19 JANUARY2018 | Vol 9 Issue 42

Nannette Nathoo Aruna Bhoompelly Sidhartha

Meet the community the first woman Malhotra:
safety crusader president of NZ failure handles
Telugu you ....
Pg 2 Association
Pg 5 Pg 29
www.iwk.nz /indianweekender /indianweekender

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 2 NEW ZEALAND Friday, January 19, 2018 The Indian Weekender

Nanette Nathoo: The community safety crusader

¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH In this endeavour, Mrs Nathoo had of dollars by callers posing as immigration

N
anette Nathoo is a fourth worked closely with Jessica Phuang officials.
generation Kiwi-Indian of Auckland Central Police, especially “Telling families in advance that the
mum, grand-mum, business targeting the elders in the migrant government agencies will not ask for money
owner, enthusiastic community communities, who still rely on desktop or their account pin number could be very
volunteer, and above all a community calendars and less on digital tools. helpful,” Mrs Nathoo argues.
safety crusader. “The idea behind this initiative is Mrs Nathoo has also been actively involved
She is Law and Order Chair of to serve as much information to the in the Crime Prevention Group and was the
the New Zealand Indian Central people about what they should be doing part of 15-member delegation that met with a
Association – the oldest and the largest to prevent crime,” Mrs Nathoo said. group of ministers in the new government last
community association of Indian-New “Sometimes people refrain from December requesting tougher laws and more
Zealanders. simple things like calling to police in effective policing on the streets.
She is a familiar and probably one the event of any crisis.
“This could be for many reasons
Creating awareness through
of the most smiling faces present in social media videos
including previous socio-cultural

M
almost every important community
experiences from their respective rs Nathoo is also known for her
gathering on safety and law and order
countries of origin,” Mrs Nathoo ingenuity in creating crime prevention
issues.
further adds. videos of her own, with the prized help of many
Safety and security of the fellow
“This has to change, and the best other equally passionate community-members
community members are one of
way of bringing such a change is by and NZ police.
the issues that Ms Nathoo is deeply
sharing information. The videos were able to create compelling
passionate about.
“I believe that knowledge is power, visual imagery of how petty crimes like
“I am a firm believer of the fact that
and more information we share with mugging, mobile snatching, bag snatching,
crime prevention starts with us,” Mrs
those people more we are empowering besides others, unfolds in real life circumstances.
Nathoo told The Indian Weekender.
them,” Mrs Nathoo asserts. “The idea was to create visual images of
“I am committed to creating awareness Mrs Nathoo is also known The calendar has theme messages for every how our own inattentive behaviour in day-to-
among our fellow community members that we
for her ingenuity in month around issues such as road safety, day lives prompts opportunist criminals to take
need to take responsibility for our safety and
creating crime prevention reporting a crime, personal safety, property advantage,” Mrs Nathoo said explaining the
that of our loved ones around us,” Mrs Nathoo
crime, financial crime etc. and provides basic purpose of such videos.
said. videos of her own, with “Sometimes people can relate better with
It is in pursuit of this passion that Mrs Nathoo tips for everyone to follow.
the prized help of many “These issues are deceptively simple, the videos depicting known faces in real life
has been working in different guises, especially
other equally passionate however, potentially can make a huge situation and could realise the importance of
as the Law and Order Chair for NZICA, and
difference in keeping the community safe,” Mrs safety messages,” Mrs Nathoo said.
coordinating closely with the New Zealand community-members and The links of all of these videos are posted on
Police, in creating appropriate messaging for Nathoo said.
NZ police A themed message under the financial the website of NZICA for anyone to see and
creating awareness and remaining safe.
crime section advises people that government share around.
The latest in this endeavour is the NZICA
agencies will not call you directly demanding The Indian Weekender acknowledges
and NZ Police desktop calendar for 2018,
money. It is important to note that in recent Nanette Nathoo’s passion and commitment
with a special theme every month on
times there have been many instances where for an issue that is so important for the Kiwi-
crime prevention.
Indian families have been duped thousands Indian community.

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 The Indian Weekender Friday, January 19, 2018 NEW ZEALAND 3

Auckland witnesses biggest

Kite Festival to date
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD

V
Community enjoying at Kite Festival 2018
aishnav Parivar of New
Zealand has been a pioneer
in hosting one of the biggest
cultural festivals of the Indian
community in Auckland, the Kite
Festival. Celebrated on the occasion
of Makar Sankranti, this festival is
observed with immense excitement
within the community with cultural
events and flying kites.
Vaishnav Parivar successfully
hosted the twelfth year of the kite
festival at Eastdale Reserve in
Avondale on Sunday, January 14
with approximately 8,000 people
turning up for the event, the highest To complement a good family a kite together with their family Nethula and current opening batsman
foot falls to date. event were numerous food stalls To complement members and friends. of the Black Caps Jeet Raval also
serving different Indian delicacies. Another attraction at the event visited the event and engaged with
The Kite Festival indeed has seen
To engage children, there were
a good family in the entertainment section was a their fans.
growth every year with more food
stalls, play activities for children, various fun activities arranged such event were garba dance performed by the senior The organizers also hosted lucky
and not-to-miss entertainment by the as face painting, henna, children women. A few women rose from the draws giving out vouchers and cash
local talents of the community. bungees, play car rides, bouncy numerous food big tent and started dancing to the prizes to the winners and Aruna Tailor
The most significant factor for castles and suchlike.
One of the most beautiful scenes at
stalls serving garba music, and in a few minutes, won a four-day holiday package
the success of this festival was the other women joined them and made for two people to the Gold Coast,
commitment of the organisers to the event was not just the amazingly different Indian a circle of more than 50 women Australia, including accommodation.
give the community a hassle-free designed kites soaring high in the
dancing at a time. “Like every year, we received
opportunity to have a complete blue skies but also the elders who delicacies The organizers were overwhelmed very positive feedback from the
family day out. were teaching their children how to
with such a huge footfall as they sold visitors present the event. We look
The reserve is famous for its fly kites.
out every kite, thread and spool they forward to seeing better turnout for
enormous open space that gave the “I come to the Kite Festival every
year. Flying kites is one of the many had in their stall at the event and even next year’s Kite Festival,” Manhar
opportunity to the visitors to enjoy Children could be seen jumping the food counters went short of their Patel, President and coordinator for
the festivity by camping their tents, activities I do with my two children
every year, without fail,” a visitor at with their kites while the elders were stock toward the end of the event. Vaishnav Parivar of New Zealand
reserving their family spaces and
the event told The Indian Weekender. holding the kite spool and then flying Former Black Caps player Tarun told The Indian Weekender.
enjoying the festive ambience.

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 4 NEW ZEALAND Friday, January 19, 2018 The Indian Weekender

INDIAN MAN DROWNS DESPITE HEROIC

RESCUE EFFORT OF LOCAL BEACHGOERS
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD Surf Life Saving New Water safety measures:

A
n Indian man lost his life in an Zealand Hawke’s Bay ¡¡ Parents need to ensure they swim with their
unfortunate drowning incident in children and keep them within arm’s reach.
callout squad coordinator ¡¡ Before entering any waterway, people need
Hawke’s Bay, while his wife was
dramatically rescued by the locals at the beach.
Phil Harman said locals to ensure they were ready should disaster
The Napier couple got into trouble in the were the first to rush into strike.
waters of Waimarama Beach on Sunday, the water as soon as they ¡¡ Beachgoers should keep an eye on people in
January 14, prompting several brave local
beach goers to jump into the water trying to
saw the hand raised for the water and know how to react if someone
help from the sea. got in trouble.
save them.
The efforts of 16-year-old local Cameron ¡¡ If swimmers realised they were in trouble,
McCallum have been applauded for pulling experts believe that the most important thing
out the wife Tanvi Bhavsar safely to the shores lifeguards are patrolling the area for the next to do was resist the urge to swim against the
along with another companion who was in two days. flow of water as this saps energy.
trouble in the waters. The High Commission of India in New
¡¡ Instead, signal for help, and go with
However, their best collective rescue efforts Zealand is arranging for the repatriation of
the current.
could not save the life of the husband – an Mr Limbachiya’s body to his home town in
Baroda, India. ¡¡ When close to shore, try to swim parallel to
Indian National named Hemin Limbachiya.
the waves which would wash them onshore.
This was the second instance of loss of life Urgent water safety plea issued
by drowning in the Hawke’s Bay region in the ¡¡ Beachgoers also needed to be able to
in the Hawke’s Bay region
last week. recognise if someone was in distress because
Emergency services were called at around
7 p.m. on Sunday, January 14, on the beach
Hemin Limbachiya in a file photograph
with his wife Tanvi Bhavsar
T he wife of the ill-fated man who lost his life
battling the sea at Waimarama Beach was
reported to be in a stable condition at Hawke’s
they often could not call out.
¡¡ People in such situations would typically
following reports of three people being pulled face the shore and look distressed. If a
to the Hawke’s Bay hospital in a moderate-to- Bay hospital on Tuesday, January 16th.
out from the waters in distress.
serious condition. With two drowning in less than a week at beachgoer called out to see if they were okay,
The trio drifted 100m to 200m away from
Surf Life Saving New Zealand Hawke’s Bay the popular, unpatrolled spots in Hawke’s Bay, they would not be able to respond.
the patrol into the sea, which was at the time
callout squad coordinator Phil Harman said an urgent safety plea has been issued by water ¡¡ Rescuers should assess risks, and only enter
considered to be unsafe for swimmers.
locals were the first to rush into the water as safety organisations. the water if they had some form of floatation
Rescuers of Waimarama Surf Life Saving
soon as they saw the hand raised for help from It was reported by NZ Herald that in this
Club and a local rushed to save the swimmers in to ensure they too did not get into trouble.
the sea. instance as well the trio was in trouble after
distress and fished out two men and a woman. ¡¡ Providing something that could float
Although the weather at the beach was good getting caught in “flash rip” after patrols
One of the two men pulled out from water – “whether it’s a chilly bin or a boogie
and sea conditions normal, club members had ended.
was given CPR for more than 20 minutes by the
encouraged beachgoers not to swim in the north Water safety organisations are urging people board” - interrupted the drowning process
rescuer, but he did not respond.
part of the beach for the last three days. to be informed and mindful of water safety and gave rescuers time to plan and call
Mr Limbachiya’s’s wife Tanvi Bhavsar and
Local iwi placed a rahui at the beach to measures before entering beaches. emergency services.
their other rescued companion were later taken
restrict people from going into the waters and

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 The Indian Weekender Friday, January 19, 2018
Telugu Association elects
the first woman president
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
T
he New Zealand Telugu Association
hosted its Annual General Meeting on
Monday, January 1 and also completed
its 20 years of existence. This year has been
exceptional for the community, as it has elected
its first woman president since the birth of the
Association in 1998.
Ms Aruna Bhoompelly has been elected
as the new leader of the Association at the
AGM followed by a team of 22 committee
members. This committee will have four vice
presidents, a general secretary, a treasurer, two
joint treasurers, five joint secretaries, seven
executive members and two co-opted members.
Dharmendra Alle preceded Ms Bhoompelli
who served the as the president of NZTA
in 2017.
The NZTA election process starts months
before the AGM with a public notice on
NZTA’s website and social media requesting
all members of the community to come forward
and fill in the application to be a part of the
election process. A cut-off date before the AGM
and voting is done at the AGM if too many
people are contesting for the post. The final
selection takes place at the AGM, and the new
president and executive team is then chosen.
With growing number of Teluguites across
the country, NZTA has initiated a committee
in different cities with a local dedicated team.
This year NZTA announced its newly formed
Hamilton/Waikato team to look after the events
and activities of the Telugu community in those
regions. The new team in Hamilton will be
called as Telugu Association- Hamilton Branch
with the same motto of serving the extended
Telugu community.
Satta Vairowalia’s 7 Jaaniya an ode to women in his life
¡¡ SWATI SHARMA
C
ontinuing the trend of
bringing songs that reflect
true Punjabi culture and
tradition, SattaVairowalia is back
with his already-famous and viral
song 7 Jaaniya but now with full
video version.
The audio song had been released
last year and several YouTubers had
attempted the cover of the song. But
finally, the video made its way into
the digital space on Saturday, January
13, and it is an ode to the women in
his life who played an important role
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 NEW ZEALAND

Hundreds gather for Lohri

6 Friday, January 19, 2018 The Indian Weekender

at Bhartiya Mandir
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD

B
hartiya Mandir in
Sandringham hosted its
Lohri celebrations for the
community on Saturday, January.
More than 500 people were present
at the event.
This is the third time that Bhartiya
Mandir has organized Lohri
celebrations for the community,
which has witnessed more crowd
attending the folk festival. Devotees
Balmoral Temple is the first temple celebrate Lohri in
built for the Hindu community in Bhartiya Mandir
New Zealand, and it is celebrating its
silver jubilee in June this year.
On the occasion of Lohri
celebrations this year, devotees and
volunteers decorated the temple
flowers, made rangolis and set up an
enormous Lohri Bonfire, an ancient
tradition of the festival.
The celebrations started at 7 p.m.
on Saturday when the two priests
commenced the special Lohri prayers
followed by cultural performance and “We had one of the best Lohri Those present were served langar
other activities around the bonfire. and Maha Prasad at the end of the Mandir so that we can work more
celebrations seen here, just like we “We would like to thank all the
Community members attending the event. The next big event at the devotees and volunteers who helped effectively and closely to bring all
celebrated in India. Most importantly
event witnessed an array of cultural temple is the celebration of Saraswati us in making the celebration a very our community members together to
children were so enthusiastic to
performances such as gidda and Puja on Monday, January 22, which grand success. We look forward to keep our culture alive,” an official of
perform ‘gidda’ and ‘garba’ and
garba dances, rangoli competition, also sees hundreds of students and getting the support of the extended
making rangolis on the ground,” an the temple said.
best-dressed competition besides parents perform the puja at the Indian community’s for Bhartiya
attendee said. ••
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 The Indian Weekender Friday, January 19, 2018 NEW ZEALAND 7

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¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
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The women participated in the Rangoli competition which
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Other highlights of the event were the cultural performances
such as dance, skits and singing performed by the talented
young members of the community and kite flying.
The Hamilton wing of the Telugu Association was formed
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“We are pleased to announce that the first big event as
Telugu Association – Hamilton Branch was a huge success,”
www.indianweekender.co.nz
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The Hamilton Branch of Telugu Association has a committee
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 8 NEW ZEALAND Friday, January 19, 2018 The Indian Weekender

Mayor urges community to home Nataraj School of

grow vegetables after visiting
Takanini Gurudwara gardens Dance to present dance
show on Lord Shiva
¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH well as the daily rhythm of birth and death,

T
he Wellington-based Nataraj School of
Dance will be presenting a new dance
show on Lord Shiva next month at the
Little Theatre, Laings Road, Lower Hutt.
The show will witness participation of
about 50 students from the school that are set
to perform for at least couple of hours, as the
show is poised to be uniquely presented twice
on the same day, Saturday, February 17, at 3.30
p.m. and 7 p.m.
The show titled Om Namah Shivaya will
showcase different forms of Tandavam – a
vigorous dance form popularly associated with
Lord Shiva, allegorical of the five principle
manifestations of eternal energy, which is
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff with the souvenir and
believed to be the basis of all forms of life in
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD ‘Ramala Sahib’ at the Takanini Gurudwara
the Hindu tradition.
and when performed as a dance form creates
tremendous energy.
This year, two professional dancers are also
arriving from Australia and the United States to
perform at the show.
The Nataraj School of Dance was established
almost 19 years ago by Prabha Ravi – a trained
classical dancer.
Since then Mrs Ravi has trained over five
hundred students and encouraged them to
participate in local and national events. Mrs Ravi
was bestowed with Queen’s Services Medal in
2017 by the New Zealand government for her
contribution to art and Ethnic communities.
“Indian classical dance is not merely moving
your body to a rhythm. It is a discovery of your
roots, philosophy, mythology, language, culture

A
Lord Shiva is the third member of the Hindu and many other facets of life,” Mrs Ravi said.
uckland Mayor Phil Goff on Thursday,
initiative of the gurudwara and lauded the For tickets and further information,
January 18, visited the Shri Kalgidhar Trinity along with Brahma and Vishnu and is
efforts made by the local community members please contact Nataraj School of Dance at
Sahib Gurudwara in Takanini to believed to be the destroyer of all evils.
to make this project a success. natrajschoolofdance@gmail.com or 021
witness the progress of the plantation project The Tandava dance form symbolises the
“It’s fantastic to see the land being 817252.
started by the gurudwara last year. cosmic cycles of creation and destruction, as
used productively and efforts put by the
In August 2017, the Takanini gurudwara

Bhartiya Samaj's
local community here. I would encourage
started a community garden initiative in community members if they have a spare
collaboration with the Healthy Families patch in their home to grow some of their own
Manukau and Manurewa-Papakura and

Old School Teaching Gardens to sow new
plantations in the gurudwara premises that will
enable the growth of fresh vegetables and fruits
Summer camp
vegetables, it’s a great thing to do and gives a
lot of satisfaction,” Mayor Goff told The Indian
Weekender.
Mr Goff then visited the library of the

workshops empower
by the community. gurudwara and was briefed on the upcoming
The then Prime Minister Bill English had projects of the temple.
visited the gurudwara on Friday, August 4, The Mayor was shown the Rumala Sahib –

