10 NOVEMBER2017 | Vol 9 Issue 34

Yugpurush Tamil Sonakshi Sinha

The acclaimed play Association Nobody deserves
coming soon to hosts Diwali to feel unsafe
Auckland celebrations in at work
Pg 13 Auckland Pg 09 Pg 28
www.iwk.nz /indianweekender /indianweekender

Jacinda-Modi
meeting on cards

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will get

first opportunity to meet with her Indian
counterpart Prime Minister Narendra
Modi on the sidelines of the East Asia
Summit next week in the Philippines.
 2 NEW ZEALAND Friday, November 10, 2017 The Indian Weekender

CONSULATE OFFICE BRINGS SMILE AND

RELIEF FOR MANY IN THE COMMUNITY
SANDEEP SINGH

T
he newly opened Indian
Consulate office in Auckland
has already brought a smile,
and relief for many, especially elderly
members within the community, in
the first few days of operations.
The initial response and enquiries
received in the office in the first
few days of the office are signalling
a huge demand for the consular
services in Auckland.
Seventy-year-old Anand Singh,
a resident of Howick in East
Auckland who originally hails from
Sonepat, Haryana and was the first
customer of the consulate office,
was visibly overwhelmed when
asked by The Indian Weekender
about his experience at the new
consulate office.
I have been going to Wellington
for the last 4-5 years to get my Life-
Certificate attested.
I used to travel by bus whole night,
get my certificate attested during the
day and then travel back again next
night by bus, which was obviously a
big strain for my 70-year-old body,
said Mr Singh.
I would encourage all fellow
overseas citizen of India to use
consular services here in Auckland
for attestation of all documents, Mr
Singh further added with confidence.
Similar experiences were shared
by many other customers in the
newly opened office.
Madhu Bhai Patel, who is
originally from Baroda, Gujarat and
now living in Glen Eden, Auckland
for more than ten years could not
hide his happiness after getting Life-
certificate attested within minutes of
coming to the office.
We are very happy with the
opening of this new office, as we got
our work done in just a few minutes.
Earlier we had to approach
notary, take appointments, and pay
Anand Singh Mr & Mrs Vikram Singh Madhubhai Patel and Sadguna Patel Dr Upendra Saklani
Visitors at the new consulate office in Auckland Other visitors who were elated at the opening of the Auckland consulate office
fees for getting our work flight tickets booked for source of comfort and happiness for India requesting a Consular office in
done. Whereas now, The Wellington later this many others, especially elders like Auckland to avoid the inconvenience
it is done within initial response week, were elated
us, Mr Singh said. and the cost of getting life certificated
minutes and and enquiries with the prospect of This is great news for everyone in
without spending saving money and attested.
received in the office the community, said another visitor
any money, the inconvenience So I am surely delighted, Dr
which is very
in the first few days of of travel.
Jasminder Singh of Papatoetoe, who
Saklani told The Indian Weekender.
came for attestation of power of
important for us the office are signalling a I had already Dr Saklani is a retired Professor
attorney.
[pensioners]. huge demand for the booked my tickets of Horticulture from Pantnagar
I am so happy to have saved my
Consulate Consular services for Wellington for
travel to Wellington, Mr Singh told University, India, and lives in
office is very Thursday, November
convenient, and we
in Auckland. The Indian Weekender. Pukekohe with his son.
9, to get Life-Certificate
are extremely happy, Mr In fact, I could not wait to see It normally would cost us
attested from High
Patel affirmed. when more consular services are anywhere between $300-500 just for
Commission of India, said an elated
His wife Sadguna Patel, who also offered at Auckland Consulate, Mr life-certificate attestation, which is
Vikram Singh, who was amongst the
accompanied him to the office, went a Singh added. quite high for us pensioners, said
first few visitors to consulate office
step ahead and thanked Government Dr Upendra Saklani, Chairman Dr Saklani.
on Monday, November 6.
of India for this new facility. of Uttarakhand Association of New The new office became operational
Earlier we had to go to Wellington
We are really thankful and proud Zealand, came all the way from
for getting same services, which was from Monday, November 6.
of our Government of India for
obviously a pain, as it cost money and Pukekohe to get his Life-Certificate Currently Honorary Consul from
making this facility available here in
time, apart from the inconvenience. attested. Monday to Friday between 3 p.m.
Auckland, Mrs Patel said.
Now getting these services I have previously spoken to and 5.30 p.m. with prior phone
Another elderly couple Mr and
here in Auckland itself would be a honourable High Commissioner of appointment.
Mrs Vikram Singh, who had got their

NZ-Asian kids at risk of losing cultural connect study

SANDEEP SINGH The report Starting Strong: Nurturing the This report tells us children are entering

A
new report by Asia-NZ Foundation potential of Asian under-fives looks at the our school system with a head start bringing
the leading authority engaged primarily rapidly increasing Asian under-five population, cultural knowledge and language skills that
in preparing New Zealand to thrive in their home environment, as well as the response will be a real advantage when they enter
Asia confidently is backing what we know of Early Childhood Education (ECE) centres to the workforce 15-20 years from now, Mr
from anecdotal experience: to equip children this changing demography. Draper added.
with our language and culture. Almost one in five children under age of five However, the government is not doing
The report released on Wednesday, November in New Zealand, are now of Asian ethnicity. enough to encourage that this head start is lost
8, finds maintaining cultural knowledge and Between 2001 and 2013, this demographic before enriching New Zealands workforce.
language skills is a challenge for the growing almost doubled from 18,378 to 35,898.
number of under-five Asian children in It is important to recognise the benefits of NZ-Asian Parents need to do
New Zealand. having these children with diverse languages more

It is calling upon NZ-Asian parents and the
government to ensure that this head-start that
these children enjoy in the cultural knowledge
and language skills is not lost in between
somewhere before these children hit the
actual workforce.
Together with officials, providers, the
community, the families, and other key
stakeholders in the ECE sector, we need to
come up with a deliberate and coordinated
approach to ensure the language skills and
cultural understanding of these children are not
lost, Simon Draper, Executive Director of the
Asia New Zealand Foundation said.
Perhaps now ethnic migrants could do
more, and with an added degree of confidence,
certitude and conviction, in equipping their
next generation with the knowledge of the
culture and language skills that they bring from
their ancestral home.
A lot of ethnic migrants, including many
within the Kiwi-Indian community, often
find themselves at the crossroads between the
intuitive desires of equipping their children in
native language and culture versus letting them
drift away from it.
and cultures growing up in New Zealand, given
Asias growing relevance [for NZ], Mr Draper
said.
While families of Asian ethnicity in New
Zealand place great importance on their
heritage culture and language, researchers say
parents notice that as soon as children start
school, English becomes the main language at
home and their heritage language is used less.
NZ employers value a workforce that is
confident in engaging with Asia.
We hear from employers that New
Zealands present and future workforce needs
to be confident and competent in engaging with
Asia and Asian peoples, Mr Draper said.
T
he report also highlights the apparent lack
of self-belief among the NZ-Asian parents,
who often consider it their responsibility to
teach their child their culture and language and
not that of Early Childhood Education (ECE)
centres, and other social institutions playing an
important role in early education of children.
Researchers of this report also found that
many Asian parents requested that English be
spoken at ECE centres, even when bilingual
teachers were available. Parents believe
English fluency is essential for children making
a smooth transition to school.
 The Indian Weekender
Shared interests in Indo-Pacific call for Ardern-Modi
bonhomie on the sidelines of East Asia Summit
SANDEEP SINGH
N
ew Zealand Prime Minister
Jacinda Ardern is all set to
fly to participate in Asia
Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC), and East-Asia Summit
meet in Vietnam and Philippines,
respectively.
While within New Zealand it
is being seen as Ms Arderns first
opportunity to rub shoulders with
international leaders, outside it is
being perceived as a bigger platform
to bring together key players to
stabilise the region, which has clearly
been on the edge with the recent
exchanges of fiery antics between
North Korea and the US.
In this endeavour, India will be a
key strategic player with mutually
shared interests and capabilities
in stabilising the region a fact
which should amplify, and not
limit, the significance of India in
the new governments worldview in
any manner.
President Trump arrived in Japan
for his much-awaited eleven-day
tour of Asia or the Indo-Pacific
region, which experts believe is
one of the most electrifying regions
in contemporary world-politics
with a range of geo-economic
opportunities and compelling
geopolitical challenges.
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Talks of a quadrilateral alliance
of India, Japan, Australia and the
United States in the Indo-Pacific
region has once again gained strength
with Japanese Foreign Minister
Taro Kono announcing that Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe will propose it
in his discussions with US President
Donald Trump.
Earlier, a senior US government
official had said last week that
Washington was keen to have India,
Japan, and Australia on board for a
productive engagement.
India has responded positively to
the proposal, saying it has an open
mind to cooperate with countries
with convergence but obviously on
an agenda which is relevant to us,
the External Affairs Ministry of India
spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.
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China, which has long been a
sceptic of this quadrilateral alliance
in the Indo-Pacific region seem to be
warming up to this idea after a long
time, given that there is an increasing
resolve among the four democracies
to go ahead with the quadrilateral
alliance, regardless of Chinas
reservations.
China is hoping that a US-brokered
quadrilateral meet that includes
India, Japan and Australia is not
aimed at China and would comply
with the trend of times which it
identified as peace, development,
and cooperation, according to a
local media report. A US official
speaking in New Delhi ahead of
Prime Minister President Trumps Asia visit rejected
Jacinda Ardern suggestions it was about containing
will get the first China, as it is being seen around
the world increasingly, including in
opportunity to
Beijing.
meet with her I dont think theres such a thing
Indian counterpart as containing China, the official told
Prime Minister the media.
We, of course we do not have
Narendra Modi on a security alliance none of those
the sidelines of the countries (Australia and Japan) has a
East Asia Summit security alliance with India.
next week in the India is an increasingly important
security partner, no doubt.
Philippines. Its natural that they should be,
given that they are really sort of,
conceptually the western edge of
the Indo-Pacific region; the United
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States making up the eastern edge of
that, the official further asserted.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
will get the first opportunity of
meeting with her Indian counterpart
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on
the sidelines of the East Asia Summit
next week in the Philippines.
In this regard, it is imperative
for both the governments officials
to set up a quick catch-up meeting
between Ms Ardern and Mr Modi
at the summit to strengthen the
bilateral relationship between the
two countries.
There is an urgent need to take
this relationship to the next level and
break it from the monotony of drawn-
out talks on Free Trade Agreements
(FTA) between both the countries.
Although there are expectations
that Ms Ardern would excel at the
international platform at a personal
level, given her initial internationalist
training under the Former Prime
Minister Helen Clark, however
international diplomacy is slightly
more than the personal charisma of
individual leaders.
The security and stability of the
wider Indo-Pacific region is in New
Zealands vital interest, and in this
endeavour, India could be a net-
provider.
Therefore Ardern-Modi bonhomie
should be in the order on the sidelines
of the high-octane East Asia Summit.
Vikram
Farea
Mortgage Adviser
027 534 9394
farea@squirrel.co.nz
 4 NEW ZEALAND Friday, November 10, 2017 The Indian Weekender

Indian Navys first all-women ship

leaves Australia, heading to NZ
SANDEEP SINGH as they have started their journey for opportunity to interact with a wide

T
he Indian Navys first all-
women naval vessel has
left Australian waters and is
heading towards New Zealand on
its way to the historic mission of
circumnavigating the globe on an
Indian built naval vessel.
INSV Tarini is the part of Navika
Sagar Parikrama project where a
team of women officers of the Indian
Navy would circumnavigate the
globe on an Indian built naval vessel.
This historic circumnavigation
attempt being led by Lt Commander
Vartika Joshi, and the crew comprises
Lt Commanders Pratibha Jamwal and
P. Swathi, and Lieutenants S Vijaya
Devi, B Aishwarya and Payal Gupta.
Indian Naval Sailing Vessel
(INSV) Tarini left Australias
Fremantle on Sunday morning
[November 5] for its onward journey
to New Zealands Lyttleton, an
Indian defence statement said.
Lyttelton is a port town on the
north shore of Lyttelton Harbour, at
the north-western end of the Banks
Peninsula, close to Christchurch,
and considered as the gateway to
Canterbury.
Earlier, INSV Tarini had arrived
at Fremantle on October 23, after
completion of the first leg of its
maiden voyage to circumnavigate
the globe.
Above:Tarini's all women crew;
Right: Indian High Commissioner
Sanjiv Kohli
The High Commission of India,
Wellington is planning an official
reception of the ship once it reaches
the shores of New Zealand.
We are still working out a
programme, but its essential
components will be community
interaction, interaction with students,
women groups, local dignitaries
and New Zealand Navy, the High
Commissioner of India, Sanjiv Kohli
told The Indian Weekender.
Mr Kohli expressed excitement and
a sense of pride in the composition
of the crew and the nature of the
mission.
I will just say at this moment
that it is a matter of great pride
message from Australian Minister for
for our community here that these
remarkable women on a historic
mission will be spending some time
in New Zealand.
I will urge everyone, particularly
those in and around Christchurch
to extend a warm welcome to
them on arrival and be part of their
engagements here.
I will also like our community to
extend their best wishes to the crew
Christchurch, Mr Kohli further told
The Indian Weekender.
Historic reception in
Australia
Earlier, the crew of INSV
Tarini was officially welcomed to
Western Australia by its Tourism,
Defence Issues and Citizenship and
Multicultural Interests Minister
Paul Papalia and Womens Interests
Minister Simone McGurk on
November 1.
Western Australia (WA) Ministers
were accompanied by two Indian-
origin members of WA Parliament.
Royal Australian Navy chief, Vice
Admiral Tim Barrett, also visited the
vessel on November 1 to welcome
the crew.
He also handed over a personal
Defence Marise Payne for the crew.
The crew had several engagements
during its stay in Fremantle,
including call-on meetings with
Western Australia Governor Kerry
Sanderson and Freemantle Deputy
Mayor Ingrid Waltham.
WA Legislative Council President
Kate Doust also hosted the crew at
WA Parliament for interaction with
female MPs from all major parties.
The INSV Tarini crew had an
range of stakeholders during the
welcome reception hosted by the
Indian Consulate on October 28,
which was attended by about 100
distinguished guests, including
members of WA Parliament, state
officials, businessmen, academicians,
consular corps, leaders from Indian
community and media persons.
The crew of INSV Tarini also
had an opportunity to interact with
strategic thinkers and academia
during a presentation and reception
event hosted by Perth US-Asia
Centre, a leading think tank focusing
on geopolitical issues based at the
University of Western Australia,
on October 31. More than 200
students attended a presentation and
interaction session with the crew at
Perth Modern School on the same
day.
The crew also visited the scientific
facilities at the Indian Ocean Marine
Research Centre at the University of
Western Australia. They also had a
chance to meet renowned Australian
scientist and Australian of the Year
2017 Professor Alan Mackay-Sim,
who is famous for his work on stem
cell research. The crew also visited
a few tourist places in Perth and
Fremantle, including Rottnest Island.

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 The Indian Weekender Friday, November 10, 2017 NEW ZEALAND 5

