of experience in the enterprise space.

Scocimara said Synergyse will be joining Google, and the company intends to make the product available as an integral part of the Google Apps offering later this year.

“By providing the right help at the right time, Synergyse will help our customers with the critical task of change management in the enterprise, and bolster the training and support programs we already offer today,” he said.

Mitigating impact of global warming on plant flowering

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ndian-origin researchers have discovered a new mechanism that enables plants regulate their flowering in response to elevated temperatures.

The finding could potentially lead to the development of technology allowing us to control the physiological response of plants and mitigate the impacts of warming temperatures.

The researchers made the discovery by applying a combination of genetic, molecular and computational biology experiments to the flowering plant Arabidopsis. In the study published in the journal Nature Plants, the researchers described how two key basic cellular processes work together to reduce the levels of a protein that normally prevents flowering, allowing the plants to produce flowers in response to elevated temperature.

“This is very exciting as our understanding of how these genetic

mechanisms work together opens up whole new possibilities for us to be able to develop technology to control when plants flower under different temperatures,” said lead researcher Sureshkumar Balasubramanian, associate professor at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.

“These mechanisms are present in all organisms, so we may be able to transfer this knowledge to crop plants, with very promising possibilities for agriculture,” Balasubramanian said.

NEW ZEALAND FIRST LIST MP

MAHESH BINDRA BASED IN AUCKLAND

Contact Auckland Office

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

Authorised by Mahesh Bindra, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

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13 May 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

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Gujarat outclass KKR by five wickets, go atop table Debdoot Das

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ujarat Lions came up with an all-round effort to outclass Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) comprehensively with five wickets and 12 balls to spare in an Indian Premier League (IPL) game at the Eden Gardens on Sunday, May 9.

With the win, Gujarat go atop the points table with seven wins from 11 outings. Dinesh Karthik top scored for the visitors with a 29-ball 51, while Aaron Finch contributed with a quick-fire 29 to their total of 164/5.

Chasing Kolkata’s 158/4, Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCulllum helped Gujarat get off to a bit of a flyer. However, the latter seemed to have edged onethrough to the keeper in the second

Dwayne Smith of Gujarat Lions in action during an IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Lions at Eden Gardens in Kolkata

over but there was no appeal from the hosts. The partnership lasted just 5.3 overs but by then the Lions had gathered 42 runs.

Smith (27) was clean bowled

by Shakib Al Hasan and then

McCullum (29) after smashing Morne Morkel for a 17-run over was out caught at long on. The double blow brought a huge smile on KKR co-owner and Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan who had

come in without his son AbRam. But the innings did not show any signs of running out of steam as Suresh Raina and Dinesh Karthik got together to knit another brisk partnership. By the end of 10 overs the Lions were comfortably placed at 89/2.

The stand went on for a few more overs, which got the Lions closer to the target. But, with 43 runs required, Raina perished trying to hook an Andre Russell delivery.

Finch who came in next did not hang around much and started clobbering the bowlers. He smashed 31 runs off the 15th and 16th over.

Although Brad Hogg got rid of Karthik in the next and Finch got run-out, it was too little too late for the men-in-purple.

IPL: Vijay’s effort in vain as RCB beat KXIP by 1 run

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valiant effort from Murali Vijay went in vain as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) sneaked past Kings XI Punjab by one run in a nail-biting league encounter on May 9.

Chasing 175, Vijay led from the front with a brilliant 57-ball 89 supported by an unbeaten 34 from Marcus Stoinis, only to his team to fall short by a run.

Vijay, who opened the innings with Hashim Amla, put on 45 runs for the first wicket as the team raced to 50 in the powerplay.

Amla, who survived a runout scare on 19, failed to make the opportunity count as Shane Watson sent the South African packing with a short ball which he mistimed to be caught by Stuart

Royal Challengers Bangalore celebrate after winning an IPL match against Kings XI Punjab

Binny at midwicket. His 20-ball 21 included two boundaries.

Wriddhiman Saha (16), along with Vijay added 43 runs for the second wicket only to be run out by keeper Lokesh Rahul and legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal then

struck the very next ball to dismiss South African power-hitter David Miller, who failed to disturb the scoreboard. Stoinis, the architect of Punjab’s previous match’s win against Delhi Daredevils, then joined the skipper, who had

completed his half-century of 36 balls, and then went on a spree.

Sensing danger, RCB skipper Virat Kohli employed his old war horse Watson for another spell and the veteran Aussie responded with the much-needed wicket which proved to be the turning point. Cramped for runs, the Tamil Nadu opener, in his attempt to break the shackles, pulled a short ball from wide of off stump only to be caught by Chahal at the square leg boundary.

Vijay, who added 51 runs with Stoinis for the fourth wicket, consumed 57 balls for his knock, which was laced with 12 boundaries and a six.

With 16 needed off the last over, South African Farhaan Behardien and Stoinis could only add 15.

Djokovic defeats Murray to win Mutua Madrid Open

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umber one seed Novack Djokovic defeated reigning Champion, Andy Murray 6–2, 3–6, 6–3 to claim the Mutua Madrid Open crown on Sunday, May 8.

The win, which was Djokovic’s fifth win in the last six ATP 1000 competitions, gives Djokovic a record of 29 ATP 1000 titles, one more than Spain’ s Rafael Nadal, who was beaten by Murray in Saturday’ s semi-final.

The Serb began much stronger than Murray and dropped just three points on his serve in the first set. He was also highly effective with his second serve, winning 80 per cent of second service points as he hugged the baseline and made

Ace tennis player Novack Djokovic

Murray do all of the running.