2017, to commence plantations in the garden.
This garden initiative has enabled the
gurudwara to engage the volunteers and the
local community in growing fresh garden fruits
to be served at the gurudwara and given back to
the larger community.
Mayor Phil Goff took a tour of the garden
and was briefed about the plantation process at
the garden and how it has been helping the local
community. 
The gurudwara gardens produce Italian
tomatoes, corn, chillies, sprouts, home-grown
tomatoes, spring onions and also has different
winter and summer plantations.
The gurudwara has also been able to skillfully
reduce the waste produced in the gurudwara
kitchen and utilise the waste most efficiently.
young minds
the holy cloth that is offered to Guru Granth
Sahib ji. The Rumala Sahib once offered to
Guru Granth Sahib cannot be used in any other
place and has to be disposed of appropriately, in
this case by burning.
To put it to a better use, women from Cook
Island community had, a few months ago,
offered to use the Rumala Sahib at their Marae
and up-cycle the holy cloth by redesigning them
and putting them in the Marae as curtains etc.
A representative from the Cook Islands
community showcased the Mayor how they
were up-cycling the Rumala Sahib presented to
them by the Supreme Sikh Society and offered
him a souvenir of an up-cycled Rumala Sahib
framed for the Marae.
The Takanini Gurudwara is the biggest
Sikh temple in New Zealand and is managed ¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD Children at the Bhartiya Samaj Camp 2018

The waste is put into a pit in the garden that
later gets converted into compost and can be
used as a key ingredient in organic farming.
Mr Goff commended this community
B
by Supreme Sikh Society of New Zealand. The
hartiya Samaj Charitable Trust hosted
parent body has also started a youth wing in
its 16th Annual Children & Youth development, leadership, community
July 2017 to get the young Sikh-Kiwis get more
Summer Camp in the second week involvement and tolerance and understanding
involved with their religion and culture.
of January 2018. The five-day programme is of cultural diversity at an early age.
designed for the children aged between eight Children aged between six andnine are given
and 14 and has gained immense popularity recitation lessons from the specialised mentors

Are you looking to Buy amongst the children in the Indian community.
All the activities were conducted in Mt
from Auckland Library and are later supplied
with workbooks where they draw, colour, and
or Sell a Business? Roskill War Memorial Halls, their sports
grounds, and the adjacent Bhartiya Samaj hall.
write.
“The camp programme is a balance of
This year 110 students enrolled for the
academic enrichment in the morning and
Shaun Khanna has a business, sales and marketing experience of more than
program mentored by 25 volunteers and
25 years and is a specialist in selling businesses such as Service Stations, Lotto
sports in the afternoon by a professional sports
Stores, Dairies, Supermarkets and Liquor Stores. He also has vast exposure in teachers. This included a one-day outdoor
the hospitality sector. Shaun has sold many businesses and has helped hundreds club,” Jeet Suchdev, chairperson of Bhartiya
of buyers and sellers of petrol stations and convenience stores throughout New picnic for the children to Cornwall Park in
Zealand. Shaun understands both sides of the transaction from the perspective
Auckland. Samaj said.
The camp provides breakfast, lunch and
of both the buyer and the seller as he is a former successful business owner as
he had owned and successfully run a big BP Service Station & thoroughly The idea behind such camps is to make
understands how it works.
the most of the summer holidays, which may evening snacks for the children all through
Shaun offers the degree of professional service that effectively brings business otherwise be spent on unproductive activity the five days of the camp. The Summer camp
buyers and sellers together to experience successful and desirable outcomes.
Shaun has a nationwide network of contacts and a track record of success, likewatching TV or playing video games. Such initiative is also supported by Auckland
receiving many referrals from satisfied buyers and sellers.
workshops give children to try new activities Council, Auckland Library and NZ Police who
For a confidential, no obligation discussion about the sale of your business please and create new hobbies such as painting, help children learn new skills and safety tips to
give me a call on 029 770 9767 or send an email to shaunk@abcbusiness.co.nz
drama, dance, sports, and aerobics, learning follow at house and outdoor.
2015/2 2013 art and crafts, public speaking, extempore and “Children love staying at the camp, and
201
SALES 7
OF TH
PERSO
N
MOST
2017
DYNAM
HI-VIZ IC LISTER6
01 201
SALES 4
PE
OF TH RSON
RISING Shaun Khanna spiritual workshops too. on the last day of the camp, they just crave
STAR 029 770 9767
E VIDEO OF TH E
RUNN YEAR

All the workshops and programmes aimed

RUNN YEAR E
if workshops could continue for a few more
LISTER YEAR ER-U
ER-U
P P

shaunk@abcbusiness.co.nz
to promote overall development of the young days,” Roopa Suchdev, director of the children’s
029 770 9767 www.businessesforsale.co.nz
Licensed REAA 2008
minds and to impart skills like personality camp, said.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, January 19, 2018 NEW ZEALAND 9

Is NZ ready to debate over the need

for a second language in schools?
¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH
R ight now, despite our wishful thinking,

I
t seems as though New Zealand is not even
ready to debate, forget about the readiness
to act, on the need for learning a second
language in our schools.
This is bit disappointing, especially when a
so-called progressive government is in place,
which takes pride in preparing the New Zealand
of today for the challenges of tomorrow.
This question had become obvious when
National Party’s education spokesperson Nikki
Kaye, pledged to release a draft bill earlier this
week, seeking every primary and intermediate
school to offer at least one second-language
from a list of at least 10 “national priority
languages”.
However, when the majority of commentators
choose to offer a sugar-coated opinion that
the proposition for second language learning
in schools “is admirable in principle, but the
practicalities are difficult,” then it means that
we are not ready to bear the pain that often
comes along with deliberations on seemingly
difficult questions.
The Education Minister Chris Hipkins,
believes that this proposition is too aspirational
for their government as it is currently besieged
in solving the problems in the education sector
left behind allegedly by the previous National
government to entertain any suggestion of
introducing second language learning in
our schools.
“We’ve inherited critical and worsening
teacher shortages across a range of subjects,
including languages and addressing that is
Nikki Kaye, National Party's education spokesperson Chris Hipkins, Education minister
The research shows Indeed, the question of introducing the
second language in schools is a difficult one,
that ethnic migrant
as it would first come up with the budgetary
communities are better challenge of finding the money to deliver
able to contribute in the resources necessary for second language
teaching, and then secondly we would come
public lives of the host
up the bigger question of selecting which
nations where they have languages to be taught.
greater assurance of It is not clear though what is the more
preserving their language compelling reason for dismissing the
proposition as impractical or out of touch –
and traditions. finding the money or agreeing on the selection
one of our top priorities,” Mr Hipkins told the of the second language.
media earlier this week.
The selection of languages is
Several teachers’ organisations have rejected
contested
the proposition arguing that “it is completely
out of touch.”
Hindi – the fourth most widely spoken
language in New Zealand – does not find a
place even in the National Party’s proposed list
of 10 priority languages.
In this regard, it is important to note that
while National’s proposition of the second
language may not be the perfect especially
regarding languages proposed yet, it offers an
opportunity to discuss, debate and improvise it
in a mutually acceptable manner.
The current government’s choice of rejecting
it as too aspirational is also not in sync with
the current realities, especially the changing
demography of the New Zealand.
More often than not, the ethnic migrant
communities are tempted to see this debate
around the second language in schools not only
in terms of gaining an employable skill for the
future but also as a question of preserving their
language, culture and identity.
The research shows that ethnic migrant
communities are better able to contribute in
public lives of the host nations where they have
greater assurance of preserving their language
and traditions.
Anyway, the idea of a monolingual New
Zealand in the twenty-first century is in itself
out of sync if not yet completely out of pace
with the fast-changing demographic profile of
the country.
At least a willingness to debate and discuss
would bring more good to New Zealand than a
mere assertion that second language education
is too aspirational as of now.

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 10 NEW ZEALAND Friday, January 19, 2018 The Indian Weekender

Superrette owner stabbed in

front of daughter in Waikato Get ready for Vector Lights
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
on Auckland Harbour Bridge
T
wo men attacked a dairy store in Waikato, injuring the
store owner and ran away with cash and tobacco.
The incident took place on Thursday, January 18 Where will you be Lighting by
watching?
at about 11.30 a.m. when two men entered the Meremere
numbers
Little Shoal Bay, Northcote

Superette and Takeaways, carrying knives.

Mt Victoria, Devonport
Bayswater Marina

The offenders verbally threatened the victim and his #vectorlights

daughter and demanded money and cigarettes to be handed 90,000: The number of colour-
over.
Queens Parade, Devonport

changing LEDs on the bridge, as

A struggle between the victim and the offenders broke out well as 100 spotlights. NZTA will
causing the victim to suffer several lacerations after receiving Harbour View Beach Reserve, Te Atatū Peninsula
Auckland waterfront
also install additional LEDs to
blows to his forearms and head. Bastion Point replace their current street and
The offenders then ran from the store and got into an Sentinel Beach, Herne Bay
signage lighting.
electric-blue coloured Ford Falcon, with white stripes along
the side of the vehicle.  This vehicle also had a spoiler.They
then drove off from the scene at speed. BYO smart phone
600: The number of solar panels
providing energy for the bridge
Members of the public helped the victim and his daughter
Mt Eden or radio to hear
the audio
Watch - 248 panels will be installed by
outside the Superette, but police are appealing to anyone else livestream
the official launch, with more to
who may have seen this vehicle in the vicinity at the time or
See
vector.co.nz/lights follow.
was near the Superette when the robbery occurred. for more info

The victim is in a moderate to serious condition and was

been sent to Middlemore hospital to receive medical treatment. 
400: The battery storage for the
bridge - 475kWh at first, with more
The victim’s daughter was not hurt in the scuffle. ¡¡ IWK BUREAU Future competition will be on stage to
added later is enough to power

V
Police are currently investigating to get further information start the light show.
on offender descriptions, and a scene examination is underway. ector Lights on Saturday, January 400 average homes for an hour.
The Sydney-based lighting design
27 will launch a six-minute light
company Mandylights worked on
and sound display on Auckland
installing about 90,000 LED lights,
114: The solar panels at
Harbour Bridge from around 9 p.m. Wynyard Quarter will deliver
including a bold strip outlining the
The show will then repeat every half 114MWh of energy - enough to
motorway and bridge arch and lights
hour until midnight. power 11 homes for a year
that will reflect off the water from the
To capture footage this historic event
relatively low bridge, NZ Herald reported
there are some great public vantage points
last year.
27: By using solar and battery,
designated around the Waitematā Harbour. we’re avoiding a potential 27
The $10 million project is named Vector
An event will be hosted by key project tons of carbon going into the
Lights after a partnership between power
spokespeople and dignitaries at Little atmosphere. At launch, the carbon
company Vector and Auckland Council to
Shoal Bay Reserve in Northcote at around offset will be equivalent to 13.6
promote energy efficiency and new and tons, which will increase to an
7:30 p.m. followed by a countdown to the
emerging energy technology. Most of the expected 27 tons in 2018.
light and sound display.
costs are being met by Vector.
The young winners of the Design The

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 The Indian Weekender Friday, January 19, 2018 NEW ZEALAND 11

Preparation and prevention is key, following a

number of rescues on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
¡¡ IWK BUREAU

I
n the last week Police and LandSAR in the
Central North Island rescued six people who
underestimated the challenges of walking in
an alpine environment.
The key message is plan your trip and be
prepared.
On the evening of Thursday 11th, a 43-year-
old woman and her 14-year-old daughter from
Wellington were reported overdue on the Alpine
Crossing. They started the hike at 10am but by
9.30pm had not arrived at the track end.
Police were alerted by worried parents and
friends calling for assistance. Fortunately a trio
of women on the track had come across the pair
and chaperoned them to the finish at 11.30pm.
On Sunday 14th, a 74-year-old Finnish
woman was hiking alone on the track and called
for help when she was so exhausted she could
not walk any further. Her shuttle bus driver &
walked up the track and found her 2.5 km from
the end. Police were notified and a four-person
LandSAR team from Turangi was deployed On Sunday 14th, a
with a stretcher. 74-year-old Finnish P R E S E N T

