Indian Weekender 15 May 2015

15 May, 2015 Vol. 7 Issue 8 | www.iwk.co.
nz
New Zealands first Kiwi-Indian weekly newspaper
The Pulse of Kiwi-Indians
Auckland Christchurch Wellington Hamilton Palmerston North Hastings Invercargill
LIVING
THE KIWI
DREAM
Heartspeak
with
Paula Bennett
2015
2015
KIWI INDIAN
YOUNG ACHIEVER
2015
KIWI INDIAN
2015
UNSUNG HERO
2015
NEW ZEALAND
15 May 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz
Red
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NEW ZEALAND
www.iwk.co.nz | 15 May 2015
Red
Black
Orange
IWK comes Full Circle

S
Maya Shivam
ix years ago at the Holi

celebrations in Waitakere,
Minister Paula Bennett
flagged off the phenomenal
journey of the Indian Weekender.
As we move towards celebrating
the completion of our six years, it
was only natural that we receive
a visit from the minister herself
to congratulate us on the journey
and reconfirm her support to the
Indian community via the Indian
Weekender.
In a candid interview during
her visit the minister shared her
own personal story of her journey
and struggles and stated how she
admired the journey of migrants.
She stated that she had immense
respect for all migrants and in
particular the people from India
who move to a completely new
country and start their life over
again right from scratch. She
spoke of the achievements of
the community as a whole and
its ability to look after and rally
Speaking about the

role and strength of
the Indian women, the
minister expressed
her admiration and
fondness for our very
own Indian MP Dr
Parmjeet Parmar.
She spoke about the
need of more women
power in parliament.
around its own people. She spoke

of how she held these cultural
exchanges very close to her heart.
The minister commended the
work that Indian Weekender was
doing in continuing to be the pulse
of the Kiwi Indian community

and bringing the good news
stories of the community to not
just the entire Indian community
but to also the larger community.
She congratulated the team, for
the job that they were doing in

growing the Indian Weekender
from strength to strength.
Speaking about the role and
strength of the Indian women,
the minister expressed her
admiration and fondness for our
very own Indian MP Dr Parmjeet
Parmar. She spoke about the
need of more women power in
parliament.
For us at the Indian
Weekender, it was a complete
honour to be able to host the
aula Bennett is the first ever

MP for Upper Harbour, a
brand new electorate covering
parts of West Auckland and the
North Shore.
She is also a senior Minister
in John Keys National-led
Government, being number 5 in
the Cabinet which comes with
considerable responsibility.
In spite of being quite busy
in her roles as the Minister
for Local Government, Social
Housing, State Services, and
Associate Minister of Tourism
and
Finance,
she
seems
committed to working hard for
Upper Harbour and advocating
for her constituents and their
concerns in Parliament.
minister and an inspiration to

continue to do our best. It was
almost as she had flagged us off
six years ago, she was there to flag
us off as we establish ourselves as
the only weekly publication for
the Indian community.
NEW ZEALAND
Red
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Dreams do come true
In the true Indian Weekender spirit we wrap up our three part story with inspiring
stories of migrants who are actually living their Kiwi dream
Maya Shivam
As we wrap up our
story this week we
bring you numerous
success stories of
people who moved to
New Zealand some
as students, some
as migrant workers,
all facing some of
the same challenges
that we have spoken
of, over the last two
weeks and have
emerged on top...
his week we draw our

three part series to a
close. Our story began
with the state of students who
come to New Zealand with
dreams in their eyes. In the
journey of speaking to them we
heard many heart wrenching
stories, of the conditions that
these young people live in. We
heard stories of the gap between
their expectations and the reality
as it meets them when they arrive
here, stories of families back
home and the financial struggles.
However, amidst all this, we
also heard from those group of
students who are actually living
the dreams they came here with,
we heard stories of those who
are continuing unabated by the
challenges that life is throwing at
them. We met groups of students
who did not feel to smile through
their triumphs and stayed focused
on the brighter and more positive
things around them.
As our journey continued we
looked at migrant workers and
the challenges that they face,
working in a new country away
from their own. We spoke of
rogue employers who exploit
the vulnerability of these new
migrants. We also examined
the reasons that contribute to
their situation and what the
Government seems to be doing in
the area.
There are always two sides
to a coin and we at Indian
Weekender believe in bringing
authentic stories and both sides
of the picture to our readers. We
thus also spoke to the employers

and the challenges they face in
employing students and migrant
workers.
We would be failing our
reputation of being the most
positive publication if we left you
feeling that the whole journey of
making New Zealand your new
home was not at all worth it.
If our journey thus far left you
feeling like it was all doom and
gloom, then you must read on.
As we wrap up our story this
week we bring you numerous
success stories of people who
moved to New Zealand some
as students, some as migrant
workers, all facing some of the
same challenges that we have
spoken of, over the last two weeks
and have emerged on top. These
are people who have persisted
and triumphed. People who
have made it and they all have
a common message to all If we
could do it so can you! Its a

message to never give up hope, to
continue in the direction of your
dreams. This
week, it is
our
utmost
pleasure
in
bringing you
the stories of
these heroes
who did not
give up. We
realize
that
there
are
numerous
other stories
waiting
to
be told and
therefore we
are committed
to
bringing
them to you
in our regular
column called
Migrant Tales
as often as we
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Its not for nothing that today
we Indians make up over 5%
of the New Zealand population

and contributing to 8% of the
countrys economy. Its our hard
work and persistence that makes
us the achievers that we are.
Read on for these inspiring
success stories -
NEW ZEALAND
Work on your communication skills

positive...
Red and stay Black
Orange
Hotel & Resorts
Pawan Aacharya, Millennium
to study Business Management,
I came to New Zealand in 2012
s and Technology. Since I was
level in Newton College of Busines
k in the service sector so I trained
inexperienced and wanted to wor
and tried hard to improve my
myself for interviews, met people
very much helpful for me and
skills. What I learnt from here was
med myself and stayed positive
I improved a lot on my skills, groo
as a Front office Duty Manager
every time. Currently I am working
up on Queen Street for the last 9
at Millennium Hotel & Resorts Gro
months and I love my job.
Annie Abraham-Shakoor, Tea
cher at Rutherford College
I came to New Zealand in 2001 with
prior residency permit from
India with my husband and my son.
Things were not very difficult
that time, I was new to this place
so I tried to learn as much about
this country, people and culture
possible. I tried to do a lot of
volunteering work here and som
ewhere that worked really well
for me. I got contacts at the place
where I volunteering that led to
one and then another. I did refre
sher course for teaching as a part
of my learning and later during my
placement I was asked which
institution to work for and I chose
Rutherford College in Waitakere
City. I started as a part time faculty
which eventually became a full
time position. What I would advi
se new people who come here is
to mingle with kiwi community,
keep moving forward and have a
positive attitude with openness to
change and opportunities.
hakaran
Suresh Sukumarbabu & Elakkiya Prab
ing we came to NZ
A newly wedded couple, 10 days after our wedd
be kind of a long
would
it
ht
thoug
y
famil
and
s
for studies. Our friend
too. But on the night
honeymoon for us. Well, we thought the same
g for 3 hours for a doc
we landed, we were sitting in a hospital waitin
a security guard, his
to treat my husband. My husband got a job as
after sometime he
and
rosters were mostly in the strange hours

, his grades went
ment
assign
didnt even have time to complete his
college library at
the
in
job
a
got
I
down. Time to quit job!!! Luckily,
visas. We have
work
our
got
and
es
studi
that time. Completed our
soon.
that
g
gettin
be
d
shoul
applied for our PR and
Continued on Pg 6
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NEW ZEALAND
Continued from Pg 5
Sandeep Batra, Franchise owner of 2 Fast

Food
Red
Black
Orange
Restaurants in Auckland
I came here as an IT student of level 7 in 2008
and since it was recession in NZ, I could not
get a job for almost 5 long months. I was here
sister-in-law and with no jobs in hand it was
with my wife and
very tough to manage expenses. After 5 mont
hs
I got the job of delivery man at a restaurant.
promoted to be the shift manager and after 18
In
10 months I was
months I applied for my residency in New Zeala
nd. Since I studied IT and I did not have an IT
my PR was declined and to manage my expen
relate
d job in hand,
ses I started working at different places. I starte
d again with Telecom (now Spark) for 6 mont
Vodafone eventually and I still kept working with
hs
and
moved to
the restaurant as a part time employee. That time
minimum wage was also less, I guess around
What worked for me eventually was my deter
$11 to $12.50.
mination and hard work. For the first 5 years
I did not take a single day leave, I worked all 7
wouldnt have reached where I am today. Curre
days for 5 years else I
ntly, my wife works as an accounts manager at
ASB Bank and we are stable here. There are thing
be changed about the students attitude they
s that needs to
come here with, and that is one reason why most
employers and by that I mean even Kiwi empl
to hire Indian students. The attitude of quick
oyers do not want
money and less work, lavish lifestyle at the cost
of quality life are one of the reasons for stude
here. My only advice to students would be to
nts poor condition
improve their communication skills and have
a positive attitude.
Afaque Kamran: Assistant Store Manager at Kathmandu

here so I started going to places and offered to work for experience
I landed in Hamilton in 2011 for Business Studies at Wintec. It was difficult to find a good job
had to earn so whatever job came to me I started doing it without
initially. That worked and I got really good experience from Hospice as a volunteer. I then
jobs in my field of studies. I got hired at Omnitech Mobile Store as
hesitation. I worked for a cleaning company and then completed by studies and looked for
for Trust Power selling power schemes to houses for 5 months that
a Sales Assistant and then became the manager within a year of hard work. I then worked
an offer from Kathmandu after sometime for an interview and I
got
I
gave me immense exposure to speak to more people and improved my communications.
cleared it, so I given the role of assistant store manager in Hamilton branch.
All these times when I had job and when I left to join another there
From Kathmandu I learnt a lot also faced hurdles initially but things worked out with time.
in close touch with me and supported me when I had a low time.
would be times which would test my patience and question my abilities but my family stayed
Nitesh Kumar, Courier Post Contracto

r- Hamilton
I came to New Zealand from Fiji 11 years back
and worked under a firm owned by a Kiwi and
an Indian partner at around $8.50 cents per
fine and got my work permits but my employers
hour. I was working
did not pay my taxes properly, so at one point
I was served a deportation notice by the immi
my job as well because of that scenario. It was
gration and lost
tough for me because I had lost everything all
of a sudden, though I had a good financial backg
to start from ground zero once again and today
round in Fiji. I had
I am an established contractor of Courier Post
under NZ Post Services. In the last 6 months
employees in my courier business and all of them
I have changed 20
from India either on student visa or on open job
search visa. I have seen the other side of the stude
from India and looking for work here.
nts coming
My advice for students would be:
}} Concentrate on your studies because that
is the prime reason you have been given the
visa to this country
}} You are new here so learn about the syste
m, rules and culture of this place and then ventu
re into the market to find jobs
}} Do not rely on last minute arrangements
and keep yourself backed up with enough funds
from India
}} Be loyal to your employers and work hard,
make sure you are an asset to the employer
and not a liability
Himanshu Khera, Managing Fast Food Restaurants in Hamilton

I used to work as crew
I came to NZ in 2003 Studied Post Grad in Marketing and International Management from Waikato University. Along with my studies
proper sales or skilled
a
wasnt
It
delivery.
and
sales
production,
kitchen,
in
help
to
used
I
where
at Caltex petrol station. After studies I got job at Maketu Pies
twice.
declined
got
job which I studied in university so my residency
me daily newspaper to
At that time I had given up and had almost planned to go back to Fiji, but at that time my manager Andrew helped me and used to get
manager in Hamilton.
apply for job in Hamilton. So one fine day I received phone call from Shell petrol station franchise owner, and he offered me job as site
stores in Hamilton.
hamburger
Wendys
Then again I applied for my residency and this time by the grace of God it got approved. Currently I am managing two
year.
this
My wife works as system analyst with Genesis Energy. We have a little girl who will be turning 3 in July
silly under the table job
For students I will advise not to go after money or residency. Just finish your studies and then everything will be on its way. Dont do
or it is hard to get job
job
the
get
cant
they
that
think
and
negative
be
Dont
and waste their time which affects your studies. There are plenty of jobs available.
in NZ.
Ruchi Makol & Varun Makol, Own

ers of Stop n Shop Stores in Aucklan
d
My wife came to Auckland in 2008 durin
g Global recession for Masters in Accountin
g, level 9 from Auckland University. It
my wife worked in a Fruit n Vegge shop
was tough to get a job here initially;
for 1 year and after that she got a job in
her field of studies; we slept in a small
many luxuries to save for the future. She
room as PG in bunkers and had to cut
started working as an accountant unde
r a tax accounting firm and from there
mean time I was employed at Skycity and
my wife got the residency done. In the
when things seemed a little stable, we
plan
ned of starting a business here.
Started my 1st variety store in Glen Eden
in February 2012 and next year I opened
up three more stores in Henderson, on
Our store is one of kind with more than
Queen Street and one in Mt. Roskill.
15000 items to be sold and we have all
been able to do because we were patient
What you shouldnt do is do not lose hope
and
hard working all these years.
and only think about money, make caree
r prospects your priority, be honest and
hard working.
Hamilton
Kamal Singh, Store Manager in Kaitaia,
Id applied for sales job in retail industry and
Business Studies, level 7 at Wintec, Hamilton.
in
ma
Diplo
uate
Grad
ed
i as
studi
and
2013
in
I came to New Zealand
working immediately. I had worked in Duba
ilton. I got through the interview and started
Ham
in
store
ture
furni
a
with
iew
interv
an
.
fortunately cracked
customer here was distinct experience
les to corporate and selling furniture to retail
and over
sales executive selling and leasing service of vehic
and talking to customer requires excellent comm
retail
in
are facing is the language barrier. Being
nts
stude
nal
em was
natio
probl
Inter
my
nge
to
ion
challe
on
solut
The
comm
The most
ness but the question was how?
to customers, I wanted to overcome my weak
ion
solut
t
instan
de
provi
to
y
abilit
and
sh
Engli
Kiwis, eat like Kiwis and talk like Kiwis.
simple. I decided to be with Kiwis, think like
top performing store.
and now manage a store in Kaitaia which is the
ember, employers are looking for
I excelled my career path in the same company
resumes to work place that interest you (Rem
your
drop
and
in
walk
e,
resum
fic
speci
a
e
I would advise students to creat
and communicate with your friends in English.
to know them, become a part of their society
get
,
locals
with
stay
Also
.
leting
ones)
lazy
not
&
energetic & active staff
, police and are sent back home without comp
nts gets caught up with problems with drugs
stude
Many
here.
come
you
when
om
freed
Do not misuse the
their course.
NEW ZEALAND
400-Year old Quran

preserved in Hamilton
Red
Black
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Rizwan Mohammad
r. Mustafa Farouk,
a renowned meat
scientist working
at AgResearch in Hamilton,
has preserved Nigerian
handwritten
Quran
manuscripts that date back
to more than 400 years.
Quran is the religious
book that can be found in
almost every Muslim house.
In Nigeria, most of the old
families had handwritten
Qurans, and after they
passed away, the book
would either be burnt or
buried. Old books usually
start deteriorating with time
and are attacked by paper
mites if not preserved well.
Dr Mustafa has 4 old
handwritten
Qurans,
collected on his trips to
Nigeria, in his possession,
the pages of which have
turned yellow and every
time opened leaves a residue
of paper tatters and turns to
dust where placed. He also
owns a couple of pens that
were used to write those
Qurans, sticks of guinea
corn plants and a bottle of
ink made from a mixture of
charcoal and dyes.

Of the four Qurans, one
is between 450 to 500 years
old wrapped in an old leather
bag, the second is 150 to 200
years old, the third around
70 years old and the fourth
barely 50 years old. All are
handwritten in ancient
Arabic calligraphy.
It is said that these
Qurans were written by
scholars who memorised
the script down to every dot
and diacritic. The script was
written on both sides of the
paper. Scholars jumped to
a new page after writing on
one side of the paper to let
the ink dry before returning
to the other side to complete
the scripture. The sacred
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text was written with utmost

precision and accuracy.
Dr Farouk mentions
that until a few decades
ago, people in Nigeria
mostly used handwritten
Qurans to read, learn and
understand. The calligraphy
of the new printed Qurans
is a little different from
the handwritten ones, and
people well-versed with the
new versions have difficulty
in reading the old ones.
The scientist has been
labouring to preserve the
books and is looking forward
to keep it open for public
view. He intends to gift the
Qurans to the museum to
be built inside the Islamic
Centre in Auckland soon.
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NEW ZEALAND
Interest-free home loans... possible?