However, the Scot fought back in the second set, breaking Djokovic to move 3–1 ahead in the second set and with both players holding

their remaining serves that was enough to see him take the second set to level the match.

The match was turning into a classic and seemed to turn again

in the second game of the third set as Murray missed an easy point in his first service game and Djokovic went on to break following a 23shot rally.

Murray showed courage to break straight back, but Djokovic broke again in the sixth game of what was turning into a compelling final set, to take a 4–2 lead.

Murray held again and then took a 0–40 advantage in what was to be the final game, only for Djokovic to defend all three and break points and tie the game at 40–40. Four more times Murray had the chance to break, but each time Djokovic defended and it was the Serb who finally sealed the win as Murray hit a return into the net.

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Indian women beaten 0–5

by Britain in hockey series

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he Indian women hockey team’s preparations for the Rio Olympics went for a toss as the Ritu Rani-led side succumbed to a 0–7 loss in the final match to surrender the five-match Test series 0–5 against Britain on Monday, May 9.

The Indian women’s team, which managed to book an Olympics berth after a 36-year hiatus, have had a lacklustre series losing all their earlier matches.

Going into the final match, the home team dominated from the first quarter as Shona McCallin opened the scoring in the 12th minute. Britain won two penalty corners in the quarter but was denied from adding to their tally courtesy some improved defence from India.

The second quarter saw another flurry of attacks from the hosts as the English women won two back to back penalty corners, but India’s defence held strong to deny them. India too had their chance to equalise via a penalty corner but failed to convert.

Just when it looked like the Indians were getting back into the game, Susannah Townsend beautifully converted a penalty corner in the 28th minute to make it 2–0.

Returning from the break, the home side won a penalty corner immediately, which they managed to convert via Crista Cullen in the 38th minute.

Britain unleashed their attacking prowess as they managed to score another two goals in quick succession, one of them coming via a penalty corner

by Kate Walsh in the 42nd minute and the other one by Helen Walsh in the 44th minute to end the third quarter 5–0.

In the fourth quarter, already down and out, the Indian girls failed to put up a fight as Susannah added two goals in the final minutes to make it 7–0.

Despite coach Neil Hawgood exuding confidence about the team, it would be interesting to see how the side recovers for the Rio Olympics after the dismal show. The Summer Games in Rio de Janiero will be played from August 5 to 21.

KIDS ZONE

www.iwk.co.nz | 13 May 2016

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I see the morning sun rise Its beautiful rays unrolling slowly As they fill up the sky The sun seems like an enormous flower Blooming wide in the sky I open my wings and flew right to it It seems so close But when I reach out to it I knew it was a million miles away So I fly with pride because I know there is a sun There is light that will guide me right

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Soduko

Fun with knowledge A Wise Old Owl

Shashank Meenakshi, 8

There was an old owl that lived in an oak. Everyday he saw incidents happening around him. Yesterday he saw a boy helping an old man to carry a heavy basket. Today he saw a girl shouting at her mother. The more he saw the less he spoke. As he spoke less, he heard more. He heard people talking and telling stories. He heard a woman saying that an elephant jumped over a fence. He also heard a man saying that he had never made a mistake.

The old owl had seen and heard about what happened to people. Some became better and some became worse. But the old owl had become wiser each and every day.

Moral: You should be observant, talk less but listen more. This will make you a wise person.

The Bird's Home

O, where is thy home, sweet bird With the song, and bright glossy plume?

I'll tell thee where I rest, If thou wilt not rob my nest ; I built among the sweet apple-bloom !

But, what's in thy nest, bright bird ?

What's there, in the snug downy cell ?

If thou wilt not rob the tree ; Nor go too near, to see My quiet little home, I will tell.

0, I will not thy trust betray !

The secret I will closely keep.

I've three tender little things That have never used their wings !

I left them there, at home, fast asleep.

Then, .why art thou here, my bird, Away from thy young, helpless brood ?

To pay thee with a songJust to let me pass along, Nor harm me, as I look for their food.

Animal crossword puzzle Across

Solution to last week's crossword

1. Big animal that has one born 2. This animal has a very long neck 6. Man's best friend 8. Lives in the cold and waddles 9. Slow moving and has a shell 12 Striped animal that looks like a horse 13. Can swim under water and walk on land and has a big bite

Down

2. This animal has a long trunk 4. This animal likes to eat carrots and sugar cubes 5. This animal loves bananas 7. Some say this animal has nine lives 10. Has big ears and like to hop King of jungle

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

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13 May 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

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Understanding Exposure— Part 1/3 E Jefferey Chan

xposure is the most important component in photography.

It is the amount of light that reaches the sensor of the camera and is measured using the term exposure values (EV) or stops. A photographer uses exposure to control what he wants to show in the photo. It is the opposite of a painting where a painter starts with a blank canvas and fills in the colour. A photographer, on the other hand, starts with all the colours and limits what is seen. Three elements can control an exposure: • Aperture • Shutter • ISO Learning them is crucial to your development of being a photographer. Once you have an understanding of this, you can utilise the full potential of your camera. In most cameras, you can usually select the following modes: P or Auto, A or Av for Aperture, S or Tv for Shutter and M for Manual. ISO is usually on a separate button.

Exposure Compensation and Metering

Today’s DSLR has an integrated light metre that will automatically measure the light hitting the sensor and determine the correct exposure setting. For this article, let’s keep it to Evaluative/Matrix depending on which camera you use. With this setting, your camera selects the lighting from the whole image and computes the best exposure needed for the picture. Most times, it does a good job but sometimes it misses the mark. When that happens, you turn to Exposure Compensation. Your digital camera will likely have a button with a plus/minus icon. This

function works when you are using either the Aperture or Shutter mode. If the image is too dark, while holding down the button, you turn your dial to increase by 1/3 stop.