Labour appears rusty over

Speaker vote in parliament
SANDEEP SINGH

T
he Labour Party appeared jaded and
rusty on the first day in the parliament,
a clear sign of a party that has been
Responsible business with lasting
in opposition for three successive terms relationship in the community
while conceding its first face-off with the
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the parliament.
However, this was not the case on the first
day of the 52nd Parliament, where National
has scored a victory over Labour by securing
a key concession after threatening to derail the
election of Trevor Mallard as Speaker.
The concession was in thwarting Labours
plan to reduce the number of select committees
in the parliament an attempt to offset
Nationals numbers in parliament.
The Labour Party had earlier announced
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its intention to reduce the number of Select
Committee places to 96 to the discomfort of the
National Party which tried raising the flag as
an attempt of reducing legislatives oversight of
the executive.
However, the National Party had the last
laugh at least for now when it managed to get
the nod from the Labour Party for 108 places in
Select Committee at the end.
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Friday, November 10, 2017 The Indian Weekender
India-New Zealand tax avoidance
protocol notified: IRD, Income tax
Department to share details
SANDEEP SINGH
I
n a move that will help curb tax evasion
and tax avoidance between India and
New Zealand, the Government of India
has notified the third protocol between India
and New Zealand for the avoidance of double
taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with
respect to taxes on income.
The taxman of both the countries Inland
Revenue Department (IRD) and Income Tax
Department of India will be able to share
information to prevent double taxation, thus
essentially meaning that those who have
income in both these countries will have to to
declare their incomes.
Indias Central Board of Direct Taxes
(CBDT) on Tuesday, November 7, issued
notifications regarding the Indian Government
signing its third protocol for amendment of
the convention with the government of New
Zealand for the avoidance of double taxation. It is important to note that India has
Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand, proposed to amend the convention through a
Sanjiv Kohli welcomed this development third protocol further to update the exchange
as symbol of further deepening of bilateral of information article as per the international
relations between the two countries. standard and insert an article on assistance in
It [notifying of third protocol] is all part the collection of taxes.
of providing a facilitating environment for The third protocol was signed between both
expansion of economic and commercial the countries on October 26, 2016, when the
engagement between the two countries. then Prime Minister Sir John Key visited India.
Clarity and predictability, backed by a The protocol entered into force in India on
rule-based regime, always acts as a necessary September 7, 2017, and has been notified in the
stimulant for the businesses and investors, Mr Official Gazette on November 2, 2017.
Kohli told The Indian Weekender. According to the statement from the Indias
The convention between the two countries Ministry of Finance, the prevention of fiscal
came into force in December 1986 and was evasion will fall in respect to the taxes on
amended by a first protocol in 1997 and the
income.
second protocol in 2000.
Newly appointed Indian JP ready
to give it back to community
SWATI SHARMA
A
nother member of
the community,
Harjinder Singh
Basiala, was sworn in
as the Justice of the
Peace (JP) on Monday,
October 30.
Mr Basiala was sworn
in along with three others
before Judge G.T. Winter
of Pukekohe Court.
Mr Basiala cites the
motivation to help others
Harjinder Singh Basiala(right) with Judge G.T. Winter
in the community and
beyond as the reason to
accept this responsibility.
According to the Ministry of Justice,
We make a living by what we get, but we
Members of Parliament nominate people to be
make a life by what we give.
JPs. It is the responsibility of each electorate
Only a life lived for others, is a life
Member of Parliament to ensure that their
worthwhile, Mr Basiala told The Indian
electorate is adequately serviced by JPs.
Weekender.
Nominations for a person to be appointed
Mr Basiala arrived in New Zealand about 10
as a JP are accepted only from Members
years ago, and started working as a journalist of Parliament. List Members may submit
for a Punjabi newspaper in Auckland Kuk nominations in their own name but they will
Samachar, before moving on to run another need to have the prior endorsement of the
Punjabi online news portal Punjabi Herald. He appropriate electorate Member.
is also an active contributor to Punjabi Jagran, I have seen many people struggling to find a
prominent newspaper in Punjab, India. JP as per their convenient time.
Ministerial functions of a Justice of the Peace Some time old people need JP but are unable
include witnessing the documents, taking of to find them at their convenient time.
declarations and swearing of affidavits or I strive to go to their house if they are
affirming affirmations. Mr Basiala would now nearby, Mr Basiala said, affirming his
be able to provide these services to all those motivation to live up to the expectations of the
you require. community.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, November 10, 2017
Relationship Property
Law under review
IWK BUREAU
T he Law Commission is reviewing the
40-year-old Property (Relationships) Act,
which sets the rules for how to divide a couples
property at the end of a relationship.
Toward this goal the commission is holding
a series of public meetings around the country
to get input from people on how to improve the
legislation.
The Kiwi-Indian community is being urged,
along with others, to attend and provide their
inputs on ways of improving the legislation.
In the past forty years, New Zealand has
changed a lot, which means that what is just,
has probably also changed.
The changing face of New Zealand includes
the way relationships and families form,
how they function and what happens when
relationships end.
There is also a dramatic shift in the New
Zealands cultural diversity.
The proportion of New Zealanders
identifying as European has dropped, while
Maori, Pacific and Asian populations have
more than doubled since 1976.
This is important because different
communities might have different views and
answers to some of the questions raised in the
review.
In particular, according to Statistics New
Zealand, the number of people living in New
Zealand who identify with the Indian ethnic
group increased 48.4 per cent between 2006
and 2013.
The Indian community was New Zealands
second-largest Asian ethnic group in 2013, with
155,178 people.
NEW ZEALAND 7
It is very important for the Law Commission
to hear views from New Zealands different
communities during its public consultation.
The Property (Relationships) Act 1976
affects nearly every New Zealander, either
directly or indirectly. Its important that
everyone has a say, Commissioner Helen
McQueen said.
The kind of questions that the commission
is asking includes when should the law treat
two people as a couple? What property should
they share if they break up and what property
should belong to only one of them?
On October 16 this year, the Law Commission
had launched a paper asking New Zealanders FREE family day out
how the law could be better:Dividing
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The law needs to help people resolve their activities & workshops and much more!
relationship property matters in a just and
efficient way, Ms McQueen said.
The public consultation period is open until
Wednesday, February 7, 2018.
Interested members of the public are strongly
encouraged to visit the consultation website
at prareview.lawcom.govt.nz. Public meetings
call 0800 425 624 or visit www.bestpacific.ac.nz
are being held in Auckland next week:
Takapuna War Memorial Hall,
7 The Strand, Takapuna
16 November 2017-12 noon 1.15pm
And at:
Wiri Community Hall, 11 Inverell Avenue,
Wiri, Manukau
17 November 2017- 12 noon 1.15pm
With the support of BEST People, James
landed a job immediately after graduation.
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8 NEW ZEALAND Friday, November 10, 2017 The Indian Weekender

National does a flip-flop

on paid parental leave
SANDEEP SINGH

N
ational Party had the first taste of
confusion and disorientation that often
comes naturally along with the job of
being in opposition in parliament when it did a
flip-flop on its original stand on the extension of
paid parental leave by four weeks.
Cabinet had on Monday, November 6,
extended the paid parental leave from the
current 18 weeks to 22 weeks from July 1,
2018, and to 26 weeks from 2020.
Parents can look forward to 26 weeks
paid parental leave by July 2020 as part of the
Labour-led governments promise to better
support working families with new-born and However, in the lead up to the general Kirk Hope said the extension could present
young children, Prime Minister Jacinda election earlier this year National Party had difficulties for some firms.
Ardern had said. declared intentions to extend paid parental The challenge for smaller businesses will be
The government will be introducing leave by four weeks to 22 weeks if elected back in ensuring they have sufficient cover over this
legislation to Parliament this week. to power. increased period, plus the added risk of workers
This is a key part of our Families Package Labour was always committed to extending returning back to work.
and one all three parties of government have paid parental leave to 26 weeks. Some experts and small business owners
been proud to support because its the right The government is confident that the net cost are sighting anecdotal evidence where a large
thing to do. of this extension in paid parental leave would number of parents on paid parental leave fail to
We want children to have the best start in be of $325 million over the four year forecast return back to work, thus exceeding costs and
life. Evidence shows having a parent at home period and is budgeted within Labours original risk on the businesses.
as long as possible to care for a child provides a fiscal plan.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had herself
huge benefit for that childs development, Ms Businesses sceptical over the acknowledged that the extension would have
Ardern added. extension of paid parental leave an impact on businesses as they tried to replace

B
Bill English announced on TVNZs Breakfast staff.
usiness New Zealand, while welcoming
programme on Monday, November 6, that I have taken on board that these issues
the positive impact of this announcement
National Party would be supporting this provide, particularly for our small and medium-
on parents and children, are sceptical about
legislation of extending paid parental leave. sized enterprises, some challenge, but I hope by
possible impacts on businesses, especially
This is after the National-led government setting out the timeline that we have they will
small and medium-sized businesses.
had vetoed an earlier Bill in June 2016 for be able to plan for that, Ms Ardern said.
Business New Zealand chief executive
financial reasons.

Tell friends and family

to declare any food
and ingredients to
make their arrival in
New Zealand simple.
Bringing spices, tonic,
pickles, grains and pulses
into New Zealand can
cost them a $400 fine.

For more info mpi.govt.nz/declare

 The Indian Weekender Friday, November 10, 2017 NEW ZEALAND 9

Tamil Association hosts Diwali

celebrations in Auckland
RIZWAN MOHAMMAD

T
he Auckland Tamil
Association (ATA) hosted
its annual Deepavali
(Diwali) celebrations at Freemans
Bay Community Hall on Sunday, Clockwise from extreme left:
November 5. National Party MP Kanwaljit Singh
The cultural event was attended Bakshi; Labour Party MP Michael
Wood speaking at the venue;
by leaders of different community Kids performing; (below) community
organisations such as Kalyan enjoying the event
Kasunganti from the Telangana
Association of New Zealand,
Lingappa Kalburgi from the Kannada
Koota, Bhiku Bhana from the New
Zealand Indian Central Association
(NZICA).
Members of Parliament, Michael
Wood from the Labour Party,
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi and Parmjeet
Parmar from the National Party also
attended the event at this auspicious
occasion.
To commemorate the biggest
festival of the Indian community,
representatives from the Muthtamil The event commenced with a
to celebrate the Diwali in full cultural number of cultural performances felicitated for publishing ten books in ATA has supported different
Sangam Wellington, Dunedin Tamil (Tamil) ethos at a land away from including a Bharatnatyam dance. Tamil, Yugendran Vasudevan for his initiatives throughout the year that
Society and Hamilton Tamil Society home country. Both children and elder members contribution towards Tamil arts and benefits the community largely such
also graced the occasion. of the community participated in
The Auckland Tamil Association culture, Vishwa for winning the Best as organising cultural events, blood
The purpose for such a grand will continue to promote Tamil the event.
Short Film of the year for the film donation camps, cricket, football and
event in Auckland was to pass on language and culture in New Besides hosting cultural dance
Inai which was produced by ATA, badminton tournaments etc.
the heritage and cultural richness Zealand through such big events and performances, ATA also felicitated
hosting activities that engage the Magesh and Deepan were honoured The event concluded with a dinner
of the Indian culture to the next the achievers who have made the
community, President of ATA, Vai for leading two different cricket served to every visitor to the event.
generation of children here and also community proud. Mrs Varshini was
Ravindran said. teams supported by ATA.

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 10 NEW ZEALAND Friday, November 10, 2017 The Indian Weekender

FIRST-EVER KIWI-PUNJABI
AWARD NIGHT WINS HEART
SWATI SHARMA

I
t is important to recognise and
acknowledge the work and
achievements of our fellow
community members every now
and then. Punjabis have a history of
nearly 128 years in New Zealand
with contributions in almost every
field, whether it is politics, sports,
culture or business.
It was long-due to acknowledge
those contributions and New Zealand
Punjabi Foundation took this
Paul Singh Bains receives Life Time Achivement award Cricketer Ish Sodhi's parents receive Sportman of the year award on Ish's behalf
opportunity by organising the Kiwi
Punjabi Awards.
The first-ever Kiwi Punjabi Awards
were held in Auckland on Saturday,
November 4 among a gathering of
nearly 100 key-influencers from the
Punjabi community in Auckland.
Awards were given out in six
different categories for community
work, sports, arts and culture etc.
The highest honour- Life Time
Achievement award was given to
Mr Paul Singh Bains. His family
was one of the earliest migrants to
New Zealand. He has been actively
involved in community work for Woman Care Trust receives Organisation of the Year award
Honorary Consul of India in Auckland Bhav Dhillon speaking at the award night
more than 50 years. He is a former
president of New Zealand Indian
Central Association (NZICA) . He is
also a Justice of the Peace.
For his outstanding performance
in the Sports Ish Sodhi, the Black
Caps bowler of Indian-origin was
awarded the Sportsperson of the Year
Award. His parents came to receive
the award on his behalf as he was
in India for the ODI series between
Black Caps and the Indian team.
Mr Sodhi is the first India-born
person to make it to the national
cricket team, hence bringing pride to
not only Punjabi but the entire Indian Commemoration of NZ Police who performed Bhangra at the event Jaspdeep Kaur Basra was felicitated for winning Miss Australasia 2017
community.
Mr Manjit Singh was the winner
in Outstanding Performance in Arts
category for his contribution to the
music industry. Ms Singh has been
playing the tabla since a young age
and has been teaching it in Auckland
through his school Rhythm School of
Indian Music since 2008.
For their work in the community
and assistance to women, Woman
Care Trust (WCT) was awarded
Organisations of the Year award.
One of the newest community
organisations, WCT has been helping
the women of Indian origin settle
down in New Zealand society by Manjit Singh gets an award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts and Culture Pritesh Raniga getting awarded as Honorary Punjabi of the Year
providing various basic skills.
The Woman of the Year award An award among these was the by key people from the Kiwi-Punjabi
was given to Satti Singh, a Punjabi
Honorary Punjabi Award for a person community including National Party
woman of Fijian descent. She was
born and brought up for a few early who is not of Punjabi background or MPs Mr Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi
years of her life in India and then heritage but has been contributing and Dr Parmjeet Parmar, Honorary
moved back to Fiji with her parents to the Punjabi community through Consul of India Mr Bhav Dhillon and
at a very young age. Later her family their work. This award was given Judge Dr Ajit Swaran Singh.
moved to New Zealand.
to Pritesh Raniga of Forum Films. The initiative was welcomed by
She was recognised for her
contribution in preserving the Forum Films have been bringing the members of the community
Punjabi language while working more Punjabi cinema to New who expressed that recognition
at Papatoetoe library, collecting Zealand hence providing the Punjabi is important for the growth of the
Punjabi literature books and making community with more entertainment. community and act as an inspiration
them available for anyone to read. The award night was well attended for the future generation. Satti Singh receives award for Woman of the Year
 The Indian Weekender Friday, November 10, 2017 NEW ZEALAND 11

Woman Care Trust- making the migrant lives better Trust Saffron Finance for
SWATI SHARMA
expert Mortgage/ Insurance
W
hen we move to a new country, it is our parents who
struggle the most to adjust in the new country, for advice backed by years
they would have spent the biggest chunk of their life
in another country. of experience
While we get busy in building our future, making money and
getting through our day to day work life, our parents often feel Mortgages: Risk Insurances:
lonely in a country that is unknown to them, with people with counselling services, health information, mediation for family Home loans Life & Trauma
whom they are not familiar. conflict, visitation and creating social networks. Commercial Property loans Key Person Cover
But the good thing for those living in Auckland is that we
Their classes schedule is as follows: Business Loans Medical / Health
have Woman Care Trust, an organisation that has come forward
Stitching class: every Friday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Top up & Debt consolidation TPD and Income Protection
to help and provide support to our elderly, as well as the
Re-Finance and Refixing Mortgage Repayment cover
young ones. Gym class: Monday-Fri: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for ladies only
Investment Property loans New to Business &
Established in July 2014, WCT, a non-profit charitable trust, Giddha (Punjabi folk dance) class: every Tuesday 12:30
Restructuring of loan Business Continuity Cover
provides free support through various weekly workshops/ p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Construction & Renovation Redundancy Cover
classes to Indian women, men, and other new migrants to settle Kids playgroup: Monday, Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.;
in New Zealand. Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
From making them competent through English and computer Driving theory class: Thursday and Friday 2 p.m. to
classes, to skilled through stitching and driving theory classes, 3:30 p.m. for ladies only
the organisation offers it all free of cost. Yoga class: Monday and Friday 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The group of men and women get together for various weekly English class: Monday to Thursday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
events and the energy and enthusiasm among them can put for ladies only
young ones to shame. Computer class: Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WCT also organises annual events such as Ladies Cultural for ladies only
Night which gives all the women an opportunity to participate
in extra-curricular activities such as dancing, singing and acting. During the recently held Kiwi Punjabi Awards by New Zealand Nimish Parikh
It is an occasion for the women get dressed in cultural/ethnic Punjabi Foundation, WCT was chosen as the Organisation of Registered Financial Adviser 18B Kirby Street, Glendene,
attires, which they dont get to do a lot in New Zealand, and the Year for their continued contribution. M. 021 236 7070 Auckland 0602
party. This event focuses on promoting Punjabi culture while For those who want to benefit from the services they nimish@saffronfinance.co.nz P O Box - 69263 , Glendene,
also giving our elderly an opportunity to entertain themselves. provide, feel free to contact Baljit Dheil on 02102842785 or Auckland 0645
WCT also provides advise, support and assistance such as womancaretrust@gmail.com. www.saffronfinance.co.nz

Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi creates history, CONTENT THAT CONNECTS

takes oath in parliament in Hindi WITH THE COMMUNITY
SANDEEP SINGH
Another reason to advertise
T
he fact that the fourth-time Kiwi-Indian

with Indian Weekender

MP, Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, has quietly
created history on Tuesday, November
7, when he took oath in the parliament in the
Hindi language is beyond any doubt. For more details, call 022-3251630
However, it could also be likely that this
might have been the first occasion where any
MP had taken oath in the Hindi language
anywhere else in the global-west.
While record keepers would be busy in It was a great honour for me to take the oath
checking the authenticity of this record, there for the fourth consecutive time in New Zealand

are sufficient reasons for the wider Kiwi-Indian
community to cherish this news as another
opportunity of celebrating our culture and
NEEDS
parliament.
I wanted to use this opportunity and take
oath in the Hindi language, which is the fourth
most widely spoken language in New Zealand

heritage in the land of Aotearoa.
Indeed, this is an acknowledgement of the
cultural diversity and the changing face of
todays New Zealand.
YOU!
a fact that recognises the important role of
Kiwi-Indian community in NZ, Mr Bakshi
told The Indian Weekender.

