Indian Weekender 6 March 2015

6 March, 2015 Vol. 6 Issue 31 | www.iwk.co.
nz
New Zealands first Kiwi-Indian weekly newspaper
The Pulse of Kiwi-Indians
Auckland Christchurch Wellington Hamilton Palmerston North Hastings Invercargill
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CONTENTS
6 March 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz
WHATS IN S I D E
Pg
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7, 25 LANERN FESTIVAL
Pg 14
FIJI
Pg 22
SPORTS
Pg 23
Pg 24
RAZMATAZZ
Pg 26
I AM WOMAN
KIDZONE
Orange
Wishing you and your family

a very bright, colourful and joyful holi.
With love and best wishes.
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COVER STORY
www.iwk.co.nz | 6 March 2015
Red
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Honouring the best among equals

Maya Shivam
ear ye! Hear

ye!
Indian
Weekenders
signature event - the
Kiwi-Indian Hall of Fame
is here again. Although
the date of the main event
is yet to be confirmed,
we are proud to announce
that it will be in May and
nominations for the award are
being invited at the moment. An
independent jury has been set up
to select this years recipient of
honour.
The jury that prefers to
remain anonymous is made up
of eminent community leaders
that are the masters in their own
right. The validity of the process
of the decision-making, however,
is evident from the fact that both
our previous recipients have
also been honoured for their
achievements and contributions
internationally
by
other
K IW
I I NDI A
Established 2013
organisations, including the

prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya
Samman.
The award isan endeavour
to recognize individuals in the
Indian community, and honour
those who have enriched and
enhanced not just our community
but also society at large. We
celebrate those who having
made significant achievements in
New Zealand, have contributed
positively towards the

progress of the country.
The
award
is
a
testimony
to
an
undeniable
recognition
in an individuals field
of work, be it politics,
business, sports, art, culture,
or any other profession.
Needless to say , the jury does
find themselves at a stalemate
as choosing that one person can
sometimes be difficult and there
can be more than one deserving
candidate.
In search for that jewel among
the Kiwi-Indian community,
we ask you to nominate such
distinguished men and women
for getting inducted to the KiwiIndian Hall of Fame. The support
of the community can go a long
way in deciding who the next
recipient of the award will be.
The third Hall of Fame will
be held in Auckland in May
with as much grandeur as the
event is known for. Our two
Prime Minister John Key lighting

the lamp at Hall of Fame 2014
previous recipients have been

MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi and
Judge Ajit Singh.
Prime Minister John Key has
been the Chief Guest at last two
years functions, which have been
attended by the crme de la crme
of New Zealand.
So if you want to be associated
with the biggest and the most

prestigious award of the year,
you can start by nominating your
favourite achiever for the honour.
Simply fill in the nomination form
and send it to us.
The form will also be made
available
online
at
www.
indianweekender.co.nz
Meet Sunil,
your ASB Business Development Manager.

ASBs Business Development Managers help people who are new to the
country, those planning to come here, or those who provide migration
services. In addition to personally providing solutions for both short-term
financial needs and long-term goals, they also work closely with a wide
range of specialists within the banking industry. First-class service and
financial expertise on hand when you need it.
Sunil has over 10 years experience with ASB and has sound
knowledge of lending, insurance and a range of banking
products. He has a Bachelors degree in Commerce,
majoring in Management from the University
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sunil.bajaj@asb.co.nz
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COVER STORY
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COVER STORY
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K IW
I I NDI A
PROUD MOMENTS FROM

KIWI-INDIAN HALL of FAME
2014
Established 2013
COVER STORY
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I I NDI A
N
K IW
Inviting nominations for

Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame 2015
Established 2013
The Indian Weekender calls upon nominations for those who have built a road to glory for themselves and left a path for the
coming generations to tread on. Touching the lives of thousands and enriching society with their being. Bringing fame and respect
to New Zealand and the Kiwi-Indian community. The Indian Weekender invites nominations for such personalities from
the community for getting inducted into the Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame 2015.
The guidelines, which need to be adhered to, for nominations, are as follows:
be Indian, by blood. Thereby making the nominee of Indian lineage.

The nominee must have either a Permanent Residency (PR), or Citizenship of New
Zealand to be eligible for consideration.
7. The nominee should have no prior convictions.
8. Age is no bar; for minors, achievers under the age of 18, parental consent will be
required.
9. The successful candidate will be required to attend the ceremony in person. In case a
person is not able to attend, due to any unforeseen circumstances, the jury will use its
discretion.
10. The jurys decision will be final and binding; and cannot be challenged.
6.
1.
2.
He/she needs to have an undisputable recognition in his or her field of work.

Nominated by a nominator of repute. Further, the nominator has to be in confirmation
with the nominee.
3. The nominator has to provide their full contact details. No anonymous applications will
be entertained.
4. All fields of work are welcome. For the purposes of this award, field of work can be
politics, business, sports, art, culture, or any profession.
5. The definition of Kiwi Indian, for the purposes of this award, hereby, is defined as
follows: any person of Indian origin, from any part of the world, who has settled here in
New Zealand. To be of Indian origin, at least one of the parents of the nominee have to
Entry Form: Form for nominating candidates for induction to Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame 2015
Nominator Details
Nominee Details
Name of the Nominator
Name of the Nominee
About the Nominee

For how long do you know the Nominee?
Professional details of the Nominator
Age of Nominee
Why do you think the nominee should be inducted in the Hall of Fame 2015?
Please clarify the self-achievement that the nominee has earned in his / her area of
profession / occupation.
Sex M F
Address & Contact number of Nominator *
Address & Contact number of Nominee *
How do you think that the Nominee had added fame & respect to the Kiwi-Indian community?
Declaration by Nominator
I have got confirmation from the
Nominee for this application.
Yes No
Nominee has accepted to appear in person

for the ceremony, if he/she gets accepted
for the induction to Hall of Fame 2015.
Yes No
I hereby declare that the above information is true to the best of my knowledge. I also allow
Indian Weekender and the Jury to use the information provided for background checks
and to contact either me or the Nominee for the purpose of getting any more information.
Signed:
What
to do next?
Please take a print out of this form, sign and
send to us at:
Jury Panel, Hall of Fame 2015
98, Great South Road, Epsom, Auckland
(Add extra pages to this form if required.)

For details contact Indian Weekender on
09-2137335 or go to:
www.indianweekender.co.nz
NEW ZEALAND
Sip, Sip, Sheep!
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The year of the sheep was ushered in among many a sip of

the famous Chinese brew at the tea-room
Paula Ray
t an hourly workshop at the

Lantern Festival at Albert
Park last weekend, volunteers
showcased the beautiful art of tea-making
a tradition thats literally hundreds of
years old.
Historic documents say that the oldest
tea plant in China is more than 2,700
years old and is still living in the Yunnan
province. In fact, experts hold that tea
originated in China some 4,500 years
ago. Interestingly, the herb from which
tea is extracted is called Cha in Chinese
language.
The medicinal values of Chinese tea
are innumerable, the most notable being
its ability to improve memory, cleanse
teeth and neutralise breath. But there is
a certain ritual thats followed in Chinese
tea-making.
A few takeaways from the immensely
informative workshop at the Lantern
Festival were the fact that you should smell
the tea to decide its quality and what your
body yearns for at that time. There are
a variety of teas to choose from green,
black, oolong, dark, white, yellow and
processed tea. Each one of them attends to
a special need in you.
Its important to rinse the cups and pots
in warm water, before actually making the
tea. This helps to keep the tea warm and
also clears the crockery of any unwanted
aroma. It was interesting to learn that the

first brew is best drained away, to rinse
clean the tea leaves. The second brew is
considered the best. Guess what, the same
leaves can be re-brewed up to 20 times!
To learn more about the colourful
lanterns that dazzled Albert Park last
weekend, turn to page 25
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NEW ZEALAND
Red
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Youngsters lead BY example

IWK Bureau
n upcoming youth group

based in Manurewa called
Spoken Words carried out
the Spoken Words Amazing Race
on 24th January 2015.
The race contained several
community
benefit
activities
which allowed the participating
youth to gain many life skills while
making a positive contribution
to the community and raising
awareness about issues like
emergency preparedness, cleaner
environment, encouraging healthy
food choices and education for
those who are less fortunate.
The race consisted of four teams
of three youth members with each
team having their own transport and
a driver. It was a pleasure seeing
the kids carrying out each task with
utmost sincerity and dedication
said Mrs. Ravneet Sandhu, a parent
helper for the event.
They are our future citizens and
empowering them with all round
skills will benefit not only them
but the communities they live in
said R Singh, another parent. The
Team members giving first aid assistance tying bandage (left) and giving
CPR (right) while doing their tasks during the Spoken Words Amazing Race
A member of the Spoken

Words Youth Group picking
rubbish from streets in Manurewa during their Amazing
Race competition
race began at Nanaksar That Isher

Darbar (Sikh Temple) in Manurewa
from where the teams headed to
Botanical Gardens and performed
several key components of First
Aid including CPR and dressing a
wound. The teams then picked up
rubbish from pre-allocated streets
of Manurewa.
Then the teams were given
$100 each as the next task involved
them to purchase and create
food packages for 40 people that
included all the daily servings
required from different food

groups. Lastly, the teams were given
a budget of $240 each from which
they had to purchase and make 12
back to school packs for students
which included all the necessities
required for school.
The food packages were donated
to South Auckland Christian Food
Bank in Mangere and the 12 school
bags were donated to Manurewa
High School for its students.
I believe being part of the
group has really allowed me to
grow as a person and it has been

very satisfying making this small
but important difference in lives
of others through this event said
Jaspreet Singh, Youth Leader,
Spoken Words Youth Group.
The group received a $2000
grant from Ministry of Youth
Development to run this project.
The purpose of the group is to
support the youth so they can use
their skills, abilities and talents
to be an asset to the society. The
group does a range of activities
that focus from having fun and
building healthy relationships to

making positive contributions to
our community.
The group has plans to
keep its members involved in
community benefit as well as
personal development programmes
including health & sports.
Young people between the ages
of 13 to 24 who are keen to join
the group can contact Jaspreet
Singh on 021 026 75360 or
Spokenwordsyouthgroup@gmail.
com
NEW ZEALAND
Auckland blessed by Shia Ismaili Imamats grande

exhibition
Red
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Orange
Aucklands ASB
Showground Pavilion
witnessed the grand
exhibition
Rizwan Mohammad
ays of Light is a
photographic
and
multimedia exhibition
depicting His Highness the Aga
Khans lifelong commitment to
improving multiple facets of the
human condition. The exhibition
aims to raise awareness of
His Highness the Aga Khans
work through the Aga Khan
Development
Network
in
increasing global engagement
and promotion of equitable
human advancement and social
justice throughout the world
as part of the mandate of the
office of the Ismaili Imamat. The
exhibit is organized around five
main themes: Hope, Identity,
Confluence,
Harmony,
and
Enlightenment.
The Ismaili Imamat has a rich
history of 1400 years and the
exhibition commemorates 50
years of His Highness the Aga
Khans (Mawlana Hazar Imams)
spiritual and temporal leadership
of Ismaili Muslims.
Last year His Highness the
Aga Khan opened this exhibition
in Paris, and it later travelled to
Lisbon, Portugal. The exhibition

has since travelled to United
States, Canada, East Africa,
Dubai, Australia and now New
Zealand.
His Highness the AgaKhan
is the 49th hereditary Imam
(spiritual leader) of the Shia
Ismaili Muslims and Founder
and Chairman of the AgaKhan
Development Network (AKDN).
The
AKDN
(www.akdn.org)
is a group of private, nondenominational
development
agencies working to empower
communities and individuals
to improve living conditions
and opportunities, especially
in sub-Saharan Africa, Central
and South Asia, and the Middle
East. AKDN is a contemporary
endeavour of the Ismaili Imamat
to realize the social conscience
of Islam through institutional
action. AKDN agencies conduct
their programmes without regard
to the faith, origin, gender etc.
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programs.
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nine
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social, cultural and economic
development for all citizens,
regardless of gender, origin or
religion. The AKDNs underlying
ethic is compassion for the
vulnerable in society. Its annual
budget for philanthropic activity
is in excess of US$500 million
AKDNs program partners
include
(amongst
many
Government partnerships)
The Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation,
Ford Foundation,
World Bank
United Nations Development
Program (UNDP)
UNHCR
Harvard University,
Johns Hopkins University,
Aga Khan Program for Islamic
Architecture at Harvard and
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Since Mawlana Hazar Imam

