Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Feature | 16
World at 7 billion
www.iwk.co.nz
Pg 2 Pg 10
Pg 19
Indian
New Zealand
world that our great, little country can deliver a globally significant event with a host of challenges. We are confident our success stands New Zealand in good stead to attract major events in the future. We are proud of our achievements in meeting our ticket revenue target and suc-
cessfully delivering 48 matches at 12 venues. Last nights thrilling Final was the icing on the cake of what was already one of the great Rugby World Cups. I would also like to thank the IRB, Chairman Bernard Lapasset, CEO Mike Miller and their team at subsidiary Rugby World Cup Ltd
More than 2500 submissions have been received for the Auckland Plan and its supporting plans. The Mayor has welcomed the overwhelming response to the Auckland Plan submission process. Provisional totals are: Auckland Plan, 1700 (with final count expected to be 2000); Economic Development Strategy, 80; City
the input and wisdom of Aucklanders is essential, says Len Brown. There is no doubt that the Rugby World Cup and the completion of projects like Wynyard Quarter, the Art Gallery, shared spaces and Auckland Zoos Te Wao Nui meant Aucklanders began to recognise the citys potential and encouraged them to engage in the consultation process.
Ravi Mehta is an Authorised Financial Adviser who can offer you Financial Planning Services
FEATURES SERVICES Accredited member of - Upto 95% Home Loans - Business Loans - Life/Trauma/Medical Insurance - Redundancy/Mortgage Protection Insurance - KiwiSaver/Retirement Saving Scheme - Rental Property Returns/LTC setup - Small Business Tax Returns - Information on Wills and Trusts
We not only provide great home loans but also advise you on how to repay them faster
A disclosure statement as required under Securities Act 1988 is freely available on request
It has always been about us collectively articulating our vision for Auckland. It is my responsibility to give a strong lead in this, but the input and wisdom of Aucklanders is essential
Centre Master Plan, 200; Waterfront Plan, 660 Auckland Plan submissions contained over 4300 points of feedback including references to the supporting plans. The Auckland Plan is subject to statutory consultation and public hearings. The Mayor says the enthusiasm with which Aucklanders have engaged with the process is fantastic. It has always been about us collectively articulating our vision for Auckland. It is my responsibility to give a strong lead in this, but
The ten most popular topics included: l making a quality compact city l the city centre master plan l transformation shifts l Aucklands economy l the southern initiative l building enduring town centres and neighbourhoods
About a third of submitters want to speak at hearings. Submitters can choose whether to speak at a formal hearing or informal workshop forums. The hearings panel will comprise all councillors. Two thirds of company submitters want to be heard and 25 per cent of personal submitters. Following the public hearings which start on 14 November and include marae, Pacific Island and key stakeholder hearings the draft Auckland Plan will be finalised in December and adopted in February, 2012.
Ravi Mehta Rohit Takyar 021 181 0076 021 172 8962
CALL US TODAY TO DISCUSS YOUR FINANCIAL NEEDS 40 A Fowlds Ave, Sandringham, Auckland Ph: 09 846 9934 Email: info@pfsl.co.nz www.professionalfinancial.co.nz
Indian Indian
there were fewer than 10000, now there are more than 100,000 making Indians the second largest ethnic Asian group. The participation of Indians is huge. When I joined law, Indian lawyers could be counted on one hand now there is a whole roomful and more, he added. While being Governor General, he had the The Australian several functions with an occasion to attendGovernment is cracking down dimension throughout the country, he Indian on student visas. Indian students have been hardest hit in said. Among these he recalled Diwali in many an Australian Government crackdown on parts of the country, student visas. the diamond jubilee of Foreign students caught skipping class the Wellington or flunking courses Indian Sports Club, are being deported in record anniversary the 85thnumbers. So far, in Immigration Department has of NZICA thePalmcancelled 15,066 foreign student visas in the erston North and past year, Womens the NZICA a 37 per cent increase from the previous year. Of these, 6536 were Indian Conference in Welstudents, 2008 that lington in the Daily Telegraph reported. About 3624 students are facing deportaLady Susan inaugution for rated. flunking subjects or missing classes. A further 2235 visas were cancelled on Touching upon relations between Indian students who quit their original courses and New Zealand, Sir Anand acknowledged and were either working on the in trade the current negotiations illegally freesome cases in brothels, the newspaper reported. agreement and the commitment of Prime The crackdown, coming after the number Ministers John Key and Manmohan Singh. He of there was real substance in the years, saidcancellations was steady for four negotiahas and that the relationship had won visas tionstargeted lax students whobetween the two to study a vocational training level, such countries at was becoming closer in a substanas way. tivecooking or hairdressing. Indian students have been hit the hardest, Sir Anand described the Pravasi Bharatiya while the biggest foreign contingent Award that was presented to him at Vigyan Chinese fare much better because they are Bhavan in New Delhi was one of his most cherless likely to be studying for a of his Indian ished. While it made him proudtrade. Trade students it not reflected the spotlight of heritage, arealso only under thegreatness but a a change in policy preferencing university students has now made entry to Australian courses harder. Number of students affected by country: India 6536; China 1624; South Korea 924; Nepal 527; Pakistan 293; Sri Lanka 354; Thailand 376; Vietnam 367; Singapore 267; Malaysia 551; Others 3251. The Telegraph reported that university graduates would have the right to work for two years after they graduate, leaving vocational training students to wait on a second tranche of changes, due next year, to find out country like New Zealand where it was possible for a person of Indian, whose grandparents and parents were migrants, could stand proud with achievements as lawyer, judge, ombudsman and finally as Governor General. He said he looked forward to restore the spontaneity and relative anonymity that comes where they stand. out of stepping down from office. He was carOf a multitude international students rying the 332,709 of memories with him, he in Australia in June, more shared closely with added, many of these were than half were studying at university, while a third were on the Indian community. vocational training visas studying diploma NZICA General courses. Secretary Raj Thandi One in every five international Anand is a said, Sir students is Chinese, while one ingreat six is Indian. every New Zealander Courses are also popular with South and distinguished comKorean, Brazilian and Malaysian students.is a munity leader. He The majority of internationalexample of a New fine students study in NSW and Victoria. Zealander who made To receive a visa they must be enrolled good through hard work in a course and show they cancommitment to and a pay tuition and living costs and meet health and English realising high goals. language tests. The Association was very proud to honour Of the 15,066 cancellations Susan. A special Sir Anand and his wife, Lady by DIMIA in the past year, 3624 by myselflost their visas to plaque, designed students was presented because theythat symbolised the respect that he Sir Anand flunked some or all subjects or were no-shows to class. A further 2235 visas deserves. wereAbout 200 members andwho quitincluding cancelled for students guests, their courses and 212 were from students who finrepresentatives of the New Zealand Governished their courses early. ment attended the function. Sir William Birch, a The Immigration Departmentof offers former New Zealand Minister Finance, eight kindsPatel, a New Zealand Olympian, Ramesh of student visas including vocational Ajit Singh,university, English lanJudge training, Auckland City Councillor guageMorrisonor school education visas. KanDes courses and Member of Parliament Despite oversight by attended the event waljit Singh Bakshi alsothe department, some students end up community luminaries. among several other as illegal immigrants after failing to return home. The department's annual report said that 8309 student visa holders became "unlawful" in the past year because their student visa expired and they did not apply for a new one, such as a bridging visa. In some cases, foreigners were not genuine students and use the work rights of a student visa as a back door to higher wages and working conditions in Australia. Some women have come to Australia on student visas to work in illegal brothels. Daily Telegraph, Sydney
New Zealand
From 17 November Aucklanders will be able to give feedback on Auckland Councils draft waste plan, outlining ways to manage and minimise waste.
Becoming the worlds most liveable city, reducing harm to the environment, meeting government regulations and managing costs and are key drivers of the councils draft plan. The draft Waste plan was signed off at Regional Development Operations Committee on 20 October, with councillors support the streamlining of waste management across Auckland and reducing the amount that is sent to landfill each year. The Waste Minimisation Act 2008 requires Auckland Council to review its Waste Management and Minimisation Plan by 1 July 2012. John Dragicevich, Manager of Infrastructure and Environment Services says that the creation of Auckland Council presented an opportunity to rationalise services for all of Auckland. Until now, weve had seven different systems for collecting and dealing with waste across Auckland. With the alignment of the legacy councils, we have the opportunity to review and streamline how we deliver waste services to all households. Aucklanders will be able to have their say on proposals for households in Auckland to have wheeliebins for rubbish and recycling, with a choice of bin size to reflect the household. A new organic waste collection could capture households food/garden waste, for composting and other re-use. Households in the Gulf Islands will receive slightly different services, reflecting their unique geographic location. The plan also includes consistent funding of waste and recycling services, for all Aucklanders. All households will pay directly for the kerbside refuse they put out (45% of Auckland households already pay directly.) Rates or other funding sources will pay for kerbside recycling, organic waste and inorganic waste collections. John Dragicevich continued, We reviewed the different services that were provided in Auckland, but we also looked at best practices in New Zealand and around the world. We have looked for waste solutions that will not only help to reduce the amount we send to landfill, but will treat more of our waste as a resource. John Dragicevich emphasised that any potential change will be done carefully and in stages over the next four years after the plan in adopted in mid 2012. This will allow time for further collaborative discussions with the waste industry and communities, and enable an extensive education programme. We want to hear what Auckland thinks and were looking for innovative and creative ideas from both industry and the community. The plan was informed by a Waste Assessment initiated under the auspices of the Auckland Transition Agency, that reviewed current and forecast demand for waste services in Auckland. In March 2011, councillors supported a strategic direction of continuing with the current services and streamlining where possible, establishing new systems to collect and recycle food and/or garden waste (which makes up 40-50% of the household waste stream) and exploring a mix of measures to gain more operational influence over the entire waste stream. The public and businesses can make a submission on the draft WMMP during the Special Consultative Procedure (17 November 2011 to 31 January 2012). They may also attend a hearing to speak in support of their submission (February - March 2012). The full draft plan and a summary with submission form will be available online, as well as at council service centres, libraries and local board offices from 17 November 2011. Consultation concludes on 31 January 2012.
Aucklanders will be able to have their say on proposals for households in Auckland to have wheelie-bins for rubbish and recycling, with a choice of bin size to reflect the household.
