18MAY2018 | Vol 10 Issue 09 Claim Your

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What's in it for in Auckland Satyajit Ray never
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 2 NEW ZEALAND
Shashi Tharoor in Auckland,
projecting India’s soft power
¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH
I
ndia’s soft power is all set to get a sheen
when Dr Shashi Tharoor, an eminent
scholar, a great orator, an accomplished
politician, and an articulate advocate of India’s
soft power will be speaking at the Auckland
Writers Festival this weekend.
Dr Tharoor is in Auckland for two public-
speaking events at the popular Auckland
Writers Festival on Saturday (May 19) and
Sunday (May 20) where he speaks about his
two books – Why I am a Hindu and Inglorious
Empires.
Indeed, the books and the subsequent talks
related to the books are already making waves,
especially on social media.
The Indian Weekender had an opportunity
to speak with him about his two books, one of
which seemingly appears to be constructing a
new intellectual narrative for the Congress Party
by “reclaiming Hinduism,” and propagating an
alternative view on India’s soft power.
Dr Tharoor, categorically denied the
suggestion that he was in any way constructing
a new intellectual narrative for the Congress
Party, despite apparent observations.
Similarly, he refused to buy the argument
that India’s soft power is an exclusive property
of any government of the day, purely because
of the reasons that any government can rarely
control constituents of soft power, such as
movies, music, food, yoga, and other cultural
ethos, and its acceptability around the world.
Expectedly, any conversation with Dr
Tharoor, a passionate advocate of the alternative
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After describing Hindu
faith, in the last section
of the book, I talk about
taking back Hinduism,
which is a kind of plea
to recapture the kind
of Hinduism that most
Hindus have grown
up with.
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government, is bound to precipitate a contest
on the ideas of India’s soft power.
However, despite this inherent contest
about what constitutes India’s soft power, and
who is the better propagator at various global
platforms, the overall value of India’s soft
power will be on a high this week in Auckland,
when people from all walks of life will get a
chance to listen to him directly at the Auckland
Writers Festival.
Here are some excerpts of the interview
IWK: Can you please tell us about the
book Why I am a Hindu? What is it all
about?
Dr Tharoor: This book is all about defining
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The Indian Weekender
Hinduism for a very large silent majority of
Hindus growing up in India, and indeed in
many parts of the world who don’t identify
with the aggressive form of Hindutva, which
has now become the dominant articulation of
Hinduism in India. I see Hindutva as a purely
political ideology and Hinduism as a liberal,
accepting, and eclectic faith.
This book describes the Hindu religion, as I
grew up with it, as I read about it, the lessons of
great mahatmas and preceptors of the faith that
has been encoded over few thousands of years
in the Hindu canon.
After describing Hindu faith, in the last section
of the book, I talk about taking back Hinduism,
which is a kind of plea to recapture the kind
of Hinduism that most Hindus have grown
up with.
IWK: Is it fair to say that through this
book you are reconstructing a new
intellectual narrative for the Congress
Party?
Dr Tharoor: Well it would be presumptuous
for me to suggest that. First of all, new is a
contentious word, because many of these ideas
have appeared in my earlier books. Those who
are familiar with my writings they will know
that I have been writing about Hinduism going
back to 1989. In my book India from Midnight
to Millennium in 1997, I share my personal
reactions to the Babri Masjid destruction as a
Hindu Indian.
Congress Party doesn’t ask me to write my
books. I speak for myself.
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IWK: So when you say “re-
claiming Hinduism,” doesn’t
it imply reclaiming for the
Congress Party, which seems
to have lost the plot?
Dr Tharoor: I am reclaiming
Hinduism for myself and for
Hinduism like myself. The Congress
Party embraces wide ranges of
people of every conceivable faith.
But having said that we in the
Congress Party have a set of ideas
not dissimilar to what I have talked
about earlier.
When I talk about Hinduism, I
anchor myself a lot in Swami
Vivekanand, who in his historic
address to the World Parliament of
Religions in Chicago in 1893 said,
“My religion has taught the world
not just tolerance, but acceptance.”
I have read about it as a teenager, and
it has stayed with me since then.
Actually, we all have been told about
the virtue of tolerance throughout
our lives. Indeed, tolerance is a
virtue, but it is a very patronising
virtue. The idea of tolerance says
that I have the truth, you are in error,
but I magnanimously indulge you in
being right to be wrong. Whereas
what Swami Vivekanand had said,
and what Hinduism talks about, is
acceptance of differences.
It means, I believe, I have the truth.
You believe you have the truth. I will
respect your truth, please respect my
truth.
My definition is that is also the
democratic way of engaging with
each other, in a multi-ethnic, multi-
religious, multi-linguistic culture and
civilisation like India.
IWK: If democracy is a pa-
Friday, May 18, 2018
My religion
has taught the
world not just
tolerance, but
acceptance...
rameter to judge the validity
and strength of an argument
then probably the results that
we are getting in the recent
elections, say in Gujarat and
Karnataka are suggesting that
they are not agreeing with this
articulation?
Dr Tharoor: No, the Congress
Party got two and a half percentage
votes than the Bhartiya Janta Party
(BJP) did. So the people of India do
not disagree with this articulation.
Of course in our first past the post
system, the way in which votes
fall will make the difference. The
BJP’s votes, though fewer than the
Congress in percentage were better
concentrated in some constituencies
so they won more seats.
IWK: Don’t you think you are
trying to find solace from the
first past the post system?
This system has always been
there and we all have to abide
by the system and if Congress
will have to come back to
power then they will have to go
through the same system?
Dr Tharoor: Sure! But why you
would not want to find solace.
When Congress offers coalition
arrangement to Janta Dal Secular
(JDS) that’s not solace! It is clear-cut
realpolitik.
IWK: Mr Tharoor I see you
are a man on a mission – On
one hand we see you as a great
advocate of India’s soft power,
then, on the other hand, you
are on a mission of construct-
ing a new intellectual narrative
for India’s Congress Party. So
which one of these two mis-
sions you adore most?
Dr Tharoor: Look, I am an Indian
first, and everything else including
political affiliation comes later. I
have started talking about India’s soft
power when I was living in New York
at the beginning of this century. Ever
since then I have been articulating
this idea through my speeches and
articles and brought back the idea to
India and started pushing it hard to
a point where even our own Prime
Ministers started using the term soft
power in their speeches.
Having said that, soft power is not
something that a government can
control or leverage; it’s not public
relations or good marketing exercise,
which I am afraid our Prime Minister
is better at.
Soft power is about what is India and
how do people see India. It includes
everything from the popularity of
Bollywood movies to the success
and proliferation of yoga, to Indian
restaurants around the globe to Indian
wellness to Ayurveda and Yoga, and
Indian spirituality. All of these things
contribute to India’s image of being
something positive.
Unfortunately, in recent years that
image of India has been undercut by
an alternative set of headlines. The
headlines about attacks on women,
mob violence, cow vigilantism, all of
these kinds of stuff seem to dominate
the perception of foreign journalists,
and that too undermines India’s soft
power.
IWK: Well foreign journalists,
most of the time find pleasure
in writing everything terrible
NEW ZEALAND 3
about India?
Dr Tharoor: This is a general
problem of media, which thrives on
sad stories. Sadly this is widespread
in the media all around the world.
In some cases, you are right that they
write about what they want to write
even if we give it importance or not.
But it is very difficult to deny that
some of the dominant news in foreign
media is the news that is relevant in
India as well.
IWK: Despite your argument,
which seems to be a very
persuasive argument, the fact
of the matter is that the pro-
jections articulated by Prime
Minister Modi are gaining
more traction outside India,
particularly among the Indian
diaspora.
Dr Tharoor: Look I want India to
be well regarded. I have often said
openly and publically that I am an
Indian first. If India succeeds under
Mr Modi, if our economy grows and
people prosper under the policies of
Mr Modi, I will be happy.
If people are not finding the ‘achche
din’ that they were waiting for then
it’s my duty as an opposition Member
of Parliament to point it out.
The fact is that being in opposition
is also part of the national narrative.
We want India to succeed. We
may disagree on whether India is
succeeding or how it has to succeed.
That’s part of democracy. What I
don’t like and resent is having the
legitimacy of our criticism being
challenged, as if to say anything
against Mr Modi or the government
is somehow anti-national.
In fact, it is the very nationalist
thing to want the country to be better
than what it is today.
 4 NEW ZEALAND Friday, May 18, 2018 The Indian Weekender

Shri Ram Mandir hosts Girmit

Remembrance Day for the community
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD

T
he Fiji Girmit Foundation of New
Zealand along with Shri Ram Mandir,
in a gesture to honour the sacrifices of
the first Girmitiyas in Fiji, hosted a profound
event at the Shri Ram Mandir on Monday, May
14 that witnessed the presence of hundreds of
men, women of children.
The occasion was to remember the sacrifice
and hardships of the first Girmitiyas who were
brought to Fiji in dire conditions as indentured
labourers. The event was also hosted to salute
the spirits of the Girmiitiyas and celebrate their
perseverance through which they worked and
survived and prospered over the years.
The event started at 7 p.m. inside the temple
Project Manager of the Nasilai Village lives more than a century ago.
hall by conducting Aarti and puja for the lost The occasion was to Project Viren Lal gave a brief history of the The organisers acknowledged and
souls and the ancestors through which several
generations of Fiji Indian exist today. Master remember the sacrifice incident at Nasilai reef and how the Foundation commended the contribution of MP Kanwaljit
Shiu Charan, one of the founding members and hardships of the first came up with plans to raise funds and provide Bakshi who back in October 2015 came
of the Fiji Girmit Foundation of New Zealand the village with a much need renovation to its forward to be a part of the Project Nasilai and
and one of the trustees of Shri Ram Mandir,
Girmitiyas who were even travelled with a delegation to Nasilai
community hall, and it’s public toilet services.
acknowledged the presence of more than 200 brought to Fiji in dire Viren Lal reiterated the concept of giving village to express their collective gratitude
members of the community gathered to observe conditions as indentured back to the village and remembering the hard towards the villagers.
the Girmit Day. Mr Bakshi expressed his satisfaction in being
This was followed by songs sung by the
labourers work of the forefathers who although starting as
indentured labour flourished over the time and part of the pilgrimage to Nasilai village and
students of Waitakere Hindi School and Birha asked the community to contribute their part
and Bidesia songs by the community groups. made Fiji what it is today.
Mr Lal encouraged the community to make by travelling to the village and supporting the
Both Birha and Bidesia songs captured the the sinking ship named Syria on May 11, 1884.
their contribution to the Girmit history and visit young children and in their education.
pains of the Girmits and the deceit they were The village community hall has been under
the Nasilai village where relics of the Syria ship The event concluded with a prayer for the
subjected to. a poor condition for a long time and the Fiji
remains half sunk in the Nasilai reef. He asked souls of the Girmitiyas, and their sacrifices
Nasilai Village Project: Girmit Foundation New Zealand took upon that led to a flourishing Fiji Indian community
the descendants of the Girmitiyas to pay their

N
themselves the responsibility to contribute their not just in Fiji but across different parts of the
asilai Village holds a special mention gratitude to the villagers who rendered their
part in improving the conditions of the village globe.
in the history of the Girmitiyas for the hand at the time of need and saved hundreds of
community space. ••
people of the village who ran to help rescue

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 The Indian Weekender
New Zealand Fijian Senior Citizens celebrate
Mother’s day, Girmit Day
¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH
E
nthusiasm, perseverance and
triumphant zeal were on full
display when the members of
Fiji Indian senior citizens gathered
together to celebrate Mother’s Day
and Girmit Day at the Blockhouse
Bay Community Hall on Sunday,
May 13.
New Zealand Fijian Senior
Citizens – a local community
organisation, dedicated to the seniors
within the Fiji-Indian community had
hosted a small celebratory event to
celebrate together the two important
occasions.
While celebrations for Mother’s
Day were reflective of enthusiasm,
acknowledgement and appreciation
of the role of the mother in one’s life,
speeches on Girmit Remembrance
Day were reflective of perseverance
and triumphant zeal.
It will not be an exaggeration to
submit that in many respect this
event was unique and special.
For witnessing senior members
of community acknowledging and
paying tribute to their mums when
they are at a stage of life where they
are seen with some degree of respect
by virtue of their age and experience
in life, seeing them further paying
tribute to all mums, is a sight in itself.
Rarely does one get a chance to see
such symbolic confluence of human
emotions.
Uma Rai started the event by
offering a poetic ode to the role of
mum in every individual’s life.
It was followed by some wonderful
speeches on Girmit Remembrance
Day, which was reflective of spirits
of perseverance and tenacity within
the Fiji-Indian community.
Coming from seniors in the
community, who by virtue of their
age and experience in life already
symbolise endurance and persistence,
this was again special.
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Remembering the subconsciously,
references from
Girmitias India’s long
Speaking on the occasion, former civilisational,
Fiji-Parliamentarians Sardar Harnam political, social,
Singh Golian and Master Shiu religious, and
Charan, and founding members of spiritual history
the Fiji Girmit Foundation New is a powerful
Zealand, both paid tribute to the statement of the
indomitable spirit of Girmitias, who innate subliminal
have endured extreme hardship and connection
L
deprivations to transform a relatively between Fiji-Indian and the Indian. hundreds of years ago.
ater speaking with The Indian
barren landscape of Fiji into what is Say, for instance, to emphasise Similarly, Sardar Harnam Singh
Golian referred to the esteemed Sikh Weekender, the founder President
currently known as a paradise of the the importance of a mother in one’s
South Pacific. life; Master Shiu Charan told the Guru Nanakdev to emphasise the of New Zealand Fiji Senior Citizen
The Girmitiyas – as the first audience a story about the great importance of the mother. Association, Meher, said she has
generation Indian settlers of Fiji were Indian philosopher, thinker and The list was long and illustrious, been running the association since
known as – were acknowledged for strategist Kautilya or Chanakya. what it brought out was the sense of the past six years with one primary
their two precious gifts to the future The story, though meant to convey spiritual, philosophical connection goal of keeping seniors active and
descendants – social equality and high reverence to all mothers, between members of the Indian providing them with a meaningful
preservation of culture. supposedly attributed to the great diaspora, which needs to be cherished purpose in their individual lives, so
scholar Chanakya, also demonstrated and promoted in present times.
The speakers called upon everyone as to assist them in aging gracefully.
how elements of Indian culture
to feel that sense of pride, which is “It’s all about giving our seniors
have travelled and persisted within Six years of NZ Fijian
unique to the Fiji-Indian community. meaningful purpose at this stage of
the descendants of first generation Senior Citizen Association
settlers who have left India about their lives,” Ms Singh said.
The subliminal Indian
connection
A nother notable,
though commonly
missed observation is
the rich and intrinsic
connectedness with
everything related to
Indian history, heritage
and culture.
It might be apt to
assert on the occasion
of the 139th anniversary
of Fiji-Girmit Day
celebrations in New
Zealand that the time
has come to build
new bridges and keep
working on already
existing bridges,
between the Fiji-Indian
community and the
wider Indian diaspora.
The manner in which
different speakers
invoked, almost
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 6 NEW ZEALAND
Jeet Suchdev in
India: Participating in
government conference
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
I
ndian Government’s Ministry of External
Affairs, as a part of having meaning
interaction and outreach with the Indian
diaspora, has been organising a day-long
Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas panel sessions on
topical issues which connect the diaspora to
India.
Jeet Suchdev of Bhartiya Samaj Charitable
Trust in Auckland was invited to contribute at
the panel discussion held in New Delhi earlier
in April which is the fourth in the series since
the since the PBD in January last year.
The theme of the panel discussion this
time was ‘Indian Organisations Working for
Distressed Indians Abroad’.
Jeet Suchdev, who has dedicated almost three
decades in service to the community in New
Zealand presented his views on how to connect
more with the diaspora overseas and lend them
a helping hand when in distress.
In a conversation with The Indian Weekender,
Jeet Suchdev shared his experience being a part
of the conference and acknowledged the efforts
of the Indian government and the increased
dialogue over the years in reaching out to its
expatriates.
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Mr Suchdev also acknowledged and
applauded the promptness, readiness and
efforts of the Indian High Commission office
in Wellington and Consulate office in Auckland
in coming forward to help the distressed
individuals both financially and in completing
the paper formalities.
Citing the very recent incident of an Indian
man drowning at a beach in Napier and the
sudden death of an Indian man in Auckland late
last year, the Indian High Commission along
with the extended community came forward to
help the distressed family of the affected and
help speed up the body repatriation procedure.
Jeet Suchdev at the conference added that
before the Indian nationals gear up to travel or
move abroad, they should be guided on how to
remain safe in the country, mishaps like driving
accidents and drowning are most concerning
for the community and the government of
India. He also appealed to the government to
look after educational agents, get them licensed
and monitor their activities at regular intervals.
With the rise in Indian population in the
country, the issues and concerns are too on a
upsurge and are different every time. Issues like
domestic violence, family violence, are also
on the rising and it needs to be addressed at a
grassroots level.
Mr Suchdev also encouraged the community
to associate themselves with any community
organisation which whom they can connect
emotionally and provide the community with
whatever resources they can, be it financially,
their time, a helping hand or their intellectual
support.
He appealed the community to start a joint
community fund to be called Indian Community
Relief Fund, that the community members
can contribute into along with community
organisations so that such funds can be of great
use to the distressed individual or families at
unforeseen events.
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Friday, May 18, 2018 The Indian Weekender
India continues
outreach to South
Pacific; another
Ministerial visit in
less than a month
¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH
D
emonstrating India’s unwavering
commitment to South Pacific, another
Union Minister is visiting the region in
less than a month.
On this occasion, the visiting Minister is
Union Minister for Tribal affairs, Jasvantsinh
Sumanbhai Bhabhor, who is on a two-day state
visit to Samoa between from May 20 – 21.
Mr Bhabor is a member of parliament to
the 16th Lok Sabha from Dahod, Gujarat
and was Minister of Tribal Affairs and Rural
Development in the state of Gujarat.
The Minister will be in Auckland for a brief
stopover and is scheduled to reach out to key
members of Indian diaspora through a meet and
greet event at the Auckland Consulate office.
Earlier, India’s Union Minister of State
for Surface Transport, National Highways, importance of the South Pacific Region, in
particular, the Pacific Island Countries.”
Shipping and Petroleum & Chemical Fertilizers,
The fact that another Minister is visiting
Mansukh Mandaviya, was in the region in late
April, visiting Fiji and Tonga. another Pacific Island Country further reiterates
the current strategic thinking in New Delhi.
In an exclusive interview to the Indian
Mr Bhabor is also scheduled to meet with
Weekender, the Minister Mansukh Mandaviya
had then said, ““The government of India community leaders and key representatives of
is fully appreciative of the geo-strategic the Indian diaspora while in Auckland.
Telangana Association hosts
its first event in Hamilton
T
he Telangana Association of New
Zealand hosted its first-ever event in
Hamilton on Sunday, May 18, at the
Shri Balaji Temple in Frankton.
TANK conducted this Puja seeking the
blessings of Shri Ram, Seetha Maata, Shri
Lakhman and Veeranjaneya on this auspicious
occasion.
TANZ members from Auckland and
Telanganites from Hamilton participated in this
sacred Utshavam performed different rituals
starting from 8:30 a.m. on Sunday.
At 8:30 a.m. the Vedhoktha Prathishtha of
Theertha and Maha Prasada were distributed
Sri Sita Rama, Hanumath and Lakshmana
at the end of the Puja and trustees of the
Utshava idols was performed as per Sri
Hamilton Balaji Temple and locals gathered for
Paancharatraagama Shastram.
the Puja in large numbers.
At 10 a.m. the priest performed Snapana
As TANZ has promised earlier, it is
Thirumanjanam (Divine bath or Abhishekam)
expanding the Association to other cities in
and around 11:30 a.m. the Kalyana Uthsavam
New Zealand to preserve and encourage the
was conducted by the chief priest of the temple
Telangana culture, heritage, festivals and
Sri U VE Komaanduri IIayavalli Pandurangan
customs. The Association is also planning
Narasimha Acharya and Sandeep Acharya
to conduct Bathukamma and other cultural
along with few other renowned priests of the
festivals across New Zealand later in the year.
temple.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, May 18, 2018 NEW ZEALAND 7