took the office in 1957 there
have been major political and
economic changes in most of the
countries where Ismailis live. His
work of improving community
and living conditions for the
people has spread to almost all
the countries in the world. He
has built numerous universities,
schools, rehabilitation centres,
funded major restoration projects
of various heritage sites round the
globe, built recreational areas,
funded and sent alms to calamity
struck areas of various poor and
growing nations.
The exhibition showcased
the legacy of the Ismaili Imams,
specifically that of the current
Aga Khan, and enables the
viewers to understand his work.
The exhibition was structured in
a spherical dome with a centre
circular chamber for reflection,
and large captioned photo frames

that graced entire wall spaces
within. The walls had inscriptions
from the Holy Quran in specific
golden colour and the Mawlana
Hazar Imams quotes.
The exhibition also displayed
Mawlana Hazar Imams photos
with the world religious leaders,
Presidents and Prime Ministers
of different countries.
His is
contribution in the development
of various nations, architectural
initiatives, preaching and history
of the whole Ismaili community
were also showcased. On the
commemoration of Indias 66th
Republic Day, India awarded
Mawlana Hazar Imam the Padma
Vibhushan, one of the countrys
highest civilian decorations.
The exhibition was brought
here largely for the education
and benefit of the community,
but invitations were extended to
guests of the community, various
political and religious leaders
and academics.
There were
volunteers at the registration
counters and trained guides for
the exhibition who would narrate
the history and other important
details of the exhibition to the
viewere. The exhibition lasted
for two days in Auckland, Friday
20th and Saturday 21nd February
2015, after which The Golden
Jubilee International Programme
was wrapped up in New Zealand
for the ANZ region.
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NEW ZEALAND
10
The Kitchen
Red
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A unique theatrical experience from

India, The Kitchen, directed by Roysten Abel,
is featuring at the Auckland Arts Festival 2015
Bharat Jamnadas
rama,
drums
and
a traditional South
Indian dessert called
payasam will take centre stage at
the festival in the New Zealand
premiere of the production.
Be prepared to be stimulated
by a ritual fusion of sights, sound,
smell and taste- all at once and all
the way from South India.
On stage will be a husband and
wife enacting a drama without
words, stirring huge steamy vats
of payasam, involving 100 kilos
of rice, sugar, almonds, milk,
raisins, cardamom and ghee. Its
a reality cooking show unlike
any other. Behind them, under
coppery light, 12 drummers will
beat out a surging rhythm on their
sacred mizhavu drums, while
the fragrance of aromatic rice
wafts through the theatre. This
mesmerising mix soon combines
to reach a boiling point delighting
all the senses, including taste as
the audience is invited to share
the payasam afterwards.
The mizhavu drum is an
ancient pot-shaped percussion
instrument made of copper or
clay with the mouth covered
with stretched hide. Unique
in producing a vibrant tone

enriched with classical rhythm
and purity, it is an integral part
of the performing arts of Kerala
in South India, such as Koothu,
Koottiyattam
and
Nangiar
Koothu.
Kerala born Roysten Abel is a
well known Indian theatre director
and playwright. He is known
globally for his larger than life,
grand scale productions. Founder
of the Indian Shakespeare
Company, he gained international
recognition with The Manganiyar
Seduction, a production featuring
45 Rasjastani musicians and
set inspired by the Hawa Mahal
palace, which was a hit at
Auckland Arts Festival 2011.
He describes The Kitchen
as a metaphor for evolution,
juxtaposing the act of cooking
with cosmic truths about the
universe.
As the couple cook on stage,
they are cooking their souls too.
It is about the journey of life, he
says.
The inspiration for the play
came during a visit to the shrine
of the 13th century Sufi poet Rumi
in Turkey.
Taken to Rumis kitchen, Abel
says he was struck by the scene
that used to be enacted there,

where the poet, surrounded on a
platform by his swirling dervishes,
would pray and meditate.
Alongside him, two pots of food
were being cooked. Novices,
seated on a lower level would not
be allowed to eat or drink until
their souls had cooked, or were
spiritually ready. The novices
were (figuratively) being cooked,
while Rumi and his dervishes
were cooking on a cosmic level,
says Abel. It was the ultimate
kitchen!
This is what The New Indian
Express had to say about The
Kitchen, which first opened at the
International Theatre Festival of
Kerala in December 13:

Breaking the conventional
norms of theatre the perfect
cocktail, tingling the senses
According to Auckland Arts
Festival (AAF) artistic director
Carla van Zon, The Kitchen is a
co-production of AAF and joint
funded with the Sydney and
Holland Festivals.
Roysten Abel is an artist I
admire and like. For 2015 we
wanted to have a work by an Indian
artist out of India, she says.
After the huge success of The
Manganiyar Seduction at the
festival in 2011 she had been
talking to him about what his new
show would be.
He came back to us, and said

he had a new idea. He locked in
the co-producers. So all of us
went to India to take part in a
workshop around The Kitchen.
The Kitchen shows at the
SKYCITY Theatre on Saturday 14
March and Sunday 15 March at
8pm and from Monday 16 March
to Wednesday 18 March at 7pm.
Bookings can be made at
Ticketmaster
outlets:
www.
ticketmaster.co.nz or telephone
09 9709700 or 0800 111 999.
For
more
information
regarding Auckland Arts Festival
which runs from March 4 to
March 22 check out www.aaf.co.nz
THIS MONTHS SPECIAL

at the gateau house
Green Tea Chiffon Gateau, Standard Size
Normally $48
Now $40 Only
Offer valid only 01/03/2015 ~ 31/03/2015
Green Tea Log Cake
Normally $24
Now $19 Only
Offer valid only 16/03/2015 ~ 31/03/2015
More cakes are available for

Birthday, Wedding and special occasions
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Ph: 09 278 9302 | Email: bakshi.mp@parliament.govt.nz

Postal Address: PO Box 23136, Hunters Corner, Auckland 2025
www.bakshi.co.nz
www.national.org.nz
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COVER STORY
Holi, the festival of Gulaal Pichkari, fun and joy

The festival of colors is once again here, to bring joy and love in the air.
Holi is an ancient Hindu religious festival which has become popular with nonHindus in many parts of South Asia, as well as people of other communities
outside Asia. Even in New Zealand, people celebrate this festival with
enthusiasm and fun.
Lets take a look at various moods of Holi as it is celebrated in
different parts of India.
11
12
POWER COLUMN
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Black
Orange
Military training deployment to

Iraq
Kanwaljit Bakshi
Chair, Law and Order Select
Committee
his week the Government has

decided to deploy a non-combat
military training mission to Iraq as
part of our contribution to the fight against
the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
(ISIL).
Up to 143 New Zealand personnel will
join the two-year mission, working behind
the wire to train Iraqi Security Forces so

they are better able to fight ISIL.
A training mission like this is not without
danger, and our first objective is to keep our
troopsas safe as possible. Thats why well
be sending our own force protectionto
support these training activities. Although
this has been a very difficult decision, it is
the right one.
New Zealanders hear stories of ISILs
atrocities on a daily basis - mass beheadings,
kidnappings, people being thrown off
buildings, and being burnt alive. We will
not stand by while this brutality continues.
New Zealand is a country that stands up for
its values.
ISILs ability to motivate radicals and
recruit foreign fighters to its ranks makes it
a threat not only to stability in the Middle
East, but around the globe, including New
Zealand. Complacency is not an option,
as we have seen events unfold in Paris,
Ottawa, and as close to home as Sydney.
Kiwis are prolific travellers who are
vulnerable to terrorist activity around the
world. In contributing to the fight against
ISIL, we are supporting the people of that
region and New Zealanders too.
Military training alone will not solve
the problems ISIL pose in Iraq. Thats
Change starts with us

Barry Coates
Green Party
efore entering politics I was the

CEO of Oxfam New Zealand. Last
year Oxfams report on inequality
revealed that just 85 people own as much
wealth as half the worlds population.
The message about the scale of extreme
inequality reverberated around the world.
It is important to recognise that extreme
inequality is not inevitable. It is the result
of policy choices. For example, the NZ

government demonises dole bludg ers
while ignoring rampant tax evasion, even
though welfare fraud costs our society $22
million compared to an estimated $7.4
billion for tax evasion.
The reality is that the majority of
beneficiaries want to work but are trapped
in a system that leaves them disempowered
and struggling.
Last year, research by Auckland City
Mission documented the experience of 100
families living in poverty.
They found people trapped in poverty by
debt, unable to pay their bills each month.
Many live in cold and damp housing, and
cant afford basic health care.

They typically lack the qualifications to
get a job. Many children find it difficult to
learn at school because they are hungry.
When beneficiaries ask for help, they
encounter a complex system of government
departments and conditions that makes
them feel frustrated and humiliated.
Building a more equal society is
possible. Change comes when we
make choices that reflect our values.
Compassion is central to the worlds
religions and spiritual traditions, but it
often forgotten in politics. Our political
choices need to be more about building a
fair and compassionate society, instead of
why our approach addresses diplomatic,

intelligence, and capacity-building issues.
We have already provided $14.5 million
in humanitarian aid to the region and we
are looking at how we can provide more.
We are also stepping up our diplomatic
efforts, and as a member of the UN Security
Council, we are advocating for effective
action on ISIL.
Be assured the Government has not
taken this decision lightly. New Zealand
has got to do its bit to fight this threat
to international security, and we are
confident our defence force will carry out
this mission effectively.
the politics of greed and self-interest.

We can do better. In parliament, the
Green Party co-Leader, Metiria Turei is
building support for a bill to ensure that
hungry kids get food at school.
This is part of the Green Partys package
of policies to end child poverty. With
your help, we can work together to build
a more equal society - with better health
and education, less violence and crime,
and with a more prosperous economy.
Its good for us all. Lets make the right
choices.
Barry Coates was a candidate for Mt.
Roskill in the election and is 16th on the
Green Party list.
Wrong decision for wrong reasons

Phil Goff
Labour MP
he Government decision to send

New Zealand troops to Iraq,
despite promising before the
election not to do so, was the wrong
decision for the wrong reasons.
We are sending 143 New Zealand
soldiers to Camp Taji near Baghdad so
that 16 of them can train Iraqi soldiers.
It is a high risk deployment, which
could subject our soldiers to rocket and
mortar attacks, road mines and the socalled green on blue attacks. The attacks
are when those being trained turn their
guns on their trainers.
If the deployment is high risk,
unfortunately the outcomes from the
training are, on the other hand, likely to
be low.
The United States has invested 10
years and US$25 billion in training and
equipping the Iraqi army and their efforts
have failed.
The Iraqi Army caved in without much
fight when confronted by ISIS and their
US supplied weaponry is now being used
by the terrorists.
The reason US efforts have failed and
our 16 trainers wont make a difference is
because we cant influence the things that
need to change.
The Iraqi Army suffers from poor and
corrupt leadership that pockets the pay
of 50,000 ghost soldiers who dont exist.
Morale is low.
The Army represents the sectarian
divide that underlies the problems of
Iraq, and weaponry is siphoned off into
Shia militias who are also guilty of war
crimes.
We cant do for the Syrian Army
what they wont do for themselves.
The National government knows its
contributions wont make a difference
and is tokenism at its worst. Its not

sending New Zealand troops to protect
human rights or even in the expectation
that it will help stop ISIS. It is doing it, as
John Key admitted to the BBC, because it
is part of our membership of a select club
of five Western nations.
That undermines our reputation for
having an independent foreign policy,
which was a critical factor in being elected
last year to the United Nations Security
Council.
Action does need to be taken against
ISIS as well as other groups including
President Al-Assads regime in Syria and
Sunni and Shia militias.
All have committed brutal war crimes
and crimes against humanity. However,
time and again Western interventions in
the region have failed with huge human
and financial costs. Both we and the
international community need to be
smarter in our response.
Firstly, we should use our position on
the United Nations Security Council to
demand effective action to stop money,
weaponry and personnel going to ISIS.

