15DECEMBER2017 | Vol 9 Issue 39

Grant Robertson World Telugu Malaika

Treasury's Half Conference 2017 Arora
year Update Kiwi-Telanganites 'women should
start motivating
Pg 9 join global delegates each other
Pg 8 Pg 26
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2 NEW ZEALAND Friday, December 15, 2017 The Indian Weekender

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 The Indian Weekender
Government gives ear to Crime Prevention
Groups concerns on rising crime
SANDEEP SINGH
T
he Crime Prevention
Group met with a group of
Ministers in parliament on
Thursday, December 14, to present
a memorandum on the state of rising
crime in New Zealand.
The fact that the members of Crime
Prevention Group have to travel all
the way to Wellington to present a
memorandum to the government
in the parliament on their demands
of addressing rising crime deserves
some attention.
So is the fact that the new
government had given the highest
priority to the concerns raised by
the Group by ensuring a resounding
presence of a group of senior
Ministers along with few MPs in
the same room also deserves equal
attention.
Indeed, this was a win-win
outcome for everyone as Government
gave ears to the members of Crime
Prevention Group with utmost
priority.
The 15-member executive
committee of the Crime Prevention
Group led by President Sunny
Kaushal met with Minister for Justice
Andrew Little, Minister for Police
and Small Businesses Stuart Nash,
Minister for Ethnic Communities
Jenny Salesa, and Parliamentary
Under-Secretary, Michael Wood.
It was a great opportunity to
meet the group of Ministers who
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In the meeting
it was identified
that we all are
stakeholders in
addressing the
problem of rising
crime
acknowledged that rising crime was
a matter of concern, Sunny Kaushal,
President of Crime Prevention Group
told The Indian Weekender.
In the meeting it was identified
that we all are stakeholders in
addressing the problem of rising
crime, Mr Kaushal added.
The Crime Prevention Group was
formed early this year after the (in)
famous aggravated assault on the
owner couple of Crown Superette in
Mt Roskill, to rally public support
against the rise in a number of
aggravated robbery, assault and
incidences of crime, especially on
the members of ethnic communities.
The eight-point memorandum is
seeking for a comprehensive action
from the government to ensure the
well being of shopkeepers and small
business owners, who are at the
forefront of aggravated robberies and
assaults.
The demands include among other
things, an increase in the police
numbers, reviewing and toughening
existing laws against assaults and
aggravated robberies, reviewing
age of youth offenders, putting
some accountability on parents of
those involved in offending and
shopkeepers right to self-defence.
Key demands:
The law
Review and toughen the existing
laws against assaults and aggravated
robberies, thus creating a strong
deterrent factor which should include
harsher penalties.
The Police
a. Increase the number of police
officers from 20 to at least 60 in
Auckland in the Special Police
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Task Force currently dealing with
rising crime on businesses.
b. Set up similar Police task forces
in other regions in NZ where
required.
c. Set up a flying squad of elite
police officers, as promised by Rt
Hon Winston Peters specifically
to deal with this grave situation.
d. Re-open the closed Police stations
in suburbs, and open new ones
wherever required in proportion
to the change and increase in
the demographic profile of
the communities. Increase the
visibility of Police on patrols
and beat at sensitive areas in the
suburbs.
e. More powers to Police and Judges
to deal with such situations.
The youth offenders
a. Review of the youth age to make
them and their parents more
accountable for their serious
crimes.
a. Hold negligent parents
accountable to get the message of
their responsibility across.
The shop owners
a. Shop owners right to defend
themselves when attacked, and
define the manner and mode of
such self-defence particularly in
situations that are quite familiar
now.
a. To shame and identify, and
introduce heavy penalties on
those who are procuring and
reselling stolen goods.
NEW ZEALAND 3
The cigarette tax
Put a hold on further tax increases
on cigarettes, which seems to be
one of the primary targets of such
incidents.
The victims
Announce a package and care for
the rehabilitation of the victims of
such crime.
The work for the dole
a. Following up on the governments
recent proposals regarding work
for dole policy, there is room
for reining-in young people who
are otherwise on unemployment
benefit, to be trained as security
personnel, to patrol and assist in
security for some of the shopping
blocks that are identified as prone
to such crimes.
a. They could act as a liaison
between the shopkeepers and the
Police.
a. The shopkeepers may also be
persuaded to contribute towards a
pool to create this vital resource.
The working group:
Set up a working group comprising
the concerned ministers, Police
commanders and Crime Prevention
Group to work on the solutions and
recommendations including the
distribution mode of $1.8m subsidy
already announced to the eligible and
affected applicants.
 4 NEW ZEALAND
A timeline of Crime Prevention Group
March 12 Crown Superette Robbery
A n armed group of seven robbers stormed
the Crown Superette just after 7 a.m. on
Sunday, March 12, hitting shopkeepers Jitesh
Arora and his wife Preeti Arora, and taking
an unaccounted amount of cash and cigarettes
from the store.
The owner couple was severely hurt with
husband Mr Patel requiring few rounds of
elective surgeries and leaving them immobile
and incapacitated and eventually resulting in
business going bust as costs escalated while the
couple recuperated from the assault.
It was this robbery, and rather the level of
violence, intimidation and bloodshed involved,
that appalled community the most, thus spurring
emotions and building a resolve to do more and
rally with others for the cause.
March 14 Solidarity Meeting
S everal local retailers, members of the public
and community leaders gathered outside
Crown Superette in Mt Roskill on Tuesday,
March 14 at 6:30 p.m. to share their solidarity
towards the victims of Crown Superette
robbery.
April 30 - Public Protest March, Manukau
T
his was the first major public protest
organised by the group, which was notable
for bringing a respectable number and a right
mix of people from various ethnicities (and
gender as well) on the road demanding urgent
government attention towards increasing
violence in robberies.
July 01 Meeting with High Commissioner
of India to New Zealand
T he group had a closed-door meeting with
the Indian High Commissioner Sanjiv
Kohli on Saturday, July 01, in Auckland
seeking good offices of Government of India in
raising the matter of rising incidents of assault
on members of Indian community with the
highest offices of New Zealand.
Indeed, this move raised a few eyebrows
within the community on the pretext that the
meeting appeared to them as a breach of New
Zealand sovereignty and hence not politically
correct.
Friday, December 15, 2017 The Indian Weekender
This was even after the High Commissioner
of India, Mr Kohli, had clearly emphasised then
that there was a clear consensus in the meeting
The meeting was attended by the Members
of Parliament from all parties including Denise
Roche (Greens Party), Louisa Wall and Michael
that the issue did not involve any racist angle, Wood (Labour Party), Dr Parmjeet Parmar and
nor will it be raised with the government of NZ Kanwaljit Bakshi (National Party), Winston
in that manner. Peters and Mahesh Bindra (NZ First), and
It was just that the government of India felt David Seymour (ACT Party).
committed to the members of Indian diaspora July 13 Please Help App
living overseas and therefore outreached to
listen to their concerns.
So did the Group, in reaching out to multiple
O n July 13, the Crime Prevention Group
joined hands with Edutech, a Rotorua
based software company, to launch an app
sources of influence viz, social, political and
Please Helpwith an ability to send out a
diplomatic to address concerns that they
distress signal and emergency messages at the
genuinely believed were important for their
time of an emergency.
constituency (small businesses and dairy
The app was designed primarily for retail
owners).
stores such as dairy stores, liquor stores,
It was a bit strange that while no sensitivities
petrol pumps, restaurants and takeaways and
were hurt in Wellington (foreign office) or for
individuals to alert their nominated emergency
that matter in New Delhi, few within community
contacts when they are in danger.
chose to go overboard in questioning the intent
of the meeting. December 13 Memorandum presented to
government in parliament
May 9: Meeting with all political parties
T he 15-member executive committee of the
Crime Prevention Group led by President
Sunny Kaushal met with a group of Ministers,
I
including Minister for Justice Andrew Little,
n this meeting, the Crime Prevention
Minister for Police and Small Businesses Stuart
Group and Indian associations brought
Nash, Minister for Ethnic Communities, Jenny
representatives from all major political parties
Salesa, and Parliamentary Under-Secretary
face to face with Indian and Chinese community
Michael Wood presenting a comprehensive
representatives, business owners and members
demand for action to prevent further incidences
of Police to address the rising crime.
of crime.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, December 15, 2017 NEW ZEALAND 5

Immigration New Zealand increases

minimum income threshold for
Residency and Work Visa applications
Changes in Skilled Migrant Category (Resident Visa) Your Trusted Financial Advisers
Threshold Prior to 15 January After 15 January
Threshold for skilled $23.49 per hour or above (or $24.29 per hour or above (or Special Care & Expert Advice for
First Home Buyers
employment in an occupation the equivalent annual salary) the equivalent annual salary)
at ANZSCO 1-3

Changes in Essential Skills work visa category

Threshold Prior to 15 January After 15 January
Threshold for mid-skilled $19.97 per hour or above (or $20.65 per hour or above (or
employment in an occupation the equivalent annual salary) the equivalent annual salary)
at ANZSCO 1-3

SANDEEP SINGH Right advice and economical Better rates and stress free loans
On Wednesday, INZ again

I
mmigration New Zealand (INZ) has quietly
increased the minimum income threshold
for residency and Essential Skill Work Visa
applicants on Wednesday, December 13.
The INZ website mentions that the
thresholds are indexed against the New Zealand
median income, and as previously announced
remuneration requirements are to be updated
at the end of each calendar year based on New
Zealand income data (which is released in
September).
This year the changes have been delayed
until January to give employers and migrants
enough time to adjust to the new thresholds.
The change in threshold, though largely
expected as per previous announcements by
INZ, would bring further distress to many
applicants who are already struggling with the
recently introduced minimum income threshold
requirement for Residency and Essential Skill
Work Visa.
In April this year, the then Immigration
Minister Michael Woodhouse introduced
minimum income threshold of $41,537.6 to be
eligible for Essential Skill Work Visa.
A minimum income threshold of $48,859.2
was introduced for Resident Visa application
under Skilled Migrant Category (SMC).
Essentially meaning that an applicant
seeking residency on the basis of mid-skilled
level employment will have to have a minimum
annual income of $48,860.
These changes were implemented by INZ on
August 15 this year.
On Wednesday, INZ again increased the
minimum income requirement for Essential
Skill Work Visa from $41,537.6 to $42,952, and
for a Resident Visa from the current $48,859.2
to $50,523.2.
The annual income is calculated for a
standard 40 hour week for 52 weeks in a year.
quote for all your insurance needs Advice on best loan structures
increased the minimum
income requirement for
Essential Skill Work Visa
from $41,537.6 to $42,952,
and for a Resident Visa
from the current $48,859.2
to $50,523.2
The changes in minimum income threshold
will come into effect from January 15,
2018. The visas that people already hold will
not be affected by this change.
It will also not affect the duration or
conditions of visas that have already been
granted.
However, a new application made on or after
January 15, 2018 will be assessed against the
new threshold.
This may mean the conditions or visa
duration of the next visa could be different.
For example, a chef paid $20 an hour would
currently be considered mid-skilled, as the
occupation is ANZSCO level 2 and the pay is
above the existing threshold of $19.97 an hour.
However, if he applied for a further visa
after 15 January, he would be considered low
skilled, unless his pay increased to above the
new threshold of $20.65 an hour.

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 6 NEW ZEALAND Friday, December 15, 2017 The Indian Weekender

Kiwi-bank has got it wrong:

Michael Wood on Owairaka Post Shop
SANDEEP SINGH

T
he new Parliamentary Under-
Secretary and MP for Mt
Roskill Michael Wood has
openly decried Kiwi-Bank on rolling
back from Owairaka Post Shop in
Mt Albert.
Mr Wood was speaking with
The Indian Weekender on Monday,
December 11, for the first time after
becoming Under Secretary in the
new government.
I am very disappointed with the
position that Kiwi-Bank has taken on
Owairaka Post Shop.
I think they have got it completely
wrong and I am encouraging them to
review their position and revoke the
decision to walk away from the Post
Shop, Mr Wood asserted.
I have met with them in my office
in Wellington and very clearly laid
out my views that they change their
position.
I am hoping that they have heard
that, Mr Wood further added.
However, it does not look like
that Kiwi-Bank has heard that so
far as the shop owner has not yet
heard anything from them and his
supporters are planning another
protest soon.
Meanwhile, Mr Wood also told
The Indian Weekender that this
government was committed to
community safety a task specially
delegated to Mr Wood as Under
Secretary in the new government.
This is a role that not many
people are familiar with.
Basically an under-secretary
assists a Minister work in a
particular area.
I am Under Secretary to the
Minister of Ethnic Communities
Jenney Salesa, and I work closely
with her in delivering governments
program in that area.
In my case, the Minister has
delegated me the task of Community
Safety, which is very important for the
members of Kiwi-Indian community
and other ethnic communities, Mr
Wood told the Indian Weekender.
On the question that what he
plans to do differently for the
Kiwi-Indian community, Mr Wood
identified increasing the number
of Police actively on the beat in
the community and increasing
resources in community patrol as the
topmost priority.
Our government is committed to
increasing police numbers by 1800 in
the next four years.
Minister for Police Stuart Nash
is working closely with Police
commissioner on how to increase the
number of police actively on the beat
in the community, Mr Wood said.
On the question
that what he plans
to do differently
for the Kiwi-Indian
community, Mr Wood
identified increasing
the number of Police
actively on the beat
in the community
and increasing
resources in
community patrol
as the topmost
priority
I am also committed and strongly
advocating for a diverse police
force, Mr Wood further added.
About increasing resources in
community patrolling, Mr Woods
said, I have met with Chris
Lawton, President of New Zealand
Community Patrol to talk about how
to work together.
This will help in extend the reach
of Police so there are more eyes and
ears in the community.

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 The Indian Weekender Friday, December 15, 2017 NEW ZEALAND 7

nib earns first CQ Tick for cultural Trust Saffron Finance for

intelligence and capability

SANDEEP SINGH diverse ethnic backgrounds and needs,
expert Mortgage/ Insurance
advice backed by years
of experience

N
ib has become one of the first
few corporate organisations in
New Zealand to be awarded
the CQ Tick, reflecting the health
insurers commitment to exploring
and responding to gender and cultural
diversity both within the workplace and
their customer base.
The CQ (Cultural Quotient) Tick is a
formal certification by the Superdiversity
Centre on Law, Policy and Business to
recognise the progress that organisations
are making to recognise, respect and
improve cultural capability within their
structure and in terms of customer-facing
practices.
On Tuesday, December 12, a certificate
was presented by Superdiversity Chair,
Mai Chen and Principal, Julie Hardaker,
to nib Chief Executive Officer, Rob
Hennin at the nib office in Auckland
CBD.
Speaking on occasion, Mr Hennin said
the health insurer was proud and humbled
to receive the CQ Tick, adding that
the CQ journey had made a significant
positive impact on the organisation and
its employees.
Weve always valued cultural
capability, but the CQ audit conducted
by the Superdiversity Centre showed just
how diverse we are, and demonstrated
that we have huge potential to be a high-
performing CQ company, Mr Hennin
said.
It revealed some really interesting
facts about us as a workforce. For
instance, we found that we have over
50 ethnicities, we speak 50 languages,
and almost half of us were born outside
New Zealand. We also have a high
number of millennials with 42 per
cent of our employees falling into this
demographic, Mr Henin further added.
Over the past year, nib worked with the
Centre to measure its employee diversity,
identify gaps in cultural awareness and
capability, recognise leaders who are
capable of growing the companys CQ,
and to promote opportunities for these
leaders to champion diversity within the
workplace.
Mr Hennin said the programme was
also a great way to add value to nibs
business by helping the organisation to
understand future business challenges
as the New Zealand market continues
to reflect changing demographics within
the country.
By recognising the benefits of
diversity within our workplace, weve
been able to identify our internal capacity
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 8 NEW ZEALAND Friday, December 15, 2017 The Indian Weekender

Government scraps National Standards in primary schools

SANDEEP SINGH Mr Hipkins said.

