20SEP2019 | Vol 11 Issue 27

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2 NEW ZEALAND Friday, September 20, 2019 The Indian Weekender

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 The Indian Weekender Friday, September 20, 2019
Changes in Employer assisted
temporary work visas announced
¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH
I
mmigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway
has announced changes in employer-
assisted temporary work visa scheme in
Rotorua on Tuesday, September 17.
The Minister was visiting Cantabria Rest
Home, Rotorua for making the long-awaited
announcement on the employer-assisted work
visa.
“The new employer-assisted temporary
work visa process is more streamlined and less
complex, replacing six visa categories with one
temporary work visa, and it ensures there is
an employer check, a job check and a worker
check,” Mr Lees-Galloway said.
The new system will require all employers
to be accredited before being eligible to hire
foreign workers.  more certainty about their ability to hire
From October 7, employers who apply for
accreditation can only be accredited for 24
months before they have to reapply.
Earlier last year in December the government
has announced changes to employer-
assisted work visa regime and invited public
consultations till March 2019.
“There are also too few checks and balances
on employers hiring migrants, leading to
increased migrant exploitation as some
employers with poor track records are still able
to access migrant labour,” the Minister had
then said at the time of releasing document for
consultation.
Now the government has announced final
changes asserting that it will give employers
a foreign worker earlier in the application
process.
“These changes represent a significant shift
in the way our temporary work visa system
operates,” Mr Lees-Galloway said.
Main changes introduced are:
• Introducing an employer-led framework
• Negotiating and introducing sector
agreements to plan for future workforce
needs and
• Reinstating the ability for lower-paid
workers to bring their families to New
Zealand.
NEW ZEALAND 3
The new employer-
assisted temporary
work visa process is
more streamlined and
less complex, replacing
six visa categories with
Employers will lead a new one temporary work
visa, and it ensures
process for employing migrant
workers there is an employer
From 2021, employers wishing to employ check, a job check and
migrant workers on the new temporary work a worker check,”
visa will use a 3-step process.
An employer check — it will be mandatory
for all employers, including those with an
labour market test to ensure New Zealand
existing accreditation, to be accredited under
workers are not available.
the new application process before they can
A worker check — when the worker applies
hire migrants on the new work visa.
for a visa, they must show they meet the standard
A job check — this will include checking
character, identity and health requirements, as
that the job is paid in line with the New Zealand
well showing they have the skills to do the job
market rate and, in some cases, will include a
they have been offered.
 4 NEW ZEALAND
Independent Aadil Basha
Simon Bridges and
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi bats to be voice of community
travel to engage with India
¡¡ KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI
R
ecently, I travelled to India with
Hon Simon Bridges, Leader of the
Opposition and Hon Gerry Brownlee,
the New Zealand National Party’s spokesperson
on Foreign Affairs.
During our visit, we had the opportunity
to meet and interact with senior Indian
Government officials including federal
Ministers, bureaucrats and members of the
Indian business community. All of whom
have reiterated their commitment to further
economic, political and people to people ties
between New Zealand and India.
The opportunities for both countries are
enormous. Our trade relationship currently
stands at about $3 billion. In comparison to
China with whom, New Zealand’s trade volume
is $30 billion a year there’s definitely lots of
opportunities for the two countries towards
furthering this trade relationship.
Many of the people I met with during my trip
shared their love for high quality New Zealand
wine as well as our Manuka honey, fish, lamb
and much more. However, they also shared
with me that in comparison to other imported
good the custom tariffs for New Zealand good
is high.
The New Zealand National Party during its
last term in office worked hard to work out
a mutually beneficial trade agreement with
India. We see and understand the potential that
India brings hence will continue to work with
our counterparts in India to deliver such an
agreement on our return to Government.
During our trip, Simon and I advocated
for direct flights between New Zealand and
India as a means to grow our people to people
relationship.
New Zealand is home to over 160,000 people
of Indian origin and Hindi is now the fourth
most spoken language. We are keen to for the
Indian diaspora to participate in furthering our
relationship with India.
The commonalities of language, cricket, and
similar political and judicial systems make us
natural partners.
Friday, September 20, 2019
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
I
ndependent candidate from Whau Local
Board covering New Windsor, Blockhouse
Bay, Avondale, New Lynn, Kelston &
Green Bay, Aadil Basha, is standing to become
the voice of the community:communicating the
issues faced by the local community members
to the council and getting them addressed.
A former Rotary member, Aadil has been in
the centre of local community and has worked
with several bodies in the past knowing the
knits and bits of the issues in various sectors
that community faces- such as transport, safety,
small businesses concerns, environment,
unemployment etc.
“I love Whau as it has one of the most diverse
community in Auckland, with rich history and
culture. Never too far away from beautiful
parks, walks and beaches, Whau is a perfect
getaway with family for much needed quality
time,” Aadil Basha says.
“It has well established schools and colleges
that rank amongst the best in the city and has
a strong multi cultural neighbourhood and
great sense of community is apparent when
you are out and about, which makes you feel
welcomed.”
The reason Mr Basha is running as an
independent candidate, not associating with
any political party, is so that he can voice the
concerns of the local community without being
under the umbrella, guidelines or policy of a
political party.
“I am contesting as an Independent candidate
, so I am not pressurised by party politics and
toeing the line from high commands , rather
address the most important local issues and
prioritise them,” Mr Basha adds.
Mr Basha carries both business experience
and comes from a financial background that
gives him an edge over others in data analysis
and crunching numbers.
The Indian Weekender
“I would bring a firm approach towards funds
spent towards the community projects and
channel them to the most important community
matters of priority.”
Mr Basha briefly addressed each issue that
concerns the community and how he would
deal with them.
Protecting our natural environment and
responding to climate change.
Investing and focusing on rangatahi (youth),
sports and community facilities and reduce
youth unemployment.
Introduce community gardens in open park
spaces, connect with schools and introduce
students as volunteers.
Promoting local businesses, provide platform
and tools for them to innovate and encourage
new businesses to set-up in our ward - help
create more local employment.
Safety is of utmost importance to
me; therefore, I want to promote safe
neighborhoodprograms for my ward.
Enhancing Māori, Pasifika identity and
wellbeing; protect our marae & heritage.
Addressing the supply of housing and
infrastructure and
Supporting inclusive communities,
promoting religious harmony and tackling
inequality.
“I am a person of vision, action and
perseverance and it would be my privilege to
serve the community,” Mr Basha said.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, September 20, 2019 NEW ZEALAND 5

Muslim community campaign to

build the first mosque of Queenstown
¡¡ RIZWAN
MOHAMMAD
Responsible business with lasting
Q
ueenstown
is said relationship in the community
to house
25 Muslim
families and host Home Loans*
approximately three • Less than 20% deposit? Rakesh Bansal
million tourists • Residential first home or Investment property? Ph: 021 030 8135
Ex Bank Manager with over 30 years
every year, but there • Building/Extending/Renovating? experience in New Zealand and overseas

is one thing that the • Commercial property?

Muslim community
of the most visited
tourist spot of the world find missing is a place
of worship for them.
The nearest mosque for the approximately
100 plus Muslim members of the community
in Queenstown is three hours’ drive (205 km)
from the city to a nearby town.
The Muslim community of Queenstown
under charitable trust ‘Handshake People’ has
initiated a fundraising campaign on March 15
this year to establish a mosque or an Islamic
centre for the community.
“It is crucial to have an Islamic Centre as
it will be the hub for all community activities,
including daily prayer sessions in congregation,
Islamic classes for the children, character-
building programmes for the youth, parenting
seminars, as well as Quranic classes for all
ages,” Habib Ali from Handshake People, told
The Indian Weekender.
“Apart from the locals, this Islamic Centre
will also provide a place for worship, refresh
and seek directions for the 3 million visitors that
visit Queenstown every year,” Mr Ali added.
Until now the community have been using
a rental community hall at the town centre to
• Looking to refinance?
• Business loan?
perform the congregational Friday prayers • Self employed but no financials?
which also depends on the availability, and
at times the community members pray on the
lawn outside the lake. Insurances
“All the other prayers (five-times compulsory • Sole bread winner? Era Bansal
Ph: 021 066 7598
prayers) are done at home or empty spaces/ Ex Banker for years
• Young children? era@kiwimortgages.net.nz
offices at our workplaces respectively,” Mr Ali • Huge Mortgage?
added.
• Want to have adequate insurance
The organisation had seen a property which cover within budget?
was withdrawn from the market, and they are
actively seeking for another place in one of the
most expensive real estate markets in the world
to establish the Islamic Centre. Contact us for FREE consultation for all your loan and insurance
“We are also looking at potential spaces for requirement today. We help you structure your loan as per your Jatinder Singh
short term rental for a start,” Mr Ali said. cash flow to save interest costs and thus repay the loan faster. Ph: 021 154 4327
Jatinder@kiwimortgages.net.nz
The fundraising is being driven through
Lauchgood platform, Handshake People
website and Facebook pages and people are FREE PHONE: 0508 33 22 11
encouraged to make any contribution towards (P) 09 9033 602
this noble cause.
(F) 09 9033 601
Mob 021 030 8135
Besides prayer services and Islamic
info@kiwimortgages.net.nz
teachings for men, women, youth, children- www.kiwimortgages.net.nz
the Islamic Center will also have areas to be
Manisha Kumar
Office
utilised for dialogue sessions, social work and
116B, Cavendish Drive, Manukau City, Auckland *Subject to lending criteria
entrepreneurship.

Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi

National List MP based
in Manukau East

1/131 Kolmar Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland

09 278 9302
bakshi.mp@parliament.govt.nz
bakshiks
bakshi.co.nz

For JP services please contact

Rahul Chopra on 09 278 9302

Funded by the Parliamentary

Service. Authorised by
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi MP,
1/131 Kolmar Road,
Papatoetoe.
 6 NEW ZEALAND
From almost
buying first
home, to
becoming
homeless...
¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH
“
We are residents. Are we eligible to buy
a house yet?” was the first question that a
Kiwi-Indian couple asked as a routine to
everyone they interacted with in their house
hunt earlier this year.
“Yes, you can,” was an oft-repeated assuring
replies that they heard from most of the real
estate agents and the solicitor that eventually
assisted them in their first home buying
experience.
Yet, little did the poor couple realised that not
only will they be denied of their much cherished
dream of buying first home, in full public
display of their parents visiting from overseas
to celebrate the occasion, but also the entire
family will be forced to almost homelessness
as they were told right on the day they were
to collect keys and move in that they were
not eligible to buy property after the recently
introduced foreign buyers ban in the country.
The story of Aakansha Sharma, 31, and her
husband Jayant Sharma, 32, who first arrived
in the country in 2015 on student and work visa
respectively, and worked their way up to get
residency in 2018, is a classic example of the
lack of accurate information and the level of
confusion that prevails after the government's
ban on foreign buyers introduced after much
fanfare.
The couple had set eyes on the Auckland
Housing Programme’s affordable home at
McLennan Park Takanini project in early 2018.
The Auckland Housing Programme is
building a range of housing types, including
apartments, terraced homes and standalone
homes ranging from one to five bedrooms
with at least 20 per cent of the market homes
designated as affordable homes.
Housing New Zealand is the nodal agency of
bringing together the project, and in Takanini,
the McLennan development is delivering
around 600 new homes, of which 150 will be
affordable.
Jayant and Aakansha believed that they had
got their dream house in the project that will
put them on the property ladder, only to be left
disappointed.
Speaking to The Indian Weekender Aakansha
and Jayant shared their disastrous experience of
first home buying, where they believe they have
been let down by almost everyone involved
in property buying including Housing New
Zealand and solicitor and lawyer representing
them in the process.
Speaking to The Indian Weekender Aakansha and Jayant shared their
disastrous experience of first home buying, where they believe they have been
let down by almost everyone involved in property buying including Housing
New Zealand and solicitor and lawyer representing them in the process.
“It is hard to believe that this has happened to
us here in New Zealand.
“We were under the impression that in this
country as long as you are honest and upfront
and do everything in a right way, you will never
get into trouble,” an exasperated Jayant said.
“We have sent invitations to all our friends,
got our parents from overseas in anticipation
of celebrating one of the biggest moment of
our lives – the house warming party,” Jayant
recalls.
“Everything went so well till the date my wife
was supposed to collect the keys of our dream
house on April 17 just before the beginning of
Easter weekend.
“We had planned it in such a way as to do
the unpacking during the weekend and share
the moment with our close friends and family
before everything went wrong,” Aakansha
recollected the horrors of the day when their
plans went kaput.
“I was in tears, my in-laws were completely
distressed and unsure of what’s going to happen
next as we were supposed to vacate our rented
property the same day, while Jayant was on the
phone trying to understand what was actually
happening to us,” Aakansha said.
“We spent the next couple of days almost
without a home at our friends’ places,
wandering haphazardly to find suitable storage
for our house-stuff and the new furniture that
we’d bought for the new house.
“It was an absolute nightmare, with no idea
when, and if, at all, we were going to get our
hard-earned deposit money of $65,500 back
from the builder.”
“Moreover, we did not have any money
sitting in our account to help us through the
crisis of finding an adequate storage place and a
new renting property to put a roof on top of our
heads,” Aakansha recalls.
The Indian Weekender had seen the email
communications between the solicitor
representing them and the one representing
the builder and Housing New Zealand on
Friday, September 20, 2019
questioning the eligibility of the couple, who
were on a resident visa, to buy the property.
Both Housing New Zealand and the solicitor
representing the vendor had convinced the
couple’s solicitor that only New Zealand
citizens and Permanent Residents were eligible
to buy the property – and that too this was
established and communicated to the stunned-
couple much after they have made the deposits
and were supposed to collect the keys.
The level of uncertainty and confusion in
terms of eligibility of people on residential-
class visas to buy a property in New Zealand as
of today that The Indian Weekender has seen in
email communications is absolutely shocking
and alarming, especially for the migrants.
While the government can duly take the
credit for banning foreign house buyers in
New Zealand, and property experts can debate
the actual merit of the decision to prevent an
unreasonable bubble in the property market,
there is a dire and urgent need to spread
accurate information on whether migrants on
resident visas can actually buy property under
the new rules.
The Indian Weekender has raised this issue
at the highest level of the government and key
stakeholders in the housing market to get more
clarity.
Meanwhile, the plight of this couple had
not just ended there as they had regrouped
themselves to launch a legal battle to at least
get their deposit back from the vendor because
in their minds the situation was not a result of
their individual actions alone and everyone else
has an equal responsibility to share.
Toward this goal, the couple was encouraged
by their existing solicitor to seek legal services
from a more experienced lawyer who would
possibly have more chances of succeeding in
this weird situation.
Given that the couple were not in a financial
position after absorbing the unplanned cost of
forced homelessness and accompanied chaos,
to bear the cost of another legal process, they
had sought some assurances from their existing
solicitor about who would actually be footing
the bill. Apparently, the couple tells that it was
The Indian Weekender
agreed that the extra cost of new litigation
would at best be not borne by them – a fact not
verified by The Indian Weekender.
Regardless, the couple was represented by
the new lawyer, and they had some success
after three months when the initial deposit
money was returned back into his trust account
after deducting the compulsory five per cent
administrative costs.
Just when the couple was hoping to get luck
on their side again, they were hit by a seemingly
arbitrary and punitive action when the new
lawyer unilaterally deducted $6500 from the
trust account as their legal fees.
While The Indian Weekender had seen email
communications between the couple and their
new lawyer about the dispute with regard to
the legal fees imposed on them and the manner
of payment, the fact has not been verified
independently with the office of the new lawyer.
To be fair to both the lawyers and their
respective firms involved, The Indian
Weekender is choosing not to name them at this
stage, while the due diligence is being done.
Meanwhile, Ashima Singh, a Barrister and
Solicitor of Legal Associates, a South Auckland
based legal firm told the Indian Weekender
that the lawyers can only deduct their fee
from the property trust account if there is a
clause included in the "terms of engagement"
signed by the client, or they have a pre-written
approval from the client.
Jayant and Aakansha had confirmed to The
Indian Weekender that they had not signed
such a form, despite repeated requests from the
lawyer involved.
Regardless of their prolonged miseries, it is
clear that the couple, for the time being, has
not only seen their dream of buying first home
wrecked in front of their eyes, short-changed by
at least thousands of dollars, incurred unplanned
extra costs, plus faced public humiliation, for
seemingly no fault of their own.
They have so far been let down very badly by
everyone in the house buying process.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, September 20, 2019
Foreign home buyers ban: Can migrants on
residence class visas buy affordable homes?
¡¡ SANDEEP SINGH
A
pparently, a simple question whether
migrants on residential-class visas
are eligible to buy affordable homes
or residential property after the recently-
introduced foreign buyers ban does not have a
simple answer, thanks to the level of confusion
and dearth of knowledge among the housing
experts which is appalling, if not alarming.  whether migrants with residence class visas
A Kiwi-Indian couple’s dream of buying
their first home has gone kaput just on the
day when they were about to pick up the keys
leaving them aghast, stunned, almost-homeless,
and short-changed of their much hard-earned
money (read the full story on page no 6).   As your readers will know, the Government
The couple had paid about $65,500 to the
builder through their solicitor as the deposit
towards their first home, only to be told that they
were not eligible to buy a residential property
in the first place and therefore standing on the
verge of losing the deposit.  and months of a legal battle.  to the couple and their solicitor to announce
The entire experience of buying “Auckland
Housing Program’s affordable home at
McLennan Park Takanini” turned into a
nightmare, recalls Jayant and Aakansha Sharma
– relatively new migrants who are appalled by
the lack of accurate information around the
eligibility of residence visa holders to buy their
first homes in New Zealand.  What does the law on foreign
This might be after the government
introduced last year, with much fanfare, the
foreign buyers ban of residential property in
New Zealand, which categorically allows only
citizens and people on residential visas to buy
residential properties.  However, there is no readily available
The unfortunate story of Aakansha and
Jayant Sharma, who had first arrived in the
country in 2015 on a student visa and work
visa respectively and subsequently acquiring
residence in 2018, is a stark reminder of that
probably, in the absence of the desired level of
awareness in the market, migrants are at risk.  “Ordinarily resident is a clear test of four parts
In this couple’s case, they had disclosed
upfront from the very beginning to almost every
real estate agent, builder, developer, and the
solicitor assisting them in the first-home buying
process that they were only residents, and not
permanent residents yet, if that is a predicament
toward buying a residential property.   If you have any questions about
Rarely would anyone imagine that such an
honest upfront disclosure, along with a much
elusive 10 per cent deposit in their pocket
toward their first home in Auckland’s current
housing market, would still sweep them into a
DIWALI
EDITIONS
To advertise,
call 021 952 216,
022 325 1630,
021 952 246
whirlwind experience of distress, shame, guilt
Surprisingly, this lack of information is not
limited among individual prospective migrant
resident-buyers, who, as this story reveals,
bear the escalating costs singularly alone, but
the so called professionals and experts who are
supposed to assist the home-buyers navigate
through the process.   Or was it for this particular property in
buyers ban say?  “KiwiBuild property.” At best, the couple
T
he Overseas Investment Amendment Act
2018 that came into force on 22 October
22, 2018, clearly states eligibility of who can
buy a residential property in New Zealand as
follows. 
“The changes prevent certain overseas people
from buying a residential property in New
Zealand. With some exceptions for Australian
and Singaporean citizens, anyone who is not
a New Zealand citizen or is not ‘ordinarily
resident’ in New Zealand, is an overseas person.
– the person must have a Residence class visa,
must have lived in New Zealand for the past 12
months, have been present in New Zealand for
at least 183 days of the past 12 months, and be a
tax resident,” the information on the website of
government’s Land Information New Zealand
(https://www.linz.govt.nz/) said.
In the case of this couple, the LINZ had
apparently approved their eligibility on the four
criteria mentioned as above – being a resident,
having lived in NZ for the past 12 months,
having lived more than 183 days in last 12
months and is a tax resident.  best, confusing and unhelpful.
PUKETAPAPA LOCAL BOARD
Authorised by Kit Parkinson, 107 Great South Road, Auckland
For maintenance, contact 021 074 8848
However, Housing New Zealand came back
that they were ineligible to buy the concerned
Auckland Housing Program property at
McLennan Park Takanini.  New Zealand.
It is not clear yet if the denial of eligibility was
a sweeping blanket denial for any residential
property in New Zealand.  and did the right thing by getting consent
question, which the couple has confirmed
to The Indian Weekender that it was not a
knows that the property was in the category of
“owner-occupied property” as mentioned on
their contract.  However, some developers and affordable
information around different categories of
properties that can be purchased by resident
class holders’ migrants.  requirements developers or affordable
Clearly, it seems there is no synchronisation
between the two government departments –
LINZ and Housing New Zealand in this case.  about who can buy a home in New Zealand
Enquiries had been sent to the department
of Housing New Zealand, and the offices of
the Ministers of Hosing Dr Megan Woods and
Associate Finance Minister David Parker, and
their responses are awaited.
Regardless, of the response for this
particular case, what is apparent that the level
of information and clarity around different
categories of houses available in the market
– such as affordable homes, owner-occupier
category – and the eligibility of genuine
migrant residents who are working hard to fulfil
their Kiwi-dream and owning first homes, is at
NEW ZEALAND 7
Message from Vanessa Horne,
Group Manager of the Overseas
Investment Office
Kia ora,
I read with interest the story published
on the Indian Weekender website about
can buy homes in New Zealand.
It was disappointing to read about the
bad experience Aakansha and Jayant had
when they tried to buy their first home.
made changes last year to who could buy
homes in New Zealand. Some overseas
people can buy  one home and live in it if
they meet certain criteria and get permission
from the Overseas Investment Office.
The Overseas Investment Office is
responsible for reviewing which overseas
people can or cannot buy homes to live in in
As it said in the story, Aakansha and Jayant
are eligible to buy a home in New Zealand
from the Overseas Investment Office.
They meet the criteria because they have a
residence class visa and they’re tax residents.
The new rules also require permanent
residents to have spent a certain amount of
time in New Zealand.
home programmes have different criteria.
We encourage anybody buying a home in
New Zealand to carefully check what special
home programmes have in place.
We have more information on our website
www.linz.govt.nz/overseas-investment/
information-for-buying-or-building-one-
home-live
To find out if you’re eligible to buy a home
in New Zealand try this useful toolwww.
newzealandnow.govt.nz/living-in-nz/
housing/buying-building
whether your eligible to buy a home in
New Zealandyou can email the Overseas
Investment Office at oio@linz.govt.nz.
Kind regards,
 8 NEW ZEALAND Friday, September 20, 2019 The Indian Weekender