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 12 NEW ZEALAND
GURU NANAKS PARKASH GURPURAB
CELEBRATED IN CHRISTCHURCH
T
he 548th birth anniversary
of the founder of Sikhism
Sri Guru Nanak Dev, also
known as Guru Nanak Jayanti or
Guru Nanaks Parkash Gurpurab,
was celebrated in the Garden
City on Sunday with great ardour
and devotion.
While the date of the festival varies
from year to year as per the Indian
lunar calendar, this year Gurpurab
was celebrated on Saturday,
November 4, worldwide. Normally,
the celebrations last three days with
Sikhs visiting Gurudwaras, seeking
Guru Nanak Devjis blessings, eating
langar and decorating their houses
with lights.
In Christchurch too, over 350
devotees gathered at the Gurudwara
Singh Sabha Christchurch, which is
managed by the New Zealand Sikh
Society, South Island (Inc.).
Jitender Sahi, spokesperson of
the Society informed, Apart from
the usual langar and people seeking
blessings of Guru Nanak Devji,
recitation of Sri Akhand Path Sahib
was held too. Hamiltons Ragi Jatha
especially came to the Garden City
Timaru gets a taste of interactive Diwali
GAURAV SHARMA
T I
he South Canterbury Indian
Cultural Society (SCICS)
based in Timaru, celebrated
South Islands last Diwali at a
glittering function on Saturday.
Geeta Muralidharan, President of
the Society said, We had planned
for an interactive and people-
oriented gathering for about 180
people this year. The audience was
a mix of Indians, Kiwis, as well as
other ethnicities.
Hearteningly, there were lots
of children too. The gathering had
several opportunities to participate
in the fun, which included dances,
henna art and face painting, as well
as making Diwali lamps with colour
papers. Notably, our venue the
Waimataitai School Hall was
buzzing with activity, and the spirit
of inclusiveness and appreciation
of cultural diversity, throughout
the evening.
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Friday, November 10, 2017 The Indian Weekender
Pictures from the Kirtan programme at the Gurudwara
for shabad kirtan and In Christchurch,
special kirtan samagams. over 350 devotees
Meanwhile, as reported
earlier by The Indian gathered at
Weekender, the Gurudwara the Gurudwara
Singh Sabha Christchurch Singh Sabha
will soon be shifting to a
more permanent premises
Christchurch,
on Stanmore Road, with which is managed
the Society already having by the New
applied for resource
consent. Right now, the
Zealand Sikh
Gurudwara is operating Society, South
from temporary premises Island (Inc.).
located at Landsdowne
Terrace.
The evening also saw performances Queenstown
from various other cities of the n the picturesque Queenstown,
South Island. the sold-out event saw over
The celebrations had several
200 people gathered at Skyline
cultural programmes, which were
primarily a medley of dances Queenstown, including the towns
performed by women and children. mayor. Poonam Sethi, who was one
This included a garba group from of the organisers had earlier told IWK
Oamaru who performed for the first about her plans of a dazzling night
time in Timaru. There were also filled with delicious spread of Indian
two children from Oamaru who Buffet, Bollywood music, and heaps
performed Tamil Nadus folk dance, of entertainment.
as well as two young performers who
Kids
came especially from Christchurch to
Geeta Muralidharan,
perform at our event, she added.
Timarus own younger lot also President of the
showcased their talent at the festival
with a group of 10 children from
Society said, We
Temuka dancing to fusion music. had planned for
All in all, it was a successful an interactive and
evening and an effort to bring
culture to South Canterbury. I people-oriented
am especially very glad about gathering for about
our outreach to performers from
smaller towns and other regions, 180 people this
which was well-appreciated, Ms year.
Muralidharan concluded.
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 The Indian Weekender Friday, November 10, 2017 NEW ZEALAND 13

YUGPURUSH - Mahatmas Mahatma

A play exploring the relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and saint-poet Shrimad Rajchandra coming to Auckland soon
stamp of Rs 5, and coins of Rs 150 and Rs
GAURAV SHARMA
10 denominations to mark the 150th birth
Yugpurush Mahotsav

W
ithout doubt, Mahatma Gandhi, with his twin-
principles of truth and non-violence, has been
one of the worlds most influential leaders and
an inspiration to other greats such as Martin Luther King
Jr. and Nelson Mandela. But one of the most interesting
and not widely known fact something which the
historians have also debated since long, has been to locate
the inspiration of the Mahatma.
Even though the man himself has unequivocally written
this in his autobiography, My experiments with truth.
Three moderns have left a deep impress on my life, and
captivated me: Rajchandrabhai by his living contact ...
In my moments of spiritual crisis, he was my refuge ... I
have tried to meet the heads of various faiths, and I must
say that no one else has ever made on me the impression
that Rajchandrabhai did.... The Mahatma also adds how
he was deeply influenced by Shrimad Rajchandras wide
knowledge of the scriptures, his spotless character, and his
burning passion for self-realisation.
Hearteningly, the people of Auckland, and indeed New
Zealand, will get to witness on December 1, the early
days of Gandhijis mentor, Shrimad Rajchandra, and the
spiritual relationship the two of them shared, in the form of
a Gujarati play. All proceeds from the play will go towards
anniversary of Shrimad Rajchandra, which As a culmination to Shrimad
Rajchandras 150th birth anniversary
has coincided with the Sabarmati Ashrams
year, a four-day spiritual extravaganza
centenary celebrations.
called Yugpurush Mahotsav was
held between November 2 and 5,
at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram,
Dharampur, Gujarat. The celebrations
witnessed the unveiling of the worlds
tallest statue of Shrimad Rajchandra,
a Mahamastakabhishek ceremony
of the statue, a shobhayatra, as well
as the inception of the new 200-
bed Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital
for the tribal population in South
Gujarat. Many renowned Indian saints
On the occasion of unveiling of the worlds including Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and
tallest statue of Shrimad Rajchandraji Morari Bapu were in attendance.
A still from the play Yugpurush

NEW LYNN
building of a new 200-bed multi-speciality charity hospital
for the economically underprivileged in South Gujarat.
Notably, 2017 marks the 150th birth year of Shrimad
Rajchandra, who lived from 1867 to 1901. To mark
this, the play produced under the guidance of Shrimad
Rajchandrajis ardent devotee and the founder of Shrimad
Rajchandra Mission Dharampur, Gurudev Rakeshbhai
held its world premire on November 14, 2016. Since then,
the play has been performed over 1,000 times in over 290
cities worldwide, reaching more than 6,40,000 people.
The Gujarati play is directed by acclaimed director
Branch relocated at
Rajesh Joshi of Code Mantra fame, scripted by well-known
playwright Uttam Gada of Maharathi fame and the music
direction is by popular composer duo Sachin-Jigar. In order
to cater to the huge demand for the play, eight teams are
3134 Great North Road, next to
Bunnings Warehouse
now performing Yugpurush simultaneously in various cities
globally. The play is currently running in Gujarati, Hindi,
Marathi, Kannada, Bengali, Tamil and English.
As part of the New Zealand programme, Gurudev
Rakeshbhai will also be sharing Shrimad Rajchandras
teaching in Auckland on the weekend of November 18, at
Bharatiya Mandir and Swaminarayan Temple respectively.
Interaction between the mentor Buy Return
Air Ticket at
and mentee

H istory tells us that Gandhiji met Shrimadji for the

first time in Mumbai, upon his return from England
as a barrister in 1891. Their relationship blossomed over
profound interactions in the two years that Gandhiji spent
in Mumbai. Upon moving to South Africa, Gandhiji
NEW LYNN
corresponded with Shrimadji through letters and Shrimadjis
inherent adherence to the principles of satya, ahimsa branch, Get 1
Movie Ticket*
and dharma later crystallised as the fundamental tenets
of Gandhism.
PM Modi on Shrimad Rajchandra

E ven Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his

Independence Day speech last year credited Shrimad
free Per Person.
Rajchandra to be the guiding light for the Father of the
Nation. Shrimad Rajchandrajis 150th anniversary is now
on. Mahatma Gandhi used to treat Shrimad Rajchandraji as
Movie Ticket
his guru. When he was in South Africa, Gandhiji was in
touch with Rajchandraji through correspondence. In one of
the letters, Shrimad Rajchandraji discussed violence and
non-violence with Gandhiji. Rajchandraji said that due to
the existence of violence, the concept of Non-violence came 12 Months Interest Free Tickets (Gem Visa)
into existence. The important thing is to understand, which
principle is important for you or which can be utilised for
the welfare of mankind, he had said then.
Similar words were echoed by the Chief Minister
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of Gujarat Vijay Rupani while inaugurating Shrimad
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first 100 customers. Other conditions may apply
Rajchandraji was a legendary saint of
the modern times, One who had experienced God at
a young age. Anytime Mahatma Gandhiji had doubts, he
would obtain direct guidance from Shrimadji.
In recognition of all this, the Government of India in June
We accept-
this year, released a commemorative first-day cover and a
 14 FIJI
COP23 side event to feature
disappearing Pacific Islands 3
F
ive islands in the Solomon
Islands have submerged
underwater and six more have
experienced a dramatic reduction
in shoreline due to man-made
climate change.
What does this mean to the future
of the Pacific region and Pacific
people, where much of the land
consists of low lying islands?
There are a number of implications
to this including issues associated
with the integrity of Island nations
Exclusive Economic Zones.
If this trend continues, climate
induced displacement and migration
of people will become inevitable.
Will island nations be in a position
to seek compensation for what is
clearly a case of loss and damage for
these countries?
Not to further exacerbate this
problem, the global community
needs to quickly limit temperature
rise below the 1.5C target, primarily
Germany stands by Fiji
P
rime Minister and
COP23 president Voreqe
Bainimarama held bilateral
talks with the German Environment
MinisterBarbara Hendricks on
Wednesday, November 8.
Ms Hendricks thanked Mr
Bainimarama for the traditional
ceremony of welcome accorded
to her and congratulated him on
his presidency.
During the official opening
ceremony on Monday, November 7,
Ms Hendricks was given the honour
to drink the first bowl ofyaqona.
She said Germany stands
by Fiji and will support the
COP23 presidency.
The Prime Minister briefly gave
an overview of how the presidency
will work. This was followed by an
exchangeof gifts, (Pictured).
Miss World Fiji, Nanise Rainima asks Fijians for their support
M
iss Rainima is part of
group 12 and her head to
head challenge is coming
up soon.
She thanked everyone for their
support. She hopes that everyone
would vote for her because every
vote and page likes count will help
her in the Multi-Media award.
On her Facebook page, Ms
Rainima posted: We did palm prints
today for the Gala Event we had
with IBC and New Silk Road which
partnered together for Miss World.
I am looking forward to this
week and please continue to vote
for me and keep me in your prayers.
Vinaka Vakalevu.
Ms Rainima is part of 120 world
beauty contestants competing for the
prestigious global pageant.
The crowning will take place on
November 18 in Sanya, China.
Meanwhile Miss World Fiji
director, Andhy Blake said Nanise
has such an important task of
representing our country on the
by keeping coal in the ground,
limiting emissions from transport,
and preserving the oceans and the
cryosphere, all issues that have been
inadequately addressed in the Paris
Agreement.
The side event will bring together a
panel consisting of former President
of Kiribati, Anote Tong, Ambassador
Miss World Fiji, Nanise Rainima is in Sanya, China for the final leg of the Miss World competition.
largest stage of fashion and beauty.
"There are 120 countries
competing for beauty's most coveted
title and every Fijian should be
proud of her accomplishments to
date promoting Fiji and we can
Ngedikes Olai Uludong of the
Republic of Palau, the Secretary
General of the Pacific Islands
Development Forum Franois
Martel, Professor Elisabeth Holland
from the University of the South
Pacific and representation from the
University of Bergen, Parvati.org
and Solomon Islands. - Fiji Sun
workshop says it will ensure that
Cooperation programmes.
support her efforts by voting for her
to be in the top of Multimedia," Mr
Blake said.
He said Miss Rainima will take
part in the Head to Head challenge
this week, the category where your
Friday, November 10, 2017 The Indian Weekender
355 Fijians benefit from seasonal
worker programme in NZ
55 Fijians have benefitted Minister for Employment Jone
from the Recognised Seasonal Usamate had said that based on
Worker Programme in New the three employers that provided
Zealand as at June this year. earnings for the Fijian seasonal
This is according to statistics by workers for a term of 6 months of
Immigration New Zealand. work, the range of earnings was from
About 20 Fijian seasonal workers $12,000 to $22,000.
are currently engaged with New He says their earnings are based
Zealand employers. on productivity.
Improving availability and quality of
Agricultural statistics in Fiji imminent
T
he United Nations Food and
Agriculture Organization
is intending to improve
the availability and quality of
Agricultural statistics in Fiji.
This is being made possible
through the Regional Workshop
been actively participating in these
for Monitoring the Sustainable
Technical Cooperation programs.
Development Goals.
Waibuta says he is confident
The Deputy Secretary Agriculture
that this workshop will provide
Development Uraia Waibuta who
knowledge to enhance the
officially opened this workshop says it
Agriculture Statistical System.
will ensure that agricultural statistics
The workshop is organized
are produced by a sustainable
by United Nations Food and
agricultural statistical system. He
Agriculture Organisation.
says the Ministry of Agriculture has
UN Food and Agriculture Organization to
improve on agricultural stats availability
and quality in Fiji
T
he United Nations Food and
Agriculture Organization
is intending to improve
the availability and quality of
Agricultural statistics in Fiji.
This is being made possible
through the Regional Workshop
for Monitoring the Sustainable
Development Goals.
The Deputy Secretary
Agriculture Development Uraia
Waibuta who officially opened this
agricultural statistics are produced Waibuta says he is confident
by a sustainable agricultural that this workshop will provide
statistical system. knowledge to enhance the
He says the Ministry of Agriculture Statistical System in Fiji.
Agriculture has been actively The workshop is organized
participating in these Technical by United Nations Food and
Agriculture Organization.
votes really matter. 2. Like their Official Miss World
Steps to follow to vote for Contestant Facebook Page
Miss Rainima: 3. Follow and Vote for them on
1. Click Vote for Me on the their official contestant account on
contestants page of the Miss World the MobStar App.
Website www.missworld.com - Fiji Sun
 FIJI

Pacific region takes spotlight at COP23

The Indian Weekender Friday, November 10, 2017 15

T
he Pacific regions advances including Tongas aim to reach 50
in renewable energy took per cent renewable energy by 2020.
the spotlight during a side This includes a landmark 2MW
event held by Solar Head of State solar PV system commissioned
and the Pacific Islands Development last month, the largest of its kind in
Forum on the first day of COP23 the country.
in Germany. Solar Head of State director
A statement from PIDF said the James Ellsmoor said, our model
event in the Fiji pavilion featured draws attention to renewable
speakers from the governments of energy through highly visible solar
Tonga, Niue, Tokelau and Palau and installations on public buildings
representatives from Greenpeace and associated public engagement
and ClimateWorks Australia to strategies such as competitions for
discuss the various successes of students and community events.
renewable energy in the region and High profile installations
transformative solutions, and the "We on buildings such as the Royal
benefit it is bringing to residents. have been Palace highlight the economic,
It said the side event was intended tasked by Pacific environmental and political
to assist Fijis vision for a Pacific leaders in their support importance of the use of renewable
COP and demonstrate that the Pacific of the Paris Agreement energy, he said.
Islands are central to forming the to pave the paradigm The leader of the Tongan
Grand Coalition needed to fight shift to a low carbon delegation, Paula Mau, signed an
climate change, as the voice of future." agreement at the event to work with
moral leadership. Solar Head of State and the PIDF to
The event also highlighted the carry out the installation.
ambition of Pacific SIDS (Small Islands across the world are
Island Developing States) for making headlines for ambitious
residence. The Tongan King will also interest in this project to facilitate climate change. Noting the PIDF
surpassing their emissions targets renewable energy projects.
become the worlds first monarch the installation of solar energy Leaders concerns on the impacts
and demonstrating climate leadership The Pacific nation of Tokelau
to use solar power, sending the infrastructure to power residences of climate change and their support
with renewable energy. became the worlds first country to be
message that Buckingham Palace of heads of state and in some cases for the Paris Agreement, renewable
In a symbolic move to showcase 100 per cent solar powered in 2012
should perhaps follow suit, the PIDF Parliament buildings across the energy is playing a key role in
the island nations ambitious goals, by launching a pioneering project to
statement said. islands. shaping the planets long-term energy
Tonga announced the installation ditch its diesel habit and this was four
We have been tasked by Mr Martel said the installation future and is critical to delivering
of solar panels for the Royal years before the Paris Agreements
Pacific leaders in their support of of panels on the national leaders policy goals of secure, clean and
Palace as part of the Solar Head of pledges, said the PIDF.
the Paris Agreement to pave the official residence was symbolic of affordable energy supplies, he said.
State programme. Furthermore, it said Fijis
paradigm shift to a low carbon the wider leadership on renewable According to the PIDF statement,
The installation will be the first of leadership of COP23 was a first
future, said PIDF secretary general energy by SIDS, and would serve the Pacific continues to demonstrate
its kind in the Pacific as a national for SIDS, and an opportunity to
Francois Martel. And Pacific as physical embodiment of Pacific strong leadership by virtue of its
leader takes the personal step to demonstrate the very real threats
countries and territories have shown Leaderships commitment to fighting ambitious renewable energy goals,
use solar power for their official faced by these nations. - Fiji Times