The team located the bus driver and the woman was hiking
woman.
alone on the track
She was carried out on a stretcher and met by
St John Paramedics.
The woman was checked over and able to
Guftagu with
and called for help
when she was so
leave with her husband needing no medical exhausted she could
treatment. Curated by:
not walk any further.
Yesterday evening, 17th January, two people
were rescued from the summit of Red Crater
which is the mid-point on the Alpine Crossing.
Two 18-year-old men, one from Auckland
and the other from South Africa were in a group
of four doing the Tongariro Northern Circuit
when they were overcome by exhaustion and
cold. Thick low cloud meant the Greenlea
Rescue Helicopter from Taupo was unable to fly
to the men, and a four-person LandSAR team
from Turangi was mobilised. The team was
flown in as far as possible up the Oturere Valley
and continued on foot to find the men huddled
in cloud at 1868m above sea level at the summit.
They received first aid and were assisted down
to the Oturere Valley.
The cloud prevented any helicopter
evacuation, so the rescuers walked out to
the Desert Road then drove home, while the
trampers spent the night at Oturere Hut.
Tongariro is an alpine environment, so it is
suggested people have a good level of physical
fitness and endurance if they are planning on
hiking the Crossing. It can take at least eight
hours, has steep climbs and frequently changing
weather conditions.
Wear hiking boots, take plenty of food and
clothing, bring a hat for hot and cold weather and
a torch is essential. Make sure you are finished
before sunset as it’s not fun hiking a mountain in
the dark if you’ve not planned for it.
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing attracts people
from all over the world and is a memorable
achievement, however local Police, LandSAR,
Department of Conservation and Iwi encourage Sponsored
Event Managed
people to attempt the 19km crossing with By: By:
some thought, preparation and respect, so it’s
memorable for the right reasons.
See The Outdoor Safety Code at www.
Media Partners:
adventuresmart.org.nz(link is external)
Plenty more advice is readily available on the
Mountain Safety and DOC websites.
For enquiries contact: Umesh Sharma +64 211 111 055 Arun Nanda +61 401 230 046 Rushi Dave +61 413 806 425
 12 NEW ZEALAND
Telugu Association celebrates
Sankranti Sanbaralu in Christchruch
¡¡ GAURAV
SHARMA
T
asiNZ or
the Telugu
Association
of South Island New
Zealand, a group in
existence since 2006,
celebrated the festival
of Sankranti Sanbaralu
in Christchurch on
January 14.
Sharing details
of the celebrations
Lavanya Kasibhatla,
a member of TasiNZ said, “We made the
traditional gobbillu (cow dung balls) and
decorated those with flowers and turmeric.
Then as per the custom in Andhra Pradesh back
home, the ladies danced around the gobbillu.
Later a kid, Shiva, dressed as Haridasu – who
visits every house during pongal in Andhra –
went around. Women offered rice to him and in
return, he blessed them. Shiva, then, along with
Sneha, performed a tiger dance – called Puli
Vesham – traditionally done in villages during
festive occasions.”
The evening ended with Janaki Garu of Arya
Samaj Christchurch sharing some words of
wisdom regarding the Sankranti celebrations
and Dr Krishna Badami conducting an
informative quiz about matters relating to India.
Kite flyers battle it out
Occasion was the Garden City’s fifth
uttarayan makar-sankranti kite-festival
¡¡ GAURAV SHARMA
M
arking the day in the Hindu calendar
when winter turns to spring and
the Sun enters into the zodiac sign
of Makara (Capricorn), the uttarayan makar-
sankranti kite-festival, held in Christchurch on
Sunday, saw hundreds of kite-flyers engaging in
the fierce battle of cutting strings and bringing
down each-others kites. Co-organised by the
Christchurch-based social group Youngistan
– formed four years back to promote Gujarati
culture in Canterbury – and Indian Cultural
Group (ICG), the event saw better participation
this year. Jeet Gadhavi, a member of Youngistan,
said, “We collaborated with ICG to organise the
event this year, and were very happy that the
participants increased this time around. It was
fun overall. Some groups brought their own
kites and strings, and we also had an on-the-
spot sale to ensure everyone got involved.”
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Children decorating the traditional gobbillu (cow
dung balls) with flowers and turmeric at the
Sankranti Sanbaralu celebrations organised by
TasiNZ on January 14 in Christchurch(picture
courtesy Mr Sridhar Kasibhatla)
Arya Samaj Christchurch
organises the Gayatri Yaj
A
ffiliated to the Arya Samaj Pratinidhi
Sabha New Zealand Incorporated, Arya
Samaj Christchurch (ASC) organised a Gayatri
Yaj on January 6, in Christchurch. Formed in
2006 and having a membership of around 65,
the organisation is known in the city for its
monthly satsangs. During the Yajs though, a
havan is performed accompanied by the chants
of the gayatri mantra, which is followed by a
light meal for all devotees.
Friday, January 19, 2018 The Indian Weekender
Community groups unite to celebrate
Christchurch’s biggest-ever Lohri
A good thing is happening in Christchurch.
Lohri celebrations in Christchurch
¡¡ GAURAV SHARMA
C
ommunity groups – which have
long been criticised for going their
separate ways – are recognising
the importance of coming together and
celebrating Indian festivals under one
roof. As a result, we have better crowds,
better organisation and a better experience
for everyone, overall.
A good example was when last year,
IndianNZ Association of Christchurch
and Canterbury Indian Women Group co-
organised Karva Chauth.
Now, on January 13, city-based social
organisation Indian Cultural Group (ICG)
and the newly-launched Christchurch
Lohri celebrations in Christchurch
Punjabi Social and Cultural Group
(CPSCG), got together to celebrate the Garden
City’s biggest-ever Lohri. Meanwhile, in a bid to give some
With over 600 people attending, the event encouragement to local talent, the event also
saw traditional jago, giddha dance and featured a Christchurch-based singer Gurinder
bhangra performances, and Minister of Greater Mann treating audiences to some traditional
Christchurch Regeneration Megan Woods was Punjabi boliyan and folk songs.
the chief guest. Later as the evening warmed up, the entire
Another highlight of the evening was the gathering joined the fun, and danced on the
Miss and Mister Christchurch Punjab 2018 dhol beats and traditional folk music arranged
Contest, which was won by Mandeep Kaur and by DJ Vick.
Ajitpal Singh Saini respectively. The traditional flavour of the evening was
Sandeep Sachdev, president of ICG said, further accentuated by the spread of food that
“Ever since we formed ICG few years back, was apt for the festivities – sarson da saag with
our goal has been to collaborate with as many makki ki roti, lassi, cholle kulche and samosa
people and organisations as possible. We have chat.
been celebrating Lohri in Christchurch for the
Overwhelmed by the response, Mr Warraich
last two years, but with Narinder’s CPSCG
said, “We have succeeded in making a small
[Mr Narinder Singh Warraich is the President
part of Christchurch resemble mini Punjab
of CPSCG] coming on board this year, you
for an entire evening. Next on cards is the
can definitely see that this has been the best
Christchurch Kabaddi Cup 2018 and Vaisakhi
organisation so far. Thus, there are huge merits
Mela which would be held in March.”
in community groups coming together.”
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 The Indian Weekender
ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT GETTING
RID OF YOUR INORGANIC WASTES?
¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH
M
any Aucklanders struggle
with getting rid of their
household inorganic
wastes.
Often many, especially those
who have little respect for others
leave their wastes on the roadside,
prompting none other than the Mayor
of the City Phil Goff to express his
anguish and frustration on social
media.
Mr Goff shared his frustration and
anguish on his personal social media
page on Wednesday, January 17
about a pile of inorganic waste that
he had seen sometime last week on
his way to work from home.
“I’ve had gutsful of those who
think they can just dump their rubbish
on the side of the road instead of
using inorganic collections or taking
their rubbish to a transfer station.
“They don’t give a damn about
degrading our environment and
putting the cost of picking up their
rubbish on other ratepayers.
“Those on the rural fringes of the
city and commercial premises are fed
up with their properties being dump
sites for the lazy and irresponsible,”
Mr Goff commented.
Mayor further asserted his resolve
to prosecute the alleged offenders.
“Last week I came across the worst
Friday, January 19, 2018
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff
example yet on my way to work.
“Barrel loads of used oil filters
dumped on the Ardmore-Takinini
Rd, spewing their contents on to the
ground.
“The barrels are marked, and I
have asked Council to take every
effort to track down where they were
sold to,” Mr Goff asserted.
The very next day after Mayor’s
public outcry, the Auckland Council
has issued a media release about the
opening of booking for Auckland
Council’s 2018 inorganic service.
It’s not clear if the Council’s
announcement was prompted by
Mayor’s social media rage.
However, regardless of the reason,
it is a timely reminder about a
service that the Auckland Council
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has been offering so earnestly since
the last three years and seemingly
many in the community are not fully
aware of.
Especially many in the new
migrant community struggle to find
the right source of information while
they find their feet in the new country.
Bookings now open for
Auckland Council’s 2018
inorganic service
B
ookings are now open for
Auckland Council’s 2018
inorganic service, which will start
making collections in late February.
It’s easy to make a booking.
Simply visit aucklandcouncil.govt.
nz/inorganic and follow the steps.
When you enter your address the
booking tool will let you know when
your collection week is, and you can
go ahead and book.
Live Playlists
Polls & Contests
You can also make a booking at
any council service centre, or by
calling 09 301 0101.
The council team will tell you your
exact collection date closer to the
time, by email, text or phone– if you
no longer need the service, you can
easily cancel.
About the service
T his is the third year Auckland
Council’s improved inorganic
collection service will run. The
service runs between February and
December.
All Auckland households can book
an annual inorganic collection of up
to 1 cubic metre of material (roughly
the size of one small trailer load).
Just before collection day,
residents simply need to leave items
for collection neatly stacked in an
obvious place within the boundary of
their property.
Councillor Penny Hulse, chair of
Open Chat Set Favourites
Online Requests
NEW ZEALAND 13
the Environment and Community
committee, says the improved
inorganic collection service has
helped increase the amount of
recoverable materials and decrease
the amount of waste sent to landfill.
“Since the service started in late
2015, we’ve diverted more than
3800 tonnes of recyclable items and
materials that would have otherwise
gone to landfill.
“With more than 80 community
groups utilising and repurposing
the materials being recovered from
the collection, the inorganic service
is truly helping create a circular
environment for our waste in the
Auckland region.”
Have items in good
condition? Think about
selling or donating first
R ather than store items for an
annual collection, Auckland
Council is encouraging residents
to sell or donate their unwanted
reusable items any time of the year.
“There other ways to pass these
items on to new homes without
having to wait for a collection in your
area,” says Cr Hulse.
“There are groups and charities
that take donations of items in good
condition all year round. You could
also consider selling items, or using a
platform like Neighbourly to swap or
give them away.”
 14 FIJI
Tube ride to school
S
tudents from the district of Naqalimare
in the province of Nadroga/Navosa
have to brave the cold conditions of the
Sigatoka River to attend school.
The students, who would rather take the
hazardous trip than stay home, are accompanied
by parents who use inflated tubes to assist them
across the river.
The school, which usually transports the
students by boat, cannot do so this year because
the boat needs repairing.
LIKE most parents, Losana Matalau gets up
by 5am daily to prepare breakfast and lunch for
her children aged seven and 10.
By 7am, she joins other parents from
Vunaqoru Village to help students swim across
the Sigatoka River in inflated tyre tubes in time
for classes at Naqalimare District School.
There are about 70 students from four
villages – Koroua, Vunaqoru, Natawatawabi Vunaqoru
Sigatoka River
and Toga – who swim across because
the only boat owned by
"The
the school developed
children want
engine problems two to go to school and
weeks ago. students from all four
“We’ve contacted villages are affected
the school, but they’ve by this.If the Government can
informed us that provide a new engine or a new boat, just so the children can go to
there are problems boat, just so the children
with the engine, but can go to school, it will
we haven’t been told be very helpful."
when it will be fixed,” Ms
Matalau said.
She said children preferred to swim across
Fiji opens the South Pacific Island Nations Cultural event
in Shanghai
T
he Permanent Secretary for Industry,
Trade and Tourism, Shaheen Ali on
Tuesday officially opened the South
Pacific Island Nations Cultural Event in
Shanghai, People’s Republic of China.
The Cultural Event is being held from 26 to
31 December 2017, Jing’an Shangri-la Hotel in
Shanghai.
Promoting cultural exchange and
trade flows
The week-long cultural event aims to provide
visitors a rare chance to interact with diversified
cultural elements of South Pacific Region.
Twenty seven nations and territories,
including Fiji, Solomon Islands, Norfolk
Island, are showcasing their culture, art, food,
handicraft and products. Mr Ali, during the
opening stated that such events play a very
important role in promoting cultural exchange
and trade flows between China and the South
Pacific Region. He further stated that Fiji
and China share a special relationship with
is evident from the high-level commitment
provided from both sides.
“Due to the unwavering efforts on both
sides, the bilateral relations between Fiji and
China have also been translated into concrete
Bainimarama calls on Fijians to protect our coral reefs
P
rime Minister and COP23 President
Voreqe Bainimarama has urged all
Fijians to protect the coral reefs for the
future generations.
While speaking at the global launch of the
International Year of the Reef at Nukubati
Island in the province of Macuata, he appealed
to all Fijians to give the future generations the
ability to enjoy Fiji’s Great Coral Reef.
“We can do it. And we can do it by
committing ourselves to change. To change the
way we all live in relation to our surroundings.
To live more in harmony with nature,” Mr
Village headman Navitalai Matalau, left, helps Naqalimare District School students cross the
the river rather than stay home.
“The children want to go to
school and students from
four villages are affected
by this. If the Government can
provide a new engine or a new
school, it will be very helpful.”
School treasurer Melaia
Koronisagana said the management
was in the process of getting the
engine fixed.
“There is just one boat the school relies on
progress contributing towards broad co-
operation particularly in trade, investment and
tourism, which the Ministry of Industry, Trade
and Tourism is most committed to,” added the
Permanent Secretary.
Looking ahead of 2018
To continue and extend that momentum, the
Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, in
collaboration with our Consulate General/Trade
Commission in Shanghai will redouble our
efforts to bring in more Fijian made products
and services to the Chinese market.
food and economic wealth
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama (left) shake
hands with the United Nations special envoy for
oceans Peter Thomson (right).
Friday, January 19, 2018
and these villages are a bit far away from each
other so we also find it difficult to transport
all the kids.
"It takes time to transfer children and it takes
almost 20 minutes to and from each village so
transportation takes about one hour.”
Ms Koronisagana said the boat in question
was being used for more than five years.
“Some of the kids are still staying at home
because of the flooded river, attendance is
affected too and we will see what can be done.”
As many as 225 students are enrolled at
the school.
“Looking ahead in 2018, we are already
planning many exciting trade, investment
and tourism promotion and marketing events
in China, including our participation in the
inaugural China International Import Expo to
be held in Shanghai in November next year”,
stated Mr Ali.
“We also endeavor to increase people-to-
people connectivity, trough culture, sports and
training, which is an essential element of the
‘Belt and Road’ Initiative”, added Mr Ali.
The week-long event is supported by the
Shanghai Municipality, Shanghai Tourism
bureau (Jing An District), as well as Fijian
Trade Commission/Consulate General among
other diplomatic corps in its preparation. E.I.C
Consultancy Group Co., Ltd., the organiser
and long-time advocate in promoting the
South Pacific culture officially launched its
International Center for Arts and Culture at the
opening ceremony.The Permanent Secretary
together with the Trade Commissioner/Consul-
General, Yolinda Chan and officials will over
the week also have bilateral meetings with
executives from China’s largest communication
firm Alibaba, and other prominent businesses in
Shanghai and neighbouring cities.
Bainimarama said.
“Every person in our community
"They from the very young to the old
are home to a can be warriors for a more
quarter of all known sustainable future and
marine species. They protectors of the health
are not only sources of
of the reefs.
but places of infinite “This is a global
complexity, variety event of relevance to
and beauty." every single person on
earth. But it has a particular
resonance for the Fijian people
because of where we are today- on the edge
The Indian Weekender
‘Fiji
deemed
ideal
venue’
F
iji's great leadership on environmental
issues on the world stage has attracted
United Nations initiatives to the region.
United Nations environment program
executive director Erik Solheim said when
discussions to launch the International Year
of the Reef took place, the Pacific, and Fiji in
particular, was deemed most ideal a venue.
“It has been fantastic, such a beautiful land
and the greenery here.
"It’s such a fantastic place and I’m so happy
to be here,” Mr Solheim said.
“When we wanted to launch the global year
for the coral reef, of course, we couldn’t do it
in Paris or New York, we had to do it where the
coral reefs are.
"We also have coral reefs in the Caribbean
and other parts of the world, but we really
wanted to do it in the Pacific.”
Mr Solheim, a former Norwegian
environment minister, said the UN was
impressed not just by the Fijian Government’s
recent leadership, but also specifically by the
individual efforts of Peter Thomson, Fiji’s
permanent representative to the UN.
“Fiji has shown so much leadership in
environmental issues recently and Fiji was key
in its presidency of the climate convention in
Bonn where everyone was very happy and quite
impressed with Fiji’s leadership,” he said.
“Not just Fiji as a nation, but Peter Thomson
as an individual was key at the Ocean
Conference in New York last year. Fiji has
taken a lead which we so desperately need.”
He said political leadership was more
important than money in terms of global
commitments to address the world’s
environmental issues.
“Contrary to popular belief, the most
important issue in the world is not money,
the most important difficulty is political
leadership,” Mr Solheim said.
of one of our most precious national asset,
the Great Sea Reef or Cakaulevu Reef, as it is
known in iTaukei.”
Mr Bainimarama said that throughout the
world, coral reefs occupied less than one tenth
of one per cent of the ocean floor.
“They are home to a quarter of all known
marine species.
"They are not only sources of food and
economic wealth but places of infinite
complexity, variety and beauty,” he said.
He urged all Fijians to do their part in
protecting the coral reefs.
 The Indian Weekender
Fourth doctor in family relishes new challenge
F
or Khizar Niazi, completing
his medical internship is only
the start of a sterner test.
The newly inducted doctor was
among 68 others who officially
completed their medical internships.
All four members of Mr Niazi’s
family are doctors.
Born in Islamabad, Pakistan, the
former Natabua High School student
moved to the country in 2013 at the
age of 10. He is now a Fijian citizen.
Minister for Health and Medical
Services Rosy Akbar, at the induction
event in Suva, reminded him and his
colleagues of the important nature of
their profession.
“Medicine is a unique profession.
It gives you the opportunity to be
present at some of the happiest times
in an individual’s life – but also the
PAC 2018: Fiji Forest Policy
audit implementation actions
A
team from the Ministry
of Forests led by acting
permanent secretary
Bernadette Welch today presented
to the Public Accounts Committee
on the audit of the Progress of
Implementation of Policies and
Strategies in the Fiji Forest Policy
Statement 2007.
The Auditor-General said the
objective of the audit was to
determine the effectiveness and
efficiency of the department in
implementing actions outlined
under the policies and strategies
section of the Fiji Forest Policy
Statement 2007.
The Auditor-General in his overall
conclusion noted: "The department
has made considerable progress in
the implementation of actions for the
three areas of the Fiji Forest Policy
Statement 2007 covered in this
audit."
He said, however, that the
BACK 7S BID
W
e leaving no stones
unturned, giving World
Rugby no excuse to
say no.  They have to come to Fiji
because we have put through a
compelling bid-Greg Peters
 Fiji Rugby Union will submit its
bid to World Rugby to host a leg of
the 2019/2020 World Sevens Series
on February 28.
And the FRU is calling on the
people of Fiji to show their support
in the next six weeks.
FRU general manager commercial
Brian Thorburn said during the
six weeks campaign, people can
register their support on Fijifor7s.
com website and they will soon
be launching their Facebook and
Twitter page for the public to show
their support.
“We want the entire country to be
behind our bid,”Thorburn said.
“During the six weeks campaign
we will be running commercials in
the media to get many people as
we possibly can hopefully 100,000
Fijians will be amazing.
Friday, January 19, 2018
Khizar Niazi one of the 68 doctors that was inducted on January 17, 2017
most tragic,” Ms Akbar said.
“I would like to remind you to
Fiji's Conservator of Forests Sanjana Lal (left) and acting Ministry of Forests
permanent secretary Bernadette Welch during their submission to the standing
committee of public accounts in Suva
The department has made considerable progress in the
implementation of actions for the three areas of the Fiji
Forest Policy Statement 2007 covered in this audi
department still had to start
work on a number of areas while
others required the assistance of
“We will also be reaching out to
villages, schools and towns to sign
up and support the bid.
“Hopefully by the end of February
we show World Rugby that Fiji
can host a leg of the World Sevens
Series.”
FRU chief executive officer John
O’Connor said: “We have a lot of
work ahead of us prior to the closing
of the bid period. We need to submit
a credible and winning bid that
warrants serious consideration.
“Should we be successful, this
tournament will not only benefit
FRU but all Fijians and Fiji as a
nation.”
Win  a trip to Hong Kong
All those that will register their
support will go into the draw and
win a trip for two to the Hong
Kong 7s on April 6-8. The package
includes return tickets, four nights’
accommodation and three days
tickets to the tournament.
The FRU has put together a task
force led by Thorburn who will be
uphold the values of the Ministry by
having respect for human dignity,
stakeholders, government agencies,
and the private sector, to be fully
implemented.
From left:: Greg Peters, Fiji Rugby Union chief executive officer, John O’Connor and general manager commercial Brian
Thorburn at Rugby House on January 17, 2018
assisted by former Argentina Rugby
Union and South Africa, New
Zealand, Australia and Argentina
Rugby (SANZAAR) chief executive
Greg Peters.
Player welfare paramount
“One of the criteria is the player
welfare,”Peters said.
“This means we need to have
world class facilities in terms
of training, medical and playing
facilities.  Everything that’s wrapped
around player’s welfare has to be in
place.
integrity, being customer-focused,
responsive and practicing equity.”
The toughest part of the journey,
said Mr Niazi, was the long hours
during the medical internship.
“It’s been one of the
toughest years for
"Medicine
me (during the
is a unique
internship).
profession. It gives
Sometimes I
you the opportunity
workers 100
to be present at some of
or 110 hours
the happiest times in an
but I loved
individual’s life – but
every second
also the most
of it,” he said.
tragic."
“You have to
struggle but at the
end of the days there are
rewards.”
The doctor now heads to Nadi
Hospital for his next challenge.
New sterilizing machine to
assist 800 diabetic patients
8
00 diabetic patients who are
regulars to the Diabetes Hub
Centre in Suva will now be
well assisted and served efficiently
with well maintained equipment after
the centre received a timely donation
of a new sterilizing machine.
The machine which is worth about
$4,000, was donated by the LDS
Church Charity Group.
“We also need to see the
commercial relevant how the
tournament in Fiji will relate to
main sponsor HSBC.  But we have a
story to tell especially Fiji being the
natural home for 7s and the home
of 2016 Rio Olympic gold medal
winners.
“We don’t have proof of hosting
major events previously but we do
have many local 7s tournaments
being hosted in the country.
“We need the proper
infrastructure, the need of a stadium,
transport logistics and we also need
FIJI 15
There, he hopes to serve to the best
of his ability.
Mr Niazi said the concern of
non-communicable diseases needed
attention.
Former New Zealand Prime
Minister Helen Clarke last
December, at a civil society
event in Suva, said NCDs
represented a crisis for the
South Pacific.
“NCDs are basically
one of the biggest
problems here and, because
the Pacific is a tropical
region, we have dengue
outbreaks too,” she said.
“More than 50 per cent of my time
(during the internship) was spent on
these patients who have long-term
health problems.”
Diabetes Hub Centre Medical
Officer, Dr Lisi Fini-asi says that in
the past they have been taking their
equipment to the CWM Hospital for
sterilizing on a daily basis and this
has also hindered their work.
Finiasi says that having their own
machine will allow them to maintain
their equipment and prevent the
growth and spread of diseases.
a large number of volunteers.”
Peters stressed they would need
to tick all the boxes by February 28.
“We need to tick these absolute
mandatory things. It’s a good thing
we have the Government’s support,
our bid is starting from ground zero
and building up.
“We are leaving no stones
unturned, giving World Rugby no
excuse to say no. They have to come
here because we have put through
compelling bid. It’s a massive
challenge,”Peters said.
 Thought of the week
"There is a magnet in your heart that
will attract true friends. That magnet is
unselfishness, thinking of others first; when
you learn to live for others, they will live for
you."
Editorial – Paramahansa Yogananda