Red
Rizwan Mohammad
he Muslim communitys
belief of not taking and
giving interest, as it
creates an imbalance in the society
with the rich getting richer and the
poor getting poorer, has given rise
to a dilemma for Muslims living
in New Zealand. Should they
compromise on their faith and opt
for home loans on interest from
national banks or should they not
buy a home at all? Sara Jawaad
has been living in New Zealand
for the past 10 years. A former
dental therapist and hygienist
by profession in Pukekohe, she
is currently teaching alternative
education in college and resides in
Manukau.
Sara, who has a big family
comprising of her husband, two
kids, sister and parents, is struggling
to find an avenue that will provide
her with an interest-free home
loan so that she does not have to
compromise on her faith. The only

option open to her is if the bank
buys the house on, so they own the
house and resell it again on profit.
In this scenario, the bulk payment is
subtracted from the original selling
price and the balance can be paid in
regular instalments.
This scheme of buying house
and using the profit as interest is
not prevalent in New Zealand but
is practised in Australia, the US and

UK. In her research Sara found that
this finance model was practiced
in New Zealand by few small firms
in 2006 and 2007 but none could
survive the global recession.
The couple is looking for a similar
alternate medium of getting finance.
They have put forth their application
in BNZ, ASB and Westpac hoping
for an authorisation of the finance
model, but they havent received a
response from any bank yet.
It has almost been a year since
I started applying but whoever I
speak to would refer me to the next
person.
They also came across the
Amanah Saver Scheme that was
recently introduced in New Zealand
mostly for the Muslim community.
In Amanah, the money is
invested in halal trade and it grows,
so they are considering of providing
options to buy houses for Muslims.
But they need to grow their business
with Kiwi Saver first, so they need
30-year-old dairy shop shuts

after robbery & assault
Rizwan Mohammad
jit Singh Sagoo, owner

of the Ulster Street
Dairy Shop, celebrated
the stores 30th anniversary in
January this year, but fate took a
drastic turn after a recent robbery
prompted the family to shut the
dairy and put it up for lease.
In 1985, Ajit Singh Sagoo
one of the first few diary shop
owners during the time
started the Ulster Street Dairy
in Hamilton. He migrated from
England to Hamilton in 1975
with his family and worked as
a professor of Physics, Applied
Mathematics and Calculus at the
Fairfield College. 10 years later,
he established the first dairy shop
of Hamilton.
On Friday, 11 April, around
7.30 pm, Mr Ajit was at his shop
when a masked man stormed into
the store, pointed a gun to his
head and demanded for money
from the counter. After initial
resistance, the man assaulted
Mr Ajit, who sustained chest and
neck injuries and had his jaws
dislocated.
He hurt my neck and when
the man pushed me, I hurt the
back of my head. His fist punch
left a sore on my chest, which is
less painful now, and the right
side of my face is still a little
swollen, said Mr Ajit.
After pushing Mr Ajit into the
shelves behind him, the burglar
snatched all the cash from the
drawer, broke the glass panes
of the store and ran towards the
school behind the store. Mr Ajit
ran towards the gate and called

the police. As the offenders face
was covered with a balaclava,
the police have not been able
to identify the man even after
extensively going through the
CCTV footage from the store. The
footage has revealed that a fake
gun was used in the burglary .
The cops sealed the shop and
an ambulance took Mr Ajit to
Waikato Hospital to check for
injuries and internal bleeding. Mr
Ajits son, who is the president of
the Motel Association of Waikato,
was away for a function that
evening.
The news of assault spread

quickly to the community and the
people living in that area.
There has been immense
support from the community.
People have been sending their
kind messages and flowers ever
since, added Mr Ajit.
79-year-old Ajit, who hails
from Punjab, lives with his three
sons and seven grandchildren
in the house he built alongside
the Ulster Street Motel. The
incident has not only cost an
estimated $1,000 in cash but also
traumatised the whole family
to such an extent that they have
decided to shut shop.
Mr Ajit is a highly respected
individual and well known in the
community for his down to earth
nature. He is also a Justice of
Peace.
The robbery was a big blow
to me and my family since such
an incident has never happened
in my 30 years of residing in this
area. Every time I think about the
attack, it brings back the horror
from that evening, said Mr. Ajit.
more people to join in Kiwi Saver,

invest in their money and that will
generate an income that will provide
a base to buy houses and sell it to
the Muslim community. But that
is a long-term proposal and it will
need a lot of commitment from the
community to change their Kiwi
Saver and there is a long wait, says
Sara.
Sara further mentions that
she knows many others from her
community who have taken house
loans on interest because they were
left with no choice. She is seeking
an option where she doesnt have
to choose between her faith and
financial stability.
There are different models that
can be applied such as a trust where
everyone contributes and a house
is purchased. One family occupies
the house and their contribution
gives them their share of the house.
The rest is owned by the remaining
members of the trust. The occupant
family pays the rent and eventually
Black
Orange
when the full value of the property

is paid, the ownership is transferred
to the occupant and the money
collected can be used to fund another
house.
It is like renting your own house
for some time until the full value of
the house is paid and then the house
belongs to you, says Sara.
We are using examples from
around the world. We have lawyers,
accountants and financial advisors
and we are trying to formulate
something so that families such as
mine can afford to buy house in the
future with different schemes and
not just on loans with interest. The
important thing to consider is that
the Muslim population is increasing
and they will have to own a house
eventually, so why not adopt or
introduce a method to cater to their
needs? After all, they too are paying
their taxes in due time and they are
as much citizen of this nation as
anyone else, concluded Sara.
Indian student found

dead at Mission Bay
22-year-old native of
Karnal, Manjit Singh,
was found dead under
suspicious
circumstances
at
Mission Bay, Auckland.
A local woman saw the body at
around 6.30am on Wednesday (13
May) while walking her dog.
Manjit was scheduled to get a
management degree on June 20
and his parents were planning to
visit New Zealand to celebrate the
occasion.
However, the family received a
telephone call from Auckland in
the wee hours of Wednesday that
Manjit was found dead with injury
marks on his face.
Deceaseds father Jeet Singh
and others met the local deputy
commissioner to get back the body
at the earliest for the last rites.
My nephew Navneet Singh
called me at around 4am today
about this tragic incident. Manjit
called us yesterday to inform that
he was leaving to meet a relative
in the vicinity. But he never
reached there and his body was
found nearly 40km away from
his apartment, said Jeet Singh
while suspecting that his son was
killed by someone due to ulterior

motive.
Manjit had been studying at
International College of Auckland
for the past two years and never
faced any problem. Some of
our close relatives are settled
in Auckland and Manjit never
complained of any issue with
anyone, he said.
He said that a woman while
strolling on the sea beach spotted
the body and informed the police
about it.
Following
verification
of
official documents recovered from
the body, the Auckland police
identified Manjit and informed his
local contacts about his death.
Meanwhile, the deceaseds
father said that he was told that the
police had spotted two suspects
on the basis of CCTV footage, who
were taking meals separately at
the restaurant where Manjit was
also seen.
We have been informed that
body may be brought back about
after 12 days. But I only want the
body flown back at the earliest to
enable us perform the last rites,
he said.
For news and updates,

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NEW ZEALAND
Where God lives
Red
Black
Orange
Shiva arrives in Auckland to a Lords welcome

Rizwan Mohammad
6.4-metre tall marble

statue of Lord Shiva
imported from China
that was erected in the backyard
of Dr Ravin Chandras house in
Papakura has received a lot of
media attention in the past few
days after an argument broke
out between the owner and his
neighbour, on one hand. On the
other , people have been travelling
from places to view and praise the
magnificent work of art.
It was my childhood wish to
put a big idol of Lord Shiva in my
premises, and I have just fulfilled
my wish. The place is open for
public to come and pray, said Dr
Ravin.
Owner of 6 dental centres in
Auckland, Dr Ravin ordered the
statue from China last year. He
had taken all prior permissions
from the Auckland council before
installing the idol that arrived
earlier last month.
Dr Ravin, who is a devotee of
Lord Shiva, exclaims, Why do we
always keep idols of Gods trapped
inside a temple? Why cant we see
idols placed under open skies?
There are so many huge idols
of Lord Shiva, Lord Hanuman
and Lord Ram placed in India,
Singapore and in many places
around the world.
It was my wish since

my childhood to put a
big idol of Lord Shiva
in my premises and I
have just fulfilled my
wish, and the place
is open for public to
come and pray
It took almost a week to put
the 30 tonne idol in the place
using cranes,said Dr Ravin.
More than 200 people from
the community showed up at the
inauguration ceremony of the
deity last week, and more from all
communities have been visiting
too see the idol.
We never wanted the media to

cover this, but as it is said, by His
grace now,the whole of Auckland
knows that there is a huge idol of
Lord Shiva in an open space and
everyone is welcome to come and
pray, concluded Dr Ravin. The
news of the idol has reached as far
out as the shores of US.
RajanZed, who is President of

Universal Society of Hinduism,
from Nevada stressed that
Hinduism, oldest and third largest
religion of the world with about
one billion followers and a rich
philosophical thought, deserved
the same protections accorded in
New Zealand constitution to all
the faiths.
Zed noted that if a devout
Hindu property owner and his
family; who reportedly sought
the required Auckland Council

approval
and
geo-technical
inspections before mounting Lord
Shiva statue on solid concrete
foundation on his Clevedon
property backyard; wanted to
pray before a Council approved
6.4 meters-high 30-tonne marble
statue, it should be perfectly okay.
The idol is placed at Creightons
Road, Clevedon in Papakura and
we hope that the idol is here to
stay.
Ph: 09 276 5650 | accountsandtax.co.nz | batinfo@xtra.co.nz
10
NEW ZEALAND
Red
Black
Orange
2015: $500m of
Immigration changes to Budget
ACC levy cuts signalled
support rebuild
B
hanges to immigration
policy announced this
week will make it easier to
recruit and retain migrant workers
for the Canterbury rebuild.
The Ministry of Business,
Innovation and Employment
estimates that an additional 5000
construction workers will be
needed between December 2014
and the peak of the rebuild in
December 2016.
Immigration Minister Michael
Woodhouse says that while the
government is committed to
ensuring kiwis are at the front of
the queue for jobs in the rebuild,
there is no doubt that migrant
workers have, and will continue to
play an important role in meeting
the demand for labour.
Supporting the Canterbury
rebuild is one of the Governments
four main priorities and we need
to remove barriers to employers
recruiting migrant workers when
New Zealanders are not available
to do the work, Mr Woodhouse
says.
The Government has agreed
three immigration policy changes
to streamline visa processes and
increase labour market flexibility
in Canterbury, while reducing
employ migrant workers on

Essential Skills visas for work
in the construction sector in
Canterbury.
Employers who want to retain
good migrant workers for lowerskilled jobs will no longer have

to go through the uncertainty
of applying annually to renew
their visa and migrant workers
will have the flexibility to move
between jobs more easily.
the incidence of exploitation of
migrant workers.
The changes will:
}} Extend the maximum duration
of Essential Skills visas for
lower-skilled occupations from
one year to three years for
applications received between
July 2015 and December 2016.
}} Allow holders of Essential
Skills visas (issued from 1
July) working in Canterbury
to change employers (within
the same occupation) without
having to go through the
process of applying for a
Variation of Conditions on
their visa.
}} Introduce an accreditation
scheme
for
labour
hire
companies that recruit and
Flu vaccines top one

million doses
or the fourth year in a row,

more than one million
doses of seasonal influenza
vaccine have been distributed.
New Zealanders are protecting
themselves,
their
families
and their communities from
influenza, says Health Minister
Jonathan Coleman.
This year, the influenza
immunisation
was
delayed
globally a few weeks so that two
new vaccine strains could be
incorporated. This will ensure
New Zealanders are better
protected this winter from the
strains of influenza circulating
around the world.
The health sector has met
that challenge admirably, with
distribution fast catching up to
last years total.
DHBs, PHOs, doctors, nurses
and pharmacists have worked
tirelessly this year, to protect so
many New Zealanders against
seasonal flu in a tight timeframe.
Influenza immunisation is free
These changes will also help

reduce occurrences of migrant
exploitation
by
ensuring
that
labour hire companies seeking

accreditation will have to prove
they
have
demonstrable
commitment
to
training
and
employing New Zealanders and

good workplace practices.
udget 2015 will signal

ACC is on track to
provide further levy cuts
of around $375 million in 2016/17
and $120 million in 2017/18, says
ACC Minister Nikki Kaye.
These indicative levy cuts
represent a total saving for New
Zealanders of around $500
million, and will be spread across
the motor vehicle, work and
earners accounts, says Ms Kaye.
The cuts are based on current
financial projections and a
funding direction which sees each
of these accounts heading towards
a solvency band of between 100
and 110 per cent.
The indicative reductions, if
confirmed, will take total levy cuts
since 2012 to around $2 billion,
benefitting businesses, workers
and motor vehicle owners alike.
As an example, this year the
average ACC motor vehicle levy,
including the annual licence levy
and petrol levy, will fall from
around $330 to $195 a year, adds
Ms Kaye.
There will also be further
significant reductions to work
levies, and the earners levy will
also come down.
Ms Kaye is also introducing
legislation, developed over the
past year, to put in place a new
ACC levy-setting framework,
which will take effect in 2016/17.
Updated strategy for older

people under way
of our ageing population.
n updated Health of
Older People Strategy
will be completed by the
and support they receive.
into account changes to the health
The new Health of Older People
and disability support service
Strategy will be informed by those
sectors since 2002, the emerging
older people and those who work
challenges faced by the healthcare
with them. It will provide a clear
system and the development of a
direction and priority areas for the
new Health Strategy.
sector to focus on and a foundation
The financial sustainability of
for high quality and sustainable
our healthcare system is crucial.
services into the future.
This is especially significant given
The
number
of
New
Zealanders aged 65 and over has

increased from 467,000 in 2002
on
also
choices that impact on the care
The updated strategy will take
will
to participate in decisions and
says.
Iiga says.
emphasis
care
empower older New Zealanders
Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
our ageing population, Mr Lotu-
stronger
person-centred
end of the year, Associate Health
for New Zealanders at high risk

of complications and is accessible
through their local general
practice and some pharmacies.
Many employers also provide free
vaccination.
High risk groups include those
with long-term health conditions
such as heart disease, stroke,
diabetes, respiratory disease,
kidney disease, cancer, as well as
pregnant women and people aged
65 and over.
This year there is a particular
focus on ensuring younger people
with long term health conditions
such as severe asthma or diabetes
are protected.
The legislation Im introducing

will bring the levy setting
process into line with the kind of
accountability and transparency
requirements that already apply to
the operation of the governments
core budget under the Public
Finance Act.
The new levy setting process
will enable people to see the
delicate balance between ensuring
theres a sufficient buffer in each
account to withstand volatilities,
while demonstrating that were
not over-collecting money that
could be in peoples pockets, says
Ms Kaye
The new legislation will
also enable the residual levy,
which funds ongoing costs of
claims lodged before 1999, to be
discontinued when these costs
have actually been fully funded.
Existing legislation requires that
the residual levy be collected until
2019.
The current strategy, released

ensure healthcare continues to be
effective and affordable for that
growing demand.
A greater focus on new models
to 675,000 in 2015. We expect this
of care and wellness will ensure the
number will increase to around
health system can keep up with the
900,000 by 2025. We need to
changing needs and expectations
in 2002, resulted in a number of

improvements in the health of
older people. These include ready
access to more timely assessments
for home support services to help
keep older people in their homes
for longer, updated standards and
consistent auditing.
NEW ZEALAND
Auckland Council
Red
mentoringBlack
for foodOrange
and restaurant
businesses
uckland Councils Environmental Health team is providing mentoring sessionsfor

food service businesses to prepare them
for the new nationalFood Act.
The Food Act will take a fresh
approach to businesses managing food
safety themselves.
Restaurant Oporto is an example of
a food service business that has already
started working with the council.
The Environmental Health team
has provided mentoring and training
sessions to help Oportos nine outlets
develop a Food Control Plan tailored to
manage food safety risks.
Working alongside Auckland Council
ensures a seamless transition under the
new Food Act, says Oporto Managing
Director John Hyde.
Were seeing the significant benefits
of a more transparent, user-friendly
model to manage food safety.
The Environmental Health team
is currently inspecting, grading and
registering over 8700 food operators.
A three-year transition period once the
Food Act comes into effect in March
2016 could see more than 11,000 food
operators registering with the council.
Food Control Plan mentoring sessions
are available for food operators now.
Visit aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/food to
find out more.
Auckland
welcomes changes
to earthquake
legislation
uckland
Mayor
Len
Brown
has
welcomed
changes
to
proposed earthquake legislation.
The changes to the proposed legislation still
save lives, but will reduce the cost that was due
to be imposed on Auckland property owners,
he says.
They also show the minister has listened
to the concerns of Auckland Council and other
local authorities, he adds.
Our team made a well-considered and researched submission
that emphasised the
low risk of earthquake to Auckland
and the benefits of a
better targeted approach to earthquake
safety, and this appears to have paid
off, he says.
The requirement
N e ws f ro m
to upgrade many
commercial buildings and taller residential properties remains.
However, for areas considered low
risk such as Auckland, the time period for
building assessment has effectively been
extended to 15 years and the time allowed for
completing the upgrade extended to 35 years.
During this period, many of the buildings
are likely to be replaced. The changes also
bring earthquake strengthening in line with
other building standards such as fire safety
and accessibility so that buildings subject
to substantial renovations will need to be
retrofitted to meet the upgraded standards.
National List MP
ehabilitation support can help steer