That would starve them of resources to
wage war.
Secondly, we should be pushing
for effective action from the UN and
international community to tackle the
causes of ISISs success in the region.
Those causes are the failure to stop the
conflict and oppression in Syria, and
the failure to address the Sunni-Shia
sectarian conflict in Iraq.
Unless these problems are addressed,
ISIS or something like it will continue to
draw support from many people within
the region.
Thirdly, instead of the $65 million we
are investing in sending soldiers to Iraq
without hope of any real achievement,
that money could be put into saving lives
and alleviating the suffering of some of
the 13 million refugees in the region.
These initiatives are more likely to
make a difference to ease the plight of
people in the region, and to make a safer
world, than the National governments
token decision.
Finances show
Red
Black
Orange
further investment
in
Auckland
he Auckland Council Group financial

results for the six months to 31
December 2014 were released last
week.
It shows an on-goingcommitment to investing inpriority
areas across Auckland while providing
value for money.
This
half-year
$751 million has
been invested in key
assets across priority
areas such as transport and in growing
Auckland communities. This includes
$107 million on new
electric trains providing more frequent and reliable services
with an 18 per cent increase in rail patronage
for the 12 months to December 2014 and $22
million on new local libraries with openings
of the Ranui, Te Atatu and Waiheke libraries.
Overall, this investment has contributed
to an increase in the value of the groups total
assets from $40 billion to $41.2 billion.
The Council Group has also worked hard
to bring more skills, knowledge and services
in-house to reduce the use of external
contractors. During this period the Groups
AA Standard and Poors and Aa2 Moodys
credit ratings was reaffirmed, which remains
one of the strongest ratings in New Zealand.
For the full NZX announcement please see
theAuckland Council Websiteor theNZX
website.
Council to start
Smokefree Review
recommendation to bring forward

Aucklands Smokefree Policy review
was well received by councillors at
last weeks Governing Body meeting and the
review will start in the coming months.
The recommendation was made due to
large public interest in the outdoor dining
aspect of the Trading
and Events in Public
Places Bylaw which
was adopted by the
committee
today.
Although smokefree
dining is not a
regulation of the
bylaw, more than
1,300 submissions
were received from
the Cancer Society,
Auckland Regional
Public
Health
Service and individuals on the subject and the
council has listened to their concerns.
Phase one, which included playgounds and
transport centres, was adopted in 2013 and
we are in Phase two of the policy which will
make shared spaces and plazas smoke-free.
Signage for these areas and the beginning of
an awareness campaign will commence midyear.
The purpose of the Smokefree Policy
Review is to determine if a smoke-free bylaw is
necessary for public places, including outdoor
dining areas.
Auckland Council will start the policy
review in the second half of 2015 and public
consultation needs to be undertaken to
understand the regions views on a smoke-free
bylaw.
MAYORALDRIVE
N ew s f ro m th e Cou n c i l
Independent
company to survey
Aucklanders on
transport
quantitative survey, asking 4,200

Aucklanders for their views on
fixing and funding transport, has
started as part of Auckland Councils 10-year
budget consultation.
The month long survey will enable robust
analysis and further insight into the views
Aucklanders have on the issue of transport,
which is a strong focus of the budget.
The survey, including the questionnaire
and sample, has been developed and designed
by independent research company Colmar
Brunton.
The University of Auckland has also
been commissioned by council to conduct
an independent peer review of the survey to
ensure the statistical reliability of its results.
Dr Catherine Frethey-Bentham, Senior
Lecturer at The University of Auckland
says,The University of Auckland is providing
independent advice and performing a
peer review of the procedures followed in
conducting the Long Term Plan survey, to
ensure that rigorous survey design and data
collection processes are enacted.
The survey results will be considered,
along with feedback collected on councils
10-year budget, by elected members before
they make decisions on what goes into the
final budget in June. Survey respondents will
be contacted by telephone based on a sample
that is demographically representative of
Aucklands population.
Results will be made public by May
Time is running out

to have your say
Auckland is the countrys fastest growing
region. So were facing big opportunities
and equally big challenges. We need to
balance investment in our region and
improving transport with keeping rates
affordable.
To get this mix right, we need you to
have your say on Aucklands 10-year
budget.
All feedback must be received by 4pm
on Monday 16 March.
Visit shapeauckland.co.nz
Council to start
Smokefree Review
recommendation
to
bring
forward Aucklands Smokefree
Policy review was well received
by councillors at last weeks Governing
Body meeting and the review will start in
the coming months.
The recommendation was made due
to large public interest in the outdoor
dining aspect of the Trading and Events
in Public Places Bylaw which was adopted
by the committee today.
Although smokefree dining is not
a regulation of the bylaw, more than
1,300 submissions were received from
the Cancer Society, Auckland Regional
Public Health Service and individuals on
the subject and the council has listened
to their concerns.
Phase one, which included playgounds
and transport centres, was adopted in
2013 and we are in Phase two of the
policy which will make shared spaces
and plazas smoke-free.
Signage for these areas and the
beginning of an awareness campaign will
commence mid-year.
The purpose of the Smokefree Policy
Review is to determine if a smoke-free
bylaw is necessary for public places,
including outdoor dining areas.
Auckland Council will start the
policy review in the second half of 2015
and public consultation needs to be
undertaken to understand the regions
views on a smoke-free bylaw.
Have your say on the 10-year budget

by 4pm on Monday 16 March 2015
For more information or to provide
feedback visit shapeauckland.co.nz,
phone 09 301 0101 or visit your local
board office, service centre or library.
13
BC4136_IW_060315
NEW ZEALAND
14
FIJI
Red
Potential in film sector

P
Mere Naleba
ermanent secretary for

Tourism Shaheen Ali is
confident that there is a
lot of potential in the countrys
audio visual and film sector.
In opening the first formal
Audio Visual Agents Consultation
Seminar at Suvas TanoaPlaza
Hotel last week, Mr Ali said last
year the sector contributed 0.2

per cent of the GDP and earned
over $55million direct income.
He
said
the
industry
also
provided
employment
opportunities to 440 locals in
various productions.
The income generated from
the industry has increased
significantly by over 220 per cent
and the number of productions

increased from 28 in 2013 to 52
in 2014, Mr Ali said.
In 2014, the budget of all
the productions in Fiji totalled
$19.5m of which, $15.5m was
actually spent in Fiji, which is
approximately 79 per cent of the
total production cost.
He said the increase inmoney
Fijis Khana Kakana gets global credit
he CookbookKhana
Kakanahas
gained
international recognition
having won the Best in Fiji award
at the International Gourmand
Cookbook Awards.
Affairs and Trade, Fiji Health

Sector Support Programme, Red
Cross and SPC for their assistance
with Khana Kakana.
We are also thankful to
all the amazing chefs and
finalists for the prestigious award,

which will be announced onJune
11in Yantai, China.
With nutrition advice snippets
and gardening tips the cookbook
provides a total diet solution and
being retained in the country

could be termed as remarkable.
Apart
from
the
direct
benefits, the production of films
and shows in Fiji increases the
visibility of our country on the
international stage, which in turn
promotesand boosts the tourism
sector by driving visitors arrival,
he said.
photographers
who
made
delicious contributions, Mrs
Bhatnagar said.
The Ministry is now able
to place the Gourmand badge
of honour on the cookbook
alongside other Pacific greats
such as Robert Olivers Mea Kai.
Khana Kakanahas been
also nominated for both best
photography and best health and
nutrition cookbook in the world.
It is now competing with six other
inspiration for all Fijians.

She said the cookbook aims to
get people putting down the rice,
noodles and chips and picking
up more fresh fruits, vegetables
and lentils by creating easy and
convenient meals with local and
affordable produce.
The book can be accessed
free online from the Ministrys
website (www.health.gov.fj) as
well as from dieticians around the
country who are distributing it as
part of their wellness activities.
he
Fiji-US
Business
Council is hoping to
host a delegate from
its counterpart to Fiji where
they can have a Business-toBusiness arrangement to further
strengthen business relations.
It was confirmed by newlyappointed president, Rarendra
Reddy during the annual general
meetinglast week.
Mr Reddy said this was in
line with their 2015 target of
promotingmore business from
the United States and vice versa.
Wed like to get in contact with
the business people of US and
Fiji. Weve got a good support and
Air NZ to add extra 16,000 seats to Nadi
ir New Zealand has

confirmed it will add
over
16,000
seats
between Auckland and Nadi
during thewinter holiday period.
This will see between March
and October, Air New Zealand
will operate daily wide body
aircraft services (Boeing 777-300
or 777-200) between Auckland
and Nadi.
The airline will also operate
daily Airbus A320 evening

services on the route over the
July-August
school
holiday
period.
The additional capacity on
our Fiji services reflects strong
demand for Fiji as a winter
holiday destination, an Air New
Zealand spokesperson said.
Over the peak July school
holiday period, we will also
move to operate three weekly
non-stop
services
between Fiji and
both
Christchurch
and Wellington, the
spokesperson said.
Air New Zealand
previously operated
two flights per week
on each route.
Air New Zealand
will celebrate 75 years
of operations in April.
Orange
Mr Ali said with the Fijian

Government
increasing
the
amount of film rebates from 35
per cent to 47 per cent has helped
in making Fiji one of the most
attractive filming destinations in
the world.
He said the Government was
also considering introducing
rebate schemes in television
commercials.
Fiji-US Business
Council expects to
host US delegation
T
The International Gourmand
Cookbook Awards is the food
worlds version of the Oscars!
The
cookbook,
produced
by the Ministry of Health and
Medical
Services
Wellness
Centre, offers recipes, Fijian
nutrition information and healthy
inspiration.
The Assistant Minister for
Health, Veena Bhatnagar, said
the Ministry was thankful to the
Australian Department of Foreign
Black
backing and we will be looking in

chancing more on Fiji-US trading
where Fiji will be gain access to
more export.
Also at the top of their targets
this year, it would also be looking
at increasing members by
allowing more public exposure
where relevant.
We dont have specific plans
one direction but weve got multidirections.
As he stated business was
booming in the country he said
the council will take advantage of
it to expand the councils profile
and position among the business
councils.
FIJI
15
Now Tikoitoga, Team At UNIFIL
Red
Black
Orange
Maika Bolatiki
he Commander of the
Republic of Fiji Military
Forces, Brigadier-General
Mosese Tikoitoga, and his miltary
delegation has arrived at the
United Nations Interim Force in
Lebanon (UNIFIL).
RFMF Land Force Commander
and spokesperson, Colonel Sitiveni
Qiliho, yesterday, confirmed this.
At the UNIFIL, they will meet
the Fijian troops at UN Camp 2-45.
They left for the UNIFIL from

the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
where they were guests of the UAE
Armed Forces. The Minister for
Immigration, National Security
and Defence, Timoci Natuva, was
also at the International Defence
Exhibition (IDEX) in UAE, leading
the Fijian delegation.
IDEX is the most strategically
important tri-service defence
exhibition in the world.
It is the only international
defence exhibition and conference
in the Middle East and North Africa

(MENA) region demonstrating
the latest technology across land,
sea and air sectors of defence. It
is a unique platform to establish
and
strengthen
relationships
with government departments,
businesses and armed forces
throughout the region.
The Commander and his
delegation also had talks with the
UAE Armed Forces after the IDEX.
Accompanying the Commander
are the Deputy Commander
Brigadier-General
Aziz,
director
operations
Mohammed
peacekeeping
Commander
Humphrey Tawake and director

army legal services, Lieutenant
Colonel Pacolo Luveni.
NEWS in BRIEF
Free milk by midMarch
he Ministry of Education is on
track to deliver the free milk to
Year One students Fiji-wide by
the end of the month.
Minister Mahendra Reddy has
reassured the public that they would
deliver on their promise to provide Year
One students with free 250-millilitre
milk packs this year.
The free milk initiative was originally
part of the FijiFirst party manifesto
during the general elections in September
last year. Mr Reddy said: There are a
few problems in getting the programme
rolled out because of Fijis geographical
make-up and the supply logistics.
However, he said despite these
obstacles the Ministry was on track and
would deliver the milk packs by the third
week of this month.
Fly in December Malaysia Airlines Special Fares to Indian

Sub-Continent starting from $1299* (inclusive all taxes)
*Travel dates : 17th Feb to 7th Dec 2015
*Sales Expiry : 11th Mar 2015
No Date Yet For