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 Thought of the week
"When one door of happiness closes,
another opens, but of ten we look so
long at the closed door that we do not
see the one that has been opened for
Editorial us." Helen Keller
Calling for Jacinda-Modi magic to Auckland Weather forecast for the week
transform NZ-Indian relationship Nov 10 Nov 16, 2017
F
rom the Kiwi-Indian perspective, there is nothing more exciting in the current politics
than the prospect of Jacinda-Modi meeting next week in the Philippines and the unfolding
of magic thence after.
Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thu
The sixth Labour-led government is ready to burst seams, as is evident from its oft-
repeated intent, and indeed going by its intent and vision so far, foreign policy is the
least priority of this government.
However, that does not stop Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern from shining at the
international stage this week and after when she will be out and about for international Mainly Clouds Partly Periods of Mostly Rather A periods
summits. The majority of mainstream media is waiting to observe how Ms Ardern cloudy, and sunny sun and cloudy cloudy of rain
stands out against the likes of Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, Shinjo Abe or the younger a little sunshine clouds and
leaders of her generation and charisma in domestic politics like Justin Trudeau. rain. windy
The prospect of meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not attracting
much attention. 19 14 14 14 18 14 18
Probably, it also suffers from a short-sightedness that many in New Zealand foreign 15 8 8 10 8 8 8
policy bureaucracy do where they tend to see India as a distant power with the limited
scope of influencing New Zealands core interests.
Indeed, this view was true ages ago, at least till the end of the Cold War, when India
had kept itself locked economically and strategically within the Indian subcontinent. This week in New Zealands history
However, since the end of the Cold War, 'that' India of the past has transformed into
a fast-growing outward looking regional power. 13 November 1896
This outwardness and preparedness in engaging with the outer world further Mount Tongariro erupts
A
accelerated under the current Narendra Modi-led government in New Delhi. t 12.40 p.m. on 13 November 1896, Te Maari, a crater at the northern end of the Tongariro
Recently, India became the fastest growing major economy in the world. range, erupted spectacularly. It continued to erupt sporadically for nearly a year.
Certainly, New Zealand had taken a note of this changed India when it launched NZ
Inc. India strategy in 2011 with the stated goal of doubling trade with India in five years
time. Towards this goal, former Prime Minister Sir John Key visited India two times in 15 November 1861
the last eight years. First issue ofOtago Daily Timespublished
Like everywhere else in life, some goals were met while others proved too elusive to
match with the allotted time expectation set for those goals.
Perhaps, it is the delay in achieving those ambitious trade goals set against an
D unedin became the first New Zealand centre with a daily newspaper on publication of the
first issue of theOtago Daily Times.
The English-born Vogel had been recognised as a talented journalist in Victoria before
unrealistic time-frame from the very beginning that might explain the restricted arriving in Dunedin with Otago gripped by gold fever. Vogel soon formed a partnership with
worldview of New Zealand foreign policy bureaucracy about India. Cutten, editor of the weeklyOtago Witness. Both men thought the soaring Otago population
To be fair to foreign policy bureaucracy, surely this is also not completely incorrect. could support a daily newspaper, and the Otago Daily Times was born as a symbol of the
In fact, this is quite a common situation within international diplomacy which is only progress of Otago.
resolved through personal meetings, and if possible, bonhomie between the top-level
political leadership of any two countries.
This is exactly where Jacinda-Modi magic could possibly unfold and in not so very 16 November 1840
distant future, and take this already growing bilateral relationship to the next level. New Zealand officially becomes British colony
And the reason for this bursting hope lies in the individual personality of the two
leaders.
If Jacinda is the queen of hearts of New Zealanders, then Modi also commands a level
N ew Zealand officially became a separate colony of the United Kingdom, severing its link
to New South Wales. North, South and Stewart islands were to be known respectively as
the provinces of New Ulster, New Munster and New Leinster.
of popularity among the billion-plus citizenry of India and millions of Indian diaspora
living around the world, including NZ, which only a popular King could aspire. 17 November 1925
The benefit of such personalities at top level political leadership always creates a
potential of achieving the unachievable in any bilateral relationship. NZ and South Seas International Exhibition opens
However, to materialise any of this, Ms Ardern would need to learn and implement
a lot from Helen Clark school of international politics and thinking out of the box
would be one thing that would be highly prized.
G overnor-General Sir Charles Fergusson opened Dunedins New Zealand and South Seas
International Exhibition in November 1925. By the time the exhibition closed in May
1926, it had attracted over 3.2 million visitors,more than doubleNew Zealands total population
Ms Clark had shocked the world by stealing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with at the time.
China a rising power and economic powerhouse that many feared to engage either
economically or politically in the global west. Indian Weekender : Volume 9 Issue 34
The positive outcome on New Zealand is for everyone to see. Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited
Similarly, some political ingenuity will be required by Ms Ardern in cracking a Content Editor: Sandeep Singh | sandeep@indianweekender.co.nz
transformative relationship with India.
Chief Reporter: Swati Sharma | swati@indianweekender.co.nz
Like Ms Clark did in the case of China defying all conventional wisdom, both
Reporter: Rizwan Mohammad | rizwan@indianweekender.co.nz
within and outside New Zealand, Ms Ardern would also need to defy all conventional
Chief ReporterSouth Island: Gaurav Sharma
wisdom which currently brackets India as a difficult case of FTA.
Chief Technical Officer: Rohan Desouza | rohan@indianweekender.co.nz
Instead, there is an urgent need for viewing this relationship from the perspective
Sr Graphics and Layout Designer: Mahesh Kumar | mahesh@indianweekender.co.nz
of the Indian diaspora in New Zealand and Indias growing profile and capability in
Graphic Designer: Yashmin Chand | design@indianweekender.co.nz
the Indo-Pacific region. Such a perspective has immense potential to offer valuable
Accounts and Admin.: 09-6366306 | accounts@indianweekender.co.nz
benefits to New Zealand in the short and long run.
Sales and Distribution: 022 3251630 | sales@indianweekender.co.nz
Security is a scarce resource in the Indo-Pacific region, which could affect New
Zealands economic security (through affecting free trade by sea lanes in Indo-Pacific Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher
region), if not physical security. is not responsible for advertisers claims as appearing in the publication
And Ms Ardern would have to think ahead and think outside the box to build a strong
partnership with India which is a net security provider in the Indian-Pacific region. Views expressed in the articles are solely of the authors and do not in any way represent
Added to this, the giant strides made by India recently in the area of clean, green the views of the team at the Indian Weekender
energy, which in Ms Arderns own word is her nuclear-free moment, would be Kiwi Media Publishing Limited - 133A, Level 1, Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland.
another area of bonhomie with India. Printed at Horton Media, Auckland
Indeed, opportunities are immense, and it is only for politically sagacious and
Copyright 2017. Kiwi Media Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved.
charismatic ones to achieve some.
The Indian Weekender wishes all the best to Ms Ardern on her first major overseas
trip and sincerely hopes for a Jacinda-Modi magic to unfold soon.

The Qatar experience and lessons for India
The Indian Weekender
SIDDHARTHA UPADHYAY
T
he world is changing. Sport
is a strong vehicle of change.
And one of the best examples
of this phenomenon is Qatar, which
is on the fast track of modernisation
and transformation ever since it
clinched the right to host the 2022
FIFA World Cup. This is the first
time that a mega sporting event of
this proportion is being hosted in this
part of the world.
Qatar has been at it for a long
time. Finally, its protracted struggle
bore fruit. Any sportsperson would
vouch for this; nothing succeeds
like success. Qatar has suddenly
catapulted itself in the world of
sports as a shining star.
All the reservations like the
regressive labour laws, poor human
rights record, curbs on free speech
and lack of integrated sports culture
all of these factors, individually
and collectively were sufficient
to defeat Qatars claim to host the
World Cup.
Theres also a raging controversy
about how Qatar secured the bid. But
Qatar won the bid in spite of all these
hurdles. That Qatar won the bid, in
my view, is simply historic.
The whole country is in a
transformation mode, like a snake
that sheds its old skin and emerges
with a new one. I was in Qatar
earlier this year and the change
-- and the pace of that change -- is
both bewildering and inspiring.
billion will be spent to prepare for the
World Cup. New stadia and arenas
are coming up, civic infrastructure
is being upgraded manifold; hotels,
railways, airports and freeways
Is doing business in India really easier now?
AMIT KAPOOR
P
rime Minister Narendra
Modis efforts in building
Indias global appeal for
investors seem to have finally
yielded returns in terms of the
countrys performance in the World
Bank Doing Business rankings. India
witnessed its highest-ever jump of 30
places in the rankings, reaching the
100th place among 190 countries.
Subsequently, it also joined the list
of top 10 improvers for the first time
and became the first South Asian
country to achieve the feat.
The World Bank measures this in
terms of a Distance to Frontier (DTF)
metric, which shows the distance of
the economy from the best performer
in each category on a scale of 0 to
100, with the latter representing the
frontier. India has shown a drastic
improvement of 4.71 points over
the last year from 56.05 to 60.76. To
put things in perspective, China has
witnessed an increase of 0.40 points.
Indias performance has been
impressive by any standard.
It has moved closer to the
global standards in nine of the ten
parameters on which the Doing
Business rankings are based and
has enforced reforms in eight of
these categories over the last year.
The three key reforms among
these were resolving insolvency,
Friday, November 10, 2017
An artists impression of the proposed Al Wakrah Stadium.
are fast transforming the country.
One cannot escape the feeling that
these changes are symbolic of the
ambitions of a small country to make
it big in the comity of nations.
Development and social justice
via sports is the vision of Prime
Minister Narendra Modi as well.
India has much to learn from the
Qatar experience. Just to give you
an idea, there will be seven host
cities Al-Daayen, Al-Khor, Al-
Rayyan, Al-Shamal, Al-Wakrah,
Doha and Umm Slal where 12 new
state-of-art stadia will come up with
capacities of at least 43,000 each.
And the unique aspect is that part of
ease of paying taxes online and
protection of minority investors.
Despite these improvements,
the general sentiment has been
to dismiss the rankings mainly
for the flaws in its methodology.
First, the rankings are based
on perception surveys of few
entrepreneurs or professionals
based on questions that are mostly
subjective in nature. Second, they
are not even based on the economic
conditions of the entire economy but
on one or two cities within a nation.
For India, it is based on Delhi and
Mumbai alone. However, the critics
miss the point.
these stadia could be dismantled after
the event and transported to other
less-developed countries to help set
up the infrastructure for sports and
encourage people at large to play.
Qatar, while creating a real estate
marvel, will remain conscious of
environmental consequences. Most
of the sporting infrastructure being
built is zero-carbon emitting and
climate controlled.
Qatars success is not confined
to just winning the bid to host the
World Cup, but its commitment
to modernising and upgrading its
economy.
An event of this magnitude is not
If India performs poorly even on
such a limited study that chooses the
best cities in the country, it speaks
volumes of the business conditions
across the country and is indicative
of the scope of improvement that
remains.
Moreover, rankings are relative by
definition and since the World Bank
chooses a maximum of two cities
for other countries as well, it should
depict a near accurate performance
of any country on a relative scale.
Therefore, any improvement up
the ladder cannot be summarily
dismissed.
Further, reforms considered by the
World Bank include a mix of central
OPINION/EDITORIAL
just about creating the necessary
sporting infrastructure in a stipulated
time frame, but the emphasis is also
on developing and internalising
an enduring sporting culture in the
two-and-a-half-million Qataris. To
be able to do that, Qatar is already
hosting almost 100 events every
year in various sporting disciplines.
The World Cup is not the end, but a
means to an end.
Last month, Qatar Financial
Centre (QFC) Chief Executive
Yousuf Mohamed al-Jaida, speaking
in London, elucidated the National
Vision 2030 where the investment in
sports would be an integral part of a
and state initiatives. Passing of
central legislation like the Insolvency
and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, that
helped India jump from 136 to 103 in
the resolving insolvency parameter
have pan-India benefits and are not
just limited to Delhi and Mumbai.
Therefore, it would be incorrect
to presume that merely focusing on
a few cities is disassociated from
reality even though the actions of
state governments are not reflected.
Incidentally, India performs poorly
in parameters where state government
interference is maximum: Getting
an electricity connection, starting a
business and registering a property.
This underlines the importance of
policy coordination between the
states and the Centre.
Nevertheless, credit needs to
be given where it is due for an
improvement in rankings majorly
driven by reforms undertaken by the
central government over the last few
years.
It must be noted that the rankings
have not taken into account the
implementation of the Goods and
Services Tax (GST). Therefore,
considerable potential remains for
further improvement.
But it should also be kept in mind
that these rankings are not an end in
themselves and are far from perfect. A
lot of it is based on policies which are
on the books and do not necessarily
17
multi-faceted strategy to ensure that
economic development is diverse
and sustainable.
There have been wide-ranging
labour reforms to make Qatar
an enviable destination for
foreign investment.
Theres a move to end the Kafala
system that falls foul of international
labour laws by binding an employee
to an employer in an almost slave-
like manner. The Qatari government
has also expressed its willingness to
introduce a law on minimum wages.
Under the young and dynamic
leadership of Hassan Al Thawadi,
Secretary General of the Supreme
Committee for Delivery &
Legacy of Qatar, sports is the
catalyst in the regions social and
economic development.
In a recent address to the UN,
Thawadi said: Events of this stature
(the World Cup) can bring billions of
17of
people together from every corner
the world.
They can serve to accelerate
and inspire...in a manner and at a
pace that few other initiatives can
match. Sport is uniquely equipped
to play a significant role in attaining
these goals. We are aiming for
the stars, our feet are firmly on
the ground.
India should not just be committed
to ensuring ease of doing business
in the country, but also ease of all
segments of society to play. Qatars
experience has an encouraging
message for India.
(Siddhartha Upadhyay is
member of the Governing Body
of the Sports Authority of India
and Founder of STAIRS, an
organisation dedicated to the
uplift of sports.)
capture the real experiences on the
ground. After reforms are initiated
to ease the business environment, the
main task of implementation begins
where the real problems emerge. For
instance, the World Bank applauded
Indias efforts at increasing access
to credit with the adoption of a new
insolvency and bankruptcy code.
However, the parameters fail to
recognise the problem that India
is going through one of its slowest
phases of credit growth and that
banks are wary of lending so easily.
Moreover, a lot more parameters,
apart from the ones considered in
the Doing Business rankings, need
to be considered to understand the
business environment in India. The
countrys dismal performance in
the Heritage Foundations Index of
Economic Freedom (in which it is
ranked 143, below most of its South
Asian neighbours) and Transparency
Internationals Corruption Perception
Index (ranked 79th), reflect the
areas that the country still needs to
improve upon to better the business
environment.
Therefore, the chest-thumping
around the Doing Business ranking
improvements needs to be seen in
conjunction with these factors and
worked upon to ease the problems
faced by common businessmen.
A premature celebration can be
counter-productive.
 18 INDIA Friday, November 10, 2017 The Indian Weekender

Aiming to make India global food factory: Minister

T
he central government is
working to make India not
only a global food factory
but also a global food market, Union
Food Processing Minister Harsimrat
Kaur Badal said on Wednesday,
November 8.
"We think we are capable of
becoming a global food market.
For this, we need to adopt the best
of technologies," Badal said in her
keynote address at a seminar on
"Belgian Innovative Contributions
Global Food Player". Organised sheer opportunities the country
by the Confederation of Indian offers. "On one side, we have a raw
Industry in partnership with Flanders material base, on the other, we have
Investment and Trade, the seminar a retail sector of $600 billion, which
was attended by, among other high is set to treble by 2020. And 70 per
profile dignitaries, Belgium's King cent of this 1.3 trillion dollar sector is
Philippe and industry leaders from food sub-sector.
India and Belgium. "The demand for food is
The Minister said whether The going to increase in India
it is food production or demand for by 50 per cent over five
food consumption, India food is going to years," she said.
is a market that "nobody increase in India by She said India may
across the globe could 50 per cent over five be the largest producer
years
a mere 10 per cent of its produce,
which consequently leads to very
high wastage. "In a country with
growing population and shrinking
land for producing food, food
wastage is a major area of focus
for our government, and hence zero
tolerance towards food wastage is
one of the targets of my ministry,"
Badal said. "In three years, we have
worked hard to create an environment
where food processing industry may
progress and flourish. We are creating
may be given to food processing
sector to incentivise creation of
infrastructure through the ministry,"
she added. Stressing that Belgium's
advanced technology can be put
to good use in India, the Minister
invited the Belgian industry to come
and "use Indian material and export
finished products to other countries".
She said that during the three-day
World Food India 2017 event from
November 3 in Delhi, close to $18
billion in investment was "either

Prince Charles arrives on India visit

in Shaping India's Future as a afford to ignore" for the of food, but it processes a corpus where credit at cheaper rate transacted or committed".

Kejriwal urges
Haryana, Punjab
P CMs to jointly
rince Charles, the Prince
of Wales, accompanied by
his wife, the Duchess of tackle air pollution
W
Cornwall, Camilla Parker-Bowles, ith air pollution in Delhi
arrived here on Wednesday on a increasing to the severe
two-day visit to India at the final level, Chief Minister Arvind
leg of their 10-day four-nation tour Kejriwal urged his Haryana and Punjab
that also took them to Singapore, counterparts for a meeting in order to
Malaysia and Brunei. jointly tackle the menace.
Their Royal Highnesses Prince Kejriwal wrote letters to Haryana and
of Wales and the Duchess of Punjab Chief Ministers Manohar Lal
Cornwall arrive, the British High Khattar and Amarinder Singh respectively
Commission in India tweeted. and said that the governments had
The Prince met Prime Minister failed to provide economically viable
Narendra Modi and discussed a alternatives to stubble-burning, which
wide range of issues, including that is worsening air quality in the Delhi-
of the Commonwealth Heads of National Capital Region.
Government Meeting (CHOGM) He stressed the need for resolving the
which will take place in April 2018 matter in tandem and requested them
for a meeting in the near future for
in the UK.
discussions.
Ahead of the royal couples
You are aware of the poor air quality
arrival, External Affairs Ministry Prince Charles and his wife Camilla plant a tree to commemorate the British Council's 70-year presence in India as they in Delhi... one of the main reasons for
spokesperson Raveesh
Bilateral attend a celebration of the UK-India Year of Culture hosted at the British Council in New Delhi on Wednesday.(PTI)
this to happen during this part of the year
Kumar said climate trade between is stubble-burning in neighbouring states
change, Sustainable India and Britain for the period April of Punjab and Haryana, Kejriwal wrote
Development Goals stands at $12.19 billion. 2000-June 2017 in the letters.
(SDGs), economic India is the third largest The Indian He said farmers were helpless and
cooperation, and investor in Britain and diaspora in UK is one were forced to burn crop stubble as the
other bilateral issues the second largest of the largest ethnic
international job state governments had failed to provide
would also come up creator in minority communities them with alternatives. The Delhi
for discussion. that country. in the country, with the government on Wednesday announced
Bilateral trade 2011 census recording that all schools and colleges in Delhi will
between India and Britain approximately 1.5 million be shut till Sunday due to the alarming
stands at $12.19 billion. India people of Indian origin equating to pollution level, with 18 of the 21 active
is the third largest investor in almost 1.8 percent of the population pollution monitoring stations in the
Britain and the second largest and contributing 6 per cent of the national capital recording severe air
international job creator in countrys GDP. quality. The dangerous PM2.5 particles
that country. This will be Prince Charless (atmospheric particulate matter with
Britain is the third largest inward ninth visit to India. He had earlier diameter less than 2.5 micrometres) were
investor in India, with a cumulative visited India in 1975, 1980, 1991, Britain's Prince Charles exchanges greetings as he attends the UK-India Year of measured at 475 micrograms per cubic
equity investment of $24.37 billion 1992, 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2013. Culture celebrations hosted at the British Council in New Delhi on Wednesday. metre in the region.

