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Indian

September 21, 2012 Volume 4, No. 11

www.iwk.co.nz

New Zealands first Indian weekend magazine

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The Pulse of Kiwi Indians


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New Zealand Muslims decry anti-Islamic video


Coptic activists Nakuola Basseley Nakoula as we find it reprehensible, insulting and disrespectful to Islam and Muslims, acting association president Javed Khan said. We are equally saddened at the destruction and loss of lives that have followed the mindless action of Nakoula and his clique. To produce such provocative venom that would injure the religious feeling of over a billion people and simply go underground speaks of a demonic intent to cause disaffection

he New Zealand Muslim community has come out strongly against an anti-Islam video produced by an Egyptian-American Coptic activist, which has led to world-wide protests by Islamic organisations throughout the world. The protests against the video are also believed to have been behind a violent surge in Libya where the US Embassy in Benghazi was attacked and four diplomats, including Ambassador Chris Stevens, were killed last week. We of the Federated Association of New Zealand Muslims are angry about the antiIslam video produced by Egyptian-American

Muslim demonstrators hold placards in Chennai

The Lebanese militant Shiite group, Hezbollah, took to the Beirut streets en masse on Monday to condemn the trailer of anti-Islamic video produced in the United States

in a world that is working very hard to build alliance and tolerance across different civilisations. Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, a 55-year-old Egyptian Copt and fraudster who was sentenced to 21 months in prison in June 2010, has not been seen since Saturday when he was questioned by his parole officer. Just earlier this week, officers from the Los Angeles County sheriff's department escorted four members of Nakoula's family out of their home to be driven in unmarked police vehicles to an undisclosed location to join him. They concealed their faces as they exited the house - besieged by news crews since Nakoula was linked to the amateurish film that depicts the Prophet Mohammed as a womaniser, child molester and ruthless killer - in the

Los Angeles suburb of Cerritos. Local website Patch, in its Cerritos edition, identified the four as Nakoula's wife, his two sons and a daughter. "They decided they would be safer where they could move about and live a normal life," said Steve Whitmore, a spokesman for the sheriff's department, quoted by ABC News. "All we did was pick them up and reunite them with Mr Nakoula.... What they told me is that for the time now and for the immediate future, for the weeks and months to come, they will not be returning to this address." Protests over the YouTube trailer for the anti-Islam film erupted last Tuesday in Egypt as well as in Libya where an armed mob attacked the US consulate in Benghazi. The demonstrations, sometimes violent,

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later spread to other Muslim-majority nations in North Africa, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Two more American actors have emerged to discuss the making of the film, saying its anti-Islamic intentions had been concealed from the cast and crew when shooting was under way. The religion of Islam has enjoined its followers to respect other religions and to respect the sanctity of life. In the past, we have condemned instances of desecration of Jewish places of worship in this country as we would of any other places of worship including ours. For this is in line with our commitment and belief in the respect for all religions and people of the world. We equally condemn in no uncertain terms instance of uncontrolled anger that terminates the lives of innocent people or cause them physical injury in the Middle East and elsewhere, Javed Khan said. We call on authorities including the leadership of our country New Zealand, to implement a zero tolerance against anyone determined to cause rage and injury to the religious and cultural sensitivities of others. As Muslims we have remained law abiding and respectful of others and we are not asking too much to demand equal respect. We cherish the peace and harmony we are enjoying in New Zealand and condemn any attempt by any individual or group who embark on a mission to insult our religion with the aim of provoking excitable people to violence, Mr Khan said. The entire humanity share in a single desire for peace. If some unscrupulous elements such as Nakoula target Islam to disrupt humanity's common asset today, they may target others tomorrow to achieve their aim. That is why Muslims and non-Muslims have a joint obligation to speak out against such disruptive elements and remain vigilant that they don't hold the world to ransom.

Hindu Council of NZ honoured by UN


indu Council of New Zealand is organising a special function on Saturday, 6 October at the Rotorua Convention Centre at 6.30 pm to celebrate the recognition of Hindu Council by United Nations' Economic and Social Council (Ecosoc). It invites everyone --- all volunteers, supporters, participants at our various functions, activities and programmes. There will be official function followed by cultural show. Because of limited seats, please make sure to book your seats by mailing at hindu.nz@gmail.com The United Nations has honoured the Rotorua-based Hindu Council of New Zealand by granting the organisation special consultative status as a non-governmental organisation. This can enable the organisation to take part in programmes set up and run by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (Ecosoc) Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) branch.

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Studying for a cause


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Immigration has always been a concern to all the migrants. Now a days I getting queries from lots of current students and they are very much concerned about their future. What will happen to their visa, under which visa category they can apply? Why there are so many work visa categories? I want to through some light on the students issues. Requirements under the Study to Work category First of all work visa is temporary visa which allows Student to work temporarily in New Zealand Students may be eligible for a temporary work visa if: If Student are studying in New Zealand and Student want to stay and work here after Student have completed Studentr studies, Student may be eligible for a work visa under WD1 Work on completion of a course of study, with an offer of employment or WD2 Graduate job search work visa without offer of employment. All applicants need to meet our health and character requirements. The other requirements Student need to meet depend on whether Student have a job offer. tion from a New Zealand professional association which requires more than two years of relevant practical work experience. Student will need to provide evidence that: Student have a job offer that is relevant to Students qualification, and Student have successfully completed a course in New Zealand that took at least three years to complete, or Student has successfully completed a qualification in New Zealand that would qualify for points under the Skilled Migrant Category of our Residence policy. Students application for a work visa must be made no later than three months after the end date of Students student visa for that course or qualification, unless Student holds a Graduate Job Search Work Visa. We will apply conditions to Students Work Visa that relate to Students practical experience. Students without a job offer If Student are a student who has completed a qualification in New Zealand, but Student do not have a job offer, Student may be eligible for a Graduate Job Search Work Visa for a maximum of 12 months. Then, when Student has found a job, Student can apply for a further visa for up to two or three years under the Study to Work category. To be eligible for a Graduate Work Search Visa Student must: have successfully completed a qualification in New Zealand that would qualify for points under the Skilled Migrant Category apply no later than three months after the end date of the student visa for that qualification provide evidence of a minimum of NZ$2,100 available to maintain Student during Students 12-month stay in New Zealand Immigration New Zealand accepts travelers cheques or bank documents in Students name). Student who holds Limited purpose student visa can not apply above visas. In my experience some students who have studied a National Certificate, National Diploma, New Zealand Diploma or a New Zealand Institute of Management qualification have been providing the incorrect qualification certificates with their applications. Students need to provide NZQA or NZIM qualification certificates with the work visa applications. So to avoid any delays, please provide the correct documents to INZ. Please talk to education provider in the first instance, if Student has qualified for this award then Students provider can apply to NZQA/NZIM for Students qualification certificate. For immigration queries please contact the writer.

If Student are applying for a three-year work visa because Student are working towards obtaining a membership or registration from a New Zealand professional association (such as the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants or the New Zealand Registered Architects Board), Student need to provide us with more evidence. Student must show that Student need membership or registration to fully perform Studentr professional duties. Student must show that the employment is considered relevant practical experience by the professional association. Evidence might include documentation from the professional Students with a job offer If Student are a student with an offer of em- association, or from the employer, which says ployment relevant to Studentr qualification, how the employment meets the associations Student may be eligible for a work visa and requirements. Student must show that Student New for a maximum period of: Zealand qualification meets the requirements two years; or three years, if Student are working for registration or membership of the profestowards obtaining a membership or1 registra- 9:57:49 association. kenton-chambers.pdf 8/21/2012 sional PM

RAJ PARDEEP SINGH & ASHIMA BUDGOOJAR Barrister & Solicitor Kenton Chambers Lawyers Ph: +64 9 358 1900 Fax: +64 9 358 1903 Website: www.kentonlaw.co.nz Level 8, 300 Queen Street, Auckland Central. Email: raj@kentonlaw.co.nz / ashima@kentonlaw.co.nz

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Breathe right for a stress-free life


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who is in charge of the foundations Canadian centre, was in Auckland to conduct the sessions. Indian Weekender caught up with him during his visit to find out more about the enlightening session and how stress and violence played a major role in causing maximum destruction in the world. Right from school going children to oldies, stress and violence exists among all age groups. Its a part of our social system, especially violence, which is present at every level of human life, Singh said. In Canada, it is due to frustration; in Africa, its due to tribal concerns; in India, its the religious issues ... it exists everywhere. Hence, the dire need to eliminate it. Full of wit and spirit, the talks delivered by Singh in Auckland had a mix audience of young and old from different communities. Through a simple game, he provided an invaluable lesson to not give up in life, no matter what. He enlightened people about the importance of breath and how approximately 85 per cent of the toxins could be removed through our breath and how we use only about 30 per cent of our lung capacity in flushing out these toxins. Thus, through just breathing right, one could not just effectively throw out toxins out of our body but also manage stress on a daily basis. Singhs humour seemed to have inspired people as much as they walked out realising the importance of living life light-heartedly. Describing Auckland as being very similar to Canada, Singh formed an instant bond with Kiwi-Indians. Singh is on a tour to different countries to spread this noble cause. Apart from Auckland, he also delivered talks in Wellington and Christchurch.

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nless we have a stress-free mind and a violence-free society, we cannot achieve world peace.' By actively spreading this philosophy of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the Art of Living Foundation claims to have freed individuals across the globe and from every strata of society, of stress, depression and violent tendencies, over decades. According to AOL, breathing techniques, meditation and yoga are the three important keys to a life full of happiness and peace. And the countless volunteers of this non-profit organisation are selflessly helping people achieve this goal worldwide. As a part of their service projects, the first week of September had a few sessions organised by AOL in various parts of Auckland, to teach people the trauma release programme. AOLs senior teacher Sukhvinder Singh,

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he Intercultural Innovation Award is run by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the BMW Group which have joined forces to strengthen their commitment to encourage cultural diversity and coexistence among communities. The BMW Group Award for Intercultural Innovation, in support of the Alliance of Civilizations, under the auspices of the United Nations (otherwise known as the Intercultural Innovation Award) searches for innovative and sustainable projects around the world that are encouraging dialogue and cooperation among people from different cultural backgrounds using novel and creative methods.

Not-for-profit organisations that are active in the fields of migration and integration; intercultural awareness; education for intercultural citizenship; the role of specific groups (faith-based; women; youth; media) in promoting intercultural understanding, with a track records in managing intercultural projects and willingness to expand their range of action, are eligible to apply. Deadline for applications is October 10th, 2012 at 5 p.m. Visit www.interculturalinnovation.org for more information, including the eligibility criteria and selection process. The details are available in the six UN official languages plus Portuguese, Kiswahili and Hebrew.

indian Weekender | September 21, 2012 | www.iwk.co.nz

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Making life safe and sound


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ituated in the historical Customs House building, the Commonwealth Vault office looks more like a museum than a workplace from outside. And once you enter, there is an instant sense of secrecy with thick massive doors opening and closing with access cards - the narrow passage leading us to the CEOs cabin strangely appearing like a ballroom studio. Its a hush-hush atmosphere in here, exuding a fascinating combination of aristocracy and corporatelike air. It is the historical building that gives us a superior lease. Our clients get the feeling of being protected always, says Jerome Concisom, the dynamic Indian-Malaysian CEO of the Customs House Safe Deposit Limited, aka the Commonwealth Vault. Jerome has been heading the company, which started off as a Jerome Concisom, property concept in 1998, for the CEO, Commonwealth Vault. past 10 years. And today, it has successfully taken over one of the most important banking services in Auckland - that of providing people with an want to get into, Jerome explained. Talking about the security scene in Auckassurance of keeping their hard earned belongland, Jerome brushed aside the misconception ings in safe hands. The service of providing safe deposits has about the city being safe. Instead, he hightraditionally been with the banks. We have a lighted the fact that Indians were more at risk working relation with ASB. But banks have of getting robbed here than any other ethnic now moved away from this business because group. Indians are the easy targets for burglars this is not their core business. Safe deposits require a lot more attention, especially in because of our huge interest in one commodity terms of security, which the banks no longer - gold. And people end up paying the price for

Commonwealth Vault. office at Custom House Building

their conviction that having a safe in the house is safer than having it elsewhere, Jerome said. Looking back 14 years, Jerome is proud of the fact that Commonwealth Vault has come a long way from being an initiative of marketing a space within a space to becoming the first private Safe Deposit company in the world with the ISO certification. Most of our customers are hardworking people who cannot afford to lose what they

have. And we give utmost priority to that. As opposed to other private providers and banks, we have the purchase option for boxes rather than renting them so that people can pass on their valuables from one generation to another. This gives a sense of ownership to our clients, who mainly comprise of Asians, Jerome said. Also, the service of having 24/7 operations sets Commonwealth Vault apart from the rest of its contemporaries. The other providers have banking hours but we have a man on site 24/7, Jerome said. Another service that will add on immense credit to this company is their new feature, Commonwealth Bullion. Keeping up with the Indian mindset: When you buy gold and silver, you dont spend, you invest, the company will facilitate the investment of gold and silver bullion on behalf of its clients through this new service. This could well be a Diwali bonanza for many. To know more about their bullion products visit www.commonwealthvault.co.nz

Wellington receives refugee recommendations at UNHRC


Wellington refugee organisations will be among the first in New Zealand to hear recommendations received at a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHRC) international meeting. The Tripartite Consultations are held annually in Geneva and bring together government representatives, NGOs and the refugee voice from around the world. Dr Arif Saeid, Vice President of the Refugee Council of New Zealand is travelling around the country to provide direct feedback to former refugee communities on the recent UNHCR Tripartite consultations in Geneva. Dr Saeid says, It is important that for the first time, comprehensive feedback and consultation from the UNHCR meetings comes back from those who attended directly to grassroots community groups, as well as government, NGOs and advocates. For too long people have been attending without accountability for reporting back to the refugee sector and being responsible for feedback both ways. RCNZ is now addressing this. The forum in Wellington was held on September 17 at the Changemakers Refugee Forum office at Webb Street. Sessions were held at Aotea Centre at the Diversity Forum on 19 August, and on 7 September at the Christchurch Migrant Centre, organised through Christchurch Resettlement Services. The Annual Tripartite Consultations on Resettlement (ATCR) started in 1995. This process provides an important vehicle for strengthened cooperation between governments, NGOs and UNHCR in the area of resettlement policy and practice. An important outcome is the tripartite relationship itself, which promotes transparency and stimulates the development of new and innovative ways to solve problems and to combine resources to improve resettlement outcomes for refugees. Dr Saeid arrived in New Zealand as a refugee from Afghanistan with his family in 2000. Forced to flee Afghanistan in 1999 with their four children, they lived in Pakistan as refugees until resettling in New Zealand. Unable to continue practice of medicine in NZ, Dr Saeid retrained in counselling at the University of Auckland.