Agreement
Cathay Pacific Special Fares to Indian Sub-Continent

starting from $1445* (inclusive all taxes)
*Travel dates : 1st Mar to 31st Aug 2015
*Sales Expiry : 29th Mar 2015
o date has been set for the

signing of a memorandum of
understanding (MOU) on the
Australian Seasonal Workers Programme.
Acting Permanent Secretary for
Employment Osea Cawaru confirmed this
last week.
We still have to clear all due process
and also get Cabinet approval before
signing, Mr Cawaru said.
A spokesperson for the Australian
High Commission said they were
close to finalising the MOU and hoped
to sign it as soon as possible. The
Australian government had invited Fiji
to participatein the Seasonal Workers
Programme last year after Australia lifted
the remaining sanctions on Fiji that had
been in place since 2006.
Meanwhile, the demand for the
Seasonal Workers Programme has
increased strongly from 2014 to this year.
In 2014-15, there are 2600 places
available to Australian employers in
the horticulture sector and 650 places
available to Australian employers in the
trial sectors. The spokesperson said next
year, the number of places available to
Australian employers increases to 4250
places. Australia is currently providing
seasonal work to eight Pacific island
countries and Timor-Leste.
Asia Beaches Singapore Airlines Special Fares

starting from $1550* (inclusive all taxes)
*Travel dates : 20th Apr to 20th Nov 2015
*Sales Expiry : 2nd Mar to 230th Mar 2015
Air India Special Fares to Indian Sub-continent starting
from $1025* (Inclusive all taxes)
*Travel dates : 16th Feb to 31st Oct 2015
*Sales Expiry : 15th March 2015
* Conditions apply
Join Eco loyalty program and enter into

monthly lucky draw to win exciting prizes
Thought of the week
Whenever you find yourself on the side

of the majority, it is time to pause and
reflect.
- Mark Twain
Editorial
From the desk of the

Managing Editor
Funny bone
he festival of colours is upon us again. Traditionally, it is one of the most

popular Hindu festivals. But it has now grown so much in popularity that
many non-Hindu communities also joyously participate in celebrating this
festival around the world.
The celebrations start with a Holika bonfire on the night before where people
gather, sing and dance. The next morning is a carnival of colours, where participants
play, chase and colour each other with dry powder and coloured water, with some
carrying water guns and coloured water-filled balloons for their water fight. Anyone
and everyone is fair game - friends or strangers, rich or poor, man or woman.
New Zealand also celebrates Holi with great enthusiasm and our next issue
will cover most of these events from around town. On behalf of the entire Indian
Weekender family, I wish to extend our heartfelt wishes to all our readers and their
families. May your life be always filled with the bright colours of Holi.
The ICC Cricket World Cup is on and the excitement has constantly been on the
rise, especially for us Kiwi-Indians. This is because, if its not the Indian team thats
causing a stir, its the Black Caps. The New Zealand-Australia match was in a lot of
senses like a replay of the India-Pakistan match, neighbours and arch rivals on the
sporting field giving each spectator value for their money and a nail-biting finish. It
was even more special for us since the match was being played at our very own Eden
Park.
Auckland also celebrated its much-awaited Lantern Festival this weekend. Almost a
thousand colourful handmade lanterns dazzled Albert Park, the venue for the Chinese
New Year celebrations. According to the Chinese calendar, this is the year of the
sheep and like every year, this year too there were stunning on-stage performances by
local and international talents, traditional festivities which included lantern-making
workshops, Chinese art and an array of delectable food to tickle the taste-buds. An
entire street was cordoned off to house the stalls, standing as a testimony to the evergenerous attempts by the Auckland Council to represent every migrant community
on this land.
In spite of everything, what actually stood out was the tea ceremony. Its increasing
multicultural appeal was showcased by the foot-falls in the tea room. There were
visitors from Israel to the Scandinavian countries, from the Arab world to the
Americas. We bring glimpses of the celebrations in this issue as well as some detail on
Chinas romance with their ever-famous brew, Cha.
Each week we grow closer to the Kiwi-Indian Hall of Fame. The nomination
forms are out and I would like to encourage all our readers to participate in this and
nominate your favourite community person. We bring you some glimpses of our last
years gala event in this issue just as an indication of what to expect this year. Needless
to say, we will endeavour to make this years event bigger and better.
Pick of the week
I wish you all and all your families a very Happy Holi. May the good cheer of
festivities continue to shower happiness on you, your family and friends.
Giri Gupta
The dress that broke the internet last week. #TheDress, as it has become known, was spotted by a blogger who
turned to Tumblr for help when the garment started an argument about its color among her friends. The dress was
finally announced by the owner to be blue & black and not white & gold.
Indian Weekender Volume 6 Issue 31

Publisher: Kiwi Media Group Limited
Managing Editor: Giri Gupta | girigupta@xtra.co.nz
Editor: Maya Shivam | editor@indianweekender.co.nz
Associate Editor: Paula Ray | paula@indianweekender.co.nz
Chief Reporter: Swati Sharma | reporter@indianweekender.co.nz
Reporter: Rizwan Mohammad | iwk.rizwan@gmail.com
Chief Technical Officer: Rohan Desouza | rohan@indianweekender.co.nz
Graphic and Layout Design: Yashmin Chand and Mahesh | designer@indianweekender.co.nz
Sales & Marketing Manager: Leena M: 022 0151971 | leena@indianweekender.co.nz
Accounts and Admin.: Farah Khan | accounts@indianweekender.co.nz
Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher
is not responsible for advertisers claims as appearing in the publication
Indian Weekender is published by Kiwi Media Group, 98 Great South Road, Auckland
Printed at Guardian Print, Ashburton
Copyright 2015. Kiwi Media Group. All Rights Reserved.
Tramping
Pronounced: tramping
Meaning: hiking
Usage: Mate, lets go tramping this weekend
TIP from the TRENCHES

If you are losing air in your tire, but cant
find a nail/screw/hole: fill your tire full

of air, take off your tire and get some dish
soap and water. Bubbles will develop
where ever there is a leak. If the hole is
in the middle of the tire, you can get it
repaired for a few dollars. If its on the
sidewalls, youre not so lucky.
OPINION / EDITORIAL
17
Fugitive prince: Is there a rift between

Sonia and Rahul?
Red
Black
Orange
Amulya Ganguli
here may be a deeper and

more unsettling reason
for
Rahul
Gandhis
present farewell to active politics
than the explanation that he has
gone away to mull over the factors
which led to the Congresss recent
electoral reverses.
Even the reticent and reclusive
heir apparent cannot be unaware
that a spell far away from the
madding crowd will not be long
enough for him, or anyone else,
to understand why the party is
facing an existential crisis, to
quote one of the 44-year-old
princes acolytes, Jairam Ramesh.
Arguably, Rahul Gandhi may
want to pore over the various
points which he imbibed during
his prolonged sessions with party
functionaries from the time of
the partys crushing defeat in last
years general election.
An atmosphere of peace and
quiet is undoubtedly necessary
to sort out the many inputs.
Even then, what the sabbatical
implies is a mentality which is not
typical of politicians, who are all
invariably extroverts and revel
in an environment of bustling
activity. Only thinkers seek
solitude.
However, there has been
nothing to show in the period
when Rahul Gandhi has been
in active politics that he is of an

introspective bent of mind.
This is borne out of the
fact that there is nothing out
of the ordinary in the idea of
organizational elections that
he favours for a revamp of the
130-year-old party. Nor in his
castigation of the fact that most
parties, including his own, are
run by closed coteries.
If Rahul Gandhi really wants
to do away with such self-serving
groups - his father called them
power brokers - he should have
begun by not accepting the vice
presidents post.
It is possible, therefore, that
in addition to the instincts of a
haughty loner which is the result
of a privileged upbringing, Rahul
Gandhi is chafing against the
curbs he is apparently facing in

the implementation of his ideas.
A hint of his approach was
available from the observations
of the Congress general secretary,
Digvijay Singh, when he said that
Rahul Gandhi wanted to run a
Kejriwal-type campaign: open the
party up, allow people to come
in, put a greater emphasis on
mass contact, but unfortunately
he was not allowed to give a new
direction by the establishment.
It is not easy to make out who
Digvijay Singh referred to as the
establishment. To outsiders,
the Congress establishment or
high command comprises Sonia
and Rahul Gandhi. It is their
word which is law.
Or is this assessment an
over-simplification ? Do the
power brokers still exist?

Have differences arisen as a
result between the mother and
the son over the running of the
organization?
Ironically, there have been
suggestions, notably by Congress
MP Kamal Nath, about a replay
of the Sonia Gandhi-Manmohan
Singh diarchy in a new form
involving the party president and
vice president.
It is necessary to remember
that ever since the Aam Admi
Partys
(AAP)
success
in
December 2013, Rahul Gandhi
has spoken of learning from the
fledging party.
The AAP involved a lot of
non-traditional people, he said,
and we will learn from that and
will better it in a way you cannot
imagine. Was he thinking of
opening up the party?
The point, however, is whether
his shock tactics will bring the
Congress into line with his views
or whether his escapism will
discredit the dauphin more than
the royal family.
The answer will lie in his
favour if he can come out with
a clear formulation not only for
breathing new life into the party
but also in giving it an ideological
direction in sync with the presentday world.
As of now, the Congress is
seemingly leaning towards a
return to Nehruvian socialism. If

it wants to do so, the party must
be forthright about it and not
hedge its bets by an occasional
reference, as by Digvijaya Singh,
to the needs of the aspirational
generation along with the pursuit
of a Left-of-centre line.
Clarity of vision is the hallmark
of a leader. But it also has to be
of the right kind. Otherwise, it
can lead the party to the edge of
a precipice, as in 1977 and again
at present.
Doubts may arise over Rahul
Gandhis outlook not only
because of his Left-leaning
ideas but even more so because
one of his heroines is Indira
Gandhi. A combination of his
grandmothers Leftism - her
ideology was derisively called
Left-of-self-interest - with her
authoritarianism will be a fatal
mix. It is not only the Congress
which will wait eagerly to hear
Rahul Gandhis articulation of
his vision when he comes out of
his hideout to become the party
president. The country, too, will
be equally interested in knowing
whether he has finally grown up
- or remains the dilettante that he
appears to be.
Amulya Ganguli is a
political analyst. The views
expressed are personal.
That heart beating inside your heart

We want to voice what affects us; we want to be heard. This is our platform to stand united against all odds
Paula Ray
t was at the bus stop off

Grafton Bridge that I was
waiting for my carrier. I was
on my way to work and a hundred
different things were buzzing
through my mind that needed to
be addressed within that day.
Just then I spotted a lady who
looked quite evidently pregnant,
and was carrying four bags on
her. Yes, there were four bags
of different sizes a backpack,
a small messenger bag slung
across her shoulders and two
supermarket bags on each arm.
My initial reaction was: Poor
woman! Why does she need to
carry so many bags? Does she have
nobody to lend her a helping hand,
especially in this condition?
A few seconds later, my
thoughts changed to: Yeah, thats
superwoman! She can carry
the burden of the world on her
strong shoulders as efficiently as
she provides for the universe. A
thought that warmed me to my
more important than the

rest. It would not only
give her refuge from the
sweltering sun, but also
help her drop those heavy
bags.
This is a basic instinct
to subconsciously make
way for the person who is
In this column, I share my experiences that
carrying the future in her
would perhaps be familiar to you too.
If you can relate to them, please share your
womb. But many a time,
thoughts or similar experiences with me
this privilege is snatched
off the same woman. Be
bones; more so as I was thinking it a miscarriage, an unplanned
about the Herculean (whats the pregnancy, or a stressed-out body
feminine version called?) chores I that cannot conceive: the woman
is denied an opportunity to bear
had to tackle that day.
Soon our bus arrived and we the heir, so to say.
Her sacrifice becomes even
formed a file waiting for the door to
open. Interestingly, I spotted that more powerful when she chooses
all of us in the queue were women to terminate her pregnancy for
of Chinese origin, of Indian a larger good; mainly because
origin, of South American origin it is untimed, unplanned and as
(perhaps) and the lady leading a result, inconvenient. It may
the line was the aforementioned be because she is unsure if her
pregnant woman of European relationship will last in the long
origin. It was, as if, a silent show run or because her partner doesnt
of respect to the person whose feel financially stable enough
need to board the bus was far to take on the responsibility of
another human.
Fair enough. It is a very
practical decision to take and
a definite display of utmost
responsibility. But spare the
heir-bearer some thought.
She is the one carrying the
foetus and thanks to the ultrasonography, she has already
heard the little heart beating
inside her heart. Her sacrifice is
bigger than any responsibility in
the whole wide world.
It should not be forgotten
that if she has the power to
give birth to the future,
she also has the
right
to
decide who
constitutes
her future.
Of course, it
is decided by what
constitutes her present.
Big powers do come with big
responsibilities. And when you
know how best to balance the two,
you are superwoman!
18
INDIA
Red
Black
Orange
A budget for the United Federation of India