T
he new Labour government,
Starting from 2018, The Minister also sighted the
continuing its pledge to schools will no longer recently released international report
indicating a drop in the reading
scrap, within first 100 days, be compelled to report
many measures introduced by the levels of the New Zealand children
annually on National to rationalise the government action.
previous National government if
they came to powerhas scrapped Standards to the Last weeks international report
the National Standards in primary Ministry of Education showed that since National Standards
schools. were introduced in 2010 reading
The government is also on track to levels of New Zealand children have
annul the Nationals Family Incomes on the progress and achievement of dropped to their lowest level on
Package later this week. all children across the New Zealand record. It made sobering reading.
Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Schools and parents have lost
Announcing the government
Aotearoa, he said. replace National Standards. confidence in National Standards.
decision on Thursday, December 14, However, the government would
The Labour Party has been We will take the next few months They were too narrow, neither
Minister of Education, Chris Hipkins not be introducing any alternative
passionate about scrapping the to work with the sector, students, national nor standard, and did not
said, The Government has taken the plan immediately to replace the
National Standards, along with the parents, whnau and iwi to develop do what the previous National
first steps to turn around a decline National Standards.
teachers unions, who believed that a new approach for understanding government claimed they would do
in educational achievement among The Minister will be reporting
it did not serve any constructive progress across the curricula that will and lift the bar, Mr Hipkins said.
Kiwi children. back to the cabinet in September
purpose in either enhancing meet their needs, and contribute to Starting from 2018, schools will
Today, I am announcing that the 2018 with a proposal for an
childrens learning or keeping
Government has stopped National alternative arrangement, thus giving the education system supporting the no longer be compelled to report
parents informed about the progress
Standards and Ng Whanaketanga the government nine months to come success of all students. I will report annually on National Standards to
of their children in schools.
up with an appropriate system to back to Cabinet by September 2018, the Ministry of Education.
Rumaki Mori, and will instead focus

Kiwi-Telanaganites join global New Government appears

delegates for World Telugu Conference
SANDEEP SINGH and Austria to meet and invite all confused
S I
NRIs and community groups to ts been almost eight weeks since the
everal members of
participate in the conference and Labour Party managed to cobble together a
Telangana community make it a grand success. Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi
in New Zealand are coalition to form Government.
The event will be National Party List MP
joining delegates from about Before the general election, Labour made a
inaugurated by the Vice
30 other countries around the number of promises in areas such as law and
President of India, M.
world to participate in World Venkaiah Naidu. order, immigration, education and job creation. The Minister of Education has chosen
Telugu Conference being held About 8,000 delegates from Based on their policy announcements it to spend $2.8 billion on fees-free tertiary
in Hyderabad from December across the world will be gathering would be fair to say that the Labour Party and education, which he justified by saying it would
15 -19. in the pearl city of Hyderabad to its coalition partners made unrealistic promises encourage more people to take up tertiary study.
Kalyan Rao Kasungati, President discuss how to promote, enrich and to New Zealanders.
of Telangana Association of New Zealand However, his own estimates say there wont
preserve the Telugu language. There has been no noticeable improvement
(TANZ) and Vijaybhaskar Reddy Kosna, even be an increase in enrolments until about
Over 900 Telugu poets would be in law and order. Rather, we have had a number
President Telangana Rashtra Samithi New 2021, and even then it will only be about a 2.5
participating in a kavi sammelan during the of incidents in the past few weeks, one of which
Zealand are already camping in Hyderabad per cent increase.
five-day mega event. resulted in a dairy owner losing her eyesight.
since Monday, December 11. Similarly, the Minister of Education seems
Whereas Jyothi Mallikarjun Reddy, The President of India Ramanath Kovind
Eight weeks and there is still no clarity on to have arbitrarily decided that New Zealands
President Telangana Jagruthi New Zealand will be the chief guest at the valedictory
this Governments vision for immigration. children and their parents do not need to
departed Auckland on Wednesday, December function of the conference.
Recently, Telugu community of Auckland Especially, when a number of sectors know how they are performing at school. He
13, to participate in the mega cultural event.
got the chance to participate in one of the from high-end manufacturing to information has decided to scrap National Standards, a
The World Telugu Conference (WTC) is
being held to promote the rich heritage and preparatory meetings. technology and tourismhave highlighted that medium used by teachers to quantify a childs
culture of Telugu language, and the Chief There have been several rounds of such immigrants are necessary for their and New progress at school. The sole consultation that
Minister of Telangana state K. Chandrashekar preparatory meetings held in several countries Zealands success story. the Minister seems to have undertaken was
Rao is taking a keen interest in the success of around the world in the lead up to the much- It appears that the Government is ready with the unions who inherently form core of the
the event. publicised event. to squander the economic gains of the Labour Party, leaving parents, school trustees
Recently, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) One such preparatory meeting was past nine years under the National Party and experienced school management out of the
Party MP, Kalvakuntla Kavitha had opened organised in Auckland on Sunday, November consultative process
administration.Rather than work towards
an office in Hyderabad, exclusively dedicated 19, by Vijay Reddy Kosna, Kalyan Rao In each of the policy decisions, we
to the conference, signalling the intent of the improving on Nationals work for New
Kasuganti, Narender Reddy Patllola and other see the Governments thinking of policy
government to make this mega event a grand Zealand,all we have seen them announce so far
leaders of the Telangana community. implementation from a populist standpoint
success. During the meeting, information related to are new taxes, cancellation of tax cuts planned
Toward this goal Mahesh Bigala, the Non- rather than from the viewpoint of what is
the conference was presented by Manabadi by National for all New Zealanders, setting up
Resident Indian (NRI) coordinator of the important for New Zealand, whichmay not
Telugu Language School Co-Founder, of freebies in tertiary education, scrapping of
World Telugu Conference, had travelled to bode well for our future generations.
Muralidhar Rangu, and Manabadi language National Standards - and nothing of substance
the United Kingdom, United States, Canada
school teacher, Sunitha Vijay. on law and order.

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 The Indian Weekender Friday, December 15, 2017 NEW ZEALAND 9

Nationals tax cuts out,

Labours families package in
SANDEEP SINGH Table: Annual rate of Family Tax Credit

N
ationals tax cuts have been Current 1 July 2018
shown the back door in Eldest child, 16-18 $5,303
parliament by Labour Party, Eldest child, 0-15 $4,822
$5,878
bringing-in its families package,
Subsequent child, 16-18 $4,745
which by its own admission will
hand 385,000 low and middle- Subsequent child, 13-15 $3,822 $4,745
income families an extra $75 a week. Subsequent child, 0-12 $3,351
The government has released Working for Families (WFF)
22.5% 25%
Treasurys Half Year Updatethe abatement rate
Budget Policy Statement, pledging WFF abatement threshold
$36,350 $42,700
to build a sustainable and productive (before tax)
economy that shares the benefits of
prosperity with all New Zealanders. substantial increases, Minister
We will fix New the Family Tax for Social Development Carmel
National laments increased
This treasury half-year update
Sepuloni said. spending
was much awaited to demonstrate Zealands social Credit rates will be
how Labour Party would manage
to provide for some of the popular
and infrastructure
deficits by investing
simplified to a single
eldest child rate and
The eldest child rate will increase
to $5,878. N ational Party is denouncing half
yearly accounts from Treasury
alleging that Government debt will

policies announced recently as a
part of governments first 100 days
program a detraction that the
opposition National Party often
invokes.
However, the government is
appearing confident to be able to
find money for all major policy
announcements.
Finance Minister Grant Robertson
reiterated confidence that the
Governments policy programme
A
t present, it is $5,303 if the be going up instead of dropping over
in families, a single subsequent eldest child is aged 16-18, and the next five years after just 49 days
education, health, child rate, with $4,822 if the eldest child is aged 0-15 of the new coalition Government.
The Government is also The previous Government left the
housing and our substantial introducing a Best Start payment of
books in very good order. Treasurys
regions increases $3,120 per child ($60 a week) for Pre-Election Fiscal Update had net
the first year, providing extra help to Crown debt reducing to $56 billion
the parents of the estimated 65,000
by 2022 from $59 billion at the start
newborns each year. of this financial year, National Party
and a Winter Warmer grant for
$5.5 billion packages for The changes will come into effect Finance Spokesman Steven Joyce
beneficiaries and superannuitants. said.
poorest families The government will be generating onJuly 1, 2018.

will deliver a stable and growing
economy which is fair for all New
Zealanders.
We will fix New Zealands
social and infrastructure deficits by
investing in families, education,
health, housing and our regions, Mr
Robertson said.
T B
he government is envisaging After just seven weeks with Grant
this fund by cancelling Nationals tax est Start will be available to all
Robertson as Finance Minister, this
reducing child poverty by cuts that will free about $8 billion. families with a baby born on or
As part of improvements to has turned around to an expectation
investing $5.5 billion in range of social after July 1, 2018, and to families
Working for Families, the Family of net debt growing to $69 billion
schemes including Accommodation with a baby born earlier if they
Tax Credit rates will be simplified by 2020 despite significant growth
Supplement changes, Working for had an expected due date of July 1,
to a single eldest child rate and a in tax revenues, Mr Joyce further
Families scheme, a Best Start 2018,or later.
single subsequent child rate, with added.
payment for parents of young babies,

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10 NEW ZEALAND
Well done our seniors: Shanti Niwas
RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
S
hanti Niwas on Thursday,
December 14, hosted
Volunteers Recognition
Day and a big Christmas
celebration at Greenlane
Christian Centre in Auckland,
recognising the value of the
senior citizens in the community.
More than 250 senior members
of the community participated in
the event. Several community
leaders, police officers,
parliamentarians and the Honorary
Consul of India, Bhav Dhillon,
graced the event.
The event commenced with
recognition of the contributions
of the volunteers who play a vital
role towards achieving the goals
of Shanti Niwas and making such
events a success.
Friday, December 15, 2017 The Indian Weekender
He also took the
opportunity to apprise
the seniors about some
of the important services
currently being offered,
especially to the elders, at
the newly opened consul
office in Auckland.
The Auckland office is
providing many services
for which earlier the seniors
had to go to Wellington,
Mr Dhillon said.
Speaking on occasion, Mr The event continued with Christmas
Dhillon applauded seniors for their carols, music performances, dance
contribution to the community. and gift presentations.
The Indian Weekender Mr Diwali 2017
winner Anchal Marwah also sang a hymn at
the event.
Sugar-Free a popular skit group in
Auckland led by theatre artists Chirag Solanki,
Rupal Solanki and their son Siddhraj Solanki,
performed their Christmas presentation Anmol
(meaning precious) at the event.
Shanti Niwas Charitable Trusta non-
profitable organisationhosts events,
activities and workshops for the senior citizens
of Indian and South Asian communities
throughout the year and helps rehabilitate
those exploited or ignored by their families.
It provides a platform for them to engage
in community and cultural activities, share
their experiences and expertise in building a
successful seniors community in Auckland.
Shanti Niwass other services include
delivering Positive Ageing Day programs in
the wider Auckland region, KHUSHI - elder
abuse and neglect prevention service, DOSTI -
visiting service, and SNEH - emergency home
Facility.
Shanti Niwas has a team of dedicated
and passionate social workers, diversional
therapist and other professionals who provide
information and services to the seniors.
Further details of the trust and its programs
and projects can be obtained from www.
shantiniwas.org.nz or by contacting them at
14, Spring Street, (beside Dolphin Theatre)
Onehunga or their manager Nilima Venkat on
(09) 6221010.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, December 15, 2017 NEW ZEALAND 11

Humm FMs Christmas for

Kids 55 Hour Radiothon
will bring joy on more than
5000 childrens faces
IWK BUREAU

5 MEET SANTA
028 kids who would have gone without
a Christmas gift this festive season will
now celebrate with a smile as hundreds of
Humm FM listeners walked through the doors
with gifts making Christmas for Kids 55 Hour
Radiothon a huge success.
The three musketeers of Humm 106.2FM
Breakfast Show host Vijay and Drive Show
hosts Dev and Sandywent without sleep
for 55 hours and stayed on-Air to appeal for
Christmas presents for kids, who otherwise,
would have gone without the magic of
Christmas this festive season.
Aucklands undisputed number one
Bollywood (Hindi) Radio- Humm FM,
launched Christmas for Kids Radiothon on
Thursday, December 7, at midday and by 7 pm
Saturday, December 9, the station was flooded
with toys and gifts.
During Humm FM Radiothon, listeners came
from all over Auckland, and a few listeners
couriered gifts from Whangarei, Napier and
even as far as Wellington.
Humm FM started the trend of Christmas
for Kids Radiothon in 2015 which lasted for
54 hours, and nearly 2000 gifts were donated
to the Auckland City Mission for distribution.
Last year, Vijay, Dev and Sandy, decided to
go an extra hour making the radiothon, 55 Hour
long and nearly 4000 gifts were collected and
donated to the Salvation Army.
Humm FM Director, Roshila Prasad said,
Christmas is a time of giving and sharing, as
a radio station we provided a platform to our
listeners to come forward and become a Santa
for the kids out there who would have gone
without a present this Christmas.
As expected our Indian community came
out in large numbers to support this noble cause
which shows the strength of Humm FM as a
radio station, Ms Prasad further added.
While handing over a truck full of gifts to
the Salvation Army, Divisional Commander,
Steven Jaivis thanked the listeners of Humm
FM Radio and acknowledged Vijay, Dev and
Sandy for their efforts for being on air for 55
hours continuously and encouraging listeners to
come forward and donate to kids less fortunate.
Humm FM congratulates all listeners who
came with their family and friends to donate
gifts, making Christmas for Kids 55 Hour
Radiothon even bigger than the previous
two years.
at Glenbrook Vintage Railway
10th & 17th December 2017
Santas Grotto will be open at 10.30am to 12pm and 1.30pm
to 3pm for Santa photos. $5 per photo.
Children can make Christmas themed decorations in the Elves
workshop to take home.
Prices: Adult $20, Child (2yr to 14yr) $10, Family $55 (4 children and 2 adult)
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 12 NEW ZEALAND
INSV Tarini leaves Lyttelton for Falklands
W
ith the local Indian community
giving an emotional send-off
along with prayers on their lips -
the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini
left Lyttelton on December 12, for its onward
journey to Port Stanley (Falklands). This leg
is expected to take 35 to 40 days depending
on the weather conditions. Notably, some
of the roughest seas are in this leg. The crew
spent almost two weeks in Christchurch after
hitting New Zealand shores on the morning of
November 29.
The crew led by Lieutenant Commander
Vartika Joshi, and comprising of lieutenant
commanders Pratibha Jamwal, P Swathi,
and lieutenants S Vijaya Devi, B Aishwarya
and Payal Gupta, is on a seven-month-long
circumnavigation of the globe, which was
flagged-off from Goa on September 10, by the
Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
The expedition titled Navika Sagar
Parikrama, is being covered in five legs,
with stop-overs at four ports: Fremantle
(Australia), Lyttleton (New Zealand), Port
Stanley (Falklands), and Cape Town (South
Africa). Tarini is scheduled to hit Indian shores
sometime in April next year.
As detailed in our last weeks issue, the crew,
which is the first military all-women team
in the world to attempt a circumnavigation,
have trained extensively for the expedition.
They have sailed approximately 20,000 Nm
on-board INSV Mhadei and Tarini as part of
their training, which included two expeditions
to Mauritius (in 2016 and 2017) and a voyage
from Goa to Cape Town in December 2016.
This is the third time an Indian Navy team
is attempting to circumnavigate the globe,
Wishing you and
your families a
Merry Christmas
and a Happy New
Year.
Jenny SALESA
MP for Manukau East
jenny.salesa@parliament.govt.nz
Electorate Office
7 Fulton Cres, Otara
09 274 9231
Authorised by Jenny Salesa
Parliament Buildings, Wellington
1043 - Salesa Xmas ad 125x170.indd 1
as denoted by the blog of INSV Tarini titled
parikrama123.blogspot.co.nz. The first Indian
solo circumnavigation was undertaken by
Captain Dilip Donde from August 19, 2009,
to May 19, 2010, on-board INSV Mhadei. The
first Indian non-stop solo circumnavigation was
undertaken by Commander Abhilash Tomy
from November 1, 2012 to 31 March 31, 2013.
Indias Defence Attach based in the High
Commission of India in Canberra, Australia,
Captain Chetan Chandegave, who oversaw
the crews stay in Australia and New Zealand,
noted, They are very brave Indian Navy
officers and are well-trained and well-prepared
for the next leg of their expedition. Our best
wishes are with them.
According to the Indian Navy, INSV Tarini
has state-of-the-art communication and
emergency systems on-board, and its aircraft
on routine patrols also swing over the Vessel
periodically to check on its location.
Meanwhile, the local Indian community in
Christchurch expressed great pride and privilege
in hosting the crew of INSV Tarini. Hopefully
the Indian Navy officers took away some good
memories from their stay in Christchurch. Bon
Voyage Tarini! was the overwhelming feeling.
07/12/15 16:42
Friday, December 15, 2017
'Have faith in your
daughters'
- thats the message the crew of INSV Tarini has for
Indian parents as they leave the shores of New Zealand
W
hen Indian Navy started preparing
for the expedition aptly titled
Navika Sagar Parikrama, it was
aimed at promoting women empowerment and
develop an understanding of the sea, as well as
instil a spirit of adventure and camaraderie in
Indias young population.
Thus the six major aims can be classified
as: showcasing Indias nari shakti at the
world stage; sailing which encourages the use
of environment-friendly non-conventional
renewable energy resources; promote Make in
India by sailing on an indigenously-built vessel;
monitor and report marine pollution on the high
seas; collate and update meteorological/ocean/
wave data on a daily basis for subsequent
analysis by research and development
organisations; and advance Indias soft power
by interacting with local persons-of-Indian-
origin(PIOs) at all the four port halts.
The Indian Weekender caught up with the
crew of INSV Tarini just before they left New
Zealand for a brief chat about how far they
see these goals being achieved in their seven-
month-long arduous journey.
IWK: With this expedition, you are breaking
long-held Indian stereotypes about gender
roles. Whats your message to the society
back home, Indian parents in particular?
Team Tarini: See we are just Indian Navy
officers who are well-prepared, well-equipped
and well-trained to do what we are attempting
to do circumnavigate the globe, sailing.
So it might not seem a big deal to us, but we
do understand what our expedition may do in
breaking the gender stereotypes in India. With
the Prime Ministers Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
Yojna already making great inroads, we would
add our voice to the campaign and say this
to all the Indian parents: Have faith in your
daughters!
A woman can do everything that a man does. In
some cases, even better.
A daughter can do everything that a son does.
Including taking care of her parents in their old
age. The unfavourable sex-ratio for females
in India is a concern and the society needs to
introspect on the reasons for it. [Indias sex-
ratio is 943 females per 1000 males; which falls
to even further 919 in the 0-6 age-group]
Change in societal mind-set takes time but
every initiative counts. Navika Sagar Parikrama
is one among many. It is also impressive that
we are doing this when our Defence Minister is
a woman, Ms Nirmala Sitharaman.
IWK: This is something which might give
courage to women not only in India but
across the world. How did you break those
stereotypes? What prompted you to join the
Indian Navy?
Team Tarini: This is a difficult one to answer
as all six of us have different reasons.
The Indian Weekender
Some have always lived near the sea and were
fascinated by it. [Lieutenant Commander P
Swathi hails from Visakhapatnam]
Some had never seen the sea and wanted to
explore how it looks and behave. [The Vessels
skipper Lieutenant Commander Vartika Joshi
and Lieutenant Payal Gupta comes from
Uttarakhand]
But one thing was common among all of us.
We all wanted to be the part of Indian defence
forces one way or the other.
IWK: You have spent almost two weeks in
Christchurch. How has the Garden City
treated you?
Team Tarini: Oh, the hospitality by the
Indian High Commission in New Zealand,
the Christchurch City Council, the Royal New
Zealand Navy, and above all, the local Indian
community, has been wonderful.
Along with roaming around in Christchurch,
we have managed to visit few nearby places as
well, including Akaroa and Hamner Springs.
New Zealand is a pretty country, no doubt!
Our interactions with the locals have also
showed us that its a very liberal and progressive
country.
Like we were talking about gender roles earlier.
We were pleasantly surprised when we went to
clear the blackwater (sewage discharge) of our
Vessel and there was a Kiwi woman who was
handling the entire operation.
So New Zealand has moved a lot closer to
achieving gender-neutrality as compared to
other countries. There is much we can learn
from this, in our opinion.
IWK: Lastly, lots of our readers have written
to us asking this. Team Tarini is on water for
20-30-40 days consecutively. What do you do
when the sea is calm and theres not much in
terms of sailing challenge you are facing? In
simple terms, how does Team Tarini passes
time on the ocean?
Team Tarini: As there are six of us, we have
divided ourselves in three groups with two
members in each.
We run a four-hour-watch (two crew members
sitting on the deck at a time) and eight-hour-rest
schedule, when every individual is free to either
sleep, or pursue any interest such as cooking,
knitting, painting, sketching, or writing poetry.
We also have books, DVDs and music to keep
us occupied. Moreover, the Navy has made
arrangements for wifi on board. So we are in
constant touch with our families.
Additionally, lots of our time when the sea
is calm and the breeze is favourable is spent
on getting the boat ready for the next time we
encounter rough seas. Theres lot of cleaning to
be done, and repairs to be carried out.
Observing sea creatures such as Hector
Dolphins, and stargazing are also some of our
favourite activities.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, December 15, 2017 NEW ZEALAND 13