First Punjabi Kiwi Indian engineer aims

Sabyacharak Mela for Mrs Universe NZ crown
comes to Wellington ¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD

A
former contestant and runner-up of
¡¡ RIZWAN Indian Weekender Mr & Ms Diwali
MOHAMMAD
2018, Shivani Singh, has now set her

T
h e eyes on winning the Mrs Universe New Zealand
crown scheduled for Saturday, September 21, at
the Ellerslie Events Centre.
We l l i n g t o n An engineer by profession Shivani Singh is
Punjabi Women one of the ten finalists of the beauty pageant and
Association Inc., is thrilled to give a tough competition to fellow
in collaboration finalists for the event.
with Hamilton
“I am an Automation Controls Engineer with
Punjabi Sports
Daifuku BCS and have lived in New Zealand for
and Cultural
Club, is hosting five years now,” Shivani said.
the first Punjabi The beauty pageant will have five rounds at
Cultural Mela the finals; NZ Kiwi/Costume round, Sports,
for the Punjabi Swimwear round and a Q&A session with the
community in Wellington. judges in the final round.
The event will be hosted on Sunday, October “Interested people can register their names
The contestants will be judged on the catwalk
6, at the Town Hall in Lower Hutt where for turban tying competition and newlywed
(ramp walk), stage presence, confidence, outfit
the organisers set to give the community an couples competition before September 30,” the
and accessories’ choice, and uniqueness.
evening of cultural festival, food and music for spokesperson said.
Other judging criteria also include submitting
the attendees. Hamilton Sports and Cultural team is a video on domestic violence where they will be
The event is bringing an exclusive ‘stage also bringing a Bhangra team for dance marked on relevance and originality of content,
play’ by Malkeet Singh Rauni and Gurpreet performances at the Wellington event. charity work, articulation and content of
Kaur Bhangu including Hamilton team Gidha- For tickets, group performance or any other answers and self-promotion and the pageantry
Bhangra.
inquiry please can contact 02040097606, 027 Mr Universe New Zealand as a whole.
“Malkeet Singh Rauni and Gurpreet Kaur
563 6786, 021 122 7150 and 0274333679. “I have participated in beauty pageants on
Bhangu, after the huge success of the movie
The Punjabi Cultural Mela ‘8th Sabyacharak previous occasions, the one nearly a year ago
“Ardass Karaan” will be bringing an exclusive
‘stage play’ to Wellington,” a spokesperson 2019 Hamilton’ is also happening in Hamilton at the Auckland Diwali stage at Aotea Square in
on Saturday, September 28 at Claudlands Event front of thousands of people,” Shivani told The
from Wellington Punjabi Women Assocation
Centre. The two stars of ‘Ardaas Karaan’ fame Indian Weekender.
Inc. said.
“I was a runner-up in the last year’s event
There will be group performances from will also be performing a play in the Hamilton
which gave me immense confidence and made
Wellington children, women and men teams event. This event is organised by Hamilton me a better performer now,” Shivani added.
including Turban tying competition and much Punjabi Sports and Cultural Club.
more for new couples. Working for this competition, Shivani says, has allowed her to see life beyond glitz and
glamour and has witnessed problems that people face.
“Preparing for this pageant has already made an enormous difference in my life, it has
made me more confident, more aware about the problems in our society and pushed me to do
things that I never thought I am capable of doing.
“I have seen changes in physical, mental and social aspects of my life,” Shivani added.