Mo
Pr
Rav
FE -U -B -L -R -K -R -S - In
Pr
40 Ph ww
Indian
New Zealand
New Zealand
and
to keep signed copies of employment agreements current terms the Wildlife for The seizureorwas made by and conditions En-all employees, (WEG) a multi agency team forcement Groupor they may face a penalty. Employment agreements are required with representatives from the Department of for all (DOC), Ministry of Agriculture Conservation employees no matter when they started (MAF) and the New Zealand and Forestrywork, says Annie Newman, the Departments Acting Chief Adviser of EmployCustoms Service. ment Relations. The items seized last night will be forenThis affects all employees including sically tested to confirm they are ivory and those hired on ashell. They include employa Hawksbill Turtle verbal agreement or three ees who do not have current written agreements in place, says Ms Newman. Having a clearly written employment agreement helps reduce the risk of misunderstandings and there are some provisions rf, lower that must be included in employment agreeMt Eden ments, she says. ing areas They must include the name of the emAuckland. e followo expand vestment A multi-media study about Paul Henry and Hone Harawira is being presented by Wellingtons Centre for Applied Crosscultural Research at next months 2011 New Zealand Diversity forum jointly hosted by the Human Rights Commission and the Hamilton Multicultural Services Trust. Its work examines the intense public arguments around comments made by prominent media figures in 2010, such as Henrys deliberate mispronunciation of an international dignitarys name and then repeatedly laughing about it, and Harawiras alleged racist comments about Pakeha. The forum will also include activities that tackle race
ontrol of platform
nteed diswith free tes offeres, RWC ices. e will be rnational i gadgets zone Exny of our g account Pass and work.
At the same time the WEG team was executing the search warrant in Auckland, officers from the Police National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) and the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) executed a search warrant at an address in Cheltenham in Gloucestershire in England. Two men were arrested at the Cheltenham address on suspicion of the prohibited purchase of two elephant tusks and evading export restrictions. The operations in Auckland and England follow the interception of two parcels at the Auckland Mail Centre. Forensic testing confirmed that the parcels contained items carved from African elephant tusks. They were posted from Portugal and England. One parcel contained a carved ivory tusk and the other a statue of a womans head carved from ivory.
The parcels were seized as the appropriate permits had not been obtained to import the ivory products into New Zealand. Dylan Swain, a senior investigator and DOCs representative on the Wildlife Enforcement Group is grateful for the help DOC has received from MAF, Customs and WEG. "African and Asian elephants are at high risk of extinction because poachers continue to kill them for their tusks despite a global ban on trading in ivory, says Dylan Swain. The ivory trade ban was imposed in 1989 by the 175 countries that are parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES). New Zealand became a party to CITES in 1989. We recognise that protecting threatened species from extinction requires countries around the world to work together, says Dylan Swain. New Zealand needs international support protecting our endangered species from being exploited. So we have a responsibility to help protect threatened wildlife in other countries such as elephants and sea turtles. Two Auckland men are assisting the Wildlife Enforcement Group with their enquiries following last nights seizure of the items that are being forensically tested to confirm they are elephant ivory and a Hawksbill Turtle hell.
Instant Pre-Mix
Easy to make, Instant JUST ADD 200 ml HOT WATER
Available In All Leading Indian Outlets, Foodtown, Countdown & Pak n Save
WES2247/IW
Auckland Councils annual report, for its first quake, sending 196 Auckland Council and eight months since establishment, has been CCO staff to assist. We also donated $1.5 million to the reconstruction efforts. adopted by the councils governing body. Launching The Auckland Plan, Annual The annual report details the projects, services and activities that were carried out Plan 201/12 and 21 local board agreements for from 1 November 2010 to 30 June 2011, as 2011/2012 Recording some of the best public transwell as the highlights and challenges Auckland Council experienced as it formed the new port usage rates since the 1950s - up 8 per cent for the year to 30 April combined organisation. Opening a number of new regional faciliThe report also includes financial and nonties, including the new financial statements, Auckland Art Gallery, showing councils Library performance against Preparing for Rugby World Manukau and Research Centre, the budget and nonfinancial measures Cup 2011 - council worked Norman Kirk Memorial Pool complex in set out in the 2010-19 to complete $21 million Otara, the upgraded Long-Term Plan it Leisure inherited from the worth of transport projects North ShoreTakapuna branches in Auckland Transition Agency. and $3.9 million of event and Glenfield, Roskill Youth Zone. We also The report was space upgrades. completed construcadopted at yestertion of multi-sport fadays governing body cilities in Papatoetoe meeting. Some of the key projects and achievements and Manurewa and progressed work on Te Wao Nui precinct at Auckland Zoo across the region include: The key financial results from the annual Establishing council and committee structures and developing the new governance report include: The council group recording a net deficit model for Auckland Preparing for Rugby World Cup 2011 of $110m on a $2b operating budget. This was - council worked to complete $21 million primarily due to the impact of lower capital worth of transport projects and $3.9 million revenue as property development slowed, and of event space upgrades. Work was also done non-cash adjustments to reflect value changes to upgrade Queens Wharf and Shed 10 and to in council investments and provisioning for future payments on weather-tightness builddevelop The Cloud Transforming the Auckland waterfront ing claims $877 million of capital works carried out with the opening of the Wynyard Quarter Responding to the Christchurch earth- across the region by the council group.
5:29 PM
Indian
New Zealands best solutions for: l Home Loans - 95% l Easy Business Loans l Comm. Prop. Loans l Loan Restructures l Interest Saver Plans l Life & Medical Insurance
With twenty years experience as Commercial Bank Manager in New Zealand, United Kingdom and India, we get you a stress-free and affordable loan to buy home, business or commerical property you love and save you thousands of dollars. We also provide you appropriate insurance from a wide range of insurance providers. Get your loan examined and restructured by us for free. Some people have saved as much as $30,000. Contact us today for our professional and expert advice for all your loan and insurance needs.
Personal disclosure statement available on request. *Conditions Apply. 3/95, Olsen Ave, Hillsborough, Auckland 1042 cherrymortgage@xtra.co.nz
Suresh Sharma
INZBC Chairman Mr Wenceslaus Anthony said, the Committee recognised the importance of New Zealands growing relationship with India [India is now New Zealands 7th largest trade partner] and the benefits that at an FTA, now under negotiation, will bring to our two economies. In addition he noted that the Committee had accepted many of the Councils recommendations from its submission to the Committee that will enhance and improve New Zealands relationship with India. The recommendations are the result of an inquiry into New Zealands relationship with India initiated by the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee on May 19 this year. The committee set out with the following terms of reference: l Consider trade, tourism, and opportunities including investment. l Examine strategic opportunities for both New Zealand and India resulting from new opportunities for engagement particularly flowing from technological innovation. l Determine any untapped opportunities for growing the relationship in the areas of science, medicine, defence, education, and culture. The committee has come up with the following recommendations to the New Zealand government:
gies to concentrate New Zealands efforts on those places. That the Government instruct Education New Zealand to consider increasing its presence in India through education fairs or similar exercises. Mindful of New Zealands need for scientists and engineers, that the Government consider lifting the immigration qualifications applying to the migration market. That the Government instruct Immigration New Zealand to review its decision not to process student visas during the Christmas New Year period.
Export education
Tourism
That the Government actively grasp opportunities presented by co-hosting the 2015 Cricket World Cup with Australia.
Immigration
That the Government review visa provisions for Indian nationals with a view to the facilitation of travel to New Zealand, particularly for bona fide business and tourist visa applicants.
That New Zealand representation in India be reviewed in the event of the successful conclusion of a free trade agreement, including consideration of the appointment of honorary consuls outside of New Delhi and Mumbai, in addition to the one in Chennai.
That the Government investigate mechanisms, beyond the Beachheads programme, for providing India-specific capability programmes for businesses wanting to do business in India. That the Government work with the private sector to decide upon states or cities in India for a New Zealand focus, and develop strate-
That the Government assist the New Zealand business community in pursuing opportunities for trade with India in ICT, creative industries, aviation, engineering, science and innovation. That the Government consider the need for more approved medical examiners to be appointed, and if a case exists amend the legislative framework to allow recognition of medical clearances from other equivalent jurisdictions. The objective should be to facilitate the recruitment of more flight training students from India. The Select Committee comprised John Hayes (Chairman), Jacqui Dean, Hon Pete Hodgson, Dr Paul Hutchison, Iain Lees-Galloway, Keith Locke, Todd McClay and Hon Maryan Street. Some 24 individuals and parties submitted comments, suggestions and recommendations to the committee.
Indian
Community
www.national.org.nz
Indian
Community
National is working hard to build our public health service, to deliver health care Kiwi families need, and to get more value from every dollar spent. Were delivering more elective surgery than ever before, weve got more doctors and nurses, and weve reduced the waiting time for cancer treatment. Building on this great progress, I announced last week that the Government is bringing in free after-hours medical care for under six-year-olds. This is great news for Kiwi families. Its a tangible sign of how this Governments excellent management of the health budget has led to improvements in health care. National recognises that the global recession significantly affected job opportunities for young people especially for 16 to 19-yearolds. Were committed to boosting jobs and creating an environment that encourages economic growth. Thats why National is establishing a new starting-out wage set at 80 per cent of the minimum wage. Our starting-out wage will provide young people with the opportunity to earn money, gain skills, and get the work experience they need. The starting-out wage will be available for 16 and 17-year-olds in their first six months of work with a new employer, 18 and 19-year-olds who have come off the benefit, and 16 to 19-year-olds in training in a recognised industry training course. Over the next few weeks you can expect many more announcements that will outline Nationals plan to build a brighter future for New Zealand families.
National is building a brighter future for this country. We have a clear plan to strengthen our economy for the benefit of all New Zealanders. As we head towards the election on November 26, Ill be on the road a lot visiting local communities up and down the country. Im looking forward to chatting to New Zealanders, listening to your concerns, and explaining Nationals plan to con-
tinue building a brighter future. At the National Partys campaign launch I announced that well spend $1 billion of mixed-ownership model proceeds on modernising and transforming New Zealand schools. Well use the proceeds, which will total $5-$7 billion, to set up a Future Investment Fund and buy new productive infrastructure for New Zealanders. This is a win-win for New
Zealanders well build modern schools and vital infrastructure without getting into more debt. Building a safer New Zealand is another one of Nationals priorities. I know its really important to you from my chats to people in our Indian/Korean/Chinese communities. You have a right to feel safe in your home and your community. Weve been getting tough on crimi-
nals, putting victims first, and addressing the drivers of crime. Last week we announced that National will make bail laws stronger. This is about improving public safety. It fulfils our promise to review aspects of the bail system and builds on work we achieved in our first 100 days in office to reverse Labours decision to make it easier for defendants to get bail.
