16 MARCH2018 | Vol 9 Issue 50

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Keeping Hindi alive Stephen Deepika Now delivering directly

Waitakere Hindi Hawking Padukone
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 2 NEW ZEALAND Friday, March 16, 2018 The Indian Weekender

KEEPING TRADITIONS ALIVE: WAITAKERE

HINDI LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL SCHOOL
¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH Students and teachers at Waitakere Hindi Language and Cultural School
“Therefore about five-six years community environment where

W
hile every migrant
community strives and
endeavours to remain
connected with their cultural roots
and keep their traditions alive, the
success of our fellow Fiji-Indian
community in this endeavour
is legendary.
The manner in which this
community has managed to preserve
its cultural ethos and language skills
by passing on skills and knowledge
to the next generation is a source
of inspiration for everyone in the
broader Indian diasporic community
all around the world.
Waitakere Hindi Language and
Cultural School is one such iconic
school in West Auckland, which
has been quietly working to teach
Hindi language and Hindu cultural
traditions to young children in
the community.
The School is registered as a non-
profitable charity and stared in 2001
with only a few children. The Indian
Weekender team visited the school on
Sunday, March 11, and spoke with
President Saten Sharma and other
staff members, to know more about
how school worked and had grown
over the period.
“When you see globally among
all people who emigrated from India
during the British rule Fiji-Indians
have great success in preserving their
language heritage and maintaining
their cultural identity.
“We here at this school are trying
to replicate the endeavours made by
our forefathers in Fiji,” Mr Sharma
told The Indian Weekender.
Structure of the school
The major point of difference for
this school, unlike any other native
language or cultural training centre,
is its formal structure, with classes at
different levels from level 1-6, with
a group of dedicated teachers and a
curriculum of Hindi language.
The school rents premises and
facilities of St Dominic College in
West Auckland.
“We believe when students come in
a structured school environment then
there is better learning environment
in comparison to a community hall or
temple,” Mr Sharma said.
This is a non-profit organisation
which survives on the voluntary
contribution by parents who join
the organisation and play a key
role in management and day to day
functioning of the school.
“We all donate our time to this
school with one simple objective of
promoting the Hindi Language.
“Earlier we use to get some
books from Fiji and India for Hindi
language education.
“However we realised that these
children are Kiwi-Indians first, so
any education or training will not
succeed without relating to the local
New Zealand context.
ago we formalised the structure by
making a proper curriculum for the
Hindi language for classes from year
1 to year 6.
“Pundit Anil Sharma a school
teacher back in Fiji was the curator
of our curriculum, and we are greatly
thankful to him.
“Our teachers had then reviewed
the curriculum. I can proudly say
that all those teachers are still with
us since that time,” Mr Sharma said.
The course is designed for 40
weeks with a set learning outcome
for each week. Students get an
activity book where they keep track
of all learning outcomes
Teachers also get a guide book to
align learning objectives in a manner
to deliver desirable outcomes. The
entry age for children is five years
old, and about a couple of years ago,
we had a 63-year-old student as well.
In between, we often get some
Kiwi-students for learning the
Hindi language. The school is run
every Sunday starting at 9 am with
classes on dance and tabla, followed
by Hindi language classes from 10
to 12.30.
From 12.30 to 2 pm, there are
harmonium and dance classes. The
school is run in an open interactive
parents, teachers, board members
all share similar sentiments towards
promotion of Hindi language and our
culture. The staff works collectively
in an interactive environment to
achieve desirable learning outcomes
for children.
Language is our identity
Explaining the rationale and
the drive behind this passionate
endeavour, Mr Sharma said, “Our
language is our identity. We are
Indians, and the Hindi language will
remain with us throughout our lives.”
Call for action to expand
in Auckland
“Today we had our annual general
meeting where we discussed the
idea of spreading our wings and take
our school to South Auckland and
North Shore.
“So we would like to appeal
through The Indian Weekender
platform if any likeminded
individual or organisation would like
to partner with us in promoting Hindi
language and culture in these areas to
contact us.
“We would be more than happy
to work with any likeminded
organisations and individuals,” Mr
Sharma appealed through The Indian
Weekender.

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 The Indian Weekender Friday, March 16, 2018 NEW ZEALAND 3

Telugu Association hosts

Ugadi for the community Ugadi celebrations by NZTA at Avondale College
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
In his speech, Mr Dhillon congratulated the

T
he New Zealand Telugu Association on
Sunday, March 11 hosted a big Telugu
New Year - Ugadi celebration - for
the community at Avondale College Hall in
Avondale.
More than 800 people gathered for the event
that started at 3 p.m. with traditional activities
from Telugu culture spiced up with other
performances by the community members.
The event started with a traditional Ugadi
pachadi drink made of coconut, ripe banana,
raw mango, jaggery, neem flower, salt, and red
chilli powder. The significance of this drink
is the numerous tastes such as sweet, sour,
bitter, saltiness and spice that is mixed to make
the drink like it is in life. Life is made up of
everything; one has to face happiness, success,
love, bitterness, hate and defeat equally.
The year 2018 has been quite significant
for New Zealand Telugu Association as
it has completed its 20 years of existence
successfully. The community organisation has
“NZTA has grown and developed strength
to strength over the years and pledges to serve
the community as one- looking after the people
in need.
“Although, a political decision taken few
years ago has created two separate states
for Telugu speaking people in India viz.
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, however, this
association treats people of both the new states
as one. We are one big Telugu speaking family,
community for having the first female president
and acknowledged the importance of such
events that bring the community together as one
big family. Community leaders such as Jeet
Suchdev from Bhartiya Samaj, Nilima Venkat
from Shanti Niwas, Jyothi Mallikarjun Reddy
from Telangana Jagruthi, were also present at
the event.
NZTA felicitated Dr Padma Govardhan for
The year 2018 has been her achievements in getting her doctorate in
quite significant for music in New Zealand. Dr Govardhan is the
principal of Bharathi Music School, and has
New Zealand Telugu trained over 200 students in Carnatic music
Association as it has and has been providing the community with the
talent. NZTA also felicitated Kalpana Venkat
completed its 20 years of
for her dedication to Shanti Niwas and Jyothi
existence successfully. Mallikarjun Reddy for her contribution through
Telangana Jagruthi New Zealand.
Bollywood actress
Sridevi Kapoor remembered
“Times are changing, and it is history in

now a matured to a position which looks after
the needs of the community and caters to best
interests of the community.
“The celebration is not merely an
entertainment platform, but it also brings the
Telugu speaking community together as one
big family,” Aruna Bhoompelly, the President
of the Association said.
Aruna Bhoompelly is the first woman
President of the Association in the twenty years
of its existence.
Ms Bhoompelly asserted.
It is important to note that this is the third
major event hosted by the Association since the
beginning of this year.
“In the span of less than two months, NZTA
has already conducted three big events for the
community Sankranthi, Holi and now Ugadi,”
Association’s media spokesperson Suneel
Kuncha told The Indian Weekender.
“This year we have elected first woman
President of our Association.
making how more and more women are coming
forward to share the responsibility of running
an association this big,” Mr Kuncha added.
Hon. Consul of India in Auckland Bhav
Dhillon and his wife Ruby Dhillon were invited
as chief guests to the event. The guests enjoyed
the grandeur of traditional Telugu dances,
songs and plays along with the members of
the community.
O
ne big part of the entertainment provided
at the event remembered the work of
legendary actress Sridevi Kapoor who passed
away earlier in February. The team prepared
a medley of famous Sridevi’s film’s songs
which were performed by a young dancer of
age four to a senior citizen in the community.
Senior female members from Shanti Niwas also
wowed the audience.
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 4 NEW ZEALAND
Mixed bag for Kiwi-Indian MPs in
National Party caucus reshuffle
¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH
T
he verdict is out, and it is a mixed
bag for the two Kiwi-Indian MPs in
Simon Bridges’ first caucus reshuffle as
National Party leader.
The new list was released by the party on
Sunday, March 11, after the new leader Simon
Bridges completed the much-anticipated
reshuffle of the caucus.
While Mr Bridges has taken some rather
audacious steps in promoting several
backbenchers and demoting those at the front
bench suggesting that he intends to mark his
stamp on the leadership team, there was nothing
remarkable for the two Kiwi-Indian MPs in Mr
Bridges’ scheme of things.
Except that they have managed to retain a
relatively same position at the centre of the list.
Four times MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi
has been made spokesperson for Internal
Affairs and Associate for Justice, at number 30
whereas two times MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar has
got the additional responsibility of Associate
Economic Development at number 36, apart
from retaining Research, Science & Innovation
from the last list.
In the previous list, Mr Bakshi was at number
32, and Dr Parmar was at number 34.
To be fair to both Kiwi-Indian MPs in the
National Party, not everyone in the 54 members
strong caucus has managed to get a promotion
as many in the community might envisage.
And to be fair to Simon Bridges, the reshuffle
in caucus was in no way meant to be a reflection
or statement of the party’s outreach to the Kiwi-
Indian community in New Zealand.
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Simon Bridges, Dr Parmjeet Parmar(center) and Kanwaljit Bakshi (right)
In the MMP system, political parties tend to
use ranking in lists toward multiple aims.
However, despite some astute deflections
by different political leaders about rankings
of MPs in the list, the jury is out on whether
ranking does matter and is a statement of the
value that individual MP bring to the table.
In that regard it is clear is that Kiwi-Indian
MPs have received a mixed bag of luck in
the reshuffle.
The two Kiwi-Indian MPs have managed
to remain largely at the centre of the new list,
at number thirty and thirty-six respectively,
suggesting that they have not succeeded to
attract Mr Bridges’ attention in a manner that
others have done.
Those who have succeeded in catching Mr
Bridges’ eye are indeed Amy Adams, her main
challenger to the leadership position, along
with Judith Collins and Mark Mitchell the other
two contenders for the leadership position.
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Ms Collins has risen from the fourteenth
rank to a high of fourth whereas Mark Mitchell
has been elevated to the seventh rank from the
earlier twenty-first ranking.
The other notable MPs who received a
tick from Mr Bridges were Rotorua MP Todd
McClay, who has been promoted from number
twelve to number five and Jamie Lee-Ross and
Paul Goldsmith.
The phrase of catching Mr Bridges eyes may
not be best suited for the above high ranking
MPs, who all have either been consistently
building their profile in the party caucus over
the years, or promise to bring some special
talents on the table or were sagacious enough
to mount political action (read throwing hat in
the leadership race) close to leadership change
to win a promotion for them.
Toddy McClay and Paul Goldsmith fall into
the category where they have consistently built
a profile within the party with some notable
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The Indian Weekender
gains in the portfolios they managed during
the last government. So would chief party whip
Jamie Lee-Ross.
Mark Mitchell would fall into the category
where he had played his cards very well,
especially within the media, first to build
his profile worthy enough to deserve some
traction in the race to party leadership, and then
sagaciously withdrawing his candidature just
before the vote.
Indeed, this was a political masterstroke
resulting him a place on the front bench.
Meanwhile, the phrase “catching eyes” may
best be suited to the case of Sarah Dowie, a
backbencher in the National caucus who has
been publicly picked by Mr Bridges to be
elevated to twentieth ranking and given the
Conservation portfolio.
It is clear that the two Kiwi-Indian MPs did
not fall into any of these categories. Neither
have they been able to build the profile to a
level to find a place in the front benches. Or
differently expressed, they need to work more
in building their profile in the party.
They also haven’t been able to pull off any
masterstroke in the lead up to the leadership
change.
It’s another matter that it is not known with
confidence that they were aspiring for higher
ranking in the National caucus.
Regardless, the natural expectation within
the Kiwi-Indian community is to see their
representatives to up their ante and play the
political game with an enhanced dexterity.
The Indian Weekender wishes to them well in
lifting their game in the political arena.
Vikram
Mortgage Adviser
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Mortgage Adviser
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 The Indian Weekender Friday, March 16, 2018 NEW ZEALAND 5

Radio Tarana director Robert

Khan’s father passes away
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD

D
r Robert Lateef Khan, a renowned Responsible business with lasting
community member and father of
Robert Khan, Managing Director and relationship in the community
CEO of Radio Tarana – one of the leading Contact for FREE consultation
Indian radio station in New Zealand – passed
away on Thursday, March 8.
Robert Khan Senior, as he was fondly Home Loans*
known among his acquaintances, was a highly
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personality in the community. Rakesh Bansal
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He started his Kiwi journey in the early Ex Bank Manager with over 30 years
• Commercial property? experience in New Zealand and overseas
1980s after emigrating from Fiji with his two
• Looking to refinance?
daughters and son, Robert Khan Junior.
• Business loan?
He completed his education at Massey
• Self employed but no financials?
University and later became a lecturer for
business management and human resources Dr Robert Lateef Khan

management at different universities and

Robert Khan Senior, as
Insurances
tertiary institutes. • Sole bread winner?
Mr Khan was an ardent fan of Bollywood he was fondly known • Young children?
films and is said to have spent every weekend among his acquaintances, • Huge Mortgage?
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respected personality in the
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Mr Khan’s funeral was held on Tuesday, community. insurance requirement today. We help you structure
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the presence of his children and grandchildren and thus repay the loan faster.
and a huge crowd, which is a testament of his
Robert Khan Senior is survived by his
popularity amongst the community members. FREE PHONE: 0508 33 22 11
wife Evangeline Khan, brother-in-law Roger
The affection between the father and son was (P) 09 9033 602
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Akhtar Khan and grandchildren Zara Khan and
by son Robert Khan Junior. Mob 021 030 8135
Kiyaan Khan. info@kiwimortgages.net.nz
He was overwhelmed with emotion
The Indian Weekender extends its heartfelt www.kiwimortgages.net.nz Manisha Kumar
and struggled to hold back his tears while
condolences to Mr Khan Junior and the family. Office

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 6 NEW ZEALAND
Albert-Eden, Puketapapa Boards urge
feedback on 10-year budget
¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH
T generations together
he residents of Albert-Eden Puketapapa
Local Board are being urged to share
their feedback on the Auckland
Council’s 10-year Budget.
The Auckland Council is currently running
consultations till Match 28 and organising
several local events to encourage residents to
give their feedback.
In this regard, the Albert-Eden and
Puketapapa Boards are hosting two events on
Tuesday, March 20 and Thursday, March 22
respectively.
Auckland Council released the 10-year
Budget plan earlier last month on February
28 for stakeholder consultations, to focus on
building infrastructure and providing more
transparency about what ratepayer money will
be spent on.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff had then said,
“Our 10-year Budget sets out the critical
investment and new funding mechanisms
needed to ensure our city can address challenges
such as traffic congestion, housing affordability,
and protection of our environment.”
As part of this consultation, the local boards
want to know what you think of their priorities
and key local advocacy projects for the 2018/19
financial year.
Priorities for Albert-Eden Local
Board
Provide funding to the community to identify,
maintain and care for notable trees
Work with neighbouring local boards
and community groups to develop joint
management plans for Te Auaunga / Oakley
Creek and Waititiko / Meola Creek
Investigate the creation of a cycling and
walking connection between St Lukes and
Greenlane train station
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Support local businesses to implement
sustainable practices, such as alternatives to
putting fat and oil down drains, or reducing
plastic bag usage
Advocate for a replacement aquatic centre
in Albert-Eden and for an investigation into
a replacement indoor multi-sport facility at
Gillies Avenue, Epsom.
Priorities for Puketāpapa Local
Board
Improve community facilities like the
Waikōwhai Coastal Walkway, Keith Hay Park
and Harold Long / Fearon Park
Plan for future development at Monte
Cecilia, Mt Roskill War Memorial, Waikōwhai
and Margaret Griffen parks and greenways
Support young people to get into work and
to participate in decision making through
training programmes and participation in the
Puketāpapa Youth Panel
Continue the restoration of Te Auaunga /
Oakley Creek catchment with naturalisation
projects, installing markers and building
a fale shelter to encourage neighbourhood
understanding and connection to the awa
Build pride in cultural diversity by providing
programmes and events that celebrate the
diversity of Puketāpapa and help create a
unique local identity.
Have your say before 28 March.
Albert-Eden Local Board
Tuesday 20 March, 6-8pm, Mt Eden War
Memorial Hall, 489 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden.
Puketāpapa Local Board
Thursday 22 March, 6-8pm, Fickling Centre,
546 Mt Albert Road, Mt Albert.
For Sale by Deadline
Private Treaty
(unless sold prior)
2pm, Thu 12 Apr 2018
2 Harris Road, East Tamaki
Tony Chaudhary
+64 21 995 121
tony.chaudhary@bayleys.co.nz
Janak Darji
+64 21 047 1290
janak.darji@bayleys.co.nz
BAYLEYS REAL ESTATE LTD, MANUKAU,
LICENSED UNDER THE
REA ACT 2008
Friday, March 16, 2018 The Indian Weekender
International Women’s
day celebrations bring
¡¡ SWATI SHARMA
T
his year’s International Women Day
(March 8) was celebrated with the
theme of “press to progress” urging
women around the world to press forward and
progress gender parity.
Communities are strongly being motivated to
think, act and be gender inclusive.
Several organisations in New Zealand time and to celebrate womanhood, which is
celebrated the day in various parts of the country often forgotten in the stress of daily life.
with the similar theme. One such celebration We got to hear some inspiring women from
the community who shared their struggles and
was organised recently for the women of the
Punjabi community in Auckland. successes. Important lesson learnt from that
New Zealand Sikh Women Association along segment was that it is never too late to live
your dreams.
with Woman Care Trust and Jasdeep Basra
celebrated the International Women’s Day on The event not just about stories and
Saturday, March 10 in Botany. inspirations but also a lot about fun and
entertainment. The women participated in some
Women were from all age groups participated
fun games such as ‘have you ever’, designing
in this afternoon of celebrating womanhood.
It was a perfect occasion to see the age gaps dresses with toilet role, getting to know
strangers.
being met from the young generation to the
The full-filled afternoon concluded with
old generation coming together, to have a great
dance and lunch.
Apollo Square Motel investment
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Partly leased returning $610,000pa + GST
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Expected total motel rent return to be around $1,000,000pa + GST
Expressions of Interest
(unless sold prior)
Closing 4pm, Thursday
• Ground floor retail shops available for investors and owner occupiers
12th April 2018
29 Northcroft Street,
Auckland’s hotel sector will remain highly constrained over the next Takapuna, Auckland,
decade, resulting in annual occupancy rates that approach 90% in New Zealand
the long term.
James Yu
+64 22 378 0614
Apollo Square Motel plus ground floor retail shops are situated on james.yu@bayleys.co.nz
Rosedale Road which serves as one of the main access points to the Devereux Howe-Smith Realty Ltd, Bayleys,
North Shore and Albany business area and is approximately 3km from Licensed under the REA Act 2008
the Albany Mega Centre.
The motel and retail shops are currently under construction and expected
to be completed by end of 2018.
Property Details
Floor area 2,365m2 (approximately)
Zoning Business - General Business Zone
Tenancy Details
Partly leased to Dress Circle Apartments Limited, returning $610,000pa +
GST. Full tenancy details are available on request.
BAYLEYS.CO.NZ/1501395
 The Indian Weekender Friday, March 16, 2018 NEW ZEALAND 7

