Indian Weekender Vol 6 Issue 03

www.iwk.co.
nz
6 June 2014
1
6 June, 2014 Vol. 6 Issue 03 | www.iwk.co.nz
The leading Kiwi Indian fortnightly newspaper FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION
The Pulse of Kiwi Indians Auckland Hamilton Palmerston North Hastings Invercargill
Pg 26
Catching the leadership potential
Dan Carter on
GARDEN ISLAND
Pg 25 Pg 2
Pg 3
Pg 6
Pg 18
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6 June 2014
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NEW ZEALAND
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Starts
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Match fxing shocks
cricket world
D
ark clouds continued over New Zealand
cricket amid the Lou Vincent match-fxing
affair which has become the countrys greatest
sporting scandal.
Former Black Cap Vincent has admitted to
fxing 14 games in the England competition and
also in the Indian Cricket League.
It is understood Vincent was fown to Dubai,
put up in a luxury apartment, given spending
money and enjoyed a day on a superyacht after
agreeing to manipulate matches in the Indian
Cricket League.
And Vincents ex-wife, Elly Riley, has told the
International Cricket Council (ICC) the ringleader
of her then husbands match-fxing was former
Black Caps all-rounder Chris Cairns.She gave
information to police and ICC anti-corruption
offcers last October as part of its investigation.
In a statement to the ICC, she alleges it all
started at the rebel Indian Cricket League in early
2008 when Vincent joined captain Cairns in the
Chandigarh Lions.
Last week the England and Wales Cricket
Board (ECB) charged Vincent and his former
Sussex teammate Navid Arif of Pakistan with
fxing the outcome of a 40-over county match
between Sussex and Kent in August 2011.
Vincent is also accused of fxing a Twenty20
match between Sussex and Lancashire in the
same month.
Sussex coach Mark Robinson told British
media about the pain he felt upon discovering
that two of his former charges had been allegedly
engaged in corruption.
Obviously the last couple of weeks has
been upsetting for everybody connected with the
club and especially for the players and coaches
involved in that period, Robinson said.
The stories weve read have caused a lot of
distress. Were all deeply shocked. The players
ethos is based on a will to win with a togetherness
that means everybody has to drive towards
achieving the same goals. The thought that
anybody among us, at any time, may have been
working against that aim sickens and disgusts us.
It is understood that Vincent was not paid for
his efforts in the initial ICL, but the trip to Dubai
Cairns, after being interviewed by the England
Cricket Board has returned to New Zealand full
of defance, but might have another fght on
his hands with the England and Wales Cricket
Board investigating whether they can lay charges
against him. He held a press conference at
Auckland Airport upon his return from London.
He read from a prepared statement and did not
take questions as he left to spend time with my
family. He said he had been interviewed by the
Metropolitan Police, the ICCs anti-corruption
and security unit (ACSU) and the ECB.
Cairns has rejected all the allegations against
him, describing the testimony of Vincent and his
ex-wife, Elly Riley, as despicable lies.
Arvind Kumar
INZBC conducts event on tourism
Parents to 37 girls in India visit
New Zealand to share their story
Minding the gap:
From the desk of I am Woman
India gets its 29th State: Telangana
Fiji: NFP promises free media
Commentary: Jawarhlal Nehru:
His story is not simply history
- By Shashi Tharoor
Feature: Mumbai Pune Deccan Queen
link turns 85
Bollywoods Marketing and Beyond
10
4
Contents
11
19
26
29
30
34
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
3
NEW ZEALAND
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H
arnessing the leadership potential in ethnic
communities is critical in helping New
Zealand move forward economically, socially
and culturally, says Berlinda Chin, Director of
Ethnic Affairs.
Ms Chin was speaking at the fnal of the
national EthnicA conference series in Auckland
on Saturday. Since April, more than 500 people
have attended the conferences in Wellington,
Christchurch, Hamilton and Auckland, which
bring together diverse cultures, community
groups and organisations to share ideas, inspire
new ways of thinking and encourage debate
on diversity issues. It is the third year the
conference series has been organised by the
Offce of Ethnic Affairs (OEA).
New Zealand is one of the OECDs most
culturally-diverse nations and its important
to tap into our ethnic communities so that we
can expand their horizons and empower them
to play a more active role in shaping the New
Zealand of tomorrow, says Ms Chin.
Key themes this year include celebrating
diversity and identifying and working with
potential leaders in New Zealands ethnic
communities.
One of the highlights of the conference
series was a panel discussion which featured
prominent New Zealanders from diverse
backgrounds whose success was built on
their ability to walk in two worlds. These
included surgeon and author Dr Sharad Paul,
economist Dr Ganesh Nana and Masterchef
NZ contestant, Jax Hamilton. Ms Chin says all
the panel discussions were engaging and it was
great to see the audiences getting involved: In
Auckland we went over time to accommodate
question time.
The conferences also featured a session
with ethnic youth, another key focus for Ethnic
Affairs leadership programme, who discussed
what they brought to the table in terms of
creating a vibrant, ethnically diverse future
New Zealand
It was fantastic to hear the optimistic and
visionary perspectives from the young leaders
of our ethnic communities, says Ms Chin.
These conferences help Ethnic Affairs meet
the future needs of our ethnic communities and
all of us who associate with them. Its important
not only to value diversity, but to make the best
use of it that we can.
Feedback from participants will be
incorporated into next years conference series,
which is expected to again be held in the four
main centres.
For further information contact:
Tony Wallace
Manager External Communications
Department of Internal Affairs, Te Tari
Taiwhenua
Mobile 027 440 2667 website:
www.ethnicaffairs.govt.nz
Leadership in the spotlight at EthnicA conferences
Right off the bat, EthnicA started off with highlighting what makes ethnic communities tick. If the conference deserves kudos for it, it
also deserves applause for highlighting the need for mentoring and harnessing the potential within New Zealands fast growing ethnic
communities.
The Panel discussion proved to be especially engaging because of the lived experience element it brought to the conference. Those in the
ethnic communities truly walk not in two, but often multiple worlds and they learn as they go. The panellists acknowledged this negotiation
in daily life through sharing their own life experience.
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
4
NEW ZEALAND
T
he new Modi government in India appears
to support improvements to bilateral trade,
judging from the positivity shared by Associate
Minister for Tourism, Hon. Todd McClay,
Grahame Morton (NZ High Commissioner
to India) and Richard White, NZTE Trade
Commissioner for India. All three spoke at
2 separate events held by INZBC last week.
All three speakers had shared their optimism,
that the new government would bring the
necessary impetus to the economy and boost
International trade.
Tourism Seminar by INZBC
Speaking at the Business Beyond Barriers
seminar, organised by India New Zealand
Business Council on 19th May, Todd McClay
emphasised that with New Zealand hosting
about 32,064 visitors from India annually,
tourism with India features as a top priority
for the government [fgures for the year
ending March 2014, up almost 7 per cent
on the previous year]. This is recognised in
the additional funding that the Government
provided to Tourism New Zealand in the 2013
Budget to establish or strengthen its presence
in emerging markets, said Mr McClay.
The Indian visitor spends on average
NZ$3680 per person (excluding airfares) whilst
in New Zealand.
Emerging markets, such as India, offer
substantial growth opportunities given their
increasing wealth and closer proximity to
New Zealand compared with many of our
traditional source markets. Mr McClay also
confrmed that the upcoming 2015 Cricket
World Cup will be a priority to boost tourism.
The Prime Ministers of Australia and New
Zealand have agreed that people travelling to
both countries for the event will only need to
apply for one visa. This visa will streamline
procedures for genuine Cricket World Cup
spectators and participants.
NZTE trade commissioner for India, Richard
White also advised NZ companies to make
best use of the 2015 Cricket World Cup to
increase their infuence in India.
He said, Weve got frms doing really
good things in food and beverage including
important horticultural products like kiwifruit
and apples, and in the past year, thanks to great
work by MFAT and the Primary Industries
Ministry, access for lamb and avocadoes has
also improved. These products and others
like wine, chocolate, ice cream and cheese
are mostly high end, premium products for
which there is increasing demand thanks to
the rapidly growing number of wealthy and
well- travelled Indian consumers.
According to Richard, other frms that are
active and enjoying success in business with
India are: agritech, ICT, medical devices,
aviation and advanced manufacturing, as well
as the important primary sector commodities
such as coal, timber and wool, which are still
the major contributors to our export fgures.
Sunil Kaushal, Chair INZBC believes India
represents a signifcant future opportunity
for the visitor economy, including tourism
and education. The middle class in India is
growing at
50million per annum and represents a
signifcant opportunity.
INZBC supports the current proposed
Singapore Airlines / Air NZ alliance agreement
and calls upon both the governments to
expedite this for the economic beneft of both
countries, said Sunil.
The recent Trip Advisor survey in India
indicated that NZ was the top destination for
Indian surpassing countries like France and
Switzerland the ideal holiday destination for
many Indians over recent years.
Sunil said that INZBC also lobbied with
Immigration NZ to allow one visa for the
Indian tourist during the 2015 world cup
and this will certainly help boost our tourist
numbers.
Grahame Morton speaks to INZBC members
The new NZ High Commissioner to India
also met India- NZ industry members and the
members of INZBC at a breakfast event, on
23 May.
Grahame was of the opinion that the new
government will be helpful in driving growth
and expand bilateral ties.
New Indian Government brings hope for better trade ties
www.iwk.co.nz
23 May 2014
5
NEW ZEALAND
It will be better under Labour: Cunliffe
New Zealand economy in indisputably
tidy shape : INZBC
H
on Bill Englishs message that the
government has managed to guide the
country through global nancial and major
local natural disasters in the last six years and
the economy is in tidy shape at the end of that
period needs to be applauded.
While the Family Budget
did not come as a surprise to
many, economic growth is
forecast to peak at a robust
4 percent in the year to June
2014, unemployment is
forecast to fall to 4.4 percent
by 2018 with very high rates
of labour force participation by international
standards, ination remains under control, and
government debt falls below 20 percent by the
end of the decade.
Comparing the budget with other developed
world economies, and particularly our
neighbours Australia, this budget shows the
New Zealand economy in indisputably tidy
shape. This may be one of the reasons why the
net immigration ow is very high by historic
standards where by
more Kiwis are staying
aground rather than
moving across the
ditch to not so greener
pastures now. This may
be the reason why the
government has focused
on the domestic growth.
The strong Kiwi dollar has certainly not
helped the exporters, it is also fair to say that
this is the reason for the export receipts which
are in negative in the budget forecast and a
minimal surplus has also not helped the cause.

INZBC Press Release
16 May 2014
For Immediate Release
New Zealand economy in indisputably tidy shape

Hon Bill English's message that the government has managed to guide
the country through global financial and major local natural disasters in
the last six years and the economy is in tidy shape at the end of that

While the Family Budget did not come as a surprise to many, economic
growth is forecast to peak at a robust 4 percent in the year to June 2014,
unemployment is forecast to fall to 4.4 percent by 2018 with very high
rates of labour force participation by international standards, inflation
remains under control, and government debt falls below 20 percent by the
end of the decade.

Comparing the budget with other developed world economies, and
particularly our neighbours Australia, this budget shows the New Zealand
economy in indisputably tidy shape. This may be one of the reasons why
the net immigration flow is very high by historic standards where by more
Kiwis are staying aground rather than moving across the ditch to not so
greener pastures now. This may be the reason why the government has
focused on the domestic growth.

The strong Kiwi dollar has certainly not helped the exporters, it is also
fair to say that this is the reason for the export receipts which are in
negative in the budget forecast and a minimal surplus has also not
helped the cause.

-ENDS-

About INZBC:
Since 1988, the India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC) has promoted and encouraged trade in
goods and services, investment, scientific, technical and economic cooperation between India and New
Zealand. INZBC is a member-based independent organisation, not-for-profit incorporated society, which
exists for three purposes:
To lobby and inform government on trade-related matters
To disseminate information and know-how on doing business between the two countries
To facilitate business development on behalf of members through leveraging networks

$
10
India
300 Pack
300
To buy, text:
buy India300 to 233
Minutes to landlines and mobiles
in India
Valid for 1 month. Auto renews.
Packs shown are valid for 1 month and auto renews monthly or when almost out if you have enough credit. Minutes to standard landlines and mobiles in India.
Calls rounded up to the nearest minute. For full terms and conditions visit 2degreesmobile.co.nz.
M
C
2
1
3
4
A
300 minutes to
India for just $10.
Our India Talk Pack now comes with 300 minutes to
landlines and mobiles so you can keep in touch back home.
Grab a 2degrees SIM today from any 2degrees retailer
or visit 2degreesmobile.co.nz for more details.
It will be better under Labour.
I want a New Zealand where
people matter most and every
Kiwi has the opportunities
they need to do their best.
- David Cunliffe
Todd McClay adressing the INZBC members
NZ High Commissioner to India, Grahame Morton with INZBC Chair, Sunil Kaushal & Executive Members
NZTE Trade Commissioner for India Richard White
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
5
NEW ZEALAND
A
long-time scientist is the only New
Zealand Indian to be recognized in this
years Queens birthday honours list announced
this week.
Dr Surinder Kumar
Tandon has been Senior
Scientist, Apparel and
Functional Textile, at
AgResearch for the past 26
years.
He was made a Member
of the New Zealand Order
of Merit (MNZM) for his
services to the community
and textile science.
Dr Tandon has been
educated at the University of
Leeds (textile mechanics, 1984-1988); Indian
Institute of Technology (1982-1984); and
Maharishi Dayanand University (1978-1982).
To his credit Dr Tandon has numerous
international awards and honours related to
his research efforts in New Zealand, including
2011 Institute Medal awarded at the 88th Textile
Institute World Conference in Malaysia in May
2012.; Fellow of the Textile Institute (UK);
Winner of the Inaugural International Product
Innovation & Commercialisation Award, the
Textile Institute (UK), 2008; Member of the
Council of the Textile Institute (UK); Paul
Harris Fellow (Rotary International).
Dr Tandon was among scores of other New
Zealanders honoured by the Queen this week.
The highest honour, the Order of New
Zealand, went to Sir Ronald Powell Carter,
KNZM, Auckland, for services to New Zealand.
The New Zealand Order of Merit went to
Dames Companion
The Honourable Susan Gwynfa Mary
Glazebrook, Wellington, for services to the
judiciary.
The Honourable Lowell Patria Goddard,
QC, Wellington, for
services to the law.
Ms Patricia Lee Reddy,
Wellington, for services to
the arts and business.
Knights Companion
Mr Graeme Seton
Avery, ONZM, Hastings,
for services to business and
sport.
Mr Richard John
Hayes, MNZM, Te Anau,
for services to Search and
Rescue and the community.
Dr John Antony Hood, United Kingdom, for
services to tertiary education.
Mr Robert John Stewart, ONZM,
Christchurch, for services to manufacturing and
the community.
The following were also awarded the
MNZM along with Dr Tandon:
Ms Barbara Alaalatoa, Auckland, for
services to education.
Mr David OBrien Baker, JP, Masterton, for
services to agribusiness and the community.
Ms Amanda Jane Baragwanath, Auckland,
for services to people with disabilities.
Mr Fergus Barrowman, Wellington, for
services to publishing.
Ms Jennifer Margery Black, Nelson, for
services to health.
Mr Dillon Matthew Boucher, Auckland, for
services to basketball
...contd., please see the website for complete list.
Tandon honoured for
services to textile science
www.iwk.co.nz
23 May 2014
5
NEW ZEALAND
It will be better under Labour: Cunliffe
New Zealand economy in indisputably
tidy shape : INZBC
H
on Bill Englishs message that the
government has managed to guide the
country through global nancial and major
local natural disasters in the last six years and
the economy is in tidy shape at the end of that
While the Family Budget
did not come as a surprise to
many, economic growth is
forecast to peak at a robust
4 percent in the year to June
2014, unemployment is
forecast to fall to 4.4 percent
by 2018 with very high rates
of labour force participation by international
standards, ination remains under control, and
government debt falls below 20 percent by the
end of the decade.
Comparing the budget with other developed
world economies, and particularly our
neighbours Australia, this budget shows the
New Zealand economy in indisputably tidy
shape. This may be one of the reasons why the
net immigration ow is very high by historic
standards where by
more Kiwis are staying
aground rather than
moving across the
ditch to not so greener
pastures now. This may
be the reason why the
government has focused
on the domestic growth.
The strong Kiwi dollar has certainly not
helped the exporters, it is also fair to say that
this is the reason for the export receipts which
are in negative in the budget forecast and a
minimal surplus has also not helped the cause.

INZBC Press Release
16 May 2014
For Immediate Release
New Zealand economy in indisputably tidy shape

Hon Bill English's message that the government has managed to guide
the country through global financial and major local natural disasters in
the last six years and the economy is in tidy shape at the end of that

While the Family Budget did not come as a surprise to many, economic
growth is forecast to peak at a robust 4 percent in the year to June 2014,
unemployment is forecast to fall to 4.4 percent by 2018 with very high
rates of labour force participation by international standards, inflation
remains under control, and government debt falls below 20 percent by the
end of the decade.

Comparing the budget with other developed world economies, and
particularly our neighbours Australia, this budget shows the New Zealand
economy in indisputably tidy shape. This may be one of the reasons why
the net immigration flow is very high by historic standards where by more
Kiwis are staying aground rather than moving across the ditch to not so
greener pastures now. This may be the reason why the government has
focused on the domestic growth.

The strong Kiwi dollar has certainly not helped the exporters, it is also
fair to say that this is the reason for the export receipts which are in
negative in the budget forecast and a minimal surplus has also not
helped the cause.

-ENDS-

About INZBC:
Since 1988, the India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC) has promoted and encouraged trade in
goods and services, investment, scientific, technical and economic cooperation between India and New
Zealand. INZBC is a member-based independent organisation, not-for-profit incorporated society, which
exists for three purposes:
To lobby and inform government on trade-related matters
To disseminate information and know-how on doing business between the two countries
To facilitate business development on behalf of members through leveraging networks

$
10
India
300 Pack
300
To buy, text:
buy India300 to 233
Minutes to landlines and mobiles
in India
Valid for 1 month. Auto renews.
Packs shown are valid for 1 month and auto renews monthly or when almost out if you have enough credit. Minutes to standard landlines and mobiles in India.
Calls rounded up to the nearest minute. For full terms and conditions visit 2degreesmobile.co.nz.
M
C
2
1
3
4
A
300 minutes to
India for just $10.
Our India Talk Pack now comes with 300 minutes to
landlines and mobiles so you can keep in touch back home.
Grab a 2degrees SIM today from any 2degrees retailer
or visit 2degreesmobile.co.nz for more details.
It will be better under Labour.
I want a New Zealand where
people matter most and every
Kiwi has the opportunities
they need to do their best.
- David Cunliffe
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
6
NEW ZEALAND
I
ts offcial. An Auckland-based Indian
community group has set a world record. The
record was set by the religious group, Krishna
Rocks, for the continuous (non-stop) singing of
kirtan (devotional songs) for 32 hours and six
minutes.
The groups feat was recently recognised by
the Guinness Book of World Records, following
the actual event early last year.
From February 9-10, 2013, a group of
devotees sang devotional songs of Lord Krishna
continuously for 32 hours and 6 minutes in a bid
to enter the Guinness Book of World Records.
After a long time of waiting anxiously, their
attempt has fnally been offcially recognised
and approved by Guinness World Records as
the longest marathon performing a mantra by a
team, a group spokesperson said.
Twenty devotees had successfully managed
to sing on stage throughout the 32 hours and 6
minutes.
Having waited long to hear the results of their
attempt, the team is extremely delighted to have
achieved the World Record title. The attempt was
unique for New Zealand and the team behind
it show great pride in having attained a World
Record for the country.
The event was held at the Blockhouse
Bay Community Hall in Auckland and free
refreshments were arranged for the audience,
volunteers and choir members. Throughout the
event, each member sang for about 10 minutes
or more and then the next member would then
take over. The schedule of performances were
arranged so that all were active throughout the
night till the end of the attempt.
The team had a great bond between them
and enjoyed their time together which made the
record attempt a lot easier than it would have been
otherwise, the spokesperson said.
The choir members have made memories
that will last a life-time and truly cherish the time
spent together.
The record attempt to them is one of the most
proud moments of their life. Having the world
record title makes these memories even more
sweet and their friendship even stronger.
Krishna Rocks is a group of like-minded
friends who share a common adoration of Lord
Krishna. Prior to this record-breaking attempt,
they have been involved in spiritual concerts,
dramas and various other projects. They have
also created a website wikiKrishna.com which
is a repository of all information relevant to Lord
Krishna.
Last month, Krishna Rocks had organised
a Krishna Karnival in Auckland. This was a
spiritual fun flled family event. The concept of
the carnival was unique and innovative and left all
who were lucky to attend in awe.
They had organised various food stalls, bouncy
castles, rides, stage performances, competitions,
face painting, henna, and games that were
Krishna-centric. Furthermore, crowd-favourite
mascots of Radha and Krishna were created for
the very frst time for New Zealand to grace the
event.
Krishna Rocks believes it will keep doing
as much as possible for the community, the
spokesperson said.
It is their belief that everyone needs
something to do apart from their routine day-to-
day tasks. Having a team that share similar goals
and opinions keeps them going.
Krishna rocks, and a world record is set
Pratiksha Sorte, left, and Samiksha Sorte were recently honoured by the mayor of Nagpur for their
successful world record bid.
The groups feat was recently
recognised by the Guinness
Book of World Records,
following the actual event
early last year.
From February 9-10, 2013,
a group of devotees sang
devotional songs of Lord
Krishna continuously for 32
hours and 6 minutes in a bid
to enter the Guinness Book of
World Records
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*The 8 Ivory Residences sold, are still subject to various purchasers and vendors conditions and are not unconditional sales. All prices listed above are in NZD and are based on availability and pricing as at 3 June 2014, refer to a current Ivory price list for a complete list of
prices. Entry into Auckland Grammar and Epsom Grammar (and all other schools The Ivory is zoned for) is a matter entirely at the discretion of the relevant schools. Prospective purchasers must make their own enquiries to satisfy themselves that purchase of a particular
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be paid. Every Precaution has been taken to establish the accuracy of the material herein at the time of printing, however, no responsibility will be taken for any errors or omissions. Prospective purchasers should not conne themselves solely to the content of this material and
acknowledge that they have had reasonable opportunity to seek legal, technical/other advice. The material herein was prepared prior to the commencement of construction and approval of necessary Territorial Authority consents. The Developer reserves the right to increase or
decrease the number of units according to market demand and therefore sizes and layouts of the units may vary accordingly. The number of parking spaces and conguration of basement levels in the Building may be altered in the sole discretion of the Developer. Changes may
be made during development and all dimensions, nishes, ttings and specications are subject to change without notice. Auckland Council District Plan (Isthmus) minimum complying apartment sizes are studio 35m2, 1 bedrooms 45m2, 2 bedrooms 70m2, 3 bedrooms 90m2.
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www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
7
NEW ZEALAND
A
hundred and three outstanding New
Zealand students have been given the
opportunity to study at top Asian universities
after receiving Prime Ministers Scholarships
for Asia.
Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment
Minister Steven Joyce says the scholarships,
announced by Prime
Minister John Key
today at a function
at Parliament, enable
more New Zealanders
to gain a deeper
understanding of other
cultures in countries
that are crucial to New
Zealands future.
New Zealanders
need the skills,
knowledge and
experience to prosper
in the global economy, and in particular with
our key trading partners in Asia, Mr Joyce
says. Each scholarship allows Kiwi students
to experience what its like to operate in a
different country and culture, and build all
important people-to-people links.
The scholarships cover overseas study,
research or internships ranging from six weeks
to two years at undergraduate or postgraduate
level at top institutions in China, Japan, Korea,
India and ASEAN countries such as Thailand,
Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Philippines,
Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia.
Successful recipients include a student from
Otago University, who will study chemistry
and pharmacology at the National University
of Singapore, and a group from the New
Zealand Institute of Fashion Technology who
will deepen their design and manufacturing
knowledge working on a collaborative project
with Indian students at
a partner institution in
Tamil Nadu.
Mr Joyce says the
successful recipients will
act as ambassadors for
New Zealand helping
to promote our country,
people and the quality of
our education system.
Funding of $9
million over fve
years was provided
in Budget 2013 for
the PMs Scholarships for Asia as part of the
Governments Internationally Focused Growth
Package and the inaugural awards were made in
December 2013.
Applications are now open for the next round
of scholarships and close on 28 September
2014. Applications can be made by individuals
or groups to Education New Zealand, the lead
agency for the promotion of international
education.
For more information, including a full list
of recipients, go to: www.enz.govt.nz/how-we-
work/scholarships/pmsa
PMs Scholarships for
Asia announced
SUPERETTE IN AUCKLAND CBD WEEKLY SALES $10,000
ASKING $ 42,000 + STOCK REF 44333
SUPERETTE IN EAST AUCKLAND WEEKLY SALES $12,000
ASKING $169,000 + STOCK REF 44336
SPICE & GROCERY STORE IN WEST AUCKLAND WEEKLY
SALES $10,000 ASKING $50,000 + STOCK REF 44332
SUPERETTE WITH LOTTO AND ACCOMODATION ON A
BUSY MAIN ROAD WEEKLY SALES $16,000 APPROX
SUPERETTE SPACIOUS AND WELL PRESENTED
WEEKLY SALES $12,000 APPROX ASKING $200,000 +
STOCK REF 43960 (SOLD)
SUPERETTE WITH LOTTO WITH HUGE POTENTIAL
FOR GROWTH WEEKLY SALES $18,000 APPROX

DAIRY SUPERETTE AND FREEHOLD WITH 3 BEDROOM
HOUSE IN THE CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND WEEKLY SALES
$11,500 APPROX ASKING $265,000 (DAIRY & FREEHOLD)
+ STOCK REF 44173 (UNDER CONTRACT)

SUPRETTE IN SOUTH WAIKATO WEEKLY SALES $22,000
ASKING $ 349,000 + STOCK REF 44327 (FREEHOLD
OPTION AVAILABLE)
SUPERETTE IN NORTH SHORE WEEKLY SALES $8,000
APPROX ASKING $69,000 + STOCK REF 44131 (SOLD)
DAIRY IN SOUTH ISLAND WEEKLY SALES $12,000
APPROX ASKING $150,000 + STOCK REF 43900
(FREEHOLD OPTION AVAILABLE)
LICENSED RESTAURANT IN AUCKLAND CBD
WEEKLY SALES $7000 APPROX ASKING $89,000 +
STOCK REF 44280
LICENSED RESTAURANT IN MT EDEN WEEKLY SALES
$7,000 APPROX ASKING $140,000 + STOCK REF 44182
LICENSED RESTAURANT IN EAST AUCKLAND
ASKING $59,000 + STOCK REF 44158 (SOLD)
LICENSED RESTAURANT IN CENTRAL AUCKLAND
LICENSED RESTAURANT IN MT ROSKILL ASKING $49,000
+ STOCK REF 44345

FRANCHISE THE CHEESE CAKE SHOP WEEKLY SALES
$11,000 APPROX, ASKING $470,000 + STOCK REF 44245
FRANCHISE COFFEE CLUB WEEKLY SALES $14,000
APPROX ASKING $495,000 + STOCK
FRANCHISE COLUMBUS COFFEE WEEKLY SALES $10,000
APPROX ASKING $225,000 + STOCK REF 44154 (SOLD)
SUPERETTE FOR SALE IN HAMILTON WEEKLY SALES
$13,500 APROX ASKING $149,000 + STOCK REF 44108
DAIRY WITH ACCOMODATION IN WAIKATO REGION
WEEKLY SALES $16,500 APPROX ASKING $189,000 +
STOCK REF 44210
FOUR SQUARE IN WAIKATO WITH 3 BEDROOM
ACCOMODATION WEEKLY SALES $40,000 APPROX,
FRUIT AND VEGE IN SOUTH AUCKLAND WEEKLY SALES
$45,000 APPROX ASKING $490,000 + STOCK REF 44212
FRUIT AND VEGE SHOP IN WEST AUCKLAND WEEKLY
SALES $30,000 APPROX ASKING $320,000 + STOCK REF
44222
FRUIT & VEGE IN GREY LYNN ASKING $59,000 + STOCK
REF 44261 (SOLD)
SUPERETTE IN ST JOHNS WEEKLY SALES $8500 APPROX
SUPERETTE WITH 3 BEDROOM ACCOMODATION
WEEKLY SALES $7000 APPROX
ASKING $70,000 + STOCK REF 43968 (SOLD)