36-year old Indian

Speed limit changes from July truck driver killed
around the Waterview Tunnel
¡¡ IWK BUREAU
in Australia, father
critically injured
T
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
he NZ Transport Agency says changes

to variable speed limits around the
Waterview Tunnel will be introduced
from July. The proposed changes on State
Highways 20 and 16 will allow maximum
speeds of 100km/h in certain driving conditions.
“Following a comprehensive safety and
operational review of the area and consultation
with key partners and the public, we are
planning a phased roll-out with the first of
these changes occurring from July”, says the
Transport Agency’s System Design Manager,
Brett Gliddon.
“The Transport Agency would like to thank
the public for their feedback on the proposal to
increase the variable speed limits on sections of
SH16 and SH20 around the Waterview Tunnel.”
Public feedback was open for a four-week
period with more than 3,000 responses provided
during that time, with the significant majority in
favour of increasing the maximum speed limit.
The changes to increase the variable speed
limit from 30–80km/h to 30-100km/h will be
introduced in two phases.
The first phase is planned in the following
locations:
• SH20 northbound – 25m south of Dominion
Road to 440m south of Maioro Street
• SH20 southbound – 650m north of Maioro
Street to 5m north of Dominion Road
• SH16 westbound – 255m east of St Lukes
Road to 880m west of the eastern abutment
of the Rosebank Bridges
• SH16 eastbound – 880m west of the eastern
abutment of the Rosebank Bridges to 235m
east of St Lukes Road
• Including all on and off ramps connecting to
local roads
The speed limit on the approaches and
inside the Waterview Tunnel (including the
connections from SH16 to SH20) will remain
at a maximum of 80km/h to help manage the
higher risks associated with an enclosed tunnel
environment.
The second phase will extend the variable
speed limits on SH16 toward the central
motorway junction:
• SH16 eastbound – 235m east of St Lukes
Road to 90m east of the Bond Street
overbridge
• SH16 westbound – 680m east of the Bond
Street overbridge to 255m east of St Lukes
Road
• Including all on and off ramps connecting to
local roads.
These changes are expected to follow shortly
after investigations into the signage and system
requirements have been completed.
For more information or to provide feedback
on the planned locations for the variable speed
limit changes please visit www.nzta.govt.nz/
waterview-speed-limits or email waterview-
speed-limits@nzta.govt.nz by 28 May 2018.
“The Transport Agency takes adjusting
speed limits very seriously and although this
speed review process has taken longer than first
anticipated, we appreciate people’s patience
while the necessary investigations, consultation
and legal processes are completed.”
Variable speed limits mean that the maximum
legal speed limit can change between 30km/h
and 100km/h and be adjusted for the road and
driving conditions. Speed limits are likely to
be reduced during peak periods when there are
typically high traffic volumes and in the event
of incidents, crashes, maintenance work or
extreme weather conditions.
A
36-year-old Indian truck driver has
died, and his father injured after an
accident on the highway leaving his
family devastated.
Amit Kumar Bonsrey was delivering
goods from Adelaide to Mildura, a city in the
northwest of Victoria, Australia on Monday,
April 30. Since it was a long drive to the
destination, Amit’s father accompanied him on
his journey, SBS Hindi reported.
Amit’s truck collided with an approaching
truck on Sturt Highway, Wigley Flat in South
Australia leaving him dead and his father
critically injured. Amit’s father, Jagmal Singh
Bonsrey, 58, is undergoing treatment at Royal
Adelaide Hospital.
“His father accompanied him on the drive
as it was a long drive. He has been injured
and has undergone a 16-hour surgery three
days ago. He remains in critical condition,” an
acquaintance of the deceased Surender Chahal
told SBS Hindi.
Amit is survived by his wife, Jasvinder Kaur,
a 15-year-old daughter and one-year-old son.
Since the family is now left with no source
of income, friends and family of the victim has
started a fundraising campaign to help support
the family.
“As a community here, our role starts now.
I request the community to stand by late Amit
Kumar’s family and provide help,” Surender
Chahal told SBS Hindi.

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 8 NEW ZEALAND Friday, May 18, 2018 The Indian Weekender

Meet the doctorate-priest

of Radha Krishna Temple Sadagunam Chintanatmakam “At Shri Radha Temple we and knowledge,” secretary of the
¡¡ IWK BUREAU
Adhyanaynam’ that translates

D
evotees of Radha Krishna
Temple on New North Road
will now have a chance
to get more adept knowledge and
host pujas, aarti, katha sessions, Auckland Indian Association,
to ‘In our human life how to pravachan sessions etc. We look Lingappa Kalburgi said.
use and implement the good forward to imparting as much
virtues and properties from Brief histiry of Shri Radha
wisdom and knowledge about the
three Granthas (literatures) Krishna Temple:
religion, ways of living a spiritual

wisdom about rituals and prayers
from a priest who has been awarded
a doctorate.
Acharya Dr Devrambhai
Kashavlal Raval is a priest at the
Radha Krishna Temple and has
recently completed his doctorate
from Shree Somnath Sanskrit
University, Veraval, Gujarat, Inida.
Dr Raval is already an expert in
the Sanskrit language with a list
of academic awards and accolades
in the past and with his newly
conferred doctorate, devotees will
be able to understand different
aspects of Hindu religion and with
deeper meanings.
Dr Raval’s knowledge and
experience in the field of language
and the study of religion will come
to great use in understanding the
dynamics of faith in a fast-paced
moving life.
He completed his Bachelors
and Masters in Sanskrit from
Gandhinagar in 2004, B Ed from
Saurashtra University, Rajkot in
2006, M Phil in 2009 and completed
PhD in five years from 2013- 2017.
Dr Raval can conduct any Hindu
religious ceremonies that are Pujas,
Katha, Satsang and wedding, etc.
Dr Raval’s topic of research
in his doctorate study was
‘Panch Tantra Hetupadesh
Nitisatakeshu Sarvottam Manveeya
T
Panchtantra, Hitopadesh life and how to get closer to the he deities at the Radha Krishna
and Nitisatakeshu to make
creator through Natak, katha and Temple prayer hall were
our life useful, successful and
hosting puja sessions with the brought from in in 1991, soon
prosperous’.
community. after the place was refurbished into
Dr Raval says that his
“My goal is to give every child, the prayer hall of the temple. This
doctorate was a blessing
every devotee who seeks knowledge happened under the inspiration and
from the almighty and
he looks forward to of the divine and guide them to the guidance of Pujya Bhaishri Shri
devoting every right path. This is what the temple Rameshbhai Oza after the land was
ounce of his purchased to build the Mahatma
is there for, to guide the humans to
knowledge follow the right path and provide Gandhi Centre.
towards the
them with the knowledge and After the deities were installed,
betterment
understanding of the holy books,” the regular mandir activities began
of the
Dr Raval added. under the chairmanship of Sri
community.
“ S h r i Dr Raval has been the priest at Amruthbhai Morar Patel, and the
R a d h a Radha Krishna Temple for three
pujari services of Shri Ashokbhai
Krishna years and travelled back to India
Jeram.
Temple is one on occasions to give his exams and
The new Shri Radha Krishna
of the oldest submit papers. He looks up to his
Krishna Temple was planned to
temples in New guide and mentor Dr Raj Prasad
Zealand and is a be built as the number of devotees
Shukla to have shown him the right
place where devotees to the temple increased. With the
direction to complete his doctorate.
used to come even support from Auckland Indian
“As per the modern world,
before the temple was Association Inc. and the support of
religious education, practice and
constructed when it the Mandir chairman and committee
was just a house. the Shri Anandabhav Sanskrut rituals need to change and need
to adopt application of science members, construction of the new
“Devotees have increased at Vedant Mahavidhyalay to students
and technology for making our temple started in October 2000.
the temple over the years, and the pursuing bachelors and masters
life competitive and comfortable. The final stages of the temple was
community wants more knowledge degree in Sanskrit for eight years.
completed in June 2001 and under
about the religion and want to get He has taken a long journey to We are fortunate to have a highly
the presidency of Harshadbhai Patel,
closer to God,” Dr Raval says. completing his PhD with the sole qualified and talented priest like Dr
the new temple was inaugurated
Dr Raval recalls his early days intention to gaining knowledge, and Raval at our temple, and we have
impart the same to the communities between 7-9 June in 2001.
as a teacher, back in 2006 when confidence that he will guide us to
and the devotees. ••
he taught Sanskrit language at the right path through his teachings

Share your Girmit Story: Thakur Kuldip Singh,

a survivor from Syria Ship wreckage
¡¡ PADMA WATI CHARAN from the ordinary labourers. At the children, two sons and a daughter and five

I
n The Indian Weekender series,
Share your Girmit Story, Padma
Wati Charan, wife of Shiu
Charan, a former parliamentarian
of Fiji and President of Fiji Girmit
Foundation New Zealand shares the
story of her great grandfather Kuldip
Singh, who was one of the fortunate
survivors of the (in) famous Syria
ship wreckage at Nasilai village on
May 11, 1884.
I, Mrs Padma Wati Charan,
daughter of Sundar Singh and wife
of Shiu Charan- the president of
the Fiji Girmit Foundation New Zealand, am
a direct descendent of Syria Ship- a wreck
survivor late Kuldip Singh. He was my great
grandfather.
Thakur Kuldip Singh originally from
Rajasthan settled in Bihar in the district of
Sarran in Chhapra in a small village called
Dumduma. Members of our extended family
still live there and I visited and stayed with
them in early 2007.
Thakur Kuldip SIngh came to Fiji in 1884
aboard the ill-fated ship- Syria which ran
aground on Nasilai Reef on the evening of May
11, 1884. There were 497 passengers of whom
59 lost their lives in that ship-wreck. Kuldip
SIngh survived by swimming and wading
through rough waters with three of his most
prized possessions- a Bugle which he got while
he was in the army, a sword that belonged to
the Thakur family (the warrior clan) a gong- a
brass plate and a hammer which was played
to announce that the meal was ready and later
it was used as a accompaniment to a Hindu
prayer- ending hymn- aarti, it is called Ghanta
Ghadiyal.
Because of his army background, he was
given a supervisory job distinctly different
end of the indenture period (girmit)
he opted not to go back to India but
settle in Fiji. He acquired a piece
of land in Raravelu, Nausori and
settled there after finding a wife.
They had eight children, six sons
and two daughters. Vikram Singh,
Ranjit Singh, Sarabhjeet Singh
- (my grandfather), Jangi Shah,
Dharamjeet Singh (under whose
name there is a shop in Raravelu),
Chhabinath Singh and Mr Ram
Sakhi; I do not know the name
of the other grand aunt. Thakur
Kuldip Singh lived and died in Fiji but had kept
in contact with his extended family in Bihar,
India.
Our extended families live in Fiji, Australia,
America and New Zealand and we still have
relatives in Bihar, Assam and Mumbai in India.
I come from a family of seven sisters and five
brothers. My parents and most of their siblings
have passed away. My father’s four sisters are
alive and living in America and my mother’s
only surviving sister lives in Canada.
I am married to Shiu Charan who also has
seven sisters and five brothers. We have three
grandchildren (the eldest in 27 and the youngest
is nine years old).
My husband Shiu Charan is the eldest son
of late Raghunath and late Parvati who lived
in Benai, Korunubu, Ba, Fiji. His paternak
grandparents late Sukhraj, son of late Ramphal
and Rukminiya and daughter of late Padavath
came to Fiji under the indenture system in
1905 on the ship SS Fultala from a small
village called Rainiya in Basti- Uttar Pradesh,
India. They have have relatives in Rainiya. His
maternal grandparents were late Deo Nandan
and late Rukmin Nandan who also served under
the indenture system.
Thakur Kuldip Singh’s some other surviving
grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-
great grandchildren still live in Fiji, mostly in
Raravelu and some in Suva.
I feel greatly honoured to have been give
this lifetime of an opportunity by the Fiji
Girmit Foundation New Zealand to be a part
of their delegation to meet the descendants
of those valiant souls who put their own lives
at risk when they went to the rescue of our
shipwrecked ancestors who otherwise would
not have survived. In recognition of their
valiant efforts, I as a representative of a large
extended family of late Thakur Kuldip Singh
pay my estimate tribute to the ancestors of
Nasilai villagers.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, May 18, 2018
YOUNG KIWI-INDIAN CRICKETER
SHINES ON TOUR OF INDIA
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
T
he Indian Weekender has always
strived to introduce to the community
a new face, a unique talent and focus
on their achievements in their respective field
they excel in. In this article, we talk to a young
Kiwi-Indian cricketer who was featured in The
Indian Weekender’s January 27, 2017 issue
and over almost a year and a half later, this all-
rounder has leaped in his game and covered
another milestone for himself.
14-year-old Keertivaasan Prakash of
Blockhouse Bay is in Year 10 at Mt Albert
Grammar School (MAGS) and is playing for
MAGS Fist XI, Western Districts and Eden
Roskill Cricket Club. KV, as he is lovingly
called was on two weeks tour to India earlier in
April to play against regional cricket clubs and
improve his game playing in different pitches
and against different teams.
In conversation with The Indian Weekender,
KV tells about his progress over the last 15
months and his experience playing in India:
IWK: What are the most significant
achievements you have made in the
previous one year in terms of elevating
your game as a batsman and overall
performance?
KV: My significant achievements are scoring
229 runs at an average of 57.25 from 6 games
for First XI in the Limited Over Competition. I
scored a couple of half centuries, and my highest
score was 82*. In the District Tournament,
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for Year 9, I scored 106 runs in three games,
and also took seven wickets at an average of
11.71 and finished fourth in Most Valuable
Player (MVP) out of 100 players. I played in
the School Premier, the highest level of cricket
played in school level grades, the quality is
outstanding, and it is a challenge facing all the
bowlers who are all of the excellent calibres.
IWK: Tell us about your India tour and
your performance.
KV: The India tour was an experience of a
lifetime. We visited Mumbai and Delhi and
played six games over two weeks from 17th to
26th April. We played against Dilip Vengsarkar
Academy, Madan Lal academy and Virender
Sehwag Academy in the tour.
Although I did well, I still aim to take another
leap in my performance. I learnt a lot about
how to play on Indian pitches, and the standard
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of cricket played there is very high, and the
conditions are also quite difficult, I learnt from
all of that. I was also the captain of our team
for four games. The India tour experience really
topped off a year of learning and especially
being around with Jacob Oram; it really helped
my game.
IWK: How would you describe your
Indian experience to elevating your
overall game and learning?
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KV: I have a much better understanding of
Indian pitches and conditions. I’ve gotten
better at batting against spin. It also gave me
a little insight on the quality of cricket is in
India. I always knew Indians were crazy about
cricket, but in India, the grade of cricket is
absolutely fantastic, and those players were all
outstanding.
IWK: Tell us about your training and
mentorship.
KV: My mentors are Tony Sail and Roy
Goodyear. Tony has had a significant impact
on my game and has taught me loads and loads
about the game. He is always telling me how
I can get better and is one of my mentors. My
other mentor is Roy Goodyear under whom I
am learning for over three years. He gives me
constant advice on how to improve the mental
side of my game and that always helps. My
batting coach is Barrington Rowland who
teaches me a lot about the technical aspects of
the game and guides me about higher grades of
cricket.
IWK: What is next on the cards for you?
KV: Right now, I’m working hard at my game.
I want to play and learn more and become
better and better. I hope to continue to perform
well for First XI and Eden Roskill & Western
Districts. I would like to become a professional
cricketer and play for the Black Caps some day.
••
* Terms & conditions apply
 10 NEW ZEALAND Friday, May 18, 2018 The Indian Weekender

Ramadan: The month of blessings

and virtue has started
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad Fridays. During Ramadan, a special

R
amadan, the holy month for
the Muslim community has
started in most parts of the
world from Wednesday, May 16,
on the sighting of the moon and the
community observed the first day of
fasting from Thursday, May 17.
Ramadan is the ninth month in
the Islamic calendar that comes after
Shabaan. The holy book Quran was
revealed to the human in this blessed
month Muslims around the world
observe this month by abstaining
from food from dawn to dusk and
break their fast on the call of adhaan
(call for prayer) at sunset.
There is more to Ramadan than
just abstinence from food and water.
Fasting is obligatory to every adult
(11 years and above or after attaining
puberty) exempting sick, travellers,
mentally challenged, pregnant, and
menstruating women.
The idea behind fasting is to
control oneself from activities that
give one worldly pleasures such
as food, water, entertainment and
sexual intercourse during daybreak.
Fasting provides an individual with
the essence of piety, their submission
to the will of Allah and a path to
purify their heart and soul.
During the day, a fasting adult
is advised to invest more time in
praying, reading Quran and spend a
majority of their time remembering
Allah. The Quran was revealed in this
month to guide humans to the path of
righteousness and give a dimension
to one’s spiritual needs.
Ramadan is divided into three
Ashuras (parts of 10 days each):
Rahmat (mercy of Allah), Maghfirat
(forgiveness of Allah) and Nijaat
(salvation). Each of the Ashura has
separate duas (prayers) that Muslims
should recite with full devotion
and serenity. It is also mentioned in
the hadith by Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) that reward for all the
good deeds done in this month are
multiplied 70 times.
Different aspects of
Ramadan
Sehri (meal before dawn): It is
(PBUH) to take a light meal before
dawn or before starting the fast.
The pre-dawn meal is highly
recommended so that individuals
fasting do not get exhausted of
hunger and thirst at the end of fasting.
At Sehri, it is advised to have at least
a date with water and if available, a
simple meal.
Iftar (breaking the fast at dusk):
At the call of adhaan, people break
their fast by having a date, fruits,
and other foods. Different cultures
around the world bring varied kinds
of food on the table, as there is no
such restriction on food items except
that it should be halal.
It is also advised to share Iftar
with individuals and families invite
non-Muslims to be a part of the
Iftar meal as a gesture of good
faith and brotherhood. Almost all
the mosques across the globe make
Iftar arrangements at their premises
to serve to the people fasting and
travellers.
Taraweeh (special evening
prayers): In Islam, a believer has to
observe obligatory prayers five times
and a special congressional prayer on
prayer is held post evening prayers
(Isha prayer) called Taraweeh in
which long portions of the Quran is
recited.
Taraweeh is held in every mosque
throughout the month until the moon
is sighted for Eid-ul-Fitr.
Lailatul Qadr (the night of
decree): The odd nights of the
last Ashura called Lailatul Qadr is
considered to be the holiest of the
whole month. It is believed that
the Holy Quran was unveiled to
Prophet Muhammad in one of the
five odd nights. Believers pray all
night long on those nights asking
for forgiveness for their sins as the
night is considered to be better than
a thousand nights (83 years and four
months).
Fasting brings humility and
tranquillity among individuals. It
gives them the opportunity to live
the life of the lesser fortunate, people
who are deprived of food and other
luxuries of the world. Fasting drives
an individual closer to his spiritual
self and the creator, as it tests their
patience for the basic need of life,
food, and water.

