10JANUARY2020 | Vol 11 Issue 41

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Three Kiwi-Indians Bollywood and

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Honours List to look forward
Pg 4 to in 2020
Pg 28

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 2 NEW ZEALAND Friday, January 10, 2020 The Indian Weekender

2020 - What to expect ahead?

The year 2020 was anyway going to be crucial for New Zealanders for being the election
year when voters will get the chance to either continue with or displace the current
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern – the toast of the global media. However, there are
more reasons for the importance of 2020.
¡ SANDEEP SINGH with the evolution of modern communication and space” has surely been altered in this first

T
he beginning of the year 2020 was not
a regular turnover of another calendar
year; instead, it was the mark of the end
of two decades of the twenty-first century and
the beginning of a new decade.
Analysts often see decades, like centuries,
representing some trends and movements that
can potentially change the world or at least
change the direction where the world is headed
in the near future.
For example, the decade of 1980s is
often considered by many as decadent and
tumultuous as opposed to the decade of 1990s,
which is often remembered as a decade of
relative peace and prosperity, with the end of
the decades-long Cold War and the rise of new
era of communication, business, entertainment,
and globalisation.
It can be safely argued that every decade has
an undercurrent of some subtle forces active
within, and shaping the collective societal
thinking and actions, driving technology and
business, innovations and influencing the
political and strategic decision making of both
state and non-state actors that form broader
trends for that decade.
In that regard the first two decades of this
twenty-first century, which according to some
estimates has passed at a remarkable speed
technologies that has not only shortened
distances and enhanced our mutual inter-
connectedness but have also permanently
altered our collective consciousness about
“time and space.”
It is to say now a majority of mankind
visualises, perceives, and anticipates things in
extreme ends of “time” – either too soon in the
immediate future or too remote in a distant or
even remote future – to a level making all of us
collectively overly anxious and uncertain about
the future.
For the proponents of artificial intelligence
and its disruptive impact on human society,
especially in the overtaking of the levels of the
human intellect, the future is gloomy, and the
end is imminent. Sooner rather than later!
Similarly, for those who are concerned about
climate change, the deterioration of the climate
and the environment is an unmanageable
irreversible process that is set to bring doom,
if not intervened with urgent, radical and often
drastic changes in the modern lifestyle. Those
who tend to disagree with the speed of change
often find themselves clubbed in the category
of “deniers,” and hence against any meaningful
societal actions to prepare mankind for the
future.
Indeed, our collective cognition about “time
two decades of the twenty-first century.
A quick review of the preceding decade of
the 2010s for New Zealand would suggest
our repetitive trysts with disasters – both
natural and manmade. The decade that began
with successive Canterbury earthquakes and
followed by the unfortunate Pike River mine
explosion in 2010-11, ended with the gravest
human inflicted casualty at Christchurch
mosque terror attack and the White island
volcanic eruption in 2019.
Hopefully, the next decade will be gentler –
at least in that respect.
However, an overview of the first few days
of 2020, locally and globally, nearer home, and
places far and away, does give some glimpse
of what Kiwi-Indians and the New Zealanders
in general can expect in the New Year and the
new decade.
Australian Bushfire:
Ramping up concerns
about climate change
T
he last Sunday of the official New
Year holiday period had exposed New
Zealanders across the country to a vivid orange
sky that experts wholeheartedly agreed was a
direct consequence of the ongoing Australian
bushfires.

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 The Indian Weekender Friday, January 10, 2020
The massive bushfires sweeping Australia
have shocked locals in their size and
ferociousness and have now attracted immense
global interest.
New Zealanders are always fully sensitive
and aware of the impacts and the fallout of
our fellow trans-Tasman neighbour. However,
not many would have expected that Australian
bushfires could have directly impacted our
own climate system across a few thousands of
kilometres of Tasman Sea.
In addition to our mutually felt sense of grief,
care, and willingness to support our Trans-
Tasman neighbours, many New Zealanders
would have been compelled to sit back and
think about the reality
of climate change.
Australians, along
with standing in
solidarity with their
fire-fighting efforts,
are also debating about
the possible role of
climate change and
the perceived role of
“Green politics” in
aggravation of the
bushfires.
That debate, largely visible on social media
platforms, with the support of unsubstantiated
claims and reports and even fake news, is much
reflective of debate around climate change and
green-politics in many other societies around
the world, including in New Zealand.
However, conventional wisdom is pointing
towards the fact that green-politics is not
preventing the much-needed hazard-reduction-
burns and therefore responsible for the massive
infernos in any manner. On the other hand,
climate change is also not directly responsible
for the start of bushfires. At best, and
importantly, climate change has contributed
in exacerbating the fire season in Australia
according to the best available scientific
consensus.
To what extent this catastrophic Australian
bush fire season will impact New Zealanders
will depend on the narrative (largely on social
media) they prefer to consume.
However, the Sunday orange sky experience,
will definitely stirrup our collective
consciousness about climate change in one way
or the other in 2020.
Escalation of US-Iran
conflict and the prospects
of long term peace
N
ot many New Zealanders would have
anticipated returning back to work after
the official New Year holiday period with
the news of a dramatic escalation of conflict
between the United States and Iran in the
Middle East.
The news of first President Trump ordering
a drone attack that killed a high profile Iranian
General Soleimani followed by Iran’s retaliatory
attack with a barrage of missiles targeted on
multiple military bases in Iraq, initially send
chills down the spine all around the world, for
the fears of an escalation of conflict in the wider
West Asia region.
NEW ZEALAND 3
Indeed, New Zealand has direct tangible In fact, the changes that first appeared in early
interest in the prospects of long-lasting peace 1990s, and consolidated in the first two decades
in the oil-rich West Asia region that can of the twenty-first century have catapulted India
potentially affect our Kiwi way of life in one to an enviable position of becoming one of the
way or the other. fastest-growing major economies of the world
Fortuitously, in this instance, both sides have – making it a toast of the world, with individual
quickly de-escalated the conflict and backed countries, great powers, global multilateral
down from further escalation. institutions, each racing to establish a mutually
However, that does not mean the end of the
win-win partnership with India.
hostilities between President Trump and Iran,
One such transformation was the tectonic
which is continuing since the United States
unilateral withdrawal from 2015 nuclear deal shift in the nature of the Indian polity, where
the longstanding “left-of-centre political elites”
that Iran had signed with world powers.
was decisively defeated and replaced by a new
The peace is at best ephemeral and short-
set of “centre-right political elites.”
lived, especially with “mercurial leadership”
being at helms of affairs on both sides. The process had begun in 2014 and affirmed
It would be interesting to observe how in 2019 when the new set of political elites
the new decade unfolding in 2020 will affect (centre-right BJP or Bharatiya Janata Party) had
geopolitical hotbed and one of the most decisively uprooted the last remaining relics of
conflict-prone regions of the world. the long-ruling political elites of Lutyen’s Delhi
and firmly established themselves at the saddle,
The transformational to lead the country in the near future, at least
changes in the ‘idea of India’ for a conceivable future, unless there is any
T
here is no escaping from the fact that India major disruption to halt the march of the rise of
has been witnessing a transformational centre-right political forces.
The recently enacted Citizenship Amendment
change in recent times that is rightly attracting
much attention of the world and the global Act is yet another incremental change, among
Indian diaspora, including that of the Kiwi- a long list of few radical, and several not so
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 4 NEW ZEALAND
Three Kiwi Indians make into
the New Year Honours list
The New Year Honours List that was announced by the government on
December 31, 2019, has three Kiwi Indians included in the list for their
achievements and services to the country.
¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
T
he New Year Honours List that
was announced by the government
on December 31, 2019, has three
Kiwi Indians included in the list for their
achievements and services to the country. The
three Kiwi Indians named in the list are:
Jennifer Sabina Khan-Janif, Member of the
New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM), for
services to refugee and migrant communities
Associate Professor Dr Humaira Moeed,
(MNZM) for services to science education and
the community, and,
Harjit Singh, Queens Service Medal (QSM)
for services to the Indian community and
seniors
Dr Humaira (Azra) Moeed, MNZM
S
enior Lecturer for School of Education
at Victoria University of Wellington, Dr
Humaira, better known as Azra Moeed, is a
renowned and multiple award-winning teacher
who has been involved in science education for
most of her life.
Dr Moeed is a proud Indian, born in Uttar
Pradesh, India, and has lived in New Zealand
for 44 years. Her husband Dr Abdul Moeed has
lived in the country for 50 years, is a scientist
working for Ministry for the Environment and
Ministry of Research Science and Technology
(MORST) as a senior policy analyst. The
couple’s daughter is a medical specialist in New
Zealand.
Dr Moeed started her Kiwi journey as a
primary school teacher in Lower Hutt and Play
Centre Supervisor given her experience as a
teacher educator back from India. After a few
years, she became a full-time teacher of science
and biology at Upper Hutt College later serving
as Head of Department of science and then
senior lecturer position at Wellington College
of Education in 2000.
She gained her PhD in science education
in 2010, and during the same period, she
was transferred over as a Senior Lecturer in
Faculty of Education at Victoria University of
Wellington.
In this 45-year career as a teacher, she received
numerous accolades both from her students,
their parents and her peers. She considers her
passion to also be a constant learner the key
behind her success and recognitions in her
teacher’s journey.
“A highlight of my teaching career is summed
up by a 14- year old student who said, ‘Miss I
have never not wanted to come to your class,’
Dr Moeed told The Indian Weekender.
Dr Moeed has been involved in the
organisation of national conferences, has been
a member of the Wellington region Science Fair
judging panel and contributes to the educational
programmes at the Wellington Zoo and the
Allan Wilson Centre of Molecular Evolution.
She has organised a Festival of Science,
Science Challenges for Year 10 students,
supported BP Technology challenge and
established an environmental group for
forest restoration. Dr Moeed was awarded an
Excellence in Teaching award in 1996 and the
Royal Society Science Teacher Fellowship
in 1999., the Victoria University Excellence
in Teaching Award in 2014, Ako Aotearoa
National Tertiary Sustained Excellence in
Teaching Award in 2016 and she was one of
the judges at the inaugural insTED conference
in 2017.
“As a university lecturer, I do research that
matters because it deals with current issues in
science education. My research is embedded
in the classroom and provides a link between
teacher education and science teaching in
schools. One of the inspirations for my research
has been the students I teach and the classrooms
where I conduct my research.
“I have had the privilege to work with some
of the best science teachers in New Zealand and
one of the important aspects of my job is that
my research informs my teaching and it is good
to see my ideas and research findings being
implemented in the classrooms by the student
teachers I have had the opportunity to educate,”
Dr Moeed added.
Dr Moeed regards her success as a teacher
because she cares about the learner and their
learning.
“Caring about the learner means having
strong, respectful and professional relationships
with the students, which includes caring about
their physical, social, emotional and mental
wellbeing. Caring about their learning means
we plan well, teach well, assess well, and
challenge the students to think,” Dr Moeed
added.
Speaking about the honour by NZ
government, MNZM, Dr Moeed says this
recognition makes her feel humble.
“This one makes me feel very humble as it
is a recognition that I have made a contribution
to education in this very lovely country that
has been my home for twice as long as India
where I was born. I feel the country has given
me opportunities to learn and grow and very
rewarding to think I have given something
back,” Dr Moeed said.
Jennifer Sabina Khan-Janif, MNZM
J ennifer Khan-Janif co-founded the
Umma Trust in 2003, which initially
undertook development work in Iraq, and
which diversified in 2008 to provide social
services and support for refugee and migrant
Friday, January 10, 2020
communities, particularly economically
and socially disadvantaged Muslim women,
children and families in the Auckland region.
Mrs Khan-Janif, a fourth-generation Fiji
born Indian migrated to New Zealand in
1989 and joined the public sector in 1990
and since has worked in various roles with a
focus on supporting community development,
identity, ethnic affairs and early intervention
programmes on positive parenting and family
violence. Mrs Khan-Janif is also a poet and
creative arts writer who finds her inspirations
from migration stories and experiences of her
ancestors from Afghanistan, British-India,
Guyana and the Solomon Islands. 
Mrs Khan-Janif regards her parents as her
role model as humanitarians who are committed
to social justice and race relations. 
“My parents are from humble sugarcane
farming background, and I grew in a household
which was culturally and religiously diverse.
My father is of Pathan ancestry, and my mother
mixed ethnic Indian and Melanesian heritage-
so the values of service, volunteering and
giving back to the community was inculcated
in me right from my childhood.
Mrs Khan-Janif is a Justice of Peace
appointed in 1998 and has served on the
Boards of Umma Trust, Shakti Community
Council, Fiji Women’s Group, and is currently
on the Advisory Group for the University of
Auckland’s Centre for Research for Asian and
Ethnic Minorities. She was elected to the Board
of the Africa New Zealand Business Council,
to help promote African business opportunities
with New Zealand companies and vice versa.  voluntarily.
“By working alongside former refugee
communities for the past three decades, I have
watched intergenerational advancement in the
areas of leadership development, participation
in civic life, academic achievement and
excelling in their professional careers,” Mrs
Khan-Janif said. 
“This has enabled in particular for the youth to
give back to their communities and participate
in the wider community which highlights the
values seen in collective cultures,” she added.
Mrs Khan-Janif has presented academic
The Indian Weekender
papers on community development, family
violence and youth development at conferences
in New Zealand and internationally. She works
as a Senior Advisor for the Ministry of Social
Development’s E Tu Whanau programme,
where she holds responsibilities in the Asian,
Migrant and Refugee Communities portfolio,
focusing on projects addressing the elimination
of all forms of violence. 
“I am humbled and honoured to have received
the Member of New Zealand Order of Merit.
It is a privilege to be categorized amongst
fellow New Zealanders who are doing fantastic
working across Aotearoa New Zealand. 
“This award would not have been possible
without the support and encouragement of
many people. My award is a collective success,
and I share this with them all,” Mrs Khan-Janif
said.
Harjit Singh, QSM
H
arjit Singh has contributed to the Sikh
and broader communities in Auckland
since 2007. Mr Singh has volunteered with a
range of community organisations. He became
involved with Age Concern Counties Manukau
in 2008 as a member of the accredited visiting
services team and was appointed to the Board
in 2013.
He is currently Deputy Chair of the Manakau
East Council of Social Services under the Age
Concern Counties Manukau. He is an English
home tutor with English Language Partners
South Auckland, through which he teaches
migrants with limited English language skills
He has been involved with New Zealand
Guru Ravidas Sabha for the past 11 years. He
is also involved with the Global Organization
of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), the
Auckland Sikh Society, the Punjabi Cultural
Society, the Manakau Indian Association, and
the New Zealand Indian Central Association.
He has been an ethnic consultant with the
Howick local board, served as the Chair of the
Indian Kiwi Positive Ageing Group. He is also
a White Ribbon Ambassador and fundraises for
the Cancer Society and the Heart Foundation.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, January 10, 2020
2020:What to expect ahead?
radical, but certainly transformational changes
that India has been witnessing in the last few
decades.
While the supporters of the current political
elites are viewing this enactment as another
incremental change that will reaffirm the
emergent “New India,” the opponents,
particularly those are attributed to have explicit
sympathy with the old ruling political elites
are seeing it as an opportunity of disruption,
and possibly an opportunity to halt their own
electoral fortunes.
The global Indian diaspora, including the
Kiwi-Indian community, is watching these
ongoing transformational changes in India –
a place that many identify as their original or
spiritual home – with much interest and anxiety.
The contest in the idea of India with the
emergent “New India” is easily palpable on
the broader landscape of the Kiwi-Indian
community’s social media, with many choosing
to support the narratives of their preferences.
In that regard, the year 2020 began with the
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 6 NEW ZEALAND
Fiji Indian couple found dead in
Papatoetoe house cremated
¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
R
esidents of South Auckland
woke to up to horrific news
of a couple’s sudden death
and one child with critical injuries
just two days before the new year.
Police were called in around
9:50 a.m. on Monday, December
30 after a body was located inside
a property.
Police identified the deceased
found in a rental property on
Sunnyside Crescent in Papatoetoe
as 32-year-old Sherine Nath who
was found in a bedroom and her
husband Ricki Rohan Nath, 34, Police identified the deceased found in a
who was inside the garage.
The couple’s four-year-old son
rental property on Sunnyside Crescent in
was found in the room injured with Papatoetoe as 32-year-old Sherine Nath
a gash across his forehead and was
who was found in a bedroom and her
taken to Starship Hospital in a
critical condition. husband Ricki Rohan Nath who was
Sherine Nath worked at Fisher inside the garage.
& Paykel and studied at Waitakere
College in West Auckland.
Ricky’s mother said she spoke with her son
last on Christmas Day. She added that Ricky
moved to New Zealand in 2006, where he met decade and were having marital issues, Ricky putting the trampoline together yesterday –
the woman who would become his wife. Nath’s mother told the media.
After two-year cooling off Auckland
house prices on rise again
¡ SANDEEP SINGH
T shown that Auckland’s
he Auckland housing
market is on the
rise again after two
consecutive years of cooling
off, according to CoreLogic
QV December House Price
Index report released on
Wednesday, January 8.
According to the
CoreLogic QV December
2019 House Price Index,
property values rose by 0.9
per cent over the month,
with the annual rate of
growth increasing to four
per cent. That’s up from
the two per cent lull in
June 2019 and the strongest
annual growth figure since
September 2017 (five per
cent).
This increase in house
price is naturally set to bring sellers back into
the market who have either been shying away
or were being reluctant sellers only for quite
some time in a market that was largely a buyer’s
market. The new data from property listings
website Realestate.co.nz has also shown that
Auckland’s property market is effectively a
seller’s market now.
Vanessa Taylor, spokesperson for realestate.
co.nz said, “The total number of homes
available for sale reached never before seen
lows around New Zealand, while the national
average asking price sat over $700,000 for the
first time since records began 13 years ago. We
saw a record low for new listings nationwide.”
Friday, January 10, 2020
“I prayed for my son’s marriage
life for the past nine months, but I
could not save him,” she said.
The neighbour of the deceased
said they did not suspect anything
wrong as they saw the couple and
their son in the garden just a day
before and they had a wonderful
Christmas.
“He was playing with all his
toys, he got a new bike, he was
The couple were married for more than a playing with his toys and things. They were
they didn’t quite finish it. Dad mowed the
In a seller’s market, demand exceeds supply, both remained cautious thereby giving some
or there are more buyers seeking to purchase advantage to the prospective first home buyers
homes than there are available homes on the to get into the property ladder.
market. However, it seems that this recent upward
“Given the limited choice of homes available, swing in the property market might put some
people are often reluctant to sell without having prospective first home buyers in a slight
somewhere to go – especially if the rental disadvantage despite the current levels of
market in their area is cramped. relatively low-interest regime and as some
“This then has a flow-on effect with homes targeted properties might slip out of their hands
coming off the market before new ones go up in a rising market.
for sale,” Ms Taylor said. Notably, in 2019, many prospective first
Many experts had earlier opined, and the home buyers who were earlier locked out of
Indian Weekender had also reported that Auckland’s property market due to skyrocketing
in 2019 Auckland’s housing market was a house prices had finally managed to get their
buyer’s market where investors and sellers foot on the property ladder.
The Indian Weekender
lawns,” the neighbour
told media on condition
of anonymity.
Papatoetoe businesses
came forward to offer
support to the child
while locals held a
minute’s silence on
Tuesday, December
31, afternoon showing
solidarity to those
affected in the tragedy.
Family friends raised
funds to repatriate
Ricky Nath body to Fiji
where his last rites were conducted on Monday,
January 6 at the Nukuloa Cemetery in Ba.
Sherine’s funeral was conducted at Ann’s
Funeral Homes in Wiri, Auckland on Sunday,
January 5 which was attended by more than 300
people. The funeral was live-streamed online
for people who could not travel.
Sherine Nath was remembered as a caring
mother, daughter, sibling and friend by her
family during her last rites at the funeral home.
The deaths have been referred to the coroner.
The couple’s son is now in a stable condition in
Starship Hospital.
The new data from
property listings website
Realestate.co.nz has also
property market is
effectively a seller’s
market again.
However, not everything is gloomy for the
prospective first home buyers in this rising
market in early 2020 as they do not see
property prices going down anytime soon and
continue to remain on the hunt for getting on
the property ladder.
CoreLogic Head of Research, Nick Goodall
said, “First home buyers remain active, and
there has been a re-emergence of property
investors, as their confidence in the market
returns.”
Mortgage Adviser Vins Grover of Finance
Matters told The Indian Weekender “We
expect the market to support both of the buying
categories (investors and first home buyers) as
good numbers of new built homesare fitting
into the pocket size of the first home buyers
while the investors will jump in because they
will have a greater amount of equity with them.
So, we see this as favourable to all.
“With the recent drop in the interest rates,
there will surely be more first home buyers
jumping in to the market and soon this will
invite the investors also who were in the ‘wait
and watch’ mode as they would have more
equity in hand due to the property prices going
upwards. These movements could trigger the
market further towards higher price but at the
same time, we do expect a bit of slow down
during the election this year,” Vins said.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, January 10, 2020 NEW ZEALAND 7