Young entrepreneurs provide Indian man

surprise boxes connecting families killed after
RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
falling from of all universities and many polytechnics

T
and colleges, Mr Ahmed said.

rubbish truck
wo young Kiwi-Indian
entrepreneurs are the talk of the
town as after they have started a
venture that is not only providing surprise
gift boxes but also connecting young
individuals with their loved ones.
Kimera is a subscription-based gift or
goodies box provider based in Auckland
that provides services to the university
students throughout the country. The
company was started in November
2016 by Nawaz Ahmed and Sandanee
Samarakoo and launched the product and
website in mid-February this year.
The first batch of boxes went out in
March, coinciding with the start of the
university semester. The company is just
over a year old and has already delivered
300 boxes to students across the country.
Being university students ourselves we
thought that receiving a box every month
packed with goodies and useful new items
would be a great treat as well as something
to look forward to every month. That gave
addition, if the students receive the box
from loved ones it helps them feel loved
and connected despite the distance, Mr
surprise them. Kimeras objective is to
Ahmed added.
The box comprises of numerous items
that vary every month and in different
boxes. The goodies range from chips,
energy snack bars, chocolates to stationery
Kimera also provides benefits to parents
and grandparents of children who are away
from home. The gift boxes provide a way
to the parents to stay connected and show
their love and support while removing the
hassle of finding the right items to send
every month.
We wanted to provide a personalised
solution for parents to stay connected
with their children that are staying away
from home. We are working on a couple
of new elements that will be introduced
next year that would add an extra element
of personalisation and connection to our
boxes, the founders added.
While subscribing to the gift boxes,
students can share their likes and dislikes.
Based on that information, the items in
the box are customised and added-in to
cater to all students in New Zealand with a
curated subscription box that is affordable
and will meet their needs.
We are working on a couple of new
RIZWAN MOHAMMAD

birth to Kimera, Nawaz Ahmed, CEO
and co-founder of Kimera told The Indian
Weekender.
Mr Ahmed started his first venture at
the age of 17 by selling hats online. He
has worked as a project manager for a
local company in Auckland. He has also
worked at Auckland Uniservices Ltd and is
currently pursuing Masters in Bioscience
Enterprise.
Being a student can get quite stressful,
and it can often be difficult to stay positive
and motivated, this type of product is sure
to lift spirits and provide excitement. In
items, gift items etc.
We did our market research while
developing the idea and surprisingly we
received 95% positive feedback from the
students, Sandanee Samarakoon, COO
and co-founder of Kimera said.
Ms Samarakoon brings years of
experience in the field of business and
commerce, and she is also pursuing
her Masters in Bioscience Enterprise in
Auckland.
Kimera benefits students who are
completing their tertiary education. We
send boxes all over the country to students
elements to introduce next year that would
add an extra element of personalisation
and connection to our boxes, Mr Ahmed
added.
The entrepreneurs have participated
in several activities that involve college
going students and have made a strong
mark in the community.
We look forward to making this
enterprise bigger and expand our market
in every institution in the country and also
target to provide services in Australia, the
founders told The Indian Weekender.
A
young Indian man has died after being hit by the
rubbish truck in Tuakau, Waikato.
Kamal Singh was a rubbish collection worker,
and as per initial reports by the police he fell off the truck
and died after being run over by it.
The accident took place on Alexandra Redoubt Road
shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 14. Kamals
family has been notified of the incident.
The Serious Crash Unit came to the scene after the
accident and WorkSafe NZ has been notified.
More details are awaited.
 14 FIJI
Namaste Pacifika celebrations
brings India, Fiji closer
B
ilateral relations between
Fiji and India have been
further strengthened with the
celebration of Namaste Pacifika
Festival of India around the country.
The festival is in line with Indias
70th year of Independence which was
commemorated on August 15 this
year. Various cultural programmes,
tourism promotion events, seminars
and conferences were organised
by the Indian government which is
being held around the globe.
Under the festival banner, a
group of renowned Indian
artistes last night presented
Yugpurush a drama the worlds biggest
depicting the special democracy and with
relationship between your increasing influence
Mahatma Gandhi and in global affairs, Fiji looks From left: Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Veena Bhatnagar, Indian High
spiritual mentor Shrimad to India for leadership
Rajchandra. All proceeds on the great issues of
from the drama will go
towards the construction of a
new 200-bed multi-speciality hospital
in India.
Minister for Industry, Trade,
Tourism, Lands and Mineral
Resources Faiyaz Koya said Fiji
had always valued and respected its
relations with India.
With India being the worlds
Bala praises Commission for strengthening ties
M
inister for Local
G o v e r n m e n t ,
Infrastructure and
Transport, Parveen Bala has praised
the Indian High Commission for
their continuous efforts to strengthen
Fijis relation with India.
He made this statement during the
Kalakshetra Foundation live show
at Nadi Sangam Primary School in
Nadi on Wednesday, December 6.
I want to thank the Indian High
Commission for bringing onto our
shores performers from India, this
will greatly enhance the relationship
we have with India, Mr Bala said.
People will also have a chance
to know the Indian culture and
Marketing strategy unites North-East India region
T
he North-East India
regions coming under
one umbrella in marketing
strategy is a win-win situation, says
Gautama Chintey
Mr Chintey is the Adviser-
Banking, Industries and Tourism
to North Eastern Council, who is
spearheading the North East Tourism
Development Council.
He said the region is hard-selling
the northeast as the next tourism
destination to a gathering of foreign
delegates at the valedictory function
of the 6th International Tourism Mart
at the Vivanta by Taj in Guwahati,
Assam, India.
North East Tourism Council
setup
The North East Tourism Council
is the body set up for the North
Eastern region and was set up in
2012 with a master plan of integrated
tourism for the NE region. One of
"With
India being
Commissioner to Fiji Vishvas Sapkal, Gurudev Shri Rakeshbhai of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission, Minister for
Industry, Trade, Tourism, Lands and Mineral Resources Faiyaz Koya, guests of honour Vinod Patel and Jiten
our time." Patel at Kshatriya Hall in Suva on November 29, 2017. Photo: Indian High Commission
biggest democracy and
with your increasing influence
in global affairs, Fiji looks to India
for leadership on the great issues of
our time, Mr Koya said.
Fiji is appreciative of the many
forms of assistance that we have
received from the government of
India and the goodwill your country
Artists of the Kalakshetra Foundation from India performed free live shows on Ram
Leela at the Nadi Primary School ground
understand how people back in India
preserved their culture.
Mr Bala said the Commission
Performers during the 6th International Tourism Mart 2017 for
the Noth East Region.
the recommendations was the set up
and represented by the eight states
driven by the private sectors.
Mr Chintey said the northeasts
cultural, ethnic, wildlife and
landscape diversities along with
the hospitable people are the core
Friday, December 15, 2017
4% in 2017, underpinned by
has shown towards us. and building resilience against
Mr Koya said that Fiji looked natural disasters. He also welcomed
forward to exploring new avenues of Indias intention to engage more
cooperation with India. closely with Pacific nations in
He mentioned that there were a playing a greater role in the region.
number of areas that could offer Mr Koya also encouraged guests
opportunities for collaboration to acknowledge and share the
namely economic cooperation, teachings of non-violence, sympathy,
energy, healthcare, defence and forgiveness to children.
classical dances and music.
Programme Coordinator, Dr
Avanish Shukla said the group
consisted of 24 artists who were
talented and their aim was to depict
a story of Ramayana.
The Ramayana is an ancient
Indian epic poem which narrated the
struggle of the divine prince Rama to
rescue his wife, Sita from the demon
king, Ravana.
It was the groups last performance
before they travelled back to India
and they have performed in a lot of
countries apart from Fiji.
should continue to bring performers Dr Shukla said the group was from
and artists to Fiji so that locals could Chennai, India and that they enjoyed
get first-hand experience of Indian their stay in Fiji. Source: Fiji Sun
the northeast a tourism hotspot.
Hosting the countrys first
international tourism mart in
Guwahati speaks a lot about the
regions tourism potential, he
told a gathering of tour operators
and delegates from India and
other countries.
We need to brand the NE as
"We one single destinations or
need to brand single brand compared
the NE as one single to the individuals
destinations or single promoting themselves
brand compared to the and this brings great
individuals promoting return.
themselves and this
brings great About the
participants
strengths of the return."
Sixty-six international
region to become a major delegates comprising of
tourism hotspot. stakeholders and media personnel
The uniqueness of the northeast from 29 countries and 50 domestic
lies in its diversity. stakeholders in tourism sector from
A region full of diversity and different parts of the country are
hospitable people itself will make participated in the three-day event.
The Indian Weekender
Economy
in Fiji is
recovering well
after Tropical
Cyclone
Winston -
Murphy
A
n International Monetary
Fund visit team led by Pablo
Lopez Murphy has stated
that the economy in Fiji is recovering
well after Tropical Cyclone Winston
and is expected to record its eighth
consecutive year of expansion
in 2017.
Murphy says that the growth
is expected to pick up to about
reconstruction activities, a vibrant
tourism sector, and the recovery of
agriculture production.
The IMF team adds that the risks
to the economic outlook are largely
related to external developments.
Murphy says the economy is
vulnerable to natural disasters that
weigh on growth and a tightening
of global financial conditions could
affect the capital inflows as well.
He states that a possible
growth slowdown in China could
affect Fiji through its trading
partners, especially Australia and
New Zealand.
Murphy says sustaining strong
growth will depend on maintaining
financial stability, rebuilding revenue
policy buffers, and boosting private
sector development.
The team from the International
Monetary Fund visited Fiji from
the 29th of November to the 12th
of December.
The mart aims is to put emphasis
on Indias Act East Policy,
blossoming ties with ASEAN and
the larger East Asian region.
It aims to create awareness about
the rich and varied tourism products
of the Northeastern region in the
domestic and international markets.
Furthermore this is an immense
opportunity for the IndoFijian
Diaspora to add as a bucket list
especially with the increasing Fiji
Airways/Jet code share.
This can be also a window for
experiential tourism, naturalist,
botanist and an educational trip in a
bid for acquaintance with nature and
long history of India NE region.
The North East is made up of eight
states Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,
Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram,
Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura,
which boast unique tourism products
and services. Source: Fiji Sun
 The Indian Weekender Friday, December 15, 2017 FIJI 15

Comprehensive strategy for North Eastern India

T
he North-Eastern region of India is South East Asia Bangladesh, India, Myanmar,
expected to be a hive of activities in an Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal.
order to lure more international tourists She added the use of social media in
for the next five years. paramount in organisation to promote their
This would be through better connectivity, products and services to be accessible to
coupled with an aggressive marketing campaign the world.
that would help double the number of tourist The Indian Association of Tour Operators
arrival in the next five years, says Rashmi (IATO) president Swadesh Kumar has also
Verma, Secretary, Tourism, Government proposed to hold an extensive seminar where
of India. the tour operators will be exposed to the region.
She said to the local buyers and sellers Present at the event were representatives
including representatives from 29 countries from 29 countries which included government
which included tour operators, travel writers officials, tour operators, travel writers and
and media who were part of the three-day media personnel. Source: Fiji Sun
6th International Tourism Mart (ITM) at the Rashmi Verma, Secretary, Tourism, Government of
Vivanta By Taj Hotel in Guwahati, Assam, India talks to participants at the 6 th Travel Mart at
India at the Vivanta by Taj at Guwahati, Assam Guwahati, Assam, India

on Wednesday.

Connectivity
Some airstrip in the Northern-Eastern region
has not utilised and utilising this to its fullest
will boost new airports.
Ms Verma said: Connectivity to the North-
east, be it rail, road or air, has increased
manifold in the past few years.
Several new destinations are being soon
connected by air in the next few months.
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added Ms Verma.
It was revealed that over 106,000 were
foreign tourist and 77,000 were the domestic
tourists who had visited Assam and the other
Northeastern states during the period of last
year, registering a 5.2 per cent increase.
This year, the region has already registered
a 15.8 per cent increase with less than one
month to go, she said.

"We are also looking at tie-ups

with neighbouring countries,
ASEAN and BIMSTEC members
for inter-regional co-operation
for tourism."