New Year resolutions: Auckland Weather forecast for the week

It’s not knowing what Jan 19 – Jan 25, 2018

to do, it’s doing what

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thu

you know!
W
Nice with Clearing, Partly Periods of Sunny and Sunshine Partly
e live in an age where conventional wisdom stands divided, on whether to, or not to, cloudy Party sunny sun and pleasant with a Sunny
set new resolutions at the beginning of every year. with sun cloudy clouds shower
We also live in a complex world of information-overload, where new information
is being served to us in a twenty-four-by-seven environment, thus affecting our traditional
belief systems. 26° 24° 24° 24° 25° 23° 23°
Yes – relentless information-supply is the single biggest source of demolishing 18° 18° 18° 18° 16° 16° 17°
age-old conventionalities.
Our collective belief systems are facing one of the most sustained interrogation and often
deconstruction, ever in the history of mankind, and long-held beliefs and value systems are
giving way to the new value system backed by new age philosophy. This week in New Zealand’s history
The value of goal setting at the beginning of every year is one such virtue that is under
transformation, and here we stand at crossroads of whether to set up new goals or just to chill Hōne Heke cuts down the British flag - again
and take the life as it is. 19 January 1845
This week the Indian Weekender editorial team has taken this collective responsibility upon
itself to comment upon the merit of goal-setting, or not, at the beginning of every new year.
Like everywhere else in the life we all have differing opinions and take on everything related
T he first Māori to sign the Treaty of Waitangi, Ngāpuhi chief Hōne Heke Pōkai soon
became disenchanted with the consequences of colonisation. He expressed his outrage
by repeatedly attacking the flagstaff on the hill above Kororāreka (Russell). Heke and Kawiti
to the importance of goal setting and resolutions. fought both the Crown and Ngāpuhi led by Tāmati Wāka Nene. The fighting ended in a
In fact, one of the most interesting differing points was on the antiquity of this entire New stalemate in January 1846 
Year resolution setting business.
However, regardless of our editorial differences we all agreed and almost reflected the reality 19 killed in Strongman Mine explosion at Rūnanga
of the outside world where the world stands divided in creating goals. 19 January 1967
Recently, according to a survey in America by Marist College, New York, only 44 per cent of
Americans were planning on creating goals for 2018 – an estimate that can be safely juxtaposed
for the rest of the world.
N ineteen men were killed when an explosion ripped through the state-run Strongman coal
mine at Rūnanga, on the West Coast of the South Island, just after 10 a.m. An inquiry
found that safety regulations had not been followed and a shot hole for a charge had been
For every calibrated advice of critical importance of goal-setting and New Year resolutions in incorrectly fired. An inquiry into the disaster concluded that at least two mining regulations had
our lives, there is an equally persuasive suggestion for being liberated from the catch of goal- been broken. The government was ordered to pay compensation to the families of the victims.
setting and encouragement for living a guilt-free and resolution-free 2018.
However, one another and almost very critical convergence, in our editorial team’s collective
thoughts about this goal-setting business is probably best summarised in a quote of Anthony New Zealand and Australia sign the Canberra Pact
Tony Robbins. 21 January 1944
Robbins a new age American life-coach says “it’s not knowing what to do, it’s doing what
you know.”
Undoubtedly, it does not matter on which side of the divide you stand – to set resolution or
I n the wake of Japan’s expansion across the Pacific Ocean during the Second World War, the
New Zealand and Australian governments saw the value of working together more closely
to enhance their joint influence. The Australia–New Zealand Agreement (‘Canberra Pact’)
live a resolution-free 2018 – what matters is what you eventually do and do it consistently. was an undertaking by the two countries to co-operate on international matters, especially in
Yes – we all are a culprit of knowing a lot and doing nothing about it. the Pacific. Even its promise of closer co-operation between Australia and New Zealand was
We “know” that things, like hitting gym regularly, eating healthy food on a regular basis, will largely unfulfilled. But the two countries were closely involved in the creation of the United
result in a healthy body. Nations, and a South Pacific Commission was set up in 1947.
Or we “know” that we have to take the risk and work a hard-yard out to create your elusive
first-business that you have always wanted to own. Indian Weekender : Volume 9 Issue 42
Nevertheless, most of us only “know” and not do much about it. Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited
Likewise, if you are one of those new age philosophy adherent liberals, “knowing” that Content Editor: Sandeep Singh | sandeep@indianweekender.co.nz
setting goals is an outdated business, you still not do much about it. Chief Reporter: Swati Sharma | swati@indianweekender.co.nz
Either way there are huge numbers of people amongst us, who are the culprit of “knowing” a Reporter: Rizwan Mohammad | rizwan@indianweekender.co.nz
lot, and “doing” nothing of any significance, to make a difference in our lives. Chief Reporter—South Island: Gaurav Sharma
In fact, one has not to do something of significance to bring a change in one’s situation, it is a Chief Technical Officer: Rohan Desouza | rohan@indianweekender.co.nz
small thing done consistently that will make the difference. Sr Graphics and Layout Designer: Mahesh Kumar | mahesh@indianweekender.co.nz
Knowing that going to the gym will help your health, or knowing that you want to own a Graphic Designer: Yashmin Chand | design@indianweekender.co.nz
business someday, alone, will not make the difference. Accounts and Admin.: 09-2173623 | accounts@indianweekender.co.nz
It is the consistent-doing, even if small baby steps that will make the difference in your lives. Sales and Distribution: 021 952218 | sales@indianweekender.co.nz
Even if you are a new age liberal and would like to live a resolution-free and guilt-free 2018,
Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher
then only knowing won’t help. is not responsible for advertisers’ claims as appearing in the publication
Just do it. (It’s another matter that you may realise and come to “know” at some stage that
even living goal-free and guilt-free is not that easy as it often appears to you at the beginning Views expressed in the articles are solely of the authors and do not in any way represent
of the new year). the views of the team at the Indian Weekender
So at this point of the time of the new year when we all have anyhow managed to carry Kiwi Media Publishing Limited - 133A, Level 1, Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland.
ourselves back to our work, with, without any resolutions for 2018, let’s un-cutter our mind and Printed at Horton Media, Auckland
stop “knowing” and start “doing” things. Copyright 2017. Kiwi Media Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved.
It’s likely that you will hit the jackpot of satisfaction.
Let’s make 2018 a “doing” year and not just “knowing” year.
Let’s do this!
 The Indian Weekender
This budget will be Modi government’s biggest
challenge in 4 years
AMIT KAPOOR
U
nlike most countries, the
budget is usually an eventful
affair in India and is a
heated topic of national conversation
around the time of its release. The
underlying national interest behind
it is mostly because the budget
holds something for everyone --
ranging from a small farmer to a big
industrialist. However, from this year
onwards, much of its sheen will be
off by a bit.
The tinkering of indirect taxes,
which was an aspect of the budget
that affected everyone in all corners
of the country, is not within the
Centre’s domain anymore. Since
the implementation of the Goods
and Services Tax (GST), all indirect
taxes -- except for customs duty --
have to be decided upon by the GST
Council instead of being annually
altered based on short-term political
interests.
Therefore, the first budget after
the GST reform will be a challenging
one for the government.
The fact that this will be the last
full budget before the 2019 elections
and that the government has already
spent all of its budgeted expenditure
for this financial year will further
complicate matters. The oncoming
elections affects the budget in
multiple ways.
First, if the Gujarat election
results are to be taken as indicative
of the national sentiment, the BJP
government is more popular in urban
India and Israel: Personal chemistry shores up strategic ties
C. UDAY BHASKAR
T
he visit of Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu to India (January
14-19) commemorates the 25th
anniversary of the opening of an
Indian embassy in Tel Aviv in
1992 and will further consolidate
an important and strategically
distinctive bilateral relationship for
both nations. It has had a chequered
past since the post-World War II birth
of both countries but is poised for a
pragmatic future trajectory based on
shared interests.
With a population below nine
million and a GDP of $350 billion,
Israel is relatively small compared
to the Indian behemoth with a
population of 1.25 billion and a GDP
of $2.5 trillion.
Yet Israel occupies a very special
niche in India’s security framework
and has been a supplier of critical
military technology. This was
illustrated during the 1999 Kargil
War when precision-guided ordnance
was obtained from Tel Aviv.
That India is among the world’s
largest importers of military
inventory and that Israel is a major
arms exporter also provides a natural
complementarity to the bilateral
relationship. Over the last two
decades, the quantum of military-
related imports from Israel has
steadily increased. It is estimated that
India, which buys almost $1 billion
Friday, January 19, 2018
areas than it is in the countryside.
The recently released CSO growth
estimates show why.
The farm and allied sector grew
at 2.1 per cent in the current fiscal
as compared to 4.9 per cent in
the preceding year. So, the ailing
agricultural sector will receive much-
needed redressal in the upcoming
budget. In fact, the Finance Minister
has already confirmed this. Reviving
growth in the sector can also be a
viable mechanism for job creation
-- another economic aspect that
the government will be looking to
address with the budget.
Second, with the elections around
the corner, firming up economic
growth will be foremost on the
government’s agenda. Investments
have declined from 34.3 per cent of
the GDP in 2011-12 to 27 per cent
in 2016-17. They still do not seem
to have picked up. First advanced
estimates show that this has further
fallen to 26.4 per cent in 2017-
18. Estimates of the Centre for
Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE)
show that new investment proposals
are likely to amount to around Rs 8
trillion ($126 billion) in 2017-18,
which would be merely 60 per cent
of the new proposals made in 2016-
17. This would also be the lowest
since 2004-05.
The subdued investment activity
has been a result of the twin balance
sheet problem that is now two
budgets old.
Clearly, it has been a difficult
dragon to slay. Hopefully, a
worth annually, accounts for over 40
percent of Israeli defence exports.
The Netanyahu visit reciprocates
that of Prime Minister Narendra
Modi in July 2017, the first by an
Indian Prime Minister to Israel.
The Modi-Netanyahu personal
chemistry was on display during that
visit which was reciprocated as Modi
personally received the Israeli leader
at the airport when he arrived Sunday
afternoon.
The two leaders share many
characteristics, including a visible
political resolve in relation to Islamic
radicalism and terrorism. Netanyahu
resolution should be in sight when the
Rs 1.35 trillion-bank recapitalisation
plan comes into force. The budget
will bring about more clarity on the
specifics of the plan and how it will
affect government finances.
Third, the government will be in
a tight conundrum to balance the
budget between going populist in an
election season and sticking to the
fiscal deficit target.
It is almost certain that the
government will breach the fiscal
deficit target this year after revenue
collection in the new tax regime is
mostly turning out to be lower than
expected, forcing the government to
borrow an additional Rs 500 billion.
This puts the government’s net
borrowing at the highest level since
2013-14. Moreover, it needs to be
pointed out that this figure does not
will also get the Gujarat-special
status, a detour to Ahmedabad, which
Modi accords to certain leaders.
During the July visit, Modi said,
“Israel and India live in complex
geographies. We are aware of
strategic threats to regional peace
and stability. Prime Minister
Netanyahu and I agreed to do much
more together to protect our strategic
interests.” The joint statement also
added: “There can be no justification
of acts of terror on any grounds
whatsoever.”
While the bilateral with Israel
has been described as a “strategic
OPINION/EDITORIAL
include the Rs 800 billion meant for
bank recapitalisation this fiscal.
Therefore, managing finances for
the next fiscal will be a challenge
considering the current scenario.
The fact that the economy is not
growing at full throttle is not helping
either. The government will have to
take a call on curbing its spending to
maintain the deficit and sacrificing
growth partly or splurge and
maintain a higher deficit next year as
well, risking inflation in the process.
The elections make it enticing to
choose the populist route and breach
the fiscal ceiling.
A case can be made that
growth should be prioritised over
maintaining the fiscal target, but
reneging on the commitment
will diminish the government’s
credibility -- which is more harmful
partnership”, India’s relations with
Israel cannot be divorced from the
larger West Asian geopolitical canvas
where Palestine is a major factor.
The Jewish quest for a permanent
homeland goes back a long way.
Mahatma Gandhi had opined in
1931: “I can understand the longing
of a Jew to return to Palestine, and he
can do so if he can without the help of
bayonets, whether his own or those of
Britain... in perfect friendliness with
the Arabs.” This sentiment shapes the
Indian approach to the complex and
tangled Palestine issue.
India has traditionally supported
17
in the long run. Rewiring the FRBM
(Fiscal Responsibility and Budget 17
Management) law to make it
counter-cyclical in nature would be
a better route to adopt.
All factors considered, this budget
presents the biggest challenge to
the Modi government since coming
into power. Low growth numbers,
subdued investment sentiment and a
widening deficit when elections are
around the corner leave a Herculean
task at hand.
The balance between populism
and fiscal restraint will be difficult to
manage. In any case, the document
that will be taking the centrestage on
February 1 will define the course for
a lot of things to come.
(Amit Kapoor is chair, Institute
for Competitiveness, India. The
views expressed are personal.
the Palestine cause on the
international stage and has sought to
maintain a fine balance regarding its
bilateral with Israel in the competing
regional politics of West Asia. It
appeared that the Modi dispensation
government had taken a bold
decision to remove the hyphenation
between Israel and Palestine, but it
would be misleading to infer that the
government has uncritically cast its
weight totally with Israel and the US.
The recent vote at the UN over the
Trump declaration about Jerusalem
saw Delhi voting with the larger
global consensus that censured the
US over its announcement.
Netanyahu, on the eve of his
India visit, said this vote would not
materially affect the bilateral. India
and Israel are keen to expand the
current bandwidth of the trade and
economic relations to move beyond
military sales and include energy,
cybersecurity and innovation in
desert/arid land agriculture, among
other sectors.
The last leg of the Netanyahu
visit will take him to Mumbai. The
enormity of the November 2008
terror attack that targeted Chabad
House will be recalled, though
justice for the innocent victims --
Indian, Israeli and other nationalities,
remains elusive.
(C. Uday Bhaskar is Director,
Society for Policy Studies, New
Delhi
 18 INDIA Friday, January 19, 2018 The Indian Weekender

India-Israel ties get fillip with Modi,

Netanyahu’s
Gujarat visit
T
he greetings from Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu, Dhanyavad
Mere Pyare Dost to Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, and ‘Aliechem
Shalom’ by Modi to his Israeli
counterpart depicted the bonhomie
between the two leaders during their
visit to Gujarat on Wednesday.
While Modi expressed his dream
of achieving the goal of doubling
farmers’ income by 2022 through
Israeli technology, the Israeli Prime
Minister hoped that under the able
leadership of Modi, India would
achieve that.
Both the leaders dedicated a centre
of excellence for date farming at
the Kukma centre in Kutch district
through a digital switch, during
their visit to the horticulture centre
at Vadrad near Prantij. “Since
the Biblical days, Israelis have
been growing dates, wheat, and
conventional produce. We have
created new parameters in agriculture
through scientific methods in a desert
like Israel,” said Netanyahu.
He expressed his delight at
knowing that the farmers could
increase their output through
the Vadrad centre of excellence
formed with Israeli help. “India and
Israel both believe in the policy of
knowledge is the future. India has the
vision and leadership under Modi,”
Israel shows the way on how to transform a nation with the agriculture
sector at the core. As we work towards doubling farmers income by 2022,
the factors such as optimum utilization of land resources, minimum wastage
and understanding the needs of the market assume prime importance."
– Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
said Netanyahu. Both leaders also
unveiled the Memory Tower to mark
25 years of Indo-Israeli cooperation
at the Vadrad centre.
“Israel shows the way on how
to transform a nation with the
understanding the needs of the
market assume prime importance,”
Modi said to the gathered audience
of farmers, agriculture scientists and
expert researchers.
Both the leaders expressed
optimism of developing future
technologies jointly by forging
entrepreneurial alliances amongst
youth, while they inaugurated the
newly-built campus of International
Centre for Entrepreneurship
Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
and Technology (iCreate) near Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu on their arrival in Ahmedabad on
Ahmedabad. The centre was Jan 17, 2018
formally dedicated to the nation by
both the dignitaries.
An autonomous centre for
start-ups, ‘iCreate’ was formally
launched in 2011 when Modi
was Gujarat Chief Minister. “I
am delighted to be here. The world
knows about iPads and iPods, there
is one more i that the world needs to
know about, that is iCreate. Israel Benjamin
Netanyahu and
wants to build partnership with you,” Narendra Modi.
Netanyahu said before concluding Gal-
his speech by chanting, “Jai Hind, Mobile
Jai Bharat, Jai Israel.” can purify
Narendra Modi said, “We are around 20,000 liters of sea or
working towards making the entire salty water daily. The vehicle was
system innovation-friendly, as intent dedicated by both the leaders through
leads to ideas, ideas to innovation a video link. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during
their visit to the Center of Excellence on Vegetables in Vadrad, Gujarat
and innovations would help form a The leaders began their one day
New India. When I had visited Israel visit to the state with host Prime
for the first time, I had decided that Minister Modi and his Israeli
we should have relationship with this counterpart embarking on an eight-
km-long roadshow on their arrival
in Ahmedabad, amidst heavy
security blanket and thousands
lined up to greet both. The leaders
witnessed glimpses of India’s rich
cultural heritage showcased at 50
stages erected alongside the route to
nation.” Sabarmati Ashram.
The Israeli Prime Minister gifted Playing a perfect host at the
the Gal-Mobile, a water desalination Ashram, Modi showed his guest the
and purification vehicle, to India and possessions of Mahatma Gandhi.
both the Prime Ministers witnessed Netanyahu even tried his hand at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) tries his hand at the spinning wheel
the demonstration of a vehicle that Bapu’s ‘Charkha’ and after spending as PM Narendra Modi and Sara Netanyahu look on during a visit to the Sabarmati

agriculture sector at the core. As
we work towards doubling farmers
income by 2022, the factors such
as optimum utilization of land
resources, minimum wastage and
was stationed at Suigam, a village
several kilometres away in the border
district of Banaskantha, where BSF
and villagers would benefit from clean
drinking water using Gal-Mobile. The
about 20 minutes at the Ashram, the
Israeli Premier penned his thoughts,
“An inspiring visit to the hearth of
one of humanity’s great prophets of
inspiration - Mahatma Gandhi.”
Ashram in Ahmedabad. The Israeli Prime Minister and his wife landed in Ahmedabad
to a packed schedule, hosted by PM Modi himself.
The leaders also experienced the celebrated a couple of days ago
thrill of the popular kite festival by flying kites on the banks of the
in Gujarat - Uttarayan - that was Sabarmati river.