DAIRY IN ONEHUNGA ASKING $25,000 + STOCK REF
44275 (SOLD)
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
8
NEW ZEALAND
Francis Lai
Chartered Surveyor
Licensed REAA 2008
021 309 708
Licensed under the REAA 2008
www.jameslaw.co.nz
Reinka Ratti
Real Estate Specialist
Licensed REAA 2008
021 212 0315
P: 09 973 5971 l E: francis@jameslaw.co.nz P: 09 973 5971 l E: reinka@jameslaw.co.nz
BEST PROPERTY INVESTMENT
OPPORTUNITY
Contact Francis 021 309 708 or Reinka 021 212 0315 for an Inspection Today
Superior Residential Residences
In Epsom, Auckland
Double Grammar Zone
Freehold Strata Titles
Starting from $480,000 (Mt Hobson)
$685,000 (2-Brm Flexi)
$1,780,000 (115m2 Penthouse)
Francis Lai
Chartered Surveyor
Licensed REAA 2008
021 309 708
Licensed under the REAA 2008
www.jameslaw.co.nz
Reinka Ratti
Real Estate Specialist
Licensed REAA 2008
021 212 0315
P: 09 973 5971 l E: francis@jameslaw.co.nz P: 09 973 5971 l E: reinka@jameslaw.co.nz
PROFITABLE DAIRY WITH
COMFORTABLE ACCOMMODATION
This dairy is in the best of location, along a main road in a popular,
affuent North Shore suburb.
The living accommodation above the dairy is neat tidy and pleasant
with three bedrooms, lounge, dining, kitchen and bathrooms.
Roadside parking is available.
This excellent business captures all passing traffc and the friendly
community has supported this business for decades. Turnovers have
been increasing at a stable rate more than keeping up with infation.
You can easily increase the turnover if you start selling magazines and
bacon/meat meals as the current owners are Muslim devotees with no
meat products present in the premise.
Contact Francis 021 309 708 or Reinka 021 212 0315 for an Inspection Today
PROFITABLE DAIRY
WITH COMFORTABLE
ACCOMMODATION
$265,000 + Stock
T
he EPIC NZ Go Global International
Business Forum brought together
around 400 business people from ethnic and
mainstream business to network and access
each others skills and knowledge.
Organised by the Offce of Ethnic Affairs in
partnership with ExportNZ and the Employers
and Manufacturers Association the conference
offered an opportunity for the two business
communities to engage with each other and
discover new opportunities and innovative
ideas.
Ethnic Affairs Minister, Hon Judith Collins
opened the conference saying New Zealands
ethnic diversity is one of this countrys greatest
strengths.
In New Zealand we have a huge pool of
talent and knowledge. This knowledge isnt just
about how to do business; its also about how
markets operate overseas. We need business
agility to get the most out of this diversity, she
told the group.
The programme featured specialised
breakout sessions led by Trade Commissioners
and successful ethnic businesspeople who
shared their detailed, up-to-the-minute
knowledge and experience of their markets.
The next EPIC NZ 2014 events will be in
Wellington an EPIC NZ Blender Networking
Event on 4 June and another half day conference
on 26 June. Registrations for the conference are
now open.
EPIC NZ Go Global Conference in Auckland
A tribute to Bengali music legends
T
he Probasee Bengalee Association of New
Zealand will be celebrating its annual event,
Rabindra-Nazrul Sandhya, on the evening of
Sunday, June 15, at the Spotlight Theatre in
Papatoetoe.
The musical evening will celebrate the works
of frst Indian Nobel laureate, Rabindranath
Tagore, and the great Bengali and national poet of
Bangladesh, Kaji Nazrul Islam.
Both Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul
Islam as we know are household names for every
Bengali and are the foundations of Bengali culture.
Rabindranath Tagore was a Bengali polymath
who reshaped Bengali literature and music in
the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Author of
Gitanjali and its profoundly sensitive, fresh and
beautiful verse, he became the frst non-European
to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. His
elegant prose and magical poetry still mesmerise
everyone.
He is regarded as the most outstanding creative
artist of the modern Indian subcontinent, being
highly commemorated in India and Bangladesh.
Kazi Nazrul Islam was a poet, writer,
musician, revolutionary and philosopher.
Popularly known as Nazrul, his poetry and music
espoused Indo-Islamic renaissance and intense
spiritual rebellion against fascism and oppression.
Nazruls impassioned activism for political and
social justice earned him the title of the The Rebel
Poet. His musical compositions form the avant-
garde genre of Nazrul geeti (Music of Nazrul).
Accomplishing a large body of acclaimed works
through his life, Nazrul is offcially recognised
as the National Poet of Bangladesh and highly
commemorated in India and Bangladesh
Rehearsals are in full swing at the moment
and the group promises to deliver a fantastic
production with close to 40 singers from all age
groups involved.
Probasee will pay tribute to these two great
Indians by performing their works - Shayama:
a dance drama of Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore
followed by a skit based on Tagores poems, a
programme based on Nazruls songs accompanied
by dances and another programme based on
Tagores songs and dances.
All are most cordially invited to join in
venerating these great poets and literary men and
enjoy their songs, poetry and dance performed
by able and enthusiastic members of Probasee
Bengalee Association, group spokesman Santanu
Ghosh said.
Event: Rabindra-Nazrul Sandhya. Venue:
Spotlight Theatre, Tavern Lane, Papatoetoe,
Auckland (adjacent to Alan Brewster Centre).
Date: Sunday, June 15, at 5pm.
Entry is free.
A musical treat awaits Bengali music lovers in Auckland next week.

PROFITABLE DAIRY WITH
COMFORTABLE
ACCOMMODATION
$265,000 + Stock

This dairy is in the best of location, along a main road
in a popular, affluent North Shore suburb.
The living accommodation above the dairy is neat tidy
and pleasant with three bedrooms, lounge, dining,
kitchen and bathrooms. Roadside parking is
available.
This excellent business captures all passing traffic and
the friendly community has supported this business
decades. Turnovers have been increasing at a stable
rate more than keeping up with inflation.
You can easily increase the turnover if you start
selling magazines and bacon/meat meals as the
current owners are Muslim devotees with no meat
products present in the premise.

CONTACT FRANCIS (021 309 708) OR REINKA (021 212 0315) FOR AN
INSPECTION TODAY
(Photo is indicative only)

OPPORTUNITY

1

INSPECTION TODAY

OPPORTUNITY

1
INSPECTION TODAY
T
he EEO Trust has launched the 17th
annual Diversity Awards and has invited
businesses to enter to showcase their workplace
diversity initiatives.
The Trust has added several new categories
and judging criteria which means theres even
more chance for businesses to take part in the
awards. There are now nine different awards,
including the supreme award.
Entering the awards gives your business the
opportunity to be benchmarked in the annual
EEO Trust Diversity Initiatives Table. Entrants
also get free advice from the expert judging
panel to help evaluate their diversity journey
and plan the way forward.
In addition, this year the Trust is making
available the services of experienced diversity
consultant Jayne Muller to discuss entries and
provide tailored advice.
17th annual
Diversity Awards
Rehearsals in full swing by performers in Auckland last week
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
9
NEW ZEALAND
Call us on 0800 88 7878 today for a FREE,
no obligation review of your life and
medical insurance policies. Keep yourself
and your family covered with maximum
benefits at the best price. Sensible advice
guaranteed. Just one simple phone call.
don t wai t.
Get more,
pay less.
CALL
NOW!
trustinsurance.co.nz info@trustinsurance.co.nz
102, 3067 Great North Road, New Lynn, Auckland
0800 U TRUST US (887878) Tel: 09 825 0117
Dont let finance/home loans get in the way of your
purchase/construction of your dream home.
Talk to us, to see how we work different from the rest.
are also our speciality. talk to us today!
toll free: 0800 88 78 78
dreamhomes
0800 U TRUST US (887878) Tel: 09 825 0117
I
conic American brand Indian Motorcycle has
offcially arrived in New Zealand.
Founded in 1901 as Americas frst motorcycle
company, Indian Motorcycle is today under the
guardianship of Polaris Industries.
Indian Motorcycle has brought to the New
Zealand market three models, the Indian Chief
Classic Cruiser, the Indian Chief Vintage soft
bagger and the Indian Chief hard bagger.
Each captures the essence of the traditional
styling and brand heritage thats made Indian such
an iconic name in world motorcycling.
Indian Motorcycle is one of the most famous
and storied brands in motorcycling and with the
backing of Polaris, is poised to once again become
a major player in the market in New Zealand.
Aucklands Cyclespot dealership will be
the new home of the historic motorcycle brand,
which will forever be associated with New
Zealand through the globally famous exploits of
unheralded Kiwi racer Burt Munro and the flm
The Worlds Fastest Indian.
The Indian Motorcycle brand stirs so much
emotion in our customers and to launch the brand
to the home of the worlds fastest Indian, Burt
Munro, is truly memorable for our business,
Indian Motorcycle Country Manager Peter
Harvey said.
The spirit of the Munro bike has a direct link
to New Zealand and did play a role in bringing to
life what the heart and soul of Indian should be.
The Munro family has been a great assistance
to us in relaunching Indian Motorcycle around
the world and now we fnally get to celebrate that
launch in Burts own backyard.
Indian Motorcycle is an icon and the new
range has been designed with care to ensure that
it not only powers the future but also honours the
past on which this brand was built.
Todays Indian, with the support of multi-
billion dollar corporation Polaris, is once again
winning the hearts of motorcycle enthusiasts the
world over. Indian is very proud to be back in
New Zealand and were excited about our future
here, Peter Harvey said.
Indian Motorcycle will be available from
Cyclespot: at 45 Barrys Point Road, Takapuna,
Auckland.
ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE
Indian Motorcycle joins Victory Motorcycles
(founded in 1998), as a wholly-owned division
of Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII). Polaris
Industries, Inc. is proud to own and manufacture
the oldest and newest American motorcycle
brands. To learn more, please visit www.
indianmotorcycles.co.nz
Indian Motorcycle rides into
New Zealand
www.iwk.co.nz
23 May 2014
9
NEW ZEALAND
Call us on 0800 88 7878 today for a FREE,
no obligation review of your life and
medical insurance policies. Keep yourself
and your family covered with maximum
benefits at the best price. Sensible advice
guaranteed. Just one simple phone call.
don t wai t.
Get more,
pay less.
CALL
NOW!
0800 U TRUST US (887878) Tel: 09 825 0117
Dont let finance/home loans get in the way of your
purchase/construction of your dream home.
Talk to us, to see how we work different from the rest.
are also our speciality. talk to us today!
toll free: 0800 88 78 78
dreamhomes
0800 U TRUST US (887878) Tel: 09 825 0117
Namaste
From the Auckland
Indian banking team.
Talk to us today about our award winning products
and services to help you reach your goals faster.
4
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Farea Khan
09 488 6068
farea_khan@bnz.co.nz
Aarti Narayan
09 924 3576
aartika_narayan@bnz.co.nz
Raj Mehta
09 924 0393
rajesh_mehta@bnz.co.nz
Courtesy: PwC Auckland
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
10
NEW ZEALAND
Parents to 37 girls in India visit New Zealand to share their story
A
couple who rescued and adopted 37 girls from
one of Indias poorest areas are visiting New
Zealand to share their story and raise awareness of
the effectiveness of child sponsorship.
For over 13 years, Prasanna and Arpana
Khaling of Siliguri , which is in the heart of West
Bengal India, have rescued girls as young as two-
years-old who were abandoned or sold by parents,
orphaned, trapped in the sex industry, or lacked
suffcient care from family members.
We wonder sometimes in situations like these
why these little hearts were ever born. Children
in slums and gutters are treated like animals
wandering around hungry and cold, says Mr
Khaling.
They found Pratiksha as a toddler wandering
the streets of Panighatta. She was bare foot and
dirty with torn clothes hanging off her little body.
We saw her fghting over a piece of bread
with her brother, but she lost, and started crying.
She used to feed on food thrown to her by nearby
soldiers.
We found out she was living with her
grandparents in a shabby, dirty, house on the side of
the road that was falling down. The grandparents
were both very ill with chronic tuberculosis and
told us Pratikshas mother had abandoned her
when she was four months old. We reached out
to offer help. They were so grateful and we all
decided Pratiksha would come and live with us,
says Mr Khaling.
Only one year later both of Pratikshas
grandparents died from the chronic illness.
When we took her home she was extremely
ill. Her stomach was infested with worms, which
could have killed her. But we loved her as one of
our own and now she has grown into a beautiful
teenager with a vision for her life; dreams and
hope for a great future, like any teenager should
have, says Mr Khaling. The powerful positive
impact on Pratikshas life and our 36 other girls is
a direct result of New Zealanders giving regular
money.
The Khalings partnered with Tauranga-based,
International Needs New Zealand, in 2001 to build
a large family home.
Our home is called Sano Diyo Girls Home
which means a Light House. We love the girls
deeply and because of child sponsorship from
kiwis throughout New Zealand, we are able to
send our girls to a Christian school for a higher
education.
Some of our girls are now old enough to
graduate and go to university. They want to be
doctors, teachers and scientists, says Mr Khaling.
Without the generosity of New Zealanders these
beautiful girls would still be living in rubbish tips,
or dead.
Mr Khaling is joined by his wife Arpana, and
they are travelling through New Zealand over four
weeks sharing their story.
While we are here we will meet many of
our childrens sponsors, which will be so good,
he says. We also have another 50 children from
nearby slum areas of Mirik and Siliguri who we
have identifed as being severely deprived. We will
be trying to get sponsors for them.
The main host for the duration of their stay in
Tauranga is Presbyterian Church, St Peters in the
City, who have a long-standing relationship with
the Khalings.
Anyone interested in hearing their story, or
wants to learn more about child sponsorship, is
invited to attend various meetings being held in
Tauranga, Paeroa, Thames, Christchurch and
Oamaru. Visitwww.internationalneeds.org.nz for
details.
C
ome to a free information seminar about
your community
Our people, our place, our story
T ttou ao
Are you interested in knowing about who
is in your community?
Do you want to know how your community
has changed?
2013 Census is a rich source of information
about whats happening at a local and national
level with our population and how
its changing.
Statistics NZ will be running free
information seminars presenting local
information from the 2013 Census to local
people. Seminars will take place between 20
May and 27 June 2014 at over 40 locations
around New Zealand.
The seminars will include directions on
how to fnd this freely available 2013 Census
information on our website.
Visit our website to fnd out when we will
be in your area, and register to attend
For more information call 0508 525 525
Take opportunity
of this free Census
Seminar
Young Kiwis create Svara
S
vara Productions was formed in late April
2014 after a group of youngindividuals came
together, sharing similar visions and passion for
entertainment industry.
Our vision as a non-
proft organisation is to
support local charities by
producing various forms of
entertainment. Leading the
team in front is Abhinav
Arora, a young entrepreneur
with interests in the hospitality
and entertainment industries.
Abhinav always had an interest
in various forms of music and
agrees with the old saying that
music is a universal language
a language that is globally
spoken and unites people from
all walks of life.
As our frst production;
Bollywood Unplugged,
we have chosen to host an
evening of live music with
young talented artists from Auckland who will
take to stage songs from todays and yesterdays
era produced with their own unique touch. The
evening is complimented with a 3-course buffet
dinner catered by India Gate restaurant, with the
availability of an open bar. This event is the frst
of its kind as the singers use some kiwiingenuity
to deliver a professional yet soulful performance.
For this occasion we have chosen to join
hands with SPCA Auckland. Their mission is to
encourage the humane treatment for all animals
and to prevent cruelty from being inficted upon
them. SPCA Auckland cares for over 15,000
injured, abandoned and abused animals across
the Auckland region each year and rely heavily
on the generosity of the of the general public to
enable them to continue protecting
Aucklands animals.
Bollywood Unplugged is set to
be an entertainment packed event,
professionally delivered in an
ambient atmosphere at the India Gate
Party Hall in Papatoetoe. Tickets are
$50per person, with the option of
a table of eight for $400. Children
above 10 years of age are more than
welcome to join and are priced at
$50pp as well. We look forward to
having your support.
The Bollywood Unplugged
team headed by Abhinav Arora is
coorganised by Gopika Gnanakumar
from Yatra Dance Company, Ritika
Badakere, Ashish Joshi and Mridula
Mahlotra; all of whom are young
professionals but share a passion for
singing. To follow them visit our facebook page:
www.facebook.com/svaraproductions
Contact Abhinav Arora: 0211063127

proudly
presents

Bollywood
July 12
6:30 pm
India Gate Party Hall
23 Eric Baker Place
Papatoetoe
facebook.com/svaraproductions
Tickets $50
All funds raised
will be donated
to SPCA
Auckland
| Contact Abhinav on 021 1063127
DINNER | LIVE SINGING | LIVE MUSIC
RITIKA BADAKERE | ASHISH JOSHI | MRIDULA MAHLOTRA
WHILE ENJOYING PROFESSIONAL DELIVERY BY OUR TALENTED
SINGERS
EXPERIENCE AND BE MESMERISED BY A LOVELY DINNER
PROVIDED BY
I NDI A GATE RESTAURANT

QR CODE
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
11
NEW ZEALAND
Speaking and Living English
CERTIFICATE IN PRACTICAL ENGLISH (ESOL)
Life would be easier if you knew English!
Albany, Auckland
1/2 William Pickering Drive
Rosedale
Albany 0632
Phone: (09) 448 2570
New Lynn, Auckland
Level 3
3055 Great North Road
New Lynn
Phone: (09) 827 3612
Auckland City
Level 10
238 Queen Street
Auckland City
Phone: (09) 377 2434
Botany Downs, Auckland
Office 5B, Block E
(above Subway)
Level 1 Fountain Lane South
Botany Downs Town Centre
Phone: (09) 279 9313
Manukau
15 Canning Crescent
Mangere
Auckland 2022
Phone: (09) 255 6741
If you, or someone you know wants to learn
English in a fun and friendly environment,
call into one of the sites below and bring
your passport or proof of residency.
Be quick - places are limited!
CALL FREE
0800 355 344
Good, basic, everyday conversational English taught in a fun and
relaxing way that is best for you!
Stress-free fun learning! Just 9 hours a week in an exciting class
with laughter and activities. (Two 3 hour sessions, plus an optional
3 hour follow up tutorial per week for 18 weeks).
You choose the time! Choice of morning, afternoon and evening
classes.
Gain the everyday words you need, and the confidence to use them.
Fun home learning! Audio CDs, activities books and games.
No tuition fees!
Build the confidence you need to take part in everyday
conversations. You will learn common words and phrases
while studying in a friendly environment with exciting
resources and friendly qualified tutors. Enrol today. - be
quick as classes are limited - and make your life easier by
speaking English!
4
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A
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A feminist is anyone who recognizes the
equality and full humanity of women and
men. Gloria Steinem
Men and women are described as the two
wings of a bird. Needless to say, to be able
to fy, a bird needs both its wings to be strong
and working well together. How then do we
humans manage to create a divide in the way
we empower one and not the other. It was as a
result of the years of injustice and subjugation
that the twentieth century saw the rise of the
feminist. But, they had a point to prove,
they had a journey to initiate. As a result of the
tireless efforts of various womens organistions,
today, inspite of everything else that goes on,
the value of women is undeniable. More and
more countries now agree that for sustainable
development they cannot continue to focus on
the development of just half the population.
Sustainable development needs to empower
the woman - socially, politically, fnancially,
educationally and in any other way possible, as
she in turn empowers a whole new generation.
In the nineteenth century, the central moral
challenge was slavery. In the twentieth century,
it was the battle against totalitarianism. We
believe that in this century the paramount
moral challenge will be the struggle for gender
equality around the world. Nicholas D.
Kristof, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression
into Opportunity for Women Worldwide
Towards this in 1995, in Beijing, a milestone
was achieved at the Fourth World Conference
on Women that committed to achieving gender
equality by removing the obstacles that limit
womens involvement in public and private
life and prevented them from an equal share
in decision-making. As we move towards the
twentieth anniversary of the Beijing declaration
in 2015, countries across the world are revisiting
the progress they have made in this direction.
It is then a matter of pride that New Zealand
ranks consistently high in respect of gender
equality and is placed seventh out of 136
countries on the World Economic Forums
Global Gender Gap Index 2013.
Major achievements in the promotion of
gender equality and the empowerment of
women in New Zealand since the adoption
of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for
Action in 1995 include: efforts to address the
high rates of violence against women and girls,
addressing barriers to womens participation
in employment, women holding high profle
leadership and decision-making positions.
Violence within families affects the lives of
thousands of people in New Zealand. Victims
of the most severe cases of family violence
including homicides, are predominantly
women and children. Reducing violence within
families and minimising its impact on women
and children are long-standing priorities for
New Zealand. Many developments in terms
of legislative changes, introduction of Police
safety orders, several campaigns and task
forces have been put in place. Much needs to
be done however to address the root of anger
and violence.
Addressing barriers to womens participation
in employment, amendments to employment
relations legislation and funding for early
childhood education in the last decade have
improved working conditions and employment
outcomes for women. Many other strides have
been made including the growing discussions
on paid parental leave.
New Zealand has a proud and growing history
of women holding high-profle leadership and
decision-making positions including two women
Prime Ministers: Dame Jenny Shipley
and Helen Clark. We have had two women
Governors-General: Dame Catherine Tizard
and Dame Silvia Cartwright. The current
Chief Justice of New Zealand is Dame Sian
Elias. Within Government, 34 percent of our
Members of Parliament are women. A number
of confict resolution and peace-building
decision-making positions are currently held
by women including the Minister of Justice,
the Minister of Police, the Secretary of
Defence (Chief Executive of the New Zealand
Ministry of Defence), the Divisional Manager,
International Security and Disarmament
Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
(lead civilian on international security issues),
and the Director of Defence Intelligence (New
Zealand Defence Force).
As per the Governments National Review
there is much to be done and there are three
main emerging priorities over the next fve
years for accelerating the implementation
of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for
Action and the outcomes of the twenty third
special session of the General Assembly and
subsequent intergovernmental agreements for
the achievement of gender equality and the
empowerment of women at the national level.
These are in the areas of greater economic
independence, more women in leadership and
increased safety from violence.
So how do we as common everyday women
respond to these identifed needs? Being the
fortunate few who live in a country where
the gender gap is not as big a divide as is in
many other countries across the world, does it
not become our responsibility to take the lead
in furthering the cause of women? We can do
this by living true to and honouring our own
feminine spirit on an everyday basis. Being the
nurturers its upto us to shape the generations
that follow into individuals that understand
equality. As citizens that understand that for the
bird to soar into the vast open skies, it needs
both its wings.
Equality is not a concept. Its not something
we should be striving for. Its a necessity.
Equality is like gravity. We need it to stand
on this earth as men and women, and the
misogyny that is in every culture is not a true
part of the human condition. It is life out
of balance, and that imbalance is sucking
something out of the soul of every man and
woman whos confronted with it. We need
equality. Kinda now. Joss Whedon
I am woman is a movement that supports
the cause of equality of the genders. It truly
believes in sustainable development in a world
where both men and women stand shoulder to
shoulder and hold up their half of the skies.
Needless to say that one cannot progress without
the other. Besides being an organization then
that is dedicated to empowering women, it also
aims at bringing forth stories of exceptional
men who are taking a stand for this cause, so
that the ones that follow may be inspired by
these trail blazers. If you know any such men
or are one yourself, we would like to hear
from you. Please share your stories with us at
iamwoman@xtra.co.nz show your support for
us by liking us on facebook at www.facebook.
com/womanunlimited.
***Ref - New Zealand Governments
National Review on the Implementation of the
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
(1995) and the outcomes of the twenty-third
special session of the General Assembly (2000)
in the context of the 20th anniversary of the World
Conference on Women and the adoption of the
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
2015.
Minding the gap
From the desk of I am Woman
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
12
NEW ZEALAND
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Local talent trumps at the Indo Kiwi Crossover Concert
N
asha Entertainments
concept of promoting local
talent and creating a fusion of
different musical genres was
well received and perhaps this
is exactly what the local music
scene needed.
All the talent on-stage was
recruited from the community
and their enthusiasm made for
a lively evening. The audiences
response to the show was an
indication that team Nasha have
a good concept at hand which
shows immense promise to grow
in the future.
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
13
NEW ZEALAND
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A
n Ellerslie mum of fve had been living for
months without sheets, blankets, curtains,
pots or plates until City Impact Church
members arrived last Saturday with a truckload
of donated furniture, bedding and household
items.
After a recent stay in Womens Refuge, she
returned home to fnd that her house had been
burgled. With no family to turn to, she and her
children simply went without, until City Impact
Church Community Manager Mary-Kath Laita
heard of her situation.
A team of more than twenty volunteers from
the church arrived last Saturday, bringing a cot
for her seven-month-old as well as beds, tables,
cabinets, towels and toys. They also spring-
cleaned her home and cleared her yard for her,
leaving a wide open space for her children to
play.
Mary-Kath and her husband Isaac stopped
to help me once when my car broke down on
the side of the road, the single mum explains.
So when I saw her face on a church fyer, I
knew she would be the one to go to for help.
The Ellerslie residents home was just one of
71 properties attended by City Impact Church
volunteers as part of their Community Impact
Day last Saturday. More than 500 volunteers
spread out across Auckland from the churchs
North Shore and Mt Wellington campuses to
carry out maintenance, gardening, cleaning and
home makeovers for people in the community.
We have been running these days several
times a year for seven years now, says Mary-
Kath. The number of jobs referred to us by
government and community organisations just
continues to grow. We want people to know
that we care - that were willing to roll up our
sleeves and lend a hand. Its about showing
Gods love to people in a practical way.
To see more pictures and footage from the
day or for more information on other events
and services at City Impact Church go to www.
cityimpactchurch.com or phone the offce on 09
477 0300.
Church helps burgled family
City Impact Church volunteers donated furniture to a familys burgled Ellerlsie home on Saturday.
A
popular Gujarati play that has been
showcased in over 250 cities is now about
to hit the city of Auckland on the evening of
20th June 2014, Friday at the Dorothy Winston
Centre. The play is written by Kamlesh Oza of
Baa Bahu Aur Baby and Khicchdi fame. His
plays are known for their excellent comedy and
subtle morals of life. 2 Idiots is about a marriage
that culminates into a beautiful tale of love.
2 Idiots depicts the life of a four-month
old married couple
that discovers
various aspects of
each other through
funny yet touching
incidents. The
c o mp l i c a t i o n s
of the couple are
endearing and
the fall-outs are
o v e r wh e l mi n g .
You defnitely
dont want to miss
this play. Whether
youre married
for long, newly
married or planning
to get married,
theres something
for everyone in this
play. The kids will
defnitely enjoy the
antics of Kamlesh
Oza.
Surely, this is
a joyride that will
leave you in splits
of laughter and you will defnitely come back,
hungry for more!
This play is brought to you by the Prudential
Growth Investments Ltd (PGIL). PGIL is a
growing sunrise venture, with a steady growth
and a strong base. Its people are its strength
coupled with passionate commitment to
succeed at every venture they plan.
The event is managed by Mr. Ram Iyer of
CFI Events.
A love story in reverse
www.iwk.co.nz
23 May 2014
35
ENTERTAINMENT
The ultimate X-Men : A war for survival
The ultimate X-Men ensemble ghts a war for
the survival of the species across two time periods
in X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST. The
beloved characters from the original X-Men
lm trilogy join forces with their younger selves
from the past, X-Men: First Class, in order to
change a major historical event and ght an epic
battle that could save our future.
Director Bryan Singer reinvented the comic
book genre as weve come to know it. With
the debut of the hugely successful X-Men in
the summer of 2000, Singer established nothing
less than a new creative aesthetic in his motion
picture adaptation of the beloved comics stories
and characters. That lm was followed by
Singers even more successful X2 in 2003.
In X-Men: Days of Future Past, Singer
returns to the directors chair to expand upon his
vision for the X-Men universe. Its a huge and
provocative story propelled by richly conceived
characters. Producer Hutch Parker believes
it is a combination of Bryans love, attention
and respect for these characters that makes the
directors X-Men lms so compelling.
Singers involvement with the franchise
from its infancy has bred close ties among
both the returning production and acting
teams. The new lm reunites producer Lauren
Shuler Donner, who has been involved in
all the X-Men lms; writer/producer Simon
Kinberg, who was a producer on X-Men: First
Class; award-winning director of photography
Newton Thomas Sigel, ASC, who has worked
on seven projects with Singer; Oscar-winning
production designer John Myhre, who created
the original X-Men world; and composer/editor
John Ottman.
Singer also reunites with the cast of the
original X-Men lms, as well as the young cast
of First Class, on which he wrote the story
and served as a producer. From the original
trilogy, X-Men: Days of Future Past toplines
Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen,
and Halle Berry; and from First Class, it stars
Jennifer Lawrence, James McAvoy, Michael
Fassbender and Nicholas Hoult. It was a thrill
to cast these people, both in the original X-Men
lms and also in First Class, Singer notes,
and at that time, several of them had little to no
experience with lms of this scope. Hugh came
from a musical theater background. Jennifer
had done only small independent lms like
Winters Bone. Over the years their careers
have evolved, gained momentum and garnered
tremendous recognition. The coming together
of the original family and the new one has been
exciting for us all.
Shuler Donner feels that the X-Men stories
rich and provocative themes drew Singer to that
universe. Bryan is very serious when it comes
to the X-Men. He has always understood that
the stories underlying themes dictated a realistic
treatment. The characters are awed in ways in
which the audience can identify. For example,
Mystique wants to be proud of who she is, and
Beast is self-conscious about his mutant ability
and thus hides it. If the characters are grounded
in reality, we will believe they can y or heal
or have extraordinary powers. All the other
elements of an event picture are there action,
comedy, visual effects but binding it together
is human conict and struggle. Bryan is able
to nd depth and meaning in these comic book
stories because he always pulls from within
himself to nd the pathos of the characters and
the ethos of the world in which they live.
The biggest reason I wanted to return to
the X-Men, Singer conrms, is not just the
enormous cast and the
storys scope, but also
the way it touches on
things that havent
been experienced in
X-Men lms to
this point, like time
travel, that have
blossomed in the
comic books for
many years. I think
with each movie
you need to do
something new, and
I can guarantee theres a lot of newstuff in Days
of Future Past.
X-MEN IS NOW RELEASED IN NZ
THEATERS. Check your local cinema listing for
more.
Ek Mastibhari Marriage Story
TICKETS ($50, $40, $35 & $25) ON SALE AT
For Inquiries Contact: Himanshu Shah (021 580 031) & Chetan Shenoy (021 465 912) www.facebook.com/2idiotsnz
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TI CKETS ON SAL E SOON
For details contact Himanshu Shah on 021 580 031 or Chetan Shenoy on 021 465 912