Manukau Masjid opens doors for the

community to learn about Islam
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD

M
asjid At-Taqwa in
Manukau hosts at
least three mosque
open days every year inviting
community members to come
and know more about the
religion Islam.
Imam Shaikh Dr Mohammad
Anwar along with local community
members from the South Auckland National Party MP Kanwaljit Bakshi at Mosque Open Day
region under At-Taqwa Trust
hosted mosque open day on Sunday, March
11 and spoke to community members sharing
information about Islam and its teachings.
The event was hosted just outside the mosque
premises with numerous stalls that exhibited
posters, books and pamphlets about different
subjects in Islam and the messages conveyed to
the community.
“Islam is very famous in the news but mostly
for the wrong reasons and this is what we at
masjids try to do, convey the correct message
of the religion, which is peace, love and
brotherhood,” Imam Anwar told The Indian
Weekender.
There were different stalls each displaying
different messages such as Jesus and Mary
in Islam, about Prophet Muhammad (pbuh),
a brief history of Islam, the concept of God,
Muhammad and Bible etc.
“Our aim through this event is to interact with volunteer Feroz said.
the community both Muslims and non-Muslims
and tell them what religion really means, what
we do inside the masjid and what activities we
do from the masjid to connect more with the
community,” volunteer at the event Feroz said.
National List MP Kanwaljit Bakshi, Race
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The mosque is open seven days a week and
• Book–keeping & Financial Accounts
invites everyone to come anytime and talk to • Small Business / Rental Property Accounts
the volunteers of the masjid and know more
about Islam and even clarify their doubts about
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connect with the youngsters and women in the • MYOB & Xero Software Accounting
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The masjid hosts Quran classes on weekends,
summer camps and sports activities like
swimming, volleyball, football, gym for the
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“My wife and daughters are closely attached FonRsuE E
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FCCA (UK) CA (NZ)
The volunteers also distributed copies of free Macro Accounting & Tax Advisors Limited
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“Our doors are always open, if you have a Mobile: 021 129 0810 116B, Cavendish Drive,
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 8 NEW ZEALAND Friday, March 16, 2018 The Indian Weekender

World’s first self-piloted air- Hare Krishna Centre

taxi unveiled in Christchurch celebrates its first anniversary
T
he centre’s new building opened behind-the-scenes of a cultural movement born

T he Garden City is once again at the
forefront of technological innovation as
Zephyr Airworks – a company supported by
Google’s Larry Page, and former staffers from
Nasa and Boeing - unveiled the world’s first
self-piloted electric air taxi, nicknamed Cora,
here on Tuesday.
The electric-powered aircraft, which is
under development for eight years, can take off
and land vertically, with a range of 100 km and
highest speed of 150 kmph, is being developed
by California-based Kitty Hawk Corporation.
The New Zealand operator is called Zephyr
Airworks, which says that the aircraft can be in
the market within six years.
Notably, Sebastian Thrun, who is the Chief
Executive of Kitty Hawk, is a computer
scientist who led Google’s self-driving car
project; where as Zephyr Airworks Chief
Executive Fred Reid has headed major airlines
including Virgin America, Lufthansa and Delta
Air Lines, in his three-decade-long aviation
career.
Expressing her joy on this new development
for the city, Mayor Lianne Dalziel said,
“This aircraft represents the evolution of the
transport eco-system to one that responds to a
global challenge around traffic and congestion,
and is kinder to the planet. Christchurch is
committed to becoming carbon neutral and we
are embracing future technologies in the areas
of future transport, future foods, Antarctica
and space technology, and technical adventure
clothing. We are open for business and are
making strong strides in these areas.”
ChristchurchNZ Chief Executive Joanna
Norris added, “We have been working closely
with Zephyr Airworks, who came here because
of the ease of doing business in New Zealand,
our safety-focused regulatory environment, our
culture of ingenuity and our vision for clean
technologies and future transport alternatives.”
Interestingly, the other methods of future
transportation being explored in Christchurch
include the Omhio autonomous vehicle trials
and the Yoogo electric car sharing scheme.
its doors to devotees in March last
year, after the old building suffered
extensive damage in the 2011 earthquake;
the anniversary celebrations coincided
with Gaura Purnima and Ashraya Kirtan
Festival 2018
It was a weekend of festivities at ISKON’s
Hare Krishna Centre in Christchurch early this
month, as it celebrated its first anniversary after
the earthquake rebuild. Starting with Gaura
Purnima on March 2, the festivities carried on
the next two days with Ashraya Kirtan and a
special screening of, Hare Krishna! The Film,
at Hoyts Riccarton.
Notably, Gaura Purnima is a festival
celebrating the birth of Sri Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu, who founded Gaudiya
Vaishnavism. He appeared in 1486 in Mayapur,
West Bengal. The celebrations at the centre
included Mangala aarti, Gaura aarti, and a
vegetarian feast.
Meanwhile, Ashraya Kirtan – the two-day
event included harinam kirtan through the
city, an 8-hour kirtan festival, a puspa (flower)
abhiseka, and distribution of prasadam.
The highlight of the event was screening of
Hare Krishna! The Film, which the organisers
explained as “true story of an unexpected,
prolific, and controversial revolutionary.
Using never-before-seen archival materials,
Prabhupada’s [an unassuming 70-year-old
Swami from India, who arrived in New York in
1965 and started the Hare Krishna movement]
own recorded words, and interviews with his
early followers, the film takes the audience
in the artistic and intellectual scene of New
York’s Bowery, the hippie mecca of Haight
Ashbury, and the Beatle mania of London, to
meet the Swami who started it all”.
History of Hare Krishna
movement in the Garden City
T he Hare Krishna movement was brought
to Christchurch around 1972, with the
first temple constructed on Waltham Road in
1973. Later, the temple was moved to a house
in Worcester Street, Linwood, before moving
to a larger property at 30 Latimer Square in
1979. Then in 1986, the present site – at 83
Bealey Avenue, became the Hare Krishna
Centre's permanent home. Unfortunately,
the Centre suffered extensive damage during
the September 4, 2010, Earthquake, but
engineering inspections determined that the
building could be repaired. A double whammy
struck before any work could commence, on
February 22, 2011, as another Earthquake
struck, completely destroying the building
and everything inside. Then, the Christchurch
Hare Krishna devotees relocated their Sunday
community gathering to a rented hall in
Ferrymead, and also ran its HareKrishna –
Food for Life programme, at Christchurch's
New Brighton Clock Tower every Saturday.
Finally, in March last year, the new building's
construction was complete and opened its
door to the public.

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Boundary lines are indicative only

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• Opportunity for investors or future owner occupiers Bayleys House, 30 Gaunt Street,
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centre and split into two tenancies, an acupuncture clinic and Licensed under the REA Act 2008
clothing and bedding shop as sub-tenant.
Surrounding tenants are Subway, motel, four restaurants, café, Terry Kim
dentist, fruit and vegetable, chiropractor, bakery, health and +64 27 471 1446
terry.kim@bayleys.co.nz
supplement store, bar and supermarkets. This property offers an Devereux Howe-Smith Realty Ltd, Bayleys,
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excellent opportunity for passive income investors, owner
occupiers and add value investors.
Call now for further details. Steven Liu
+64 21 808 579
Property Details steven.liu@bayleys.co.nz
Devereux Howe-Smith Realty Ltd, Bayleys,
Floor area 625m2 (approximately) Licensed under the REA Act 2008
Zoning Business - Mixed Use Zone
Car Parks 11
Tenancy Details
Currently returning a rental of $178,800pa + GST and outgoings.
Full tenancy available upon details are available upon request.
BAYLEYS.CO.NZ/1501574
 The Indian Weekender Friday, March 16, 2018 NEW ZEALAND 9

Lantern Festival concludes multi- Upcoming

cultural weekend for Garden City
- the city also celebrated its annual
- Christchurch Holi - Festival of
Colours – March 17
To be held at the city’s famed Hagley Park for

Culture Galore on Saturday Culture Galore'18 the first-time, this year the event is free, and

M
ore than 50 food stalls and exhibits,
including several brand new
lanterns, and non-stop entertainment
from performers who especially flew in from
China, were the highlights of Christchurch’s
12th Lantern Festival held on the last weekend.
Held in the city for the first time in seven
years, the event drew massive crowds keen
to see the Ōtākaro Avon River Precinct –
following the river and running from Friendship
corner (Durham and Lichfield), past the Bridge
of Remembrance to Worcester Street and up
into Cathedral Square - lit up by hundreds
of lanterns, watch world-class entertainers
perform and sample traditional Chinese food.
An estimated 55,000 people attended the
two-day event, with the city also busy on
Saturday due to the one-day international
cricket match between the Black Caps and
England at Hagley Oval. The festival was put
together by ChristchurchNZ in partnership
with the Christchurch City Council, Bank
of China, Novo Advertising, Asia New
Zealand Foundation and Christchurch
International Airport.
The highlights were several new lanterns,
which made their inaugural appearance at
this year’s festival. The former director of
the culture programme at Asia New Zealand
Foundation, Jennifer King, who has assisted
ChristchurchNZ with the lantern purchases
and in getting Chinese performers along for the
event, said, “One that has been commissioned
especially for 2018 – which according to the
Chinese zodiac is the Year of the Dog – was
gifted by Wang Zhijian, the Chinese Consul-
General in Christchurch. It is beautiful and
features the moon, which symbolises family
reunion, a moon gate, a traditional Chinese lady
and of course a dog.”
Other new lanterns included a water-based
one with frogs and lotus flowers, symbolising
purity; a land-based one featuring the dragon
dance, traditionally associated with the Chinese
New Year; and another depicting a sugar
painter, the traditional Chinese art of painting
with caramelised sugar.
“Zigong is the traditional capital of Chinese
lantern making and there are around 300
factories based there producing lanterns, with
Haitian factory being in the top five,” she added.
Notably, there were two lanterns that were
new to last year’s show which are particularly
significant as regards to NZ-Sino relations,
according to ChristchurchNZ General Manager
of Attraction Linda Falwasser.
“One really symbolises the start of New
Zealand’s relationship with China way back
when the gold rush happened in the South
Island, featuring two Chinese miners panning
for gold. The second is a Chinese family
enjoying a meal together; a Chinese New Year
tradition that will resonate with any Chinese
attending the festival,” she said.
O rganised by the Christchurch City
Council as part of its Summer Times
programme, and ably supported by Plains
FM - Canterbury’s only community access
radio station, and Fendalton-Waimairi-
Harewood and Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton
community boards, the 2018 Culture Galore
[an annual free outdoor multicultural
festival] held on March 10, at the Ray
Blank Park in Ilam, was a feast for all the
senses. Featuring music, dance, food and
arts and crafts from more than 80 cultures
from around the world, the event saw Kapa
Haka performances, Mundi African dance,
Indian Bharatanatyam dance, Chinese
Lion dance, Scottish Country dance,
and Japanese Takumi drumming, along
with traditional dances and songs from
Indonesia, Korea, Philippines, Fiji, China,
Russia, and Poland. For those wishing to try
their hands at various art-forms, there were
a huge range of have-a-go activities, such as
stone carving, flax weaving, origami, face
painting, baseball hitting, bouncy castles,
police speed radar, henna tattoos, and story
telling. Whereas the most popular section
of the Galore was the multi-national cuisine
on offer, with more than 50 ethnic foods
represented.
is backed by the Christchurch City Council and
Christchurch Multicultural Council. Starting at
10am on March 17, and running till 4pm, the
organisers are providing corn-flour based, non-
toxic and cosmetic grade colours for purchase at
the venue.
- Telugu New Year (Ugadi)
celebrations – March 18
The Telugu Association of South Island (TASI),
Christchurch, is inviting everyone at its Telugu
New year (Ugadi) 2018 and Ram Navami
celebrations to be held at the Fendalton
Community Centre on March 18, between 11am
and 2pm.
- Rangiora Festival of Colours –
March 24
The first-ever Rangiora Festival of Colour 2018
will be held on March 24, 10am – 4pm, at
Victoria Park in central Rangiora. “It is based
on a traditional Indian festival of Holi which
is celebrated worldwide. People throw vibrant
colours, play traditional games and enjoy
performances, music and food with family and
friends. Festival of Colour 2018 will focus on
bringing life and colour to Rangiora town and
celebrating its diversity and energy!” say the
organisers.

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 10 NEW ZEALAND Friday, March 16, 2018 The Indian Weekender

TUTORS PLAY A KEY ROLE IN MAKING THE

CHAMPION CHEFS OF TOMORROW
¡¡ IWK BUREAU Luzern) affiliated with Manchester a member of NZ Chefs Association

I
n 2016 The Cornell Education
Group participated in New
Zealand Chef’s Hospitality
championship to compete with all
major schools across New Zealand.
Participating in such championships,
that too in different categories needs
more than just talent, it needs so
much of passion and training from
highly skilled and qualified teachers
and most importantly industrial
experienced tutors to mentor the
students guiding them towards
success.
Tutors at Cornell Education Group
come from internationally renowned
hotels and property experts from
different parts of the country. These
tutors spend extremely long hours
and train hard to bring the best from
their students.
Tutors Sasidhar (Sash) Thathapudi,
Vijay Naranswamy, Raj Balkrishnan
and Anthony D’ Cunha are from the
cookery department while Mohit
Sharma, Larson Menzes come from
Hospitality department.
Working for five-star hotels in
India as a chef is not an easy task and
requires not just cooking expertise but
the ability to perform multiple tasks,
have competitive management skills
and give their best performance.
Cornell provides an amazing
opportunity and platform for the
Indian students to come to New
Tutor Chef Sasidhar Thathapudi
Zealand and learn from its practical
classes, challenging modules and
most of all the skill to run a restaurant
cum bar on their own with minimal
supervision.
The tutors are dedicated and are
willing to walk the extra mile for the
students to get their dream jobs in this
highly respected hospitality industry
and with immense opportunities in
New Zealand. Most of the chefs also
work part time and do casual jobs in
the industry to keep up their skills up
to the market needs.
It is expected that there will
be a lot of new hotels and such
properties coming to New Zealand
in the next few years which will
create a huge demand for the skilled
migrants especially in cookery and
hospitality sector, which is one of
the departments with a wide range of
opportunities.
Profile of the tutor
Sasidhar Thathapudi:
Sasidhar Thathapudi lovingly
known was ‘Sash’ among the
students and the management is
one of the Cornell’s most widely
experienced tutors. Sash finished
his Hotel Management studies in
India and worked for the Taj Group
of Hotels in Chennai. In the year
2000 Sash won the award for the
‘Best Youngest Chef’ at South
India Culinary Competitions held
in Chennai, India. He then moved
to Saudi Arabia to work for Four
Seasons Hotel in Riyadh, then for
P&O Cruise Australia and Thistle
Group of Hotels in London.
Sash decided to continue his
further studies and he moved to
Switzerland to do his graduation in
European Culinary Management
with Honours at International
Management Institute- Luzern (IMI
Metropolitan University United
Kingdom. He worked at Hotel
President Wilson Geneva, one of the
most luxurious hotels in the world,
and in 2010 he finally moved to
Queenstown, New Zealand, as a chef
at Heritage Hotel.
In 2012 he moved to Auckland
and worked with Stamford Plaza,
a five-Star luxury hotel and soon
opened a restaurant for Scenic Hotels
in Blenheim called Mondrian. He
took his role as an executive-chef
with Scenic Southern Cross Hotel in
Dunedin which is a flagship property
of Scenic Hotel Group.
In 2014, he started his career
as a chef lecturer with the Cornell
Education Group as he felt the
need to share his experience
and knowledge with young and
upcoming chefs. Since then he has
continuously put his effort to train
the students and to get the best out
of them. After having 15 years of
industrial experience from different
5-Star hotels, luxury cruise ships
and fine dining restaurants around
the world, imparting his wisdom was
one noble decision he made.
Sash recently finished his
studies with Southern Institute of
Technology for National Certificate
in Adult Education and Training
which gives a broad knowledge
about teaching the young learners
in a professional manner. He is also
and acted as a judge for several
culinary competitions.
Winning in the competition needs
lots of commitment, apart from
regular work hours the tutors need to
do a lot of work to train the students,
especially for live categories which
gives the participants only one hour
to create four identical dishes by
following proper health and safety
policies, hygiene guidelines. More
importantly, judges observe the
participants very closely and deduct
marks for any every minor mistake.
There is no minimum or maximum
hours for training, the more each
individual practices, the better he
performs and gets closer to the
award.
Cornell Group has the industry
experts to add to their success stories
and to keep the students up to date
with current industry standards.
The end result has made Cornell
Education Group winner of the Best
Training Establishment of the Year
Award for both 2016 and 2017 with
a gold medal in all categories to
their name.
The students are preparing with
more energy to get themselves ready
for the 2018 New Zealand Hospitality
Championship. The tutors are getting
ready for their trial sessions for the
big event scheduled from August
13 to 17 at ASB Showgrounds in
Auckland.

Prime position Wairau Valley industrial

Unit A, 234 Archers Road, Wairau Valley, Auckland

1 1
Boundary lines are indicative only

2 3 2 3
• Prominent position with excellent road frontage Auction (unless sold prior)
• Located in the heart of Wairau Valley 11am, Wednesday 11th April 2018
• Will appeal to a wide range of owner occupiers and investors Bayleys House, 30 Gaunt Street,
Auckland, New Zealand
• Consented residential component
• Excellent warehouse to office ratio Ranjan Unka
Brand new 15 year lease Offered to the market for the first time since 1998, this is a rare opportunity in a tightly +64 21 711 755
ranjan.unka@bayleys.co.nz
held location. The property offers a number of strong attributes for an owner occupier,
DEVEREUX HOWE-SMITH REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS,
dual roller door access, good stud height in the warehouse, quality showroom/offices, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

336 Great South Road, Papakura Tender (unless sold prior) and accommodation on the first floor. Matt Mimmack
Closing 4pm, Tue 10 Apr Archers Road is strategically located in the heart of Wairau Valley near SH1 motorway +64 21 229 5878
• Purpose-built childcare licensed for 85 children interchanges and is within very close proximity to Takapuna´s CBD. The property matt.mimmack@bayleys.co.nz
2018
• On a 1,419m± of Mixed Housing Suburban zoned, Freehold, Fee Simple neighbours to NZ Safety, Bunnings Warehouse, Mitre 10 Mega and Pak´nSave.
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2 Harris Road, East Tamaki LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

corner site
Tony Chaudhary With an established commercial and residential catchment, an already popular and
bayleys.co.nz/1501585
• Brand new 15 year lease to a proven and experienced operator thriving location, this opportunity is a must for all owner occupiers to secure and
+64 21 995 121
• The property represents a superb opportunity to secure a long term, tony.chaudhary@bayleys.co.nz establish their business.
bottom drawer investment
Janak Darji Property Details
• Returning $243,100pa + GST and outgoings with assured income
+64 21 047 1290 Total Floor Area 1,146m± (approximately)
growth janak.darji@bayleys.co.nz
AUP (OP) Zoning Light Industry
BAYLEYS REAL ESTATE LTD, MANUKAU,
bayleys.co.nz/1901612 LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008 Car Parks 13 on-site car parks

For sale with vacant possession.