Congress seeks apology from Modi, Jaitley over demonetisation

T
he Congress on Wednesday
termed demonetisation and
the GST a surgical strike
that had destroyed Indias growth
story and demanded that Prime
Minister Narendra Modi and Finance
Minister Arun Jaitley apologise to
the nation for the mistake.
Addressing a press conference
here, party leader Randeep Singh
Surjewala along with chiefs of the
partys frontal organisations said the
double whammy of demonetisation
and GST was being felt across
the country.
The disastrous decision of
demonetisation and unthought-of
and unprepared implementation of
GST has led to a surgical strike on
the Indian economy.
It has not only destroyed Indias
growth story but also rendered
crores of people jobless and caused
businesses to shut down. This is why
the Prime Minister and the Finance
Minister should apologise to the
country, Surjewala said.
It would have been good if they
had said demonetisation was a
mistake, sought an apology and
initiated a probe, he said, adding:
Ones stature does not go down by
seeking an apology but Modi is so
drunk with arrogance of power that
he is not willing to accept it (the
mistake).
Terming it an organised loot,
Surjewala said demonetisation led to
economic chaos.
It also exposes large-scale scam
by the BJP across the country. Many
were able to turn their black money
into white while the poor were the
worst sufferers. Was any probe
initiated on that? he asked.
Another name for the scheme of
turning black money into white is
Notebandi.
Congress and several other
opposition parties observed the day
as Black Day.
Surjewala said November 8 was
the first death anniversary of
demonetisation and also of the 150
people who lost their lives while
standing in queues at banks and
ATMs.Comparing demonetisation
to the note bandi ordered by
Delhi emperor Muhammad Bin
Tughlak, he said the exercise caused
immense misery.
On the first anniversary of
demonetisation, those who looted
are celebrating and the common man
is mourning loss of livelihood and
food, Surjewala said. When 99 per
cent of the demonetised money came
back into the system, he asked where
was the black money and had terror
acts and Maoist activities stopped in
the country.
The economy of the country
incurred a loss of more than Rs 3
lakh crore. GDP growth declined by
two per cent.
The small and medium businesses
were affected. In organised sector,
15 lakh jobs were lost and in the
unorganised sector 3.72 crore
people lost their jobs, said Surjewla
and asked is this how Modiji is
developing a New India and run a
democracy.
The press conference was also
addressed by Mahila Congress Chief
Sushmita Dev, Youth Congress Chief
Amarinder Singh Raja and Congress
Seva Dal Chief Mahendra Joshi.

PM thanks people for
The Indian Weekender
supporting demonetisation
P F
rime Minister Narendra Modi
on Wednesday, November
8, thanked the people of
the country for supporting his
government's measures to eradicate
black money, on the first anniversary
of demonetisation.
In a series of tweets which included
slides and videos, the Prime Minister
called demonetisation "a historic
and multi dimensional success",
and a "decisive blow" to terrorism
and Maoism.
A video posted by the Prime
Minister said the nation was in a dire
state due to corruption and black
money when he became the Prime
Minister, and called demonetisation
a step which was never taken before
or even thought of in independent
India.
"In the history of any country
there are moments where every
person feels they want to be a part
of that moment. Every common
citizen can participate in this war
against corruption, black money and
counterfeit currency," Prime Minister
Modi is seen saying in the video,
which also shows people in a line,
adding that the people "overlooked"
small troubles in the fight against
black money.
Calling it a "decisive
bow to the
blow to terrorism and
people of India for
Naxalism", the slide
steadfastly supporting
posted by the Prime
Minister said stone the several measures taken Indian financial
by the Government to
pelting incidents in
eradicate corruption and
Kashmir valley had
black money."
come down by 75
India, Colombia discuss
expanding bilateral ties
A
s part of New Delhi reaching
out to Latin America, India
and Colombia on Wednesday
discussed ways to strengthen
bilateral ties during a meeting
between External Affairs Minister
Sushma Swaraj and her Colombian
counterpart Maria Angela Holguin.
According to a statement issued
by the External Affairs Ministry,
Sushma Swaraj and Holguin held
discussions on a wide-range of
issues of shared common interest
to further expand and strengthen
bilateral relations.
India has extended assistance
to Colombia in capacity building
under its ITEC (Indian Technical and
Economic Cooperation) programme
and expressed readiness to extend
cooperation in the post peace process
reconstruction and rehabilitation,
the statement said.
The Colombian government and
the Left wing Revolutionary Armed
Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerilla
group last year signed a peace deal
ending decades of conflict.
The statement said that with
both countries enjoying close and
cordial bilateral relations, economic
cooperation is also deepening.
Holguin, accompanied by
Colombian Minister of Commerce,
Industry and Tourism Maria Lorena
Gutierrez and other delegates,
Friday, November 10, 2017
People queue up outside an ATM kiosk to withdraw cash on the last day of
demonetisation in New Delhi on Dec 30, 2016.
per cent, incidents of Left Wing
Extremism have been down by 20
per cent, and 7.62 lakh counterfeit
notes were detected.
"I bow to the people of India for
steadfastly supporting the several
measures taken by the Government
to eradicate corruption and black
money," the Prime Minister said
in a tweet.
"125 crore Indians fought a
decisive battle and won," he said.
As per the data posted by Prime
Minister Modi, 0.00011 per cent of
India's population deposited 33 per
cent of the total cash, and in 17.73
cases cash transaction did not match
the tax profile.
It also said that cash deposit of Rs
3.68 lakh crore in 23.22
"I
lakh accounts is under
suspicion. Calling
it a "massive
cleansing of the
system", the slide
said "a maze of
shell companies
India has extended
assistance to Colombia
in capacity building
under its ITEC (Indian
Technical and Economic
Cooperation) programme
and expressed readiness
to extend cooperation in
the post peace process
reconstruction and
rehabilitation
arrived on Monday, November 6, on
a four-day visit to India.
The visiting delegation also met
dealing in black money and hawala
transactions" were uncovered, and
called it a "surgical strike" on shell
companies, with 2.24 lakh shell
companies being struck off.
It said 58,000 bank accounts
belonging to 35,000 companies were
caught transacting Rs 17,000 crore
after demonetisation.
The slide also said that it was a
"big push" towards formalisation,
adding that it led to direct transfer
of salaries into bank accounts, 1.01
crore additional employees were
enrolled in the EPFO, and 1.3 crore
workers were registered with the
Employees State Insurance, bringing
social security and health benefits to
them. There has also been an increase
of 26.6 per cent in new tax payers,
from 66.53 lakh in 2015-16 to 84.21
lakh in 2016-17. It also said the move
caused "cleaner economy for the
nation through less cash behavioural
shift", and in August 2017, the
number of digital transactions stood
at 138 crore against 87 crore in
August 2016.
with Minister of Commerce and
Industry Suresh Prabhu and undertook
a comprehensive review of trade and
investment issues discussed during
the meetings of Joint Committee on
Business Development Cooperation
and Joint Working Group on Trade
and Investment held in Colombias
capital Bogota in May this year.
Indian imports include mineral
fuel, minerals, oils, natural or
cultivated pearls, wood and steel,
and articles of wood and cocoa and
exports include motorcycles in CKD
form, vehicles other than railways,
cotton yarn and woven fabrics of
cotton, organic chemicals and iron
and steel.
INDIA
19
NEWS in BRIEF
India makes emergency fuel
supplies to Sri Lanka
ollowing reports of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) rejecting
a shipment of petrol from Lanka IOC (LIOC), the Sri Lankan
subsidiary of Indian Oil, India on Wednesday made emergency fuel
supplies to Sri Lanka following a telephonic conversation between Prime
Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena.
In the telephone conversation with Sri Lankan President @MaithripalaS,
PM @narendramodi conveyed that India is sending additional fuel to Sri
Lanka and assured Indias continued support for development cooperation,
the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) tweeted.
According to Indian public broadcaster Doordarshan, Modi assured
all assistance from India to Sri Lanka following Sirienas request for
emergency petrol shipments.
LIOC has made available 3,500 kilo litres of its own stock to CPC,
Doordarshan said in a shared tweet.
A ship with an additional 21,000 kilo litres of petrol also left for Sri
Lanka and additional petrol is being made available from Kochi refinery in
Kerala. Citing CPC sources, the Sunday Times said a shipment that arrived
at the Colombo harbour on October 17 had been tested for a second time
and rejected on a quality test.
However, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said he did
not agree that LIOC was responsible for the current fuel shortage in the
country and said two oil shipments would be arriving in the country within
two day, acording to a report in the Colombo Page.
Demonetisation hit poor, common
people hardest: CPI-M
D
emonetisation of high-denomination notes hit the poor and common
people hard as the BJP government at the Centre deceived Indians
by unilaterally scrapping Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes last year, the
CPI-M said
Decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes taken by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi undemocratically and without any cabinet decision
has ruined the life and livelihood of poor and common people, CPI-M
Central Committee member Bijan Dhar told a public gathering while
protesting against demonetisation on its first anniversary.
He said: The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) government at the Centre
deceived the Indians by unilaterally and suddenly scrapping Rs 500 and Rs
1,000 notes a year ago. The aims for which demonetisation was enforced
have totally failed.
Dhar, also the Tripura state Secretary of the CPI-M, said the entire labour
and working class, including construction workers, agriculture workers,
workers engaged in unorganised sectors and cottage and medium scale
industries were the worst victims of the demonetisation.
Governments decision to demonetise 500 and 1,000 rupee notes,
which together constituted 86 per cent of our currency, also hit the exports
and did not help bring black money back to the system, the CPI-M l
eader said.
Looking forward to focus on
sustainable ties with India: French
Ambassador
F
rench Ambassador Alexandre Ziegler
on Wednesday, November 8, said that
France is looking forward to go beyond
strategic ties and focus more on improving
the bilateral relationship with India through
sustainable development.
Till date it has been mostly strategic
partnerships, defence deals and others. But
now, we will be focusing on enhancing bilateral
ties in terms of sustainable development and
Bonjour India is a step towards that. As France Alexandre Ziegler
and India relationship shares a decades long
history, Ziegler said.
The Ambassador was speaking at an event organised by the French
Embassy to announce their upcoming cultural programme Bonjour India
which is made in collaboration with ICCR. Returning to India after three
years, this four-month long voyage will cover 33 cities and present more
than 100 shows.
We are focusing on wider partnership, effort is to collaboratively
encourage sustainable lifestyle, adopt renewable sources of energy. We are
strongly committed in contributing towards developing smart cities and
involve in Make in India as well. Many tech companies are choosing India
for setting up their R&D centres and numbers will go up in coming years,
the Ambassador noted.
Bonjour India will showcase Indo-French expertise in innovation,
education, research, science and technology, art and culture and this
collaboration is another step towards strengthening ties.
Culture is a wide subject, it is not confined to traditions but also includes
technology, economy, academic exchange and many more. So Bonjour
India will not only be a cultural extravaganza but will also act as a platform
for trade delegations, curator Bonjour India, Bertrand de Hartingh, said.
 20 INDIA ABROAD Friday, November 10, 2017 The Indian Weekender

Indian American elected New A

Sikh teen beaten in US, kin
call it hate crime
14-year-old Sikh boy was

Jersey town Mayor

beaten up by a classmate
here, with his father claiming
that he victim was targeted as he is of
Indian descent, the media reported.

T
wo Indian American
candidates have overcome
bigoted propaganda to win
local elections in New Jersey - one of
them as the Mayor of Hoboken.
Ravi Bhalla was elected in
Tuesdays elections as the first Sikh
Mayor of the town that is a suburb of
New York City.
A lawyer, who was a member of
the city council, Bhalla was the target
of an anti-Sikh campaign pamphlet
that said Dont let TERRORISM
take over our town! next to a picture
of the turbaned candidate.
Falguni Patel was elected to the
Edison Township School Board. She
and a Chinese American candidate,
Jerry Shi, were targeted in mailings
that said that they should both be
deported and that Chinese and
Indians are taking over our town.
Bhalla and Patel were born in the
United States.
The candidates received wide
support and their election rivals
condemned bigoted pamphlets.
The pamphlets against Bhalla were
sent in the name of a rival candidate,
who denied any involvement in it and
called for a criminal investigation.
The incident happened on
were sent anonymously.
October 26 less than a block from
We wont let hate win,
Kentridge High School in Kent city,
Bhalla tweeted after the where both the boys are students,
pamphlets were circulated. KIRO-TV reported.
Many New Jersey Indian In the clip that was posted on
Americans are active in mobile application Snapchat, a
politics and have emerged teenage boy followed the victim
as an influential voting bloc and punched him, knocking him to
sought after by candidates. the ground.
The winner in the governors The victim was punched several
race, Democrat Phil Murphy, more times as he tried to protect his
head and crawl away.
was a favourite of Indian
The victim father said he felt pain
Americans who held a rally
each time he looked at the video. "I
for him on Monday in Edison. am feeling so, so bad because this
He will succeed Chris happened with my son. They beat
Christie, a Republican close to him from the backside and hurt him
President Donald Trump who too much.
could not run for re-election as "This is a very big thing for me,
governors are limited to two here in America ... I can't explain or
terms in the state. myself how I am feeling," said the
Several Indian American 14-year-old's father, who declined
candidates ran for local to be identified. The family said the
incident exposed racial divisions in
offices like school board, local
the city. However, school officials
council and borough councils,
said the attack was not religiously
which are the springboard for or racially motivated, but was
higher positions, and many of instead a continuation of an earlier
them won. classroom dispute.
The state has only one
Indian American in the State Sushma condoles death
Assembly, Raj Mukherji,
of Indian-origin Kenyan,
who was elected in 2014 from
assures help

E
The postcards targeting Patel and Shi Jersey City.

Bonn hosts 20,000 climate summit delegates:

xternal Affairs Minister
Sushma Swaraj condoled
the death of Indian-origin

Indian-origin Mayor
Kenyan national Bunty Shah, who
was killed in police firing in October
in Nairobi, and assured of all help to

T
Shahs family.
his German city is hosting nations and thousands of non-state
Replying to a tweet by Netra Parikh
over 20,000 delegates and actors opened here on Monday with a
who asked Sushma Swaraj to help the
environmental activists of commitment to go ahead of the 2015
bereaved family, the Minister said:
nearly 200 nations for the annual UN Paris Agreement pledges to counter
"I have received a report from the
Climate Change Conference, "We climate change. Indian High Commission in Nairobi.
Indian-origin Mayor are expecting In his inaugural remarks, Deceased Bunty Shah was a Kenyan
Ashok Sridharan said. more than 20,000 Fiji President Frank national of Indian origin."
We as Bonners are people over here, which is Bainimarama, who is "The Kenyan security forces were
very proud to have the a big challenge because we chairing the 23rd annual conducting anti-terror operations in
COP23 here and we do have 320,000 inhabitants climate change talks of a building across Shah's residence.
want to be the good but all the people living the parties or COP23, Bunty thought this was an intrusion
host for all the delegates in Bonn are very much said there was a need to by armed burglars and fired in the
coming from all over the looking forward to keep the climate action air," she wrote on Twitter.
world, Sridharan said in a COP23." commitments in full and "The security forces returned
video tweet on Monday. not back away from them. fire, resulting in Bunty's death.
We are expecting more than COP23, coming just two years after the The Kenyan Police have regretted
20,000 people over here, which is a big landmark adoption of the Paris Climate the incident. The Indian High
challenge because we do have 320,000 Change Agreement, will also further Commission will provide all help
inhabitants but all the people living in fuel momentum among cities, states, and assistance to the family. My
Bonn are very much looking forward to regions, territories, business and civil heartfelt condolences to the bereaved
COP23, he said. society in support of national climate family," Sushma Swaraj added.
The incident occurred at 3 a.m. on
Bonn was also the venue of UN action plans.
October 22 in Nairobi when Bunty
Climate Change Conferences in 1999 Close to 20 country leaders are
Shah, 32, woke up after hearing
and 2001. expected to attend, including President
some commotion and fired two shots
The two-week climate change talks Emmanuel Macron of France and
in the air from his first floor bedroom
with the attendance of officials of 197 German Chancellor Angela Merkel. window.