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www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
14
www.national.org.nz
AUCKLAND OFFI CE: Unit 1, 131 Kolmar Rd, Papatoetoe, Auckland
Ph: 09 278 9302 | Email: bakshi.mp@parliament.govt.nz
Postal Address: PO Box 23136, Hunters Corner, Auckland 2025
www.bakshi.co.nz
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi NATI ONAL LI ST MP
www.national.org.nz
AUCKLAND OFFI CE: Unit 1, 131 Kolmar Rd, Papatoetoe, Auckland
Ph: 09 278 9302 | Email: bakshi.mp@parliament.govt.nz
Postal Address: PO Box 23136, Hunters Corner, Auckland 2025
www.bakshi.co.nz
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi NATI ONAL LI ST MP
NEW ZEALAND
A
trial of Auckland Councils planned new
organics collection service by North Shore
households is off to a promising start.
Almost fve tonnes of material has been
taken to composting facilities instead of going
to landflls, after participants separated their
food scraps from their
normal rubbish and
put it out for the frst
kerbside collection
last week.
Appr oxi ma t e l y
half of the 2000
households in the trial
put out their kerbside
bins, coming close to
the target of 60 per
cent participation.
Solid Waste
Manager Ian Stupple
says: Introducing a
service for separate
food waste is common
overseas but new to Aucklanders, so this initial
result of 50 per cent participation is very
encouraging.
Weve also had fantastic feedback from
households that feel good about using food
waste as a resource, such as compost.
North Shore households usually pay for
rubbish disposal, so people are also seeing the
potential to make savings on rubbish bag costs
as well.
Were off to a great start and we look
forward to discovering what works well, and
where there may be room for improvement
before taking the weekly collection to the
region.
Residents in pockets of Takapuna, Milford,
Forrest Hill and Northcote largely representing
Aucklands demographics are in the three-
month trial.
To take part,
they are using
two specially-
provided bins
a small kitchen
caddy with
c o mp o s t a b l e
liners for kitchen
food scraps, and
a larger bin for
transferring the
full liners into,
for collection at
the kerb.
The quality of
material placed
in the bins was high, which showed people
understood what to put in. This included bones,
shells and general food waste, along with
organic matter such as paper towels, tea bags
and indoor cut fowers.
The new rates-funded, urban organics
collection service was one of a suite of projects
promised in Auckland Councils Waste
Management and Minimisation Plan of 2012.
Participants are reminded to put out their
bins by 7am on collection day.
New food waste collection trial
gets off the mark