 The Indian Weekender Friday, March 16, 2018 NEW ZEALAND 11

SANDRINGHAM’S NEWBIE ‘FOOD INN’

CREATING WAVES IN THE TOWN
S
andringham Village also
known as “Little India” is
a popular place known for
Indian Cuisine. Food Inn Restaurant
and Takeaway a relatively new
entrant in Sandringham, has defied
all odds by becoming the most talked
about place amongst the foodies.
The spicy dishes from the North of
India, the fusion of Indo Chinese
dishes, and the friendly staff are
the hallmark of Food Inn which has
helped establish itself and modelled
a name for itself in this food hub.
The restaurant is redefining
the Indian cuisines to the food
lovers with their lip-smacking new
experimental recipes that are slowly
penetrating into the dynamic menu
of the restaurant. Some signature
dishes are unique to this restaurant
and not seen elsewhere.
With vast experience in the
field of IT, and owning franchise
restaurants in the past, owner of the
restaurant, Shoeb, brings his passion
and experience to Food Inn. Being
different, offering a cuisine which is
unique and exceptional, and the zeal
to foster a new experience to food
lovers is his business statement.
His love for food persuaded him to
venture into the cafe and restaurant
business, alongside his successful
career in the IT industry. Shoeb
started with a café in Ellerslie,
which quickly went in to become
a popular hotspot for coffee lovers
The chefs at Food Inn are
extremely multitasked and talented
to situations that may arise
where a diner chooses to request
customization to their dish on the
table and/or ask for a surprise for
their taste buds.
Food Inn in order to engage more
with its customers and as a way to
say thank you to the community is
giving the opportunity to people to
share some of their recipes with the
restaurant. Once selected by a panel
of chefs, the restaurant will feature
Food Inn, the recipe in its menu for one month
Sandringham is and serve that dish to the public,
redefining the from the restaurant.
and snack munchers in the suburb. This rare golden opportunity will
This further motivated him to start
Indian cuisines to offer the people to share their hidden
a restaurant that offers the delicacies the food lovers with Master chef genius and serve their
that no other place provides. their lip-smacking dish to the world.
So why are people new experimental
choosing Food Inn? recipes... What to do?
T
he restaurant over the last few
Shoeb himself handpicks the Send your recipes to The Indian
months is creating waves,
The restaurant promises the food, freshest vegetables from the farms Weekender Facebook with
exclusively known for serving
the essence of which will give a of Auckland region. The meat too pictures and once selected, the
unique and exotic dishes and
food lover a nostalgic roller coaster is bought fresh directly from a local person will be notified and the
exhibiting a very dynamic menu, in
ride to places where such foods supplier exclusive to Food Inn. recipe will be featured in the
both takeaway and dine-in sections.
originated in India. This gives the restaurant an menu for one month.
The entrance of the takeaway is
Each of the items on the menu edge on their craft and serves the
lined with starters namely Dragon
is a work of a carefully crafted customers the best of everything one
Chicken, Bombay Chowpatty,
artist, ‘the chef’, using the most can expect.
Mutton Kundan Kalia, which is hard
authentic spices imported from the Another unique thing that the
to forget.
local markets of Indian cities. The restaurant offers its customers is the
Dishes such as these are not
vegetables are sourced fresh, and opportunity to taste the food before
merely same old food with twisted
only the best quality items get to the one makes up his or her mind to buy
names, instead are new dishes not
chef's table. Owner of the restaurant the meal at the takeaway.
tried anywhere else in the market.

Kaifi Aur Main: A bitter-sweet journey

¡¡ @MAHESH in the backdrop of pre-independent experience to be remembered. 

T
he discerning auckland
audience was in for luck
when they got to witness
an innovative and surreal theatre
collage when veteran actress turned
social activist Shabana Azmi and
her husband Javed Akhtar who is a
renowned lyricst-writer performed
‘Kaifi Aur Main’ in the city.
Brought to the city of sails by
Shane Sohal of SS Telefilms, the show was a hit
with the audience who seems to be getting tired
of ‘musical shows’ set on the same pattern.
India and takes us through the start
of a life-time of romance between
Shaukat and Kaifi. While Shabana
plays her mother Shaukat, Javed
read the parts of Kaifi. The play
goes through the ups and downs
witnessed by the couple and also
documents the political and social
Shabana Azmi and environment that India went
Javed Akhtar through over the course of half
a century.
Kaifi Aur Main, directed by Ramesh Talwar,
Sprinkled with heart-warming ghazals sung
is an enactment of personal memories of
by the fabulous Jaswinder Singh complemented
Shabana’s mother Shaukat Azmi and her father
with an inspired performers on tablas,
Kaifi Azmi. Based on excerpts from Shaukat’s
keyboards and violin, Kaifi Aur Main was an
book Yaad Ki Rehguzar the performance is set
Though both Shabana and Javed sat through
the play, their voice modulation and delivery
gave us goosebumps and bursts of claps were
proof of the impact they made on the audience.
We also learnt about Kaifi’s progressive
ideas, his vision and of course his writing that
has transcended time. His love for Shaukat
and his many roles as a husband, father and an
activist. Kaifi Azmi who passed away on May
10, 2002 worked tirelessly in his later years for
his village Mijwan. 
The play was a roller coaster ride filled with
love, humour, grief and social commentary.
A delightful experience for which Auckland
audience has to thank Shane Sohal. 

Green Door
Real Estate Ltd Licensed REAA 2008
Anna Toyot
Phone: 09 391 0012
Mobile: 022 6666 111
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E: annatoyota@greendoor.co.nz

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必須在今年3月
 12 NEW ZEALAND
India NZ Business Council strengthens gender
diversity with new industry stalwarts on board
¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH
I
ndian NZ Business Council
(INZBC) has almost struck gold
in its board expansion by getting
three new industry stalwarts on
board.
The new appointees are Jo
Pennycuick, Managing Director,
Redesign Group, Esther Guy-
Meakin, Manager, International
Trade, Beef + Lamb New Zealand,
and Earl Rattray (Director, Dairy
Link Ltd).
The appointees not only diversify
representation of different industry
sectors currently on INZBC board
but also strengthen the gender
diversity.
The three new appointees are
covering important sectors of dairy,
food & beverages, and services.
INZBC treasurer Bhav Dhillon
said INZBC is excited to have
three very experienced and credible
professionals on the board.
“The new members are covering
three important sectors - dairy, F&B
and services, which gives us an all-
round edge of having an excellent
pool of talent on our board,” Mr
Dhillon said.
“Among the INZBC board, we
already had representation from the
following sectors - dairy export,
education, infrastructure, logging,
aviation and logistics. These new
Boundary lines are indicative only
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appointees add more value to the
leadership quotient of the board,” Mr
Dhillon added.
All the three members come with
years of experience in the India-NZ
trade space and have been pioneers,
in their own right.
Jo Pennycuick is the owner
and founder of Redesign Group
which is closely involved in the
construction of many Indian airports
including Delhi T3, Bangalore,
Chandigarh, Hyderabad and Mumbai
international airport.
The business has been operating
in India since last many years and
brings to table significant experience
of operating in the Indian market.
“I am thrilled to be on the board
of the Indian New Zealand Business
1
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(unless sold prior)
4pm, Thu 12 Apr 2018
2 Harris Road, East Tamaki
Nelson Raines
+64 21 555 673
nelson.raines@bayleys.co.nz
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+64 21 995 121
tony.chaudhary@bayleys.co.nz
BAYLEYS REAL ESTATE LTD, MANUKAU,
LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008
Esther Guy-Meakin
Council. I hope to bring some value-
add to the council and provide
my experience and in territory
knowledge to fellow New Zealanders
that wish to enter the Indian market,”
Ms Pennycuick said.
“We are actively working in the
airport, hospitality and retail sectors
and providing local Indian corporate
and international brands with a
unique design service.
“The corporates are seeing value
in our work in India, and we are now
working with Samsung India, Diagio
- Jonnie Walker and LG for their
rollout plans.
“These contacts have been secured
after 6-7 years of in territory work
and persistence. We see that this is a
typical length of time for an offshore
Friday, March 16, 2018
Earl Rattray
company to make traction in a new
country - especially India,” Ms
Pennycuick added.
The second appointee, Esther
Guy-Meakin, who is currently
International Trade Manager at Beef
& Lamb NZ, has an illustrious career
background in the New Zealand
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Trade.
Ms Guy-Meakin has been closely
involved in India-NZ Free Trade
Agreement (FTA) negotiations, along
with being the Lead Goods Negotiator
on the Regional Comprehensive
Economic Partnership (RCEP) talks.
Ms Guy-Meakin has also
previously served as deputy head of
NZ High Commission in New Delhi.
On her appointment, Ms Guy-
Meakin said, “After my three
years in India, I’m really excited to
The Indian Weekender
continue my connection to the Indian
community through INZBC and
be part of growing the relationship
between India and New Zealand.”
The third appointee Earl Rattray
has a longstanding career in the dairy
sector.
Mr Rattray, currently director of
Dairy Link Ltd, had previously been
founding Director of the Fonterra
Co-operative Group, and the
inaugural Chairman of the NZ Dairy
Companies’ Association.
He is also chairman of Binsar
Farms Pvt. Ltd, a pioneering Indian-
NZ dairy farming and fresh milk
marketing company in Sonipat,
Haryana.
On his appointment to the INZBC
board, Mr Rattray said, “INZBC
plays a valuable role in building
bridges between business networks
and between nations.
“All of us doing business in
India benefit directly or indirectly
from INZBC activity. We owe it to
ourselves to lend it our support,” Mr
Rattray added.
Welcoming the new Board
members, the INZBC Chair Robert
Baker said, “We welcome the new
board members and hope that this
will take our Council a long way,
in providing more in-depth insights
and on-ground support for other
Kiwi businesses, wishing to work
with India.”
 The Indian Weekender
Maro Var Made For Me to be staged
for the first time in Auckland
¡¡ IWK BUREAU
G
ujarati theatre in
New Zealand is now
becoming the essence
of Gujaratis, especially
those residing in Auckland
with a line-up of local and
international Gujarati events
happening all year round;
thus increasing the number
of followers of Gujarati
entertainment. 
However, when it comes
to local productions, the two
obvious names that come to
one’s mind are the pioneers of Gujarati
theatre in Auckland—Chirag Solanki
who started with entertaining and
meaningful skits in 2008, and Jayesh
Bateriwala. The two passionate theatre
artists, along with other like-minded
theatre lovers, dared to stage the very
first play Mara Var No Varghodo in 2010
which turned out to be the most popular
among the Gujaratis in Auckland.  the popular Gujarati author Kaajal Oza
Gujaratis in Auckland, who have
watched the play Mara Var No Varghodo
with three houseful shows in 2010
and two houseful shows in 2017, have
called it a benchmark when it comes to
100% entertainment with a meaningful
message.  staged in Auckland, this will be the
 Keeping that in mind, the pioneering
duo is back with a new play Maro Var
Made For Me to be staged on March 24
at Green Bay High School and once
again promise to give their audience
a full package of entertainment with a
beautiful message to take home.  So what are you waiting for? Just
Why you should watch
this play
jenny.salesa@parliament.govt.nz
20151006 - Salesa ad 125x170.indd 1
Friday, March 16, 2018
T
he aim of Maro Var Made For Me
is to make everyone enjoy the little
joys of life. Life has its ups and downs
and no one can escape the lows of life.
But when a person spends his precious
time and money to go watch a play such
as this one, it is important for the artists
to give them a good time.
There is no age barrier to watch this
play;come along with your better half or
just your gang of girls and boys. The plot
will surely strike the chord with every
generation.
Another important aspect of this
play is that it has never been staged
before.Unlike most of the local plays
first ever enactment of this script with
a few adaptations from Producer Jayesh
Bateriwala and Director Rupal Solanki.
The MVMFM team has planned two
surprises for the audience which you will
experience during the play. Currently,
the unique Maro Var Made For Me
photo frame is being well-applauded by
people, especially couples.
Electorate Office:
7 Fulton Cres, Otara
09 274 9231 or 09 278 9972
Papatoetoe:
YouthLine Building,
145 St George Street,
Friday mornings
9.30am to 12pm
Otahuhu:
Otahuhu Town Hall,
10 -12 High Street
Monday mornings
9am to 12pm
Authorised by Jenny Salesa,
Parliamentary Buildings, Wellington
06/10/15 11:24
NEW ZEALAND 13
Characters and
Maro Var Made For Me
Tickets priced at $20, available at Eggs and More,
Sandringham and Yogijis, Mt Roskill.
supporters
Date: Saturday, March 24, 2018
The play revolves around
Time: 7:00 pm onwards
seven characters. The
characters are played by Ritesh Venue: Green Bay High School, Auckland
Vaghela, Shweta Diwekar,
Richisha Desai, Rupal Solanki,
Chirag Solanki and Jayesh
Bateriwala.These names are Trust Saffron Finance for
well-known in the Indian
theatre fraternity. The play expert Mortgage/ Insurance
also features a fresh talent-
Jinay Shah who will be seen
advice backed by years
playing a major role. of experience
These really hardworking,
independent and selflessly volunteering
individuals have been rehearsing Mortgages: Risk Insurances:
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Vaidya, produced by Chirag Solanki
and Jayesh Bateriwala and directed
by Rupal Solanki who is well-known for
her versatile acting.
“We are taken by surprise to see a
lot of non-Gujaratis have booked their
seats which reminds us that art has
no language. We now look forward to
seeing all the Gujaratis show their love
and support for our work. In return
we promise a night of 100 per cent
Nimish Parikh
Registered Financial Adviser 18B Kirby Street, Glendene,
entertainment,” Rupal Solanki said. Auckland 0602
M. 021 236 7070
nimish@saffronfinance.co.nz P O Box - 69263 , Glendene,
come and see a beautiful piece of art by Auckland 0645
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 14 NEW ZEALAND Friday, March 16, 2018 The Indian Weekender

Sports and Kirtan – the highlights of

Takanini Gurudwara’s 13th Anniversary
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD

E
vents hosted at Takanini
Gurudwara have always been
a huge affair with thousands
of community members participating
in different aspects of the celebration.
On Sunday, March 11, Takanini
Gurudwara hosted its 13th-
anniversary event but the celebration
had started a week ago on Sunday,
March 4 as world-renowned Sikh
preacher Bhai Sahib Giani Pinderpal
Singh from the United States came
to the gurudwara to impart his
wisdom and conduct kirtan for
Players at the Kabaddi tournament at the anniversary celebrations of the Takanini
the community. Gurdwar; Right: Kirtan recital at the celebration
Each session of Giani Pinderpal
Singh’s kirtan extends to at least
two hours, and he is known as one
of most influential Sikh preachers The Supreme Sikh Society was
Gurudwara’s anniversary. This year Four teams participated in the
in the world. Giani Pinderpal Singh established in 1982 and Takanini
ten teams from different parts of the Volleyball tournament namely
conducted kirtan session every day
country participated in the Kabaddi Hamilton, Black Spikes, Kalgidhar Gurudwara in 2003 with funding help
for eight days starting Sunday, March
tournament and Bay of Plenty Club Lions A and Kalgidhar Lions B. from banks of five million dollars.
4, and more than a thousand members
from Tauranga came out victorious Sever matches were held in the A week before the anniversary the
of the Sikh community including
defeating Punjab Kesari Club from tournament which was closely fought gurudwara appealed the community
senior men, women and children,
Auckland, the score being 44.5 and and in the final match Kalgidhar members through social media
attended each of his sessions.
35. Players Raman Mallian and Lions A defeated Kalgidhar Lions channels to raise funds to make the
Another preacher Bhai Lakhwinder
Meshi Harkhowal were awarded B with the final score 3-2. Players payment of the final installment of the
Singh flew in from India to conduct
the Best Raider trophy while Sippa Simarjit Singh and ManrajBeniwal loan. The last installment supposed to
the kirtan sessions. Bhai Lakhwinder
Thandewalia and Sunny Adamwal were awarded as the best players of be paid $250,000 and the community
Singh is deprived of sight and is
were awarded as the Best Stoppers the tournament.
renowned all over the world for his were able to raise $280,000 within a volunteering services to the extended
of the tournament. 38 players and The sports event witnessed a
kirtan sessions and wisdom. week time. This has made Takanini multicultural community present in
officials were called from India to crowd more than 5000 of men and
and Otahuhu Gurudwara free from the country. Activities include sports
Annual Sports events: participate in the Kabaddi matches. women cheering the teams that
the debt it owed to the bank. for the children and the youth, langar

T
Six of the ten teams had three ended at 7:30 p.m.
ouch game Kabaddi and Both Takanini and Otahuhu services for the community, growing
international players each, and four The anniversary event saw more
Volleyball are the two sports gurudwaras host multiple events and community garden to source fresh
top teams were given two players than 10,000 people attending through
events that are hosted every activities throughout the year in order vegetables for the community, and
each to play with the teams. the day.
year on the occasion of Takanini to engage the community provide programmes for the elderly.