Anoopam Mission NZ invites

community for Satsang Sabha in June
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD offering the results of the work to the Lord.

T
he Anoopam Mission NZ Parivar is
hosting its Satsang Sabha and Bhajan
Sandhya in the first weekend of June
and has encouraged the community to be a part
of the great event.
The Satsang will be held on Saturday, June
2 at 4 p.m. and Bhajan Sandhya on Sunday,
June 3 at 5:30 p.m. at the Ormiston Senior
College Auditorium in the divine presence of
Sant Bhagwant Sahebji, Sadguru Sant Pujya
Shantidada and Santos.
The Anoopam Mission NZ Parivar is a
charitable organisation under Swaminarayan
Socio-Spiritual & Charitable Organisation.
The Mission believes in serving the Almighty
by serving humanity. Through the vision of its
respected spiritual leader, Guruvarya Param
Pujya Sahebji, the Mission has committed itself
to working on the areas of health, education,
relief, rehabilitation, social welfare, spiritual
and cultural activities.
“The aim is to help those in need it the
most without any discrimination of caste,
creed, colour, gender or religion,” the Mission
statement reads.
Anoopam Mission has centres around the
world where the activities are carried out the by
volunteers and devotees, all directed towards
providing benefit to the communities. Saudi
Arabia, Tanzania, Zambia, Malaysia, Brazil,
Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and Kenya
are some of the 25 countries where Anoopam
Mission has established its centres.
Some of the centres are based in The Mission
have devoted their services in the education
sector by opening several schools for the
children and secondary students, starting
computer training for young minds, providing
counselling to children with special needs, arts
and commerce college for women and several
scholarships to meritorious students.
In the healthcare sector, the mission has
opened hospitals, cancer awareness programs,
health awareness projects, health camps etc.
As a duty toward other aspects of society,
the mission provides meals for school children,
hosts youth camps, senior citizens care centres,
toy libraries for toddlers and kindergarten
students and conservation and medicinal
plantation programs.
The mission in the past has provided relief
services during unforeseen events such as
drought relief cattle camp, earthquake relief
and rehabilitation work, flood relief projects,
The Anoopam Mission’s vratdhari sadhaks
practice devotion by living according to every
word of their guru, Sahebji. He instructs them
to live a life that reflects truth, love, devotion,
non-violence and compassion. He emphasises
the need to recognise the divine in every human
being. Sahebji inspires the sadhaks to do this by
serving humanity for it results in the service to
the Lord Himself.
Under Sahebji’s guidance, the vratdhari
sadhaks perform bhakti yoga through various
devotional activities such as organising
religious celebrations, performing in the
Mission’s musical group (for singing devotional
songs), engaging in the routine functioning of
the temple, etc.
Mahaprasad will be served after program on
both days.
Entry to both programme is by RSVP ONLY.
¡¡ PLEASE CONTACT AMITA
JOHNU SHAH ON 0211806480
water conservation programs and distributing About Param Pujya
food and clothing to the poor and the needy. Sahebdada
Anoopam Mission’s philosophy:
Param Pujya Sahebdada
T
he Anoopam Mission undertakes its
spiritual philosophy through a fusion is the disciple of
Bhramswaroop Shri Yogiji
of ‘bhakti yoga’ (the yoga of devotion) and
Maharaj. He established
‘karma yoga’ (the yoga of action). Bhakti
Anoopama Mission, in 1975,
yoga is devotion to the Supreme Reality and
includes prayer, chanting and meditation. But with blessings of Shri Yogiji
in actuality, it also goes much beyond this to Maharaj. There are around
incorporate a state of mind in which every 100 Sadhu in AM ashrams,
word, thought and action is dedicated to the doing Karmayog and Bhakti
Lord. yog Sadhna.
Karma yoga involves performing selfless
service – expecting nothing by way of His key message is - “Think
compensation, gratitude or praise – and humbly positive, Rest will follow”
 The Indian Weekender Friday, May 18, 2018 NEW ZEALAND 11

The budget Ramakrishna Centre donates winter clothes to Starship Foundation

¡¡ IWK BUREAU Mission headquarters in Belur Math, India, and

will have more R

the appointment of a resident Swamiji in NZ.
amakrishna Vedanta Centre in Auckland With the arrival of migrants from Fiji
on Monday, May 7, donated 886 pieces and India in the mid-1980s, devotees of
of Winter Polar Fleece garments for Ramakrishna Mission settled in NZ started

borrowing, children to the Starship Foundation.

Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre of New
Zealand, a charitable organisation that hosts
meeting informally for Satsangs from time to
time. These were initially held at the homes
of devotees and later in hired community

more taxing, devotional sessions for the community all 365

days of the year and also conducts several
community fundraising events to support
halls. Swami Damodrananda from the Fiji
Centre regularly visited NZ to meet with these
devotees and inspire them to study the teachings Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, the life of Holy

and no vision
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi
National Party List MP
charitable initiatives.
“Since winter has already popped in, it
was time to make a contribution towards a
good cause; we do not want any child to feel
impoverished or left in cold this season,” a
spokesperson for Ramkrishna Vedanta Centre
said.
The Auckland centre of Ramakrishna
Mission has consistently worked towards its
target of a full affiliation to the Ramakrishna
of Vedanta and the lives and messages of Sri
Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami
Vivekananda.
The centre has adopted a set of regular
activities which includes daily evening Vesper
(Aarti) service at 7 p.m., and Satsangs every
second and last Sundays at 11.00 a.m. These
Satsangs are attended by about 50 devotees of
all ages.
The programs include readings from the
Mother Sri Sarada Devi, complete works of
Swami Vivekananda, lives of direct disciples
of Sri Ramakrishna, Ramayan and Bhagwad
Gita in addition to Kirtans and chanting of holy
texts.
In addition, the centre in New Lynn celebrates
special occasions such as birth anniversaries
of the holy trio- Kalpataru Day, Shiva Ratri,
Buddha Purnima, Guru Purnima, Durga Puja,
and Christmas Eve, etc.

T
omorrow Finance Minister Grant
Robertson will deliver his first Budget
against the background of the strong
economy he inherited, with record new job
creation and rising surpluses. 
 Not only does the Government have
considerably more cash available to it than
was predicted pre-election, they’re increasing
debt by $10 billion and imposing $2.2 billion
of extra taxes.
 Borrowing more and taxing more in strong
economic conditions makes no sense and risks
undoing all the hard work New Zealanders
have done over the last few years.
 Yet despite all this cash, Labour is still
finding it hard to meet all the excessive
expectations they have built-up with voters
and promises to their coalition partners.
 So far we have seen the Government look to
blame everyone else for the promises they will
break.  Broken promises like no new taxes,
universal cheaper GP visit in July this year,
1800 additional front line police this term,
16,000 ‘affordable’ Kiwibuild homes in the
first three years, and the list goes on.
Ahead of the Budget Labour continued
their political attacks against the previous
Government. The reality is National made
big investments every year into health and
education - last year alone we increased health
spending by $880 million a year - the highest
increase in eleven years.
 Budgets are about priorities. It’s hard to be
sympathetic to Government arguing it doesn’t
have enough money for universal cheaper GP
visits, when it has already spent $2.8 billion on
free university for first year law students and
nearly a billion dollars in foreign affairs and
diplomats for Winston Peters. 
 It’s clear that not only is this Government
wasting the opportunities rising surpluses
present, they have no plan to grow New
Zealand and are on track to slow it. Independent
economists are already saying GDP growth
could halve in 18 months.
 Another survey out yesterday tells a
damning story of falling business confidence,
with more than half of respondents saying
that they expect New Zealand’s economy to
slow in the next year, and a similar number
expecting the budget this week to be negative
for the economy. That’s a big warning sign.
But the Government isn’t listening.

For
all the news,
updates and
gossip, visit
www.iwk.co.nz
 12 NEW ZEALAND Friday, May 18, 2018 The Indian Weekender

Winner of Race Unity Speech: Give in

to racism or be a part of the solution
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD The runner-up was Zoha Shuaib

A
Year-13 student of Hastings Girls’
School was announced the winner of
the Race Unity Speech Award 2018
at the national final held in Pt Chevalier in
Auckland, on Saturday, May 12.
Hena Dugh was selected as one of the six top
speakers from across the country, speaking on
the topic ‘Give Nothing to Racism’.
The Race Unity Speech Awards is a
nationwide forum for senior high school
students to express their views on race relations
in Aotearoa. Regional forums are held all over
New Zealand, from Northland to Dunedin, and
six finalists were chosen to feature on the final
day of the event.
Hena’s speech asked all New Zealanders to
consider whether we will contribute to racism,
or be part of the solution.
“Every day a fight is going on inside you. It
is a terrible fight, and it is between two wolves.
“We all have a choice – whether to feed the
wolf of compassion, peace and acceptance or
the wolf of resentment and racism.
“So now, I ask you, which wolf will you
feed?” she said in the speech.
Hena also shared her harrowing experience
of being the subject of racist rants several times
in the past.
“I’ve been made to feel degraded, like an
outcast, as if I am tainted by my culture,” Hena
Dugh said in her speech at the award finals on
Saturday.
Hena’s speech challenged to recognise our
common humanity, asking ‘If you tickle us, do
we not laugh? If you prick us, do we not bleed?
If you poison us, do we not die?’
Hena cited an example of Harman Singh, a
22-year-old man (then), who selflessly ran to
help a five-year-old boy hit by a car in South
Auckland in May 2015. Harman took off his
turban, which is said to be a pride and sacred to
the Sikh religion and wrapped around the boy’s
head to stop it from bleeding.
“Harman chose to give his compassion and
respect for others and that what he chose to give
his time to… imagine if we stop giving our time
and attention to racism…” she added.
This year’s awards mark 20 years since the
tragic passing of race relations advocate Hedi
Moani. Hedi was a member of the Baha’i Faith,
and this was a factor in the assault that led to
his death.
The New Zealand Baha’i Community
established the Race Unity Speech Awards
after his passing as a contribution to eliminating
prejudice and bringing about unity.
of Palmerston North Girls High
School, who spoke about how we
can go about eradicating racism
from our country.
“Aotearoa New Zealand is not
a country free from racism; but, it
is a country that has had a history
of uniting against it, and that, I
believe, is more powerful than if
racism had never touched this great
land in the first place,” she says.
The New Zealand Police are the
principal sponsors of the Speech
Awards, and Waitemata District
Commander Superintendent Tusha
Penny was Chief Judge at the final.
Superintendent Penny says “we
always speak of people being
tomorrow’s leaders, but they’re
leading today.
“Now we all have a responsibility
to help them share their speech
with others and continue having a
voice.”
The other sponsors of the Speech Awards are
the Human Rights Commission, represented
on the judging panel by Race Relations
Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy; the Office
of Ethnic Communities, represented by Labour
MP Priyanca Radhakrishnan; and the Hedi
Moani Charitable Trust.
The Speech Awards are also supported by
Speech NZ and the New Zealand Federation of
Multicultural Councils.

CELEBRATING MOTHER’S DAY AT

BHARTIYA SAMAJ CHARITABLE TRUST
¡¡ IWK BUREAU our Bharitya Samaj Centre in Mount
a spread of various activities to

M
other’s Day is a grace the occasion. Enthusiastic
celebration honouring
mothers of the family, as
well as motherhood, maternal bonds
and the influence of mothers in the
society. It is an annual event but is
held at different dates in the calendar,
depending on the country, with most
countries celebrating it on the second
Sunday of May each year.
Bharitya Samaj joined hands in
welcoming all and hosting a fun
event to honor ‘the respectable
mothers’ in our lives and bring the
community into a single hallroom. It
gave us an opportunity to showcase
how much we appreciate what they
do, not that we can ever measure the
magnitude of their offerings.
We held three separate events and
had an overwhelming participation
which was thoroughly enjoyed by all
participants. All gatherings started
by paying tribute to this admirable
member of our family:
The first being for senior citizens
celebrated on May 7, 2018 at Old
Flat Bush School Community Hall,
FlatBush School Road, Auckland
and was attended by more than 50
members from South Auckland.
In addition, a second such
gathering for senior citizens was
celebrated on May 12, 2018 at
Mount Roskill War Memorial Hall,
Mount Roskill, Auckland and had the
presence of over 200 members.
‘Bal Vikas’, a dedicated wing for
children, involved the young kids and
asked them to bring in their mothers
on May 13, 2018 who serves as a role
model to them at our address 13 May
Road, Mount Roskill, Auckland.
The Flat Bush event offered
members opportunities to exhibit
their talent and speak their mind on
their fond memories and learning
from the ‘mothers in our society’.
Many members shared enriching
experiences from several walks
of life on contributions made by
respectable ‘mothers’ in our society.
We held a simple yet entertaining
exercise for everyone wherein each
member was handed requested to
write a brief description on their
mother, which could be in the form
of tribute, learning and experiences.
All members sincerely participated
and there was enough curiosity
among everyone to exchange these
thoughts; therefore, we adjudged
the best winner by the most brief
write-up covering most essential
points. This was followed by
snacks and refreshment, individual
performances such as singing,
oration, etc. with ‘mother’ being the
centre of each agenda.
The Mount Roskill gathering
had a large attendance and had
members had expressed their desire
to participate in different acts such
as singing, dancing, staging acts and
reciting poems. It was a memorable
experience with members
relentlessly displaying their talents
to the best of their abilities. The
event had its breaks for refreshment
and snacks followed by two external
participants who offered to entertain
the audience on this special occasion
with their amazing talent of singing
adorable songs dedicated to mothers.
Their melodious voice enthralled
the entire auditorium with members
enjoying each moment and were
seen humming along the beautiful
lines. The auditorium echoed with
applause after each song recital and
it was a sheer delight to see smiles
on the faces of members. One of the
members even displayed her dance
talent and it was truly commendable
to see her perform with such grace
at her age that would have left even
the youth gasping in awe. The entire
event was a smooth process and
concluded with a sumptous meal for
all members that everyone enjoyed
thoroughly !
The Mother’s Day Celebration at
Roskill under the Bal-Vikas Program
was a special treat for young children
and it was exciting for the kids
because we had invited their mothers
too! The children remained occupied
in their own set of activities such
as preparing mother’s day cards,
exercises, yoga, meditation, singing
and computer workshop. On the
other hand, mothers were occupied
in a separate session by Member of
National Speakers Association of
NZ Inc who had offered to talk on
an important and sensitive topic,
“Strength Based Positive Parenting”.
This was a very interesting session
for parents as it highlighted the right
balance of identifying and improving
child’s strengths and weaknesses.
The emphasis on key elements that
are often missed as parents along
with measures and solutions to tackle
them were highlighted here, which
was very much appreciated by the
mothers. The session ended with a
celebration for kids that included
cake cutting, music, dance and
fun activities which involved their
mothers as well. A group photograph
of mothers and kids together along
with the support staff of Bharitya
Samaj Charitable Trust showed a true
sense of togetherness and bonding.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, May 18, 2018 NEW ZEALAND 13

Mixed report card for Fiji-Indians

Christchurch City Council in celebrate
latest residents’ survey Mother’s Day
“
Through the year, the Council they are frustrated by the ongoing online services to give clearer,
asks residents about their level roadworks, delays and disruptions. helpful information, to lose the
We want to make it easier for people jargon, to simplify processes, and to
of satisfaction with the various communicate clearly why decisions
activities and services it provides to get informed and involved. We
have been made,’’ concluded Dr
across the city. And this year’s are working on improving our
Edwards.
survey shows that while 80 per cent
of resident surveyed are satisfied or
neutral about the Council’s overall A new multi-cultural
centre wanted in Chch
performance, we still have work to
do to improve peoples’ perceptions

T
and win back their confidence,’’ said
Council Chief Executive Dr Karleen he city’s multicultural received,” Mr Tandon said.
Edwards. community led by Christchurch City Councillor
The survey shows people think Christchurch Multicultural Jimmy Chen also noted on his
Council’s President Surinder Facebook page, “In total, 24 people

highly of the kerbside collection
service, the Botanic Gardens,
libraries, and community events.
Most say the Council as a whole is
easy to interact with, but they want
it to get better at listening to what
residents want and to make it easier
for people to have a say. The survey
indicates fewer residents are satisfied
with their ability to participate in and
contribute to decision-making.
“What is clear from the survey
Tandon recently made a submission
to the City Council for building a
new multicultural centre at Hagley
College. “It was an honour to do
a joint presentation with Hagley
College Principal Mike Fowler,
Diversity Manager Thi Phan and
Farsi language coordinator Alia
Afzali at the Council’s Long Term
Plan hearing in response to the
submission for a funding request for
made oral submissions to the
Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP)
hearings. And the multicultural
community is seeking $7 million
from the Council to develop the
Multicultural Centre at Hagley
college. Apart from the oral
submissions, there were cultural
performances from Afghanistan and
China as well, which were fantastic.
The Mayor and all my fellow
C
anterbury melody makers,
a popular Fiji-Indian music
group in Christchurch,
celebrated Mother’s Day last
weekend, with over 300 people
attending. A free event, with dinner
and desserts provided to all guests,
it was an occasion to celebrate
motherhood, noted Krish, adding,
“One of the highlights where all
the mothers present were asked to
cut a big cake. We also had some
cultural performances, prominent
among those was the Bharatanatyam
performance by Revathi Performing
Arts. Local singers Karuna and
Vikash also entertained the crowd.
Our melody group is run by Raj, and
is supported by me and Avi.”