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T
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 10 NEW ZEALAND
Shanti Niwas celebrates silver
jubilee of community service
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
S
hanti Niwas Charitable
Trust on Friday, September
13, hosted its silver jubilee
celebration of rendering its services
to the seniors of the Asian and Kiwi
Indian community at Sudima Airport
Hotels, Auckland.
The event marked the attendance
of more than 200 who’s who of the
community including members of
parliament, Leader of Opposition
Simon Bridges, community leaders,
executive members of Shanti Niwas,
businesspeople, volunteers and
supporters.
“The event was a great success-
we have our supporters, volunteers
and members of the community who
shared our celebration of 25 years
into this service,” Chairperson of
Shanti Niwas, Ashok Gaur said.
On this occasion, Shanti Niwas
also released two videos, a short
film on elder abuse that focused
on bringing back the smiles of the
neglected senior members of the
community and the 25 years journey
of Shanti Niwas as a community
organisation.
“Shanti Niwas 25 year journey
was captured in the video and it
included time line of our services,
and speeches from dignitaries like
MPs and other prominent people in
the community,” General Manager of
Shanti Niwas, Nilima said.
Seniors of the Shanti Niwas
5 and 6 October 2019
Charitable Trust auditioned and acted
in the short film and contributed their
part to convey the message of elder
abuse they suffer at the hands of their
own family members.
“We had mixed emotions when
we played the video at the event.
People empathised with the seniors
and what they suffer while some
lauded the efforts of the seniors in the
film for being brave enough to face
the camera and tell their story,” Ms
Venkat added.
A small felicitation ceremony was
also conducted for the long time
supporters of Shanti Niwas at the
event.
“We felicitated Mahesh Ranchhod
for supporting Shanti Niwas
Emergency Housing and Mrs Pushpa
Cheta from Chevalier Wholesale
Produce for donation of fresh grown
fruits and veggies to Shanti Niwas
for the last 20 years and Chetan Patel
for his ongoing support.
Shanti Niwas, through its various
programmes, helps senior members
of the community who participate
in weekly events and activities to
engage themselves and play their
part in the community.
Some of the programmes are
Shanti Niwas Emergency Home to
accommodate neglected and abused
seniors, ‘Dosti’ that provides services
to isolated seniors and getting them
engaged with other seniors and
‘Khushi’, addressing the abuse that
elders suffer at the hands of families
and provide them counselling and
support.
Shanti Niwas in the last few years
opened drop-in centres in different
parts of Auckland that operates on a
weekly and fortnightly basis hosting
activities and events for the elders of
the community located in different
corners of the city.
Currently, Shanti Niwas has one
permanent head office at Onehunga,
Friday, September 20, 2019 The Indian Weekender
a drop-in centre at Manurewa (South
Auckland), North Shore, and the
Balmoral Community Centre.
To celebrate this occasion with
the seniors, a less formal event was
organised by Shanti Niwas earlier
in July where seniors enjoyed
the 25-years celebration of the
organisation with dance, food and
music.
“I feel humbled, privileged,
honoured to be able to work for
the seniors and provide them with
whatever service they need and
celebrating this feat is a big occasion
for all of us,” Ms Venkat said. “As we celebrate this year and
Shanti Niwas as part of their long reflect on the 25 years  gone by, we
term goal wants to reach out to also look forward to many more
more seniors, open new centres, and wonderful years ahead and Shanti
introduce new services for the elders Niwas will continue to dedicate itself
of the community. to create and enhance services, build
“We may also need to look into and strengthen relationships and
residential options be it Rest homes create many more milestones,” Ms
or retirement villages and communal Venkat added.
living project.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, September 20, 2019 NEW ZEALAND 11

Auckland Diwali 2019 Measles: No targets, no action

B.D.ESI
¡¡ SUPPLIED
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi
diseases. When Minister Clark scrapped these
targets, the Government took their eye off the
ball, and the sector followed suit. 
This is the latest in the Government’s legacy
National Party List MP
CONTENT of botched vaccine responses. The Government

T
can at least be applauded for its consistency.

N
he Auckland ew Zealand just reached a thousand The failed Northland Meningitis vaccination
D i w a l i cases of measles and the Government campaign which saw schools fundraising for
Festival still has no targets for immunisation. their own vaccines, running out of flu vaccines
2019 will transform That is the harsh reality that we are coming in May and now supply problems with the
Queen Street and to terms with as the outbreak in Auckland
continues to spread, with 1007 confirmed cases measles vaccine.
Aotea Square into a in Auckland Situations like this require real leadership.
colourful and mouth- Just 24 hours after National’s Associate Something the Minister failed to show with
watering spectacle Health spokesperson Shane Reti warned media the flu vaccine shortage where the Minster
on Saturday 12 and that Northland would be next, the total number requested 1.3 million vaccines, the supplier
Sunday 13 October of cases in the region hit 40 and there are seven said they would supply 1.1 million, and that’s
from midday until 9 more under further investigation. Yet Waikato
DHB has advised its practices that ‘the vaccine where the conversation ended. New Zealanders
p.m. each day.  different aspects of the culture that is linked to
  “Come and enjoy bright lights, energetic supply situation is currently dire’. cannot afford this sort of negligence and
Indian dance; for example, I am traditionally As the situation worsens, the Government complacency when it comes to measles.
dance performances, incredible Indian modern. We incorporate all those styles into our
delicacies and fireworks at New Zealand’s has deprioritised 30 to 50 year olds for  There are steps that can and should be taken
dance routine, which makes it unique. vaccinations. This age group has not developed to remedy this. The Ministry should rapidly
largest Indian cultural festival.” Spokesperson
form AKL Diwali team said.  ¡
¡  Why should people watch you at Diwali miraculous immunity. Therefore the only authorise pharmacists, who already vaccinate
Renowned dance group, B.D.ESI is one of Festival? explanation for this is that the Ministry of for the flu, to be able to administer the measles
the many dance troupes who are scheduled to   We are of a range of different nationalities, Health and PHARMAC are running out of vaccine. The Ministry should up the resource
cultures, ages, genders, and we manage to vaccines.
rock the stage and enthral the 10,000 audiences dance together like a family. It has not been an to DHB’s with outbreaks so that they can reach
Over the past couple of weeks, families in
at any given time on Aotea Square.  easy process for us at school this year, and our out via schools, clinics and workplaces to
Auckland will have been calling their GP’s and
 In a short conversation with B.D.ESI troupe, group dependent on being student-led. Despite digging out their Plunket books to check that administer vaccinations.
group spokesperson Rahul Chopra tells more this, we have managed to put together a set that they have all been vaccinated. If you have not  My colleagues and I are hearing from
about his team’s love for dance and bringing is quite unique. been vaccinated, it is crucial you have access constituents who are turning up to clinics
new moves every time they perform on stage.  to do so, and that’s why a potential shortage of
¡
¡  What do you love about Diwali Festival? with their children to get vaccinated, and
¡
¡ Tell us about the history of your dance  Diwali is the festival of lights; a time to reflect vaccines is so worrying. sometimes being turned away. Kiwis shouldn’t
group. on things, be with your loved ones, celebrate So how have we ended up in this position?
The outbreak should not have come as a feel helpless when they are doing their best to
Our dance group, B.D.ESI has formed many and create new memories. There is another ensure their communities are protected.
new friendships, and we treat each other as surprise. We’ve seen the trends overseas,
Diya in the group besides me, but personally,  We have strongly recommended pharmacists
and the World Health Organisation says New
family. Being their leader, Diya Beharie - my I feel as though it is my second birthday. It is be allowed to give the Measles vaccine just
Zealand was warned about measles months
goal before I left the school this year was to going to be an honour to perform for this event. like they give the flu vaccine but this seems
ago.
erase the stereotypes people had about our ¡
¡  What food do you plan on trying at the We understand 50,000 vaccines may arrive beyond the competence and capability of this
culture and Bollywood. Despite our newly
festival? soon but vaccines were flying off the shelves at Government.
formed group; we created a safe space for each
  We are looking forward to introducing our a rate of 20,000 to 30,000 per day recently, so  National believes in targets as people pay
other and place to express ourselves.
foods to the non-Indians in our group. However, this might be a fix for a couple of days at best. attention to what is recorded and monitored
¡
¡ Describe your dance style. we aren’t sure about the kind of foods that will  The fact is, immunisation rates under National and in Jacinda Ardern’s words – ‘What gets
With our group, we have four to five people be available at the festival. Diwali usually has were improving. This was due to health targets, measured gets done.’ The Government must
helping to create choreography. Each the best sweets, let alone the Auckland Diwali which keep the Ministry, PHARMAC and reinstate National’s health targets to ensure
choreographer allows the group to explore Festival having great food every year.  medical professionals accountable for ensuring accountability around measles vaccines - This
New Zealanders are protected from dangerous time it is quite literally a matter of life or death.