offenders away from crime and keep
our communities safer.
That is why Budget 2015 will provide $6.5
million more operating funding in 2015/16
for new and existing rehabilitation and reintegration initiatives.
The Department of Corrections spends
around $192 million a year on rehabilitation
and re-integration for offenders, but we
want to see more of our short serving and
community based offenders engaged in
addressing their drivers of crime. National
wants to help them turn away from a potential
life in prison.
We want more offenders participating in
programmes such as Out of Gate, that will
make a difference in their lives so they dont
go back to offending.
Out Of Gate is a navigation service
for offenders sentenced to two years
imprisonment or less, or those in custody on
remand, to access support in the community
to help address their re-integrative needs.
Offenders are helped to access community
agencies that provide housing, employment,
education and training, skills for life, health
and wellbeing services, and whanau and
outh
Week
(23-31
May)
celebrates the talents, passions
and successes of young people
nationwide.
Young people in Auckland are
making positive changes through their
involvement in the Youth Advisory Panel
(see pages 10-11), local youth boards, local
events and other youth-based initiatives.
Auckland Council is proud to support
young people making a difference. Visit
www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to find
Youth Week events near you.
Rates
reminder
MAYORALDRIVE
Budget 2015: $6.5 million

boost to reduce re-offending
Kanwaljit Bakshi
Get involved
in Youth Week
community support.
Results of the Out of Gate service have
shown that for every percentage drop in
reoffending, there is a benefit of $5.5 million
to the justice sector and wider social sector.
That means the programme has a potential
net benefit of up to $44.5 million of future
avoided costs. This is of huge value to the
Governments books and the New Zealand
economy. Were also investing more in the
Work and Living Skills Road Safety Package,
as about 20 per cent of all Police charges
relate to traffic and driving offences.
The package provides a range of
interventions to reduce low-level repeat
driving offences, particularly offences related
to drink-driving, driving while disqualified,
and driving without a licence.
The money will go towards an education
programme, driver licensing activities, and
alcohol interlock devices for repeat drinkdrive offenders. Weve already seen a 10 per
cent reduction in reoffending since June
2011, meaning 7064 fewer victims of crime.
Investing even more in rehabilitation
programmes will help us reach the
Governments Better Public Services target of
reducing prisoner reoffending 25 per cent by
2017, meaning 18,500 fewer victims of crime
each year, and safer communities for Kiwi
families.
We know that one of the reasons New
Zealand attracts migrants in because it is a
safe and secure place to raise a family. We will
continue to make investment in areas where
there is room for improvement for all New
Zealanders.
the Council
f youre an
Auckland ratepayer and you
pay your rates in
quarterly
installments, your next
payment for the
2014/2015 rating
year is due by 5pm
on Wednesday 27
May 2015.
Rates pay for services and facilities
that make Auckland a great place to live,
such as roads, public transport, libraries,
swimming pools, parks and sports fields,
and rubbish and recycling collections.
Get your rates by email
Did you know you can receive your
rates notices by email? Thats good news
for the environment, plus it saves printing
and administration costs. Visit www.
aucklandcouncil.govt.nzfor details or call
09 301 0101 to sign up.
11
Auckland Council
agrees on interim levy
to fix transport
uckland Councils Budget Committee

has agreed to introduce an interim
transport levy so that work can begin
on fixing Aucklands transport problems.
The committee agreed 15 votes to 7 to the
interim levy of $99 ($114 including GST) a
year for non-business ratepayers and $159
($183 including GST) for business ratepayers
for the first three years of the Long-term Plan
(LTP) 2015-2025, the councils next 10-year
budget. The interim levy is in response to the
majority of Aucklanders opting to pay more for
the Auckland Transport Network Plan during
public consultation and in an independent
survey earlier this year.
We have responded to the clear message
from Aucklanders start fixing our transport
problems and that is exactly what we can now
get on and do, says Mayor Len Brown.
To fill the $12 billion funding gap for the full
Auckland Plan network, Auckland also opted
for a motorway user charge. Given that a user
charge would require legislation and take a
number of years working with government
to put in place, the three-year interim levy
allows for immediate new investments of $500
million in transport. These new investments
will include:
}} increases in walking and cycling funding
across Auckland of $124 million
}} $43 million for North-western busway and
an additional 45km of bus lanes
}} park and ride extensions at Silverdale,
Pukekohe and Papakura
}} delivering arterial and local road networks
}} public transport safety improvements for
rail crossings.
}} An interim levy was first signalled in the
draft LTP published in December 2014.
12
NEW ZEALAND
Red
Black
Orange
Rebuilding New Zealands Relationship with Fiji

Phil Goff
Labour MP
ew Zealanders and Fijians have

traditionally got on well and
our countries have cooperated
closely. We have welcomed and benefited
from people from Fiji coming to New
Zealand to make their future here. New
Zealanders enjoy holidaying in Fiji. We
draw on common traditions of English
language, institutions, rugby and cricket.
However,
periodically
that
relationship has been interrupted by
military coups and the removal of basic
democratic rights and freedoms in Fiji,
most recently in 2006.
Last
years
election
restored
democracy to Fiji - not perfectly - but

enough to say that the new Government
is a fair reflection of the will of the Fijian
people.
Importantly, the new constitution has
also gone a long way towards removing
discrimination against Indo-Fijians and
recognising that citizenship should be
equal regardless of ethnicity.
Without diminishing our commitment
to the full observance of the human
rights that a democracy requires, it is
time for us to strive to put disagreements
between governments behind us and
to work alongside Fiji to help it build a
strong, fair and resilient democracy.
In line with that objective, I am part
of an official Parliamentary delegation
to Fiji this week along with our Speaker,
Clerk of the House and Chair of the
Foreign Affairs Select Committee.
We have a busy programme. We will be
observing Question Time in Parliament
and meeting with Speaker Dr Jiko Luveni
whom I met when she recently visited
the New Zealand Parliament. We will be

meeting with the Prime Minister, Frank
Bainimarama, the Foreign Minister and
other members of Cabinet as well as the
Opposition Leader Ro Teimumu Kepa
and MPs from all parties.
Our discussions will be wide-ranging.
There may be some disagreements. But
the spirit of the visit will be how New
Zealand can make available to Fiji our
experiences in shaping a parliamentary
system that works and how we can bring
our countries closer together.
New Zealand is currently contributing
to a United Nations Development
Programme called the Fiji Parliament
Strengthening
Project.
\Our
Parliamentary officials can help with
things like drafting Standing Orders and
information about what has worked for
us in promoting a parliamentary system
where necessary cooperation can occur
between competing political parties for
the benefit of good governance.
We are also beginning the process
of rebuilding military cooperation and

conducting maritime surveillance flights
on behalf of Fiji.
An important convention in New
Zealand is to have a strong and effective
Defence Force, which however does not
involve itself in the politics of the nation.
New Zealand is additionally in the
process of doubling the value of its
development assistance programme to
Fiji to $30 million and restoring Fijis
ability to participate in our Pacific
immigration access quota.
Fiji is an important country in the
Pacific. It hosts the Pacific Islands Forum
Secretariat. It is our largest trading
partner in the Pacific. Its economy has
grown solidly and there is more that we
can do together.
It makes sense for our countries
to cooperate and to build the best
relationship we can.
That requires efforts from both sides
in order to succeed and I hope that this
will be the outcome of our visit.
Of the glittering history and a shining future

Dr Parmjeet Parmar
National List MP
arliament has recently returned

after a three week recess for Easter
and then Anzac Day. April still was
a rather busy month for MPs.
The commemorations around the 100th
anniversary of Gallipoli were especially
moving, with Parliament playing host to the
Gurkhas.
We were lucky enough to witness a
performance of the Gurkha pipe band both
in Parliament and during the Anzac Day
street parade in Wellington.

The newly refurbished $120 million
Pukeahu National War Memorial Park was
at the centre of these events, with the Prime
Minister and Tony Abbott attending a joint
service and thousands of people attending
the Dawn Service it was an incredible
sight.
I was lucky enough to attend the local
Anzac day service at the Mount Roskill War
Memorial Hall and it was great to see the
local community get out and support these
events.
Special mention should go to the local
schools for taking part in the Fields of
Remembrance. I also attended the Anzac
day centennial commemoration service at
the Ranfurly Hospital and Veterans home.
Everyone knows the long history the
Indian community has had here in New
Zealand, but you may not know that an

Indian citizen served under the New
Zealand flag during the First World War.
His name was Bir Singh and he had arrived
in New Zealand along with his brother
in the late 1800s, and served as a cook at
Trentham Military Camp in the early stages
of the War. His story is a fine example of the
close connection between India and New
Zealand which continues to this day.
The Government has also been busy
rolling out some of our major policies
announced during last years election,
namely the HomeStart initiative.
The feedback I have been getting from the
public on this policy has been positive. The
policy took effect from 1 April this year, and
will help tens of thousands more first home
buyers and young families into a home of
their own over the next five years. This is a
Winds of change in the Pacific

Barry Coates
Green Party
his is the first of my next three

columns outlining changes in
New Zealands place in the world.
I start close to home in the Pacific where
a significant political realignment is
challenging New Zealands foreign policy.
There are fierce debates over the future
of the Pacific Islands Forum, the preeminent inter-governmental body for the
Pacific.
New Zealand and Australia are
receiving sharp criticism for abandoning
the Pacific on climate change, most
recently from the Fiji Prime Minister. The
criticism is justified.
NZ government policies have allowed

greenhouse gas emissions to increase by
42% since 1990, an increase of 20% since
2008 when the National government
came into office.
The government has also failed to
support the Pacifics proposals for
emissions cuts and support for vulnerable
countries to cope with climate impacts in
UN climate change negotiations.
A strong global agreement in
December this year is crucial to protect
the Pacific islands and their communities
from dangerous cyclones, sea level rise
and other climate impacts.
This is one of the factors that has led to
calls for NZ and the Pacific to be removed
from the Pacific Islands Forum.
The governments of NZ and Australia
have tried to maintain dominant roles
in the Pacific, even as the world has
fundamentally changed.
Australias self-styled deputy sheriff
role to the US for the Pacific has been
mirrored in the revelations of spying
on our Pacific friends by the NZ

government.
Trust has also been lost in current
trade negotiations (PACER Plus) that
were meant to be for the benefit of the
Pacific, but are now heavily weighted in
favour of the rich nations.
This follows harsh treatment of Tonga,
Samoa and Vanuatu by NZ and Australia
in WTO accession negotiations. Inaction
on climate change, surveillance and unfair
trade negotiations - Pacific nations have
reason to question NZ policy towards the
Pacific.
The tragedy is that bonds between
Pacific and NZ peoples have never been
stronger. Aotearoa is enriched by the
rich culture, music, dance, traditions and
skills that Pasifika people bring to our
country, and in turn, kiwis are embraced
through sporting and community links,
generous humanitarian response to
disasters, and migration opportunities,
including the Recognised Seasonal
Employment scheme for horticulture.
great policy and I encourage everyone who

is eligible to take advantage of the scheme.
The month ahead will be very busy with
the Government delivering its budget.
Finance Minister Bill English has said the
Governments careful control of its spending
will continue, along with a determination to
do a better job of providing improved public
services, especially to those who most
depend on them.
As he said to an audience in Wellington
recently you wouldnt open your presents
before Christmas Day so hes not spilling
the beans just yet on what will actually be
in the Budget.
I look forward to meeting more of you
throughout the next month and chatting
about the great things this National-led
Government continues to achieve for
Mount Roskill families.
But NZ government policies are

getting in the way, and the Pacific has
alternatives. The Melanesian countries
that account for more than 90% of the
Pacifics population are increasingly
following a look North policy, building
stronger relationships with China, India
and other developing countries.
Whether or not NZ and Australia stay
in Pacific Islands Forum, politics in the
Pacific will never be the same again.
The Green Party values our friendship
with the Pacific and has proposals for
action to reduce our greenhouse gas
emissions, support the Pacific in dealing
with the impacts of climate change,
making trade fair and ending spying
on our allies. We support the Pacific in
determining its own direction for the
future, in a relationship founded on
mutual respect.
Barry Coates is 16th on the Green
Party list.
He was previously Executive Director
of Oxfam New Zealand.
Red
Black
Orange
NEW ZEALAND
13
14
FIJI
Red
Bringing the Miss World effect to Fiji
iss World, the largest

and
oldest
beauty
contest in the World has
been responsible for the successful
careers of many former national
winners and title holders.
Created in the United Kingdom
in 1951 by the late Eric Morley, the
contest has forged the careers of
Hollywood stars such as Halle Berry
including Bollywood sensations,
Aishwarya Rai and Priyanka
Chopra.
More recently, Miss World
1998 and former Miss Israel, Linor
Abargil used her title of Miss World
to create worldwide awareness by
advocating fighting against sexual
violence.
The Miss World Fiji organisation
has mirrored the efforts of the
international
organization
by
creating a platform to assisting in
the successful careers of its national
finalists.
Our boot camps are designed
so that we nurture confidence into
our finalists. We train them on
public speaking, etiquette, walking,
posture, personal presentation and
the ability to interact with people.
Our team always offers valuable
advice to the girls and we build a
relationship with them during the
contest to mentor them well so that
they leave the contest on a high with
goals to achieving greater things
in life said Andhy Blake, Pageant
Director.
Former national finalists and

title holders have used the Miss
World Fiji platform to pursue
other interests and have excelled
in the process. 2012 winner,
Koini Vakaloloma landed a
news presenting role at The Fiji
Broadcasting Corporation after
her successful stint at the Miss
World finals. She opened dances
of the world and placed in the top
25 in the beach beauty competition
that year. She is now married
and resides in Brisbane, Australia
pursuing opportunities in television
and broadcasting.
Other 2012 national finalists,
Elizabeth George is the reigning
Miss Sugar title holder while

Natasha Begum who placed second
at the Miss India worldwide Fiji
contest that same year is a radio
presenter with Gold FM.
Caireen Erbsleben, Miss World
Fiji 2013 is now modeling with Fiji
Fashion Week and is one of the
faces for Vai Wais international
campaigns. Zara Begg, another
2013 entrant placed third at Miss
Hibiscus 2014 and is also a regular
on the fashion week catwalk.
Other finalists have pursued
their careers in law, dance, fashion,
customer service and flight
attendants with Emirates and Qatar
airways.
A-G chairs day two deliberation
he Attorney-General and
Minister for Finance, Aiyaz
Sayed-Khaiyum, at the
second day of the Asia-Pacific High
Level Consultation on Financing for
Development in Jakarta, Indonesia,
chaired the last panel discussion on
strengthening regional integration
and partnerships.
He was also part of the panel that
deliberated on the Accord, which is
to be finalised in July 2015 in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia.
Over the course of the two days,
the priority areas of the Asia-Pacific
region vis-a-vis the Accord were
discussed. This was highlighted in
the May 1, 2015 summary document
which highlighted the priority areas
of the Asia-Pacific region that is to be
reflected in the Accord.
These included the special needs

of least developed States, landlocked
developing States and small island

developing States by trade leverage,
foreign direct investment and access
to and transfer of technology. Also
as capacity building in line with
the implementation of the various
multilateral instruments such as
the Istanbul Programme of Action;
enhancement and use of domestic
resource mobilisation towards social
sectors to address social disparities;
and adoption of tax policies and
approaches to broaden tax bases
for both individual and corporate
income taxes (wherever coverage is
limited).
The detailed submission on the
priority areas of the Asia-Pacific
region is to be circulated to the
member States for review later
this week.
I am excited about meeting this

years finalists and mentoring them
to achieving greater opportunities.
Our 2014 finalists have been the
most successful by far with many
being pursued for modeling,
television presenting including
brand ambassadors. This is the
uniqueness of the Miss World effect
and how we prepare and train our
girls said Andhy Blake.
Miss World Fiji begins its search
for the next representative to the
international Miss World finals on
June 6 with the official castings.
Miss World Fiji will take place from
July 20th to the 25th at The Pearl
South Pacific Resort in Deuba.
Black
Fiji Fashion to
host designer
iji Fashion Week is proud

to host Aboriginal designer
Salma Bowie at FJFW15.
FJFW managing director Ellen
Whippy-Knight said in a statement
that cultural exchanges such as this
between the countries are crucial to
developing the fashion industry in
Fiji and with the Aboriginal culture
being one of the oldest in the world
and steeped in rich tradition and
myths such as dreamtime.
Dreamtimes is a term used by
Aborigines to describe the relations
and balance between the spiritual,
natural and moral elements of the
world. It is an English word but its
meaning goes beyond any suggestion
of a spiritual or dream-related state.
Its absolutely wonderful that
Fijian youth will be directly exposed
to Aboriginal culture in the form of
fashion and art so they can see how
their culture has evolved and taken
on a contemporary form, said Mrs
Whippy-Knight.
As an Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Island woman from Queensland,
Salma has always had a passion
to share her heritage to the world
through fashion.
She began her career in July
2011 when she studied a Diploma
in Applied Fashion Design and
Technology in Brisbane, and after
graduating in July 2013, she then
founded her own label KiraBeth
Fashion in October later that year.
Fiji leads PIF poll mission
n a major boost for Fiji on the

international scene, it is leading
a Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)
Election Observation Mission to
Papua New Guinea.
Fijian Supervisor of Elections
Mohammed Saneem will lead the
PIF team that will monitor a critical
election on Bougainville leading up
to a referendum on independence
from Papua New Guinea.
The mission is an indication of
Fijis growing standing in the region
and beyond. The PIF team, led by
Fiji, joins an international observer
force that includes Australia,
New Zealand, the United States,
France, Japan, Britain and the
Commonwealth.
A statement from the Fijian
Elections Office revealed that
the election over a two-week

period is being contested by 342
candidates, including nine vying
for the Presidency of Bougainville
currently held by veteran politician
John Momis. Mr Saneem described
it as a great honour for Fiji to have
been invited to head the PIF mission
so soon after our own elections last
September.
It is certainly a testament to the
regard in which the Fijian Elections
Office is held for the conduct of our
own poll. Having staged an election
deemed free and credible by our own
Multi-National Observer Group, we
are now being asked to assist others
to achieve the same high standard,
Mr Saneem said. Reports from
Bougainville say the four-week
campaign has been trouble free.
New Zealand delegation attend Fiji Parliament session
Delegation from the New