Indian short film The School Bag wins award in Montreal

I
ndian short film The School
Bag, which tells a story based in
Pakistan, has won the Best Short
Film Award at the South Asian Film
Festival of Montreal (SAFFM), says
director Dheeraj Jindal.
"While making the film, each
member of the team literally put their
heart and soul and we didn't know
what will happen with the film. For
many people, I included, it was the
first experience working on a short
film. So it's a great feeling when
your debut work gets international
recognition," Jindal said.
SAFFM concluded on Sunday.
The movie's plot is based in
Peshawar and tells a story about the
relationship between a mother and
her seven-year-old son who wants a
new school bag on his birthday, but
fate has something else in store for
him. The film recreates events that
happened in Peshawar in December
2014 when terrorists mowed down
hundreds of school children.
Actress Rasika Dugal plays the
mother in the short film.
Jindal, who is from Delhi, is happy
that short films are getting visibility.
"In India, now there are platforms
that are supporting and funding
short films and because of that the
quality of the films have drastically there are many good stories which "Therefore, short films are
improved. The acclaimed actors don't need to be long but can be as becoming a serious business, which
have also started working in them as impacting as a feature film. is going to grow further," he said.
 WORLD

Xi, Trump discuss North Korean crisis

The Indian Weekender Friday, November 10, 2017 21

C
hinese President Xi Jinping
held talks with his visiting US
counterpart Donald Trump on
Thursday where they discussed the
North Korean nuclear crisis.
The two leaders met at the Great
Hall of the People.
While Xi promised cooperation
and coordination on the worsening
crisis, Trump said that China has the
solution to the problem.
"Our meeting this morning in front
of your representatives and in front
of our representatives was excellent,
discussing North Korea and I do
believe there is a solution to that as
you do," Trump told Xi.
world problems for many years to
come," Trump, who is on a three-day
China visit, said.
In response, Xi said: "China is
ready to work with the United States
to enhance cooperation and properly
manage the differences in a spirit of
mutual benefit."
He said that the US and China had
"more coordination and cooperation
in North Korea nuclear issue and
other world challenges.
"Right now China and US relations
are at a new starting point."
The tensions between Washington
and Pyongyang have escalated after
North Korea's test firing of missiles
hydrogen test in September.
North Korea fears that the US
wants to the reclusive nation to be
annexed in the South Korea.
The US wants China to do more
to rein in its ally. But China has
said that it is not the trouble-maker
and has only limited ability to
solve the crisis. Power equations
will be changed this time as Xi has
become more powerful, because of Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd R) and his wife Peng Liyuan (1st R), and U.S.
exalted status in China, and Trump's President Donald Trump (2nd L) and his wife Melania Trump pose for a photo in
popularity has taken a hit in the US. front of Taihedian, the Hall of Supreme Harmony, during their visit to the Palace
Museum, or the Forbidden City, in Beijing, capital of China
The US President will also chair
a business forum and there will Wednesday on a three-day visit, the as US President and the third meeting
be a signing of several bilateral third leg of his five-nation Asia tour with Xi this year. Trump and Xi are
agreements in the Great Hall of after stops in Japan and South Korea. also expected to discuss the US trade

Morocco
"We have the capacity to solve and conducting its most powerful the People. Trump arrived here on This is Trump's first visit to China deficit with China.

launches
Propounding the path of Bhagwan Mahavira, the founder of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur,
Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshbhai is a spiritual visionary and a modern day mystic. An embodiment of universal
compassion, He has touched thousands of lives in various countries through enlightening discourses and

earth
an array of meditation retreats steering a multitude of souls towards the spiritual way of life. His preaching
inspires one to rise above religious dogma and focus on the Eternal. His divine benevolence has uplifted
numerous underprivileged lives through the ten-fold Love and Care programme.

observation
For more information, visit:
www.shrimadrajchandramission.org

satellite
Or call Dhaval Ghelani: 0415 158 789
Email: publicrelations@shrimadrajchandramission.org

M
orocco has successfully launched
an earth observation satellite, the
Freedom from the Ego
desire for prestige. Param Krupalu Dev could have
earned wealth, fame, prestige in abundance through the
ego-wall but he breaks down that wall. He snatches away
everything that can give space for the ego to grow.
performance of Shatavdhan (doing 100 different things He explains the worthlessness of the ego. Just as a grain

European consortium Arianespace
announced on Wednesday.
Dubbed "Mohammed VI-A", the satellite
was launched by Arianespace's Vega rocket
- PUJYA GURUDEVSHRI RAKESHBHAI
Pujya Gurudevshri vividly gives specific
characteristics of ego to help you spot it in you
and enthusiastically march forward towards
simultaneously); but keeping His spiritual welfare at of sand in the eye hides the huge Himalaya, and when
the forefront He stopped the demonstration of such removed, reveals it, in the same way, ego does not let you
miraculous powers. Such an exemplary feat is rare indeed. realise your eternal nature. If the ego is removed, the
Self can be realised. Sadguru makes you drop the desire
(3) Insistence on making changes to exhibit and kindles the yearning for Self-realisation.
Egocentric person cannot accept things as they are. He does not command but gives a yardstick by which you

from French Guyana Space Centre on Tuesday

at 10.42 p.m. local time in Kourou (1.42 a.m.
GMT Wednesday), according to a statement by
the consortium.
The Mohammed VI-A satellite is an Earth
observation satellite built for the Kingdom of
Morocco by Thales Alenia Space as system
its annihilation Whether it is an act of cutting hair or stitching clothes, can recognise the worthlessness of the ego. You then start
in anything big or small, he wants to make or suggest doubting the empty promises that the ego gives.
changes. Because of this flaw, he has no acceptance and
without caring for others, he insists on proving himself There is nothing more worthless than ego in this world. It
Enlightened Beings of all religions, from every region, at
right. He is therefore always in a state of likes-dislikes. promises a lot but does not produce anything worthwhile.
all times, have concluded that the ultimate goal of all
spiritual practices is the annihilation of the ego. As long as
It makes you run but you reach nowhere. It is smart to
(4) Averse to being corrected seize you in its snare but you gain nothing from it. You
you are rooted in the ego, whatever spiritual practices you
Egocentric person considers himself to be more doubt everyone, including the saints, but never your ego.
may follow, be it devotion, study of scriptures, austerities,
meditation, etc., they will be unprofitable. Until you have
intelligent, wiser and greater than others. As a result, not Until you realise the worthlessness of the ego, its falsity,
only does he constantly advise others but also he doesnt the right efforts to annihilate the ego do not start. The
realised your eternal existence and destroyed the ego,
your spiritual practices will not bear fruit.
like taking suggestions from others. He cannot accept day you doubt your ego, your path to liberation opens, you

prime contractor and Airbus as co-prime.
The three-axis stabilized satellite weighed
his mistake pointed out by anyone else, because he just become a seeker and your quest begins.
cannot believe that he can even make a mistake. I am
The eternal nature of every being is equally pure. When
you establish your identity in your eternal nature and
right, what I think and do has to be right. If you dont feel

approximately 1,110 kg at launch.

so, it is your mistake; you dont want to understand me.
abide in it, you see the same pure nature in all, your ego
Blinded by his ego, he cannot see or understand that no
It will be used for mapping and land
does not arise. Identifying with your true nature opens up
matter how beautiful or perfect looking the work is, there
the path to emancipation.
surveying activities, regional development,
is always scope for improvement.

agricultural monitoring, the prevention and

management of natural disasters, monitoring
changes in the environment and desertification,
as well as border and coastal surveillance, said
Arianespace.
The consortium added that it was the 11th
The Focus on Sameness
(5) Ambitious to be the best
The saints have the eternal nature of the Self as their
Egocentric person always wants to be at the top, the best.
focus; they first see pure Self in the other person, so
With such attitude, he always remains focussed on the
their transactions with others happen with the vision of
sameness. When the sameness in all becomes primary,
other. I must remain ahead of others, I should look better
than others harbouring such feelings, he is constantly
the non-divisive vision blossoms. He then does not
running and getting entrapped by fear and insecurity.
discriminate or have likes-dislikes; nor does he see
anyone as higher or lower; instead, he sees others as
The wall of your ego is just one, but those who decorate
this wall are many. This wall is being decorated from
spiritual relatives.
all around you. Mother and father say that we are from

consecutive successful launch of a Vega rocket Seeing the differences in others creates divisive vision
a noble lineage; our family is highly reputable. The
ego is honoured in school and college too where you are
An untold story of two legends of Indian history
MAHATMA GANDHI AND HIS SPIRITUAL MENTOR, SHRIMAD RAJCHANDRAJI
since 2012. with strong likes and dislikes. When older, wealthier,
or more powerful than the other, you get superiority
encouraged to think that I must be first in my class. INSPIRATION: PUJYA GURUDEVSHRI RAKESHBHAI

Thales Alenia Space supplied the payload, complex, and try to dominate and exploit the weaker ones.
Ego Remains Alive
Friday, 1st December 2017 @ 8:00 PM

including the optical instruments, the image

transmission subsystem and the ground
segment for image processing and production.
Airbus was in charge of its integration, as
well as supplying the platform and the ground
segment for mission planning and satellite
control.
The Mohammed VI-A is the 150th satellite
built by Thales Alenia Space to be launched by
Arianespace, which has 15 more satellites from
this manufacturer in its order book.
The space imagery, operated from Morocco,
And when younger, poorer or weaker, you get inferiority LANGUAGE: HINDI
The ego takes up and changes many forms and is ever
complex, try to protect yourself or oppose the power and Performing Arts Theatre,
present in the ignorant one. Whatever he does, he wants
become a rebel. Thus the ego becomes stronger. Green Bay High School
recognition. He earns wealth and status for the ego,
161 Godley Rd, Green Bay, Aukland 0604
he leaves them also for the ego. In his charity, austerity,
You think having an ego will benefit you. You are not yet
or renunciation, his ego remains alive. Moreover,
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tired of it. You still have hope in it. You feel that you still Dimple Shah 021 265 2138 Food available for purchase
considering them as dharma, he does not examine them
have to show your worth to the world. You still want to
all proceeds support the construction of a charity hospital
and the ego remains woven in them. If he fasts for longer,
decorate the prison of ego. The door of the prison is open book online : nz.yugpurush.org
studies more scriptures, gives more charity, he considers
but the ego is so dear to you that your attachment to it
himself to be greater than others.
does not even let you seek freedom. You do not fear ego,
rather, you fear the annihilation of ego.
Therefore, the Enlightened Ones caution us not to get
satisfied by changing activities. Introspect closely to find
Experience the heart of spirituality with
Identify the Ego PUJYA GURUDEVSHRI
The saints ask us to see ego as deadly poison and
out your purpose of these activities. While examining the
religious activities, you will catch if the underlying force RAKESHBHAI
strive to annihilate it. But how would you recognise it?
The Enlightened Ones have given the characteristics of
is a desire for recognition. Through noble acts of charity,
IN AUCKLAND
ego and the peculiarities of an ego-centred person to help
building temples and hospitals there may be the ego only
at work. That is why only your deeds do not determine
recognise the ego and free yourself from it. Bharatiya Mandir
your nobility or spirituality.
Sat, 18 th Nov 252 Balmoral Road,

will play a key role in the implementation

Sandringham,
(1) Desire to be honoured 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
The Work of Sadguru Auckland 1025

of national strategies for socio-economic

development, especially those relating to the
agricultural sector which constitutes one of the
main pillars of the Moroccan economy.
There is a wall between you and God. This ego-wall, I am
When Chinese Emperor Wu asked the Buddhist Dinner from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
something, I am the best, I am superior to all and all are
monk Bodhidharma, What would my noble deeds of
inferior to me does not let you realise God. You have built
making thousands of Buddha idols, building temples and ISSO Swaminarayan Temple
this wall yourself and by collecting bricks of appreciation
Sun, 19 th Nov 10 Wentworth Ave,
guest houses for pilgrims, and translation of Buddhist
from others, you have adorned your ego so much that you Papatoetoe
scriptures yield? To his surprise, Bodhidharma said, hope
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
are unable to recognise it as ego. You love the ego-wall and Auckland 2025
you dont go to hell. Till that day, people had only praised
you do not want to break it. You endeavour to find ways so Lunch from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm

The satellite will also help in land that you are honoured and praised.
him that he would get heaven for his deeds.
Bodhidharma explained to him, the deeds may have DISCOURSES WILL BE IN GUJARATI

management, through effective control of (2) Fascination for exhibitionism

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 22 SPORTS Friday, November 10, 2017 The Indian Weekender

How Mary
Kom balanced
life between
Parliament and
the boxing ring
Mary Kom recently won her fifth gold in the
Asian Boxing Championships in Vietnam and her latest
triumph has not been about fighting age, younger and
tougher opponents but about balancing life as mother of
three young children, Rajya Sabha member and training,
often in the morning and evening.

I
t is barely a few hours since
Mary Kom landed a very special
victory in the Asian Boxing
Championships in Ho Chi Minh
City, but she is already in the airport
waiting for her flight to Delhi.
Didnt she stay back to celebrate
the fifth Asian title, marking a grand
comeback just when people felt at 34,
Mary Kom was ready to move on? A
unanimous decision against North
Koreas Kim Hyang-mi showed
the competitive fire is still burning
bright. Mary Kom explained she had
to fly out to Switzerland to participate
in the International Olympic
Committee meeting from November
11-13. She is the international boxing
bodys representative for the IOC
athletes forum. The pollution is high
in Delhi, right? she enquired, even
more concerned as her children are
in Delhi. I spoke to them. They are
very happy and cant wait for me to
get back, she told Hindustan Times
over phone from the Tan Son Nhat
International Airport on Wednesday.
Her latest triumph has not been
just about fighting age and younger
and tougher opponents. It has been
about balancing life as mother of
three young children, Rajya Sabha
member and training, often in the
morning and evening.
Every medal is special, even
this medal is special, Mary Kom
said. Being an MP, it was tough.
When the session was going on, I
would go for practice, rush home and
take a quick shower and run to the
parliament. It was very difficult.
Did she manage a quick nap while
the sessions were on? No, not me,
Mary Kom laughed. I used to be in
the parliament for an hour or two and
then rush during lunch break and go
Mary Kom won her fifth gold medal in the Asian Boxing Championship and has said that her experience helped her secure this
victory
for training in the evening. taller, and of course, younger. the ring one last time. At the camp
The 34-year-old boxer was But I have the experience of 17 in Delhi for the Vietnam meet, Mary
happy with her fitness, but said the years, she said cheerfully. So, I Kom told Hindustan Times she
victory was mainly due to her vast was able to handle them easily. wanted to box for two more years.
experience. It has become a difficult The fifth Asian title will be very On the task at hand, she explained
tournament. Now Asian also is special for the national sporting icon. moving down to the weight she was
getting tougher and tougher. There had been rumbling within most comfortable with would make
all the difference.
Every medal is special, even this medal is special, Mary Kom My actual weight is 48kg. Earlier,
I was fighting in a higher category
said. Being an MP, it was tough. When the session was going on,
(51). It is very tough, to train and
I would go for practice, rush home and take a quick shower and run to
then to re-fill, increase weight, (its)
the parliament. It was very difficult."
very difficult for me.
At the IG Stadiums boxing hall
the national camp, especially from during the national camp, Mary Kom
The 48 kg, in the last seven years
all opponents were of equal height or the top 51kg contender, Pinki groaned in pain in the stretching
shorter, Mary Kom explained. But Jhangra. And when Mary failed to session with the physio. But her focus
my opponents are taller now, she qualify for the 2016 Rio Games, after will be on the gain. And the 2018
said. Even her North Korean rival in losing early in a qualifying event, Commonwealth Games and Asian
the final, Kim Hyang-mi was much few expected her to fight back into Games are the incentives ahead.

Dhoni still performing at his age: Kohli Star Sports bags

NZ Cricket
I broadcast rights
ndia captain Virat Kohli heaped praise on

wicketkeeper-batsman Mahendra Singh
Dhoni saying he is fit at over 35 years and
performing for the side. The former India skipper
was criticised for failing to clear boundaries
at regular intervals after the second Twenty20
International (T20I) against New Zealand.
First, I dont understand why are people only
pointing him out, Im not able to understand this,
the 29-year-old said.
If I fail three times, no one is going to point
fingers at me because Im not over 35. The guy
is fit, he is passing all the fitness tests, he is
contributing to the team in every way possible,
tactically on the field, with the bat. If you look at
the series against Sri Lanka and Australia, he did
really well and in this series he hasnt got much
time to bat, Kohli added.
Kohli also said all-rounder Hardik Pandya
failed to contribute runs batting at no.5 or 6 but
his form has not been pointed out.
You have to understand, the position in which
he comes out to bat, even Hardik (Pandya) could
not score in that game, the India skipper said.
Then why are we only pointing out one man?
Hardik also got out in the last T20 that we played
in Rajkot. We are conveniently targeting only one
man which is not fair. We also have to look at the
fact that by the time he comes in, either the run
rate is already eight-and-a-half or nine-and-a-half
and the wicket is also not the same when the new
ball is bowled, Kohli added.
L
eading sports broadcaster Star
has acquired the broadcast and
digital rights for New Zealand
Cricket for all mens and womens
international matches being organised
in the country till April 2020 for the
Indian subcontinent and Southeast
Asia. India is expected to play a total of
three Tests, 10 One-day Internationals
(ODI) and 3 T20 Interntaionals during
this period in New Zealand.
The first tournament to be broadcast
after the signing will be West Indies
tour of New Zealand beginning from
December 1.
In recent years, the New Zealand
cricket team has delivered a strong
performance on the field, taking it to
No.1 in the T20 rankings. With two
India tours to New Zealand over the
next two years, Indian sports fans are

Pakistan at top spot in ICC T20I rankings

in for very exciting cricket on Star
Sports, a Star India spokesperson
said.

P
akistan took the top spot
with 124 points in the
International Cricket Council
(ICC) Twenty20 International Team
rankings released on Wednesday.
With the recent series loss to
India, New Zealand, who were at
the top, have slipped from 125 to
120 points, with Pakistan taking the
top spot.
India (119) gained three points
and continued to remain at fifth spot,
behind England.
In bowlers ranking, New Zealand
bowlers Ish Sodhi and Trent Boult
have made solid gains.
Sodhi entered the top-10 for the
first time in his career while Boult
reached a career-best 16th position
after moving up 14 places.
Indian bowlers also moved in the
right direction as pacer Bhuvneshwar
New Zealand Cricket chief
Kumar jumped two places to be at executive David White said: Its great
26th place, leg-spinner Yuzvendra to be aligned with such go-ahead,
Chahal vaulted 22 places to be at progressive broadcasters, well known
30th place and left-arm spinner for their innovative approach, and for
Akshar Patel is at 62nd spot. putting fans and businesses first.
In the batsmen rankings, India The Kiwis are currently in India for
skipper Virat Kohli retained his top a brief limited overs tour, comprising
position. Openers Rohit Sharma three ODIs which they lost 1-2 and are
(21st) and Shikhar Dhawan (45th) locked at 1-1 in the three-match T20I
have also moved up. series, with the final T20I scheduled
later tonight.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, November 10, 2017 FEATURES 23

iPhone X: Should you buy it?