Tauranga Sikh community hosts

seventh annual Nagar Kirtan
¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD

T
he Sikh community in
Tauranga came out on the
streets in thousands on
Sunday, January 5, to participate in
the seventh annual Nagar Kirtan (city
parade) which is held on the occasion
of tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Govind
Singh’s birthday.
The event was attended by
children, men, women and senior
citizens who clad in ethnic Indian
and Sikh dresses doing different
activities through the parade in
the city. Gatka on the way and spoke to the Garry Webber also attended the event
Nagar Kirtan in Tauranga has inquisitive crowd about Sikhism and and draped the Sikh turban during
become one of the most popular its teachings. the event.
events in the calendar of the city “We had extraordinary “We were really impressed by the
that is well received by the Sikh participation from the community participation from women in our
community. in Tauranga, and we had people community and the youth (girls and
The parade is not just an activity boys) who volunteered for different
who had come from outside the
but a celebration of the Sikh religion
city to attend and make the parade activities during the parade, such as
and a means to spread the teachings
successful,” Pooran Singh said. looking after the traffic, road safety,
of Guru Govind Singh to the
community. Nagar Approximately 3000 people from providing water and refreshments
The parade started from Kirtan in Tauranga and the outskirts of Bay to the participants, arrange langar,
Gurudwara Sikh Sangat Tauranga, Tauranga has cleaning and making sure everything
become one of the most of Plenty attended Nagar Kirtan
walking through the CBD and went smooth,” Mr Singh added.
popular events in the event. Parliamentarians attending
circling back to the temple. Children Mr Singh said the key message
calendar of the city that played live harmonium, tabla singing the event were Minister of Ethnic
and adults dressed in their ethnic behind this annual exercise is to
is well received by the walking kirtan throughout the parade. Communities Jenny Salesa, and
bright yellow and indigo blue gatka spread the values of Sikhism and
Sikh community in the
uniform and presented gatka in the The parade was led by the National Party MPs Dr Parmjeet teachings of Sikh Gurus to the
p a ra d e
background of soaring kirtan music president of the Sikh Sangat in Parmar and Kanwaljit Bakshi who community such as helping the ones
carried the
to the public gathered on the streets. Tauranga Pooran Singh followed said he makes sure to participate in in trouble, providing shelter to the
saffron flag representing the Sikh
Gatka is a form of Sikh martial by the drenched floral trailer, men, this event in Tauranga every year. homeless, feed the hungry and treat
community.
arts learned and practised by the women and children who cleaned Mayor of Tauranga, Tenby Powell everyone with love, respect and
A trailer decorated in flowers
Sikh community. Some of the men the road using a broom, performed and the Mayor of Bay of Plenty dignity.
carried seniors and musicians who
 8 NEW ZEALAND
Pay attention to what
belongs in the recycling bin
¡ IWK BUREAU
W to Australia
hen you’re taking steps to clean out
your home or garage, please pay
attention to what belongs in the
recycling bin. Currently, about 12 per cent of
what we pick up from our kerbside recycling
collection is either non-recyclable items that
people incorrectly put in the bin or items that
are too contaminated to recycle.
Unfortunately, Auckland Council has to send
this waste to local landfills. On the ‘hit list’ of
worst common items that end up in kerbside
recycling bins are shoes, batteries, medical
waste, nappies, and clothing.
There are many great options for keeping
your unwanted items out of the landfill.
Parul Sood, Auckland Council’s General
Manager for Waste Solutions, offers these tips
to make it easy for you to do the right thing
when you are done de-cluttering:
If you are donating to an Op Shop, make sure
it is an item that someone else wants to buy.
Take a minute to check clothing for stains or
holes, and call ahead to confirm they need what
you are offering. Smaller places lack storage
and can be inundated at this time of year.
Turn your worn-out clothes into rags instead.
You can drop off fabrics to Kiwi Cleaning
Rags in Mangere anytime during their opening
hours. Last year, they repurposed an estimated
360 tonnes of clothing fabric
Visit a Community Recycling Centre for a
one-stop drop-off for most items. Community
recycling centres aim to reduce waste to landfill
by reusing, re-purposing and upcycling as
much as possible. The centres have shops on-
site to sell household and building materials.
New Zealand Police
releases public app
¡ IWK BUREAU
P P
olice have
released a free
mobile app for
Apple and Android
devices, providing
another channel for
the public to access
policing services,
information, news
and alerts while on
the go and when it
suits them.
The NZ Police
app is available
for download from the Google Play
Store  and Apple App Store.
Commissioner of Police, Mike Bush, says the
app gives users an easy way to receive national
and local Police news, alerts and safety advice;
report incidents and issues to Police via the
new 105 online form; and access other policing
services.
With customisable notifications, app users
can opt-in and choose what Police news and
alerts they want to receive.
“Our staff will always be at the centre of
keeping people safe and making them feel safe.  ¡ Closing all windows, including sunroofs.
“However, as Commissioner, I’ve also
ensured we are able to maximise technology
developments to provide for new and improved
ways to access and receive policing services, as
part of our mission ‘to be the safest country,”
Police Commissioner Mike Bush said.
Commissioner Bush says the app is part of
a wider suite of work Police is undertaking
They will also take your green waste or rubbish,
saving you a trip elsewhere
Book an Auckland Council inorganic
collection online, by phone at 09 301 0101,
or visit one of our service centres. Use it for
some items not appropriate for your kerbside
bins, such as appliances, furniture, electronics
and lawnmowers. There is no charge for your
on-property collection; it is included in your
property’s rates.
Wherever you choose to donate your items,
please only drop off during open hours.
Otherwise, it is illegal dumping and you may
be fined.
Got an item you’re not sure what to do with?
Use this online tool, and we will tell you the
best way to dispose of it responsibly.
Last year, we also found dead animals, golf
clubs, barbed wire, prosthetic body parts, flares,
firearms and ammunition in kerbside recycling
bins.
Make sure items containing lithium-based
batteries such as phones, gaming consoles,
laptops, power tools, and vapers never go in
to modernise its service delivery to ensure
everyone in New Zealand, including
international visitors, can access policing
services anywhere, anytime.
“I look forward to announcing further digital
technology developments in early 2020.”
Friday, January 10, 2020 The Indian Weekender
New Zealand
your recycling bin as they pose a significant
Defence Force
sends support
fire safety risk.  These items should be taken to
a specialist e-waste recycler instead. 
Take a step towards zero waste
M
inister of Defence Ron Mark today
While enjoying the summer and celebrating
announced New Zealand is sending
holiday festivities last January, Aucklanders
three Royal New Zealand Air Force
generated 3240 tonnes more waste. That’s the
equivalent of 114 double-decker buses. If each NH90 helicopters and crew, and two NZ
Auckland household reduced their waste by just Army Combat Engineer Sections as well as a
1 kilogram over the summer season, this would command element to support the Australian
reduce Auckland’s summer waste by around 18
Defence Force efforts in tackling the Australian
double-decker buses’ worth every year.
Parul Sood reminds us, fires.
“The best way to de-clutter is to avoid The New Zealand Defence Force support
waste in the first place. We ask all residents to will deploy by Australian Defence Force C-17
consider the full life cycle of everything they and New Zealand Defence Force C-130 from
use or purchase.” Ohakea Airforce Base on a number of flights
“A circular economy is one in which we keep from Monday to Wednesday.
resources in use for as long as possible, extract “This latest NZDF support is being provided
the maximum value from them while in use, and
in addition to the latest rotation of five NZDF
then recover, regenerate, recycle or upcycle.
For example, when people use Auckland Firefighters deployed to bolster numbers of
Council’s inorganic collection service, we emergency responders on the ground,” says
recover anything we can repair, repurpose, or Ron Mark.
recycle to prevent items from going to landfill. “We need to mention and thank those
“More than 6000 tonnes of material have Defence Force spouses, partners and children
been diverted from landfill since the service whose holiday plans are being interrupted as
was rolled out in 2015. Bookings are open now,
their family members are being called back to
and you can cancel if you no longer need it
assist our Australian cousins in their time of
closer to your date.”
Whichever option you choose for your need,” says Mr Mark.
“I am truly grateful, and I thank them for their
cleanout, please remember that leaving
unwanted items to languish on the kerbside is understanding and support.“
a form of illegal dumping. The NZDF contingent will deploy to Royal
If you see dumped rubbish on public property, Australian Air Force Base Edinburgh, in
call Auckland Council at 0800 NO DUMP Adelaide, South Australia, and will remain in
(0800 66 3867), and we will help take care of
Australia at least until the end of January. The
it and investigate to find out who’s responsible.
NH90s will undertake transport tasks.
Police remind people
to lock it or lose it
¡ IWK BUREAU
olice are reminding
people to keep their
vehicles and property
safe after recent thefts at
local attractions.
A 29-year-old Napier
woman has been arrested
following a Hawke’s
Bay Tactical Crime Unit
investigation into recent
thefts from vehicles parked If
in the Maraetotora Falls and you’re
Tangoio Walkway carparks. heading out for the
She will appear in day, think about leaving
Hastings District Court on Friday 10 January valuables at home or at
charged with two counts of theft and one count ¡ If you your accommodation where
have to
in relation to using a stolen Eftpos card. they are safe. Thieves will
leave
Police want to remind the public that vehicles break in for something
valuables
parked in rural or secluded spots, like carparks as small as loose
in your
at our local attractions, can be targeted by change
thieves. car, make
You can minimise their opportunities by: sure they are out of
¡ Always taking keys with you when you leave sight, but remember hiding them is not as
your vehicle safe as removing them.
¡ Always locking your vehicle when you leave ¡ Don’t leave documents with personal
it. information or keys to your house/business/
boat etc in your vehicle.
¡ Parking in well-lit areas if possible. ¡ Consider installing an alarm
¡ Not leaving valuables in your car. to provide extra security.
Please take the opportunity to protect
If you’re heading out for the day, think
about leaving valuables at home or at your yourself, your personal property, and your
community.
accommodation where they are safe. Thieves
will break in for something as small as loose Information can be provided by calling
Police on 105, or 111 if a crime is occurring.
change.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, January 10, 2020
Tobacco tax hike prompts fear among
dairy owners
¡ RADIO NEW ZEALAND
D
airy owners want the government to
step in and help fund increased security
as another tobacco price rise comes
into effect.
An automatic 11.46 per cent increase will go
ahead on New Year’s Day 2020, the last of four
consecutive excise hikes put in place by the
former National Party government.
Crime Prevention Group president Sunny
Kaushal said aggravated robberies were on the
rise because tobacco was so expensive.
“This has been a continuing issue as the
government increases the tax year after year
and it’s not the solution to deter people from
smoking, in fact, it’s doing more damage.
“Some of the consumers who cannot afford
tobacco are indulging in the black market and
the black market is driven by criminals and that
includes violence on dairies and shops.”
The group represents most dairy owners
throughout the country. Kaushal said shop
owners needed government help to protect
themselves.
“The government is collecting over $2
billion in tobacco taxes but is not even spending
a fraction of it [on safety].”
The former National Party government
set aside $1.8 million in June 2017 that shop
owners could apply for if they wanted to install
safety systems like alarms, fog cannons and
safes.
Kaushal said that fund was a good start but it
needed to be topped up.
“About 400 or 500 dairies or shops got
assistance but then the fund finished and I’ve
been asking the current government, what are
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the next plans. We have over 3000 dairies and
we desperately need those funds.
“Dairy owners are not rich people, they are
hardly making minimum wage. They cannot
spend money protecting their shops and putting
in expensive equipment. The government needs
to come in because they are collecting the GST aggravated robberies was another unintended because of the tax increase - cigarettes are now
and the tax and so it’s also the government’s consequence of the policy - which she had like gold.”
responsibility to make sure our businesses and initially supported. Glover said it would be better to encourage
communities are safer.” “It’s been like the wild wild west here in people to make the move to alternatives like
New Zealand with aggravated robberies and vaping, instead of any more prices hikes.
Price hikes affecting serious harm being done to some shopkeepers. This news piece was originally published
the vulnerable You know, one man lost an eye and another on Radio New Zealand and is being re-
I ndependent researcher Marewa Glover said was slashed down their arm with a machete. published by The Indian Weekender in the
the price hikes were disproportionately So these are very, very serious crimes and it’s agreement of content partnership.
affecting vulnerable members of society and
they needed to stop.
“What we need to be looking at is the very
high smoking rates among vulnerable groups.
The lower socio-economic, the poorest people
have disproportionately high smoking rates,
mental health consumers and Maori still have
this huge inequity in smoking rates compared
to non-Maori, non-Pacific people.
“So, these particular groups, the most
vulnerable with the highest smoking rates are
paying way more than they can now afford.”
She said high prices had proven a lot of
people wouldn’t quit even if they could not
afford it.
“If anything, I believe, it’s driving financial
stress, causing extra strain and that becomes a
driver to smoke. So the policy that was supposed
to get people to stop smoking is actually driving Level 1, 2 Princes Street, Auckland Central 1010
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She said attacks on dairy owners in
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 10 NEW ZEALAND Friday, January 10, 2020 The Indian Weekender

Indian-American tourist named 17th

fatality of White Island eruption
¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD

N
ew Zealand Police earlier
on Monday, December
23, confirmed that another
person had died admitted at the
Middlemore Hospital following
the White Island eruption.
Police said the victim died
before 11 p.m. on Sunday,
December 22.
The New York Post revealed the
name of the deceased as Atlanta
woman Mayuari ‘Mary’ Singh
who was with her husband on
the tour of the White Island on
December 9.
Mayuari Singh received 70 per cent burns The search for two missing victims of the
of the Whakaari / White Island eruption was eruption was suspended on 24 December. The New York Post
on her body and died at the hospital due to
conducted by Coastguard and Police between However, police have staff available and ready
complications in her treatment which included revealed the name of
the island and the mainland. to respond if any new information becomes
skin grafts on burned areas of the body, NY Post
“No further items of significance were available. the deceased as Atlanta
& 11Alive reported.
located,” Police media reported. “We remain in close liaison with Mana
Mayuari Singh’s husband Pratap, ‘Paul’ woman Mayuari ‘Mary’
There are currently 13 patients being cared
Singh, received 40 per cent burns on his body Whenua, namely Ngati Awa and another coastal
for at four hospitals around New Zealand Singh who was with her
and remained hospitalised. iwi from the Matatatua waka, and are also
– Middlemore, Hutt Valley, Waikato, and
Mayuari Singh’s death brings the total death working closely with the key agencies involved husband on the tour of
Christchurch. 4 of these patients are critical.
toll from the White Island’s fatal eruption to 17, since the disaster with the aim of keeping all
13 patients have been transferred to Australia.
safe as the response to the disaster continues,”
the White Island
16 of whom died in New Zealand and one in
Australia. WHAKAARI/WHITE ISLAND- Police media said.
The last update as per New Zealand Police SUPPORT CONTINUES FOR The Police investigation on behalf of the
says that two people, Hayden Marshall-Inman, Coroner is continuing, in parallel with the Authorities have not returned to the island
40, and 17-year-old Winona Langford are still
ERUPTION VICTIMS WorkSafe New Zealand investigation since the recovery mission was completed.
missing and the search for their body was
suspended on December 24, 2019. P olice are continuing to support the victims
of the Whakaari/White Island eruption
along with the whanau of those who died or not
“Many of our staff involved worked long
hours during the operation and we are ensuring
they are receiving the appropriate wellbeing,
A rahui placed on the island was lifted on
29 December, and MPI has issued a warning
notice advising people not to eat kai moana
An extensive aerial search for further victims
yet returned support and rest.” taken within a 1km zone of the island’s coast.