Namasthe Kerala
results is that people want us to building a new multicultural centre councillors were very impressed
get the basics right and that seven at Hagley College. And I am happy by the submissions as well as the
years on from the earthquakes that the presentation was well- performances.”

SIA brings new aircraft

– first-ever Malayalam
radio show launched in the
South Island

to Christchurch T
he Christchurch Kerala
Association (CKA),

A
fter the recent announcement
by Singapore Airlines
(SIA) that it is providing
customers travelling to India with
some extra baggage allowance,
comes another bit of good news
from the Airline. In a move that will
mean more choices for Indians from
the South Island travelling to India,
SIA has announced that it will start
flying the latest Airbus 350 to and
from Christchurch next January.
Welcoming the announcement,
Christchurch Airport noted, “The
airline has been a partner here for
more than 30 years and has been
flying a 777 since 2002, but the
upgrade to an A350 means South
Island passengers will be
able to choose business or
premium economy options
for the first time, as well
as economy.” Notably,
the A350-900 provides
customers travelling to and
from Christchurch with features such
as higher ceilings, larger windows,
an extra wide body delivering more
space and comfort, as well as lighting
designed to reduce jetlag.
Airport Chief Aeronautical and
Commercial Officer Justin Watson
said, “Making the latest technology
available to passengers on the daily
direct flights between Christchurch
and Singapore is great for South
Island travellers. Christchurch is the
international gateway to the South
Island and many travellers arriving
from, and flying to, Asia and Europe
choose to fly on Singapore Airlines.
Many of them are used to travelling
on the latest aircraft with the greatest
comfort, so will welcome the changes
the daily A350 will offer to and from
our part of the world.”
••
in conjunction with
Christchurch-based community
access radio station PlainsFM,
has started a monthly Malayalam
Radio show, which will air every
third Wednesday of the month at
8pm. “Namaste Kerala is the first
Malayalam radio programme in
the South Island. The show will
cover various topics and current After the initial airing, the entire
affairs for the Malayalee and wider show will also be available as a
Indian community in Christchurch
podcast on PlainsFM.org.nz. The
and will include local news, job
opportunities and news and current Association also recently unveiled
its line-up of RJs that includes Ms
affairs in India. There will be a mix
Tincy Thomas, Mr Vipin Varghese,
of popular Indian music from all
parts of India and we will also have Mr Mathew Rafi Mathews, Mr Bibin
discussions and interviews with local Joy, Mr Ajesh Jose, and Ms Sruthi
Indian community members and Jacob. Mr Andrew Shane Dominic
professionals,” informed CKA. will be the programme coordinator.

Police warn of phone scam

¡¡ IWK BUREAU If you believe you may be on the receiving transfer services. If you receive a request

P
olice have received a number of calls
reporting an automated phone scam.
The automated call is in a Chinese
accent claiming to be from DHL.
The automated call tells the phone user that
DHL has goods waiting for them and that they
need to press 9 to talk to somebody to discuss,
and if they press 9 the call then goes to a
person who will ask for personal information.
These calls follow a spate of similar scam
calls reported around November last year
pretending to be from the Chinese Embassy,
in which people were called by a number,
seemingly identical to that of the Embassy,
and asked to provide personal information.
end of one of these calls, Police advise the
following:
• Hang up immediately.
• If it doesn’t seem right, be cautious, double-
check details first.
• Look after your personal details in the
same way you would your wallet and other
possessions. Your personal details are very
valuable to scammers, they will use your
details to take out loans or run up debts if
they can.
• Be aware of common scams. For example,
banks, Immigration New Zealand or Inland
Revenue never email, call or text customers
to ask for money to be sent using money
like that, it’s a scam.
• Don’t trust anyone who calls you and asks
for your financial related information, such
as your account details and password.
Simply hang up, call them on their
published contact 0800 number or arrange
a meeting at the relevant agency branch.
• If you have been targeted by a scam, report
it immediately by visiting Consumer
Protection’s Scamwatch website at www.
consumerprotection.govt.nz/get-guidance/
scams-and-online-safety/scams(link is the matter to their local Police.
external). Netsafe also provides helpful advice and
Anyone who believes they are a victim of information on its website https://www.
any crime, in person or online, should report netsafe.org.nz/(link is external).
 14 NEW ZEALAND Friday, May 18, 2018 The Indian Weekender

Auckland to ‘Rock On’ in studio-style concert

¡¡ IWK BUREAU
This year’s concert
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and “Mere
S inger, composer and a versatile Mastani” from Bajirao Mastani,

A
uckland has been enjoying
several mesmerizing
concerts as tribute to
the legends of Bollywood music
industry, the shows that take us back
to the memories of yesteryears.
To bring a younger flavour of
music this time, UA International is
organising the third edition of their
brand – ‘Rock On’.
The previous two editions of
‘Rock on’ were successful and quite
Rashq-e-Qamar” by Rahat Fateh Ali musician, Hemant has been one “Parda Parda” from Once Upon a
is bringing some of Khan as well as classics like “Dil of the busiest performers in Auckland Time in Mumbai and more. 
the finest singers Se Re” by A.R. Rahman, “Chaiyya over the years. He is trained in
Chaiyya” by Sukhwinder Singh and Hindustani classical music and is a
Shweta Divekar-Shirsat 
and musicians
many more. huge fan of A.R. Rahman.
from Auckland He has sung at various high
Bhavana Suroshi Kadam profile events in Auckland and
on one stage,
India, a recent one being “Guftagu
that will present
with Gulzar Saab”, which was also
songs from recent managed by UA International. He is
mega-hit albums looking forward to performing his
favourite tracks at Rock On 2018,

popular among audience. The event
in 2014 featured Dandiya with
Bollywood singer Bhoomi Trivedi,
and all-time
some of which are - “Saiyyan” by
classics
Kailash Kher, “Tere Bina (Dum
dara mast mast)” by Rahman among
S
hweta is loved by Auckland
audiences for her Asha ji style of
singing and is a versatile artist who

while in 2013 it was a charity for St.
John Ambulance.
This year’s concert is bringing
some of the finest  singers and
musicians from Auckland on
one stage, that will present songs
from recent mega-hit albums
and all-time classics in a Coke
Studio/MTV Unplugged style of
musical arrangement.  of popular Bollywood songs and
The concert will feature the
following line-up of the talented
local singers:
He is known all around the world for
his melodious voice and an excellent
stage presence, having gathered
more than 3.3 million channel
views on YouTube for his renditions
a social media following of 80,000+
across all platforms.
He was also one of the winners of
B
havana has featured in UA’s
events for over a decade, in
shows by Raju Shrivastav, Bankim
Pathak and Bhoomi Trivedi and
is well known in Auckland for her
brilliant tonal quality. She was
a finalist in the first edition of the local
singing competition on TV - “Kaun
Banega Superstar” and idolises Asha
Bhosle, Kavita Krishnamoorthy and
Shreya Ghoshal. She will be singing
others. is equally good at performing retro
as well as new Bollywood tracks.
Guncha Singh She is also trained in Hindustani
classical music and has featured in
events such as “Amit Kumar live”
and “Guftagu with Gulzar Saab”.
She will be performing some rocking
tracks such as “Main Pareshaan” and
“Kajra Mohabbat Wala”. 
Rock On 2018 will be held

two online singing competitions held
Avish Sharma
by the biggest music label in India
- TSeries Music for his covers of the
songs “Galliyan” and “Tu
Hai Ki Nahi” and has also
recently been featured on Zee Music
Company’s YouTube channel.
He is a student of Hindustani
classical music and is currently
learning from Ronkini Gupta who
B
some modern classics such as “Mohe eing one of the top three in
Rang Do Laal” from Bajirao Mastani Auckland’s “Kaun Banega
and retro hits like “Ab ke Sawan aise Superstar” kicked off Guncha’s
barse” by Shobha Mudgal.  musical journey. She has come a long
way since then performing in various
Hemant Shirsat  concerts in Auckland. She is a student
of Hindustani Classical music as well
and believes that “every show is a
challenge that helps an artist grow in
many ways”.
on Friday, June  22, at Dorothy
Winstone Centre (Auckland Girls
Grammar School), starting at 7 pm. 
You are all invite to support the
local talent and be a part of this
rocking night that Auckland may
have never witnessed before.  So
mark your dates now - you don’t
want to miss out! 
For information on sponsorships

A uckland’s favourite and an

extremely talented singer -
Avish will be headlining the act.
is a Sangeet Visharad in Mumbai.
He will be performing rocking
She is looking forward to
performing some incredible songs
at Rock On 2018, such as “Deewani
and tickets, contact Umesh Sharma
on 021-1111-055. 
••
numbers such as "Bulleya” from

Shanti Niwas’ South Auckland Two in Youth

Court following
branch gets a grand opening
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
Wainuiomata
robbery
S
hanti Niwas Charitable Trust opened its

third branch on 202 Great South Road on
Thursday, May 17 with more than 100
people attending its opening ceremony.
The Shanti Niwas team led by its General
Manager Nilima Venkat to their astonishment
saw huge people coming to see the new branch
that will provide its service to the senior citizens
of the community from the South Auckland
suburbs.
“The response was overwhelming, many
seniors through word of mouth came to know
about our new centre and dropped in for the
opening ceremony,” Nilima Venkat told The
Indian Weekender.
Due to the growing needs of the community
especially the senior citizens who are often
overlooked and not have many activities to do,
Shanti Niwas opened its third branch after its
centres in Onehunga and North Shore.
The new branch will provide service once
every week on Thursday, from 10:30 a.m. to 2
p.m. The branch will also have a social worker
stationed there once every week to listen and
address any issues of the seniors they may be
facing such as domestic violence, depression,
family issues etc.
“I think with this amazing response now; we
may have to operate twice a week in a matter
of a few weeks since we received such a huge
crowd at the opening,” Nilima Venkat added.
Present at the event to support were Sergeant
Gurpreet Arora from Counties Manukau Police,
officers from Manurewa Police Station and
National List MP Kanwaljit Bakshi.
The new centre is opened at the hall which
is provided by community member Manjinder
Bassi, and Daljeet Singh from Takanini
Gurdwara also came to the event to render
his support.
Shanti Niwas also provides culturally
appropriate services, advocacy, counselling,
translation services, and workshops on health
and wellbeing.
••
T
wo young people appeared in Hutt
Valley Youth Court on Thursday, May
17 following an aggravated robbery in
Wainuiomata on Wednesday, May 16.
Police were called to a dairy on Ruthven
Road about 5:30pm on May 16 to a report of
two people - one with a hockey stick - entering
the store and assaulting the attendant.
The female attendant required hospital
treatment for facial injuries.
The pair fled on foot with the cash register,
before being tracked by attending Police with
assistance from members of the public.
Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Todd says
it's pleasing to have made such a quick arrest.
"This would have been a traumatic event for
our victim, and we are pleased to have been
able to hold those responsible to account.
Offending such as this is not acceptable in
our community.
"We would also like to thank those members
of the public who assisted Police at the scene."
Police are not seeking anyone else in relation
to the robbery, however are appealing for
witnesses to the incident, or to anyone who has
seen a cash register in the Ruthven Road area,
to contact Police.
Call Wellington CIB Crime Squad on (04)
381 2077, or information can be provided to
Crimestoppers, anonymously if necessary, on
0800 555 111.
The Indian Weekender Friday, May 18, 2018 NEW ZEALAND 15

18MAY2018 | Vol 10 Issue 09

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 The Indian Weekender Friday, May 18, 2018 FIJI 15

Descendants reminded of culture

Muslims around the world
begin fasting, marks

N
beginning of Ramadhan

M
ever forget the hard work,
uslims all over the world
dedication, perseverance,
on Thursday begin fasting
unity and never-say-die
as the moon was sighted
attitude of your forefathers.
for the beginning of the holy month
Department of Heritage and Arts
of Ramadhan.
principal officer Seini Vakaloloma
Ramadhan is considered to be
shared these sentiments, during one of the most blessed months in
the Girmit and Intangible Cultural the Islamic calendar as the holy
Heritage celebration at Vunimono in book Quran narrates that during this
Nausori on Monday. month Satan is locked up so there are
There was great music, no disruptions to the good deeds by
entertainment and display of Muslims all over the world.
rich intangible cultural heritage A special prayer is also offered
possessions that our brothers and during the month of ramadhan
sisters brought during the Girmit era in addition to the five obligatory
from various parts of India. prayers. Amin Khan who is a teacher
Ms Vakaloloma said the 139th of Islamic studies at Suva Muslim
anniversary of indentured College says this is the month of
Remember
labourers’ arrival in Fiji blessings. Khan says this is when
your culture is
was a time for meeting Muslims abstain from eating and
your identity and each drinking from dawn to dusk.
friends, sharing wisdom
one should be proud of He says this month helps Muslims
and quenching the thirst
their own and respect each all over the world to build their
for great knowledge and impact on our deep rooted for our children today proud of their own and respect each
other’s culture so that we character in terms of modesty and
background of our Fijian culture, custom so that our future does not suffer the other’s culture so that we can prove
can prove to be a nation humility.
brothers and sisters of and keep our consequences. to be a nation of solidarity.
of solidarity. The end of the month of
Indo-Fijian descent. tradition alive,” she “Every culture and its “Their sacrifices have made you
Ramadhan marks the festival of
“The Nausori Multi-Cultural said. remembrance are very important to what you are today in terms of being
Eid-ul-Fitr where the famous
Centre came into effect with the “Our aim at the us at the department. respectful, culturally sound and
sewai is shared amongst all friends
assistance of the Fijian Government Department of Heritage and Arts “Remember your culture is your able to survive in a multi-cultural and families.
and will continue to create positive is to keep our multi-ethnic nature identity and each one should be community,” Ms Vakaloloma added.

Bala: Remembrance Day important It’s important to have collective memory and
history of what happened in Fiji: Sayed-Khaiyum

G I
irmit Remembrance Day
celebrations as an event to
get a better sense of history
and context of how indentured
labourers from India came to Fiji.
The comment came from Minister
for Local Government, Housing,
Infrastructure and Transport
Parveen Bala during the Girmit
Remembrance Day celebrations at
Nadi Civic Centre on Sunday.
The centre was packed to capacity
as people from all over the Western
Division gathered in big numbers to
pay their respects to the suffering
Descendants of Girmitiyas during the Girmit Remembrance Day celebrations at the
Nadi Civic Centre on May 13, 2018.
“The Legacy Our Future.
“It is important that we use Girmit
the reason why this history was
not told. Sundra Singh Gounder,
t is very important for us to
be able to have that collective
memory and history about what
happened in Fiji.
These were the words of Acting
Prime Minister and Attorney-
General, Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum while
officiating at the ‘Remembering
Fiji’s Girmit Heritage’ celebrations
at Albert Park on Monday.
Sayed-Khaiyum highlighted
the struggles and achievements
the descendants accomplished
and said that as a nation it is very
critical for people to recognize the
history of Fijians including the Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum

and struggle their forefathers faced
under the indentured labour system.
As part of the celebrations, Mr
Bala joined women in cutting a cake
to mark Mother’s Day.
“Today marks the 139th year since
the arrival of the first Girmityas,
the first indentured labourers came
to Fiji from India in May 1879 on
board the Leonidas,” he said.
The theme of the event
was Remembering Fiji’s
Girmit Heritage,
Remembrance Day to get a better
sense of the history, background and
context to why and how Girmityas
came to Fiji,” Mr Bala said.
“There was a great challenge
under the British Administration to
find labour to sustain the economy,”
Mr Bala said.
“This is the truth.
“Turn the pages of history
books you will find all these facts
unfortunately some years back and
until today, but I really don’t know
who came all the way from Tavua
to be part of the celebrations, said
he was honoured to call Fiji home
and thanked the Government for
finally remembering the suffering
of their forefathers under British
colonial rule.
“It is an honour to be part of
these celebrations and come here
and remember our forefathers for it
was through their struggle and hard
work we are able to be where we are
today,” he added.
indenture experience.
He says at one stage there was
very little display about the Girmit
issue at the Fiji Museum, now lot
more history is being told through
the Museum.
The Acting Prime Minister
also highlighted that we must be
able to see Remembering Fiji’s
Girmit Heritage as a celebration of
individual human beings who came
to a country that was foreign to them,
adopted it, their descendants adopted
it and their descendants do not know
officiating at the ‘Remembering Fiji’s
Girmit Heritage’ celebrations at Albert
Park
any other place other than Fiji as
their home.
He also revealed that next
year there are plans for a nation
wide celebration on the 140th
year of Remembering Fiji’s
Girmit Heritage’.
Descendants of the grimitiyas that
were present were also acknowledged
at the Remembering Fiji’s Girmit
Heritage celebrations.