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 12 NEW ZEALAND
Fixing our mental
health system
Priyanca Radhakrishnan
• Labour List MP based in Maungakiekie
• Parliamentary Private Secretary to the
Minister for Ethnic Communities
E
veryone has heard that old saying – if
there’s a (political) will, there’s a way.
Over the last nine years, demand for
mental health services increased by 60 per cent
– but funding for these services didn’t increase
by even half that. The cost of seeing a doctor
– often the first step on the pathway to mental
health support – increased by 44 per cent.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said “our rate
of suicide is a long-term national tragedy and
has been for many years.”
No matter who we are or where we come
from, so many of us will experience distress
and need help to get through it at some point in
our lives. If that help is not available, distress
can turn into crisis.
Struggling with mental health issues can feel
isolating. But you are not alone. There is help
available, and the Government has a duty to
make it much easier for all New Zealanders to
access it.
That’s why, under Jacinda Ardern’s
leadership, this Government is taking mental
health seriously. We are making sure that
everyone can get help, when, where, and how
they need it.
We’ve made the largest ever investment
in mental health and addiction support and
it’s already making a difference in peoples’
lives. We’re making sure New Zealanders can
access mental health support at their local GP.
Currently, 170,000 people can access this and
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over five years it will be extended to everyone.
We’ve also increased the number of addiction
treatment beds and services.
Suicide devastates families and communities
– and our Kiwi Indian community is no
exception. Recently we released our suicide
prevention plan and announced a new Suicide
Prevention Office to coordinate action on
preventing the tragedy of suicide. This is about
getting in early before problems turn into crises.
We’re also setting up a Mental Health
and Wellbeing Commission. The previous
Government closed down the Mental Health
Commission in 2012. We’re fixing that, so we
and future Governments will be held to account
on mental wellbeing.
We’ve boosted round the clock phone and
online support services – so no matter where
you are, all you have to do is log in or pick up
the phone.
We all need to be there for our mates
when we can. If you or someone you love is
struggling – reach out. It is our responsibility as
a Government to make sure that when you do,
help will be there. You are not alone.
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Friday, September 20, 2019 The Indian Weekender
KiwiBuild homes to
be built faster through
offsite manufacturing
¡¡ IWK BUREAU
T
he Government is taking action to
ensure that the construction industry
is ready and able to deliver greater
quantities of warm, dry, affordable homes says
Housing Minister Megan Woods.
This morning Megan Woods viewed the
KiwiBuild houses at the Petone off site house
building factory, before they were shipped up
to Maraenui in Napier.
“Under this government we’re building the
most homes since the 1970s, with a record
$13b of residential construction in the last “The scale of the KiwiBuild programme,
year, but we need to do even more to tackle the especially when aligned with the other arms of
housing shortage. We need to find new ways the Government’s build programme creates a
to get houses built more quickly and off site fantastic opportunity to supercharge the use of
manufacturing is one of the ways we will do offsite manufacturing in New Zealand.
this,” said Megan Woods. “The demand these programmes create has the
“Offsite manufacturing has the potential potential for the construction and development
to transform the building sector, and drive
industry to make confident investments in their
innovative ways to build homes at lower cost,
people and new technology. It could play an
and in faster timeframes. It can significantly
important role in smoothing out the ‘boom-
change the way we build homes because
builders won’t have to contend with external bust’ cycle that has plagued the sector in the
past, and help prevent another housing shortage
elements like the weather.
“Housing New Zealand has found that using emerging in the future.
“Therefore, I expect Kāinga Ora to optimise
OSM new builds can be delivered in half the
its operating practices to ensure the entity’s
time as conventional building techniques,” said
base demand facilitates the adoption of OSM
Megan Woods.
and other future innovations – where they
The government has been working with
offsite manufacturing companies to identify produce more affordable and better housing
opportunities to work with KiwiBuild supply for New Zealanders, and align with
to innovate, scale-up, and improve the wider Government goals - such as CarbonZero,
productivity of New Zealand’s building and skills development, energy efficiency, and
construction capacity, to make quality housing regional economic development”, said Megan
more affordable. Woods.
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Manukau
 The Indian Weekender
Candidate for Manurewa-Papakura
Ilango Krishnamoorthy envisions
prosperity for community
¡¡ RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
I
lango Krishnamoorthy has been
chosen by Labour Party to stand
for Manurewa-Papakura Ward
for Auckland Council and also for
Manurewa Local Board.
He is one of two nominated
candidates by Labour Party for
Manurewa-Papakura Ward, the
second being economist and former
Labour cabinet minister Peter
Neilson.
Mr Krishnamoorthy is well known
in the Kiwi Indian space, especially
in the South Indian community
being President of NZ Hindu Temple
Society, a community leader and a
successful businessman.
Mr Krishnamoorthy has lived in
the Manurewa suburb for nearly 30
years and as a community leader has
been able to voice the concerns of
the community coordinating with the
local council, and the government.
“My interactions at the temple with
people and their issues inspired me to
put my name for the local elections.
I am a strong advocate for our ethnic
community to put forward their name
into mainstream activities. If we
don’t help ourselves no one would
and it doesn’t matter whichever Party
MANUREWA-PAPAKURA WARD
AUCKLAND COUNCIL CANDIDATE
Vote for
Ilango Krishnamoorthy
Authorised by Ilango Krishnamoorthy, 20 Brouder Place, Hill Park, Manurewa. M. 021 739 879
Friday, September 20, 2019
they belong to or whichever race
they belong to, we are all Kiwis, and
we should contribute to our society,”
Mr Krishnamoorthy told The Indian
Weekender.
Advocating for the community, Mr
Krishnamoorthy is ambitious about
the vision he and his party has for the
people of Manurewa-Papakura ward.
“If elected with a majority on the
Manurewa Local Board we will hold
a Manurewa 2020 vision conference
with our MPs, councillors, local
board members, Mana Whenua,
schools, churches, sporting and
community organisations.
“We aim to get the bodies to agree
to the priority issues for Manurewa
and how we will align to make them
happen over the next threeto 10
years,” Mr Krishnamoorthy said.
Addressing the issue of low voter
turnout, he urged local communities
to get more involveed, especially the
growing Kiwi-Indian population, to
make use of their right to vote and
select the deserving candidate for the
local elections.
In NZ everything is above board,
and people put their name to serve
because it is the civic duty of every
citizen to participate in a democratic
process to be successful, otherwise
a minority (28%) population will
decide for the majority, and we all
have to live with the consequences,”
Mr Krishnamoorthy added.
Mr Krishnamoorthy takes pride
in his Indian heritage and adds that
the Kiwi-Indian community has
contributed immensely toward the
growth of this country.
“I am very proud of my Indian
heritage, and we all have brought
our colours, culture, food and
clothing; made New Zealand the
best place to live in the world,” Mr
Krishnamoorthy added.
In this local election, the key
issues that Mr Krishnamoorthy
is campaigning to work on are
addressing social and infrastructure
deficit in Manurewa, working for
better transport connections to
suburbs, improving housing and
social services, address homelessness
in the micro-level etc.
“Voting is your right, so use
it. Choose a candidate who will
represent you.
Labour Party supports the ethnic
communities so support Labour;
we all deserve best - Let’s do this
together!” Mr Krishnamoorthy said.
An evening to support and fundraise for the
Gandhi Nivas family harm intervention programme
Tickets can be purchased for $150 + GST
by emailing gandhinivas@jsn.co.nz
NEW ZEALAND 13
Key Campaign
Message and Vision:
• Reviewing the provision of our
parks and playing fields to catch
up with the facilities in place
across Auckland
• Championing better transport
connections to the places we
work, play and study
• Working with our MP’s
and Councillors to improve
our access to housing and
social services
• Restoring access to free
swimming pools as we Advocating for community,
enjoyed when part of
Ilango Krishnamoorthy is
Manukau City
• Funding with others a ambitious about the vision
pedestrian bridge across he and his party has for
the Papakura stream to the people of Manurewa-
provide a safe walking, Papakura ward.
jogging and bike link
between Wattle Downs
and the Manurewa Township • Supporting phasing in the living
• Completing the replacement and wage for Council contractor
employees as contracts are
upgrade of the Weymouth boat
reviewed
ramp • Pushing for a much more
• Supporting the establishment of Manurewa friendly rubbish
a day time drop-in facility for service when the contract comes
the Manurewa homeless as part up for renewal
of an across Auckland strategy to • Campaigning to make Matariki a
address homelessness national public holiday
THE GLOBAL WOMEN BREAKTHROUGH
LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME COHORT OF 2019
IN SUPPORT OF THE SERENITY FOUNDATION
PRESENTS
THE PREVENTING
FAMILY HARM
Gala Dinner
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4TH, 6.30PM
ELLERSLIE RACEWAY
DRESS: BLACK TIE
We invite corporates to sponsor a table
for $3000 or $5000
 14 NEW ZEALAND
Services lead GDP growth Series based on
G LOTR offers significant
ross domestic product increased 0.5
percent in the June 2019 quarter,
following a 0.6 percent rise in the
March 2019 quarter, Stats NZ said today.
“Service industries, which represent about
two-thirds of the economy, were the main
contributor to GDP growth in the quarter, rising
0.7 percent off the back of a subdued result in
the March 2019 quarter,” national accounts
senior manager Gary Dunnet said.
The service industries recorded broad based
growth, with eight of the 11 industries showing
positive results in the June 2019 quarter.
Household expenditure on services saw a
corresponding increase, rising by 0.5 percent.
Goods producing industries fell 0.2 percent
in the June quarter, driven by declines in
manufacturing and construction.
“Both of these industries rose in the March
2019 quarter,” Mr Dunnet said.
“This quarter, lower investment in non-
residential building and a decline in food,
beverage, and tobacco manufacturing led to
the falls.”
NZD remains 10th most traded currency
T
he New Zealand dollar (NZD) remains
the tenth most traded currency globally,
according to a global survey compiled
by the Bank of International Settlements (BIS)
released today.
The triennial survey took place in April and
involved central banks and other authorities in
53 jurisdictions and close to 1300 banks and
other dealers.
The NZD has held the number 10 spot since
2010. The US dollar retained the number one
spot - being on one side of 88% of all foreign
The size of New Zealand’s economy in
annual current price terms hit a milestone in the
June 2019 quarter, reaching $300 billion for the
first time.
“It took about fourteen years for the economy
to go from $100 billion to $200 billion, and nine
years to reach $300 billion,” Mr Dunnet said.
Text alternative for Gross domestic product,
industry growth and contribution to growth,
June 2019 quarter
Image shows a column graph, pie chart,
and bar chart showing growth, share of the
economy, and contribution to growth in the
June 2019 quarter for the primary, goods-
producing, and services industries. Column
chart shows the service industries grew 0.7
percent, primary grew 0.7 percent, and goods-
producing declined 0.2 percent. Pie chart shows
that service industries make up about two-
thirds of GDP, goods-producing about one-fifth
and primary about one-twentieth. Bar chart
shows industry contribution to the GDP growth
rate: primary 0.0 percentage points, goods-
producing 0.0 percentage points, and services
0.5 percentage points.
exchange (FX) trades – followed by the euro
and the Japanese yen respectively.
New Zealand's foreign exchange market
handled an average of US$9.5 billion per
day in April 2019, down from US$10.6b in
April 2016.
The most common currencies traded daily
in New Zealand are the US dollar (US$8335
million), NZ Dollar (US$7241m), Australian
dollar (US$1343m), Japanese yen (US$399m),
euro (US$622m) and the British pound
(US$277m).
Friday, September 20, 2019 The Indian Weekender
opportunities
T
he New Zealand Film Commission Since the early
and partners from the sector, including 2000’s the volume
Auckland Tourism, Events and of production in New
Zealand has continued
Economic Development (ATEED) have
worked together to bring the Amazon Studios to increase, growing
series based on The Lord of the Rings to New the screen sector
Zealand. into a billion-
New Zealand being chosen as the production dollar industry
and creating
location, offers significant opportunities for the
local screen sector and indirect benefits into significant
other industries, including new jobs and direct economic
spend. benefits for
Kerry Prendergast, Chair of the New Zealand other sectors
such as
Film Commission Board says the streaming
series filming in New Zealand will bring tourism.
immense benefits to the country. Sheehan
“The scale of Amazon Studios' series,
based on The Lord of the Rings, will create
says the series provides an opportunity to grow
New Zealand’s screen sector even further.
significant economic benefits and employment “It will capture the hearts and imaginations
opportunities. The New Zealand Film of fans worldwide and expand connections to
Commission, along with the broader industry New Zealand via Amazon Studios’ significant
and New Zealand partners, welcome the global audience. New Zealand agencies will
opportunities Amazon Studios will bring to continue to work closely with Amazon Studios
New Zealand.” as they build their presence across New Zealand
Annabelle Sheehan, Chief Executive of the and develop future partnerships.”
New Zealand Film Commission says Amazon The series based on The Lord of the Rings
Studios’ decision is testament to the skills, will utilise vendors from across New Zealand,
capability and reputation of New Zealand’s and include location shooting in several
screen industry as well as strong infrastructure regions. The main production base will be
in cities such as Auckland. in Auckland.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, 20 September, 2019 FIJI 15