Migrant family’s misfortune as visiting father

hospitalised just after travel insurance lapses
¡ SANDEEP SINGH
The medical emergency

A
young Kiwi-Indian migrant
family is reeling under
stress, uncertainty and
misfortune as their visiting father
have been hospitalised after suffering
from brain haemorrhage and multiple
organ failure just after the parent’s
travel insurance lapsed.
Rameshkumar Venibhai Patel,
who was visiting his daughter
Bhumikaben Patel and son-in-law
Yogesh Patel has suffered from brain
haemorrhage and multiple organ
failure and is currently hospitalised
in Auckland’s Middlemore hospital
for almost 30 days.
The parents were visiting New
Zealand to provide initial post-natal
care and support to their daughter
after the couple recently had their
first baby in September 2019 and had
almost their feet out of New Zealand
when the medical emergency struck
the family.
The parents had boarded their
return-flight when they were
disembarked and referred to a doctor
(GP) owing to the father’s unstable
blood pressure that was deemed
unsafe for the air-travel.
The medical crisis started on
December 11, 2019 – the last day
that covered their parents medical
and travel insurance in New Zealand
– when the father was disembarked
from the flight and was referred to
the doctor (GP).
After visiting a GP on the same
day and getting medicines, father
suffered a brain haemorrhage and
multiple organ failure in the next
couple of days, requiring urgent
emergency hospitalisation.
Unsurprisingly, since then the
migrant couple, along with dealing
with an emotional crisis, is also
reeling with the crippling fear of
footing a mounting medical bill that
is expected to rise to around hundred
thousand dollars, if not more.
Yogesh Patel, 30, who has been
on forced leave from work ever
since this misfortune struck their
family shared their plight with The
Indian Weekender before making an
emotional plea to the community to
support them in footing the mounting
medical bills.
“Our parents had come to support
us at the time of birth of our first
child, and we have done everything
to cover all potential risks including
medical costs during their stay in
New Zealand,” a visibly stressed
Yogesh told the Indian Weekender.
However, the misfortune had
struck them on the very last day of
the validity of their insurance cover,
and their stay has to be extended
involuntarily.
The medical emergency that
precipitated in the next few days
that precipitated in the
next few days resulting
in multiple organ
failures, including brain
haemorrhage and cardiac
arrest has turned the
fortunes of the family
upside down at a time
when they were already
recovering after the
birth of a new baby
resulting in multiple organ failures, A fundraiser has been created by a
including brain haemorrhage and family friend on Facebook requesting
cardiac arrest has turned the fortunes help from generous donors and the
of the family upside down at a time wider community to support the
when they were already recovering young family at this distressful hour.
after the birth of a new baby. The family is also in the process of
creating a Givealittle page to reach
Yogesh had first arrived in New
Zealand on a student visa for Level 7 out to New Zealanders for support.
Meanwhile, donors keen to
business diploma course in 2015 and
assist the distressed family can
is currently on a three-year essential
send their contributions directly on
skills work visa, while his wife is
the following details (the Indian
also not working after delivering
baby late last year. Weekender has not independently
verified bank details):
“While we pray to God and do
everything in our control for our Bhumikaben Rameshbhai Patel
father’s treatment and recovery, the ASB A/c num: 12-3100-0414239-00
rising medical bill will definitely be Mobile-0272727990
beyond our means,” Yogesh said. ••
 The Indian Weekender Friday, January 10, 2020 NEW ZEALAND 11

Dr Mashoor Gulati
aka Sunil Grover to
perform in Auckland
¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD

G
oing by his iconic stage characters such
as Guthi, Rinku Bhabhi and Dr Mashoor
Gulati, actor and stage comedian Sunil
Grover is once again coming to Auckland to
entertain his fans.
After giving several big hits such as Pataakha,
Bharat alongside Salman Khan and Coffee with
D- Sunil Grover has created his name as one
of the most entertaining actor/comedian of
this age.
Dominating the small screen on The Kapil
Sharma Show, Comedy Circus, Comedy
Nights with Kapil and most recently Big Boss something that he is born with,” Mr Iyer added.
Season 13- Sunil Grover promises to get the The hosts guarantee that ‘Sunil Grover- Live
audience off their seats with his rib-tickling in Auckland’ will bring loads of laughter and
comedy show coming up on February 28, at smiles to the audience and every person in the
Victory Convention Centre, Freemans Bay auditorium will go home with a happy memory.
in Auckland. “We promise to give you a night full of
CFI Events is the Events Manager of show entertainment- watch out for Guthi, Rinku
co-ordinated by RS Promotions, presented by Bhabhi, Dr Mashoor Gulati and Amitabh
Travel Corner & Bindu’s Brow+Beauty. Bachchan, all one stage and one night!” Mr
“We all know that Sunil is a versatile actor Iyer added.
and has portrayed so many different roles in The supporters of this event are Finance
his career, surely you will get to see a lot of Matters as Special Partner, Eggs and More
variety on the stage as well,” Event Manager catering partner, the Indian Weekender as the
of the show, Ram Iyer from CFI Events told the media partner, Radio Tarana as radio partner
and online ticketing on iTicket.
Indian Weekender.
“The initial response has been great, so we
“We think he will never run out of his
are expecting the venue to get filled up given
unique performance as he can even copy a
that tickets are at affordable prices.
normal person walking beside him and mimic
“It’s a full paisa vasool show with fun,
him immediately within his first meet and,
laughter and loads of masti,” Mr Iyer said.
also create new characters in a jiffy- this is

PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATIONS,
RESEARCH AND POLICY ADVISOR
An exciting new opportunity has arisen to provide high-quality communications,
research and policy support to Priyanca Radhakrishnan, MP in the Onehunga
office. We are looking for a candidate who is self-motivated, has strong media
skills and an understanding within ethnic affairs. This position offers real
variety and plays a vital behind-the-scenes part in the parliamentary process.
You will be trusted to communicate complex issues in everyday language via
a range of media and communication channels. Additionally, you will provide
robust advice to develop and implement the communications strategy. This
role is a varied and multifaceted one where on any given day you will be tasked
with anything from drafting speeches and press releases, to engaging with
the community, to assisting in the development of Priyanca Radhakrishnan’s
ethnic affairs communications policy and researching her particular areas of
interest. You will have demonstrated experience in analysing and interpreting
data and a good knowledge of research methodology.
Our ideal candidate will have an in-depth understanding of the ethnic affairs
community landscape in Auckland as well as a firm grasp on the current
political landscape.
This role is for up to 40 hours per week. Some flexibility in hours will be
required, particularly when the House is sitting. This is an events-based, fixed-
term role linked to the term of the Member of Parliament.

Applications close Sunday, 19 January 2020

If you have any questions regarding this role please contact
Talent@parliament.govt.nz.
 12 NEW ZEALAND Friday, January 10, 2020 The Indian Weekender

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T
akanini Gurudwara under
Supreme Sikh Society
took a unique route to
cruise into the new year by
getting the community to pray
from New Year’s eve for the next
three days until Guru Purab on
Friday, January 2, 2020.
Every year Takanini
Gurudwara presents an array
of performances by bringing
the community together for
prayers, langar, children’s event and an
iconic firework but this year the temple
organised just a prayer service and
Nagar Kirtan parade for the new year
activity.
“The World is burning so pray to
God bring peace and love for everyone,
irrespective of their culture, caste,
religion, ethnicity and nationality,”
Daljit Singh, President of Supreme Sikh
Society of New Zealand told the Indian
Weekender.
The Gurudwara invited community
members on the New Year’s Eve, and
the kirtan started at 6 p.m. until 12:30
On Friday, January 2, approximately
birth anniversary of 10th Sikh Guru,
3000 people gathered at the temple
a.m. on Wednesday, January, 1 praying Guru Govind Singh. 2020 marks the
to participate in the Nagar Kirtan
for peace, humanity and wellbeing of 345th birth anniversary of Guru Govind
parade, including senior citizens, men, Singh observed globally on January 2
the world. After a few hours break, the
kirtan started again at 4:30 a.m. until approximately 400 women and children. with prayers and Nagar Kirtan.
10 p.m. where thousands of community The procession went through the Supreme Sikh Society currently
members attended the Gurbani sessions Great South Road in South Auckland carrying renovations of the Takanini
at different intervals of the day. reciting kirtan on the way, and spreading Gurudwara which is expected to be
“Our children took an important part the message of Sikhism. shining new given its multi-million
in all the ceremonies and led the parade dollar and world’s first mega sports
Guru Purab is an important festival
early in the morning with our flags,” Mr
Singh added.
for the Sikh community celebrating the
complex in a gurudwara (Outside India)
will be inaugurated on March 22, 2020.

South Asian Community Leaders Group

meets with senior Immigration officials to
discuss visa issues
¡ SANDEEP SINGH Zealand, and we had some positive

T
he South Asian Community
Leaders Group representing
South Asian countries
including India, Pakistan, Nepal,
Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and
Bangladesh, had met with senior
management of Immigration
New Zealand just before the
Christmas break.
The meeting was part of ongoing
engagement with the government to
discuss the proposed changes made
in the immigration policy affecting
migrant communities and finding an
amicable solution.
The Immigration New Zealand was
led by Stephen Dunstan - General
Manager, Matt Hoskin - National
Manager Immigration Engagement,
Jeannie Melville - National Manager
Education and Tourism, Jason Chand
- Relationship Manager and the
support staff.
Speaking with the Indian
Weekender, Sunny Kaushal, the
spokesperson of the Group, said,
“It was a good meeting with senior
management of Immigration New
outcomes.”
The agenda included briefing
and educating the INZ management
about the background, contribution
and crucial role the South Asian
communities have been playing in
the nation-building for over 100
years in NZ.
The Group leaders had expressed The Group leaders had
their concerns in details on
unprecedented situation caused
expressed their concerns in
The National being moved to Beijing and Hamilton
by the delays in the processing details on unprecedented Manager of offices to make the Mumbai office
of various category visas and the
financial, social and cultural costs
situation caused by the Education and workload more manageable.
delays in the processing of Tourism advised At the end the interactive session,
suffered by the migrant community
due to its actions. that the Mumbai Mr Kaushal submitted a memorandum
various category visas and the office is being to the Immigration New Zealand
Prior to this meeting, members
of the public in large numbers financial, social and cultural overhauled and signed by all the community
had contacted the South Asian numbers of staff leaders and emphasized the on the
costs suffered by the migrant are now increased need of continued engagement and
Community Leaders Group sending
overwhelming written questions community due to its actions. from 35 to 77. A setting up of a consultation group
online for INZ, were also presented new operational representing South-East Asian
to the INZ management. manual and training countries. The key submissions
A presentation was also given Among the major operational model has been introduced to bring included formal structuring of INZ
by the INZ officials on draft new announcement, the demand to efficiencies and reduce the delays, a officers’ discretionary powers and
policies and operational changes overhaul the Mumbai branch that major concern earlier raised by the transparency in their decision-
based on previous submissions and was pressed by the South Asian community leaders. The National making process and the need for
feedback submitted by the South Community Leaders from the very Manager also advised that some cultural reports in the culturally
Asian communities. beginning has been actioned. non-Indian visa applications are now arranged marriage visa applications.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, January 10, 2020 NEW ZEALAND 13

Kite Festival is back Smoke a timely reminder

this Sunday, Jan 12 to check inhalers
S
moke from Australian bush fires could expire, and so you should ensure that your
¡ RIZWAN have effects on asthma, COPD, and inhalers are up to date in case you need them."
MOHAMMAD other respiratory conditions if it reaches Smoke can irritate the airways and trigger
low air levels, says Asthma and Respiratory worsening of respiratory illnesses such as

T
he great Indian Foundation NZ. asthma, bronchitis, or COPD, with children
Kite festival This smoke has been drifting across the and the elderly being among those most at risk
organised by Tasman for several days, with noticeable effects of unexpected flare-ups. Reducing the chance
Vaishnav Parivar (NZ) on weather across the North Island. of exposure or outdoor exertion can help to
Inc. is back on Sunday, ARFNZ Chief Executive Letitia Harding prevent any complications.
January 13 at Eastdale says that, while there haven’t yet been official "The best advice we can give is to keep
reports of increased respiratory problems taking your preventer medications, and keep
Reserve in Avondale.
for New Zealanders, people with respiratory your reliever medication on hand," says Letitia.
The festival that is
conditions should be mindful of potential risks. "If you are experiencing worsening of your
hosted celebrating the "If you have a respiratory condition, you
occasion of Makar respiratory condition, or believe you may be
should ensure that you keep your medication
Sankranti attracts more developing symptoms, contact your GP as soon
with you at all times," says Letitia. "It’s also
as possible to discuss your options."
than 8000 people every a good time to remember that medication does
year and is poised to get even bigger this year. people. There will be a number of performances
The organisers have arranged 5000 kites, on the stage by local artists and dance groups
strings from India that the public can buy from who will entertain the crowd.
the venue at a nominal price. “During the event, we get seniors and women
“In the last few years, we have seen the of our Gujarati community who start doing the
community coming to the event not just to fly garba near the stage that eventually is joined by
kites but to have a complete family outing or over 60 people, all-dancing at once which looks
picnic, and this is what has made Kite Festival magnificent,” Mr Patel said.
bigger every year,” Manhar Patel, president of There will be a number of stalls, and
Vaishnav Parivar (NZ) Inc. said. sponsored gifts, raffles and lucky draw with
The event is very popular amongst young different prizes and travel coupons for the
Kiwi Indians, Kiwis, Fiji Indians, Islanders winners. There will also be a gazebo at the
and also residents in the region who come with venue where senior citizens can sit, and relax
different designs of kites to fly at the event. away from the sun and different drawing, henna
“We start the event around 11 a.m., and the and face painting activities will be held for the
ground gets almost full with families running children. The organisers have also arranged
with their kites by afternoon, especially children bouncy castles and merry-go-round for the
who buy and fly multiple kites and camp their children to play at the venue.
tents at with the families,” Mr Patel added. “I invite all my community members, get
Besides the kite flying activity, the event will your families, neighbours and friends to be a
have several food stalls that will sell delicious part of their great kite festival and make it a
Indian snacks, kulfi, drinks, tea and lassi for the grand success once again,” Mr Patel added.

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 14 NEW ZEALAND Friday, January 10, 2020 The Indian Weekender

Auckland residential housing market at

most buoyant in four years in December
T
he Auckland residential housing market
ended 2019 strongly with December
sales numbers being their highest in four
years and prices holding onto most of the gains
made in November.
“Based on year end trading, the Auckland
housing market is set for an active late
summer and autumn selling season,” said Peter
Thompson, Managing Director of Barfoot &
Thompson.
“In November, prices increased significantly
with sales numbers remaining modest. In
December it was the reverse, with sales
numbers moving significantly and with prices
holding onto most of November’s gains.
“The market is the most buoyant it has been
at this time of the year for three to four years.
“We sold 777 properties in December, in
excess of 50 percent more than we sold in the
same month last year. You would have to go
back to 2014 for December sales numbers to be
significantly higher.
“The average selling price for the month at
$949,092 is the third highest monthly sales
price on record, and the median price for the
month at $865,000 is the third highest for the
past 24 months.
“Buyers have reached the point where they
realise the market is potentially ready to move
forward and are acting decisively.
“New listings for the month at 682 were
excellent for a December, the highest for this
month for three years.
“The strong December performance has
left the market extremely short of stock and
at month end we had only 3191 properties on
our books, the lowest number in any month for
more than four years. Properties for sale were
13.8 percent lower than in the previous month
and limited stock is holding back sales activity.
“The rural and lifestyle market ended the
year relatively quietly. While sales numbers for
the month were up compared to the same month
last year prices did not follow the trend being
experienced in the urban areas at year end.
“New listings in the rural and lifestyle market
were strong towards year end, improving
available choice, which had been restricted
earlier in the year.
2019 in comparison to 2018
“When reviewing 2019 on a 12-month
v 12-month basis with 2018, the Auckland
property market has been stable.
“In 2019, the average number for new listings
on a monthly basis (at 1226 v 1413 for 2018),
listings at month end (4086 v 4486) and sales
(777 v 805) were lower than for 2018. It shows
fewer homes came to market, choice was more
restricted and fewer sales were made.
“At the same time the average price on a
monthly basis in 2019 at $933,259 was up 0.4
percent, and the median price at $839,250 was
up 0.3 percent on those for 2018.
“However, when the average and median
prices for the last two months of the year are
compared, the average monthly price in that
period is 1.3 percent higher and the average
monthly median price is 1.7 percent higher.
“It is this late surge in prices that has changed
the public’s perceptions as to where the property
market is now heading.”

Boxing Day tops busy How has

season for merchants your income
A
merry
was had by
time was highest outside
the major centres, changed?
A
shoppers and including Marlborough new interactive web tool lets people see how incomes have
merchants this year, (+13.3%), Wanganui changed where they live, Stats NZ said today.
across the Paymark (+11.5%) and “Our tool demonstrates what we can do solely from tax data
network. A new peak and is part of ongoing work to develop new statistics using existing
Wairarapa (+11.2%).
spend was reached on data,” analytics manager Alan Bentley said.
Spending growth was
Friday 20 December “For example, we can see that median annual income for women in
moderate in Northland/
and spending over the their early 40s in the Gore district increased from $27,800 in 2009 to
Auckland (+1.5%)
six weeks leading into $37,400 in 2017.”
but down in Otago
Christmas Day was up Stats NZ’s new experimental web tool lets you see how your income
(-0.8%) and West Coast compares with the rest of New Zealand for your age group and sex, by
an underlying 4.6%
(-3.2%). region or district, from Gore to Whangarei. You can also see how median
on last year to $8,887
Spending at incomes have changed across New Zealand.
million.
Supermarkets (+5.1%)
The pre-Christmas
and Liquor retailers Image of new web tool showing regional annual median income of
spend got away to a 25–29-year-old men
(+14.2%) was up on
strong start with the Boxing Day last year,
Black Friday sales late as too was spending at
November, with the Cafes and restaurants
Boxing Day sales again (+6.1%) but the key
extending the spending interest is amongst the
season. As usual, for shops were the bargains
most merchants, the were aplenty.
busiest days remain the For the core retailers
days immediately before (excluding food and
Christmas Day. Black hospitality retailers)
Friday proved to be a including many of the
busier day than Boxing discounters, Boxing
Day in total this year Day was mixed
but that relativity varies depending on which
considerably between market segment they
merchant groupings. operate in. Underlying
spending for this key Tax data allows more detailed estimates, including breakdowns by
Boxing Day proved age, sex, region, and district. Previously we could only produce such
group of merchants was
to be another bonus for detailed estimates every five years from census data.
0.4% below Boxing
the bargain hunters. About the data
Day last year. Spending
Spending through These annual median income estimates only include income from
was up for the likes
Paymark totalled $149.8 wages, salaries, and self-employed income sources, and do not include
of Sport equipment
million on Thursday 26 any income from government benefits, investments, or other similar
retailers (+5.6%)
December, up 3.9% on income sources.
and Hardware stores Including self-employed income in these estimates means we can only
an underlying basis on (+6.6%) but down for
Boxing Day last year. produce estimates from 2009 to 2017. (The latest data is from two years
Clothing and footwear ago, since tax forms from self-employed income can be submitted up to
Spending growth stores (-7.6%). two years after their reference period.)
 The Indian Weekender Friday, January 10, 2020 FIJI 15

Australian PM thanks Fiji for assistance offer

A
ustralian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and properties.
has thanked Prime Minister Voreqe He expressed his sympathy for terrible loss
Bainimarama for his support. of livestock and wildlife, and threats to native
Bainimarama in his letter of Bainimarama and endemic flora and fauna.
condolence to Morrison yesterday says our prayers The Prime Minister says the scenes
offered Fiji’s assistance are with the families of destruction are heartbreaking and
and support to Australians he saluted the extraordinary bravery
who have suffered from
struggling with bushfires which of the thousands of men and
the loss of their loves
have taken lives and destroyed women, especially the volunteers
ones and their homes,
homes. of the Rural Fire Service who are
businesses and
In a letter to Morrison, placing their lives on the line to
Bainimarama assured that Fiji properties. protect their fellow Australians.
is ready to assist in any way we can The fires in Australia started in September
to deal with the present crisis as we count the last year and continues to burn across the state
Australian people among our closest friends. of New South Wales.
Bainimarama says our prayers are with the Meanwhile, officials warn huge fires in
families who have suffered from the loss of Victoria and New South Wales could meet and
their loves ones and their homes, businesses create a larger “mega blaze”.