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Celebrations for Radhastami 2012: On Radhastami, the Deities of Radha and Krishna are dressed with flowers. Festivities include kirtans and bhajans, maha-abhishek, maha-arati and offering of hundreds of bhoga foodstuffs to Their Lordships. Devotees observe half day fast and break their fast by drinking charanamrita (bathed water of the Deities). Devotees also have privilege of taking darshan of Radharanis Lotus Feet on this day, which are otherwise not seen on normal days. Join us to celebrate Sri Radhastami on 23 September 2012 at Sri Sri Radha Giridhari Temple, Kumeu, Auckland.

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he early migrants of the South East Asian arrived into New Zealand well over 120 years ago, settling in just about all corners of Aoteoroa. They worked in semi skilled jobs and because of the small numbers hardly got together to celebrate their unique heritage while contributing into the mainstream economy. As the numbers sharply rose in the last few decades so did the arrival of skilled migrants into the country. Also by this time second, third and in some instances fourth generation New Zealanders of South East Asian background have made a head way into the highly skilled job fields in the corporate world in New Zealand. Number of young professionals of South East Asian background working in the corporate world in Aotearoa have increased considerably and up till now there was no platform or organisation dedicated to bringing these upcoming professionals together to network and share their experiences and talent in fun environment. Well that has all changed now, a group of enterprising youth have felt the need for this and have launched New Zealands first Young professionals group serving the South East Asian community by hosting their first Inaugural dinner full of fun, food and motivating speeches @ Totos restaurant. YP group has forged ahead to co-ordinate, collaborate, and promote events around wider Auckland that will provide platform, opportunities for Young professionals to network socially and on business endeavours. There will be opportunities for group members to volunteer, promote and work with other members to shape their ideas and dreams. Their mission is to create a platform for their members to build relationships, develop professionally, become politically and philanthropically active, and contribute to the economic development and high quality living of wider community. On Saturday 15th Sept they hosted their first evening at Totos, New Zealands best Italian restaurant 2012. It was a well attended event with numbers reaching over 100. Night kicked off with a mix-and-mingle session at the start of the evening, where everyone exchanged their cards and introduced themselves to new faces. There was lot of talk and laughs. Evening session moved to the main dining area and everyone quickly settled into their designated seats.

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Two motivational speakers - Bhav Dhillon of Cemix and Steve DSouza of Kalamazoo group - shared their life achievements with the attendees. Then the official corporate sponsors ANZ bank and KPMG team introduced their services and how they strategically fit into the South East Asian success story unfolding. Successful individuals from different sectors were finally introduced to the Young professionals as mentors who will play a key role in bridging the knowledge gap in different sectors. They will be guiding YPs in the coming future in different projects and initiatives led by organisation. Later dinner was served with the best of what Totos had to offer and after the deserts everyone further networked and exchanged cards and ideas across the tables. Entertainment kicked in straight after the deserts and everyone danced their night out to good Bollywood tunes. Event has been well received by the attendees and everyone enjoyed the opportunity to connect with other motivated individuals of the same background. Young Professionals inaugural dinner was a resounding success, and organisers Sid Sharma, Navtej Randhawa, Dev Dhingra, Sid Bhandari and Gawan Bakshi are well satisfied by the turnout and how the night went. They say YP is about getting out and making connections and celebrating your unique heritage in a fun learning environment. They have planned to host more of these networking events in the near future.

Harvinder Suri, Bhanu Sondhi,Karpal Singh,Munish Seth,Sameer Mani,Vic Arora

Dev Bhardwaj, Arunima Dhingra, Odelia D'Souza, Steve D'Souza, Bhav Dhillon, Sameer Handa, Dev Dhingra

* Young Professionals (YP) is a meaningful networking organization of dedicated, talented young professionals ranging in age from 21-45 in New Zealand with a simple agenda: to enrich our community by uniting and developing young professionals from a wide cross-section of careers and industries. Also they want to enrich and enhance the career development of their members and facilitate opportunities for young professionals to network in a fun and relaxed business environment. They are aiming to provide professional development, social networking and civic engagement opportunities and develop region's next generation of leaders. Young Professionals can be contacted on 021843636 or 02108136364. email: youngprofessionalsseac@gmail.com
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indian Weekender | September 21, 2012 | www.iwk.co.nz

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World music comes to Kiwi shores


Music of Joy, a multicultural group of musicians from Australia, is bringing world music to Kiwi shores with their Realise New Zealand tour during the weekend of Saturday 29 September and Sunday 30 September. The international concert group is based in Sydney and features musicians from across the world. Their music features soulful pieces from India, Russia, Italy, Africa, Pakistan and England. Music of Joys repertoire mainly stems from spiritual songs but ranges across folklore and home-grown compositions as well. We believe that the purpose of music is to create and share joy. This is our first tour in New Zealand and we are looking forward to performing for the lovers of world music here, they say. Their Realise New Zealand tour features four concerts spread across Auckland, North Shore, Hamilton and Tauranga. The concerts are free and open to all ages. The tour is being organised by Sahaja Yoga New Zealand, a non-profit meditation group that runs free classes to help people learn about the art of thoughtless awareness. Music of Joy has performed at numerous festivals and special events across Australia, Italy, United States and India and most recently in Vietnam, China, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia. TouR DETaIlS: Programme 1 Auckland - Date: Saturday, September 29th 2012; Time: 1:00pm 3:00pm; Venue: Raye Freedman Arts Centre, Epsom Girls Grammar; Address: Cnr of Gillies & Silver Rd, Epsom, Auckland. Programme 2 North Shore, Auckland- Date: Saturday, September 29th 2012; Time: 7:30pm 9:30pm; Venue: Brian Gerrard Theatre, Birkenhead College; Address: 140 Birkdale Rd, Birkdale, North Shore Auckland. Programme 3 Hamilton Date: Sunday, September 30th 2012; Time: 1:00pm 3:00pm; Venue: Gallagher Academy of Performing

Arts; Address: Gate 2B, Knighton Rd, University of Waikato, Hamilton Programme 4 Tauranga Date: Sunday, September 30th 2012; Time: 7:30pm 9:30pm; Venue: Baycourt Community and Arts Centre; Address: Durham and Wharf St, Tauranga

For more details, contact: Chris Marshall Sahaja Yoga NZ, Life Eternal Trust Mobile: 021 951 525; Email and website: sahajayoganz@gmail.com; www.musicofjoy.com. au; www.freemeditationnz.com

Discover and celebrate Auckland's Heritage


Be prepared for more of Tamaki Makauraus unique and fascinating past to be uncovered as final preparations are made for Aucklands ninth annual Heritage Festival. The festival runs from 29 September to 14 October and has more than 200 events for people to discover, celebrate and be inspired by. From Wellsford in the north to Waiuku in the south and many points in between, the festival programme is truly region-wide, and crammed with events that are largely free, or low-cost. Our people do so much to protect and preserve Aucklands local heritage. The great scale of this festival shows the strength of their pride, says Mayor Len Brown. As the story of Auckland continues to evolve, I encourage everyone to experience the history that makes us unique. Learn something new about your neighbourhoods past or pick a part of Auckland you know little about and learn its story. Find out about our rich natural heritage on guided tours of our Gulf islands, attend a one-off presentation on biodiversity, or join the walks and talks on our special and distinctive volcanoes. Learn about our built heritage at places like Highwic in Epsom, Scott House at Mahurangi Regional Park, Pah Homestead in Hillsborough, Donner House in Titirangi, and Nathan Homestead and Kelliher Estate in the south. For something a bit different, keep an eye out for events that celebrate the legacy of Sir John Logan Campbell, the Father of Auckland who passed away 100 years ago. Cast your vote to help decide the winner in the first ever Auckland Heritage Awards exhibition or even take the winning photo. This year the festival is geared for the school holidays, with events catering for all ages. Wynyard Quarter will be the place to take a tram ride or boat ride. A botanists adventure invites young apprentices to follow in the pioneering footsteps of Captain Cooks botanist as he discovered new species. As ever, the guardians of our heritage Auckland Museum, Auckland Art Gallery, MOTAT, Auckland Zoo and the Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum and library staff - have put together splendid programmes for people of all ages to enjoy. Out in the community, an army of volunteers are ready to share local history through an array of heritage walks, tours, and workshops.

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Symphony in motion Dancing divas


It was an evening to remember for an Auckland family recently when their daughters performed their arangetram to a crowd of more than 700. And it was made even more special for the girls when their maha guru from Chennai, India - Shri Sajilal K Narayanan attended the occasion as chief guest. Yashee and Vanshee Kumar, of Macleans College, performed for their bharatnatyam rangpravesham at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre. Blessed with an inborn flair for dancing and an innate sense of rhythm, Yashee and Vanshee candidly accredit their tenacity to overcome the language barrier to learn Carnatic music and bharatnatyam in a different language to their mother tongue, Hindi, to their spiritual journey and support given by their parents. Their dancing prowess extends to North Indian dance forms and they are equally keen to participate in the traditional Maori dances and Western dance. They are also good vocalists with their own personal flair. Yashee and Vanshee feel privileged to have been taught by great Guru Shri Adyar K Lakshman and Shri Sajilal K Narayanan from Kalashetra, Chennai, India. Shri Sajilal K Narayanan did the nattuvangam for the girls at the arangetram, creating perfect syncopated patterns. Shri Sajilal K Narayanan praised the talent of the sisters and encouraged them to continue with this divine art. Labour MP Dr Rajendra Prasad also addressed the audience at the end of the evening.

ellingtonians will be presented with an elegant ancient dance form by the students of Natraj School of Dance on the last Saturday evening of this month. The Bharatanatyam dance production Namasankeerthanam a symphony in motion will comprise performances by 70 dancers for devotional songs written by several saints from all over India in different languages. It is a unique production and not done before in New Zealand. The focus of each piece is different; the energy changes throughout, says Prabha Ravi, founder, director, choreographer and performer of Natraj School of Dance. Bharatanatyam was being danced in temples and courts for nearly 1800 years in India. This dance tradition, although was known by different names from time to time, has come down through so many centuries. Bharata natyam which derived its name from the Natya Shastra (scripture) attributed to sage Bharata, is considered the foundation of most Indian performing arts. Hindus believe that the easiest way to attain salvation, Moksha in this world is through music. Namasankeerthanam chanting the name of the Lord in a musical form presented as Bharatanatyam is not for mere entertainment alone, but through its religious and philosophical texture is meant to elevate the audience to a higher spiritual plane. Natraj School of Dance, a Lower Hutt based Indian Classical Dance School, has come a long way since its inception in 1999. The first production was at the Petone Library hall with a group of 15 children. Since then

the school has trained over 350 students in the past 12 years. Three students have also successfully graduated from this school. Mrs Ravi, recipient of 2011 Hutt City Mayoral Civic Awards for Cultural Affairs and NZ Federation of Multicultural Councils Cultural Award 2012, further adds that we are a community based school and truly exist to promote Indian art and culture in NZ. We provide an opportunity to anyone who wishes to learn this art form irrespective of their ethnic background, age or gender. One of our missions is to provide as many opportunities as possible to our students to perform in public thus building the confidence to perform on stage at ease from a very young age. The students are regular performers at the Asia NZ Foundation Diwali festival, parliament Diwali celebrations, multi cultural festivals organized by the city councils and ethnic councils/organizations to name a few. This dance production, sponsored by Asia NZ Foundation will be held on Saturday 29th September 2012 at 6pm at the Victoria Memorial Theatre, Victoria University 19 Kelburn Parade, Kelburn, Wellington. Tickets: $15 per person available from Radha 569 4420 or email geet777@hotmail. com

The incredible beauty and synchrocity of the 15 and 13-years-old sisters impressed the audience. Yashee and Vanshees bharatanatyam arangetram reptoire under the aegis of Kalaichelvi Uthayakumaran was filled with intense dynamism and divine grace. The guru, Mrs Uthayakumaran, blessed both her disciples by saying that they were talented, cheerful, dedicated and affectionate and has enjoyed providing tutelage. The programme began with the Pushpanjali in Gambheerra Nattai, and followed it with Ganesha Kavuthuvam and Alarripu. Splendour in costume colours and design accentuated the meticulous performance and synchronisation for the jathiswaram and the spectacular varnam. The enthralled audience had their spiritual and physical appetites satiated with bhajan by the talented singer Sampagodu S Vignarajah accompanied by Narayananan N Subramanian on mridungam, Ramesh B Nagarajan on flute, Shankar Venkatraman on violin and snacks to eat. Pathams were performed separately by the girls bringing out their own styles of dancing portraying varying emotions (abhinaya). The momentum continued with the challenging poses demanded by the keerthanam and Shiva silokam accomplished by the girls with finesse. The concluding piece, spirited thillana saw the girls complete the repertoire without a break and seek blessings from Mother earth, the guru, the accompanists and the audience with panache. The culmination of this evening was a testament of the girls dedication, proud parents Shalendra and Reshmi Kumar said.

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set to light up NZ
Celebrate the festival of lights with Asia NZ Foundation
Each year thousands of people throng these immensely popular events to mark a much loved Indian cultural tradition. The festivals are organized by the Asia New Zealand Foundation in partnership with the Auckland and Wellington City Councils. We're keen to build on the success of the 2008 festivals which were attended by over 150,000 people. It is free to attend and everyone is welcome to share this exciting Indian celebration, said Asia New Zealand Foundation culture director Jennifer King. This year the festivals will be held in Auckland on Saturday, October 10-11 at the Eastern Viaduct and Te Wero Island and in Wellington on Sunday, October 18 at the TSB Arena on Queens Wharf. Hamilton will have the Diwali Concert (Indian troop courtesy-ICCR visiting Performers) on Tuesday, Oct 16 at Skycity (Waikato Hall) and full Diwali Mela at Garden Place, Civic square on Saturday, October 20. Diwali Festivals of Light, gives Indian communities the opportunity to share this much-loved cultural tradition with other New Zealanders and their families. The events celebrate not only the traditions of Diwali, but Indian culture as a whole. Vegetarian Indian food will be available while performances of Bollywood and classical Indian dancing will also take place continuously during the festivals. Ms King says the finishing touches are being put to this years Diwali programme and two of the highlights will be a Rajasthani puppet group and a Gujarati dance group, both from India. The involvement of Gujarati performers from northwestern India will resonate with many in New Zealands Indian communities because it is from this part of India that many Indian New Zealanders can trace their family history. Meanwhile the puppet group from the northern desert state of Rajasthan will also evoke Indians long and rich history. They are the descendents of the nomadic Bhatt people who for the past 1000 years have travelled from village to village presenting popular stories from the sacred Indian epics the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. This Rajasthani puppet group is one of the very few remaining groups of their kind in India and it is a special opportunity to have them in New Zealand to entertain crowds at this years Diwali Festivals, Ms King says. More information about the Diwali Festivals of Light in Hamilton (Oct 16 & 20), Auckland (October 10-11) and Wellington (October 18) can be accessed at www.asianz. org.nz. The Asia New Zealand Foundation Diwali schools programme will also feature performances by the visiting Indian performers in both centres. For more information visit: http://www.asianz.org.nz/our-work/educating-asia/ education-opportunities/diwali09

Diwali Mela 2012


The Diwali Mela this year will take place on Saturday, October 20 at Garden Place (Victoria street). So look forward to Indian fare in full bloom with food, crafts,Indian dresses/jewellery, mehndi (henna tattoo),Indian head message, and many other stalls. The performances at Garden Place (traditional and international) will take place during day time at the Garden Place followed by entertaining games like musical chairs. Indian students cultural youth club will perform at night at the Gallgher hall, from 7 pm onwards. The Hamilton City Library is also organising events for children like Children Story Time. The inaugural concert will take place on Tuesday, October 16 at Waikato hall Skycity at Victoria street. The entry would cost $10 per person. The Mela however will have free entry.