Professor Misir launches book about India indentured women

F
or years, Western intellectuals had
presented a biased-colonial history on
the social degradation of colonised
Indian women.
This, along with his concerns about violence
against women, inspired University of Fiji Vice
Chancellor, Professor Prem Misir, to write
a book.
“As an Indian-origin man, I felt there
were very little research and publications on
colonised Indian women,” he said.
Last week, the book titled The Subaltern
Indian Woman: Domination and Social
Degradation, was launched at the University of
the South Pacific in Suva.
The book focuses on the subjugated
Indian Indentured women who continuously
experienced race, gender, caste, class oppression
and inequality on the colonial plantations.
Professor Prem Misir
“These Indian indentured women constructed
connections to the women’s abolition
movements in India,” he said.
As the author, Professor Misir said the book could be attributed to various reasons including
examined the post-indenture lives of Indian the bias Colonial historiography, Indian
women and utilises a paradigm of male- patriarchal system, caste system and so forth,
dominated society in India within a persistently Professor Missir said.
patriarchal society. He acknowledged the book’s origins to the
“It portrays the Indian woman’s enduring 2017 Centennial Academic Conference hosted
background to the 19th century post-slavery at the University of Fiji.
movement and the adversative explanations for The event marked the 100 years of abolition
their cries, degradation, and dehumanisation of the Indian indenture labour system renowned
and how politics of change and control for the mistreatment and dehumanisation of the
impacted their social organisation and its Indian women, men and children from period
heritage,” he said. 1834 to 1917.
It also features the elevated "It Some at the launch were motivated to
portrays the
violence that women of the research on iTaukei women and their
Indian woman’s
post-colonial period still oppression with colonialism and
enduring background
go through despite the western religion.
to the 19th century post-
change in times. Professor Misir is the author of
slavery movement and the
The violence by the adversative explanations nine books.
loved ones on women for their cries"
 Thought of the week
"Always be a first-rate version of
yourself, instead of a second-rate
version of somebody else."
—Judy Garland
Editorial
Auckland Weather forecast for the week
First Labour-NZ May 18 – May 24, 2018

First Budget: What’s Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thu

in it for ethnic
communities?
Mostly A passing Nice with Sunshine Mostly Variable Cloudy
sunny morning partial and nice cloudy clouds with and sun
and nice shower sunshine shower

D
issecting government budget purely from the perspective of ethnic communities 26° 24° 24° 24° 25° 23° 23°
is not always an easy task at hand. 18° 18° 18° 18° 16° 16° 17°
Simply because ethnic communities are least expected to form an opinion
about the government of the day, on the basis of its fiscal performance, and thereby not
incentivising the government to deliver something exclusively for them. This week in New Zealand’s history
Lest it sounds patronising to many, it is to be submitted that majority in ethnic
19 May 1987
communities, like everywhere else, does form opinions on the basis of “feel good”
Attempted hijacking in Fiji foiled
C
factor – it is to say how it feels to them about the government of the day reaching out abin crew foiled the attempted hijacking of an Air New Zealand Boeing 747 at Nadi
to them. airport, Fiji, by striking the hijacker on the head with a whisky bottle. Flight TE24 was en
In this regard, Grant Robertson has delivered a feel-good budget, to the extent that route to Auckland from Tokyo when it made a scheduled refuelling stop in Nadi. Ahmjed Ali,
it appears boring to many observers. a Fiji Indian who worked for Air Terminal Services, walked onto the flight deck, and revealed
However that would potentially not stop ethnic communities from further warming to the captain that he was carrying dynamite.
up to the Labour-NZ First government, because it’s not the reality, but the perception
of reality that eventually matters. 21 May 1840
Anyway, if health sector is the biggest winner with around $3.2 billion spending, Hobson proclaims British sovereignty over New Zealand
that includes $750 million for most urgent repairs for hospital buildings, then who
would complain. L ieutenant-Governor William Hobson proclaimed British sovereignty over all of New
Zealand – the North Island on the basis of cession through the Treaty of Waitangi, and
South and Stewart Islands by right of discovery.
Similarly, the offer for the free doctor visit to under 14-year olds, as opposed to the
current 13-year-olds would not be unwelcome for anyone in ethnic communities. 22 May 1884
It is only that ethnic communities tend to get alarmed with the loud voices of First New Zealand rugby team in action
T
excessive public sector spending potentially affecting the general well-being of the he first representative New Zealand rugby team played its first match, defeating a
economy, which has not been a case this time. Wellington XV 9–0 at Newtown Park. The team then embarked on a tour of New South
To that extent, grant Robertson has succeeded in not losing any voters within ethnic Wales, where it won all its eight games, scoring 167 points and conceding only 17.
communities due to any major announcement.
That is the general taste of this budget for the wider New Zealand anyway. The voters 24 May 1854
who had voted for the government in last October are still with them, and those who Parliament's first sitting in Auckland
were at the middle ground, are still not detested, with any major policy announcement
in the budget.
I t started with a bang – 21 in fact, fired from the guns at Auckland’s Fort Britomart. Once the
smoke cleared, New Zealand’s first Parliament was in business.
Probably this is the strategy, and rightly though, that the Ardern-Robertson seems to 24 May 1943
be pursuing so far – hold the barrel till 2020 before unleashing some extra spending. Turning point in Battle of the Atlantic
T
Luckily, the Government is on track to spend an extra $24b over the next four years, he Battle of the Atlantic was one of the most important campaigns of the Second World
with a forecasted incoming of an additional $20b in revenue over the same period, to War. It was certainly among the longest, lasting 2074 days: from 3 September 1939, the
support the above strategy. day war was declared, to 7 May 1945, the day Germany surrendered. Allied ships were sunk
However, what could immediately sway opinions within ethnic communities is with loss of life in the Atlantic on both those days, and on nearly every day in between.
the influx in law and order and first home buying – being safe, being able to earn a
dignified living and owning their first home- is often the most cherished goal for which Indian Weekender : Volume 10 Issue 9
they migrate to New Zealand at the first place. Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited
In that respect, though there is nothing much for the first home buyers and small Content Editor: Sandeep Singh | sandeep@indianweekender.co.nz
business owners, the extra spending in corrections and police is bound to be seen with Chief Reporter: Swati Sharma | swati@indianweekender.co.nz
confidence within the ethnic communities. Reporter: Rizwan Mohammad | rizwan@indianweekender.co.nz
Spending on prisons will go over $1 billion for the first time and Corrections has got Chief Reporter—South Island: Gaurav Sharma
the funding for pop-up prison units to house an extra 600 prisoners. Chief Technical Officer: Rohan Desouza | rohan@indianweekender.co.nz
There will be an expectation that at least, some offenders who regularly threaten the Sr Graphics and Layout Designer: Mahesh Kumar | mahesh@indianweekender.co.nz
lives of dairy owners and small business owners will find their way to these additional Graphic Designer: Yashmin Chand | design@indianweekender.co.nz
prison spaces.
Accounts and Admin.: 09-2173623 | accounts@indianweekender.co.nz
Any investment in police, even if minuscule of $300 million generates a lot of Sales and Distribution: 021 952218 | sales@indianweekender.co.nz
confidence in the ethnic communities, purely because it gives them a sense of fewer
ram-raids and aggravated assaults at their workplaces and retail outlets. Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher
The funding in Budget 2018 will enable the recruitment of 920 new officers and 240 is not responsible for advertisers’ claims as appearing in the publication
support staff, which is in addition to the 880 officers and 245 support staff announced
Views expressed in the articles are solely of the authors and do not in any way represent
in Budget 2017.
the views of the team at the Indian Weekender
Will this eventually lead to overcome and reverse the recent spurt in the incidents of
ram-raids and aggravated robberies, especially since the last couple of years remains Kiwi Media Publishing Limited - 133A, Level 1, Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland.
to be seen? Printed at Horton Media, Auckland
However, for now, the Ardern-Robertson budget has been able to create a feel-good Copyright 2017. Kiwi Media Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved.
factor for the ethnic communities.
 Come, explore and experience the sweetness
of wisdom and meditation
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 18 INDIA
VK Singh visits North Korea, first
high-level visit from India in 20 years
The MEA said a range of bilateral
issues covering political, regional,
economic, educational and cultural
cooperation figured in the India-
North Korean talks
I
n first high-level visit to North
Korea from India in two decades,
Minister of State for External
Affairs General V K Singh was in
Pyongyang today where he held
talks with several leaders including
Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho on
key issues and raised New Delhi’s
concerns over nuclear proliferation .
The two-day visit came less than
a month before the proposed summit
between US President Donald Trump
and North Korean leader Kim Jong
Un, and is seen as an effort to reach
out to Pyongyang.
In the meetings, the Ministry of
External Affairs said, the North
Korean side provided an “overview”
of some of the recent developments
in the Korean Peninsula while Singh
conveyed India’s concerns over
proliferation linkages of North Korea
with India’s neighbourhood, seen as
a clear reference to Pakistan.
The North Korean leaders
emphasized that as a friendly
country, Pyongyang will never
FATHER-DAUGHTER FIRST
FROM INDIA TO SCALE EVEREST
The preparation for the expedition began a year ago, with the two first watching their
diets and building up fitness. They subsequently began undertaking high-altitude
climbs, going to Ladakh, France, and Nepal between August 2017 and this February
M
inutes before sunrise on
Wednesday, Gurgaon
residents Ajeet Bajaj and
Deeya Suzannah Bajaj became the
first father-daughter duo from India
to summit Mount Everest.
Deeya, 24, reached the summit
from the Tibet-China, or the north
side, at 4.30 am. Her father joined
her 10 minutes later.
“It was my daughter’s dream to
reach the summit, and her father
wanted to be a part of that journey
with her,” Ajeet’s wife Shirly
Thomas Bajaj said.
“Ajeet has always been proud
of his daughter, and finds the
perspective people have about the
allow any action that would
create concerns for India’s This
is the first
security, said the MEA.
India has been ministerial level
consistently raising visit from India to North
the issue of North Korea after a gap of almost
Korea’s possible 20 years. India and North
proliferation linkages Korea established formal
with Pakistan and had diplomatic relations in Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh
even demanded a probe 1973.
into it. Last month, North
The MEA said Singh Korean leader Kim Jong-un and
reiterated India’s support to the joint South Korean President Moon Jae-in
peace initiative by leadership of signed a joint statement following a
both North Korea and South Korea, historic summit aimed at improving
saying it was encouraging both sides ties between the two countries.
in their efforts towards establishment After the summit, Kim became
of peace and prosperity on the the first North Korean leader to step
Korean Peninsula. into South Korea since the end of
This is the first ministerial level the Korean War in 1953. India had
visit from India to North Korea after welcomed the peace initiatives.
a gap of almost 20 years. India and The MEA said Singh’s visit to
North Korea established formal Pyongyang, which began yesterday,
diplomatic relations in 1973. was at the invitation of North Korean
The current year marks the 45th government.
year of establishment of diplomatic During the visit, Singh held
relations. discussions with Vice President of the
girl child in India difficult to digest. to undertake the Trans-Greenland
So another purpose of this expedition Skiing Expedition in May 2011, at
was to call attention to the fact that the age of 17. In 2012, Ajeet and
with the right opportunities, any girl Deeya became the first Indians to ski
can reach the highest summits.” across the Greenland Ice Cap.
This, however, is not the first The preparation for the expedition
record set by Deeya and Ajeet, began a year ago, with the two first
individually or together. The latter, watching their diets and building
who has more than 30 years of up fitness. They subsequently began
experience in adventure sports, is undertaking high-altitude climbs,
also known for being the first Indian going to Ladakh, France,
to have completed the ‘Polar Ajeet and Nepal between
Trilogy’ — or skiing to the has always August 2017 and
North Pole, the South been proud of his this February.
Pole, and across the daughter, and finds the “They left for
Greenland Icecap. this climb on April
perspective people have
Deeya became 10 from India,”
about the girl child in India
the youngest person difficult to digest Shirly said.
Friday, May 18, 2018
Presidium of the Supreme People’s
Assembly Kim Yong Dae, Foreign
Minister Ri Yong Ho, Minister of
Culture Pak Chun Nam and Vice
Foreign Minister Choe Hui Chol.
The MEA said a range of bilateral
issues covering political, regional,
economic, educational and cultural
cooperation figured in the talks.
Singh’s visit came amidst a threat
by Pyongyang to cancel the June 12
summit between Kim and Trump if
Washington insists on pushing it “into
a corner” on nuclear disarmament.
The US, however, said it is
proceeding with the preparations for
the summit.
Ajeet Bajaj and his daughter Deeya
The Indian Weekender
New Commonwealth
initiative to boost
digital education
skills
T
o create an enabling
environment and culture
of lifelong learning, an
intergovernmental organisation
created by the Commonwealth
Heads of Government has launched
an online platform that can help both
teachers and students to improve
their digital education skills.
The platform, launched by the
Commonwealth of Learning (COL),
is designed to assist teachers and
students to assess their digital
education skills, learn digital
education skills based on areas that
need improvements, and receive
a certificate according to their
depth of understanding - beginner,
intermediate or fluent.
Named Commonwealth Digital
Education Leadership Training in
Action (C-DELTA), the platform
allows students and teachers
to develop communities and
demonstrate their effective use of
digital education tools, and thereby
influence others as leaders in digital
education skills, COL said in a
statement on Friday.
"Digital Education skills will be
the primary skills for success in the
21st century. Through this platform,
COL intends to strengthen the digital
education skills environment in
the Commonwealth," said Sanjaya
Mishra, COL's e-learning specialist.
To support the adoption of
C-DELTA, the British Columbia,
Canada-headquartered organisation
said it would work with the
governments and educational
institutions of the Commonwealth
member-states.
The curriculum framework for
C-DELTA has been developed in
collaboration with the Centre for
Innovation in Learning and Teaching
and the University of Cape Town,
South Africa.
India says deeply
concerned over
tensions at Gaza
border
I
ndia on Wednesday said that
it is “deeply concerned” at the
tensions at the border between
Gaza strip and Israel, where more
than 50 Palestinian nationals lost
their lives and thousands injured on
May 14.
Expressing deep sadness at the loss
of lives, New Delhi urged all sides
to avoid escalation of the situation.
This is the first Indian response on
the situation, however, it falls short
of describing how these Palestinian
nationals “lost their lives”.
“India is deeply concerned with
continuing tensions on the border
between Gaza strip and Israel where
more than 50 Palestinian nationals
lost their lives and thousands injured
on 14th of May. We are deeply
saddened by the loss of lives. We
urge all sides to avoid escalation
of the situation so as to create a
conducive atmosphere to resume the
peace process,” the statement by the
Ministry of External Affairs said.
 The Indian Weekender
YEDDYURAPPA CONFIDENT OF NEWS in BRIEF
BEING IN POWER FOR 5 YEARS 5Excellence
Indian partners win AWS ‘2018 APN
Awards’
H A
ours after taking oath
on Thursday, an upbeat
Karnataka Chief Minister
B.S. Yeddyurappa said he was
confident of winning the majority
and being in power for five years.
“I am thankful to the people of
the state, especially farmers and
the poor, who have supported me.
People are with me and the BJP and
I am confident that I will win the
majority and be in power for the next
five years,” asserted Yeddyurappa,
addressing the media after taking
oath as the Chief Minister.
Crediting Prime Minister Narendra
Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) President Amit Shah for his
swearing-in as the Chief Minister,
he accused the Congress and Janata
Dal-Secular (JD-S) of trying to steal
the people’s mandate by forming an
alliance.
“The Congress and JD-S have
formed an unholy alliance despite
people choosing the BJP. We are
confident of winning the majority,”
he said.
There were many JD-S and
Congress legislators who know the
BJP would form the government and
he was confident they will vote for
his government, he said.
Yeddyurappa, however, declined
to elaborate how the BJP would
gain the majority on the floor of the
House, saying the issue was being
heard at the Supreme Court.
Earlier, a three-judge bench
of the apex court rejected a joint
writ petition of the Congress and
the Janata Dal-Secular to stall the
swearing in of Yeddyurappa at a
special hearing early in the day.
The top court, however, said the
swearing-in of Yeddyurappa was
Storms in India: 10,000
people marked safe on
Facebook safety tool
F
acebook on Tuesday said
nearly 10,000 people have
marked themselves safe till
now, using the social network’s
“Safety Check” feature that was
activated on Monday following
storms across India.
Dust storms, hail and lightning
claimed 53 lives in Uttar Pradesh,
Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and
Delhi, according to a Ministry of
Home Affairs (MHA) report.
To help its users during disasters,
Facebook created a Crisis Response
Centre as a hub of information about
recent crises.
The centre’s Safety Check tool
allows people to notify their family
and friends that they are safe.
Following storms across India,
Facebook activated the “Safety
Check” feature on Monday.  the two countries concerning taxes
The crisis response tool, which is
activated when a lot of people in an
affected area post about an incident,
can also help users check to see if
their friends in an affected area are
safe too.
This feature from the social media
giant has been used during natural
calamities and terrorists attacks
across the world.
Friday, May 18, 2018
Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala administering oath to BS Yeddyurappa as Chief
Minister of Karnataka during his swearing ceremony at Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru
subject to the final outcome of the
matter before it and posted the case
for further hearing at 10:30 a.m. on
Friday.
Of the 222 constituencies where
polling was held on May 12, the BJP
won 104 seats while the Congress
won in 78 and JD-S won in 38 seats,
Cabinet approves India-
Brunei tax agreement
T
he Union Cabinet on
Wednesday approved an
agreement signed with
Brunei on exchange of information
and collection of taxes.
"The Union Cabinet chaired by
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
has approved the signing and
ratification of agreement between
India and Brunei for the Exchange
of Information and Assistance in
Collection with respect to taxes," the
government said in a statement.
The agreement enables Indian
and Brunei authorities "to provide
assistance through exchange of
information that is foreseeably
relevant to the administration and
enforcement of the domestic laws of
covered by this agreement".
"The information received under
the agreement shall be treated as
confidential and may be disclosed
only to persons or authorities
(including courts or administrative
bodies) concerned with assessment,
collection, enforcement, prosecution
or determination of appeals in
throwing up a hung Assembly. The
BJP is still eight seats short of the
112-halfway mark needed for a
simple majority.
According to Governor Vajubhai
R. Vala’s directive, Yeddyurappa has
to prove a majority within 15 days.
relation to taxes covered under the
agreement," it stated.
"Information may be disclosed to
any other person or entity or authority
or jurisdiction with the prior written
consent of the information sending
country."
According to the statement,
the agreement does not have any
financial implications.
INDIA 19
mazon Internet Services Pvt Ltd (AISPL), an Amazon company,
on Tuesday announced five Indian partners as winners who helped
customers drive innovation and build solutions on Amazon Web
Services (AWS) Cloud.
The diverse nature of the “2018 APN Excellence Awards” winners
reflected the opportunity provided for partners who helped customers
remove the friction of managing IT infrastructure and set the platform for
innovation, said Amitabh Jacob, Head of India Channels and Alliances at
AISPL. 
“These partners have invested in their businesses to make it more
customer-centric as well as in their employees through the various AWS
training and certification programmes on offer,” Jacob said in a statement.
The five winners under various categories are Minfy Technologies Pvt
Ltd, Freshworks Pvt Ltd, Powerupcloud Technologies India Pvt Ltd, Druva
and Nucleus Software Exports Pvt Ltd.
The AWS Partner Network (APN) is a global partner programme, focused
on helping thousands of partners build successful businesses or solutions on
AWS Cloud.
India gives NRs 180mn for river
training in Nepal
I
ndia has provided the
largest sum for river
training in Nepal in a
bid to control floods that
also affect India during
the monsoon season.
Indian Ambassador
Manjeev Singh Puri
on Tuesday handed
over a cheque of NRs
180.74 million to Sanjay
Sharma, Secretary in the
Ministry of Energy, Irrigation and Water Resources of Nepal, for taming
and training the rivers. 
The river training and construction will carry on near the Indian border
in three rivers. The amount is India’s contribution for river training and
construction of embankments along Lalbakeya, Bagmati and Kamla rivers,
the Indian embassy said. The works is aimed at flood control and water
resources management, which benefit several million people inhabiting in
the watershed of these rivers in India and Nepal.
With the NRs 180.74 million, India has so far given 13 installments since
2008 to Nepal for the river training and embankment works totalling to over
NRs 4.68 billion.
Kovind bats for gender equity in
technology
P
resident Ram Nath Kovind on
Friday called for gender equity
in technology production and
technology sharing as well as the entry
of more women in the innovation
space.
"Gender equity must be integrated
with technology production and
technology sharing. We need more
of our daughters and more of our
country's young women
"Gender
to enter the technology
equity must
and innovation space.
be integrated
"Those who are
with technology
already working
production and
here are doing a remarkable job, but
technology
their numbers need to improve urgently,"
sharing"
Kovind said at an event organised here to celebrate
National Technology Day, which commemorates the 20th
anniversary of the Pokhran nuclear tests of 1998.
The President dedicated the 1998 nuclear tests' success to former President
and scientist Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam "who led a dedicated scientific team that
made preparations for the Pokhran tests" and the leadership and courage of
then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
He said that the success was a demonstration of "both scientific capacity
and political will" of the country and that the Vajpayee government's "bold"
decision shaped India's foreign policy of the future.
"In 1998, the government of the day took the bold decision to go ahead
with the tests – and reposition India on the global stage.
Those tests had a far-reaching impact on how the world came to see
India – and on our foreign policy, our strategic relations and eventually our
international technological collaborations," the President added.
 20 INDIA ABROAD
Trump nominates Indian-
American to federal judgeship
U
S President Donald Trump
nominated Diane Gujarati,
a prosecutor of Indian
descent, to a federal judgeship on
Thursday in an unusual move as she
had been former President Barack
Obama’s choice for the position.
The White House announced that
Trump is sending the nomination of
Gujarati, who is the Deputy Chief
of the Criminal Division of the
federal prosecutor’s for the Southern
District of New York, to the Senate
for confirmation as a District Judge
on the Federal court for New York’s
Eastern District, which covers parts
of the city as well the suburbs on
Long Island
Obama nominated her for the
judgeship towards the end of his term
in September 2016 but she was not
confirmed by the Senate requiring
Trump’s renomination.
Her father, Damodar Gujrarati, is
an emeritus professor of economics
at the US Military Academy at West
Point, which trains army officers.
Her renomination by Trump shows
both her legal standing as well as the
administration’s difficulty in finding
candidates within its ideological
Indian doctors, engineers among thousands being denied UK visas
due to immigration cap
Latest Office of National Statistics
(ONS) data shows Indians as the
largest chunk of skilled work visas
granted to nationals from outside the
EU, indicating that they are likely to
be the hardest hit by the UK visa cap
I
ndian engineers, IT professionals,
doctors and teachers are among
6,080 skilled workers holding
a UK job offer who were denied
visas to the UK since December
2017, according to a data released on
Wednesday, indicating that Indians
are likely to be the hardest hit by the
country’s annual visa cap.
The Campaign for Science and
Engineering (CaSE) acquired the
figures via a Freedom of Information
(FOI) to the UK Home Office to
highlight the “scale of the problem”
being created due to the British
government’s annual immigration
cap for skilled professionals hired by
UK-based companies from outside
the European Union (EU).
Latest UK Office of National
Statistics (ONS) figures record
Indians as the largest chunk of
skilled work visas granted (57 per
cent) to nationals from outside the
EU, indicating that Indians are likely
to be the hardest hit by the visa cap.
“Science, engineering and
technology has long benefited from
mobility of talent and collaboration
across borders – including between
India and the UK. The figures we’ve
obtained from the Home Office
show that currently our immigration
system is hampering this ambition,”
said CaSE Deputy Director Naomi
Weir.
President Donald Trump has nominated Indian American attorney Diane Gujarati to
a federal judgeship.
spectrum who will be able to win US as it includes Wall Street as well
Senate support. as the state’s capital Albany.
She is expected to have a smooth Formerly headed by Preet
sailing in the Senate because of the Bharara, the office had prosecuted
support of presidents from both several important people in
parties. finance, including Rajat Gupta, Raj
A graduate of the Ivy League Yale Rajaratnam and Mathew Martoma
University’s law school, she has also for insider trading on Wall Street and
been an adjunct professor at New also several important politicians
York University School of Law. like New York Assembly Speaker
Federal New York Eastern District Sheldon Silver.
Court is located in the New York City Gupta, one of the highest ranking
borough of Brooklyn. Indian-American business leaders,
The federal prosecutor’s office was managing director of consulting
for Southern District of New York, firm McKinsey and was sentenced to
where started in 1999, is one of the two years in prison and fined millions
most high profile jurisdictions in the of dollars.
“We’re calling on government
to make immediate changes so that
employers can access the talent they
need, and in the long term to ensure
that the UK immigration system is
aligned with the ambition to
"The
be open and welcoming
Tier 2 visa Last month, it had emerged that at least 100 Indian doctors were denied UK visas after being recruited by the NHS
to science, engineering
quota has been due to the Tier 2 monthly quota being over-subscribed.
and tech talent,” she
said. reached for the fifth National Health
While there is month in a row, yet there Service (NHS).
no nationality-wise are still more than 100,000 “The Tier 2 visa
breakdown of the NHS posts unfilled, quota has been
6,080 visa refusals with vacancy rates reached for the fifth
under the Tier 2 category rising." month in a row, yet there
between December 2017 are still more than 100,000
and March 2018, it has emerged NHS posts unfilled, with vacancy
that more than half (3,500) were rates rising. At a time when the
for engineering, IT, technology, NHS is under enormous strain
teaching and medical roles. and struggling to fill positions,
The cap under the Tier 2 visa the current visa restrictions and
category to allow companies to arbitrary caps for non-EU workers
bring in professionals from outside entering the UK are inexplicable and
the EU is set at 20,700 per year, with threatening patient care and safety,”
a monthly limit of around 1,600. he said.
Until December 2017, that limit had Last month, it had emerged that at
been exceeded only once in almost least 100 Indian doctors were denied
six years but since then that limit has visas after being recruited by the
been breached nearly every month. NHS due to the Tier 2 monthly quota
Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chair of being over-subscribed.
the British Medical Association In other fields as well, experts
Council (BMA), called for a more warn that access to overseas
“flexible” immigration system professionals remains crucial for the
which does not end up turning away growth and development of the UK
doctors desperately needed to fill economy.
staff shortages in the state-funded “Employers know and accept that
Friday, May 18, 2018
Nucleya excited about
his own radio show
E
lectronic music producer
Udyan Sagar, popular as
Nucleya, will make his BBC
Asian Network debut on May 20.
He says his music isnt played on the
Indian radio so, he is looking forward
to his own radio show.
To be hosted on the BBC Asian
Network website for a worldwide
audience and broadcast on digital
and terrestrial airwaves in the UK,
“Nucleya” will showcase music
from global Indian diaspora and also
open a dialogue with other creative
leaders from fields of design, film
and culture.
It will also be available for
download and ‘listen again’ for
Nucleya’s British fans.  I can play what I want, including
Some of the station’s most notable
presenters include Bobby Friction
and DJ Nihal, who have continuously
championed Indian electronic
musicians on their shows.  an introduction to me, my music and
Nucleya’s show will attempt to do
the same for younger producers from
the global Indian diaspora, including
the Middle East, by introducing
their sounds and styles to the British
audience.
“This offer brought me a lot of
there is a need for highly skilled
immigrants as do the majority of the
general public. The people standing
in the way are those who set random
immigration limits that seem to be
plucked out of the air for political
purposes,” said Nobel Prize winning
Indian-origin scientist Prof Venki
Ramakrishnan, the president of the
UK’s Royal Society.
Case has been lobbying the UK
government to make job offers
in areas where there were clear
shortages, such as science and
engineering, exempt from the Home
Office cap.
“The cap is beginning to cause
damage and it needs to be addressed
quickly. In the immediate term,
shortage and PhD level roles should
be made exempt from the cap. In the
long term, an immigration system
for a Global Britain that supports
research and innovation should not
feature a cap on the international
specialists we want to attract,” said
CaSE Executive Director Dr Sarah
The Indian Weekender
selfish joy to be honest. My music
isn’t played on Indian radio so to now
to have my own radio show where
my own productions, feels like a
vindication of what I do,” Nucleya
said.
“The two-hour show will serve as
also a lot of music and acts that I am
digging. I want the show to provide
a rich palette of sounds,” he added.
The producer, known for delivering
hit albums like Koocha Monster and
Bass Rani, is working on releasing an
album later this year.
Main, who had written to the British
Prime Minister Theresa May earlier
this year on the issue.
The UK Home Office said
that while it recognises the
“contribution” of international
professionals, it is important that
the country’s immigration system
ensures that employers look first
to the UK resident labour market
before recruiting from overseas.
“When demand exceeds the
monthly available allocation of Tier 2
(General) places, priority is given to
applicants filling a shortage or PhD-
level occupations. No occupation
on the Shortage Occupation List
has been refused a place,” a Home
Office spokesperson said.
It also highlighted that any
applications refused during over-
subscribed months can re-apply for
consideration in the next month.
However, critics believe the the
Shortage Occupation List does not
go far enough and the entire quota-
based system in unworkable.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, May 18, 2018 SPORTS 21