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Fonterra payout shows need
for diverse economy
T
he drop in the Fonterra payout shows New
Zealand needs to diversify its economy and
provide the settings to allow other industries and
sectors to grow, Labours Finance spokesperson
David Parker says.
Fonterras 2.9 per cent cut in the forecast
milk payout highlights the concerns Labour has
repeatedly expressed over our economy being
too reliant on the price of one commodity.
Yesterdays NZIER forecasts confrm
growth in
this country
is driven by
two areas
dairy and the
Chr i s t chur ch
rebuild. A
signifcant drop
in milk prices
could have
serious fow-on
effects for the
economy.
La b o u r s
E c o n o m i c
Upgrade will
diversify our export economy and support other
sectors through policies to support investment,
innovation and industry.
We will encourage investment through
universal KiwiSaver that will boost our
investment pool. Our capital gains tax will get
that money away from property speculation and
into productive businesses. This will lift wages
and take pressure of house prices.
We will support innovation through our
research and development tax credits and tax
incentives to encourage investment in new
technology which will encourage businesses to
expand.
Our industry support policies for
manufacturing and forestry have been well
received by business and more will be released
in the coming
months.
Our Reserve
Bank Upgrade
will lower the
dollar and keep
interest rates
and the cost of
capital lower for
business.
All of these
policies link up
to strengthen the
New Zealand
economy to
support higher
wages.
New Zealands economy is too reliant on
the dairy industry. Labour supports a strong
dairy sector we founded Fonterra and breathed
life into it via the China free trade agreement
but we need other sectors to expand, David
Parker says.
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
15
A
Youth Homelessness Forum set up by
Auckland Council is focussed on challenges
facing homeless young people and exploring
possible solutions.
The forum on May 19 brought together
agencies working with homeless youth, including
LIFEWISE, Dingwall Trust and Affnity Services.
Auckland Councils Community Development
and Safety Chair Councillor Cathy Casey, who
opened the forum, says young people are the new
homeless in Auckland.
Auckland Council, Government and
volunteer agencies must work in a co-ordinated
manner to ensure young people have alternative
housing options and the support services they
need, says Cr Casey.
Supporting homeless young people today
will lessen the cost to our health, police and
justice sectors in the future.
Youth homelessness is a common pre-cursor to
homelessness in later life. Ratepayers contribute
$50,000 a year to the Auckland Homeless Action
Plan, and my plea to Government is to continue
work with Auckland Council and other agencies
to address the issue.
The forum will reconvene later this year to
present and discuss suggested solutions with
young people. For more information or to get
involved in Auckland Councils efforts to address
homelessness, phone the council on 09 301 0101.
NZ NEWS IN BRIEF
T
he Fiji Indian Association, Wellington Inc
has described as heartless the decision of
the New Zealand Government to send the late
Mr Sanil Kumar back to Fiji, despite his proven
need for a kidney transplant .
By refusing to allow him to remain in New
Zealand, the Associate Minister of Immigration,
Nikki Kaye actually imposed a death sentence
on this young man.
The Ministers refusal to intervene clearly
shows the lack of compassion and human values
of the current Government and the decision to
send Sanil Kumar back to Fiji is condemned in
the strongest terms possible.
It is clear that the Government is now
indulging in media spin by saying the Fijian
Ministry of Health had assured it that facilities
were available in Fiji for Mr Kumars care and
treatment.
Mr Kumars family and well-wishers
had raised funds for his treatment and his
presence in New Zealand would not have been
detrimental to New Zealands health system or
citizens and his continued presence would not
have been contrary to the public interest.
President, Salim A Singh says the New
Zealand Government decision was heartless and
Mr Kumars demise should be on the collective
conscience of the current Government. Mr
Singh says he is confdent such a decision
would not have been taken by Governments
led by leaders like the late David Lange, Helen
Clark and Jim Bolger and that the manner in
which this matter has been handled by the
Government shows a clear departure from
normal New Zealand humanitarian values. The
Association expresses its heartfelt condolences
to the Kumar family.
Sanil Kumar tragedy
I
mmigration Minister Michael Woodhouse
is unable to explain to unemployed Kiwi
workers why the government is allowing so
many permanent migrants into New Zealand
who are not in the skilled category, says New
Zealand First.
With over 40,000 permanent resident
visas now being issued each year the National
Government is not doing New Zealand any
favours by fooding the country with people,
many who may never work here or who will
compete with Kiwis for jobs and services,
says New Zealand First Deputy Leader Tracey
Martin.
For nearly half the immigrants there is no
requirement to work here and pay taxes, yet
they can use our public health and education on
the same level as hard-working Kiwi taxpayers.
New Zealand is way out of kilter with the
rest of the world. Most countries use smart
and focused immigration so the majority of
people coming in are skilled workers to fll the
countrys needs and beneft it economically.
They are rigorous in restricting the numbers
outside the skills category.
The National Government has consistently
justifed the very high levels of immigration on
the basis of skill shortages. As we pointed out
in Parliament today the number of people being
given residency and not categorised as skilled
workers is almost 50 per cent of the total.
Why are we so lax? Why are we such
mugs? says Ms Martin.
Half immigrants not in skilled
category
Auckland Council tackles youth
F
unding applications for the 2014 2015
year open on 21 July 2014 and close on 29
August 2014.
Application forms, guidelines on how to
apply and information about eligibility will be
available on this website from 21 July.
Established in 2003 Settling In provides
small grants to refugee and migrant communities
to help them settle in the community and New
Zealand as a whole.
For further information please email
settlingin@dia.govt.nz
Settling In funding application
dates confrmed
T
he Ministry of Business, Innovation and
Employment is currently reviewing the
way immigration advisers are regulated. The
online survey is compiled on behalf of the
Ministry by Martin, Jenkins & Associates Ltd.
The survey is for completion by people who
are recipients of immigration advice and would
like to contribute to the review. The results will
be used to inform decisions about amendments
to the regulatory system.
How immigration advisors are
regulated
An opportunity to have your say
A
marine animal thought to have been extinct
for four million years has been found alive
and well and living near Picton.
Called Protulophila, this new living fossil
forms a network of tiny holes in the chalky
tubes of marine worms called serpulids.
Fossil examples were discovered this year
by a group of scientists including NIWA marine
biologist Dr Dennis Gordon, Dr Paul Taylor of
Londons Natural History Museum and Drs Lee
Hsiang Liow, Kjetil Voje and Seabourne Rust
of the University of Oslo. The scientists had
been conducting feldwork at Wanganui where
they found Protulophila in a tubeworm from
geologically young rocks less than a million
years old.
This discovery alerted them to the possibility
that the animal, previously unknown outside of
Europe and the Middle East, might still be alive
today in New Zealand.
It was thought to have been extinct for
four million years following a long geological
history extending back 170 million years into
the Middle Jurassic period in Europe.
Northern-hemisphere fossil
discovered living in New Zealand
T
he Parliamentary Commissioner for the
Environment has found regulation in
New Zealand is not adequate for managing
the environmental risks of oil and gas drilling,
especially if the industry expands beyond
Taranaki.
In her 2012 report into fracking,
Commissioner Dr Jan Wright found that much of
the concern about fracking was associated with
the expansion of the industry. The technique of
hydraulic fracturing fracking could be used
to extract unconventional oil and gas from
many parts of the country outside Taranaki. In
some parts of the United States and Australia,
this has led to oil and gas wells multiplying so
rapidly that regulators have found themselves
scrambling to catch up.
Exploration wells are being drilled into the
shale of the East Coast Basin near Dannevirke,
near Gisborne, and soon in Hawkes Bay, said
Dr Wright. The shale in this part of the country
has been compared with the Bakken and Eagle
Ford rock formations in the United States
where the number of wells has proliferated in
just a few years.
Environment Commissioner urges
New Zealand to get ahead of the
game on an expanding oil and gas
industry
www.indianweekender.co.nz
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
16
POWER COLUMN
L
aila Harr the woman who put through New
Zealands frst paid parental leave law will
lead the Internet Party into the General Election.
Ms Harr, a Cabinet minister for the Alliance-
Labour Government from 1999-2002, brings with
her a wealth of political experience as a former
Minister of Womens Affairs, Youth Affairs and
Statistics, and Associate Minister of Labour and
of Commerce.
Ms Harr introduced the frst paid parental
leave legislation and saw it through the legislative
process with a law that granted 12 weeks paid
leave.
Her return to politics as leader of the Internet
Party comes as a result of her concern that young
Kiwis, in particular, have been left out of the
political process. Ms Harr sees the Internet Party
as a force to connect with young citizens and give
them a strong voice in Parliament.
Mainstream parties arent even trying to
connect. Its hardly surprising that nearly half the
eligible voters under 24 didnt even bother at the
last election. Parliament was somewhere they felt
they had no place, and politics had become too
distasteful, too petulant, to even rate as a spectator
sport. This has to change and we will be the ones
to do it.
She believes the Internet represents a once-
in-a-generation opportunity for New Zealand to
become a global leader in generating innovation,
jobs and prosperity.
And our young people get that. What they
have lacked so far is a voice in Parliament. Im
here to change that.
A qualifed barrister and solicitor educated
at Auckland University, Ms Harr says her
experience of the Internet is much the same as
many others who use it, but she is joining an
organisation with expert personnel who have
a vast knowledge of technology issues and
solutions. Internet freedom is the free speech
issue of our age, she says. The Internet creates
the spaces in which our youth gather. The town
hall meetings of the smartphone age happen
online. The Internet Party is teaching me a
valuable lesson that were the ones who need to
change, to engage.
But the Internet Party represents so much
more than that. Our Action Agenda and policy
development process clearly shows the depth
and breadth of our vision for health, education,
environment, the economy all the things that
New Zealanders care about.
Ms Harrs extensive background in
employment relations fts well with the Internet
Partys policy on jobs and innovation.
Since leaving Parliament, Ms Harr has had
a series of employment-related jobs in New
Zealand and the Pacifc, including a United
Nations programme in Fiji strengthening the
position of women vendors in produce markets,
a two-year job in Fiji running the International
Labour Offces Strategies for Decent Work
project, designing and managing human resources
involved in setting up Auckland Council, and
positions with one if the countrys largest private
sector unions, the National Distribution Union,
and the NZ Nurses Organisation.
Harre to lead Internet Party
K
eeping ourselves and our families healthy
is one of the most important things for
Kiwis, but if we do become sick, we want to
know we have a reliable public health service
to fall back on.
A strong public health service gives families
peace of mind and its been a priority of the
National-led Government.
Despite incredible economic challenges,
National has continued to invest strongly in
public health, more than ever before. Weve
invested an additional $3.34 billion of new
operating and capital funding into health in
the past fve years and next year our public
health services budget will reach a record $15.6
billion. Were making each dollar go further
over the past fve years record numbers of
New Zealanders have received the operations
they need, faster than ever before. 40,000 more
patients now receive elective surgery each year.
Budget 2014 includes $110 million of
investment to build on this success and will
mean even more Kiwis will beneft from hip
and knee replacements, and other elective
surgery and they will get it sooner.
Elective surgery makes a real difference to
patients and their families it reduces pain,
restores independence, and improves quality of
life. We are committed to moving focus from
the back offce to the frontline. Latest data from
the Ministry of Health shows record numbers
of doctors and nurses at the bedside caring for
patients in our public hospitals.
Since 2008 over 1,300 more doctors and
3,000 more nurses have entered our health
workforce. Without their care, compassion and
commitment, we wouldnt be able to deliver
quality health services.
No parent should be put off getting medical
assistance for their young children because of
cost. National made sure under-sixes can go
to the doctor for free, any time of the day or
night, and Budget 2014 invests $90 million to
extend this to their older brothers and sisters
as well. More than 400,000 primary school-
aged children and their families are expected to
beneft.
Protecting and growing the public health
service for New Zealand families is part of
our priority to deliver better public services.
This Government has provided not only record
funding, but record results. This is what careful
fnancial management can deliver to Kiwi
families.
Theres always more to do, and we will
continue to invest in our health services as part
of our commitment to deliver better, sooner,
more convenient healthcare for New Zealand
families.
Budget 2014 protecting the public health of New Zealand
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi
I
f youre running a business, youll want to
vote Labour in September because we have a
solid plan to make it easier to do business in New
Zealand.
Since 2008 theres been a big decline in the
number of small businesses starting up in New
Zealand - an average of 2500 fewer every year.
Thats a problem, because small businesses
grow into the big businesses our country depends
on.
Thats why Labour has a suite of policies
aimed at modernising our economy and enabling
our businesses to grow and fourish.
Were the proven economic managers: since
1935 the annual average GDP growth rate under
Labour governments has been 3.7%, while under
National its been 2.9%.
Labour recently announced plans to upgrade
New Zealands 25-year-old monetary policy,
preserving the good things about the current
system and improving it for the 21st century.
Working with this, Universal Kiwisaver will
provide a pool of investment that businesses can
draw on to expand and export, upping our national
income.
Australia has $1.5 trillion in their universal
workplace savings. We are already 25 years
behind them and playing catch-up. Universal
KiwiSaver will mean everyone will be better off
because we will not only have a low interest rate
and fair exchange rate regime, but everyone will
have their own savings nest egg as well.
Small-business owners will be relieved to hear
were also looking at ways to simplify the tax
system because our small businesses are spending
too much time and money on complicated tax
compliance. If small business owners could
simply and easily do their taxes, theyd be able
to focus on what they do best: contributing to the
economy.
A capital gains tax will encourage people to
invest in productive New Zealand businesses
rather than speculating on property (this tax will
exclude the family home).
Well give tax breaks to businesses that
invest in research and development, encouraging
breakthroughs and innovations we can market
to the rest of the world. The New Zealand of
the future will require an energetic, high-skills
workforce so our young people are central to
our plans: well get them into work, education or
training. National is the party of big business, not
small and medium business. When they introduce
additional compliance like requiring employers
to collect child support, its easy if you have an
HR department, but every small business-owner
knows the true cost of that kind of regulatory
creep. Labour will keep things simple.
Were a hardworking and smart nation that
deserves an effcient economy, so our businesses
can fourish and leave a legacy of prosperity for
the next generation. Thats what Labour will
deliver.
David Shearer
Policies aimed at modernising our economy and enabling our
businesses to grow
Interest rates of 700% and refusal to regulate
T
he National government cares little for
those less well off. This government
waffes on in Parliament about doing good but
its cuts here, there and everywhere, to many
organisations that work hard as the gap between
rich and poor grows.
At Cabinet Club meetings, where people
pay to meet a Minister, you can bet the small
talk is never about the plight of the less well off.
Ministers fll their diary with those who can pay
cash for access, or wealthy foreigners who want
to change our laws, and do.
This week the government steadfastly
refused to put a limit on interest rates charged
by unscrupulous loan sharks, displaying its
uncaring attitude.
Thousands of people who borrow would
no longer be facing massive interest rates and
debt-ridden lives if the government has taken
such a simple step.
Why is there no strong regulation on this
sort of money lender whose interest rates vary,
but average around 700% a year?
The government had its chance but instead
it frowned a little and hit the loan sharks
with a wet lettuce in the form of a law that
throws thousands of words into the fne print of
contracts that no one will ever read. At the end
of the day the law is toothless.
An amendment was raised by concerned
MPs but it got nowhere. Minister of Revenue
Peter Dunne, the governments little helper,
ably assisted National, after doing a U-turn on
a previous promise to support interest rate caps,
and voted against the amendment.
New Zealand First voted against the law, the
only party to do so. We want strong regulation
to limit interest rates. Unscrupulous money
lenders are everywhere.
Loan sharks operate out of seedy shops
in poorer suburbs, and they also work from
websites, enticing people with talk of easy
money, and suggesting a poor credit history is
no barrier to borrowing.
They sell the idea that its okay to spend
now, even if you have no money. Credit is also
given out easily to shoppers from trucks selling
goods, with the line that there is no need to
wait, just buy now, and pay later.
This government has ignored the misery
caused by loan sharks and abandoned many
New Zealand families to a terrible fate. They
could have regulated to protect vulnerable
people.
Winston Peters
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
17
FEATURES
T
he National-led Government is investing
strongly in programmes to support pregnant
women and new mums to understand the
importance of good nutrition and physical activity
for their babies and for themselves.
Health Minister Tony Ryall spoke about the
importance of newborn and maternal nutrition
and the range of anti-obesity programmes the
government is investing in at the opening of the
new Kawerau Medical Centre today.
Research suggests that preconditions for
overweight and obesity are set very early, said
Mr Ryall.
On Breakfast TV this morning, Professor
Wayne Cutfeld from the Liggins Institute said
women who are obese before they become
pregnant are much more likely to have an obese
infant, who then goes on to become an obese
adult, who then has an obese child continuing
the obesity cycle.
Experts, including Professor Cutfeld, say if
we want to make a difference in our communities
we need to focus on pregnant women and try
and prevent obesity at earlier stages and stop the
obesity cycle. And thats what this government is
doing.
Over the past year we have funded a number
of programmes throughout the country focusing
on improving womens health in pregnancy and
the postnatal period and promoting good nutrition
for their infants and toddlers.
The new newborn and maternal nutrition
initiatives include:
$1.6 million for an initiative where new mums
in Auckland are sent a text with healthy eating
messages and provided support
$1.1 million to expand Project Energize, a
successful nutrition and exercise programme,
to pre-schoolers in the Waikato
$680,000 for a programme to encourage
Taranaki Mums to eat and exercise well during
and after pregnancy
$1.5 million in a nutrition and parenting
project in South Auckland
$800,000 project in Wellington to improve the
quality of nutrition and exercise advice given
to pregnant women.
We have also committed $40 million in
Budget 2014 for a new community based anti-
obesity programme. Ten communities, including
Rotorua, have been selected to be part of the new
Healthy Families initiative, which is expected
to reach of around 900,000 New Zealanders.
Encouraging families to live healthy, active lives
is part of the Governments approach to reducing
obesity in New Zealand, said Mr Ryall.
Government investing strongly in programmes to slow obesity cycle
M
iss India Worldwide 2014, which will see
over 40 winning contestants of Indian
origin from 40 countries across the globe, will
be held June 20 in Dubai.
More than 40 contestants
of Indian origin settled in
various countries across the
globe between the age of 17
years and 27 years, unmarried
and citizens, residents, or born
in the country they represent,
will participate in the Miss
India Worldwide pageant,
Anuj Saxena,national
director, Miss India Worldwide and CEO of
Maverick Productions, said in a statement.
Before the main event, more than 12
contestants selected from various Indian cities,
including Bangalore, Mumbai and Kolkata,
will compete with each other at the Miss India
Worldwide India (MIWWI 2014) competition,
which will be held June 7 in Pune.
The winner will participate at
the fnal round in Dubai.
Miss India Worldwide crown
was started more than 20 years ago
and is held in different countries
every year, said Saxena.
The pageant consists of four
segments - Evening Gown, Indian
Dress, Talent and Question-
Answer round.
An added attraction will be Bollywood flm
festival and Indian culinary week to be held
simultaneously during the event.
Dubai to host Miss India
Worldwide 2014
E
very time you hit the dance foor to
the sound of loud music, you may risk
losing your capacity to hear. But those with a
substandard diet could be more vulnerable.
People with healthy diets who eat
adequate fruit and vegetables, have better
hearing thresholds than people with a poor
diet, according to large population databases,
Colleen Le Prell, professor at Florida
University, was quoted as saying.
Studies on animals have shown that
dietary supplements such as vitamins A, C,
E and magnesium can prevent hearing loss
by reducing infammation and swelling and
increasing the blood supply to the inner ear.
Results are now expected next month of
two recent clinical trials in humans that have
studied whether dietary supplements and a new
drug can protect hearing after exposure to a
loud noise.
This may mean we will be able to protect
our ears by popping a vitamin pill before going
out clubbing, The Guardian reported.
However, experts warned that however
effective a pill turns out to be, noise avoidance
is the best strategy to prevent hearing loss.
Eat balanced diet to prevent hearing loss
W
hile experts the world over are looking
for ways to stop smartphone batteries
from dying within a few hours of charging, a
Tel Aviv-based start-up StoreDot is developing
a battery that would get fully charged in 30
seconds.
Based on nanodots, the new battery is
capable of moving electric current at the speed
of lightning.
This is way faster compared to batteries that
we currently have.
At the moment, the battery design is only
in the prototype stage. In about two years,
these magic batteries will be hitting the stores,
Doron Myersdorf, CEO of StoreDot, was
quoted as saying in media reports.
To make nanodots, the researchers used tiny
organic crystals that were only two nanometres
long.
Through a self-assembly process, these
crystals were able to form nanodots.
They possess a natural glow, something
that could be used to illuminate the display
of the handsets. This will be equivalent to the
kinds of displays that are currently in use,
Myersdorf added.
The progress of the battery was demonstrated
recently at the Think Next symposium in Tel
Aviv, where the battery charged a Samsung
Galaxy S4 smartphone in just 26 seconds,
reports added.
Smartphone battery that gets charged in 30 seconds!
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
18
INDIA
T
aking steps to fulfl his avowed agenda of
good governance, Prime Minister Narendra
Modi Thursday asked his ministers to come up
with a plan of action for the frst 100 days, lay
thrust on effciency and delivery in their work
and give quick response to representations from
states and public representatives.
Modi, who assumed charge of his offce
two days ago, spelled out some guidelines for
his ministers at a meeting of the union cabinet
earlier in the day.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah
Naidu, who briefed reporters after the meeting,
listed the guidelines but did not say if the
government had fnalised its top 10 priorities.
Naidu said Modi had told his cabinet
colleagues that the main issue was good
governance.
The prime minister said that the main issue
was governance. That is the need of the hour and
there is need to focus on it. He said delivery and
effciency is important and there was also need to
pay attention to implementation (of government
schemes), he said.
Naidu said the prime minister heard the
ministers and gave suggestions on some issues,
as well as telling cabinet ministers to take their
ministers of states into confdence and give them
adequate work.
He said Modi was keen that the spirit
of federalism was followed and had told
the ministers that there should be immediate
response to representations from states.
State proposals should not be kept pending
for long. There is need to take states along, he
said.
The issues raised by MPs and by the people
should also be viewed in all seriousness and
resolved soon, Naidu added.
Modi, who served as Gujarat chief minister
for over 12 years, had often complained about
the indifference of the central government to
some issues raised by his state.
The prime minister, who is expected to
separately meet ministers and secretaries of
various departments in the coming days, asked
the ministers to prepare their priority agenda for
their frst 100 days and decide on priorities,
Naidu said.
He said departments had been asked to
prepare a list of issues that were pending from
the UPA government and implement them.
There is speculation that Modi may address
the nation possibly after the parliament session
June 4-11.
The Modi government also moved to prevent
possibility of nepotism with the ministers asked
to select their personal staff from the general
pool.
Offcials said the department of personnel
and training has issued a circular making it
clear that the union ministers will have to select
their personal staff from the general pool which
would end the system of handpicking offcials,
sometimes even relatives.
They said some ministers in the past had
appointed their relatives as their personal staff.
Modi focus on governance, asks ministers for 100-day timetable
A
low-cost satellite-enabled tablet computer
developed in India, coupled with two
satellites once used for sterophonic radio
broadcasts and which have a footprint in
127 countries, could revolutionise the way
schoolchildren across the developing world are
taught, the systems US-based promoter says.
The Silver Spring, Maryland-based Yazmis
e-learning system requires no internet as the
tablet, called Odyssey, has an in-built satellite
receiver. Lack of electricity is also not a problem
since Odyssey, priced at $150 (Rs.9,000) has the
option of being solar powered.
We have made this e-Learning possible
by combining our satellite-enabled technology
with the unique hand-held tablet for school
students designed entirely in India, Srinivasan
Rangarajan, Chief Technology Offcer of Yazmi
and formerly with the Indian Space Research
Organization (ISRO) told IANS over the
telephone from Silver Spring.
Unlike most other tablets in the market,
the design of Odyssey was demand-driven and
it is the worlds frst and only satellite-enabled
tablet designed and developed for education,
Rangarajan said.
Yazmis system was formally launched
on Wednesday at an international e-Learning
conference in Ugandan capital Kampala by
Noah Samarah, an Ethiopian-born lawyer and
the companys founder. Samara proposed to take
education to far fung areas in the developing
world by deploying Yazmis two geostationary
satellites - AfriStar and AsiaStar.
The satellites were originally owned by
WorldSpace, the the frst operating satellite radio
network in the world also founded by Samara.
After WorldSpace went bankrupt in 2009,
Rangarajan said, Yazmi acquired the satellites
and repurposed to offer an end-to-end learning
infrastructure to serve remote or otherwise
unreachable students.
Providing education in far-fung areas has
traditionally been diffcult and expensive due
to inadequate numbers of trained teachers,
insuffcient learning resources and poor local
infrastructure.
Our satellite-enabled education tablet,
especially built for the educational needs of
students and teachers is not only the right solution
to raise the educational standards but is also cost-
effective and easy to deploy, Rangarajan said,
adding: With the proposed service, the role of
teachers is enhanced rather than diminished.
The Odyssey tablet is pre-loaded with
approved curricular content and software tools
for learning and teaching. Traditional models
of e-Learning content delivery rely on internet
connectivity or cellular networks. Internet is not
usually available in geographically remote or
poorer regions while cellular networks can be
prohibitively expensive for the government or
students families, Rangarajan said.
In contrast, he said, Yazmis system has
extensive geographical coverage. Students can
use their personal device for storing text books,
notes taking and automatically updating course
content.
In the Yazmi system, governments provide
the curriculum content, including live lectures,
and the content originator can uplink to the
satellite, while local teachers can control what
gets into their students tablets, Rangarajan said.
Students participate in live classrooms from
the convenience of their homes and teachers can
reduce the time spent in writing on the blackboard
and increase classroom interaction, he added.
It is to be seen whether Yazmis e-Learning
approach will appeal to Indias human resource
development ministry, whose One Laptop
Per Child scheme for improving the skills of
primary school students introduced in 2009 failed
to take off.
Direct-to-satellite hand-held device
could revolutionise learning
The Silver Spring, Maryland-
based Yazmis e-learning
system requires no internet as
the tablet, called Odyssey,
has an in-built satellite
receiver. Lack of electricity
is also not a problem since
Odyssey, priced at $150
(Rs.9,000) has the option of
being solar powered.
D
oing away with one of the relics of coalition
politics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Saturday abolished all 30 ministerial groups
to ensure that his colleagues heading various
portfolios take faster decisions with more
accountability.
Criticising the move, the Congress said the
EGOMs and GOMs brought a collective multi-
disciplinary approach to issues of governance.
There were nine empowered groups of
ministers (EGOMs) and 21 groups of ministers
(GOMs) in operation. They were to take
decisions on various matters -- and several of
them on matters seen as tricky -- before coming
up before the cabinet for consideration.
This (the decision to abolish the groups)
would expedite the process of decision making
and usher in greater accountability in the
system, said an offcial statement from the
Prime Ministers Offce.
The ministries and departments will now
process the issues pending before the EGOMs
and GOMs and take appropriate decisions at the
level of ministries and departments itself.
In a way, the decision to abolish the groups
also poses greater accountability on Modi himself
as he will now have to adjudicate matters where
there are differences among cabinet colleagues,
rather than let a panel of colleagues deliberate on
them frst.
Congress leader and former union minister
Manish Tewari tweeted: While it is the
prerogative of every government to run an
administration in a manner which they deem
appropriate, but it would be germane to point
that EGOMs/ GOMs brought a collective multi-
disciplinary approach to issues of governance as
most matters have inter ministerial implications.
The idea of such ministerial panels frst
cropped up and was implemented during the
regime of the National Democratic Alliance
(NDA) under Atal Bihari Vajpayee. More were
added under then prime minister Manmohan
Singhs United Progressive (UPA) Alliance
government.
Since neither the Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) nor the Congress had the numbers to
form governments of their own and relied on
their allies, these ministerial groups were to let
coalition leaders deliberate key matters before
bringing them to the cabinet.
Pranab Mukherjee, now Indias president, P.
Chidambaram and A.K. Antony of the Congress
party and Sharad Pawar of the Nationalist
Congress Party (NCP) led the maximum of these
ministerial groups -- that at one point had swelled
to as many as 60.
The EGOMs, in particular, were even
bestowed with the authority to take decisions
and a subsequent discussion and approval by any
cabinet committee, presided over by the prime
minister, was a mere formality.
The subjects of the EGOMs included effective
management of drought, pricing of natural gas
and ultra mega power projects, while those of the
GOMs included strategy for water management,
national war memorial and administrative
reforms.
Many of them were dismantled after they
served their purpose and new ones were added.
Modi axes all GOMs, EGOMs for
fast decisions, accountability
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
19
INDIA
T
elangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief K.
Chandrasekhara Rao Monday took oath
as the frst chief minister of Telangana, a few
hours after it took birth as the 29th state of India,
triggering wild celebrations across the region.
On a historic day, Telangana witnessed series
of events beginning with the lifting of presidents
rule in the new state. This was followed by
Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan
taking oath as the Telangana governor early in
the morning.
Narasimhan later administered the oath
of offce and secrecy to 60-year-old Rao at a
ceremony held at Raj Bhavan here.
KCR, as Rao is popularly known, paid
tributes to the martyrs of Telangana before
taking oath.
Eleven cabinet ministers including two
deputy chief minister also took the oath with
him. Mohammed Mahmood Ali and T. Rajaiah
have been made deputy chief ministers. Ali will
hold revenue portfolio while Rajaiah will look
after medical and health.
Senior TRS leader N. Narasimha Reddy
will be home minister. Those who took the oath
include KCRs son K. Taraka Rama Rao and
nephew Harish Rao.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted:
India gets a new state! We welcome Telangana
as our 29th state. Telangana will add strength to
our development journey in the coming years.
Telanganas birth comes after years of
struggle and sacrifces by several people. We
pay our respects to them today, Modi tweeted
minutes after Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan
administered the oath of offce and secrecy to
Rao. He said Centre assures complete support to
the people and Telangana government in taking
the state to newer heights of progress.
KCR later unfurled the national fag and
reviewed a colourful parade at the main offcial
celebrations held at the Parade Ground.
The TRS chief, who revived the Telangana
movement 14 years ago, promised a corruption-
free and transparent government with its top
priority to work for the welfare of the poor and
weaker sections of society.
He announced a series of sops for government
employees and assured people that TRS will
fulfl all its poll promises.
KCR later reached his offce at the state
secretariat and assumed offce. He signed the
frst fle relating to Telanganas logo.
Celebrations broke out across Telangana
Monday. Jai Telangana rent the air as the region
comprising 10 districts erupted in celebrations to
mark the fulflment of nearly 60-year-old dream
of the people.
Bursting of frecrackers, unfurling of the
national fag, distribution of sweets and greetings
marked the celebrations, which began midnight.
Hundreds gathered at Gun Park near the state
assembly building to pay their tributes to the
martyrs of Telangana.
Firecrackers, especially brought from
Mumbai, were burst at several traffc junctions
and the main roads in Hyderabad. Telangana
protagonists took to the streets and were seen
dancing to the tunes of popular Telangana song.
Celebrations were held on a grand scale on
Tank Bund and Necklace Road around Hussain
Sagar lake, which divides the twin cities of
Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
Similar celebrations were held in nine other
districts of Telangana.
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N.
Chandrababu Naidu, who is set to take oath as
the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, hoisted
the national fag at NTR Trust Bhavan, the party
headquarters.
Similar functions were organised at offces
of the Congress party, the Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP) and other parties, non-political pro-
Telangana groups and unions of government
employees.
The formation of Telangana as a separate
state followed passage of Andhra Pradesh
Reorganisation Bill in parliament in February
this year. With this Andhra Pradesh has split
into two states. Telangana comprises 10 districts
while the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh
comprises 13 districts of coastal Andhra and
Rayalaseema. Hyderabad, one of the 10 districts
of Telangana, will serve as the common capital
of both the states for 10 years.
The bifurcation brought the curtains down on
undivided Andhra Pradesh, which was formed
Nov 1, 1956 with the merger of Telangana with
the then Andhra State.
India gets its 29th State: Telangana erupts in joy, KCR takes over
A
ndhra Pradeshs chief minister designate
N. Chandrababu Naidu Monday
congratulated K. Chandrasekhara Rao, who
took oath as the frst chief minister of Telangana.
Naidu hoped that Telangana will achieve
development under the leadership of Telangana
Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief.
The president of the Telugu Desam Party
(TDP) was addressing party workers after
unfurling the national fag at the TDP offce to
mark the formation of Telangana state.
Naidu did not attend the swearing-in
ceremony of Chandrasekhara Rao though
Governor E. S. L. Narasimhan had said an
invitation was sent to him. The TDP leaders felt
Rao should have personally invited him.
Naidu said the two states had separated as
brothers but the people would remain one as
they share the common language and culture.
The TDP chief said the governments of both
the states should work for development and
welfare of their people.
Naidu said TDP as the ruling party in Andhra
Pradesh, a partner in National Democratic
Alliance (NDA) government at the centre and
the opposition party in Telangana would fght
for the interests of both the states.
He claimed that TDP always worked for the
development of Telangana. He also claimed
that it wrote to the central government, seeking
separate statehood to the region.
Stating that he developed brand Hyderabad
when he was the chief minister of undivided
Andhra Pradesh, Naidu said the brand should
be further strengthened and its benefts should
reach the people.
Chandrababu Naidu greets Chandrasekhara Rao
T
elangana, which became Indias 29th state
Monday, is not just the countrys 12th
largest both in terms of population and area, but
also the frst to be carved out on a criteria that is
not based on language.
A few facts:
Location: Falls roughly between the two
main rivers of the region, Krishna and Godavari
Neighbours: Shares boundaries with Andhra
Pradesh to the south and east, Maharashtra to
the north and northwest, Karnataka to the west
and Chhattisgarh and Odisha to the north-east.
Size: Indias 12th largest by population with
35.29 million people, roughly that of Canada --
a ranking below Odisha and above Kerala
Area: Again Indias 12th largest with
114,840 sq km and comparable with England
-- just below Tamil Nadu and well above Bihar.
Legislature: Bicameral with 119 seats in
assembly and 40 seats in council
Assembly Representation: Telangana
Rashtra Samithi 63, Congress party 21,
Telugu Desam 15, All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul
Muslimeen seven, Bharatiya Janata Party fve
and others eight.
Lok Sabha Representation: 17 seats
First Chief Minister: Kalvakuntla
Chandrashekar Rao
First Governor: Ekkadu Srinivasan
Lakshminarasimhan
Capital: Hyderabad (It will also be Andhra
Pradesh capital for 10 years)
Other main Cities: Warangal, Nizamabad
and Karimnagar
Religions: Hindus 86 percent, Muslims 12.4
percent, Christians 1.2 percent
Language: As main spoken language
Telugu 76 percent, Urdu 12 percent, others 12
percent
Literacy: Male 75.6 percent, female 58.77
percent, overall 67.2 percent.
Know Telangana, Indias 29th state
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
20
SPORTS
NEW ZEALAND POLITICS
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Editorial
Exposure of crickets dirty secrets
may help the games future
W
hat a mess this cricket match fxing scandal appears to be and the
sooner its sorted the better.
Former Black Cap Lou Vincent few weeks ago confessed to the
International Cricket Council that he was involved in fxing at least 14
matches in the English competition, having started taking favours while
in the Indian Cricket League.
It has opened a can of worms which threaten to bring down more
former New Zealand cricketers as claims and counter-claims get tossed
around. With more of the games Kiwi stars becoming embroiled in the
mess that is crickets dirty little secret, a bit like drugs in other sports, it
has the potential to do serious damage to the great summer game loved
by all Kiwis.
And local fans must be despairing at what is shaping up to be a defning
moment in the sports history.
While it appears a guilty conscience must have forced Vincent to
become a whistleblower, but was it done in the remorseful spirit that the
great game must not be dragged into further disrepute?
Is he a hero for attempting to come clean? No.
Vincent has admitted to taking money to fx games, and that, frst and
foremost, must be seen as a shameful act. Whether his confession will
make the game cleaner and root out the cheats is another matter.
Quite rightly, the ICC has launched a full-scale investigation into the
match fxing affair and the subsequent leaks to the media of witness
statements.
Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum recently confrmed he stood
by his testimony to the International Cricket Councils anti-corruption
unit in which he implicated a Player X.
Vincents ex-wife has claimed that Player X is New Zealand cricket
legend Chris Cairns, though he has denied any wrongdoing.
Watching games in the Indian Premier League, or any other cricket
match for that matter, will not be the same again, at least not for a long
while.
It is also why the ICC needs to act swiftly and frmly. Due processes
have to be followed but the ICC has been in possession of some of the
witness statements for a while and now must act.
Meantime, we can only look forward to the day sporting battles are
back being played out on the pitch and the only things getting thrown
about are cricket balls, not scandalous accusations and revelations.
Although, bringing dirty secrets out into the open means the games
rulers will be forced to act - whether they like it or not.
-Arvind Kumar
I
ndia is a country of a billion strong people
which is expected to increase to 1.6 billion
by 2050. Presently, a little more than 50
percent of the population is above the age
of 25 and below the age of retirement. The
fgures may look very positive but would shift
the entire demographics of the country as the
population ages about 40 years by 2050. At
present, the population above the retirement
age of 64 is only eight percent; a very
proportion of dependence compared to the
high proportion of the working young in the
population. However, the fgures are going to
show a dramatic shift as the ageing population
would push 34 percent of the population
above the age of 64 and the percentage of the
population supporting them would fall to 34
percent as well. Age will soon play havoc with
India and time is running out to fully realize
the potential that youth can offer.
The onus of Indias growth lies on
the population. The productivity and the
effciency of the population would determine
the direction and pace of the countrys growth.
A large population will lead to progress if right
direction is given to its youth. It is imperative
for the country to ensure that the demographic
boon remains and the dividends youth
can give are utilized to its full productive
potential. India has to prevent the demographic
dividends from translating to a demographic
burden. It is crucial that the countrys attitude
changes towards its population. It is time India
adopts a more sound economic perspective to
its population.
The changing attitudes however, are not
restricted to just the size of the population. The
quality remains an important aspect as India
struggles to control literacy rates to create a
more viable economy. The education of the
masses will determine the productive potential
of the nation without which it is humanly
impossible to mobilize a billion strong people
towards the goal of national development.
The country faces a major challenge here
as well as one third of the population would
remain deprived of formal education by 2025
if measures are not undertaken to tackle
literacy rates. To fully utilize the population
in the growth of the economy, patterns would
need to be identifed and understood across
different regions. What matters today is that
correct directives and interventions must be
done at the level of each region to enhance the
productivity of the population.
However, India faces challenges in the
future as it faces shifting demographics in the
next 40 years. What would matter for India is
whether the country can perform on the global
platform or would succumb to the young but
an unemployable population that can work but
not support the burden of pushing a billion
strong on the path of progress.
The world has great expectations from
India, more than that, Indians have more
expectations out of India, specifcally as it
poses a challenge to traditional approaches to
commerce and trade. However, as India loses
its youth to time, it needs to delve into alternate
opportunities to exploit. Indias population is
its forte and the country needs to realize newer
ways of combining the forte of the youth with
its long- term goals of competitive growth.
Demographic dividends vs
demographic burden
- Amit Kapoor
The whole problem with the world is that fools
and fanatics are always so certain of themselves,
and wiser people so full of doubts.
Bertrand Russell (1872-1970)
Thought of
the Week
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
21
COMMENT
D
espite Sonia Gandhis advice to
Congressmen to avoid public
acrimony, rumbling of discontent about the
partys miserable performance in the recent
elections have continued. It will be a mistake,
however, if the party tries to brush aside the
prevailing sense of helpless anger within
the organization as an apparently transient
expression of frustration arising out of
defeat, as senior general secretary Digvijay
Singh has done.
His observation deserves serious attention
since he is believed to convey the familys
views. Taken together, Sonia Gandhis
and Digvijay Singhs comments suggest
an attempt to paper over the cracks that
have appeared in the party. The ploy is
understandable because, for the frst time,
the dynasty has come under direct attack.
Moreover, the person facing the fak is none
other than the party presidents choice to be
the next leader, Rahul Gandhi.
So far, the criticism of the heir apparent
has been relatively muted, except for a
Kerala Congressman who called Rahul
Gandhi a joker and paid for his candour
by being suspended from the party. Others
have either been more polite or sought refuge
in anonymity or directed their fre on Rahul
Gandhis advisers or confned themselves
to lambasting unnamed rootless wonders
and spineless creepers. There have also
been attempts to pass the buck by blaming
Manmohan Singh since his government
was not a good product and, therefore,
unsalable to the electorate.
But the unambiguous upshot of the
comments is the belief within the party that,
frst, Rahul Gandhi has proved to be a failure
as a leader and, secondly, that unless he
makes way for someone else, the Congress
will not be able to dig itself out of its present
hole.
Since the party members cannot yet
think beyond the family, it isnt surprising
that some of them are calling for Priyanka
Gandhi-Vadra to take charge. But such a
move is fraught with diffculties. First, a
change of guard in the top echelons will be
a blow to Rahul Gandhis prestige. So, his
sister is unlikely to respond to the proposals.
Secondly, the move will not have Sonia
Gandhis blessings since she apparently still
reposes faith in Rahul Gandhis abilities.
This assessment is substantiated by Digvijay
Singhs appeal to Rahul Gandhi to be the
leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha
because a leader has to lead from the front.
There is little doubt, however, that the
Congress is in a jam. Its purported leader
has not only been derided by an anonymous
former Madhya Pradesh minister as someone
who arrives in a helicopter, addresses a
rally and then fies off without interacting
with local Congressmen, but is also being
increasingly seen as a person who is unlikely
to attain enough maturity in the near future to
fulfl Digvijay Singhs hopes.
To make matters worse, his aloofness
and arrogance have become all too apparent,
suggesting that the disconnect between him
and the ordinary party worker will remain.
Priyanka Gandhi is different for, as the former
human resource development minister Pallam
Raju has said, she has a natural ability to
connect with the people.
In this atmosphere of doom and gloom, it
must have occurred to not a few Congressmen
that in view of the dauphins prolonged
adolescence and with their ingrained servility
preventing them from looking outside the
family for a leader, the partys spell in the
wilderness may not end any time soon.
Two possibilities arise from this scenario.
One is that there will be a rupture of the
kind when Sharad Pawar and Co broke away
because they realized that the glass ceiling of
the dynasty ruled out any upward mobility for
them. But the Nationalist Congress Partys
record does not inspire any confdence in
such an adventurous step. Even then, since
politics is a matter of bread and butter for
politicians, the Congressmen cannot afford
to wait indefnitely for the party to revive.
The other is that they will indeed wait for
the party to come to life, not as a result of any
special effort on its own but because of the
Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) missteps. If
the Congress is dependent on the dynasty, the
BJP at present is a one-man party with no one
other than Narendra Modi to hold it together
and lead it to success. If, by any chance, he
stumbles, the Congress can hope to sneak
back into the corridors of power.
However, as was evident from Rahul
Gandhis rather odd-looking smile at the press
briefng after the results were announced,
he doesnt seem to have been able to come
to terms with the reality of the massive
defeat. Having always lived a sheltered life,
he appeared to think that he wouldnt be
answerable for it. Had he really experienced
the shock of the setback, he might have
reacted in the way he did when he tore up
the ordinance in favour of tainted politicians.
The least Rahul Gandhi can do is to resign
from the vice-presidents post. That he hasnt
is bad news for the Congress, for it shows
that he remains the mamas boy to whom
politics is a pastime and not serious business.
If the party continues to protect him, it can
only sink deeper into the quagmire.
Congress cannot paper over Rahuls failures
- Amulya Ganguli
P
robing betting, match and spot-fxing in
cricket is turning out to be a mirage like
bringing back black money stashed abroad.
The Supreme Court has asked the Justice
Mukul Mudgal Committee to probe all the
nefarious activities in the last edition of the
Indian Premier League (IPL), just as it also
gave the government a weeks time Friday to