Zealand Parliament, led
by NZ speaker David
Carter, attended the opening
session of Fijis Parliament this
week.
Led by Mr Carter, the

delegation comprises Foreign
Affairs, Defence and Trade
Committee Chair Mark Mitchell
MP; Committee member Phil Goff
MP; and the Clerk of the House,
Mary Harris.
Also present at the proceedings
this morning is New Zealands
high commissioner to Fiji Mark
Ramsden.
Mr Carter is reciprocating and
Orange
building on the recent visit to New

Zealand of the Fijian Speaker, Dr
Jiko Luveni following a visit to the
New Zealand Parliament.
Dr Luveni welcomed the
delegation saying this visit was
a growing sign of friendship

between the two Parliaments.
The
delegation
is
also
scheduled to have calls with the
Prime Minister and the Minister
of Foreign Affairs.
FIJI
15
Boost for cultural producers rights and

cultural industries in Fiji
Red
Black
Orange
nderstanding
and
improving
intellectual property rights and
protection for cultural creators and
producers is the focus of a four-day training
workshop under way in Suva, Fiji.
New songs, fashion designs, crafted
products, dance moves and paintings all emerge
from the creative minds of cultural producers in
Fiji and throughout the Pacific.
Piracy, unauthorised use of designs and
other intellectual property infringements are
significant threats to both the livelihood of
individual artists and to the creative industries
sector as a whole. Creators, producers and
retailers of cultural products, government

representatives and intellectual property
enforcement officers are taking part in the
training, made possible by the European UnionACP funded Enhancing the Pacific Cultural
Industries: Fiji, Samoa and Solomon Islands
Project. The aim is to improve understanding
of intellectual property laws in Fiji and recognise
the impacts of piracy, potential gaps in existing
intellectual property legislation and other issues
of intellectual property rights infringements
on the Fijian cultural industries, SPC Culture
Advisor, Elise Huffer, said.
Its also looking at helping producers
NEWS in BRIEF
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Rising sea level

erodes slope
he impact of rising sea level has

started to wash away a slope by
the shores of Korotubu Village in
Macuata.
And the villagers have seen the waves
gradually wash away the base of the slope
during high tide. Korotubu traditional
leader Samuela Tuidravu is one of those
who have witnessed the change over the
past decade.
Every high tide we will see the waves
come to the shores and return to sea with
soil from the slope and I have been here
since my childhood days and have seen the
big difference, he said.
The slope used to be right by the seaside
10 years go but now it is about two metres
away from the seashore and during high
tide, the waves sit right under the slope.
So the water is coming into the village
compound and that is why we have started
working with World Wide Fund for Nature
Pacific (WWF) on programs to control and
prevent impact. Mr Tuidravu said they
had planted mangroves by the seashore,
discouraged cutting down of trees and
dumping of rubbish around the village.
We have continued to work with our
villagers in raising awareness about the
importance of saving our environment
through zero tolerance of bushfire and
dumping rubbish, he said.
Increasing knowledge and developing

strategies for enforcement of legislation by
relevant legal institutions is also among the
objectives of the training which is co-facilitated
by Pita K Niubalavu, SPCs Intellectual Property
Consultant. The regional project recognises the
contribution of cultural industries to Pacific
economies and works to strengthen their
position in the economy. It is implemented
through a partnership between SPC, PIFS
and the European Union. The workshop,
Fiji Cultural Industries Training: Intellectual
Property Rights and Protection, is being held at
SPCs offices in Nabua.
DIWALI SPECIALS TO
INDIAN SUBCONTINENT
Fiji appoints another

Sri Lankan judge
iji has appointed another Sri Lankan

judge to its Court of Appeal, the 10th
Sri Lankan on the courts bench.
The
countrys
President,
Ratu
Epeli
Nailatikau,
has
sworn
in
Wannakuwattewaduge Jude Shavindra
Fernando, who was admitted to the Sri
Lankan bar in 1987 and then represented
the Sri Lankan Navy from 1998.
Judge Fernando joins nine other Sri
Lankans on the Court of Appeal, the only
non Sri Lankan being the Courts President,
the Australian, William Calanchini who was
appointed in 2009. Fijis Supreme Court
is also heavily weighted with Sri Lankan
judges, with five sitting on the list under the
Chief Justice Anthony Gates. The former
regime, led by Frank Bainimarama, began
appointing judges from Sri Lanka following
the constitutional coup in 2009 when the
all-Australian bench of the Court of Appeal
ruled the 2006 coup was unlawful.
understand their intellectual property rights,

the processes involved in enforcing their rights
and how to use the existing system, such
as trademark registration, to enhance their
business, Ms. Huffer said. Participants have
clearly indicated the need for all parties to work
together to address infringements and improve
the working conditions of artists.
European Union Deputy Head of Delegation
Johnny Engell-Hansen said: The EU believes
that the protection and enforcement of
intellectual property is crucial to the ability to
stimulate innovation and to compete in the
global economy.
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Thought of the week
The weak can never forgive.

Forgiveness is the attribute of
the strong.
- Mahatma Gandhi
Editorial
From the desk of the

Managing Editor
Anything but funny
The long, slow grind of working hard toward something is all about loving the
process. If you dont love the process, the grind is tough.
The grind is also a dangerous time. Its when youre tempted to give up, call it a
day, or at least cut corners. Steven Pressfield, the author of a dozen books, says, The
most important thing about art is to work. Nothing else matters except sitting down
every day and trying. So, too, for a quest. The most important thing is continuing
to make progress.Chris Guillebeaufrom The Happiness of Pursuit.
This was also the flavour of the thought that Minister Paula Bennett shared with
us about challenging ourselves during crucial times in our life. It has been through
this grind that each of us at the Indian Weekender has been putting ourselves
through, to get to being the only weekly publication serving the Kiwi Indian
community. As we now move towards the third year of the Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame
the grind gets even tougher as we have been raising the bar for ourselves over the
past two years. But as the author states above, its not just about the big culmination
of the hard work, it is about the path that led us there. As we enthusiastically gather
day after day laboring at not just what needs to be done to put the paper together,
but also that extra that needs to be done to make the upcoming event a success, its
heartening to see the team members stretch outside their comfort zones. I am sure
Pick of the week
each one of us will look back and realize how much we learnt and grew on the way.
This week also marks the curtain raiser on the Rangmanch and Indian Weekender
Theatre Festival. I hope our readers are supporting this cultural and charitable
endeavor with enthusiasm.
Our three part cover story on the migration pathway comes to an end this week
and we end it in a true Indian Weekender style. This story also proves how that
path has eventuated in success stories for those who did not give up. We have
enjoyed bringing these stories to you and have also as a result met and heard from
thousands who have so graciously shared their stories with us. I would like to take
this opportunity to thank everyone who came forward for the sake of others that
may follow in their path.
We will continue to talk about these stories in our regular column called Migrant
Tales, make sure you follow that and please write to us with your stories. We love
to hear from you.
Wherever in the journey of life you are, I hope you will always remember that
when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Also, they say that its when you are
the hardest hit is exactly the time that you must not quit. Wishing everyone every
success until next time.
Courtesy: DailyMail, UK
Prince Harry braved the pouring rain and handed out cupcakes to a group of
students at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch.
Giri Gupta
Tips for Life
Indian Weekender : Volume 7 Issue 8

Publisher: Kiwi Media Group Limited
Managing Editor: Giri Gupta | girigupta@xtra.co.nz
Editor: Maya Shivam | editor@indianweekender.co.nz
Associate Editor: Paula Ray | paula@indianweekender.co.nz
Chief Reporter: Swati Sharma | reporter@indianweekender.co.nz
Reporter: Rizwan Mohammad | iwk.rizwan@gmail.com
Chief Technical Officer: Rohan Desouza | rohan@indianweekender.co.nz
Art & Layout Designer: Mahesh Kumar | mahesh@indianweekender.co.nz
Graphic Designer: Yashmin Chand | designer@indianweekender.co.nz
Sales & Marketing Manager: Leena Pal | M: 022 0151971 | leena@indianweekender.co.nz
Accounts and Admin.: Farah Khan | accounts@indianweekender.co.nz
Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher
is not responsible for advertisers claims as appearing in the publication
Indian Weekender is published by Kiwi Media Group, 98 Great South Road, Auckland
Printed at Horton Media, Auckland
Copyright 2015. Kiwi Media Group. All Rights Reserved.
How to remove permanent marker from

everything :

Clothes - Use hand sanitizer

Walls - Use toothpaste or hairspray
Wood - Use rubbing alcohol
Carpet - Use white vinegar
Furniture - Use milk
White Board - Use dry erase marker or pencil rubber eraser
Ceramic or Glass - Use one part toothpaste with one part
baking soda
OPINION / EDITORIAL
17
Ubiquitous synergy seeker
Red
Black
Orange
We want to voice what affects us; we want to be heard. This is our platform to stand united against all odds
Paula Ray
t was a class on the efficacy

of group communication,
which
subsequently
involved the dynamics of societal
communication society being the
ultimate group communication
we partake in on a daily basis.
Gradually, the discussion veered
towards the concept of synergy
and how it permeates us. How the
interaction of two or more agents
produce a combined effect that
is much greater than the sum of
their individual effects.
As the facilitator of the dialogue,
I gave the class the example of yin
and yang as a duality that forms
the definitive whole. Yin (female)
and yang (male) qualities are
present in each of us. But when
one of the qualities is dominant
in an individual, we assign that
person that social gender. As such,
when yin is dominant in a person,
we label the person feminine and
expect the person to behave in
certain distinct ways.
We are biologically born male
or female. But since the moment
of our birth, we are assigned
certain preconceived social roles
that are relative to our biological
features. If we learn the new-born
is a boy, we automatically start
buying gifts in blue; similarly in

pink if the baby is a girl. In fact,
retail outlets seldom have baby
clothing in any other shade than
blue or pink. What about the rest
of the colour palette? Perhaps
babies are better off concentrating
on only one shade at a time, or so
feel the social and retail gurus.

Think about it: babies look
neutral at birth, at least if you
consider their face. You cannot

tell a boy from a girl if you run into
them at your local supermarket,
unless you see the colour of their
clothes or their hairstyle when
they are old enough to have one.
But their gender becomes
evident the moment you see their
clothes and other gear socially

assigned to them. Yes, this
becomes prominent because their
parents choose to make

them wear certain colours.
So we assign children a
socially-accepted role right
from the moment they are
birth. But is it fair on them?
Does this not make social
communication dictatorial
one person in a leadership
position decides who should wear
what and behave how?
Can we not let the children grow
up without a socially-assigned
gender role? They do have the
freedom of choice; should we
not let them exercise it? Why do
we have to call a man feminine
if he chooses to be soft-spoken
and polite, and prefers to wear
floral printed shirts or even wear
make-up? In spite of his choices,
he can be a heterosexual person
so far as his biological needs are
concerned.
Why do we even have to assign
roles like LGBT (lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender)? The more
we assign roles, the more we label
them. The more we label them, the
more we take away their freedom
to choose.
Why can we not open up the
possibilities of gender roles and
let each individual, born male or
female, decide how they want to
behave socially as mature adults?
Whos afraid of Rahul Gandhi?

Amulya Ganguli
othing
shows
the
weakness
of
the
Narendra
Modi
government more than the fact
that it gives the impression of
having been spooked by Rahul
Gandhi to strive for a pro-poor
image.
Hence,
the
directive
to
ministers to go around the
country after the budget session
to counter the perception that the
government is anti-farmer.
In line with the Congress timehonoured practice of launching
various schemes to help the poor,
the BJP, too, is initiating several
social security measures.
But the fact that it is fumbling
in the dark is evident from the
decision to invoke the saffron
ideologue Deen Dayal Upadhyayas
integral humanism concept to
burnish the governments and the
BJPs image although the phrase is
as meaningless to people outside
the Hindutva camp as Atal Bihari
Vajpayees espousal of Gandhian
socialism when the BJP was
formed in 1980.
No less fatuous is the hope
in official and saffron circles
that the Prasar Bharatis radio
and television channels will
be able to spread the pro-poor
message although it is no secret
that the reach of Akashvani and

Doordarshan remains as limited
as it was before a saffronite was
appointed as the Prasar Bharatis
head.
The point, however, is why
should the government be
running scared simply because
Rahul Gandhi, with his batteries
recharged in a Myanmar Buddhist
monastery, has succeeded in
infusing an element of belligerence
into the Congress?
The governments nervousness
is all the more unwarranted
because nearly all of Rahuls
allegations, based on unverifiable
calumny and half-baked ideas
of the social scene, can be easily
refuted.
A simple rebuttal of his
anti-industrial stance is that
development itself is a pro-poor
measure as it leads to employment-
oriented growth which is brought

about largely by the private sector.
The government, therefore, has
nothing to be apologetic about.
If it still gives the impression
of being on the back foot, the
reason apparently is that either
the government does not have
clear-cut ideas of what it intends
to accomplish, or that there
are not enough accomplished
spokespersons in its ranks who
can articulate its views with
vigour.
Arguably, this uncertainty
about the governments objective
- which has made fellow-traveller
Arun Shourie accuse it of being
directionless - is due to the
transition which the BJP is
currently making from being a
party of ultra-orthodox, small
town traders to an organization
which sups in the sophisticated
company of India Inc.
Given
this
dichotomy
between the provincialism of
the old Jan Sangh-BJP and the
cosmopolitanism of its new avatar,
the party is not sure whether it is
on the right path.
Its problem has apparently
been compounded by the dearth
of an ideological wherewithal to
buttress its case. Although always
a rightwing outfit from its Jan
Sangh days, the BJPs outlook has
been a mix of Hindu communalism
and the commercialism of dingy

shops in mofussil towns.
Now, however, it is moving into
the glittering world of capitalism
where the merchants operate on a
global scale.
Moreover,
big
business
shuns sectarianism because of
the violence associated with
the spread of divisive messages
which hampers consumerism,
the essence of capitalism. This
is why Modi has clamped down
on the Hindutva hardliners and
has told Time magazine that the
government will not tolerate any
discrimination based on caste,
creed and religion.
On the economic front,
however, he is apparently still
unsure about how far he can push
his pro-business line against a
political class which hasnt always
hesitated to put partisan interests
above those of the nation.
Needless to say, the BJP itself
has been a part of this cussed
culture but, now, it is the
Congress which is leading the pack
comprising the communists and
the caste-based Janata parivar
to virtually oppose anything and
everything which the government
proposes.
It will be unfortunate, however,
if this continuing political
badgering deflects the prime
minister from his developmental
In this column, I share my

experiences that would
perhaps be familiar to
you too.
If you can relate to them,
please share your thoughts
or similar experiences.
Then, house husbands will not be
a rarity. Even Tom-boys would
cease to be an expression.
Technological evolution in
recent times has made us adept
at multitasking we claim
technology makes us achieve
more tasks than we ever did in the
past. Can we not extend the same
multitasking aspect of our lives to
gender roles? That way the Tomboy can be a home-maker and
be equally successful at dabbling
with global IT projects.
If this sounds too complicated,
try this: the next time there is a
new-born boy in your family, buy
pink for him. And tell us how his
near and dear ones react to it!
goal and turn to populism.