Elderly couple from Auckland A Government run by Unions

killed in India train accident
this. They pay their taxes so that they can use
public utilities and services but the unions are
starting to regularly deny them that right.
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD Iain Lees-Galloway the Minister for

A
n elderly couple from Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi Workplace relations had promised that Unions
Auckland on a wedding National Party List MP will not strike and bring disorder to the lives of
New Zealanders.

trip to India died after
being hit by a train near Ambala
City railway station, in Haryana.
Eighty-four-year-old Sohan Lal
Jain and his 80-year-old wife Sita
Jain had gone to India to attend
the wedding ceremony of their
grandson in Indore.
According to reports from
Indian news agency PTI, the
tragic accident happened on
Monday, March 12, when the
couple was crossing the railway crossing near
Ambala City railway station.
Railway police officials told media that the
elderly couple failed to notice the approaching
train and met with the accident. People around
the tracks shouted to warn them of the train,
but they were unable to respond and died on
the spot.
Police were unable to identify the mangled
bodies of the couple and were only able to
identify them when they found a bank passbook
that Mr Jain was carrying.
Mr Jain’s son in Auckland was later informed
of the incident and has travelled back to India to
conduct the last rites of his parents.
The couple was associated with different
community organisations in Auckland such as
Shanti Niwas Charitable Trust and Bhartiya
Samaj Charitable Trust in their senior citizen’s
programme.
“It is a tragic and unfortunate incident that
we lost two members of our family,” Ms Nilima
Eighty-four-year-old Sohan Lal
Jain and his 80-year-old wife Sita
Jain had gone to India to attend
the wedding ceremony of their
grandson in Indore.
Venkat, manager of Shanti Niwas Charitable
Trust told The Indian Weekender.
“The couple was associated with us for
more than ten years, and Ms Sita was so
excited about her grandson’s wedding,” Ms
Nilima said.
“She was a very bubbly person and was
actively involved in our events and activities.
“The couple was planning to host a reception
for her grandson here and invited us all to
it before she left for India. Our senior centre
is in complete shock, and there is a sombre
environment amongst our senior members now.
We lost two lovely souls,” Ms Nilima added.
O
ne of the important roles of
Governments is to ensure public
utilities and services are there to service
citizens of the country.
Regardless of its ideology a Government
must prioritise the needs of the country’s
citizens first.
In case of the Labour led coalition
Government it is sad to see it being regularly
held hostage by its own membership,
the unions.
The recent announcement of strikes by the
rail and maritime transport unions is a clear
example of such a situation.
It is every day New Zealanders trying to get
to school or work who are paying the price for
www.indianweekender.co.nz
The most visited Indian news
website in New Zealand and
Australia*
For online advertising options, email at
sales@indianweekender.co.nz
*T&Cs apply
Well these promises are proving to be very
empty.Strikes by unions under the Labour led
coalition Government are becoming common
practise. This was the fifth major strike that
New Zealanders have had to bear within the
first four months of Labour led Government.
Unions are well aware on how to leverage
their position with the Government by causing
disruption to lives of working Kiwis. In causing
these unnecessary and aimless disruptions the
Unions will force the Government to accept
their unrealistic demands.
Let us hope that for the sake of our commuters
and exporters common sense prevails and the
impending pro-union changes do not cause
further disruptions to their lives.
 The Indian Weekender
Bainimarama meets India’s Minister for Human
Railways to enhance the rail network in Fiji trafficking
P
rime Minister Voreqe
Bainimarama has met the
Indian Minister for Railways
and Coal Piyush Vedprakash Goyal
on the margins of the Solar Alliance
Founding Conference in New
Delhi, India.
The meeting was an opportunity
for Bainimarama to hear from India’s
Minister for Railways and Coal on
the preliminary findings of India’s
railway expert and their assessment
of the railway lines in Fiji and the
options available to enhance the rail
network in Fiji.
A government statement says
Minister Goyal along with a team
of experts in the Railway and
Locomotive industry highlighted
their initial findings and also
provided options which the Prime
Minister, who is also the Minister
for Sugar Industry, was very
pleased with.
The Railway Minister also
confirmed the participation of Indian
Sugar Mills Association to provide
a thorough survey report of the
whole railway system in Fiji and to
present a cost-benefit analysis to both
1060 workers sent to Australia, New Zealand
M
ore than a thousand
seasonal workers have
been sent to Australia and
New Zealand since the signing of
the Seasonal Work Schemes in 2015,
Parliament was told last week.
Minister for Employment Jone
Usamate said 1060 workers had
been sent to the two countries from
2015 to February this year with 600
deployed to New Zealand and 460 to
Australia.
He said there were 11 females and
944 male workers who are employed
by 33 employers.
“The scheme and recruitment are
growing and we will continue to
work on increasing the number of
workers recruited from Fiji,’’ Mr
Usamate said.
“In fact last week we sent the
largest single number of workers
to be recruited at one time, that is
82 workers to New Zealand,” Mr
Usamate said.
Mr Usamate said the Fijian
Women have power to unite, says Sabrina
H
uman Rights Lawyer
Sabrina Iqbal Khan believes
women have the power to
unite Fiji.
During the International Women’s
Day celebration last week the
Assemblies of God Church in
Lautoka, hosted a Christian women’s
ministry conference at Namoli.
The conference covered topics
of growing in Christ and the power
of prayer. Supported by many of
the local churches in Lautoka, the
conference attracted women from
as far as Suva including guest
speaker Laurel Vaurasi, Principal of
Shekinah Law and President of The
Fiji Law Society.The conference
Friday, March 16, 2018
threat
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has met the Indian Minister for Railways and
Coal Piyush Vedprakash Goyal
governments.
The statement says in his response,
Bainimarama highlighted that such
initiatives and support from the
Government of India will provide
the necessary impetus to drive the
diaspora in the two countries has
been a challenge for the ministry,
as the diaspora had been misleading
the workers with misguided advice
and breaking their employment
contract  and therefore got them into
trouble.
He said to address the challenge,
the ministry was looking at
possibilities of appointing liaison
officers in the two countries who
would undertake pastoral work and
Sabrina Iqbal Khan (seond from right) with some of the women who attended the
conference.
was supported by Fiji Broadcasting
Corporation and Tappoo’s Lautoka.
Also included in the conference
was an exquisite fashion show by
sugar industry forward and become
competitive in the global market.
Fiji anticipates long-term benefits
to the sugar industry from the
improvements of the railway tracks.
market Fijian workers.
Mr Usamate said that the process
of screening and selecting people
to enter the workforce was proving
to be a success and had been
commended by both countries.
He said that currently most
workers were from Cakaudrove,
Macuata, Ba, Tailevu and Ra,
Lomaiviti and Nadroga/ Navosa.
Opposition Whip Mikaele
Leawere acknowledged that New
Tappoo’s highlighting the importance
of women looking and feeling good
as daughters of a king.
“Women are caring, nurturing
Zealand and Fiji were rebuilding
their relationship and expressed
hope and unwavering support.
Responding to Mr Usamate, Mr
Leawere said the seasonal scheme
did not only provide for Fiji’s
economy but it could be questioned
if the Government considered hiring
the workers to share their knowledge
and expertise attained from overseas.
“The workers to share their
expertise attained from overseas in
order to help the Fijian economy
grow, many are home and could
be employed by the government to
develop the economy,” he said.
Mr Leawere said most of the
seasonal workers in Fiji went to
New Zealand and Australia and were
engaged in the primary industries,
which was good but it was also
important to explore other means
and get seasonal workers to engage
in other types of works in the two
countries.
leaders who have the ability to multi-
task and effectively manage their
lives in roles of a mother, daughter,
wife and more,” Ms Khan said.
“It is easy to be lost in the chaos
of a world which at times is broken.
“We must continuously strive to
better ourselves growing in God,
praying and keeping that connection
to a mighty Kingdom very much
alive.Only then we will see healing,
appreciate our anointing and work
towards a united future.
“At the end of the day, women
everywhere have welcomed unity. I
hope to see Fiji grow and progress as
a nation this way”
Lautoka resident Angela Wati said
FIJI 15
F
iji is still vulnerable to human
trafficking so people need
to be cautious and vigilant
about their surroundings, says
Nadi-based police officer Assistant
Superintendent of Police Shiu Chand.
While speaking during the
"My freedom day" seminar at the
University of Fiji Saweni campus
yesterday, ASP Chand said the threat
of human trafficking was real in Fiji
even though there were not many
cases reported to police.
"The best thing to do is to keep
creating awareness about the crime
that is real and exists in Fiji," he said.
"People in our rural and urban
communities have to be aware of
their surroundings and the people
who come into their areas insisting
that they are there
"People
to help or have in our rural
a business and urban
proposition communities
for them," have to be aware of
he said. their surroundings
and the people who
" W e
come into their areas
have to insisting that they
k n o w are there to help or
when a have a business
person is proposition for
them."
being genuine or
they are there to take
advantage of you.
"Sometimes we have tourists
coming in and they are visiting
remote areas and people welcome
them with open arms, but some of us
tend to overlook their intentions.
"We need to create more awareness
about it and we need to talk about
this with our family members who
live in our rural communities."
He said women and children were
the most vulnerable to crimes such as
human trafficking and prostitution.
"They are the most vulnerable of
our society and they are the main
targets of people who commit these
crimes."
Fiji's first human trafficking
prosecution was recorded in 2010.
"My freedom day"
(#myfreedomday) is an initiative
spearheaded by American news
network CNN aimed at educating
students on modern day slavery.
Ms Khan was: “not like others. She
is real. She feels our pain and she
responds.”
Ms Khan is the daughter of
renowned Lautoka lawyer Iqbal
Khan.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be in
this world for. But for as long as I am
I will uplift as many people as I can
through love, prayer and advocacy.
This is my calling.”
Ms Khan rejected an extravagant
lifestyle and employment offered to
her whilste she lived in the Middle
East.
“I gave it up to do God’s work. All
my sufferings and challenges have
made everything worth it.”
 Thought of the week
"We should not give up and we
should not allow the problem
to defeat us."
Editorial –A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Can Indian Auckland Weather forecast for the week

March 16 – March 22, 2018

expertise be the Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thu

panacea for NZ Reriods Cloudy, A Little A little Sunny and Sunshine Partly

housing crisis?
of Rain Breezy, afternoon morning pleasant with a Sunny
a pm rain rain shower
shower

T
he recent news of an Indian architect of ‘low-cost homes,’ Balkrishna 25°
26° 24° 24° 24° 23° 23°
Doshi, being awarded Pritzker prize has not attracted much attention in
18° 18° 18° 18° 16° 16° 17°
New Zealand, other than casual reporting.
The news has failed to spur any public debate in NZ, which if Housing and
Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford is to be believed is currently reeling
under an unprecedented housing crisis. This week in New Zealand’s history
Mr Twyford has spent first few months in government in investigating the scope
and the breadth of the state of the housing crisis in NZ, including commissioning 16 March 1999
an independent stock-take of New Zealand’s housing sector. NZHistory website launched
The report, A Stocktake of New Zealand’s Housing, released earlier last month
assessed the entire housing continuum from homeownership and market renting,
to state housing and homelessness and suggested that the state of crisis is much
N ZHistory (www.nzhistory.govt.nz) was launched by the Minister of Internal Affairs,
Hon. Jack Elder, at a function at National Archives (now Archives New Zealand) in
Wellington on 16 March 1999.
bigger than what appears to eyes.
“It paints a sobering picture of the devastating impacts of the housing crisis, 19 March 1839
particularly on children,” Mr Twyford had then said. Honey bees brought to New Zealand
Against such a gloomy backdrop, it is interesting that the news of global
recognition of an Indian architect’s work on ‘low-cost housing’ has failed to incite
much attention, leave aside raising any call for the cross-pollination of ideas or
M ary Bumby, the sister of a Methodist missionary, was probably the person who
introduced honey bees to New Zealand. She brought two hives ashore when she landed
at the Mangungu Mission Station at Hokianga in March 1839.
collaboration around the low-cost housing.
The Pritzker Prize is regarded as architecture’s equivalent to the Nobel Prize. 20 March 1834
And the judging panel’s statement read, “Indian architect Balkrishna Doshi New Zealand's first recognised flag chosen
A
was awarded this year’s Pritzker Prize for being able to interpret architecture and New Zealand flag was first
transform it into buildings that respect the Eastern culture, at the same time that he suggested in 1830 after Sydney
has improved the quality of life in his homeland.” customs officials seized a Hokianga-
Long considered to be one of India’s foremost living architects and urban built ship. Australia was subject to
planners, Mr Doshi is widely known for designing extensive low-cost housing British navigation laws under which
projects and public institutions. ships had to carry official certificates.
Mr Doshi’s work on transforming ‘quality of life’ of people through low-cost As New Zealand was not then a
housing would resonate with the cherished goal of this current government by its British colony, New Zealand-built
own admission. ships could not sail under a British
To many, the idea of any comparison of ‘quality of life’ in New Zealand, a flag or register. Without this, they
developed economy, with India, a developing economy facing the existential and their cargoes would continue to
challenge of lifting millions of lives out of poverty and deprivation may appear be seized.
incongruous.
However, the point being made here is about the expertise available elsewhere Indian Weekender : Volume 9 Issue 50
overseas, in terms of how low-cost housing can transform the quality of life.
It is not clear if the government has yet warmed up to the idea of “low-cost Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited
housing” as a viable option in the mix of solutions that this government is currently Content Editor: Sandeep Singh | sandeep@indianweekender.co.nz
mulling upon, in order to fix the housing crisis. Chief Reporter: Swati Sharma | swati@indianweekender.co.nz
It is important to note that what the government has openly stated so far, is the Reporter: Rizwan Mohammad | rizwan@indianweekender.co.nz

intent to build more houses, both state houses and in private market, but no clarity, Chief Reporter—South Island: Gaurav Sharma

if any thought, is given to “low-cost housing.” Chief Technical Officer: Rohan Desouza | rohan@indianweekender.co.nz

While, in the recent past, government has made two major announcements of Sr Graphics and Layout Designer: Mahesh Kumar | mahesh@indianweekender.co.nz

construction of state houses (88 state houses in New Lyn, Auckland, and 155 new Graphic Designer: Yashmin Chand | design@indianweekender.co.nz

state houses in region), which supposedly are meant to be modest in size, however
there is no clarity if the government is pursuing ‘low-cost’ housing as a viable
solution to the problem of housing crisis.
In Mr Doshi’s case, and in most low-cost housing project overseas, there is a
preference for the robust use of concrete, something which has not yet been tried
in NZ.
The prize citation of Mr Doshi stating the influence of two of the great 20th-
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Sales and Distribution: 021 952218 | sales@indianweekender.co.nz
Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher
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the views of the team at the Indian Weekender