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Ms Verma said the deliberation was a very
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 Thought of the week
The sun himself is weak when
he first rises, and gathers
strength and courage as the
Editorial day gets on. Charles Dickens

Government
Auckland Weather forecast for the week
Dec 15 Dec 21, 2017

marches ahead Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thu

with legislations
before Christmas
Mainly Clouds Partly Periods of Sunny and Sunny to Partly
cloudy, and sunny sun and pleasant parlty cloudy cloudy
a little sunshine clouds
rain.

break 22
15
22
14
23
15
24
16
25
16
25
17
24
16

T
he new government has never shied away from the fact that the beginning of their
tenure will be intense; however, this week has stretched everyones expectations by
some margin.
The week passing by has seen some of the most intense activity in the recent history of
This week in New Zealands history
NZ parliament.
15 December 1915
Indeed, the Budget Policy Statement (BPS) and the Treasurys Half Year Economic and
The evacuation of Gallipoli begins
I
Fiscal Update were eagerly awaited for obvious reasons of establishing or discrediting Labour n a well-planned operation, which contrasted sharply with those mounted earlier in the
partys reputation for running a debt-free government. Gallipoli campaign, Allied forces successfully withdrew from Anzac and Suvla between 15
In governments view, their reputation has gone northwards for being able to find money to and 20 December.
provide for some of their most popular policies.
The BPS and the Treasurys Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update show we can deliver 16 December 1905
our promises while running sustainable surpluses and paying down debt, Finance Minister All Blacks' non-try hands Wales historic win
Grant Robertson said.
Expectedly, National Party still-wounded from the post-election coalition talks which
denied them a record fourth term in government, decried it as leading towards increasing
A great rugby rivalry was born when a try by All Black Bob Deans was disallowed, resulting
in the only loss of the Originals tour (see 16 September). The incident is still debated.

government debt. 17 December 1889

Regardless of this debate now, which still needs to be proven, either way, it has to be
acknowledged that this was a phenomenal week for NZ parliament where the fate of several
key legislations was mulled, if not decided finally.
Trade Minister David Parker had introduced legislation to ban foreign buyers of existing
homes in New Zealand.
It is likely that the legislation will be passed early next year, possibly before the signing of
the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
However, the main legislation introduced and voted in parliament this week were scrapping
of Nationals Tax Cuts and bringing-in of Labours Families Package.
Both these legislations were the star attraction of respective parties in the campaign just
before general elections, and both parties were hoping to have their way in parliament on the
fate of these legislations.
In this instance, the Labour Party had the last laugh.
The Labour partys legislation also included several social schemes social schemes
including Accommodation Supplement changes, Working for Families scheme, a Best
Start payment for parents of young babies, and a Winter Warmer grant for beneficiaries
and superannuitants.
The star attraction of this weeks legislation was the prospect of committing future
governments towards reducing child poverty.
Not many in the new migrant communities would have imagined in their wildest dreams
that child poverty was such an important issue in New Zealand a relatively prosperous
nation - as it eventually flushed out in the election campaign earlier this year.
The intense leader debates before the election had witnessed the stiff competition between
each other for claims of denting in the numbers of child poverty in New Zealand.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who had on numerous occasions mentioned the
reduction in child poverty, as her topmost priority, would take satisfaction from the fact
that future government, would be required by law to declare and meet their child poverty
reduction targets.
The governments legislation is planning to lift 88,000 children out of poverty by 2021 a
moment to cherish for those who care about New Zealand.
Although, its another matter that Nationals package would have lifted 55,000 children
out of poverty, and if their pre-election assertions are to be believed, this would have been
possible by April 01, 2018.
The claims and counter-claims will continue for some time, but for now it could be safely
acknowledged this passing week in NZ parliament was intense with Labour Party marching
ahead with several legislations promised in its 100 days program.
New Zealands own Eiffel Tower opens
J ust 8 months after Gustave Eiffels famous Paris
tower was officially completed in March 1889, a
wooden replica Eiffel Tower opened at the 188990 New
Zealand and South Seas Exhibition in Dunedin.
The Exhibition offered the Austral Otis Elevator Company,
which built the Eiffel Towers elevators, a chance to display
its wares in New Zealand. It constructed the 40-metre
wooden tower, inside which an elevator rose about 30
metres.
20 December 1832
New Zealands first cricket match
C
hurch Missionary Society (CMS) leader Henry Williams gave the male pupils (Mori and
Pkeh) of his mission school at Paihia in the Bay of Islands a rare day off.
Indian Weekender : Volume 9 Issue 39
Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited
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 INDIA

At 70, Indian Navy is

The Indian Weekender Friday, December 15, 2017 17
COMMODORE SRIKANT
KESNUR

N
avy Day (December 4) this

self-reliant, shipshape
year is a good occasion
to reflect on its journey
and evaluate its progress over the
last 70 years. The Indian Navy was
an exceedingly small force at the
dawn of independence and, while
being a product of both its British
inheritance and the maritime DNA
of our forebears, is largely a post-
independence construct.
Despite the many problems that
besieged the newly independent
country and by extension its
Navy such as low industrial base,
problems on our land borders made it
imperative to focus on the army and
the air force. But the navy was not
short on vision.
As early as 1948, it drew up
ambitious plans for a balanced
navy that would consist of light The Indian Navy was a pioneer of 'Make in India' which was an article of faith for it.

aircraft carriers, submarines,
destroyers, cruisers, auxiliaries and
associated training and maintenance
infrastructure. Seen against this
backdrop, the Indian Navy has grown
quietly but steadily. From a force of
less than half a dozen sloops to one
that has 135 ships and 235 aircraft,
most of them state-of-the-art, is
indeed an impressive story.
That we operate in all three
dimensions: On, above and below
water; that most of our ships are
indigenously built; and that we
are among the few navies to build
and operate an array of platforms
from aircraft carriers to nuclear
submarines add further strength to
the narrative. We are now among the
worlds leading navies.
But numbers alone do not tell
the whole story. Of particular
significance is the fact that the navy
has built excellent capacities -- both
human and material -- in several
disciplines such as hydrography,
special operations, integration
engineering, doctrine writing,
underwater medicine and disaster
relief, to name a few.
These capacities have been
Navys achievements in different
domains are analysed. If one were
to evaluate in terms of roles that
navies classically play military,
constabulary (Policing), Diplomatic
and Benign (including humanitarian
assistance) the Indian Navy can
be said to have ticked all boxes
with high scores. On the military
front, while most readers are aware
of the navys significant role in
the 1971 war with Pakistan and
liberation of Bangladesh, there are
several interesting aspects to the
navys campaign.
Not only did it fight on two fronts
but almost the entire gamut of naval
operations came to play in this
war. This included aircraft carrier
operations in support of the land
offensive, anti-submarine operations
that led to neutralising of the Pakistan
submarine Ghazi, offensive attack by
missile boats and blockade of then
East Pakistan coast.
More recently, during the Kargil
conflict in 1999 and later during
Op Parakram, the Indian Navy by
its offensive posturing bottled the
Pakistani ships inside their harbours
and effectively kept the war localised
and the situation on even keel.
Similarly, Indian Navys role in
Operation Pawan, our prolonged
engagement in Sri Lanka, has not got
the attention it, arguably, deserved.
Spread over three years, the Navy
was involved in support of the
army, transportation of troops and
material, amphibious operations,
seaward cordon militaire, shore
bombardment, special operations and
airborne surveillance.
Most remarkably, several smaller
ships based in Visakhapatnam and
Chennai excelled at giving a good
account of themselves in hostile
conditions.
The notable point is that its a self-
reliant force. The Indian Navy was a
pioneer of Make in India which was
an article of faith for it. Compared to
the army and the air force, the navy is
way ahead in the indigenous content
of its combat units.
To be sure, we have a long way
to go. We need to have weapons,
propulsion and many systems to be
sourced from within our country.
But every ship that gets constructed
has more indigenous content than its
predecessor and is an improvement
over the previous one.
The increased mettle and muscle
of our Navy provides much
more traction to our foreign
policy initiatives, be it in
enhancing cooperation with
big powers or in providing a
palpable physical dimension to
the Act-East Policy. Further, the
Indian Navys own international
initiatives are wide and
encompass several arenas.
They include multilateral forums
such as Indian Ocean Naval
Symposium (IONS) and the MILAN
meetings, joint exercises with several
nations, assistance in capacity
building to nations in the Indian
Ocean neighbourhood, hydrographic
surveys, providing training to many
foreign navy personnel and hosting
events like the International Fleet
Review in February 2016 or more
recently the Goa Maritime Conclave
last month. The Indian Ocean is
prone to natural disasters and the
relatively poor disaster prevention
and management infrastructure in
most of the countries in the region
places a bigger responsibility on the
Indian Navy.
The disaster situations could be
natural, such as the Tsunami of 2004
or cyclonic storms that recur with
great regularity in the Bay of Bengal,
or they could be caused by human
intervention such as what occurred
in Lebanon in 2006, Libya in 2011 or
Yemen in 2015. The latter cases are
often messy and often also involve
evacuation of non-combatants and
deployment in conflict zones.
There will indeed be some areas
that provide scope for improvement.
Further indigenisation of weapons,
ordnance and systems and gaps
in inventory are issues that are
attracting the attention of decision
makers.
There is also need for development
of expertise, among its personnel, in
a range of subjects such as foreign
languages, international law, energy
security, area studies and economics.
But, overall, it would be fair to say
that the Silent Service at 70 is a

Afforestation the key to clearing Delhis smog

particularly useful when the Indian success story.

R. GOPALASWAMI that further adds to air pollution plan, the better it is for the people

D
levels in the capital city. living in Delhi. After all, one cannot
eep forests surrounding
I recall much more forested areas have a Swach Bharat without a
the city complemented by
in and around Delhi in the 1940s. Swach Delhi!
emission control measures
Forests have been replaced by Several enabling new and
provide the complete answer to
large dense populations, thermal advanced technologies have already
Delhis air pollution.
power plants, cars, auto rickshaws been fully developed and extensively
The citys levels of air pollution
and scooters/motorcycles. Without certified in India to eliminate
are once again as dangerous as they
afforestation, even if you take all cars vehicular pollution. Besides, many
are unrelenting. Everyone is affected
off road or all millions of cars and courses of action are being discussed
-- the rich and powerful as well as
auto-rickshaws are made electric, to stop the annual burning of dry
the poor and vulnerable. The new
it would just scratch the surface of paddy stubs by neighbouring states
High Level Committee set up by
Delhis air pollution problem. in winter.
the central government with the
In my opinion, unless this This situation in the capital of
state Chief Secretary as a Member
city reveals a systematic wave-like dust, rubber particles, etc -- will be huge climate-driven air pollution India is indeed a case for enlightened
may soon usher in a well-organised
pattern: Air pollution peaks every a well-tolerable 50! This weather amplification factor and other dust- people to come forward and address
and tangibly effective programme
winter from October to January factor which amplifies AQI in Delhi driven environmental conditions the problem collectively and
in an attempt to resolve this deadly
My published research has now is lower in the summer and rainy is addressed comprehensively by consistently for at least seven to
problem.
quantitatively established that the seasons when the Delhi air is washed afforestation, the cost and efforts ten years, unaffected by changing
Delhis air pollution problem arises
flaring up of air pollution in Delhi in clean by rainfall. made by the government will give political fortunes, for a tangible
from vehicular emissions, burning of
winter is due to an unusual seasonal How then does one address this little relief and large numbers of impact to be felt. Solutions here could
cooking gas, farmers burning husk in
climate change effect -- resulting environmentally overwhelming people living in Delhi will continue soon be replicated all over India. For
expanded farm lands outside the city
from a peculiar combination of weather factor? The fundamental to suffer from respiratory ailments. if not, as a philosopher said, When
and, above all, massive dust storms
ambient air temperature and dew cure (complementing other technical A massive afforestation you lose your relationship with
from across West Asia, Pakistan,
point -- that amplifies the pollutant and administrative measures programme may take 10 years to nature and the vast heavens, you lose
Rajasthan and the Thar desert.
particulate density to dangerous proposed) is to surround Delhi with implement and call for new land your relationship with man.
Analysis of three-year data (2013-
levels in winter by a factor of seven. a deep ring of forests. Not only will laws in several states surrounding
2015) on particulate air pollution (Hyderabad-based R.
In other words, if the air quality this modify the weather within the the capital. So the earlier the newly
(PM 2.5) in Delhi gathered by the Gopalaswami is a retired
index (AQI) is now, say, 350 city, but the forest will absorb a major set-up High Level Committee comes
Central Pollution Control Board aerospace systems analyst and
micrograms per cubic meter, the portion of airborne dust from across around to including afforestation
from 10 different locations in the former CMD of Bharat Dynamics
actual density of pollutants -- carbon, the Thar Desert and from Pakistan as number one priority in its action Ltd.,
 18 INDIA

Modi, Rahul call on Gujarat to vote

Friday, December 15, 2017 The Indian Weekender

P
rime Minister Narendra Modi
and Congress President-
designate Rahul Gandhi on
Thursday, December 14, appealed
to the voters in Gujarat to exercise
their franchise in the second phase of
"Today is Phase 2 of the Gujarat
elections. I request all those voting
today to vote in record numbers and
enrich this festival of democracy,"
Modi said in a tweet.
"The ushering in of a new Gujarat
will strengthen and empower the
foundations of democracy. I appeal
to the people of the state to vote more
and more for a bright tomorrow,"
Gandhi tweeted.
Voting began in 93 assembly
northern and central regions at 8 a.m.
and will continue till 5 p.m. There are
851 candidates in the fray.
Elections are being held in
Banaskantha, Patan, Sabarkantha,
Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad,
Dahod, Kheda, Anand, Vadodara
and Chhota Udepur districts in the
northern and central regions.
The first phase of polling for 89
seats in the 182-seat state assembly
were held on December 9 with over

India, Japan,
polling that has begun. has already begun. Your one vote constituencies across 14 districts in Aravalli, Mahisagar, Panchmahal, 60 per cent voting registered.

Muslims safest
under Modi, Yogi

Australia assert
governments:
Shia cleric
S
hia cleric Kalbe Jawwad has

Aseans centrality
praised the Narendra Modi
government at the Centre and
Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar

in Indo-Pacific
Pradesh for their outreach to the
minorities and said that the Muslims
were safest under their rule.
Barring some incidents of love

I
ndia, Australia and Japan on
Wednesday, December 13,
underscored their support for
the Asean blocs centrality in the
political and security architecture
of the Indo-Pacific region, amid
Chinas growing assertiveness in the
South China Sea and rising influence
in the strategic Indo-Pacific region.
The three countries held their
fourth Trilateral Dialogue here
at the Foreign Secretay-level, a
month after the three countries
alongwith the US held their first
Quadrilateral Dialogue.
Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar
hosted the dialogue which was
attended by Secretary of Department
of Foreign Affairs and Trade of
Australia Frances Adamson and Vice
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Shinsuke J. Sugiyama.
The three sides highlighted
the growing convergence of their
respective countries interests in the
Indo-Pacific region and underscored
their shared commitment to peace,
democracy, economic growth and a
rules-based order in the region, the
Eternal Affairs Ministry said in a
statement.
They underscored their support jihad and cow vigilantism, law and
for Asean (Association of Southeast order in Uttar Pradesh had improved
Asian Nations) centrality in the considerably under the Bharatiya
political and security architecture Janata Party (BJP) government,
of the Indo-Pacific region, the the Shia cleric told reporters on
statement said. the sidelines of an event in Kanpur
It stated that the three sides late Tuesday.
"The There has not been a single
stressed the need for
three sides communal riot in the eight months
greater collaboration on highlighted the
maritime security and of the Adityanath government as
growing convergence of against more than 600 big and
domain awareness their respective countries
and disaster small riots during Akhilesh Yadavs
interests in the Indo-Pacific
response capabilities. tenure, he said.
region and underscored their New Delhi- Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and other
They also As for the Ramjanambhoomi-
shared commitment to peace, dignitaries during the India-Australia-Japan Trilateral
renewed their resolve
meeting in New Delhi on Dec 13, 2017. Babri Masjid dispute in Ayodhya,
democracy, economic growth
to fight the scourge of was discussed. trilateral meeting. Jawwad said all stakeholders should
and a rules-based order in
terrorism in all its forms the region." With Chinas According to Japanese Ambassador wait for the Supreme Court verdict
and manifestations and increasing influence to India Kenji Hiramatsu, his country on the matter.
stressed the need for enhanced in the Indian Ocean has placed India right at the centre of He accused the previous
cooperation on counter-terrorism. region and aggressiveness in its strategic Indo-Pacific policy. Samajwadi Party government in
They deliberated on strengthening the South China Sea, the trilateral With the changing global scenario, Uttar Pradesh of being the most
regional connectivity as well. meeting can be seen as a reassertion Australia too is looking at India as corrupt and dishonest.
Wednesdays meeting comes a day of the freedom of navigation in the a potential partner in promoting Jawwad accused Akhilesh
after the India-Australia 2+2 Foreign open seas. regional security and stability. government of wasting over Rs
Secretaries and Defence Secretaries Japan is also locked in a dispute The first India-Australia-Japan 20,000 crore of public money in the
Dialogue and a month after the India- with China over the Senkaku islands trilateral meeting was held in India in name of building cycle tracks, a pet
Australia-Japan-US quadrilateral in the East China Sea that are claimed 2015, the next one in Japan and third project of Akhilesh Yadav.
dialogue in the Philippines on the by both the nations. in Australia in April 2017. Commenting on Gujarat assembly
sidelines of the East Asia and Asean North Koreas nuclear and ballistic In Wednesdays meeting, the elections, the cleric said the results
summits in which the security and missile programmes is another Japanese Vice Minister proposed to will have far reaching ramifications
prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region reason for the significance of the host the next round in Tokyo. for both the BJP and the Congress.