AUT Manukau Campus will ho of Colou r' by le st 'R ivers ading Dunedin John Cosgrove photog rapher late to India with su r this month. John travelled ppor t from Asi a Foundation to undertake a fiv New Zealand e week residenc with 1 Shanthi y R This is the first d in Bangalore. time John Cos work has been groves seen by The ex hibition Aucklanders. runs from September 29 Fr iday Octob er 12.

Rivers of Colour

ar t and s, food, kradition pcoming Auc e, t ing - cult ur n for the u rn ry n of mo discove ratio Diwali eing. In prepa or a f ree sessio ll help you i n us f l wellb tion wi spirit ua ali Festival, jo iving organisa un Salutation. cus S our fo l land Diwa. The Ar t of L askara, or the prove y l of Yog r Sur ya Nam routine and im d anxiet y. You t al cove st e p s an d is men st r e s y 12 ical and ducing t h is e a s Follow ration while re sing your phys c re a cent and con ve f un while in strength. mat. r Yoga a l so h a ing you ctober 6 r be r t o b ,O Remem 1am Sat urday ter race 1 r a ss 9am quare, g Aotea S

a e yoghis Fre ns t sessio ali Diw

ali FestiAuckland Diw e organiser of ), th ment (ATEED tor, Peter lE anaging Direc nel that DIWa lI STy eeks away, val. R hoME , hompsons M u g pa Barfoot & T SpIcE up yo is just over 4 w festival judgin Diwali Festival to Auckland residents to be part of the ion. The Auckland ed Thompson, will line entr ies for the competit ing of this s been issu in celebration view all on a challenge ha lebrate the grow ay and will re ay to ce ali st yle, eir homes, Diw ted to find a w This competition is a w We wan decorate th and uckland. d event. by ATEED al celebrations l diversity of A an nual Aucklan iwali festival is organised tion. cultu ra to embrace the Diwali Festiv ith the chance to and Founda ands D w Auckl New Zeal for people tg their homes with the Asia households, e fun decoratin ue to be suppor in part nership competition is encouraging in have som for it. Were proud to contin wide i or anywhere a, Puho in a pr ize The region hompson. the tradi- w kohe, Paku rang ent says Mr T kes place at be they in Pu ke rate their houses in honour of ing this great ev th an nual Diwali Festival ta d ds 11 to deco October 13 an Aucklan between, St reet on l ar tists stival. d upper Queen at mid night na an 12 and close tional Indian fe l and internatio signed Aotea Square ptember 11, 20 a variet y of loca will receive n) de Entr ies open Se 14 and feat ures win ning entr y food (vegetar ia ong ts and 5, 2012. The consultation, al by and perfor mers, ex hibi on November r and colour d and up e the senses. Resene vouche her and all entr ies received a $250 ies can be foun to stimulat ng Sk ycity itre 10 vouc details and entr i or at any of Barfoot Competition al with a $500 M ve an extra chance of win ni ha arfoot.co.nz/diw st5 Netball October 11will ily passes to the upcoming Fa stival on loaded at w w w.b ches. an m Fe br vouchers and fa d at the Diwali & Thompsons will be displaye and eligible for the PeoSeries. Entr ies and, Thompson st the Barfoot & ing Auckland ice Award. ples Cho n child of lead part nership ive is the brai The initiat & Thompson in Develop pany, Barfoot ic real estate com ur ism, Events and Econom ith Auckland To w

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indian Weekender | September 21, 2012 | www.iwk.co.nz

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aRMS Workshops in the coming weeks


FREE JoB SEaRch WoRkShop FoR MIGRaNTS Job Search workshops free to new migrants seeking professional employment in New Zealand. These interactive workshops cover essential topics, job search skills and advice for job seekers. Time: 9:30am to 2:00pm Thursday 27 September, 11, 25 October 2012 Location: ARMS Manukau Centre. Address: 2 Osterley Way, Manukau City. To register please call 09 263 5490 or email manukau@arms-mrg.org.nz FREE TaxaTIoN clINIcS Are you new to New Zealand? Do you have problems with Tax issues? Do you have your own BUSINESS? This clinic will give you the opportunity to meet with specialist from IRD individually for consultation on Income Tax, GST, PAYE and Kiwi Saver. Date: 27 September. To make an appointment to see our friendly taxation specialist for help, please phone: 09 2635490. Address: ARMS Manukau Resource Centre, 2 Osterley Way (Next to Work & Income). IT SpEcIalISTS EMployMENT WoRkShop This workshop is designed for IT specialists who had work experiences overseas or those who had been trained in IT fields. You will have the opportunity to meet with employers from IT companies or recruitment agencies. Time: 1pm-4:15 pm Friday 28 Sept 2012. Location: 2 Osterley Way, Manukau City. Please 2012. at 9:30 - 4:30. If youd like to come and talk with a Korean Information Officer, please contact Auckland Regional Migrant Services Manukau Office @ 022 695 8927(main line) or 262 5982 (messages only), 09 2635490 email manukau@arms-mrg.org.nz FRaNchISE WoRkShop To learn more about Franchising as a way of getting into business, please come to attend the Franchise workshop at ARMS Manukau. Learn about: what business options are available; how financing is worked out and tax obligations. Location: 2 Osterley Way, Manukau City. Please call ARMS Manukau Resource Centre at 09 2635490 or email: Manukau@ arms-mrc.org.nz to register.Date: 5 October 2012. Time: 10:00 - 12:30pm.

call ARMS Manukau Resource Centre at 09 2635490 or email: Manukau@arms-mrc.org. nz to register. ENGlISh laNGuaGE aDVIcE clINIcS IN MaNukau Auckland Regional Migrant Services help migrants find about their level of English, English classes or community resources. Date: 19, 26 September 2012. To make an appointment to meet the English Advisor at ARMS Manukau Resource Centre, 2 Osterley Way, Manukau

City (Next to Work & Income), Please phone 2635490 to make an appointment. You are welcome to bring a support person with you. MEETING WITh koREaN INFoRMaTIoN oFFIcER Advice and information in Korean is available at Community Link @ 491 Pakuranga Road. Information available: Job search, Benefits, English class information and help, Settlement information including Taxation, schooling, housing and etc. Date: 19, 26 September

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indian Weekender | September 21, 2012 | www.iwk.co.nz

Indian

india

FDI to take India's economy by storm

alia, in the business of housing finance, stock broking (including derivatives and currency derivatives broking), depository participant service, commodity broking and investment advisory activities," the statement said. The Union Cabinet on Friday, September 14, approved 51% FDI in single-brand product retail trading after amending certain conditions in the policy. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs also relaxed rules for FDI in the aviation sector, allowing international airlines to invest upto 49 percent in domestic airline firms.

uS MEDIa haIlS pM
Top US dailies have hailed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for allowing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in mutibrand retail. The Washington Post had earlier this month called Singh as ineffectual and a dithering politician. The highly revered newspaper, however, describes UPA government's decision on FDI as 'biggest and arguably toughest economic reforms since Prime Minister Manmohan Singh took over in 2004'. The New York Times described the decision as the 'biggest economic reforms in two decades'. "The central government, led by the Congress Party, is under heavy pressure to kick-start Indias slowing economy, boost employment and improve the countrys shambolic infrastructure. Bringing in big foreign brands, like Walmart which can now open stores in India in partnership with a local company, is expected to help," it said.

New Delhi: The Indian government approved 11 proposals of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) amounting to Rs. 2067.98 crore approximately on Thursday, September 13. "Based on the recommendations of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) in its meeting held on July 27, 2012, the Gov-

ernment has approved 11 Proposals of Foreign Direct Investment amounting to Rs. 2067.98 crore approximately," said a government statement. "The Press Release dated August 23, 2012 has been modified and the proposal of M/s Cloverdell Investments Ltd. Mauritius worth

Rs. 808.06 crore (FDI/NRI inflows), which was pending for certain clarification, has also now been approved. "The proposal was related to induction of foreign equity in an operating NBFC with downstream investments in companies engaged in/proposed to be engaged, inter

ticos emit fire on FDI Indian poli

hile the media overseas gave a thumbs up to PM for the FDI reforms, back home it was rent scenario altogether. Uttar a diffe av Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yad ct Investment (FDI) in said Foreign Dire ntmuti-brand retail will not be impleme state. The Samaed in the north Indian y is jwadi Part y (SP) leader said the part against FDI. On the other hand, Bahujan Samaj ti Part y (BSP) supremo Mayawa United Progresslam med Congress-led over sive Alliance (UPA) government in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and diesel price hike multi-brand retail issue and said it has taken several 'anti few days. people' decisions in the past Reacting on the FDI in muti-brand

esh retail issue, the former Uttar Prad : "We are condemnChief Minister said had ing the implementation of FDI. We continue opopposed it earlier and will el posing it now," she said. She said dies e hike and restr icting sales of subsipric umdised LPG cylinders to six per cons year will affect the poor section er ever y of the country and the middle class. Mayawati announced that the BSP on will hold a huge rally in Lucknow the decisions of Oct 9 to protest against the Centre. West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee the government's decision to allow in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) "Yes, we need multi-brand retail too. n to reforms. But reform does not mea secsell out ever ything to satisfy some

set tions of individuals. In a democratic reforms must reach upto the poor up, of and com mon people and the beauty lies on realizing its respondemocracy le," sibility towards the com mon peop her Facebook page. Mamata posted on "Developed countries have many try, social security schemes. In our coun elaborate social security we do not have for schemes or safety valve mechanism rest of the com mon protection of the inte al people," she said. "A series of unilater might help and anti-people decisions the in raising Sensex points only for being. I agree that Sensex must be time and stable, but at the same time, policy ld not be used to impose plan ning shou mon back-breaking burden on the com said. people," Mamata

Mamata said if black money is sex brought back from abroad, the Sen matically grow. "If black will auto and money is unearthed in the country, e from abroad and are brought back hom then used for development purposes, an unparalleled Sensex will grow in man ner," said the CM. t Mamata said her part y would 'figh com mon people'. "I for the cause of the out do not support any decision to sell one section ever ything. This might suit ed of the government. We are determin fight for the cause of the com mon to but people and we can sacr ifice our lives promise on it," she said. cannot com

indian Weekender | September 21, 2012 | www.iwk.co.nz

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india
middlemen. The first Amul cooperative was the result of a farmers meeting in Samarkha (Kaira district, Gujarat) on January 4, 1946, called by Morarji Desai under the advice from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, to fight rapacious milk contractors. It was Sardars vision to organise farmers, to have them gain control over production, procurement and marketing by entrusting the task of managing these to qualified professionals, thereby eliminating the middle men, the bane in farmers prosperity. called a milk strike. After fifteen days the government capitulated. This was the beginning of Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd., Anand, registered on 14 December 1946, wrote Kurien in The Amul saga. Amul is the brand name of 2 million farmers, members of 10,000 village dairy cooperative societies throughout Gujarat. This is the heart of Amul, it is what gives strength to Amul, and it is what is so special about the Amul saga, he wrote. Verghese Kurien was born on 26 Nov 1921 at Calicut, Madras Presidency in British India (which is now Kozhikode in Kerala). Kurien in May 1949 on a Government of India deputation first arrived at the Government Research Creamery, Anand. Since then he built the dairy development cooperative model into one of the largest and most successful institutions in India. His work earned so much adulation that when Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru visited Anand to inaugurate Amul factory, he had embraced Kurien. Operation Flood had inspired Manthan, the 1976 Hindi film made by Shyam Benegal starring Smita Patil and Girish Karnad, based on a story written jointly by Dr. Verghese Kurien and Benegal. The National Award winning film with the haunting tunes of Mero Gaam Katha Parey became the success song of Indias dairy revolution as it demonstrated the power of collective migh. R.I.P. Dr Kurien!