PMs Narendra Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu bond over kite-flying

P
rime Minister Narendra Modi
and his Israeli counterpart
Benjamin Netanyahu held
a roadshow on Wednesday in
Ahmedabad in Gujarat under a
heavy security blanket as thousands
of people lined up along the route to
greet them.
After arriving in Modi’s home
state, the two leaders, along with the
Israeli prime minister’s wife Sara
Netanyahu, set out in a car from the
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport.
Around 50 stages were erected
on the roadside along the stretch to
showcase performances by troupes
of different states to welcome the
guests. People carrying Indian and
Israeli flags stood in large numbers
on both sides of the tastefully
decorated road.
Modi and Netanyahu waved at the
PM Narendra Modi flies a kite with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and wife
Sara Netanyahu during their visit to Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad
people, who greeted them with loud
cheers. The roadshow concluded
at Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati
Ashram, after traversing 8km.
At Hriday Kunj, Gandhi’s home
in the ashram, Modi showed them
visit comes just a few days after
Uttarayana, the popular festival of
kites in Gujarat.
Netanyahu and his wife then took
a try at flying kites in the ashram.
The Israeli PM is the third
international leader
Netanyahu
told the whom Modi is hosting
reporters his “solid in his home state of
assessment” was that Gujarat.
the American Embassy Later, talking to
“will be moved far faster Israeli reporters
than what we think ... travelling with him
in the course of the in India, Netanyahu
year said he was certain
that the US Embassy
Gandhi’s room and the articles he will be moved to Jerusalem in
used. Netanyahu and his wife tried the coming year, much sooner than
their hands at Gandhi’s cherished Trump administration officials have
spinning wheel. estimated, Associated Press reports.
Modi also showed kites to the Netanyahu told the reporters his
Israeli prime minister, whose “solid assessment” was that the
American Embassy “will be moved
far faster than what we think ... in the
course of the year.”
US President Donald Trump
upended decades of American
foreign policy, infuriating many
when he announced late last year
that the United States recognises
Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and
would move its embassy there.
Modi and Japanese premier Shinzo
Abe had held a joint roadshow in an
open jeep during the latter’s visit here
in September last year. The Indian
premier had shown Abe and his wife
around at the Sabarmati Ashram,
where Mahatma Gandhi had stayed
for a long time.
They had also spent some time at
the Sabarmati riverfront, developed
during Modi’s tenure as Gujarat chief
minister.
 The Indian Weekender
Rajinikanth ‘ready’ to fight polls, alliance
with Kamal Haasan unlikely for now
T
amil superstar Rajinikanth
on Wednesday proclaimed
that he was ready to fight
the elections, whenever they
may be held.
He, however, refused to answer
a query from mediapersons on the
possibility of allying with Kamal
Haasan – yet another Tamil actor
who is gearing up to enter politics –
in the near future. Both Rajinikanth
and Haasan have promised to fight
corruption and provide Tamil
"The
Nadu with a transparent
entry of
and responsive movie stars may
government. add an element of
“I always thought suspense to the polls,
Kamal will start but the main battle
a political party will still be between
the DMK and
before me,” the
AIADMK."
superstar said, wishing
his contemporary in the
movie industry the best of luck.
Speculations of an alliance arose
after both the actors came together
to participate in a function held at
Kuala Lumpur recently.
However, Rajinikanth has
indicated that he will go it alone in
the electoral contests to come. “Even
if they conduct it (elections) in the
next six months, we will be ready,”
said Rajinikanth, who announced his
entry into politics on December 31
but is yet to form a party. His core
team is currently touring the state for
the purpose.
In a statement issued late on
D
efence Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman on Wednesday
became the second woman
politician to fly in a Su-30 fighter jet.
Here is a list of political leaders
who earlier flew in the Sukhoi 30
fighter jets of the Indian Air Force.
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam – When then
President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam flew in
a Su-30 in June 2003, he became the
first head of state in India to fly in a
fighter aircraft.
Kalam, who was an eminent
scientist, had flown the plane along
with his co-pilot, and later said he
became a scientist only because he
could not become a pilot.
He was 74 years old at the time.
George Fernandes – In June
Friday, January 19, 2018
Actors Rajinikanth (L) and Kamal Haasan at the launch of the movie
Kizhakku Africavil Raju in Chennai
Tuesday night, Haasan
said he intends to
embark on a ‘Discovery
of Tamil Nadu’ journey
from Ramanathapuram – his
birthplace – on February 21. He is
also likely to announce the name of
his party and spell out his stand on
various political issues on that day.
The two individuals,
contemporaries in the movie
industry, have chosen to follow
differing political ideologies.
While Rajinikanth openly flaunts
his association with spiritual
and religious gurus, Haasan has
underlined his secular credentials
and gone on record to say that
he will have nothing to do with
“pro-Hindu” BJP.
These developments are being
Indian politicians
who flew in Su-30
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
in front of Sukhoi 30MKI at Jodhpur
Air Force Station in Rajasthan.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
in front of Sukhoi 30MKI at Jodhpur Air
Force Station in Rajasthan on
2003, then Defence Minister George
Fernandes put on the flying suit
and took off in a Su-30 fighter jet
from Lohegaon Air Force Station
near Pune.
keenly watched by experts as well as
other political parties.
“The entry of movie stars may
add an element of suspense to the
polls, but the main battle will still be
between the DMK and AIADMK,”
said political analyst Prof Ramu
Manivannan.
On November 7, which also
happened to be his birthday, Haasan
had said that he intends to achieve
probity in public life and head
an honest administration that’s
committed to the welfare of the
masses.
He will meet people across
Ramanathapuram, Madurai, Dindigal
and Sivagangai districts during the
upcoming leg of the ‘Discovery of
Tamil Nadu’ journey. Plans for other
regions will be chalked out later.
He was 73 years old at the time.
Pratibha Devisingh Patil – Then
President Pratibha Patil flew in a
Su-30 in November 2009 from the
Indian Air Force Base in Lohegaon.
Rao Inderjit Singh – Then
Minister of State for Defence, Rao
Inderjit Singh flew in a Su-30 from
Hindon air base, near Delhi, in
August 2015.
Rajiv Pratap Rudy – The BJP
leader, who is a trained pilot, flew a
Su-30 in February 2015 at the Aero
India show in Bengaluru.
Kiren Rijiju – The Minister of
State for Home flew in a Su-30 from
Halwara airbase in Punjab in May
2016
INDIA 19
NEWS in BRIEF
Modi to launch work
commencement of Rajasthan
refinery
P
rime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the commencement of
work of an oil refinery in Rajasthan›s Barmer district on Tuesday.
The launch will be at 12.30 p.m, after which he will address a
public rally. Modi had earlier said in a tweet: “Looking forward to visiting
Rajasthan. Will attend a programme to mark the commencement of work
for the Rajasthan Refinery at Pachpadra, in Barmer and will also address a
public meeting.” 
“The Rajasthan refinery will be the first in the state, which is blessed
with immense oil and gas reserves. This refinery will benefit Rajasthan,
especially the industrious youth of the state,” Modi said. 
Modi will land at Uttarlai Airforce Station at 11.40 a.m. from where he
will board a helicopter at 11.45 am to reach Pachpadra. 
Elaborate arrangements have been made in and around Barmer. 
Once ready in four years, the refinery will income of Rs 34,000 crore for
the state. It is Rajasthan’s only refinery and involves an investment of over
Rs 43,000 crore.
India, Russia hold talks on
cooperation in strategic areas
F
oreign secretary S Jaishankar on Wednesday held talks with Russian
deputy foreign minister Igor Morgulov on cooperation between the
two countries in strategic areas.
“The two sides discussed bilateral and multilateral issues of mutual
interest,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
Both sides are also understood to have discussed their common positions
on regional and global issues and cooperation against terrorism.
Morgulov also participated in the ongoing multi-lateral Raisina Dialogue
on Wednesday.
Rajnath to meet Aditynath over
development in eight backward UP
districts
U
nion Home
Minister Rajanth
Singh will soon
held a meeting with Uttar
Pradesh Chief Minister Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath calls
Yogi Adityanath for the on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh
expeditious development in
the state›s eight most backward districts, an official said on Wednesday.
The Minister also said to visit all the districts in the Uttar Pradesh to
review the implementation of the district action plan.
Rajnath Singh’s assurance came during at a high-level meeting of officers
of the Home Ministry, NITI Aayog and delegated senior officers of the
respective districts at his North block office. 
“The Union Home Minister has assured he will convene a meeting with
the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister to accelerate development in eight most
backward districts of the state. He will also visit all the districts in Uttar
Pradesh to review the implementation of the district action plan,” the
Home Ministry official said. Bahraich, Balrampur, Chandauli, Chitrakoot,
Fatehpur, Shravasti, Siddharth Nagar and Sonbhadra are the eight districts
in Uttar Pradesh among those 115 backward districts across the country
picked up by the NITI Aayog for rapid transformation by 2022. 
Parents to get real-time access to
CCTV footage of classrooms
P
arents whose children study in Delhi
government schools will have real-time access
to CCTV footage of classrooms to ensure
transparency and safety of children, Chief Minister
Arvind Kejriwal said.
"Each parent will be given access to footage of his
child studying in class on real-time basis on his phone.
This will make the whole system transparent and
accountable. It will ensure safety of kids," Kejriwal
tweeted. In a meeting attended by Education Minister Manish Sisodia,
Public Works Department Minister Satyender Jain, Chief Secretary Anshu
Prakash and officials of the Education Department, Kejriwal reviewed the
progress of installation of CCTVs in classrooms in all government schools.
In September last year, Sisodia had on ordered all schools -- private and
government -- to install CCTVs to cover their whole campuses.
The directive came amid increased concerns over the safety in schools
after the killing of a seven-year-old student in Gurugram's Ryan International
School. Following the incident, the Central Board of Secondary Education
had issued a circular to lay down steps to ensure safety of children in schools,
including installation of closed-circuit televisions on school campuses and
police verification and psychometric evaluation of all staff members.
Republican legislators unveil
20 INDIA ABROAD
new US immigration Bill
I migrants
t proposes to offer "Dreamers"
the possibility of legally
residing in the country although
it does not provide for granting
them citizenship, Efe news agency
reported.
The supporters of the bill, who
include Bob Goodlatte and Puerto
Rico's Raul Labrador, unveiled it at a
press conference on Wednesday.
The bill complies with the "Four
Pillars" that emerged out of the
meeting between Trump and a
group of lawmakers at a meeting on
Monday at the White House.
The bill tackles the issue of the
future of the 690,000 youths, known
as "Dreamers", who came to the
National Indian
Diaspora Council
formed in
Netherlands
A
‘National Indian Diaspora
Council (NIDC) to bring
together representatives of
various Indian organisations in the
Netherlands was formed as part of
the Indian Diaspora Day (Pravasi
Bhartiya Divas) celebrations held on
Sunday January 14.
The Indian Diaspora Day was
organised by the Foundation
for Indian Diaspora in Europe,
Foundation for Critical Choices
for India and the Embassy of India.
Over 250 members of the diaspora
participated in the event.
The goal of the newly formed NIDC
is to bring together representatives
of various organisations and create
a united front that will work for the
welfare and visibility of the Indian
diaspora in the Netherlands.
The Indian Diaspora Day was
inaugurated by Indian Ambassador
Venu Rajamony. He enumerated in
his speech the various steps taken
by the Government of India for the
welfare of the Indian diaspora and
urged members of the community to
launch initiatives that can support the
Government's flagship programmes
as well as strengthen ties between
the diaspora and India. Rajamony
called upon members of the diaspora
to contribute to the development
of India and to the growth and
prosperity of the Netherlands.
New forums for integrating Kerala diaspora into state's economy: Vijayan
N
ew forums like a chamber of
commerce in all regions the
Kerala diaspora is settled, a
body for all professionals, setting up
of a development fund are some of
the fresh initiatives that the Kerala
government will soon set up, Chief
Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced
at the concluding session of the first
'Kerala Loka Sabha'.
The two-day event, which began
on Friday, saw participation of 351
members, including legislators,
MPs from the state and some 130
selected representatives of Kerala-
based organisations from within and
US when they were children and have a permit that allows them to
were permitted to stay under former reside in the US, without being
President Barack Obama's Deferred deported, for three years, with
Action for Childhood Arrivals the possibility of renewing this
(DACA) programme, which was permission indefinitely.
established in 2012 and suspended It does not open the door to
by the Trump administration in the possibility of obtaining US
September 2017. citizenship, one of the key points for
When it was suspended, Trump the opposition Democrats.
called upon Congress to It The initiative also
clarify the situation of also aims to proposes to allot
the Dreamers before end the phenomenon $30 billion for the
March 2018. of so-called "chain construction of a
migration", which sees US
The initiative controversial wall on
citizens and Green Card
of the Republican the US border with
holders facilitate the entry
lawmakers proposes of their family members Mexico and do away
that the beneficiaries to the country. with the visa lottery
of DACA be able to programme, which
Link prosperity of your countries to
India’s development: Kovind to PIOs
P
resident Ram Nath Kovind
on Wednesday urged the
Indian diaspora to link the
prosperity of their countries with
India’s development at a time when
“we are at the cusp of New India”.
Addressing the International
Conference of Persons of Indian
Origin (PIO) Parliamentarians here,
Kovind said the next few decades
were likely to see India’s economy
– one of the fastest growing in
"the
the world – gallop ahead.  celebration
“We are also at the of a very
President Ram Nath Kovind
cusp of New India - an contemporary, very
India that will achieve accomplished and how these can intersect.”
certain milestones for very high-achieving Kovind lauded the
our people by 2022, community - the achievements of the
Indian diaspora.”
when we celebrate Indian diaspora that he said
the 75th year of our “has climbed to appreciable
Independence,” he said. heights in almost all the countries
The President emphasized that where it has found a home”.
the government at this juncture had “Members of the Indian diaspora
offered huge investment, trade and work hard on farms in countries as far
developmental opportunities that apart as Italy, Bolivia and Tanzania.
would benefit not just 1.3 billion They are instrumental to the tech
people of India but will be a voice of start-up ecosystem of Silicon Valley.
hope and prosperity and of peace and They form the backbone of the
stability for the world.  economy of Dubai and other major
“The entirety of human business cities in the Gulf region.
civilisation, if I could put it so - “The global financial centres of
has a stake in the development of New York, London and Singapore
India. As PIO Parliamentarians, as would simply not be the same
those in public life in your systems without the Indian diaspora. And
who have the best understanding of as I discovered during my first
India, it is important for you to link state visit after being elected as the
your individual country’s priorities President of India, Pravasi Bharatiya
to India’s development. And to see teachers have helped educate several
initiatives have been formulated at
the various sector wise discussions
that took place and said this event
will be held every other year.
"A new body comprising the
business chambers in the various
regions that our diaspora is there
would be set up and it is meant so
they could interact with the various
chambers in our state for their
development.
"A new body of professionals
would also be set up so as they
can also interact with the various
outside the country. organisations here to share their
Vijayan pointed out that all these knowledge. Another idea that will
Friday, January 19, 2018
benefits citizens of countries who
have a low number of immigrants
to the US. It also aims to end the
phenomenon of so-called "chain
migration", which sees US citizens
and Green Card holders facilitate
the entry of their family members to
the country.
According to a summary of the
proposals given to the press, the level
of immigration would be reduced by
25 per cent in total.
In a statement, White House
spokesperson Sarah Sanders thanked
the lawmakers on behalf of Trump
and said the legislative proposal seeks
to comply with the main priorities of
the President for US citizens.
generations in Ethiopia.” Kovind
also invited the participants for a visit
to Rashtrapati Bhavan that he said
“belongs to all Indians, to all those in
the Indian diaspora and to all PIOs”.
The President earlier inaugurated
of the PIO conference organised by
Antar Rashtriya Sahayog Parishad
in association with the PIO Chamber
of Commerce and Industry and the
Ministry of External Affairs.
India celebrates January 9 as the
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas or the Indian
diaspora day to mark the return
of Mahatma Gandhi to India from
South Africa on January 9, 1915.
He said Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
was not merely the remembrance
of a historical anniversary but “the
celebration of a very contemporary,
very accomplished and very
high-achieving community - the
Indian diaspora”.
now turn into a reality is the setting
up of a development fund where
the diaspora can contribute and
once such people who return will
be accommodated in such ventures
that are set up here, based on their
qualifications and experience," he
said. In his speech on Friday, Vijayan
said the main objective of this
event is to ensure that through fresh
initiatives, the diaspora could well
be an engine for the state's future
growth. The event was held in the
building of the Kerala Legislative
Assembly here and Kerala Speaker
P. Sreeramakrishnan and a panel
The Indian Weekender
India to
sign pact
with UK
on illegal
I
ndia will sign an MoU with the
United Kingdom to enable the
return of illegal Indian migrants
within a month of their detection
by authorities, an official said on
Wednesday.
Union Minister of State for Home
Kiren Rijiju’s visit to London along
with a delegation on Wednesday is
a step towards the move that could
affect hundreds of Indians. The UK
has consistently raised the issue of
return of illegal migrants with India.
The Memorandum of
Understanding comes ahead of Prime
Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed
visit to the UK in March.
A Home Ministry official said:
“The process was not streamlined
yet. The British authorities will first
identify the illegal migrants, inform
the Indian authorities, followed by
police verification back home.
“If the claims of the British
authorities are found to be correct,
then the travel documents of the
person concerned will be readied
and he/she deported by the UK
authorities. This process will have
a timeline of one month,” said the
official.
While the UK claims that the
number of illegal migrants is in
thousands, Indian agencies have
found only 2,000 Indians were
overstaying.
The official said the Indian
delegation led by Rijiju is expected
to ask Westminster to “spell out”
its position in court on businessman
Vijay Mallya’s extradition.
He said the UK had assured all
possible help in the extradition
requests by India.
The MoU on sharing of criminal
records is in line with a similar
agreement signed with the US, the
official said.
Rijiju is also expected to convey
New Delhi’s concerns on the
continuing anti-India propaganda
carried out by Sikh and Kashmiri
extremist groups based in the UK
that bear “serious repercussions on
India’s sovereignty”.
He will also discuss with
his counterpart the issues of
sharing information about crimes
and criminals.
of seven members coordinated the
event.
The BJP's state unit on Saturday
too termed the event "nothing but
squandering of money".
Senior BJP leader A.N.
Radhakrishnan said that it's strange
that an event was held without even
showcasing a single project.
"The state government can do a lot
of things for the diaspora and for that
all, what they need is to cooperate
with the centre. Crores of money that
is provided by the centre is being
blown up and this is one such event,"
he said.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, January 19, 2018 WORLD 21