MUMBAI INDIANS
TRUMPED KINGS XI PUNJAB
Mumbai edge past Punjab to keep play-offs hope alive
M
umbai Indians kept their But just when things seemed good Mumbai Indians out of trouble and
play-offs hopes alive as in the middle, Finch was dismissed post a challenging 186/8.
the hosts edged past Kings by pacer Jasprit Bumrah in the 17th Pollard struck a 23-ball 50,
XI Punjab by three runs in an Indian over. His 35-ball knock was laced containing five boundaries and three
Premier League (IPL) match on with three boundaries and one six. sixes and more importantly was
Wednesday. New batsman Marcus Stoinis (1) engaged in a 65-run fifth wicket
After a brilliant batting display, also failed and got dismissed in the stand with Krunal Pandya (32 off 23
Mumbai bowlers managed to restrict same over. balls; 4x1, 6x2) to steady Mumbai's
Punjab to 183/5 to bag two crucial While trying to match the start that saw Punjab pacer Andrew
points. With this victory, Mumbai increasing run rate, in-form Rahul Tye (4/16) striking thrice in the
are now sitting at fourth spot with was also dismissed by Bumrah in the powerplay.
12 points while Punjab slipped to 19th over. His 60-ball innings was Put in to bat, Mumbai were off
sixth spot. Chasing 187, openers laced with 10 boundaries and three to a flying start with the in-form
Lokesh Rahul (94) and Chris Gayle sixes. Middle-order batsmen Axar Suryakumar Yadav (27 from 15
(18) provided a steady start, scoring Patel (10 not out), Yuvraj Singh (1) balls; 4x3, 6x2) and Evin Lewis (9)
34 runs in four overs. But Gayle was and Manoj Tiwary (4 not out) tried to putting on 37 runs in the first three
departed in the same over by pacer reach the target but failed. overs before Australian Andrew
Mitchell McClenaghan. For Mumbai, Bumrah scalped Tye's triple strikes reduced the hosts
Aaron Finch (46) and Rahul then three wickets while Mcclenaghan to 59/3 in no time.
forged a crucial 111-run partnership. took two wickets. Continuing his glorious run with Ankit Rajpoot for two fours and as a boundary and two massive sixes
The duo slammed Punjab bowlers Earlier, West Indian power- the bat, Suryakumar started off in many sixes to milk 21 runs off the before being dismissed.
all around the park and also played hitter Keiron Pollard finally found his customary style before breaking second over of the innings before Tye Mumbai's woes were compounded
some beautifully crafted shots. his groove with a fiery 50 to bail loose as he smacked rookie pacer was employed into the attack. in the 9th over when a short-pitched
Tye struck on the very first ball delivery from Rajpoot cut short
Pos P W L T NR RR Pts
of his spell with a well-disguised skipper Rohit Sharma's (6) stay in
1 Sunrisers Hyderabad 12 9 3 0 0 0.4 18 knuckle ball that broke through the the middle.
2 Chennai Super Kings 12 8 4 0 0 0.383 16 defences of Lewis before removing Tottering at 71/4 after eight overs,
3 Kolkata Knight Riders 13 7 6 0 0 -0.091 14 Yadav and wicketkeeper-batsman Mumbai's hopes were pinned on
4 Mumbai Indians 13 6 7 0 0 0.384 12 Ishan Kishan (20 off 12; 4x1, 6x2) off Pollard and Krunal Pandya.
5 Rajasthan Royals 13 6 7 0 0 -0.403 12 consecutive deliveries in his second Coming back, the right-left duo of
6 Kings XI Punjab 13 6 7 0 0 -0.49 12 over. During his brief stay, Ishan also Pollard and Krunal sent the visiting
7 Royal Challengers Bangalore 12 5 7 0 0 0.218 10 meted out some special treatment bowlers to the leather hunt as they
8Delhi Daredevils 12 3 9 0 0 -0.478 6 to India discard Mohit Sharma, resurrected the innings with a quick-

Virat Kohli County stint in T20 age dedication to improve: Moeen Ali
clobbering the right-arm pacer for fire 65-run stand.

A
s County cricket faithful
wait for Indian cricket team
captain Virat Kohli to land at
Surrey, England all-rounder Moeen
Ali has issued a gentle warning – the
‘proper big dog’ is coming.
It may sound like ‘Winter is
Coming’, warning everyone in the
land of its biggest threat, in Game of
Thrones. But unlike the superhit TV
show, Kohli’s arrival is expected to
be mutually beneficial. He is looking
to use the month long stint with
Surrey to tune-up for India’s tour of
England, and avoid a repeat of his
failures in 2014, when he made just
134 runs in 10 Test innings.
Kohli’s battle to adjust to
seaming conditions before the five-
Test series in August-September
is likely to draw fans in large
numbers – especially Asian expats
– to some of the smallest grounds
such as Beckenham, Guildford and
Scarborough.
“I know a few of the Surrey guys
and they are not what people make
them out to be a lot of the time.
But if anyone in that dressing room
does think they are a big dog, they
will need to sit down for a little
while because there is a proper big
dog coming,” Moeen, playing for
the Kohli-led Royal Challengers
Bangalore IPL team, was quoted as
saying by the Guardian.
“You see him on the field and
people might think he’s arrogant, but
it is the complete opposite. He’s so
humble it is almost weird how nice
he is. He’s the biggest name in India
but will ring me to check I’m OK or
ask if I fancy lunch. Sometimes a
player will invite the squad to their
house for a meal and it would be
easy for him to say no. But he would
always go. I can say with certainty
that anyone who has a bad word
doesn’t know the guy,” said Moeen,
who has played for Warwickshire
and Worcestershire.
All-rounder Chris Woakes,
who also plays for RCB, gives his
perspective on his IPL skipper. “You
have your perceptions of someone
like Virat, who is quite passionate,
emotional, in your face and plays
hard. But off the field, he’s very calm
and you can chat about anything.
He’s very down to earth, and for
someone who has such huge pressure
and public focus in India, to see him
go about his business in this way is
quite refreshing.
“In my first year of IPL (with
KKR) I found as an overseas player
you get a lot of attention walking
through airports in India. But having
him in the team – the No 1, the king
Indian cricket team skipper
Virat Kohli, who is busy at
the moment leading Royal
Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in
the 2018 Indian Premier League
(IPL 2018) will play for Surrey
in the English Country Cricket
Championship, looking to use the
month long stint with to tune-up
for India’s tour of England, and
avoid a repeat of his failures in
2014, when he made just 138 runs
in 10 Test innings
– we’re almost irrelevant. It makes loves touring other countries – it’s a
you realise what his life is like. So release.”
County cricket will be much more Moeen provided a glimpse into
chilled and he’ll enjoy that. Playing Kohli’s pre-match routine. “Around
at smaller grounds, that will be an 30 minutes before the bus leaves
experience too. for a match, he does what he calls a
Having spoken to him about it, he priming session in the gym.
 22 FEATURES Friday, May 18, 2018 The Indian Weekender

How to make upma

I
f you are craving for a healthy
wholesome snack with authentic
southern spices then this recipe
is a must-try for you! If you are
planning to shed some fat, then
Upma makes for a perfect snack or
breakfast option.
Upma is a perfect lunch box
recipe, which your kids will love.
Serve it with chutneys, Sambar and
Papad, this will make this Southern pinkish in hue. Then add
delight a wholesome meal. So don tomato, carrot and capsicum
a chef’s hat and impress your loved pieces to it and stir well.
ones with this culinary delight. • Add salt to taste followed by
Toral Time: 40m, Preparation 250ml of water. Put a lid on

Chicken Dopiaza
time: 20m, Calories:340 it and allow the vegetables to
INGREDIENTS cook on low-medium flame.
• 1 diced potato Take another pan and add sooji
• 1 diced tomato in it. Roast it for 2-3 minutes.
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds Once the veggies are cooked,
Chicken cooked with tender onions in a tomato sauce • 5 curry leaves see if you need some more

A
ccording to epicurean folklore, this dish • 1/2 teaspoon chopped ginger water. If you feel a little bit of
originated in the Mughal Emperor Akbar’s • 80 ml sunflower oil water would be
royal kitchen. ‘Dopiaza’ is a Persian word that 3 • 1/2 teaspoon urad dal required,
describes the traditional method of adding onions twice • 250 ml water then

RECIPES
to the preparation – in rings as well as in the gravy. In this • 1 chopped onion add