Milkman of India dies at 90


Anand, Gujarat: Verghese Kurien, who gifted India the Amul dairyfood brand and played a central role in Operation Flood when he came to be known as the Milkman of India, died at Nadiad in Gujarat on September 9. He was 90.Known as the father of White Revolution whose work had inspired a film of Shyam Benegal, Kurien died after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife, one daughter Nirmala Kurien and a grandson, Siddharth. His body has been kept at Anand for the people to pay their tribute to the man who had revolutionised the dairy industry of India. Kurien was suffering from kidney problems and was admitted to a hospital in Nadiad. The founding chairman of the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), Kurien, also termed as the father of the white revolution created the iconic Amul brand of dairy products and made India the worlds largest milk producer. His achievements with the GCMMF led Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri to appoint him founder-chairman of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in 1965, to replicate Amuls successes on a nationwide scale. A few years later, the NDDB under Kurien launched Operation Flood (or the White Revolution) which was the worlds largest dairy development programme. Operation Flood helped India become the

worlds largest milk producer; in 201011, with close to 17 percent of the global production. Kurien had been awarded nationally and internationally. He received the Padma Vibhushan (Indias second-highest civilian honour), the World Food Prize and the Mag-

saysay Award.In his own words about the Amul brand, Kurien said, Amuls birth is indelibly linked to the freedom movement in India. It was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who said that if the farmers of India are to get economic freedom then they must get out of the clutches of the

The decision was taken that day in January 1946: Milk producers cooperatives in villages, federated into a district union, should alone handle the sale of milk from Kaira to the government-run Bombay Milk Scheme. This was the origin of the Anand pattern of cooperatives. The colonial government refused to deal with the cooperative. The farmers

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Indias spirituality attracts youth diaspora


ver 35 overseas youth of Indian origin are on a three-week visit here to know about their parents' and grandparents' homeland and spirituality of India has been the greatest attraction for them. It is this "balance in materialistic pursuits and search for inner happiness" that they will take back to their present country and share it with their other diaspora friends and relatives. The 36 youth, in the age group of 18-26, are from Fiji, South Africa, Suriname, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Israel, Slovak Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Mauritius, Iran and New Zealand and have been in India since Aug 25. They are here under the 21st Know India Programme (KIP) of the ministry of overseas Indian affairs (MOIA). The last KIP was held in April-May. "India's spirituality is what caught our attention the most. We got to visit a lot of temples and religious shrines from all religions and I could understand the unity in diversity that is talked about in India," Sameer Chand, an analyst at the Reserve Bank of Fiji, said at the valedictory event of KIP held at MOIA at Akbar Bhavan in New Delhi. "I will take this spirituality home and share it with all my family and friends in Fiji," Chand, 24, said. His view was seconded by Adi Nissim from Israel, who participated in KIP

The Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Shri Vayalar Ravi with the NRI youth participants of Know India Programme from 11 countries, in New Delhi on September 17, 2012.

along with her twin sister Shay Lee Nissim. "I really loved the spirituality that is part of the Indian society and culture. Every individual here seemed spiritually inclined," Adi, 23, said. Shay Lee quickly added: "Israel is completely westernised and people there are after material prosperity. Here in India, even if people want to earn money, they maintain a balance between materialist pur-

suits and search for inner happiness. The smile on their faces says it all." Chand and Nissim sisters are part of the 15 male and 21 female visitors from 11 countries participating in KIP held three times annually. His views were echoed by other youngsters, who said this visit to India was a dream come true for them, having heard several stories about their ancestors' homeland from their parents and grand parents. On Monday, the KIP participants

got an opportunity to meet Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi, who asked all of them to come visit India again after they have made their respective careers and also to pass on their knowledge of India gained from the visit to their friends and relatives, as also their next generation. "But, as you are all now citizens of the countries you live in, your first loyalty is to that country and hence do your nations proud. Your origin

will still remain Indian and your success will be India's success," said Ravi. He also apprised the participants about the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) scheme and encouraged them to take advantage of it. "The KIP programme is for youth of Indian origin from around the world to see India, know India and mingle with families in India and reinvent the idea of India and Indian culture," Ravi told the group at a reception hosted for them. The programme for the overseas youth took them to Tamil Nadu where they experienced the culture of south India, and visited key temples in Chennai, Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Kumbakonam, Tanjore, Chettinad, and Madurai. During the stay in Delhi, the group was also exposed to India's progress in economic, industrial, education, science and technology, administration, communication and information technology fields, apart from culture, through interactions with personalities in these sectors including the capital's Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna and Chief Election Commissioner V.S. Sampath. They also visited Doordarshan, Indian Council of Cultural Relations, Indian Institute of Public Administration and Jawaharlal Nehru University.

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indian Weekender | September 21, 2012 | www.iwk.co.nz 15

Indian
T H O U G H T
Editorial

O F

T H E

W E E K

Stop the rot


Sai Baba of Shirdi must be rolling in his grave knowing what his disciples are up to in Auckland, New Zealand. Where He has taught love, compassion, patience and perseverance, his devotees seem hell-bent on tearing each other apart following a recent annual meeting in July where certain members of the incumbent executive committee were ousted in a democratic election process. Since then all hell has broken loose in an organisation (Shri Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan of New Zealand), which has so far been an epitome of love, sacrifice and service since its existence in New Zealand not too long ago. Headlines such as Fragmentation threatens a noble organisation and Controversy brews in Shirdi Sansthan grace the pages of other Indian community newspapers as the organisations senior members grapple with whos doing a better job running the organisation. Why cant, for Babas sake at least, the senior members work together towards a common goal of serving its members and the wider community in guiding them into a righteous path in life? Didnt Baba teach love, forgiveness and sacrifice before self? Shraddha in Sanskrit, roughly means faith with love and reverence. Such faith or trust is generated out of conviction, which may not be the result of any rational belief or intellectual wisdom, but a spiritual inspiration. According to Baba, steadfast love in God is the gateway to eternity. Baba's teaching, both direct and indirect, explicate the significance of Shraddha. Saburi means patience and perseverance, a quality needed throughout the path to reach the goal. This quality must be ingrained in a seeker from day one, least he loses his stride and leaves the path half way. For Baba, it was not the purity of the body but inner purity that mattered. No amount of physical and external cleansing would serve any purpose if the man remained impure in mind and heart. Therefore, Baba cautioned His devotees not to make austerity as an end itself, lest they should indulge in physical mortification. Himself an epitome of compassion and love, Baba taught compassion among his disciples. Baba often told His devotees: Never turn away anybody from your door, be it a human being or animal. Baba put Guru on a high pedestal of reverence. For Him, Guru was the profound base of the path of devotion. Pointing to his physical frame, "This body is my house. I am not here. My Guru has taken me away". He asked for complete surrender to the Guru. So what invokes His so-called disciples in New Zealand to rise (sorry, to stoop low) above Babas teachings and insist they are doing right in spreading Babas word. The previous executive committee members have been an integral part of taking the Sansthan to where it is today a $4.5 million temple project is underway in Princes St, Onehunga. The aim of the temple is to help depart valuable teachings of Baba to members of our community, including the younger generation, where the Sansthans senior members need to set an example. Infighting does not impart a good example to our future generation and some would loathe being part of such a fragmented community. It is time for the past and present executive committee stalwarts to sit down together and sort out their differences and focus on serving their community. And be humble. Apologising does not always mean you are wrong, it just means that you value your commitment to your goal and service more than your ego. - Arvind Kumar arvind@indianweekender.co.nz
Indian Weekender Volume 4 No. 11 Publisher: Kiwi Media Group Limited Managing Editor: Giri Gupta | girigupta@indianweekender.co.nz Editor: Arvind Kumar | arvind@indianweekender.co.nz Chief Reporter: Arwa Janjali | reporters.iwk@gmail.com Chief Technical Officer: Rohan Desouza | rohan@ indianweekender.co.nz Design: Sanket Sonar | sonatadesignnz@gmail.com Advertising & Business Development Manager: Gaurav Gupta M: 021 292 4519 l gaurav@indianweekender.co.nz Accounts and Admin.: Farah Khan - P 520 0922 l accounts@indianweekender.co.nz Views and comments: e-mail at: arvind@indianweekender.co.nz Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher is not responsible for advertisers claims as appearing in the publication

He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything. - Thomas Carlyle

Tpp - potential partnership path?


POOJA SuNdAr

The Trans-Pacific Partnership has been in the works for about two years now. As a free trade agreement between 11 Pacific Rim countries, it aims to make business simpler and red tape free for our exporters and that should naturally make and trade based nation better off. There has, naturally, been a lot of opposition for this partnership, mainly based on the worry that we will lose sovereignty over our nation believing that foreign nations will be able bring cases against any laws that we make that damage them. Many anti-TPP activists are treating the terms of the agreement as some sort of secret agenda that the countries are concocting. Such assertions are really not thought out and make no logical sense once the factors and issues involved are considered. The agreement would apply to all the eleven countries with equal force and authority. This would mean that if, that is a big IF, New Zealand loses any of its sovereignty in other nations being able to apply their laws on our judiciary, then we would have the some imposition on their legal field and government. In addition to that, what nation would want the authority of other countries in their business?! The allegation that we will lose our sovereignty and no longer control our own state is, to put it simply, silly. New Zealand, as a small country can only gain and learn from these interactions and agreements with other nations. As long as our capable team of lawyers dont let the big bad countries take over the nation, we can effectively work with these countries in increasing our exports and bring in more revenue. An example of where we were able to succeed in appealing to an international body or tribunal was the Australian ban on New Zealand apple imports. We were able to reach an amicable remedy due to the fact that we were both party to the World Trade Organisation. This only increases our standing and reputation in the global arena as a nation that abides by the international covenants and agreements. The Trans-Pacific Partnership is nothing new. It is just a multi-nation form of the bilateral agreements we already have with Australia and China and the most recent one with Hong Kong. Our revenue from their trade has only helped our economy and allowed us greater exports. This multilateral agreement just aims to achieve what we have with these countries on a larger scale to make it a more effective venture. The reason for all the hush-hush over the terms of the agreement is really simple. It is a delicate and sensitive issue when 11 countries are trying to work together to come up with a common goal. Imagine if the contents of the negotiations got out, and the entire world could read the demands made and agreed upon. Not only would that make New Zealand look bad but would also affect the reputation of many of the other nations, eventually hurting us as well. To those who suggest the world revolve around the US and its interests - this agreement has been the work of the past 10 years since New Zealand started negotiations with Singapore for a free trade agreement. The group just grew in size to what it is today, a group of 11 nations wanting to increase the trade among their countries to promote a smooth and effective process that is beneficial to all those involved. As hard as this is, and I would usually be the last one to say such a thing, but we need to put at least a little faith in the government to act in our interests if not our interests at least those of our economy. The next round of negotiations are set to be held in New Zealand this December, lets see if we will have to wait another two years to hear anything more.
* Pooja Sundar is a law and politics student at the University of Auckland

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.

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Indian

Comment

The Das of financial fracas


NAliNESH AruN

Apologies beforehand to the experts who will probably pick two dollarsized holes in this article the finance of commonsense has little research material to back it up. My advice to you would be not to peruse this article with any kind of seriousness.
IT takes a bloody Indian to state the obvious and no-one listens to him, anyway. Satyajit Das (his name could be translated as the servant of victory in truth) has that problem. He has things to say about how we do business, and no one seems to be listening closely. Now, I have always been leery of the mechanisms that drive the stock market, especially the trading in points of a currency. I mean, the cent is the final basic unit of the dollar but when the stock market start trading in fractions of the cent, there is something wrong. Most businesses see the benefit for example, sell fuel at $2.12:97 and the .097 adds up per litre pretty quickly. We humans, on the other hand, cant even buy anything for the 10 cents we get in change on the $9.90 purchase. Or the one cent or five cent we give away every time we buy something at $9.99 or $9.95. Our loose change, and fractions of loose change, could be making millions of dollars for others. Or maybe nor. But seriously, it is no longer a case of save a penny towards a pound - for the penny has been sliced into slivers, where these slivers make millions of dollars for any one trading in hundreds of millions of dollars. And trading on futures and derivatives is a twist on the adage A bird in hand is worth two in the bush where the two birds in the bush are as tangible an asset as the one in your hand, as long as both parties accept it to be so. I mean, WTF: you havent planted the crop or mined the gold but you can have the cash up front because someone is willing to take the risk of paying you now in a bid to lock up the commodities market. And this is not the loan you need to get a venture started, but the actual payment of a crop or mineral that will be produced some time in the future. It is like someone planted a cabbage patch and is paid for the crop in the ground, and the two crops he is still thinking of planting. Mind you, my understanding of the finance world is limited, and it probably shows here, but commonsense says: plant the crop, mine the gold and then get the cash in hand. Investing in the future makes money only for the monied, so they made it legal to do so. And that is why credit is so easily available your future is locked up just as commodities are. The finance market thrived on these convoluted mechanism, still does and no one is going to stop them, even after the economic disasters of 2008. But Satyajit Das appears to be to banging his head against this brick and mortared wall hard enough to make a few cracks. Das understanding of derivatives is overwhelmingly high the likes of me will need to spend a decade trying to fully understand the ins and outs of what he knows. But man, can he express what he knows effectively. He says things that the economist, the financier and probably the accountant think is blasphemy. Das was recently in New Zealand to speak to the New Zealand Initiative, an independent public policy think tank supported by chief executives of major New Zealand businesses. He has some things to say: On growth - that erudite mechanism that pushes us each quarter to do better than before - he says in his latest paper: Today, growth has come to the end. The global economy has stalled. That is the last thing a CEO would want to hear. The whole economy is judged by its growth and any stalling in growth is seen as death looming. No body in their right mind is going to listen to that, not when the very future of your economy is based around having growth. In a NZ Listener interview, Das pointed out how he is welcomed by many who seldom re-invite him to anything again once he has said his piece. In other word, he is a borderline pariah but there is no going past the fact of the matter that Das speaks on. He puts the housing market on par with a belief in God: it is a blind faith exercised by people who have put a value to a basic need, dependent on the vagaries of zoning change and interest rates, and the skewered perception of a market artificially bolstered by experts. He used the word rigged to describe the housing market. The retirement nest egg is a fallacy you get to sell your house, live off the benefits in meaner dwellings and wait to die, after having lived so well in your prime. And he sees no harm in NOT having a growth in the economy. That is pure sacrilege for the economists, who follow whatever school of economics which is presently in favour with them. Das laments the past 30 years, where growth has come from speculation, borrowed money and the unsustainable use of non-renewable resources. To quote him in the NZ Listener interview: I went to a place the other day that had five large plasma TVs one in every room, including the bathroom, which was quite disconcerting. Three people lived there. New Zealand, Das repeatedly stressed while he was here, was in a better position than many countries because it was a food producer. The problem of feeding the world, along with the problems of clean energy, water conservation and even logistics the fact that a lot of stuff is wasted before it can get to market means there is scope for future growth to come from innovation and productivity gains, rather than being simply debt-fuelled growth. But he worries we have created an artificial demand for growth at any cost, without clear evidence that it makes us happier. Not only an artificial demand, but a twisted supply situation too. Big food producers keep demanding higher food production from their vassals but are not beyond destroying excess produce, for example, thousands of litres of milk on a regular basis, just to keep food prices where they want it. It is a skewered sort of free market when you have to destroy produce to curtail supply not a true supply-demand mechanism at all. And adding to the financial fiasco is the reliance on debt-driven consumption to generate economic growth. All of the situations above, according to Das, are fallacies of the highest order. Given the resource constraints, unbridled consumerism and the keening after growth in all sectors, Das sees mayhem in our near future. Mayhem far greater than we have experienced in this generation. Imagine the Great Depression and multiply by a factor of four four because of the present population is quadruple that of 1923; for resources that will probably last four months if all production were to halt immediately and for four months/defaults until debts are called in, leading to the collapse of the credit sector. And for four years in which the world could revert to post-WWII conditions once economies collapse when/if we have great depression. All of which is on the radar of modern economists but only as worst-case scenarios which can be averted easily by any amount of Plan Bs to combat any disparities their calculation can throw up. In other words, all is good, all is been taken care of and people like Das are doomsters which, Das readily admits, is what he is. All is good because there is a calculation out that

will befuddle enough people and allow the financiers to carry on what they were doing robbing Paul to pay Peter who will pay Simon who pays them so they can buy a future which doesnt exist presently. So, here is a former banker, who hobnobs in with top-notch financiers and cabinet ministers, who has a message of doom and gloom for world governments, with so much weight behind his message but who is tolerated only because he has an alternative spin: It is good to hear the other side, only because it shows how we are doing great with what is already in place. Even the NZ Listener article - which was well-written - dwelt more on Das the character and what makes him tick, than on his actual message, proving again that even financial articles in magazines need that spin to sell copy. And that spin is easily provided by eccentric characters like Das (and if you play enough on the eccentricities, you can make good copy). Das is presently somewhat of a lone voice in the wilderness, with messages which makes good copy for financial magazines looking for the alternative angle, who has garnered a small but solid band of adherents (count me in) but has little effect on arrogant financiers and/or the finance industry. In the NZ Listener interview, Das pulled no punches in describing financiers: Finance has become more important than it ever has in the last 30 years. I often see finance as a supporting function to the real economy. Unfortunately, that has been flipped. They (financiers) think they are actually better than they are and, more importantly, they think they are outside the rules because they are the only people who can make the world work; they understand this stuff and nobody else does. Then, we must be grateful that there is someone out there willing to swim against the current, who is willing to take up the cudgel against the monetary mammoths, the fiscal fossils and the artful artifices that is the finance industry. Only thing: he is a bloody Indian and no ones going to really listen to him, are they? * Satyajit Das blogs here: http://www.economonitor.com/blog/author/sdas3/