Take another picture to see the image appear brighter.

Increasing it by another stop will make the image brighter.

It works the opposite if you decrease the stop.

first image below, you see the original colours of the sunset.

If you change the white balance to a low Kelvin using the Fluorescent setting, the result can be seen in second image.

TRY

Cloudy White Balance

Set to Aperture mode, Matrix metering and Exposure Compensation to zero. Take a photo and check out the image exposure. Try different values in your EV and see what happens.

Lighting—using natural light

Just like buying a light bulb, natural light comes in many colour temperatures, which is measured in Kelvins (K).

To produce a beautifully exposed image with true to life colours, you must learn to effectively use the white balance setting of your digital camera. There are many factors that can affect the white balance and the chances are that you have taken a photo that doesn’t quite look like the original colour. Most modern cameras have an Auto White Balance setting that does a good job at getting it right. However, there are times when you need to change from Auto to the correct White Balance setting.

The diagram on the extreme right is a guide on using the White Balance setting.

You can use White Balance creatively to change the colour tones to produce the desired effect.

For example, in the

Fluorescent White Balance

By Manisha Koushik

Weekly forecast: May 13 to May 19

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

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

Financial crunch is in the offing for those involved in overseas business. Mental tensions can take the form of bodily ailments for some. Professionals can find this phase rewarding. An honour or reward can be expected by some in the creative or professional field. Meeting relatives at a marriage or party cannot be ruled out. Your excitement is likely to rub off on your partner to make this a perfect phase for romance.

You will manage to handle a contentious issue competently on the work front. Job seekers are likely to land a well paying job. Negative undercurrents on the domestic front threaten to make the atmosphere tense. Some of you may have to undertake an out of town journey, which will be far from comfortable.

Guidance from a friend will need to be followed meticulously. Fight over a trivial issue can spoil a romantic outing.

Someone close to you will give you strength and direction. It is best to postpone an important decision at work, as stars don’t seem favourable.

An inner fear to perform well can let you down at work. Family life will be most satisfying as spouse is all out to cater to your moods. Stars foretell stability on the financial front. Wedding bells can soon toll for some. You enjoy excellent health.

Your man management skills are likely to be praised by higher ups. An excellent week is foreseen, especially on the financial front when you enjoy the Midas touch. Your way with words will help improve lover’s mood. An excellent earning opportunity comes your way. You will make the situation to show off your prosperity to those around you! A physical competition will find you taste victory.

Lucky No.: 3 / Lucky Colour: Yellow

Lucky No.: 9 / Lucky Colour: Magenta

LIBRA

SCORPIO

You can have a harrowing time in finding the way to a new location. A little convincing is all that is required to motivate superior to include your idea in a project. Getting introduced to a charming member of the opposite gender cannot be ruled out for some. Condition of a family elder can cause worry. Family front may witness some ugly scenes over some pending bills. Mental stress cannot be ruled out.

Lucky No.: 9 / Lucky Colour: Saffron

Those newly introduced to acting or public speaking will be able to overcome stage fright.

Differences will need to be sorted out with lover urgently before they upset the relationship. A financial issue can keep you mentally ill at ease.

Those serving the nation in uniform are in line for some recognition. Help will be around on the domestic front when you really need it. Health may need constant monitoring.

AQUARIUS

PISCES

You manage to steer clear of petty rivalries at work.

A friend or relative can touch a sensitive nerve and get you all upset. Those suffering from bodily ailments can hope for a quick recovery. Profitable deals will come your way and can get the cash register ringing. Someone you were in love with may enter your life once again. Visit to a historical monument or a pilgrimage site is likely for some.

This week, everything moves smoothly on the professional front. A positive beginning to a new project or venture can be expected. The period proves profitable, especially for retailers and designers. Don’t repose too much faith on those you have only casual acquaintance with. Your plans for an outing with lover may have to be slotted for some other week due to circumstances beyond your control. Excellent health will be ensured through self-discipline.

Lucky No.: 11 / Lucky Colour: Yellow

(March 21-April 20)

(April 21-May 20)

Lucky No.: 2 / Lucky Colour: Sky blue

Lucky No.: 5 / Lucky Colour: Bluish green

LEO

VIRGO

The raise you had been expecting can take some more time to materialise. A pending project may require your personal attention to be put back on the tracks. Good earning opportunities will help some in becoming financially secure. Weight watchers will derive full benefits by regulating their diet and exercise regime. A heart-to-heart talk with lover is possible towards the end of the week.

Smooth sailing on the family front is in store for some. Things will go perfectly on the professional front but only under supervision, so remain on your toes. Students may have to double their efforts to achieve their dreams. A profitable period is foreseen for those in the creative field. Those waiting for love to happen can be in for a long wait.

Your steely resolve will help you remain in shape.

Lucky No.: 8 ./ Lucky Colour: Metallic blue

Lucky No.: 17 / Lucky Colour: Parrot green

(July 23-August 23)

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov 23-December 11) Monetary condition improves as profits start to pile up. A professional good turn done to someone is likely to be returned with interest. Those involved in a legal case can expect to edge towards victory.

An out of town trip cannot be ruled out for some.

Sheer thrill of new sensations can extend your vacation. Those meeting lover on the sly need to be careful. Health remains good.