Your money is safe in banks, says Modi on FRDI

P
rime Minister Narendra Modi
on Wednesday sought to allay
the fears of bank account
holders, saying their deposits in
banks will be safe and their interests
would not be harmed in any way.
Addressing the Ficci annual
general meeting, he said rumours
were being spread by some sections
about provisions of the proposed
Financial Regulation and Deposit
Insurance (FRDI) Bill under which
the depositors would suffer.
"The government is trying to
strengthen the banking system by
policy initiatives on a daily basis.
But on social media rumours are
being spread about the FRDI Bill,
which is completely opposite to the
reality. We are trying to protect the
depositors interest and the banks as
well," Modi said.
He was apparently referring to
the raging controversy over a bail-
in provision in the FRDI Bill under
which banks will be allowed to
forfeit major portion of deposits of
Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)
annual general meeting in New Delhi on Dec 13, 2017.
account holders in case of crisis in
the financial institution.
The Prime Minister said the UPA
government had completely spoilt
the banking system of the country.
He said the biggest liability passed
on by the previous government was
the non-performing assets (NPA).
Modi said the last government
had put pressure on banks and
forced them to lend to influential
people, which further led to NPAs.
"Commonwealth scam, 2G scam and
Coal scam, and the biggest scam - the
banking scam - all happened during
UPA regime."
maximum businesses register for
GST. "The more formal the system
becomes, the more it will benefit the
poor. It will enable easier availability
of credit from the banks, and reduce
cost of logistics, thereby enhancing
competitiveness of businesses."
Modi recalled that around the time
of Ficci's founding in 1927, Indian
industry had united against the Simon
Commission that was constituted by
the then British government. He
said that Indian industry had
"Commonwealth joined all other sections
scam, 2G scam of Indian society, in
and Coal scam, and national interest, at that
the biggest scam - the time.
banking scam - all He said a "similar
happened during UPA atmosphere" exists
He said the regime.." today when people of the
government is country are coming forward
working to create a to fulfil their responsibilities
system that is transparent towards the nation. Modi said the
and sensitive. hopes and aspirations of people
Talking about the Goods and are to rid the country of internal
Services Tax (GST), Modi said the problems like corruption, and black
government's effort is to ensure that money.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, December 15, 2017 INDIA 19

NEWS in BRIEF
Rahul Gandhi to meet Kerala,
Tamil Nadu fishermen
C
ongress President-elect Rahul Gandhi is going to visit the areas hit
by Cyclone Ockhi in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and meet the affected
fishermen. He will meet the fishermen in villages of Poonthura and
Vizhingam in Keralas Thiruvanthapuram in the afternoon on Thursday and
will then move to Tamil Nadu where he will meet the fishermen at St Judes
College Ground in Chinnathurai of Kanyakumari district.
Gandhi will also take part of the inaugural function of the birth
centenary celebration of late Baby John and the valedictory rally of the
Padayorukkam march in Thiruvananthapuram.
The toll in the disaster has, meanwhile, climbed to 58 with more bodies
recovered from high seas. The official missing figure is 94.
Will work towards transforming party, women will be fundamental part:
Rahul Stressing that there will be a surprise for all in the Gujarat elections,
Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday emphasised on the
need to work together to transform the party and the role of women would

PM commissions INS Kalvari to

The Scorpene-class submarine INS Kalvari at the naval dockyard in Mumbai
be a fundamental part of this. In his first address after being elected the
party chief, he said his party will put pressure on the government to pass

boost India's defence, security

women reservation bill in the Parliament.

China denies building tunnel

P
rime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday,
December 14, commissioned the country's first
indigenously-built Scorpene-class submarine INS
Kalvari to the Indian Navy terming it a significant new
era "to boost India's defence and security".
Modi formally unveiled the commissioning plaque of
the INS Kalvari atop the submarine and congratulated
and shook hands with the various naval officers.
This is the first conventional submarine to be inducted
into the Indian Navy after more than 17 years even as
the navy's submarine arm celebrates it golden jubilee this
year. Addressing the august gathering on the momentous
occasion, Modi also thanked France for its help and
collaboration on developing the project.
"It signifies the further strengthening of the growing
strategic ties between India and France in recent times,"
Modi said.
The Prime Minister said INS Kalvari will provide a
significant boost and synergise the country's defence,
economic, technical and international powers, along with
people power on the global arena.
"The 21st century will belong to Asia and the Indian
Ocean will play a crucial and strategic role in ensuring
what I call SAGAR - Security And Growth for All in the
Region," Modi said.
The submarine, incorporating state-of-the-art features
has been built by the Mazagaon Dockyard Ltd under its
Project 75, with technological collaboration from DCNS,
France. Also present on the occasion were Maharashtra
Governor C.V. Rao, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis,
Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of
State for Defence Subhash Bhamre, French Ambassador
to India Alexandre Zeigler and Chief of Naval Staff Sunil
Lanba, besides many others.
to divert Brahmaputra water,
says hope India wont conduct
unfounded speculation
C
hina denied on Wednesday, December 13, plans to construct a tunnel
to divert River Brahmaputra amid reports of highly polluted waters
from its tributary Siang flowing into India.
I would like to point out that Chinas position on the eastern part of the
China-India border is consistent and clear, foreign ministry spokesperson
Lu Kang said in response to questions about the reports on blackened,
muddy waters with cement and sledge of the Siang river in Arunachal
Pradesh. He refuted reports that it may due to a tunnel being constructed on
Chinese side. I have never heard of the project mentioned by the Indian
side. It is hoped that the Indian side will not conduct unfounded speculation
and reports, he said in a written response to a question in this regard.
In October, China had denied reports of plans to build 1000km long
tunnel to divert Brahmaputra waters to the arid regions of Xinjiang, saying

Deadline to link Aadhaar with bank accounts

the report is untrue and false.
There is, however, no explanation for the highly polluted waters in Siang

extended till March 31

river. Brahmaputra originates in Tibet where it is called Yarlung Tsangpo
and is known as Siang in Arunachal Pradesh before it enters Assam and

T
flows southwards to the sea through Bangladesh.
he deadline to link the Aadhaar number with In 2016, China had declared that it would be building a dam on a tributary
bank accounts has been extended by three months of the river, sparking concerns of its potential downstream impact in India.

After Doklam snub by China, India

till March 31, the government announced on
Wednesday, as the Supreme Court is set to commence
hearing from Thursday on its mandatory linking to
various schemes.
The deadline was earlier December 31 for linking
the 12-digit unique identification number with both
Permanent Account Number (PAN) and bank accounts.
However, the government extended the deadline last
week for linking it with PAN till March 31.
A notification to link it with bank accounts was later
issued on Tuesday by the Department of Revenue under
the Finance Ministry. The notification, however, did not
mention the new deadline, leaving it open-ended.
The government later issued a press release which
contained the deadline of March 31.
According to the December 12 notification, the words
submit the Aadhaar number and PAN by December 31,
2017 have been substituted by submit the Aadhaar
number, PAN or Form No 60 by such date as may be
notified by the Central government.
The release said under the provisions of Prevention
of Money-laundering (Maintenance of Records) Second
Amendment Rules, 2017, it was provided that if a client
already having a bank account or any other account-
based relationship with reporting entities prior to date of
this notification fails to submit the Aadhaar number and
PAN by December 31, the said account shall cease to be
operational till the time the Aadhaar number and PAN is
submitted by the client.
In case of a person opening a new account, the deadline
for submitting Aadhaar number and PAN was six months
from the date of the commencement of the account based
relationship.
After considering various representations received in
this regard and inputs received from banks, it has been
decided to notify March 31, 2018 or six months from the
date of commencement of account based relationship by
the client, whichever is later, as the date of submission
of the Aadhaar number, and Permanent Account Number
or Form 60 by the clients to the reporting entity, the
statement said.
says peace along border essential
prerequisite for smooth ties
I
ndia on Wednesday responded to Chinese foreign minister Wang Yis
remarks that the Doklam standoff put severe pressure on bilateral
relations by saying that the two sides should consider each others
concerns while dealing with differences.
According to a statement issued by the Chinese foreign ministry on
Tuesday, Wang had told his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj in unusually
blunt remarks that lessons should be learnt from the standoff so that such
incidents are not repeated. Wang was also quoted as saying that bilateral ties
during 2017 were not very satisfactory.
A statement issued by the external affairs ministry on Wednesday
acknowledged the Doklam issue had figured in talks between Swaraj and
Wang on Monday and both leaders had noted the challenge it had posed to
the relationship and expressed satisfaction that it was resolved with the
disengagement of troops at the face-off site through concerted diplomatic
communications.
The statement said Swaraj EAM had underlined the need to approach
differences between the two sides with due consideration to each others
sensitivities and concerns.

H1-B workers may work for more than one employer, says US immigration agency
F
oreign workers in the US on
a H1-B work visa, the most
sought after among Indian IT
professionals, may work for more
than one company, the countrys
immigration agency has said.
The H1-B visa is a non-immigrant
visa that allows US companies to
employ foreign workers in speciality
occupations that require theoretical or
technical expertise. The technology
companies depend on it to hire tens
of thousands of employees each year
from countries such as India and
China.
In general, H1-B workers may
work for more than one employer but
must have approved I-129 for each,
the US Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS), the federal agency
which receives and determines the
successful applications for H1B
visas, tweeted on Tuesday.
New employer must submit an
I-129 petition before you may begin
working, the USCIS said.
Form I-129 is a form submitted
for a non-immigrant worker to
the USCIS used by employers or
prospective employers to obtain (or
amend the details of) a worker on a
non-immigrant visa status.
While this is not a new rule, but
very few people know about it.
The H1-B visa has an annual
numerical limit cap of 65,000 visas
each fiscal year as mandated by
the Congress.
The first 20,000 petitions filed on
behalf of beneficiaries with a US
masters degree or higher are exempt
from the cap.
Additionally, H1-B workers who
are petitioned for or employed at
an institution of higher education
or its affiliated or related non-profit
entities or a non-profit research
organisation or a government
research organisation are not subject
to this numerical cap.
 20 INDIA ABROAD Friday, December 15, 2017 The Indian Weekender

US Sikh group raises $210,000 for Indian schoolgirl drowns in Australia

student scholarships in Punjab A
n Indian schoolgirl who was the area was a treacherous spot
in this Australian city to that had claimed other lives in
play football at the Pacific the past.

T
he Sikh Human Development
Foundation (SHDF) has
raised over $210,000 for
underprivileged students pursuing
higher education in Punjab during
its latest fund drive, according to the
organisations chairman, Gajinder
Singh Ahuja.
The Washington-based foundation
has since 2011 given over $2 million
in scholarships based on merit and
need to about 5,000 students in
Punjab and neighbouring areas,
Ahuja said.
About 2,700 scholarship recipients
have already graduated and they
include doctors, engineers and
scientists, he added.
A Some of them now work in the
United States.
Jasdeep Singh Juneja, who is an
information technology professional
in Dallas, Texas, said, If there was
no SHDF then I will not be in USA
and I would have been lost in life.
The SHDF programme is run in
partnership with the New Delhi-
The participants donated funds for 420 scholarships with each scholarship worth
USD 510, a media release said
"The supporters of this
cause can be proud of the
fact that they are holding
the hands of the students
who are dreaming to
stand on their own feet."
based Nishkam Sikh Welfare
Council, Ahuja said.
Chairman of the Sikh Council on
Religion and Education, Rajwant
Singh said: The supporters of this
cause can be proud of the fact that
they are holding the hands of the
students who are dreaming to stand
on their own feet.
The lastest fundraising drive was
launched last month at an event
featuring Bollywood actor and
Punjabi comedian, Gurpreet Ghuggi.
School Games drowned off a city
beach, police said.
The 15-year-old was with four
other girls at Holdfast Marina
at Glenelg on Sunday evening
when the incident occurred, the
Guardian reported.
Lifesavers were able to rescue the
others but were unable to find the
Indian girl until Monday morning
when her body was pulled out of
the water. One girl was said to be
in critical condition. The Indian
High Commission was providing
support to the group, who were
all involved in the sporting event.
Indian Consular officials are flying
in from Sydney.
Pacific School Games organisers
confirmed the dead girl was part of
the Indian delegation but did not
reveal her sport. The international
week-long event, which ended on
the four members of the team who
Saturday, involved about 4,000
participants from 15 countries
in primary and senior school
competing in 11 sports. Holdfast
Mayor Stephen Patterson said
There are signs near the actual
breakwater itself alerting people to
the fact there are strong currents,
he told ABC News.
Two boys drowned at Glenelg on
New Years Day in 2016.
The South Australia government
will pay for the victims body to
be taken back to India, Tourism,
Recreation and Sport Ninister Leon
Bignell said. School Sports Australia
said in a statement: Following
the completion of the Games on
Saturday, there was a tragic accident
at Glenelg beach which has taken
the life of one of the members of the
visiting Indian delegation.
All involved in the Games
send our condolences to the Indian
team, family and friends of the
deceased student.
"The thoughts of all in the Pacific
School Games family are also with
are still in hospital.
School Sports Australia is
offering full support and assistance
to the Indian delegation, it added.

Bhai Boolchand, the unsung

Indian who launched trade with Ghana
N
ot much is known about him, but it
has now emerged that trade relations
between Ghana and India were
started by Bhai Boolchand, the first Indian to
arrive in the Gold Coast -- Ghana's colonial
name -- in 1890. Thats some 67 years before
the British colonial government granted the
country independence, research by the Indian
Association of Ghana has found.
As far as our records show, Bhai
Boolchand (of the Bhaiband Sindhworki
trading community), landed on the shores
of the Gold Coast in western Africa in 1890.
Nearly twenty years later, in 1919, the first
Sindhi company was established by two
brothers Tarachand Jasoomal Daswani and
Metharam Jasoomal Daswani, the Indian
Association said. The duo opened a store
Metharam Jassomal Brothers in the then
capital city of Cape Coast in 1919.
Their business flourished and branches were
opened in Accra and Kumasi. A few years later,
the two brothers separated and whilst Bhai
Metharam Jasoomal continued the business
as Metharam Brothers, Tarachand Jasoomal
operated his business as Bombay Bazaar.
These were the first two Indian companies
that were established in the Gold Coast, the
Association said.
Boolchands arrival, therefore, pre-dates the
historical links between the two countries that
were always thought to have started between
Ghanas first President, Kwame Nkruman, and
Indias first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Boolchand can thus be described as the one
who paved the way for the arrival of other
members of the Sindhi community, initially as
traders and shopkeepers.
The Indian Association said more of this
group arrived in the 1950s and 1960s, with a
few venturing into manufacturing industries
such as garments, plastics, textiles, insecticides,
electronics, pharmaceuticals and optical goods.
The Association said two more Indian
firms were established under the names of
Lilaram Thanwardas and Mahtani Brothers in
the 1920s. This trend continued in the 1930s
and 1940s with the creation of several more
Indian companies like T. Chandirams, Punjabi
Brothers, Wassiamal Brothers, Hariram
Brothers, K. Chellaram & Sons, G. Motiram,
D.P. Motwani, G. Dayaram, V. Lokumal, and
Glamour Stores.
Glamour Stores, which was stared by
Ramchand Khubchandani who arrived in
Ghana in 1929, has grown -- after changing
its name to Melcom Group -- to become
the largest retailing business in the country.
The Melcom Group, headed by Ramchands
son Bhagwan Khubchandani, is now in
its 60th year and about 40 stores all over
the country. Ramchand and his brother later
went into garment manufacturing in 1955
and once employed over 1,200 Ghanaians.
They later opened the first Indian restaurant,
Maharaja, in Ghana. Bhagwan followed in his
fathers footsteps and in 1989 established the
Melcom Group with his sons-in-law, Mahesh
Melwani and Ramesh Sadhwani.
Another Indian-owned company that has
survived through the years is the Mohanani
Group, which is currently in its 51st year. At the
first-ever Ghana Expatriate Business Awards,
the Ministry of Trade and Industries recognised
the work of one of the thriving Indian-owned
B5 Plus Steel Company and awarded it the
Best Expatriate Company in the metal and steel
category. As these companies brought in new
expatriate staff, some left their employers to
venture out on their own -- resulting in more
companies opening up.After 1947, the Gold
Coast attracted the attention of some Indian
multinational companies, and big names like
Chanrai, Bhojsons, K.A.J. Chotirmal, Dalamals
and A.D. Gulab opened branches in Ghana,
the Association said.
The employment of Ghanaians by these
founding companies also helped to lessen the
burden of unemployment in the country. This
amply demonstrates the level of commitment
India has in the developmental agenda of Ghana,
it said.
Indians are not only investing in the
manufacturing and commercial sectors of the
country; they are also investing in the financial
sector. Bank of Baroda, one of Indias biggest
and most reputable banks, recently established
a branch in Ghana and hopefully it will expand
its operations in other parts of the country
very soon.