World’s biggest flooded cave China to

build deep-
found in Mexico, say explorers space lab in
Luxembourg
T
he 347-km cave, near the
beach resort of Tulum,was

A
identified after months of leading Chinese science-
exploring a maze of underwater technology institution
channels announced Tuesday that it
A group of divers has connected was going to establish a deep-space
two underwater caverns in eastern lab in Luxembourg.
Mexico to reveal what is believed The lab will focus on the
to be the biggest flooded cave on the coordinated design and analysis of
planet, a discovery that could help deep-space probes, as well as the
shed new light on the ancient Maya development of key technologies
civilization. in exploring and utilizing space
The Gran Acuifero Maya (GAM), resources in the solar system,
a project dedicated to the study and according to a press release from
preservation of the subterranean the National Space Science Center
(NSSC) with the Chinese Academy
waters of the Yucatan peninsula,
of Sciences, reported Xinhua.
said the 347-km (216-mile) cave was
A memorandum of the cooperation
identified after months of exploring a
was signed by the NSSC and
maze of underwater channels.
the Luxembourg Ministry of the
Near the beach resort of Tulum,
Economy Tuesday.
the group found that the cave system
The memorandum also made
known as Sac Actun, once measured
A scuba diver measures the length of arrangements on the operation of the
at 263 km, communicated with the Sac Aktun underwater cave system as lab and intellectual property rights.
83-km Dos Ojos system, the GAM part of the Gran Acuifero Maya Project Luxembourg launched a
said in a statement. For that reason, near Tulum, in Quintana Roo state, government initiative in 2016 to
Mexico.
Sac Actun now absorbs Dos Ojos. support the utilization of space
GAM director and pilgrimage sites and ultimately resources. 
"It
Japan
underwater archaeologist the great pre-Hispanic
Guillermo de Anda allows us to settlements that we
said the “amazing”
find would help
appreciate much
more clearly how the
know emerged,” he
told Reuters.
successfully
to understand the rituals, the pilgrimage The Yucatan
of sites and ultimately the great peninsula is studded
launches
new Earth
development
the rich culture of pre-Hispanic settlements with monumental
the region, which
was dominated by the
that we know
emerged."
relics of the Maya
people, whose cities
observation
Maya civilization before drew upon an extensive satellite
J
A scuba diver looks at an animal skull at Sac Aktun underwater cave system.
the Spanish conquest. network of sinkholes linked apan›s Aerospace Exploration
“It allows us to appreciate much to subterranean waters known Some cenotes acquired particular whose descendents continue to Agency (JAXA) on Thursday
more clearly how the rituals, the as cenotes. religious significance to the Maya, inhabit the region. successfully launched a

Australia announces fund for ideas to save Great Barrier Reef

new Earth observation satellite,
equipped with X-band radar which is

A
capable of obtaining high-resolution
ustralia announced
terrain images.
on Tuesday a fund of The Advanced Satellite with New
Australian $2 million ($1.59 System Architecture for Observation
million) for innovative ideas to save (ASNARO-2) was launched aboard
the Great Barrier Reef, a Unesco a third-generation Epsilon rocket
World Heritage site located of its from the Uchinoura Space Center,
northeast coast. in the southwestern prefecture of
The fund is aimed at developing Kagoshima, Japan, Efe reported. 
"innovative solutions which will “The launch and flight of Epsilon-3
protect corals and encourage took place normally,” JAXA said in
the recovery of damaged reefs", the statement, and further confirmed
said Australian Environment and that after approximately 52 minutes
Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg into the flight, the 570 kg ASNARO-2
in a statement, Efe news agency satellite successfully separated from
reported. the rocket.
"The Reef is the planet's ASNARO-2, developed by
greatest living wonder. "The Japanese tech firm NEC, will perform
scale of the
"The scale of the problem Earth-observation tasks for five years
problem is big and
is big and big thinking is big thinking is needed, from its orbit at an altitude of about
needed, but it's important but it's important 500 km and can deliver all weather
to remember that solutions to remember that radar imagery at a 1 meter resolution
can come from anywhere," solutions can come urged innovative The Great Barrier Reef comprises 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 types on the ground.
he added. from anywhere." solutions, keeping 3,000 reefs and over 1,000 islands, of mollusks and had suffered two This was the first launch of a JAXA
Queensland's Minister in mind tourism, and is spread over an area of 2,000 consecutive bleaching episodes in Epsilon rocket ordered by a private
for Environment and the Great fishing and other sectors km. 2016 and 2017, which caused much company, a successful concept which
Barrier Reef, Leeanne Enoch, in the Great Barrier Reef. It is home to 400 types of coral, damage to the corals. the Japanese Aerospace agency
hopes will boost this type of order.

Humans share fish genes that aid in repairing spinal cord The Japanese aerospace agency
designed the Epsilon to be smaller

S
cientists have found that many
of the genes that aid in the
natural repair of injured spinal
cord in the lamprey fish are also
active in the repair of the peripheral
nervous system in mammals, a
finding that may eventually be
harnessed to reverse spinal cord
damage, even paralysis in humans.
Lampreys are jawless, eel-like fish
that shared a common ancestor with
humans about 550 million years ago.
The fish specie can fully recover
from a severed spinal cord without
medication or other treatment.
They can go from paralysis to full
swimming behaviours in 10 to 12
weeks. "We found a large overlap
with the hub of transcription factors
that are driving regeneration in the
mammalian peripheral nervous
system," said Jennifer Morgan,
Director at the Marine Biological
Laboratory in Massachusetts.
In the study, published in the
journal Scientific Reports, the
scientists followed the lampreys'
healing process and took samples
from the brains and spinal cords at
multiple points in time, from the first
hours after injury until three months
later when they were healed.
They analysed the material to
determine which genes and signalling
pathways were activated as compared
to a non-injured lamprey.
than conventional rockets to reduce
the cost of launching small-sized
satellites.
The cost of this launch is estimated
to be around $36 million, roughly
half the cost of conventional rockets.
The first Epsilon rocket was
launched in September 2013 to put
the first remote planetary observing
space telescope into orbit.
 SPORTS

Virat Kohli
22 Friday, January 19, 2018 The Indian Weekender

devastated after 1st cricket

series loss as skipper, says
‘India not good enough’
V
irat Kohli praised the bowlers for doing their job but has to be desired in the Centurion
lamented the failure of the batsmen after India lost the Test. Murali Vijay dropped
Centurion Test by 135 runs to suffer a series defeat to South Dean Elgar off Jasprit Bumrah
Africa. on 14 while Parthiv Patel dropped
Virat Kohli has said the batsmen have let the Indian cricket team Hashim Amla on 30. While Elgar’s
down again after the bowlers bowled out South Africa twice in the catch did not prove costly, Amla
Centurion Test. India suffered a 135-run loss and this ended Virat went on to make 82.
Kohli’s nine-series winning streak as captain while extending India’s On the other hand, South Africa
overseas woes. hung on to their chances on the
Speaking at the post-match presentation after the SuperSport Park final day. Morne Morkel took a
Test, a distraught Kohli pulled no punches while highlighting the key brilliant diving catch to his left
factor behind India’s loss. at deep backward square leg to
“The bowlers have done the job but the batsmen have let the team dismiss Parthiv Patel for 19 while
down again. We failed to get a good partnership and take The AB de Villiers took a good catch at
(the) lead. We have let ourselves down from the first bowlers have long leg to send back Rohit Sharma
game into the second,” Kohli said. done the job but for 47.
In the Cape Town Test as well as in Centurion, the batsmen have let the With this loss, India’s overseas woes have
India’s top-order failed to come to the party. team down again. We failed continued as their quest to win a series in South
to get a good partnership
While the Newlands pitch was seamer-friendly, the Africa for the first time gets prolonged.
and take (the) lead. We
Centurion track was more like a subcontinent surface. have let ourselves down
The final Test starts at the Wanderers, Johannesburg
None of India’s top five managed a fifty at Newlands, from game into the on January 24.
with Hardik Pandya’s 93 the second."
best at No 7.
In Centurion, Virat Kohli
scored a sublime 153 but the
next best was 47 by Rohit
Sharma in the second innings
as India hurtled towards
defeat. Opener Murali Vijay’s
46 in the first innings was the
next best.
South Africa’s
fielding top
notch
Kohli highlighted one key
factor in which South Africa
dominated over India in the
Centurion Test. “As a team,
you want to win collectively.
We tried but we weren’t good
enough. South Africa were
better than us, especially
in the fielding department,
and that’s why they are the
winners.”
India’s catching left much

Ben Stokes available for

England selection, may
play in T20 series in NZ
B
en Stokes, charged for public
brawl, has been cleared
to make an international
return with England and is expected
to feature against New Zealand
next month.
The England and Wales Cricket
Board (ECB) has confirmed Ben
Stokes will now be considered for
England selection once again.
Stokes  has not represented his
country since he was arrested
following a late-night incident in
Bristol in September, the all-rounder
missing the Ashes defeat to Australia
as a result.
However, after he was charged
with affray on Monday, the ECB
board has now decided  Ben
Stokes can return to the
international arena.
An ECB statement read: “Given
the CPS [Crown Prosecution]
decision to charge him and two
others with affray, confirmation of
his intention to contest the charge and
the potential length of time to trial,
the board agreed that it would not be
fair, reasonable or proportionate for
Ben Stokes to remain unavailable for
a further indeterminate period.”
“To date, Stokes has been
unavailable for selection throughout
the Police and CPS process around
the incident in Bristol in September,
a period which has included One- Ben Stokes, charged for a public brawl outside a Bristol nightclub on September 25 last year, will be available for England
Day Internationals against West selection
Indies, the Ashes tour and the start of
the ODI series against Australia. “England Selectors, management T20 matches. internal disciplinary process for both
“ECB fully respects the legal and players have been informed and “ECB confirmed in December that Alex Hales and Ben Stokes until
process and the player’s intention to Ben Stokes is expected to join the the independent Cricket Discipline the conclusion of court proceedings
defend himself against the charge. squad in New Zealand for February’s Commission [CDC] would stay the relating to the incident.”

Benefits of sesame
The Indian Weekender Friday, January 19, 2018
seeds for skin, health
T
he tiny brown, black or white seeds of
the sesame plant add crunch and flavor
to crackers, breads, cereals and even
candy. But sesame seeds don't just taste good;
they're good for you.. Toasting sesame seeds
enhances their flavor.
Grinding the seeds helps your body absorb
more of their nutrients. Because of their high
oil content, sesame seeds can turn rancid. Store
them in a cool, dark place or the refrigerator to
maintain their quality and flavor
Sesame seeds have health benefits -- while
the antioxidant properties present in the seeds
help in anti-ageing, the rich omega fatty acids
content triggers hair growth, say experts.
Nmami Agarwal, Nutritionist and
Amit Sarda, Managing Director at
Soulflower, have shared a few
inputs:
• It promotes glowing skin
and helps in healing
skin. Sesame seeds help
the skin remain warm
and moist. They are
rich in anti-inflammatory
properties that are vital in
healing redness and other facial
skin issues by getting rid of pathogens and
other agents causing skin infections.
Mix one tablespoon olive oil and two
tablespoons of powdered sesame seeds. Apply
this mixture on your face after dampening it.
Follow the same exercise once or twice a week.
• Benefits of sesame are not only for skin,
but also for hair. It is said to trigger hair
growth by nourishing the roots with its rich
omega fatty acids content. It also helps in
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.
FEATURES
23
moisturising the scalp and improves blood
circulation to rejuvenate hair follicles.
Add two teaspoons of sesame oil to 2-3 drops
of rosemary essential oil and one tablespoon of
aloe vera gel. Apply this mixture on your scalp
and massage gently with circular motions for
twice or thrice a week and rinse your hair with
a chemical-free shampoo and conditioner.
• They contain the highest amount of oil
contents as compared to any other seed
which is healthy to consume. It helps in
removing the dental plaque and boosts our
oral health. 
• Sesame seeds enhance our digestive health
by relieving constipation.
• It is also beneficial for people who are
under radiation treatments for cancer.
• The components of sesame
seeds, like magnesium, helps in
Sesame Seeds and Omega-3 seed candies. Ground sesame seeds form a
maintaining the level of insulin
Omega-3 paste called tahini, used in oriental cooking.
and glucose and reduces the
Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated Other Sesame Benefits
chances of diabetes. The rich
fatty acids, also known as PUFAs, that your Sesame seeds contain the compounds
magnesium content is also ideal
body needs but cannot make itself. Omega-3 sesamin and sesamolin, which may help lower
to reduce hypertension.
fatty acids help reduce bad cholesterol, lower blood pressure and protect the liver. The fiber in
• Sesame seeds also contain
blood pressure and improve cognitive function. sesame can help prevent constipation. Sesame
anti-aging properties which nourish
Fish contain the highest amounts of omega-3, seeds are a good source of vitamin E. They also
the hair and avoid the hair greying.
but seeds and nuts, including sesame seeds, contain vitamin B1, iron, magnesium and other
• It also reduces the inflammation in joints,
are also good sources of this nutrient. The U.S. minerals.
bones and muscles. But remember not to
Department of Agriculture recommends you Sources of Omega-3
consume the excessive amount of sesame
consume between 7 and 11 g of omega-3 fatty It would be difficult to consume enough
seeds because too much of anything is not
acids each week. sesame seeds to meet the dietary requirements
good for our health.
Sesame and Omega-3 of omega-3, but they can make up one part of
• With the presence of natural antioxidants
An ounce of sesame seeds contains 0.1 g your diet. Fish, walnuts, flaxseeds and vegetable
and natural SPF, sesame keeps the skin
omega-3. One ounce of sesame seeds is equal oils are other good sources of omega-3.
protected from the sun’s UV rays as well
to about 3 tbsp. You could sprinkle the seeds Four ounces of canned salmon provide 2.2 g
as protects it from free radicals. Sesame
into cereal or casseroles, add them to smoothies omega-3. An ounce of walnuts adds another 2.6
has been traditionally used in several
therapies worldwide for these properties. or soup or crunch them in traditional sesame g and a tablespoon of canola oil provides 1.3 g.
Health insurance
designed for you
nib8048_0717
 24 TIME OUT Friday, January 19, 2018 The Indian Weekender

CROSSWORD NO: 1 ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK'S QUESTIONS QUIZ ANSWERS NO: 1