century architects, Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, known as Le Corbusier, and Louis Kiwi Media Publishing Limited - 133A, Level 1, Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland.
Kahn, on him, read, “how their influence can be seen in the robust forms of Printed at Horton Media, Auckland
concrete which he employed.” Copyright 2017. Kiwi Media Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Probably, it’s time to explore, and include ideas and expertise, in the bouquet of
already considered strategies for addressing one of the most pressing crises that
we are facing in New Zealand.
 The Indian Weekender
Airport infrastructure: Case for expediting growth
TAPONEEL MUKHERJEE
W
ith its rapidly-growing
economy, the fact that
India needs significant
investments in airport infrastructure
cannot be overemphasised. While
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
and privatisation of airports have
been attempted to some extent, the
time has come to accelerate the pace
on this front.
The broader trend seen in
infrastructure, of attracting global
capital, applies as much to airports as
to any other sector. As they say, “All
Roads Lead to Rome” (implying that
there are few roads to Rome). There
are alternative ways of creating and
financing airport infrastructure.
“Asset recycling” – a strategy
of monetising existing assets to
generate capital – eminently applies
to airports.
Asset recycling of existing airport
assets will allow the government to
monetise financially-viable projects
to generate capital with which to
finance other economically useful --
but not financially viable -- airports.
This is an alternative to a viability
gap fund strategy or a strategy of
financing new assets using extra
charges on air tickets. The asset
recycling strategy needs to be looked
Five years on, Corporate Social Responsibility not delivering in India
AMIT KAPOOR
I
ndia is now into the fifth year of
its unique experiment of legally
binding companies to be socially
responsible.
This push by the government to
solve the country’s most challenging
social problems was based on
the idea that the corporate sector
will come up with transformative
solutions that will scale up impact
across the country.
The CSR (Corporate Social
Responsibility) sector has matured
over the years, but no significant
impact has been made in the
development issues that India faces.
There are many challenges that need
to be addressed before CSR becomes
a powerful force for change.
Ministry of Corporate Affairs
data reveals that out of 5,097
companies that filed annual reports
until December 31, 2016, for the
financial year 2015-16, only 3,118
had done some CSR expenditure.
For the financial year 2014-15, 3,139
companies had spent 74 per cent of
the prescribed CSR expenditure.
Many of the companies made their
CSR investments to the Prime
Minister’s Relief Fund.
The reasons stated by the
companies for zero spendings include
non-finalisation of location of the
project, technical difficulties and
organisational capacity to identify
projects still in creation.
Some of the companies even
cited that their profile does not gel
with the concept of CSR and they
are not required to constitute a CSR
committee.
These findings provide two major
insights about Indian businesses.
First, while many of them are
Friday, March 16, 2018
at in greater detail, especially with a
view to developing airports in tier-2
and tier-3 cities.
Airport operators and regulators
also need to start thinking in terms of
capital structure innovation around
airport businesses.
In terms of generating financing,
the airport business can be listed
through an IPO.
This is an idea that has been
around for a while in India. Globally,
airport operators such as Corporacion
America Airports are also looking at
IPOs.
The cash liquidity that an IPO
route provides without having to
deal with the contingent liabilities
making efforts to address societal
challenges, they lack strategic
planning to identify the ideal projects
for investment.
The grants made by most of
the companies have no long-term
strategic thinking behind it.
Second, most of the businesses still
do not consider it their responsibility
to invest in the advancement of
communities around them. They fail
to consider CSR as a holistic view of
the impact that businesses have on
society and the environment through
their operations.
Even if these companies make
some investments in future, their
behaviour suggests that there will be
a lack of engagement.
The lack of strategic planning,
innovation and experimentation and
the lack of engagement by businesses
will not lead to high-impact results.
It is important for businesses to
understand the challenges faced by
the citizens to make a meaningful
impact.
of a debt structure can be useful
in pursuing high-growth projects
for airport operators. On the other
end of the spectrum are financial
instruments such as revenue-backed
airport bonds. This would be a big
step for airports and airport operators
in India.
While revenue-backed airport
bonds would take some regulatory
mechanism changes, the impact can
be crucial to speed up the creation of
airport infrastructure.
The ability of airport operators to
optimise their capital structure using
a variety of well-defined financial
instruments and vehicles will be very
important to bring down the cost of
One way is to enable businesses to
see new opportunities to solve public
problems.
They should get hold of a social
issue that is at the core of their
business and then use their resources
and capabilities to address the
problem in a way that will help not
only society but will reap benefits for
the company as well.
This implies that they should focus
on creating “shared value”.
The other route to tackle the social
challenges that India is facing is that
businesses start embracing strategic
CSR and adopt strategies that will
help move the needle towards urgent
needs.
Both these solutions require an in-
depth analysis of the well-being of
our country -- analysis that can bring
out state-specific social challenges
and areas of relative weaknesses.
Such a tool can act as a useful
guide for companies as to where
and how they can best effect change
by helping them identifying key
capital and facilitate its flow into the
airport sector.
A more delineated capital structure
will mean that airport assets will open
up not just to large airport operators
but also to relatively smaller financial
institutions interested in a “pie of
Indian airports”. Having a wider
capital base means more competition
for assets and a more efficient credit
system.
A few critical questions worth
asking are: Why does airport
infrastructure matter in India? Are
there positive multiplier effects of
creating more such infrastructure?
Given limited resources and
various requirements, why is
airport infrastructure a compelling
investment opportunity?
A study, titled “Economic Impact of
European Airports” by InterVISTAS,
found that the relationship between
aviation connectivity and GDP
per capita for 40 countries was a
positive one but with a significant
scattering around the average. The
key takeaway from the study is the
positive impact on GDP growth that
airport infrastructure has – and the
careful planning needed to deliver
this positive impact.
It is important that the creation
of airport infrastructure by both
private players and regulators looks
focus areas for prioritisation and
investments.
Social progress is a concept that
can enable businesses to harness
their full potential to enhance well-
being in society.
Social progress views development
beyond the concept of GDP. It
focuses on capturing the real issues
faced by the people.
This is already helping businesses
to improve people’s lives in many
other countries.
In Brazil’s Amazon, a detailed
social and environmental diagnosis
of 772 municipalities spurred
Coca-Cola and Natura to conduct a
community-needs survey based on
the Index framework.
This laid the foundation for a
new development programme that
was collaboration between citizens,
government, business, and civil
society.
The programme, guided by the
social progress data, has improved
water and sanitation infrastructure,
NEW ZEALAND 17
at each airport asset individually
within the larger hub-and-spoke
network. It is as important not to
create excess capacity as it is to build
meaningful infrastructure. Without
doubt, business productivity, local
economies and inbound tourism all
stand to develop from well-built
airport infrastructure.
Interestingly, according to a
study by the Centre for Asia Pacific
Aviation (CAPA) in 2014, domestic
airline seats per capita in India
was 0.08, while the number for the
Philippines was 0.29.
According to the World Bank,
the nominal GDP per capita in 2016
for India was approximately $1,709
versus $2,951 for the Philippines.
Despite this, according to CAPA,
India was the third-largest domestic
aviation market in the world in 2016
– and one of the fastest-growing.
The data tells us that despite
the aggregate size of the market,
penetration rates are low here.
This implies that the economic and
financial value creation capacity of
airports in India is immense.
Airport infrastructure creation,
if done well, is an opportunity for
everyone involved.
(Taponeel Mukherjee heads
Development Tracks, an
infrastructure advisory firm)
providing 500 households with
consistent sources of clean water for
the first time.
They also constructed new river
piers to improve transportation
during seasonal flooding and increase
connectivity with neighboring
communities.
These improvements have been
made possible because businesses in
that region took responsibility for the
well-being of society.
Similarly, businesses in India can
use the tool for their CSR action plans
to determine areas in which they can
allocate resources and improve the
quality of life across communities.
For instance, when it comes to
nutrition and basic medical care, the
Index shows that Madhya Pradesh
performs the worst among all states.
Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand follow
closely.
Therefore, FMCG companies can
undertake targeted initiatives across
this belt to tackle the perpetual
problem of nutrition in India and
companies in the pharmaceutical and
medical sector can help improve the
condition of basic medical services
in these states.
There exists immense scope for
corporates to aid social progress in
India and it does not even have to be
forced down their throats.
Merely making use of indices like
the Social Progress Index to identify
areas of social need that intersect
with their line of business and
contributing their two cents should
suffice.
It just might also make for a unique
business opportunity for them. One
only needs to look.
(Amit Kapoor is chair, Institute
for Competitiveness.
 18 INDIA
India, France to work together in
India Ocean, combat terrorism
I
ndia and France agreed to work
together in the Indian Ocean
region, strengthen defence
cooperation and add new momentum
to the fight against terrorism as the
two sides signed 14 agreements,
including in the areas of space
cooperation and high speed railways,
following bilateral talks headed by
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and
French President Emmanuel Macron.
“Both of us agree that the Indian
Ocean region will play a significant
role in the future for the peace,
prosperity and development of the
world,” Modi said in a joint address
to the media along with Macron
following the talks.
“Whether it be environment,
maritime security and resources,
freedom of navigation or overflight,
we are committed to strengthen
"We
our cooperation,” he stated.
want our
Modi said the two
youth to know,
countries were releasing a see, understand,
Joint Strategic Vision for live, and work in each
cooperation in the Indian other’s countries so
Ocean region in what that thousands of
can be seen as a strong ambassadors emerge
China given Beijing’s in the process."
increasing influence in the
region. On his part, Macron said
that both France and India are giving
a new momentum in their strategic
partnership against terror. Stating that
there is a long history of cooperation
in defence, security, space and high
technology, Modi said that there
bipartisan support in both countries
on the bilateral relationship.
“We share a deep defence
relationship and we see France as
one of our most trusted partners in
this area,” he said.
“All services of our defence
Navy’s all-woman crew aboard INSV E
forces regularly hold discussions
Tarini begins return journey
A
n all-women sailing team of
the Indian Navy left Cape
Town on Wednesday for its
return journey to India, nearly six
months after embarking on a historic
voyage to circumnavigate the globe.
This is the first-ever Indian
circumnavigation of the globe by
an all-women crew, according to the
Indian Navy.
“Indian Naval Sailing Vessel
(INSV) Tarini left Cape Town today
for the final leg of circumnavigation
passage to Goa. The yacht was
flagged off by Indian High
Commissioner Ruchira Kamboj,” the
Navy said in a statement here.
The INSV Tarini had arrived at
Cape Town on March 2 after THE
completion of the fourth leg of the
trip.
The team is being led by by
Lieutenant Commander Vartika
Joshi, and the crew comprises
Lieutenant Commanders Pratibha
Jamwal, P Swathi, and Lieutenants
S Vijaya Devi, B Aishwarya and
Payal Gupta. During their stay at
French President Emmanuel Macron, left, hugs Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the ceremonial
reception of former at the Indian presidential palace in New Delhi, India, Saturday, March 10, 2018. Macron who
is on a four-day state visit is expected to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and co-chair the
Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance
and conduct joint
exercises. We
have strong ties in
defence equipment
and production.
We welcome France’s
commitment to Make in
India in the defence sector.”
The Prime Minister said that an
agreement for provision of reciprocal
logistics support between the armed
forces between the two countries
signed on Friday was a golden step
towards close defence cooperation.
Modi also said that people-to-
people ties, especially the youth,
is the most important dimension
for the bright future of the bilateral
relationship.
“We want our youth to know,
see, understand, live, and work
In this photo supplied by Networx PR, crew of the INSV Tarini vessel pose on deck for a photograph after their arrival in Cape
Town Harbour, South Africa Friday, March 3, 2018.
the harbour in Cape Town, the team
interacted with students from various
institutions, including the University
of Western Cape.
INSV Tarini is a 55-foot sailing
vessel, which has been built
in each other’s countries so that
thousands of ambassadors emerge
in the process,” he said. For this, he
said, two agreements were signed
following Saturday’s talks - one
on mutual recognition of academic
qualifications and the other on
mobility and migration partnership.
Modi said that the India-
France relationship extends to all
areas, including railways, urban
development, environment, security
and space.
Among the agreements signed
were those on cooperation on high
speed and semi-high speed rail,
sustainable urban development,
credit facility of 100 million for
funding of smart city projects,
exchange of information between the
governments and technical experts
indigenously and inducted into the
Indian Navy last year.
Defence minister Nirmala
Sitharaman had flagged off the vessel
for the trip from Goa on September
10. The team is being led by by
Friday, March 16, 2018
of the two countries in the field of
environment and climate change
and provision of end-to-end solution
for detection, identification and
monitoring of vessels in the regions
of interest for France and India.
Macron arrived here on Friday on
a four-day visit to India during the
course of which he and Modi will co-
chair the founding conference of the
International Solar Alliance (ISA)
which was launched by the Indian
Prime Minister and then French
President Francois launched during
the Paris climate summit in 2015. 
The ISA is conceived as a coalition
of solar resource-rich countries to
address their special energy needs
and provide a platform to collaborate
on dealing with the identified gaps
through a common, agreed approach.
Lieutenant Commander Vartika
Joshi, and the crew comprises
Lieutenant Commanders Pratibha
Jamwal, P Swathi, and Lieutenants S
Vijaya Devi, B Aishwarya and Payal
Gupta.
The Indian Weekender
Indigenous
solar water-
purifier, jacket
unveiled
U
nion Environment and
Science Minister Harsh
Vardhan on Wednesday
unveiled a solar water purifier
and a solar jacket developed
by Department of Science and
Technology (DST) indigenously.
Offficials said that so far five
prototypes of solar water purifiers of
500 litre capacity and 20 prototypes
of the solar jacket customised for
the Forest Department staff and
others have been developed.
"One prototype has been installed
here, while the other four prototypes
of the solar water purifiers are
installed at four different schools
in Tripura and Assam, where
electricity couldn't reach due to
difficult terrain," innovator Prof S.P
Gon Chaudhury, from DSE, said.
The 4-watt powered water-
proof solar jacket, that comes in
camouflage pattern, has solar panels
at its rear side and a battery attached
inside, to help charge mobile phone
and GPS. Beside a LED powered
torch on the front and a illuminated
ID tag were attached to help the
movement of the forest officials
during foot or night patrolling.
The solar-jacket, Chaudhury
said, had been under trial for past
six months and were distributed
among the forest staff in Tripura
and officers of Kolkata Police.
Team up to
find solution:
Rahul
ven though the Delhi
Congress president Ajay
Maken held a meeting with
CM Arvind Kejriwal over sealing,
Congress president Rahul Gandhi
attacked both AAP and BJP over the
issue.
Taking to twitter, Gandhi advised
both BJP and Congress to “stop the
drama of allegations and counter-
allegations over sealing in city.”
His tweet said, “Due to the fake
fights and the collusion between
BJP and AAP, traders are facing a
lot of damage.” He also suggested
that both the parties should work
together to find a solution.
Gandhi’s tweet has come a couple
of days after Kejriwal wrote a letter
to him seeking help in insisting the
Centre to introduce a Bill in the
Parliament to usher changes in the
law to stop the drives.
Kejriwal wrote that the issue
needs to be strongly raised in the
Parliament.
The AAP functionaries have
claimed that after the all-party
meeting, Congress has agreed to
support AAP on the issue in the
Parliament. However, replying to
Gandhi’s tweet, Kejriwal again
urged him to raise the issue in the
Parliament and offered all support
from AAP.
 Lok Sabha passes
The Indian Weekender Friday, March 16, 2018 INDIA 19

Budget without debate

T
he Lok Sabha passed the
Union Budget without
any debate amid din,
leading to a walkout by members
of the Congress and Trinamool,
while the TDP, YSR Congress,
AIADMK and SP protested near the
Speaker's podium.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley
moved the Finance Bill 2018, as
well as the Appropriation Bill amid
the din, which were passed by voice
vote. The Lower House has been
witnessing protests over a number
of issues, including the Punjab
National Bank (PNB) fraud, special
economic status to Andhra Pradesh,
and setting up of the Cauvery Water
Management Board.
The same issues rocked the
House on Wednesday right from the
moment it met.
Amid protests, Parliamentary
Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar
requested Speaker Sumitra Mahajan
to take up the financial business at 12
p.m., to which she agreed.
"Keeping in view the urgency
involved in financial business, we
cannot defer the same any longer
hence guillotine in respect of demand
for grant 2018-19 which is scheduled
for 5 p.m., will not be taken up
immediately after laying of papers,"
the Speaker said. after Gorakhpur District Magistrate against the manner in which the which was mentioned in the List of
When the House met at 12 p.m., Rajeev Routela refused entry to bills were passed. The Congress and Business on Tuesday as well.
members from the Telugu Desam journalists at the counting centre and the Trinamool members staged a As per the usual practice,
Party (TDP), YSR Congress, no poll leads were given out after walkout later, calling it a "murder of Parliament debates demands for
AIADMK and the Samajwadi Party the first round. Members from the parliamentary democracy". grants for some selected ministries,
(SP) trooped near the Speaker's Congress, Trinamool Congress and Members from the Communist before all demands for grants are
podium and started raising the Left parties, who have Party of India (Marxist), including passed together, which is called the
slogans. Keeping been protesting over the party leader Mohammad Salim, process of guillotine.
While the TDP in view the PNB fraud case, were AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, Once the demands for grants were
and YSR Congress urgency involved in seen standing at their Bhagwant Mann of the Aam Aadmi passed through voice vote, members
are demanding a financial business, we cannot seats, as the Speaker Party (AAP) and some other members in the treasury benches were seen
special economic defer the same any longer went ahead with were seen joining the chorus with thumping their desks to welcome it.
status for Andhra hence guillotine in respect of the different bills SP members who were near the The passage of the Finance Bill
Pradesh, the demand for grant 2018-19 which related to passing Speaker's podium, shouting slogans and the Appropriation Bill completes
AIADMK is is scheduled for 5 p.m., will not the demands alleging murder of democracy. the budget exercise in the Lok Sabha.
demanding a board be taken up immediately for grants and On Tuesday, members from the While the two Bills will now
for management after laying of papers the finance bill. opposition parties, including the go to the Rajya Sabha, the Upper
of the Cauvery river As the Speaker went Congress, Left, Rashtriya Janata House does not have a say in passing
water. The Samajwadi ahead with the process, Dal (RJD), Nationalist Congress Finance Bills, and can only return the
Party has been protesting against the members standing near the Party (NCP), and some other parties bills within 14 days.
the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led Speaker's podium continued to had written to Mahajan protesting If the bills are not returned to the
government in Uttar Pradesh, urging raise slogans, while the Congress, against the listing of guillotining of Lok Sabha in this time frame, they
Mahajan to "save democracy", TMC, Left and other MPs protested bills related to demands for grants, are considered returned.

PM sets 2025 deadline

for TB-Free India
P
rime Minister Narendra Modi on
Tuesday set deadline of 2025 to free
India from tuberculosis (TB), five years
ahead of the global deadline set by World
Health Organisation (WHO).
"The deadline to eradicate TB from the
world has been set at 2030. But I declare that
India would be free from tuberculosis five
years ahead by 2025. The target is set," said
Modi in his inaugural address at Delhi End TB
Summit at Vigyan Bhawan.
He said the Delhi summit, organised by
India's Health and Family Welfare Ministry,
WHO South East Asia Region and Stop
TB Partnership, is a landmark event before
the United Nations General Assembly in
September 2018 as it is an important step for cent. By next year, I am confident of achieving
entire humanity. India is confident of achieving 90 per cent immunisation in the country."
its target of 2025 as the government is Elaborating how the immunisation rate was
following a new approach with multi-sectoral increased, he said that the government had first
interventions, said the Prime Minister identified the districts and regions out of its
The disease was declared as an emergency coverage and then the 'Mission Indradhanush',
25 years ago and since then several countries targeting these areas with better vaccines,
have tried different measures to check the medicines and deeper engagement at ground
disease but with limited success, and there level, was launched. Terming frontline TB
was a need to change the approach of tackling physicians and workers a crucial part of the TB
the problem advocating for a more holistic Free India Campaign, he said those patients
approach, he added, who overcome this disease also inspire others.
"India has launched a new approach and "It is easier to get cured from TB than to stop
strategy to eradicate TB from the country. The watching TV," he said and added people should
National Strategic Plan is fully operation," encourage TB patients for correct treatment by
he said. In 2016, the number of tuberculosis generating awareness at local level.
related deaths in India was more than 400,000, He also said that the government has
about one-third of the total number of global established India TB Research Consortium to
toll. Modi said immunisation in India had been strengthen vaccines, medicines, diagnosis and
going on for 30-35 years but at the prevailing implementation, and as the states have a key
rate of one per cent in 2014, another 40 years role to play in this regard, he has personally
would have been required. "In the last three- written to all Chief Ministers to join in the
and-a-half years, the rate has gone up to six per campaign.
 20 INDIA ABROAD Friday, March 16, 2018 The Indian Weekender

Trump taking Macron visit:

India-France
ties set to
the US backwards: deepen further
Indian-American T
he already strong ties between
India and France are set to
deepen further when French

filmmaker
President Emmanuel Macron comes
on a four-day visit to India starting
on Friday during the course of which

I
ndian-American Saila Kariat, the film, Kariat said: “I have lived
who has made her directing debut in Silicon Valley for over 20 years. I
with The Valley, says the US -- witnessed the pressure young people
where a debate on immigrants has face to be successful, and the cluster
been raging -- is going «backwards» suicides in some Bay Area schools.
under the leadership of President The problems experienced there can
Donald Trump. be found in most modern societies all
“Starting as a child, I immigrated over the world -- they are just more
from US-India-Canada-US, so I intense in our high tech capital.
have seen the evolution of attitudes “Anxiety and depression are on the
towards immigrants. When I came rise amongst young adults, and the
back to the US in 1984, I felt it was reasons are complex. I explore this
so progressive compared to other in the movie. I have also seen mental
countries,” Kariat said. health problems go unaccepted or
“However, I find recent ignored in the Indian community.
developments in the US alarming. There is a lot of stigma, particularly
The present government is taking the amongst Asians.”
country backwards. To me, it Anxiety Produced by Wavefront
is a clear demonstration Productions, The Valley
and depression
of how leadership is stars Alyy Khan and
are on the rise amongst
so important,” she Suchitra Pillai.
young adults, and the
added. The film has won
reasons are complex. I
After living in awards at many
explore this in the movie. I
the US for over 20 film extravaganzas
have also seen mental health
years, Kariat picked like the Berlin
problems go unaccepted or
up a story about an International
ignored in the Indian
immigrant family to Filmmaker Festival of
community.
tell through “The Valley”. World Cinema, Madrid
But she steered away from International Film Festival,
making it a piece harping about their Out of the Can Film Festival and DC
experiences in a foreign country. South Asian Film Festival. Making
Instead, the award-winning film, the movie was not at all easy.
which released in India on March 2, “I had the story idea about eight
throws light on an important aspect: years ago, and started writing
Depression. It follows a distraught the script about four years ago.
father as he searches for answers Independent filmmaking is a process
after his college-age daughter’s full of obstacles, and mine was no
suicide. On the idea behind making different. I had to raise the money,
find the crew and cast. Raising the
funding was a challenge, as this was
my first feature.
“Then I worked extremely hard
on casting with Lauren Herrel. I
could not find the right actors in the
US, so I reached out to India and
Pakistan. That’s how I found Alyy
Khan, Suchitra Pillai and Samina
Peerzada.”
Kariat, who hails from Andhra
Pradesh, was born in Berkeley and
worked as an engineer for many
years. Her father was a professor and
moved jobs. After getting married
and embracing motherhood with
two children, she started her own
residential construction company. It
was after that she gradually realised
her passion for filmmaking, and
embarked on her journey to make it
come true by getting a degree in film
at San Jose State University.
“I love filmmaking -- the creative
process. I am struggling with
filmmaking -- the business. Due to
various reasons, I have had to drive
the business end of the movie, and
that has been challenging. However,
it is truly a passion. Anyone who
has made a feature can tell you the
sacrifices involved. You can’t do it
unless you truly love it,” said Kariat,
who has produced some projects as
well. In The Valley, she has tackled
the sensitive subject of depression
and suicide. She says her vision is to
touch hearts with her stories.
“I want to tell stories that have
some meaning and relevance
in today’s world. I do not like
gratuitous violence and sex. In some
cases, the story calls for it, but I feel
many movies try to introduce these
elements simply to make themselves
commercial. 
he will also co-chair the founding
conference of the International Solar
Alliance (ISA).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
will hold a bilateral summit with
Macron on Saturday following which
several agreements across various
sectors are expected to be signed.
On Sunday, the two leaders will
co-chair the founding conference of
the India-initiated ISA which was
launched by Modi and then French
President Francois Hollande during
the Paris climate summit in 2015.
French sources said on Wednesday
said that the two countries’
partnership on the climate change
front, the Strategic Partnership they
share, and people-to-people ties will
be the three key aspects in terms of
bilateral relations during the visit.
Macron, it is learnt, has been
preparing for long for the visit, which
will be his first ever to India, and it
has been in the works ever since
Modi, during his visit to Paris in June
2017, extended an invitation.
Modi’s visit itself was unexpected
and was planned at very short notice
-- he had made a state visit to France
in 2015 -- and unusual in terms of
the European nation’s protocol but
was highly appreciated by the French
side more so because this meeting,
the first between the two leaders,
came less than a month after Macron
assumed office.