HIGHLANDS TRAGEDY: Father blames witchcraft

for deaths of five
NZ bus driver faces Salvin Singh says it caused his separation

5 counts of murder, from his wife and two children six years ago

1 attempted murder
Mohammed Raheesh Ioosuf, 62, of Christchurch appeared before Magistrate
Nirosha Kannangara facing murder charges and one attempted murder charge

A
New Zealand bus driver appeared in the Nadi
Magistrates Court Wednesday September 18,
charged with five counts of murder.
Nirmal Kumar, 63, his wife Usha Devi, 54, their
daughter Usha Devi and her two daughters Sana, 11 and
Samairah 8 of Legalega in Nadi were found dead at a
remote location in the Nausori Highlands on August 26.
Salvin Singh in an earlier photo with his daughters Sanah and Samarah before the
Mohammed Raheesh Ioosuf, 62, of Christchurch girls were found dead at the Nausori Highlands.

S
appeared before Magistrate Nirosha Kannangara facing
alvin Singh in an earlier photo used to complain of stomach pains
murder charges and one attempted murder charge. The
deceased couple’s one-year-old granddaughter was found with his daughters Sanah and and claim that someone has done
alive at the scene. Samarah before the girls were something to her.”
About 200 people packed outside the courthouse to found dead at the Nausori Highlands. Mr Singh said during the seven
get a glimpse of Ioosuf who arrived under heavy Police The father of the two children years that he lived in Legalega, he
escort. He was initially taken in for questioning, but was found dead with their mother used to see his in-laws performing
released by the Lautoka High Court last week because of and grandparents in the Nausori witchcraft day and night.
the expiry of the 48 hour time limit Police were allowed Highlands has blamed witchcraft for “When my daughters were small,
to hold a suspect for questioning. the tragedy. I used to bathe them and whenever
Police prosecutor Inspector Parmesh Chand objected Salvin Singh, 40, revealed that I saw the thread tied around their
to bail saying the accused had tried to leave the country Mohammed Raheesh Ioosuf, 62, of Christchurch appeared
witchcraft had driven him away waist, I used to cut it and throw it
faces murder charges and one attempted murder charge.
following the discovery of the bodies before the date of from his in-laws’ family home in away.
his scheduled departure. Legalega, Nadi, on August 7, 2013. “And whenever I used to see my
Inspector Chand said the case was serious and Police The bodies of his daughters, in-laws and other witchdoctors
had strong evidence that tied Ioosuf to the alleged murder.
Sanah, 11, and Samarah, "My making a doll from dough
Ioosuf was a neighbour of the deceased people.
8, his ex-wife in-laws and poking needles in
Defence lawyer Iqbal Khan, assisted by Sabrina Khan
Nileshni Kajal, 34, were too much it, I always took my
refuted Police having strong evidence saying they were
only circumstantial. Nileshni’s parents, into witchcraft and I daughters away into the
“My client has denied all that has been noted in the Nirmal Kumar, 63, even used to pick up the bedroom.
caution interview,” Mr Khan said. a carpenter, and witchdoctors for them “I never saw anyone
“All objections to bail can be cured by the court issuing Usha Kumar, 54, and later drop them or any family so much
strict bail conditions.” of Legalega in Nadi, back." into witchcraft like my in-
Mr Khan said Ioosuf already had a stop departure order were found at Nausori laws. I don’t know what was
against him and his passport was with Police. Nirmal Kumar, 63, his wife Usha Devi, 54, their daughter Highlands on August 26. happening in the past six years
Mr Khan said Police had no eye witnesses and he failed Usha Devi and her two daughters Sana, 11 and Samairah 8 of Mr Singh said he was a typical after I separated from my wife.
to see how they could have a strong case. Legalega in Nadi were found dead at a remote location in the
Hindu, but his in-laws’ deep “Our values were different. I’m a
Nausori Highlands on August 26.
He added that soon after the bodies were discovered, involvement in witchcraft resulted typical Hindu with values and I’m
Ioosuf made his way to the Police Station to inform them matter has been adjourned to September 25 where Ioosuf in his separation from his wife and very religious. They were Hindus
that he was the one who had dropped them there. The will appear at the Lautoka High Court. daughters. too, but they just had too much belief
The separation later resulted in in witchcraft.
Ten students awarded in the New Zealand High his battle for custody of his two
girls. One issue he claimed that he
“My wife and daughters were
obviously also dragged into it. The
Commission’s 2019 essay competition raised during the proceedings was difference in the values and belief