Lucky No.: 7 / Lucky Colour: Rosy brown

(August 24-Sep 23)

CAPRICORN

(Dec 22-January 21) Things remain a bit uncertain on the professional front. Seniors can have high expectations from you regarding a project; it is up to you to prove them right. An outstanding cheque from client may get delayed. A family youngster will require your support and guidance to do well academically.

You manage to remain in top physical condition simply by being regular in daily workouts. Flames of passion can fizzle out as lover remains preoccupied!

Lucky No.: 4 / Lucky Colour: Lavender

(May 21-June 21)

(Sep 24-October 23)

(Jan 22-February 19)

Lucky No.: 22 / Lucky Colour: Dark slate

(June 22-July 20)

(Oct 24-November 22)

Lucky No.: 8 / Lucky Colour: White

(Feb 20-March 20)

FEATURES

www.iwk.co.nz | 13 May 2016

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From the desk of

Largest women’s forum set to deliver at many levels ALL MEDIA DESK

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or the first time, the largest global women’s event is being held in New Delhi where women from more than 90 countries will gather from May 16 to 21. The Women’s Economic Forum will be the largest global marathon, a 408-session strong conference around economically empowering and uplifting women to integrate and contribute to their societies and communities.

The conference is being organised by All Ladies League (ALL), which is the world’s largest congregation and international chamber of women. This everexpanding community has 450 global chapters in more than 75 countries around the world. It is a women’s network of powerful, positive and purposeful women collaborating and connecting for multidimensional thought leadership and global friendship in the midst of great networking for business where each women’s story is an inspiration. ALL is the fastest growing worldwide web of women where women

The theme of the conference is Women: Uplifting and Uniting the World where about 1,500 women from 90 countries will gather to discuss social empowerment, leadership, economic, business and social issues across strata and societies are coming together to discover their strengths and leadership in unprecedented ways. It focuses

on enhancing women’s leadership in all fields through inclusion, inspiration and innovation towards greater welfare, wellbeing and wealth.

The New Zealand Chapter of ALL was introduced at a recent event organised by I am Woman at The Langham in Auckland.

There are eight delegates that will be representing New Zealand at this global conference. Country Chairperson for New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and other Pacific Islands, Annu Sharma, stated, “Since our New Zealand Chapter has just been introduced and this is our first year, eight is an impressive number. Although there is a lot of interest from a lot of women, the time frames this year have not allowed for many to accompany us. We do hope to

Accommodation in Fiji

DR PARMJEET PARMAR

2 or 3 bedroom house in Kashmir, Lautoka.

Fully furnished, fully fenced, cooking facilities, washing machine, 40” TV, fully air con hot and cold. Daily rates are $NZ55 for 2 bedroom or $NZ75 for 3 bedroom house. Also have rental cars $NZ50, 4WD for $NZ60, or 8-seater van for $NZ70 per day.

Contact: NZ 021535583 or Fiji (00679) 9234033 / 9520196

NATIONAL LIST MP BASED IN MOUNT ROSKILL

MOUNT ROSKILL OFFICE: A: 1/165 Stoddard Road, Mount Roskill P: 09 620 6707 E: Parmjeet.Parmar@Parliament.govt.nz www.parmjeetparmar.co.nz facebook.com/DrParmjeetParmarMP Funded by the Parliamentary Service and authorised by Dr Parmjeet Parmar MP, Parliament Buildings Wellington

take a larger delegation next year with more active participation in the conference.”

The theme of the conference is Women: Uplifting and Uniting the World where about 1,500 women from 90 countries will gather to discuss social empowerment, leadership, economic, business and social issues. There will be 408 sessions over the six-day conference and topics will include innovation, start-ups, leadership, entrepreneurship, business, globalisation, diplomacy, sustainable development, peace and spirituality, empowerment, health, and politics.

Apart from a host of political and business leaders, CEOs from India, senior ministers and Bollywood personalities, there are several international

dignitaries that will be present at the conference. These include Her Royal Highness of Kuwait, Ministers from Madrid, Panama and Fiji, Senators from Egypt and Jordan, Ambassadors and representatives from 60 countries, faculty from leading universities such as Harvard, Stern, NYU and MIT and many young trailblazers and entrepreneurs from across the world.

The New Zealand delegation is excited and looking forward to being a part of this historic event.

Indian Weekender will report directly from the conference as it happens.

“All Ladies League believes that women can give society the next level of leadership—leadership with love, thus upholding the feminine values of care, concern, courage, commitment and collaboration, and have zero tolerance policy for ‘negativity’ of any kind. It is this strengthbased approach that ensures women not only recognise their inherent strengths but also come out and share with our women around them.”

www.national.org.nz

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13 May 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

Feel the love of mystical night-time wonders at Disneyland Red

Sugandha Rawal

H

ave you ever imagined a world where all Disney characters from Mickey Mouse, Rapunzel to the contemporary Buzz Lightyear, come alive and have some fun? A night at the Disneyland Park, California, as I experienced, promises all this and more along with a touch of magic. And top it by ending your night on a glittery note with dazzling fireworks illuminating the dark blue canvas of night sky. The setting sun is not a signal for the fun to end at the theme park, which has been charged up with three new sparkling attractions—Paint the Night Parade, Disneyland Forever fireworks and World of Colour–Celebrate!

The additions were made last year as a part of Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration, which marked the 60th anniversary of Walt Disney’s original theme park in Southern California.

The 20-minute night-time parade breathes life into the stories from the house of Disney and Disney Pixar, backed by a custom version of the song When can we do this again by musical group Owl City.