Strengthening obligations on our welfare system


KANWAlJit SiNGH BAKSHi, NAtiONAl mP
The Government has announced a comprehensive overhaul of the welfare system to ensure we support people off welfare and into work. Last month, benefit numbers dropped by more than 1000. There are now 319,327 people on a benefit in New Zealand, with 50,283 of those on unemployment benefits. An actuarial valuation of our welfare system shows that the lifetime cost of the current beneficiary population to the taxpayer is $78 billion dollars what the valuation shows us is that Future Focus reforms we made in our first term reduced the number of those on unemployment benefits by 15 per cent. Our investment approach to the welfare system means we are putting money into things that get people off benefits and into work. This approach will change the entire focus of the welfare system so that support is invested where it will make the biggest difference It means intervening earlier, and investing in more support for those whore capable of working but are likely to remain on benefit long-term without help. In some cases, this means investing more in the short-term to see people move off benefits permanently over the long-term. This approach ensures the Government to spend taxpayers money where it will have the biggest impact, whether this means getting treatment for a back injury, access to mental health services, or help to manage a pain-related condition. We are also delivering on another key campaign promise to strengthen the obligations placed on those who are beneficiaries. Weve announced new social obligations as part of our reforms that place important health and well-being obligations on parents to ensure children of beneficiaries get the best possible start in life. Beneficiaries with dependent children will need to ensure their children are enrolled in at least 15 hours of Early Childhood Education and ensure they attend school from age 5 or 6. They will also need to be enrolled with a general practitioner and complete core health checks. We expect reasonable steps to be taken to meet these obligations and we will work with those families where barriers exist. Parents will have three opportunities to meet these obligations before a financial sanction of 50 per cent will apply. Reasonable and achievable, these obligations reflect the expectations most New Zealanders have of parents, this is a more positive move for vulnerable families. * Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi is a National Party MP

Indian

india
IN BRIEF
Pranab bats for Hindi in official works
New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee has batted for use of Hindi and other regional languages in government offices. Language has a crucial role in democracy as it acts as a mode of communication between the government and common man, Mukherjee said while addressing a function organised on the occasion of Hindi Diwas (Hindi Day). It is for this reason that in our Constitution Hindi has been given the status of national language for works at the Centre and regional languages were recognised for works in state governments. If we want to see our democracy becoming stronger and progressive then the country should respect Hindi and regional languages in the working of the Central and state governments.

Sea of protests in Tamil Nadu

Indian Muslims sui generic: Ansari


New Delhi: Addressing after releasing a book titled Muslims in Indian Cities, edited by Laurent Gayer and Christoph Jafferlot, Indias Vice President M Hamid Ansari stated that Indian Muslims are in more ways than one sui generic (a class alone). Ansari asserted, They are 13.4 percent of Indias population; at the same time, they are the second or third largest Muslim community in our world of nation-states. Ansari said that Muslims have lived in Indias religiously plural society for over a thousand years at times as rulers, at others as subjects and now as citizens. They are not homogenous in racial or linguistic terms and bear the impact of local cultural surroundings, in manners and customs, in varying degrees, he said.

New forms of protests from the villagers over the nuclear plant in Tamil Nadus Kudankulam gained momentum in various areas of Tamil Nadu over the last week. While the Jal Stayagraha (Water Protest) had people get into the sea, the Graveyard Protests had villagers buried them up to neck in sand. Villagers of Koothankuli also went on a silent procession and assembled in front of the church too. The protesters condemned the use of forces by the state and central governments and wore masks of Chief Minister Jayalalitha and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The Vice President Mohd. Hamid Ansari releasing the book Muslims in Indian Cities, edited by Laurent Gayer and Christophe Jaffrelot in New Delhi

ISRo launches 100th mission


Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh: As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh watched, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched its 100th indigenous mission with the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) blasting off into space with two foreign satellites from the Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh. PSLV-C21, which blasted off at 9-53 am, will inject SPOT-6 and PROITERES satellites (of France and Japan) into an orbit of 655 km altitude at an inclination of 98.23 deg. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was present at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota to witness the historic moment, said: As ISROs 100th space mission, todays launch is a milestone in our nations space capabilities. The 51-hour countdown commenced at 06:51 hours Friday (Sept 7) during which propellantfilling operations of the liquid propellant second stage (PS2) and fourth stage (PS4) of the launch vehicle was carried out. The launch of these satellites on board an Indian launch vehicle is testimony to the commercial competitiveness of the Indian space industry and is a tribute to Indian innovation and ingenuity, PM said, adding, This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the commencement of our space programme. Given the string of successes since then, we often forget how challenging space technology is and what a relatively new field it continues to be. India is justly proud of its space scientists, who have overcome immense odds to set up world class facilities and develop advanced technologies. We owe a great deal to pioneers like Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and Prof. Satish Dhawan. Questions are sometimes asked about whether a poor country like India can afford a space programme and whether the funds spent on space exploration, albeit modest, could be better utilized elsewhere. This misses the point that a nations state of development is finally a product of its technological prowess, said the PM.

Indo-Pak visa pact materialises

Islamabad: India and Pakistan signed the much-awaited visa agreement that will ease the visa restrictions on people from both countries, Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said. The visa pact was signed by him and Indias External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, who was on a three-day visit to Pakistan for talks. The biggest thing is that the visa agreement will be of benefit to the common people of both India and Pakistan. There is no loss for anyone in this, Malik said. The Pakistan minister said that with the new visa pact in place, the earlier problems of visa delays and rejections will end. The visa agreement could be a game changer for people-to-people contact between the two neighbours as visa rules for specified categories could be eased by both sides. Though India had said earlier that it was ready to sign the visa pact, Pakistan said it had to clear some formalities on its part.

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Indian

india-Abroad
which includes 16 titles including Lagaan, The Namesake, Awara and Aparajito, as well as three panel discussions on topics raised in the series. A day before that New Age guru Deepak Chopra made a presentation. Hindustani Music of North India, a concert scheduled for Oct 12, will feature noted tabla player and Yale faculty member Samir Chatterjee and flautist Steve Gorn. This concert at the LeFrak Concert Hall in Queens College is the first performance of the Aaron Copland School of Music's Chamber Music Live fall season. Queens Colleges Year of India will also feature student and faculty exchanges, newly developed credit-bearing courses taught by professors from the college and their partner institutions in India, and programmes by members of the Indian community. To encourage collaborations and partnerships, faculty will lead three study tours to India for faculty, students, and staff. An exhibition titled Art from the Land of the Peacock will spotlight Indias distinctive and diverse artistic traditions while drawing upon the collections at Queens Colleges Art Library. It will run Nov 1 to June 27, 2013 at the Benjamin S. Rosenthal Library in the campus. The Indian Consulate of New York is hosting a reception Sep 20 for Queens College celebrating what the college calls a vibrant, diverse country with a complex history and globally significant economy. The college, located in Americas most diverse county, examines each year the history, art, and culture of a different country. China and Turkey have been featured before.

Sholay at uSas Queens college


New York: An American college, which has on its rolls over 20,000 students from 170 nations, screened the 1970s Bollywood blockbuster Sholay as it hosted a Year of India during the 2012-13 academic year that will also see presentations to explore India. Queens College of the City University of New York (CUNY) is hosting a Year of India with exhibitions, a film series, and performances and student-sponsored activities on culture, sports, and everyday life in India. Presentations will explore India - its society and politics, arts and culture, math and science, religions and economics - as well as its influence in the South Asian region and the world, and its diaspora in the US, said a press release by Queens College. Sholay, the most successful Hindi film of all time, was screened Sep 12, to kick off the Representing South Asia on Film series,

University of Missouri showcasing Hindu Gods


maraj, snake goddess Manasha, Shitala, Krishna playing a flute, Shiva Bhairava, etc. Works include metal, wood, stone, ceramic, leather, paper mache and ivory; as well as paintings on paper, cloth, and glass. Most of the exhibits originated in India but some are from other countries of South or Southeast Asia. Applauding UMMAA for organizing Hinduism focused exhibition, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) said that art had a long and rich tradition in Hinduism and ancient Sanskrit literature talked about religious paintings of deities on wood or cloth. Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, urged major art museums of the world, including Musee du Louvre and Musee dOrsay of Paris, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Los Angeles Getty Center, Uffizi Gallery of Florence (Italy), Art Institute of Chicago, Tate Modern of London, Prado Museum of Madrid, National Gallery of Art in Washington DC, etc., to frequently organize Hindu art focused exhibitions, thus sharing the rich Hindu art heritage with the rest of the world. Four tie-in films, a program on yoga, and a lecture on Darshan: Hindu Art and the Religious Gaze will also be presented as an orientation to the exhibition. Exhibition offers varied visual landscape of Hindu divinity, a museum announcement adds. Its permanent collections include various stone and bronze statues of Hindu deities Vishnu, Shiva, Parvati, Durga, Ganesha, Lakshmi and Rama. Alex Barker is the Director and Jeffrey Wilcox is Registrar.

canada honours Indian-origin journalist


Ottawa: Indian-origin journalist Sultan Jessa has been presented with the Queen Elizabeth diamond jubilee medal by Canadas Governor-General David Johnston at a special ceremony here in recognition of his remarkable service. The medal, specially created to mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II, was presented Monday to Canadians for their significant achievement and remarkable service. The retired, Tanzania-born journalist has scored a hat trick to mark Queen Elizabeths accession to the British throne. He was presented with the Queens silver jubilee medal in 1977 and the golden jubilee medal in 2002. It is quite an honour to receive people who have not only succeeded in Canada, but have made a difference in their adopted country. Born in Moshi on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, the former editor and publisher of Northern News in Arusha, at one time worked for The Nationalist and Standard in Dar es Salaam before moving to Nairobi to work for the Daily and Sunday Nation. He moved to Canada in 1973 and started working for StandardFreeholder, a newspaper owned by the Thomson chain. Six years after arriving in Canada, Jessa was made Citizen of the Year of Cornwall, Ontario. Jessa has received numerous honours from municipal, provincial and federal governments. The jour-

Missouri: University of Missouri Museum of Art and Archaeology (UMMAA) is exhibiting Hindu gods and goddesses in its Seeing the Divine in Hindu Art exhibition from Sept 22 to Dec 16. This exhibition reportedly examines many Hindu deities with artifacts as old as from eighth century in a variety of media, including Vishnu and his ten avatars, Shiva, Ganesha, Lakshmi, Enthroned Vishnu, Parvati, Durga astride a lion, Kali, Sarasvati, Surya, Dhar-

Canadas Governor-General David Johnson (left) presented Queens Golden Jubilee Medal to Sultan Jessa (right) at a ceremony in Ottawa Sep 10.

Indian-American elected to Royal Society of Canada


Washington: Ponisseril Somasundaran, an Indian American member of the faculty of Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science, has been chosen as the sole foreign fellow of the prestigious Royal Society of Canada. The only one from outside Canada to be elected this year, Somasundaran, who has been at Columbia since 1970 will be inducted in a ceremony on Nov 17 at the Ottawa Convention Centre in Ottawa with 70 other fellows. Somasundaran is recognized for his ground-breaking contributions towards unraveling complex nano-scale structures and energetics of surfactant self-assemblies and polymer-surfactant hybrids at interfaces, according to the citation announcing his election. He pioneered the use of spectroscopic methods for probing surfactant self-assemblies. His work forms the backbone of many of the

current practices in ultra-lean ores beneficiation, hazardous materials/ waste water treatment and personal care industry, it said. His seminal work continues to be vital for meeting today's environmental and sustainability needs, the citation added. Founded in

1882, the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) comprises the Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada. Election to its academies is considered one of the highest honours a scholar can achieve in the Arts, Humanities and Sciences. Somasundaran was named La von Duddleson Krumb Professor in 1983 and was the chairman of the Henry Krumb School from 1988 to 1992 and of the Department of Chemical Engineering, Material Science and Mining from 1992 to 1997. Somasundaran is currently Director of the National Science Foundation Centre for Advanced Studies in Novel Surfactants and Langmuir Centre for Colloids and Interfaces. Elected a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers in 2009, he was awarded Padma Shri civilian honour by the Indian Government in 2010.

all three medals, said Jessa, who has previously received the Order of Canada, the countrys most prestigious and highest civilian order for 35 years of community service. It encourages you to continue to help others. You don't seek recognition, but it's heartwarming when the work you do is appreciated, he said. In 2010, Jessa was selected as one among Canada's top 25 immigrants. This award is given to

nalist has also been honoured by Rotary, Kinsmen and the Ontario Medical Association. An Ismaili, he has a rare distinction of being honoured by the Catholic, Jewish and Sikh communities. Jessa has won Ontario's medal for volunteerism, good citizenship and has been recognized by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Royal Canadian Legion as well as Red Cross.

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india

Cartoonist declares fight for freedom of speech


Kanpur-based cartoonist Aseem Trivedi, who was arrested for allegedly posting seditious content on his website, was released from a Mumbai jail on Wednesday, September 12. He said he will continue the struggle till Section 124 A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) is removed. I did not commit any crime. The government has to accept the mistake, Trivedi said while addressing a press conference after his release from Arthur Road Jail. This fight will not slowdown after my release. The fight will continue till 124 A (sedition charges) and all curbs on freedom of speech are removed, he said. The Bombay High Court on Tuesday granted bail to Trivedi on a personal bond of Rs. 5,000. According to reports, the sedition charges against Trivedi might be dropped. India Against Corruption (IAC) member Mayank Gandhi earlier told media that Trivedi decided to come out of the jail after Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil said he would see that sedition charges against the cartoonist are dropped. Trivedi on Tuesday refused to come out of the jail till the charges made against him were dropped. Patil told reporters he would take the opinion of the law department in connection to the case and then take a decision on withdrawing the him of putting up ugly and obscene content on his website. He has shown disrespect to the National flag and therefore he has been arrested under section 124 A, Chandrakant Bhosale, Senior Inspector, Mumbai Police, was quoted as saying. The IAC lent its support to Trivedi saying that the arrest is politically motivated. If anyone is talking against corruption, proclaiming it as anti-national and slamming charges of sedition, one needs to understand that

charges. After getting the details, we are going to take a decision on the issue of withdrawing the sedition charge on the cartoonist, Patil told media. Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Tuesday said the state government has not taken any decision on the matter so far. A Mumbai court on Monday remanded Trivedi to 14-day judicial custody till Sept 24. The Mumbai Police did not seek

his custody while Trivedi also did not apply for his bail. Hence the court sent him to judicial custody. Trivedi was remanded to police custody till Sept 16 by the court on Sunday. Trivedi was arrested on Saturday following a complaint filed in December last year by advocate Amit Katarnavea, a member of the Republican Party of India, who alleged Trivedi was responsible for banners purportedly mocking the

Indian constitution. His website too has also been blocked, reports said, over the banners and posters that were put up during Anna Hazares anti-graft rally held last year at the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai. The police, that had tried to arrest Trivedi over a non-bailable warrant issued last month but failed as he was untraceable, said the cartoonists arrest is a procedural formality, following the First Information Report (FIR) that accuses

I did not commit any crime. The government has to accept the mistake - Aseem Trivedi
this (drawing cartoons) is against the government and not against the country, said IAC member Mayank Gandhi. The IAC Facebook page posted a link to an online petition demanding the release of Trivedi after his arrest.

Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi

N AT I O N A L L I S T M P

AUCKLAND OF F I CE: Unit 1, 131 Kolmar Rd, Papatoetoe, Auckland

Ph: 09 278 9302 | Email: bakshi.mp@parliament.govt.nz Postal Address: PO Box 23136, Hunters Corner, Auckland 2025

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Indian

Fiji

More graduates jobless


As Fijis job crisis continues to deepen, 9523 graduates from various tertiary institutions in the country are still unemployed, it has been revealed. Minister for Labour Jone Usamate said out of those 9523 jobless graduates, 858 were degree holders. Mr Usamate said the unemployed graduates had been registered by the ministry's National Employment Centre (NEC) from April 2010. He said the large number of unemployed graduates in the country was a result of not enough jobs but there was still hope ahead. "For the past few years, our economic growth has been slow and job creation has been slow," Mr Usamate said. "There are not enough new jobs being created to absorb the new graduates," Mr Usamate told this newspaper. He said the other possible reason was because of the difference between what was being taught in tertiary institutions and what employers needed. Mr Usamate said Fiji needed to grow the job market and encourage the development of small micro enterprises (SMEs) to make use of the large number of well-educated unemployed youths the country had. "This year, we are beginning to see some positive signs in our economy. There have been good reports of demand in the construction sector. Growth in the construction sector is a sign of potential growth," he said. Mr Usamate outlined that tourism industry that was also doing well and the Fiji Trade and Investment Bureau had reported the number of investors interested to invest in Fiji. "On top of this, a 2.7 per cent economic growth has been forecast," he said. Mr Usamate also highlighted that various proactive measures had been developed by the ministry to counter the increase in unemployment rates. He said the ministry had selfemployment service for those who wanted to start their own small business, Fiji Volunteer Service for those who had a strong sense of service and civic pride and willingness to serve others before self. "Foreign Employment Service is another initiative for those who want to work overseas. This service will be launched with the Foreign Employment Unit under the ministry by the end of September," Mr Usamate said. He said the ministry had been engaging in vetting employment agencies that could take the role of seeking jobs in other countries for unemployed Fijians. Mr Usamate said the NEC could not create jobs but had been effective in carrying out its mandate. Fiji Times

No caretaker Government: Bainimarama

Fiji gets new Indian beauty queen

It was a dream come true for 20-year-old Sheryl Kumar, who was crowned Miss India Fiji 2012 at a glittering ceremony in Suva. An emotional Sheryl, who pipped nine other contestants to win the title, said she never expected to be on stage and win a national pageant. "My mind straightaway went to those days that weren't my best. Every girl has her down days and

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I am no different. Then, I didn't think I would make it through life, let alone take part and win the Miss India Pageant," Sheryl told the Fiji Times. "I am blessed to have come this far and I couldn't have done it without my friends, my family and even those people that passed me on the road with a smile or a bula - they all deserve a mention in this win. They have played a part in building

my confidence," she added. Sheryl is now gearing up for the Miss India Worldwide pageant to be held in Kuala Lumpur in March next year. "The hardest journey begins now. I am honoured to represent Fiji on the world stage and I hope, like those winners before me, I do a worthy job in my reign," said Sheryl. Sheryl also won the Pure Fiji Beautiful Skin award at the event.

There will be no caretaker Government to lead Fiji to the elections, says the Prime Minister. Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama revealed this in reaction to a statement made by the Fiji Labour Party (FLP) in their preliminary submission to the Constitution Committee this week at the Suva Civic Centre. FLP leader Mahendra Chaudhry said the only legitimate way forward was clearly spelt out on the Fiji Court of Appeal (FCA) judgment. However, the Prime Minister reminded the FLP leader that they should only make submissions about the constitution and not the way the country is governed. My Government will not listen to anyone who wants to tell us how to govern the nation, Commodore Bainimarama said. The Government had nothing to do with the FCA ruling and must not be brought up. The Prime Minister said FLP should not mention anything about the 1997 Constitution because it had been abrogated. The PM said FLP should, during its proper submission, make proposals that would help the nation move forward rather than submitting old ideas for the partys advantage only. Chaudhry, while presenting the partys preliminary submission to the constitution commission, said the constitution process was fundamentally flawed and lacked credibility, integrity and legitimacy as sanctioned by Decrees 57 & 58. We now submit that there is only one legitimate and credible way

back to constitutional rule and that is to abide by the advice rendered in the decision of the Fiji Court of Appeal (FCA) on April 9 2009Qarase vs Banimarama Civil Appeal, Chaudhry said. According to Chaudhry, the judgment calls for a caretaker Prime Minister to oversee the holding of elections and restoration of constitutional rule.

My Government will not listen to anyone who wants to tell us how to govern the nation - Commodore Bainimarama

We also feel strongly that the members of the Commission must not regard themselves bound by those unethical provisions of Decrees 57 and 58 which they consider inhibit the proper discharge of their duties and responsibilities in accordance with their oath of office. The Labour Party plans to give in their full submissions early October.

Cut and bring this voucher with you on the night to get $2 off the ticket* for you AND a friend!
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Indian

Heritage Fiji

Lord Ganesha's Ashta-Vinayak Legends


rAm liNGAm

Lord Ganesha is popularly known as Vighneshwara - the Lord of obstacles. For those on the spiritual path, Lord Ganesha represents a perfect wisdom who removes all obstacles that comes in the way of attaining God. But to those who need a mystical proof of God, the legends of Lord Ganesha's eight temples in Maharashta collectively called Ashta-Vinayak temples offer much mysticism.
No Hindu ritual or auspicious act happens without invoking Lord Ganesha first. 'Om Shri Ganeshaya Namah' is the first mantra that is chanted before beginning meditation, prayer, starting new enterprises or undertaking any new initiative. Seekers who have a subtle intellect invoke a formless Lord Ganesha by "Ajam nirvikalpam nirakaramakam niranandam anandam advaitapoornam | param nirgunam nirvishesham nireeham para-brahmaroopam ganesham bhaje-ma || which translates as "O Lord, You are unborn, formless and absolute; You are beyond bliss and again bliss itself - the One and the Infinite. You are the Supreme, without attributes, differentiation and desire. You are verily the Supreme Brahman. To You, O Lord, do we offer our worship." Says Sri Sri Ravi Shankar about Lord Ganesha: " Ganeshji is not somewhere outside of us, but the very centre of our life. But this is very subtle knowledge. Not everybody can perceive the formless without the form. Our ancient Rishis and Munis knew this; so they created the form for the benefit and understanding of people at all levels." But for those who need a form for invocation, Lord Ganesha's forms are many as we can see in his sacred temples - especially the eight temples of dedicated to Lord Ganesha all in the state of Maharashtra. These temples relate to various events mentioned in the ancient Puranas and other legends are collectively called Ashta-Vinayak. All the eight Ashta Vinayak temples are Swayambhu (self-originated). In each of these eight sacred temples in Maharashtra, Lord Ganesha is called by a different name derived from a legend. Here are the names, place and legends associated with each of Lord Ganesha's temples. quished the demon Tripurasur.

Shri Chintamani at Theur

Shri Mayureshwar at Morgaon

Lord Ganesha defeated and liberated a demon called Sindhu. He fought the battle riding a peacock (Mayur is peacock in Sanskrit) and hence became known as Lord Mayureshwar or Moreshwar in Marathi. A 14th century saint called Morya Gosavi is also known to be associated with this temple.

The legend goes - A greedy warrior King Ganasura snatched a wish fulfilling diamond called Chintamani from Rishi Kapila. Kapila Rishi invoked Lord Ganesha who destroyed Ganasura and got back the diamond. Rishi Kapila in his devotion to Lord Ganesha requested him to stay back, completely dropping his desire for the wish fulfilling diamond. Lord Ganesha took up the name of this diamond Chintamani and remained under a Kadamba tree and came to be known as Chintamani Vinayak.

up at Lenyadri and since he was born to Girija came to be known as Shri Girijatmaj

Shri Vighneshwar at Ojhar

Lord Ganesha is known as Vigneshwara or the remover of all obstacles, this he achieved by vanquishing the demon Vighnasur. The place where the battle was fought was Ojhar and Lord Ganesha came to be known as Vighneshwara Vinayaka - the conqueror of Vighnasur.

Ballal was beaten, tied him to a tree in the forest by his father and went home. Lord Ganesha took form of a learned man, freed Ballal and healed all wounds. Ballal intuitively recognised the true form of Lord Ganesha and pleased by his devotion asked to what boon he wanted. Ballal requested the Lord to stay there permanently in the forest. Lord Ganesha disappeared and a black rock with Ganesha's carved form appeared. This idol came to be known as Shri Ballaleshwar.

Shri SiddhiVinayak at Siddhatek


According to the Mudgala Purana, Lord Vishnu invokes and gets blessings and siddhis (powers) from Lord Ganesha to fight and slay two demons Madhu and Kaitabha. Sages like Maharishi Vyaas, Morya Gosavi and Narayan Maharaj performed austerities and obtained siddhis in Siddhatek. The Lord is called Siddhi Vinayak (one who bestows Siddhis).

Shri Varad Vinayak at Mahad

Shri Girijatmaj at Lenyadri

Shri MahaGanapati at Ranjangaon


The MahaGanapati temple is said to be the most powerful representation of Lord Ganesha. This is the place where Lord Shiva invoked Lord Ganesha in a Maha Ganapati form with 20 trunks, 10 hands and van-

Once Parvati (also known as Girija) asked Lord Shiva who he was mediating on. He said he was mediating on Ganesha "the supporter of the entire universe" and initiated Parvati with "Gam" the powerful Ganesha Mantra. Desiring to have a son, Parvati underwent austerities meditating on Ganesha for twelve years at Lenyadri. Pleased by her penance, Ganesha blessed her with the boon that he will be born as her son. And so he incarnated. Shiva granted a boon that whosoever remembers Lord Ganesha before starting any tasks will successfully complete that task. For 15 years Lord Ganesha grew

Shri Ballaleshwar at Pali

Among Ganesha temples, Ballaleshwar is the only name of Ganesha that is known by his devotee's name. A merchant didn't like his young son named Ballal worshipping Lord Ganesha neglecting his business. While in a deep state of contemplation on Lord Ganesha in the forest,

Vachaknav Rishi was visited by a ruler by name Rukmangad, and during the visit the rishipatni got infatuated on the king, but he King turned her down. Indra, the king of the Devas took the form of the King Rukmangad and procreated an illegitimate son Grudsamad. The son, learning of the story of his birth got stricken by grief, and prayed to Lord Ganesha. His prayer was granted and was given a boon (var) due to which he became a renowned Rishi. Since a boon (var) was given at this place, Lord Ganesha came to be known by VaradaVinayak.

GANAPATI BAPPA MORYA

Ram Lingam blogs his insights on India and Indian culture at www. indiasutra.co.nz

lord Ganesha our journey in spirituality!


BrAmHACHAri AdArSH CHAitANyA
estivals are a time for celebration, a time for fun and a time to divinize our emotions. Emotions tend to come in a rush and overpower us. Unless they are channelized or guided, they have the potential to do harm. Emotions are like a river in flow. It can be used to make the land (our fields of actions) fertile and yield great harvest or it can flood the land space and destroy all the crops and wash away all fertility. Swami Chinmayanandaji used to say, to grow, one must change the quality, quantity and direction of thought flow in our mind. Hence, channelizing emotions and divinizing our thoughts are the basic purpose behind all festivals and their elaborate rituals. Lord Ganesha is the first God we pray to as He is the Lord who bestows us with Auspiciousness (Mangal). Hence, He is prayed at every new undertaking. But what exactly is auspiciousness? Well, Auspiciousness is nothing but goodness, nobility, righteousness and positivity all woven into one. Ganesha is also one who removes all our obstacles. Our Rishis were so very practical when they thought of mans relationship with God, as majority of us tend to think of God only at the time of distress and as a miracle-doer, who can take us out from our suffering. But Lord Ganesha not only can remove suffering but also He is the kundalini shakti (power) to march ahead and achieve great deeds. Besides, he is 22 bestower of worldly intelligence the

On the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, Id like to convey my sincerest prayers for the well-being of one and all.
and spiritual wisdom as well. Hence, Lord Ganesha is the Lord to be worshipped for all achievements spiritual and material. But who is Lord Ganesha? Story of Lord Ganeshas birth unveiled Ganesh Chaturthi is the birth of Lord Ganesha. As the story goes, One day while bathing in her chambers, Mother Parvati (the primordial powers of the Universe Adi Paraa Shakti and the consort of Lord Shiva the Pure Consciousness Bliss) collected the mud from her body and created a form of a beautiful young boy. Seeing her creation, her motherly instincts took over and she felt like having that form as her child so she breathed life into the form and brought it to life. She then blessed the child all knowledge and skills and then asked him to guard her palace so that no one enters while she was bathing. When Lord Shiva arrives, wanting to see Mother Parvati, this young boy comes in the way and as per his mothers instructions does not give Lord Shiva permission to enter his own palace. This does not impress the Lord at all and He tries to reason with the boy, tells him who He was, etc. but the boy would not yield. Eventually, after all other methods had failed, Lord Shiva asked his generals to take the boy away so that He could enter. One by one, members of Lord Shivas army tried to remove him with force but were unsuccessful. They all fought this tiny boy but all of them lost. This enraged Lord Shiva, and He told the boy to move or else be prepared to die. But the Son of Parvati was not phased from duty and hence a battle ensued in which eventually, Lord Shiva triumphed by beheading him with his Trishul (Trident). On entering the chamber of Mother Parvati, He found her very that position. Lord Shiva then performed the surgery and brought the child back to life. He then bestowed him with the name of Ganesha and blessed Him with all knowledge and wisdom. Ganesha was made the leader of Lord Shivas army and was given the status of being the first to be worshipped before any other God. in the same body, but replaces the thinking (the head). This is the spiritual birth of the child. Now he is fit to be a leader of the Ganas (the Lord of all classifications of all categories of all groups), showing that the leader must have a spiritual vision, a higher goal. This is the birth of Ganesha, the Lord of Auspiciousness. Now, He is truly worshipable... not possessing skill and good values but one who has the knowledge of and knows that Supreme Atma Tattva in oneself and in all. May we all seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha in our lives and over these 10 days cherish His company in our daily activities. Let us come to fulfill our journeys by changing the quality of thoughts, reduce the quantity of material thoughts and increase the quantity of spiritual thoughts and change the direction of thoughts through the worship of our beloved Sri Ganesha. The result of auspiciousness is nobility in our goals and actions we perform thereafter. Bramhachari Adarsh Chaitanya serves as the Resident Acharya of Chinmaya Mission Auckland and conducts weekly spiritual classes for children, youth and adults. For more information about the Chinmaya Mission and Bramhachari Adarsh Chaitanya please follow this link: www.chinmaya.org.nz or contact him at www.iwk.co.nz 21, 2012 | 2756954