SPORTS

Rohit, Sundar guide India

to final of Nidahas Trophy
S
kipper Rohit Sharma led
from the front with a fluent
half century and teenaged
off-spinner Washington Sundar
scalped three wickets to help India
beat Bangladesh by 17 runs at the
R. Premadasa Stadium and guide
the men-in-blue to the final of the
Nidahas Trophy T20 tri-series.
Chasing a healthy 177, Bangladesh
were off to a forgettable start, thanks
to Sundar's (3/22) exploits with the
new ball as opener Liton Das (7)
and one-down Soumya Sarkar (1)
perished to the tweaker cheaply.
Stumper Mushfiqur Rahim raged
a lone battle with a 55-ball unbeaten
72, comprising eight fours and a six
but that was not enough for his team
as Bangladesh could only muster
159/6 in the end.
Sundar came back to pack back
the other opener Tamim Iqbal (27),
who looked threatening with his
four boundaries and a six off Shardul
Thakur's first over before losing his
leg stick to the 18-year-old tweaker.
Tottering at 40/3, Bangladesh's
hopes were further dented when leg-
spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (1/21) saw
the back of skipper Mahmudullah
(11) caught by Lokesh Rahul.
Despite losing his partners at
the other end, Rahim, who came in
at No.4 started well, occasionally
dispatching the odd balls to the
boundary until Sabbir Rahman (27)
joined him to add 65 runs for the fifth
wicket.
But the joy was shortlived as
Thakur came back to shatter the
defences of Rahman, reducing
Bangladesh to 126/5 even as the
Indian bowlers tightened the flow
of runs towards the later part of the
innings.
Pacer Mohammed Siraj, who
came into the playing XI replacing
left-armer Jaydev Unadkat, was
at the receiving end of Rahim's
aggression but managed to contain
the Bangladeshis towards the end.
Earlier, the Indian openers Rohit
and Shikhar Dhawan (35) clicked
at the right time with a 70-run stand
after being put in to bat.
Skipper Rohit, who was out of
form for quite a long time, returned
to form and slammed his 13th T20
fifty (off 42 balls).
Aiming to cement his place in the
T20 side, veteran Suresh Raina (47)
also contributed handsomely to the
cause. The last four overs saw some
brilliant hammering from Rohit and
Raina before the southpaw, who was
three short of his 50 at that point, was
caught by Sarkar off Rubel Hossain.
His 30-ball knock comprised five
boundaries and two sixes.
The last ball of the innings saw
Rohit, who played 61 balls, getting
run out while going for a single and
thus India posted 176 runs in their
allotted 20 overs.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, March 16, 2018
Stephen Hawking 1942–2018
Professor Stephen Hawking was an
outstanding scientist and academic. His grit
and tenacity inspired people all over the
world. His demise is anguishing. Professor
Hawking’s pioneering work made our world
a better place. May his soul rest in peace.
Narendra Modi – PM
Sad to hear of the passing of scientist
Stephen Hawking. His brilliant mind made
our world and our universe a less mysterious
place. And his courage and resilience will
remain an inspiration for generations.
Ram Nath Kovind – President of India
We lost a great one today. Stephen Hawking
will be remembered for his incredible
contributions to science – making complex
theories and concepts more accessible to
the masses. He’ll also be remembered for
his spirit and unbounded pursuit to gain
a complete understanding of the universe,
despite the obstacles he faced. May he rest
peacefully as his legacy and brilliance
live on.
Satya Nadella – CEO Microsoft
The world has lost a beautiful mind and a
brilliant scientist. RIP Stephen Hawking.
Sundar Pichai – CEO Google
Today, we remembered Professor Stephen
Hawking, who was a brilliant cosmologist
that changed our view of the universe with
his remarkable theories and outreach.
Here's a look back at Hawking's relationship
with NASA that spanned the years.
NASA
Why Stephen Hawking was so important to science
Renowned theoretical scientist’s theories on black holes and the universe were revolutionary
O
n Wednesday morning, renowned
theoretical physicist Stephen
Hawking died at the age of 76. His
contributions to science changed the way
we look at the universe. Born in Oxford,
England, Hawking was a mediocre student as
a child but went on to revolutionize physics
and cosmology — the study of the origin and
evolution of the universe. But he did something
perhaps even more challenging: he brought
such deep thinking about how the universe
began and where it’s going to the general public
in his bestselling book, A Brief History of Time,
which was later turned into a documentary.
Hawking became a fixture in pop culture,
with appearances on television shows such
as The Big Bang Theory, The Simpsons and Star
Trek: The Next Generation. While Hawking
may be a household name, many people aren’t
necessarily familiar with his contributions to
science. Here are a few of his most important
ideas.
Hawking radiation
A lbert Einstein’s theory of general relativity,
published in 1915, suggested the existence
of black holes — an object whose gravitational
pull is so intense that once something passes
a region known as the event horizon, there’s
no escape. Over the years, the theory of
black holes gained favour as further research
supported their existence.
In 1974, Hawking shocked the physics
community by theorizing that some
things can escape a black hole before crossing
the event horizon. Subatomic particle pairs
— such as photons and neutrinos — near that
point of no return could result in one particle
being ejected. This became known as
Hawking radiation.
Interestingly, Hawking initially didn’t
believe it possible. He only came to that
conclusion when he tried to prove a young
"He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy
will live on for many years,'' his children Lucy, Robert and Tim said in a
statement. "He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work
and legacy will live on for many years. His courage and persistence with his
brilliance and humour inspired people across the world. He once said, `It would
not be much of a universe if it wasn't home to the people you love.' We will
miss him forever.''
student, Jacob Bekenstein, who had initially
made the suggestion, wrong.  the theory that the universe began with a
The black hole debate
I
n 2014, Hawking released a paper
titled Information Preservation and Weather
Forecasting for Black Holes in which he
surprised the astrophysics community by
suggesting black holes weren›t so black after
all. He challenged his initial theory from 1974
that suggested nothing could escape a black
hole after crossing the event horizon. His new
paper said light may be able to pass through the
point of no return area and leak information in
the form of matter.
However, he theorized that what comes out
of it would not resemble what went in. So, for
example, if a Tesla Roadster with a mannequin
behind the wheel went into a black hole, the
scrambled atoms that might come out would be
unrecognizable.
Big bang
T
hese days, the big bang theory is the
widely accepted scientific explanation
of the origin of our universe, but there was a
time when the idea seemed preposterous. Even
British astronomer Fred Hoyle, who coined the
term in 1949, didn’t believe the theory.
In 1970, Hawking, along with fellow
physicist Roger Penrose, suggested the universe
began with a singularity, a location where space
and time are indistinguishable. It’s as if a black
WORLD 21
hole went in reverse. Their research supported
big bang.
Theory of everything
While Hawking’s theories revolutionized
the way physicists think about the universe,
he never won a Nobel Prize because his
theories haven’t been proven. For example,
even if energy is released from a black hole,
its temperature would be so low it would be
difficult to measure.
At one time, Hawking had hoped to find
a theory that could explain all the physical
aspects of the universe, one that could unite the
theory of general relativity (the study of the
very large aspects of our universe) and quantum
theory (the study of the very small). 
But in 2010, Hawking admitted that science
may never be able to find the  “theory of
everything.” While the renowned scientist
is gone, it’s likely that his theories will be
discussed for a long time yet.
Stephen Hawking on special "zero-gravity" jet
let Hawking float as if he were in outer space
U.S. President Barack Obama awarded the
Presidential Medal of Freedom to Stephen
Hawking in 2009
Stephen Hawking was a prolific author with
a knack for making books on challenging
scientific topics engaging to a wide spectrum
of readers. The physicist is best known for his
best-selling 1988 classic 'A Brief History of
Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes,' which
was intended to help people without a strong
scientific background understand key questions
of physics and human existence.
 22 FEATURES
PARENTING
Ways to build a strong bond with your teen
F
ew parenting challenges
are quite as terrifying
as handling a teenager.
Sure, potty training may seem
like an endless battle at the time,
but it looks like a piece of cake in
comparison to parenting a teen.
Horror stories of teenage moodiness,
rebellion, and questionable taste
in friends leave many parents
feeling grossly unprepared for the
unavoidable drama on the horizon.
The key to successfully tackling this
phase is to take a deep breath, relax,
and remember that teens are not
monsters.
They’re just kids going through a
lot of physical, emotional, and social
changes–all at the same time. Parents
can build and maintain a healthy
relationship with their children
throughout the teen years with a bit
of patience and a lot of love. The
following tips help parents create a
lasting bond that makes navigating
the teen years somewhat easier:
Talk. Although teens seem to
prefer spending most of their time
in their rooms, they do want to know
that their parents take an interest in
their lives. The key to conversing
with a teen is to keep it casual and
relaxed. Much to a parent’s surprise,
an informal “How was your day?”
can prompt many teens to open up.
Talking regularly about friends is
a helpful way to monitor what’s
happening in a child’s peer crowd.
It also shows teens that their parents
are genuinely interested in what’s
happening in their personal lives.
Goals, accomplishments, struggles,
and any individual interests (sports,
movies, music) are fantastic
subjects. The point of these daily
discussions is to establish a fun,
relaxed, and enjoyable exchange
of information. It’s incredibly
important that these chats never turn
into a scolding session; that will
only turn teens off to the whole idea.
Parents should aim for at least 15
to 30 minutes of conversation each
day at a time when their kids seem
particularly chatty–after school, in
the car, at the dinner table, or before
bed are great opportunities.
Listen, listen, listen. Once the
conversations start flowing, parents
should let their teens take the
reins. That allows them to steer the
conversation in the direction they
desire. Great listening provides
teens the chance to unload what’s
on their mind. It’s helpful to respond
to them with appropriate comments
and questions and encourage them
to elaborate. Listening is incredibly
crucial during difficult or touchy
conversations.  that there are consequences in life
Parents should try to listen to
their teen with an open mind and
respond constructively if their teen
approaches them with a problem.
It can be difficult for parents to
remain calm when their child has
done something wrong, but it’s
essential to maintain this open line
Friday, March 16, 2018
of communication. A hasty reaction
may cause a teen to clam up in the
future.
Establish and enforce rules.
Although it’s important to listen and
remain rational while discussing
troubling situations with teens, it’s
equally important to set standards.
Teens need to learn acceptable
behavior, and they need to know
when they break those rules. Parents
should avoid screaming, shouting,
and belittling, but merely enforce
whatever punishment fits the offense.
Spend time together. Spending
quality time together is a great way
to build a strong bond. Life gets
hectic, and crazy schedules can leave
The Indian Weekender
many teens feeling forgotten and
isolated. Taking time out of a busy
schedule to hang out together makes
a teen feel valued and appreciated.
A simple gesture, such as going for
a hike, grabbing an ice cream, or
catching a movie, will make a world
of difference.
Be a parent. It’s easy to blur the
line between parent and friend when
desperately trying to form a bond
with a teen. It can be tricky to listen
and be open-minded like a friend
while still setting and enforcing rules
and boundaries.
Even though it may cause small
arguments, teens need responsible
parents who look out for them and
keep them safe. Parents concerned
that doling out punishments will
break their bond with their child
should remember that teens often
respect parents who stick to their
word (even though they’d never
admit it).
The teen years can be quite a
rollercoaster, but they don’t have
to be a monstrous nightmare.
Parents can develop an unbreakable
bond with their teens with regular
conversations, fantastic listening
skills, and understanding but firm
demeanor. Spending quality time
together and showing genuine
interest in their hobbies, friends, and
personal lives will strengthen that
bond. Patience and an open mind
are incredibly helpful when raising a
teen, and they can make these years
incredibly enjoyable.
 The Indian Weekender
CROSSWORD NO: 6
SUDOKU NO: 8
HITORI NO: 8
Hitori – a logic puzzle with very simple
rules and challenging solutions. Can
you eliminate numbers until there are
no duplicates in any row or column?
Objective / Rules
Eliminate numbers until there are
no duplicates in any row or column.
Eliminate numbers by marking
Friday, March 16, 2018 TIME OUT 23
QUIZ QUESTIONS NO: 6 ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. Who is the fourth musketeer
besides D Artagnan, Athos
and Porthos? Aramis
2. Who killed the Minotaur ?
Theseus
3. Which Egyptian woman was
considered as the inventor
of agriculture? She married
her brother and together
they had a son: Horus. Isis
4. Who is the giant with 100
eyes according to the Greek
mythology? Argus
5. Whose box did Epimethius
open? Pandora s box
6. What is the name of the
winged horse in Greek
mythology? Pegasus
7. On which island did Ernest
Hemingway stay to be able
to write much? Cuba
8. Where is set the book A
Small Town in Germany by
John Le Carre? Bonn
9. In which country did
Shakespeare s Hamlet live?
Denmark
10. Who was the wife of Othello?
Desdemona
11. Who was the imaginary love
of Don Quixote? Dulcinea
12. In which two languages
did the Irish writer Samuel
Beckett write? English and
French
13. Which book Mary Shelley
wrote when she was 19?
Frankenstein
14. Who said "I think therefore
I am"? Rene Descartes
15. What is the English name
of the Russian novel titled
Voyna i Mir? War and peace
16. What is the name of the
infamous novel by Vladimir
Nabokov? Lolita
Send us stories, drawings,
poems and other
contributions by your
little ones along with their
photographs for this page.
E-mail us at reporter@
indianweekender.co.nz
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE NO: 6
See how many differences you can find in the right or left photo.
them in Black.
You are not allowed to have two
Black squares touching horizontally
or vertically (diagonally is ok).
Any White square can be reached
from any other (i.e. they are
connected).
 24 FEATURES Friday, March 16, 2018 The Indian Weekender

Different types of Kachoris

T
hough Marwaris hold the Mogar Kachori the country with spicy aloo sabzi.

With crown to be the originator

When you think of kachori, the Raj Kachori

Ruby
of this tempting Indian street
first version that comes to mind is In a way, it is the most popular
food, with time, the original kachori
Mogar Kachori. version of kachori that has been
has changed its shape time and again
With its origin in Jodhpur, this swiftly shifted to the category
and has been redefined with different

Jeera rice How to make Dalwadas

variety of kachori has a rich filling of chaat, probably because of its
flavours and ingredients.
of soaked moong daal, Indian spices puffed-up look, just like a gol gappa.
What makes each version a sure
and lots of amchur powder. If we go by the reports, Raj Kachori
shot hit is its - ‘taste’. Let’s take a
This deep fried snack item is also originated in Bikaner and can now be
tasteful ride of the different varieties
relished as breakfast in many parts of found in every part of the country.
and their individuality.

A tasty basmati rice side-dish spiced

with toasted cumin seeds
D
alwadas are a traditional Gujarati recipe which

A
twist of nutty cumin is the quickest way to have the potential to make you fall in love with
elevate plain rice to something a little this cuisine
more special. While nothing can This snack recipe can be savoured by adults and
really replace plain rice in an Indian
6 children alike and are not just filling for your stomach
meal, this cumin-infused basmati but also satiate your soul. Since it is made from just a
rice is an interesting variation. few ingredients, this easy recipe can be made without
RECIPES

much effort from your side.

RICE

Preparation Time: 10 min This vegetarian recipe is made from moong dal
Soaking Time: 30 Minutes which is soaked and transformed into crispy balls that
Cooking Time: 20 resemble donuts and are extremely flavourful. They
Minutes can be served with tomato ketchup or chutney and are
Serves: 4 apt for occasions like kitty parties, potlucks, picnics
Taste: Mild or game nights. Go ahead and indulge in this mouth-
watering appetizer this monsoon with your friends and
INGREDIENTS: family!
• 1 1/2 cup rice
• Enought water to soak INGREDIENTS
the rice • 1 cup soaked overnight moong dal thick paste. Transfer it to a bowl and add some salt,
• 3 cups water • 1 pinch cumin seeds cumin seeds, garlic paste, green chilli sauce along
• 2 Tbsp cumin seeds • 1 teaspoon garlic paste with coriander leaves. Mix it thoroughly and set it
• 2 bay leaves • 1 cup vegetable oil aside.
• i onion small • 1 handful coriander leaves Step 2
• 1 tsp salt • salt as required • Place a pan with some oil on low flame. Next, make
• 1 ts saffron soaked in 2 Tbsp of • 1 teaspoon green chilli sauce small balls of the thick mixture. One by one, add
warm water • these balls in the heated oil and fry them until they
HOW TO MAKE DALWADAS turn golden in color. Once done, place them on a
150 | India’s Most Wanted Recipies Ruby Dhillon