The lesson of the last general
election is that welfare initiatives
like sops and subsidies do not work
at a time when the opening up of
the economy has not only aroused
what has been called the animal
spirits of the entrepreneurs, but
has also kindled the hope about
the easy availability of jobs in a
buoyant economy.
If populism was a panacea,
then the Congress would have
scored a runaway victory with its
rural employment scheme (which
do not build durable assets) or
food security act (which puts an
enormous strain on procurement,
storage and distribution) or the
right to education (where the
absence of tests up to Class VIII
has reduced the level of Class V
students to that of Class II).
The average voter saw through
the hollowness of such measures.
Instead, it was Modis promise
of sabka saath, sabka vikas
(development for all) which paid
political dividends to the BJP.
It will be a major mistake on the
prime ministers part, therefore,
to change his line on being
influenced by Rahul Gandhis anticorporate sector tirades which
will spell doom for the economic
reforms and take India back to the
2-3 percent Hindu rate of growth
of the licence-permit-control raj.
18
INDIA
Red
Black
Modi & Manmohan: ONE Year, spot the differences
he economy rebounded;
exports
and
imports
declined, foreign-exchange
reserves grew; coal production,
electricity generation and petroleum
consumption rose, non-performing
assets (NPAs) in banking soared.
There are great similarities
between Prime Minister Narendra
Modis first year in office - which
he completes on May 26 - and
the corresponding first year of his
predecessor, Manmohan Singhs
last term. In seven of 12 indicators
evaluated by IndiaSpend, the data
reveal a similar trend - a reasonable
economic performance after an
economic downturn.
The large variations in the
first-year period centre on:
Industrial
production:
In Modis first year, the index of
industrial production (IIP) for eight
core sectors (coal, crude oil, natural
gas, refinery products, fertilisers,
steel, cement and electricity) grew
5 percent during 2014-15 against
4.2 percent the previous year. In
Singhs first year, the IIP for six
core industries (crude oil, refinery
products, coal, electricity, cement
and finished carbon steel) grew 10.4
percent, compared to 2.8 percent in
the previous year 2008-09.
Exports and imports: In
terms of dollars, exports and imports
declined 2 percent and 0.5 percent,
There are great

similarities between
Prime Minister
Narendra Modis
first year in office which he completes
on May 26 - and the
corresponding first
year of his predecessor,
Manmohan Singhs
last term.
respectively, in 2014-15 from 201314. In Singhs first year (of his second
term) exports and imports declined
far more sharply, 4 percent and 5
percent, respectively, in 2009-10
compared to 2008-09.
Nuclear energy: With the
commissioning of the Kudankulam
Unit-1 of 1,000 mw in Tamil Nadu
during December 2014, Indias
installed nuclear capacity reached
5,780 mw in 2014-15 from 4,780
MW in 2013-14, an increase of 21
perccent. In 2009-10, it was up 10.6
percent from the previous year.
Direct comparisons are difficult,
considering that Singh was in his
second term in office. Modi carries
Singhs economic legacy, which

worsened considerably by the end of
the term, attributed by observers to a
global downturn and misgovernance.
But these indicators offer a broad
statistical evaluation of the first years
of Modi and Singh during UPA2.
A journey through the
Economic Growth:
Overall gross domestic product
(GDP) growth in 2009-10, at
constant prices, was reported to
be 8.9 percent. After a change in
calculation and base year, GDP
growth isestimated to be 7.4 percent
for 2014-15.
Agriculture: Agriculture, which
employs about 600 million Indians,
registered growth of 1.1 percent in

2014-15 compared to 0.8 percent
during 2009-10. The numbers
indicate a long-standing - and
worsening - crisis.
Foreign-exchange reserves:
Forex reserves increased 12 percent
from $341 billion at the end of 201415 as compared to $304 billion at the
end of 2013-14. For Singh in UPA2,
they increased 5.4 percent from
$241.7 billion at the end of 2008-09
to $254.9 billion in 2009-10.
Coal: Coal from Indias mines
increased 8.2 percent in 2014-15,
later falling into a controversy over
botched allotments, one of the
reasons for the decline in UPA2s
image. In 2009-10, production
increased 8.1 percent. Performance
of the coal sector is expected to
improve with the re-allotment of
67 coal blocks through an auction,
Orange
although Modis figure of Rs.2 lakh

crore ($31.25 billion) windfall is now
contested.
Petroleum:
In
2014-15,
consumption of petroleum products
(diesel, petrol, LPG and the like)
increased 3.1 percent, compared to
3.2 percent during 2009-10. Indias
demand for petroleum products is
expected to grow 3.3 percent in the
next financial year, according to the
oil ministry.
Electricity: A good indicator
of an economys health, installed
electricity capacity in 2014-15, rose
10 percentagainst 2013-14. In 200910, it increased 7.7 percent over the
previous year.
Renewable energy: With
pressure on India to cut carbon
emissions renewable energy - it is
responsible for 12 percent of Indias
total installed power - growth rates
were high during both terms. The
total installed capacity of renewable
energy reported a 7.56 percent
growth in 2014-15 and growth of
17.20 percent in 2009-10.
Non-performing
assets:
NPAs of public sector banks
increased 17 percent from Rs.2.27
lakh crore in March 2014 to Rs.2.73
lakh crore in December 2014, a
carry-over from UPA2. Public sector
bank NPAs had increased 23 percent
in 2009-10 over the previous year.
NPA growth rates of this magnitude
can destabilise the banking system.
INDIA
Red
Black
19
Orange
Sabha passes
Jayalalithaa acquitted of charges, Lok
black money bill
set to return as CM
T
n a development bound to
bring her back as Tamil Nadus
chief minister, the Karnataka
High Court acquitted AIADMK
leader J. Jayalalithaa this week in
the disproportionate assets case,
triggering wild celebrations by her
supporters all across the state.
Justice has won, the former
Tamil Nadu chief minister gloated
hours after a special bench in
Bengaluru acquitted her in the
Rs.66 crore case in which she was
sentenced to four years in jail by a
lower court.
The
charges
were
not
sustainable,
Justice
C.R.
Kumaraswamy said in the muchawaited verdict in the case in which
Jayalalithaa, 67, was also fined a
whopping Rs.100 crore.
The judge also acquitted
Jayalalithaas three co-convicts who
too were sentenced to four years
in jail and fined Rs.10 crore each.
They included close aide Sasikala

Natarajan. The lower court was told
to release Jayalalithaas confiscated
assets.
Within minutes of the judgement,
AIADMK leaders, including Chief
Minister O. Panneerselvam, rushed
to Jayalalithaas residence. Outside
and all over Chennai and Tamil
Nadu,
boisterous
celebrations
erupted.
Political analyst Gnani Shankaran
said that the judgement would place
Jayalalithaa on a strong wicket
ahead of the 2016 elections in Tamil
Nadu.
The AIADMK may even go for a
snap election, he said.
AIADMK
sources
said
Jayalalithaa was set to return as
Tamil Nadus chief minister. By law,
she will have to get elected to the
assembly within six months after
becoming the chief minister.
The sources told media that
Jayalalithaa would be sworn in
before May 20. However, the exact
date is not known with several dates
floating around.
DMK leader and former chief
minister M. Karunanidhi raised
questions about the judgement.
Bharatiya Janata Party MP
Subramanian Swamy, who enjoys
frosty ties with the AIADMK leader,
threatened to appeal against the

verdict.
None of this made any difference
to the mass of Jayalalithaa
supporters all across Tamil Nadu
who burst firecrackers, danced,
whistled, gave away sweets and kept
shouting Long Live Amma.
A pleased Jayalalithaa thanked
everyone who prayed for her
acquittal.
Meanwhile, industry officials
are heaving a sigh of relief on the
expectations
that
Jayalalithaa
would be back at the helm and start
cracking on projects.
The Rs.15,000 crore metro rail
project is expected to start rolling
as it is ready. Similarly, several new
buses are waiting to be flagged off by
her.
Further the prestigious Global
Investors Meet that has been
postponed twice is expected to
held this September.
Fresh earthquake kills 57 in

Nepal, 10 in India
Anil Giri
t least 57 people were

killed and over 1,000
others injured when
a massive earthquake and 14
aftershocks shook Nepal on
Tuesday this week causing
panic in the Himalayan nation
which is still recovering from the
devastating April 25 temblor.
Cracked buildings collapsed in
a heap of debris and landslides
cut off roads as an earthquake
measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale
hit Nepal, with its epicentre not far
from Mount Everest -- the worlds
highest peak at 8,850 metres.
Terrified people ran out of
homes and offices to open spaces
and parks as the buildings began
to shake due to the tremors.

It was frightening, said
a witness who clutched her
daughter. It felt worse than last
time, she added.
Six strong aftershocks followed
in quick succession. Four of the
aftershocks had their epicentre at

Kodari on the Nepal-China border,
northeast of Kathmandu, and the
strongest aftershock measured 6.3
on the Richter scale.
Nepal Prime Minister Sushil
Koirala said the government has
deployed search, relief and rescue

teams in the affected areas.
His
Indian
counterpart
Narendra Modi assured that
he has directed authorities to
be on alert for rescue and relief
operations.
India
Meteorological
Department chief L.S. Rathore
said the aftershocks could well
continue for a few more weeks and
months.
Onlookers were left dazed and
distraught on seeing the buildings
collapse with a roar in a replay of
the April 25 quake horror.
The quake shook Nepal, nearly
three weeks after a more powerful
temblor killed over 8,000 people
in the Himalayan nation.
he Undisclosed Foreign
Income and Assets bill,
providing
for
heavy
penalties for stashing black
money away in foreign accounts,
was passed by the Lok Sabha this
week.
Moving what is called the Black
Money Bill for acceptance by the
lower house, Finance Minister Arun
Jaitley rejected the oppositions
demand of referring the bill to the
Standing Committee, saying delay
in enacting the legislation would
provide opportunity to offenders
to transfer unaccounted overseas
wealth quickly to unknown
destinations.
The Bill (introduced in March)
has no connection with domestic
black money, Jaitley said replying
to the debate on the bill.
For the first time, unlawful,
undisclosed income abroad has been
taxed under this law at a tax rate of
30 percent with an additional 30
percent penalty on it, he added.
Explaining that a time-frame
will be provided as a compliance
window for declaring and paying
penalty, Jaitley said that failure to
meet the compliance timeline will
attract an additional penalty of 90
percent for a total tax liability of 120
percent on the quantum of black
money abroad.
Besides, law provides for rigorous
imprisonment of up to 3-10 years for
perpetrators, he added.
The finance minister said India
was foremost among a large number
of countries that were taking interest
in the G-20 initiative on automatic
transmission of information with
regard to monetary transaction.
Admitting that there was no
official estimation of black money
within India or stashed away abroad,
Jaitley told parliament last week that
the government was examining the
reports of three institutes on the
matter.
An unofficial estimate of illegal
money stashed away overseas
puts it somewhere between $466
billion and $1.4 trillion.
With NRI help, Punjab targets 1,000 MW solar energy by 2017
he Punjab government
is targeting solar power
generation of 1,000 MW
by 2017 with a major investment
in this sector coming from NonResident Indians (NRIs), a
minister said.
Renewable energy is fast
emerging as sun-rising sector
for NRIs due to investor friendly
unique policies of Punjab with
more than Rs.1,500 crore worth
of investment in solar energy

fructifying in the last three years
with total generation capacity of
225 MW.
By 2017, 1,000 MW of solar
energy would be generated in
Punjab, which would be the
maximum in the country,
minister for new and renewable
energy Bikram Singh Majithia
said.
The minister inaugurated a 1
MW solar energy project set up by

Britain-based NRIs Avtar Singh
Kang and Raovarinder Singh Kang
in their ancestral village Lallian
Kalan in Jalandhar district with
an investment of Rs.7.25 crore.
Majithia said it took time and
persuasion to convince NRIs
about investing in the solar energy
sector in Punjab.
Several NRIs are investing in
different projects in Punjab. In
last one year alone, NRIs have

invested Rs.228 crore in different
renewable energy projects. This
includes Sanjay Rai from Slovakia
who invested Rs.29 crore for a
4.2 MW project, Jaspal Deol from
the US who invested Rs.16 crore
for a 2 MW project, Inderpreet
Singh and others from the US who
invested Rs.176 crore in a 34 MW
project, besides several others, he
said.
Another NRI, Ranbir Singh

Chhina from the US, will be
investing Rs.16 crore for a 2 MW
project in Chhina Bidhi Chand
village in Tarn Taran district, he
said.
Majithia said the countrys
largest rooftop plant of 7.5 MW at
Radha Soami Satsang at Beas (near
Amritsar) would be expanded to
31.5 MW which would make it the
worlds largest rooftop plant.
20
INDIA
Indias growth to be highest

among G20 countries: Moodys
atings agency, Moodys

on Tuesday said that
at 7.5 percent, Indias
growth rate during 2015-16 will
be the highest among the global
20 major economies (G20).
It said the growth has
been predicted on the basis of
various reforms initiated by the
government in face of lower oil
prices.
A report from the global credit
rating firm said: We forecast
strong growth in India... At 7.5
percent in 2015-16, the highest
among the G20 economies. Lower
oil prices will reinforce gradual
growth-enhancing reforms to
support robust economic activity
over the forecast period.
The report said since India is
a major crude importer, softer oil
prices will benefit the economy.
The G20 group comprises
of the top 20 economies which
accounts for 85 percent of global
economic output.
As per a report by
Moodys, Indias
growth rate during
2015-16 will be the
highest among the
global 20 major
economies (G20)
We expect a broadly balanced
current account, for the first time
in 10 years, thanks to lower energy
import bill and restrictions in

gold imports, added Moodys.
The report highlighted the
Make in India campaign as a
major booster to the projected
growth.
If implemented as intended,
these reforms and the wide
support for business-friendly
policies will help achieve higher
investment growth than in 201314, Moodys said.
78 percent dont want

land bill: Survey
Red
Black
Orange
whopping 78 percent
respondents
have
demanded
the
NDA
government withdraw its land
acquisition bill, said an opinion
poll released this week with nearly
half of the those surveyed saying
that Prime Minister Narendra
Modis popularity has declined and
63 percent saying that his image
appears to be anti-poor and antifarmer.
A nationwide India TV-C Voter
opinion poll said that External
Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj
leads the union ministers in terms
of performance.
In a severe dent to Prime
Minister
Narendra
Modi
Minister Modis popularity has

declined in the last one year.
Giving
region-wise
breakup, the survey said 65 percent of
respondents in north India, 52
percent in the west, 34 percent
in the east, and 38 percent in the
south felt that Modis popularity has
declined.
On specific issues, 64 percent
said inflation has not dipped during
the last one year while a similar
number said they were satisfied
with the governments efforts to
bring back black money.
The survey said 51 per cent of the
respondents said that corruption
has declined in the last one year.
governments image, a whopping

78 percent of the people who
responded to a nationwide India
TV-C Voter opinion poll have
demanded that the centre should
withdraw the controversial land
acquisition bill, said an India TV
release.
It said that 63 percent of the
respondents conveyed that Modi
governments image at present
appears to be anti-poor and antifarmer, while as many as 48 percent
of the respondents said that Prime
Asked about Modis schemes

they considered the best, 46 per
cent opted for Swachh Bharat, 19
percent opted for Jan Dhan Yojana,
18 percent liked Make in India, 11
percent opted for Saansad Adarsh
Gram Yojana and six per cent for
none of above, the release added.
Asked about the effect of Modis
performance on the forthcoming
Bihar assembly polls, 52 per cent
said that it will have a good effect
while 45 per cent replied in the
negative.
Teenager cured of paralysis

with new therapy
teenaged girl, suffering

from partial paralysis
due to a spinal tumour,
has been cured after successfully
undergoing the Human Embryonic
Stem Cell (HESC) therapy at a city
hospital in New Delhi this week.
Kamini, 19, soon after developing
a tumour on her back, had no
sensation in the entire lower part of
her body.
What made her condition
worse was that she had no bladder
and bowel control. Further, she
depended on others for daily chores.
Though her family took her to
some Indian and American doctors,
her parents were told that she might
remain bed-ridden for life.
On the advice of some fellow
patients, Kaminis parents took her
to Geeta Shroff, an expert in Human
Embryonic Stem Cell (HESC)
therapy, at the city-based Nutech
Mediworld facility.
The HESC therapy involves
injecting isolated human embryonic
stem cells into the patients to help
their body heal on its own in a
natural way.
The stem cell on entering the
body engrafts in the appropriate

tissue and supplements replacement
or repair of the missing function of
the body.
The therapy has no known side
effects and unlike other organ
transplants it does not require any
immuno-suppressants.
Kamini, after consulting with
Shroff, underwent the therapy for
eight years. She has now completely
recovered from the paralysis and
can walk on her own.
The therapy has successfully

treated patients with spinal cord
injuries, diabetes, neurological
disorders, Parkinsons disease and
even genetic disorders, amongst
others, said Shroff in a statement.
According ot Shroff, the HESC
therapy may be the key to treating
most of the known ailments and to
reduce suffering.
There is absolutely no need for
cross-matching and the cells trigger
no immuno-suppression when
transplanted. Such is not the case
in other non-embryonic stem cell
treatments where the cells have to
be matched from patient to patient,
similar to blood transfusions, she
said.
Shroff, who claims to have
treated over 1,300 patients so
far with no side effects, has over
15 research papers published in
reputed journals in different parts
of the world.
She has multiple patents in
over 65 countries, including the
US, Singapore, Japan, Australia
and New Zealand, regarding the
technology and its therapeutic
application.
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Google to build largest campus outside US in Hyderabad
lobal Internet services

company Google will
build its largest campus
outside the US in Hyderabad
with an investment of Rs.1,000
crore, announced Telanagana
Information Technology Minister
K. Tarakarama Rao on Tuesday.
The minister, who is on a
visit to the US, said the state
government
has
signed
a
memorandum of understanding
(MoU) with Google, which will
develop about two million square

feet campus, the first in Asia.
Excited to announce that
Google
&
Government
of
Telangana have inked an MoU
to build their largest campus
(outside US) in Hyderabad,
tweeted Tarakarama Rao.
First campus in Asia. 2
million sq ft space would be built.
Investment of Rs 1,000 crore
and in four years employee size
to double from 6,500 to 13,000,
said the minister, who is son of