@MAHESH K

E
arlier in the year when
Apple launched the new
lineup of iPhones, there
was a new top-end device called
iPhone X beside the expected
iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus.
Part an open secret and part
mysterious, iPhone X was the talk
of the silicon town. Undoubtedly,
it is Apples boldest and the most
revolutionary iPhone yet.
iPhone X is finally shipping
in some parts of the world. You
can order it in NZ now and the
256GB model will set you back
by a whopping $2099. from the traditional design and
Lets look at the features that the new user experience, iPhone X does not
iPhone offer. have a Home button. The interface
All the new iPhones now support Wireless works through gestures now which
charging. The feature has been available on do take some time to get used to.
Android phones for years now and Apple is just
catching up with the other side on this front. Should you upgrade?
The phones also offer upgraded camera Unless you have tonnes of money
sensors with Optical Image Stabilisation and are lying around or have recently won a
now capable of capturing 4K video in 60FPS Lotto, the phone does not warrant
and super-slow 240FPS in 1080p resolution. an upgrade.
The phones have new faster processors. The biggest change is the screen
While iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are more which is absolutely stunning.
evolutionary upgrades, iPhone X has some Having said that even iPhone 8 and
features not yet offered by 8 and 8 Plus. iPhone 8 Plus have gorgeous screens
Lets look at these features: which are quite bright and have
Edge-to-edge OLED display: The most great resolution.
stunning feature of iPhone X is the gorgeous Facial Recognition and the
OLED display with almost no bezels. Phone absence of the Home button offer
supports a resolution of 2436x1125 with a new iPhone experience which
1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. It is touted as the replaces Touch ID which is supposedly more you can avoid for some time till
best display on a phone ever. efficient and safer than Touch ID. these features make their way to the
Facial recognition: This new feature No Home button: Taking a major break standard iPhones.

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Opening Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6pm & Saturday 10 am to 1.30 pm.
 24 FEATURES Friday, November 10, 2017 The Indian Weekender

November 10 to November 16 | By Manisha Koushik
Manisha Koushik is a practicing astrologer, tarot card reader, numerologist, vastu and
fengshui consultant based in India with a global presence through the online channels. She is
available for consultations online as well. E-mail her at support@askmanisha.com or contact
at +91-11-26449898 Mobile/Whatsapp: +919015607139 www.askmanisha.com
Aries (Mar 21-Apr 20)
You may be made to slog at work, but you
will turn it into a learning experience. In
certain aspects the week will turn out to be
a fine one. You succeed in making good
progress in whatever you take up this week.
Problems at work will be easily solved,
without wasting much time. An ugly situation
between someone on the social front will be
diplomatically tackled by you. It is best to
conserve money, as of now.
Lucky Number- 15 / Lucky Colour- Turquoise
Taurus (Apr 21-May 20)
There is much to be done, but you may find
it difficult to get started! You will succeed
in developing a good understanding with a
colleague to smoothen things out on the work
front. Romantic front is in need of excitement,
so churn up some ideas that will simply floor
lover! You have enough funds to indulge in
a bit of luxury, so go forth and enjoy. Dont
reveal your plans to someone you are not
comfortable with.
Lucky Number- 5 / Lucky Colour- Light Green
Gemini (May 21-Jun 21)
Someone may manage your affairs in your
absence. You will manage to shed lethargy
to raise the level of your performance
on the professional front. Discussing
financial matters with experts will prove an
enlightening experience. A new product line
launched may not show the desired response
likely to misplace an important document.
Your social life remains fertile as you go all
out to woo people to join your camp.
Lucky Number- 17 / Lucky Colour- Green
Cancer (Jun 22-Jul 20)
A matter related to academics may be taken
up by some. You can find your senior in a
happy mood this week. A new colleague
will give you a helping hand at work. Those
looking for sponsors for some event can
expect a positive response. You are likely to
receive good returns from an investment. You
may get the chance to buy expensive items or
jewellery at bargain price. Put your tongue on
the leash, especially on the romantic front.
Lucky Number- 1 / Lucky Colour- Light Brown
Leo (Jul 21-Aug 22)
You do generally well on the academic front. A
business trip is likely to bag you a good deal.
Your achievement can make the family proud.
Window shopping with partner will not only be
pleasurable, but also enhance togetherness.
Leave applied for is likely to be sanctioned.
Some of you can enjoy a leisure trip with
family. Romance is in the air and promises
immense fulfillment. You manage to achieve
perfect health through self-motivation and
hard work.
Lucky Number- 7 / Lucky Colour- Saffron
Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 23)
You may have to give someone his or her due,
your welcome at someones place is best
avoided. There is much happening on the
professional front, but you are likely to miss
out on them due to unconnected trivial
pursuits. You can be hauled up for spending
beyond your means. Those separated may
yearn to join the family. Timely advice of an
elder is likely to save your relationship.
Lucky Number- 18 / Lucky Colour- Peach
Libra (Sep 24-Oct 23)
Someone may be sympathetic to your cause
and will do much to help you. Falling head
over heels for someone from the opposite
camp cannot be ruled out. Tough competition
at work will encourage you to put in your best.
Money you have been trying to recover may
take some more time to materialise. It will
be a good idea to confide in parents rather to
get correct guidance. Support of a friend is
assured.
Lucky Number- 18 / Lucky Colour- Purple
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
There is no need to be impulsive in a matter
that is not urgent. Efforts to achieve much at
work seem difficult due to some unforeseen
circumstances. Dont be callous on the
financial front as incurring loss cannot be
ruled out. Your tendency for impulse buying
needs to be curbed. Getting ticked off by a
parent or family elder can spoil your mood.
Something you have eaten may not agree with
your system.
Lucky Number- 6 / Lucky Colour- Lavender
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Someone at work may keep a close tab on
your official expenses. You can get hurt by
someone not understanding your point of view.
Poor performance in academics will compel
some to tighten their belts. Unprofessional
handling of an issue at work can get you in
all sorts of trouble. Homemakers may find the
daily grind boring and may long for change.
juncture. You gel well with a new acquaintance.
Lucky Number- 6 / Lucky Colour- Crimson
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 21)
There is a possibility of your decision not
being accepted by someone close. You may
feel a bit disappointed on the financial front.
You will be able to curb a situation that
threatens to put paid to your efforts at work.
Those seeking love may have to double their
efforts. Those in business are likely to reap
rich dividends from a recent venture. Chances
of falling sick during a journey cannot be ruled
out for some.
Lucky Number- 9 / Lucky Colour- White
Aquarius (Jan 22-Feb 19)
Your hunt for bargain is likely to get you the
right price for something that you desperately
need. Chances of getting into the good books
of a senior cannot be ruled out for some. A
little praise will be enough to raise your spirits
on the academic or professional front. Some
of you will succeed in shedding pettiness
and focus at the larger picture on the social
front. Relationship gets strengthened as you
manage to spare time for lover.
Lucky Number- 7 / Lucky Colour- Cream
Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20)
A lot of pending jobs get cleared this week
at home. You may plan to enjoy the weekend
with someone out of town. Those into private
practice will need to boost up publicity to
enhance business. A call from office may put
paid to your weekend plans with family. Those
browsing the marriage market may not find a
good match. Overly hectic schedule may keep
some busy. Mental stress will become a thing
of the past.

Divinity is coming to Uplift your Consciouness

without adequate publicity. Some of you are even if you are not feeling up to it. Overstaying Romance may not be on lovers mind at this Lucky Number- 3 / Lucky Colour- Beige

preserve the devotees from across the

continents who pray for his loving
caring in moments of dire need with
the challenges of life.
Though Gurudevs body appears

G
uru is Brahma, Guru is
Vishnu, and Guru Deva is
Maheswara
Guru is verily the Para-Brahman
(Supreme), Salutations to that Guru
Avatars and Gurus; Divine
incarnations descend down to the
level of humanity so that humanity
can raise itself to the supreme ideal
of Divine Consciousness. Bharat
(India), the engine of Spirituality,
has been the chosen mother land
for many Avatars, Gurus, sages and
saints. The sacred land witnessed
yet another Divinity that entered
the human embryo that was born on
12 January 1941; who destined to
become the Divine Guru.
At the age of 9 months, this child
suffered speech and kidney failure.
The devoted parents rushed to the
famous Shiva temple of Vaidyanathan
Dham to seek blessings.
The ageless saint, Devaraha Baba
was also present in the temple. On
seeing this child, he sensed the
extraordinary capacity in it, tears
of joy started flowing from his
eyes. Similar way, Rama Krishna
Paramhansa recognized his favourite
devotee Narendranath Datta who later
on became the Swami Vivekananda.
Instantly, Devaraha Baba saved the
child from the disease, took him
under his wings and nurtured him to
the supreme health.
For 11 years, Devaraha Baba was
engaged in deep Sadhana (penance)
and this child remained mute. As the
child turned 12, the Tri Devi (three
Goddesses) appeared in his dream
and bestowed the power of speech
and wisdom.
The child woke up shouting Baba,
Baba and thus started his spiritual
dialogue with Devaraha Baba.
Acknowledging the childs
spiritual capacity, Devaraha Baba
endowed the supreme knowledge
of the ancient scriptures such as
Vedas, Upanishad, Bhagavad Gita,
etc onto the child. Within the short
span of time, this Divine child
excelled academically, obtained
B.Sc. Honours in Physics, B.Tech
in Electrical Engineering from IIT
Kharagpur, MA in Sanskrit, Vedas,
Jyotish Shastra, further leading to
Ph.D. in Astrology.
He started living an integrated life
of mundane existence and Divine
effulgence.
To explore further the secret of
Spiritual life, He started his next
sojourn with Himalayan Masters.
With intense spiritual Sadhana,
He has awakened His Kundalini
Shakti (the primal energy centers),
thus endowed him with Siddhi
(Supernatural powers) that gave
him immense power over space
and time, entitling him Brahmrishi
Guruvananda, lovingly called
Gurudev.
Gurudev has participated in
several international conferences
including All Religion World
Conferences on seven occasions and
has been honoured with the Highest
Personality, Astrology Expert, etc
and Gold Medals.
This luminous personality entered
the mundane world of human
existence with the specific purpose.
Through his teachings around
the world in last 45 years, he has
presented a blueprint for Divine
Life; a way of living that purifies and
consecrates human consciousness,
emptying of its egoistic tendencies
and individualistic strains, making
human personality the vessel that is
readied for receiving the Supreme
consciousness in its infinity glory
and fullness.
His mission is to guide humanity
to self realisation through self
awareness, service to humanity, etc
while living in the world doing the
worldly duties. His transformative
message to masses is Service to
Man is Service to God and Daiva
Preeti (Love for God), Paapa Bheeti
(Fear of Sin), Sangha Neeti (Morality
in Society) which he emphasises
are the best spiritual practices for
this age.
At present Gurudev is in deep
Sadhana in India for quite some time.
But his Divya Chaksh) (celestial
eyes), constantly see the pain and
suffering of those who seek His
loving compassion in moments
of need.
He reaches out to them with
His infinite power to protect and
as a physical form, but the effulgence
of his aura is producing divine
vibrations. Its said,
Darshanam Paapa Naasahnam
(Sight of Divine destroys sins)
Sambhashanam Sankat
Naashanam (Dialogue with Divine
destroys grief)
Sparshanam karma
Vimochanam (Touch of Divine
liberates from Karmic bonds)
Gurudev will be sanctifying New
Zealand by radiating His Aura of
Divine Love. You all are invited to
come and experience the ultimate
sweetness of this embodiment of
supreme peace whose healing touch
removes physical, mental & spiritual
ailments.
Rudraksha blessed by Gurudev
would be given to attendees. Please
register at gurujivisit.com, facebook.
com/vdcmnz
Auckland: Sat, 18 Nov 2017,
From 5pm. Venue: The Mahatma
Gandhi Centre. Contacts: Laxmi
Jhunjhnuwala 021-778 322 .
Hamilton: Sun, 19 Nov 2017, From
4pm. Venue: Phoenix House
Community Hall, 22 Richmond St
Contacts: Mala Ram 021-0274 2368,
Benjiman 021-1424 211
Wellington: Fri, 24 Nov 2017, From
6.30pm. Venue: Johnsonville
Community Centre, 3 Frankmoore
Ave, Johnsonville. Contact: Prem
Singh 027-448 1991, Jiten Pratap
027-2121 567
 The Indian Weekender Friday, November 10, 2017 FEATURES 25

Binge drinking, pot can make you a loser Smoking, drinking may cause
failures in dentaloutcomes
fillings
I
s your teenaged child addicted to

alcohol and marijuana? Beware,
for not only does it affect health,
but also makes one unsuccessful in
life, a study warns.
Teenagers downing over 10 beers
in one night and high on pot were less
likely to go to college, get full-time
work or even get married, it said.
The findings showed that
dependence on alcohol and marijuana
might affect young boys more
severely as they were more likely to
achieve less across all four measures
on achievement of life goals --
education, employment, marriage
and social economic potential.
This study found that chronic
marijuana use in adolescence was
negatively associated with achieving
important developmental milestones
in young adulthood, said lead author
Elizabeth Harari, psychiatrist from
the University of Connecticut.
Given the current move in the US
toward marijuana legalisation for
medicinal and possibly recreational
use, awareness of marijuanas
potentially deleterious effects will
be important moving forward,
Harari added.
The results were presented at the
American Public Health Association
2017 Annual Meeting and Expo
in Atlanta.
For the study, the team included
1,165 young adults from across the
US whose habits were first assessed
at age 12 and then at two-year
intervals until they were between 25
and 34 years old.
Previous research had shown
that heavy use of alcohol or
marijuana in adolescence affects
people developmentally.
I
ndulging in drinking alcohol or will allow the dental field
smoking may not only damage
your teeth but also lead to
increased incidences of failure in
dental fillings, warned researchers.
The findings, led by researchers
from the University of Pittsburgh,
showed that within two years of the
dental procedure, fillings failed more
often in patients who drank alcohol,
while the overall filling failure rate
was higher in men who smoked.
Furthermore, people with a
difference in the gene for matrix
metalloproteinase (MMP2) an
enzyme found in teeth were at
increased risk of filling failure.
This could be because MMP2
might be able to degrade the bond
between the filling and the tooth
surface, potentially leading to failure,
the researchers said.
A better understanding of
individual susceptibility to dental
disease and variation in treatment
to move forward, said Alexandre
Vieira, a researcher from the varsity.
In the future, genetic information
may be used to personalise dental
treatments and enhance treatment
outcomes, Vieira added.
For the study, the team from
America and Brazil analysed dental
records of 807 patients.
Fillings can fail for a variety of
reasons, including re-emergence of
the initial tooth decay or the filling
becoming detached.
The researchers also examined if
newer composite resin fillings are
as durable as traditional amalgam
fillings, which have been in use
for more than 150 years but which
contain mercury, a toxic metal.
The researchers found that overall,
there were no major differences
between patients receiving amalgam
or composite fillings in terms of
filling failure rates.

Decorated drinking glasses may contain toxic lead

L
ove to decorate your glassware with art? Beware,
the paint used can contain potentially toxic levels of
lead and cadmium, increasing health risks, a study
has shown. The findings showed that in enamelled drinking
glasses, flakes of paint often come off, which could be ingested
over a prolonged period and prove hazardous for human health.
For the study, researchers at the University of Plymouth
carried out 197 tests on 72 new- and second-hand drinking glass
products, including tumblers, beer and wine glasses, and jars.
They found lead present in 139 cases and cadmium in 134, both
on the surface of the glasses and, in some cases, on the rims,
with concentrations of lead sometimes more than 1,000 times
higher than the safe limit. The presence of hazardous elements
in both the paint and glaze of decorated glassware has obvious per million (ppm), while quantities of cadmium ranged from
implications for both human health and the environment. So it about 300 to 70,000 ppm.
was a real surprise to find such high levels of lead and cadmium, Given that safer alternatives are available to the industry, the
both on the outside of the glassware and around the rim, said overall results of this study are both surprising and concerning,
Andrew Turner, lead researcher from the varsity. Turner said.
There are genuine health risks posed through ingesting such
levels of the substances over a prolonged period, so this is clearly
an issue that the international glassware industry needs to take
action on as a matter of urgency, Turner added.
The study, published in the journal Science of the Total
Environment, analysed a range of glassware using portable x-ray
fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry.
The lead concentrations ranged from about 40 to 400,000 parts

Health insurance
designed for you
For more information about how we can provide health insurance for you and your
family please contact advisers@nib.co.nz or speak with your financial adviser.
nib8048_0717
 26 ENTERTAINMENT Friday, November 10, 2017 The Indian Weekender