METHOD Step 1 platter and serve it with some tomato ketchup to

• Wash and rinse the rice really well, until the water runs clear. • Grind the overnight soaked in a mixer to form a zest up the flavor.
Place the rice in a bowl with enough water to cover the rice. Cover and
keep aside for 30 minutes to soak.
• Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan on medium heat. Add cumin seeds and bay Genius kitchen hacks you should know
F
leaves; when they start to crackle, add sliced onion and sauté on medium
rom creative solutions for 10 seconds. The steam created by the Make Veggies Crunchy
heat for 1-2 minutes or until light brown in colour. leftovers to a quick fix for water will restore moisture.
• Drain the rice and discard the water. too-salty soup, these helpful
• Add rice with 3 cups of water to the onions, mix well. Add salt and let one Don’t let cheese dry out
tips and tricks can save you time and
boil come on a high heat. Cover and cook the rice on a low heat for 8-10 money.
minutes or until cooked through.
• To check if the rice is cooked; lift up the lid and push the rice away from Avoid stale muffins
the side of the pan with a spoon to see if there is any extra water left, no
water means that the rice is cooked .
• Remove the rice from the heat and leave it covered to steam for 5 minutes.
• Gently fluff the rice with a fork to seperate the grains and sprinkle saffron
with its water on the rice
• Serve with any gravy of your choice.
When radishes, celery, or carrots
Stop cheese from drying out by have lost their crunch, simply pop
Ruby's Tip: Never over stir the rice while cooking as this can cause the rice
spreading butter or margarine on the them in a bowl of iced water along
to become sticky and stodgy. If there is time to serve the rice then to prevent
To revive day-old muffins, sprinkle cut sides to seal in moisture. This with a slice of raw potato and watch
the rice from becoming mushy; place a damp muslin cloth over the pan, put
them with water, place in a paper is most effective with hard cheeses the limp vegetables freshen up right
the lid on and set aside. The cloth will absorb excess moisture and the rice will
bag, and pop in a hot oven for five to sealed in wax. before your eyes.
look fresh when served.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, March 16, 2018
Dealing with fears and anxieties
BY ACHARYA DAS
W
e have so many fears, large and
small. There is a myriad of things
that scare us,or worry us and cause
us anxiety.
For example, if we think something is
desirable, we tend to become focused on
attemptingtoacquire it. But whilewe’re
desiringor wanting something or someone,
doing what we think is needed to get it, there
is this anxiety, this fearfulness that maybe we
won’t get it.
Then as soon as we get what we want,
we’re in anxiety that we’re going to lose this
thing, or this person.
Then finally,if we lose the person or the
things that we thought we desperately needed
or wanted, we experience another type of
anxiety, the fear and anxiety that come from
loss and regret.
This reality is very unpleasant, but because
we live with it all the time, we’re not so
conscious of the factthat we are never at peace,
and it is fearfulness that greatly contributes to
ourlack of peace.
We understand from the sages that all fear
is ultimately rooted in the fear of death. Fear
of death is so overwhelming that as soon as
you put people in a situation where they could
suddenly lose their life, or in the proximity of
a dead body, they become very disturbed.
But why do we fear death? Why are we
so afraid? Because we desire permanence.
We cling vainly to this hope that things will
be permanent. Death demonstrates that our
relationships, our “home”, and even our
possessions, are all impermanent.
The foundation ofour desire for permanence
is due to our own spiritual nature. We are,after
all, eternal spiritual beings.
Death goes against everything fundamental
to our eternal spiritual nature. This pain that
we experience from death, or any other fearful
situation, is meant to teach us that we need to
seek a solution to this suffering.
Fear is rooted in the Knowledge
misconception that I am my means freedom
body. from pain; real
This is not knowledge; it knowledge results in
is ignorance, andignorance spiritual blissfulness,
causes pain. in great spiritual
According to the degree that joy.
we are covered by ignorance and
act on ignorance, we will experience
pain, sothe greater the ignorance, the greater
the pain. Knowledge means freedom from
pain; real knowledge results in spiritual
blissfulness, in great spiritual joy.
When a person is equipoised both in
happiness and distress, and is free from
attachments, fear and anger, such a person
is called sober. Their mind is in a very calm,
stable, and steady condition.
One who is not disturbed in mind even
amidst the threefold miseries or elated when
there is happiness, and who is free from
attachment, fear and anger, is called a sage of
steady mind.” – Bhagavad-gita 2.56
Byacquiring spiritual knowledge,we
can exist in that state of fearlessness. This
knowledge destroys the darkness of ignorance
in the same way that light dissipates darkness.
The process for cultivating spiritual
knowledge is to hear from spiritual authority,
the great spiritual teachers and shastra,and
then to adopt such instruction as part of
my life. Sri Krishna explains that there are
different types of knowledge. Knowledge
in the mode of goodness (sattva-guna) is
completely enlightening.
Oh son of Pritha, that understanding by
which one knows what ought to be done and
what ought not to be done, what is to be feared
and what is not to be feared, what is binding
and what is liberating, this is in the mode of
goodness. Bhagavad-gita 18.30
Spiritual knowledge teaches a person what
is to be done and what is not to be done.
In the beginning, refraining
from what should not be done
may be a little difficult. But as
one begins to tread, ever so carefully,
down the spiritual path, there is an internal
transformation.
There are spiritual insights, an awakening,
and also the experience of a wonderful and
joyful spiritual flavor.
In the Bhagavad-gita, it says;
In this (spiritual) endeavour there is no
loss or diminution, and a little advancement
on this path can protect one from the most
dangerous types of fear. –Bhagavad-gita 2.40
When one cultivates this understanding,
engaging in meditation upon transcendental
sound (mantra), either silently or quietly to
oneself (japa meditation)or through kirtan,
it brings about the gradual realization of true
spiritual knowledge.
With even a little development of spiritual
understanding, one can become free from
the most dangerous types of fear, even in the
midst of the greatest calamity.
FEATURES 25
March 16 to 22 March | By Manisha Koushik
Manisha Koushik is a practicing astrologer, tarot card reader, numerologist, vastu and fengshui
consultant based in India with a global presence through the online channels. She is available for
consultations online as well. E-mail her at support@askmanisha.com or contact
at +91-11-26449898 Mobile/Whatsapp: +919015607139 • www.askmanisha.com
ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 20)
Don’t have blind trust in health products, they may not suit you. You may become
instrumental in solving someone else’s problems on the social front. Something
promising is likely to happen on the romantic front. You are likely to create
good openings on the job front by sheer social networking. You will manage to
continue with your winning streak on the professional front.
Lucky Number : 15 / Lucky Colour : Rosy Brown
TAURUS (Apr 21-May 20)
Your suggestions on the professional front may not count initially, but will matter
at a later date. Those playing the stocks are likely to hit it rich. Something you
had started previously is likely to bring gains the coming week. A lot of pressure
can be put on some for marriage. Bringing order to your life will keep you in fine
fettle on the health front. Lucky Number : 5 / Lucky Colour : Brown
GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21)
A promising week for lovers is foretold. Someone may be following you closely
regarding your performance, so don’t relax. Condition of those who have
undergone surgery will improve quickly. An excellent investment opportunity
comes your way that will lead you to financial security. You are likely to get
passes or invites for a much awaited extravaganza, so rejoice! Lucky Number :
8 / Lucky Colour : Bottle Green
CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 20)
You are likely to win this week on the professional front by your original ideas.
Those seeking love need to be at their impressive best! Monetary position may
take various swings, so don’t undertake anything involving money. Those in the
creative fields will be hard put to find ready buyers. Take adequate measures to
counter the season while travelling. Some of you can risk your health by eating
out. Lucky Number : 3 / Lucky Colour : Beige
LEO (Jul 21-Aug 22)
Those with a creative bent of mind can feel a bit frustrated due to lack of
recognition. Wayside food may play havoc with your system, so desist. Small,
but regular, gains will keep your bank balance in a healthy state. Someone
is likely to express his or her love for you and place you on a pedestal! You
maintain your fitness level. Lucky Number : 22 / Lucky Colour : Maroon
VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 23)
You will succeed in getting your work recognised by the ones who matter. You
manage to save enough to organise a grand function or an event. Purchase or
development of property is on the cards for some. Regular medication will
negate the effect of a lifestyle disease for those suffering from it. You may need
to spike your romance with some excitement. Lucky Number : 2 / Lucky
Colour : Light Red
LIBRA (Sep 24-Oct 23)
Resuming your daily workouts will be a step in the right direction and help you
in regaining total fitness. A satisfying period is foreseen on the romantic front.
Over confidence on the academic front may be your undoing. Socially, you will
be able to impress those who are the movers and shakers in your circle. On the
business front, you are on the verge of signing a big deal. Lucky Number : 18 /
Lucky Colour : Brown
SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Adding to your skills by doing some course or attending some training is likely
to enhance your employability. Wise investments will find your financial health
improving. Something that you have started on the side will become profitable.
Much love and harmony can be expected on the domestic front. You are likely
to succeed in your to rejuvenate your love life. Lucky Number : 4 / Lucky
Colour: Dark Grey
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23-Dec 21)
You may be made to do extra hours at work, but will get to learn a lot. Financial
help will be forthcoming for those seeking it. You may have to abandon your
idea, as it does not look practical. A lifestyle change is possible for some, just
to live healthily. Your creativity and eye for detail is likely to prove a boon for
your home. You may feel reluctant to attend a social gathering and succeed in
avoiding it. Lucky Number : 11 / Lucky Colour : Cream
CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 21)
Attracting people from the opposite gender is foretold, so rejoice as romance
seems just round the corner! Spouse proves a great support. Good news awaits
you on the financial front, as chances of coming across big money cannot be
ruled out. Pursuing your academic dream becomes possible now. Help will be
forthcoming for something you wanted done at home. Lucky Number : 1 /
Lucky Colour : White
AQUARIUS (Jan 22-Feb 19)
You will need to direct your energies in thinking and doing positive, if you want
a happy state of mind. There seems a significant improvement in the condition
of someone who is unwell. A good investment scheme may come your way. You
can be in a contemplative mood at work and may reflect upon the satisfaction
you are deriving out of your present job. Lucky Number : 6 / Lucky Colour :
Magenta
PISCES (Feb 20-Mar 20)
Handsome profits can be expected in a business. You may have to judge things
correctly in a joint family situation to keep the domestic fabric intact. Things
look up in your work sphere, as you take steps to make yourself more useful. You
will draw your partner nearer by revving up your romance. Healthy alternatives
promise to bring you in the prime of your health. Lucky Number : 5 / Lucky
Colour : Brown
26 ENTERTAINMENT
I
f youre pregnant and cant find the right clothes
to fit in, make sure you are looking at the right
platforms and for fashionable yet comfortable
options. Here are some tips:
Online is your best friend: Most shops are too small to
stock a maternity section, so you have no choice but
to go online.  an elasticated, under the bust waist so the material
• Try second-hand: Many ladies give birth and put
their old maternity clothes online, so it’s worth
having a look on there if you have a limited
clothing budget. If there is nothing at the time
you look, you can always save the search and
it will flag up when someone sells something in
your size.  waistband means no digging in, while the rest of
• Leggings: If you want to be at your most
comfortable, leggings win every time. You
can pair almost any long top with leggings and
they provide space for your bump to grow and
ease for you. If your existing leggings get a bit
tight, simply buy the next size up to give you
some more breathing space. Even if you aren’t
tall, opting for the ‘long’ leggings rather than
‘regular’ will give you that extra length to go
over your bump.
Friday, March 16, 2018 The Indian Weekender
• Beach wear: f you are going to be at your biggest
during the summer months, beach wear can be a
great place to start looking for tops. This is the
time of year when cover ups are in most of the
shops and they generally go up to an XL. The
shape is exactly what a pregnant woman needs -
around your tummy is loose and they are long too
so they will each just above the knee.
• Maxi dresses: Like tunics, maxi dresses are
naturally shaped to mould to a pregnant belly.
Whether you opt for sleeveless or not, it will
fit snugly around the bust and the elasticated
the dress hangs beautifully over your bump and
drops to the floor. 
• Tights: Maternity tights are fairly easy to come
by too.
• Swing tops: Swing tops, like tunics are designed
to flair out just under the bust so if your go-to
style is tops with leggings or tops with trousers as
opposed to dresses and skirts, you don’t have to
compromise just because you are pregnant.

Sufi singer Pyarelal of Film
The Indian Weekender
industry shocked over
Wadali Brothers dead  A
Narendra Jha’s sudden death
N
oted Punjabi Sufi singer
Pyarelal, the younger of the
two famed Wadali Brothers,
died in Punjab on Friday, March 9
following cardiac arrest. He was 75.
Pyarelal, brother of singer
Puranchand Wadali, died at a
private hospital.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
led the nation in mourning Pyarelal’s
death. Family sources told media
that Pyarelal was admitted to the
hospital on Monday, March 5 after
complaining of chest pain. He was
put on ventilator. But his health
continued to deteriorate.  very co-operative and supportive. He
Doctors said he could not be
revived and he died on Friday
morning. Pyarelal’s cremation was
held at his native village Guru Ki
Wadali in Amritsar district.
The singer, the fifth generation of
musicians, is survived by his wife,
two sons and three daughters.
The Wadali Brothers have
performed at numerous shows in
India and other countries. Their
famous numbers include Tu maane ya
na maane dildara, aasan te tenu rab
manya, Ik tu hi tu hi and Chitthiye.
They sang for the film Pinjar.
Known for their humble
beginnings, they earned national and
international recognition over the
years thanks to their sheer talent.
The Prime Minister’s Office
tweeted: “Saddened by the demise
Friday, March 16, 2018
of Pyarelal Wadali. His renditions
attained great popularity globally.
His work will continue to draw
people towards the joys of Sufi
music. May his soul rest in peace.”
Punjab Tourism and Cultural
Affairs Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu,
Shiromani Akali Dal President
Sukhbir Singh Badal and central
Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma
also paid condolences.
Badal wrote: “I’m deeply saddned
to hear about the demise of Pyarelal
Pyarelal Wadali (left) and
Puranchand Wadali (right)
of Wadali Brothers - the epitome of
Sufi music. It is an unbearable loss to
the music world.”
Sharma said it was a “sad day for
the music industry and music lovers”.  “I will always remember our final
Sidhu said Pyarelal Wadali was an
exceptional singer devoted to Punjabi
and his demise had left a deep void in
the Punjabi Sufi singing arena.  He sat with me on the grass and we
Punjab Kala Parishad Chairman
Surjit Patar said the death was a big
loss to Sufi music.
ctor Narendra Jha’s sudden
demise on Wednesday,
Match 14 has left the film
industry in shock as his friends and
colleagues said he was hale and
hearty and was geared up to feature
in a slew of new projects.
Director Awani Agrawal said he
was healthy while shooting for his
film De Ijaazat Rahun Tujhme in
Gujarat earlier this month.
“He was shooting for my film,
which is tentatively titled De Ijaazat
Rahun Tujhme, in Vadodara. He
was accompanied by his wife to the
location. They left on March 8. He
didn’t have any health issue.
“I can’t tell you much about his
role in the film, but as an actor he was
was a beautiful person,” Agrawal
told media.
Narendra, who featured in films
like Haider and Raees, died early on
Wednesday due to a heart attack. He
was 55.
He was at his farmhouse in
Nanegaon, Maharashtra, when he
complained of chest pain, the actor’s
driver said.
Narendra’s De Ijaazat... co-star
Mohit Madaan was also shocked to
hear about his death.
conversation on the night before he
left for home where he found me lost
in my own world sitting in the lawn.
ate dinner together from one plate.
“There was an instant attachment
and he motivated me to continue as
an actor,” he said.
ENTERTAINMENT
27
Other members of the film
fraternity took to Twitter to express
their grief. Here’s what some of them
said:
Sanjay Gupta: I refuse to
accept it. Life cannot be so damn
unpredictable. I just met a hale and
hearty Narendra Jha at the park last
week. And now I’m hearing he passed
away this morning. Such a splendid
actor and a marvellous human being.
Rest in peace my friend. May God
bless your soul.
Hansal Mehta: What a shocker!
Narendra Jha? This profession is
truly a killer.
Neetu Chandra: We lose yet
another fabulous actor. Rest in peace
Narendra Jha. God bless his soul. My
prayers. I have no words.
Rohit Roy: I cannot believe this!
Narendra Jha passed away?! What
the hell is going on? Sad, very, very
sad. Shot an entire TV show and a
film with him and always thought
he was one of the sweetest, most
respectful and soft spoken actors
around.
 28 ENTERTAINMENT Friday, March 16, 2018 The Indian Weekender

AUCKLAND’S HOTTEST BOLLYWOOD STATION

Ajay Devgn:
Kapoor bahus
do not work in films
is a myth: Karishma

Always wanted B
ollywood actress Karishma Kapoor
says people have a misconception
that the Kapoor family is too
traditional to allow their daughters-in-law to

to work on
work in films.
“I think it is a myth that Kapoor bahus
(daughters-in-law) do not work.

my terms,
Whether it is my mother (Babita, wife
of Randhir Kapoor) or Neetu (Kapoor
– Rishi Kapoor’s wife) aunty, they

conditions
made a choice of not working after
marriage and having children.
“On the other hand, Jennifer
(Kendal – wife of Shashi Kapoor)
aunty and Geeta (Bali – first wife
of Shammi Kapoor) aunty worked
throughout, even after marriage.
So we all practised our choice,”
said Karishma at The India Today
Conclave 2018.
Her sister, and the granddaughter
of iconic filmmaker Raj Kapoor,
Kareena said: “Also, I think our parents
were very cosmopolitan. They did not
stop us from doing what we wanted
to. My father was very supportive.
Though he did not recommend us to any
producer, he always encouraged us

H
to fly.”
e has kept the audience on the edge of their Department. Remembering their childhood,
seats with his action roles, made them laugh “They are so silent and nobody knows about them... Karishma said: “Every weekend when
out loud in his comical avatar and even cry Officers like these keep doing their job and we talk we used to go to Chembur to meet
with his emotional characters. about other people, and people who become famous,” our grandparents, by crossing our R.K.
Actor Ajay Devgn looks back at his Bollywood he said. He also said the audience will get to know Studio, we used to get fascinated seeing
career with contentment – having worked on his own about what transpires before and during a raid. how many talented people are there in our
terms and conditions. “When you see the film, you will come to know what family, bringing out some of the fine films.
Over the years, he diversified from being just an kind of preparation and planning goes before a raid. So, We always wanted to be a part of this journey
actor to also going behind the scenes as a director all that you hear about income tax raids is very simple and contribute to our cinema.”
and producer. and very easy, but it’s not an easy thing to do,” Ajay Kareena said she was obsessed with
“Content” with how his journey has shaped up, Ajay said, adding that while scams and frauds are being actresses Madhuri Dixit and late Sridevi.
said: “Whatever I am doing, I am doing it all on heard about more often nowadays, they were “I used to perform on their dance numbers
"Everything in front of the mirror a thousand times as
my terms and conditions, and that’s what I is tough... “always there”.
wanted to do.” Raid, directed by Rajkumar Gupta and a child.
Making people laugh
Ajay’s filmography spans action, is as tough as making starring Ileana D’Cruz, is releasing on "I was like ‘I want to go out their and
comedy, romance and drama, and starting people feel for you. So March 16. As someone who has taken dance on Ek Do Teen why am I inside
with Phool Aur Kaante, he has been lauded it is really not easy. As over four cinema halls in Uttar Pradesh the room’?”
for his work in Dilwale, Hum Dil De Chuke an actor, you never Remembering Sridevi, Karishma said:
to revamp them, Ajay hopes the issue of
think about a “When we got to know about Sridevi’s
Sanam, Company, Omkara and Yuva as rising ticket prices in cinema halls can be
genre." demise, we were in grief and that was obvious.
well as the Golmaal and Singham franchises. tackled by the industry.
We idolized that icon for decades and all of
His next release is Raid, based on a true story about “I wish ticket prices were reasonable. They are
a sudden she is no more. I think we all know
money laundering. not in my or anybody else’s control, but I wish we this for a fact that stardom is not forever, it
About working in myriad genres, he said: “Everything could find a way to bring the prices down. I am myself goes away.”
is tough... Making people laugh is as tough as making making theatres where I am keeping a lower range Asked about their favourite movie of
people feel for you. So it is really not easy. As an actor, of tickets, but for that, what you need is a whole lot Sridevi, they both said it was
you never think about a genre.” of planning. Khuda "Also, Gawah and
In Raid, Ajay essays the role of an Income Tax officer “You don’t make a huge multiplex, you make a they I think our watched it
hailing from Uttar Pradesh. miniplex. Instead of spending Rs 1,000 on a tile, you parents were very together in
The actor, whose own house was once raided in the spend Rs 800 rupees on a tile... Not that it should look cosmopolitan. They did t h e a t r e
1990s, is confident the movie will make people sit up bad, but don’t waste money, so that you can pass on the not stop us from doing e i g h t
and think about people who are in the Income Tax benefit,” he said. what we wanted to." times. 