RAVINDER GROVER
(Jyotish Vachaspati, Gold Medalist)
Tel/Fax: +64 9 815 1670 Mob: +64 21 774 724 Email: rgrover@xtra.co.nz
Indian
Community
character was responsible for the murder. The script of this Hindi adaptation of the worlds most famous crime thriller play has been written by Prashant Belwalkar, who has also directed it. It is crisp, taut and spectacularly succeeds in keeping viewers on the edge of their seats
throughout the course of the performance peperred with spine-chilling moments. The play featured some of the finest artistes in Auckland. Jyotsna Kkuntal Trivedi has essayed varied roles in different productions and is a crowd favourite. Kkuntal Trivedi has made a mark for himself for his
back to back on the Sunday. The original English play The Mousetrap was initially performed as a radio play in 1952 and was broadcast by the BBC with the title Three Blind Mice. The radio play had been commissioned in 1947 by Queen Mary, who was a Christie fan. The 45- minute play was based on a short story on which Christie had been working; however, audience reaction was so positive that Christie went back to work on the script, elaborating on it, and with its first performance on October 6, 1952, The Mousetrap became a stage play. After a seven-week tour, the play opened in London at The Ambassadors Theatre on November 25, 1952. The play later transferred to St. Martin's Theatre in London on March 23, 1974 and has been running there ever since. The play has broken several records for its continuous theatrical run since its opening, and it is estimated that more than four million people had seen the play by the time its twentyfive year anniversary was celebrated in 1977. After another twenty years of performances it is safe to speculate that an additional three to four million people have probably sat in the dark and tried to work out the puzzle of identitifying the murderer. MigHT-I theatre dedicated Jaal as a celebration of the 120th anniversary of Agatha Christie.
LOTUS
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Classifieds
New to New Zealand Welcome to WeSt AUcKlAND
Settlement Support New Zealand (SSNZ)
is a national initiative funded by the Department of Labour to help you settle in your new community by providing information about living in New Zealand. Settlement Support Waitakere is a service from the Auckland Council, for newcomers from West Auckland to access FREE confidential consultation. Just visit our office at
8, Ratanui Street, Henderson (opposite to UNITEC) (9:30 am 4:00 pm Mon to Thurs) or make an appointment with your Settlement Support Coordinator in West Auckland call 09 8374273 or email ssnzwaitakere@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz http://waitakere.govt.nz/ourpar/settlementsupport.asp www.ssnz.govt.nz
FEE $10 Only No deduction at banks in India Draft delivery in India is also available at no extra charge. Fee $10 only.
Send money to any Bank a/c across the globe Fee $ 15 only.
PH: 0800 44 22 88
CONFIDENT - CONVENIENT - AFFORDABLE - SPEEDY
VISIT: WWW.LOTUSFX.COM
Instant Money across the Globe. Reasonable Fee. Excellent Conversion Rates. Real Value for your Money.
TO LET
Botany South, 2 bedroom unit available for rent from 15 Nov. Rent 370/wk. Washing machine,dryer included. To move in 4 weeks bond required. Contact 09-2639558 / 021-915361
Indian
Community
rendering the songs, Dr. Suresh Ramachandran on the mridangam, Smt. Bavani Suresh on the veena and Dr. Ashok Malur on the violin. The three-hour long reprtoire ended with Mangalam with a shower of flowers raining from above on the dancer. At the culmination of the programme, she received overwhelming accolades from the audience. Very good pose and execution, attractive, beautiful, sublime were what one could hear from the people who came up on the stage to congratulate her. By invitation, Sucheta gave
After thorough training and practice under the watchful guidance of a teacher of Natyashastra comes the first public performance of the dance student. This first debut public performance by reaching or climbing (etram) to the stage (aranga) is what the term Arangetram means in the divine dance traditions of Bharatantyam. Recently a trained Bhar-atantyam dancer Sucheta Raj had her Bharatantyam Arangetram on the 17th of September 2011, at the Playhouse theatre, Glen Eden, Auckland. She is the disciple of Smt. Rema Sundar of The Academy of Bharatantyam. After 13 years of diligent training and practice in the Pandanallur style, Sucheta ascended the stage and successfully presented the full repertoire to an appreciative audience. Beginning with the Pushpanjali and Allarippu, she presented 11 different dances.
Hurryits befoooreate t l
$1599
From Auckland to Indian Subcontinent
Fares from
1749
Fares starting from:
Inclusive of taxes
taxes may vary for different cities and are subject to FX variation+other terms and conditions apply (travel dates, etc)
Indian
India
New Delhi: India wrote another chapter in history on Sunday afternoon as the much talked about India Grand Prix finale commenced at the show piece Buddh International Circuit. International racing icons like Sebastian Vettel, J Button, Michael Schumacher, Alonso, Webber, L. Hamilton were busy pacing their cars through the circuit to clinch the title in the land that is hosting the event for the first time. Huge number of F1 fans have turned up at the venue to witness the historic moment and see their favourite stars perform their best
moves right in front of them. Surely, Indian would cheer aloud for their very own Sahara Force India team. And surely there would be lots of support for Indian F1 star Narain Karthikeyan who participated in the race for HRT Formula One Team. Large number of celebrities have turned up into the venue to watch the event. The long list include names like SRK, Sachin Tendulkar, Deepika Pdukone, Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag.
India's cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, a die-hard motorsports fan, met seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher at the Mercedes team paddock ahead of Sunday afternoon`s inaugural Indian Grand Prix. Tendulkar was accompanied with his wife Anjali and daughter Sara at the Buddh International Circuit.
Artists Impression
Internal access garaging Open plan living makes for a light airy environment Private outdoor living area, perfect to host your summer BBQs 4 bedroom h omes to choose from Predominantly positioned for the sun Master bedrooms with ensuite and Walk in Wardrobe Complete with fencing and landscaping 10 year Master Builders Guarantee
$459,000
14 Tarapiroe Avenue or 109 Airfield Rd TAkAnini
www.donha.co.nz
Indian
India
Govt launches ASSOCHAM calls for e-payment system co-regulation of media content
New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee formally launched the central government epayment system on Monday with a commitment towards improving efficiency in financial system. The commissioning of the epayment system is a major achievement and indicates Governments strong commitment towards improving efficiency in our financial system, strengthening transparency in operations and introducing reforms for better governance, Mukherjee said. The Finance Minister said that there has been considerable progress in the use of electronic payment systems in the financial sector and it has taken the form of internet banking, online payment of taxes and use of debit and credit cards. He said that introduction of electronic payment products by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) such as Electronic Clearing Service (ECS), National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT) and Real Time Gross Settlements (RTGS) have ushered in new ways of payment processing and settlement. Mukherjee said, The transition from legacy systems to modern IT driven systems is not going to be easy and considerable effort and time will be required to develop a fully compliant and certified IT system. Staff capacity also poses a challenge. He said that cashless transactions for efficient financial systems are desirable objectives as paperless transactions usher in greater transparency and ease in management of operations besides providing clear audit trails in the system. This e-payment initiative by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) is a concrete step towards better governance aimed at ensuring prompt payments to vendors, employees and final beneficiaries and is also an important step to usher in green banking, Finance Minister said. Mumbai: The Media and Entertainment Council of ASSOCHAM has proposed regulation of aggressive television news channels by a public body and accountable under the Right to Information Act. Emphasising urgent need for the proposed mechanism, The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) said it is desirable to introduce appropriate checks and balances so that freedom and democracy are given real meanings and not misused. The way forward is coregulation rather than self-regulation backed by a well-defined law. Currently the Indian television industry has over 600 channels (about 150 of them news-based) and is estimated to clock revenues of Rs 32,000 crore by the year-end with 14 per cent growth over 2010. Television plays a major role in the flow of information and is equipped with the power to influence popular beliefs and opinions, said secretary general D.S. Rawat. Self-regulation is the norm that has high values and noble objectives. But in the context of modernday broadcasting where we witness coming up of many regional and
The need of the hour requires an independent regulatory authority providing guidelines so that a broadcaster is restrained from actions leading to any disaster
national channels, self-regulation may not be sufficient. Present provisions in programming and advertising codes under
the Cable Act and News Broadcasters Associations code of ethics are not sufficient and comprehensive. There is need for more clarity through elaborate stakeholder consultations to move forward in an inclusive and balanced manner, said Rawat. The need of the hour requires an independent regulatory authority providing guidelines so that a broadcaster is restrained from actions leading to any disaster, he added. The Content Code and Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill does not cover legal interests of consumers. Privacy rights and protection of relevant stakeholders have also not been given appropriate attention, said Rawat. The proposed legislative framework also does not recognise the existing reality of social media as means of broadcasting which needs to be taken in consideration.
Todays women prefer to Tata appoints new PR after Radia quits stay with in-laws: Survey
Kolkata: The 21st century Indian woman prefers to stay with her in-laws after marriage as opposed to set up home on her own, according to a recent survey. However, whether this is some kind of retro-progressive school of thought or a simple vote in favour of good old practicality, is something social scientists can reveal. A recent survey conducted by Jeevansathi.com reveals that 80% of girls prefer to stay with their in-laws after marriage. The finding is contrary to the belief that the new age young women are independent in nature and want privacy in their lifestyles. The sentiments revealed are similar for the metro and non metro. The main reason cited by the respondents is that in-laws are like their own parents and one can gain a lot from their experience and guidance. The survey saw participation of 2000 girls and it is interesting to note that there is just a marginal difference in the preference trends of girls in metros when compared with girls in non metros. 78% of girls in metros and 81% of girls in non metros have opted for living with their in-laws after marriage. When we questioned men on their preferences of staying with their parents after marriage then 88% of them responded positively. The survey was conducted among self registered female users of Jeevansathi.com residing in metros and non metros. Jeevansathi.com, Indias fastest growing matrimonial site, provides online matrimonial classified services. Mumbai: Indias leading multinational conglomerate company Tata Group has appointed a new PR to handle its media activities after corporate lobbyist Niira Radia, who is allegedly linked to the 2G spectrum allocation scam, shut down her PR firm Vaishnavi Corporate Communications on Sunday. The Tata group has appointed Rediffusion, led by Arun Nanda, to manage public relations and public affairs for the Tata group of companies from November 1, 2011, said a Tata statement. This follows the expiry of the contract with Vaishnavi Corporate Communications on October 31, 2011, it said. Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata said his company respects Radia's decision to leave PR business. "The Tata Group respects the personal wishes of Niira Radia in not renewing any client mandates. She has built Vaishnavi from scratch into the company it is today, often subordinating her personal and family interests in favour of her clients' priorities," Tata said in a statement. Another of Radias clients, Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), expressed regret at closing down of Vaishnavi. We regret the decision of Radia to discontinue her association with the business of communications consultancy, said an RIL spokesperson in a statement. "Radia's commitment has been very impressive and she has always led her team in a manner that tactical developments do not lead to a defocus on the strategic issues," read the statement. Radia on Sunday announced she is leaving corporate consultancy business and shutting her PR firm Vaishnavi Corporate Communications. To give precedence to my personal priorities of family and health, I have decided against renewing any client mandates and to exit the business of communications consultancy, Radia said in her statement. It is a painful decision, taken after much consideration and consultations, Radia said. In a mail to her employees, she said: For many years, a few with vested interests have been trying to cause harm to Vaishnavi and me
78% of girls in metros and 81% of girls in non metros have opted for living with their in-laws after marriage.
personally. Till the recent past, I would fight back, survive and probably react. However, today, I want to give them their victory and let them savour it. If that makes them better human beings then I am happy to have brought in a positive change in them. On April 4, Radia was quizzed by Indian Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in connection with the 2G scam. According to reports, Radia told the committee that some of the leaked tapes were doctored and that she can give a list of such tapes. The leaked taped conversations of the high-profile lobbyist with Ratan Tata and other influential people, including the jailed ex-telecom minister A Raja who is accused of masterminding the swindle, had rattled the nation. In perhaps the biggest scam in Independent India, allegedly masterminded by Raja, telecoms spectrum was given away at throwaway prices in 2008 causing a potential revenue loss of up to Rs 1.76 lakh crore.