Apt lyrics Put your hands up ‘cause the night is young set the ball rolling as a green ray of sparkle fills the road with Tinker Bell’s float making an appearance.

Using more than a million LED lights, foot-tapping music and dazzling special effects, several floats weaved in the journey

of the brand with the help of characters from films such as Cars, Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and Frozen.

Mickey Mouse, dressed as a wizard, brought an end to all the “shining moments” given by the illuminated floats along with his friends such as Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy. And this leaves you bewitched!

But the best part of the parade was not only the technological advanced characters but the individuals walking, rather prancing, with the floats and lighting gears.

With smiling faces, they get the audience into an ebullient spirit. As the enchanting and flashy procession walked towards

its closure, you can’t help but sway at the peppy beats of the song, reciting the lyrics I never want this to end. When can we do this again?

Word of caution: Keep in mind to grab a spot on time, as visitors start hoarding around the venue hours before the parade starts. Don’t just head back home after the parade, or you will miss the canvas of night sky with twinkling stars getting splashed with a hint of pink, red, gold and green—the time for Disneyland Forever fireworks.

In the 14-minute show, small stories from the mischief of Winnie the Pooh, Simba of The Lion King, the close rapport of Aladdin and genie, or the world of Nemo from Finding Nemo, come alive on

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the Sleeping Beauty castle through lights.

The sky-high fun ends with a song Kiss goodnight by songwriter Richard Sherman, which seems like a lullaby putting you to sleep. The firework was synchronised with the lyrics and its beats. Your mood swings like a pendulum from adventurous, jovial, and romantic to peaceful. In the end, the sky lit up with a barrage of fireworks looking like shooting stars.

If you reach before time, don’t wander around aimlessly, but head to Soarin’ Over California for some “high-sky entertainment”.

The flight simulator attraction takes you on a journey over the landscapes of California—the Golden Gate Bridge, its beaches, ski slopes, forests, and orange groves. But if you are scared of heights, steer away from the ride.

You can also enter the world of Cars by steering your way into Cars Land. If you are looking for something adventurous, climb on to Space Mountain.

The roller-coaster ride in a dark space with occasional glimpse of satellites and rockets or a faint twinkle of stars, with its high twists and turns, will leave you breathless.

A night out to the whimsical Disneyland will leave you with memories to cherish forever, and it’s a must-visit for those who have loved the magic of Disney over the years.

Bangladesh: a journey of shared history and common destiny with India Ritu Sharma

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n a quest to explore shared culture and history of all the territories that once formed part of an undivided Indian subcontinent, I chose the easiest one—Bangladesh. First, because a Pakistan visa was unlikely to come by, considering my family’s history deeply steeped in Indian defence forces.

After fending off the questioning looks of friends and family, as I applied for the visa, I was confronted with a familiar question: “Why Bangladesh?”

“Tourism,” I replied. The official looked unconvinced but I was not denied the permission.

The Agartala-Dhaka bus, started in 2015 and which was supposed to be a daily service, has been reduced to three times a week because it found few passengers.

I decided to enter Dhaka by land, which also helped me to acclimatise to the sweltering heat there. I crossed the border on foot. The India-Bangladesh border is quite unlike the famous Wagah one between India and Pakistan. Here border guards discourage people from jingoistic sloganeering during the flaglowering ceremony.

Lal Bagh Fort

After entering the country, which appeared familiar for an Indian, I took a CNG (as Bangladeshis call their autorickshaws) to Akhoura and thereafter a bus to Dhaka. The double whammy of heat and humidity sapped my energy reservoir in the “first class bus”.

The next two days in Dhaka were nightmarish. And it seemed familiar too with huge traffic snarls. I somehow managed to visit Sonargaon (the golden city), the administrative and commercial centre of pre-British rulers that finds mentions in the travel memoirs of Ibn-e-Batuta and Ralph Fitch. It also has Panam City, which houses a cluster of

around 52 mansions inspired

by European architecture, built in the 19th century. Hindu cloth merchants stayed there once upon a time.

But today an eerie silence wells up from the locked premises.

World’s Monument Fund has put it under the 100 most endangered sites. The next on the list was the Liberation War Museum for a sneak peek into the 1971 Bangladesh liberation movement, where the Indian Army fought alongside the Bangladeshi Liberation Army named Mukti Bahini. The museum doesn’t seem to have fared too well.

But apparently, a new one is under construction.

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The next stop on the itinerary was Sylhet, in the northeast of the country, surrounded by beautiful tea estates and hills. The city is also a source of a staggering number of Bangladeshis abroad who contribute a major portion to the country’s remittances.

Religiously, it seems more diverse. The city is dotted with many temples with idols of Goddess Kali and her consort Shiva being commonly sold on pavements.

I entered a temple that looked more like an armoured bunker. I was immediately identifiable as a stranger. After a few queries, I was ushered into the room of the head priest.

“When the Babri Masjid was demolished in 1992, our temples were razed to the ground here,” a priest said.

“This temple was demolished completely and lots of Hindus were killed. We collected funds and have rebuilt it. And the strong grills around the temple are for protection,” he said, requesting not to be named.

“Both the communities (Hindu and Muslim) love Hindi serials and movies. But whenever something happens in India, reverberations are felt here in Bangladesh,” he said.

This simple statement coming from a temple priest in Sylhet underlines the intertwined fate of the people of the two countries that were part of the same history and political geography once upon a time.

Modernising India and Bangladesh too have to move forward together.

A young man Bacchu, who didn’t give his second name, said whenever a riot or conflict between Hindus and Muslims happen in India “we are targeted here”.