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar
Rao.
Googles
vice
president,
real estate & workplace, David
Radcliffe, and Telangana IT
Secretary Jayesh Ranjan signed
the MoU on Monday at Google
headquarters in Mountain View,
California.
It was in 2007 that the
Congress government in Andhra
Pradesh had allotted 20 acres
land for the global search engine

giant at Kokapet here but this ran
into legal trouble.
In 2013, the government
agreed to provide alternate land
at Raidurg.
After the Telangana Rashtra
Samithi (TRS) formed first
government in Telangana last
year, it promised to sort the issue
relating to the land.
It was immediately not clear
if Google campus will come up at
Kokapet or Raidurg.
INDIA ABROAD
Red
Black
21
Orange
Indian-origin team
British polls: Number of
Indian-origin MPs remains at 10 develops novel gel for
biomedical research
he number of Indian-origin
members in the new House
of Commons following the
British general elections held on
Thursday will remain at 10, unchanged from the previous house.
All sitting MPs were re-elected bar
one. Paul Uppal of the Conservative
party lost in Wolverhampton South
West in the West Midlands of
England.
He was defeated by Rob Marris of
the Labour party by a margin of 801
votes in a constituency with a large
presence of Sikhs from India.
Uppals loss, though, was
compensated by victory for Rishi
Sunak, a Conservative, in Richmond
in Yorkshire. This first-time MP was
fighting a seat vacated by William
Hague, who until last year was
Britains foreign minister. Sunak
is a son-in-law of N.R. Narayana
Murthy, one of the founders of the
Indian software giant Infosys. Those
who retained their seats are: Keith
Vaz (Leicester East), who has been an

MP from 1987; his sister Valerie Vaz
(Walsall South); Virendra Sharma
(Ealing Southall); Seema Malhotra
(Feltham & Heston); Lisa Nandy
(Wigan), who is half Indian-half
English; Sajid Javid (Bromsgrove),
who is half Indian-half Pakistani
and was minister for culture, media
and sport in the outgoing cabinet;
Priti Patel (Witham), who was
a junior minister; Alok Sharma
(Reading West); and Shailesh Vara
(Cambridgeshire North West),

another junior minister who has
been an MP since 2005.
I fought a positive campaign,
based on what I have achieved
for the constituency and what the
Conservatives have achieved in
government, Vara said.
I am absolutely delighted. I have
served them for 27 years and they
have given me the huge privilege
of an extension of another five,
remarked Keith Vaz.
Singapore PM lauds Indians at

heritage centre launch
he Indian community has

contributed to Singapore in
deep ways, Prime Minister
Lee Hsien Loong said on Thursday.
During the launch of the Indian
Heritage Centre, located at the heart
of Little India in the city state and
which blends traditional Indian and
modern architectural elements, Lee
said Indians have contributed a lot
to Singapore and the four-storey
centre affirms the importance and
vibrancy of the Indian community in
Singapore.
The museum, which is the first
one dedicated to Indian history,
starts with the early interactions
between South Asia and Southeast
Asia, then goes on to feature the
origins and movement of Indians
from the 19th century to the 21st
century. Singapores Minister of
Prime Ministers Office and Second
Minister for Home Affairs and Trade
and Industry S. Iswaran, who is also

the chair of the centres steering
committee, said the museum
was also strongly endorsed by
Singapores founding prime minister
Lee Kuan Yew, Xinhua news agency
reported. Iswaran thanked the
community for loaning or donating
artefacts including family heirlooms.
The Little India centre received a total
of 368 artefacts through a collection

drive in 2011. More than 200 of these
pieces are now on display. The centre
cost the National Heritage Board 16
million Singaporean dollars (around
$12 million) to build and 5 million
Singaporean dollars more to fit it out.
Ethnic Indians comprise around 9.1
percent of Singapores population
of 3.9 million.
team of Indian-origin researchers from the Harvard

University has developed a
novel, truly biocompatible hydrogel
that can speed up research and development of several promising applications in tissue engineering.
The new gel can be synthesised
using click chemistry which is a
methodology for the quick and practical synthesis of substances using
just a few reliable, chemoselective
compounds.
It is injectable so it can be used
to deliver cells or drugs to specific
places in the body such as a location
that has suffered a wound or has
been invaded by a tumour, said
associate professor Neel Joshi from
the Wyss Institute for Biologically
Inspired Engineering at Harvard.
We are already using it for lots
of different things in the laboratory
due to how easy it is to synthesise,
he added. Hydrogels can be up to
99 percent water and are similar in
composition to human tissues.
They can take on a variety of
forms and functions beyond that of
contact lenses. Biomedical engineers
have successfully used hydrogels
as 3D molecular scaffolds that can
be filled with cells or molecules for
bodily injection or application in
order to release drugs or stimulate
tissue regeneration.
Alginate hydrogels -- which
are made up of the polysaccharide
naturally occurring in brown
seaweed -- are just such materials.
Joshi leads a team at the Wyss

Institute developing new synthetic
biomaterials that mimic naturallyoccurring materials.
Other types of hydrogels are
much more cumbersome to synthesise, said Rajiv Desai, studys first
author from the Wyss Institute.
In contrast, the click alginate hydrogel can be created by fast combination of simple solutions. Once the
gel is formed, the click chemistry reactions are irreversible, resulting in
a chemo-selective hydrogel primed
for use as a therapeutic scaffold. Furthermore, the click alginate hydrogel
is easily customised and modified.
With our new method, if you wanted to add a fluorescent dye, peptide,
or protein to the new click alginate,
you could do so within one minute
- a truly unprecedented rate, Joshi
pointed out.
At the Wyss, the novel hydrogel
is already being used to encapsulate
cells in culture and to conduct
experiments in a tissue-like
environment. It is a great material
for studying how cells sense the
mechanical environments around
them, Desai added. Alginate
hydrogels show promise for tissue
engineering and drug delivery
applications as they can be designed
to dissolve away harmlessly in the
body while releasing drugs, growth
agents or living cells that can
accelerate healing and regeneration.
The findings were reported in the
journal Biomaterials.
British Indian MP Priti Patel appointed employment minister
ritish Indian MP Priti

Patel has been appointed
employment minister in
Prime Minister David Camerons
new cabinet, media reported.
Patel, 43, who comfortably won
her Witham seat in Englands Essex
county as a Conservative Party
candidate in last weeks general
elections by getting 57.5 percent of
the total 47,339 votes cast, was in
2013 appointed the first ever UK

Indian Diaspora Champion. In
July 2014, Priti was appointed as
exchequer secretary to the treasury
in a cabinet reshuffle.
First elected to parliament
in 2010, Patel has a history of
supporting campaigns for small
businesses, transport infrastructure
investment and affordable homes.
Her political beliefs, the website says,
in this area were formed around her

own experiences in business, from
assisting her parents who have run a
number of small businesses around
the South East and East of England,
to her career in the communications
industry, where she worked in
corporate communications for a
variety of international companies.
Patels parents used to run a
rural post office in Norfolk. Born
in the London borough of Harrow,

she became the Conservatives first
female Asian MP when she won her
Essex seat in 2010.
After entering Westminster in
2010, Patel has sat on the Tory
partys committee of backbench
MPs, and joined the Number 10
policy board last year. She studied
economics at Keele University and
is married with a five-year-old son.
She is a staunch supporter of IndoBritish friendship.

Speaking at the 13th Pravasi
Bharatiya Divas in Gandhinagar,
Gujarat, Priti said: UK is keen to
share with India its experiences
in fostering government-industry
partnership.
She said that in Britain 1.5
million Indians are working and
contributing to the British economy.
22
EDUCATION
Red
Black
Orange
SIT gets involved with the house for

charity auction
he Southern Institute of
Technology will have a
3 bedroom, 2 bathroom
family home built by Certificate
in Construction students to be
auctioned in the Town Vs Country
charity event to raise funds for the
Gore Womens Refuge, Hospice
Southland, the Lakes District
Air Rescue Trust, SPCA and ILT
Stadium Southland to be held at
Stadium Southland 16 May.
The event will host local
celebrities such as Invercargill
Mayor Tim Shadbolt, singing
legend Suzanne Prentice and rugby
great Jason Rutledge in a range of
activities including singing, comedy,
quiz, fixed cycling, tug of war, lip
synching and theatre sports to prove

who is best town
or country?
There
will
be two auctions
on the night for
the audience to
purchase
items
donated by local
businesses with
the SIT house the feature of the
evening.
Valued at $130,000 the house
will be sold as is with vouchers from
local companies for added work
needed to transport the house and
work needed once it is onsite.
Head of Faculty Trades and
Technology, Mike Grumball said
SIT are pleased to be able to
sections in Invercargill with a SIT
momentum by donating a house to
continue to support the Southland
Certificate in Construction house
support local charities in Southland
Community.
SIT
revitalising the neighbourhood and
in the Town vs Country event this
redeveloped one of the ten worst
its great that we can build on that
year.
Last
year
Student survey finds increase in

loneliness and anxiety
study of 1000 New Zealand

final year undergraduate
university students has
found that 64% are worried that
stress and anxiety is creating
performance issues that is fuelling
fears that they will be awarded lower
grades than expected.
The
independent
research,
released by Stop Procrastinating
(www.stopprocrastinatingapp.com),
the leading productivity research
website, also found that students
believe their levels of stress are
greater than in the past.Students
responding to the survey stated their
stress and anxiety levels were high
because they were struggling to cope
with expectations and competition
at college for results.
35% blamed this on the difficult
jobs market for young people,
citing worry about lack of job
opportunities.
45% blamed the overwhelming
significance of their finals exams,
realising that under-performing
could affect the rest of their lives,
closing doors to opportunities and
missing out on jobs or graduate
schemes that higher grades would
have secured.
75% said they had procrastinated
too much ahead of their exams,
saying they wasted between three
and four hours a day. Of these 45%
said they wasted time browsing the
internet or on social media sites,
watching videos or catching up on
TV programmes instead of working;
a further 30% said they chatted
to friends either in their room, a
local bar or college facilities; 9%

admitted to having sex instead of
studying, while 7% said they tidied
their room or took books back to the
library. More than 50% said they
procrastinated because they were
overwhelmed by the amount of work
they had to do.
71%
said
motivation
they
and
had
lacked
concentration
coming up to the finals, with 34%

of these saying it was so worrying
that had sought professional help by
seeing the college counselling service
or contemplating taking moodenhancing medication, such as antidepressants.
12% had admitted to using
performance enhancing or smart
drugs to deal with their worries over
performance.
The study found that 37% of
college students also suffered from
loneliness, with more than half of
these students saying that their
fear for the future had turned them
into work alcoholics who were too
nervous of their exam performance
to waste time on socialising. The
survey also canvassed students for
what they do avoid stress at exam
time and prevent procrastinating.
The results were:

}} Take up exercise
}} Share worries with friends
or sought out university
counsellor for help and
guidance
}} Reward self for studying
}} Took up meditation
}} Blocked the internet while
studying or revising
}} Read about successful people
who had underperformed at
college/university to discount
any negative thoughts
}} Visualised what they want to
achieve each day and how to
achieve them
}} Listen to uplifting music
}} Listen to comedy
}} Keep a plan of each days work
}} Do small amount of work each
day before letting it build up.
Stephen Bennett, director at Stop
Procrastinating, commented:
Our survey shows that students
think the stress and anxiety caused
by their final exams is getting worse.
The jobs market for young people
is one cause of this, with many
believing that they have to perform
at their very best in order to get the
grades for a job, he said.
While some students are
seeking professional help through
counselling, many are using the peer
support system of their friends who
are going through the same stresses.
It is good to see what while stress
levels are high, students are also
thinking clearly about the solutions.
Courtesy: Rob Jones
Sports scholarship
brings Shashank to NZ
ew Zealand, its hospitality

and seafood have been
given a big tick by Indian
scholar Shashank Ghai, who is here
for a year of study.
Shashank is enrolled in a Master
of Sport and Leisure Studies at the
University of Waikato.
He is one of 10 people from India
awarded New Zealand India Sports
Scholarships by Education New
Zealand.
I was overwhelmed and happy
when I found Id been awarded the
scholarship, says Shashank.
New Zealand is the most
beautiful country in the world and
the people are warm-hearted and
friendly. They are always ready to
help and talk to me, and have made
me feel at home.
The 23-year-old has a Bachelor
of Physiotherapy from Guru Gobind
Singh Indraprastha University,
Delhi.
He has research experience in
the field of sports and rehabilitation,
which is evident from a number of
research publications to his credit.
This is his first visit to New Zealand.
Shashank says another thing hes
noticed, is that New Zealanders are
very energetic, health-conscious and
sporty.
After completing his degree,
Shashank aims to pursue a career
in sports research using various
techniques to enhance sports
performance and limit sports injury
rates, working in labs with athletes.

Shashank and the other NZISS
scholars met Prime Minister
John Key, Minister for Racing
and Primary Industries Nathan
Guy, Auckland Mayor Len Brown
and AUT Millennium Operations
Manager Chris Olney on a visit to
Auckland in March.
Minister for Tertiary Education,
Skills and Employment Steven Joyce
says the scholarship programme is
one of several activities underway
to deepen New Zealands education
relationship with India following
several ministerial visits over the last
few years.
The New Zealand India Sports
Scholarships are open to Indian
citizens enrolling to study bachelor
or postgraduate qualifications in
New Zealand beginning in 2015.
The scholarship provides tuition
fees for the first year of full-time
study and also support for living
costs.
www.iwk.co.nz
KIDZONE
Red
Black
Orange
Funny-Q
Q: What do you call an alligator in a vest?
A: An Investigator.
Q: What happens if you eat yeast and shoe polish?
A: Every morning youll rise and shine!
Q: Whats the difference between a guitar and a fish?
A: You cant tuna fish.
Q: What is it called when a cat wins a dog show?
A: A CAT-HAS-TROPHY!
Best Educational Apps for Kids - App Review
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the
in
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ire
it is maybe hardw
arent scientists
learning is boring. No, we
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by any stretch. But if you
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inary to see
It is nothing out of the ord ng a Kindle
dli
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t, Santa Claus
fac
In
ni.
Mi
Fire or an iPad
lined to drop a
is becoming increasingly inc these days.
es
tablet under Christmas tre
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val
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qua
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lves, our best
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bet would be to use the kid to develop
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Ph
art
Sm
to tablets and
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too
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use a tablet (who doesnt!), this is something
definitely splash your money on.
Our Rating:4.5/5. Courtesy- Greysprings
Send us stories, drawings, poems and other contributions by

your little ones along with their photographs for this page.
Email us at editor@ indianweekender.co.nz
23
FEATURES
24
From the desk of
Red
Black
Orange
US landscape architects designing change

for women in India
Arun Kumar
heir mantra is to strike

a
balance
between
the built and natural
environments, but an American

landscape architect is using that
very thinking to provide to sex
workers in India new careers in
textile and design production.
Called Anchal or the edge of
brainchild of Colleen Clines, who
vacant properties with a burst
Since its inception in 2009,

Anchal has supported 107 artisans
and indirectly impacted over 428
with three fellow classmates after
additional family members, Clines
a trip to India during her time in
said.
graduate school.
landscape
pointing to how textiles created by

in stores such as Urban Outfitters.
Colleen Clines at a design workshop for workers in India
co-founded the unique project
Her
is only the first step.
these women are sold online and
a sari used to provide comfort and

protection for loved ones, it is the
Anchal is the brainchild

of Colleen Clines, who
co-founded the unique
project with three
fellow classmates after
a trip to India during
her time in graduate
school.
The impact is most evident
architecture
in
training gives Anchal a uniquely
their
economic
growth,
education, leadership and a new
creative approach to all aspects

of the organization, from the
sense of personal self-worth and
business model to the textiles
communal
produced in India, says Clines
said.
Anchal
from the Kentucky chapter of
Mainly
life
Colleen explaining design principles to workers in India
working
in
Indian NGO Vatsalya, Anchal
can be applied to complicated
offer the women a community
social systems.
of support, health programmes,
plans to expand the programme to
The Indian NGO looks at
counselling and local leadership
encompass a holistic textile centre
entrepreneurial opportunities for
that builds trust with a vulnerable
where all aspects of the products
commercial sex workers.
population.
are met.
It also plans to replicate this
model in other cities.
Design can become the tool
for
sustainable
solutions
to
gender inequality, social injustice
skill
and
entrepreneurial
The
importance
of
the
landscape architects role is more

apparent
in
Anchals
project,
dyeScape, a network of small-scale

dye gardens in West Louisville,
Anchal meets this need by
Together we offer a unique
Kentucky, that would provide
providing seed funding, design
programme unmatched in its
natural dyes for these women to
training,
ability to create life-changing
use in their work,
education
workshops
and access to the US market, she
opportunities
said.
women in India, she said.
In exchange, our partners
and environmental degradation,
recruit
Clines said, explaining how an
manage operations, Clines said.
understanding of urban systems
acknowledges
opportunity.
Ajmer,
Rajasthan, in partnership with
also
she
design training as an invaluable
American Society of Landscape

Architects (ASLA).
empowerment,
More
Anchal
artisans
importantly,
and
they
for
exploited
Led by Clines in collaboration
of the importance of a sustainable

textiles movement, from seed to
purchase, said Clines.
Not only will it revitalise
of new life, it will also provide
education
through
and
empowerment
economic
opportunity
related to the industry, she said.