Rex S Nand
021 251 8977
CEO/Director
Dip.Mgmt
Rakesh Mani
1 Crum Av, New Lynn, Auckland 0600
Tel: (09) 826 4273 Mob: (027) 281 1650
rex_nand@hotmail.com
www.magntyre.com
Indian
India
New Delhi: After some action packed F1 racing at the Buddh International Circuit , New Delhi would be sizzled by the mesmerizing voice of International pop star Lady Gaga on Sunday night. She would perform at the Formula 1 after party and with new hair style the icon has already grabbed lots of eye-balls in this nation. B-town actor Arjun Rampal is hosting the three-day after parties at Jaypee Integrated Sports Complex in Greater Noida. "Kids met Lady Gaga, and are over the moon. She was amazing with them. Can't wait for her performance," Rampal tweeted. Gaga said in her first press conference in the country - Namaste India! I have always wanted to come to this beautiful country for a very long time and finally its been possible. More than the place, the thing that makes this country so beautiful is its people I want to thank you all for your love and support! Lady Gaga was presented a plaque for the success of her albums `The Fame and `The Fame Monster, which have collectively been certified as Double Platinum and her latest album, `Born This Way, is already certified Gold in India. Passionate about her Desi Monsters, Lady Gaga met up with hoards of her screaming fans and obliged each one of them with autographs and photographs. Some of her fans were even dressed up like the Lady herself. Following the colossal success of her latest album `Born This Way, Lady Gaga has planned new releases that will hit stores on 23rd November which include Born This Way The Remix, Born This Way - The Collection [Born This Way album + DVD + The
Remix] as well as the critically acclaimed, Emmy Award winning HBO special Lady Gaga Presents The Monster Ball Tour at Madison Square Garden on DVD and Blu-ray that includes exclusive, never before seen footage. `Born This Way is the follow-up to her 15 million selling debut - `The Fame and `The Fame Monster albums! It broke the iTunes record for the fastest rise to
Gaga said in her first press conference in the country - Namaste India! I have always wanted to come to this beautiful country for a very long time and finally its been possible. More than the place, the thing that makes this country so beautiful is its people I want to thank you all for your love and support!
the # 1 on release day. The first single from the album, the title track Born This Way, set a music industry record by becoming the fastest single in history to reach sales of 1,000,000 copies (five days after its February 11th release). Only the 19th single to ever debut at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (issue date February 26), the recording was Lady Gagas third #1 on the chart. On iTunes, the song debuted at the top spot in 14 countries, including the U.S., and hit #1 in all 23 iTunes stores worldwide its first week out. In less than three years, Lady Gaga has earned numerous achievements including five Grammy Awards amongst twelve nominations, two Guinness World Records and the estimated sale of 23 million albums and 64 million singles worldwide. Billboard named her both the 2010 Artist of the Year and the top selling artist of 2010 ranking her as the 73rd Artist of the 2000s decade. Gaga has been included in Times annual The 2010 Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world as well as Forbes list of the The Worlds Most Powerful Celebrities in the world. Forbes also placed her at number seven on their annual list of the worlds 100 Most Powerful Women. With over 1.9 billion combined views of all her videos online, Lady Gaga is one of the biggest living people on Facebook with over 44 million likes and is #1 on Twitter with over 15 million followers. Lady Gaga is the only artist in the digital era to top the 5 million sales mark with her first two hits.
Gurgaon (Haryana): Actor Saif Ali Khan was on Monday officially crowned as Nawab of Pataudi at ancestral palace Pataudi House, near Gurgaon. Saif inherited his father Mansur Ali Khan Pataudis title 40 days after his death. "Heads of 52 villages wanted to organise a symbolic coronation ceremony, in which, a pagdi (turban) would be placed on Saif's head as a mark of respect," Saif's sister Saba Ali Khan told reporters. The 41-year-old actor became the 10th Nawab of Pataudi village, located about 25 kms from Gurgaon, while Saba was made mutawalli (patron) patron of the Auqaf-e-Shahi-the royal body that manages religious and charitable endowments in the erstwhile princely state. Saifs mother and actor Sharmila Tagore, sisters Soha Ali Khan and Sabah Ali Khan attended the coronation ceremony. Former India captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi died at the age of 70 on Sept 22.
London: In a shocking development, Pakistan's Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif could be the first cricketers to be put behind bars as they face jail sentences of up to seven years after being found guilty of spot-fixing in the fourth Test between England and Pakistan at Lord's in August 2010. Butt, who was the captain during the match, was found guilty of cheating and accepting corrupt payments whike Asif, who at the time of the Test match was ranked the world's No.2 bowler, was found guilty of cheating. The third player involved, the fast bowler Mohammad Amir, pleaded guilty on Sept 16 to charges of conspiracy to cheat at gambling and accepting corrupt payments. Butt and Asif are the first sportsmen, who have been convicted of cheating under the Gambling Act 2005. Sentencing will take Thursday and they have been given bailed until then. Butt left the court refusing to answer questions. The criminal conviction has been handed down on the day Butt's wife Gul gave birth to their second child, a boy, in Lahore. Butt was found guilty on a 10-2 majority verdict while verdict against Asif for accepting corrupt payments was a 10-2 majority. "Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif deliberately and knowingly perverted the course of a cricket match for financial gain. Through their actions they brought shame on the cricketing world, jeopardising the faith and admiration of cricket fans the world over," Sally Walsh, the senior lawyer in the Crown Prosecution Service's special crime and counterterrorism division, was quoted as saying by The Guardian. "This prosecution shows that match-fixing is not just unsportsmanlike but is a serious criminal act. The actions of these top international players went against everything expected of someone in their position and they failed to take into account their fans of all ages and nationalities when deciding to abandon the values of sportsmanship so unconditionally," he added. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive, David Collier, in a statement said: "Integrity and fair play are the foundations for any sporting contest. The ECB fully supports the work of the ICC [International Cricket Council] Anti Corruption unit. "We have established a unit at Lord's to both educate players and officials and seek to protect the integrity of the sport and we hope that criminal proceedings will act as a strong and firm deterrent to complement this work." The sports minister, Hugh Robertson, said: "This is a sad day for international cricket and sport in general. The integrity of sport is absolutely paramount. Fans have to be sure that what they see in front of them is true and fair. "There needs to be a global effort on sports betting integrity and this is something that the International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge has taken a lead on, heading up a high-level working group that I sit on. "International sports bodies and governments need to work together and do everything possible to stamp out the threat of corruption in sport."
12
Indian
India
Bangalore: Popular band Metallica made Bangalore move and groove in the night as they performed their popular numbers on Sunday. Large number of Metallica fans had gathered to enjoy the band perform their popular numbers at the Palace Grounds. The International heavy metal band finally made their debut in India on Sunday night after mismanagement and shame around hosting an event haunted New Delhi again as the much talked about show of the band was called off, leading to
four arrests on Friday. The senior official of the event management company that was organizing Metallicas show in India and three other people were arrested after the rock show in Gurgaon got cancelled on Friday evening. Rajesh Chandani, the operational head of DNA Entertainment Network, was among the four people who got arrested on charges of cheating, media reports said. The show was called off on Friday for 'technical reasons', media reports said.
iday night. anagement Fr But situation got tense as or Delhi: Mism New post poned the sting an ound ho had first and and shame ar ew Delhi again ganizers on Satu rday haunted N event to 4pm event f completely. out show d of talked ab later it was calle Delhi on Fr iday as the much etallica was "We ar rived in pular band M t, leading ou r of po d ready to play iday nigh very excited an called off on Fr at the F1 dia show ever in In er, im meto four ar rests. ev e event first or of ficial of th was Rocks concer t. How ou r af terThe seni e end of pany that th com in diately at conference at a hotel management ly disappointed s etallicas show "We are deep were looking organizing M her people were noon pres e notified as we ot venue, we wer with this news ce in India and th ree e rock show in near the rious question forward to ou r first experien e. th e was a se ar rested af ter iday that ther ther the show could you guys wer as ncelled on Fr India as much here as to whe Gurgaon got ca to the safety g for updates d with regard Keep watchin tails are deterevening. ce. A nd era- procee de dien ani, the op e concer t au t concer n as additional Rajesh Chand rmed," the site rtain- of th of DNA Ente the ou r first and foremos you, the mined and confi tional head of fety was among said. ways for the sa ment Net work, d tr ied to set ar rested is al the of ficial site of the band The angr y crow le who got ," four peop edia fans near the stage, ent. t the ev banners cheating, m anmentioned abou ong with DNA, fires to on charges of pments, af ter nce we, al damaged equi id. "O reports sa made that the ow, deterf on e sh was called of d, promoters of th a failu re of a nouncement The show was been cancelle reasons', the as r 'tech nical ed that there w front of the concer t has id. min Fr iday fo sa said. barr icade in media reports media reports people had ass- secu rity were pr iced t be adequately The tickets e that could no 25,000 Over and Rs.2750. Park stag reluctantly isure Valley een Rs. 1650 the promoter mebled at the Le 29 where the repaired, the post ponement of betw unced ao sector in Guarg on an no osed to play band was supp
Satu rday. t the show until , on such shor "Unfor tunately were unable s oter notice the prom it for a show on secu re a perm to anrefore, DNA Satu rday. The not be we would nounced that Within the play in Delhi. able to will a notification next 24 hours A regarding the N be issued by D funds. re process for full
Lahore: Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, who leads the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), upped the ante on the contentious Kashmir issue saying that Indian troops would fail in the region. "India will fail just like US forces failed in Afghanistan. Is Indian army more powerful than US forces?" asked Imran Khan at a massive rally here on Sunday. Addressing about 100,000 supporters of his party, he said if US is not successful how can India be successful in Kashmir. Attacking Indian government over human rights issues in Pakistan, Imran Khan said India cannot succeed by deploying 700,000 troops in the region. Imran, whose party had failed miserably earlier in elections, is trying to revive his outfit taking on the government and other parties over corruption issues. Pakistan faces general elections in 2013.
to jail for the sake of the cause," he said. Anna earlier informed that the core committee of his group would be revamped only after a new constitution was formulated. The trio of Kiran Bedi, Arvind Kejriwal and Prashant Bhusan met Anna Hazare on Sunday in his village, a day after they ruled out disbanding the core committee owing to controversies surrounding many issues and individuals. Kejriwal in a press conference graced also by Anna himself said the group was united and they would fight the malicious campaign (by Congress) to discredit them publicly.