CHICKEN
contemporary version, the dish requires only the onion • 1 chopped capsicum (green
rings. It is particularly popular in the city of Hyderabad. pepper)
• 1 teaspoon salt
Preparation Time: 15 min • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
Marination Time: 4 hours or ideally overnight • 4 finely chopped green chilli
Cooking time: 35 m in • 2 red chilli
Serves: 8 • 1/2 teaspoon chana dal
Taste: Medium • 1 diced carrot
FOR GARNISHING
INGREDIENTS 1 handful roasted peanuts
• 1 kg chicken boneless METHOD
• 1 cup plain yoghurt • This authentic recipe is a
• 1 tsp red chilli powder mix of spices and veggies,
which taste best when made
Ruby Dhillon India’s Most Wanted Recipies | 109

• 1 tsp cumin powder

• 1 tsp coriander powder • Melt butter in a heavy-bottomed pan on medium with dry roasted sooji. Take a
• 6 onions, thinly sliced into rings heat. Add garlic paste, stir, add ginger paste, stir pan heat it on medium flame
• 2 Tbsp butter and sauté for 1–2 minutes. Add chopped green and add the sooji, stirr fry it
• 2 tsp garlic paste chillies, stir, then add tomatoes, stir and cook for untill it turns golden brown.
• 2 tsp ginger paste 2–3 minutes until the tomatoes are soft and oil Take oil in a pan and heat it s o m e
• 3–4 green chillies, finely chopped surfaces. over moderate flame. Once water to the
• 3 tomatoes roughly chopped • Add chicken with it’s marinade to the tomato the oil is sufficiently hot, add vegetable gravy and
• 2 tsp lemon juice masala, mix well. Stirring the chicken occasionally, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, bring it to boil.
• Salt to taste cook over a medium to high heat without covering, green chilies, chopped ginger, • Then add the roasted sooji.
• 1/2 cup fresh coriander leaves chopped as onions will release their water and the chicken red chilies, chana dal and urad Do not pour the sooji at one
tends to cook in it’s water. This will take 6-8 dal. Keep stirring all these go. Just keep on adding little
METHOD minutes ingredients. To make it more quantity and simultaneously
• Clean, wash and cut the chicken onto bite-sized • Lower the heat; add lemon juice and salt to the flavoursome, you can replace stir the contents so that the
pieces, cover and keep aside. In a large bowl, chicken, mix well. oil with some ghee, this adds rawa or the sooji mixes evenly.
whisk the yoghurt, add red chilli powder, garam • Cover and simmer until the chicken is cooked a rich aroma and taste of ghee. Let the rawa cook for five
masala powder, cumin powder and coriander through and well coated with the onion masala • After few minutes, add curry minutes on a low flame. Now
powder, mix well. Add chicken and onion rings (water can be added if the gravy becomes too leaves and stir the mixture. transfer the contents into a
to the marinades, mix well to coat evenly. Cover thick). Curry leaves will add a nice bowl. Garnish the upma with
and marinade in the refrigerator for atleast 4 hours, • Garnish with chopped coriander. aroma to this dish. Add onions roasted peanuts and serve
preferably overnight. • Serve hot with Roti or Butter Naan and potato in the pan. Saute the hot with coconut chutney or
onions till they turn slightly sambar.

Try this unique raita recipes

R
aita is supposed to be one
of the most amazing side
dishes. Ditch the regular
onion and cucumber ones this time
and try out these unique recipes.  
Ccucumber, onion,
Kheere ka Raita
mint andcoriander. If you want to
break away from the norm and make
something new to accompany your
meals, try out these raita recipes.
All you have to do is mix all the
ingredients well in the end.
Cabbage Raita
• 1/4 cup finely chopped cabbage,
• 1 cup fresh curd/ yogurt,
• 1 green chilli deseeded and
chopped,
• Roasted cumin/ jeera powder,
• Few coriander leaves chopped,
• 1 tsp lemon juice,
• Salt and pepper as per taste  
Boondi Raita
• 1 onion finely chopped,
• 1/2 cucumber finally chopped,
• Salt as per taste,
• 1 cup fresh curd/yogurt,
• 1 lemon, garnishing, • 2 tsp chopped coriander leaves
• Handful of coriander leaves • Coriander leaves  
chopped  
Carrot Raita
Burani Raita
• 1 cup fresh curd/yogurt,
• 2 medium garlic cloves,
• Salt as per taste,
• 1/4 tsp roasted cumin powder,
• 2 fat pinches of red chilli powder
Pineapple Raita
• 2 cups chopped pineapple, • 1 cup fresh curd/yogurt,
• 1 cup fresh curd/yogurt, • 1/2 cup grated carrot, preferably
• 1 cup fresh curd/yogurt, • 2 tsp salt, baby carrot,
• 1 cup boondi, • 1/4 tsp pepper,
• Salt as per taste,
• Salt as per taste, preferably very • 2 tsp roasted and powdered
• 1 or 2 chopped green chillies,
little due to presence of boondi, cumin seeds,
• Few chopped coriander or mint
• 1/2 tsp roasted cumin powder, • 1/4 tsp powdered red pepper,
• 2 pinches of red chili powder for leaves
 The Indian Weekender Friday, May 18, 2018 FEATURES 23

DRINKS TO KEEP YOU WARM THIS WINTER

Hot cranberry punch (Non alcoholic)
H ow to prepare a non alcoholic version
of cranberry punch, an easy and classic
winter drink perfect for your Christmas •
with the cranberry juice, ginger, sugar,
nutmeg, star anise and lemon.
Heat very gently until just simmering then
holidays. Enjoy it! remove the pan from the heat and let it
Ingredients steep for 5 minutes.
• Tea - 1 bag earl grey • Remove the tea bag from the pan and
• Water - 300 ml reheat gently until simmering.
• Cranberries juice - 500 ml • Strain through a fine sieve and pour into
• Ginger - 3 cm, fresh, peeled and crushed four glasses.
• Sugar - 2 tbsp • Put a slice of the lemon in each glass, add
• Nutmeg - pinch the cranberries and cinnamon sticks.
• Star anise - 1
• Lemon - 1, sliced
• Cranberries - 100g
• Cinnamon - 4 sticks
Preparation time - 5 min
Cooking time - 15 min
Serves - 4
Method

DRINK
• Place the tea bag and water in a small pan

Swedish Glogg Warm up around

H ow to prepare the Swedish Glogg recipe,
the traditionale Scandinavian red mulled
the fireplace with
wine to be enjoyed very hot: the perfect drink these delicious
for Christmas and winter.
Ingredients drinks, perfect for
• Red Wine - 3/4 l, dry
any family gathering

TWIST
• Cardamom - 1 tsp, pods
• Cinnamon - 1 stick

WITH A
• Cloves - 7
• Raisins - 100 g
• Almonds - 100 g, blanched
• Sugar - 12 cubes
• Brandy - 250 ml
Preparation time - 10 min
Cooking time - 20 min
Serves - 4
Method
• To prepare the Swedish glogg recipe put
the red wine into a pan with the cardamom,
cinnamon stick and cloves and heat slowly
until the wine is almost boiling.
Irish Cream Coffee
• Reduce the heat, add the raisins and
almonds to the wine and allow to infuse
A n easy recipe for Irish cream
coffee, an alcoholic drink
prepared with coffee and whisky, •
until dissolved, and pour into
heat-resistant glasses.
Fill the glasses just over half-
over a very low heat for about 15 minutes,
topped off with a soft cream. full with hot coffee.
but do not let it boil.
Ingredients • Slowly add the lightly whipped
• Then remove the cinnamon stick, cloves
• Whipping cream - 80 ml cream by pouring it over the
and cardamom if you wish.
• Irish whiskey - 120 ml back of a spoon.
• Put the sugar cubes into a small pan and
• Brown sugar - 8 tsp • Decorate the glasses with a
pour the brandy over them.
• Coffee - 4 cups, strong, hot sugared rim if you wish.
• Then light the brandy with a long match
Serves - 4 • To do this, whisk 1 egg white
and slowly melt the sugar.
Method and put it on a shallow plate.
• Pour into the mulled wine.
• Lightly whip the cream - it • Put a little sugar on another
• Pour the Glögg into punch glasses with the
should not be stiff. plate.
raisins and almonds and serve immediately.
• Lightly heat the whiskey, but do • Dip the rim of each glass first
not let it boil. in the egg white and then in the
• Stir in the brown sugar, stirring sugar.

Warm Apple Punch

A n easy recipe to prepare apple
punch, a warm and fruity drink
perfect as a winter snack.
boil.
• Reduce the heat and simmer
for 20 minutes for the spices to
INGREDIENTS infuse.
• For the apple punch • Strain the punch and use a ladle
• Apple juice - 500 ml to pour into 2 heatproof glasses.
• Cinnamon - 1 stick • Serve each glass with a
• Juniper berries - 4 cinnamon sticks and a swirl of
• Orange - 1 apple peel.
• To garnish
• Apple - 1, red, skin peeled
• Cinnamon - 2 sticks
Preparation - 30 m
Serves - 2
Method
• Put the apple juice, cinnamon
stick and juniper berries into a
large saucepan.
• Add the finely grated zest and
juice of 1 orange and bring
the contents of the pan to the
 24 FEATURES
My choices and actions
have consequences
ACHARYA
DAS
G
enerally, people are aspiring for a
very happy life and hoping for some
permanent happy situation in this
world. But this is not a possibility.While there
may be some ‘high points’ in life, material
existence isgenerally classified as sorrowful
by the great yoga masters.
Patanjali has stated that all the fruits of past
actions –both pleasurable and painful –are
considered sorrowful, because they all result
in further bondage and suffering.
To the discriminating yogi, all
fruits of past actions (both
pleasurable and painful)
are considered sorrowful
because they all result
in further bondage and
suffering. Yoga-sutra
2.15
The Bhagavad-gita
explores the immediate
cause of action as being
the contemplation on the
objects of the senses–things that
you see, taste, smell, hear orfeel.
By contemplating on these objects, one
develops attachment for them. From this
attachment, desire for them grows stronger and
more intense.
This intense desirecompels usto act. Desire
thus drives action and creates your current
state of consciousness and our thoughts. This
then creates a problem for us because:
Whatever state of being one remembers
when he quits his body, O son of Kunti, that
state he will attain without fail.
Bhagavad-gita 8.6
For many people, this is a shocking
revelation.
The fact that the nature of my desires and
therefore my state of consciousness at the time
of death, will determine what type of body I
will get going forward, with the possibility of
even taking birth as an animal or an even lower
species.
One who performs his duty without
attachment, surrendering the results unto the
Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action,
as a lotus leaf is untouched by water.
Bhagavad-gita 5.10
You may then question, “Isit possible to live
a life where you become free from all of the
reactions to past deeds?”
Yes–By learning the art of living a spiritual
life rather than a material life, and so existing
in a state of spiritual consciousness.
In the Bhagavad-gita, Sri Krishna states:
The yogi whose mind is fixed on Me verily
attains the highest perfection of transcendental
happiness. He is beyond the mode of passion
and he realises his qualitative identity with
the Supreme, and thus he is freed from all
reactions to past deeds.
Bhagavad-gita 6.27
The third chapter of the Bhagavad-gita is a
very important one. It isentitled ‘Karma Yoga.’
Karma means “action” and yoga means
“union” with the Supreme.
Materially motivated action binds us to the
material world.If, however,our actionsarere-
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
focused in another direction,
theycan liberate us.
Theycan bring us to the
platform of real spiritual
understanding and
experience.
But how – because
we have responsibilities
and duties associated with
our life in this world?It
is impossible to live a life of
complete renunciation of activity,
doing nothing. So how do we escape the karmic
result of acting only for our own interest?
Work done as a sacrifice for Vishnu [the
Supreme/God] has to be performed, otherwise
work causes bondage in this material world.
Therefore, O son of Kunti,perform your
prescribed duties for His satisfaction and in
that way you will always remain free from
bondage.
Bhagavad-gita 3.9
If we live a life that is not focused on or
centered on ourselves, but instead, we act with
a sense of duty and responsibility whiletrying
to be pleasing to God, then the activity that
we undertake can become thesource of
our spiritual emancipation. If we attain a
transcendental position, the load or fruit of all
past karma, can be terminated.
To attain thatstate, Sri Krishna says:
Abandoning all attachment to the results of
his activities, ever satisfied and independent,
he performs no fruitive action, although
engaged in all kinds of undertakings.
Bhagavad-gita 4.20
So, this speaks to how a person can live a
truly spiritual life. In the next chapter Krishna
says:
One who performs his duty without
attachment, surrendering the results unto the
Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action,
as a lotus leaf is untouched by water.
Bhagavad-gita 5.10
If there was one verse you should use to
completely guide your life for the best possible
outcome, to find true peace and happiness, take
this verse:
O son of Kunti, all that you do, all that you
eat, all that you offer and give away as well as
all austerities that you may perform, should be
done as an offering unto Me.
Bhagavad-gita 9.27
ABOUT
Acharya Das is a respected teacher of
Vedic and yogic philosophy, meditation
and kirtan, and a practitioner of the
transcendental science of Bhakti Yoga. He
has taught yoga wisdom to appreciative
audiences for over 40 years.
Friday, May 18, 2018 The Indian Weekender
18 May to 24 May | By Manisha Koushik
ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 20)
You will need to secure your interests, where sharing property and other assets
are concerned. Someone’s pleasing personality may get you head over heels for
him or her, but don’t do anything impulsive. Some of you may have to balance
two different jobs at the same time at work. Despite your misgivings, you are set
to achieve greater heights on the academic front. Lucky Number : 22 / Lucky
Colour : Dark Turquoise
TAURUS (Apr 21-May 20)
Sent the right signals to those who are of value to you; you may need their support
and assistance at a later date. Meeting people and exchanging ideas will help you
professionally. Money invested in property seems as good as lost, unless you
do something about it. Your prospects of travelling overseas brighten, so start
packing your bags! Lucky Number : 9 / Lucky Colour : Coffee
GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21)
You may have to start afresh on something that has not been accomplished to the
satisfaction of higher ups. Your love life can do with some excitement, so plan
out something you have never done before, like organising an exotic outing! Your
social life is likely to pick up pace. Don’t get carried away by someone’s false
promises on the financial front, as you may burn your fingers. Lucky Number :
4 / Lucky Colour : Chocolate
CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 20)
A waiver that you expect in an official matter may not be as easy as you imagine,
so think of other avenues. Love may tug at your heart, but you may find it difficult
to spare time for it. A negative feedback from teacher may put some in trouble.
Skin problems or some other ailment that you are suffering from may take some
more time to heal. Lucky Number : 6 / Lucky Colour :Magenta
LEO (Jul 21-Aug 22)
An important meeting may conclude on a positive note for you. Getting the best
out of someone may prove an uphill task, so take it up as a challenge. You are
likely to play with your health by succumbing to temptations. Steps being taken
by you on the domestic front will have positive consequences in the near future.
Following a diet plan may prove indispensable in remaining in shape. Lucky
Number : 15 / Lucky Colour : Light Green
VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 23)
Mixed luck is foreseen for those playing the stocks. Take advice of family and
friends, before applying for something new on the career front. At work, a little
indiscretion on your part may get you in a spot, if you are not careful. You don’t
need to be frank and forthright every time; learn to play along. Be polished in
your approach on the romantic front. Lucky Number : 11 / Lucky Colour : Cream
LIBRA (Sep 24-Oct 23)
If you are feeling restless in your job, work towards finding stability. On the
relationship front, despite your loving nature, it may become difficult to appease
partner, but do the best you can. Be fair in all your dealings at work. On the
property front, some good options will be available for you to explore. An
expected invitation to a wedding or a function may arrive. Lucky Number : 1 /
Lucky Colour : Golden Brown
SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Your performance on the academic front can fall short of your own expectations,
if you don’t start putting in efforts. Maintaining good relations with all, especially
in a joint family scenario is important. You will be able to reap rich dividends
in an overseas investment. There is really no point in stressing your mind over
somebody’s misdeeds; try to forgive and forget. Lucky Number : 17 / Lucky
Colour : Dark Grey
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Work front appears a bit too demanding. Pushing yourself on the academic front
may give you the desired results. Those waiting in the wings will find some
positive developments in the marriage market. Clinging to old beliefs will just
not do, especially when dealing with youngsters. Happy time is foreseen on the
social front, as you get a chance to let your hair down. Lucky Number : 3 / Lucky
Colour : Off White
CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 21)
Exchanging pleasantries with someone from the opposite camp can develop into
something serious, so take your call. Take advice, if you want things to move in
a planned and orderly manner. Be grateful for any help being extended to you,
rather than complaining. You cannot run away from a domestic issue; it is better
to face it squarely and try and resolve it. Lucky Number : 18 / Lucky Colour :
Lemon
AQUARIUS (Jan 22-Feb 19)
Good contacts will translate into new opportunities on the business front. Take
care of your professional side, as your performance can come into a superior’s
notice. Blessings and good wishes are likely to pour in from your well-wishers
for something you have achieved. Returns from invested money are likely to
perk up your bank balance. Regular workouts will ensure fitness; don’t let up on
it. Lucky Number : 15 / Lucky Colour : Light Green
PISCES (Feb 20-Mar 20)
On the romantic front, don’t touch upon whatever happened in the past, as it can
upset partner. You can expect the financial situation to improve substantially in
the coming week. Make the right moves to win over someone’s heart. At work,
not adhering to directions is like asking for trouble, so perish the thought if you
know what’s good for you. Lucky Number : 9 / Lucky Colour : Coffee
 The Indian Weekender
CROSSWORD NO: 13
SUDOKU NO: 13
HITORI NO: 13
Hitori – a logic puzzle with very simple
rules and challenging solutions. Can
you eliminate numbers until there are
no duplicates in any row or column?
Objective / Rules
Eliminate numbers until there are
no duplicates in any row or column.
Eliminate numbers by marking
Friday, May 18, 2018 TIME OUT 25
QUIZ QUESTIONS NO: 13 ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK'S QUESTIONS
Questions about movies
1. Name the actor who starred
in 142 films including  The
Quiet Man, The Shootist, The
Searchers and Stagecoach.  John
Wayne.
2. Name the film noir actress who
starred in I Married a Witch,
The Glass Key, So Proudly We
Hail! and Sullivan’s Travels.
Veronica Lake.
3. What is the oldest film ever made,
and when was it made? Roundhay
Garden Scene made in 1888.
4. Which actress has won the most
Oscars? Katharine Hepburn, with
4 Oscars and 12 nominations.
5. Which actress said, “Fasten your
seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy
night,” in All About Eve? Bette
Davis (as Margo Channing.)
6. Name the director of the Lord of the
Rings trilogy. Peter Jackson.
7. Who played Neo in The
Matrix? Keanu Reeves.
8. Name the actress whose career
began at the age of 3, and who went
on to star in films such as Contact,
Maverick and The Silence of the
Lambs? Jodie Foster.
9. Bray Studios, near Windsor
in Berkshire, was home to
which famous brand of horror
films? Hammer Horror.
10. In which film did Humphrey
Bogart say, “We’ll always have
Paris?” Casablanca.
Questions about gardening
11. By what name is Lancelot Brown
more usually known? Capability
Brown.
12. Name the world famous gardens
situated ten miles outside of
London, close to the River
Thames. Kew Gardens.
13. Which popular gardener created
Barnsdale Gardens and was
the author of many books such
as The Ornamental Kitchen
Garden, ‘Gardeners World’ Practical
Gardening Course and Paradise
Gardens? Geoff Hamilton.
14. Which garden is considered to be
among the Seven Wonders of the
Ancient World? The Hanging
Gardens of Babylon.
15. What colour is a Welsh
poppy? Yellow.
16. What colour is a Himalayan
poppy? Blue.
17. Name the organic gardener who
is almost as famous for his long
blond plait as he is for his books
such as Going Organic and The
Gourmet Gardener and his
regular appearances on the BBC
radio's Gardener’s Question Time.
Bob Flowerdew.
18. Give the alternative name for a
Mountain Ash tree. Rowan.
19. Which kind of bulbs were
once exchanged as a form of
currency? Tulips.
20. By which Latin name was Rosa
Gallica previously known? Rosa
Mundi.
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE NO: 13
See how many differences you can find in the right or left photo.
them in Black.
You are not allowed to have two
Black squares touching horizontally
or vertically (diagonally is ok).
Any White square can be reached
from any other (i.e. they are
connected).
 26 ENTERTAINMENT Friday, May 18, 2018 The Indian Weekender