Sylhet, apart from being a major tourist attraction, was a part of the 1971 war theatre. It was the scene of the first heliborne operation of the Indian Air Force (IAF). It was here too that Gorkha Rifles won the day for the Indian Army in the Battle of Sylhet.

My travel to Bangladesh turned into a walk down the lanes of history, and I felt as if the two countries continue to be linked through an umbilical cord. They continue to define themselves on the basis of the other.

After celebrating the Bengali New Year in Dhaka with delectable Hilsa, I bade goodbye to the country. I will be back some day.

FEATURES

www.iwk.co.nz | 13 May 2016

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Must-try make-up trends this winter The no-make-up make-up era is gone and now is the time for bright eyes and lips. Let’s take a look at the latest trends that you must try this season.

Swati Sharma

Blue haven

Line master

Blue is the colour this season as far as eye make-up is concerned. It can be worn in any way you want. Use it as an eyeshadow and go creative with smoky eyes, or add the vivid blue shade to both, your lash line and waterlines, for a more defined look.

Mascara mystery

Master these not-so-regular eyeliner looks with your oh-so-regular black eyeliner and play up with some new styles such as abstract arches, cateye or winged. Or just go along the lines and focus on the inner corners and waterlines.

Stars ‘on’ your eyes

Bold and beautiful

Ditch that old beauty rule that you can’t play up your lips and eyes at the same.

Wear a dramatic look with matte burgundy lipstick and soft and dark smoky eyes. This look is intense and bland enough at the same time to be worn during the day. Use a black eyeliner and blend it into soft smoke around the top and bottom lashes and top it up with your black mascara. Finalise your look with a bit of pink-brown blush.

Candy lips

Red lipstick never goes out of fashion. Most women swear by it. If applied with absolute precision, a red lipstick alone is sufficient for you to stand out. You just need to be sure about the red that is made for you.

Snow white apple red is the most loved this season.

P.S.: If you are not a fan of glossy lipsticks or would like to use your favourite one as matte once a while, just dab a tissue on your lips to get that perfect pigmented lips.

Vampire lips

Black is overrated. It is time for experimenting with colours. Give the boring eyelashes a makeover with a brown, maroon or blue mascara against nude lips and bare skin. Save time during your morning make-up routine as this clumpy, coloured mascara look is complete in itself.

Go starry eyes to your next party with shimmer eyeshadows or eyeliners. Shades of orange eyeshadow give you that perfect Instagram look and it goes well with all eye colours. With darker skin shades, orange looks as flattering as it gets.

A pinch of shimmer across the eyelids or inner corners of the eyes smudged like fairy dust will take your perfect party look a notch higher.

Say goodbye to the gloomy days of winter with this Vampire look. A dark red or maroon lipstick with minimal make-up complements all the winter elements such as leather, coats, blacks and fur.

Infuse this in your daily make-up or make it your signature weekend party look.

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ENTERTAINMENT

First poster look of Kaabil out

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he first poster look of Hrithik Roshan-starrer Kaabil is out, shared director Sanjay Gupta on online social media.

Taking to Twitter, Gupta shared the first poster of his film which has been produced

by Rakesh Roshan under his banner FilmKraft Productions.

“Here it is. The first look poster of Kaabil,” Gupta tweeted.

In the poster, Hrithik’s eyes can be seen in a zoomed in shot with the light of a candle reflecting in the pupil of his green eyes.

With the colour black dominating the poster, Hrithik’s eyes have been highlighted while the font of the film’s name is in black and white with a candle light on the alphabet ‘I’. The film is set to release on January 26 next year. It features actress Yami Gautam in lead role.

13 May 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

who picked an action-comedy film Spy for her first Hollywood outing last year, said, “I’m not the one to rule anything out.”

“With Pakistan being in my blood, I would certainly look at opportunities to travel there,” Nargis said in an e-mail interaction.

The actress, who will be seen portraying Mohammad Azharuddin’s second wife Sangeeta Bijlani’s role in Azhar, feels that with stardom comes responsibility.

She said, “I believe that as actors, we have a phenomenal platform to spread positivity and influence people in the same way. In a time where there are divides between cultures and races, I would love to use my position to show that we are all the same inside and working together is the key to moving forward.”

Nargis took the first step towards the world of glamour as a model in 2005. After Rockstar, she did films on a wide variety of topics ranging from serious to fun such as Main Tera Hero and Madras Cafe.

Post Azhar, Nargis will be seen in Housefull 3 and Banjo.

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The biography titled Shashi Kapoor—the Householder, the Star, has been authored by film journalist Aseem Chhabra and it attempts to delve into the nature and nurture of the 78-year-old actor.

Sharing the news, film-maker Karan Johar took to Twitter on Friday and posted: Shashi Kapoor: The Householder, The Star, written by Aseem Chabbra...and forward by yours truly! It’s out now.”

Kapoor, who was felicitated with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2015, is known for his work in films such as Waqt, Deewar, Trishul and Utsav.

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Biography of Shashi Kapoor released

Received a new high as an actor while doing Traffic: Divya Dutta

My song in Udta Punjab quite grungy: Kanika Kapoor

Nargis Fakhri wants to work in Pakistani entertainment industry

ctress Nargis Fakhri, whose origins trace back to Pakistan, says that at a “time when there are divides between cultures and races” she would like to cross borders for work. She would like to spread one message—we’re all the same inside and working together is the key to moving forward.