International trafficking
to Fiji extends to Thailand
V
ictims of international
trafficking to Fiji who
were previously only from
China and the Philippines have
now extended to Thailand and other
countries.
This was revealed by the
International Organization for
Migration during their presentation
on trafficking issues in Fiji at the
National Workshop on Human

Fiji’s extensive porous border Trafficking and Child Exploitation

underway in Sigatoka.
Presenting at the Workshop,
the International Organization for
Migration report, around 25 known

makes it vulnerable for trafficking Project Officer Lee Yacoumis says cases of human trafficking to Fiji
Fiji is the first transit and destination have been captured of which some

M
country for men, women, and are being prosecuted.
inister for Women & Children Mereseini “For the pacific with the limited data on trafficking
children trafficked for the purpose “Overexploitation in Fiji is
Vuniwaqa while opening the National in persons it is difficult to ascertain the real impact of
of sexual and labor exploitation connected with local extractive
Workshop on Human Trafficking and Child human trafficking in the region.
including domestic servitude. industries such as fishing and mining
Exploitation stressed that Fiji provides the only air-link "As such it is only prudent that we must establish a
“There is international trafficking and that Fiji is developing a stronger
connectivity across the region. robust system now that counteracts the trafficking
“Countering Human Trafficking through the "For of persons before it escalates to a scale that as well as domestic trafficking inspection program looking to
strengthening of our internal controls will the pacific we cannot respond effectively to, if at all.” in Fiji and we know there are ensure employers are doing the right
effectively reduce the illegal movement of with the limited data She says while men are also sourced countries for victims into thing by migrant workers.”
people to other States within the region that on trafficking in persons susceptible to trafficking for forced Fiji are broadening. It appears that Meanwhile, the workshop also
transit through Fiji.” it is difficult to ascertain labour, statistics reveal that children trafficking is increasing in Fiji but includes a proposed National
Vuniwaqa highlighted that trafficking is the real impact of human and women are more vulnerable. Framework on human trafficking
that is not shared effectively and we
one of the worst forms of violence against trafficking in the According to the United Nations women which will be presented by the
do know that the numbers are still
women and girls who are used for sexual region" and girls make up 72 percent of all known Ministry of Defence and National
low.”
exploitation and forced labour. human trafficking victims worldwide. Yacoumis said according to Security.

Urgency of Australian firefighters should inspire the

world to act on climate change: PM Bainimarama
P
rime Minister Voreqe
Bainimarama says the sense
of adrenaline-fuelled urgency
of the Australian firefighters who are
forced to risk their lives to contain
the bushfires should inspire the world
to act on climate change.
He says our prayers are with
Australia but prayers alone will not
turn back the tides of the climate
crisis facing the world and for that
meaningful action is needed.
In a letter to The Guardian,
Bainimarama says that with every
additional degree of average global
warming, the scale and frequency of
wildfires will increase exponentially,
as will the intensity of heat-driven
tropical cyclones.
Bainimarama says that people are
now understanding more acutely than
ever before, the maximum threshold
for global average temperature rise
must not exceed 1.5C – a limit that
serves to interests of all countries,
especially those at our southern
latitudes.
The Prime Minister says that
unlike international negotiations,
firefighters and rescue workers do
not have the luxury of sitting at
conference tables when they are
forced to risk their lives to contain
these kinds of disasters.
He says that in the climate change
arena when delegations from around
the world gather in conference
rooms to negotiate the best path
forward to ensure a habitable planet
for future generations, leaders need
to be delicate when referencing
any attribution between individual
disasters and global temperature rise.
He adds that this is because, while
climate science is crystal clear, global
climate politics remain murky, mired
in fear of disrupting the status quo.
Bainimarama says he is exhausted
by the lack of accountability that
comes from this type of tip-toeing.
The COP23 President says that
people do not need to be scientists to
know in their hearts that something is
very, very wrong here.
He says we know that things are
getting worse and as the world gets
hotter and drier, fires will continue
to burn, landscapes and critical
ecosystems will continue to be turned
to ash, lives will continue to be lost.
He says that while 2020 began
bleak in the fight against climate
change and was ominously
foreshadowed by the disappointing
outcomes of COP25, high emitters
dug in their heels and lacked real
ambition; however, people must not
be left feeling defeated.
Bainimarama says COP26 in
Glasgow later this year will give
them a critical opportunity to
make meaningful commitments
that are needed to radically and
systematically reduce greenhouse
gas emissions.
He says that people should not
take the privileges they have enjoyed
for decades for granted.
He adds that children and
grandchildren deserve the chance to
dive reefs to see their great beauty
rather than the bleached remains of
an acidic ocean.
The Prime Minister says that
they deserve to see koalas roam in
their natural habitats, rather than
drive through a charred landscape
and ash and they also deserve
clean drinking water, to live in the
communities where they have lived
for generations, and to live not in fear
of nature’s wrath, but in harmony
with its beauty.
He also adds that if inaction
is chosen, this crisis for future
generations will be fanned, but
instead, a different path is chosen and
a commitment is made to achieving
net-zero emissions, people can still
win this fight for their lives.
 Thought of the week
"Strength does not come from physical
capacity. It comes from an indomitable will
–Mahatma Gandhi

Editorial 10 January – 16 January

Will Iran-US issue Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thu
act as a dampener or
much more than that On-and-off Partly Parlty Clouds and A touch o Sunshine A few

M
rain and sunny sunny sun dafr and pactcy morning
arkets had begun to roll on expected lines and the breadth was improving drizzle clouds showers
as well, till Thursday/Friday when US President Donald Trump had a top
commander of Iran and others killed through a drone attack. Markets fell 21° 23° 24° 23° 23° 24° 24°
globally and suddenly a positive and feel good atmosphere has been vitiated. 14° 13° 16° 15° 16° 16° 17°
BSE Sensex lost 110.53 points or 0.27 per cent to close at 41,464.61 points. It had
earlier made a lifetime high of 41,649.29 points on Thursday. NIFTY lost 19.15 points or This week in New Zealand’s history
0.16 per cent to close at 12,226.65 points.
Like BSE Sensex, NIFTY too made a new lifetime high of 12,289.90 points before 10 January 1928
losing ground. Pioneer aviators vanish over the Tasman
The broader markets saw BSE100 lose 0.06 per cent, while the BSE200 and BSE500
gained 0.08 per cent and 0.32 per cent, respectively. BSEMIDCAP gained 1.24 per cent,
N ew Zealanders George Hood and John Moncrieff disappeared during a ‘gallant if somewhat
ill-organised attempt’ to complete the first flight across the Tasman Sea. They took off
from Richmond, Sydney, in a single-engined Ryan monoplane, the Aotearoa, in the early hours
while BSESMALLCAP was up 3.26 per cent. of 10 January. 
Dow Jones lost 10.38 points or 0.04 per cent to close at 28,634.88 points. Incidentally
even the Dow made a new lifetime high of 28,872.80 points. 10 January 1902
The Indian Rupee lost ground on Friday post the attack and lost 44 paisa or 0.62 per The world's first state-registered nurse
cent to close at Rs 71.80 to the US dollar.
In 2011, Trump had said that former President Bill Clinton would start a war with Iran O n 10 January 1902, the world’s first state-registered nurses had their names entered in the
register. Topping the list was Ellen Dougherty of Palmerston North.
to help him win the upcoming elections. Whether Trump has done the same or something 10 January 1838
different one wonders.
Catholic missionaries arrive at Hokianga
F
The trade war issue with China which lasted over a year is probably and hopefully rench Bishop Jean Baptiste François Pompallier arrived at Hokianga. His party celebrated
coming to an end and now this new escalation? their first mass three days later.
The US would be electing their new President in the later half of this calendar year.
Whether this is a diversionary tactic for the upcoming impeachment hearing or election 12 January 1954
gimmick or both, only time will tell. Queen Elizabeth II opens Parliament
However, it would impact global markets adversely.
Oil prices have begun to rise post the event and they would hit all oil importing countries
A crowd of 50,000 greeted Queen Elizabeth II, resplendent in her coronation gown, when she
opened a special session of the New Zealand Parliament in its centennial year. This was the
first time a reigning monarch had opened New Zealand’s Parliament.
including India.
The irony is that it would benefit the oil producing states which include Iran and others 14 January 1948
in the Gulf region. Further there is a small portion of sea known as Gulf of Hormuz which 14-year-old finds New Zealand’s oldest fossils
is controlled by Iran and from where over a fourth of world’s crude passes on a daily
basis. I n 1948, a 14-year-old Nelson schoolboy discovered the oldest fossils ever found in New
Zealand. Malcolm Simpson was a member of the party that accompanied University of Otago
geologist Noel Benson on an expedition to Cobb Valley, near Motueka.
The situation between Iran and US has become very fluid and would be tracked on a
daily basis as escalation is likely to rise. 16 January 1941
India is closely aligned to Iran and does have friendly relations with them but if the gulf Women's Auxiliary Air Force founded
becomes messy, one is not sure how things would pan out.
Tata Sons and Ratan Tata have filed petitions in the Supreme Court requesting urgent
hearing against NCLAT order of restoring Cyrus Mistry.
T he Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) was formed to enable the Royal New Zealand Air
Force (RNZAF) to release more men for overseas service during the Second World War.
Within 18 months, authorities also created a Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps and a Women’s
The order of NCLAT has been challenged on the ground that it has gone beyond relief Royal Naval Service.
asked for by Cyrus Mistry. Indian Weekender : Volume 11 Issue 41
It is expected that Supreme Court would take up the matter when they resume this week Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited
after their vacation. Content Editor: Sandeep Singh | sandeep@indianweekender.co.nz
FII’s or FPI’s as they are now known were big buyers in 2019. Chief Reporter: Rizwan Mohammad | rizwan@indianweekender.co.nz
They invested over Rs 1.01 lakh crore in calendar year 2019. Taking a rough dollar Chief Technical Officer: Rohan deSouza | rohan@indianweekender.co.nz
equivalent of Rs 71, it means a net investment of over 14 billion dollars. This figure is the Sr Graphics and Layout Designer: Mahesh Kumar | mahesh@indianweekender.co.nz
highest over the last five years if not more. Graphic Designer: Yashmin Chand | design@indianweekender.co.nz
Accounts and Admin.: 09-2173623 | accounts@indianweekender.co.nz
This is despite the fact that India has not been a better performing market in global
Media Sales Manager.: Leena Pal: 021 952 216 | leena@indianweekender.co.nz
markets. The week ahead would closely follow developments on the Iran-US front. With Sales and Distribution: 021 952218 | sales@indianweekender.co.nz
Iran issuing very strong condemnation of the attack and threatening stern retaliation, one Editor at Large: Dev Nadkarni | dev@indianweekender.co.nz
wonders in what form it would be.
Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher
The world response would also be crucial to the ongoing dispute which seemed to be
is not responsible for advertisers’ claims as appearing in the publication
resolving with US diluting sanctions on Iran in the previous fortnight.
While markets would be nervous and cautious it does not mean that they would lose Views expressed in the articles are solely of the authors and do not in any way represent
the views of the team at the Indian Weekender
ground significantly. They would consolidate and take cues from the news flow from the
Kiwi Media Publishing Limited - 133A, Level 1, Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland.
two countries.
The best advice would be to lighten positions and use sharp dips to buy and Printed at Horton Media, Auckland
strong rallies to sell. Copyright 2017. Kiwi Media Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Markets are in a buoyant mood and probably this issue could help to cool
them of.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, January 10, 2020
RAISINA DIALOGUE 2020:
Is the ‘Indian elephant dancing’ well?
SANDEEP SINGH
I
n few weeks time when India hosts
its flagship multilateral foreign policy
conference – Raisina Dialogue 2020 –
global experts, including those from New
Zealand, will get a chance for a better insight of
the Indian elephant’s ‘dancing’ abilities, in its
pursuit of the multi-generational goal of being
a leading world power. 
The Raisina Dialogue is a multilateral
conference hosted by a premier India think
tank the Observer Research Foundation in
collaboration with the Government of India’s,
Ministry of External Affairs that seeks to
address the most challenging issues facing the
global community. Every year, global leaders
in policy, business, media and civil society are
hosted in New Delhi to discuss cooperation on
a wide range of pertinent international policy
matters. 
Among other things, this conference will
give a remarkable opportunity to get an
insight of Indian foreign policy and strategic
thinking and to assess what David M.
Malone – the Canadian author and a former
High-Commissioner to India – has famously
enquired in 2014 through his book - Does
the Elephant Dance? Contemporary Indian
Foreign Policy, where he had presented a
hitherto unexplored perspective into whether
or not India is ready to become one of the five
superpowers in the world.  managing internal dissent of its people based
Notably, the Indian political and foreign
strategic elites have always been pursuant of
the claim of the status of a leading substantial
world power, right since its independence from
British colonial rule about seven decades ago
– a truly exciting, but an equally ambitious –
project that continues to attract attention from
its friends and detractors, alike.  PR.
Ever since David Malone’s apt comparison
of the contemporary Indian foreign policy
with performing art of dancing, it will not be
absolutely imprudent to assess India’s pursuit
of the much elusive leading power-status in the
international system – as symptomatic of its
ability to ‘dance.’  However, from a foreign policy perspective,
Dance is a form of performing art that
consists of purposefully selected sequences and
rhythmic human movement of different body
parts with aesthetic and symbolic value for the
purpose of expressing an idea or emotion.  Indian Home Minister during a parliamentary
And by ability of ‘dancing,’ of the Indian
elephant, the suggestion is towards carrying
out India’s foreign strategic policies in a
seamlessly coordinated, rhythmic and aesthetic
manner that not only amplifies support for
India’s sustained economic growth but also a
favourable international order that minimises
conflict with existing adversaries and prevents
from creation of new adversaries for the Indian
state.  foreign policy mandarins, who would have
What is also inherent in the ‘Indian
elephant’s dancing’ here, would be, how the
Indian state carries its complex domestic socio-
economic policies without increasing too many
social anxieties of its own multi-cultural, multi-
sectoral, multi-ethnic, multi-religious and
multi-linguistic population that can potentially
delay, if not impede, India’s rise as a responsible
leading power within the international system.  In India’s case, it’s not that there could be
In that regard, for now, it seems that the Indian
elephant’s ability to ‘dance’ is under some
strain, if not seriously undermined, especially
after the recent passing of the Citizenship
Amendment Act in the Indian parliament.   it means – where are Indian state’s immediate
Recently the Indian parliament has enacted
the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 after an
OPINION/EDITORIAL 17
17
intense debate in both houses of the parliament
with a numerically marginalised opposition. As
the amendment of the Citizenship Act, several
regions and constituencies of India are already
boiling with resentment leading to many
demonstrations that have turned violent. 
Given the Indian State’s track record of
on their respective regional, ethnic, linguistic
and cultural aspirations, it might be too
early to suggest if the Indian State could be
distressed to a level where the state had to
either choose to back down from its legislative
and administrative enactments, or could be
discomforted by any level of negative global
 
The Indian State is not only resolute enough
to shrug off such minor irritations, but also have
on many previous occasions withstood intense
global pressures, to continue on a path that it
believed was in pursuant to its core national
interests.  
two related observations that beg attention
are the cancellation of Modi-Shinzo Abe
summit meeting in Guwahati amid Citizenship
Amendment Act unrest, and the utterances of
debate that castigated the political culture of
three of its neighbouring states – Afghanistan,
Bangladesh and Pakistan. 
Japan and India has been strengthening their
bilateral relationship in recent years, especially
under the leadership of the two Prime Ministers
some minor irritations to India’s relations For long Indian leaders have argued that India
– Shinzo Abe and Narendra Modi. The two
with three neighbours, and is likely to enhance has been gifted with a difficult-neighbourhood,
leaders had been meeting in annual summit
some immediate workloads of their respective which often complicates its foreign-strategic
level talks alternatively in each other’s country.
policy choices. 
In 2019 Modi was keen to host Abe in
already swung into a damage control mode However, from what it appears the manner
Guwahati and hold the annual summit on the
to prevent any long-term impact on the wider in which the Indian elephant is dancing at
banks of Brahmaputra and take him to Manipur
bilateral relations.   the moment, if it is dancing at all, it appears
to pay homage to soldiers of the Imperial
In the realm of foreign policy, generally, is stepping on its sub-continental neighbour’s
Japanese Army and Netaji Subhas Chandra
states and their statesmen, refrain from pride. 
Bose’s Indian National Army, who were
unnecessarily stepping-on the sense of pride of It’s also another matter that the current
defeated by the British Army in the Battle of
the fellow nation-states, despite any measure of government which has been swept to power
Imphal in 1944.
asymmetric power-difference between them.  for a second term earlier this year with a record
The cancellation of the summit will not
electoral mandate, is choosing to address the
have any discerning impact at all on either the
any immediate significant implications from social issues that has potential to exacerbate
bonhomie of the two Leaders, or the overall
the events unfolding in New Delhi, except that the complex social- religious fault lines of the
bilateral relations between the two countries
it compels the world to take notice if the ‘Indian complex Indian society, instead of focussing
as the two governments are already exploring
elephant is dancing well’ – and by dancing well on structural economic reforms to boost an
opportunities of hosting the summit in either
otherwise slowing economy.
January or April in 2020.
priorities and how well is the Indian polity Raisina dialogue 2020 will offer better insight
On the other hand, the Indian Home
pulling all strings of its complex domestic and how the Indian elephant has been dancing.
Minister’s comments may or may not cause
foreign policy goals. 
 18 INDIA Friday, January 10, 2020 The Indian Weekender

Indians under 20 must renew OCI

cards after each passport renewal: Govt
T
he Indian government is advising
Indians under 20 years of age who hold
Overseas Citizen of India or OCI cards
to get them re-issued each time they get their
passport re-issued.
For OCI card holders above 50 years, the
card needs to be re-issued only once after
passport renewal, according to details in a
press release issued by the Indian Consulate in
New York.OCI card holders between the age
of 21 and 50 years don't need to get the cards
re-issued each time after passport renewal.
The Indian government is allowing
"temporary relaxation" till June 30 this year
for selected cases where any OCI card holder
less than 20 years old travels with a copy of
the new passport, the OCI card and the old
passport which is linked to the OCI card.
For OCI card holders over 50 years old too,
the same relaxation applies until June 30, the
statement said. Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Scheme
The OCI card works as a multiple entry, was introduced by amending the Citizenship
multi-purpose life-long visa to India, and Act, 1955, in August 2005.
exempts card holders from the need to register
with local police authorities even for long
India stays and can be used as identity proof
for application of PAN card and driving license
and for opening a bank account if the OCI card
holder is residing in India.
The OCI card came into being after the