New Delhi: Flamboyant Indian opener Virender Sehwag mentioned that spinner Harbhajan SIngh would not take much tome in making a return to the Indian squad. He said that Harbhajan would soon impress the selectors by bowling well at the upcoming Ranji trophy and thus make a comeback in the Indian colors. Sehwag cited his example and
shoulder injury. Harbhajan Singh was dropped from the upcoming first Test match against West Indies. meanwhile he will leading the Punjab side in Ranji Trophy. Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was dropped while Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag made a comeback in the first Test against West Indies as the selectors announced the squad on Friday.
13
saibaba
Indian
Feature
World at 7 Billion
On October 31, the world's population surpassed 7 billion. The United Nations Population Fund annual report highlights the remarkable trends behind the numbers: roughly one in two people now lives in a city, the average life span is 68 years, and almost a billion people are over 60. A world of 7 billion has implications for urbanization, access to health services and youth empowerment; however, it is also a call-to-action to renew global commitment for a healthy and sustainable world.
a motheR aNd heR ChIld IN leSuata, tImoR-leSte.
A team from the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) visited the area to conduct interviews with the local population and speak with suco (village) chiefs. UNMIT staff conduct these types of visits two to three times a year, often going into villages inaccessible by car. UN Photo/Martine Perret
With drought and famine ravaging their home country, thousands of Somalis have fled to refugee camps across the border. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
Children await the arrival of SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon to the small village where he was born, in Eumseong County, North Chungcheong Province, Republic of Korea, as part of a welcome ceremony held by county officials. UN Photo/Evan Schneider
A mother and her three children, part of the indigenous Hmong group, in Sin Chai, northwestern Viet Nam. The general trend in world fertility rates shows they are in decline - due to a combination of factors, including economic development and the improved social role of women. UN Photo/Kibae Park
16
Indian
Tonglewin Village elder Kou Pealea has 30 grandchildren. Despite an infection in her knee she works in the field every day with her colleagues from the Ganta Concerned Women's Group. Before the war Ms. Pealea was a midwife--until her clinic was burnt to the ground by soldiers. Now she demIdWIFe IN toNgleWIN livers babies inside her home. VIllage, lIBeRIa UN Photo/Christopher Herwig
Feature
As the seven billionth baby is born, 20,000 OTHeR CHILdReN WILL dIe TOdAy
On the day the seven billionth baby is born, more than 20,000 children will die, mostly from easily preventable diseases like diarrhoea or pneumonia. In India alone, nearly 5,000 under fives will die today. Worried for their childrens survival, many Indian parents will choose to have large families. In Chad, one of the worlds poorest countries, a mother will give birth to an average of six children in her lifetime. This was once also true for Botswana, but after long-term investment in healthcare, child mortality has reduced and the average mother in Botswana now has just three children. In New Zealand, the average is two. But a growing world population is even more reason to stay focused on reducing child mortality says CEO of Save the Children Liz Gibbs. Not only is stopping children dying a moral imperative, investing in improvements that help save childrens lives, in addition to family planning and womens education in the poorest countries, is what will help slow population growth. Parents will feel more confident that most of their children will survive and have smaller families as a result, she says. Globally, 7.5 million children still die before reaching their 5th birthday every year. Most will have lived their short lives facing a daily struggle for survival. But progress is being made. The seven billionth baby is more likely to reach the age of five than at any point in history. In 1987, when the five billionth baby was born, 1 in 9 children never reached five years old. Today that figure is 1 in 16.
According to the UN Millennium Development Goals Report 2007, one billion people, or roughly one out of three urban dwellers, live in slum conditions. UN Photo/Kibae Park
Children play with garbage in Phnom Penhs Stung Meanchey slums, where some 2000 people live on the garbage dump and make their living selling recyclable refuse. According to the UN Millennium Development Goals Report 2007, one billion people, or roughly one out of three urban dwellers, live in slum conditions. UN Photo/Kibae Park
Mother and Child at the "Village of Hope"- Rwanda Women's Network community centre -- an initiative to provide services and emergency housing to women victims of rape and other violent crimes committed during the Rwandan genocide. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
Two young girls in Haiti's Cit Soleil slum eat meals served by UN Brazilian peacekeepers, as part of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH)'s joint campaign with the Haitian national police to warn children of the dangers of playing with lifelike toy guns. UN Photo/Logan Abassi
19/10/11 10:10:34 AM
17
Indian
From the Editor
Letters
Indian cuisine
Beef, especially halal beef, is a measure of NRI progressiveness and inclusiveness. By serving beef as primary item on their menu, Indian restaurants can show their progressiveness and inclusiveness of food. By making it halal and not serving pork, they also show respect to religious sentiment and sensitivity. Indian restaurants in NZ and West use beef extensively in all their menus, are they not hence progressive? Gopi Chand Indian food should be about food cuisine from India. Is beef served in normal Indian restaurants in India? No! An Italian restaurant in Samoa need not serve fish to be inclusive of Samoans. Italian restaurants is about Italian food. Indian restaurants should be about Indian food. Stick to the cultural Indian food. By the way Indian food in restaurants is more of Punjabi creamy stuff anyway. Do Indians eat this food at home? No! Dev Pratap
Dassera decorations
Sujatha Dattatreyas really beautiful decorations definitely opened up my eyes to another culture. Gabby Congratulations Smt Sujatha Dattatreya, well done. Wonderful display of the Mysore tradition Dassera show. Vasanth Kenchappa
Indian Weekender is published by Kiwi Media Group, 98 Great South Road, New Market and printed at APN Print, Ellerslie, Auckland Copyright 2010. Kiwi Media Group. All Rights Reserved.
18
Indian
Comment
How the Rolls Royce Swami helped Fijis Indian cane farmers
padmINI gauNdeR
One of the greatest paradoxes of the Fiji sugar industry is that the one man who has been on the central stage for longer than any other person, who has done more to enhance the income of the Fiji cane farmers, is not a high powered politician, nor an intellectual idealist, but a steely eyed, saffron robed Hindu monk, wrote Daryl Tarte in 1977, referring to Swami Rudrananda. A greater paradox perhaps was that this saffron robed Hindu monk drove a Rolls Royce! Swamijis critics (he had any number of them!) tried to discredit him by giving it as a proof that he was not the Spartan monk that he appeared to be but a man given to the enjoyments of worldly pleasures. According to Swami Rudranandaji he bought the Rolls Royce for a thousand pounds from a financially hard pressed businessman and used it to transport poor people from their homes to the Ashram and back again. Swamiji thought that an ideal way to boost the morale of the poor was to let them ride in a millionaires limousine. Later he sold the wreck of the car to a collector for almost as much as he had paid for it. Though Swamiji had said that he bought the car to boost the morale of the poor by giving them a ride in a millionaires car, I suspect that his real reason was to make the establishment take notice of him. Nobody was going to pay much attention to a saffron robed monk when he fought for the sugarcane farmers but if the monk drove a Rolls Royce it was a different matter and Swamiji knew that. Swamiji was able to get A. D. Patel, a brilliant lawyer who later became the first Leader of the Opposition in Fiji, to help him in his struggle for the sugarcane farmers. Together they fought against the establishment (mainly the colonial government and the CSR Company) for a long time until they were able to get a fair deal for the farmers through the Denning Award in 1969. A. D. Patel died in 1969 but Swamiji was able to get the support of Ratu Mara, the Chief Minister who became the Prime Minister at independence in making sure that the farmers benefited from the Denning Award. Whenever anything was done to improve the financial situation of the farmers (farmers were given 30 percent of the profits while the CSR took the other 70 per cent) the company threatened to withdraw its operations from Fiji and the colonial government used to give in to their demands. After the Denning Award when the CSR, as usual, said it could not operate under such conditions, the Alliance government decided to take over the industry and the Fiji Sugar Corporation was established. Swamiji was very grateful to Ratu Mara for what he did for the farmers as he remembered with appreciation the important role played by the Prime Minister. It was fortunate that Ratu Mara was agreeable to the takeover for otherwise things would have continued as before, Swamiji had said. Ratu Mara also had a major role in getting a much higher price than the world market price for Fiji sugar through the Lome Agreement with the European Union. So the prosperity the farmers (and the country) enjoyed after independence was in no small measure owing to Ratu Mara. Daryl Tarte describes the improvements in the living standards of the farmers as a result of this prosperity: Solid concrete homes replaced flimsy shacks. Tractors replaced horses and bullocks. Farmers acquired cars and television sets. They set up businesses and their children went to universities and entered the professions. As for Swamiji, he no longer had a car, Rolls Royce or otherwise, but he had enough devotees at his beck and call willing to drive him anywhere he wanted to go. Most of the farmers, however, did not know that Ratu Mara had played a major part in bringing about this change in their lives. Their leaders told them that Ratu Mara was their enemy and they believed them because the Alliance government seemed to adopt discriminatory policies, for instance, in admission to the university. Nobody explained to them that such positive discrimination was vital for the long term harmony of the nation. Swami Rudranandaji had succeeded in stopping the exploitation of the farmers by the European vested interests. But when their own people started exploiting the farmers for their personal gains it was too much for Swamiji. So he decided to take a back seat and concentrate on the educational activities of the Ramakrishna Mission. He had established the Shri Vivekananda High School in 1949 itself when there was only one high school, the Natabua High School, for Indians. When SVHS started receiving grants from the government and the grant-in-aid regulations did not allow all the children who applied to be admitted, Swamiji established another high school, the Nadi Secondary School (the present Sangam Sadhu Kuppuswami Memorial College). Then he wanted to help those who left school without gaining any qualifications so he established the Nawaicoba Vocational Centre in 1981. He went to Ratu Mara again for help in establishing this Rural Development and Small Business School in Nawaicoba and the Prime Minister was able to get funding for the centre from the European Union. The Ramakrishna Mission had sent Swami Damodaranandaji in 1976 to assist Swami Rudranandaji and strengthen the Nadi centre. Swami Damodaranandaji concentrated on the spiritual activities at the centre. The Ashram once again started looking like an Ashram and no longer like a farmers centre! Swami Rudranandajis 84th birthday was celebrated grandly by the devotees. A few months later, in June 1985, he gave up his body to continue his spiritual journey towards the great goal of Nirvana, the Peace and Bliss that passeth all understanding.
19
Indian
Fiji
resolve it and the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources is playing a facilitating role to ensure all grievances are resolved. We have organized a meeting this week to look at some issues raised by the landowners and the company." Kau said as far as the government was concerned, the ministry was the key sector ministry in discussions on the exploration and transition into the mining state. He said lessons have been learnt from the Vatukoula mine and others in the Pacific that the management of mining needs to be coordinated with a broader participation of the government.