In historic first, Sikh nominated to be attorney general of New Jersey

I
n a historic first, a distinguished
Sikh public prosecutor "who has
experienced hate and intolerance
first-hand" has been nominated to be
the next attorney general of the US
state of New Jersey.
If Gurbir S. Grewal's nomination
by Democrat Governor-elect Phil
Murphy is approved by the State
Senate early next year, he will be
the first Sikh to assume the top state
law enforcement position in the
United States and the second Indian-
American, after Kamala Harris, who
held the position in California before
her election to the US Senate.
Announcing the nomination in the
state capital, Trenton, on Tuesday,
Murphy said: "In light of all that is
being thrown at us by the president,
we need an attorney general unafraid
to join our fellow states in using
the law to protect all New Jersey
residents."
Grewal, 44, is the prosecutor of
Bergen County, an important district
across the river from New York
city. He was appointed to by the
current Republican Governor Chris
Christie and that is likely to mute any
opposition the senate.
Symbolic of the public acceptance
of minorities despite scattered
incidents of bigotry, two Sikhs were
elected mayors last month, Ravi
Bhalla in Hoboken, New Jersey, and
Preet Didbal in Yuba City, California.
Vin Gopal, who became the first
Indian-American to be elected to the
New Jersey State Senate last month,
said that Grewal is someone "not
only eminently qualified, but who
will bring a perspective to the office
that is diverse and long-overdue."
After Murphy made the
announcement, Grewal said: "I
wanted to give back to a country that
has given us and other immigrant
families like us so much."
Turning to his three daughters,
Kyrpa, Mayher and Mahek, who
were with him, he said: "As someone
who has experienced hate and
intolerance first-hand throughout my
life, I wanted to work to ensure we all
live in and that the three of you grow
up in a fair and just society."
Grewal added: "I wanted to
perhaps also show people that while I
and others like me may look different
or worship differently, that we, too,
are committed to this
country." "While
H a i l i n g America could
G r e w a l ' s be seen having a
very polarized situation
nomination,
politically and yet there are
Rajwant Singh,
some very shining moments
the co-founder
to show that people of all
of the National
backgrounds can aspire
Sikh Campaign,
for top positions"
said: "These are having a very polarized
exactly the kind of situation politically and yet there
role models our youngsters are some very shining moments to
need to feel proud of being a Sikh show that people of all backgrounds
and an American." can aspire for top positions,"
"While America could be seen he added.
 The Indian Weekender
Hasina seeks Cambodias US, Pakistan engage in quiet
diplomacy to improve ties
help on Rohingya crisis T
B
angladesh Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina on Monday
called for Cambodias support
in developing a sustainable solution
to the Rohingya crisis and the
minoritys persecution in Myanmars
Rakhine state.
Hasina made the remarks during
a discussion with her Cambodian
counterpart Hun Sen in Phnom Penh
on Monday, bdnews24.com reported.
We have discussed some of
the emerging security challenges
facing our region and expressed our
common resolve to fight terrorism
and extremism, Hasina said during
a joint statement.
We have also discussed the
Rohingya crisis that threatens the
peace and stability of our region.
Bangladesh continues to shelter
more than 1 million Rohingyas,
among them around 630,000 who
fled atrocities in Myanmar and took
shelter in Bangladesh recently.
Hasina asked for Hun Sens
support for a durable solution as
Bangladesh continued bilateral talks
to return Rohingyas safely to their
homeland.
We highly appreciate Bangladesh
(for giving shelter to the Rohingya
refugees)... even though it has a
population of over 160 million,
it took the issues of refugees on
Trump calls for
ending family
immigration
following NYC
bombing
B Sri Lanka joins Chinas Belt & Road
laming a 'lax' immigration
system for the bomb attack in
New York by a Bangladeshi
immigrant, US President Donald
Trump has renewed calls to end
immigration based on family ties.
Calling Mondays "America
bombing at a New must fix its
York transportation lax immigration
hub by Akayed Ullah system, which allows
attempted mass far too many dangerous, passageway at the
murder, Trump said:
inadequately vetted
Todays terror suspect people to access our station connecting trains
entered our country
country."
through extended-family
chain migration, which is
incompatible with national security.
He demanded that Congress should
end chain migration, the process by
which relatives of immigrants can be
sponsored for immigration by their
relatives, and can, in turn, sponsor
other relatives.
According to police, Ullah has
told them that he was inspired by
the Islamic State (IS) terror group
and that he wanted to avenge the US
Friday, December 15, 2017
its shoulder, said the Cambodian
leader. Bangladesh let in a wave of
Rohingya refugees since late August,
when the Myanmar military launched
a crackdown in Rakhine state over
insurgent attacks.
The refugees in Coxs Bazar
said the military and locals shot
and killed people indiscriminately,
raped women, looted and set fire to
Rohingya homes. Bangladesh and
Myanmar signed an agreement on
attacks on IS in Syria and elsewhere.
Officials described the explosive
device he crafted as a low-tech
pipe bomb, which he strapped to
himself with velcro to carry out a
suicide attack. However, the bomb
only wounded him severely
and caused light injuries to
three others when it went
off in an underground
Times Square metro
and the nearby interstate
bus terminal.
Officials said that he was
radicalised through the Internet.
According to SITE Intelligence
Group, which monitors terrorism, IS
had recently tried to instigate attacks
on the city during the holiday season
by issuing propaganda material
showing a Santa Claus in Times
Square near a box of explosives with
the caption, We meet Christmas in
New York. Ullahs attack was the
second terrorist attack in New York
November 23 on the repatriation of
recent refugees to their homeland.
The agreement specified the
formation of a joint working group
to begin the repatriation process
within two months. The Bangladesh
government also attempted to
enlist international support for the
Rohingya crisis. The UN, EU, US,
UK and other parties expressed their
appreciation for Bangladeshs efforts
on the Rohingya crisis.
in less than two months.
On October 31, an immigrant from
Uzbekistan drove a small truck into
pedestrians near the World Trade
Centre killing eight people.
America must fix its lax
immigration system, which allows
far too many dangerous, inadequately
vetted people to access our country,
Trump said in his statement.
Although Trump mentioned his
ban on people coming to the US
from eight countries as important
for keeping America safe, neither
Uzbekistan nor Bangladesh is on his
list. Trump announced immigration
reform proposals in August that
would end chain immigration and
a green card lottery system that
allows people from some countries
like Uzbekistan and Bangladesh to
immigrate without sponsorship or
professional qualification. Sayfullo
Habibullaevich Saipov, 29, who
carried out the truck attack, had come
to the US through the lottery. He also
claimed allegiance to the IS.
alks between the US and
Pakistan for finding common
ground in Afghanistan
have moved into a phase of quiet
diplomacy aimed at resolving
differences, according to authorities.
The authorities confirmed that the
two countries had held a series of
meetings before and after US Defence
Secretary James Mattiss December
4 visit to Islamabad, reflecting the
mutual desire to improve ties, Dawn
news reported on Monday.
Talking to the Pakistani media
in Washington, Ambassador Aizaz
Ahmad Chaudhary said that Secretary
Mattiss visit had a positive impact
on efforts to rebuild the relationship.
Pentagons chief spokesperson
Dana White said at a news briefing
last week that Mattis visited
Islamabad to find a common ground
with Pakistan.
Diplomatic observers in
Washington have said that this
change was quite noticeable, when
compared with the rhetoric that
followed President Donald Trumps
August 21 announcement of his new
strategy for Afghanistan.
While Pakistan supports
Indian short film wins
award in Vancouver
I
ndian film The School Bag has
bagged the Best Short Film
award at the Vancouver Golden
Panda International Film Festival.
The fiction film,
directed by Dheeraj
Jindal, is based
in Peshawar,
Pakistan.
When we
set out to make
the film, we had
no idea that it
would win so many
awards. What started as
a strong belief took a beautiful shape
and has now reached out and touched
so many lives. We are overwhelmed.
Thank you Vancouver, Jindal said.
The prize includes a seven-day
all paid filmmakers trip to China.
The award ceremony was held on
December 10.
with operations of Hambantota Port
S
ri Lankan Prime Minister
Ranil Wickremesinghe
said on Saturday that the
country has joined Chinas Belt and
Road Initiative with the launch of
operations at the Hambantota Port
through a joint venture between the
two nations.
The port was handed over to the
China Merchant Ports Holdings
(CMPH) on a 99-year lease
agreement at a ceremony. The Sri
Lanka Ports Authority together
with the CMPH will manage the
operations of the southern port.
Today we have made
arrangements for the management
and long-term success of the
Hambantota Port. This Sri Lankan
and Chinese joint venture, which has
taken over the management of this
port, and its operations will ensure an
additional port in the Indian Ocean,
WORLD 21
reconciliation between the Afghan
government and Taliban, it warns
that there was no military solution
to the Afghan conflict, reports
Dawn news.
Soon after President Trumps
speech, the US media reported that
his administration was considering
proposals to declare Pakistan a state
sponsor of terrorism, to expand drone
attacks into Pakistans settled areas
and to expunge Pakistan from its list
of major non-NATO allies.
Secretary Mattis, however, did not
repeat any of these threats before,
during or after his visit to Islamabad.
He refused to do so even when
prodded by the media.
The School Bag also won
the Best Short Film award at the
Lahore International Childrens Film
Festival and Jindal received the Best
Director award at the Indian Film
Festival of Cincinnati, US.
In the film, actress Rasika
Dugal plays a mother to a
seven-year-old boy.
Wickremesinghe said.
The Hambantota Port will add to
Sri Lankas concept of transforming
into a hub in the Indian Ocean, he
was quoted as saying by Xinhua
news agency.
The Silk Road Economic Belt
and 21st Century Maritime Silk
Road Initiative, proposed by China
in 2013, aims to build trade and
infrastructure networks connecting
Asia with Europe and Africa along
the ancient Silk Road routes.
Wickremesinghe said that with
the development of the Hambantota
Port, steps were also being taken
to construct an economic zone
in Hambantota which would see
hundreds of foreign investors
launching factories within this zone
in the near future.
This will definitely help
strengthen our economy, he said.
Rohit's record double ton
22 SPORTS
powers India to 392/4
W
S
kipper Rohit Sharma led from
the front with his third ODI
double century to power India to
a mammoth 392/4 against Sri Lanka in
the second One-day International at the
Punjab Cricket Association's I.S. Bindra
Stadium here on Wednesday.
Rohit, who belted an unbeaten 153-ball
208, comprising 13 fours and 12 sixes,
was engaged in two big partnerships
-- 115 runs for the opening wicket with
Shikhar Dhawan (68 off 67; 4x9) and
then 213 for the second wicket with
rookie Shreyas Iyer (88 off 70; 4x9, 2x6).
Coming into the match, the Mumbaikar
was the only batsman to have hit two
double tons. He got to the landmark in
151 balls when he stole two runs after
nudging a full length delivery off his
counterpart Thisara Perera in the final
over of the innings.
Rohit's knock was the highest by an
Indian captain against the islanders.
After being put in to bat on a cold sunny
morning, Rohit and Dhawan saw off the
new ball blues and gradually began to
pile up the runs against the uninspiring
Sri Lankan attack.
Dhawan soon outscored his partner
to reach his 23rd ODI half-century off
47 balls as the partnership soared to
triple figures, before the southpaw gifted
his wicket to left-arm spinner Sachith
Pathirana. The fall of Dhawan brought in
young Iyer, who played the perfect second
fiddle to his captain and started rotating
the strike fluently. After cruising to a 50,
Rohit chose only the errant deliveries to
attack. But India's run-rate remained lofty
due to Iyer's belligerence.
The Mumbai batsman also praised
Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer along
with debutant Washington Sundar.
"Shikhar gave us a perfect start and
Shreyas Iyer, playing his second match,
just didn't look like he was playing only
PARENTING
Parenting: Teach kids to apologise, forgive
W
ith the new year around the corner,
many people have goal setting on
their minds. This year, lets make
one of our goals to help our kids become better
communicators, especially when it concerns
conflict resolution. Have you ever been in
an argument and still felt unfulfilled even
after the other person said they were sorry?
It usually happens when the apology doesnt
seem authentic.
What does a satisfying apology look like?
First, and maybe most important, a true
apology agrees that something went wrong.
How can someone really be sorry if they
dont believe they did anything wrong?
That doesnt mean they have to cop to
something they didnt do, but if they
that YOU felt hurt,
are going to apologize at all, it should
as though it was your
start with an acknowledgement
fault for being upset. An
of anything they are willing
authentic apology spells
to own.
Next, they need to accept full out the mistake, and
responsibility for their mistake. Some acknowledges
apologies subtly place blame like this:
Well, Im sorry that YOU felt hurt, as
though it was your fault for being upset. An
authentic apology spells out the mistake, and
acknowledges that it was wrong. Im sorry
that I raised my voice. I was angry, and I lost
his second match. It was great to get the
total we got because there was a bit of
dew in the end," Rohit said.
Iyer led the charge, getting to a run-
a-ball maiden ODI half century even as
Rohit neared his 16th ODI century.
Rohit had nudged his way to his century
off 115 balls by the end of the 4 0 t h
over and then went on t o
thump 107 more off his
final 37 balls.
In his effort to
accelerate, Iyer, however,
perished towards the
dead end of the innings
while Mahendra Singh
Dhoni also walked back
after hitting a five-ball 7.
All-rounder Hardik Pandya
then joined Rohit, who by now had
neared his third ODI double century
as India piled up 147 runs in the last
10 overs.
For the visitors, Nuwan Pradeep came
close to Mick Lewis' record of most runs
conceded in an ODI, but finished seven
runs short, ending at 10-0-106-0. Skipper
Thisara Perera was the most successful
of the bowlers, picking 3/80.
just didn't look like he was
match. It was great to get the
"Well,
Im sorry
that it
was wrong"
control of my temper, and that
was wrong.
An authentic apology asks for forgiveness.
It is humbling to ask, Will you please forgive
me, but it also invites the other person into the
Friday, December 15, 2017 The Indian Weekender
Windies fined for slow over rate in
second Test vs NZ
est Indies stand-in skipper Kraigg Brathwaite was on
Tuesday fined 40 percent of his match fee for over
rate offences during the second Test against New
Zealand at the Seddon Park in Hamilton.
Brathwaite's side was ruled to be two overs short of its target
when time allowances were taken into consideration by the
International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Chris Broad.
"Brathwaite has been fined 40 percent of his match fee, while
his players have received 20 per cent fines.
"If the Windies commit another minor over-rate breach in
a Test within 12 months of this offence with Brathwaite as
captain, it will be deemed a second offence by Brathwaite and
he will face a suspension," the ICC said in a statement.
In accordance with Article 2.5.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct
for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to
minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 per cent of their
match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted
time, with the captain fined double that amount.
The Caribbean side, which went down by 240 runs to lose the
series 0-2, had already lost their regular skipper Jason Holder
due to over-rate offences. Holder was banned for the Hamilton
Test after he was found guilty of the same offence during the
first Test in Wellington.
2018 World Cup win will give Germany
footballers over $400k bonus each
G
ermany's football federation DFB on Wednesday
announced that each of their 2018 World Cup players
will get a bonus of 350,000 euros ($410,847) if they
manage to defend their title in Russia.
"Shikhar
"The DFB and the national team players have agreed on
gave us a perfect
performance-related bonuses for their performance at the
start and Shreyas Iyer,
2018 World Cup in Russia. The bonuses are based on the
playing his second match,
team's performance and have been set in accordance with the
agreements made for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, as well as
playing only his second
for the European Cuts in 2012 and 2016," DFB said.
Players will receive 75,000 euros ($88,033) each for reaching
total we got because there
the quarter-finals, 125,000 euros ($146,722) for the semi-finals,
was a bit of dew in
150,000 euros ($176,022) for third place and 200,000 euros
the end."
($234,770) for reaching the final, according to the DFB.
Only Italy (1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958 and 1962)
have successfully defended a World Cup title. DFB president
Reinhard Grindel said: "The opportunity to make national team
history and defend the World Cup title is huge motivation for
the players. That would go down in history and be worth a very
special bonus.
"It's clear though, that it is the sporting challenge rather than
the financial award that is most important for the players. I
want to personally thank Friedrich Curtius and Manuel Neuer,
who led these discussions, for their contribution to a successful
outcome."
sorry, they would change their behaviour.
Last of all, an authentic apology gives
the other person some time and space. Hurt
feelings can throb and sting even after the most
heartfelt apology. When we are truly sorry, we
are willing to give the other person a moment
to adjust.
The person receiving the apology has a
responsibility too. We cant overlook teaching
our kids how to forgive. Sure, they can take a
little time to calm down and feel peaceful again.
But once that happens, they have to respond to
the person who apologized.
It is important to teach our kids to
say the words, I forgive you. Dont
let them say, Its okay when someone
hurts them. It is not okay, but they can
still forgive.
Forgiveness means they let the other person
off the hook. We all know what it feels like to
make a mistake and want to be released from it.
When we forgive someone, we are saying that
we will not walk away and continue to think
negative thoughts about the person.
resolution process. "We also wont talk to other people about
Next, a true apology does some self- what happened, and we wont hold their
examination. Its hard to keep forgiving the mistake against them in the future. Once we
same mistake again and again. After a while, forgive, we are agreeing to let it go and allow
we begin to think that if the person was really true peace to thrive.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, December 15, 2017 FEATURES 23

Decoded: What causes dementia Nicotine patch safer for pregnant

women than smoking
T
he toxic build-up of urea,

a compound created by the
liver, in the brain has been
found as the major reason that can
cause brain damage and lead to
Huntington's Disease, one of seven
major types of age-related dementia,
finds a study.
The study found that urea level
peaks in the brain even before
dementia sets in. The discovery could
one day help doctors diagnose and
even treat dementia, well in advance
of its onset, the researchers said.
"This study on Huntington's
Disease is the final piece of the
jigsaw which leads us to conclude
that high brain urea plays a pivotal
role in dementia," said Garth
Cooper, Professor at The University
of Manchester.
Cooper's previous study revealed
that urea is similarly linked to
Alzheimer's, suggesting that the toxic
build-up of urea could be relevant to
all types of age-related dementias.
"Alzheimer's and Huntington's
are at opposite ends of the dementia
spectrum -- so if this holds true
for these types, then I believe it is
highly likely it will hold true for all
the major age-related dementias,"
Cooper said, in the paper published
in the Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences.
Dementia results in a progressive
and irreversible loss of nerve cells
and brain functioning, causing
loss of memory and cognitive
impairments affecting the ability to
learn. Currently, there is no cure.
Urea and ammonia in the brain
are metabolic breakdown products
of protein.
If urea and ammonia build up
in the body because the kidneys
are unable to eliminate them, for
example, serious symptoms can
result, the researchers said.
"More research, however, is
needed to discover the source of
the elevated urea in Huntington's
Disease, particularly concerning the
potential involvement of ammonia
and a systemic metabolic defect,"
Cooper noted.
For the study, the team used
human brains, donated by families
for medical research, as well as
transgenic sheep in Australia.
W
hile nicotine may not
be completely safe for a
pregnant mother's foetus,
nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
is safer than smoking for women
who are not able to quit on their own,
says a new study.
Researchers suggest that the study,
published in the Medical Journal
of Australia, should give doctors
the confidence about the safety of
NRT, a medically approved way to
ingest nicotine to help quit smoking.
The therapy includes the adhesive
patch, chewing gum, lozenges, nose
spray, or inhaler. "Smoking during
pregnancy is the most significant,
preventable risk factor for poor
maternal and infant health outcomes,"
according to Yael Bar-Zeev, Head of
the Ben-Gurion University of the
Negev (BGU) Centre for Smoking
Cessation and Prevention in Israel.
"Clinicians worldwide, including
in the United States, report that
they prescribe NRT at low levels
due to lack of confidence and safety
concerns. However, behavioural
counselling combined with
medication is the most effective
Zeev said. Predominant guidelines
worldwide recommend NRT for
pregnant women who have been
unable to quit smoking without
medication. However, prescription
instructions such as "only if women
are motivated", "only dispense a
two weeks supply" or "under close
supervision" send mixed messages.
The researchers noted that while
using NRT during pregnancy
improves smoking cessation rates,
they may not adequately account
for higher nicotine metabolism
during pregnancy, and therefore
may not adequately treat withdrawal
symptoms.
"The most important guidance for
NRT in pregnancy is to use the lowest
possible dose that is effective," said
Bar-Zeev. "However, to be effective,
women should use as much as
needed to deal with cravings," Bar-

High-intensity workout may slow Parkinson's symptoms

smoking cessation strategy," Bar- Zeev added.