It's 'muscular' Modi versus Top Army

commander
'accountable' Kejriwal in Delhi in China
T to discuss
he BJP has gone through from ever since large scale protests
many flip flops on whether erupted in the country.

to choose a Chief Ministerial
candidate for the 2020 Delhi election
or not and finally settled on going
ahead with Prime Minister Narendra
Modi's face. It leaves the election
bipolar, to be fought in a Presidential
style. Both AAP and BJP will shy
away from accepting it, but both
knows it's a face off between Modi
and AAP leader and CM Arvind
Kejriwal.
While the Delhi unit of the BJP
is going big on regularisation of
1,731 unauthorised colonies, many
in the party think this is not enough.
So while state leaders like Manoj
Tiwari, Vijay Goel, and Vijendra
Gupta will continue to project it as
the BJP's achievement, the focus
of central leadership will continue
to be Modi's "decisive actions".
Abrogation of Article 370, axing of
Delhi Chief Minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal calls on the Prime Minister Narendra
Modi, in New Delhi
any acceptable face, leave aside
popular one, this is BJP's counter to
Kejriwal.
Kejriwal, on the other hand, is
going to polls, banking on the works
he has done. The townhall meetings
where he presents his accounts of
work done is a deliberate move to
present a foil. Accountability is being
"commitment towards people".
If AAP supporters flaunt that
electricity bills have gone down to
zero, BJP supporters take pride in
the fact Kashmir is being united with
the mainland India after decades.
And in both cases, its Kejriwal and
Modi who are credited for it by their
respective supporters.
peace on
But Modi has never said
nationwide NRC will never be
brought in, something the BJP
stresses during its door to door
campaign among its supporters and
fence sitters, in Delhi. The BJP, has
border
already identified scores in each of
70 constituencies of Delhi who are
still undecided on who to vote.
At the end, its all about the
persona of two people and not about
two parties. "Acche beete paanch
saal", the slogan of AAP is all about
thanking Kejriwal. Many autos are
already carrying adverstisements
in its rear announcing "I love
Kejriwal". BJP, from its Ram Lila
rally, "thanked" PM Modi for "giving
a life of dignity of people residing in
unauthorised colonies" or "saving the
dignity of Hindu, Sikh wives, sisters
living in Pakistan, by bringing in

Article 35A, legislations like Triple
Talaq and Citizenship Amendment
Act will be dominating the BJP's
discourse projecting Narendra Modi
as muscular leader with decision-
making capabilities. In absence of
marketed by the Aam Aadmi Party
as if it is a part of the party's basic
ethos. In spite of the BJP running
it down as a "failure", the AAP has
projected Mohalla clinics, a localised
version of treatment centres as its
In terms of future goals, if AAP
is banking on Kejriwal's promise to
clean up the toxic Yamuna River in
next five years, the BJP is banking on
BJP's promise of nationwide NRC,
something which Modi has retreated
CAA".
It's not a fight of ideologies.
Neither it's a clash of two parties. Its
a direct face off between two faces
that are bigger than their parties or
the ideologies they represent.
T
o foster friendly relations
between India and China,
Northern Army Commander
Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh
led a military delegation to China
and held talks with generals of the
People's Liberation Army (PLA), the

India’s first Indian Army said on Wednesday.

Lt Gen Singh, who is on a five-day

manned mission
visit to China, will visit vital military
and civil establishments in Beijing,
Chengdu, Urumqi and Shanghai to

Gaganyaan exchange views on measures for

furthering peace and tranquillity.

may take one

The visit comes close on the heels
of Joint Military Exercise 'Hand-in
Hand 2019' recently held between

astronaut the two nations in the eastern theatre

P
in Meghalaya.
M  Modi announced the space mission There has been a marked increase
from the ramparts of the Red Fort on in mutual coordination between
August 15, 2018, saying that “an Indian armies of both the countries and a
son or daughter” will carry the national flag on the will to foster friendly relations.
trip when the country celebrates its 75th year of In a meeting Lt Gen Singh called
Independence in 2022. on Gen Han Weiguo, Commander of
Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) the PLA Ground Forces.
chief K Sivan detailed the country’s "The The two generals discussed
first manned mission to space on astronauts issues having strategic ramifications
Tuesday, saying the four men will undergo Fort on August 15, 2018, saying that travelling in space. to include regional security
shortlisted for the programme will the physical fitness “an Indian son or daughter” will “The astronauts will undergo the physical fitness environment, joint training and
receive physical fitness training training in Russia for 11 carry the national flag on the trip training in Russia for 11 months, after which they measures to enhance peace and
in Russia for 11 months, but the months, after which they when the country celebrates its 75th will receive module specific training in India. In tranquillity along the borders.
first spaceflight in December will receive module year of Independence in 2022. Sivan, that, they will train in the crew and service module Lt Gen Singh's visit is the second
2021 may carry just one person. specific training in
however, confirmed that all astronauts designed by us, learn to operate it, work around it, ever such visit by a Northern Army
Under the mission, named India"
shortlisted for the trip were men. “I do simulations,” Sivan said. Commander to China, the last one
Gaganyaan and expected to cost cannot reveal the identities of the four The Isro chief said Mysuru-based Defence being in 2015. The visit will serve as
$10,000 crore, India is expected to send individuals shortlisted for the Gaganyaan mission, Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) was preparing a milestone by cementing the mutual
astronauts, all Indian Air Force pilots, to the low but all of them are men,” the Isro chief said. a food menu for the mission. “The food for the ties between the two countries.
earth orbit, an earth-centred orbit with an altitude The astronauts will likely begin their training in astronauts is being developed by DFRL. Apart "This will achieve the twin aims of
of 2,000km where most of the manmade objects Russia from the third week of January, the Indian from that, a number of DRDO labs are helping high level military cooperation and
in outer space are placed. space agency has said. In Russia, the astronauts with various aspects of the mission. The space suit stabilising the sensitive borders of
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced will receive physical fitness training in different is also being designed; Russian help is being taken both the countries," the Indian Army
the space mission from the ramparts of the Red types of environments to help them acclimatise to for that,” Sivan said. said.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, January 10, 2020
NIRBHAYA CASE:
Independent India to see
first multiple execution
T
he horrendous December 16, 2012 Nirbhaya
gang-rape and murder case will lead to free India
seeing its first multiple execution with the four
convicts due to be hanged in the gallows site in Jail No. 3
of the capital's Tihar Jail complex on January 22.
As a Delhi court issued death warrants for the four
convicts on Tuesday, the question arises whether India,
after Independence, saw death penalty being executed on
so many people together. Experts say no.
Talking to IANS, former IPS officer R.K. Chaturvedi,
who retired in 2018 as Uttar Pradesh's Inspector General
of Police (Intelligence), said that in his over 60 years of
life in which more than 35 years were spent in the police,
including postings in prisons, he had never come across
a case in which four people went to the gallows at one
time.
"If this is done, it will be a new entry in the annals of
criminal punishment in India," he said.
Chaturvedi, who was Additional Jail Superintendent
in Allahabad's Naini Jail between 1984 and 1987, said
that during his time there, he had seen the execution of
two convicts at a time but never thought that four would
climb up the gallows at one go.
In his time, army deserter and dacoit Vikram Singh and
a school teacher convicted of murdering five people were
sent to the gallows.
Tihar Jail's retired Law Officer Sunil Gupta, whose
book "Black Warrant: Confessions of a Tihar Jailer"
New gallows come up at Tihar for
hanging convicts
A
new gallows platform and pit have been readied
at the Tihar Jail's execution chamber, in addition
to the existing gallows in preparation for the
hanging of the four Nirbhaya case convicts on January
22. A senior official of the Tihar Jail Directorate said
that the court order had directed execution of the four
convicts at one time.
"The decades-old execution chamber at Tihar has
facility for hanging two convicts at one time. This is the
first time that four people, convicted of one crime, will
be executed at the same time," he said.
"So in addition to the current gallows, a new structure
has been erected by the Delhi Public Works Department
with the assistance of the jail authorities."
According to the official, the hanging will be carried
out in consonance with the provisions of the Delhi
Jail Manual.
"The preparations have started," he said, adding that
the reports in a section of media that four gallows have
come up are baseless.
Another Tihar Jail official said that two people at a
Tihar admin prefers Pawan for execution
W
ith only a few days left for
the execution of the four
convicts in the Nirbhaya
gang rape and murder case, Tihar jail
directorate has once again written
to the Uttar Pradesh jail directorate
expressing its preference for Pawan
Jallad for execution.
In a secret letter written, the Tihar
jail directorate has asked the UP the Tihar
jail directorate to find out a trained directorate.
hangman for the execution of the Sources
convicts in the Nirbhaya case. It has the Tihar jail said:
"There are many
also asked about the availability of
reasons why Tihar jail
Pawan Jallad.
administration wants Pawan to
This is for the second time in last 20
conduct the execution."
days when the Tihar jail directorate
The main reason is that he comes
has contacted the UP jail directorate.
from the family of executioners so
The letter also has the mention of
there will be minimum chances
the death warrant available with
recounts his service in the capital's jail, particularly his
witnessing the executions of 2001 Parliament attack
convict Afzal Guru, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's
assassination conspirator Kehar Singh, and Kashmiri
militant Maqbool Bhatt, is also of similar opinion.
Both Chaturvedi and Gupta said that a mass execution
may have been carried out during the British rule, but no
one can be sure of it.
However, both agreed that the death sentence to the
four counvicts is justified.
time could be executed on the older gallows structure,
and that is why a same new structure has come up. "The
execution chamber is also being cleaned up and the
security there has been beefed up," he said, adding that
personnel of the Tamil Nadu Special Police which guard
the jail have been deployed at the spot.
of any mistakes. Secondly, he is
physically fit and his eyesight is also
fine as per the requirement.
The security arrangements for
Pawan will also be secret.
In case the UP jail administration
is not able to provide him security
"There then it can be taken care by the
are many
Tihar jail administration. Apart
jail reasons why Tihar
jail administration from this, Meerut is not too far
wants Pawan to from Delhi so it would not take
from conduct the much time for Pawan to reach
execution" Tihar jail.
Tihar jail DG Sandeep Goyal on
said: "The order of the Delhi court
has been given to the convicts
whereas the death warrant will
remain with the administration. The
order copy given to the convicts has
mention of the death warrant."
INDIA 19
NEWS in BRIEF
Cabinet nod to India-Mongolia
agreement on space cooperation
T he Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on
Wednesday gave its approval for an agreement between India and
Mongolia on cooperation in the exploration and uses of outer space for
peaceful and civilian purposes.
The agreement, which was signed at New Delhi on September 20, 2019
during the state visit of the President of Mongolia to India, will enable
pursuing potential interest areas of cooperation such as, space science and
technology, a Cabinet statement said.
It would also enable in pursuing applications including remote sensing
of the earth, satellite communication and satellite based navigation, space
science and planetary exploration, use of spacecraft and space systems and
ground system, and application of space technology.
The Agreement would lead to setting up a Joint Working Group, drawing
members from the Department of Space (DOS) and Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) and Communications and Information Technology
Authority of Mongolia, to further work out the plan of action including the
time-frame and the means of implementing this pact.
Cabinet okays India-Sweden
MoU on cooperation in polar science
T he Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved
the agreement on cooperation in polar science between India's Ministry
of Earth Sciences, and Sweden's Ministry of Education and Research.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on December 2,
2019 during the visit of the Swedish monarch to India, a Cabinet statement
said. "The collaboration between India and Sweden in polar science will
enable sharing of the expertise available with both countries," it added.
India and Sweden are both signatories to the Antarctic Treaty and the
Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty on Environmental Protection. Sweden, as
one of the eight "Arctic States", is a member state in the Arctic Council
whereas India has observer status in the grouping.
Sweden has a vigorous scientific programme in the polar regions, both
in the Arctic and Antarctic. India likewise, has sustained scientific research
programs in both the Polar Regions as well as in the oceanic realm.
BJP will have to pay for
stubbornness on CAA: Amarinder
T aking former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
head on over the threat of the Centre implementing the Citizenship
Amendment Act at any cost, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said
the BJP would have to pay a heavy price for such stubbornness.
An elected government which refuses to heed the voice of its people
or respond to their anger is bound to lose their confidence and collapse,
said the Chief Minister, adding the BJP's stance on the issue "smacked of
a dangerously fascist approach that would lead to their eventual downfall".
As far as his government was concerned, "there was no way it would
allow the brazenly divisive Act to be implemented in Punjab", Amarinder
Singh said.
Tweeple thumbs-up to Finland
PM's 4-day working week
A s Finland's new Prime Minister Sanna Marin called for the introduction
of a flexible working schedule in the country, Twitterati from India
were quick to welcome the move.
After the 34-year-old politician said that it would allow workers to spend
more time with their families, Twitter users seconded her.
One user wrote: "Congrats, ma'am (from India) for doing a great job. We
know the value of spending time with family. #SannaMarin #Finland."
Another tweeted: "@MarinSanna has introduced a six-hour day, four-day
work week. Look forward to seeing how it impacts productivity, output &
overall quality of life."
A Tweet read: "#Finland PM #SannaMarin proposes a four-day working
week with 6-hr working per day!!! More efficient, productive and more
happy. #India: work more, less efficient, less productive, less happy."
India to be guest country at Paris Book Fair 2020
I ndia is slated to be the guest country at the Paris book fair – Livre Paris
– in March, third time after 2002 and 2007.
As part of a reciprocal invitation, France will be the guest of honour at the
New Delhi World Book Fair in 2022.
"We don't hear the voices of India enough. The French don't know Indian
literature enough. This effort will try to represent the vastness and depth
of Indian literature in France," said Bertrand de Hartingh, Counsellor for
Education, Science and Culture, Embassy of France, and Director of the
French Institute in India. Around 15 Indian publishers and 30 leading and
budding Indian authors from most Indian languages, will be invited to Paris
to meet French readers and participate in events, talk and debates.
"Livre Paris will aim at creating a special 'Indian moment' in France, with
cultural and lecture side programmes in libraries, bookshops and cultural
landmarks in Paris and other cities in France."
The Paris Book Fair, dubbed Europe's most important literary and
publishing appointment, will be a showcase of the country's new authors,
works and the large publishing industry.
 20 WORLD
Prince Harry,
Meghan to
step back as
senior royals
T
he Duke and Duchess of
Sussex have announced
they will step back as
"senior" royals and work to become
financially independent.
In a statement, Prince Harry and
Meghan also said they plan to split
their time between the UK and North
America, BBC reported.
In their unexpected statement on
Wednesday, also posted on their
Instagram page, the couple said
they made the decision "after many
months of reflection and internal
discussions".
For the year-and-a-half since their
wedding at Windsor Castle - which
was a gigantic media event - the
35-year-old Harry and former US
actress Meghan Markle, 38, have
been embroiled in controversy
regarding their relationship with the
rest of the royal family and subjected
to intense media pressure, Efe news
reported.
Now the parents of an eight-
month-old boy, Archie, the couple
announced Wednesday that they
will continue to fulfill their royal
obligations vis-a-vis Queen
Elizabeth, Harry's grandmother,
the British Commonwealth and
the foundations in which they
are involved, but they will not be
spending all their time in the British
Isles.
Ukrainian plane crashes after take-off
in Iran, all 176 on board killed: Report
A I
Ukrainian airliner crashed
soon after taking off from
Tehran’s Imam Khomeini
airport on Wednesday, killing all 176
people aboard, Iran’s state television
and Ukraine’s leaders said.
The Boeing 737 belonging to
Ukraine International Airlines
crashed near the airport and burst
into flames.
Iranian TV said the crash was
due to technical problems but did
not elaborate.
Ukraine’s embassy in Iran said
the plane had suffered engine
failure and the crash was not caused
by “terrorism”.
Ukraine President Volodymyr
Zelenskiy said there were
no survivors.
“My sincere condolences to the
relatives and friends of all passengers
and crew,” Zelenskiy said, adding
that Ukraine was seeking to establish
the circumstances of the crash and
the death toll.
Iranian state TV and Ukraine’s
prime minister said 167 passengers
and 9 crew were on board.
fire is so
Iranian TV said 32 of those
on board were foreigners. heavy that we cannot smouldering engine
(do) any rescue... we
Iranian media quoted an
Iranian aviation official have 22 ambulances, four a field, and rescue
as saying the pilot of the bus ambulances and a workers with face
airliner did not declare an helicopter at the site" masks
"This geographic balance will
enable us to raise our son with an
appreciation for the royal tradition
into which he was born, while also
providing our family with the
space to focus on the next
chapter," the pair said in
their joint communique.
They went on to say in
their statement on their
Instagram account, that they
intend to "launch ... our new
charitable entity," about which
they will provide more details in
the future.
"After many months of
reflection and internal
discussions, we have
chosen to make a transition
this year in starting to carve
out a progressive new role
within this institution," the
royal pair said, referring to the
monarchy.
Harry and Meghan communicated
their plans shortly after returning
from a lengthy trip to Canada,
where Meghan lived for seven years
while she was filming the TV series
"Suits," their stay there forcing
them to distance themselves from
their royal commitments for about
two months. A few weeks before
Christmas, the couple's problems
dealing with the pressure of being
in the bright media spotlight all
One of the engines of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752, a Boeing 737-800
plane that crashed after taking off from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini airport on January
8, 2020, is seen in this still image taken from Iran Press footage
emergency. There was no official
word from Ukraine International
Airlines. It was the first fatal crash
for Kiev-based UIA.
“The fire is so heavy that we
cannot (do) any rescue... we have 22
ambulances, four bus ambulances
and a helicopter at the site,”
Pirhossein Koulivand, head of Iran’s
emergency services, told Iranian
state television.
"The Television footage
showed debris and
parts strewn across
retrieving
the time were highlighted in a
documentary aired on Britain's ITV
television channel.
In that documentary, Prince Harry
said that he refused to be forced into
playing the game that "killed my
mother," referring to Princess Diana,
who died in August 1997 in Paris in
an automobile accident as she was
being pursued by paparazzi.
In that same documentary,
Meghan was almost moved to tears
while talking with the journalist
bodies of the victims.
According to air tracking service
FlightRadar24, the plane that crashed
was Flight PS 752 and was flying to
Kiev. The plane was three years old
and was a Boeing 737-800NG, it
said.
The model’s twin engines are
made by CFM International, a U.S.-
French venture co-owned by General
Electric and France’s Safran.
Modern aircraft are designed and
certified to cope with an engine
failure shortly after take-off and to fly
for extended periods on one engine.
However, an uncontained engine
failure releasing shrapnel can cause
damage to other aircraft systems.
Friday, January 10, 2020
interviewing her, leading the British
press to compare that moment with
Diana's famous 1995 interview in
which she spoke openly for the first
time about her relationship with
Crown Prince Charles.
Harry's remarks in the
documentary, however, reportedly
made his older brother William
"furious," according to sources
within Buckingham Palace, reviving
speculation about friction between
the brothers.
‘Iran standing down, US ready to
embrace peace:Donald Trump
ran struck back at the United
States for killing its most
powerful military commander,
firing a barrage of ballistic missiles
at two Iraqi military bases that
house American troops in what
was initially feared to become an
escalation of the conflict. But the two
sides stepped back with US President
Donald Trump indicating his country
would not launch a further military
response.
Speaking from the White House,
Trump said no American troops were
harmed and damages were minimal
after the Iranian strikes, which
leaders in Tehran said was a “tight
slap” for the United States amid
rising domestic anger.
Trump also announced new
economic sanctions against Iran
and vowed, once again, to prevent
it from acquiring nuclear weapons.
He did not offer any specifics of
the “additional punishing economic
sanctions on the Iranian regime”.
But the President signalled that he
did not intend to use military power
in response to the missiles Tehran
rained on US forces in Iraq’s Erbil
and al-Asad air bases.
“The fact that we have this great
military and equipment, however,
does not mean we have to use it.
We do not want to use it. American
The Indian Weekender
Airlines avoid
flying through Iran
and Iraq airspace
A
growing number of airlines
said Wednesday they were
avoiding Iranian and Iraqi
airspace or flights to the region after
Tehran fired ballistic missiles against
bases housing US troops in Iraq.
“As a precautionary measure
and following news of air strikes
underway, Air France has decided to
suspend until further notice all flights
through Iranian and Iraqi airspace,”
an Air France spokesman told AFP.
Iran launched a series of missiles
at the bases housing US troops in the
early hours, officials in Washington
and Tehran said.
Iran’s supreme leader later called
it a “slap in the face” after a US
drone strike killed Iranian military
commander Qasem Soleimani near
Baghdad international airport last
week.
Shortly after the missile attacks, the
US Federal Aviation Administration
said it was banning US-registered
carriers from flying over Iraq, Iran
and the Gulf.
The regions is an important
corridor for flights travelling between
Europe and Asia, although planes
can be rerouted.
A KLM spokesman told AFP:
“Until further notice, KLM has no
flights over Iranian or Iraqi airspace.
All flights to different Southeast
Asian destinations and other
destinations in the Middle East will
be flown through alternative routes.”
In Germany, Lufthansa said it had
cancelled its daily flight to Tehran in
addition to halting overflights of Iran
and Iraq until further notice.
It added that Saturday’s twice-
weekly service to northern Iraqi city
Erbil would also not depart.
strength, both military and economic,
is the best deterrent,” Trump said in
a televised address from the White
House, flanked by top officials of his
administration.
“Iran appears to be standing down
which is a good thing for all parties
concerned and a very good thing
for the world,” he said. Trump said
he would ask NATO (North Atlantic
Treaty Organization) to play a larger
role in West Asia, and urge the
remaining signatories of the 2015
Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
(JCPOA, or the Iran nuclear deal) to
withdraw, following the American
pullout in 2018, to force Iran to sign
a new agreement. The agreement
is already unraveling, with Tehran
announcing on Sunday that it would
roll back the limit on the number
of centrifuges used in uranium
enrichment, one of its commitments
under the agreement.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, January 10, 2020 WORLD 21