form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to
end the menace of black money.
Will the two parallel investigations end the
twin problems of betting and match and spot-
fxing in cricket and the black money parked
overseas? The remit of this column is not to go
deep into the black money SIT, it is to see how
far the Mudgal committee succeeds in at least
exposing the black deeds of cricketers, cricket
administrators and the betting syndicates
backed by the powerful mafa.
Obviously, the cricket probe is going to be
highly sensitive as the committee is to look
into the role of cricketers and administrators
in the entire network. The freedom to go to
the bottom of the issue notwithstanding and
the investigative powers it has been given,
the Mudgal Committee will have to tread
carefully as the people it is going to investigate
are no small fry. The list includes a couple of
top cricketers and the president of the Indian
cricket board.
The committee should not throw its hands
up like the Central Bureau of Investigation
(CBI) did at the time of probing match-fxing.
It has to show the same determination to deal
with people as the apex court dealt with the
repeated appeals of the board and its sidelined
president Narayanaswamy Srinivasan. The
court refused to modify its order of keeping
him off the boards activities.
One can understand Srinivasans anxiety.
He has to be back in the thick of things before
the Annual General Meeting of the Board in
September so as to stay as board chief. Before
that he would like to be back in action in the
board so that he could go and take over as
the frst chairman of the International Cricket
Council (ICC) in July. He has been kept out of
the board ever since his son-in-law, a cricket
sympathiser, was found allegedly betting
and spot-fxing in last years IPL.
To Srinivasans misfortune, while
the court was coming down on him, the
Supreme Court-appointed IPL chief Sunil
Gavaskar was confessing that the bookies
had approached two players in this years
edition of the Twenty20 competition. As if on
cue, around the same time media reports in
London revealed that New Zealander Brendon
McCullum has told ICCs anti-corruption unit
that a former cricketer had approached him
to under-perform in the 2008 IPL and again
on New Zealands tour of England that year.
Speculation is the spice of such revelations
and a former cricketers name was promptly
thrown up and he was quick to dismiss it as
kite-fying.
Seeing the kind of money the players are
making from the Twenty20 tournaments the
world over, particularly in the IPL, the offer of
a sum of $180,000 to someone like McCullum,
who is turning out to be a successful captain of
New Zealand, appears chicken feed! For good
measure, the ICC has served an injunction
against the paper from coming out with further
details of its investigating agency.
How do these sudden investigations and
sting operations actually work and how much
truth is there in such revelations? Could
some of it, in fact most of it, be just titillating
expressions by bookies who lost heavily in the
illegal operations or some gullible reporter
buying a concocted story?
Some media agencies and their reporters
have made a living out of such stories.
Of course, there is that case of the then
Pakistan captain Salman Butt and his two
errant teammates Mohammad Asif and
Mohammad Amir being found guilty of spot-
fxing in the 2010 Lords Test after accepting
money from a bookie. For this the credit
must go to the media, the England and Wales
Cricket Board (ECB) and Scotland Yard. The
London police fled criminal cases against the
players and got them convicted and sent them
to jail. Jail can prove to be a real deterrent for
players from going anywhere near fxing.
Be it the Mudgal Committee or the anti-
corruption unit of the ICC, they insist that they
should not be judged on prosecutions alone
because they dont want to be police agencies.
Most importantly, as the anti-corruption unit
confesses, a report of something suspicious
does not lead to a prosecution.
How does it work on the ground? For
instance in Saturdays IPL game, when the
enfant terrible of English cricket Kevin
Pietersen went for an ungainly switch-hit,
making a mess of the stumps as well as
Daredevils chase of an attainable Mumbai
Indians target and lose by 15 runs, the purists
might have sneered at him while the punters in
the stands might have viewed it with suspicion.
The immediate reaction from some in such
circumstances is the guy must have pocketed a
pile! Fortunately for Pietersen, he can perhaps
be accused of anything but doing something
in the feld with an ulterior motive. Whatever
the ECB think about his misdemeanor, his
team-mates swear by him as an outstanding
cricketer.
It is heartening to fnd Australia captain
Michael Clarke saying that as an Australian
cricketer he is proud of what his team has done
and achieved and that they are educated very
well in what is right and what is wrong.
Can the India captain say like his Australian
counterpart that the players he is leading are
all clean and that he is proud of them? That
would be some statement!
Can investigations cleanse cricket?
- Veturi Srivatsa
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
22
E
nvironment and Forests Minister Prakash
Javadekar Thursday said an online
submission system for time-bound clearance of
applications and greater transparency has been
launched, among the frst steps after assuming
charge of the ministry.
Javadekar, who is a minister of state with
independent charge, said the dispensation of
applications for environmental clearance earlier
had no time-limit, nor were there any checks to
see if the applications were being processed.
Under the new online submission method,
the applications will be frst verifed and a receipt
issued. There would be stage-wise monitoring of
the application, said Javadekar.
The previous United Progressive Alliance
(UPA) government had faced fak for delaying
environmental clearance to key development
projects. We will not allow delays to happen,
he said at a press conference here after assuming
charge of the ministry.
Javadekar, who was the Bharatiya Janata
Party spokesperson, is also minister of state
(independent charge) of the information and
broadcasting ministry.
He said they would review the status of
projects inked under the UPA regime.
Javadekar also said India would present
its case forcefully at the 2015 international
Conference of Parties on climate change and
invited feedback from experts and the media.
To a question about the online submissions,
Javadekar said the applications will be secured
and the communication will be visible only to the
ministry and the party concerned.
We really want to bring down the time line...
There will be no compromise on environment
protection. We will do due diligence. We will
involve the state governments, he said.
To another question, he clarifed they have not
changed the application process and have only
made it more transparent and user friendly.
The minister said that economic growth and
environment protection have to go hand in hand.
We will ensure that environment becomes a
public movement, he said.
Green clearance for projects to be
transparent: Javadekar
T
he new reinsurance regulations issued by the
Indian insurance regulator will affect smaller
life insurers and not the bigger companies but
will surely affect reinsurers, industry experts feel.
The Insurance Regulatory and Development
Authority (IRDA) came out last year with its new
reinsurance regulations.
Simply put, reinsurance is a contract whereby
a primary insurer passes on part of his risk to
another insurer called the reinsurer.
Larger life insurers may not be affected by
the new reinsurance regulations. But for smaller
companies it will be an issue. After the new
regulations all the risk will be on the life insurers
books, Sandeep Batra, executive director of
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Ltd,
told reporters here Thursday.
A life insurance industry expert, who did not
want to be named, however told IANS that the
full impact of the regulations would be known
only this fscal as the new product approval
process ended only in March 2014.
According to industry offcials, as per the
new regulations, a life insurer has to decide on
risk retention limit based on the value of a policy
and not on the total value of life insurance an
individual has taken.
Globally the practice is to decide on the risk
retention based on a life - the total value of a life
insurance policy a person has taken - and not
the on the individual policy size. Whereas under
the new regulations the risk retention limit is to
decided by an insurer based on the individual
policy size, consulting actuary R.Ramakrishnan
told IANS.
Elaborating he said: For instance a company
decides to reinsure policies with sum assured of
over Rs.10 lakh. Suppose an individual takes 10
different policies of Rs.10 lakh each. As per the
new regulation, the life insurer has to bear the
entire risk of Rs.1 crore by itself.
Fuming at the new regulations, another senior
industry offcial told IANS: The risk retention
limit is decided based on a companys risk
management principles. The IRDA regulation is
prescriptive and not principle based.
Indian reinsurance regulations to
affect life insurance business
I
ndias second largest IT frm Infosys Ltd lost
another senior executive with its president
and board member B.G. Srinivas resigning
Wednesday.
The resignation of Srinivas will be effective
June 10, the $8.3-billion global software major
said in a statement here.
Tipped to have been in race for the new
executive post as an internal candidate after
incumbent and co-founder S.D. Shibulal retires
early 2015, Srinivas was elevated to the newly
created presidents post in January along with
another board member U.B. Pravin Rao.
Srinivas has been an integral part of Infosys
and has played an important role in the companys
growth. The board and every Infoscion thank him
for his wonderful contribution and wish him great
success in his future endeavours, Infosys co-
founder and executive chairman N.R. Narayana
Murthy said in the statement.
Since Murthy returned to head the company
June 1, 2013, with his son Rohan Murthy as his
executive assistant, at least 10 senior executives,
including a couple of directors resigned for
various reasons.
The board of directors placed on record
its deep sense of appreciation for the services
rendered by Srinivas during his tenure as member
and for his contribution to the company.
I thank Infosys for the wonderful opportunity
given to me. My tenure at the company has been
one of my most rewarding experiences, and I am
proud to have contributed to the best growth story
in the industry, Srinivas said.
Shibulal said Srinivas played a pivotal role
in building the enterprise solutions unit and
strengthened the companys business in Europe
besides driving growth in key business verticals.
The city-based company also lost a whopping
36,258 people last fscal (2013-14) despite salary
hikes and promotions.
With Shibulal desiring to exit in January
ahead of his retirement in March 2015, the
company asked its nomination board 11 to short-
list and evaluate an internal slate of candidates
with the assistance of Development Dimensions
International (DDI), a company specialising in
corporate executive evaluations.
The companys board had also appointed
Egon Zehnder, an executive search frm, to assist
the committee in identifying an external list of
candidates to succeed Shibulal.
In any company, when there are changes
in the management, a few exits are bound to
happen. At this point in time, it is very important
for Infosys to get a new chief executive in place
and get things back on track, former Infosys
board member V. Balakrishnan told IANS here.
Balakrishnan, who quit the company Jan 1
and joined the Aam Admi Party, contested the
recent Lok Sabha elections from the Bangalore
Central constituency but lost to BJPs P.C.
Mohan.
The nominations committee is headed by
K.V. Kamath, a board member, who succeeded
Murthy as co-chairman in August 2011 on the
latters retirement but resigned June 1 2013, when
Murthy returned to head the company again.
Expressing anguish over Srinivas resignation,
former Infosys board member and Manipal
Global Education chairman T.V. Mohandas Pai
said a generation of leaders left the company after
Murthy returned year ago.
I am shocked by Srinivas quitting, as it will
create a vacuum in the company. I am sad at the
way Infosys has been run in the last two years.
It appears Murthys leadership legacy has not
worked and the board owes an explanation for
the top level exits over the past year, Pai told
IANS.
Murthy co-founded the blue-chip company
in 1981 along with N.S. Raghavan, S.
Gopalakrishnan, Nandan Nilekani, Shibulal and
K. Dinesh, who resigned in April 2011.
Infosys president Srinivas resigns
T
he Sahara group Thursday told the Supreme
Court it was selling its three prime properties
in London and New York to raise money to secure
the release of Subrata Roy and two other directors.
The court, however, asked Sahara to place
before it the communication it had exchanged
with the Bank of China with which these
properties were mortgaged.
The three hotels in which the Sahara group
would be off-loading stakes are the Grosvenor
House Hotel in London and the New York Plaza
and Dream New York hotels.
The court said Sahara would obtain a
confrmation from the Bank of China to the effect
that the valuation reports prepared in respect of
the three properties... by CBRE and JLL, have
been prepared at the instance of the Bank of China
and that the valuation reports have been accepted
by the bank to be correct.
The court said this could lend reassurance to
the court that the value/stakes held by Sahara in
these properties are sought to be transferred on the
basis of the true market value of the said assets.
The court sought these details as it noted there
was nothing on record before it to show that
Sahara made any request to the Bank of China at
any stage to dispose of their stakes in the three
overseas properties.
The court recorded Saharas statement that the
Bank of China will also be requested to confrm
the amount that is outstanding towards the loan
advanced by it for the three properties to give
a clear picture to the court as to the outstanding
liability that remains to be liquidated by Sahara
qua the said properties.
The bench of Justice T.S. Thakur and
Justice A.K. Sikri reserved its order on Saharas
application seeking lifting of the embargo on its
bank accounts and nine properties in different
parts of the country including the mortgage of its
real estate assets in the Aamby Valley project.
The court also reserved its order on Roys plea
seeking to be placed under house arrest if he could
not be granted bail.
Roy is at present in Tihar jail after the court sent
him to judicial custody March 4 for not complying
with the courts Aug 31, 2012 and Dec 5, 2012,
order to return the investors Rs.24,000 crore that
Saharas two companies SIRECL and SHICL had
raised from investors through Optionally Fully
Convertible Debentures (OFCDs).
Roys problems were further compounded
with the court saying that he along with two
other directors, Ashok Roy Choudhary and Ravi
Shankar Dubey, would be released only after its
order of March 26 was fully complied with.
By the said order, the court said that for
securing release of Roy and the others, Sahara will
have to deposit with the court registry Rs.10,000
crore, of which Rs.5,000 crore would be in cash
and Rs.5,000 crore in bank guarantee.
This money, the court said, would be a
part payment of the investors money that the
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
was directed to return after due verifcation.
As the court said Roys release was subject
to full compliance of the March 26 order, counsel
Rajiv Dhawan asked if Roy will not be released
till the order is met.
We are sorry to say that is it, said Justice
Thakur, making the courts position clear.
Saying it was impossible to comply with the
order when Roy was in incarceration, Dhawan
told the court you are really condemning us to
jail till the end of the year, may be one year, two
years.
It is astonishing. They are in jail for
three months. Under contempt law, the total
incarceration is of six months, Dhawan told the
court.
Dhawan submitted that unless Roy and the
two other directors were released, no transaction
would materialise as Roy, being the head of the
group, had the last word in all business deals.
The court replied: You are a big parivar.
You have capacities not just fnancial but also of
manpower, who can get together and generate the
funds and you will be out.
To drive home the complexity of the talks
under way, Dhawan said discussions were going
on with the Sultan of Brunei and the Bank of
China and the same cannot move forward without
Roy being actively involved in it.
Sahara to sell assets in London,
New York to raise money
INDIA BUSINESS
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
23
Sahara to sell assets in London,
New York to raise money
U
ndaunted by the political drubbing in the
recent Lok Sabha elections, Maharashtra
Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray projected
himself as a chief minister for the ensuing
assembly elections in Maharashtra.
Thackeray, 45, declared that he would not
only contest the assembly elections, but also
head the government, if his party was voted to
power. The development - which was greeted
with scorn by the Congress - came even as the
Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena were still
debating over who should be projected as the
chief ministerial candidate. If he does contest the
elections, Thackeray would become the second
from the Thackeray family to contest an election.
Earlier, his cousin and senior MNS leader Shalini
Thakre had set a precedent.
Raj Thackeray will directly contest the
assembly elections. People really love us. But if
we succeed in winning their trust and they give a
verdict in favour of my party, that I shall lead the
MNS government, he declared to a thunderous
ovation from a huge gathering in his frst rally
after the Lok Sabha elections.
Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi for
leading the BJP-led NDA to a spectacular victory
in 2014 Lok Sabha, Thackeray said that it was the
Modi effect which had prompted him to take
the electoral plunge in state politics.
We may suffered a setback. After a careful
study of the Lok Sabha results, I am confdent
that MNS will surge ahead in the assembly
elections. Thats why I have taken this decision
(to contest elections), Thackeray said.
The announcement which took political
circles by surprise is likely to force the BJP-SS
and its allies to re-think on their strategies to grab
power from the Congress-NCP alliance which
has been ruling the state continuously since 1999.
Nephew of the late Shiv Sena supremo Bal
Thackeray, Raj Thackeray had quit the party in
2006 following irreconciliable differences with
cousin Uddhav Thackeray, who is now the Shiv
Sena president.
An unabashed admirer of Modi, Raj
Thackeray had openly supported the BJP leader
for PM, but still put up 10 candidates against the
NDA in the state, all of whom were routed.
Raj Thackeray projects himself as CM candidate in Maharashtra
INDIA
T
he death of a cow after swallowing a
polythene bag was the trigger that led
Divya Jain, 15, to start a campaign against
its use in Rajasthan and beyond. She also
encourages people to fabricte water troughs to
save birds from the searing desert summer.
Divya Jain, a class 10 student in Chittorgarh,
over 350 km from state capital Jaipur, believes
in leading by example. Over the last few years,
she has herself made and distributed 15,000
cloth and jute bags to the people in the city,
famous for its historic fort, in a bid to persuade
them to use such bags in place of polythene.
I heard about a cow dying after eating
a polythene bag around six years back in
Kota city, where my grandparents live. I was
shocked and I decided that I will propagate the
use of bags made of cloth and jute instead of
polythene. Since then I have been doing that,
said Jain.
I also encourage people to plant trees, save
water and to provide water to the birds during
the summer season, she said.
The summer is terribly harsh
in the desert state of Rajasthan and
hundreds of birds die every year due
to lack of water to drink.
My father also encourages me in
my work, Divya told IANS.
We are a family of four including
Divya, her mother and a 10-year-old
son. We always support her for the
work she is doing. Her efforts have
started to yield results, her father
Sanjay Kumar Jain, who teaches in
a government school in Chittorgarh,
said proudly.
Daily I go house-to-house and also in
nearby cities like Bhilwara and Kota and
request people to use bags made of cloth
and jute in place of polythene which is very
harmful and is non-biodegradable or, in
simpler terms, does not decay. I also attend
religious functions, public gatherings and
meetings and go to educational institutions
where I distribute pamphlets and impress upon
people not to use polythene bags, Divya Jain
said.
I travel with her to nearby cities to help
her spread her message, her father added.
I request religious leaders too to talk
about use of bags made of cloth and jute in
their regular discourse, she said.
I must have written over 1,600 letters to
the president, the prime minister, members of
parliament and MLAs in this regard, Divya
Jain said, adding: I have also written to the
BJP president requesting him to launch a
polythene-free India campaign.
A teenage girls campaign for a polythene-free India
Rural Development Minister Gopinath Munde dies following car crash
T
he week-old Narendra Modi government
was dealt a blow Tuesday when Gopinath
Munde, a senior minister who looked after
three portfolios, including rural development,
died after an early morning road accident in
central Delhi.
Munde, 64, a senior BJP leader who was
once Maharashtras deputy chief minister,
was going to the Indira Gandhi International
Airport to catch a fight to Mumbai when his
driver jumped the red light and was hit by a
Tata Indica on the Prithviraj Road fve-point
crossing around 6.20 a.m., informed sources
told IANS.
However, there was no offcial confrmation
that the driver jumped the signal.
Mundes personal security offcer (PSO)
Surender Nayar was sitting in the front next to
the driver, Virender Kumar, and the minister
was seated behind him.
The Tata Indica skidded over 30 feet and
hit Mundes Maruti Suzuki SX4 with great
force on the side where he was seated.
Due to the force of the impact, Munde
fell down and was helped to sit up by his
PSO. Munde asked for water and told his
driver to rush him to hospital before losing
consciousness.
Police said the Indica car driver, Gurvinder
Singh, 32, made a call to police that a red-
beacon car had hit his vehicle and had fed the
spot.
Police said when they reached the spot,
Singh was found to be standing near his car
whose bonnet was damaged.
AIIMS public relations offcer Amit Gupta
said: Munde was brought to the emergency
department of Jai Prakash Narain Apex
Trauma Centre, AIIMS at 6:30 a.m. by his
personal assistant and driver.
Gupta said they found no blood pressure,
no pulse, no cardiac activity
and immediately started
cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR). Doctors fnally declared Munde dead
at 7.20 a.m.
There were no grievous external injuries.
It seems he had a cardiac arrest after the
impact, he said, indicating the minister may
have died of shock caused by the accident and
internal injuries.
Munde was a diabetic and hypertension
patient.
N.K. Mehra, acting director, AIIMS, told
IANS: Mundes viscera report is also being
preserved because his personal assistant
informed us that the minister complained of
uneasiness in the morning before leaving his
house.
Mehra also said that one external injury was
found on his nose. He had multiple internal
injuries, he said, adding that a detailed post
mortem report will be released Wednesday.
Additional Commissioner of Police S.B.S.
Tyagi said that the Indica driver had been
arrested. Prima facie it was found that ministers
car had
c r o s s e d
t wo- t hi r d
of the signal but we are yet to confrm whose
vehicle was at fault. As there are no CCTVs at
the spot we are taking time to verify the facts.
A ministers aide told IANS that many
ministers tell their drivers to drive fast if they
are getting late and on many occasions jump
the red light.
Police, while opposing the drivers bail,
said that the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the
Special Cell are investigating to fnd out any
possible conspiracy behind the incident and
sought Gurvinders custody. But the Delhi
court rejected their demand and granted him
bail on a personal bond of Rs.30,000 and like
amount of security bond.
Mundes death came a day after his name
was mentioned as a contender for the post of
Maharashtra chief minister after the assembly
elections this year.
A farmers son, Munde was adept at
building bridges with other parties and became
the foremost BJP leader in Maharashtra after
the sudden death of his brother-in-law, party
strongman Pramod Mahajan in May 2006.
One of the frst to be informed of the
tragedy, Prime Minister Modi described
Munde as a true mass leader and said he
was extremely saddened and shocked by the
ministers death.
Besides rural development, Munde also
held the portfolios of panchayati raj as well
as drinking water and sanitation - all crucial
portfolios from the perspective of rural India.
Following a post mortem, the body was
brought to the BJP headquarters at Ashoka
Road. It was accompanied by senior BJP
leader Nitin Gadkari and members of Mundes
immediate family who had rushed to the
capital after hearing the news.
As a mark of respect to Munde, the national
fag was fown at half-mast in the national
capital, capitals of states and union territories
Tuesday, the government announced.
The cabinet, chaired by Modi, later passed
a resolution condoling Mundes death.
Parliamentary Affairs minister M. Venkaiah
Naidu said : The cabinet passed a resolution
and observed national mourning today
(Tuesday). Tomorrow the cremation will be
held in his native place (Beed in Maharashtra)
with full state honours.
At the BJP headquarters, there were many
with moist eyes as senior leaders, including
Modi, L.K. Advani, Nationalist Congress
Party supremo Sharad Pawar and Janata Dal-
United leader Sharad Yadav paid tributes.
Munde is survived by his wife, who is
Mahajans sister, and three daughters.
President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President
Hamid Ansari, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi
and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi
were among those who expressed grief at his
death.
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
24
INDIA ABROAD
T
wo Indian American youngsters made history
as Sriram Hathwar and Ansun Sujoen were
declared co-champions in the Scripps National
Spelling Bee contest for the frst time in 52 years.
Whatever, said Sujoe, 13, a 7th grader from
Fort Worth, Texas, as the seconds ticked down
at the contest here. He couldnt get the word,
feuilleton, out of his mouth, but he spelled it
correctly.
Sujoe shared the trophy and a $30,000
sacholarship with Sriram Hathwar, 14, the lone
repeat fnalist of Painted Post, New York, His last
correct spelling was stichomythia.
The last co-champions were in 1962. Before
that joint winners were declared in 1950 and 1957.
Last years winner, New York middle-
schooler Arvind Mahankali, was the sixth Indian
American in a row to take the title and a $30,000
sacholarship.
Indian Americans, who have won the
championship eleven times in the last 16 years,
again swept the top three spots as the did in the
previous two years.
Indian-Americans Ansun
Sujoe, Sriram Hathwar are
US Spelling Bee co-champs
A
prominent India-born doctor based in
Australia has been conferred with a
prestigious award by a top medical body here
in recognition of his outstanding service to the
medical profession and the community, the
Australian Medical Association (AMA) said.
Mukesh Haikerwal, 54, a general practitioner
and former AMA president, was presented the
AMA Gold Medal, the associations highest
honour, at the AMA National Conference
Gala Dinner earlier this month, the medical
association said in a statement.
Steve Hambleton, president of AMA, said
in his presentation remarks that Haikerwal had
been a leading fgure in the medical profession
for many years, and his long list of signifcant
and enduring achievements warranted the
associations highest accolade.
In the last two decades, Dr Haikerwal has
been an extraordinarily active and committed
member of the AMA, advancing the interests of
members and patients at almost every level of
the organisation, Hambleton added.
Haikerwal became an AMA Victoria state
councillor in 1995, rising to be state president
in 2001 and became federal AMA president in
2005.
In 2008-09, Haikerwal was a commissioner
of the Australian Health and Hospitals Reform
Commission, which recommended major
changes, including the introduction of activity-
based funding in public hospitals and the
establishment of local hospital networks.
During his long and distinguished record
of service he has been at the forefront of
many issues pivotal to the healthcare system,
Hambleton said.
A recipient of the AMA presidents award
for 2009, Haikerwal confronted the spectre of
medical racism, and led the AMA in condemning
abuse of international medical graduates. He
was also instrumental in putting the AMA at
the centre of the e-health debate, according to
the AMA. He has been a member of the World
Medical Association since 2007, and in 2011
became the frst Australian to be elected as the
chair of the world body.
Haikerwal has also been recognised for his
outstanding contribution with a string of honours,
including the Centenary Medal, Fellowship of
the AMA and being made an Offcer of the Order
of Australia.
The Australian Medical Association
(AMA) is the apex membership organisation
representing registered medical practitioners and
medical students of Australia.
India-born doctor receives top Australian honour
- Arun Kumar
A
British Indian MP has strongly criticised the
BBC for a programme on Indias new Prime
Minister Narendra Modi that she stated was not
objective.
In a letter to BBC Director General Lord
Tony Hall dated May 19, Priti Patel, British
prime minister David Camerons Indian diaspora
champion, brought to notice the complaints
she received about BBC Newsnight aired May
16, which covered the day the results of Indias
general elections were announced.
Many in the British Indian community,
particularly those of Gujarati origin, were
offended by the reporting about prime minister-
elect Narendra Modi, Patel, the MP from
Britains Witham constituency in Essex, stated.
She pointed out that the programmes
presenter, Yalda Hakim, referred to Modi as a
controversial fgure from the beginning of the
programme. Modis political opponents have
portrayed him as being controversial, so by
using this reference, the BBC, who should be
impartial, is giving acceptance to the political
position of Modis opponents rather than reporting
objectively, Patel stated.
The term controversial could be used to
describe a large number of politicians, which is
why many people in Britains Indian community
believe its use purely in relation to Modi in the
news item was unbalanced.
She also pointed out to to the fact that Hakim
stated in the programme that Modi had blood
on his hands and he was Indias most divisive
politician.
Modi secured the largest democratic mandate
in world history in a peaceful and professional
manner, with his party winning a majority of votes
throughout India and able form a government.
This was a point that was not conveyed by the
presenter, Patel, a Conservative Party MP, wrote.
She also referred to the fact that the programme
focussed on Modis so-called involvement in the
2002 Gujarat riots without going into the details
thereafter. Patel was particularly irked by the fact
that the programme featured a British Indian artist
named Anish Kapoor who was critical of Modi.
The decision to interview Kapoor and portray
him as an expert on Indian politics is bizarre, she
stated.
Kapoor has spent the last 40 years living in the
UK and is an artist. He has no record as an expert
on politics or commentator on Indian affairs.
Moreover, the presenter did not offer suffcient or
adequate challenge to the assumptions he made
about the elections and comments he made about
Modi.
Patel also drew the BBC director generals
attention to the introductory part of the programme
which had Kapoor stating that Indias dreamed
itself a dream with a mass murderer as its main
character.
Although the presenter asked him what he
meant by mass murderer, she did not challenge
him to provide evidence to support his claim.
Claiming someone who is a democratically
elected politician is a mass murderer is an
extremely serious allegation and unless such a
claim is substantiated with meaningful evidence,
the BBC should not be broadcasting this slur.
Patel also took exception to the fact that
Kapoor referred to the Indian general elections as
supposedly democratic.
Given that there have been no serious
allegations of malpractice and that the elections
involved about 550 million people casting their
vote, it is concerning to see that the presenter did
not challenge Kapoor on this claim, she said in
the letter.
Born in London, Patel studied economics at
Keele University and did her postgraduation at the
University of Essex. She also chairs the All Party
Parliamentary Small Shops Group and is an active
member of the Free Enterprise Group.
British Indian MP criticises BBC over Modi coverage
A
n online petition to the British House of
Commons has urged the politicians to create
a bank holiday for Hindu Diwali and Muslim Eid
festival in the country, a media report said.
The petition has 119,000 signatures and
could be debated in the British parliament as the
e-petition with over 100,000 signatures qualifes
to be considered in the parliament under the rules
of e-petition scheme in 2011, Daily Mail reported
Sunday.
The two holidays would be the frst non-
Christian religious holidays in Britain and could
lead to calls from other faiths for their events to
also be recognised.
Details of the petition are said to have been
passed to the Backbench Business Committee
of the British House of Commons, which will
consider its suitability for debate.
The petition, titled Make Eid & Diwali
Public Holidays, set up by Jon Timmis said: I
believe that, given the number of Muslims and
Hindus in this country it is only fair we allow
them to have the most important days in their
faiths recognised in law.
Diwali is known as the Festival of Lights
, while Eid is held at the end of Ramadan when
Muslims break their fast.
The e-petition has sparked widespread debate
on internet forums and social media, especially
those aimed at British Muslims and Hindus, the
report said.
The religious and community leaders have
distanced themselves from the idea, it added.
Britain has eight bank holidays every year, the
second lowest in the world behind Mexico.
Petition calls on British leaders to
consider Diwali, Eid holidays
A
n Indian American student has won
the coveted National Geographic Bee
championship that includes a $50,000 college
scholarship, National Geographic said.
Akhil Rekulapelli, 13, hailing from Virginia,
outclassed fellow Indian American Ameya
Mujumdar in the fnal head-to-head round of
the nationwide contest held in Washington
Wednesday. The geography whizkid also received
a trip to the Gal pagos with National Geographics
Lindblad Expeditions.
The last round competition on stage, hosted
by television journalist Soledad OBrien, had
10 students, including three who had previously
competed in the fnals.
The championship question that helped him
clinch the title was: Oyala, a planned city located
in the rainforest 65 miles east of Bata, is being
built as a capital for which African country?
Rekulapeklli answered correctly: Equatorial
Guinea. Eighth grade student Rekulapelli
emerged ahead of more than four million students,
who originally competed in school-level bees
across the US.
He started with a school bee in Ashburn, and
advanced to the national championship after
excelling in both regional and state geography
bees. Mujumdar from Florida stood second, while
Californias Tuvya Bergson-Michelson fnished
third. Elaborating on his preparations for the
contest, Rekulapelli said that he kept a strict long-
distance study regimen with a coach in Florida.
My coach gives me tips and tricks, like about
what questions theyll ask and how to respond,
National Geographic quoted Rekulapelli as
saying. Then I really try to get a good outlook on
very big countries, like Canada and Spain. I also
have to make sure I stay on top of the news, like
by watching CNN and other channels, to make
sure I know about changes, he added.
Rekulapelli wants to pursue a career in pre-
med or study biology with his eyes set on Stanford
and University of Virginia.
The 10 fnalists this year will vie for spots on
a three-person team that will represent the United
States in Stockholm next year.
The National Geographic Bee is an annual
geography contest sponsored by the National
Geographic Society. The bee, held every year
since 1989, is open to students in the fourth
through eighth grade in participating American
schools.
Indian American student wins National Geographic Bee
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
25
IPL 7
M
anish Pandeys innings made sure
Wriddhiman Sahas valiant knock of
115 not out went in vain as Kolkata Knight
Riders beat Kings XI Punjab by three wickets
to clinch their second Indian Premier League
(IPL) title at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
here Sunday.
Put in to bat, the Kings XI were powered to
a strong total of 199/4 by Sahas maiden and
brilliant century after they suffered an early
setback. In reply, Pandeys 94 anchored the
2012 edition champions to victory with only
three balls to spare.
The Kolkata-based outft becomes only the
second team to win two titles after the Chennai
Super Kings in 2010 and 2011.
Kings XI didnt get off to a good start and
were reeling at 30/2 in the sixth over. Veteran
opener Virender Sehwag, who hammered an
impeccable 122 against the Super Kings in
Qualifer 2 Friday, disappointed the fans by
getting out for a paltry 7 off 10 deliveries.
Captain George Bailey (1) surprised
everyone when he promoted himself to frst
down but completely misread Sunil Narines
delivery to get bowled.
Opener Manan Vohra (67) and
wicketkeeper-batsman Saha tried to steady the
ship thereon. Though the run rate was only run-
a-ball, the duo made sure the team didnt more
wickets. Slowly the two kept consolidating
their partnership and really opened up post
the 12th over when they hammered the Knight
Riders bowlers left, right and centre.
While Vohra got out after contributing to a
brilliant 129-run third-wicket partnership off
12 overs, Saha upped the ante to take Kings XI
to a challenging total with his brilliant display
of batting against his former team.
Vohra scored 67 off 52 balls with six fours
and two sixes. Saha, on the other hand, hit an
incredible 10 fours and eight sixes in his 55-
ball innings with an incredible strike rate of
209.09.
Bangladeshi spinner Shakib Al Hasan did
not take any wickets but was the only bowler
to boast decent bowling fgures with 4-0-26-0.
All other Knight Riders bowlers went for at
least 9.75 per over. In reply, the 2012 edition
champions didnt get a dream start as star
opener Robin Uthappa got out for 4 in the frst
over. Gambhir (23), in order to accelerate, also
perished just after the end of power play.
However, Pandey joined hands with
explosive batsman Yusuf Pathan to frst steady
their innings and then steered them in the
direction of their target by putting together a
71-run partnership.
Pathan got out after hitting four sixes in
his 22-ball 36 but the 24-year-old Pandey kept
going despite running out of partners. Shakib
Al Hasan (12), Ryan ten Doeschate, Pandey
and Suryakumar Yadav (5) got out in quick
succession but Piyush Chawla kept his nerves
in the end to take his team home.
The left hander hammered a six off pacer
Mitchell Johnson to bring down the required
score to 5 runs from the last over. Chawla
needed just three more balls to fnish off the
match for his side.
Brief scores: Kings XI Punjab 199/4 in 20
overs (Wriddhiman Saha 115 not out, Manan
Vohra 67, Virender Sehwag 7; Piyush Chawla
2/44, Umesh Yadav 1/39, Sunil Narine 1/46)
lost to Kolkata Knight Riders 200/7 in 19.3
overs (Manish Pandey 94, Yusuf Pathan 36,
Gautam Gambhir 23; Karanveer Singh 4/54,
Mitchell Johnson 2/41).
Knight Riders take home second IPL title
T
he eastern metropolis is all set to accord a
royal felicitation to IPL champions Kolkata
Knight Riders Tuesday at the Eden Gardens, with
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
altering an important tour schedule to attend
the occasion in the company of team owner and
Bollywood baadshah Shahrukh Khan and a host
of Bengal flm celebrities.
The hour-long programme would be attended
by a number of state ministers, former cricketers
and other sports personalities and cultural icons
from the state.
The state government is hoping for a full
house at the historic ground where entry would
be free.
However, Sports Minister Madan Mitra said
fans wishing to watch the gala would have to
collect passes from the local police stations.
We will give a royal felicitation to the team.
We are hoping for a packed stadium. If even on
the day, we fnd some genuine sports lovers like
say former players keen to join the celebrations,
we will issue passes on the spot, he said.
The programme - to be jointly organised
by the state government, Kolkata Police,
Kolkata Municipal Corporation and the Cricket
Association of Bengal (CAB) - would begin at
1 p.m.
Hundreds of delirious fans shouting KKR,
KKR danced in joy as Gambhir stepped into
the city holding aloft the IPL trophy that his
team won after a three-wicket win in a thrilling
fnal against Kings XI Punjab at Chinnaswamy
stadium in Bangalore Sunday.
Sports Minister Mitra and CAB
offcials were present at the airport to
receive the players.
The felicitation ceremony programme
was fnalised at a high-level meeting at
the state secretariat Nabanna, where CAB
president Jagmohan Dalmiya, Home
Secretary Basudeb Banerjee, city police
commissioner Surojit Kar Purokayastha
and some cultural personalities were
present.
Mitra said the players and the support
staff will be given mementos, but refused
to disclose the details. If there is no
secret, the fun and excitement will be
lost, he said.
He said Banerjee will felicitate the players
after the programme begins with a cultural show.
However, unlike in 2012 when the KKR
lifted the title for the frst time, the authorities
have decided to do away with a roadshow of the
victorious team, fearing rains.
The chief minister, known for her love
for cultural megashows and big ceremonies,
kickstarted the hectic pace of developments
Monday morning itself in a series of Facebook
posts and tweets.
She congratulated the Knights for their
victory, and announced a felicitation programme
on public demand.
We will felicitate KKR tomorrow (Tuesday)
in Kolkata for IPL victory. There is a public
demand, she tweeted.
Later, talking to media persons at the Kolkata
airport before embarking on her offcial trip to
north Bengal, she referred to the spirit of Kolkata
that relishes sporting events.
The people deserve to celebrate... the people
in Bengal have always loved sports like cricket
and football. It is their spirit. I congratulate KKR
for the win and they will get a reception tomorrow
(Tuesday), she said.
After the 2012 triumph, the chief minister
had feted the team outside the state secretariat
and then travelled in the team bus with Shahrukh
to the jampacked Eden Gardens where a civic
reception was given to the victorious side.
Mamata, SRK, Bengali stars for KKRs royal reception
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
26
FIJI
H
e was on Taveuni, Fiji, three weeks ago
and loved every minute of it. Daniel
Carter, The All Blacks pivot, regarded as the
worlds best, promised he would return, said
Taveuni rugby player Inoke Cokanauto, who
learned valuable lessons from him.
Carter few out leaving a lasting impression
on the people of Welagi in Taveuni who
regarded him as one of their own.
Carter played touch rugby together with the
youths of Welagi three times a day at Jezreel
Park, promised more for the Welagi Reds rugby
team and vowed to return.
On his latest international jaunt in a
globetrotting, six-month break from rugby, the
All Blacks star admitted he enjoyed his stay at
the Garden Island of Fiji.
So after recent trips to Kuala Lumpur for the
Laureus Sports Awards, Hong Kong to watch
the HSBC Sevens World Series at So Kon Po,
hanging out in Melbourne with the super-rich
of Formula One, attending Elton Johns Oscars
party, Masters in Augusta, Carter chose Fiji
as his next stop and Taveuni his destination to
escapes the glitter and glamour of the modern
world.
Welagi villager Inoke Cokanauto said they
were fortunate to getting to know with the 2012
IRB Player of the Year.
We called him DC and he was just like one
of us for a week,Cokanauto said.
He travelled around Taveuni looking for a
proper ground to train on and he chose Jezreel
Park in Welagi.
We trained together in the morning, kicking
practice/clinic at midday and touch rugby in the
afternoon.
Were so fortunate that we learned how
to box kick, kick for touch from on the best in
business,
Cokanauto said Carter stayed at the Taveuni
Palm Resort with his wife Honor, son Marco
James and fve families who chose the resort
for a 40th birthday celebration.
He enjoyed his stay and he told us he would
be back to drink bu (coconut juice). He gave
rugby boots, kicking tees, jerseys vests and tee
shirts to the players.Cokanauto said. Carter
hopes to return to play in July.
Meanwhile, during the Masters in Augusta
the All Blacks frst-fve met for the frst time
tournament favourite, and another rugby
fanatic, Northern Irelands Rory McIlroy.
I met him [Carter] in the gym, hes staying
in the same housing complex as we are. I
walked into the gym and saw him on the bike
and, as I got in I thought theres a big lad,
McIlroy said.
I was thinking it sort of looked like him,
but what would he be doing here? Shouldnt
he be playing down in the southern hemisphere
somewhere?
So I got on the treadmill and just before I
started to run I looked back over and thought
no, thats defnitely him.
I went over and introduced myself and he
was saying theyve given him six months off
to recover from the Achilles injury he had last
year. It was great to meet him, obviously one of
the best rugby players in the world.
Carter relaxes on Garden Island
- Osea Bola
T
he National Federation Party has vowed
to remove all restrictions on media when it
forms the next government, says party leader
Biman Prasad.
NFP in government will review the media
decree, Mr Prasad said in a recent speech at
the summit aimed at Kick starting Fijis Stalled
Economy: Our commitment for a better and
secure future.
It will remove all of its unreasonable
provisions including the fnes and penalties.
But we will go much further. Our citizens, our
media, our businesses, our NGOs should have a
fundamental right to access information regarding
government decisions and actions that affect their
lives, Mr Prasad said.
We no longer live in the dark ages where
Governments habitually kept secret, public
information such as salaries paid to our leaders,
and allowances they are paid on foreign junkets.
We are excited to lead a determined NFP capable
of being a big part of the new government and we
offer to the country a real hope for its future.
The president has stated that we are not
partaking in a free and fair election.
Until the state privileges decree and the
media decree remain in place, 2014 general
elections cannot be free and fair - period. The
media decree with its heavy fnes and penalties
make it impossible for the countrys journalists to
cover issues openly and without fear. It makes it
impossible for us to project our messages to our
people.
Mr Prasad praised the efforts of Fijis
journalists for doing their part in delivering news
to the people in a restrictive environment.
I commend our journalists who in spite of
these harsh restrictions are doing their best to
keep our citizens informed. To these journalists,
let me say a big vinaka vakalevu. The stakes have
rarely been higher and weight on your shoulders
so heavy. The national owes you its profound
gratitude as you take real risks to help project our
messages to Fiji citizens.
I call upon media organizations and editors to
provide the right environment for their reporters
so that they can do their jobs responsibly.
I make special mention of the media
because of its important role in the transition to
democracy. To paraphrase a message from a
Regional Media and Elections training program
Freedom is when people can speak. Democracy
is when Government listens and the media is the
messenger.
NFP does not fear the media. If the
Bainimarama government has nothing to hide and
if it has the moral courage to do the right thing, it
should lift the media restrictions with immediate
effect.
NFP in government will review the media
decree. It will remove all of its unreasonable
provisions including the fnes and penalties.
He called upon the Bainimarama government
to stop making threats and intimidating citizens
from making meaningful contribution towards the
general election process.
Our people are still afraid. Our youths are
afraid. Our civil servants are afraid, our farmers
are afraid, our women are afraid. Our businessmen
are afraid. They are all afraid of participating
actively in the campaign, Mr Prasad said.
I call upon the government to stop the threats,
stop the victimization, stop the intimidation of
anyone, including media from participating and
articulating their views on any issue regarding the
election. I call upon the people of this country and
come out and be part of the election and campaign
process.
Heres excerpts from his speech:
Ladies and Gentlemen I want to talk about fve
issues affecting our people.
First is the rising cost of living. Second
is the continued deterioration of our health
services. Third, is the serious failings of short
term education policies. Fourth, is the rising
unemployment and worsening welfare of our
retirees. Fifth, is the need to fx the fundamental
faws of the 2013 Constitution.
The burden of the rising cost of living has
become too much. The responsibility for this lies
squarely on the Government. Milk is disappearing
from our kids breakfast menu. Most families can
no longer afford a balanced diet. Families daily
juggle between whether to pay their electricity
bills, or rent, or buy adequate food, or pay for
school costs. We see this across our villages, in
the urban areas and across the squatter settlements
day in and day out. This crime again our people
cannot continue.
Ladies and gentleman, it is the duty of any
government to look after the poor. In eight years,
this government has failed to address the rising
cost of living. In fact it has fueled it through its
deliberate policies such as the increase in VAT
from 12.5% to 15%; and increasing duties for
milk, four, rice and kerosene.
NFP promises free media
Arvind Kumar
A
Fiji origin teenager has won a beauty
pageant in her region in Canada.
Shovanna Pratap, 19, from Waila, Nausori,
was crowned Miss Teenage Fraser Valley 2014.
She is a Bachelor of Science student at the
University of the Fraser Valley and has lived in
Chilliwack B.C (British Columbia).
She will now take part in the Miss Teenage
Canada Pageant next month. She told the Fiji
Sun she had to fll out an application to be
accepted in the Miss Teenage Canada Pageant
2014.
I was then selected for a Skype interview.
From the Skype interview they select the best
contestants to participate in the provincial
pageant, she said.
She said the organisers were looking for a
well-rounded applicant with good morals and
values, and a good role model.
Now that she has been selected she must
abide certain requirements.
One is that all the contestants receive
pageant training about posture and walking.
Each contestant, she said, were interviewed
before a panel of judges and were awarded
points.
She is a competitive dancer and has
competed in British Columbia and in US. She
took acting and modelling training at JRP in
Vancouver. She was selected to attend ipop at
Las Vegas in 2007 and Vancouver in 2008.
She took part in two high school musical
theatre productions called Hard2Hide and
Chicago. She works part-time at Wendys
and modelled to help raise money for Free the
Children.
Miss Pratap likes to volunteer and will be
volunteering at public events. Her goal is to
raise cancer awareness.
She is a member of the Chilliwack
Cancer Society Unit and has volunteered for
Chilliwacks Relay for life.
Her future goal is to obtain her Doctorate in
Pharmacy. Miss Prataps mother Madhubala,
is from Sawani, Naitasiri, and her father Sunil
Pratap is from Waila, Nausori.
Fiji lass wins Canadian beauty pageant
A
Fiji man has died in India while visiting
the Taj Mahal.
Mohammad Fazal of Ba died after suffering
a heat stroke during a visit to the Taj Mahal in
Agra.
This Indian High Commission offce in
Fiji last confrmed that Mr Fazal left Fiji on
May 10 for a by-pass surgery in India and was
accompanied by his wife and son.
A report from The Hindu yesterday said:
An elderly tourist from Fiji who came to India
for his by-pass surgery, died after suffering a
heat stroke during a visit to the Taj Mahal.
The report said Mr Fazal, who was in his
mid-60s, had come to India for a bypass heart
surgery at Apollo Hospital in Delhi. He went on
a visit to the Taj Mahal.
He collapsed because of the heat within
the premises and was rushed to a nearby
hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
The body has been sent for a post-mortem
examination, Police said.
Fiji man dies of heart
attack in India