1. Gold colored
2. Barcelona
3. Botticelli
4. Bram Stoker
5. Brussels
6. Daguerre
7. Genesis
8. Leonardo Da Vinci
9. Liverpool
10. Gustave Eiffel
11. Florence
12. Menorah
13. A System of Jewish Mystical
Beliefs
14. Michelangelo
15. Greece
16. Paris
17. Picasso
18. Verona

SUDOKU NO: 1

ANSWER KEY
Spelling Practice Word Verb Quiz
Scramble Answers
am hat had and as Answers 1. Think
can man cat have has 1. Hot 2. Run
2. Fast 3. Eat
3. New 4. Sing
1. Write four words that start with H. 4. Cheap 5. Jump
hat, had, have, has 5. Late 6. Laugh
6. Old 7. Climb
7. Smll 8. Listen
HITORI NO: 1 2. Write two words that rhyme with RAN.
8. High 9. Look
Hitori – a logic puzzle with very simple them in Black. man, can 9. Slow 10. Walk
rules and challenging solutions. Can
you eliminate numbers until there are
You are not allowed to have two 10. Dark
Black squares touching horizontally
no duplicates in any row or column? or vertically (diagonally is ok). 3. Write three words that start with A.
11. Low
Objective / Rules Any White square can be reached 12. Serious
Eliminate numbers until there are from any other (i.e. they are am, and, as
13. Safe
no duplicates in any row or column. connected).
Eliminate numbers by marking 14. Pretty
4. Write the word. 15. Cold
cat 16. Expensive
17. Different
18. Early

Super Teacher Worksheets - http://www.superteacherworksheets.com

Send us stories, drawings, poems and other

contributions by your little ones along with their
photographs for this page. E-mail us at reporter@
indianweekender.co.nz
 The Indian Weekender Friday, January 19, 2018
India’s pocket-friendly
holiday destinations for 2018
2
018 has finally arrived and with it comes New Year
resolutions and travel plans for those who love living
there lives on wheels! We all know travelling doesn’t
come cheap but you’ll be glad to know that there are various
places in  India  which make for perfect cheapest holiday
destination in 2018. After a thorough research, we have come
up with 10 pocket-friendly Indian destinations where you
can plan a trip to if you wish to gain travel experience and
save big bucks.
Jaipur
For those who love exploring palaces and forts from the
bygone eras,  Jaipur  is the best wallet-friendly destination.
The place is home to a number of hotels and resorts that cater
to all pockets. Food here is delicious and also within budget,
if you don’t wish to splurge on palace restaurants or lake-side
establishments. Otherwise, Jaipur is one such destination that
doesn’t demand big bucks.
Pondicherry
In Pondicherry, you can actually live for free! Yes, you read
it right. The destination is home to several ashrams where
accommodation is absolutely free. If you want to feel fresh and
rejuvenated, you can book a room at the famous Aurobindo
Ashram where you can practice Yoga and relish free vegetarian
food. Also alcohol is quite cheap in the city, so you party also in
budget!
Dharamshala
Dharamshala is a heaven for mountain lovers! The place is an
ideal budget bargain for beauty. One can get guided treks here
without emptying their pockets and beautiful guesthouses are
available at decent prices. Even the pancakes are cheap here!
You can soak in natural beauty, eat delicious food and stay
comfortably here without burning a hole in your wallet.
Udaipur
Soaked in golden history and serenity,  Udaipur  is one such
rich destination that can be explored in quite moderate amount.
Accommodations by lake are absolutely easy-on-pocket and
come with fabulous views. You can also find quaint little bread
and breakfast sort of places by the lake and enjoy quiet meal
while admiring the peace and beauty surrounding the place.
Srinagar
If you thought exploring  Srinagar  will rob you of all your
money, think again. The gorgeous city is home to some
FEATURES 25
breathtaking lakes and feature several boat houses on Dal Lake
which can be booked in decent rates. Even the flight tickets for
Srinagar are available at cheap prices from several parts of the
country. So, if you ever wanted to visit the gorgeous summer
capital of Jammu and Kashmir, this might be the perfect time!
Port Blair
Port Blair is gorgeous but people do not plan a trip to this
nature’s paradise thinking it will cost a bomb! That’s so not true
at all. Flight tickets for Port Blair are available at quite cheap
rates this year from various Indian cities. In fact, the destination
has been in the list of one of the best budget travel destinations
for 2018 in the country.
Shimla
Shimla  somehow always tops the chart of cheapest holiday
destinations in the country and we are so not complaining! The
accommodation is cheap, food is good but shopping might get
a little heavy on pocket. So we suggest, do not shop, or bargain
till you don’t get the best deal. Getting to Shimla is also not at
all expensive; in fact you’ll forget all your expenses the moment
you are welcomed with natural serenity and British charm!
Amritsar
The land of Golden Temple charges you no money! You can
stay here at the gurudwara by paying a nominal fee and relish
delicious langar food that is served inside the premises. Surely,
the place will calm you down to your senses and provide peace
to your mind.
Kodaikanal
You’ll love the street food of  Kodaikanal  that will fill your
stomach full in just a few bucks! This stunningly pretty hill
town will fill your body with a new energy without costing you
a bomb! The guesthouses here are available at extremely cheap
prices with fantastic views
Goa
The list is incomplete without mentioning the gorgeous Goa!
This  beach  destination has several shacks, guesthouses and
budget accommodation options where you can stay and have the
best time of your life within your budget. There’s no dearth of
exciting and vibrant venues where you can go and enjoy with
your besties at cheap rates.
FUN IN THE
26 FEATURES Friday, January 19, 2018 The Indian Weekender

KITCHEN Foods you

can eat as
2

much as you
want without
RECIPES

gaining weight
their diuretic effect. Celery will satisfy
V E G E TA R I A N

your palate for longer and therefore helps in

weight loss.
Cucumber

I
f you are trying to lose weight and maintain Per serving of cucumber contains 16 calories.
your figure, you should know that there It is loaded with water and hence helps in
are some foods you can eat as much as detoxifying the body. As it is fibre rich, it leads
you want without worrying about weight gain. to satiety, and removes excess fluids. So you
These foods are loaded with fiber content and can eat as much as you can without gaining
are low in calories, which will keep you satiated weight.
and curb your hunger pangs. Protein rich foods Cauliflower
like cottage cheese, egg and chicken can help
in suppressing your appetite. While berries
like cranberries, strawberries help in getting
rid off the excess water from the body due to
their diuretic effect whereas celery contains
75% water which helps in detoxifying the body.
Include these foods in your diet with worrying
about gaining weight:
Broccoli
When it comes to zero-calorie food, broccoli

MASALA BHINDI
is one of the best foods on the planet. It has
some incredible health benefits, and contains Only, 25 calories, per serving, cauliflower is
about 31 calories per serving. a very nutritious vegetable full of antioxidants
Celery and phytochemicals that help fight against
70 | India’s Most Wanted Recipies Ruby Dhillon Celery stems contain 95% water and 25% chronic disease.
A dry-style curry of crunchy okra cooked with authentic Indian spices fiber. They help in detoxifying the body due to

O Green Peas and Mint Soup Recipe

kra (or bhindi) is a gift from the tropics • Rinse bhindi well in water, then dry
to the world, and is grown in abundance each pod completely before cooking:

S
across Africa and India. This dish is this prevents the bhindi from becoming
made year-round in Indian homes because okra sticky and stringy. You can leave the oups have always been an inextricable
is easily available. In fact, India is the largest damp bhindi on a plate to air-dry, or part of the quintessential 'three course
producer of okra in the world. Tender, young alternatively, gently wipe each pod with meal'. It is an easy and sumptuous
and fresh okra is best suited for this stir-fry as a paper towel. Once dry, chop off and appetizer recipe for a chilly winter night or
it adds crunch and flavour. The spices bring out discard the base, then cut into 5cm pieces. a bonfire party. This healthy soup is infused
the sweetness of the okra while the dry mango • Add 2 Tbsp of oil to the same hot pan, with freshly chopped mint leaves, garlic and
powder (amchur) lends a slight tangy touch. add chopped onions and sauté until they vitamin-rich peas. This quick winter recipe
become translucent. Add the ginger and makes for a healthy appetizing soup. It can also
Preparation Time: 10 min garlic paste, stir and sauté for a minute, be a perfect homemade remedy for common
Cooking Time: 35 min then add the chopped tomatoes and sauté cold and fever. Besides, you can add some
Serve: 4 until the tomatoes become soft. fresh cream and garnish it with some chopped
Taste: Mdium • Turn the heat to low and add all the green chilies. This Green Peas and Mint Soup
powders to the onion masala, one by one recipe can be a perfect starter recipe before a
INGREDIENTS: and stirring in between, taking care not heavy meal. in a large saucepan. Chop the onions
• 250g bhindi to burn them. Mix well and sauté for a INGREDIENTS and mint and mince garlic. Add chopped
• 2Tbsp oil minute. • 1 tablespoon virgin olive oil onions, minced garlic and cook for 7-10
• 1 lemon, to squeeze over • Add the sautéed bhindi and salt to taste, • 3 cloves garlic minutes until they turn soft. Then add the
• 1 medium onion, chopped mix well so that the bhindi is evenly
• 6 cup water fennel powder. Add water, chopped mint
• 1 tsp ginger paste coated. Cook for a few minutes, stirring
• 1 cup mint and boiled peas to the saucepan, and let
• 1 tsp garlic paste occasionally, until teh bhindi is soft.
• salt as required it to boil.
• 1 medium tomato, chopped • Serve hot with Tandoori Roti
• 1 onion • Reduce the heat and allow it to cook for
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder RUBY'S TIP: This is a dry dish (rather • 1 tablespoon roasted fennel seeds powder 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder than a liquid gravy) so do not cover the bhindi • 1 pounds boiled peas it cool for a while.
• 1/2 tsp garam masala powder once it has been added to the onion tomato • 2 tablespoon half and half • Now pour the soup in a blender and blend
• 1/4 tsp amchur powder masala. This way it stays nice and dry, yet well • ground black pepper as required it until smooth. Season it with salt and
• Salt to taste coated with masala. Try to keep it on a high • For Garnishing fresh ground black pepper. You can also
• flame when mixing it together, and stir often to • 2 tablespoon fresh cream add your own twist to this healthy soup.
prevent it sticking yet to the bottom of the pan. METHOD • Garnish with mint and fresh cream, or
METHOD: • Heat the olive oil over a moderate flame croutons, and serve hot!
 The Indian Weekender Friday, January 19, 2018 FEATURES 27

PARENTING
A lesson in the woods Breastfeeding for 6 months or
more may halve diabetes risk
may boost kids' learning B reastfeeding for six months
or longer can reduce the

A
re your students unable to risk of developing Type 2
concentrate on their lessons diabetes by nearly half for women
in the classroom? Take throughout their childbearing years,
them for outdoor learning sessions. according to a study.
According to a study, a lesson in Women who breastfed for six
the lap of nature can significantly months or more across all births
increase children's attention level had a 47 per cent reduction in their
and boost their learning. risk of developing Type 2 diabetes Several plausible biological
While adults exposed to parks, compared to those who did not mechanisms are possible for the
trees or wildlife have been known breastfeed at all. protective effects of breastfeeding,
to experience benefits such as Women who breastfed for including the influence of lactation-
increased physical activity, stress six months or less had a "We associated hormones on
reduction, rejuvenated attention and 25 per cent reduction found a very the pancreatic cells that
increased motivation, in children, in diabetes risk. strong association control blood insulin
even a view of greenery through a "We found between breastfeeding levels and thereby
classroom window can have positive a very strong duration and lower risk of impact blood sugar, the
effects on their attention span, the association developing diabetes, even researchers said.
researchers said. b e t w e e n after accounting for all For the study,
The study showed that post breastfeeding possible confounding published in the journal
an outdoor lesson, students were duration and risk factors." JAMA Internal Medicine,
significantly more attentive and lower risk of the team included 1,238
engaged with their schoolwork and developing diabetes, even black and white women who
were not overexcited or inattentive. after accounting for all possible did not have diabetes when they
Moreover, the number of times confounding risk factors," said lead enrolled.
he results show that children were more
the teacher had to redirect a student's author Erica P. Gunderson, senior Over the next 30 years, each
engaged after the outdoor lessons in Our teachers were able to
attention to their work was roughly nature. research scientist with the Kaiser woman had at least one live birth and
halved immediately after an
teach uninterrupted for
Permanente – a US-based health care was routinely screened for diabetes.
outdoor lesson. researchers tested their hypothesis almost twice as long at Participants also reported lifestyle
company.
"Our teachers were able to teach in third graders (9-10 years old) in a a time after the outdoor "The incidence of diabetes behaviours (such as diet and physical
uninterrupted for almost twice as school. lesson and we saw the decreased in a graded manner as activity) and the total amount of time
long at a time after the outdoor lesson Over a 10-week period, an they breastfed their children.
nature effect with our breastfeeding duration increased,
and we saw the nature effect with our experienced teacher held one lesson The findings add to a growing
skeptical teacher as well, regardless of race, gestational
skeptical teacher as well," said Ming a week outdoors and a similar lesson body of evidence that breastfeeding
diabetes, lifestyle behaviours,
Kuo, a scientist at the University of in her regular classroom, and another, has protective effects for both
body size, and other metabolic risk
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in more skeptical teacher did the same. A previous research suggested that mothers and their offspring,
factors measured before pregnancy,
the US. Their outdoor "classroom" was a 15 minutes of self-paced exercise can including lowering a mother's risk
implying the possibility that the
For the study, published in the grassy spot just outside the school, in also significantly improve a child's of breast and ovarian cancer, the
underlying mechanism may be
journal Frontiers in Psychology, view of a wooded area. mood, attention and memory. researchers said.
biological," Gunderson added.
Much effort may be required to live up to the soon as possible. Aches and pains that had been
expectations of the one you want to impress. troubling some for so long are set to disappear.
A long journey is indicated and will prove most
Lucky Number- 6 / Lucky Colour- Cream
exciting. On the financial front, you will remain
January 19 to January 25 | By Manisha Koushik conscious of your spending and make efforts to ¡¡ Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 21)
conserve money. Don’t count of anyone, even if
you are assured of their support. Profits accrue Seek the best price for something that you want
Manisha Koushik is a practicing astrologer, tarot card reader, numerologist, vastu and to sell and don’t sell it cheaply. You are likely to
for those in the field of art or media.
fengshui consultant based in India with a global presence through the online channels. She is make a special place for yourself at work due
available for consultations online as well. E-mail her at support@askmanisha.com or contact Lucky Number- 7 / Lucky Colour- Cyan to you contribution on the professional front.
at +91-11-26449898 Mobile/Whatsapp: +919015607139 • www.askmanisha.com
¡¡ Libra (Sep 24-Oct 23) Enjoying the company of like-minded people is
¡¡ Aries (Mar 21-Apr 20) to turn for the better. foretold. A romantic situation promises to sweep
Good performance on the academic front is your
Prospects for earning big money grow stronger, Lucky Number- 8 / Lucky Colour- Gray you off your feet in a social gathering! Stepping
aim and you are not likely to spare any efforts.
as you remain steadfast in adding to your wealth. up workouts to become fit is possible.
¡¡ Cancer (Jun 22-Jul 20) Recent developments on the social front may
Some of you may get involved in social work
make you change your opinion about someone. Lucky Number- 18 / Lucky Colour- Golden
and derive immense satisfaction from it. House Your qualifications are likely to raise your Choosing the right options on the health front Brown
owners can expect to demand good rent for their professional price, so don’t settle for anything is foretold and will help you in coming back in
property. You will get the opportunity of sharing less than a hefty package. There is a good ¡¡ Aquarius (Jan 22-Feb 19)
shape. Much loving and sharing is foreseen on
your deepest feelings and emotions with lover. chance of getting together with someone for the romantic front. Your efforts on the professional front will start
Lucky Number- 9 / Lucky Colour- Peach a common cause. A shopping spree is on the
cards, as you are in mood to splurge. Spending Lucky Number- 2 / Lucky Colour- Chocolate bringing good returns. Distance will not manage
¡¡ Taurus (Apr 21-May 20) time with someone who is near to your heart is to keep you apart from the one who genuinely
¡¡ Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22) loves you, so expect him or her to drop by and
Hurdles can be expected by those pursuing a indicated on the social front. Health remains
satisfactory. This is a good period to earn money, so go surprise you! Some of you may concentrate on
specific goal, but they will be able to overcome
ahead with your ventures without any fear of your body just to be able to undertake a physical
them. Maintain your stand on something you Lucky Number- 15 / Lucky Colour- Golden
feel strongly about and you will come out the failure. You may get involved in organising venture. If relaxation is what you seek, get rid of
Brown
winner. There is little chance of someone taking something for your near and dear ones. Keep all sources of interruption.
your side in a dispute. Your financial position ¡¡ Leo (Jul 21-Aug 22) things simple on the professional front to avoid
Lucky Number- 1 / Lucky Colour- Bottle Green
remains strong. Marriage of someone eligible in getting confused. A selective diet may become
You will gain enough confidence to put your
the family may get fixed or solemnized. your mantra for keeping fit as a fiddle. Be careful ¡¡ Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20)
point across to higher ups on the professional
of bad investments to avoid financial instability.
Lucky Number- 7 / Lucky Colour- White front. You may not like a parent or family elder Spending a few leisurely hours with friends and
keeping track of your activities. There is a good Lucky Number- 3 / Lucky Colour- White associates is possible. Lack of thoroughness
¡¡ Gemini (May 21-Jun 21) chance of meeting someone you adore sooner
¡¡ Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21) may prove a bane for you on the academic
A competitive situation on the academic front is than you expect! Travelling with near and dear front. Self-discipline and focus will be the key
likely to bring out the best in you. Bank balance ones is indicated and will be fun. You will curb Some of you may be gearing up to enter a new factors in maintaining top physical condition.
remains healthy, as you become judicious in your your urge to splurge in a shopping spree, as field on the professional front. Don’t let anything Adjustment problems faced on the social front
spending. You will be able to turn your creativity better sense prevails. distract you from your aim on the academic front.
will become a thing of the past, as you manage
into cash by showcasing your work. Making a Attending parties and weddings is foreseen and
Lucky Number- 1 / Lucky Colour- Bottle Green to establish your own identity.
choice was never so difficult, but you will be at will prove enjoyable. There is much that requires
liberty to take your time. Your love life is likely ¡¡ Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 23) your attention, so it is best to get down to it as Lucky Number- 7 / Lucky Colour- White
28 ENTERTAINMENT Friday, January 19, 2018 The Indian Weekender