H
igh-intensity workout three times a
week may be safe and help decrease
worsening of motor symptoms in
people with early-stage Parkinson's disease,
researchers say.
Parkinson's disease the second most
common neurodegenerative disorder causes
progressive loss of muscle control, trembling,
stiffness, slowness and impaired balance.
It was previously thought that high-intensity
exercise was too physically stressful for
individuals with Parkinson's disease. As the
disease progresses, it becomes difficult for
patients to walk, talk and complete simple
tasks. However, the study published in JAMA
Neurology, showed that participants who
indulge in exercise between 80 and 85 per
cent maximum heart rate may have benefit as
medicine. "If you have Parkinson's disease
and you want to delay the progression of your
symptoms, you should exercise three times
a week with your heart rate between 80 to
85 percent maximum. It is that simple," said
Daniel Corcos, Professor at the Northwestern
University Feinberg School of Medicine.
For the study, the team included 128
participants aged 40 to 80 years old. The
participants were at an early stage of the
disease.
"The earlier in the disease you intervene, the
more likely it is you can prevent the progression
of the disease," Corcos said.
"We delayed worsening of symptoms for six
months; whether we can prevent progression
any longer than six months will require further
study," he noted.

Health insurance
designed for you
For more information about how we can provide health insurance for you and your
family please contact advisers@nib.co.nz or speak with your financial adviser.
nib8048_0717
 24 FEATURES Friday, December 15, 2017 The Indian Weekender

RECIPES
BREAD
Lachha Paratha
A non-leavened dough that
forms a bread with soft layers
T he Laccha Paratha owes its invention to the naan. As more cooks began to
learn and master the technique of making naan in the 1900s some veered off-
course a little and made a similar flat-bread in the same tandoor (brick kiln oven)
using whole wheat our.
Instead of leavening, they developed a technique that layers the dough, similar
to a lo pastry, that gives the bread a soft bite. And so the many layered Laccha
Paratha was born.
Preparation Time:
8
20 min
Resting Time: 15 min
Cooking Time: 20 min
RECIPES

Serves: 4 Ruby Dhillon Indias Most Wanted Recipies | 183

BREAD

by Dhillon
December 15 to December 21 | By Manisha Koushik
Manisha Koushik is a practicing astrologer, tarot card reader, numerologist, vastu and
fengshui consultant based in India with a global presence through the online channels. She is
available for consultations online as well. E-mail her at support@askmanisha.com or contact
at +91-11-26449898 Mobile/Whatsapp: +919015607139 www.askmanisha.com
Aries (Mar 21-Apr 20)
You are likely to meet up with someone this week, who
has promised to help you. Some rescheduling may be
required at work due to a new development. You can
go all out to impress someone to improve your career
prospects. A romantic evening is on the anvil for some.
Those out of touch may make efforts to refresh their
skills. Some of you will feel fulfilled by giving to charity.
Your initiative will bring you back in shape.
Lucky Number- 8 / Lucky Colour- Electric Grey
Taurus (Apr 21-May 20)
Whatever you intend to do this week, plan it carefully.
You are likely to get involved in renovating or setting
up your house. A competitive environment can prove
unsettling, but you will be able to hold your own. Those
feeling burdened should not shy away from delegating
the responsibilities. You may have to cater to the
moods of spouse. Some of you can be presented an
opportunity to go on an all-expenses-paid trip. Go in
for a new fitness programme.
Lucky Number- 4 / Lucky Colour- Dark Grey
Gemini (May 21-Jun 21)
The week proves to be fruitful and you are likely to
achieve much both personally and professionally. Your
contribution to a workplace project can be lauded by
the higher ups. Showing concern for a family elder
will win you the brownie points you so desperately
want. Great improvement in your monetary situation
INGREDIENTS
2/14 cups Atta ( wheat flour)
1 tsp salt
3 Tbsp oil
1/2 cup warm water or less
Oil, for shallow frying
METHOD:
In a bowl, place flour, salt and oil,
and mix it with your fingers. Add warm
water gradually while kneading the flour
until it forms a smooth dough.
Cover with a damp tea towel and leave it
to rest for 15 minutes.
Knead the dough again and divide it into
eight equal portions.
Roll each portion into a ball and flatten a
Indias Most Wanted Recipies | 183
is indicated. Wedding vows can be taken by those in a
long-term relationship.
Lucky Number- 3 / Lucky Colour- White
Cancer (Jun 22-Jul 20)
Chances of adopting some new fashion trends cannot
be ruled out for some. You may go out of the way to
appease someone, whom you have upset recently.
Professionally, you are likely to excel and rub shoulders
with the best. Planning something exciting with family
is on the cards. A gift can be lavished upon you by lover.
Adhering to a good routine will help you in negating ill
health. Financially, you will not face any problems.
Lucky Number- 9 ' Lucky Colour- Lemon
Leo (Jul 21-Aug 22)
You may get involved in a bitter battle with someone
and spoil your weekend. Some developments on the
domestic front may not be to your liking. A child or
family youngster may question your authority. You can
be made responsible for something at work that you
dislike. Business travel is likely to prove tiring. A loss
making venture may turn profitable and improve your
financial situation. Partner may not be in talking terms
with you.
Lucky Number- 1 / Lucky Colour- Magenta
Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 23)
Your efforts on the social front are likely to bear fruit.
Things are likely to move your way on the professorial
little in your palms. Using a rolling pin,
roll the dough into a 12cm circle, then
slice into 4cm thick strips.
Stack the strips, brushing the oil between
each strip (as you would with filo pastry).
This technique gives the Lachha Paratha
its layers.
Turn the stack onto the side so that the
layers face up, then roll it into a tight
spiral, like a Swiss roll. Press to flatten
a little with your fingers and set aside.
Repeat for all the balls.
Heat giddle pan or tawa on a in advance and keep aside for 12 hours;
medium heat.
Pour 1 tsp of oil on each Paratha and roll before serving.
front. Academically, you are likely to fare well. Work
related worries are likely to disappear, as you keep
your efforts on. Family front will become a source of
great solace. A chance encounter with someone can
blossom into romance. Family may accompany you to
an overseas destination, as you combine business with
pleasure. Health remains good.
Lucky Number- 18 / Lucky Colour- Sandy Brown
Libra (Sep 24-Oct 23)
YYou may have to keep the pros and cons in mind before
committing. This is a good time to pursue matters
pertaining to health. You are likely to get a chance to
invest in a sound scheme. A stressful situation on the
domestic front will be successfully overcome. Peak
physical fitness will make even strenuous activities
seem like childs play. You will be able to make perfect
moves to move up the career ladder. Persuasiveness
will win you love!
Lucky Number- 5 / Lucky Colour- All Shades of Green
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
An elderly may seek your help. Fatigue is likely to
become a thing of the past as you adopt a new fitness
regime. You will need to tighten your grip at work to
prevent a situation from getting out of hand. Financial
skills of some can be much in demand this week. You
may not feel up to doing a time consuming job at home.
First step is likely to be taken by some in arranging a
marriage.
Lucky Number- 11 / Lucky Colour- Silver
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
This is not the right time to pursue an issue that has
been pending for long. You will be able to manage
your finances well to buy a luxury item. Dont indulge
in rumour mongering about someone as you can be
at the receiving end. You can be given thumbs up for
implementing ideas at work. Lover may resent your
proximity to someone you are friends with. Those
it out again to form a circle of about
12cm in diameter (it doesnt matter if
the circle is not the same as described, it
can be bigger or smaller).
Repeat for all the Parathas.
Place one Paratha on the hot tawa and
cook on both sides, flipping it over with
a spatula; you will see nice brown specks
on the lachha paratha when it is ready
Repeat with the other dough discs.
Serve hot with the curry of your choice
Ruby's Tip: You can make the Lachha Paratha
reheat each one in a pan very briey just
travelling long distance should be prepared for
contingencies.
Lucky Number- 1 / Lucky Colour- Baby Pink
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 21)
Someone may desperately seek your help, so dont
disappoint. You will be able to maintain the tempo
of your work on the professional front. Family may
appear extra loving and caring. Buying a new vehicle
is on the cards for some. Young couples can enroll for
an adventure trip and enjoy the thrills. You will manage
to rent out your property for a nice sum. An overseas
trip can become a reality for some. Health remains
satisfactory.
Lucky Number- 17 / Lucky Colour- Light Blue
Aquarius (Jan 22-Feb 19)
You will manage to get your way on the academic
front. Chance of getting posted out on promotion
looks bright. Superiors are likely to bank upon you for
bagging a lucrative deal. Feeling that nobody attempts
to understand you will disappear as you look at things
from a different perspective. Vet an investment advice
thoroughly even if it is by a financial expert. You can be
desperate for meeting lover and can even skip college
or office for it!
Lucky Number- 6 \ Lucky Colour- White
Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20)
You may have to be thorough in whatever you
undertake at work. Those going steady on the sly run
the risk of their affair getting discovered. You may find
parents indifferent to your needs, but that may not be
entirely true. Some of you can have a tough time in
kicking a bad habit. Paying off creditors may appear
difficult. Property matters should not be touched this
week. Dont accompany anyone, who is a speed freak.
Lucky Number- 15 / Lucky Colour- Dark Brown
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 26 ENTERTAINMENT
Change will happen if women start
motivating each other: Malaika Arora
A A
ctress Malaika Arora says
that she has been brought up
in a household where she was
always taught to express herself freely
and this is what she expects from
others too.
For her, freedom of expression is
essential for both men and women and
change will happen if women start
motivating each other.
When asked what motivates her girl
squad that includes Kareena Kapoor
Khan, Karisma Kapoor and Amrita
Arora to be fit to fight, Malaika said:
Women should motivate each other
and that is where change happens
when women motivate each other,
when women uplift each other, when
women stand for each other.
You know it that woman is your
worse enemy, a woman can pull you
down, so I think its important that
women should motivate each other.
Recalling one instance, she said: I
remember an instance, when after my
baby I was going back to be fit again.
It was not an easy task for me, it was a
challenge. I think every mother has to
deal with it, but the good thing was I
had people around me to motivate me
and push me to do better and I think
that really helps.
The mother of one, who is a part of
the Reebok Fashionably Fit Family,
was present at the brands FitToFight
Awards 2.0 in Mumbai. The night
witnessed the brand felicitating
women nominees from across the
country for their spirit and courage.
Malaika, who is currently seen
Yeh mera deewanapan hai..: Dilip Kumars
incomparable acting, inspiring life
D
ebuting on screen in British
India, appearing in some
of Indian cinemas greatest
classics and still present over eight
decades later in the hearts of a
vast multitude of fans with whom
he remains connected over social
media, Dilip Kumar is not just
Bollywoods oldest living star but
also an Indian institution.
The Tragedy King who
excelled at broad comedy too could
play a prince or a peasant with equal
ease, display profound intensity or
a jaunty nonchalance with the same
skill. Dilip Kumar, who turned 95 on
Monday, is someone who repeatedly
reinvented himself as both an actor
and a person.
Taqdeeren badal jaati hai, zamana
badal jata hai, mulkon ki tareekh
badal jaati hai, Shahenshah badal
jaate hai, magar is badalti huyi
duniya mein mohabbat jis insaan ka
daman thaam leti hai, wohi insaan
nahi badalta, he said, as Prince
Salim in one of his most memorable
roles. And this might describe Dilip
Kumars own long, inspiring life --
but not his acting.
For, over two decades after
masterfully playing the rebellious
son facing off a stern and dutiful
father in Mughal-e-Azam (1960),
he could take up the latter role
in Shakti (1980) with the same
intensity, though not the bombast of
hosting Indias Next Top Model Season
3, says that for her, FitToFight is a
daily approach.
It is not just about hitting a gym,
lifting weights, touching the toes
or bending. It is a way of life. It is
physical, mental and emotional.
Fitness is worship for me purely
because it helps my mind, body and
soul, she said.
Talking about womens rights, the
actress says that there are so many
things that one needs to consider.
There are so many issues that we
women daily deal with on a regular
basis. I think its important to stand up
for your rights, fight for your rights, to
speak your mind because somewhere
I feel a large part of us tends to
be suppressed.
We dont speak out, we dont
say, and I sometimes even say that
about myself, let it be, forget about
it because whats the point but
thats wrong. We have to change that
attitude as we cannot sit back and say
forget it, whats going to come out of
it, we will deal with it at a later point.
We need to deal with it in that moment
and far more real and everyday basis,
she said.
And thats the reason why freedom
of expression is very important.
It is something which is our right,
its fundamental right that we have
and luckily, I have been brought up
in a household where we have always
been taught and encouraged to express
ourselves, very freely.
We have never ever felt suppressed
Prithviraj Kapoor.
That was the calibre of
Mohammed Yousuf Khan, alias
Dilip Kumar, a natural actor using
the method system before it was
even named, in a career lasting over
half a century.
A Pathan boy who got personally
picked by then reigning Bollywood
diva Devika Rani to debut opposite
her in Jwar Bhata (1944), he went
on to become the tragedy king of
Bollywoods first trinity where he
outlived and, arguably, outperformed
Raj Kapoors naivety and Dev
Anands cheerful insouciance.
All subsequent superstars from
Amitabh Bachchan to Shah Rukh
Khan would owe him a debt.
But there was more to his career
than we know.
For one, the shy 22-year-old son
of a Pathan fruit merchant, born
and raised in Peshawar, played a
Muslim in only one of his 60-odd
films in Mughal-e-Azam, while
the Abdul Rahim Khan of Azaad
(1955), was a guise for Kumar alias
Azaad and he was more likely to
play characters named Shankar, or
Ram and Shyam, Vijay or Kundan.
Above all, he single-handedly
refined histrionics and refined
acting to an art form of exalted
brilliance, says his wife Saira Banu
in her introduction to his memoirs
Dilip Kumar: The Substance and
Friday, December 15, 2017 The Indian Weekender
Alia Bhatt to
reprise Sridevis
iconic roles in
Chaalbaaz?
or felt like not say something
that will hurt somebody. fter Judwaa 2, David Dhawan
Its always been to is reportedly working on
speak your mind as Chaalbaaz remakes script
which saw the evergreenSrideviin a
thats the only way
double role.
that people will
know what we
want to say, and
I am glad that we
have had that kind
of upbringing, she
said.
Malaika added: My
mother is someone who
speaks her mind, she
doesnt think twice, and If reports are to go by, senior
she is all for woman and Dhawan is keen on havingAlia
woman power and I am again Bhattonboard for the movie.
really glad that I have had that According to sources, the filmmaker
kind of an environment and I do is already working on the script.
have a son and, yet I do tell him to Recently, Alia while speaking to
speak his mind and if I would have media had revealed, When I had
a daughter I have said the same. gone to him, asking to be cast in the
For me there is no differentiation next installment of Judwaa, David
in a girl child or a boy child. I am sir told me I have a better role for
grateful that in todays day and age, you in comparison to Judwaa 3.
The next time I told him about my
thankfully most of us are like that.
wish again, he said Not in Judwaa
Thanks to the education and the
3, you have to work with me in the
upbringing that we have got and
Chaalbaaz remake.
there is no differentiation.
Interestingly, Sridevi who nailed
the sweet and brash sisters role in
"You
the original had confessed that the
know it that
one movie of hers which deserves
woman is your
to be remake is Chaalbaaz. She has
worse enemy, a woman
also mentioned that if at all it is ever
can pull you down, so
remade, Alia would be the perfect
I think its important
choice for it. And if its remade,
that women should
the one actress who could fit in that
motivate each
double role of mine is Alia, the
other."
evergreen actor had said.
the Shadow.
And this was despite having no
plans of joining the profession, but
was believed by his grandmother
especially to be destined for fame,
following a faqirs prediction. Then
his father Ghulam Sarwars decision
to shift his business and family near
then Bombay in the late 1930s and
his own independent streak, all
in their way led to Yousuf Khan
becoming Dilip Kumar.
Far too many remember him for
his brooding roles. But while he
performed these with a restrained
and refined subtlety, from the fatal
modern triangle of Andaz (1949) to
the pre-modern Devdas (1955) or
even Yahudi (1957) set in Ancient
Rome, down to Mashaal (1984) and
Karma (1986), he had a much varied
palette. If he could play the lovelorn
Prince Salim, he could also be the diversity and promise of of the arduous 30-day fast of Jain
bouncy and swashbuckling Jai a bright future, showcased in films children.
Tilak of Aan (1952) or the outgoing like Naya Daur (1957), as Lord And he had no airs. My father
Yuvraj in Kohinoor (1960), match Meghnad Desai argues in Nehrus Vijay Datta, who worked for liquor
portrayals of the rustic Gungaram Hero: Dilip Kumar in the Life of company Mohan Meakins, recalls
of Ganga Jamuna (1961) or Sagina India (2004). Dilip Kumar, as a director, was
Mahto (in both the eponymous If he did so in films, so did he in a frequent visitor to the plants at
Bengali film and its Bollywood his personal life. Saira Banu informs Ghaziabad, Solan and Lucknow,
remake, 1974) with those of city that her husband could give a where he would cheerfully interact
slickers like ebullient prankster mellifluous azaan or quote from the with all in chaste Urdu or theth
Vijay Khanna of Leader (1964) Quran, but also from the Bhagvad Punjabi and was remarkably self-
or the rich, spoiled twin Sanjay in Gita and the Bible, celebrates Diwali effacing. It has been a Suhana Safar
Bairaag (1976). with the same fervour as Eid; he had for Dilip sahab and we pray for
Dilip Kumar also symbolised also, as Sheriff of Bombay in the many more happy and healthy years
newly-independent India in all its 1980s, presided over the breaking for him.
 ENTERTAINMENT