Australian Bushfire crisis

Victoria’s fire danger increases as temperatures rise
before wind change is expected to sweep through state
Authorities are concerned new blazes could start as the weather
changes.
Corryong residents bury stock and prepare
for more fire
In the north-east Victorian town of Corryong, which was hit
by a raging bushfire on New Year’s Eve, people are being forced
to show photo ID and prove they are residents before they are
allowed through roadblocks into the town.
The Murray Valley Highway is only open from 7:00am to
8:00pm each day, as authorities deem it is still too dangerous to
drive at night, and all other roads into the town are closed.
But the VicEmergency warning states it is possible those
returning to their homes in Corryong “could become isolated fuel for generators, ice and fresh water.
and unable to leave the area for extended periods of time due to Power outages are still affecting many towns within the
changing conditions or fire behaviour that may impact the road”. fire zone and the blazes have obliterated telecommunications
infrastructure. Almost 3,000 homes had no power as of Thursday

V
night. Ausnet is working to set up a generator in Walwa to
ictorian authorities are urging people to leave the Alpine
power 70 customers who are currently off-supply and arrived in
Region and all areas east of Bairnsdale as the fire danger
Cudgewa yesterday to assess damage to main lines.
once again ramps up.
The fire danger will rise on Friday to extreme in the Northern East Gippsland fires remain out of control
Country, severe in the Mallee and North East districts and very
high in much of the rest of the state.
Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said as
of Wednesday afternoon, 21 fires were burning throughout the
state. Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville said another
expected round of dry lighting, combined with a forecast wind
change, could potentially cause fast-moving fires across Victoria
from Friday.
Ms Neville also announced yesterday the death toll from Communities in Corryong have begun burying dead stock with the
help of the Defence Force after fire swept through the area on New
the fires had risen to three after authorities confirmed the  car Year’s Eve and last weekend
accident that killed “well-loved” Mat Kavanagh on Friday was
fire related.
F irefighters were able to slow the spread of fire near Corryong
with the help of cooler weather and light rainfall on
Wednesday.
But a temperature rise on this afternoon could force the Out-of-control bushfires currently burning could grow tomorrow
Corryong fire to merge with others, including a large fire near when a wind change is expected

Mat Kavanagh had been putting out unattended campfires on the day
he died. 
Residents stranded in isolated communities have been cutting
their way out of bushfire zones to get through closed roads,
prompting serious safety warnings from authorities.
In a warning posted on the VicEmergency website yesterday,
authorities begged people to wait until firefighters and the
Australian Defence Force could clear roads and mark them as
safe before attempting to drive out.
But with nearly 5,000 kilometres of roads to clear, authorities
have warned it will take some time before roads are made safe.
“Residents must stop this immediately. It is not safe to drive
on these roads until they have been treated for hazardous trees
and other damage.”
A State Control Centre spokesman said the official advice
was for residents who are leaving East Gippsland to monitor
VicRoads updates, plan a route out of the area and leave when
possible to do so safely. But he said no-one should be trying to
access closed roads.
Fires growing in the Alpine Region
Erratic winds overnight on Wednesday led to a number of out-
of-control spot fires from a fire front near Carboor, south-east of
Wangaratta.
Authorities said the northern tip of the fire was “extremely
active overnight” and warned people to leave the area before
conditions became too dangerous.
Fire activity has also increased south-east of Lake Buffalo in
Mt Buffalo National Park.
There are 140 firefighters in the Alpine Region constructing
the NSW border.
There will be two community meetings today in the north-
east to provide updated advice about the fire risk — one at the
Tallangatta Memorial Hall at 11:00am, and another at Granya
Farmers have tragically lost hundreds of cattle to the fire and others
have been forced to sell stock so the animals did not starve.
Hall at 2:00pm.
S taff from Towong Shire Council and the Defence Force
will continue to help farmers remove dead animals from
farmland today in Burrowye, Mt Alfred, Walwa, Pine Mountain,
Corryong, Cudgewa, Nariel, Biggara and Tintaldra.
A hole was dug yesterday in Settlement Road, Tintaldra, for
the deceased animals.
Communities remain isolated
A
uthorities are still trying to make contact with anyone in
two other isolated communities — Maramingo Creek and
Wingan River. Anyone in those communities, or who has been in
contact with someone in those communities, is urged to call the
Orbost Incident Control Centre on 5161 1361.
Forty additional ADF personnel arrived in East Gippsland on
Wednesday, with their first priority to clear roads and gain access
to the still isolated communities of Club Terrace and Combienbar.
A group of 67 North American firefighters also arrived in
Melbourne yesterday morning and will start working with local
fire crews on Saturday.
What makes a horror fire danger day?
F
avourable weather conditions have slowed the spread of fire
in East Gippsland, but many are still burning out of control.
The VicEmergency website said fires in the area had “joined
into one large fire” burning through more than 1 million hectares.
On Thursday, fire crews were attempting controlled burns
around the coastal communities of Bemm River, Furnell and
Tamboon in a bid to protect property ahead of a wind change
which is expected to cause problems across the fire grounds.
Residents from those towns, and nearby Cann River, were
isolated for a week after the New Year’s Eve blaze.
Those who were escorted out of the area on Tuesday to buy
much-needed supplies in  Orbost described “a wall of flames”
approaching the tiny towns and their shock and relief at surviving.
Mallacoota maritime evacuation ends
This joey was rescued and treated for burns, after it was lost during
the Stirling Ranges bushfires 2019.
T he last evacuees from the cut-off town of Mallacoota sailed
into Western Port Bay onboard the Navy vessel HMAS
Choules. The coastal town, near the NSW border, was hit by an
out-of-control bushfire on New Year’s Day that forced thousands
to shelter on the foreshore. HMAS Choules docked near HMAS
Cerberus this afternoon, marking the end of the maritime
operation to get more than 1,000 people out of the community.
More than 200 evacuees, along with 66 CFA volunteers, were
be brought ashore on landing craft to be reunited with friends and
family. Mallacoota remains without power but many locals have
opted to stay in the town, which remains completely cut off, as

E
control lines and controlling spot fires ahead of the worsening ssential supplies continue to be dropped into Mallacoota work continues to clear fallen and damaged trees from the only
conditions. VicEmergency says no-one should travel to the area. road out of town.
and other isolated communities, including medication, food,
22 SPORTS Friday, January 10, 2020 The Indian Weekender

VIRAT KOHLI NEWS in BRIEF

stays on top, India have edge over Australia: Irfan Pathan
Labuschagne F ormer India all-rounder Irfan Pathan feels that the Men in Blue have the
edge over Australia in terms of talent and confidence ahead of the two

moves to No. teams' three-match ODI series starting January 14 in Mumbai.

"In the past that wasn't the case because they were doing really well. We
were trying to match that level. I feel that Indian cricket is a notch ahead in

3 in Tests terms of talent, in terms of cricket and in terms of confidence," Star Sports
expert Irfan Pathan said.

Y
oung Australia batting sensation Marnus
Labuschagne on Wednesday achieved a career-
best third place in the ICC Test Rankings, topped
by India skipper Virat Kohli. Labuschagne moved up by
a spot after a match-winning double century against New
Zealand in Sydney recently.
Labuschagne scored 215 and 59 in the third and final
Test in Sydney and ended up amassing 549 runs from six
innings against the Black Caps.
Kohli has remained static at the top spot with 928 points
and is followed by Australia's Steve Smith (911 points).
Apart from Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya
Rahane also feature in the top 10 of the list however, their
rankings saw a drop of one and two places respectively.
While Pujara sits at the sixth place, Rahane is currently
placed at the ninth spot.
England all-rounder Ben Stokes has also made a jump
of five places to enter the top 10 rankings for batsmen.
On the other hand, Australia's Pat Cummins and New
Zealand's Neil Wagner are placed at the first and second
spot respectively in the bowlers' rankings. While Wagner
had scalped 17 wickets in the three games against the
Aussies in the recently held Test series, Cummins had
picked up 12 wickets.
The duo are followed by West Indies pacer and skipper
Jason Holder, who jumped a place to be at the third spot.
From India, pacer Jasprit Bumrah, ace off-spinner
Ravichandran Ashwin and Mohammed Shami are placed
at the sixth, ninth and tenth spot respectively.
"The only thing that will make it equal is the kind of pitches we are
going to play in Australia because we do not have experience playing on
those hard and bouncy pitches," said Pathan, who recently called time on
his international career.
Recounting his favourite memory of playing against Australia, Irfan said,
"It all started in Australia for me. The most memorable moment was getting
my first wicket and helping India win a Test match in Australia after 21
years. Winning the Test in Perth and being named the Man of the Match is
also a favourite memory for me."
Sindhu, Saina advance;
Srikanth,
Praneeth and Kashyap exit
T
op Indian female shuttlers P.V.
Sindhu and Saina Nehwal cruised
into the second round of the women's
singles event after registering victories
in their first-round games while male
shuttlers Sai Praneeth, Kidambi Srikanth
and Parupalli Kashyap had a horrid start to their 2020 season as they
crashed out in the opening round of the Malaysia Masters.
Rio Olympic silver medallist Sindhu, seeded sixth, didn't have to work
too hard in her contest as she defeated Evgeniya Andreevna Kosetskaya of

Looking forward to test myself Russia 21-15, 21-13 in just 35 minutes.

Saina also sailed into the next round after registering a convincing win

against 'tough' India: Labuschagne

over Belgium's Lianne Tan. Saina, the London Olympics bronze medallist,
beat Tan 21-15, 21-17 in 36 minutes in what was their maiden appearance

I
n-form Australia batsman Marnus
Labuschagne is looking forward
to test his skills in one day cricket
against India, who he feels are the
toughest proposition at home.
Australia will play three ODIs
in six days, starting January 14
in India and Labuschagne is
expected to slot somewhere
into the middle order as the
team undergoes a tweak
in personnel following
last year's World Cup
campaign.
"If I get an opportuni-
ty that'd be great," La-
"It's
buschagne said..
probably
"I played
good preparation
some one-
coming from (playing on
day cricket f o r
the SCG) going to India
Queensland ear-
that's probably the closest
lier this (summer)
we have in Australia to
and I really enjoyed that.
spinning
I really enjoy the shorter for-
conditions."
mats. It's about taking one step at
a time, luckily I have a wealth of
experience there with Aaron Finch,
David Warner, Steve Smith, to con-
tinue to learn from those guys is great.
"Whenever you play India it's a
tough series because they're a very
tough opposition. They've got great batters
and bowlers, so it's going to be a challenge.
But as a player you always want to test
yourself against the best opposition in the
toughest conditions, and there's nothing
tougher than India in India."
Labuschagne smashed four hundreds in
five Tests through the Australian summer to
continue his rich form and is all set to make
his debut in ODIs. Asked about comparisons
being made between him and modern day
greats, he said: "For people to speak like
that is amazing, but there's a lot more work
to be done before anything like that can be
talked about. Kane Williamson, Virat Kohli,
Steve Smith -- those guys have been doing it
for five, six, seven years. To have one good
summer doesn't make you a great player. So
for me it's about trying to be consistent and
trying to get Australia to win games."
"It's exciting, obviously, the summer I've
had, and it's been really fun to enjoy it with
Steve (Smith). He's been a great help and
the whole team. We're gelling so well
together, and to win a summer five-
nil, to not lose a game on home
soil, it's just amazing."
"It's probably good preparation
coming from (playing on the SCG) going to
India that's probably the closest we have in
Australia to spinning conditions," he added.
against each other.
In the men's singles, Parupalli Kashyap suffered a 17-21, 16-21 loss to
Japan's Kento Momota in the contest lasting for 33 minutes.
Praneeth made a first round exit after suffering a 11-21, 15-21 defeat to
Denmark''s Rasmus Gemke in 46 minutes.
Federer, Serena, Nadal to raise funds for bushfire
relief work
I n a bid to raise money for the
bushfire relief fund in Australia,
star tennis players like Roger Federer,
Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal
will feature in an exhibition match on
January 15, five days before the start of
the Australian Open.
The contest will take place at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena.
Meanwhile, local Nick Kyrgios will also be playing along with Stefanos
Tsitsipas, Naomi Osaka and Caroline Wozniacki.
"For a period of about two and a half hours we're going to be showcasing
the game, but also coming together as a community to play our part in the
relief effort," Tennis Australia (TA) chief Craig Tiley was quoted as saying
by the BBC.
Kyrgios will also be donating 200 Australian dollars for every ace he
hits in events held in Australia in January as part of the fundraising effort,
while compatriot Ashleigh Barty will donate all of her prize money from
the Brisbane International.
Djokovic leads Serbia in final eight of ATP Cup
S erbia have become the second
team to enter the quarter-finals of
the ongoing ATP Cup after they edged
out France to top Group A.