AUCKLAND’S HOTTEST BOLLYWOOD STATION

STAR' WAR
ON RED CARPET
Sonam
walked the red
carpet for the premiere
of Spike Lee’s new film,
BlacKkKlansman, dressed in a
Ralph and Russo lehenga. The Manto Screens
fashion icon turned heads in a At The French
pearly embellished gown that Riviera, Nandita Das Says
she paired with a crop top. It’s A ‘Relatable Story’
Noticeable on her finger Director Nandita Das attended
was her new wedding the screening of Manto at
ring. Cannes Film Festival with
Nawazuddin Siddiqui and
other team members

Cannes is a big check mark on my

bucket list: Actress Rasika Dugal
W
atching her film Manto on the big was with the film and the story while we were hopefully stay with them. I felt that,” Rasika said.
screen during its world premiere watching, but I was overwhelmed by the warmth Manto is a biographical film based on
at the 71st Cannes Film Festival with which the audience came acclaimed late Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto.
was “special and surreal” for actress Rasika up to us after the screening. Nawazuddin’s portrayal as Manto and Rasika’s
Dugal, who says having her movie at the “People seemed to have act as his wife Safia garnered positive reviews at
prestigious event marks a check out off her genuinely connected with the film Cannes.
bucket list. and were quite moved. That “The kind of respect that the Cannes film
This was Rasika’s second time at the is all you want from a piece of festival has and considering how well-known it
Cannes. Last year, the team of Manto work you do... that it is in India, it helps create a better buzz for the
– director Nandita Das and lead should shift film abroad and in India too, getting more people
actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui – had something in interested in watching the film,” Rasika said.
introduced the movie by sharing the audience
its first look. This time, the film w h i l e
premiered. they are
“I could feel that watching
the audience a n d
Deepika
Padukone
continues her dream
run at Cannes in a hot
pink gowm from Ashi Studio
couture. ON Day 1 Deepika
Padukone looked no less than
an angel, and epitome of
elegance, in a sheer Mallika
white caped gown. Sherawat has
made her presence
felt at Cannes this year.
The actress has been
representing an NGO in
raising awareness about
forced child prostitution

Cannes film festival salutes Sridevi and trafficking.

S
ridevi, who died in Dubai earlier this year, has posthumously
won a National Award for Mom (2017).
The late actor and Bollywood icon Sridevi will receive
a special salute for her contribution to cinema as part of an event,
Titan Reginald F. Lewis Film Honours (a celebration
of diversity and excellence in cinema),
at Le Majestic Beach, Cannes Film
Festival 2018.
Sridevi’s husband and
producer Boney Kapoor says
that the actor will continue to
“live on through her work”.
The tribute is scheduled to be
held on May 16 at Le Majestic Beach,
Cannes, and will see Boney Kapoor and
their two daughters, Janhvi and Khushi
Kapoor, in attendance. Boney says that he
feels happy to see this global recognition
for Sridevi.
“I’m happy that people from the
world over are recognising her body of work and
her contribution to cinema. Even though the
overwhelming emptiness of losing her remains,
it’s comforting to know that she lives
on through her work,”
Boney tells us.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, May 18, 2018 FEATURES 27

Microsoft introduces 'Surface Hub 2' for modern workplaces

M
icrosoft has unveiled
its next-gen workplace
"Surface Hub 2" that
will help people collaborate and
work together irrespective of their
locations.
The new Surface Hub 2 comes
with 4K+ resolution and 50.5-inch
multi-touch display to co-create,
harnessing the power of Microsoft
Teams, Microsoft Whiteboard, Office
365, Windows 10 and the intelligent
Cloud.
"The 4K cameras that rotate with
the device, integrated speakers and
far field mic arrays allow everyone
in the meeting to feel as if they are
right in the room with the rest of the
group," Panas Panay, Chief Product
Officer at Microsoft, said in a blog
post on Tuesday.
"We've sold to more than 5,000
customers across 25 markets. Over
half of Fortune 100 companies have
purchased Surface Hubs to improve
team's efficiency and how they
collaborate - breaking down barriers
and creating real business value,"
Panay informed.
"In 2018, we will begin to test
Surface Hub 2 with select commercial
customers. It will be available for
purchase in 2019," he added. using the built-in fingerprint sensor. of content side-by-side, Microsoft introduced in 2016 in two sizes, 55
The new device is on Windows 10 Additionally, "Surface Hub 2" Whiteboard, Office 365, 4K cameras, and 84-inches with 4K resolution at
and its "multi-user sign in" feature will come with options like "Tiling," integrated speakers and far field mic. $8,999 and $21,999, respectively.
will allow many people to log into it that would display multiple pieces Microsoft's "Surface Hub" was

Samsung
Galaxy S9, S9+
beat rivals on
download speed

THANK YOU
FOR MAKING US
NUMBER 1 AGAIN
ALL PEOPLE UNDER 44

W
ith download speeds up to 42
per cent faster than its closest
competitor Apple, long-lasting
battery and more storage, Samsung Galaxy S9
and S9+ were on Tuesday touted as the fastest
smartphones in the global market.
According to Ookla, a leading mobile data
speed analyst, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ have
download speeds that are 37 per cent faster than
the Apple iPhone X, 17 per cent faster than the
Google Pixel 2 and 38 per cent faster than the
Samsung Galaxy S7.
Consumers need phones with the most
innovative technology, like the Galaxy S9 and
S9+'s CAT 18 LTE modem, which supports
network speeds of up to 1.2 Gbps, Samsung
said in a statement.
"At Samsung, we're constantly innovating
and developing products that set the new
standard for the industry. Our Galaxy owners
never need to worry about whether they're
getting the best possible experience from
their phone," said Justin Denison, Senior
Vice President, Mobile Product Strategy and
Marketing at Samsung Electronics America.
In addition to download speeds, the Galaxy
S9 and S9+ have been recognised for their
AUCKLAND’S UNDISPUTED
multiple high-performance features.
These include a dual-aperture camera, long-
lasting battery, IP68 water and dust resistance,
and most recently, double or even quadruple
NUMBER HINDI RADIO 1
the storage in a new, high memory option.
"Whether users are sharing and sending
summer photos from backyard barbecues,
hanging out with friends on the beach, or
HUMM 106.2 FM
*Cumulative audience aged 10 to 44 Mon-Sun midnight to midnight
loading up TV shows and movies for a long -Official GFK Commercial Radio Survey 1 2018
plane ride to visit family, the Galaxy S9 and
S9+ are the perfect phones for the summer," the
company said.
 28 ENTERTAINMENT
Sharmila Tagore: Satyajit Ray
never made us memorise dialogues
V M
eteran actress Sharmila Tagore, who
began her career with Satyajit Ray’s
1959 Bengali film Apur Sansar (The
World of Apu) at the age of a mere 13, says the late
legendary filmmaker never made child artistes
memorise dialogues.
Sharmila was at The Nehru Memorial Museum
Library for the inauguration of Revisting Ray, a
conference and exhibition on the filmmaker.  film-lore and throughout his
“I started working at 13 and he never over-
instructed us. I was given the script but (was)
never made to memorise the dialogues. He would
come very close to you in your ear and whisper to
you what you have to do and in no time, we were
in awe of him. we were never nervous with him,”
said the 73-year-old actress.  films
“He would give very clear instructions. It was
very easy to follow him. He would never treat a
child like a child,” she added.
"He still remains the most credible
filmmaker in India and abroad. Till
date, the trilogy remains amongst
the best 100 films ever made in
the world."
Hailing Ray as a man of ideas who was “not
at all influenced by the market driven world”,
Sharmila also shed light on the dedication of
the filmmaker.  Ray’s first film Pather Panchali
won eleven international prizes, including the
inaugural Best Human Document award at the
1956 Cannes Film Festival. This film, along with
Aparajito, and Apur Sansar form The Apu Trilogy.
Ray did the scripting, casting, scoring, and
editing, and designed his own credit titles and
publicity material for the movies.
“He still remains the most credible filmmaker
in India and abroad. Till date, the trilogy remains
amongst the best 100 films ever made in the
Friday, May 18, 2018 The Indian Weekender
Creative minds can’t be bent or
broken by threats: Manoj Bajpayee
N
oted film actor Manoj Bajpayee opted for uncertain world of the cinema. Manoj said Bhonsle was about an old
says attacks on films and So they are used to protests, they are policeman who does not want to retire
filmmakers dont bother him as used to obstructions, used to restrictions. from his job. But forced to retire, he
creative minds cannot be bent or broken. They have left everything to do what goes to this place where no one knows
The spate of incidents involving they are doing now. They are creative him or about his past and he is all alone.
protests against films and filmmakers because they are rebels,” he said. The backdrop of the film is completely
in India doesn’t seem to have rattled “You cannot bend or break them. political. Yet, in the midst of all this
Manoj, who said that filmmakers I don’t know of a single film or form loneliness set in a noisy background,
are born rebels who choose the of art that has been abandoned due to he develops a special, but undefined,
creative line in face of stringent protests or opposition,” Manoj, here to relationship with a migrant girl who lives
opposition from their families promote his upcoming film Bhonsle at next door to his house. This film is about
and society and hence don’t the ongoing Cannes Film Festival, this relationship.
bend to protests and You told this correspondent  The actor said he chose to act in the
opposition of any cannot bend Dressed in a jet independent film due to the challenges
kind. or break them. I black jacket and dark posed by the script and the role.
“I don’t think don’t know of a single sunglasses to go with, “If there is no challenge, then why do
any creative film or form of art that Manoj looked dashing an independent film? Independent films
person would be has been abandoned against the backdrop have ample scope to test any great actor
fearful enough to due to protests or of an azure blue sea or test the acting skills of anyone. They
stop making films just and bright skies at the push you not only to do better, but also to
opposition
because some hooligans have Majestic Beach at Cannes learn a few more skills that are needed to
become a problem. They will where he released the first do those roles. These come from young
not. Creative persons have chosen this look, in the form of a poster, of film directors who have been watching
field by revolting against the norms of Bhonsle. these kinds of films, from all over the
the society. They have been rebellious “We didn’t release a trailer or a teaser world, right since their childhood,” he
since their childhood. as our concentration here is to pitch the added.
“Their parents may have film to the organisers and programmers Manoj is also very optimistic about the
wanted them to become of film festivals, to the journalists and to fate of independent cinema in India.
something else, the sales and marketing persons from this “Definitely, the situation of
doing a normal 9 industry. We want to excite them about independent cinema in India has
to 6 job, but they the film and the people associated with improved a lot. You can see the presence
this project as well as excite them about of Indian independent filmmakers and
the intention behind this film. their films all over the world in various
Cannes opens doors to all international film festivals. It is amazing.
festivals and markets The way it has been growing multifold
around the world,” and in leaps and bounds, it has been
he said. amazing,” he said.
Mom had tough time curbing my
enthusiasm: Lata Mangeshkar
world. elody queen Lata
"It was in the list of Time’s Top Mangeshkar says that as
100 films in the world in 2005. Ray’s a child she had «so much
films were created despite many energy» that her mother had a very
materialistic constraints which he had tough time curbing her enthusiasm.
to face throughout his career. Remembering her mother on
Mother’s Day on Sunday, Lata
“The way he had to raise finance
Mangeshkar said: “I have vivid
for Pather Panchali is part of
memories of my mother even when
I was 3 or 4. I remember the exact
career, he had to face shortage
colour of the sari she wore, the
of money. His was the pre- design of her earrings, the rings on
multiplex era,” said Sharmila. her toes… I remember every detail
The Padma Bhushan of my childhood, especially the
recipient said the conditions times I shared with my mother. 
in which he made his “I was a very precocious child.
were My mother had a very tough time
“unimaginable”.  curbing my enthusiasm. I had so “I would plonk myself on one
“Floors were much energy. I would be running of the containers and announce in
full of potholes, around the whole day singing to Marathi, ‘Maai, I’ve learnt one more
making a simple everyone the songs that I heard my song’. She’d sigh and let me sing.
trolly shot a huge father (classical singer and theatre Then I’d say, ‘Now listen to this
challenge and at that actor Deenanath Mangeshkar) teach one’. 
time, there was a lot of his students.” "She would let me go ahead
load shedding and the The veteran singer had an while continuing to cook. Then I’d
power cuts used to “instantaneous grasp over tunes… persuade her to listen to a third and
fourth. Finally, her patience would
cost him dearly. He and this quality came in good stead
did not even have when I became a professional wear thin and she would say, ‘Don’t
the right equipment playback singer. burn my ears any more. Go and
“I would learn songs very fast, play’. She would shoo me away.”
because of which
and I would rush to the kitchen to Her mother was her first dedicated
he had to improvise
sing my newly-learnt song to my audience. 
continuously and
mother.  “It was with her that I realized
that of course helped,”
“The kitchen was very large as the importance of holding the
said the actress, who worked food for a daily stream of guests had listener’s attention while singing
with Ray in 1966’s Nayak and to be prepared. My mother would live. My mother never differentiated
several other movies. be toiling endlessly in the kitchen, between us sisters (Lata, Meena,
“Refusal to compromise, and I’d hop, skip and jump into her Asha and Usha) and our only brother
his steadfastness and domain.”  (Hridaynath). 
commitment are at the There were many large containers “In fact, all the women in the
heart of his legacy,” she in the kitchen containing food grains household became our only brother’s
added. and spices.  collective mother.”
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30 FEATURES Friday, May 18, 2018 The Indian Weekender

player late Shri Jayant Bhalodkar. The program

CAB Pakuranga/Eastern
Manukau
Date: Monday 21 May 2018
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Venue: Howick Local Board Meeting Room,
Pakuranga Library Building, 7 Aylesbury Street,
Pakuranga
CAB Pakuranga/Eastern Manukau will hold a
free information sessions for newcomers on
Introduction to Starting a New Business. This
session will cover Income tax, Tax rates, Business
structure, Business expenses, Employing staff.
Facilitated by Sudhir Sagar, Inland Revenue
Department. Light lunch provided. Please confirm
your place by phoning or texting Vani at 021
459520 or email at settlement.pakuranga@cab.
org.nz
Swar Tarang 2018
Date: Saturday, May 19
Time: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Venue: Mt Eden War Memorial, Dominion Road,
Auckland
An evening of Indian Classical Music on Saturday
19 May 2018, that is organised in memory of my
father and legendary Samvadini (Harmonium)
features some of the finer nuances of classical
and semi-classical music presented by our own
local talents including Mayur Tendulkar, Vidya
Teke, Moushumi Das, Lester Silver (Sitar), Nikhil
Ghate (Tabla), and Samir Bhalodkar (Harmonium).
This program will be a tribute to the musical
interests of my father. The event highlights the
beauty of Indian Classical Music, and promotes
the rich Indian culture/heritage in New Zealand.
The entry is FREE for this event. Kindly share this
invitation with all your friends and acquaintances
who are interested in attending this program. We
would much appreciate your RSVP to help us
better planning.
RSVP: Samir Bhalodkar (09) 479 2030 / Mob:
021 121 3000 (sameer_bhalodkar@yahoo.com)
Telangana Formation Day
Date: Saturday, June 2
Time: 5 p.m. onwards
Venue: Mt Eden War Memorial, Dominion Road,
Auckland
Telangana Association of New Zealand would like
to invite interested performers to participate in
Telangana formation day celebrations conducted
on June 2nd 2018. Interested groups or solo
performers, please fill up the form. below is the
link provided please fill and submit before 25th
May.

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WE ARE
CELEBRATING
A NEW MILESTONE...

Following a 12 year, award-winning career, Aman and Sophie Pannu

are now celebrating ownership of Harcourts Botany Town Centre.

“Our sincere thanks to each one of our clients,

we wouldn’t be here without your support.”
AMAN AND SOPHIE PANNU

09 272 2525
botanyreception@harcourts.co.nz
milestone.harcourts.co.nz
MILESTONE ESTATE AGENTS LTD LICENSED REA 2008
588 Chapel Road, Botany Town Centre, East Tamaki
The Indian Weekender Friday, May 04, 2018 NEW ZEALAND 15

18MAY2018 | Vol 10 Issue 09

www.iwk.nz /indianweekender /indianweekender

Jovial Indian Long Grain Rice Raw or White Sugar Milligans Milk Powder Eclipse Desi Cow Ghee
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Open 8.30am - 9.00pm (7 days)
43 Cavendish Drive, Manukau, P: 09 212 5656 • 64 Stoddard Rd, Mt Roskill, P: 09 620 7557
• Terms & Conditions apply See in store • All special limit are per customer, per day, while stocks last • Trade not supplied • Specials valid from 16th to 31st May