Movies best medium to

28 Friday, December 15, 2017 The Indian Weekender

Deepika has the aura to carry

historical roles: Madhuri
educate children: Raveena B ollywood beauty Madhuri
Dixit feels that among the

A
ctress Raveena Tandon believes films can be a learning experience current crop of actresses,
for children. Raveena, who who was here for the inauguration of the Deepika Padukone who will next
third edition of Smile International Film Festival for Children and be seen in the controversial period
Youth (SIFFCY), said in a statement: It is something that is to be very drama Padmavati has an aura best
proud of that there is a film festival, that is only and wholly for children. suited for historical characters.
I want kids to take a vow that whatever they will learn from here, they Madhuri was at the red carpet of
will follow in their daily life. the Lux Golden Rose Awards when
Movies are the best media to educate our children, so I also she was asked about the actress she
want to thank SIFFCY which has acted as a media to communicate finds the most beautiful.
goodness to our children as it is the right time to educate them about She said: I have always felt that
what is good and what is bad for them. beauty comes from within and we
The week-long festival, which has international jury members on have a lot of beautiful actresses.
board, and also a young jury board where children have given their
I think all Indian actresses are
inputs in selection of movies, began at the Sirifort Auditorium.
beautiful. I just cant take one name
SIFFCY is a reflection of Smile Foundations efforts to use There is Deepika Padukone,
because there is Deepika Padukone,
films as a medium for sensitizing masses, especially children and who is extremely gorgeous and she
youth, and engaging them proactively in the process of bringing Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif and
Alia Bhatt, there are beautiful women can carry the historical roles very
Social change. Santanu Mishra, Executive Trustee of Smile
on the Indian screen. beautifully because she has that
Foundation and Chairman of SIFFCY, said: I hope
Sharing her reasons for liking aura. And Priyanka Chopra, who
through SIFFCY, we will be able to channelize the
energy of children and youth in a positive way and different actresses, Madhuri said: I is fabulous... I just love her as an
engage them proactively in the process of initiating dont have one favourite. I like them actress. You put her in any sort of a
social change. for different reasons. I like Alia Bhatt role and she does it so well. So there
The idea behind SIFFCY is to design a rich because she experiments with her are different actresses that I love.
mix of film programmes to build and support the roles. She is a very good actress and On the work front, Madhuri Dixit
growing interest in the infotainment industry. she is extremely natural in front of Nene is teaming up with Anil Kapoor
This includes programming that cultivates an the camera. for Inder Kumars Total Dhamaal.
audience for world cinema while supporting
filmmakers in career development, so that this
powerful medium can be explored in a more Want to reveal my life's truth
focused manner for disseminating serious yet
effective social messages. "It is in a book: Mahesh Bhatt
W
Apart from movies, engagement something that riter-filmmaker Mahesh
activities include capacity-building is to be very proud of Bhatt says he wants to
workshops, panel discussions and forums that there is a film festival, reveal the truth about his
on Environment, Climate Change, Road that is only and wholly for life in a book.
Safety and Role of Cinema, apart from children. I want kids to take a Bhatt attended launch of Aritra
technical workshops by industry experts vow that whatever they will Chakrabarty Sengupta's novel
on filmmaking, cinematography, sound learn from here, they will "Introspection" along with Dino
design, production design, storytelling follow in their daily Morea. Asked if he is planning to
and photography, said festival director life." write an autobiography, Bhatt said:
Jitendra Mishra. "Whatever work I did was inspired
The opening film at the gala from my personal life. I made
was Rima Das Village Rockstars, movies based on my life. I feel first
besides Cloud Boy, a joint production you have to write it, and then films
by Belgium, Sweden, Norway and are being made. Definitely, I would
Netherlands. Over 100 films from over like to reveal truth about my life in a
30 countries are part of the showcase at book form.." a person around you who has the
the fest. Bhatt, known for movies like ability to tell a story, you should
Zakhm and Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin, support him/her."
Priyanka Chopra gets Mother Teresa Memorial Award said he is already working on a book Commenting on the trend of

A
ctress Priyanka Chopra,
who has taken up the cause
of fighting for the rights of
refugees and displaced people as a
Unicef Goodwill Ambassador, has
been feted with the Mother Teresa
Memorial Award for Social Justice.
Priyanka was invited by the
Harmony Foundation to get the
award for lending her support and
contribution towards social causes.
"I humbly accept the award on her
behalf. As a mother, I am immensely
proud to have a child who is so
compassionate and has so much
kindness in her. She exemplifies the
fact the more you give, the more
you get. "Even as a child, she was
influenced by Mother Teresa and
has been supporting Prem Niwas in
Bareilly," Madhu said in a statement.
Madhu, who co-owns the
production banner Purple Pebbles
Production with Priyanka, added:
"I'm sure Priyanka is humbled that
her efforts have been recognised
by the Foundation that believes in
helping the needy and supporting the
deprived and raising funds for the
impoverished."
with a writer who has been "intensely
involved in the process to present my
life journey in a book form".
The veteran filmmaker said there's
a need in present times to encourage
young writers.
"Today there's an opportunity
to support young writers' efforts
because only a writer can understand
how difficult it is to write, especially
in times when you do messaging on
WhatsApp and don't use pen and
paper.
"So, I feel whenever you find
remaking films, Bhatt said: "We have
made remakes under our production
house (Vishesh Films). When you
ask why this happens, it is because
we have to run our dukaan (shop
or business). A franchise has more
capacity to achieve success but at the
same time, it involves ten times risk
because very often about remakes it
has been said that it is not at par with
the original film."
He declined to divulge anything
about his upcoming film Sadak 2, a
remake of his own 1991 film Sadak.

Tiger Zinda Hai not political, only a human story: Director

T
iger Zinda Hai, a film about two spies
one Indian and the other Pakistani
is largely a story about humanity, says
its director Ali Abbas Zafar, who feels handling
sensitive topics can be a "double-edged" sword
these days.
Even at the best of times, tackling a movie
with Indian and Pakistani protagonists can be
tricky. How did he handle it?
"The film is a very human story... it is not
political at all. The idea is that when there is a
fight between right and wrong, what is at stake
is humanity. And there's nothing bigger than
humanity," Zafar said.
Given the current times, there's a question
mark on the creative freedom of filmmakers
in India, especially when it comes to sensitive
topics. What does he have to say on that?
"It's a double-edged sword," he said.
"As a filmmaker and a creative person, I need
to be sensitive to what is happening around me.
I always personally think that no matter what
happens, everything can be solved through
dialogue. We should not take ourselves too
seriously. At the end of it, it is a film... We work
because of our conviction... at the same time it
should not offend anyone."
Tiger Zinda Hai" is the sequel to the 2012
actioner Ek Tha Tiger, which was directed by
Kabir Khan.
The film featured superstar Salman Khan and
Katrina Kaif as Indian and Pakistani agents,
came on board after hearing the story, and they
and the two stars are back on-screen after five
years in the same roles.
Working on the sequel, produced by Yash Raj
Films, has been challenging for Zafar.
"But we are hopeful that the second part is
going to live up to expectations. The story is the
most important aspect of the film. Of course,
Salman and Katrina are there. Both of them
said that irrespective of whether it was a sequel
or not, we had to do the film," he said.
"Both of them are so comfortable with each
other off-screen that as soon as a little bit
padding from a scene or song happens, their
chemistry blooms on camera. I think that is an
asset for a director because I don't need to push
for it too much." Zafar describes Salman as a
"director's actor".
"He has given me what I have required from
him and he has worked really hard to make the
film look a certain way," he added of the film,
which is said to be laced by some stunning
action sequences.
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 30 FEATURES
Seniors and children rejoice at Bhartiya Samaj Christmas event
RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
B
hartiya Samaj Charitable Trust (BSCT)
carried on the years-old tradition of
celebrating the end of the year by
organising a Christmas and end of the year
party on Saturday, December 9 at Mt Roskill
War Memorial Hall in Auckland.
This fun-filled afternoon marked the
presence of over 200 senior citizens and
the presence of several eminent guests and
dignitaries. Members of Parliament Michael
Wood, Priyanca Radhakrishnan, Kanwaljit
Bakshi and Dr Parmjeet Parmar along with
Auckland District Police Commissioner Karyn
Malthus and Judge Ajit Sarwan were present at
the event.
The seniors thronged to the venue excitedly
all dressed up in fabulous outfits to be a part
of this special event, BSCT Chairman Jeet
Suchdev said.
The celebrations commenced with the
traditional prayers, followed by felicitation of
Smita Biswas, volunteer for Bharitya Samaj
and Ella Kumar, member of Puketapapa local
board for their tireless efforts and contributions
towards the organisations activities through
the years.
Sargam Music
Extravaganza
Date: Friday and Saturday, December 15 & 16
Time: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday & 5 p.m. to 8
p.m. on Sunday
Venue: Blockhouse Bay Community Centre,
524 Blockhouse Bay Road, Auckland
Sargam School of Music invite all music lovers
for the Annual concert, featuring renowned Sitar
Maestro Pt Harvinder Sharma, Deciple of Late
Ustad Vilayat Khan Sahib. The Two day event
will featuring the performances by the students
of Sargam School.Sitar Recital : Pt Harvinder
Sharma Ji, Opening Vocal Recital : Dr Anita
Naik and vocal, Tabla, Sitar, Violin recitals by the
students of Sargam School of Music.
Elim Tamil Church
Christmas
Date: Saturday, December 16
Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Venue: Mt Albert War Memorial Hall, Mt
Roskill
A celebration called by the Elim Tamil
Church in Howick an evening of entertainment,
prayers and fun for the family. Childminders
will be there for the children aged 3 to 5 years
so parents can enjoy the event completely.
Come one and all with family, friends and
neighbours. Tamil community members from
Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, India and
other community members are all invited.
Christmas Production
2017
Date: Sunday, December 17
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The entertainment section of the event
included a stunning dance performance was by
Simran Chadha, and Ranjana, followed by live
music and dance with the members.
The seniors look for an opportunity to enjoy
and make others laugh.
Every time we host an event, the seniors
make sure we conclude the event with loud
Venue: Indian Christian Life Centre- 8/23
Springs Road, East Tamaki
Be sure to get to Christmas Production
2017 - Were excited to bring to you the The
Pursuit An event which includes music,
performances and an inspirational message
that could change the trajectory of life. Doors
open at 5:30 - Its going to be an unmissable
event so be sure to RSVP here before its too
late!
Christmas at Silo Park
Date: Thursday, December 21 to Sunday,
December 24
Time: Varied timings
Venue: Silo Park, Wynyard Quarter, 96
Jellicoe Street, Auckland: 1010
Your much loved urban playground, Silo
Park, is back and starting the season with four
days of Christmas celebrations!Come join us
from 21 Dec to 24 Dec for some festive fun,
with music (DJs to carolers!), food trucks,
entertainment, games, and the ever delightful
Silo Park bar serving you some extra special
Christmas cheer. Weve got carnival rides for
all the family to enjoy and Santa will even be
joining us on the Saturday and Sunday! Of
course, Silo Cinema will be playing on Friday
night - your choice of Love Actually, Home
Alone, Miracle on 34th Street and Scrooged.
Please note, the Silo Markets wont be
featuring this year.
CAB Browns Bay
Date: Thursday, 21 December, 2017
Time: 11am to 1pm
Venue: Mary Thomas Centre, Channel View
Friday, December 15, 2017
music and dance with one another, BSCT
Secretary Roopa Suchdev added.
Vidya Teke, a prominent singer in the
community, and actor and singer Jagdish Punja
performed retro songs to entertain the audience.
With the latters stage performance, the crowd
joined them on stage in dancing.
The stupendous success of the event was a
Lounge, 3 Gibbons Road, Takapuna
CAB Browns Bay will hold a free
information session for newcomers on
Education and Schooling in New Zealand.
This session will cover The New Zealand
Education System, Schooling in New
Zealand (including early childhood
education), Enrolments (zoning), National
Certificate of Education Achievement
(NCEA), What is the Board of Trustees?,
ESOL support and funding, Special Education,
Further Education (overview). Presenter:
Adel Salmanzadeh of Ministry of Education.
Refreshments will be served. Register your
interest by contacting Esther at 489 3873 or
email at settlement.northshore@cab.org.nz.
Indian Kite Festival 2018
Date: Saturday, 14 Janurary
Time: 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Venue: Eastdale Road, Avondale, Auckland
Book 14 January 2018 in your calendar and
be in to celebrate Makarsakranti (Uttrayan) first
in the world. Lets come altogether at Indian
The Indian Weekender
result of contribution and love of the executive
committee of Bhartiya Samaj, volunteers,
organisers, performers and the community that
feverishly supported us to make this event a
grand success and helped achieve yet another
milestone for BSCT in our efforts to socially
engage our senior members, Mr Suchdev
acknowledged.
Christmas for Bal Vikas Language and
Cultural School
As a part of the annual Christmas celebrations,
Bhartiya Samaj also hosts a fun event for the
children of Bal Vikas Language and Cultural
School at Mt Roskill Memorial Hall.
The end of year party for the children was
held on Sunday, December 3.
These children aged between six and 14
participate in several extra-curricular activities
and workshops throughout the year. The year-
end party included games, quizzes, a secret
Santa, Christmas crafts, music and delicious
food. As a custom, the children come with their
secret Santa gifts and present them to their
chosen mates in the class.
The party also included an educational
workshop on the significance of celebrating
Christmas followed by playing Christmas
quizzes, games and singing Christmas carols.
Kite Festival on Sunday 14 January 2018 at
Eastdale Reserve, Avondale, Auckland. Event
not to miss. Loads of activities for children,
elderly, women, family with great food. Fun
rides for children, face painting, henna, music,
dance etc.
Guftagu with Gulzar Saab
Date: Saturday, February 3
Time: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Venue: Dorothy Winstion Centre, 16 Howe
Street, Auckland
Once in a lifetime opportunity to see the
legendary poet and lyricist Gulzar Saab
in a Guftagu in Auckland. An opportunity
comparable to a pilgrimage doesnt come
every day so seize it while you can. This
Guftagu will be curated by Salim Arif. For
sponsorship, contact Umesh Sharma on +64
21 111 055, Rushi Dave on +61 413 806
425 or Arun Nanda on +61 401 230 046.
For information related to tickets and Ticket
Bazaar, or to buy tickets on phone, call Swati
Sharma +64 9 217 3623.
 t kind of
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