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
27
FIJI
T
he National Federation Party has become
the frst registered political party to formally
announce its frst batch of candidates to contest
the September general elections.
The frst batch of candidates includes, women,
youth, a lawyer, former politicians, a trade unionist
by profession, cane growers representatives,
social worker and a medical doctor.
The frst lot of candidates are as follows:
1. Tupou Draunidalo:
Tupou Draunidalo was elected as the frst
i-taukei President of the NFP on March 29. She
is the second woman president. She brings added
strength to the partys multiracial philosophy and
character. Ms Draunidalo successfully completed
her Bachelor of Laws Degree at the Australian
National University in Canberra. She was
admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the
Australian Capital Territory and High Court of
Fiji in 1999. She is also a former vice-president of
Fiji Law Society.
2. Prem Singh:
Prem Singh was the lone NFP Member of
Parliament elected in the 2001 general elections.
He served as the Leader of the Opposition in
Parliament from October 201 to September 2002,
when he had to vacate his parliamentary Nadi
Open Constituency seat due to a High Court of
Fiji judgment that nullifed his election.
Mr Singh is a prominent resident of Nadi, a
social and community worker and a Justice of
the Peace. Mr Singh is a member of the NFP
Management Board.
3. Bimal B. Prasad aka Bimal Prasad
Chaudhry
Bimal Prasad received his primary education at
Vashist Muni Primary School, Navua, did his
secondary education at Vunimono High School,
Nausori before working as a law clerk, clerk in
the Opposition and then Government Members
Offce before teaching at DAV College, Nabua
from where he resigned in 2006 to contest the
Vitilevu-South/ Kadavu Indian Communal
Constituency seat that year for the NFP. He is
presently a law student.
4. Dr Bijend Prasad Ram:
Dr Ram is a practicing medical doctor, a
community medicine specialist and consultant in
Health Management Educated at the Fiji School
of Medicine, Dr. Ram is a Practicing Medical
doctor and a Health Management Specialist with
over 37 years of service.
5. Seni Leba Nabou
Seni Nabou is a full time Post-Graduate Student
in International Relations and Diplomacy at the
University of the South Pacifc. Prior to this, Seni
worked for Greenpeace Australia Pacifc based in
Suva from August 2006 to March 2014 in various
capacities, rising to the position of Pacifc Political
Advisor and Projects Leader (Oceans Campaign).
From November 2002 to April 2005, she worked
as Manager Promotions for Fiji Humans Rights
Commission. Seni has extensive experience in
training, change management, communications,
journalism, media and social media.
6. Bala Dass
Bala Dass is a prominent leader of cane growers
and is the general secretary of Fiji Cane Growers
Association. He has been FCGAs general
secretary since October 2000.
He contested the 2001 and 2006 general
elections under the NFP banner. Mr Dass has
established sound and harmonious relations
with landowners and landowning units and has
managed to successfully negotiate the renewal of
cane leases throughout the Western Division.
He is a well known resident of Nadi through
his social and community work, notably through
the Then India Sanmarga Ikya (TISI) Sangam of
Fiji.
7. Usaia Cirikiwai Moli
Usaia Cirikiwai Moli is well known for his
work with the less fortunate and the youth. His
last work was Facilitator for Pacifc Centre for
Peacebuilding. Mr Moli is an industrious and
quick learner that has seen him progress from
a farmer, Director at a Youth Hostel for Street
Children to a Youth Trainer in youth social
empowerment programs since 2004.
His work with young people has allowed
him to wrk with local, provincial, national and
regional multi-sectoral actors.
8. Raman Pratap Singh
Raman Pratap Singh is the scion of NFP Founder
Member and Bua Landlord, the late Ram Jati
Singh. He graduated as a lawyer from Auckland,
New Zealand and has been in private practice
since 1971. In 1985, Ram Singh was elected as
a Councillor of the frst Sugar Cane Growers
Council from the Labasa Sector and was appointed
the Director of SCGC Labasa District, a position
he held until 1992. In fact, he won in 1985 SCGC
elections on the Federation of the Growers under
the leadership of the then NFP leader, Hon. S.M.
Koya. Raman Singh entered the House of the
Representatives as an elected member of the NFP
from the Bua Indian Communal Constituency, a
seat that he retained in 1994 with 81% of the total
votes cast.
9. Parmod Chand
Parmod Chand is the Vice President of NFP.
He hails from a prominent Labasa business
family and is the managing director of Parmod
Enterprises Ltd. Mr Chand is a senior pastor of
Pathway Assembly of God Labasa. He served as
a Labasa Town Councillor from 1993 to 1999. He
as served a number of organisations in various
capacities, including Labasa Football Association.
10. Mohamed Rafq
Mohamed Rafq is a cane farmer and social
worker. He hails from Coqeloa, Labasa. He is a
former school teacher, having taught mainly at
Naleba College in Labasa. He is a Vice President
of Macuata Muslim League. Mr Rafq is the
Vice President of Fiji Cane Growers Association
Northern Division and served as FCGAs Northern
Executive Offcer for many years until 2009.
11. Attar Singh
Attar Singh resigned as General Secretary of the
Communications, Mining and General Workers
Union to contest the elections. He was the general
secretary of this union for 10 years. Mr Singh
was also the general secretary of the Fiji Islands
Council of Trade Unions from 2002 to 2014 until
he resigned due to the requirements of the Political
Parties Decree. Attar was the general secretary of
NFP from 1998 to 2002. He led the Party into
the 2001 and 2006 general elections. He is also
a Trustee of NFP. Mr Singh is an aeronautical
engineer and worked for Air Pacifc (now Fiji
Airways) as aircraft engineer before joining the
trade union movement.
Party names candidates for general election
F
RIDAY May 19, 2000, would be remembered
by some and forgotten by many as this was
nothing but bitter memories.
The then Prime Minister and Labour Party
leader, Mahendra Pal Chaudhry said the day of
the civilian coup should be best forgotten.
In 1999, Chaudhry was sworn in as the frst
Indo-Fijian Prime Minister of Fiji.
At 10.45am on the morning of Friday, 19
May 2000, the democratically elected Fiji Labour
Party-led government was taken hostage in a coup
dtat led by a failed businessman George Speight
with his small group of soldiers and politicians
to Parliament where Chaudhry had just marked
the frst anniversary of his election as the Pacifc
nations frst ethnic Indo-Fijian leader.
Chaudhry and his government were held
hostage for 56 days, during which time the
military took over.
We have come a long way and it would be
better if the past is forgotten so we can move
forward, Mr Chaudhry told the Fiji Sun recently.
Mr Chaudhry said the event was a tragic
moment for the people of Fiji especially for the
Indo-Fijian community.
The coup led by some failed businessman
and politicians was a racist coup towards the
Indian community, he said.
It was a tragic point where it caused
enormous damage where the majority of the
Indian population migrated after that horrifc
event. He said the event was catastrophic for his
family, however, they made it through.
During my partys and my incarceration of 56
days, my son Rajendra Chaudhry was with me,
Mr Chaudhry said. It was a diffcult time for us
but we had the courage and we managed to come
out.
And when we did come out of it we were a
bit stronger as it could not conquer a mans spirit
despite keeping us hostage. He said there was a
big challenge ahead to eradicate the coup culture
in the nation.
We have to stay strong and work towards
eradicating the coup culture, he said.
The coup in 1987, 2000 and 2006 has been
turning points for the nation and such aspects
should be eradicated.
The threat is still present with the people
but we need to come forward and work towards
putting it behind us.
He urged people to fght the fear and help the
economy grow.
The best way we can is by facing our
challenge of eradicating the coup culture and by
putting the past behind and focusing on today and
the future.
The activities of these horrifc events have
been penned down by many authors and critics.
A book was also written by the veteran New
Zealand journalist Michael Field who covered the
coup and subsequent court cases after it, together
with one of the hostages during the coup the then
Deputy Prime Minister Dr Tupeni Baba, who
recounts his experiences as well as his wife, Dr
Unaisi Nabobo-Baba, who revealed the tensions
and sufferings of the families caught in the drama.
The book was titled Speight of Violence.
When you have time, read the book and you
will get an insight into the horrifc event.
2000 coup best forgotten, says Chaudhry
Bainimarama named among top world leaders
- Farisha Ahmed
Arvind Kumar
P
rime Minister Rear Admiral (Retired)
Voreqe Bainimarama has been listed
alongside world leaders such as Barack Obama
and Vladimir Putin in a report in the worlds
biggest English-language daily newspaper. The
report in the Times of India told how Indias
Prime Minister designate Narendra Modi is in
touch with international leaders.
The Times of India reported: In the midst
of the government-formation exercise,
PM-designate Narendra Modi is also busy
connecting with leaders around the world.
On Monday, Modi called up Barack Obama,
returning the US Presidents May 16 call
congratulating him on Minister, Personally, I
have a wonderful experience of working with
his thumping win in Lok Sabha polls. The two
leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral
ties.Tweeting about it later, Modi said, In our
conversation, @BarackObama & I talked about
further strengthening India-USA strategic
partnership that will help both nations.
In his conversation with Shinzo Abe, Modi
told the Japanese Prime you, and I would like to
co-operate with you to take India-Japan ties to
newer heights from now on. I appreciate your
inviting me to visit Japan. I look forward to
meeting you.
Modi is one of only three individuals Abe
follows on Twitter. The PM-elect also thanked
his New Zealand counterpart, John Key; Fiji PM
Voreqe Bainimarama, Russian leader Vladimir
Putin and UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon.
India values our long and proud relationship
with the UN, he told the secretary general.
To get a mention among top world leaders is
signifcant. Mr Bainimarama has invited Modi
to visit Fiji. Relations between Fiji and India
are stronger now than they have ever been.
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
28
FEATURE
I
ts an endearing saga thats lasted for decades
and will endure for many more: retelling
stories of mythological characters like Ram
and Krishna and goddesses like Kali and Durga
through the performing arts to bridge the gap
between myth and reality in the complex stories.
You will be surprised how many older people
only know the widespread, well-known story of
Ramayana and Ram. Like Ram was one of four
brothers, he broke the bow, he was banished to
the forest by Kaikeyi, he killed Ravan and then
he came back, Shobha Deepak Singh, director
of the Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra (SBKK),
whose latest annual offering Festival of Ballets
has been running since Friday, told IANS in an
interview.
They dont know the subject at all. Our duty
is to inform people what lies below the subject
and dance is a vibrant medium to connect with
the old and young generations, she added,
saying episodes like Sita undergoing a fre
ordeal dont even fnd a mention in Tulsidas
Ramayana.
Hence the expertise of the 70-year-old Singh
lies in bridging this gap between ignorance and
what is actually written in the works. Relying
heavily on self-driven meticulous research
before the start of a new production is the secret
recipe of these celebrated productions that are an
annual affair in the capital.
Be it the popular story of good versus
evil in Ram ballet or many shades of the life
of Krishna, these ever-popular annual festivals,
along with ballet festivals and music festivals, the
SBKK has year after year produced successful
productions for discerning audiences.
Festival of Ballets comprises four
productions: Meera that chronicles the life
of the Krishna devotee; Durga that celebrates
the power of women; Karna on the life of a
character in the Mahabharata; and Kumar
Sambhava, the story of the demon Tarak. The
festival ends May 17.
We chronicle their life and use mythology
to extend the meaning of these episodes. A lot of
research goes into this and we also have to keep
in mind that mythologies offer a space which
comes with certain boundaries that shouldnt be
crossed, said the Padma Shri recipient, who has
under her belt over 30 productions in the past
four decades.
Ballets retell Indias ancient tales
- K.S. Jayaraman
Bhutanese women in politics:
Victims of prejudices
T
here is no gender discrimination in Bhutan
but, when it comes to the representation
of women in politics, socio-cultural prejudices
prevent them from playing a larger role in
policy making, says a Bhutanese flmmaker
who has documented womens participation in
the countrys 2013 elections.
The dismal performance of women when
elections were frst held in the worlds youngest
democracy in 2008 made Kesang Chuki Dorjee
wonder what prevented them from helming
decision-making positions.
When the 2008 elections happened, there
werent enough women in high decision-
making positions. Around 14 percent of women
had made it to parliament, Dorjee told IANS
in an interview here.
It was then I got interested in understanding
from these women candidates what continues to
be barrier that keeps them away from politics,
she added.
This quest led Dorjee to shoot a 35-minute
documentary, Bhutan Women Forward that
was screened at the just-concluded Mountain
Echoes 2014 literary and cultural festival.
It covered the journey of women candidates
from different constituencies and parties in the
run-up to the 2013 elections - and the many
stereotypes associated with them.
The socio-cultural perception that a
woman candidate isnt capable of serving the
people, they are only for the kitchen and social
service, and general myths like Bhutanese
women arent interested in politics restrict their
participation, said Dorjee, who took two years
to make the flm.
When people come with these preconceived
notions, it becomes very diffcult for people to
accept a woman as a candidate, she added.
This became evident in the 2013 election,
when the representation of women in parliament
halved from 14 to seven percent.
Sadly, these seven percent of women hold
the lowest posts, Dorjee pointed out.
Even so, despite the drawbacks, Lyonpo
Dorji Choden became the frst woman minister
to be inducted into the Bhutanese cabinet.
Also, Bhutan got its frst woman governor
and frst woman justice of the Supreme Court.
These are positive beginnings in the
landlocked Himalayan kingdom, where women
have been playing an active role in felds
like teaching, the hospitality sector, writing,
journalism, traffc management and the fre
department - balancing it well by also donning
the hat of a perfect homemaker.
But, Dorjee felt efforts should be made to
create a conducive environment for women to
be a greater part of parliament.
The biggest challenge lies in getting
woman with suffcient experience into politics.
As the educated and qualifed women are doing
other jobs, they cant be persuaded to resign
and enter politics, she said.
And when women with no electoral
experience and lesser educational qualifcations
fght the elections, the people completely
dismiss them, she added.
Even though she felt these roadblocks could
be overcome by introducing a quota system for
women where they can come on board for short
durations, learn the basics of politics and then
emerge as more confdent and qualifed women
candidate, this also has its drawbacks.
The quotas can be misused by many who
would want women in their families to get its
beneft, she pointed out.
This is why Dorjee, who has been a
flmmaker for almost 15 years, has documented
the frst national and local government elections
as well as presented profles and experiences
of Bhutans women elected leaders into an
educational resource-book - Raise Your
Hand.
I hope this book reaches out to more
students who continue to discuss role of women
in politics and aim to be a part of that process
by becoming better informed, she pointed out.
Women can be effective leaders and their
equal representation is necessary to address
many issues, Dorjee concluded.
- Shilpa Raina
I read analyses of stories and ask myself
many questions related to the characters that
push me to explore further. Like, I kept asking
myself why Sita kept running after the golden
deer. And I thought it may be refecting a desire to
seek something materialistic, she added.
Singh had an inclination for performing arts
at an early age and became associated with the
Kendra in 1968.
A self-trained photographer, choreographer
and costume and ornament designer, Singh has
learned Kathak from masters like Shambhu
Maharaj and Birju Maharaj and music from
Biswajeet Roy Chowdhary and Amjad Ali Khan.
Singh, who herself conceptualises and directs
the contemporary-mythological dance ballets,
admits that the most challenging part of her job is
to translate the text into choreography.
Choreography is the most challenging aspect
of such productions. Like in Kumar Sambhava I
had to translate a scene where Shivas semen was
kept in six matkis (pots). So, I had to think a lot
to choreograph this bit, said Singh, who has also
trained under theatre doyen Ebrahim Alkazi.
But, in the end, this is what is satisfactory -
giving visual vocabulary to a challenging scene.
Other elements that are important for any good
production are choreography, sets, lighting,
music and costume, Singh concluded.
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
29
FEATURE
I
n January 1889, or so the story goes, Motilal
Nehru, a 27-year-old lawyer from Allahabad,
travelled to the Hindu holy town of Rishikesh,
weighed down by personal tragedy. Married as
a teenager, in keeping with custom, he had soon
been widowed, losing both his wife and his
frst-born son in childbirth. In due course he had
married again, an exquisitely beautiful woman
named Swarup Rani Kaul.
She soon blessed him with another son - but
the boy died in infancy. Motilals own brother
Nandlal Nehru then died at the age of 42, leaving
Motilal the care of his widow and seven children.
The burden was one he was prepared to bear, but
he desperately sought the compensatory joy of a
son of his own. This, it seemed, was not to be.
Motilal and his two companions, young
Brahmins of his acquaintance, visited a famous
yogi renowned for the austerities he practised
while living on a tree. In the bitter cold of winter,
the yogi undertook various penances which, it was
said, gave him great powers. One of the travellers,
Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, informed the
yogi that Motilals greatest desire in life was
to have a son. The yogi asked Motilal to step
forward, looked at him long and hard, and shook
his head sadly: you, he declared, will not have
a son. It is not in your destiny.
As a despairing Motilal stood crestfallen
before him, the other man, the learned Pandit
Din Dayal Shastri, argued respectfully with the
yogi. The ancient Hindu shastras, he said, made
it clear that there was nothing irreversible about
such a fate; a great karmayogi like him could
simply grant the unfortunate man a boon. Thus
challenged, the yogi looked at the young men
before him, and fnally sighed. He reached into
his brass pitcher and sprinkled water from it three
times on to the would-be father. Motilal began
to express his gratitude, but the yogi cut him
short. By doing this, the yogi breathed, I have
sacrifced all the benefts of all the austerities I
have conducted over many generations.
The next day, as legend has it, the yogi passed
away.
Ten months later, at 11:30 p.m. on Nov 14,
1889, Motilal Nehrus wife Swarup Rani gave
birth to a healthy baby boy. He was named
Jawaharlal (precious jewel), and he would grow
up to be one of the most remarkable men of the
20th century.
Jawaharlal Nehru himself always disavowed
the story as apocryphal, though it was attributed
by many to two of the protagonists themselves
- Motilal and Malaviya. Since neither left a frst-
hand account of the episode, the veracity of the
tale can never be satisfactorily determined. Great
men are often ascribed remarkable beginnings
and, at the peak of Jawaharlal Nehrus career,
there were many willing to promote a supernatural
explanation for his greatness. His father, certainly,
saw him from a very early age as a child of
destiny, one made for extraordinary success; but
as a rationalist himself, Motilal is unlikely to have
based his faith in his son on a yogis blessing.
The child himself was slow to reveal any signs
of potential greatness. He was the kind of student
usually referred to as indifferent. And yet his
impact on our country was so great that I chose
to title my 2003 biography of him Nehru: The
Invention of India.
For the frst 17 years of Indias independence,
the paradox-ridden Jawaharlal Nehru - a moody,
idealist intellectual who felt an almost mystical
empathy with the toiling peasant masses; an
aristocrat, accustomed to privilege, who had
passionate socialist convictions; an Anglicized
product of Harrow and Cambridge who spent over
10 years in British jails; an agnostic radical who
became an unlikely protg of the saintly Mahatma
Gandhi - was India.
Upon the Mahatmas assassination, Nehru
became the keeper of the national fame, the
most visible embodiment of Indias struggle for
freedom. Incorruptible, visionary, ecumenical, a
politician above politics, Nehrus stature was so
great that the country he led seemed inconceivable
without him. A year before his death a leading
American journalist, Welles Hangen, published a
book entitled After Nehru, Who? The unspoken
question around the world was: After Nehru,
what? Today, exactly half a century after his
death, we have something of an answer to the
latter question. As an India till recently clad in
the trappings of Nehruvianism steps out into the
brave new world of a government led by a man
who rejects everything Nehru stood for, a good
deal of Jawaharlal Nehrus legacy appears both
intact and contested. India has moved away from
much of Nehrus beliefs, and so (in different ways)
has the rest of the developing world for which
Nehruvianism once spoke. A transformation - still
incomplete - has taken place that, in its essentials,
has changed the basic Nehruvian assumptions of
post-colonial nationhood.
Today, on the 50th anniversary of his
death, many of us recall a heroic fghter for
independence, an unchallengeable prime minister
and peerless global statesman; others reduce him
to the symbol of a party rejected at the polls. The
principal pillars of Nehrus legacy to India were
democratic institution-building, staunch pan-
Indian secularism, socialist economics at home
and a foreign policy of non-alignment - all of
which were integral to a vision of Indianness that
is fundamentally challenged today.
The very term Indian was imbued with such
meaning by Nehru that it is impossible to use it
without acknowledging a debt: our passports
incarnate his ideals. Jawaharlal Nehrus impact
on India is too great not to be re-examined
periodically. His legacy is ours, whether we agree
with everything he stood for or not. What we are
today as Indians, both for good and for ill, we owe
in great measure to one man. That is why his story
is not simply history.
Shashi Tharoor is a biographer of Nehru, a
former union minister and former undersecretary
general at the United Nations. The views
expressed are personal. He can be contacted at
shashi.tharoor@nic.in
Jawaharlal Nehru: His story is not simply history
Chill Shanie, were here for you
P
oor Shane Warne! The Australian
cricketer has suffered his share of angst.
There was this time he walked out of a
press where he was to unveil a likeness of
himself in soap that was to be auctioned for a
childrens charity when a reporter remarked:
Hey Shanie, that looks rather lean. It was
with great difficulty that he was persuaded
to return.
Then, he was hauled up for smoking on
the field in one of the early editions of the
IPL and promised he would mend his his
ways.
Then, he did lose considerable weight
but he also lost Liz Hurley before their
relationship could be taken to its natural
conclusion.
Now, it seems, hes gone through the
ultimate.
After doing five selfies with people this
morning before 8 am on my morning run, Ive
come to the conclusion that the autograph is
dead, hes been quoted as saying.
Oh no! Is that so, indeed? Most certainly
not! Wakey, wakey Shanie; are you forgetting
your Indian visits where a pen and diary were
thrust at you at the slightest opportunity,
depending how close to the fence you were
fielding?
In India, at least, autograph books will
never go out of fashion but they certainly
have evolved. During my time in school -
quite a few decades ago - autograph books
served a dual purpose. One was, of course,
to take autographs but they also served
another important purpose: Across two
pages were drawn a series of squares with
the likes of Best Boy, Best Girl, Best
Teacher, Best Film, Ambition and the
like heading each column.
Its a different thing that the owner of the
autograph book was invariably the Best
Boy - after all, who wanted to risk a black
eye?
The autograph book also served another
purpose: for pasting photographs of yourself
and your friends and even your parents, for
that matter.
There were even contests for filling up the
maximum number of autograph books.
These days, when Im at a loose end -
infrequently - or nostalgic, pretty often, I
hunt out my old autograph books and relive
the days that once were. You come across
a name and say: Hey, wheres this person
today? If a net search doesnt yield results
once can always call up a schoolmate, never
mind if he or she is in Scotland. If that
doesnt yield results, one can always take the
via-via route through a friend-of-a-friend or
even Facebook, for that matter.
Many an old school chum have I managed
to locate in this manner. But more than that,
its reliving those uncluttered days that helps
one cope with the stress of the 21st century.
Till about a decade ago, my younger
colleagues tell me, autograph books were
referred to as Slam Books. Each writer
got to fill in two pages, much on the lines
detailed above but with greater elaboration.
The taking of autographs went on in tandem.
Whether or not these Slam Books will
serve todays generation in their later life the
altruistic purpose that they have served for
me, the fact of the matter is that autograph
hunting is alive and well in India.
Visit any stadium during a cricket match,
or for that matter, any high-octane sporting
event; a mall or a multiplex where a film
is being premiered; or, for that matter any
place where theres a celebrity and you can
be sure of hordes of youngsters - and the not
so young too - screaming for autographs.
So, despair not Shanie. Come back to
India and I guarantee you will tire of signing
autographs. Maybe we could go out for a
beer and a smoke after that.
Cheers!
- Vishnu Makhijani
Shashi Tharoor
May 27 was Nehrus 50th death anniversary
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
30
FEATURE
EDUCATION
O
ur New Zealand Tertiary College Bachelor of
Teaching (Early Childhood Education) and
Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood
Education) qualifcations have now been
approved by the Australian Childrens Education
and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood
Education) graduate Harpreet Singh says its
a great relief to have her qualifcation on
ACECQAs approved list.
This has allowed the Melbourne-based teacher
to be granted early childhood teacher (ECT)*
status in all Australian states and territories.
Having ECT status has lots of benefts, like
increasing my employability and chances of
getting a better salary, says Harpreet, and its
further international recognition of my degree
that I have worked so hard to gain.
ACECQA is the body which oversees the
national quality framework for the Australian
early childhood sector. NZTCs Bachelor of
Teaching (Early Childhood Education) and
Education) qualifcations have been approved,
which enables graduates to apply for ECT status
in Australia without having to apply for an
assessment of their qualifcation. This will save
our graduates $108 NZD and time flling out
paper work a hugely liberating factor for the
many graduates who choose to teach across the
Tasman each year.
If you want to be granted ECT status, you
can apply through the ACECQA website.
NZTCs Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood
Education) is listed under code PC9727, and the
Education) is listed under PC8619.
* The early childhood sector in Australia
differs from the one in New Zealand. There are
three different levels of teachers - educators
who hold a level 3 qualifcation, educators who
can supervise other educators and hold a level 5
or 6 qualifcation; and early childhood teachers
who hold a degree and have a management
position around curriculum and teaching.
To fnd out more about starting or enhancing
your professional journey in early childhood
education, call us on 09 520 4000 or email
international@nztertiarycollege.ac.nz
New Zealand Tertiary College graduates considering Australia:
we have great news
SPECIALISTS IN EARLY
CHILDHOOD
TEACHER EDUCATION
09 520 4000 | international@nztertiarycollege.ac.nz
www.nztertiarycollege.ac.nz
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Mumbai-Pune Deccan Queen link turns 85
D
ecades before the countrys frst
expressway connected Mumbai and Pune,
a prestigious train, Deccan Queen, was the
prime link to the two cities - Indias commercial
capital and the educational capital of what was
then Bombay state.
On Sunday, the venerable Deccan Queen
turned a healthy 85 and is still going strong
- despite stiff competition from the Mumbai-
Pune Expressway since 2002 and certain other
trains on this crucial sector of Central Railway.
Started in June 1930 by the Great Indian
Peninsular Railway (GIPR), the forerunner to
Central Railway, the Deccan Queen was the
frst luxury train that contributed immensely
to the trade, commerce, business, academia,
culture, tourism and social ties between the two
cities separated by the awesome Western Ghats.
Started modestly with two rakes (trains) of
seven coaches, each painted silver with scarlet
mouldings and royal blue with gold lines, the
original model was built in England while the
coach bodies were constructed at the Matunga
Workshop of GIPR.
Keeping in mind the travellers, it had only
frst and second class confguration till 1948.
In Jan 1949, the frst class was abolished and
the second class was redesigned as frst class.
This continued up to June 1955.
Later, a third class was introduced (June
1955) and this was redesignated as second class
in April 1974.
The Deccan Queen also underwent other
changes over the years. In 1966, the original
British-built rakes were replaced by anti-
telescopic steel-bodied coaches built by the
Integral Coach Factory, Perambur.
These coaches incorporated improved
design of bogies for better riding comfort and
also improvements in the interior furnishings
and fttings. The number of coaches in the
rake was also increased to 12 from the original
seven, providing additional accommodation,
and today there are 17 coaches, said a Central
Railway spokesperson.
For the frst time in India, coaches with
roller-bearings, replacement of end on
generation coaches with self-generating
coaches with 110 volts system and introduction
of frst and second class chair cars were some
of the measures to provide the highest level
of comfort for passengers, who comprise both
commoners and celebs.
In fact, till the Y.B.Chavan Mumbai-Pune
Expressway was built, the train was patronized
by top Bollywood and Marathi flm stars,
industrialists, international celebs and political
leaders who could be seen stepping out of their
swank cars to board it from either Victoria
Terminus (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus)
or Dadar. Again in 1995, the rakes were totally
replaced and the existing distinctive colour
scheme of cream and oxford blue with a red
band above the window level was adopted for
the train to satisfy growing aspirations of the
travelling public.
The new coaches have air brakes. The fve
frst class chair car coaches have been replaced
by air-conditioned coaches with additional
seating capacity and the nine second class chair
car coaches have seating for 120. Altogether,
this provides for a total seating of 1,417 against
1,232 in the old rakes - an increase of 15
percent.
Despite the short running time - average
around three hrs.15 minutes - the Deccan
Queen is among the few trains which offers a
dining car with table service for 32 passengers
at a time.
Given its virtually unchallenged record
of on-time performance, the Deccan Queen
perhaps resulted in inter-city commuters for
the frst time in India.
There are thousands of offce-goers who live
in Pune but commute daily by the train to work
in Mumbai and vice-versa, binding the two
cities with the loyal band of commuters and
travellers.
The trains management systems were
assessed by International Services Ltd and it
was awarded the ISO 9001-2000 in Nov 2003
under a Joint Accreditation System of Australia
and New Zealand.
- Quaid Najmi
Started in June 1930 by
the Great Indian Peninsular
Railway (GIPR), the forerunner
to Central Railway, the
Deccan Queen was the first
luxury train that contributed
immensely to the trade,
commerce, business,
academia, culture, tourism
and social ties between the
two cities separated by the
awesome Western Ghats.
TRAVEL
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
31
ENTERTAINMENT
M
any flmmakers have started experimenting
with no song movies, but double Oscar-
winning composer A.R. Rahman says there are
more longevity elements in a flm with song and
dance vis-a-vis one with just the story. The music
genius, therefore, incorporates the same formula
in his foreign projects, including forthcoming
movie Million Dollar Arm.
We have started making flms with no songs
in different genres. But you know there are a lot
of longevity elements in a musical than a normal
story, Rahman told IANS in an interview.
When you see a song and dance, you want
to watch it again and it creates a good mood even
after a couple of watches. Whereas, when you see
a flm with no music, you might watch it just once
or twice. The re-watching element is more in a
flm with music, he said referring to the fact that
viewers would watch such movies again.
This is precisely why Rahman composes
songs even in the English projects he is associated
with. One of the best examples is Jai Ho from
Oscar-winning flm Slumdog Millionaire.
He continues the trend in his forthcoming
English project Million Dollar Arm, a sports-
drama, releasing in India May 9.
It (Million Dollar Arm) has about 30-40
percent of Hollywood spirit in the music and the
rest of it is how I scored Slumdog Millionaire.
Although its an underdog story, it has nuances I
had to take care of. It has songs too but not like
Jai Ho, said the Mozart of Madras.
Directed by Craig Gillespie and featuring
Mad Men star Jon Hamm in the lead, Million
Dollar Arm is about an American sports agent
who comes to India in search of baseball pitchers.
Having composed music for Hollywood flms
in different genres, Rahman signed Million
Dollar Arm because he wanted to do something
Indian with western sensibility.
I was at a point where I felt Ive done flms
in several genres. I did the comedy Couples
Retreat, family movie People Like Us,
adventure movie 127 Hours and I also did
Monkeys of Bollywood, the musical. It was like
a full circle and I wanted to come back and do
something hybrid, Indian and Hollywood, he
said. Popular artists such as Sukhwinder Singh as
well as Raghav Mathur collaborated with Rahman
on this project. Rahman says the flm is about
cultural exchange. Its about how a bunch
of Indian kids infuence an American agent and
vice versa. It makes for a great story on cultural
exchange, he said.
Although a good portion of the flm was shot
in India, Rahman said: The flms music has
Indian as well as western sensibilities. The flm
is not just Indian and, therefore, I had to strike a
balance between the two and produce something
that could be enjoyed by everybody.
Known for using several Indian compositions
in his western projects, Rahman had used one tune
from his Tamil flm Thirakkatha Kaattukkulle
in Million Dollar Arm.
I never wanted to use the song from this
Tamil flm. The director and the music supervisor
loved the tune and weve used it as part of the
soundtrack. Its a soothing number, he said.
In the past, he has composed Indian songs for
flms such as Couples Retreat and Warriors of
Heaven and Earth.
Working with a brand new team in Million
Dollar Arm was Rahmans biggest challenge.
It was a whole new team. There was new
sound engineer and new music supervisor. I
was the only common factor in the team. When
I started working on this project everything was
very fresh. I also got to work with a lot of new
artists, Rahman said. I got to work with some
amazing names such as Kendrick Lamar, Iggy
Azalea and Wale. In essence, it was completely a
new team and to collaborate with them and work
was indeed a challenge, he added.
Films with song-dance have more longevity: Rahman
- Haricharan Pudipeddi
It was like a full circle and I
wanted to come back and do
something hybrid, Indian and
Hollywood
www.iwk.co.nz
23 May 2014
29
INDA ABROAD
www.iwk.co.nz
09 May 2014
27
INDIA
F
rom moderate to as high voter turnout in states
like West Bengal (81 percent) was witnessed
as India underwent its seventh phase of elections
with 89 parliamentary constituencies across
seven states and two union territories going to the
hustings.
This comes on a day when voting was held
in Gujarat, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West
Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir and Telangana
besides in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman
and Diu.
A total of 13.83 crore people were eligible to
vote in this round. In Uttar Pradesh, the overall
voter turnout was 54 percent.
About 53.81 percent balloting was recorded
in the state of Bihar. The state of Telangana,
meanwhile, registered a high 68 percent votes
were polled. Turnout in Hyderabad was much
lower than the Telangana average, at 53 percent.
According to reports, the state of Punjab
registered over 50 percent of balloting.
The fates of Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi
(Rae Bareli) and BJP stalwarts like L K Advani
(Gandhinagar) and Murli Manohar Joshi were
decided in this round.
In Punjabs Amritsar, the battle was between
BJPs Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun
Jaitley against former Congress chief minister
Amrinder Singh.
This is Jaitleys maiden Lok Sabha contest.
This phase is also crucial for the new state of
Telangana, which carved out of Andhra Pradesh.
Voting was held for 17 Lok Sabha seats from the
region along with 119 seats for what will be its
frst assembly. From June 2, Telangana will be a
new state.
LS: India records moderate to high polling in 7th phase
Chiranjeevi breaks queue, left embarrassed
U
nion minister and Congress leader K.
Chiranjeevi had to face some embarrassing
moments at a polling station as a voter raised an
objection when he broke the queue.
A voter stopped the actor-turned-politician
and his family members when they tried to
walk into the polling centre even as others were
standing in the queue. The superstar was taken
aback when a voter told him that he cant have
a special treatment in a polling centre.
Accompanied by his security guards,
Chiranjeevi, his wife, their actor son Ramcharan
Teja and other family members were initially
standing in the queue at the polling centre in the
posh Jubliee Hills neighbourhood.
When some people invited them in the booth,
they broke the queue and were proceeding
inside.
As a voter raised the objection, Chiranjeevi
tried to pacify him. The actor and other family
members went back and stood in the queue to
cast their vote.
Kabaddi got a major facelift Tuesday with the
launch of the World Kabaddi League, a personal
venture headed by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister
Sukhbir Singh Badal.
The league is all set for inauguration in mid-
June at Thyagaraj Sports Complex here.
The league follows the Formula 1 touring
sports format and will be played across four
continents starting from August to December.
The offcial website of the World Kabaddi
League (www.worldkabaddileague.net) was
launched by Badal and Pargat Singh, sports
administrator and Olympian, here Tuesday.
In the northern region of the Indian sub-
continent, kabaddi is an extremely popular sport
and the last four kabaddi World Cups held in
India bear testimony to this, Badal said.
I am extremely proud to let the world know
of Indias sporting prowess in the feld of kabaddi
through World Kabaddi League.
This league is extremely close to my heart
and I envision it to grow by great leaps in the
next few years.
In its current form, the league will be played
across four continents with access to nearly 200
kabaddi clubs across the world. For kabaddi, I
believe this is just the beginning, he said.
Former India hockey captain Pargat Singh,
commissioner for the World Kabaddi League,
has been closely involved in the daily scope of
operations of the league.
After successfully executing four editions of
the Kabaddi World Cup in Punjab, we realised
the need for a professional kabaddi league which
connects South Asians across the world with
their traditional heritage. By adding
Worlds first kabaddi
league launched in India
S
timulation of a certain population of
dopamine-containing neurons within the
brain can alter the human learning process,
claim two Indian-origin scientists, paving the
way for rehabilitation after injury or addictive
behaviours.
Stimulating dopamine-containing neurons
in a deep brain structure known as the
substantia nigra can modify human learning,
said neuroscience student Ashwin Ramayya from
University of Pennsylvania and Amrit Misra from
California-based Drexel University.
They suggest that the stimulation may have
altered learning by biasing individuals to repeat
physical actions that resulted in reward.
Stimulating the substantia nigra as
participants received a reward led them to repeat
the action that preceded the reward, suggesting
that this brain region plays an important role in
modulating action-based associative learning,
explained co-senior author Michael Kahana, a
professor of psychology in Penns school of arts
and sciences.
During the study, 11 participants went deep
brain stimulation (DBS) treatment for Parkinsons
disease.
During an awake portion of the procedure,
participants played a computer game where
they chose between pairs of objects that carried
different reward rates (like choosing between
rigged slot machines in a casino).
The objects were displayed on a computer
screen and participants made selections by
pressing buttons on hand-held controllers.
When stimulation was provided in the
substantia nigra following reward, participants
tended to repeat the button press that resulted in
a reward.
This is the frst study to demonstrate in humans
that electrical stimulation near these neurons
can modify the learning process, said Gordon
Baltuch, a professor of neurosurgery at University
of Pennsylvania.
Indian-origin scientists claim human learning breakthrough
A
n India-born Councillor has been elected
as mayor in Erewash ward in Britains
Derbyshire, a media report said.
The Conservative Partys Councillor for
Wilsthorpe, Kewal Singh Athwal, became the frst
Erewash mayor to be elected by a casting vote at a
meeting at Long Eaton Town Hall in Derbyshire,
Nottingham Post reported Tuesday.
The outgoing mayor, Councillor Val Clare,
cast her vote to elect Athwal to be the civic leader
of the 51-seat authority, after the borough council
was split with 25 votes for both Kewal Singh
Athwal and the Labour Partys Councillor Frank
Phillips, who represents Ilkeston.
Athwal is the frst mayor from an ethnic
minority group to hold the position.
Athwal owns a ladies fashion accessories
business based in Long Eaton town in British
Derbyshire.
Born into a Sikh family in Punjab state near
the city of Jalandhar in India, Athwal moved to
Britain in 1961.
His career has been mainly in two industries
-- motor trade and textiles.
India-born councillor becomes mayor in Britain
T
he University of Birmingham has appointed
India-born businessman Lord Karan
Bilimoria as its new chancellor, the university
announced Monday.
Lord Bilimoria of Chelsea CBE, the India-
born founder of Cobra Beer, will take up his role
at an Installation Ceremony in July, making him
the seventh University of Birmingham chancellor,
the university said in a release.
He follows in the footsteps of chancellors
including the Right Honourable Joseph
Chamberlain and the Right Honourable Anthony
Eden, the Earl of Avon, and succeeds Sir Dominic
Cadbury, who stepped down last December after
11 years in the role, the statement said.
We are absolutely delighted that Lord
Bilimoria will be our new chancellor. He is
a highly respected global businessman and
Crossbench Peer with a clear passion for higher
education and the value it brings to society and to
the economy, David Eastwood, vice-chancellor
of the university, said.
The chancellor acts as the ceremonial
fgurehead of the university and has an important
ambassadorial role, working with the vice-
chancellor and the pro-chancellor to raise the
universitys profle and advance its interests
nationally and internationally.
I am honoured and humbled to have been
asked to be chancellor of this internationally
renowned university with its vibrant, global
community. I am also delighted to have the
opportunity to take on such a prominent role at the
university where both my mother, my uncle and
my maternal grandfather studied; the university
that instilled the value of higher education in them,
and in turn drove my own passion for learning and
discovery, Lord Bilimoria said.
Lord Bilimoria new chancellor of University of Birmingham
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
32
ENTERTAINMENT
Desi, deglam: Rani goes Mardaani
R
ani Mukerji has taken on effervescent
roles in the past -- but for the forthcoming
entertainer Mardaani, where the recently
married actress essays a police officers role
for the first time, she has shed frills and style
to get under the characters skin.
In the Yash Raj Films (YRF) movie,
produced by her husband Aditya Chopra,
Rani plays Shivani Shivaji Roy, an astute
police personnel working in a Mumbai Crime
Branch unit.
The raw and gritty film, a distinct
departure from Pradeep Sarkars style of
filmmaking, will hit the screens Aug 22.
In the newly launched poster, Rani sports a
black kurta and has her hair tied loosely, and
she holds up a revolver with the confidence
of any action hero that tinsel town has ever
seen.
Describing the film and Ranis character,
a statement from YRF read: Deft at picking
up hidden clues and fearless in confronting
hardened criminals, Shivani stumbles into
the world of debauchery, cruel desires and
exploitation and onto a case that will change
her life forever.
The films story takes an interesting curve
when a teenage girl is kidnapped by the child
trafficking mafia and smuggled outside the
city. Shivani then embarks on a relentless
hunt for the girl and what follows is a cat and
mouse game between the fearless cop and a
ruthless mafia kingpin.
Bollywood Diary
Kareena amazingly sporty: Saif on gender-bending role
S
aif Ali Khans funny side will be on show
in Humshakals as he has donned the
garb of a woman for the comedy. He says
his wife and actress Kareena is taking his
experiment sportingly, but he would have
reacted differently to such a weird look.
When asked what was Kareenas reaction
to his look, he said: Kareena is amazingly
sporty... she laughed looking at me. Had
I been in her place I would have filed for
divorce. She found my chest too large
(laughs).
Director Sajid Khan has reportedly
infused many fun elements in the film, which
includes a song where Saif is seen romancing
Riteish Deshmukh.
Talking about it Saif said: Riteish is great
and I had a great time with him. He is very
attractive.
Not new to the genre, thanks to his roles
in Hum Tum, Salaam Namaste, and Kal
Ho Naa Ho, Saif said he was keen to return
to comedy.
I personally wanted to do a comedy. I
love Sajid and this is the funniest film I have
ever done. Its lovely to do a comedy film.
Also starring a bevy of stars like Bipasha
Basu, Tamannaah Bhatia, Esha Gupta and
Ram Kapoor, the film is coming out June 20.
The event will be inaugurated by Rekha,
Gulzaar and Subhash Ghai himself.
Looking at the response and feedback
of the attendees (over the last 2 years), we
will be continuing this open-for-all event
as an annual affair, calling it The Celebrate
Cinema Festival, said Ghai adding: Its
going to be a super show.
Not capable of making sex comedy, horror film: Vipul Shah
F
ilmmaker Vipul Shah, currently busy
promoting Holiday - A Soldier Is Never
Off Duty, says as a filmmaker he cant make
a sex comedy or a horror film.
Shah is known for making films such as
Waqt: The Race Against Time, Namastey
London, Singh Is Kinng, Force and
Commando.
Many of them are making sex comedies,
but I am not capable of making a sex comedy.
I also feel I am not capable of making a
horror film, Shah told IANS.
India is a country with so many
superstitions, so by making horror film, I
dont want to add to that, he added.
Shahs Holiday, directed by R.
Murgodoss and featuring Akshay Kumar and
Sonakshi Sinha in the lead roles, focuses on
terrorism and sleeper cells.
Shah said: For me, a film has to be
sensible. I dont believe in no brainers. I am
not against them, but I cant make them. For
me, the film has to be entertaining, sensible
and intelligent along with the commercial
value.
Now, YRFs fashion line launched in Mumbai
A
fter serving fashion connoisseurs of the
national capital with its cinema-inspired
line, Yash Raj Films fashion brand Divani
has been launched in this entertainment and
fnancial capital.
The store is a tribute to Mumbai for the
citys contribution to cinema, said a statement.
From bridal and couture to western, one can
fnd everything at the fagship store at Santa
Cruz.
The brands frst store in New Delhis South
Extension, has turned out to be a success. Its
almost a year since Divani was frst unveiled
in Mumbai on the occasion of the late Yash
Chopras birth anniversary. It was an evening
that showcased the late directors legendary
love for bringing out the diva in every woman.
Divani is a fusion of cinema and fashion.
YRF, which has set several fashion trends
across its over four decade-old existence
through flms like Lamhe, Dilwale
Dulhania Le Jayenge, Dil To Pagal Hai,
Mohabbatein, Bunty Aur Babli and Band
Baaja Baaraat, has tied up with ethnic wear
brand Karol Bagh Saree House (KBSH) for the
label.
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6 June 2014
33
ENTERTAINMENT
C
horeographer-director Remo D Souza,
who is back on the judges panel of the
seventh season of celebrity dance reality
show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, says the reason he
chose to judge the show is that its a learning
experience for him.
Jhalak... is a learning process for me
as a technician. I get to learn a lot from the
choreographers who showcase their talent on
the dance foor, Remo told IANS.
Alongside Remo, the show will be co-
judged by flmmaker Karan Johar and actress
Madhuri Dixit.
The contestants range from actors Kritika
Kamra, Mouni Roy, Purab Kohli, Karan
Tacker, Sophie Choudry, Pooja Banerjee and
Ashish Sharma to VJ Andy, professional
dancer Shakti Mohan, singer Sukhwinder
Singh, comedian Kiku Sharda as Palak and
cricketer S. Sreesanth.
The 42-year-old has high expectations from
the forthcoming show which will go on air June
7, and he will play a tougher role this time.
As always my expectations are high. I want
to see something new every season. I have a lot
of expectations from all the celebrities who are
participating in the dance show as all of them
are good dancers. This season, each of the
contestant knows how to dance, said Remo.
Shakti, Sophie, Sreesanth and especially
young boy Akshat, who has a good taste in
pure Bollywood dancing styles, are all good
dancers. And this time, Ill be tougher and
uncompromising towards judging.
Talking about the professional dancers
in Jhalak..., like Lauren Gottileb in the last
season and Shakti, who won the title of Dance
India Dance, in the forthcoming, Remo said
that the show attempts to inspire the contestants
to perform better.
Jhalak... ropes in professional dancers,
so that the level of competition is all geared
up and that all the contestants feel the heat
of the competition, get motivated and prove
themselves, he said.
Jhalak learning process for me: Remo
No one can fault Akshay Kumars dare-devilry
on screen, but Bollywoods action titan insists
his forthcoming flm Holiday - A Soldier Is
Never Off Duty shouldnt be confused with a
typical action-drama. He says the flms topic,
which focuses on terrorism and sleeper cells,
as well as real stunts sets it apart.
Holiday is an amazing flm on what
terrorism is all about and how the army tries
to capture the sleeper cells, Akshay, who has
teamed up with Sonakshi Sinha for the ffth
time in the movie, told IANS in an interview.
Interestingly, director A.R. Murugadoss is
helming it, and it is a known fact that nobody
makes actioners like him.
It is not a typical Akshay Kumar flm where
I am doing fun and comedy all the time.
Yes, there is a little bit of comic element in
Holiday, but otherwise its a serious thriller,
he said about the flm for which he teamed up
with producer Vipul Shah, with whom he has
given several hits.