These efforts will help support
Anchals efforts in India with
handcrafted
textiles
and
the
dyeScape model will eventually

replicate in India as well, Clines
said.
Back in the US, using the same
mantra, landscape architects are
building from green roofs to public
places to corporate campuses in
cities from historic Washington to
bustling New York for sustainable
urban renewal, as one saw on a
city tour for foreign media.
Examples
include
green
roof at ASLA headquarters that

decreases the buildings energy
use by 10 percent in winter and
brings down the temperature on
the roof up to 15 degree Celsius in
summer.
Grounds
surrounding
the
National Museum of the American

Indian (NMAI) recall the natural
environment that existed prior to
how to sew but also how to apply
Kentucky Chapter, the dyeScape
European contact with a landscape
design
problem
demonstration garden, currently
design embodying the theme of
solving and creativity, Clines said
in the final stages of construction,
returning to a native place.
thinking
to
Johnson,
and the United States that speak
ASLA
current
Louis
of products created in both India
the
We teach artisans not only
with
The vision is to create a crossculture dialogue and collection
President
of
Mt Albert | Royal Oak | Manukau | Henderson | Lincoln North
FEATURES
25
The curtain rises on Rangmanch
Red
Black
Maya Shivam
he
opening
act
at
Rangmanch is finally here.
Rangmanch is a nonprofit organization that promotes
art and culture through theatre
and this Indian Theatre Festival
is the first of its kind to happen
in New Zealand. A rainbow of
colours is being presented in four
languages. The proceed surplus
of these shows, spanning the two
weekends, will be donated to the
Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund
and Heart Kids NZ.
For the past few weeks we have
brought you different facets of
Rangmanch. Weve introduced
the people behind this cause.
This force of energy is all people
who are passionate about theatre,
passionate about culture and
passionate about life in general.
Its this passion that becomes
their driving force when they push
themselves beyond their limits,
putting their all into the rehearsals
and other preparations that have
gone into bringing this labour of
love to the community and we, in
Auckland, are fortunate to be able
to witness as all of this unfolds on
stage over the two weekends.
This week be bring to you the
phenomenal group of people
behind the Hindi and the Marathi
plays. Heres what they each had
to say, but, before we go theres
one question we have for our
readers HAVE YOU BOUGHT
YOUR TICKETS YET??
Orange
cheerful girl who takes things very

lightly and makes everybody smile
and laugh but also at the same
time can make someone cry with
her words. Its my 1st play. Earlier
I was into classical dancing so
this new step is exciting but also
makes me nervous. This is also my
first association with Rangmanch.
I was auditioned and selected to
play the character. By profession
I work as a retail assistant at The
Body Shop store in St. Lukes.
We have been practicing since
January and as the final day of
the show comes closer, we now
have been practicing 3 to 4 times
a day and improving with every
rehearsal.
I encourage everyone to come
and be a part of this wonderful
platform called Rangmanch that
brings you the real theatre from
India.
Bipin Chavan
plays and I readily agreed because

I feel Rangmanch indeed is a very
big platform and associating with
it gives me immense pleasure.
One should not miss this play;
definitely see the real theatre in
Auckland.
Rohini Purandare
I play the character of a fashion

designer called Yamini who is
very glamorous and mature when
it comes to life. She is struggling
to live up to the demands of life in
the entertainment industry. She
plays the support and friend of the
central character played by Bipin.
I came here with my family in
the year 2002 and got associated
with Auckland Marathi Mandal
ever since. I was a part of the
executive committee of the
association and also was the
treasurer for 1 year. When it
comes to acting in the play, this is
my first time and I am very excited
as well as nervous to play the role.
The play has a universal
theme and people can relate to
the characters at once and see
themselves going through such
struggles at least one point of time
in their life. It is a not to miss
show, and everyone should be
there to witness the extravaganza.
I also thank Rangmanch for giving
this platform to actors far away
from India. It is an opportunity to
be attached to the theatre genre.
I have been associated with

stage for almost 20 years now and
Karti Kaljat Ghusli (Marathi) in Auckland alone, I have done
in conversation with Rizwan almost 9 stage performances. I
Mohammad
of
Indian love the stage. Acting and directing
gives me the real satisfaction.In
Weekender:
this play, my character is of an
23 May 2015
ambitious manDue16 &tonamed
Kalidas
public Demand
one more show on
th May 2015
Kanheray who 30 Saturday
is 7pma talented
musician, works hard but luck
does not seem working for him.
Prerna Joshi
It is a beautiful story of a fatherVenue: The Playhouse Theatre,
daughter relationship, love and
Glen Eden, Auckland 0602. Ph: 09-8185751
For Tickets please contact: PAVITRA- 021445166
life with humour and messages.
BABLA- 0212649106 CHIRAG- 0276784966 RAHUL- 021528906
I am directing as well as playing Kedar Divekar
rangmanchnz@gmail.com
www.rangmanch.org.nz
Writer: Vasant Sabnis
Direction & Background musicthe central character of the play
and everyone can relate to this
Discounted Ticket
apply for Combo
(more than 1Bipin
x play), group or Chavan
block bookings.
forRatesthis
play:
Special rates for Students & Senior Citizens. Please check with us for further details.
character in many ways.
The drama or story is 20-25
years old. But a few modifications
have been done according to
todays scenarios and backDirection
in and
Background Music: Jayanta Bhaduri
India this play was performed by
renowned theatre artists Vikram
At Rangmanch we share experience through the art of story telling & Create THEATRE that makes you THINK
Gokhle and Swati Chitnis and later
by Mohan Joshi. The play was a
16 & 23 May 2015
huge hit in India and hopefully
Due to public Demand
A Gujarati rustic play
I am playing the character of
one more show on
from Kathiawar
will woo the audience here too.
30 th May 2015
by
Kanchan, the daughter of the
Saturday 7pm
Shailesh Prajapati
I have been associated with
Written by Ramesh Parekh
central character in the Marathi
Auckland Marathi Mandal and
play called Karti Kaljat Ghusli.
from there my interest in doing
Ek Aduri Kahani is one of the
The play is based on a fatherplays was developed. I was most intense and thrilling play
daughter relationship which is
approached by Rangmanch after that you will see on the stage. The
intense but with a lot of humour
they saw me during one of my story is a suspense thriller like the
as well.
characterTheatre,
is of a bubbly
Venue:
TheMy
Playhouse
The cast and crew of Ek
Direction & Background music
for this play:
Bipin Chavan
Adhuri
Kahani (Hindi) and
Direction and
(Based on a short story by Ajay Dikshit)

from Kathiawar
by
Shailesh Prajapati

title suggests. It is a mix of love,

hatred and mystery that will raise
eyebrows of the audience. The play
is based on a short story by the
same name, it shows the current
scenario, then a flashback and
again the mystery follows behind
the reason for such incident
occurrence. The climax of the play
will definitely get the audience off
their seats.
In the last 6 years I have done
13 plays on theatre platform and I
enjoy it. I did Marathi and Hindi
plays and also one English play
called Taj Mahal where I played
the role of Jehangir. I have been
here in NZ for the last 13 years
and I have been associated with
Rangmanch for the last three
years. I am also doing the lightings
and sounds for the other three
plays.
Professionally I am a Product
Manager at Spark but theatre
is my passion. The platformIndian Theatre Festival created
by Rangmanch is a not to miss
opportunity if you want to
experience good theatre shows.
leaked or comes to the attention

of others, can create a big trouble.
My character is quite and subtle
yet powerful enough to shake the
audience.
It was a fantastic experience
working with such talented
actors. This is my first exposure
to theatre and I love it. Currently
I am a parts manager at Renault
car showroom. I think there is no
turning back for me, theatre is my
new passion.
Jayant Bhaduri
Nirmita Ghosh
I am performing in both Hindi

and Begali plays. In the Hindi play
I am playing the character of Sonia
who is the central character too. It
narrates a contemporary life story
of a person. The sound effects in
the play add up to the suspense
created by the characters. The
audience will be able to relate
a little to the story and the
characters. It also shows the ups
and downs of a persons life and
how he tackles with his past that
haunts him.
We have been working on the
play for almost three months now,
practicing at least 3 days a week. I
have observed in all these months
that the characters, we all play,
have brought us a lot closer to
ourselves.
Mihir Gajjar
I play a supporting character in
the play, one of the random guys
on the street but my character has
an important impact on the story.
The character has some really
important information that, if
As a director I cannot divulge

much of the plot. All I can say
is that it is a suspense thriller
and it will make the audience
wonder what the climax would
be. The characters have evolved
during the play and everyone is
so engrossed in their roles. It is a
fantastic drama and as a director
I can say that the actors are very
much involved in their characters
and have justified them.
Rangmanch has brought this
Indian Theatre Festival and is
encouraging local talents to get
involved more with their culture
and background. Rangmanch
is like a magicians group with
fantastic plays, and a lot of fun
and talents to offer to this society.
Everyone should come forward
and watch all the plays.
Rangmanch Indian
TheatreFestival
Venue: Playhouse Theatre,
15 Glendale Road, Auckland
Date & Time:
Friday 15 May- 7:30pm - 9.30pm0
Friday 22 May- 7:30pm - 9.30pm
Saturday 16 May- 7pm - 9pm
Saturday 23 May- 7pm - 9pm
Sunday 17 May- 4.30pm - 7.30pm
Sunday 24 May- 4.30pm - 7.30pm
26
FEATURES
Red
Black
Orange
Shouting
out to
great times
with
great friends !
Snippets from
the Royal party at
Bollywood Affair
Having a party?
We would like to hear
from you. Reach us at
editor@indianweekender.co.nz
and get featured on
Glitterati
ENTERTAINMENT
Shashi Kapoor conferred Dadasaheb

Phalke Award
Red
Black
Orange
ollywoods evergreen charmer

Shashi Kapoor was on Sunday
conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke
Award, the highest honour in Indian
cinema, by Information and Broadcasting
Minister Arun Jaitley at the iconic Prithvi
Theatre in Mumbai.
The 77-year-old was wheeled on to the
stage by his son Kunal and daughter Sanjana
before an august gathering.
Shashi -- the star of over 150 films in his
over 40-year career -- was all smiles upon
receiving the Swarn Kamal (Golden Lotus),
a cash prize of Rs.10 lakh and a ceremonial
shawl, which he accepted with reverence
and folded hands.
Shashi Kapoor is undoubtedly one of the
most versatile personalities Indian cinema
has produced. An actor par excellence, who
competed in his time with the very best and
almost competed with different generations
of film actors, Jaitley said.
He even produced and directed various
kinds of films; combined commercial
cinema with alternative cinema; defined
languages and brought Hindi cinema and
Hollywood closer.
Then also, he didnt leave his love for
theatre, he added. The gathering saw the
presence of Shashis nephew Rishi Kapoor,
grand-nephew Ranbir Kapoor, grandneice Karisma Kapoor and others like
Neetu Singh, Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek
Bachchan, Waheeda Rehman, Asha Parekh,
Nafisa Ali, Saif Ali Khan and Rekha.
Due to Shashis ill health, he could
not travel to the capital for the National
Awards ceremony on May 3. So, minister
Jaitley flew in to confer the award on him
at Prithvi Theatre, which Shashi launched
with his late wife Jennifer Kendalin 1978.
Jaitley said its a a fitting tribute...the
award is being physically and symbolically
conferred on him in an institution that he
himself created - the Prithvi Theatre. This
is the third Dadasaheb Phalke Award for
the illustrious Kapoor family after Shashis
father Prithviraj Kapoor and elder brother
Raj Kapoor.
The way it (the family) produces talent,
Im sure that its not the last one. My best
wishes to you for a improved health and
a very long life. We wish you all the best,
Shashi Kapoor, Jaitley said.
A special audio-visual celebrating
Shashis film and personal journey was also

screened at the event. It featured Amitabh,
Shabana Azmi, Sharmila Tagore, Rishi,
Randhir Kapoor among others talking about
the cinematic icon.
Amitabh, who has co-starred with Shashi
in films like Trishul, Silsila, Kabhi
Kabhie and Kaala Patthar, thanked him
for always being a compassionate person
and a generous and caring friend.
Since it was also Mothers Day on Sunday,
Rishi aptly recounted Shashis trademark
dialogue -- Mere paas maa hai -- to a
loud applause. Shashi started his tryst with
acting at the age of four, with plays directed
and produced by his father Prithviraj.
Methi Paratha
Preparation and cooking
times 40 minutes
SERVES 8
INGREDIENTS
}}
}}
}}
}}
}}
}}
3cups - whole wheat flour

1.5cup - fresh methi (fenugreek leaves)
2 to 3 green chillies (adjust to taste)
1tbsp ginger, chopped
2pinches carom seeds (Ajwain)
cup or cup water to knead (or
as required)
}} Salt according to taste
}} Oil for frying the paratha (about 2tbsp
per paratha)
METHOD
Pick the methi leaves from the stems,
wash under running water and drain
them by spreading them on the paper
towel (you dont have to dry them).
In a blender add methi leaves, ginger,
green chillies and salt, grind them using
cup of water into a fine paste. Empty
this paste in a bowl, add caram seeds, mix
well
Add the whole wheat flour in a big bowl
or wide dish (paraat), add methi paste
and rub in the flour with your fingers, add
little water as required.
He started acting in films as a child

artiste in the late 1940s. His best known
performances as child artiste were in Aag
(1948) and Awaara (1951), where he
played the younger version of the character
played by his elder brother Raj.
When he grew up, he made his debut as a
leading man in the 1961 film Dharmputra,
and went on to appear in more than 150
Hindi films.
A popular name in Bollywood during
the 1960s, 1970s and until the mid-1980s,
Shashi was one of Indias first actors to go
international. He is known internationally
for starring in many British and American
films, notably Merchant Ivory Proudctions
run by Ismail Merchant and James
Ivory, such as The Householder (1963),
Shakespeare Wallah (1965), Sara Akash
(1969), Bombay Talkie (1970) and Heat
and Dust (1982).
He also starred in other British and
American films such as Siddhartha (1972)
and Muhafiz (1994). In 1978, Shashi set
up his production house Film Valas, which
produced critically acclaimed films such
as Junoon (1978), Kalyug (1981), 36
Chowringhee Lane (1981), Vijeta (1982)
and Utsav (1984).
He also produced and directed a fantasy
film titled Ajooba, which had Amitabh
and Rishi in the lead roles. In 2011, he was
honoured with the Padma Bhushan, and he
is also a proud recipient of three National
Film Awards.
It will start clumping up and the flour

will come together, knead to a smooth
pliable dough (remember not to add too
much water at a time, as the flour absorbs
water and can become too sticky).
Once the dough looks and feels smooth,
cover with the kitchen towel and let rest
for 15 to 20 minutes (you can keep the
dough in the air tight container with lid
and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours).
Heat the Tawa/Pan on medium heat.
Knead the dough again, divide into
equal portions. Take each dough portion
between palms of your both hands and
roll to make a smooth ball. Place on the
rolling board and using a rolling pin,
start rolling the dough to a flat 15 to 16cm
circle, dust the rolling board as and when
required.
Carefully lift the rolled out dough with
your hands and place on tawa (griddle).
Let cook for 1 minutes and then flip over
using a spatula. Using a spoon, spread
27
Gujjubhai
banya
Dabangg
Synopsis
agdish Pandya a retired middle class

Gujarati man even at 48 dreams of
doing something important with his
life, something that makes him famous.
He is constantly nagged by his wife and
son that he has not achieved anything in life.
Pandya calmly replies that he is
waiting for the right opportunity. Such
an opportunity literally falls in his lap
when a dreaded gangster gets shot dead in
Pandyas house and the comedy is set in
motion. When the media mistakes him for
the vigilante who stood up to the gangster,
Jagdish grabs the opportunity and becomes
a self-styled leader of the masses.
The fun starts when he has to start living
up to his created persona.
Adapted from an original Marathi play
by Sachin Mote, Gujjubhai Banya Dabangg
is a hilarious Gujarati play by the wellknown theatre artist Siddharth Randeria,
for audience of Gujarati theatre, this play
is a good watch with family and friends
for complete entertainment. Siddharth
Randeria is known for his humour, stage
presence and impromptu answers.
Writer: Pravin Solanki
Director: Siddharth Randeria
Actors: Siddharth Randeria, Tejal
Vyas, Hitesh Upadhyay, Lopa Shah,
Greshma Mehta, Rohinton Chetan,
Aakash Zala, and Sameer Gurav
Date: 16th May, 2015, Day:

Saturday, Time: 7.30pm. Venue:
Victory Convection Centre, 98
Beaumont St, Freemansbay.
oil thoroughly on the first side, while the

second side is cooking.
Flip again and repeat brushing oil on
the second side.
Cook both sides till you see small brown
specks on the paratha and sometimes the
paratha fluffs up while cooking if it does
not, dont worry.
Serve warm with a dollop of butter and
a side of yoghurt.
28
ENTERTAINMENT
Red
Lisa Ray to
perform stunts
in Ishq Forever
moves but also about the confidence

and mind training it takes to be a
warrior.
Shifuji has trained many women
in self-defence and we both believe
strongly in female empowerment,
which is part of bringing my
character to the screen, Lisa said in
a statement.
Produced by Ajay Shah, Harry
Gandhi and Shabbir Boxwala, Ishq
Forever is being shot in Cape Town,
South Africa. The film, directed
by Sanjay Dayma, will release in
November.
Six-pack abs
not necessary to
deliver hits, says
Madhavan
ctress Lisa Ray, who plays

a secret agent in Ishq
Forever, will be seen
performing stunts in the romantic
entertainer. Shes excited to play an
action-oriented woman on screen
and is working hard for it.
She has been undergoing
rigorous training sessions since a
month with Grandmaster Shifuji to
get her act rights. The actress wants
to ensure that her comeback turns
out to be a treat for her fans.
Im so excited to play a strong,
action-oriented woman on screen.
Training with Master Shifuji was
not just bout mastering the physical
ctor R. Madhavan says

its a misconception that
people with six-pack abs
can deliver hit films.
Asked whats his take on

six-pack and eight-pack abs in
Bollywood, Madhavan told IANS:
Making six-pack abs for no
reason doesnt make sense. When
you are young, it is possible.
I feel you have to be fit and
look attractive. People have this
misconception that people with sixpack abs can deliver hits, but thats
not the case.
Had I built six-pack abs for
Tanu Weds Manu Returns, I
wouldnt have been able to justify
myself.
Talking about the film, he said:
It was very difficult for me to justify
the role in the film.
I also know there is a lot of
expectations from this film. But
considering the fact that Anand L.
Rai is the director, no actor can act
bad in his film. He will see to it that
actors give their 100 percent.
Tanu Weds Manu Returns, a
sequel to Tanu Weds Manu, also
features Kangana Ranaut.
Piku success
is victory of
audience: Irrfan
hoojit Sircars Piku has

generated rave reviews
and roaring applause from
movie buffs. Actor Irrfan Khan says
the response is a win both for the
audience as also for a filmmaker
who knows how to entertain and
engage with a difference.
THANKSss to all for the success
of @PikuTheFilm. Feeling Great
full, hopeful, beautiful and so light.
about their relationship. They are

also reportedly living together.
They got close to each other
during the shooting of the 2009
film Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab
Kahani, after Katrina reportedly
broke up from her then boyfriend
and Bollywood superstar Salman
Khan. Ranbir was earlier dating
Deepika Padukone.
Ranbir and Katrinas next film
together is Anurag Basus Jagga
Jasoos.
Meanwhile, Katrina has gone
to the French Riviera to make
her debut at the 68th Cannes
International Film Festival as a
LOreal Paris brand ambassador.
Post that, the 31-year-old, who
has Jagga Jasoos and Abhishek
Kapoors Fitoor in her kitty,
will dive into her film and brand
commitments.
Ranbir is awaiting the release
of his much-awaited film Bombay
Velvet, which is hitting the
screens on Friday.
Orange
@S1dharthM @_fawadakhan_ @
aliaa08 @chintskap Karan Johar,
who is producing the film under
his banner Dharma Productions,
posted on Twitter. Batras directorial
debut Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu was
also produced by Karan, while Alia
and Sidharths debut film Student
Of The Year was produced and
directed by Karan too. Sidharth
expressed excitement over the new
project.
Its the victory of the audience and

the new film makers who wants
to engage audience on a different
level, Irrfan posted on Twitter.
Piku, which stresses on the
camaraderie between a father
and daughter, is endearing for
the honesty with which Amitabh
Bachchan and Deepika Padukone,
along with Irrfan, have slipped into
their respective characters.
Served with dollops of comedy
and emotions, the movie is finding
fans among all age groups.
KAPOOR and
SONS shoot
begins
he shooting of Shakun
Batras upcoming modern
family drama film KAPOOR
and SONS began on Sunday. The
film stars rumoured couple Alia
Bhatt and Sidharth Malhotra, along
with Pakistani actor Fawad Khan
and veteran actor Rishi Kapoor.
@ s h a k u n b a t r a s
#kapoorandsons kickstarts today!!
All the best to the cast and crew!!
No wedding plans on Katrinas mind,

says spokesperson
atrina Kaifs spokesperson has clarified
that theres no truth
to rumours about the actress
wedding plans. This has come in
the wake of reports that Katrinas
rumoured beau Ranbir Kapoor
has revealed that they will wed
next year.
Rumour mills are also abuzz
with news that the duo may get
engaged later in May.
But Katrinas spokesperson
said in a statement: There is no
truth to these wedding dates,
there are no plans as yet.
The wedding rumours started
after a publication quoted the
Barfi star announcing: This
year both of us are extremely busy,
so there wont be any time for the
marriage. We have planned to tie
the knot by the end of next year.
Both of us have agreed on that.
Mostly, the duo, who has
featured together in films like
Ajab Prem Ki Ghajab Kahani
and Raajneeti, have kept silent
Black
Meanwhile, the multi-faceted

Karan - actor, director, producer,
screen writer, costume designer
and TV personality - will next be
seen as Kaizad Khambata in Anurag
Kashyaps period crime drama film
Bombay Velvet.
The film, which stars Ranbir
Kapoor and Anushka Sharma, is set
to release on May 15.
Bombay Velvet
granted U/A
certificate
he Revising Committee
of the Central Board of
Film Certification (CBFC)
has granted a U/A certificate
to Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka
Sharma starrer Bombay Velvet.
The film was certified A by the

CBFC, following which Kashyap
approached the Revising Committee
as he did not consider the period
drama was an adult film.
He had immense faith that the
committee would give the film
correct certification.
The film is a romantic thriller,
set against the backdrop of the
1960s Bombay. The film has
Ranbir playing the role of the
angry, young lover Johnny Balraj
and Anushka playing the role of
the singer Rosie Noronha. It also
stars Karan Johar as the villain.
ENTERTAINMENT
Red
Black
29
Orange

Direction & Background music
for this play: Bipin Chavan
Direction and

from Kathiawar
by
Shailesh Prajapati
16 & 23 May 2015

Due to public Demand
one more show on
30 th May 2015
Saturday 7pm
Venue: The Playhouse Theatre,

BABLA- 0212649106 CHIRAG- 0276784966 RAHUL- 021528906
rangmanchnz@gmail.com www.rangmanch.org.nz
Discounted Ticket Rates apply for Combo (more than 1 x play), group or block bookings.
Special rates for Students & Senior Citizens. Please check with us for further details.
At Rangmanch we share experience through the art of story telling & Create THEATRE that makes you THINK
30
ENTERTAINMENT
New handloom act will mean death for

handloom industry: Ritu Kumar
Red
alk of a change in the

Handloom
Reservation
Act, which has since 1985
protected handloom weaves from
being copied by machine-made
and powerloom competitors, has
got veteran designer Ritu Kumar
worried about the plight of millions
of Indias weavers who are already
fighting for their livelihood.
A notable name in the Indian
fashion industry, who has focussed
her efforts towards resurrecting
the handloom industry and craft
of local weavers from different
regions, Kumar says that any
change in the Act may not only
impact the lives of over four
million weavers but could lead to
the death of handloom itself in the
country.
The Act
has protected
handloom for decades. It has
protected yarn and allows our
weaver community to thrive.
Theres a movement to scrap that
in favour of powerloom. I am
strongly protesting against it,
Kumar told media.
If they take away the
reservation of handloom, it will
affect 4.4 million weavers and
there wont be handloom left in
this country, she added.
It has been speculated that the
government plans to amend the
Handloom Reservation Act.
The news comes against
the backdrop of efforts by the
powerloom lobby to get parity

with the handloom sector, which
has called on the government to
implement the act. Asked if the
amendment will affect the charm
of the weaving process, for which
India is known for globally, Kumar
said: More than the romance and
charm, what we will lose will be a
huge chunk of livelihood.
The designer, who has spent
over four decades in the fashion

industry and has witnessed
the changes in the interests of
national and international buyers,
also shared how there is a strong
lobbying happening around the
country.
As part of her contribution to
the weaving sector, Kumar held
a sari exhibition in the capital. It
saw rare handblock prints from
Bengal -- and its an effort on

her part to revive craft from the
region and create employment for
weavers there.
For the line, Kumar has taken
inspiration from former Danish
colony of Serampore, which she
had explored in mid-1960s when
she was a student of art history.
I couldnt understand why
there was no work (for weavers
Rangmanch Indian
TheatreFestival
Venue: Playhouse Theatre,

15 Glendale Road, Auckland
Date & Time:
Friday 15 May- 7:30 pm to 9.30 pm 00
Friday 22 May- 7:30 pm to 9.30 pm
Saturday 16 May- 7 pm to 9 pm 00
Saturday 23 May- 7 pm to 9 pm
Sunday 17 May- 4.30 pm to 7.30 pm 00
Sunday 24 May 2015- 4.30 pm to 7.30 pm
This festival will be a mega event to
showcase of 4 x full length Indian plays
in Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi and Bengali
languages of exceptional quality and
value. Such a grand celebration of the
Art form of Theatre in 4 x different ethnic
Indian languages is happening for the first
time in the History of Theatre in Auckland.
CAB WORKSHOPS
Negotiating at Work
Date: Saturday 16 May 2015
Time: 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
Venue: Citizen Advice Bureau,
82 St Lukes Road,
behind St Lukes library, Auckland.
Citizen Advice Bureau is conducting
settlement workshops on preparing for
working and living in New Zealand.
Part 1 - With customers & your Employer
Part 2 - Performance reviews
understand the process and how you
should ask for what you want.
Registrations essential: Contact CAB
Eden Albert at 846 4023 or cab.mtalb@
xtra.co.nz Complimentary drinks and
nibbles will be provided.
Black
Orange
there). Of little samples that I saw,

it was so beautiful and I wondered
why they had no work.
They were painting polka dots
for export to America at the same
price as synthetic scarves, and
it was terrible. I wasnt really a
designer of print, but I said, Let
me try and do something. I made
blocks and asked them to print
them on saris.
Its an old heritage which
came back to life. Over the years,
we carried the block printing and I
also used Bhagalpur silk, which is
made from ahimsa silk from that
region, Kumar explained.
The designer hopes that with
her work she will be able to give
at least that amount of work to
those weavers once again with the
renewed interest. But awareness
needs to be created, she stressed.
We need to create more awareness about Indian handlooms.
More education is required. People hardly know what they are
wearing, said Kumar, whose
creations have been flaunted by
names like Jemima Khan, Sushmita Sen, Aishwarya Rai and even
the late Princess Diana.
Kumars work and involvement
with weavers keeps her away from
glitzy runway shows, but shes not
complaining.
I am taking some time off to
focus on these weavers, but I have
not quit. I think Label (son Amrish
Kumars designer label) is doing
wonderfully well in maintaining
our signature crafts in a modern
way.
Police and Law
Date: Wednesday 20 May 2015

Time: 7pm to 9pm
Venue: Christchurch Migrant Centre,
166 St Asaph Street, CBD
One day workshop on Role of Police, Role
of lawyers, Your rights and Going to Court
Newcomers Workshop
Date: 27 May 2015

Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm
Venue: Albany House.
575 Albany Highway, Albany.
Are you new to New Zealand? Find
out about the NZ education system,
schooling in NZ including early childhood
education, enrolments, ESOL funding.
The workshop is funded by Immigration
New Zealand. Morning tea will be
provided. Registration is must, contact:
Lesley (09) 4863139 cab.takapuna@xtra.
co.nz
Punjabi Night 2015
Date: 6 June 2015

Time: 6pm to 11pm
Venue: Vodafone Events Centre,
Auckland.
Saanjh sports and cultural club in
association with Women Care Trust
presents Punjabi Cultural Night 2015.
A ladies only dance night along with
cultural performances. Best Dance and
Best Dress award will be given on spot.
An alcohol and drug free family event
with free entry and free parking. Contact
Sukhbir Kaur at 0210406677 for more
details.
ENTERTAINMENT
31
Priyanka
Chopras
Quantico
gets picked
up by ABC
Red
Black
Orange
merican TV show Quantico,

the pilot of which was shot with
Bollywood
actress
Priyanka
Chopra essaying the female lead, has been
picked for telecast by TV network ABC. It
will air in fall season.
Confirming the news, an excited Priyanka
took to micro-blogging website Twitter and
shared: And its happened #QuanticoABC
will air this fall @ABCNetwork @
anjulaacharia @tracybrennan007 @kcslee
God Bless!yay! (sic)
The 32-year-old actress also shared a
photograph of the cast of the show along
with her tweet.
Priyanka, who is the first Bollywood
actress to star in a pilot at ABC and has
made her space in the West with her
singing talent, plays Alex Parrish, a halfCaucasian, half-Indian FBI trainee with a
haunting past.
The show centres on a diverse group
of recruits who have arrived at the FBI
Quantico Base for training. Being the
best and brightest of the lot, it seems
impossible that one of them is suspected of
masterminding the biggest attack on New
York City since 9/11, according to deadline.
com.
Quantico also stars Dougray Scott as
Liam, Jake McLaughlin as Ryan, Aunjanue
Ellis as Miranda, Yasmine Al Massri as
Nimah, Johanna Braddy as Shelby, Tate
Ellington as Simon Asher and Graham
Rogers as Caleb Haas.
The series is written by Josh Safran.
Executive producers are Josh Safran, Mark
Gordon and Nick Pepper.
Ritesh Batra to direct

Oscar-winner in
English film
ndian director of The Lunchbox

fame Ritesh Batra will helm a movie
adaptation of Julian Barness novel
The Sense of an Ending, and it will star
Oscar-winning actor Jim Broadbent.
I am thrilled to adapt one of my
favourite novels to screen and to work with
a great team. Julian Barness characters are
an important part of my life and work, and
I am very much looking forward to spend
time with them, and with Jim Broadbent
whom I have always admired, Batra said
in a statement.
Broadbent, who won a Best Supporting
Actor Oscar for the 2001 film Iris, is
popular for his work in Topsy Turvy,
Moulin Rouge, Paddington, Cloud
Atlas, The Iron Lady and well-known
series Harry Potter.
To be shot in Britain later this year, The
Sense of an Ending follows a retired man
who receives an unexpected letter from a
lawyer that forces him to confront his own
past - and unfulfilling present - including
the suicide of his childhood best friend.
The film marks the first screenplay by Nick
Payne.
Batras debut feature film The
Lunchbox earned him wide international
acclaim for telling a simple tale of a lovelorn wife and a lonely man and how letters
through a lunchbox bind them.
Professional
Drivers
Toilet
on board
Free Power
and WI-FI
Air
Conditioning
Limited
Mobility
Safety First
Seatbelts
Modern
Fleet
Reclining
Seat
2015
2015
28th May 2015
KIWI INDIAN
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2015
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15 May, 2015 Vol. 7 Issue 8 | www.iwk.co.

New Zealands first Kiwi-Indian weekly newspaper

The Pulse of Kiwi-Indians

Auckland Christchurch Wellington Hamilton Palmerston North Hastings Invercargill

15 May 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

When you find the home you want,

0800 269 4663

visit any branch

www.iwk.co.nz | 15 May 2015

IWK comes Full Circle

ix years ago at the Holi

Speaking about the

around its own people. She spoke

of the Kiwi Indian community

the job that they were doing in

aula Bennett is the first ever

minister and an inspiration to

15 May 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

Dreams do come true

his week we draw our

thus also spoke to the employers

could do it so can you! Its a

Suitable match for Delhi based bank

of the New Zealand population

www.iwk.co.nz | 15 May 2015

Work on your communication skills

rosters were mostly in the strange hours

MALAYSIA AIRLINES SPECIALS

All Prices Including Taxes

Travel till 8 December 2015 (Sale Ends 31 May 2015)

FREE Phone 0800 66 11 88

Emergency 24/7: 027 491 8583

15 May 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

Sandeep Batra, Franchise owner of 2 Fast

Afaque Kamran: Assistant Store Manager at Kathmandu

Nitesh Kumar, Courier Post Contracto

Himanshu Khera, Managing Fast Food Restaurants in Hamilton

Ruchi Makol & Varun Makol, Own

www.iwk.co.nz | 15 May 2015

400-Year old Quran

charcoal and dyes.

Dairy With Lotto In Central

text was written with utmost

Dairy in Auckland With 3 Bedroom

Fruit & Vege In Auckland

Four Square In Waikato

Licensed Indian Restaurant In

Dairy In North Shore with 3

Authentic Food Mini Supermarket

Franchise Cafe In Prime CBD

Fruit & Vege In West Auckland

Liquor Shop In Prime Location

Wendys Supa Sundeas Franchise

15 May 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

Interest-free home loans... possible?

compromise on her faith. The only

is practised in Australia, the US and

30-year-old dairy shop shuts

jit Singh Sagoo, owner

ran towards the gate and called

The news of assault spread

more people to join in Kiwi Saver,

when the full value of the property

Indian student found