Amit Kapoor
inance Minister Arun

Jaitley on February 28
delivered a budget that
will go down as one of the best
since liberalization began in
1991. It took stock of Indias
present set of challenges and
accordingly adjusted the priorities
and solutions. Six salient points
reflect the governments economic
thinking and strategy.
First, the budget has struck
to the recommendations of the
Fourteenth Finance Commissions
report on recalibrating Indias
fiscal architecture in India with
a massive increase in devolution
to states. It will be in 2015-16 to
the tune of Rs.5.24 lakh crore
(42 percent of the divisible pool)
compared to Rs. 3.38 lakh crore
(32 percent of the divisible pool)
as per the revised estimates for
2014-15. Another Rs. 3.04 lakh
crore would be transferred by way
of grants and plan transfers thus
taking the total allocation to states
at an all-time high of 62 percent of
the total tax receipts. Implicit in
this is the belief that cooperative
federalism
with
a
greater
devolution to states will hold the
key to the varied developmental
challenges that each of these
states faces.
Second, the budget, in spite
of the lack of fiscal space, has
increased allocations to Indias
creaky infrastructure to the tune
of Rs.70,000 crore . The creation
of a National Investment and

Infrastructure
Fund
(NIIF)
that will enable infrastructure
finance
companies
leverage
the equity provided to them
via debt will help boost the
investments in infrastructure.
Similarly the permission for
tax-free infrastructure bonds
for the projects in the rail, road
and irrigation sectors will enable
infrastructure development that
will provide the much-needed
push to the economy.
The government has proposed
to set up five new ultra mega
power projects, each of 4,000
MW. These are planned in plugand-play mode where clearances
and linkages will be in place
before the project is awarded by
a transparent auction system. All
these are commendable steps to
improve Indias decrepit/at places
absent infrastructure.
Third, there are several
institutional changes that have
been proposed. This includes a
Public Debt Management Agency
(PDMA) that will bring both

Indias external borrowings and
domestic debt under one roof. In
addition, the plan to merge the
Forward Markets Commission
with SEBI will have a soothing
influence on the wild speculation
in the market. The proposal to
enact a comprehensive new law
on black money, one that seems
rigorous in intent, will aid in
deterring corruption - atleast
through formal channels. Also,
the proposal to create a National
Agricultural Market (NAM) will
have an effect of moderating price
rises.
Fourth, the budget tries to
provide a stable, predictable and
globally competitive tax policy
regime for the all sections of
society, particularly the corporate
sector, over the next four to five
years. The tax rates for corporates
will be lessened over the next
four years from the earlier 30
percent to 25 percent. This is
in line with the commitment to
make it easier for corporates and
investors to do business in India

vis--vis other Asian economies.
The commitment is also reflected
in the governments launch of
an e-biz portal that integrates 14
regulatory permissions at one
source. Similarly, the wealth
tax has been abolished with an
additional surcharge put in place
for the income of the super-rich.
Also, the focus on implementation
of GST from the next year means
that India will be a unified market
- one that will boost its growth and
competitiveness.
Fifth, the budget has done
well to focus on social progress of
Indias citizens. The JAM Number
Trinity - Jan Dhan accounts,
Aadhar card and mobile phones
- as mentioned in the economic
survey aims to cut down leakages
while
maintaining
targeted
subsidies. Similarly, the schemes
for insurance will provide a safety
net for most people, including the
workforce and the elderly. The
shift to market-based solutions is
evident here and reflective of the
governments general approach in
trying to solve problems through
the market route. For promoting
cleanliness, the government has
called for 100 percent exemption
for donations made to Swachch
Bharat Kosh and the Clean Ganga
Fund.
Finally, in line with the
social objectives, the budget
addresses the challenges to
education,
entrepreneurship
and skill development in India.
Modi ready to bend on land bill
rime Minister Narendra

Modi last week said his
government was willing
to bend on the controversial
land acquisition bill if there was
anything anti-farmer, and pledged
not to allow any discrimination
against any religion.
In a forceful 70-minute speech
in the Lok Sabha in which he took
on the Congress, Modi justified
his foreign visits and called the
previous governments flagship
rural job guarantee scheme a
proof of its failure.
The house adopted the motion
of thanks to the presidents
address after some amendments
moved by the opposition were
rejected.
In his reply to the debate on
the motion in which about 60
members took part, Modi, point
by point, rebutted allegations
against him and his government
while targeting Congress on issues
including black money, the rural
job guarantee scheme, coal block
allocations and land acquisition
law.
On the contentious land bill that
has been dubbed anti-farmer
by opposition, Modi said he was

ready to bring about changes. If
there is anything against farmers,
the government is ready to change
it, the prime minister said, in
a first indication of a change of
mindset on the issue.
He dismissed criticism that his
government, which took power in
May last year, was biased against
minorities.
My governments only religion
is India first, my governments
only religious book is the Indian
constitution, our only devotion is
Bharat Bhakti and our only prayer
is welfare of all, Modi said.
Parliaments winter session
was held up for days over remarks
by groups linked to the Bharatiya
Janata Party. MPs had then asked
Modi to come clean on the subject.
Speaking on the issue in
parliament for the first time,
Modi said it was his duty not to
allow anaap shanap (ridiculous)
comments in the name of religion.
Nobody has the right to
discriminate on the basis of
religion... No one has the right to
take law into his hands, he said.
Communalism for political
reasons has destroyed the country.

Hearts have been broken.
But Modi demanded to know
why questions were being posed
to us.
We want all religions to
prosper. We are for unity in
diversity, not uniformity, he
added.
He also referred to his remarks
in a rally at Patna last year that
both Hindus and Muslims need to
battle poverty, not one another.
Tearing into Congress over the
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Act, Modi
said it was a living reminder
of the previous governments
failures.
I will ensure it is never
discontinued. After so many years
of being in power, all you were able
to deliver is for a poor man to dig
ditches a few days a month, he
said.
You will give me credit for this
at least - that I have some rajnitik
sudhbudh (political acumen).
Congress leader Mallikarjun
Kharge hit back at Modi.
Speeches dont fill stomachs, he
said. MNREGA is a programme
from which many people benefit.

Making fun of it is not in good
humour.
Modi said his government had
compelled the nation to talk about
black money. This, he said, is a
big thing.
Congratulating
Finance
Minister Arun Jaitley for steps
taken to curb black money, he
said that government will pursue
the issue relentlessly till we are
victorious.
Referring to auctions of coal
blocks in his government, Modi
said that the loss figure of Rs.
1,86,000 crore mentioned during
UPA government appeared to be
an understatement.
He also refuted criticism that he
paid frequent visits abroad.
They said you need a visa
to come to parliament... I dont
have to say anything but there are
things that need to be done at the
international level.
Previous prime ministers went
to these meetings. This prime
minister has to go, and so will the
prime ministers of future.
Trinamool
Congress
member Saugata Roy moved an
The government seems keen to

invest in education by opening
up institutions of higher learning
like IITs IIMs and AIIMS in select
states. This is in line with the view
that each state should have one
major central institution. The
government has also proposed
creation of a Micro Units
Development Refinance Agency
(MUDRA) Bank, with a corpus
of Rs 20,000 Crore that aims to
provide credit to hard-working
entrepreneurs at the bottom of
the pyramid. This is meant to
increase the confidence of young,
educated and aspiring Indians
who can now aim to become firstgeneration entrepreneurs. The
announcement for launching a
National Skills Mission through
the skill development and
entrepreneurship ministry will
cater to skilling the young.
All these points are indicative
that the budget has factored into
account the reality of India and has
accordingly devised an economic
strategy. It also signals the focus
towards decentralized federal
governance, a stable and businessfriendly tax policy and marketoriented solutions to social and
economic problems. The budget
is visionary and pragmatic in
content and form and touches on
all facets of life of citizens and has
indicated ways of transforming
them. The main challenge will lie
in making people understand the
long-term implications and the
implementation of the budget.
amendment that the presidents

address did not mention about
the threats posed by ghar
vapsi programme and attacks
on churches. However, it was
negatived after a vote.
INDIA
Red
Black
19
Orange
Mufti Kashmir CM again, BJP Modi hails budget as

progressive, positive
to govern for the first
time ever
T
Sheikh Qayoom
DP
chief
Mufti
Mohammad Sayeed called
for peace last week after
taking oath as chief minister of
Jammu and Kashmir, heading a
coalition that brought the BJP to
power for the first time in Indias
only Muslim-majority state.
Prime Minister Narendra
Modi and BJP leaders Amit Shah
and L.K. Advani were among
the 1,400 guests who witnessed
the ceremony, over two months
after the PDP and the BJP won
28 and 25 seats respectively in a
hung verdict that exposed deep
divisions between the Muslim and
Hindu areas.
After taking oath in English,
Sayeed, 79, warmly hugged Modi
and sat close to him on a flowerdecked stage at the Jammu
Universitys General Zorawar
Singh auditorium to witness the
entire ceremony.
Later, addressing the media,
Sayeed said he had told Modi that
peace was a must if Jammu and
Kashmir had to prosper.

He said the Modi government
must address the need for a
dialogue between India and
Pakistan, two countries which
dispute the ownership of Jammu
and Kashmir. Kashmiris, he said,
must be involved in the process.
Modi tweeted: The PDPBJP government is a historic
opportunity to fulfil the aspirations
of the people of Jammu and
Kashmir and take the state to new
heights of progress.
Son of a religious preacher
from the Kashmir Valley, Sayeed

will head the government of his
Peoples Democratic Party and the
Bharatiya Janata Party, and will
be the chief minister for all of six
years.
BJP leader Nirmal Singh will
be the deputy chief minister. He
said the two parties would provide
a stable government.
Inclusive of Sayeed, the PDP
will have 11 cabinet berths and the
BJP six, Lone included.
This is the second time Sayeed
heads a coalition government in
Kashmir. He took power in 2002,
heading a PDP-Congress alliance,
for three years.
The Kashmir verdict brought
about a clear divide between the
Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley
and the Hindu-dominated Jammu
region, with the PDP winning
almost all its seats in the valley
and the BJP sweeping Jammu.
This is the first time the BJP
is tasting power in Jammu and
Kashmir, where a separatist
campaign which has raged since
1989 has left thousands dead.
erming
the
20152016
union
budget
progressive,
positive,
practical, pragmatic and prudent,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
last week said it has a distinct
focus on farmers, youth, poor,
neo-middle class and aam nagrik
(common man).
The budget delivers on growth,
equity and job creation, Modi said.
It was investment-friendly,
removes all doubts on tax issues
and also assures investors that
we have a stable, predictable and
fair tax system, he said.
The details of the black
money law being introduced
demonstrates
the
NDA
governments firm commitment
to bring back every rupee stashed
abroad, he said.
Congratulating
Finance
Minister Arun Jaitley for an
excellent job in presenting it,
Modi said the budget reflected
the governments commitment to
ensure development of the eastern
and the northeastern parts of the
country.
The budget indicates our
commitment to ensure that
development of the eastern and
northeastern parts of India gets
an impetus and drives future

growth, he said in a statement.
Talking about the governments
flagship programmes, the prime
minister said various schemes
have been announced, keeping the
same in mind, in the budget.
Success of the Jan Dhan
Yojana is gladdening. Building on
that, key schemes are announced
that
will
comprehensively
transform lives of the poor, he
said.
The budget will further
re-ignite our growth engine,
signalling the dawn of a
prosperous future, he said.
Rail budget get a thumbs up from passengers
ntroduction of faster trains,

free wi-fi, cameras for women
safety and no hike in
passenger fares above all has
left commuters delighted,
a majority of whom gave
a thumbs up to Railway
Minister Suresh Prabhus
maiden
rail
budget
presented last week.
Passengers at many of
the railway stations in the
national capital felt that the
budget was satisfactory and
while the older generation was
pleased with no hike in fares and
greater emphasis on security,
free wi-fi, more charging points
inside trains and bio-degradable
toilets left the younger ones
impressed.
I would say the budget is
satisfactory and have met my
expectations. The main highlight
is that the fares have not been
raised, 52-year-old Raman
Anand, who often travels to
Lucknow and Agra for business,
told IANS at the New Delhi
Railway Station.
The minister in his maiden
budget for Indian Railways
announced
passenger
train
speeds to be increased by 50
percent on nine key routes, userfriendly ladders to mount upper
berths, wi-fi in 400 stations,
more money for escalators,
17,000 bio-toilets in trains,
better connectivity in northeast and cameras for safety of
women travellers among other
highlights. Steps taken for
women security like installation
of
closed-circuit
television
cameras (CCTVs), a toll-free
helpline and a mobile application
to redress complaints were
praised by all especially women.
Anjum,
a
56-year-old
homemaker travelling to Mysuru
felt installation of cameras in
women coaches and toll free
helpline for security related
complaints will act as a deterrent.
These steps will instill fear in

the minds of those who indulge
in such acts because they know
that they are being watched.
Maybe, things will improve
now, the hopeful mother of two
told IANS outside Nizamuddin
station in south Delhi.
Youngsters applauded the
ministers decision to install
more charging points, free wi-fi
and bio-degradable toilets.