"We are setting up a government task force, which is bringing in all stakeholders to be part of the dialogue because we want to make it right as a lot is at stake. "We want to do it properly and, hopefully, lessons from those places tell us that Namosi turns out to be a worthwhile, viable and well-thought out project. "If all goes well, then the mine should be operating and producing by late 2014 or early 2015. As forecast by the company, it will be a FJ$1 billion return annually with regards to the gold and copper price now."
Developing countries can learn from each other if we make a collective effort,
Weaving Dreams Together for Community Growth Fiji to tax fatty foods
Last month Fijis Health Ministry issued another warning to the nations food manufacturers to reduce sugar and salt content in packaged foods. The second warning was issued after the administration found that the earlier warning went unheeded. Health Minister Neil Sharma said the ministry had approached the food industry to reformulate and relabel their products adding that the health ministry is targeting Trans fat (or Trans fatty acids) produced food items a major contributor to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the country as well as the rest of the Pacific Island countries. This week the Fijian administration went a step further. It has confirmed that it plans to impose a fat tax something which the Scandinavian nation of Denmark has already done. But the Fijian administration has clarified that its own tax would be based on food ingredient parameters not necessarily the same as those of Denmark local and regional realities will be considered. Pacific leaders were among several of their world counterparts when they committed last month to taking action on the rapid growth of obesity-related illnesses at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Meanwhile, Fijis National Food and Nutrition Centre is focusing on the more general message Choose and Prepare food and drinks with less salt, sugar, fat and oil, which is one of the 10 key messages in the Food and Health Guidelines for Fiji. Once a condition in wealthy nations, obesity is now more prevalent in poorer nations because of the runaway growth in cheap processed, packaged foods laden with salt and sugar. A slew of lifestyle diseases including obesity have reached epidemic proportions all around the Pacific Islands region a fact acknowledged by global development organisations. The situation is exacerbated because of the lack of healthcare resources and the high costs of treatment. FRIEND is on the right track in its approach for Social Protection of communities says an international development professional. In his keynote address at FRIENDs annual DESI conference, Professor Frank Ellis of UK said that the simple definition of this new buzz word in the Development world is protecting people from falling into extreme poverty. Prof Ellis says while poor communities have similar problems in many other countries, Fiji is extremely lucky to have a way of life where people help each other out. However he says it is important to have more than one way of live- lihood and diversification is a way of generating resilience against risks in future. First Secretary for Development Cooperation Mr Tim Gill in sharing his reflections from his earlier visits to FRIEND communities, said while AUSAID is a big supporter of education in Fiji, he feels that it is unfortunate that there is something vital lacking in formal education and he believes that community education is one of the ways to fill this gap. He says FRIENDs adult education program is revolu- tionary as it not only teaches theory but practi- cal Panelists from various FRIEND programs shared their stories of impact ranging from suc- cessfully negotiating for additional bus services in communities to awareness on lifestyle dis- eases to starting off income generation projects. Participants also enjoyed songs and skits prepared by various community groups based on their thoughts and experiences in their dealings with FRIEND. Some community members also brought displays of the skills they had learnt during skills training. Around 200 participants from twenty communities gathered in Tuvu for the DESI IV Conference also graced by representation from two core funders for FRIEND AUSAid and NZ AID. The one-day event concluded with Annual General Meeting of FRIEND and the launch of Commendation Awards for 2012.
Around 200 participants from twenty communities gathered in Tuvu for the deSI IV Conference also graced by representation from two core funders for FRIeNd AUSAid and NZ AId.
learning is part of the process. His simple message was that while communities have their collective duty of planting for the clan, they could also plant for their families in their back- yard where the needs of the community as well as that of a family is also met.
20
Indian
Fiji
Fiji tourism wades into CHOGM chance for fresh digital social marketing approach on Fiji
Last year Fiji received the highest number of tourists ever from China. Visitors from China grew more than 32 per cent in just under 12 months. The large market that it is, marketing in China could be costly and complex. outbound travel so it makes complete sense that more tourism agencies are moving to leveraging this area. Social media in China is flourishing and it has started having a significant impact on tourism as well, the statement said. The Commonwealth Heads of Governments meeting starting Friday in Perth presents an ideal opportunity for Australia and New Zealand governments to adopt a fresh and creative approach to engaging the Bainimarama government, says a Fiji pro-democracy group. The Citizens Constitutional Forum has written to the Commonwealth Secretariat to bring to their attention issues for discuss on the possible way forward in ensuring a return to democratic rule in our island nation. CCF believes that the Commonwealth Secretariat can play a significant and strategic role in Fijis return to Democratic Elections through engagement especially in the area of Political Dialogue as a precursor to the Constitution work and the provision of technical and or financial support towards the electoral reform and the elections itself, chief executive Reverend Akuila Yabaki said. The Commonwealth body, through CMAG and or the Commonwealth Special envoy could find avenues to instigate the dialogue process through consultation with all relevant stakeholders and the Bainimarama government. This process is vital to ensure that the Constitutional and Electoral reforms which the current regime plans to undertake is inclusive and reflects what the people want in the lead-up to elections. Rev Yabaki said the Commonwealth Heads of Government, through the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, must consider taking on a more creative role in the solution through dialogue. This presents a significant opportunity for Australia and New Zealand to find creative options to re-engage with Fiji, if the two nations want to have any influence on Fijis path to democratic elections. The issue of engaging with Fiji must not be dictated by policies based on concerns over Chinas growing influence in the region but on the genuine desire to engage for the people of Fiji and the movement towards Sustainable constitutional democracy. If they are to remain rigid as they have been and refuse to work with the current regime, then it should acknowledge the entry options available through the work of active civil society organizations, who are striving to change mindsets at the grassroots level by educating people on human rights,
More than 60 percent of Chinese internet users make their travel buying decisions based on online reviews.
Going by the age profile of most Chinese tourists to Fiji in the recent past, Tourism Fiji decided on taking the social networking route and last week signed up with social marketing agency Digital Jungle. The company is a leading Chinese socially led, digital marketing agency that helps plan, execute and measure integrated digital marketing campaigns. Founder and chief executive of Digital Jungle Dr Mathew McDougall said, It is undeniable that social media is having a huge impact in understanding and influencing Chinese According to iResearch statistics, online travel booking market in China in 2010 was US$9.67 billion, 58.4 percent growth compared to 2009. Currently, more than 60 percent of Chinese internet users make their travel buying decisions based on online reviews. The online travel booking market in China is expected to follow a sustained high growth path which would be good news for travel organisations such as Tourism Fiji to explore options in investing on online social marketing campaigns.
good governance, multiculturalism and citizenship and preparing them for elections in 2014. CCF believes that prolonged isolationist approach will not augur well for the people of Fiji as there is growing anxiety amongst the general populous on whether the international community genuinely seeks to assist in restoring democratic rule in Fiji. It must also be acknowledged that Fiji is a key player in the direction regional politics sways on issues of Trade, Telecommunication, Security and Foreign relations. As it stands the Pacific Islands Forum is missing the presence of Fiji who at the basic framework of relations is an influential actor. Regional development with the exclusion of Fiji will only lead to a fragmented Pacific. We hope that the issues and concerns are given serious consideration by all the member states and that the hope of the late Sir Paul Reeves in finding a Pacific solution for Fiji is realised sooner than later, Rev Yabaki said. We also convey the hope of the people of Fiji that the members consider their commitment to regional peace and security is one that will benefit the individuals and the ordinary citizens ultimately.
Providing a strong voice for the Indian community in John Keys Government
Authorised by Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi 1/131,Kolmar Road Papatoetoe Auckland. Authorised by Melissa Lee, 779 New North Road, Mt Albert. Authorised by Dr Jackie Blue 1282 Dominion Rd, Mt Roskill
21
Indian
heritage Fiji
November 10, 2011 marks the birthday anniversary of the Shri Guru Nnak Devji (1469 1539 CE) and is known as Gurpurab. This day is one of the most auspicious days to those who follow his teachings. On this day the words (baani) and the life of the first Guru of Sikhs is contemplated upon. Heres a look at the essential teachings of Guru Nanak Devji found in the famous Mool Mantar Ik-Onkr from his composition the Japji Sahib.
and Eternal Kartaa Purakh: The Prime doer, the Creator Nirbhau: Fearless Nirvair: Without enmity Akaal Moorat: Of Eternal Form Ajuni: Without birth, Uncaused Saibangh: Self-existent and Self-illuminating Gurparsaad: Known by the Grace of the Enlightened Teacher Jap: Constantly repeat (This word is not part of the mool mantra, but can be taken as the instruction of the Teacher to constantly repeat and contemplate on the mantra). Many commentaries are written expounding the meaning of eacj word of Guru Nnak Devjis Mool mantra. Later in the Shri Guru Granth Sahib , the importance of this mool mantra is re-emphasized as a-ukhadh mantar mool man aykai man bisvaas parabh dhaariaa meaning The Mool Mantra, the Root Mantra, is the only cure for the mind; I have installed faith in God in my mind. - SGGS -675(1). May Guru Nnak Devjis teachings be contemplated upon till we get the true import and a direct experience of his teachings.