What is Holiday about?
Not many people are aware of sleeper cells - special terrorists who blend into society so well
that no one realises they are terrorists. Sleeper
cells were behind 9/11 and 26/11 attacks. In
Holiday, some army offcers are home for a
holiday and realise that the enemy is not only
present at the border, but there are a lot of
enemies inside the city and village. Holiday
is an amazing flm on terrorism and how the
army tries to capture the sleeper cells.

Do box offce fgures determine the star value
of an actor?
The days of box offce collections are gone.
The audience wants to see content in flms and
if there is content, then it automatically gets
you good box offce fgures.
I did Holiday because there was content
in it. It is not a typical Akshay Kumar flm
where I am doing fun and comedy all the time.
Yes, there is a little bit of comic element in
Holiday, but otherwise the flm is a serious
thriller.

You say the flm is a serious thriller, but
promos show just comedy and songs. Is it
deliberate?
You are right. But from now on you will start
watching promos that will show seriousness of
the flm. Since it is a Hindi flm, there has to be
some song and dance. In the flm, my character
comes home for a holiday and never thought
that he would face terrorism.

Theres a lot of hand-to-hand combat in the
flm
Yes, the flm has very real action. You wont
see the kind of action I did in Boss or
Khiladi 786 where I would just punch and 20
people would fy in every corner. Greg Powell,
who was the stunt coordinator on Skyfall,
has choreographed the action sequences in
Holiday. We havent taken the help of cables.
If I kick someone and take a somersault, it is all
real. It is compulsory for the producer to insure
all the actors. So if something happens, we are
taken care of.