AUCKLAND’S HOTTEST BOLLYWOOD STATION

PADMAN VS PADMAAVAT:
Sonam and Deepika to battle it out
at the box-office after 10 years
O
n January 25, 2018, box-office is going said, "According to me, there has been no official
to witness a huge clash in the form of statement from the Producer, the PR or Sanjay Leela
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat and Bhansali that the film is releasing on January 25,
Akshay Kumar’s PadMan. We will also see Sonam 2018. So till that official statement doesn’t come,
Kapoor and Deepika Padukone clashing at the I dont think there is any point commenting on it.’’
box-office once again. Deepika and Sonam had Talking about Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Sonam
locked horns right in their debut films  Om Shanti recently said, "I haven’t worked with him (Bhansali)
Om and Saawariya, respectively in 2007. for 10 years since my first film released. I have been
At that time, Sanjay Leela Bhansali was on Sonam in touch with him. I wish him all the best for his
Kapoor’s side while Deepika had superstar  Shah film. I hope the film releases and I won’t wish this
Rukh Khan  for company. However, now the (protest) on anybody.’’
tables have turned and Bhansali is directing the We all know that Sonam and Deepika shared
Deepika Padukone starrer, while Sonam is working cold vibes. It all started with Koffee with Karan,
with Akshay Kumar.  when Sonam who came along with her father
Deepika and Shah Rukh starrer  Om Shanti Anil Kapoor on the show made several mean
Om  released on 9 November, 2007 and emerged comments on Deepika Padukone. When
victorious at the box office. The total box-collection asked to give fashion advice to Deepika,
of the movie was around Rs 78.16 crore. On the Sonam had promptly retorted: “Create
other hand, Sonam and Ranbir Kapoor’s Saawariya your own style.” 
did a decent performance at the box-office. The Continuing her catty streak, Sonam
movie earned Rs 20.92 crore in total. had said that Deepika was a “good
However, since then a lot has changed. girl gone bad.” She added that
Deepika and Sonam have become huge superstars the one thing Deepika had that
and have created their own space in this she didn’t want was “an over
entertainment industry.  Also, this will be enthusiastic PR team.” 
Sonam’s first film post the unprecedented However, it seems that the two
success of Neerja. It is to be seen now how have buried the hatchet as Deepika
much  Padmaavat  and  PadMan  make at the box recently attended Sonam’s Diwali
office. According to trade expert Akshaye Rathi, bash and even clicked pictures with her. 
it is Padmaavat that’s going to take the lead. He Recently, Deepika who appeared on BFFs
told a leading daily,’’ Padmaavat’s opening day with Vogue, was asked by Neha Dhupia
figures can be in the range of Rs 25 crore, "I whose fashion sense she liked the
haven’t
on the other hand PadMan might open best — Sonam or Ash. She said,
worked with him
around Rs 12 crore.’’ (Bhansali) for 10 “I liked Sonam’s look better than
During a media interaction, Sonam years since my first film that of Aishwarya.” 
was asked about the same given that released. I have been in Well, it will be really
this will be the first time she will be touch with him. I interesting to see the two divas
clashing with Deepika Padukone after wish him all the best for clashing at the box-office.
their debut clash. Responding to it, Sonam his film."

Anupam thanks Mahesh for Cheat India: Emraan's new movie to tackle crimes in the education system

E
his journey in cinema mraan Hashmi will next be seen in look at the crimes in the Indian education age appetite for compelling

A
nupam Kher thanked filmmaker
Mahesh Bhatt for contributing in his
life and journey in Hindi filmdom.
Anupam shared a still from the 1989 film
Daddy and said that the movie will always
remain as one of his most favourites.
"Daddy will always remain one of my most
favourite films. Pooja Bhatt was stunning in her
very first film. Thank you Mahesh Bhatt Saab
for your contribution to my life and to my so
far journey in Cinema," he captioned the still.
Daddy, which also starred Soni Razdan and
Neena Gupta among many others,Anupam
and Mahesh together have worked in films like
Saaransh, Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin,
Cheat India which is an edge-of-the-
seat drama and will take a startling
look at the crimes in the Indian education
system. Cheat India is slated for a February
2019 release.
Emraan Hashmi is all set to make a change
with his new movie under his production banner
Emraan Hashmi Films titled Cheat India. For
the same, Emraan is partnering with T-Series
and Ellipsis Entertainment on one of the most
engaging and riveting scripts, the actor has read
in a long time.
Cheat India will be helmed by Gulaab
Gang director Soumik Sen. The movie is an
edge-of-the-seat drama that will take a startling
system which has created a parallel ecosystem content rooted in
infested with a mafia of sorts. Talking about realism," producer
Cheat India, Emraan revealed, "I am sure that Bhushan Kumar
every student and youth will hugely relate to said.
the subject. In an era marked by the success
of content alone, I'm excited to be essaying a
character which I believe will be a landmark
one in my filmography."
Talking more about starring in Cheat
India, Emraan revealed to a leading
tabloid, "For an actor, there’s always the
greed to essay a character that tests his
skills and this one, I know, will keep
me on my toes."
"The film will reflect the new-
 Sidharth Malhotra:
The Indian Weekender Friday, January 19, 2018 ENTERTAINMENT 29

R.
Failure handles you more than you Madhavan
handle failure, because there is no choice
has no
interest in
A
ctor Sidharth Malhotra says both success and tend to take it much easier, than when they don’t. So,

failure are two sides of the same coin, and the
more quickly one understands it, the better it
is.
One needs to accept both success and failure, feels
Sidharth Malhotra. The actor is of the opinion
that the earlier one learns to handle both,
the better it is. Sidharth, who is looking
forward to the release of Neeraj
Pandey’s Aiyaary, went through a
low phase when two of his films
— Baar Baar Dekho (2016) and
A Gentleman (2017) — did not
do well. But then Ittefaq (2017)
happened, and with that he got a
politics
failure actually pushes you to make choices that you
wouldn’t have made otherwise. It also makes you work
harder on your craft, scenes and scripts.”
Sidharth shares how Ittefaq came as relief during
that time. “It was a great encouragement in terms of
performance and I think I have realised that is how
the life of an actor is — you can’t have an amazing
run always. Life will be a bunch of ups and downs;
it’s better not to be upset with the failure or too happy
for success, as both are short lived. Now, I have
experienced both, and feel pretty equipped to handle
everything,” he adds with poise.
Asked how he reacts to box office results, the
actor says that he is particular about how his film

E
hit. fares. “Eventually business is important and I won’t
On coping with the pressure of deny getting affected if a film does not make money. ven as southern superstars
failed films, the 32-year-old actor But as I said, now I accept what happens. At times Rajinikanth and Kamal
says, “I feel failure handles you more the unexpected also happens — for Ittefaq, we were Haasan have announced
than you handle failure, because looking to do good work... Logon ko kaam their entry into politics, actor R.
there is no choice. When things "I pasand aaye. (We wanted people to like Madhavan says he has no interest
don’t work the way you want feel failure what we had made). We weren’t really in foraying into the field.
them to, you need to accept handles you more looking at the box office results. Had At the trailer launch of the
it (the situation). Failure is than you handle failure, it been a flashy film, we would have Amazon Prime Original series
a learning experience.” In because there is no choice. expected a lot at the box office, but Breathe, Madhavan was asked if
fact Malhotra feels that his When things don’t work still Ittefaq did well. he wants to get into politics.
failures have prompted him the way you want them to, "So, I think every film He said: "I am not politically
to introspect. you need to accept it (the deserves a different expectation,” inclined and I do not want to be a
“When films work, you situation)." Sidharth says. politician. I am doing my service in

I believe in box-office collection

acting and I am happy with it.
Tiger Zinda Hai: Records "If people are joining politics

above everything else: Taapsee:

are meant to be broken, with the intention of serving for
the betterment of the nation, it is
says Salman

T
good. When young people joined
iger Zinda Hai emerged as politics coming from a background

the highest grossing Hindi
film of 2017, next only to the
Hindi-dubbed version of Baahubali
2: The Conclusion.
After setting the cash counters
ringing and registering a collection
of Rs 325.71 crore nett in India with
Tiger Zinda Hai, superstar Salman
Khan hopes many more movies
create records for Bollywood for the
industry to flourish.
According to Tiger Zinda Hai
makers, it is Salman’s biggest hit
so far.
Salman said, “I hope the industry
has many more bigger successes this
year. It is important that we see more
hits, more blockbusters.
It will expand our industry, provide
more jobs for people and entertain
audiences much more.
I’m happy with
the business
that Tiger
Zinda Hai
has been
doing at the
box office.
Records are
never ever-
lasting. Records
are meant to be broken and it’s
good for new records to happen
more frequently. It is healthy and
extremely important.”
The high-on-action entertainer is
the third Salman movie to surpass
the Rs 300 crore mark after Bajrangi
Bhaijaan and Sultan.
Both Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai
– helmed by Ali Abbas Zafar – are
produced by Yash Raj Films.
Tiger Zinda Hai emerged as the
highest grossing Hindi film of 2017,
next only to the Hindi-dubbed version
of Baahubali 2: The Conclusion.
B
ollywood actor who starred in the comic
entertainer Judwaa 2 along with Varun Dhawan,
says that it is commercial success, not critical
acclaim, that helps the industry make more movies.
Actor Taapsee Pannu’s recent film Judwaa 2 broke
box-office records in 2017, being packed with the right
ingredients of mainstream entertainment. Known for her
powerful performances in hard-hitting, gritty films like
Baby (2015), Pink (2016), and Naam Shabana (2017),
Taapsee showed another side of herself in Judwaa 2. And
the actor feels that commercial success comes first and
foremost for a film.
“I believe in box-office collection above everything
else, and I believe in it 100 per cent. Your film could or
could not be critically acclaimed, it may get four or five
stars or even one, but nothing really matters in front of the
box-office collection. This is the entertainment business
and you can make more films with the money you get
from your previous films. This is the sad truth.
"You cannot make films with critical acclaim — you
have to make them with money. I cannot run away
from that fact. If my films didn’t collect money, I
wouldn’t be able to do more films,” says Taapsee. already knows what
The actor is aware that her step into I can do and what they
commercial cinema has disappointed fans who would want me to do.
like seeing the actor in intense roles. They really appreciate
“I have got an audience that already knows what
I can do and what they would want me to do. They
really appreciate my work. Some of them were not
really happy when they got to know I was doing Judwaa
2. They were [perhaps] thinking why I needed to do this
when things were happening really well in different kind
of cinema. The fact is that it gives me a chance to show
my versatility and to widen my horizons in terms of the
audience,” shares the actor, who is currently shooting for
hockey player Sandeep Singh’s biopic, titled Soorma,
starring Diljit Dosanjh.
And what was it that convinced her to say yes to an out-
an-out commercial venture?
“The idea was to prove that this kind of cinema, too,
is something I want to be a part of. I really wanted to
prove that I can do such roles as well, if given a chance.
I’m a maximum actor, and can do every kind of genre or
character. I am really happy with whatever Judwaa 2 has
done for me,” Taapsee signs off.
of the common man, like the one
happened in the US when Barack
Obama became President, young
people get a visionary. That is good
for the nation."
The actor is currently excited
about "Breathe", an eight-episode
psychological thriller that explores
the lives of ordinary people faced
with extraordinary circumstances.
The story of "Breathe" also has
an element of organ donation.
Madhavan said in real life, he
had registered for organ donation
10 years ago.
"I think organ donation is a great
thing. When you know that your
one step is saving five lives, it
should be encouraged. At the same
time, there is a misconception
about organ donation that the body
I
might get distorted and all, but
have got in the show, we have shown an
an audience that insight of organ donation.
"Having said that, our show is
not to propagate organ donation. It
is a thriller and it is a good story."
"Breathe" marks the first time
my work. that Madhavan is exploring the
digital platform after acting in
films for the last 20 years.
"Yes, it is a new platform where
if we are providing good content,
we can reach a wider audience.
But then that content has to be
high in quality because it is going
worldwide. Digital content is
private viewing whereas cinema
is a community viewing, so the
contents are different in nature."
The trailer launch event here
was also attended by other cast
members of "Breathe"; Amit
Sadh, Sapna Pabbi, Neelima
Kulkarni, Atharva along with Vijay
Subramaniam, Vikram Malhotra
and Mayank Sharma.
30 FEATURES
Guftagu with Gulzar Saab
Date: Saturday, February 3
Time: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Venue: Dorothy Winstion Centre, 16 Howe Street, Auckland
Once in a lifetime opportunity to see the legendary poet and
lyricist Gulzar Saab in a Guftagu in Auckland. An opportunity
comparable to a pilgrimage doesn’t come every day so seize
it while you can. This Guftagu will be curated by Salim Arif. For
sponsorship, contact Umesh Sharma on +64 21 111 055, Rushi
Dave on +61 413 806 425 or Arun Nanda on +61 401 230 046.
For information related to tickets and Ticket Bazaar, or to buy
tickets on phone, call Swati Sharma +64 9 217 3623.
Vector Lights Launch Show
Date: Saturday, January 27
Time: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Venue: Auckland Harbour Bridge, City Hill Drive, Auckland
Vector Lights will be bringing the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge
to life. Be sure to join us on 27th January for what promises to
be a truly immersive lighting experience. Vector Lights, part of a
smart energy partnership between Vector and Auckland Council
in collaboration with the NZ Transport Agency, will transform the
Waitematā and become the guiding light toward a smart energy
future.
Bhajan Sandhya
Date: Saturday, 10 Febuary
Time: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Venue: Dorothy Winstone Centre, 15 Howe Street, Auckland
Bhajan Sandhya celebrates an evening of popular and traditional
Bhajans, showcasing the talent of Auckland’s finest musicians
and singers. Fundraising for Sri Ramkrishna Vedanta Center, this
is one musical evening that is definitely not to be missed. Contact
4. Mahesh Sunder on 09 627 0499 or 021 310 279 or Amit
Sengupta - 09 629 5252 or 022 424 9269 for more information.
Brahmrishi Sri Gurudev Birthday
Celebrations With Guruvandana
Date: Sunday, January 21
Time: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Venue: Bhartiya Mandir, 252 Balmoral Road, Auckland
Friday, January 19, 2018 The Indian Weekender
musical score, performed live by a
symphony orchestra, choir, vocal and Celtic soloists and
Orchestra. Buy tickets from aucklandlive.co.nz.
2018 Waterfront Half Marathon
Date: Sunday, April 8
Time: 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Celebrate Gurujis Birthday with Guruvandana. Get blessings with
family and friends. All welcome. Maha prasad (Dinner) served.
Venue: Mission Bay, Auckland
April 8, 2018 sees the inaugural edition of the Auckland
Organised by World Spiritual Forum NZ which is a World Spiritual Waterfront Half Marathon. Several years in the making, this is
non profit organisation. We spread the messages of Bhramrishi
the half marathon that Auckland runners and walkers have been
Guruvanandji through events and charity work in New Zealand. waiting for. Flat, fast, traffic free and spectacularly scenic, the
Waterfront Half Marathon falls beautifully at the end of a summer
of fitness in the City of Sails, making it the Grand Finale of the
Anoushka Shankar: Land of Gold - Mizuno Auckland Half Marathon Series.
Auckland Arts Festival 2018
Date: Sunday, March 18
Time: 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Venue: Silo Park, Wynyard Quarter, 96 Jellicoe Drive,
Auckland
Experience sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar, daughter of the
legendary Ravi Shankar, performing live her spellbinding and
magnetic album Land of Gold. A singular figure in the Indian
classical and progressive world-music scenes, Anoushka
Shankar brings a deep relationship with tradition through her
father and guru, the late great Ravi Shankar. These exchanges
between Indian and Western music find even greater power in
Shankar’s advocacy for women’s rights and social justice, with
her latest album, Land of Gold, responding to the humanitarian
trauma of displaced people fleeing conflict and poverty.
The Color Run Dreams World Tour -
Aucklan
Date: Sunday, March 11
Time: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Venue: QBE Stadium, Albany, Auckland
WHO LOVES UNICRONS? The original happiest 5k on the planet!
Enter a world where anything is possible, where you can dance
through a cloud of colour, swim through an ocean of dreamy
foam and party the day away with giant unicorns and more music
than ever before!
Titanic Live
Date: Wednesday & Thursday, January 24 & 25
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Venue: Civic Theatre, 269 Queen Street, Auckland
Avex Classics International presents Titantic Live- Film featuring
the Auckland Philharmonia . Titanic Live brings James Cameron’s
1997 multi Oscar-winning film Titanic to life, by combining a
presentation of the motion picture with James Horner’s original
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