Be it Ali Zafar, Fawad Khan or Mahira Khan, Bollywood has welcomed Pakistani actors with open arms. And Nargis shares that she would like to travel to Pakistan with her craft. Asked if she would consider working in the Pakistani industry, Nargis,

Orange The singer, who Red Twitter to share theBlack news. The Sandokan has given hits such as actor tweeted: “Delighted! Mount of Baby doll, Chittiya Excellence, documentary I narrated on kalaiya ve and Nachan farrate, said, “I HH Tai Situ Rinpoche, to be screened at can’t say anything other than that it is an Cannes 2016.” amazing song.”

Directed by Shivajee Chandrabhushan, Talking about highlighting social issues the film features the Maitreya Buddha via songs, Kanika shared that “it is a great lineage. It connects the Maitreya Buddha way of connecting.” emanation Guru Padmasambhava to the present day 12th Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa Rinpoche and the Palpung Sherabling Monastic seat hidden in the folds of the heady pine forests in Himachal biography of veteran actor Shashi Pradesh in India.

Kapoor, unveiling the chapters of The film festival will take place from May his personal and professional life, 11 to May 22. was released on Friday, May 6.

anika Kapoor has crooned for a track of Udta Punjab, which brings a dark story of prevalent drug menace in Punjab. And the singer says the song is different with a “dark and grungy” vibe to it.

Asked to describe the yet unreleased track, Kanika said, “The music on the whole is quite grungy.”

“It is about the movie... it is about drugs and all that. So my song, what I can talk about, is grungy, dark, a very different song but at the same time it is also a very Amit Trivedi song,” Kanika said.

Udta Punjab, directed by Abhishek Chaubey, highlights the issue of rampant drug abuse among the youth in Punjab.

Shahid Kapoor is seen essaying the character of a high-on-drugs, long-haired rock star Tommy Singh, who sings with glee and abuses with impunity.

It features Alia Bhatt as a migrant Bihari labourer, Kareena Kapoor Khan as a doctor who is determined to fight the illegal transportation of drugs, and Punjabi actorsinger Diljit Dosanjh as a police officer.

Kanika declined to reveal more details about the song, which is picturised on Alia.

Kabir Bedi-narrated documentary to be screened at Cannes

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ount of Excellence, a documentary narrated by actor Kabir Bedi, is set to be screened at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival.

Known for lending his voice for various films and documentaries, Kabir took to

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ctress Divya Dutta says that she received a new high as an actor while shooting for her Manoj Bajpayee starrer Traffic.

“I am very excited. I saw the film just a day ago and I’m so proud of this film. The love we received from people and media is really nice “The high that an actor gets to be a part of a good film; that is what I’m getting. I gave my best,” Divya said at the screening of the film where singer Adnan Sami and music composer Mithoon Sharma were present among others.

Traffic is an emotional thriller based on a road trip from Mumbai to Pune, which is based on a true story. The film revolves around transportation of a heart for a transplant against a tight deadline. During the mission they face numerous difficulties, traffic being one of them.

Divya plays the mother of the girl who requires a heart. The film also features actors Manoj Bajpayee, Jimmy Shergill and Sachin Khedekar.

It is directed by the late Rajesh Pillai, He passed away a few months before the release of the film and Divya says that the director has given us a very precious gift via this film.

“I’m sure people will love it. This film was his dream, and we will fulfil it by watching the film. The police saw the film and the response from them and their families and children was beautiful,” she said.

The film is produced by Deepak Dhar of Endemol India and presented by Foxstar studios.

ENTERTAINMENT

www.iwk.co.nz | 13 May 2016

Actors need to play challenging roles to entertain audiences: Sharman Joshi

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Sandeep Sharma

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ctor Sharman Joshi, who has tried the horror genre for the first time through his latest release 1920 London, says actors should try to challenge themselves by doing a variety of films to entertain audiences in a different way every time.

“I’m not trying to setup any image for myself by doing erotic thrillers. I haven’t specially designed anything for me. I just try to take up projects that come my way,” Sharman, who is known for playing sweet and bubbly characters onscreen in films such as Rang De Basanti, Golmaal and 3 Idiots, said.

“I love to try different genres. I’m doing the kind of work that I like to do. I love challenging myself. Being an actor, I need to challenge myself with different roles every time if I wish to entertain the audience,” added the 37-year-old, who has been a part of the entertainment industry for more than 15 years.

Avadhara Purushan: A Dance Musical

Date: 22 May 2016 Time: 4:30 p.m. onwards Venue: Dorothy Winstone Centre, Auckland Girls Grammer School, 16 Howe Street, Newton, Auckland.

Sai Natyalaya Dance School proudly presents Avadhara Purushan in coll​ aboration with Madurai R Muralidharan, a dance musical based on Kamba Ramayna. For tickets contact: 021739879, 0211308046, 021395404 or 0211374929.

Citizen Advise Bureau workshops

Consumer rights at CAB Manurewa Date: Saturday, 14 May 2016 Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Venue: Manurewa Library Conference Room, 7 Hill Road, Manurewa CAB Manurewa will hold a free information session for newcomers on Consumer Rights. Please come and join to find about: understanding the consumer law, understanding contracts, knowing what goods and services are and understanding your rights and responsibilities. For more information, please call at Patricia Pera at 0211222014 or Armmajit Kaur at 0211421855 or email at settlement.manurewa@cab.org.nz Free workshop on Starting a business in Whangarei Date: Tuesday, 17 May 2016 Time: 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Venue: May Bain Room, 0 May Bain Room, Whangarei Library, Rust Avenue Find more about starting your own

The third instalment in the popular 1920 franchise, 1920 London, which released on Friday, May 6, is directed by Tinu Suresh Desai. The story of the film has been written

by Vikram Bhatt.