These are positive steps
taken
towards
modernising
railways which is a must. If these
are implemented successfully,
train travel will surely become an
effective alternate to travelling
by air, said 23-year-old Gurjot
Jolly at the New Delhi Railway
Station.
However, there were some
who were skeptical about the
implementation of the projects
as well as the fact that no new
trains were introduced.
Mainland India needs to
connect with its villages and
far-flung regions which remain
undeveloped due to lack of
connectivity. The minister has
failed to address this issue,
opined Charan Das, a resident of
Patna visiting relatives in Delhi,
told IANS.
Rajni
Singh,
34,
was
apprehensive about the timely
and effective execution of the
proposed projects.
I doubt if all the promises
will be kept, said the central
government employee from Uttar
Pradesh visiting the national
capital for a friends wedding.
20
INDIA
Kejriwal to head body to deliver

70-point agenda
ew Delhi Chief Minister

Arvind Kejriwal will
head a new agency The Delhi Dialogue Commission
- that will implement the AAPs
70-point agenda for the capitals
growth, officials said last week.
A meeting of the Delhi cabinet
chaired by Kejriwal approved
the setting up of a nine-member
advisory body to ensure the
execution of the Aam Aadmi
Party governments vision for
governance.
The commission will have
Kejriwal as its chairperson and
party colleague Ashish Khetan as
vice chairperson.
Its members will include
Deputy Chief Minister Manish
Sisodia along with the chief
secretary of Delhi, the principal
secretary
of
finance,
the
secretary to the chief minister
and a member secretary to be
appointed by the chairperson.
The chairperson will also
nominate two other members to
the body.
The vested interests of
successive governments and
their remoteness from their
constituents ensured that the
most fundamental needs of the
people of Delhi have remained
unaddressed,
an
official
statement said.
NEWS in BRIEF
Red
Black
Orange
Justice Roy sworn in as Supreme

Court judge
ustice Amitava Roy was sworn in as a judge of the Indian

Supreme Court, last week.
With the elevation of Roy, who was chief justice of the
Orissa High Court, the strength of the apex court has gone up to 29
against a sanctioned strength of 31 judges. Justice Roy will have a
tenure of three years. Coming from a family of lawyers and judges
from Kolkata, Justice Roy, born March 1, 1953, started practice in
the district courts in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia in Assam from 1976
to 1981, before shifting to the Gauhati High Court.
He was elevated as judge in the high Court Feb 4, 2002 and
elevated as chief justice of the Rajasthan High Court Jan 2, 2013
and shifted to the Orissa High Court in the same capacity Aug 6,
2014.
India to have superior earth

observation satellites: ISRO chief
Through the commission, we

will not only remove the distance
between the government and
people but will also tap into
peoples everyday experiences
and professional knowledge
to
draw
up
policy-level
interventions in order to deliver
on the 70-point manifesto,
it said. The commission will
constitute task groups on various
subjects.
Some of the initial panels will
be about rejuvenating the Yamuna
and other water bodies in Delhi,
womens safety, e-governance,
CCTVs and Wi-Fi, comprehensive
waste management, affordable
and clean energy, creating
employment and improving
standards of education.
ndia will soon have satellites with superior earth

observation capability, said space agency chief A.S.Kiran
Kumar.
The future of earth observation relies on three factors continuity and improvement of the operational constellation
of satellites, sustained observation of all climate variables
and global co-operation for comparing observation data,
the Indian Space Research Organisation chairman said while
speaking at the International Conference on Climate Change
and Disaster Management at Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram.
Tanja Masson-Zwaan, president, International Institute of
Space Law (IISL), stressed the importance of space technology
in solving issues connected to climate change.
INDIA ABROAD
Red
Black
21
Orange
India-born scientists team uses DNA rings

for cancer detection
Arun Kumar
S researchers led by Indiaborn physician-scientist

Sanjiv Sam Gambhir
have developed a futuristic method
of using tiny customised DNA rings
for early detection of cancer.
The DNA rings, carrying
instructions for making a blooddetectable biomarker, can enter
both healthy cells and cancer cells.
But only cancer cells follow the
recipe to make the biomarker.
Stanford University School of
Medicine investigators inserted
tiny DNA minicircles into the genes
of mice, which caused cancer cells
to emit a substance that could be
detected from a blood sample.
The scientists then showed that
mice with tumours produced a

substance that tumour-free mice
did not make. The substance was
easily detected 48 hours later by a
simple blood test.

We want to translate this
strategy into humans, so weve
set it up in a way thats most
First American Sikh

superhero who loves Elvis
heres a new superhero

in town and he doesnt
sport a cape, mask or wear
embarrassing tights. He wears a
turban and he fights the Taliban and
is a huge Elvis fan.
Deep Singh or Super Sikh is the
brainchild of Oakland-based writer
Eileen Alden and Silicon Valley
executive, Supreet Singh Manchada,
CBS reported.
The pair launched a Kickstarter
campaign early this year to help
bring the first turban Sikh super
hero to life. In just 27 hours they
had enough to produce the first
issue. By February, they exceeded
their original goal of $5,000, raising
more than $22,000. Aldon and
Manchada have brought in awardwinning illustrator Amit Tayal,
whose work has been published
internationally. The Kickstarter

money ensures at least three issues
of the series. There are than 28
million Sikhs worldwide and about
a half million living in the US.
According to comicbookreligion.
com, there are already 20 turbanwearing Sikh heroes and villains in

comic books.
The Kickstarter campaign says
Deep Singh is a skillful, smart and
very well-trained British Special Air
Service agent. That sounds a bit
like James Bond. But Deep Singhs
creators promise a new kind of hero
- a modern hero in a turban who
loves Elvis and hates bad guys and
will uphold his Sikh values even
while he is living in a modern world
with all of its complexities.
Manchanda said he was bullied
when he was a child, and that was
one of the reasons he co-created this
comic. SuperSikh will be printed
in English. A digital version in
Punjabi, Spanish and Mandarin
will come later. Super Sikh also
has a Facebook page.
Bill to merge PIO, OCI schemes

introduced in Lok Sabha
bill seeking to merge

Person of Indian Origin
card with Overseas
Citizenship of India card was
introduced in Indian Lok Sabha
last week.
The Citizenship (Amendment)
Bill, 2015 was introduced by
Minister of State for Home Kiren
Rijiju to replace the ordinance
brought by the government.
The bill seeks to amend

the Citizenship Act, 1955 and
provide, among other things, for
registration of overseas citizen
of India cardholder and also
that the persons of Indian origin
cardholders shall be deemed
to be overseas citizen of India
cardholders.
It also provides for conferment
of rights on overseas citizen of
India cardholder, renunciation

of the card and cancellation of
registration of the card holder.
N.K. Premachandran of the
Revolutionary Socialist Party
objected to the introduction of the
bill, saying that the government
had introduced a bill to amend
the Citizenship Act in the winter
session and then brought an
ordinance.
likely to be effective, safe and

convenient, said
Gambhir,
who is also the Virginia and D.K.
Ludwig Professor for Clinical
Investigation in Cancer Research.
Ambala-born Gambhir, 53,
moved to the US with his parents
and sister in 1969. He was raised
in Phoenix, Arizona. He is married
to Aruna Bodapati Gambhir, has
one son and lives in the Bay Area.
In a media release, the school
painted a futuristic scenario
where You
pop a pill into
your mouth and swallow it. It
dissolves, releasing tiny particles
that are absorbed and cause only
cancerous cells to secrete a specific
protein into your bloodstream.
Two days from now, a fingerprick blood sample will expose
whether you have got cancer
and even give a rough idea of its
extent.
A paper describing the findings

of this proof-of-principle study
was published online Feb 23 in
the Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences.
Although the minicircles were
injected intravenously to the mice
in this study, it should eventually
prove possible to deliver them
orally via a pill, Gambhir said.
We havent got it down to a
pill yet, but the oral delivery part
of this is likely a solvable problem
-- only a few years off, not five or
10 years off.
It would take much more
time than that to prove that
the approach was safe to use
in humans, though, Gambhir
cautioned.
Eventually, he said, he foresaw
variations, such as adding a second
gene to the minicircles.
Bobby Jindal sees American

melting point turning into
salad bowl
nsisting that he was tired

of hyphenated Americans,
Louisianas Indian-American
Republican
Governor
Bobby
Jindal has accused the politically
correct crowd of trying to turn
the American melting pot into a
salad bowl.
Jindal, who unlike other
Indian-American
politicians
declines to embrace his ethnicity,
dilated Friday on the need for new
immigrants to adopt American
culture and learn to speak English.
They must assimilate. They
must integrate. We used to be the
melting pot, he said addressing
the Conservative Political Action
Conference at National Harbour
in Maryland, near Washington.
Now, the politically correct
crowd says we oughta be a salad
bowl, he said.
There is nothing wrong
with saying if you want to
come to America you should
be an American, said Jindal,
one of a long list of potential
2016 presidential hopefuls who
addressed the conference.
I am tired of hyphenated
Americans. Were not IndianAmericans or African-Americans,
were
all
Americans,
he
was quoted as saying by the
Washington Post.
He also upbraided fellow
Republicans in Congress for
failing to do enough to repeal
President Barack Obamas health
care law or stop his plan to delay
deportations for some young
undocumented immigrants.
He has basically broken the
Constitution. Broken the law,
Jindal said of Obama.
It is time for our Republican
leaders in congress to grow a
spine. Its time for them to do
what we elected them to do.
Jindal, according to the Post,
also criticised Obama for not
doing enough to confront the
Islamic State terrorist group with
military force.
He said he rejected the State
Departments argument that
America could not kill our way
to victory, and argued ground
troops might be necessary to win
the fight.
How have we ever won any
war...if not killing our way to
victory? Jindal asked.
We dont need to be cheaper
liberal Democrats. We need to be
principled conservatives, Jindal
was quoted as saying by the Blaze.
22
SPORTS
Red
Black
Orange
India beat UAE, earn third World Cup win
ndia achieved their third

consecutive victory in the
cricket World Cup when they
comprehensively beat the United
Arab Emirates (UAE) by nine
wickets in a Pool B encounter at
the WACA in Perth last weekend.
After bowling out the UAE
for 102, the lowest total of the
current World Cup and UAEs
lowest One-Day International
(ODI) score, in 31.3 overs, India
achieved the paltry target in 18.5
overs with opener Rohit Sharma
top scoring an unbeaten 57.
This is the second biggest
margin of victory in ODIs for
India in terms of balls remaining
--187. They had beaten Kenya
with 231 balls to spare in 2001
which is their biggest win.
Indian
bowlers
delivered
a dominating performance to
skittle out UAE. Man-of-thematch Ravichandran Ashwin was
the pick of the bowlers, notching
his first four-wicket haul in ODIs
for 25 runs from 10 overs which
also included a maiden. Pacer
Umesh Yadav (2/15) and spinner
Ravindra Jadeja (2/23) clinched
two wickets each.
The UAE just about managed
to avoid becoming the first team
to get bowled out for under 100
against India in a World Cup.