4
55 students from 82 schools
from around the country
participated in the New
Zealand High Commission’s 2019
Essay Competition this year and 10
students were awarded with prizes.
While speaking at the prize giving
ceremony at the New Zealand
Official Residence, New Zealand’s
High Commissioner to Fiji, Jonathan
Curr says he is impressed with
the high standard of writing skills
displayed by these students.
New Zealand High Commission
2019 Essay Competition was based
on a quotation about climate change
by the New Zealand Prime Minister,
Jacinda Ardern, “You don’t have
to cede power by acting on climate
change. This is about being on the
right side of history.”
Students were asked to draw on
the quotation and write an expository
essay on practical ways to combat
change with particular reference to
the Pacific region.
Curr says Fiji’s youths have
demonstrated a sophisticated
understanding of climate change,
deep knowledge of the social
and economic impact of the
environmental challenges facing the
region, mitigation and adaptation
strategies needed to protect the
region and ways to promote
awareness of climate change at
global level.  award where they received $200
Selai Raraki from Seaqaqa Central
College and Seremaia Naisua from
Xavier College were awarded with
supreme awards where they each
received a laptop and $500 cash
prize.
Three students were awarded with
certificate of commendation award
where they received a tablet each.
• Rosheel Ritnesh Chand of
Nadogo Central College, Vanua
Levu
• Ashitosh Rishay Prasad of
Bhawani Dayal Arya College,
Nausori
• Faiza Faaria Nisha of Kamil
Muslim College, Ba
Five students were awarded with
certificate of honorable mention
each.
• Dayna Danielle Tolo of Yat Sen
Secondary School, Suva
• Devnal Raj of Pandit Vishnu Deo
Memorial College, Lautoka
• Shreya Chand of Swami
Vivekananda College, Nadi
• Frances Tagivetaua of Saint
Joseph’s Secondary School, Suva
• Romitesh Kumar of Tilak High
School, Lautoka
The NZ High Commission is
running the Essay Competition in
Fiji for the last 11 years.
witchcraft.
It was witchcraft, he said, that
resulted in the deaths of his daughters
and their mother.
From the information available,
the five deaths are now being referred
to in some corners as the “witchcraft
case”.
Mr Singh said even though he
was separated from his wife and
daughters for the past six years, he
met them every Saturday following
the court’s decision.
In an interview at his family home
in Tomuka, Lautoka, Mr Singh
revealed some things that he said
were never made public.
The professional counsellor and
child protection officer said he stayed
at his in-laws’ house in Legalega for
seven years after marrying Nileshni.
“My in-laws were too much into
witchcraft and I even used to pick up
the witchdoctors for them and later
drop them back,” he said.
“I knew that my father-in-law
was practising witchcraft and in
extreme conditions, he would call
witchdoctors home or take my
mother-in-law to them as she always
of my in-laws and me was the major
cause of my separation from my
wife.”
Mr Singh said after separating
from his wife, he filed a case in court
for the custody of his daughters and
he fought for the same for four years.
“I remember saying in court
then that my children were not safe
staying at my in-laws’ place because
they were practising witchcraft,” he
said.
“During the four-year fight for my
daughters’ custody, a lot of lawyers
and magistrates who heard the case
had changed.
“But I was glad that the court had
given me custody of my daughters
from 8 am to 5 pm on Saturday
and Sunday. I visited them every
Saturday and spent time with them
and my wife even though we had
separated.
“It was August 24 when I spent
time with them, that was the last I
saw them.
"I just didn’t have the strength
emotionally and mentally to see
their dead faces in the coffin last
Saturday,” said Mr Singh.
 16 NEW ZEALAND Friday, 20 September, 2019 The Indian Weekender

Govt needs to pull up socks; direct Housing NZ on

clearing eligibility criteria for residents to buy property
T
he government needs to pull up People who don’t need consent to buy existed, or is an outcome related to the permanent residents to have spent a certain
socks and act urgently to fix the residential land: changes brought-in by foreign buyers ban amount of time in New Zealand. 
confusion on the eligibility of • New Zealand, Australian in 2018.  “However, some developers and
migrant residents to buy property in New or Singaporean citizens, Regardless of the origin of the anomaly, affordable home programmes have different
Zealand.  New Zealand resident class visa and what is clearly evident so far is that the criteria,” Vanessa Horne said.  This is first
The Indian Weekender broke a story Australian/Singaporean permanent government’s response to show leadership authoritative information on why possibly
on Wednesday, September 18, of a Kiwi- residents must meet all of the criteria on this issue has been gravely missing, the Kiwi-Indian couple would have been
Indian couple living in New Zealand on below to be able to purchase without despite repeated probing from this denied buying one of the Auckland Housing
resident visas that were denied purchase of consent: newspaper.  Programme’s affordable homes. 
a property in South Auckland purely on the • Hold NZ residence class visa or This is certainly better than getting no
What does govt need to do?
grounds that they were on “Residents” and Australian/Singaporean permanent response and explanation from the Housing
The government should, as a matter of
not a “Citizen or Permanent Resident”.  resident visa  New Zealand that why people on ‘resident
priority, investigate the matter and find
This is in complete defiance of current • Be a tax resident visas’ are not eligible to buy a residential
out how Housing New Zealand has denied
New Zealand law that categorically allows • Have resided in NZ for the immediately property in New Zealand. 
eligible migrant-residents from purchasing
“Residents” to buy property in New Zealand, preceding 12 months and live (be present) However, the information is surprising,
residential property. 
provided they meet some other conditions.  183 days out of those 12 months given that even ‘KiwiBuild houses’ are
At the time of this story going live,
This issue is of paramount importance So the question is why Housing New open to being sold to the migrants on
The Indian Weekender has received an
for the entire migrant community and needs Zealand is adamant about demanding resident visas, provided they meet all other
impromptu response from the office of the
immediate action from the government to from prospective migrant-resident buyers requirements. 
Land Information New Zealand (LINZ)
fix the confusion, as technically thousands the proof of “Citizenship or Permanent So what are the categories of ‘Affordable
– a government department tasked with
of eligible taxpaying residents might be Resident.” homes’ that are out of bounds for the hard-
responsibility of managing land titles and
illegally denied of the right to purchase The entire case of the Kiwi-Indian couple working, taxpaying migrants on resident
Crown property and supporting government
property in New Zealand.   Jayant and Akansha Sharma is based on visas? 
decision-making around foreign ownership,
Ever since The Indian Weekender broke the premise that Housing New Zealand In fact, what is the new category of
on The Indian Weekender’s earlier reporting
this story and sought a response from denied them buying a residential property ‘Affordable homes’ that this government
of the plight of the Kiwi-Indian couple. 
Housing New Zealand and several senior for the reason that they were not a citizen has introduced in the last two years? 
The response from Vanessa Horne, Group
Ministers in the government about why or permanent residents. In fact Housing Who is eligible to buy those affordable
Manager of the Overseas Investment Office
Housing New Zealand denied the concerned New Zealand requires property buyers to homes?
accentuates the clearly established fact
couple purchase of the property, the response sign a statutory declaration saying, “I am a Where is the accurate information
that people on resident visas are eligible to
so far has been shambolic, at best.  New Zealand Citizen or permanent resident available to everyone with regard to
purchase property in New Zealand. 
Several well-intentioned MPs in (as the term is defined in clause 4 of the eligibility criteria for residents buying
However, the response informs, and
government and office of Associate Finance Immigration Act 2009).”  ‘Affordable homes’? 
probably for the first time since the breaking
Minister David Parker have taken upon Essentially, implying that those on Right now the information available in
of this story that “some affordable homes”
themselves to clear the air that people on “Resident Visas” are categorically in- the public domain is at best arbitrary and
are out of bounds for the residents. 
“resident visas” are certainly eligible to buy eligible to buy residential property from shambolic. 
“They meet the criteria because they
a residential property.  Housing New Zealand.  The government needs to pull up the
have a residence class visa and they’re
Below is the response from the office of This is absolutely farce and illegal.  socks and remove the general confusion on
tax residents. The new rules also require
the Associate Finance Minister.  It is not clear if this anomaly had always this critically important housing issue. 

Thought of the week This week in New Zealand’s history

"You can't expect to hit the jackpot if you 21 September 1834

Rescue of Harriet survivors begins
don't put a few nickels in the machine." T he family of the whaler Jacky Guard were among a group of Pākehā captured by Māori in May
1834 after the barque Harriet ran aground on the Taranaki coast.
Flip Wilson 22 September 1931
Indian Weekender : Volume 11 Issue 27
Coalition government formed to combat Depression
Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited
Content Editor: Sandeep Singh | sandeep@indianweekender.co.nz
U nited Party Prime Minister George Forbes had convened an inter-party conference with the
goal of forming a coalition government that would ‘share the responsibility’ of dealing with
the Depression.
Chief Reporter: Rizwan Mohammad | rizwan@indianweekender.co.nz
Chief Technical Officer: Rohan deSouza | rohan@indianweekender.co.nz 23 September 1887
Sr Graphics and Layout Designer: Mahesh Kumar | mahesh@indianweekender.co.nz
Tongariro mountains protected
I
Graphic Designer: Yashmin Chand | design@indianweekender.co.nz
Accounts and Admin.: 09-2173623 | accounts@indianweekender.co.nz
n February 1887 newspapers reported Ngāti Tūwharetoa’s proposal to ‘gift’ the Crown the
mountaintops of Tongariro, Ngāuruhoe and Ruapehu as the basis for a national park. What the
Media Sales Manager.: Leena Pal: 021 952 216 | leena@indianweekender.co.nz
Sales and Distribution: 021 952218 | sales@indianweekender.co.nz
iwi actually intended was that they and the New Zealand government would take joint responsibility
Editor at Large: Dev Nadkarni | dev@indianweekender.co.nz for protecting the sacred maunga.

Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher 25 September 1819
is not responsible for advertisers’ claims as appearing in the publication
New Zealand's first grapevines planted?
Views expressed in the articles are solely of the authors and do not in any way represent
the views of the team at the Indian Weekender M issionary Samuel Marsden planted about a hundred grapevines of different varieties he had
brought from Sydney at the site he had chosen for a new Church Missionary Society (CMS)
station at Kerikeri. He wrote in his journal that:
Kiwi Media Publishing Limited - 133A, Level 1, Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland.