“I really liked the script of the film.

Also the fact that I haven’t tried this genre before. So, I was really excited to star in it.

I got a strong character to portray. It’s very meaty and challenging for me as an actor,” Sharman said.

He added that Bhatt was “apprehensive” at first to cast him in the role of exorcist.

“He (Bhatt) was not sure whether I would do a film in this genre. But I said I have no doubt in my mind. I’m playing the role of an exorcist, whose name is Jai Singh. He helps people, who have any evil spirits or any supernatural element in their lives,” he said.

Asked whether he believes in the so called parallel world, Sharman said, “I wouldn’t be surprised if I’ll come across a supernatural element or a ghost in real life.

“I believe in energies and feel that [a] parallel world do co-exists. [Al]though

business: are you ready—tools, resources and planning, testing market and financial literacy; the business of business—compliance, HR, support and engaging with the business community and Q & A—from points covered and current issues. Presenter: Tony Collins, CEO, Northland Chamber of Commerce.

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

Auckland Writers Festival– more than 150 writers over six days

Date: Tues 10 May to Sun 15 May 2016 Time: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Venue: Aotea Centre and other venues Join many of New Zealand’s standout writers at the Aotea Centre for the 2016 Auckland Writers Festival. Now in its 16th year, the Auckland Writers Festival plays host to more than 150 writers over six days of ideas, readings, debates, standup poetry, family events. Prices vary– some free events.

I don’t know how much scared I’ll be when I’ll face them, but I would love to experience it someday.”

Asked if erotic thrillers set up a negative image of an actor, Sharman replied, “I’m not sure about that. It’s just my second thriller film after Hate Story 3. So I’ll have to go through this whole journey and then decide whether such films create a negative image of an actor or not. The kind of character I’m playing in 1920 London is a positive guy. I’m not nervous about trying different genres.”

Interestingly, after 1920 London, Sharman will star in another erotic thriller for Hate Story 3 director Vishal Pandya in the upcoming film Wajah Tum Ho. “I’m playing the role of a police officer in that one. That’s also first time I’ll be seen as a cop onscreen.

The film is very exciting for me,” Sharman said.

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HALL OF FAME

13 May 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

Inviting nominations for Kiwi Indian Honours 2016 K IW

I I NDI A

The guidelines, which need to beBlack adhered to, for Red Orange nominations, are as follows: 1.

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Established 2013

The Indian Weekender calls upon nominations for those who have built a road to glory for themselves and left a path for the coming generations to tread on; who have touched the lives of thousands and enriched the society with their being; who’ve brought fame and respect to New Zealand and the KiwiIndian community. The Indian Weekender invites nominations for such personalities from the community for getting inducted into the Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame 2016. We also invite nominations for Kiwi Indian Young Achiever of the Year and Kiwi Indian Unsung Hero of the Year 2016.

Nominate Online : http://bit.ly/1QZJcTO Last date for sending nominations extended till May 15, 2016

Entry Form: Form for nominating candidates for Kiwi Indian Honours 2016

Nominator Details

Nominee Details

Name of the Nominator

Name of the Nominee

|

He/she needs to have an undisputable recognition in his or her field of work.

2. Nominated by a nominator of repute. Further, the nominator has to be in confirmation with the nominee.

3. The nominator has to provide their full contact details. No anonymous applications will be accepted.

4. All fields of work are welcome. For the purposes of this award, ‘field of work’ can be politics, business, sports, art, culture, or any profession.

5. The definition of Kiwi Indian, for the purposes of this award, hereby, is defined as follows: any person of Indian origin, from any part of the world, who has settled here in New Zealand. To be of Indian origin, at least one of the parents of the nominee have to be Indian, by blood. Thereby making the nominee of Indian lineage.

6. The nominee must have either a Permanent Residency (PR), or Citizenship of New Zealand to be eligible for consideration.

7. The nominee should have no prior convictions.

8. Age is no bar; for minors, under the age of 18, parental consent will be required.

9. The successful candidate will be required to attend the ceremony in person. In case a person is not able to attend, due to any unforeseen circumstances, the jury will use its discretion.

10. The jury’s decision will be final and binding; and cannot be challenged.

Please fill and post it to the address below

About the Nominee For how long have you known the Nominee?

Professional details of the Nominator

Age of Nominee Sex

Address & Contact number of Nominator *

Category

Why do you think the nominee qualifies for the honour?

Please state your reasons for nominating the above person. You may mention the achievements of the Nominee in his/her profession.

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F

Address & Contact number of Nominee *

How according to you has the Nominee brought fame and respect to the Kiwi-Indian community?

Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame Kiwi Indian Young Achiever of the year (16 to 35 years only) Kiwi Indian Unsung Hero of the year

Declaration by Nominator I have received confirmation from the Nominee for this application.

Yes

No

Nominee has accepted to appear in person for the ceremony, if he/she gets accepted for the induction to Hall of Fame 2016.

Yes

No

I hereby declare that the above information is true to the best of my knowledge. I also allow Indian Weekender and the Jury to use the information provided for background checks and to contact either me or the Nominee for the purpose of getting any more information.

Signed:

What to do next?

Please take a print out of this form, sign and send to us at: Jury Panel, Kiwi Indian Honours 2015 98, Great South Road, Epsom, Auckland

(Add extra pages to this form if required.)

For details contact Indian Weekender on 09-2137335 or go to: www.indianweekender.co.nz

HALL OF FAME

www.iwk.co.nz | 13 May 2016

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