Australia close gap with India An animated and emotional

Novak Djokovic carried Serbia to

in World Test Championship

the final eight as he alongside Viktor
Troicki clinched the 2-1 tie victory
in a deciding doubles match against

A
ustralia have grabbed a full 120 points from
their series against New Zealand and are firmly
placed in second position on the ICC World Test
Championship points table.
On Monday, Australia defeated New Zealand by 279
runs in the third and final Test at the Sydney Cricket
Ground (SCG), whitewashing the visitors 3-0 in the
Test series. Australia are on 296 points and only behind
India, who are on 360 points from three series. Australia
had earlier gained a full 120 points in a two-match home
series against Pakistan and earned 56 for a 2-2 draw with
England in the Ashes.
The Black Caps remain on 60 points after two series,
having split points for a 1-1 series draw with Sri Lanka
earlier on. Sri Lanka and Pakistan are slightly ahead with
80 points each.
England and South Africa, currently engaged in a four-
Test series which hosts South Africa lead 1-0, are on 56
and 30 points, respectively, while the West Indies and
Bangladesh have yet to earn a point after one series each,
played against India.
The top two teams at the end of the league will play the
final in the UK in June 2021 with the winners crowned the
World Test Champions.
France's Nicolas Mahut/Edouard Roger-Vasselin.
The 16-time Grand Slam winner first saved nine break points to get past
Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-2, before stepping back on the court with Troicki to
defeat the French duo of Mahut and Roger-Vasselin 6-3, 6-7(5), 10-3.
"I really show my emotion because I really care about playing for Serbia,
but I also care about being on the team with my friends. These guys are
some of my best friends in my life and I grew up with Viktor. We played
so many doubles matches together in junior days," Djokovic was quoted as
saying by the ATP Tour website after the match.
Australia booked its place on Sunday as the Group F winners, also in
Brisbane.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, January 10, 2020
A
collection of recipes from Gujarati cuisine that are not just easy but also delicious
to cook and eat. If you are a lover of Gujarati food but don't know how to cook the
cuisine, try out recipes from this amazing list. Gujarati recipes are known for its
hearty and flavourful breakfast recipes.
Saragva nu lot valu shaak
(Drumsticks cooked in curd curry)
B atata Nu Rasa Valu Shaak is a traditional
Gujarati style potato curry often paired with
a Gujarati meal. It is a popular accompaniment
to rice, roti and puris.
INGREDIENTS
• 2 Drumstick, cut into pieces and steamed
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 3 Curry leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon Sesame seeds / Til seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon Cumin seeds / jeera
• 1/4 teaspoon Mustard seeds / rai
• 1/2 teaspoon Red chilli powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Asafoetida (hing)
• 1/2 cup Curd
• 1/2 cup besan / gram flour
• Salt to taste
Method
• Make yogurt paste by combining yogurt
with gram flour, turmeric, asafoetida, red
chili powder and salt. Add 1.5 cup water and
Khaman Dhokla
D
hokla is one of the specialities of Gujarati
cuisine and is enjoyed as a snack. This
is an easy-to-make snack recipe that can
be prepared anytime and is best enjoyed
with tempered or pan-fried green chillies.
Ingredients
• 1 cup gram flour (besan)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon refined oil
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 11/2 cup water
• 1 3/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 15 curry leaves
• 1 teaspoon coconut powder
• For Garnishing
• 4 sliced green chilli
• 1 handful coriander leaves
Method
• To prepare this delicious Khaman Dhokla
recipe, take a glass bowl and add gram flour,
salt, water, lemon juice and baking soda
in it. Mix well all these ingredients. Allow
the batter to ferment for 1-2 hours. In the
meantime, pour boiled water in a steamer
and grease the utensil with oil.
• Pour the dhokla batter in the utensil and
cook on low flame for 15-20 minutes. Check
with knife after 15 minutes by inserting it
Rice flour khichu
C
raving for a lip-smacking recipe?
Try out Rice Flour Khichu, made
with boiled rice flour, green chilies,
cumin seeds and sesame seeds to give
you a brilliant combination of amazing
flavors. This Gujarati dish is delectable
and simultaneously very nutritious. If you
don't feel like cooking on a lazy monsoon
afternoon and want to eat something
How to make Rice Flour Khichu
healthy as well as nutritious then don't miss
out on this recipe.
Ingredients
• 2 tablespoon peanut oil
beat until thick lumpfree batter is prepared.
• Heat little oil and roast yogurt mixture. Stir
till mixture thickens.
• Add steamed drumsticks to mixture. Cover
and cook for few minutes. Adjust taste with
salt.
• Stir. Add seasoning / tadka made of hot
oil and fried mustard seeds, cumin seeds,
sesame seeds and curry leaves.
• Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve
Saragva (Shing) Nu Lotvalu Shaak along
with Phulka.
inside the dhokla. If the knife comes out
clean, remove it from the stove. Allow the
dish to cool and then cut into pieces.
• For the tempering, heat another pan with
oil in it over moderate flame. Once the oil
is sufficiently hot, add mustard seeds, curry
leaves and vertically sliced green chilli. Add
1/2 cup of water in the pan and allow it to
boil. On 2-3 boils, squeeze 1/2 lemon, add
sugar and green coriander leaves. If you
are someone who likes it spicy you can
add some finely chopped green chilies to
the top coating. You can also make Dhokla
sandwich by layer Dhokla and adding your
favourite sauce to it.
• Turn off the heat and pour the tempering on
the dhokla. Transfer the dish to a serving
bowl and serve it with green coriander
chutney. Khaman Dhokla is best enjoyed
when paired with Faafda and Jalebi. Try this
delicious snack recipe at home with your
family and friends.
• 2 1/4 cup rice flour
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
• 2 teaspoon finely chopped green chillies
• 1 ounce finely chopped spring onions • Now, add the rice flour and stir, as to
• salt as required
• 1/7 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 3 1/3 cup water
• Transfer Rice Flour Khichu in a serving
• To prepare this recipe, take a pan and
place it on medium flame. Add enough
water along with sesame seeds, cumin
seeds, chopped green chilies, baking
FEATURES 23
Gujrati Recipes
Methi Ka Thepla
H
ow Flour kneaded with methi, ginger, • 1 tsp Sugar
chilies, herbs and yogurt and made into • To knead Yogurt
crisp paranthas. • As needed Water
Ingredients Method
• 2 Cups Atta • Take all ingredients in a bowl. Mix well.
• 2 Tbsp Oil • Knead the ingredients well with yogurt and
• 1 Tbsp Dried Methi some water.
• 2 tsp Salt • Make thin paranthas out of the dough.
• 2 tsp Ginger and Green Chillies (make paste) • Cook the paranthas from both sides, over
• 1 tsp Garlic high flame till greenish brown.
• 2 tsp Coriander Powder • Serve hot.
Trevti Dal
T
revti Dal is a delectable Gujarati recipe that can be a best wholesome dish if paired with roti,
chapati, naan, paratha, steamed rice and pulao. This scrumptious recipe is prepared using
moong dal, toor dal, chana dal and a melange of Indian spices which make this dish super
delicious and equally pleasing to your taste buds.
Ingredients
• 1 cup chana dal
• 1 cup toor daal
• salt as required
• refined oil as required
• 1 cup finely chopped tomato
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic paste
• 1/2 teaspoon lime juice
• 1 1/2 dry red chili
• 1 cup moong dal
• 3 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon powdered
turmeric
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger paste
• 12 pinch asafoetida
• 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped
coriander leaves
Method
for few seconds.
• To make this recipe, take a bowl and add
• Next, add chopped tomatoes and stir the
chana dal, moong dal, toor dal. Wash them
mixture.
well and soak for one hour. Once done,
• Add red chili powder and saute again for
drain the water and transfer the lentils in a
another 3-4 minutes or until the tomatoes
pressure cooker.
becomes soft. Once done, transfer the
• Add turmeric powder and required amount
cooked lentils in the mixture along with
of water.
water and salt. Mix them well and simmered
• Pressure cook the dal for 5-7 whistles or
for 7 minutes.
until they becomes tender. Then, mash the
• Add lime juice and chopped coriander
lentil. Now, take a pan over medium flame
leaves. Stir for another few minutes and turn
and heat oil in it.
off the flame.
• Once heated, add cumin seeds, when it
• Your Trevti Dal is ready.
starts crackling add dry red chilli, asafoetida
• Serve hot with pulao or chapati.
powder, ginger and garlic paste. Saute them
soda and salt according to your taste
and boil the mixture for the next 10-12
minutes.
prevent any lumps. Cover the mixture
with a lid and let cook for another
two minutes. Add peanut oil and keep
stirring occasionally.
dish and enjoy. Normally, Khichu is
prepared with these simple ingredient
mentioned above but you can even add
vegetables and cashews as per your
choice.
24 FEATURES Friday, January 10, 2020 The Indian Weekender

Brutally honest tips for zodiac

signs for a happy 2020
While there is no foolproof way of ensuring that you have a smooth-sailing 2020, we can always take help from our ruling planets and
astrology to bring out the best in us. Today, we tell you, the one thing every zodiac sign needs to do or practice to stay to make this most of the
new year. These tips will help you in sticking to your new year resolutions and achieve the goals you have set. You can thank us later.

Aries: Control your temper ​Leo: Express your emotions C

​ apricorn: Focus on
friendships, not followers

B eing the king sign of the horoscope, you are quite used to
suppressing your emotions in order to lead others. You are so

2 020 is the year of taking charge for the Aries and it is time used to being strong and available for others that expressing your
you put a pause on your mood swings. If you have the habit feelings doesn’t come naturally to you. This year, take a vow to

F
of reacting without analyzing the whole situation, you need to express yourself in a better manner. Remember, when emotions rom video-streaming services to social media platforms, we
change it. This year, make it a point to access the scenario in are held back, tension is created and it becomes a vicious circle. are living in the era of ‘digital high’. Sadly, in the middle
of ‘views of stories and status updates’ and likes on our posts,
Virgo: Start meditating
a calm manner before passing your judgment. When you will
learn to control your temper, it will certainly pave way for better we lose touch with reality. Capricorns, it is important to connect
opportunities and growth, both personally and professionally. with people in real life and social media is not the place for it.
Go the old school way and catch up with your long lost friends.
Taurus: A little empathy After all, the warmth of sharing laughter over a cup of coffee is
irreplaceable
goes a long way
Sagittarius: Time to get
F or the stubborn
Taurus, 2020 is going
to be the year of learning moving
and transformation. It
is time to let go of your
B eing a Virgo usually goes hand-in-hand with getting Y ou may be naturally
blessed with a fit
physique, but it is important
bullheaded approach anxious and worried at the drop of the hat. To calm your
towards life if you wish every-racing mind, it is time to take up meditation. Practising that you start exercising
to achieve your goals. mindfulness breathing and yoga for ten minutes every day will to maintain it. Channelise
Remember, even if you help you feel calm and collected. It will also help you focus more your energy and work
strongly feel that you on the present, instead of drifting away to an uncertain future. towards better health and
are correct, it does not lifestyle. Find a way to
mean that someone else’s Libra: Let go of toxic include exercise in your

relationships
opinion is invalid or daily routine, no matter
wrong. When you begin to empathise with people, life will start how hectic your day is.
opening new doors for you.

Gemini: Concentrate on Aquarius: Judging others

your career does no good
T he fun loving nature
of Gemini certainly
Y ou have a tendency of
over-analyzing situations
and other’s statements. If you
makes them an amazing do so, you are not only robbing
company but it also your own mental peace but are
spells trouble for their also distancing others. After
professional life. Your
fickle and ‘I-get-bored-
easily’ attitude often
S ince you are forgiving and quite emotional by nature, toxic
people often find their way back into your life. This year
take a pledge to let go of anyone who makes you feel bad about
all, nobody wants to be around
anyone who seems to analyze
their every move and statement.
becomes a hindrance in your life or the way you are leading it. Toxic relationships come Remember, when you judge
the growth of your career. in many forms and it is your job to weed them out of your life. people, you have no time to love
Remember, work isn’t It may take a little courage at determination at first, but you will them.
always fun and games. There are times when it is difficult and certainly feel happier and at peace later on.
mundane, but you have to do it nevertheless. Try and put in extra
efforts to stay focused on your work in this year. Scorpio: Stop paying ​Pisces: Learn to speak up
Cancer: Learn to respect attention to naysayers
others
I f you tend to give
a lot of importance
to money, may it is
time to reevaluate your
approach towards life.
Not everything in life
is about finances and
earning money, you also
need to give enough time
to your relationships in
order for them to bloom. F or Scorpios, 2020 is all about self-love and filtering out any
negative comments and hate coming your way. Let go of
cold and selfish people, who have no better business than to
P isces, you have a tendency to agree with everyone, which
isn’t always a good idea. Hence, it is important to set
boundaries, instead of letting everyone walk all over you. Learn
So, spend time with your
loved ones this year and criticize you. Instead, pay attention to your hopes and aspirations to say what is on your mind, instead of staying silent and letting
respect their emotions. and try your best to achieve them. people have their way with you.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, January 10, 2020
10 January – 16 January 2020 | By Manisha Koushik
ARIES (MAR 21-APR 20)
Someone in the family expects you to loosen
your purse strings, so don’t disappoint. A social
event may give you an opportunity to meet new
people. You may have to deal with a situation
that you have not encountered before. Keeping
your professional front in order will be an
ample proof of your efficiency at work. Encouraging signs
appear for the eligible on the marriage front. A journey you
want to undertake is likely to materialise soon. Lucky Number:
4 / Lucky Colour: Yellow.
TAURUS (APR 21-MAY 20)
Financially, all your worries are likely to
disappear. You may remain surrounded by
relations and friends. Visiting new places to
enjoy new experiences is on the cards, but
don’t overdo it. Someone may be planning to
take you out for a meal, so remain available!
On the work front, you are likely to reap rich dividends with
minimum efforts. News of someone homecoming may add to
your excitement. Romantic front will remain warm and cosy, so
rejoice!  Lucky Number: 1 / Lucky Colour: Pink
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUN 21)
Financial worries become a thing of the past as
money comes from various sources. Going in
for a lifestyle change at this juncture will find
you fitter and more energetic. Someone may
make you do something extra at work, but
take it in your stride. A social gathering may
find you in the spotlight. Fame and recognition
comes to you from work on the professional front. Family will
be loving and supportive of your ideas. Lucky Number: 5 /
Lucky Colour : Pink
CANCER (JUN 22-JUL 20)
A personal job may entail a lot of travelling, so
be ready for it. You may have to hire someone
to share your workload, so start thinking on
those lines. Freelancers and contract workers
will manage to make clients agree to their
terms and conditions. You may get involved in
arranging something on the family front. Falling in love is a
strong possibility as you get serious about someone from the
opposite camp. Lucky Number : 7 / Lucky Colour : Magenta.
Manisha Koushik is a practicing astrologer, tarot card reader, numerologist, vastu and
fengshui consultant based in India with a global presence through the online channels. She is
available for consultations online as well. E-mail her at support@askmanisha.com or contact at
+91-11-26449898 Mobile/Whatsapp: +91-9716145644 • www.askmanisha.com
LEO (JUL 21-AUG 20)
Bidding adieu to a recurring health problem is
possible for some. Planning an outing together
with family is on the cards and will be
exciting. You will need to be on the forefront
in whatever you undertake to get noticed. This
is an excellent time to showcase your talents
on the professional front for furthering your
career. You will be able to raise money for something specific
without any problems.Lucky Number : 9 / Lucky Colour
:Green
VIRGO (AUG 23-SEP 23)
Those looking for a quick buck are likely to
grab every opportunity they can lay their
hands on. Family togetherness will prove
immensely fulfilling and help create a happy
home environment. Tremendous improvement
is foreseen for those suffering from an ailment.
On the professional front, you will have time
on your hands to complete what had been pending for long. You
may not have the confidence to do a task alone, so don’t shy
away from taking help. Lucky Number:1 / Lucky Colour :
Dark Grey
LIBRA (SEP 24-OCT 23)
You may have to wait for some more time to get
an additional source of income going. Someone
may reluctant to approach you for a favour, so
give whatever guidance you can and leave the
options to him or her. Planning something with
the family will be more work, than enjoyment.
Be adequately prepared before setting out on a journey. You will
need to see the bigger picture and get rid of the pettiness that has
besieged you. Lucky Number : 9 / Lucky Colour : Magenta
SCORPIO (OCT 24-NOV 22)
A change of scene will prove most refreshing
and rejuvenating. You are likely to move ahead
on the professional front in leaps and bounds.
A relaxing time is foreseen at home in the
company of your near and dear ones. You will
be able to spare money for something essential
and remain confident of earning it back! Self-discipline on the
dietary front will find you much fitter than before. Expect a
positive response from someone you are interested in. Lucky
Number : 5 / Lucky Colour :Pink
FEATURES 25
SAGITTARIUS (NOV 23-DEC 21)
You continue to perform well on the
professional front and manage to take a
step nearer to becoming indispensable
for the organisation. Financially, you may
get motivated to earn more. Don’t keep
something important pending, as you may get
hauled up for it. You will be able to initiate a
repair job to your residential building and get rid of the problem.
An excellent family time is in store for you as you take time out
from work.Lucky Number : 4 / Lucky Colour : Electric Blue
CAPRICORN (DEC 22-JAN 21)
Plans to travel to someplace exotic will get to
see the light of the week. If property is on your
mind, then chances of getting a good bargain
cannot be ruled out. This is a good time to
hone your skills, as they may be required
at a later date. You will be able to resurrect
your love life and keep the flames of passion
alive on the romantic front. Pace of work may get slowed due to
distractions. Lucky Number :3 / Lucky Colour : Lime
AQUARIUS (JAN 22-FEB 19)
Taking an off from working out will prevent
fatigue from setting in and will keep you
energetic. Those in love get to enjoy the
week in a most romantic way! You will
remain focussed on whatever you have set
out to accomplish on the professional front.
Incurring a heavy expenditure is not likely to
deter you as you are confident of filling up your coffers once
again. Difficulties encountered on the academic front will be
overcome. Lucky Number : 2 / Lucky Colour : Yellow
Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20)
Something favorable may happen to you
on the professional front. You may find it
difficult to break free from a manipulator
trying to take advantage of you. An invitation
to some unique event is likely to warm the
cockles of your heart. Looks and charm may
draw you towards someone on the romantic
front. A chance to travel may come your way. A tough situation
on the family front may be faced and get you all worked up.
Lucky Number : 7 / Lucky Colour : Purple
26 TIME OUT Friday, January 10, 2020 The Indian Weekender

CROSSWORD NO: 42 ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK'S QUESTIONS

SUDOKU NO:42

HITORI NO: 42
Hitori – a logic puzzle with very simple rules and challenging solutions. Can you eliminate
numbers until there are no duplicates in any row or column? Objective / Rules. Eliminate
numbers until there are no duplicates in any row or column. Eliminate numbers
by marking them in Black. You are not allowed to have two Black squares touching
horizontally or vertically (diagonally is ok). Any White square can be reached from any
other (i.e. they are connected).
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE NO: 42
See how many differences you can find in the right or left photo.
1. In the song “Frosty the Snowman,” what made Frosty
come to life? An old silk hat
2. What Christmas decoration was originally made from
strands of silver? Tinsel
3. Who played George Bailey in the Christmas classic
“It’s a Wonderful Life?” Jimmy Stewart
4. Per a recent holiday fad, what “spy” hides around
the house, reporting back to Santa on who has been
naughty and nice? The Elf on the Shelf
5. What Christmas beverage is also known as “milk
punch?” Eggnog
6. One of Santa’s reindeer shares a name with a famous
symbol of Valentine’s Day. Which reindeer is that?
Cupid
7. What Christmas-themed ballet premiered in Saint
Petersburg, Russia in 1892? The Nutcracker
8. In 1981, Bob and Doug McKenzie released their own
version of a classic Christmas song. Which song is
that? The Twelve Days of Christmas
9. What animated 2004 film is about a train that carries
kids to the North Pole on Christmas Eve? The Polar
Express
10. What much-reviled Christmas edible is known for its
long shelf life? Fruitcake
11. In Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” what was
Mr. Scrooge’s first name? Ebenezer
12. What Bing Crosby song is the best-selling single ever?
White Christmas
13. In the early 1800s, the first gingerbread houses were
reportedly inspired by what famous fairy tale? Hansel
and Gretel
14. “Miracle on 34th Street” centers on what real-life
department store? Macy’s
15. In the song “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,”
what “incriminating” evidence was found on
Grandma’s back? Claus marks
16. How many reindeer are featured in the poem “Twas the
Night Before Christmas?” Eight (no Rudolph!)
17. What traditional Christmas decoration is actually a
parasitic plant? Mistletoe
18. In “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” who played
Scrooge? Hint: It wasn’t a muppet. Michael Caine
19. What beverage company has been using Santa Claus in
its advertising since 1931? Coca-Cola
20. According to legend, what holiday goodies were
shaped to resemble a shepherd’s staff, as a way to
remind children of the shepherds who visited baby
Jesus? Candy canes
21. In the movie “A Christmas Story,” what was the
name of the next door neighbors whose dogs ate the
Christmas turkey? The Bumpuses
22. What figure from English folklore came to be
associated with Santa Claus? Father Christmas
23. In the 1964 classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed
Reindeer,” what was the name of Rudolph’s faithful
elf companion? Hermey
24. According to the folklore of Austria and other
countries, what horned figure punishes naughty
children at Christmastime? Krampus
25. In the TV special “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,”
what three words best describe the Grinch? Stink,
stank, stunk
26. What well-known Christmas carol became the first
song ever broadcast from space in 1965? Jingle Bells