But that only looks after the monetary aspect.
It is part of my job. I do all my stunts because
I enjoy it. I dont do it because someone forces
me to.
Holiday not a typical Akshay Kumar film: Akshay
- Uma Ramasubramanian
US biggest overseas market for Indian cinema: Filmmaker Rakeysh Mehra
T
he footprint of the over $2 billion Indian
cinema industry is rapidly growing overseas,
says National Award-winning flmmaker Rakeysh
Omprakash Mehra. He stresses that while non-
traditional markets are vital, the US, powered by
a three-million strong Indian diaspora, remains
the biggest international market for Indian
moviemakers.
America is an important market for us. It is
important for us to have a (wide) presence there
as it is the fnal frontier for the business of flms
and the biggest market for us overseas, Mehra
told IANS before leaving for the US earlier this
week.
He is currently in Tampa Bay, Florida for
the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA)
weekend and awards, which is Bollywoods
biggest celebration on international shores.
IIFA has so far travelled to places like London,
Amsterdam, Johannesburg, Bangkok, Macau and
Singapore, leaving indelible impressions of Hindi
cinema and giving an impetus to tourism in each
of these places over the years. In its 15th year,
the four-day extravaganza has made its debut in
the US, the worlds largest economy, and Mehra
believes this is more seminal than one thinks
it is.
Theres a FICCI-IIFA Global Business
Forum, where various important talks take place.
I have been on the advisory board for IIFA and
I feel they are doing a great job by opening the
doors for our cinema in more ways than one, he
added.
From his career as an ad flmmaker to a
feature flmmaker, Mehra has spent close to three
decades in Indian showbiz. He has also witnessed
the escalating demand and interest of the foreign
markets in cinema from the country.
I remember taking Rang De Basanti (in
2006)...the market in the US is most certainly
growing. Now we have our flms in the US,
the UAE, Australia and Britain, but we need
a stronger presence in the US, and we need to
go beyond the diaspora to explore more non-
traditional markets, he said.
Mehras last entertainer, Bhaag Milkha
Bhaag, a biopic which was recently named
the best popular flm providing wholesome
entertainment by the National Film Awards jury,
was released in multiple territories abroad - the
US, Australia, Britain, Fiji, Singapore, Thailand,
Malasiya, Hong Kong, East Africa, South Africa,
Indonesia, the UAE and New Zealand.
The flm has already bagged nine technical
awards at IIFA, and it is the frontrunner with
10 nominations as far as the popular awards
of the gala are concerned. The winners will be
announced during the culminating night Saturday.
Meanwhile, the flmmaker is excited that
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, the Farhan Akhtar-
starrer which tells the life story of former athlete
Milkha Singh, will open to audiences with
over 70 prints in Japan thanks to entertainment
company Nikkatsu Corporation.
Thus, he believes, the business of Indian
flms is only poised to grow.
The 50-year-old flmmaker is also credited
with flms like Aks and Delhi-6. His Rang
De Basanti also won the National Film Award
for best popular flm providing wholesome
entertainment and was Indias offcial entry for
the Golden Globe Awards and the Academy
Awards in the best foreign language flm category.
His next offering is a musical. Titled Mirza
Sahibaan, it will launch two newcomers -
Harshvardhan Kapoor, son of actor Anil Kapoor;
and Saiyami Kher, niece of talented actress Tanvi
Azmi and granddaughter of yesteryears leading
leady Usha Kiran.
- Radhika Bhirani
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
34
ENTERTAINMENT
I
ndias mammoth flm industry, Bollywood
produces an average of 1000 flms each year
and is a renowned name in the entertainment
and flm sector today. The flms grapple to stay
afoat admist the competitive media market
and make a mark for themselves. Today,
Bollywood is at a very nascent stage where
the marketing team is coaxed to produce
innovative marketing ideas and outshine their
respective flms. Lets have a look at some of
the exclusive marketing techniques adapted by
our stars to lure the audiences to their nearest
cinema hall.
MAIN TERA HERO
Internet based shopping website Jabong.com
launched a fashion collection inspired by the
movie Main Tera Hero. Mr. Praveen Sinha,
Managing Director at Jabong.com quoted
that, Jabong.com has always aspired to create
fashion statements through its highly fashion
forward customers. Our association with Main
Tera Hero and other Bollywood movies is our
way of bringing the latest and fresh fashion
closer to our customers but with a better
accessibility. We are excited to see promising
response from this collection in a report by
BollySpice. Such innovative strategies and
alliances serve proftable for both
the brands. The trendy attires
of Main Tera Hero attracted the
fashion conscious youth and
inspired them to watch the flm
because they could resonate to
the young and fresh characters
of Sreenath (Varun), Sunaina
(IleanaDCruz) and Ayesha
(Nargis Fakhri).
Parveen Sinha, Illeana and
Varun during the promotion of
their flm at Jabong
RA.ONE
King Khan always strikes a
master stroke when it comes to marketing and
promotion of his flms, brands, cricket team,
production house and what not!! Recently,
Varun Dhawan stated in an interview with
The Hindustan Times that Shah Rukh Khan
is my role model for flm marketing. During
the marketing of his home production, Ra.one
he used the international in Ra.One which
diversifed the flms reach and made an
interesting arrangement to attract Indian, South
Asian and Western diasporas. With Akons
massive reach and global appeal, Sharukh
reaped the benefts and successfully marketed
his flm across the globe.
Kareena Kapoor, Akon and Sharukh Khan
during the promotion of Ra.One
GHAJINI
Aamir Khan who is known as Mr. Perfectionist
always markets his flms with exciting ideas.
The success of his flm Ghajini hugely depends
on the sheer curiosity created by him about the
characters hairstyle. The conspicuous haircut
became a rage across the country when Mr.
Khan himself invited people and gave them
a similar haircut personally. He recorded the
whole event and publicised it on various TV
channels and online portals which intrigued
the audiences to watch the movie as soon as
it released.
With stars going out of their way globally
to promote their flms it is evident that flms
are now perceived as a brand or a commodity
and marketing plays a key role in it. The
intensive promotion of a flm later refects in
its Box offce collections.
Akanksha Mehra
Dilli se Auckland tak!
By Akanksha Mehra
New Zealand is the new popular holiday destination for Indians. While the lovey-dovey
honeymoon couples enjoy the romantic serenity, tour operators also offer affordable packages
for a luxurious family holiday to New Zealand. According to a recent survey by The Outlook
Travellers, New Zealand was awarded the Favourite Foreign Destination in the Rest of the
World. The influx of a number of Delhites in the country has categorically increased. Films
like Kaho Naa Pyar Hai and I Hate Luv Stories have remarkably popularized the destination
and coaxed them to discover the countrys untouched beauty. However, they do feel that
Auckland is incompetent with Delhis food, fashion and transportation.
How can one not talk about food whilst talking about Delhi? Delhites are known for their
heartiest love for food and food joints. Sanjay Mehra and Madhavi Mehra visited Auckland
recently for their daughters graduation ceremony and believe that Delhi has the best food.
While the food places in Auckland include a variety of Indian cuisines, they fail to match
the Delhi standards says Sanjay. Chhole- bhatoore, amritsari kulche, chicken malai tikka,
dilli chaat and other Delhi specialities are easily available today but lack the essential
flavour.
Mrs. And Mr. Sanjay Mehra visit Auckland.
Bollywoods Marketing and Beyond
2

Parveen Sinha, Illeana and Varun during the promotion of their film at Jabong

3

RA.ONE

King Khan always strikes a master stroke when it comes to marketing and promotion of his
films, brands, cricket team, production house and what not!! Recently, Varun Dhawan stated
in an interview with The Hindustan Times that Shah Rukh Khan is my role model for film
marketing. During the marketing of his home production, Ra.one he used the international
in Ra.One which diversified the films reach and made an interesting arrangement to attract
Indian, South Asian and Western diasporas. With Akons massive reach and global appeal,
Sharukh reaped the benefits and successfully marketed his film across the globe.

Kareena Kapoor, Akon and Sharukh Khan during the promotion of Ra.One

4

GHAJINI

Aamir Khan who is known as Mr. Perfectionist always markets his films with exciting ideas.
The success of his film Ghajini hugely depends on the sheer curiosity created by him about
the characters hairstyle. The conspicuous haircut became a rage across the country when
Mr. Khan himself invited people and gave them a similar haircut personally. He recorded the
whole event and publicised it on various TV channels and online portals which intrigued the
audiences to watch the movie as soon as it released.

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presents

Bollywood
July 12
6:30 pm
India Gate Party Hall
23 Eric Baker Place
Papatoetoe
facebook.com/svaraproductions
Tickets $50
All funds raised
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to SPCA
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6 June 2014
35
ENTERTAINMENT
A
ctress Sonakshi Sinha, mostly seen as the
traditional Indian girl on the screen, will be
seen as a boxer in a sequence in A.R. Murugadoss
forthcoming directorial Holiday: A Soldier is
Never Off Duty. She says personality wise, the
role is closest to me as possible.
There are not many leading actresses in the
Hindi flm industry who shed their girly look to
play a strong sportsperson on the big screen. But
Sonakshi, who has also studied fashion designing,
has no qualms about essaying such roles.
I was interested in it immediately because I
played sports in school and college. Personality
wise, the role is closest to me as possible. It was
like being myself on screen and doing what I love
to do, Sonakshi told IANS here.
I would love to do a flm in the future where I
can explore this facet a little bit more where I can
play sports probably longer, added the actress,
known for serenading the big screen in saris-
backless blouse or bright coloured traditional
attires with her curls left loose in movies.
For the scene, in which she is seen as a boxer
participating in an inter-college championship,
she took some training from Olympics bronze
medallist Vijender Singh and her co-star Akshay
Kuma too gave her tips to prepare for the role.
Yes, I did (take training) but Ive always
been a sportsperson. The basic body language has
always been there. I play a lot of sports like tennis,
basketball and volleyball but boxing is something
that Ive never done before and I needed help on
it, said the 26-year-old.
She said that the Ghajini director wanted
her to look as realistic as possible, so be it her co-
star Akshay or Vijender, who will soon make his
acting debut with Akshays production Fugly,
all forces got together to help her get into the skin
of the character.
He (Murugadoss) didnt want me to look
girly or stylised or fake. Akshay showed me a
little bit about boxing and made me meet boxer
Vijender Singh who told me about the body
language of a boxer and that helped in making it
more convincing on the screen, said Sonakshi.
While the men made sure that she got the boxing
moves right, the women helped her to achieve
the sporty look. The sporty look was styled by
Sakshi Mehra, who is my stylist. Rest of the flm
has been done by Ami Patel, she said.
While she is yet to get an offer that would let
her step into shoes of a sportsperson, she is thrilled
about being chosen for the role in Holiday.
Akshay has worked with me before and he
knew I am into sports. Weve played sports on
many of our flm sets. He knew that I would be
capable of pulling off the character and would
be able to do what the role requires me to do
physically, said the actress, who acted with the
46-year-old in movies like Rowdy Rathore and
Joker.
Produced by Vipul Shah and presented by
Reliance Entertainment, Holiday will hit
theatres June 6.
Id love to do sports film: Sonakshi Sinha
- Natalia Ningthoujam
S
hilpa Shettys IOSIS spa and wellness chain is
branching out to tier-II and tier-III cities. The
actress-turned-entrepreneur says the maximum
potential for growth lies there as women have
the means but feel guilty about stepping out of
home only to pamper themselves. Its a feeling
even she relates to as a mother.
Shilpa and her businessman husband have
a son named Viaan, who will turn two later this
month. In a freewheeling chat on her recent
visit to the capital, Shilpa told IANS: Despite
owning a chain of spas, I call the lady home to get
whatever beauty treatment I need!
Mumbais traffc is awful, and rather than
spending two hours in reaching a salon, Id
rather spend one hour getting a treatment, and
the remaining hour with my son at home. I feel as
guilty as any mother about leaving the house or my
child to pamper myself, she said, but added that
she may not feel as guilty when Viaan is around
eight years old. But largely, she believes change
needs to ensue. Women need to let themselves
go sometimes. Most women get so engrossed
in everyday work and home life that they dont
realise that they arent giving themselves any
time. Shilpa has been part of showbiz for almost
two decades, during which she has entertained
Bollywood buffs with flms like Main Khiladi Tu
Anari, Dhadkan and Life... in a Metro. She
gained international recognition after featuring
and winning Britains Big Brother reality show
in 2007, and she has also been active on the Indian
small screen as a judge on reality shows.
IOSIS, the unisex spa and wellness chain she
co-owns with Kiran Bawa, came into being in
2009. Since its modest beginnings in suburban
Mumbai in 2009, it has a presence in eight
places, including Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Varanasi,
Chandigarh, Raipur, Guwahati and Hyderabad,
and major plans for more are under way.
As part of the wellness industry, we are
conscious of our brand and we are well aware of
who we want to cater to. Of course, people in the
metro cities need spas, but its the tier-II and tier-
III cities where theres a dearth of good spas.
Places like Ludhiana and Chandigarh
have people with a lot of money, but they dont
have access to good wellness places. So, this is
a thought carried forward beautifully by my
business partner Kiran.
Women need wellness, but sometimes they
just dont know what to do - how to pamper
themselves, how to go about it...but I hope we
can make them more aware with our efforts, she
added. Meanwhile, Shilpa is also busy handling
her other roles - a celebrity, a ftness expert, a
co-owner of Rajasthan Royals Indian Premier
League (IPL) franchise, her latest foray into the
jewellery business with Satyug Gold, being a
daughter and being a wife and mother!
She lives life almost queen size, with a house
manager, helpers and chauffers. Yet she says shes
middle-class enough to know the tamaatar ka
bhaav (price of tomato).
Id rather spend time with son
than in spa: Shilpa Shetty
- Radhika Bhirani
Calling Reporters
from Auckland
A fortnightly community newspaper for the Kiwi-
Indian community. We have a large presence in
Auckland in print, and nationally via Online.
We are looking for a dynamic and good reporter, who
knows the pulse of the community.
The reporter should be a multi-tasker with ability
to do interviews, investigative journalism, proles
and advertorials. Past experience is must, but not a
condition for good talent.
Candidates must have a good idea of local news with
a strong focus on the Indian community/Indian news
Full NZ Driving licence will be preferable. Candidates
must have the right to live and work in NZ.
Job open to NZ Permanent residents and citizens.
Work Type: Full Time / Part time
Contact: Farah Khan @ 09 213 7335 or
email: accounts@indianweekender.co.nz
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
36
EVENTS
A
arohi Academy of Music was formed in
2009 to spread Indian Culture and Indian
Music in New Zealand. The Academy has
around 20 students from different age groups
kids, youngsters, housewives and senior
citizens. The Academy is giving music lessons
at the grass root level. We are engaged not only
in teaching Hindustani Classical, Semi-Classical
and Light Music but also bollywood music
using karaoke and live band. Vidyas dream is
to impart quality education in music and singing
and to carry forward Indian culture here in New
Zealand. Aarohi Academy of Music is the right
place to get started.
Aucklanders enjoy different Live-In-
Concerts of Bollywood singers like KK, Shreya
Ghoshal, Asha Bhonsale, and also of local
singers. But none of the concerts were dedicated
to the Bollywood queen of melody and legendary
singer, Lata Mangeshkar. Aarohi Academy has
decided to take the opportunity to give tribute
to such a legendary singer. As this concert is
dedicated to Lata Mangeshkar, all songs will
be from the legends solo and duet collections
comprising of both old and new songs. Since,
it would be impractical to do Latajis all quality
songs in just one show, Aarohi Academy is
planning to organise a series of Live-In-Concerts
with quality songs each year.
The Concert will also promote local talents.
Known singers like Vidya, Shweta, Guncha,
Ritika, Arif, Joseph, Rushikesh, Prashant and
Arun Khotkar, who are all from Auckland, are
going to enliven this Concert along with Vidya.
More singers will be contacted soon to participate
in this Concert. Talented local musicians like
Hemant Thaker, Alex, Joscel, Anthony, Peter
and many more will be demonstrating their
musical talents to entertain the audience.
Mrs Vidya Shekhar Teke is the sole Director
and Shareholder of the Academy. Singing is
her passion; Music is a part of her life. She is
a melodious queen of the sweet voice. She has
been singing right from her childhood and had
formal education from her father, and a few well-
known Music Gurus from Pune City as well as
from Gwalior Gharana. She has taken part in
numerous singing competitions and won most
of them including Kaun Banega Superstar
here in Auckland. She conducted a number of
stage shows and live-in-concerts in India, New
Zealand and Fiji. A few live-in-concerts were
with Bollywood singers like Annu Kapoor,
and Amit Kumar. She is a very versatile singer
and can perform Hindustani Classical, Semi-
Classical and Light Music. She has the ability to
attract audiences and her efforts always receive
applauses from them.
Others in the team are: Arif, Shweta Divekar-
Shirsat, Guncha, Ritika, Prashant Sindhav, Arun
Khotkar, Joseph, Rushikesh Ahinave, Hemant
Thaker, Shivam, Diya Antony,Yempee Antony,
Alex and Joscel
This Live-In-Convert will be held in Dorothy
Winstone Centre, Auckland on 21st June 2014 at
6.30 pm onwards.
Khamoshiyaan gun guna ne lagi:
Tribute to Lata Mangeshkar
www.iwk.co.nz
23 May 2014
36
EVENTS
WHATSOn
Cornwall Park Autumn
Walks
Cornwall Park Information Centre, Manukau
Rd, Auckland
Date: Wednesday 7 May 2014, 10:00am
Date: Wednesday 28 May 2014, 12:00pm
Cornwall Park Autumn Guided Walk
Series Walks take place in the morning
10am-12pm Approximate duration 2 hours.
Bookings essential.
Please call the Cornwall Park Information
Centre.
Phone: (09) 630 8485.
Srimad Bhagavat Katha
Narrated by: Under the guidance and shelter
of Om Vishnupad Sri Srimad Bhakti Vedanta
Narayana Gosvami Maharaj, His disciple
Srimad Bhakti Vedanta Siddhanti Maharaj of
Sri Vrindavan Dham)
We cordially invite you to come and join us in
this most auspicious Bhagavat Katha festival
with your friends and family.
Venue: Bhakti Centre, 11 Pleasant View
Road, Panmure, Auckland.
Date: 20th to 27th May 2014
Program schedule:
Bhajan Kirtan: 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Srimad Bhagavatam discourse: 6:30am-9pm
Sandhya Arati: 9pm
Mahaprashadam: 9:30pm
For more details contact:
Damodar das 021 270 3424
Pravinbhai Patel 021 164 6468
Yogesh Punja 021 786 520
Job Search Workshop
(Highland Park
Community House)
Are you currently looking for work? Our
Team can help you with useful information
and advice around your job search. Join
us for a free workshop on Friday 23rd
May,2014 at our Highland Park centre.
This workshop helps you to learn about
New Zealands business culture and
employment environment, how to write a
Kiwi style CV and cover letter, language
skills needed for job search and the
NZ workplace, interviewing tips, other
services to assist your job search. To make
a booking please phone 095345584 or
email tina.gunn@aucklandcouncil.govt.
nz. (FEE of $40 for visitors visa / working
holiday / international students / NZ
citizens and Permanent residents who have
been in NZ for more than two years)
Waste Minimisation
Workshop
This Wonderful Session is an opportunity
to obtain useful information on waste
minimization on how to sort out the
rubbish and reduce it, how to reuse it to
impact positively on the environment.
Join us for a free workshop on Friday 23rd
May 2014, Time:10:30am-12:00 noon at
our Manukau centre. For registration please
phone 092635490 or email Manukau@
arms-mrc.org.nz.
Orientation Bus Tour
For Newcomers to
Explore Auckland!
This Auckland Bus tour is for Newcomers,
who have been in Auckland for two years
or less on Saturday, 31 May 2014. On this
Bus tour you will visit Arataki Visitor
centre, Auckland Museum, Auckland Art
Gallery, Bastion Point, Cornwall Park.
Cost $ 5.00 per person includes kids 5
years and above and $10 for Tourist visa,
student visa, Resident visa holders above
2 years. To make a booking please phone
092635490 or email Manukau@arms-mrc.
org.nz
For more information contact:
ARMS Manukau Team
2 Osterley Way Manukau/PO Box 27
6035 - Manukau
PH: 09 263 5490/E:manukau@arms-
mrc.org.nz
Website: www.arms-mrc.org.nz
A FAMILY EVENT COMBINING
SONG AND DANCE WITH BOLLYWOOD
HITS, ICONIC KIWI AND WESTERN POP
MUSIC DONE WITH A TWIST.
FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY
NASHA THE BAND - WSS ORCHESTRA
DAMSELS OF DHOOM
DANCE TEAMS
GARAGEWALAS - X LAKE DANCERS - KHOTTEY SIKKEY
SINGERS
RITIKA BADAKERE - LEELA PATEL - VIBHA TRIVEDI
MEGAN O' REILLY - BRONTE PIERSON - CAITLIN KELLY
RAUL CARDOZA - RACHIT BHATIA - LEON RUWHIU
ANARU PROUGHTON - HUIA APIATA
GUEST MUSICIANS
HEMANT THAKER - JOEL COUTTS - RAOUL D'CUNHA
RAVI SHAH - SHAMAL LAL - STEVEN JOHN WINN
TICKETS - $20.00
IN SUPPORT OF
SAT 31 MAY 2014
7PM ONWARDS
AVONDALE COLLEGE
THEATRE
51 VICTOR
STREET
KIDSCAN CHARITABLE TRUST
FOR DISADVANTAGED KIWI KIDS
AVAILABLE AT: YOGIJI'S FOOD MART, MT. ROSKILL
SALUJA'S, BOTANY/ AUCKLAND INDIAN SWEETS, OTAHUHU
MARK - 0212651975 / RAUL - 0211022068 / LIAM - 0212167448
INDO
KIWI
With
GLOBAL ALLIANZ
A FAMILY EXTRAVAGANZA
CROSSOVER CONCERT
PROUDLY PRESENTS
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
37
EVENTS
WHATSOn
Auckland Festival of
Photography
When: Wed 4 Jun 2014, 10:00am6:00pm
Where: 123 Grafton Rd, Auckland
Restrictions: R16
Ticket Information: Admission: Free
Website: www.photographyfestival.org.nz
Tokyo based, award winning British
photographer and writer Rob Gilhoolys
haunting, contemplative photographs depict
the evidence left behind of these one-way
pilgrimages to Suicide Forest - just one of the
many places where over 30,000 people in
Japan end their own lives each year.
Meditation Classes
When: Wed 11 Jun 2014, 7:00pm8:00pm
Where:Grey Lynn Community Centre, 510
Richmond Rd, Auckland
Admission: Free
Website: www.freemeditationnz.com
Sahaja Yoga Meditation
A simple and unique meditation technique
which helps you to achieve your inner balance,
reducing stress and gaining increased self-
awareness (self-realisation) by attaining mental
silence.
Yoga for Your Back -
East West Organics, 34 Portage Rd,
Auckland
Wednesday 7 May 2014, 5:30pm to
Wednesday 18 June 2014, 6:30pm
Website: Balanced Living Centre
Yoga for your Back is an ideal end to a day
where you may feel that you have stress and
tension in your body and mind, or where your
body and energy feels a bit out of balance -
which can happen especially from computer
use.
Job Search Workshop
(Manukau Centre)
Free for migrants less than 2 years in NZ and
with WTR Visa, PR, Silver Fern or Work Visa
Are you currently looking for work? Our Team
can help you with useful information and advice
around your job search. Join us for a free
workshop on Thursday 12th and 26th
June,2014 Time 9.30am 2.30pm at
our Manukau Offce. This workshop helps you
to learn about New Zealands business culture
and employment environment, how to write a
Kiwi style CV and cover letter, language skills
needed for job search and the NZ workplace,
interviewing tips, other services to assist your
job search. To make a booking please phone
09 263 5490 or email Manukau@arms-mrc.
org.nz. (FEE of $40 for visitors visa / working
holiday / international students / NZ citizens and
Permanent residents who have been in NZ for
more than two years)

Job Search Workshop
(Highland Park
Community House)
- Free for migrants less than 2 years in NZ and
Are you currently looking for work? Our Team
can help you with useful information and advice
around your job search. Join us for a free
workshop on Friday 6th June,2014 at our
Highland Park centre. This workshop helps
you to learn about New Zealands business
culture and employment environment, how to
write a Kiwi style CV and cover letter, language
skills needed for job search and the NZ
workplace, interviewing tips, other services
to assist your job search. To make a booking
please phone 09 534 5584 or email tina.gunn@
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. (FEE of $40 for visitors
visa / working holiday / international students /
NZ citizens and Permanent residents who have
been in NZ for more than two years)

English Advice (Manukau
Centre)
-Free for migrants less than 5 years in NZ and
Auckland Regional Migrant Services help
migrants with advice about their level of
English, English classes and referrals to
community resources. Clients are welcome to
bring a support person with them.
Service will be on 29th May, 5th June,
12th June, 19th June and 26th June
2014 at ARMS Manukau (FEE of $30 for
visitors visa / working holiday / international
students / NZ citizens and Permanent residents
who have been in NZ for more than fve years).
Please contact manukau@arms-mrc.org.
nz or 09 2635490 to register or for further
information.
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
38
RECIPE
ENTERTAINMENT
Rubys Kitchen
By Ruby Dhillon
p: 09 213 7335 e: sales@indianweekender.co.nz
www.indianweekender.co.nz
in your mailbox for just
Get your favourite newspaper
$60.00 for 24 issues
[12 month subscription]
INGREDIENTS
8- chicken drumsticks
1- potato (cut into chunks)
4tbsp- coriander powder
2tsp- ginger paste
2tsp- garlic paste
1cup- curd
200g- tomato puree
1tsp- red chilli powder
1tsp- garam masala
3to4- whole red chillis
Sugar a pinch
Salt according to taste
cup- chopped fresh
coriander
1tbsp- oil
METHOD
Take oil in a pan or a wok add whole red chillis and stir. Add ginger garlic
paste and fry until light brown. Add coriander powder, red chilli powder,
garam masala, sugar, salt and stir them.
Beat curd with a fork and add to the masala. Keep stirring on medium heat,
till you see oil on top of the masala, then add tomato puree, potatoes and
chicken to it.
Cover and cook for 6 to 8 minutes or until the chicken is tender.
Serve with lots of chopped coriander on the top.
CORIANDER CHICKEN
TIP:
This chicken will be with little gravy even if you are not adding water to it, because chicken
sheds water and the curd also has water in it so when you cover and cook you dont need
to add water to it.
www.iwk.co.nz
6 June 2014
39
ENTERTAINMENT
Call us at 0508 15 16 17
Offce branches
Head offce: 922, New North Road, Mt. Albert, Auckland Ph: 09 845 4239
Auckland city offce: 283-293 K Road, Auckland CBD, Auckland Ph: 09 5553045
Mount Roskill offce: 1/371 Richardson Road, Auckland Ph: 627 8036
Papatoetoe Puhini Road offce : 1/12H Puhinui Rod, Papatoetoe, Phone: 09 3912340
Threekings offce: Now Open: 509 Mount Albert Road, Auckland Ph: 625 6915
North Shore offce: Unit 5A, 145 Target Road, Glenfeld, Auckland Ph: 09 370 0606
Christchurch offce: 5, 573 Colombo Street, Christchurch Central, Caterbury Ph: 03 366 0312
Indian offce: Hindustan Park, Ground Floor, Kolkatta 700029
info@ecotravels.co.nz
Special fares with Malaysian Airlines to Indian Sub continent starting from $1575.00* (Inclusive all taxes)
*Travel dates : 12th May 2014 -17 November *Sales Expiry : 30th June 2014
Special fares with Singapore Airlines to Indian Sub continent starting from $1555.00* (Inclusive all taxes)
*Travel dates : 10 May to 02 July & 06 Jul to 30 Nov 2014 *Sales Expiry : till 09 June
December Special fares with Singapore Airlines to Indian Sub continent starting from $1940.00* (Inclusive all taxes)
*Travel dates : 01st Dec 2014 to 10th Dec 2014, and 25th Dec to 31st Dec 2014 *Sales Expiry : 12th June 2014
December Special fares with Singapore Airlines to Indian Sub continent starting from $2030.00* (Inclusive all taxes)
*Travel dates : 11th Dec 2014 to 24th Dec 2014 *Sales Expiry : 12th June 2014
December Special fares with Cathay Pacifc Airways to Indian Sub continent starting from $1940.00* (Inclusive all taxes)
*Travel dates : 01st December 2014 to 31st Jan 2015 *Sales Expiry : 16th June 2014
December Special fares with EMIRATES to Indian Sub continent starting from $2075.00* (Inclusive all taxes)
*Travel dates : 01st Dec 2014 to 10th Dec 2014, valid for 4 months *Sales Expiry : 13th June 2014
Special fares with EMIRATES to Indian Sub continent starting from $1740.00* (Inclusive all taxes)
*Travel dates : 21st May 2014 to 30th Nov 2014, valid for 4 months *Sales Expiry : 13th June 2014

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