Guru Nnak Devji was born to Mehta Kalyan Das Bedi and Tripta Devi in 1469, in the village of Talwandi also known as Nankana Sahib. This village is near Lahore in present day Pakistan. The life of a Guru or a Prophet is a blessing to the disciple and becomes a message in itself. As the word (baani) of a Prophet becomes a scripture for the followers, so did the words of Guru Nnak Devji, the Adi Guru of the Sikh panth, got immortalised in the Shri Guru Granth Sahib the scripture of the Gurus followers. Writing about Guru Nnak Devji, Swami Vivekananda wrote: Guru Nnak was born in the sacred land of India. He gave a message of love and peace of the whole world and preached the same through his teachings. He was full of affection for everyone and his arms were always outstretched as if to embrace the whole world... On an auspicious day like Guru Nnak Devjis birth anniversary, the Gurus teachings need sincere listening to and contemplation upon, in order to commemorate the blessing of his birth because a Guru is ultimately known for his teachings. A spiritual opportunity would be missed if the Gurus words are not fully understood and just ritualistically chanted. The origins of the Sikh tradition lie in the spiritual and social teachings of Guru Nnak Devji who taught that the union with God is through Gurus grace and direct
personal experience and he empha- teacher Swami Swaroopananda Purakh Nirbhau Nirvair Akaalsised meditation on the Gods name says: In the term mool mantra, Moorat Ajuni Saibangh Gurparsaad is considered to be the mool (Naam), to live with an inner awak- mool means root. Every tree has roots without mantra of the Granth Sahib. ening of God and an outer service which it cannot exist. The tree is Revealing and expounding on the by righteous means. The Shri Guru Granth Sahib, sustained and nourished through Truth enshrined in this mantra is the scripture of the Gurus follow- these roots. They constitute the the entire Japji Sahib, and the ers has 5894 hymns of which 976 very foundation of the tree from elaboration of the Japji Sahib is hymns (17%) are composed by which it grows and expands. In the entire Granth Sahib. The translation of the Mool Guru Nnak Devji. Of the many the same way, mool mantra means teachings through his hymns, the that mantra in which lies the very Mantra Ik-Onkr with the instrucJapji revered as the Japji Sahib essence of the Scripture, the entire tion Jap at the end which means appears at the very beginning of the Scripture being an elaboration, repeat and contemplate is as: Ik Onkr: The One, the Reality, expansion or explanation of that Shri Guru Granth Sahib. Om The Japji Sahib is recited mantra. Sat Naam: Of Name ever True Ik-Onkr Sat-Naam Kartaaevery morning by the Sikh-faithful and is considered as a concise summary of his The translation of the Mool Mantra Ik-Onkr teachings. The compilation of Japji Sahib conwith the instruction Jap at the end which means sists of the famous Mool repeat and contemplate is as: mantra Ik Onkr, an Ik Onkr: The One, the Reality, Om opening shloka verse, a set of 38 hymns and a Sat Naam: Of Name ever True and Eternal final closing shloka. The symbol of Ik-Onkr is Kartaa Purakh: The Prime doer, the Creator also an emblem for Sikhs and is found on GurdNirbhau: Fearless waras. The Mool mantra Ik-Onkr is the first Nirvair: Without enmity series of truth-affirmations and is considered Akaal Moorat: Of Eternal Form the essence and basis of Ajuni: Without birth, Uncaused Sikh panth. All religious scripSaibangh: Self-existent and Self-illuminating tures in the East have Mool mantras which Gurparsaad: Known by the Grace of the hold the essence of the entire scripture. ExplainEnlightened Teacher ing the concept of Mool mantra, the Vedanta
Happy GURPURAB!!
Exchange your unwanted, damaged or broken gold jewellery and receive INSTANT CASH TODAY!
RECEIVE AN EXTRA CASH BONUS FOR YOUR GOLD!*
*one coupon per transaction.
How it works: Step 1: Locate your nearest store Step 2: Bring any item of gold into one of our Step 4:
stores along with your photo I.D. Step 3: Our buyer will perform a FREE purity test
For more information visit www.goldbuyersnz.co.nz or call 0508 BUY GOLD (289 465)
Westeld Manukau Botany Town Centre Sylvia Park Westeld St Lukes LynnMall Shopping Centre Westeld West City Westeld Gleneld Westeld Albany
22
anz.co.nz
ANZ National Bank Limited. ANZ11754 10/11
23
Indian
Bollywood
myself, get inspired and get some traditional clothes from there," she said. Recently she was spotted in New York attending the 40th birthday of hotelier Vikram Chatwal.
How are you doing post your accident on the sets of Bol Bachchan? These things keep happening. I had a small accidentcut my eye and injured a finger. But I am okay now. All good. We hardly see you at store openings. What brought you to the launch of designLMVT er Anita Dongres in-store dessert caf Schokolaade? You can call Schokolaade a chocolate caf. A very dear friend Mehul (Bhuta) has opened this shop. He asked me to come at the launch and I returned home after stuffing myself with chocolates. According to me it is a wonderful conceptyou can come here, you can shop and they have great coffee as wellso you can enjoy it.
that down on it. Who would you like to take on a coffee date? (Jokingly) I only like coffee with Karan (Johar). It is as simple as that. I have my morning coffee with my wife (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) every day. In fact, I have my morning coffee with both the ladies of the house, ie my mother (Jaya Bachchan) and my wifeits a morning ritual. Have you ever made her a coffee? Aishwarya is actually a tea drinker. So she prefers tea to coffee.
I am very excited. Aamir is a wonderful actor. He is a senior. He is somebody whose work I enjoyed even as a child. Both Uday (Chopra) and I are excited to welcome him to Dhoom team. I am really looking forward to work with him. Who wont look forward to working with Aamir. I am lucky to get an opportunity to work with him so early in my career. With quite a few releases up your sleeve, do you think promoting a film well plays an important role in deciding its Box Office fate? We can't force today's audience to come and see a film. We can try to excite you as much as possible by us through promotions, sending out five star dinners and promos (laughs).
Dont you think its difficult for actors to gorge on chocolates? If you ask me, I would say its okaychocolates Outside vehicle reading are good for me. It puts you in a good mood as long as you work it off the gym it is all right. Zyaada na khaye baas. We heard you are addicted to coffee. True? Oh I love coffeeI live on coffee. I drink too much coffee actually, especially Cappuccino. I should cut
Mumbai: Lead actors of popular Hindi serial Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, Ram Kapoor and Sakshi Tanwar can boast Do you have a favourite of having a special fan of their serial coffee joint in Mumbai? as actor Amitabh Bachcan mentioned I really dont have time to go out in his blog that he admires both the and have coffee. I make god coffee artists. myself. So I enjoy it at home. "I has spoken about my experience Of late, we are seeing you on the Tv about the serial I saw and the You said you drink too much experimenting with charartists of which I admired. The serial coffee and gorge on choco- acters. How are you picking was Bade Achhe Lagte Hain and the lates. But still you managed your scripts? artists were Ram Kapoor and Sakshi to cut down your weight. Is it Lot of the time, youreading Tanwar," he commented on his blog. Inside vehicle hear a script that inspires you and you do it. That's the for Bol Bachchan? The on-screen couple made to Ya. Both Bol Bachchan and Dhoom way I work. I never worked based the hot seats of popular Indian game 3 are on the floors. We are start- on a strategythat, now I will do show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati 5' that ing Dhoom 3 in the next couple of comedy, then action, and then I will is hosted by Bachchan. Ram Kapoor weeks. So I am getting into shape do something else. It's just so hapand Sakshi Tanwar played the game pened that this year I did a murder for that. for a charity that was going to help the mystery (Game) and then, an action poor of cancer, and to be able to build How is it having Aamir Khan thriller (Dum Maaro Dum), almost a center for paraplegics. Product Size 55x180mm Rearback-to-back. Window Decals as your co-star in Dhoom 3? The special episode will be aired in
Corporate
the upcoming weeks. "Original, relaxed meaningful and competent. Last night they were down on the set of KBC and playing for a charity that was going to help the poor of cancer, and to be able to build a center for paraplegics. Such warmth and such a delight to be in their company," Bachchan wrote in his blog. "Natural, relaxed and without a glimmer of their star status, they seemed to have impressed all in their assessment of me," he mentioned in his blog. 'Bade Achhe Lagte Hain' is produced by Ekta Kapoor of Balaji Telefilms and directed by Sangieta Rao. The love story has already gained good amount of popularity. The serial premiered on Sony TV on May 30.
Colours X
rkcars.co.nz
ABC
Jazzprint Ph: 09 259 1700
We buy furniture, house lots of single items We handle deceased estate with care Trade ins/swaps welcome Free quoTes prompT service open 7 days. We also sell factory direct new furniture + Factory seconds
Contact: Rameet Prasad M: (021) 070 4587, 921 Dominion Rd, Mt Roskill T: (09) 620 9000 F: (09) 620 9007, E: abcfurniture@hotmail.com
25
Indian
Bollywood
Mumbai: Firecr acker Rakhi S awant is crac up over a forc king ed wardrobe malfunction. Apparently, so me freelance photographer at a promotio s nal event of he r forthcoming Loot, clicked film some comprom ising shots of Rakhi and pa ssed them of f on websites as wardrobe mal a function. The pictures sh owing Rakhi po purple chair w sing on a big earing a bright red dress have glimpse of he a r panties. On spotting Rakhi wearing a shor t dress, the photograph ers seemed to have had a ga time clicking he la r from lower an gles. Rakhi is a bit angr y bu t more amused that people ar calling this a w e ardrobe malfu nction, remar her publicist D ked ale Bhagwagar . Why all this za bardasti ka hu toh waise hi itn ngama? Main i hot hoon. W here was the to do somethi need ng as creepy as this, Rakhi in her tradem said ark style, seei ng the pictures termed as Rak hi Sawants fir st wardrobe malfunction on the Internet.
something so different from what I have been recognized for. Of course, I will make people laugh even on
26
2/11/2011 5:17:27 PM
27
Indian
Bollywood
MOVIE REVIEW
quence, Ra One has the right amount of goodies in terms of special effects to dazzle even the greatest cynics of Bolly techies. The fights and the lights remind you of a number of Hollywood science fiction flicks but they are still well executed and a treat for the eyes. So what if Superman can stop a bullet with his eyeball, G One can do it with his nose hole! As for the direction, the sequences are sometimes dragged too long and while other useless ones are introduced without a hint of mercy for the rational brains of the audiences. The aCTing 2.5/5 Ra One but sadly he doesnt appear for a greater half of the film as this villain can change appearances Terminator 2 style. Still I guess not talking much and only doing muscle show wasnt much of a challenge for him. The musiC 3.5/5 The music is the one thing that stands out for Ra One in very inimitable ways. For one Akon sings Hindi and does a fair job, although he doesnt really fit as Shah Rukhs voice. Still the music rocks and as we all know Chammak Challo and the others are already hits. The background music draws heavily from 80s maestro RD Burman but manages to create a unique fit in the screen play without stemming the overall flow of the scenes. so should you pay for This game? Ya you should if you are dying to see mind-blowing special effects and if you are a diehard fan of the science fiction genre. But if you are looking for a Dark Knight style credible plot to go with all the gizmo gimmicks, then dishing out the notes wouldnt be a nice experience for you.