However, theirs was still the
lowest total by any team against
India in the quadrennial event.
In reply, it was more or less
a smooth chase for the Indian
batsmen, the only hiccup being

the loss of opener Shikhar
Dhawan, who was caught by a
brilliant single-handed catch
by Rohan Mustafa at backward
point.
Rohit scored his 23rd ODI halfcentury and was well supported
by vice-captain Virat Kohli (33
not out). India play their next

World Cup match against the
West Indies in Perth on March 6.
help of three sixes and seven fours,

he raced to his 28th half-century.
Still needing 21 runs, New
Zealand batsmen fell to the pace
and swing generated by Starc.
Wicketkeeper-batsman
Luke
Ronchi (6), Adam Milne (0) and
Southee (0) perished against Starc

and the hosts tottered at 146/9.
However,
the
24-year-old
Williamson, playing in his
69th ODI, mixed caution with
aggression to see the New Zealand
home.
New Zealand beat Australia

with a nail-biting climax
n a cricket World Cup match

between the co-hosts, New
Zealand registered a thrilling
one-wicket victory over TransTasman rivals Australia in a Pool
A encounter at the Eden Park in
Auckland, last weekend.
Pacer Trent Boult (5/27) helped
New Zealand bowl Australia out
for 151 after the latter opted to bat
first.
In the New Zealand innings,
skipper Brendon McCullum (24ball 50) provided a sparkling start
but left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc
(6/28) helped the Australians pull
things back.
However,
young
batsman
Kane Williamson (not out 45) and
Corey Anderson (26) helped New
Zealand cross the line with one
wicket and 26.5 overs to spare.
With this win, New Zealand
recorded their fourth straight win
in the World Cup. They have won
against Sri Lanka, Scotland and
England in their previous matches.
While defending the small
target, Australian bowlers were
belted all around the park by the
33-year-old McCullum. With the
KIDZONE
Black
Orange
Young writer:
Ayan Iqbal, Year 5
One week ago I was alone in my bedroom, on a
Saturday evening. My Parents had gone out
to do some work. I was watching television
when I hear footsteps outside the backdoor.
There was
also some whispering. Then I heard the window
break and its pieces fell on the floor. Then there was banging
on the door. I was frozen with terror. I went to hide behind
the door, my heart started to beat fast.
We were being robbed, I thought. Then I heard the robbers
whispering, Okay, Ill go in that room, you go in the other one.
Got it? Got it. There must have been two of them!
One of them opened the door, I was hiding behind. The man
said, Whats behind the door? Slowly, he opened the door
and he found me hiding there. I stood there shocked pale and
full of terror. The man said, Hey, come over here. Well take
care of this kid. An evil grin spread across his face. The other
robber appeared and they were both coming to get me. They
were closing in on me, coming closer and closer. What could I
do? Suddenly, I heard my moms voice Ayan, Im home! Oh
no! They are back, one of the men said. Come on lets get out
of here. They both ran outside and I was saved and answered
my moms call.
Good thing I had to set up my mums voice as my ringtone with
the help of an app. My phone saved my life.
Riddles
Q: What occurs once in a minute, twice in a moment
and never in one thousand years?
Q: What has 4 eyes but cant see?
Q: If I have it, I dont share it. If I share it, I
dont have it. What is it?
Q: Take away my first letter, and I still sound the
same. Take away my last letter, I still sound the
same. Even take away my letter in the middle; I will
still sound the same. I am a five letter word. What
am I?
Q: What has hands but cannot clap?
Q: What can you catch but not throw?
Q: A house has 4 walls. All of the walls are facing
south, and a bear is circling the house. What colour
is the bear?
Q: What is at the end of a rainbow?
Q: What is as light as a feather, but even the
worlds strongest man couldnt hold it for more than
a minute?
Q: What starts with the letter t, is filled with t
and ends in t?
A: The letter M. A: Mississippi. A: A Secret.A: EMPTY A: A
clock. A: A cold. A: The house is on the North Pole, so the
bear is white. A: The letter W! A: His breath! A: A teapot!
Red
Puzzles
Farmyard Maze
Can you help the cow find her way
back through the maze to the barn?
Young artist:
Rudra Vir Sharma, Year 4
Send us stories, drawings, poems and other

contributions by your little ones alongwith their
photographs for this page. Email us at editor@
indianweekender.co.nz
Copyright www.ActivityVillage.co.uk - Keeping Kids Busy
23
24
RAZZMATAZZ
Red
Black
Minimalistic or extravagantNothing in between

FASHION FORECAST 2015
Monika Sood
COLOURS
FOR THE SEASON
Neons are gone, this season is all about cooler softer hues.
Go for the pale pastels and neutrals like
taupe, tan, grey, white and black.
JEWELLRY
trends
Neck:
Its official thatChokersare back and with a bang
seen all over the runway by leading fashion brands.
They are one of the coolest kind of neck jewellery
around and paired with a long necklace it completes
the look. 90s biggest throwback jewellery trend is all
you will see in 2015.
Apart from chokers, multi strand neckpieces are

the call. Chains, pearls or colored stones layered
together with a hint of charms here and there adding
the perfect touch. They may be very delicate pieces
with super thin chains or massive and out there with
bulky chains and crystal stones.
Hand:
Layering and stacking
is seen in bracelets as
well. Symbols, charms
and slogan bracelets
wrapped up and stacked
together. Leather chords,
nylon threads and other
materials adding texture
and dimension.
Midi ringswere hot
last season and will continue to be still. With an
addition of ring stacks, this jewellery trend is going
nowhere and will stick around for a while.
Palm cuff is the new kid in town. After the
monotonous bracelets, palm cuffs brought in a kick
of change joining in with the edgy midi rings and
knuckle rings. This stunning piece of jewellery is new,
different , cool and as practical as wed like. It could be
the next midi-ring.
Ear:
Earrings will the accessory most experimented
with in the following season. A very trendy accessory
among fashion designers isasymmetricalearrings.
The asymmetry may be a subtle change in position
or an element or going completely over the top by
wearing different earrings on both sides or wearing a
single earring.
Ear cuffsare going strong and will be seen in the
market still. They dont have to go all the way to the
top to make a statement. It is a simple way to make
any outfit chic.
Body Chains:
Body chains have returned as the ultimate
statement jewelry worn.
These can be worn in different styles and multiple
ways and can be worn bare or over clothing.
Cross-body chainsare becoming the most popular

style of body chains after being spotted on many
popular celebrities. They are versatile enough to be
paired with a flowing dress to give an elegant and chic
look and can also be worn with bikinis or with casual
tees for a more contemporary look.
Thigh chains are the latest accessory to be seen and
will take the fashion world by storm. It is an intricate
piece of jewellery that softly falls over your leg across
your thigh or even the entire your leg.
The Arm Chains drape gracefully down your arm
from your shoulder. This body jewellery peeks out
from a short-sleeved top, adding a delicate touch of
sparkle to your arm.
Orange
EVENTS
Albert Park turns China Town on Chinese

Lantern Festival
Red
Black
Orange
RIZWAN Mohammad
t was 6 in the evening and the

show had already begun at
Albert Park with performers
on stage showing Kung Fu actions,
crowd jostling with cheers, happy
faces enjoying the hand-made
dragons on the garden perimeters,
cloth castles, puppets and goats.
26th February marked the start
of Aucklands 16th annual Lantern
Festivaland it concluded with
a bang of band performance on
Sunday 1st March. The New Year is
the year of Goat or also called as the
year of the Sheep.
Cultural performances, beautiful
lanterns hung from the barks of the
tree like a fruit, people dressed in
traditional Chinese costumes, a
vast kids playing section, Chinese
artefacts of sale, and not to forget
lip smacking Chinese delicacies.
Visitors at the show were all
thrilled to the see the Chinese
way of celebrating New Year, and
they indeed were dazzled and left
amazed at the end of the show. The
venue seemed like one big city of
multicultural people outing and
enjoying together.
I couldnt have imagined a
better way of celebrating the Yew
Year, and this whole arrangement
of lanterns, puppets, lightings,
other handicrafts, nerve shattering
performances makes me feel I am
in mini China right now. My kids
are delighted and this is one of the
best Lantern Festivals I have ever
been exclaimed Wang Yong who
had come with his family to see the
show. Martial Art performers from
Shanghaidressed in red satin outfit
stunned the crowd with their breath
taking stunts, and it seemed evident
that kids at the show definitely want
to learn some of those moves.
Beautiful
puppets
from
Guangzhou portraying the love
story between a dragon and a bird
stole the show with its romantic
yet powerful soul music. The string
and drum stunt made people give a
standing ovation for the display of
their gravity defying moves.
With the skies turning dark, and

around 800 handmade lanterns
hung from trees glistening in the
dark, Albert Park, Queen Street
and adjoining areas had turned into
little China for the evening.
The whole show was a smoke
and alcohol free event, yet the
sound engineer was seen smoking
in his little console a couple of times.
The sound and light engineers did a
really commendable task of making
the show astoundingly beautiful
with their almost magical skills on

the keyboard.
Independent band performers
graced the show making the crowd
lose their senses and flow in the
river of rock music.
With a countdown for 10
seconds at exactly 10.30 pm the
skies brightened behind and from
the Sky Tower with fireworks and
again the crowd hooting Happy
New Year!
25
FEATURES
26
From the desk of
Red
Black
Orange
On International Womens Day, plan a solo

trip, ladies!
of cultural influences, Valparaiso

is called the Little San Francisco.
Tokyo, Japan: Start with
the fascinating megalopolis of
Tokyo, take a bullet train ride
past Mount Fuji to experience
the contrasting tranquillity of old
Kyoto. Lodgings, from venerable
ryokan inns to modern hotels, are
designed with single travellers in
mind. You can enjoy a communal
hot spring bath, meditate in a Zen
garden, and dine at the counter of
a sushi restaurant
New York, US: Visit the
famous Central Park, stroll
through the West Village, admire
the Empire State Building, and
unquestionably
treat yourself to
ift
yourself
a
holiday packed with
adventure and more
on International Womens Day
March 8.
On
the
occasion
of
International
Womens
day,
online accommodation- booking
website Hotels.com lists top solo
travel destinations:
Valparaiso, Chile: Explore
this 3,000-mile-long country of
deserts, mountains, and endless
coastline. You could head north
to the Atacama Desert or south to
Chilo Island or Patagonia, and
save a little time for Santiago.
A must visit, however, is the
colourful seaside village of
Valparaiso. With a
magnitude
a New York-style slice of pizza.