October seems like the most romantic film since Amar Prem
I
n Shakti Samanta’s 1971
romantic classic Amar Prem,
the lead pair Rajesh Khanna and
Sharmila Tagore never get a chance
to get intimate in the way men and
women get in real and reel life.
No songs, no exchange of
affection, no sex. And yet the on-
screen pair in the movie were an
epitome of romanticism.
There’s a similar sublimity in
Varun Dhawan’s eyes in October,
director Shoojit Sircar and writer
Juhi Chuturvedi’s most romantic
association to date. The trailer is
suffused in shades of green and
the hues of morning time serenity,
conveying a closeness to nature
that is as bracing as a walk by the
riverside on a soft autumn morning
Varun plays a housekeeper at a
hotel, in love with the idea of love.
The girl whom he follows
into the ICU of a hospital barely
acknowledges him at their workplace.
Yet he clings to the idea of love in the
way a mother whose son has gone
soldiering to the border clings to the
idea that he will come back.
The thought of a man waiting for
a comatose woman to recover before
knowing whether she is in love with
him or not was recently seen in
Kumail Nanjiani’s “The Big Sick”. enter, let alone inhabit with such
Here in October, Sircar and his comforting grace. This is the kind
infinitely intuitive writer Chaturvedi of romantic drama we though we
show us what it is like to be in love would never see again after Rajesh,
with the idea of love. Sharmila and Shakti Samanta.
It’s a relationship built on fragile It takes one Bengali to
hope and residual trust. The trailer take over the mantle of
tenderly and lovingly weaves into the new-age Bimal
Varun’s character Dan’s world where Roy from another
love has lodged itself precariously. Bengali.
This is not an easily obtainable Take a bow, Mr
love nor is it a relationship that has Sircar. We had
any rational basis. For all we know, a magician with
the love could just be in Varun’s whom you share
mind. your name. Now there
October is a world that very few is you creating magic in
filmmakers today would dare to film after film.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, March 16, 2018
Fame is not all
that important
to me: Deepika
A
ctress Deepika Padukone, who won the Entertainer of the Year
honour at the Hello Hall of Fame Awards, says fame is not that
important to her.
The Padmaavat star attended the awards event in a stylish
white ensemble.
Deepika told media persons: “I won’t say fame is all that important
for me, but I would definitely like to say that the kind of industry I am
working in and the kind of work that I am doing, so money and fame are
a part of what I do, and I can’t ignore it.
“I don’t think you can ignore the fame and the attention. It is the by-
product of the work that I do. I love my work. In the last ten years, the
work that I have done... I got so much to learn and I have enjoyed my
work. And in future, I hope that I keep on enjoying the work that I do.”
She also spoke about her Piku co-star Irrfan Khan, who has been
diagnosed with a rare illness and has been missing from action since
the last couple of weeks. She is to feature with him in a Vishal
Bhardwaj movie.
“I think we should always pray for people and their good health. If
his (Irrfan’s) health is not best at this point, I think it is important for all
of us to pray, not just for him, but for everyone.
“I always say a small little prayer for myself and everyone around.
Yes, I think the last couple of weeks have been emotionally challenging,
but yes, I think we all should say a little prayer,” she said, adding that she
has had some of her most special experiences as an actor with Irrfan.
“I think like he has requested that there are times when people need to be
left alone for sometime and figure their lives out... We should respect the
space they have requested for and hope for the best.”
Deepika herself suffered aggravated pain in the neck. But she said she is
well and there is nothing to worry about.
“All is good on the health front. I got so many wishes from fraternity and
media. Things are back to normal and I will be starting my physiotherapy
soon. There is nothing to worry about.”
I Amitabh Bachchan, have doubled since
In a recent interview, Shoojit Sircar
don’t think
revealed, “Deepika is one of my favourites.
you can ignore
Whenever my writers and I talk, we
the fame and the
always think, ‘what can we do with
attention. It is the by-
Deepika’ because I’m so fond
product of the work
of her. It was a brilliant experience
that I do. I love
working with her.
my work.
Deepika Padukone gave one of
her career best performances in Shoojit
Sircar’s Piku. The actor shined in the film in which she
starred with Amitabh Bachchan and Irrfan Khan.
Frankly, while working on Piku, I saw the real actress
and real creativity in her; and what she is as a soul. My
revelation was that she is a simple, girl-next-door soul, despite
having done many other films and potboilers. Now, I am working
on and thinking about something wherein Deepika and I can work
together. So, we’ll soon chat about it.”
Sports instils confidence in children: Suniel Shetty
A
ctor Suniel Shetty believes sports is important to and Australia where you see their grounds and their
instil confidence in children.
Suniel, who is the captain of the Mumbai Heroes
cricket team in the Celebrity Cricket League, attended the
kids playing in uniforms, it feels amazing. “So
I think Zeeshan managed something that is
unreal. Seeing the kind of teams and number of
first season of Box Bowl Out X underarm cricket series enthusiasts here, I think it’s unbelievable.”
organised by Zeeshan Siddique.  Suniel, who did a film titled Annarth with
“I think a sport is the only thing which instils confidence former cricketer Vinod Kambli, said: “It’s a
in children. difficult format (underarm) to play. I remember
If you see, the real hero in schools is someone who is when I did a film with Vinod Kambli, that time
related to a sport. I think when you play a sport, you are I used to bowl him out in each lunch break
treated like a hero. So, it’s very important to encourage while playing underarm cricket. “You
sports in our country,” the actor said. are not easily able to understand
“If you see ‘Khelo India’ campaign, we are making the pace and movement of the
an effort to bring talent from smaller cities and villages. ball in underarm cricket
Emergence of M.S. Dhoni has proven to the world that if because bowlers bowl
you have talent, then you can perform on any platform. here with small run-
These are the platforms where you can find new talent. It’s ups and they manage
an amazing league,” he added. to spin the ball either
Talking about the first season of Box "I way so, I think
Bowl Out X underarm cricket series, think a sport underarm cricket
he said: “It reminded me of my is the only thing has given birth
childhood days. I never imagined which instils confidence in to some of
there would be a competition of children. If you see, the real the finest
this level because when you visit hero in schools is someone players...”
sports countries like New Zealand who is related to a sport."
ENTERTAINMENT 29
Jackie Shroff's Shunyata
wins international award
A
ctor Jackie Shroff's short film
Shunyata has won an award at Best
of India Short Film Festival in Los
An-geles, US.
The 22-minute fiction film directed by
Chintan Sarda was selected to be in top
six from amongst thousands of entries and
was played at a theatre in Los Angeles for
a ticketed event for a week. An industry
based jury then adjudged it the best film,
read a statement. The award ceremony was
held at Mack Sennett Studios on March 3.
The prize includes a cash prize of $1,000.
"It was an absolute honour to be a part
of this film festival and to be hosted in LA
by them. Jackie sir and all our talented film and original series scripts in Mumbai
HODs made this film happen and I am very and hoping to direct a lot more short films
grateful to all of them," Sarda said. in the future too," he added.
"We are overwhelmed by this award and In "Shunyata", Jackie is seen as hitman
others that the film has managed to garner Madhur, who leads a gloomy existence
in the past few months. It shows us that with regrets. He is friendly with a child,
somewhere our efforts to connect to the who lives on the street and sees him getting
audience have worked to an extent. into the world of crime.
"I am hoping this to be a stepping stone The film was entirely shot at night. It is
to bigger formats. I am pitching my feature produced by Sarda and Sunil Khedekar.
Jaya-Amitabh have combined
assets worth Rs 1,000 cr: Affidavit
A
ctress-turned-politician Jaya
Bachchan has declared movable
and immovable assets worth Rs
493 crore in her affidavit to the Election
Commission (EC).
The three-term Rajya Sabha MP of
the Samajwadi Party (SP) in the affidavit
submitted to the poll panel while filing
nomination for her fourth straight term
has declared that her assets along with
that of her husband, Bollywood megastar
had
her last such affidavit in 2012.
According to the affidavit, the 69-year-
old politician, together with her husband, and Mumbai (Maharashtra), and in
has immovable assets worth over Rs 460 Gandhinagar and Ah-medabad cities of
crore, and their movable assets are valued Gujarat.
at Rs 540 crore, much above the Rs 343 Amitabh Bachchan has been shown as
crore declared in 2012. owning a Rs 5.7-crore three-acre plot in
The list of her movable assets includes a Daulatpur area of Barabanki district and
pen worth Rs 9 lakh and watches worth Rs the Rajya Sabha MP herself owns a Rs
51 lakh, though less expensive than what 2.2-crore agricultural land measuring 1.22
her hubby Big B owns -- watches worth a hectare in Ka-kori area of Lucknow.
whopping Rs 3.4 crore. Poll panel officials say that with assets
The couple own a 3,175 square metre adding up to almost Rs 1,000 crore, Jaya
residential property in Brignogan Plages Bachchan could well be walking into the
in France other than plush properties in Rajya Sabha as the richest lawmaker at
Bhopal (MP), Noida (UP), Delhi, Pune present.
Bobby Deol to reunite with
Akshay Kumar in Housefull 4
A ctor Bobby Deol is elated to
come on board for the fourth
instalment of the Housefull franchise
due to his Ajnabee co-star Akshay
Kumar's presence. Produced by Sajid
Nadiadwala, Houseful 4 will also
mark the return of Sajid Khan as the director for
the franchise. "I am really looking forward to
collaborate with both the Sajids. I've always wanted
to work with Sajid Nadiad-wala and finally it's
happening," Bobby said.
"Akshay and I share a great rapport and it will be
fun working with him again. Housefull 4 is a big
franchise and I can't wait for the film to start," added
the actor, who is busy shooting for Race 3 in Abu
Dhabi. Bobby has worked with Akshay in four films
– Ajnabee, Dosti: Friends Forever, Ab Tumhare
Hawale Wa-tan Sathiyo and Thank You.
Housefull 4 also stars Riteish Deshmukh, and is
set for a Diwali 2019 release. On the other hand,
actress Sonakshi Sinha's spokesperson has refuted
all reports claiming that the actress was in talks for
the project.
 30 FEATURES
ADHB creates awareness about kidney
health on World Kidney Day
RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
E
very year World Kidney
Day acts as a rallying cry
for kidney teams around
the globe to stand together with the
patients they care for in an attempt to
raise awareness of kidney disease in
the communities they serve.
The Auckland District Health
Board Renal service team marked
the 2018 World Kidney Day,
celebrated on March 8, by organising
information and screening stand at
Auckland City Hospital Atrium.
The idea was to raise awareness
about the chronic kidney disease
with Kidney Health New Zealand
to the hospital’s staff, patients and
visitors.
The team circulated pamphlets
and offered free basic kidney health
screening to everyone who visited
the information booth.
During the event the doctors
screened more than 200 people and as
expected almost 10 per cent of them
had either high blood pressure or
high blood sugar levels. Some of the
visitors at the booth who underwent
screening also showed traceable
albumin in their urine sample.
Kidney health check-up is an
essential task that one should get
done on a regular basis.
“I would say it was a successful
Friday, March 16, 2018 The Indian Weekender
Auckland District Health Board Renal service team at Auckland City Hospital
event, thanks to the ADHB Kidney Disease in the includes a blood pressure check, million women affected globally.
renal service staff, our "Kidney country, and very few urine check for albuminuria and a Women who have Chronic Kidney
kidney specialist Health New are aware of it. blood test,” Carmel Gregan-Ford, Disease during pregnancy are at
doctor and Kidney Zealand recommends Those at greatest National Education Manager for increased risk for adverse health
Health New Zealand that if you have any of the risk include people Kidney health New Zealand told The outcomes for both mum and baby.
representative from above, you should ask your over the age of 60, Indian Weekender. Kidney disease is often described
Christchurch,” GP for a kidney health check, people with high “If you have any further as the ‘silent killer’ the reason being
Renal Physiologist, and this includes a blood blood pressure, questions, please call 0800 KIDNEY until the kidney disease is very
Rajeev Kumar from pressure check, urine check having heart (543639),” Carmel added. This year advanced it will not exhibit any
for albuminuria and a World Kidney Day coincided with symptoms.
ADHB said. disease, smokers,
blood tests." International Women’s Day that gave It is not uncommon that the first
It is estimated that 1 in having a family history
Kidney Health NZ the opportunity to time an individual finds about his
10 people around the globe of kidney disease, are
highlight the importance of kidney kidney problem via a blood test to
have Chronic Kidney Disease,- overweight etc.
health amongst women. be an incidental finding. Individuals’
which means it is a form of Kidney “Kidney Health New Zealand
Chronic Kidney Disease is slightly kidney function can fall from 100 per
Disease that is permanent or lifelong. recommends that if you have any of
more likely to develop in women cent to less than 30 per cent with no
Around 400,000 New Zealanders are the above, you should ask your GP
compared to men, with almost 200 symptoms and sometimes as low as
living with some form of Chronic for a kidney health check, and this
15% before symptoms even start.
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 The Indian Weekender Friday, March 16, 2018
St Patrick’s Day 2018 -
Biggest Greenest best
ever!
Date: Saturday, March 17
Time: 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday, March 18
Venue: The Shakespeare Hotel & Brewery- 61
Albert Street, Auckland CBD
“May your home always be too small to hold all
your Friends”  Don’t forget to diarise the most
awaited weekend of the year, come on in even
just knock off early on Saturday the 17th March,
this is gonna be a cracka!! It’s that time of year
again, this time we have gone Green, Loud and
crazy we want you to join us in biggest ever St
Paddys Day celebration at Shakespeare the
popular, prestigious and iconic pub in Auckland
Voted in the TOP 5 PUBS. ome join us and make
it a day to cherish for years. GATHER YOUR
MATES AND GET YOUR IRISH ON!
Christchurch Holi-Festival
of Colours
Date: Saturday, March 17
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Venue: Hagley Parkl North, Christchurch
Holi is all about celebrating the people of
Christchurch. Cultural-fusion performances will
showcase the many different cultures in our
community, joining together for one big party.
Entry to this festival is free*! Holi coinsides with
St Patrick’s Day so watch this space for exciting
updates! Holi is a day to forget your worries and
connect with family and friends. Throw colours
and dance to music from various DJs. Enjoy
traditional Indian games, cultural performances
and festive Holi delicacies.
Tips for the day:  Wear old clothes as the colour
may not wash out. Wear comfortable flat shoes
that you don’t mind getting stained.  enjoy the amazing site of balloons ascending
Bring cash to buy colour and enjoy delicious Holi
food. Parking is limited so plan your trip before
the day. *Please do not bring your own colours.
Our colours are corn-flour based, non-toxic and
cosmetic grade. They are safe for children and
adults. Entry to this festival is free* and Holi is
strictly an alcohol and drug free event!
Anoushka Shankar: Land
of Gold - Auckland Arts
Festival 2018
Date: Sunday, March 18
Time: 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Venue: Silo Park, Wynyard Quarter, 96 Jellicoe
Drive, Auckland
Experience sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar,
daughter of the legendary Ravi Shankar,
performing live her spellbinding and magnetic
album Land of Gold. A singular figure in the
Indian classical and progressive world-music
scenes, Anoushka Shankar brings a deep
relationship with tradition through her father
and guru, the late great Ravi Shankar. These
exchanges between Indian and Western music
find even greater power in Shankar’s advocacy
for women’s rights and social justice, with her
latest album, Land of Gold, responding to the
humanitarian trauma of displaced people fleeing
conflict and poverty.
Indi Talk and Musical
Concert
Date: Sunday, March 18
Time: 2:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Venue: Vodafone Events Centre, Manukau
The Indian Association of NZ presents the first
*INDi Talk* on Sunday, 18 March 2018 at the
Vofafone Event Centre. The speaker is well-
known film maker and social activist Ashoke
Pandit. The talk will be followed by a panel
discussion. It will conclude with a musical
concert by playback singer Nirja Pandit. This is a
ticketed event @ $20 per person. Student entry
is free. The event expects a diverse participation
from both government and non-government
bodies with multinational alliances. For more
information email admin@indianz.org.nz
MOTAT Military Day
Display
Date: Sunday, March 18
Time: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Venue: Point Chevalier Beach, Auckland
Hosted by RNZAF Black Falcons and Royal New
Zealand Air Force. Come and check us out
at the MOTAT Military Day Display. Our display
will be best viewed over Point Chevalier Beach.
Event details: www.motat.org.nz. We always
love seeing your photos and videos so make
sure you take some as we fly over. IMPORTANT:
timings and display could change due to
weather or operational requirements so please
check our Facebook page on the day for any
changes.
CAB Pakuranga/Eastern
Manukau
Date: Monday, March 19 and March 26
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Venue: Howick Local Board Meeting Room,
Pakuranga Library Building, 7 Aylesbury
Street, Pakuranga
CAB Pakuranga/Eastern Manukau will hold a
free information sessions for newcomers on
Career Counselling. It will be held in two parts.
Part 1: First steps to Job Search, writing CV and
Cover letter. Part 2: Attending interviews and
learn interview techniques Lowie Recruitment
will be present both days with possible
temporary job offers. Facilitated by Bhavna
Champion – Life Coach in Auckland. Light
lunch provided. Please confirm your place
by phoning or texting Vani Kapoor (Migrant
Connect Administrator) at 021 459520 or email
at settlement.pakuranga@cab.org.nz.
Balloons over Waikato
2018
Date: Wednesday, March 21 to March 25
Time: 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Venue: Wairere Drive, Hamilton 3204, Waikato
Over 130,000 spectators over 5 days will
through the Waikato sunrise at 7-7:30am every
morning and Hamilton’s biggest night out at
the Zuru Nightglow, where the balloons glow
to orchestrated music finishing with the best
fireworks display in town!
ridal
XPO
Saturday, 7April 2018
The Cloud, Auckland
FEATURES 31
Holi Wellington Colour
Fest 2018
Date: Saturday, March 24
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Venue: Upper Frank, Kitts Park, Wellington
Central
3333 Events and Productions Limited is proud
to bring to you:  Holi: Wellington Colour Fest
Colour Food Fun Entertainment. Holi : The
Festival of Colour and Celebration is now
happening at the Coolest Capital of World. This
is one festival, where people of all ages and
cultures can get together, celebrate diversity
and look forward to the future. Bring your family,
friends to the iconic Upper Frank Kitts Park,
throw colour on each other, enjoy delicious food
and dance to tunes of renowned Djs. This is
strictly an Alcohol & Drug Free Event. 
Gandhi - Bollywood
Dreams Musical
Date: Thursday, April 19 to Sunday, April 21
Time: 6:30 p.m. onwards
Venue: Papa Hou- Christchurch YMCA, 12
Hereford Street, ChCh Central
Bollywood Dreams brings you their 3rd annual
show ‘Gandhi - A Journey Through Music’
Relive Gandhi’s historic moments from his early
days in South Africa to the Independence of
India. Experience the story of this remarkable
man’s journey, his experiences and experiments
with Truth. A musical extravaganza comprising
of 13 Bollywood songs and dances across a
variety of genres, also showcasing a spectacular
set depicting the era of the man that shaped
an entire nation. Directed & Choreographed
by Shawn Thomas. A great event for kids and
families during the upcoming school holidays. 
Khamoshiyaan Gun
Gunane Lagi
Date: Saturday, April 7
Time: 6:30 p.m. onwards
Venue: Dorothy Winstone Centre, 16 Howe
Street
Aarohi Academy of Music in association
with Everest Financial Services is organising
KHAMOSHIYAAN GUN GUNANE LAGI - 4
: Tribute to Mangeshars on 7th April 2018 at
Dorothy Winstone Centre, Auckland. Ticketed
event. $20.
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