Send us stories, drawings, poems and other contributions by your little ones along with their
photographs for this page. E-mail us at reporter@indianweekender.co.nz
 The Indian Weekender Friday, January 10, 2020 ENTERTAINMENT 27

1917 was the shock winner of the Best Motion Picture Award
- Drama Awards at the 77th Golden Globes. Inset: You did it!
Glory:
The World War One film, directed by Sam Mendes, beat out
Phoebe Waller-
favorites The Irishman, Joker and Marriage Story to win the top
prize of the night, with Mendes, 54, also taking home the award for Bridge Waller-Bridge,

Toast
Best Director in a night of British triumphs 34, took home the Globes
for best actress in a TV
comedy as well as for best
TV comedy series for
Renee
Fleabag, which she
Zellweger
created
accepts the award for
best actress in a drama
for the film "Judy." It's her
fourth Globe, but her first

of the
in 17 years – her last win
was in 2003 for "Cold
Mountain." Michelle Williams won Best
Performance by an Actress
in a Limited Series or Motion
Picture Made for Television
for her role in Fosse/Verdon

Surprised:
'I had money on
this not happening,'
Olivia Colman told the
star-studded crowd at the
awards show after winning
best actress in a TV
drama series for
The Crown

Awkwafina
becomes first
Asian woman to win
Golden Globe for best Brit triumph: Elton John and Bernie Taupin looked
actress in a musical or overwhelmed as they posed with the award for Best
comedy film Original Song - Motion Picture for I'm Gonna Love Me Handsome: Pitt led Once Upon A Time In Hollywood to three
Again from Rocketman wins throughout the night
28 ENTERTAINMENT
Upcoming Blockbusters 2
83 (APRIL)
T he month of April would start with Ranveer Singh’s sports
drama bringing back the memory of India’s first title triumph
of the Cricket World Cup under Kapil Dev in 1983. The movie
titled 83 would see Ranvir essaying the role of Kapil Dev.
Laal Singh Chadda
(December)
L aal Singh Chaddha is the Bollywood
remake of actor Tom Hank’s 1994
Hollywood film, Forrest Gump. The
movie will see actor Aamir Khan and
actress Kareena Kapoor Khan come
together on the silver screen after 3 Idiots
(2009). In the original film, Tom Hanks
plays the role of a man with a learning
disability, who witnessed the historical
events that took place in the 20th century
in the United States.
AN IN HOLLYWOOD...
THE GRUDGE (JANUARY)
T
he Grudge is a 2020 American supernatural
horror film written and directed by Nicolas
Pesce, and produced by Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert, and
Taka Ichise.
A detective investigates a murder scene that has a
connection to a case that her new partner handled in
the past. The killings occurred in a haunted house that
passes on a ghostly curse to those who dare enter it.
Soon, the curse spreads to a terminally ill woman and
her husband, and another unsuspecting couple who
were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Friday, January 10, 2020 The Indian Weekender
Tanhaji
(January)
T he year would begin
with a big clash on
Bollywood in the very first
month. Ajay Devgan’s
period drama Tanhaji:
The Unsung
Warrior.
Here are the big ticket Bollywood releases
in 2020 that you would not like to miss CHHA
I A
f you are a movie-buff then some good content big-ticket releases would give you many reasons to hit the theaters. To fter a
ease things out for you here we bring the list of big-ticket Bollywood releases of 2020 that you shouldn’t miss. If 2019 actress
saw big hits like Gully Boy, Kabir Singh, Super 30, Mission Mangal, Uri: The Surgical Strike etc then 2020 promises life story of
to be even more exciting. The past few years have witnessed multiple firsts in the history of Bollywood, as content-driven
cinema started finding mainstream acceptance: From Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt-starrer Gully Boy (2019), a film that
follows the rags-to-riches tale of a rapper pursuing his dreams, to Ayushmann Khurrana beginning his film journey by playing
a sperm donor in his maiden movie, Vicky Donor (2012). The good news continues in 2020, as big-ticket directors and blue-
chip actors come together for another exciting year in cinematic history.
Gulabo Sitabo (APRIL)
A mitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurrana
will soon be seen sharing the screen in
their upcoming comedy film Gulabo Sitabo. It is
indeed one of the most awaited collaborations.
Amitabh Bachchan has been a Bollywood
megastar, while Ayushmann Khurrana has created
a niche for himself with his incredible acting and
unconventional roles. RADH
R
The first look of Amitabh Bachchan and adhe:
Ayushmann Khurrana has stirred up a storm in the action
internet. Big B looks unrecognisable as an old man Khan, Dish
while Ayushmann sheds the glam to play a local. announced
MULAN (MARCH)
M ulan is an upcoming American war drama film directed
by Niki Caro, with the screenplay by Rick Jaffa, Amanda
Silver, Lauren Hynek and Elizabeth Martin, and produced
by Walt Disney Pictures. The film is based on the Chinese
folklore “The Ballad of Mulan” and is a live action adaptation
of Disney's 1998 animated film of the same name. The film stars Liu Yifei
as the eponymous character, alongside Donnie Yen, Jason Scott Lee, Yoson
An, Gong Li, and Jet Li in supporting roles.
The Conjuring 3:
The Devil Made Me
Do It (September)
P
aranormal investigators
FAST AND FURIOUS 9 (MAY) Ed and Lorraine
F ast & Furious 9 is an upcoming American action film
directed by Justin Lin and written by Daniel Casey. A
sequel to 2017's The Fate of the Furious, it will be the ninth
Warren try to uncover the
truth behind a murderer's
claim of demonic
installment in the Fast & Furious franchise. possession.
Over the years, Vin Diesel has made clear one thing he The film will serve as
and his Fast & Furious 9 character, Dom Toretto, have in a sequel to 2013's The
common. They don’t have friends, they have family. After Conjuring and 2016's The
Paul Walker’s untimely demise, his two brothers, Caleb and Conjuring 2, and as the
Cody, stepped in to help Furious 7 to finish filming. Now, a eighth installment overall in
recent visit by Cody to the set of the upcoming movie has the Conjuring Universe.
fans wondering if Brian O’Connor could make his return to
the franchise next year.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, January 10, 2020 ENTERTAINMENT 29

2020
Also don't miss: Irrfan Khan's Return with Angrezi
Medium: Shahid Kapoor's Jersey: Akshay Kumar's
action thriller Sooryavanshi: Farhan Akhtar's Toofan.
BRAHMASTRA
(MAY)
D espite multiple reshuffling
of the release date,
filmmaker Ayan Mukerji’s
Brahmastra is slated to release in
the last quarter of 2020. The first
instalment of the mythological
trilogy will witness the onscreen
union of real-life couple, actor
Ranbir Kapoor and actress Alia
Bhatt, alongside actors Amitabh
Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan,
who is dropping in for a special
appearance.

APAAK (JANUARY)
brief hiatus post the release of Padmaavat (2018),
s Deepika Padukone returns to the big screen for the real-
f acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal.

THALAIVI (JUNE) SHAKUNTALA DEVI

HE (MAY)
Your Most Wanted Bhai is an upcoming 2020 Indian
film directed by Prabhu Deva. The film, starring Salman
ha Patani, Randeep Hooda and Jackie Shroff was officially
on 18 October 2019 with its motion poster released
K angana Ranaut's first look from the much anticipated film 'Thalaivi' has been
unveiled by the makers on social media. The film is scheduled to release on
(MAY)
June 26, 2020. Kangana has once again gotten completely into the skin of the
character, and is almost unrecognisable. Not only are her dance moves as the younger T he first-look poster of Vidya Balan's upcoming film,
Shakuntala Devi, has been released. The makers
have also released the teaser of the film. The poster
Jayalalithaa on point, she has nailed the aura and commanding
shows Vidya Balan as Shakuntala Devi, the human
personality as the legendary politician.
computer, donning short hair and in a red saree.

BLACK WIDOW (MAY) TOP GUN MAVERICK

B lack Widow is an upcoming American superhero
film based on the Marvel Comics character of the
same name. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed
(JUNE)
A fter more than thirty
years of service as one
by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is intended to of the Navy's top aviators,
be the twenty-fourth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Pete Mitchell is where he
belongs, pushing the envelope
as a courageous test pilot and
dodging the advancement in
rank that would ground him.

NO TIME TO DIE (APRIL)

MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU
(JULY)
M inions: The Rise of Gru is an
upcoming American 3D computer-
animated comedy film produced
Illumination. A sequel to the film of 2015,
Minions, and spin off/prequel to the main
Despicable Me film series, it will be directed
again by Kyle Balda, with co direction by
Brad Ableson.
N o Time to Die is an upcoming spy film
and the twenty-fifth instalment in the
James Bond film franchise to be produced by
Eon Productions. It features Daniel Craig in
his fifth outing as fictional MI6 agent James
Bond. It is directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, who
also co-wrote the screenplay with Neal
Purvis, Robert Wade, and Phoebe
by
Waller-Bridge.[4] Ralph Fiennes,
Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw,
Rory Kinnear, Jeffrey Wright,
Léa Seydoux, and Christoph Waltz
reprise their roles from previous
films, with Rami Malek, Lashana Lynch,
and Ana de Armas joining the cast.
30 FEATURES Friday, January 10, 2020
Indian Kite Festival
2020
Date: Sunday, January 12 (Rain
date, January 19)
Time: 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Venue: Eastdale Reserve, Avondale
Hosted by Vaishnav parivar NZ Inc
and Global Financial Services, The
Indian Kite Festival is back to host
the community for a full day of family
The most visited Indian news
day out, picnic and kite flying. Great
Food, kites, threads, entertainment at
the venue. No entry fee, huge parking
available on site.
website in New Zealand
70th Anniversary
of Republic Day of
India
Date: Sunday, January 26
For online advertising
Time: 9:30 a.m. onwards
Venue: India House, 128 Knights
Roads, Lower Hutt
The High Commission of India in
options, email at
Wellington invites all Indian Nationals,
persons of Indian origin and friends
of India to celebrate the 70th
Anniversary of India’s Repuiblic Day.
sales@indianweekender.co.nz
19th Japan Day
Date: Sunday, February 9
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Venue: 217 Green Ln West, Epsom,
Auckland
JAPAN Day is New Zealand’s biggest
annual Japanese festival that aims
for further mutual understandings
between Japan and New Zealand by
sharing traditional and contemporary
Japanese cultures. With its history of
19 years, there are a lot of Japanese
food stalls as well as some other
interesting things. Let’s have fun!!!
Hare Krishna Food
Festival & Holi
Date: Food Fest- Sunday, January
26
Time: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. & Holi: 12
p.m. to 4 p.m.
Venue: 1229 Coatesville-Riverhead
Hwy, Kumeu, Auckland
The Hare Krishna community has
long been coined as ‘the kitchen
religion’. If you have ever experienced
Hare Krishna cuisine, then you will
certainly know why! The aim of this
Festival is to provide that special food
experience to the wider public in a
food festival format on our beautiful
property in Kumeu, Auckland. For
those of you who attend our Holi
Festival of Colours - this festival is at
the same location.
* Entry/parking is free - all welcome!
* All food will be Vegetarian / Vegan
* Family Friendly with activities for
kids
SeePort Festival
2020
Date: Saturday, 25 to Monday, 27
January
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Venue: Captain Cook Wharf,
Auckland
Hosted by Ports of Auckland. Ports
of Auckland’s SeePort Festival is a
three-day celebration of Auckland
City’s beautiful waterfront and
rich maritime heritage. Carnival
rides, boat sailings, helicopter
rides, delicious food, virtual-reality
experiences, simulators, port tours,
music and entertainment on and off
the water – little and big kids will be
spoilt for choice! Sun and sea are
the perfect mix for a long weekend,
and best of all it’s mostly free! Check
out seeport.co.nz to see what’s on.
#SeePortAKL
Brazilian Day
Festival
Date: Saturday, January 25
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Venue: Rocket Park, 773 New North
The Indian Weekender
Rd. Mt Albert, Auckland
Co-hosted day by Albert-Eden
Local Board & Brazilian Festivals
& Events in NZ. The Festival is an
opportunity to share the Brazilian
culture, our passion, joy and warmth
with New Zealanders. The Festival
runs for eight hours in a fun summer
day in a family friendly and vibrant
atmosphere surrounded by the
Brazilian culture, food, music and
dance! Come and join us!
Auckland
International
Buskers Festival
2020
Date: Friday, 24 January to Monday,
27 January
Time: 12 p.m. onwards
Venue: Auckland CBD and
Waterfront
Witness the incredible at the 20th
Annual Auckland International
Buskers Festival. An unmissable
line-up of international and local
performers will hit the streets over
Auckland Anniversary Weekend with
energetic displays of breakdancing,
music, hula-hoops, fire stunts,
acrobatics and more!
The Festival returns to Auckland’s
CBD and Waterfront for another
year, with four full days of crowd-
pleasing delights from January 24
– 27, 2020. Day shows start every
day at 12 noon. Night shows run
on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at
7.30pm. The map and full schedule
will be released in December 2019.
For more information visit www.
aucklandbuskersfestival.co.nz. Art
and Child-friendly event.
Auckland
Anniversary
Weekend Market
2020 Queens Wharf
Date: Saturday, 25 January to
Monday, 27 January
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Venue: Queens Wharf, 89 Quay
Street, Auckland CBD
Come join us in celebrating Tamaki
Makaurau with a 3 day Market
providing everything from Art,
Jewellery, clothing, skincare and a
HUGE selection of indoor/outdoor
plants and garden art! Fun for the
whole Whanau with coffee, food
trucks, workshops, kid zone, and live
music!
Email: cloudmarketjan@gmail.com &
@aucklandmarket2020
Mission Bay Art
& Craft Market
- Auckland
Anniversary Day
2020
Date: Monday, January 27
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Venue: Mission Bat Reserve,
Tamaki Drive, Mission Bay,
Come along to Mission Bay this
Auckland Anniversary Day Monday
for one of Auckland’s largest Art &
Craft markets. Around 200 stalls will
fill Selwyn Reserve with a variety of
arts, crafts and designer fashion, as
well as some tasty food options.
There is something for everyone at
the Mission Bay Art & Craft Market,
including:
- Designer fashion for all ages
- Baby, toddler, and children’s clothes
- Huge selection of jewellery
- Dog snacks and doggie clothes
- Paintings and photography from
local artists
- Kiwiana, candles, and gifts
- Honey, jams, pickles and more
delicious edibles
- Furniture, wood-work and much
more!
 The Indian Weekender Friday, January 10, 2020 FEATURES 31

Study finds ‘helper’ cells that

can kill cancerous tumours
I
n a major breakthrough, researchers have identified how a
subset of immune cells are activated to kill cancerous cells,
which could hold the key to new powerful therapies against
cancer.
This new study built on previous research which found that
following immunotherapy some CD4+ T cells, traditionally
thought to be ‘helper’ and ‘regulator’ immune cells, become
cytotoxic and directly engage with and kill cancer cells.
Published in the journal Immunity, the research team from
University College London, examined the molecular and cellular
mechanisms underpinning this activity, as part of an experimental
study of immunotherapy in mice.
Researchers found that IL-2, a ‘growth factor’ for T cells and
the ‘transcription factor’ Blimp-1 are responsible for initiating
potent killer activity in CD4+ T cells within cancerous tumours.
“We knew these immune cells had the ability to proactively
kill cancer cells with incredible potency, but to maximise
their potential, we needed to know how this mechanism was
activated,” said study co-lead author Sergio Quezada.
“Our discovery provides the evidence and rationale for
utilising Blimp-1 to maximise the anti-tumour activity of CD4+
T cells,” Quezada added.
Work is now underway in our lab to develop new personalised
cell therapies where the activity of Blimp-1 can be maxed up to
drive potent tumour control, the researchers said.
According to the study, T cells are a subset of lymphocytes
(white blood cells), which play a key role in the body’s immune
response. In immunotherapy T cells are modified and used to
attack cancer.
These cells move around our bodies, looking for infected cells
and killing them.
However, T cells do not recognise most cancers, since cancers
develop from our own tissues and appear normal to most T cells,
the research said.
The main challenge with T cell immunotherapy approaches is
to find ways to direct T cells to attack cancer cells.
“Cellular therapies have only recently entered the mainstream
in terms of clinical application. Our findings broaden our
understanding of the regulators of T cell differentiation,
illuminating new elements that might be targeted to enhance
therapeutic efficacy,” said study researcher Karl Peggs from the
University College London in UK. According to the researchers,
the study like this helps scientists understand better the intricacies
of our immune system and how it can be utilised to kill cancer
cells.

Aspirin may curb

colorectal cancer
recurrence, tumour
growth
T
he benefits of a daily aspirin may extend beyond heart
health to colorectal cancer treatment, say researchers,
adding that they have found that aspirin appears to reduce
tumour growth and inhibit recurrence of the disease.
The trick now is to determine the right dosage of aspirin that can
be used as a daily prophylactic without triggering dangerous side
effects such as stomach and brain bleeds, the research said.
"Some might say aspirin is a 'miracle drug' because of its potential
to prevent diseases that result from chronic inflammation, such as
cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and arthritis," said Indian-origin
study researhcher Ajay Goel from the City of Hope clinic in the US.
The reason aspirin isn't currently being used to prevent these
diseases is because taking too much of any anti-inflammatory eats
at the stomach's mucus lining and causes gastrointestinal and other
problems.

"We are getting closer to discovering the right amount of daily

aspirin needed to treat and prevent colorectal cancer without
causing scary side effects," Goel added.
The study, published in the journal Carcinogenesis, used mouse
models and mathematical modeling to parallel the amount of daily
aspirin people in the US and Europe are taking in clinical trials.
The research team tested three varying daily doses of aspirin
in four colorectal cancer cell lines, including tumours with
microsatellite instability and mutations in the PIK3CA gene, which
has been tied to increased risk of endometrial, colon and aggressive
breast cancers.
Then the researchers divided 432 mice into four groups: control,
low-dose aspirin (15mg/kg), medium-dose aspirin (50mg/kg) and
high-dose aspirin (100mg/kg) -- the mouse equivalent of 100mg,
300mg and 600mg for humans.
The tumours from three mice in each treatment group were
analysed on days three, five, seven, nine and 11.
Researchers inspected "cellular apoptosis" (programmed cell
death) and found that the percentage of cells programmed to die
increased in all cell lines. Exactly how much, however, depended
on the amount of aspirin that was consumed, suggesting that aspirin
triggers a domino effect of cell death in all colorectal cell lines
regardless of genetic background.
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