Significance of the story This story is what is popularly spoken off, but the significance of it is very beautiful indeed. We are all born from prakriti (Mother Parvati). We too are made out of mud (earth) and the 5 Great Elements are nothing but her body. She then breathes life into us, because she loves us as her creation. She endows the boy with knowledge and skills. We too are given all the faculties of acquiring cheerful but also very surprised on knowledge and developing our skills. seeing Him as she didnt expect to The boy is then sent to guard her as see anyone there. She questioned his duty We too are guided by our Lord Shiva as to where her child was nature to perform our various duties and how did he allow Him to enter in life. However, all this time the child the palace. On knowing what had created, is ignorant of Lord Shiva (the happened to her dear child, she was Pure Consciousness) as his father. He thrown into an abyss of sorrow and is efficient and skillful but cannot grief and demanded that her son be recognize the Lord who is Pure Bliss. brought back to life. This is the Ego... The Lord, even Immediately, Lord Shiva on real- after introducing Himself, does not izing the pain He had caused set out gain the favour of the child. Finally, to rectify it by asking his army to go it is with the Trident, the weapon and find a head of a creature facing that cuts the three gunas - Sattva the north before sunset and bring it (noble ego), Rajas (desirous ego) and to Him so that the child be brought Tamas (ignoble ego) then the child back to life. The Ganas (Lord Shivas (the Ego) is dead. When Lord Shiva army) in haste could only bring an revives him with an elephant head, indian Weekender | another life elephant head which was lying in He blesses Him with September

Indian

Sports

Sindhu beats london olympics gold medallist

clT20 set for an explosive tournament


Mumbai: The Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) 2012 is set to be an explosive tournament after confirmation of each teams final squad. Team line-ups are again brimming with the worlds elite T20 talent as the champion domestic teams from a record eight countries chase the US$2.5m first prize from a total pool (including participation fees) of US$13m. The 2012 Champions League Twenty20 will feature a record 14 champion teams from India (4), Australia (2), South Africa (2), England (2), New Zealand (1), Sri Lanka (1), West Indies (1) and Pakistan (1) for the first time. Eight teams have automatically qualified for the Group Stage while the remaining six teams will compete for the remaining two places via a Qualifier. The Qualifier will start on October 9 before the Group Stage starts on October 13. The Final will be played on Sunday, October 28 in Johannesburg. Last years Champion Mumbai Indians and 2010 Champion Chennai Super Kings headline the returning teams. Both teams will be playing in their third CLT20 tournament along with Trinidad & Tobago, the 2009 CLT20 Finalist. Of the other teams, Highveld Lions, Auckland Aces, Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders are making return visits. Six teams will be making their first appearance in the tournament Englands Hampshire and Yorkshire, South Africas Titans, Pakistans Sialkot Stallions and Australias two new Big Bash League Twenty20 teams, the Sydney Sixers and Perth Scorchers.

Changzhou: Indias P.V. Sindhu recorded the biggest win of her career on September 14 when she stunned London Olympics gold medallist Li Xuerui of China to enter the womens singles semi-finals at the China Masters Superseries badminton event here Friday. Ajay Jayaram made the mens singles semi-finals after beating compatriot Sourabh Varma 12-21,

21-14, 21-16 at the Olympics Sports Center Xincheng Gymnasium here. Sindhu, seen as another emerging world-class player after Saina Nehwal, held her nerve for a 21-19, 9-21, 21-16 win over the World No.2, who is also the reigning All England champion. She will have to beat another Chinese, Jiang Yanjiao, for a place in the final. The 45-minute battle was an ab-

sorbing one with both players making a slew of unforced errors while going for their shots. The aggression though worked better for Sindhu, who came up with 26 smash winners to Xueruis 20. She also conjured up nine net winners, one more than the Chinese. A win seemed distant for the 17-year-old Indian when Xuerui, 21, ran through the second game to level the contest. But Sindhu showed remarkable grit and courage in the decider for a memorable win. Sindhu ran to hug her coach Pullela Gopichand after Xuerui netted a back hand on the first matchpoint. The Hyderabadi defeated an opponent who has been the best player of the year, winning four titles besides the Olympic gold at London. Meanwhile, Jayaram is the sole Indian left in the men's event following R.M.V Gurusaidutts 8-21, 12-21 loss to top seed Chen Long of China in the quarterfinals.

uS to conduct Indo-pak soccer exchange


Washington: The US Department of States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Sports United Division Monday announced the first India and Pakistan dual country soccer exchange. This programme will bring 18 young female soccer players and two coaches from India and Pakistan to the United States from Sept 11 to 22. This marks the third sports exchange with Pakistan and the fourth with India. According to official reports, throughout the ten-day programme members of the delegation will share their experiences, learn about the United States through the lens of sports, interact with young American athletes, and meet with U.S. sports professionals. The US Sports Division stated that the programme will include a series of intensive soccer clinics, conflict resolution workshops, and sessions on disability sports. The group will meet with of-

Indias batting line-up the key to win World Twenty20?

ficials from D.C. Parks and Recreation for a discussion on sports nutrition and training, it said.

Deccan chargers terminated


ests of the players, he said. Considering the stated position of the Deccan franchise to refuse to rectify the various defaults including payments to players, foreign Boards etc, as also the deleterious effect such conduct would have on the reputation of the IPL and the franchise itself, a decision was taken to forthwith terminate the Deccan Chargers franchise, he added further. The BCCI is completely justified in this action which was taken with careful deliberation and only due to the absolute inability of the franchise to effectively run the team, he said. Earlier on September 13, Deccan Chronicle Holdings Ltd. (DCHL) rejected the sole bid by PVP Ventures for its IPL franchise Deccan Chargers on the basis of the payment terms offered by them. The team had finished last in the inaugural IPL but won the next edition in South Africa in 2009. The Chargers were second last in the most recent IPL tournament that ended in May. New Delhi: Former India captain Kapil Dev feels that it will be tough for Mahendra Singh Dhoni to lead India to their second World Twenty20 title in Sri Lanka. Kapil said his doubts are strong because of the way India played in their last T20 International against New Zealand. My heart says that India will win the World Cup and my cricketing brain thinks that they will find it very difficult. The way they played in the last T20 against New Zealand is not a good sign ahead of such an important tournament, Kapil said. India lost from a winning position and one cannot let go opportunities just like that. A team can lose confidence if they are defeats like these, Kapil added. Getting off to a good start in the tournament will be a key thing and then should think about the later part of the tournament, he added. Kapil said all will depend on the batting line-up if India have to win the World Twenty20. Indias biggest strength is the batting. Every team has 1-2 match winning batsmen, but India have around 5-6 batsmen who can turn the match all by themselves. But then, they will have to avoid complacency, he said. Kapil said Dhoni has proved himself as a captain. He has done enough as captain and doesnt need to prove anything to anyone, he said. The Legendary all-rounder also praised comeback man Yuvraj Singh. Everyone is talking about it, but then for me his comeback is more than whatever he does on the field. It is not about scoring 100 or 50 or taking five wickets but the spirit that he has showed, he said.

Mumbai: Ending all speculations, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) terminated the contract of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Deccan Chargers on September 14. The BCCI held an emergency meeting of the IPL Governing Council and took the decision of terminating the contract of the franchise that was plagued by financial woes.

BCCI was compelled to hold an emergency meeting of the IPL Governing Council late Friday evening to discuss certain developments due to the Deccan Chargers defaults, said BCCI Secretary Sanjay Jagdale. The Governing Council took note of the sudden change of stance by the franchise and also the fact that any further extension of time would seriously prejudice the inter-

indian Weekender | September 21, 2012 | www.iwk.co.nz

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Indian

lifestyle

penta T-pad, the new enviable toy for gadget freaks


Have you been putting off your desire to buy an iPad because you can't afford it? Its time you materialise your wish with a Penta T-Pad, that beats the iPad in every way, especially in the price bracket.

igh-end technology at an unbelievable price is the dictum of this internet slate. The Penta T-Pad IS907C Tablet PC is an on-the-go device with an inbuilt SIM slot that takes care of all your connectivity needs. It has a 0.3 MP front and a 2.0MP rear camera to capture the images of your loved ones. It responds instantly and accurately to every touch, drag, zoom, or twist of the fingers. It is pre-loaded with many applications that include Facebook, Twitter, Angry Birds, Skype for video calling, and many more that keep the users hooked on to this tablet for hours as there is a 6+ hours of battery back-up. It boasts of the best battery back-up in its class. The tablet has a 1GB DDR III RAM, with an internal storage of 8GB (expandable to 32GB).The device comes with a 2160P HDMI port that enhances the viewing pleasure. And as if thats not all, the 3D video HDMI output to a 3D TV promises you dont just watch, you experience your favourite movies! A 4:3 aspect ratio and 16M colours TFT-LCD display adds to the viewers experience. Penta NZ Ltd is the country partner for a young Information Knowledge and Communication devices hardware company in India called 'Pantel Technologies PVT Ltd', providing ICT products under the brand name of PENTA in India, Asia and now in ANZ & Pacific. We design the specification suitable for ANZ & Pacific to be manufactured by Pantel Technologies PVT Ltd. Check out the features of the Penta PC Tablet as compared to the iPad 2 and decide for yourself. iPad 2 Processor Memory USB HDMI Screen Price Apple A5 16 GB (Non Expendable) No No 9.7 inch $ 579 Penta PC Tablet Android ICS 4.0.3 OS 8/16 GB (Expandable upto 32 GB) Yes Yes 9.7 inch $360

Femina Miss India pageant enters 50th year

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he Femina Miss India beauty pageant kickstarted the celebrations of its 50 years. The first Miss India Meher Castellino, was joined by other former Miss India beauties at a function in Mumbai, said that even though 50 years had passed, she felt like it was just yesterday when she won the crown. "It feels like just yesterday, I won the contest. But I have been watching all the contests and every time I try and guess who the winner will be and 80 percent of the time I get them right, she said. Current Miss India World Vanya Mishra said: "It was my childhood dream to wear the Miss India crown, I always wanted to be a

Miss India. This is like a dream come true. Very few women have actually got an opportunity to wear this crown." S i n g e r Shibani Kashyap sang a song which celebrated the true essence of being a woman. Rochelle Maria Rao, who is Miss India International 2012, said that being a part of the Miss India family is like being a part of a sisterhood. "It is like being part of a sisterhood which has lasted 50 years. We have shown the world that Indian women can make changes wherever they go," she said.

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Indian

lifestyle

Dining with friends Indias new fashion hub can make you fat
Dining with a friend could be bad for those on a diet - it tempts you into eating unhealthy dishes from the menu, just to keep him or her in good humour, says a study. Researchers believe it may help to explain why groups of friends often put on weight at the same time and why some women complain that they get heavier when they find a boyfriend - they start to copy his eating habits. The research asked 100 female volunteers to select from a choice of food consisting of healthy fruit and vegetables or unhealthy foods including crisps, pastries and cocktail sausages. They found that when they were eating with someone who had been asked to pick unhealthy options, the volunteers also picked far more of these compared to when they ate alone or with someone who chose healthier foods. Suzanne Higgs, reader in the psychobiology of appetite and study coauthor, added: "This research underlines the social nature of eating and how this influences our behaviour."

New Delhi: Meghalaya is the new fashion destination. The first edition of Shillong Fashion Week (SFW) has got the green signal and it will see talent from the North-East region showcasing creations with tribal influence. As many as 16 designers will showcase their collection at the two-day fashion gala schedule to take place at the North Eastern Hills University (NEHU) convention centre from Oct 19. Out of 16 designers, six are from Meghalaya, two from Manipur, one from Mizoram and one from Arunchal Pradesh have been confirmed till date. Rest of the six finalised yet. For this season, day one is dedicated to the tribes, so one of the basic criterion that is needed to be the part of this fashion week is have to have some kind of tribal origin and technical background. We thought lets push designers from our region as they have never got such kind of backbone, Julie Deb, marketing director of the show, said. The participating designers are very

excited to be a part of this event. Also, we have dedicated the first edition as the Year of Youth so all the participating designers are not only young, but also very innovative, she added. The fashion week is initiated by the state of Meghalaya under the leadership of the Mukul Sangma, chief minister of the state. According to Nathaniel Weller Rynjah, creative director of SFW, the aim to organise the fashion week is to promote Shillong as the next fashion hub of the northeast. Shillong is one of the main education spots for northeast, hence the state is basically the hub of youth. So why not make it a next fashion hub. With Shillong being considered very fashionable city, we also realised that there is so much potential within the city and this is the reason why we wanted to promote it, said Rynjah. Established designers Anand Bhushan, Guaurav and Ritika, Dev r Nil and Nachiket Barve will also participate in it.