Dont forget to see the legendary
Statue of Liberty while you are
there.
Nairobi, Kenya: If youre the
types, who likes a bit of city and a
bit of nature, then Nairobi is the
place for you. The best of both
worlds for travellers, Nairobi is a
city that offers urban and safari
adventure. The best part about
Nairobi is that to take a safari one
doesnt even have to leave the city.
From there, you can go on a coffee
tasting session to experience some
of the locally-grown coffee in one
of the several coffee shops found
in the city.
Barcelona, Spain: Stroll Las
Ramblas and enjoy Barcelonas
unique blend of Catalan culture,

distinctive architecture, lively
nightlife and stylish hotels. Youll
find Europes best-preserved
Gothic Quarter here, as well as
amazing architectural works.
Then theres La Boqueria market,
where you can stock up on local
delicacies.
Brussels, Belgium: Brussels
is filled with 17th-century Art
Nouveau buildings and daily
flower markets. Visit Brussels very
own Eiffel Tower, the Atomium.
It provides great views, inside
and out. Also, needless to say, get
some chocolate and waffles.
54
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28
ENTERTAINMENT
Red
for the stylish and awards me with

Timeless Fashion Icon.
Strange are the ways of life.
From time to timeless. Time
passed in one.
Timeless
recognition
in
another! Dear Lord...what prisms
you put us through, Amitabh
posted on srbachchan.tumblr.
com. The 72-year-old, who was
known for his bell bottoms style
in 1970s, was touched by the hugs
he got from the young generation
actors.
Big B named
Timeless Fashion
Icon
Priyanka Chopra
joins drama pilot
Quantico
part from his memorable

performances on screen,
Indian cinestar Amitabh
Bachchan is also known for
making style statements with
designer jackets, suits, sherwanis,
kurtas and pyjamas off screen. No
wonder then that he was honoured
with the Timeless Fashion Icon
accolade by Filmfare Glamour
Style and Fashion.
Big B took to his official blog
to share his views over the award
ceremony held in Mumbai last
week.
Filmfare Glamour Style and
Fashion holds an award ceremony
The 32-year-old, who signed

a one-year TV deal with the USbased studio in December 2014,
will play Alex Weaver, a brilliant
but haunted Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) trainee whose
past boils to the surface soon after
her arrival at Quantico.
The pilot revolves around a
group of young FBI recruits, all
with specific reasons for joining,
who battle their way through
training at the Quantico base
in Virginia. One will launch a
devastating terrorist attack on the
US.
The drama is produced by
Mark Gordon, Josh Safran and
Nick Pepper.
Imran Khan
hails Kangana
Ranaut
having a very positive experience

on this film, he added.
Katti Batti, produced by
UTV Motion Pictures, is being
tagged as an unusual love story
that features Kangana and Imran
as a couple.
Talking about the remaining
schedule of the film, Imran
said: We are almost done with
the film...just 20 to 25 days of
shooting is left, which will be
completed by April. The film is
releasing in September.
PK remake
deal undecided:
Kamal Haasan
ndian actress and former

Miss World Priyanka Chopra
will feature in ABC drama
pilot Quantico as a FBI trainee,
reports deadline.com.
ctor Imran Khan is

having
a
positive
experience
filming
Katti Batti, thanks to his
wonderful co-star Kangana
Ranaut and great director Nikhil
Advani.
I am having so much fun on
this film (Katti Batti) because
I am working with Kangana
(Ranaut) for the first time and she
is just so wonderful to work with,
Imran said at Filmfare Glamour &
Style Awards red carpet.
Besides, I am working for the
first time with Nikhil Advani as
well and he is a great director. I am
ll the talk of Kamal

Haasan doing the Tamil
version of Rajkumar
Black
Hiranis directorial PK, is just

talk, no more, says the actor.
The producers have only
initiated talks.
I am in Mauritus on recce
for my next film for my own
production company.
Someone has jumped the gun
and has leaked a yet undecided
deal, said the versatile star, who
did the Tamil remake of Hiranis
Lage Raho Munna Bhai.
The actor admits he has
reservations about doing the PK
remake.
I might do the film only if
certain demands of mine are met.
Or else some one definitely will.
It is a successful and interesting
film. I am sure most actors would
be eager to do it, he said.
In the meanwhile Kamal
Haasans next Tamil release
Papanasam is set to be remade
into Hindi with Ajay Devgn in
the lead.
The film was a huge success in
Malayalam when it was released
as Drishyam with Mohanlal in
the lead.
I think Ajay Devgn and
director Nishikant Kamat would
make an interesting aesthetic
chemistry. I assume that with
Mr. Kamats presence, the reality
and immediacy will be intact. It
would be a surprise departure
from trodden path for Mr.Devgn.
Since I have recently been there
and done it, I wish them the very
best, he added.
Age gracefully, dont cover the lines:

Kareena Kapoor
Sugandha Rawal
ollywoods
fit
and
fabulous Kareena Kapoor
is on her way to turn
35, and shes clear about not
attempting to be 22! She feels the
key to ageing gracefully lies in
letting the lines be, especially
when it comes to men.
I think one should age
gracefully. I am proud to be 34
and I think aging is wonderful. I
hate it when I look at somebody
and know that they have tried
to cover the lines, Kareena told
media in an interview on a recent
visit to Delhi.
Looking svelte in a golden
shimmering gown, exuding a rare
glow and charm, Kareena shared
her thoughts about the prevalent
nip-and-tuck trend to battle agerelated troubles, when asked
about it.
I find men with lines on their
faces more intelligent and sexy.
Even for women, I think Maharani
Gayatri Devi was very graceful.
The way she aged with the

grey hair -- that is elegance,
added the wife of actor-producer
Saif Ali Khan, who is 10 years
her elder, and daughter-in-law
of Bollywoods ageless beauty,
Sharmila Tagore.
Theres a notion that Never ask
a woman her age, but Kareena
asks Whats wrong in saying your
age.
I dont want to be an 18-yearold or a 22-year-old girl. I am just
done with that phase of my life.
That is why I dont even try to
be 22, added the actress, who was
in Delhi to launch Magnum icecream.
Im 34 but Im still endorsing
an ice-cream, which people enjoy
from an age of 6 to 60. That is an
achievement in itself, she said.
When
it
comes
to
endorsements, Kareena has a long
list that include brands like Lakme
and BoroPlus. Her criteria is to
choose a brand that reflects a little
bit of her personality.
Each brand that you endorse
reflects your personality. Thats

why I dont endorse meat,
cigarettes and alcohol, added
Kareena, who has cemented her
space in Bollywood with movies
like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie
Gham, Jab We Met, 3 Idiots,
Omkara and Talaash.
On the film front, Kareena is set
to pack her bags soon and leave
for Amritsar to shoot for Udta
Punjab. She says the milieu of
the film, based on drug busting
in Punjab, will leave everyone
shocked.
People are going to be really
shocked.
The film revolves around
drug busting in Punjab, which
is a big menace in that area. I
am not allowed to divulge much
information, but I play a pivotal
role in the film, she said of the
movie.
Kareena will also be seen in
Salman Khan-starrer Bajrangi
Bhaijaan this year.
Orange
Red
Black
Orange
Holi 2015: Colours in the park
Date: Saturday 7th March, 2015

Time: 3 pm- 7 pm
Venue: 3 Kings Reserve Cnr Mt Eden Rd and Mt Albert Rd, 3 Kings.
Celebrate the festival of colours- Holi with Humm Fm this year. Free entry to event,
free parking, non-stop DJ, Bouncy castles and lots of giveaways are a few of the main
attractions. Do not miss the opportunity to have a fun-filled evening.
Holi Festival
Date: Sunday 15thMarch 2015

Time: 1 pm -5 pm
Venue: Trust Arena, Central Park Drive, Henderson
Like every other year, Waitakere Indian Association is organizing Holi Festival at Trust
Arena. There will be Indian food stalls, stage performances, kids entertainment and an
open area to play with colours. Contact Hashmita Singh @ 09 8365202
Holi- Festival of Colours 2015
Date: Sunday 22nd March 2015

Time: Noon-6:00 pm
Venue: ISKCON Temple, 1229 Coatesville-Riverhead Highway, Kumeu, Auckland
Celebrate holi with the Hare Krishna Movement at ISKCON Temple. Free entry but
registration must. Colours, Live DJs, Bollywood Dancers, Colour throwing every hour
on the hour. Register to receive 20% discount on Colour purchases!!! Fusion Food,
kids Play Zone, Shuttle Bus from CBD: Pickup at Britomart (in front of Mercure Hotel)
at 11am sharp. Depart festival grounds at 5:30pm. Bus Ticket-$5 cash each way (no
eftpos). Please book your seat by clicking contact the organiser button and send a
message with your full name. This is a Smoke and Alcohol Free Event. Entry numbers
are limited, so register for free now!!! Register for Holi Here: www.holi.org.nz
Employment Rights and Responsibilities workshop

Date: Friday 20 March 2015
Time: 12 pm-2 pm
Venue: St Peters Church Hall, 1 Earl Street, Queenstown
Have you recently moved to New Zealand and have lots of questions about how
things work here? Queenstown CAB is holding a free workshop on Employment
Rights and Responsibilities. To register or find out more contact Citizens Advice
Bureau Queenstown at 03 442 6799 or Email at cab.queenstown@xtra.co.nz Light
refreshments will be provided.
EVENTS
29
30
FEATURES
Crime and prevention
Red
Black
Orange
Constable Satvir Sen from Otahuhu Police Station tells us about the Counties Manukau West Community
Policing Team which is working on reducing over-representation of Kiwi-Indians as victims of crime
Paula Ray
IWK: Can you please tell us
about the services you offer?
Satvir Sen: The Counties
Manukau
West
Community
Policing Team which covers
Otahuhu,
Mangere
and
Papatoetoe, is under the purview of
Otahuhu Police Station. I am part
of the team of constables who work
with and look after everybody in
the Counties Manukau West area
in regards to community order
related issues.
Currently one of the projects I
am working on is reducing overrepresentation of Indians in the
area as victims. People of Indian
descent currently comprise a large
portion of the areas population.
Police interview offenders
who have been apprehended
and always seek insight into why
they offend, who they target and
among other thing how they go
about it. Offenders have advised
Police that they target Indians
because they believe that Indians
are easy targets.
Satvir Sen
IWK: Who are your target
audience?
IWK: Can you give us a few

tips on crime prevention?
SS: We target the Indian audience

mainly because offenders have
advised Police they believe that:
Indians keep to themselves and
dont call police.
Indians usually cant recognise
the offenders
Properties belonging to Indians
are easily identified and are
usually fairly unsecure.
SS: Police would like to be called

by the community when they see
or hear any suspicious activity.
It is good to be called and not be
needed, rather than not being
called at all.
People can contact police a
number of ways
In case of emergencies call 111
To report crime anonymously
call the crime stoppers number
on 0800 555 111
People can call police even
if they cant speak English
as police have operators for
speakers of other languages.
People can report in
to the local police
stations
in
person
Police
are
encouraging all
people to report
The goal is to make Indians

desirable victims of crime. This is
being implemented in a number of
ways.
Police
want
to
encourage
community awareness and want

the community to have confidence
in calling the Police if they see
anything suspicious even if it
seems minor.
any suspicious activity or any

crime immediately. This includes
persons or vehicles in or around
your property or neighbours
property that you dont recognise
and believe should not be there.
You can also contact Police via
Indian Weekender newspaper
with any questions you have. My
team and I will attempt to answer
any questions people have to
build
a
better
relationship between the New

Zealand Police and the Indian
Community.
IWK:
What
is
your
background and how did you
join this profession?
SS: I was born in Fiji and moved
here when I was 14. I completed
high school studies at Manurewa
High School and I graduated
as a qualified Electronics and
Computer Systems Engineer from
AUT in 2007. I have been with the
Police for approximately 5 years
now.
Report any suspicious

activity or any crime
immediately. This
includes persons or
vehicles in or around
your property or
neighbours property
that you dont
recognise...
Red
Black
FEATURES
Orange
Some call it
money transfer
We call it the
bat that makes
his dreams
come true
Send money to India

with fees starting
from only
*
$12
0800451078
moneygram.co.nz
/moneygramcricket
@moneygramMe
0115-80985
Send at:
* Fee of $12 applies to sends up to $500. In addition to the transfer fees applicable to a transaction, a currency exchange rate set by
MoneyGram or its agent will be applied. MoneyGram is the official money transfer partner of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Australia
& New Zealand. MoneyGram agents are neither partners nor sponsors of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Australia & New Zealand.
MoneyGram, the Globe and MoneyGram Bringing You Closer are marks of MoneyGram. All other marks are the property of their
respective owners. 2015 MoneyGram.
And anywhere you see the MoneyGram sign
31
Breakfast in Auckland...
...Lunch on the
...
...Dinner in Delhi
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Fly via Sydney/Melbourne to India with Qantas-Air
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Fly onward at $25 (one way) between Delhi and any
one of fifteen Indian cities: Vadodara, Jaipur, Pune,
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Indian Weekender 6 March 2015

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6 March, 2015 Vol. 6 Issue 31 | www.iwk.co.

New Zealands first Kiwi-Indian weekly newspaper

The Pulse of Kiwi-Indians

Auckland Christchurch Wellington Hamilton Palmerston North Hastings Invercargill

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6 March 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

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www.iwk.co.nz | 6 March 2015

PROUD MOMENTS FROM

6 March 2015 | www.iwk.co.nz

Inviting nominations for

be Indian, by blood. Thereby making the nominee of Indian lineage.

He/she needs to have an undisputable recognition in his or her field of work.

Name of the Nominator

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About the Nominee

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www.iwk.co.nz | 6 March 2015

Sip, Sip, Sheep!

The year of the sheep was ushered in among many a sip of

t an hourly workshop at the

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