AUCKLANDS HOTTEST BOLLYWOOD STATION

Konkona Sen
Dont know how sustainable
Sharma: Have kept pride, honour of Rajputs
in mind: Bhansali on 'Padmavati'
F
ilmmaker Sanjay Leela

independent filmmaking is
Bhansali, following
widespread criticism against

N
ational Award winning actress Konkona Sen Sharma, marked his yet-to-release film Padmavati,
her debut into the world of directing with critically acclaimed said the film upholds the honour of
independent film A Death in the Gunj. Rajputs and does not depict anything
However the actress is unsure when it comes to sustainability, how that may hurt anyone's sentiments.
lucrative independent filmmaking is. A post on the official Twitter handle
She was speaking at a panel discussion titled The State of of Padmavati, read: "Padmavati my
Independents at the sixth edition of Dharamshala International Film tribute to the sacrifice, valour and
Festival, with a panel consisting of filmmakers directors Rima Das honour of Rani Padmavati: Sanjay
(Village Rockstars), Pushpendra Singh (Ashwatthama), Karma Leela Bhansali."
Tarawa (Ralang Road), Bornila Chatterjee (The Hungry), and Ektara In an accompanying video link,
Collective (Turup). Bhansali, who has so far refrained
About funding of an independent film, Konkona shared her from commenting much on the
experience of directing her film and said that she was not expecting controversy, says: "I've made
anyone to fund her film. this film Padmavati with a lot of
sincerity, responsibility and hard
I think I would be comfortable in this zone. work. I have always been inspired by
Rani Padmavati's story and this film
I dont even see myself making something salutes her valour and sacrifice. But
epic in that sense. I think I will be comfortable because of some rumours, this film
with this set-up." has become a subject of controversy.
"The controversy is over the fact
I have acted in 40 films and out of them, some were nice, some that the film has a dream sequence
were not ...at least eight are memorable. It was actually very frustrating between Rani Padmavati and
also. Because sometimes one felt that everybody is doing something Alauddin Khilji something that I
for you, somebody else is telling you the lines to say, somebody else is have already denied even in written.
doing your make-up or telling you where to stand. Now through this video, I
We
Maybe at some level it felt that what am I doing. And then at one am reiterating that in our
have made
point what I thought was that without planning or thinking that I want film, Rani Padmavati
this film with a lot
to write or direct, said the Lipstick Under My Burkha actress. and Alauddin Khilji
of responsibility and
I just started developing a story which was really close to me and have no such scene
have kept the pride
kind of had been in my head since I diversed. When I started, I never together which hurts
had thought... because we know the reality of the world we live in, and honour of the
anyone's sentiments.
what will get money and what will not get money. It is nothing new Rajputs
"We have made
or a surprise. this film with a lot of in mind
So I dont know how sustainable this (independent filmmaking) is.. responsibility and have kept
It is great as a one off project but when we think of long-term, how can distortion of facts.
the pride and honour of the Rajputs
one receive this process, Konkona added. Bhansali was attacked at the Jaipur
in mind."
Asked if she is open to making another film, by going through the set of the film by activists of Rajput
The movie, which is being called
same process, she said: I think I would be comfortable in this zone. organisation Shri Rajput Karni Sena.
an epic historical drama, features
I dont even see myself making something epic in that sense. I think I Later, a set of the film in Kolhapur
Deepika Padukone as Rajput queen
will be comfortable with this set-up. was vandalised and set on fire.
Rani Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as
With films like Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, Omkara, Talvar and Wake Up Sid Karni Sena representatives have
her husband Rawal Ratan Singh and
to her credit, Konkona stressed on the fact that the process of writing been voicing concerns over the
Ranveer Singh as Delhi Sultanate
and getting actors is not that difficult, but its after that when it comes film's release, and Sarv Brahmin
ruler Alauddin Khilji.
to production, distribution and PR... how can you compete with films Mahasabha has protested against its
It is slated to release on December
with so much budget? release too. Some political leaders
1. But the film has been mired in
You have to have a song and that is how you advertise and publicise are of the view that the makers must
controversy ever since it was in the

I seek peace, freedom from

your film, she said. midst of being shot, over alleged show the film to historians.

prominence: Amitabh Bachchan

B
ollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan
says at 75 he only seeks freedom from
prominence, which has seen him face
allegations in the Bofors scandal, Panama
Papers case and most recently for illegal
construction on his property.
At this age and time of my life, I seek
peace and freedom from prominence... To be
left to lead the last few years of my life with
and within myself... I do not seek epithets,
I abhor them... I do not seek headlines,
I do not deserve them.. I do not seek
acknowledgement, I am not qualified for it,
Amitabh posted on his blog.
Amitabhs post comes just days after his
lawyer denied any illegal construction on
the actors property in Mumbais Goregaon
East area in relation to a notice sent by the
Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation
(BMC). The mentioned notices have yet to
be seen or served to me. But I guess in time
it shall come. In the lengthy post, Amitabh
said when there are accusations, at times, I
would prefer to correct the manner... At times
it is prudent to remain quiet. But on an issue
such as the BMC allegation, he said its the
system that shall resolve it, not the media.
The actor, who has been in the industry for
over four decades, also cited past examples,
such as what he went through when his
familys name cropped up in the Bofors
scandal. For years we were grilled, declared
traitors, abused and humiliated by the hour
for several years..., he wrote, and further
recalled how they moved against a UK paper
and won. He said how after almost 25 years
later, their name was cleared in the scandal.
When the media carried the news here in
India, the press during one of its interactions
with me asked me what I was going to do
about it... Whether I would seek information
on who did it, or seek retribution.
What retribution and information will I
seek? Will it take away the years of suffering
and mental torture that we went through? Will
it cure... Will it rest? No, it will not... So I told
them, the media, I do not wish to make any
comment on it... the matter is over for me.
Amitabh also brought up his mention in
the Panama Papers leaks. We were asked for
reactions, for responses, for justification or
not, for replies to their investigative queries...
Two instant replies were given out by us...
Of denial and misuse of name. They were
printed... but the questions continued.
The fullest cooperation has been extended
at all hours as dutiful citizens.. And even after,
if there is any more query that needs to be
addressed, we shall comply, he added.
In the end, he quoted a Jewish joke.
A Jew passes away and goes to Heaven,
knocks on the door of the Lord, and having
suffered the ostracized life that the community
has, asks the Lord: Lord ! Is it true that we
are the chosen people? The Lord looked
benevolently at the Jew and in a most gentle
voice replied: Yes my son .. you are the
chosen people. And the Jew replied: Dear
Lord... Would you mind choosing someone
else for a change... Coz weve had enough!
Big B concluded: I often wish that
for myself.
 28 ENTERTAINMENT Friday, November 10, 2017 The Indian Weekender

Nobody deserves to feel

Actor Prakash Raj
wants apology for

unsafe at work: Sonakshi A

note ban
year since the implementation
of demonetisation,

T
heres a lot being said about
creating a safe work culture
for women.
Actress Sonakshi Sinha has also
added her voice in agreement to
it, saying that a shift in workplace
culture is needed.
The entertainment industry be
it Hollywood or Bollywood is
having its moment of reckoning
in the wake of sexual abuse reports
coming in from all quarters.
Sonakshi is glad that women are
speaking up, but feels the debate
should have started long back. daughter of actor-turned-politician
I think its very important and this
stir should have been made
I
long back.
think its very
" N o b o d y
important and this stir
deserves to
should have been made long
be made to
back. Nobody deserves to be
feel unsafe,
made to feel unsafe, especially
especially
while working. It should be
while working.
something to look forward to.
It should be
I am glad women are finally
something to
speaking out
look forward to. I
am glad women are
finally speaking out,
Sonakshi.
It all started with numerous
women coming forward to
allege that Hollywood
mogul Harvey
Weinstein used his
harass them. be happy. Whether its with my work
Since then, many have come out or my life at home, it is important to
in the open to talk about sexual be happy from within to make others
advances from big names like Kevin happy.
Spacey, James Toback, Ben Affleck, "I try to be as positive so that it
Brett Ratner and Dustin Hoffman. reflects on my work as well, she
Back home, comedienne Mallika said, and added that she believes
Dua stirred up the debate by hitting failure teaches a person a lot more
out at Bollywood star Akshay than success does.
Kumar for Aap bell bajao, main aap Nothing ever stops at failure. Its
ko bajata hun (You ring the bell, I always followed by success because
will bang you) remark during the of the lessons it taught you, said the
shooting of a TV show. 30-year-old.
Professionally, Sonakshi Just like her onscreen avatar,
Sonakshi is dabangg (fearless) in
Shatrughan Sinha and Poonam her real life too.
Sinha didnt have it easy in the I try and be as real as I can and I
entertainment world considering guess people appreciate that, so no I
how she was body-shamed, and am not scared. I am who I am, this is
even faced some setbacks at the me... Take it or leave it.
box office. After making a successful Talking of Ittefaq which is the
debut with Dabangg, she gave out remake of the original film of the
hits like Rowdy Rathore, Lootera same name made in 1969, produced
and Holiday: A Soldier Is Never by B.R. Chopra, directed by Yash
Off Duty. Chopra and featuring Rajesh
But films like Tevar, Akira Khanna, Sonakshi said: The best
and Noor went unnoticed. She part about the character was to be
is back on the silver screen with able to play two sides... a good and
murder-mystery Ittefaq backed a bad.
by Shah Rukh Khans Red It is very exciting when a script
Chillies Entertainment, Karan challenges you like this. It will
Johars Dharma Productions and definitely showcase another side of
B.R. Studios. me as an actor work wise.
Sonakshi says failure doesnt The film, also featuring Sidharth
scare her. Malhotra and Akshaye Khanna,
actor-filmmaker Prakash Raj
on Wednesday demanded an apology
from the central government for
committing the "biggest blunder".
In a post titled "To whomsoever
it may concern", Prakash wrote on
Twitter: "While the rich found ways to
convert their black money into shiny
new notes, this disruptive impact
made millions suffer helplessly and
the unorganised sector workers went
for spin. Would you mind
saying sorry for the
biggest blunder of
our time?"
On November
8, 2016, Prime
M i n i s t e r
Narendra Modi
a n n o u n c e d
demonetisation of
Rs 500 and Rs 1,000
notes which, he said, was aimed at
"eradicating black money and terror
funding".
Last week, Prakash a popular
name in the Kannada, Telugu and
Tamil film industries supported
actor Kamal Haasan's views on
"Hindu extremists".
A month ago, Prakash had also
condemned the "silence" of Modi
on certain sections "celebrating" the
murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh
in Bengaluru on social media. He had
said Modi's silence was "chilling".

I came into films as a woman: Vidya

position to My priority has always been to released last Friday.

Overjoyed at continuous
love shown by Golmaal

F
fans: Rohit Shetty rom playing a sari-clad lady in her debut she is always looking for something more from

F
ilmmaker Rohit Shetty says
the numbers generated at the
box office for Golmaal Again
are symbolic of the love people have
for the franchise.
"I am overjoyed by the continuous
love shown by the fans of Golmaal
and this is evident by the sheer
numbers at the box office,"
Shetty said. The film is presented
by Reliance Entertainment in
association with Manglmurti films
and Rohit Shetty Picturez. Golmaal
Again, which released on October
20, is among Bollywood's top 10
domestic box office blockbuster
hits ever, read a statement issued on
behalf of Reliance Entertainment.
The other films in the club of
top 10 domestic hits of all time are
Baahubali 2, Dangal, PK, Bajrangi
Bhaijaan, Sultan, Dhoom 3, Kick,
Chennai Express and 3 idiots.
With that, Golmaal Again also
makes Shetty the only director along
with Rajkumar Hirani to have two
films in the top 10 all-time domestic
hits, the statement read further.
Shibasish Sarkar, Chief Operating
Officer, Reliance Entertainment,
said: "Golmaal Again entered the top
10 films ranking after surpassing the
previous Diwali blockbuster Prem
Ratan Dhan Payo. We are extremely
happy with the
acclaim that
Golmaal Again
has received
not only in
India but
worldwide."
film Parineeta to essaying mother to
megastar Amitabh Bachchan in Paa
National Award-winning actress Vidya Balan has
taken on myriad roles all in just 12 years of her
Bollywood career. Now geared to be seen as a full-
of-life housewife in Tumhari Sulu, she says she
is unapologetic about her age and happy that she
never tried to act like a teenager on screen.
I came into the film industry as a woman
at the age of 26. Now I am a happy 38-year-old
lady. I have been married for five years. I am not
apologetic about my age and I know there will
always be some work for me in whichever age I
am. I have never tried to act like a teenager, but
you know what, it was never a conscious decision,
Vidya said Hasnt she missed out on playing
the roles a quintessential Bollywood heroine is
known for?
The role of a teenager and dancing around the
trees never excites me... They never did. What
excites me is now I can experiment with roles and
characters being in my age. Perhaps that also makes
writer like Suresh Triveni to write a character like
Sulu and approach me for the film, Vidya said.
But isnt choosing certain kinds of films limiting
her talent? Or is that giving her more room
for experimentation?
I am experimenting in my way. In a year, I
have three films and each character is different
from one another. Last November, I had a Kahaani
2, in March this year I had Begum Jaan and now
Tumhari Sulu is coming. So yes, I am doing enough
experimentation as a performer.
The story of Tumari Sulu releasing on
November 17 revolves around a middle-aged
ordinary housewife Sulochona aka Sulu who is
a happy-go-lucky person with an extraordinary
calibre.There are characteristics of Sulu that
Vidya likes. I love how easily she can laugh, how
enthusiastic she is. Though she is a homemaker,
life. She has a list of hobbies and she always
wants to try every opportunity that is coming
her way. In fact, that is how she lands up in a
radio station and gets a job as a radio jockey.
What are Vidyas own hobbies?
No, I do not have many hobbies.
When I am not shooting, I am at home.
I love cleaning my house... I have OCD
(Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder). I also
enjoy reading books, watching films. Though
it has been quite some time since I have read
a book, because since the last two years, I
was so busy shooting these three films, I did
not get time.
Otherwise, I chill at home. I love spending
time with family, going out for a long drive... I
love all that, added the actress, who is married to
producer Siddharth Roy Kapur.
Born and brought up in a middle-class South
Indian family in Mumbai, Vidya has grown up with
traditional values and a very progressive mindset.
You know, I am the first Palakkad Iyer girl to
join Hindi films as an actress... As a community,
we are very traditionalist. Our focus is always on
studies, classical dance and music. Acting " My
is never taken as a profession there. But parents told
I am blessed to be born in a family me to do everything
where my parents gave me and my to the best of our ability
sister, wings to fly. without thinking too much
Of course, we sisters are born and about the result. We are taught
brought up in Mumbai, but our that the result is not in our
upbringing is very different. hands, but efforts are, so
We are emotionally safe and always put your best
secure. My parents told me effort."
to do everything to the best
of our ability without thinking
too much about the result. We
are taught that the result is
not in our hands, but efforts
are, so always put your best
effort, she added.
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30 FEATURES
Farmers Santa Parade
Date: 26th November 2017
Time: 1pm on Sunday
Vunue: Queen Street, Auckland CBD
Herald the start of the Christmas season at the
Auckland Santa Parade. See Aucklands cultural
diversity on display with marching bands,
grand floats and giant character balloons. With
Santa also making an appearance (of course),
this annual parade is a favourite for locals and
visitors alike. Dont forget to come and get your
groove on at Santas Party; there is always
more fun to be had, with rides, giveaways,
refreshments and that one last chance to see
Santa before December 25th!.
Coca-Cola Christmas in
the Park
Date: December 9, 2017
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Auckland Domain, Parnell
Pack a picnic and head to the biggest event
on the Kiwi Christmas calendar. Relax on the
grass and take in the free and family-friendly
extravaganza of live music and dance along
to some of the countrys top singers and
musicians.
Waiuku Blast to the Past
Venue: Waiuku Sports Park, King Street,
Waiuku, Auckland
Date: Saturday 11 November 2017
Time: 6:00pm to 9:00pm
From 6pm enjoy live entertainment, a huge
craft and food market and kids carnival.The
spectacular fireworks display will take place
at approx 8.45pm. No dogs, alcohol or glass
permitted at this event.
Cost: Gold coin donation
Kaipara Festival 2017
Venue: Mangawhai Beach Schoo, 34 Insley
Street, Mangawhai
Date: Saturday 11 November 2017
Time: 9:00am to 4:00pm
The Kaipara festival celebrates Maori and
Pacifica cultures through kapahaka (action) and
waiata (songs). Schools representing the wider
Kaipara region perform at this day long event.
Cost: FREE entry
Kids Learn 2 Ride:
Avondale
Venue: Greville Reserve, Forrest Hill Road,
Friday, November 10, 2017 The Indian Weekender
Forrest Hill WWI armistice, we will reflect on the sacrifices
Date: Saturday 11 November 2017 that were made in the hope of securing lasting
Venue: 10:00am to Noon (Weather dependent) peace.
Learning to ride a two-wheeler is one of those
big childhood milestones, and being a part of
that experience as a parent is a thrill. However,
New Zealand Book
if you are wondering how to get started, or Festival
experiencing a few bumps along the way then
check out the #Learn2Ride sessions. Auckland
Transports team of qualified instructors work
alongside parents to get kids riding. Whether
starting on a balance bike or making the
transition to pedals the team is there to help.If
your child doesnt yet have a bike but is keen
to give it a go, there will be bikes available on a
limited basis.
Cost: FREE
Auckland Art Gallery
Family Drop in Session
Venue: Auckland Art Gallery
Date: Saturday 11 November 2017
Time: 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Create art together in sessions inspired by art
in the collection.There is no need to book.
Suitable for kids aged 4 and up. All kids under
the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Venue: Mt Eden War Memorial Hall, 487
Cost FREE Dominion Road, Balmoral, Auckland
Date: Saturday 11 November 2017
Hauraki School Twilight Time: 10:00am to 4:00pm
An amazing opportunity to bring a huge number
Fair of writers and readers together in a way not
possible at standard book shops or online.
Venue: Hauraki Primary School, 82 Jutland
Authors come from all over New Zealand to have
Road, Takapuna
an opportunity to talk to you about their passion
Date: Saturday 11 November 2017
Time: 3:00pm to 8:00pm be it fiction, non-fiction, childrens picture books,
Twilight fair with food, drink, a field full of kids eBooks, young adult adventures or murder
activities including water walkers, bungees, mystery novels.There will be entertainment for
bouncy castles, Old McDonalds Farm. Kids the children in the KidsZone too. C ost: FREE
action zone, books, cake stall, white elephant, entry
massive silent and live auction. Entertainment
stage with live acts all day. Cost: FREE entry Sculpture in the Gardens
Venue: Auckland Botanic Gardens, 102 Hill
Armistice Day 2017 Road, Manurewa, Auckland
Venue: WW1 Sanctuary, Auckland Museum, Date: Saturday 11 November to Sunday 25
Auckland Domain, Auckland February 2018:
Date: Saturday 11 November 2017 Time: 8:00am to 8:00p
Time: 11:00am to 11:45am Biennial sculpture show held in the Auckland
Armistice Day memorial service as we Botanic Gardens. Take a picnic for a fun free
remember all those who served and those family day out to look at the sculptures and
who have given their lives in military service. gardens. Cost: FREE
This day commemorates the signing of the
COLENSO0003

with
friends.

Go bus.
Go train.
Go ferry.
AT.govt.nz/Metro