Rec i p e

CARROT PICKLE
INGREDIENTS
20- medium carrots 2tsp- garlic paste 2tsp- ginger paste 4 tbsp- jaggery (cane sugar) available from Indian supper market. 1 cup- water 200 ml- vinegar 125 ml- mustard oil ( available from Indian supper market) or you can use any vegetable oil. 2 tsp- mustard seeds 2 tsp- turmeric powder 2 tsp- red chilli powder 2 tsp- red paprika powder 2 tsp- garam masala powder 125 ml- mustard oil ( available from Indian supper market) or you can use any vegetable oil. 2 tsp- mustard seeds 2 tsp- turmeric powder 2 tsp- red chilli powder 2 tsp- red paprika powder 2 tsp- garam masala powder

METHOD
Wash, peel and cut the carrots into 2 inch pieces. Keep them aside. In a small pan dry roast mustard seeds and ground in a clean coffee grinder (coarse) Put the jaggery into a small heavy bottomed pan. Add water. Stir and cook over a medium heat for 4-5 minutes until a syrup forms a single thread (to test that take out the spoon and put a drop in a plate. when the drop slightly cools down, touch it with your fore finger. Now touch your thumb and forefinger together and pull apart gently and you see single thread is formed). Remove from the heat. In a large pan or wok pour oil and set over a medium heat. When the oil is hot, add ginger paste and garlic paste and stir for 30 seconds. Add vinegar. Add carrots to the ginger, garlic. Stir and cook for about a minute or until the carrots are coated with oil and still fairly crisp. Reduce the heat to low and add all the spice powders, mustard seeds and salt. Stir and mix

for a minute or two until the carrots are coated in the spices. Pour in the jaggery and stir. Take off the heat and allow the pickle to cool. Spoon the pickle into one or two clean jars, with its juices, then refrigerate. The pickle may be eaten immediately but can be kept in the fridge for 3-4 weeks. TIP- You can also make this pickle with cauliflower florets and baby turnips, peeled and halved.

indian Weekender | September 21, 2012 | www.iwk.co.nz

25

Indian

Entertainment

Theatre of the absurd

Admission: Students - $10, Adults $15. For bookings call on (09) 3737599 (ext 84226) or mail in a reservation to uoadramabookings@gmail.com

Southside Arts Festival

Story fest for kids

It's musical, its minimal, its meaningless. Yet, its a profound experience. Beckett's productions have that kind of effect on the audience. They are not meant to be understood, just supposed to be felt. So come experience the absurd, come feel, with Samuel Beckett's short plays Play and Come and Go, staged by the drama students of the University of Auckland. When: October 4 at 8pm October 5 at 8pm October 6 at 4pm and 8pm October 7 at 8pm Where: The Drama Studio, Arts One Building, Level 3, University of Auckland

Going West Books and Writers Festival, a month-long festival, started in the last week of August, concludes this week with their last event, Kids Storyfest, offering a treat for tiny tots. When: 22 September, 10am-4pm Where: Kelston Community Centre, 135 Awaroa Road, Sunnyvale Admission: Free Give the kids a taste of life on the farm. Ambury Farm Day is filled with farming and recreational displays, demonstrations and activities, such as sheep

Tiny tots on the farm

shearing, butter making, farm animal petting and feeding, gumboot throwing, horse and cart rides, live bands and much more. One of the 26 regional parks managed by Auckland Council, Ambury Regional Park is a working farm with a variety of cattle and sheep, as well as pet lambs, goats, chickens, pigs, turkeys, rabbits and peacocks. Ambury Farm Day brings a touch of country to the big smoke, allowing visitors the chance to experience a real working farm up close and personal. When: Sunday 7 October, 10am-4pm Where: Ambury Regional Park, 43 Ambury Road, Mangere Bridge Admission: Free

The full list of the 44 acts taking part in Southside Arts Festival 2012 has been unveiled at an exclusive event hosted by the Mayor at the Auckland Town Hall. This years festival line up is the largest in its five-year history and boasts a diverse programme including art, fashion, theatre, music and comedy performances. A show-stopping performance by internationally acclaimed hip-hop dance crew ReQuest is the highlight of the event, led by choreographer-to-the-stars and local girl, Parris Goebel. It includes three cornerstone events - the Southside Gig, Cult Couture and the MIXER 3 concert.

When: October 12 to November 11 Where: TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre For a full list of who will be performing at Southside Arts Festival 2012 and for ticket details go to: http://www.southside.org.nz/

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Entertainment

An evening dedicated to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan


About Hamid Ali Qawwal
One of the deepest and uprising voices to be recognized by the world, HAMID ALI Qawwal! A young man in his early twenties, who undoubtedly has an immense talent and is a professional Qawwal from England, Due to his strong deep passion he has been recognized in both the Western and Eastern countries. Hamid Ali Qawwal is a young man born and brought up in the town of Bradford, England. Since childhood Hamid has had an ever growing interest in Qawalis and becoming a Qawwal was his aim. At the age of four getting his hands on the harmonium was his first ever experience of being a Qawwal. At such a young age to develop an interest in this particular field is astounding. Hamids first ever performance was at the tender age of nine where his voice and talent was recognized. Soon after he started to work on his vocals skills which made his beautiful voice sound deep and meaningful. Listening and watching the great Late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan motivated him to pursue his career as a Qawwal. He performed again at the age of fourteen in front of an audience and that is when he came into the eye of many people and the listeners realized his potential and now known as one of the most professional and master harmonium players in the UK. Although he was raised in a very western country but his voice and talent portray that where ever you live in the world the love for religion and culture shows through his lyrics. Doosto Aao Muhammad Ki Ghulami Karlo. Being inspired and spiritually moved by both nephews of the great legend. In a short space of time his name and voice has travelled far. Hamid Ali Naqeebi is very fortunate enough to have Haji Mohammad Iqbal Naqeebi as a trainer. Mr Naqeebi was previously the personal manager of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan for a period of over 35 years. The Bollywood and Lollywood industry knew that however great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khans talent was it was also down to Mr Naqeebis hard work that made him very successful. After the death of the great legend Mr Naqeebi settled down in the UK and has been committed to training Hamid Ali. Hamid is a devoted follower of the great Sufi movement and he has received marvellous amount of blessing from this school of thought. Hamids success had been contributed through his connections with Hazrat Baba Naqeebi Ullah Shah Kasoor, Pakistan. Hamid Alis personal and home life is surrounded by joyful and cheerful family members. He has four siblings who are very supportive and passionate about his work. His father has taken on the role of being an examiner and always gives him constructive feedback to help him progress in to the deep spiritually world of Sufi wisdom. Hamid Ali Naqeebis qawaali group is currently being managed by MU-SYNC Arts Ltd who has signed the group on as their debut project and has great plans for the future. From every possible angle this Qawwal is destined for victory, triumph and success. aucklaND TIckET ouTlETS: Mohammed's halal Meat Mt Roskill, yogiji's Food Mart Mt Roskill, auckland Indian Sweets otahuhu, Bollywood Entertainment Bazaar otahuhu, Batra Shoes papatoetoe, India Big Bazaar papatoetoe, Indo Spice World papatoetoe, Indo Spice World Manurewa, Indian Sweets Manurewa For Ticket Info please call Tehzeeb Art Productions on 021 024 25843 The Wellington show will take place on September 23. TIckETS aVaIlaBlE aT: kajal creations, 241 Raddiford Street , Newtown ankurs Nice n Spice, 44 Nelson Street , petone crazy 4 Bollywood, 221 high Street , lower hutt Call DJ Desi 021444194 or DJ Jolly - 0211775145 / 09 8277764 for more details.

great artists such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan has helped Hamid to progress his own career as a Qawwal. He is in contact with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Rizwan Moazzam Qawwal who are

indian Weekender | September 21, 2012 | www.iwk.co.nz

27

Indian

Entertainment

The actor is not only turning to Gujarati and Marathi theatre for stories but is also producing a Marathi film

akshay goes regional

D I A R Y
Ishkq In Paris, Preitys toughest film
Its great to have a script doctor working on your film. Someone like the sheer brilliance that Anurag Kashyap works best for a film. We are very thankful to him that he came on board as the script doctor for the film, Bahl, who has written the films script, said in a statement. Internationally, a script doctor is consulted to improvise a script and make it stronger. It is believed that a third eye perspective is beneficial for any creative process. This is said to be Kashyaps first project as a script doctor. Kashyap and Bahl are also partners in a company named Phantom, which is coowned by a group of directors including the duo.

Actor-producer Akshay Kumars quest for good stories and unique concepts is now taking him to Marathi plays. He has produced a film in the language. I like the sensibilities of Gujarati plays and I love Marathi plays also. I can speak Marathi fluently. I go and watch Marathi plays as well. I must say that they come up with very unusual subjects, Akshay said. I am producing a Marathi film. It is already completed. I am not acting in it. Its called 72 Mail, (72 Miles), he added. Based on a novel by Ashok Vhatkar, 72 Mail has been directed by Rajiv Patil, whose film Jogwa won the National Award in 2009. It is about the journey of a 13-year-old boy who walked from Satara to Kolhapur in Maharashtra in 1960. Akshay has been associated with Gujarati plays since 2002 when his Aankhein, which has been inspired by director Vipul Amrutlal Shahs Gujarati play Andhalo Pato, released. Even his 2005 hit Waqt - Race Against Time

has been an adaptation of a play in the same language. Both the films were appreciated. But he wasnt third time lucky as his 2010 release Action Replayy, also an adaptation of a Gujarati play, failed to replicate the success of his last two films. When asked about his fascination for Gujarati plays, Akshay said: It might be that Gujarati people appeal to me a lot. Paresh Rawal is Gujarati, Vipul Shah is also Gujarati and 80 percent of my staff is also Gujarati. Aankhein and Waqt are very close to my heart, but something went wrong with Action Replayy and that was the only film which didnt work. The 45-year-old is currently promoting Oh My God, which is again inspired from Paresh Rawals Gujarati play Kanji Virrudh Kanji and tells the story of an atheist who incurs huge losses when his antique shop is destroyed by an earthquake. The play was staged in Hindi too as Krishan vs Kanhaiya. Oh My God is slated for a Sep 28 release.

Riteishs FilmyPicture

kBc 6 creates record TVR


Megastar Amitabh Bachchans magic touch and powerful campaign Sirf gyaan hi aapko aapka haq dilaata hai (Only knowledge gets you what you deserve), has helped the opening episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 6 (KBC) in getting maximum eyeballs. The show, which went on air Sep 7, has registered a 6.1 television rating (TVR). The show is said to have had the highest opening this year across all shows on all general entertainment channels, says Sneha Rajani, senior executive vice president and business head, SET. We were confident that viewers would really enjoy watching this season of Kaun Banega Crorepati. The numbers more than corroborate this. We are really pleased with the opening week results and there is a lot more to look forward to on the show in the days to come, Rajani said in a statement. Overall, we are delighted at the performance of all our shows and over the next four to five weeks we aim to further consolidate our position, she added. This season of KBC was launched at the weekend slot from Friday to Sunday. The opener saw a special rendition of a powerful narrative on knowledge, by Big B in his distinct baritone. This season has already got its first crorepati in Manoj Kumar Raina from Kashmir.

reity Zinta, who gears up for the release of Ishkq In Paris, feels shooting for her first production venture has been the most difficult job so far. Till now I considered Lakshya my toughest film but after shooting for Ishkq In Paris, I realised that the latter has taken over that tag, said Preity, who made her acting debut with 1998 film Dil Se... Directed by Farhan Akhtar, 2004 film Lakshya saw the 37-year-old actress as a journalist, who goes to Kargil as a war reporter. I went 18,000 feet above sea level for Lakshya and I used to get blue on my face and for Ishkq In Paris when we began to shoot, it started snowing in Paris. All this made me realise that nothing comes easy in life, one has to work hard for it, Preity said. Directed by Prem Raj, Ishkq In Paris sees the actress in lead role after Heroes in 2008. The film also features French actress Isabelle Adjani and debutant Rhehan Malliek.

Riteish Deshmukh has been finalised for Filmy Picture and says he is excited to be a part of the project, a spoof on various Bollywood films. Excited about doing Filmy-Picture, remake of Telugu super-hit Sudigadu to be produced by Suresh Productions. Will start shooting soon, tweeted Riteish. Filmy-Picture will be a spoof on the clichs of Hindi cinema, it will feature lot of blockbuster films from classics to recent hits, Riteish, last seen in Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum, further posted. To be produced by southern producer D. Suresh Babu, Filmy Picture is in casting stage. Meanwhile, Riteish has also ventured into film production with Balak Palak. Directed by Ravi Jadhav, Balak

Anurag turns script doctor for Queen


After producing and directing critically acclaimed and commercially successful movies, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has turned script doctor for Vikas Bahls Queen.

The show, which was originally telecast on Star Plus when it was launched in 2000, is being aired on Sony since 2010. This season has bagged the highest opening out of all three seasons on the channel. While the episode aired Sep 7 received a 6.1 TVR, the episode aired on the following day earned a 5.3 TVR, according to television audience measuring agency TAM.

Palak is based on a Marathi play of the same name and it deals with the sensitive subject of sex education among children.

28

indian Weekender | September 21, 2012 | www.iwk.co.nz

Indian

Entertainment

Emraan the most underrated actor


Emraan Hashmi, who is riding high on the success of Raaz 3, is the most underrated actor of the present generation, says Bollywood star Salman Khan. Emraan's box office success ratio was recently compared to Salman's, as he has earned a thumbs up with most of his recent films, including Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, Murder 2, The Dirty Picture, Jannat 2, Shanghai and most recently, Raaz 3. "Emraan Hashmi is the most underrated actor and now he should get his due. He has given hit after hit. He is damn good as an actor. I really like him," Salman said during the music launch of Ishkq In Paris. Salman, who launched the film's music, was at his wittiest and bullied everyone on stage, including actressproducer Preity Zinta, actor Rhehan Malliek and director Prem Raj. Salman shot a special song titled "Kudiye di kurti" for the film with Preity, and the actress says she was stunned to see his professionalism. "I have worked with Salman Khan in tons of films, but when he came on sets, he asked the choreographer to show the steps. Then he said 'Let's go for a take', and he did it perfectly on the first take itself," she said. "He is super professional. I thought we will take four to five takes, but we finished in just two takes," added Preity, who has turned producer with the movie.

Actress Sharmila Tagore has confirmed that Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan are getting married Oct 16, according to media reports. But Kareena is tight-lipped about it. Asked why was she holding back her wedding date, she said that the only thing is that we have not decided where it will be and when it will be. So, whenever we will decide, we shall talk. Sharmila Tagore had converted to Islam when she married cricketer Mansur Ali Pataudi, donning the name Ayesha Begum. When asked whether she will convert into Islam post her marriage, the 32-year-old Kareena said: Thats a very wrong question, which I will not be answering. She also refused to elaborate on her wedding plans. No I cant. I am so sorry. This is not a press conference about my wedding. But she confirmed that she will wear red as red is my favourite colour and you all will see me in a red sari. Media reports claim that on her wedding day Kareena will wear Sharmila Tagores bridal sharara and for other ceremonies she has zeroed on Manish Malhotras creations. Meanwhile, Kareena also spoke about her

Bebo tight-lipped about wedding

upcoming film Satyagraha with Prakash Jha and is happy to be working with Ajay Devgn once again. He (Prakash Jha) has made great films with Ajay Devgn before and I have a lovely role, but its very soon to talk about it because we start in January. Its my honour that we (Ajay and she) are working together after a long time and its my privilege, said Kareena who featured with the actor in the critically acclaimed Omkara. Kareena reportedly plays a journalist in Satyagraha and the film also stars megastar

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