The direCTion and TeChnique 3.5/5 I didnt give it for direction (sorry Anubhav Sinha) but I gave it for the technological brilliance that Ra One has shown. Yes it wanted to take Bollywood closer to Hollywood and it did so; even to the extent that they not only produced superior sequences but also in terms of a rather bland storytelling (Hello Green Lantern disaster anyone?), Ra One gets the job done. Barring the silly train jutting out and station crumbling to pieces se-
Does G One remind you of someone? Well if you have watched My Name Is Khan, then I am afraid you are right. There is very little difference between machine Shah Rukh and autistic Shah Rukh and both perform their missions without hint of emotions, well at least G One is honest and agrees (some consolation). Kareena has the usual spirited demeanour as the wife of Shekhar but that is all there is for her. She looks pretty and mouths gaalis for the future of Indian women but as such has no more to offer. Arjun Rampal looks menacing as
28
Indian
Bollywood
ENTERTAINMENT
Installation
Sonam Kapoor is all smiles these days with critics still appreciating her performance in Mausam. Correspondent Sreya Basu catches up with the actor after she unveiled new music phones-Samba & Carnival-by S Mobility (Spice) recently in Mumbai
Are you a phone addict? I am extremely gadget-friendlyI am obsessed with them. The moment a new phone comes to my hand, I dont put in down before gowing through each and every thing in the phone. I am todays girl and cant do without gadgets. I am too attached to my mobile phoneI cant do without it. My phone is an extension of who I am. Fortunately, its the best way to stay connected. Even when I am driving I turn on a special Bluetooth as it is really dangerous to talk or SMS while driving. You wont believe me but suppose I suddenly wake up at 3am, I check on my phone to see if anybody called or messaged. What kind of applications do you use on your phone? I enjoy playing games on my phone. The only thing (social networking application) I have on my phone is Facebook. Whats your caller tune at the moment? You know whenever a movie releases, I change my caller tune to my songs. Also at times, I change it to a latest hip number that is going around. What are the other gadgets you cant do without? My hairdryerI swear. It is the best thing every girl can have. There are so many phone companies in the market. Why did you choose Spice and become its brand ambassador? Because of its Sits logo is Smy name starts with S and they have my face in the S thats really fun. Not only that, it is a company that signifies quality and mass appealand I am all for mass appeal. After Delhi 6, you are again teaming up with filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. Are excited are you for the project? I am very excited about it and hopefully we will start shooting soon. So lets see how things shape up. I am just finishing Players right nowwe still have 10-day schedule left. And after that we will start promoting it directly. How are you preparing yourself for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag? What I am doing in the film is a surprise thing. So right now I cant talk about most of it. But when its time I will. What about Players? I love working with Abhishek (Bachchan) and Abbas-Mustan have become my favourite directors right now. So lets see what life brings me right now. Your character in Players is inspired by Charlize Therons role in The Italian Job. True? Yesmy character is inspired by her role in the film. After all its her story on how she got justice to what was done to her. But at the same time, theres more to hermore spunk and more to the story. For quite some time, you are promoting breast cancer awareness and asking people to wear pink to support the cause Yato me, breast cancer or any kind of cancer is so prevalent and rampant everywhere right now, it is imperative to make people aware about the disease. And one great way of doing is, in office everybodyboys (because I know boys are scared of the colour) and girls should wear pink to promote awareness of this disease and say that you have to get your check ups done, you have to go to doctors regularly and the most important thing for women is, do not stress yourselves. A lot of researches say that emotional stress, besides hereditary, also cause cancer. So you need to be happy, healthy and lead a very, very prominent good life. Ranbir Kapoor has recently said you are a drama queen. And to that you will say? I am an actress darling. If I dont do drama, who else will? Most of the biggest stars have always done a lot of drama. Have you seen The Dirty Picture promos? YesI am a huge Vidya Balan fan and she can do no wrong ever in my eyes. Nobody else could carry that (role of Silk Smitha) off because she is sexy and classy at the same time. Who is your 4 am friend? Its my sister Ria. Even she is in the next room, I still call her with my cellphone and say: Hi what are you doing? Can I come to your room because I am scared in my room?
OF BESTINDIAN
49
$
*
ONLY
*Conditions apply
Indian
Column
ReCIpe
QUICK-N-EASY MUFFINS FOR KIDS' LUNCH BOX
INgRedIeNtS
3-ripe bananas 170g- flour 100g- butter 170g- caster sugar 1- large egg 2tbsp- milk 1tsp- baking powder 1tsp- baking soda 1/4tsp- salt 100g chocolate chips
INgRedIeNtS
BaNaNa muFFINS
230g- plain flour 75g- butter 115g- caster sugar 30g- coco powder 3/4cup- milk 2- large eggs 4tsp- baking powder 100g- chocolate chips
ChoColate muFFINS
method
Pre heat oven to 180c gas mark 3. Place 12 paper cases in a baking tray. in a bowl combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and chocolate chips. in another bowl peel and mash bananas with a fork. add sugar and mix. Melt butter in a microwave. slightly beat in egg and milk until combined. With a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, lightly fold the banana mixture into the flour mixture mixing as little as possible stop as soon there are no pockets of flour, then add butter into it and lightly mix everything until just combined( the important thing is do not over mix the batter). evenly fill the muffin cups with the batter using two spoons or an ice cream scoop. Place in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted in the centre of a muffin comes out clean. transfer to a wire rack and let cool for about 5 minutes before removing from pan.
method
Pre heat oven at 180c, gas mark 3. Place 12 paper cases in a baking tray. in a large bowl whisk together the flour, coco powder and baking powder. Add the chocolate chips and sugar in it. Mix them together with a fork. Melt butter in a microwave, add eggs and milk, whisk it until well combined. With a rubber spatula mix butter mixture into flour mixture until the ingredients are combined. do not over mix the muffins. Mix as little as possible and stop when there are no pockets of flour. using two spoons evenly fill the muffin cups with the batter. Place in the oven and bake for 20minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the muffins comes out clean. Leave to stand for several minutes before twisting and removing from the pan.
tIpS: You will get 12 small muffins and 6 big muffins. if you have 12 muffin tray and you want to make 6 big muffins fill the other 6 cups with the water to keep the pan from warping. With muffins you dont have to pull out the mixer, you only need two bowls to combine the ingredients because you only have to mix the ingredients they are not made like cake where we beat eggs or butter and sugar so always remember muffin mixture is only mixed not beaten. Muffins can be made and kept in the freezer for childrens lunch box. in the morning take them out from the freezer and keep them in there lunch box they will thaw themselves by the lunch time.
Indian
Column
Ageing is a natural phenomenon and this seems to be the only way to live a long life. As we age, our body seems to develop a mind of its own.
With age, women tend to experience a range of changes in their body, primarily with their hormones. These changes are inevitable however may vary between individuals. A significant change that women go through is Menopause. Generally, women attain Menopause around 50s but the symptoms can start earlier, these symptoms could be physical as well as emotional and may range from increased stress, elevated anxiety levels to weight gain. While the impact of this could be varied, in this article we will particularly focus on weight gain only. Changes in female hormones affect the amount of energy they expend otherwise. This over time can lead to fat deposition and weight gain. In addition to this, age related changes decrease the amount of muscle mass which may also drive weight gain. Most women identify with a weight gain, change in their body shape, accumulating fat and thickening of waistlines during middle age. The underlying reason for these changes is a slowdown in metabolic rate. During this time, as estrogen levels fall, the appetite increases leading to additional intake of food than usual also leading to weight gain. As mentioned earlier, Menopause also tends to cause an impact on the emotions, generating a feeling that may lead to losing an inclination to exercise and / or eat healthy and feeling lethargic to move around. To manage menopause effectively, it is important to indulge in some form of physical activity as a part of your daily routine, also being regular ensures you dont move away and lose the focus. Eating frequent meals prevents the snack bingeing and reduces cravings in between meals. Small and frequent meals work better. Reduce, refined carbohydrates in your diet and ensure you take enough fibre. fruits and vegetables, in addition to fibre they also provide vitamins, minerals and antioxidants indulge in sweet cravings and eat healthier options of sweet snacks. When eating, watch your portions, every bit makes a difference. Indulge in habits that increase physical activity and keeps you feeling good, physical activity can make you feel energetic and also elevate mood and prevent feelings of depression . Eating well and being active are the key, It is never too late to change your lifestyle even at this stage. Ensure you get support from your spouse and family members. Till next time eat healthy and be wise. This article is a general guideline only, if you have any medical condition and for individual conditions you should consult a health professional or your medical practitioner immediately. Varsha Asrani is a New Zealand registered clinical dietitian, for personal consultations, queries, suggestions and feedback she can be contacted on info@ varshaasrani.com
Eat protein sources at each meal. If you are a vegetarian, choose options like soy, nuts, paneer, milk and dairy products. Eat a variety of
Snack healthy and avoid getting too hungry, binge eating can impact on your weight and leaves you feeling worse. Ensure you dont
TreATMenTS
Clinical and professional treatment on weekly sessions is advised depending on the degree of the dis-order. To get your face evenly toned glowing, Bindu (The Shahnaz Husains expert) recommends a special treatments she offers at her Ayurvedic Beauty Clinic in Henderson along with home treatment products as suggested below
Skin Pigmentation
CAuSe Skin Pigmentation is due to the amount of melanin deposits in the skin, resulting in a diffused or circumscribed staining of the skin, which may show up as a dark patch on the skin surface. The root cause of this can be internal due to internal imbalances which causes the increase in production of Melanin in the body. exposure to the sun also adds to the increase of production of melanin in human body thus resulting dark patches on the skin surfaces which is called as Skin Pigmentation.
Morning : 1. Apply Shadew as a Cleanser. Morning : 1. Wash face with Shazema 2. Apply Shawhite 2. Mix Shagrain with Sharose 3. Cover face with Shabase / Shaglow. 3. Apply Shawhite on patches and cover with Shabase/Shasilk. night : 1. Apply Shadew as a cleanser. night : 1. Wash face with Shazema 2. Massage with Shalife and Wipe off. 2. Dab Sharose 3. Tone skin with Sharose 3. Moisture skin with Shasilk. 4. Apply Shablem on Apply Shablem on patches and leave on. 4. patches and leave on. Afternoon : Home Pack: 3 tsp Shaface, 2 tsp Shafresh, Afternoon : Home Pack: 3 tsp Shaface, 2 tsp Shafresh, 2 drops Shableach, 1 Egg Yolk, 1 tsp Honey, 2 tsp curd. 2 drops Shableach, 1 E gg White, 1 tsp Honey, 2 tsp curd. Make into a paste and apply. Wash off when dry. Make into a paste and apply. Wash off when dry. Note: You can refrigerate any remainder of this paste for next day. If it gets dry, add milk or curd and use. Wash face and apply Shasilk / Shabase. For more advice on the treatment or products offered by Shahnaz Husain NZ, Contact BINDu (CIBTAC, International Qualified Beauty Therapist and Diploma in Shahnaz Husain, India) Note: You can refrigerate any remainder of this paste for next day. If it gets dry, add milk or curd and use. Wash face and apply Shasilk / Shabase.
A n y P i g M e n TAT i o n T r e AT M e n T s
OFF
31
Y
cause.
es, We can do it! As an organisation and media vehicle dedicated to the Indian diaspora in New Zealand, Indian Weekender invites your participation in raising funds for a very worthy
Over the years the Indian community has strived hard to succeed in this wonderfully welcoming country and our numbers and achievements have grown impressively. We think we are at a point at which we, the Indian community, are in a position to give back to the larger community in New Zealand a small token of gratitude a symbol of our gratefulness for making us feel welcome in this home away from home. We have been working with one of New Zealands most trusted and respected organisations, St John, to raise funds for an ambulance presented by the Indian community collectively. This is indeed an onerous task and we feel enthused to involve the participation of every Kiwi of Indian origin to proudly feel a part of this project.