Printed at Horton Media, Auckland 27 September 2013

Copyright 2017. Kiwi Media Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Lorde releases Pure Heroine in New Zealand and Australia
F ollowing the success of her single ‘Royals’, Lorde’s first studio album Pure Heroine debuted at
number three on the US Billboard 200 charts and went on to become one of the world’s best-
selling albums of 2014.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, 20 September, 2019 OPINION/EDITORIAL 17

Beleaguered Khan goes for

the nuclear bogey button
DEV NADKARNI hide. Pakistan as a nation is staring down a

A
time-worn diversionary tactic of heads
of governments whose countries are
in deep trouble is to raise the bogey of
external threat, foreign aggression and more
desperately, even apocalypse. Pakistan Prime
Minister Imran Khan has done exactly that in
the past couple of weeks.
Using the Indian government’s abrogation
of the special status for Kashmir, which
Indiarightly maintains is its internal matter and
which almost all of the world overwhelmingly
agrees, Khan has said that the revocation might
well result in a conventional war with India,
which he seems sure Pakistan will lose and
hence be forced to use nuclear weapons.
A nuclear war is apocalyptic without doubt
–– and raising its bogey, more than anything
else, indicates Khan’s desperation for the state
Pakistan finds itself in.
The country is on the brink of financial ruin
and the tiresome tack of its three-decade-old
geopolitical claim of being the best tactical
partner for ending terrorism, which brought
in billions of dollars in aid all these years, has
come unstuck.
Though India cried hoarse for decades against
successive Pakistan governments’ policy to
support cross-border terrorism dictated by its
all-powerful spy agency ISI, Pakistan convinced
western powers, particularly the United
States, of its central importance in combating
terrorism in Afghanistan, keeping the flow of
aid steady ostensibly to fight terrorism on its
western borders. Attacks like the one on the
Indian parliament on 13 December 2001 and
the ghastly Mumbai attacks on 26 November
2008 failed to adequately convince the United
States of Pakistan’s sinister machinations to
harm India by killing innocent citizens by the
hundreds. This can also be attributedto the
repeated failure of past Indian governments to
sufficiently raise the pitch on the international
stage.
But the momentum to isolate Pakistan and
see the government’s helplessness before extra-
constitutional authorities leading the charge
by sponsoring terror organisations, sometimes
brazenly so, has been building up in recent
years. The Pulwama attack has been the turning
pointand India’s unprecedented retaliation in
Pakistan’s Balakot went virtually unprotested in
international circles, not least because Pakistan
was hard put to deny them initially.
The present Indian government has
aggressively queered Pakistan’s pitch and
the results are showing.Today Pakistan is
left isolated, utterly friendless, with even its
longtime Islamic middle eastern allies not
willing to buy its campaign against India’s move
on Kashmir. No western nation or world body
(notably the United Nations) that it approached
for support has offered or indeed even heeded
it. Pakistan has well and truly painted itself into
a corner on this issue.
After having successfully hoodwinked
successive US governments into doling out
billions in its so-called fight against terrorism,
the gravy train came to a screeching halt in the
Trump era, which has viewed Pakistan with
growing suspicion to the point of severely
curbing aid and asking it to stop aiding terrorism
as state policy in no uncertain terms.
Khan’s repeated entreaties to the Trump
administration are falling on deaf ears and it is
increasingly looking like the US is snuggling
up to India for both commercial and geo-
strategic reasons.
The latest blow to Pakistan would have
come this week with the US administration
announcing that President Donald Trump will
“drop in” at the ‘Howdy Modi’ rally to honour
visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
in Houston next Sunday.
The rally that will fill up a 50,000-capacity
stadium is seen as an unprecedent development
in Indo-US affairs, especially the US President
himself has decided to be part of what is
essentially started off as a diaspora event.
Several dozen US Government functionaries
will also be in attendance.
Khan’s apocalyptic nuclear war prediction
has more to do with the rough and tumble of
his domestic affairs, as such pronouncements
from crisis-ridden leaders are designed to
near-empty barrel of foreign reserves. Some
financial experts predict that the country could
well go bankrupt as early as next year.
Consider this: Pakistan faces potential
blacklisting by the FATF (Financial Action
Task Force) in the next month or so for not
coming up with convincing evidence that it has
cracked down on terror funding in the country.
It has been a watch list for a while now. If it
ends up being blacklisted, financial assistance
and private investment will dry up.
With a current account deficit of $12 billion
and reserves of just $15 billion, it is in a
precarious situation. In a world of tumbling,
even negative interest rates, Pakistan’s is
a whopping 13 per cent. What is worse,
repayment of interest on its so called “all
17
weather friend” China’s CPEC (China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor) loan becomes due next
year. This amounts to nearly $400 million.
Even worse, the World Bank’s ICSID
(International Centre for Settlement of
Investment Disputes) has fined Pakistan a $6
billion fine in RekoDiqmine case.
The mine is considered one of the largest
untapped reserves of copper and gold. Another
similar case has fined it $700 million.
With a crippling power crisis and no money
for investment, its economy is in a downward
spiral. One year from now, Pakistan will need
a bailout package just as Greece and Venezuela
did not so long ago.
But despite their troubles, Greece and
Venezuela could muster international support
for a bail out. Pakistan is a different story. Its
bailout requirement will be much larger. And its
credibility is at best questionable.
Under these circumstances, what better
strategy for a beleaguered leader than to raise
the bogey of nuclear apocalypse.
Dev Nadkarni is Editor-at-Large of Indian
Weekender

How the Talent skill visa changes will impact employers

AARON MARTIN transitioned into the new system in to obtain work to residence visas for

O
2021. They are likely to experience
n Tuesday, September 17,
an easier time of it than those who
the Government announced
did not bother to engage with the
significant changes to
accredited employer scheme.
work visas in New Zealand.
Current accredited employers will
Immigration lawyer from New
be familiar with the processes and
Zealand Immigration Law, Aaron
requirements that are likely to come.
Martin weighs in on the impact these
They will be better placed to address
changes will have for employers.
any new criteria than those who are
Talent work visa changes 2019 trying to learn after implementation
The changes to the work visa of the new system. More importantly,
system are the most significant in they will experience less disruption
over a decade. By 2021, 6 different to the recruiting process.
types of work visas will be replaced A major problem I foresee is that,
with one employer-assisted work if all employers need to become
visa. accredited, there will be a substantial
Under the changes, accreditation queue of applications. We have no
status will be mandatory by 2021 idea how Immigration New Zealand
for all employers who are seeking to will have the resources to deal with
hire workers from overseas. But the this. The Government is promising
systems and processes for application a ‘streamlined process’. I’ve been
(and the cost) have not been created. an immigration lawyer since 1996,
The announcement demonstrates and I can honestly say that what
that the ‘consultation’ conducted Immigration New Zealand considers
at the beginning of the year was ‘streamlined’ is very different to the
in fact just ‘show and tell’ by the interpretation of the private sector.
government. As usual, people who The new proposed accreditation
engaged in the ‘consultation’ were status will have three types: standard,
listened to but not heard.  high-volume, and labour hire
accreditation.
The Impact for Employers:
Standard accreditation is for those
Employers who were wise enough
who intend to employ one to five
to obtain accreditation status under
expatriate workers in a 12-month
the existing programme will be
period. High-volume accreditation is
for those who intend to employ five
or more expatriate workers. For high-
volume accreditation status there
will be more stringent requirements
around providing training, up-
skilling local staff, and increasing
wages and conditions.
But it is still undecided how the
new system will work. When exactly
will it be implemented? How long
will it take to process applications?
What will it cost? What evidence
will be required? And what will
an employer do if they don’t know
before applying exactly how many
workers they need from offshore?
The initial accreditation status will
last for 12 months, and on renewal
24 months. This seems somewhat
ludicrous, as it overburdens an
already overburdened application
processing system. It would have
been far better to have simply offered
the initial accreditation status for a
24-month period.
The welcome news (to a degree) is
that ANZSCO codes will no longer
be used to determine skill level. The
unwelcome news is that skill level
will now be arbitrarily assessed by
whether a person is above or below
the median wage. This is likely to
have significant adverse impact in
some sectors.
In other refinements, the current
skill shortage list system will be
replaced by one better targeted to
skill shortages pertinent to the needs
of major urban centres as well as the
rural sector.
Changes as of October 7, 2019
Employers who already hold
accreditation status will only be able
staff who are paid $79,560 and over
from 7 October.
Those employers who were wise
enough to on-board staff members
under the current regime will be
able to sleep comfortably knowing
those staff will proceed through to
residence under the salary/wage
requirement of $55,000.
Employers who are accredited
can also rest easy knowing their
accreditation status will stay in
place until 2021, when they will be
transitioned over to the new system.
Workers who hold a work to
residence visa under the current
rules will also be relieved their
immigration status is safe.
Work to residence visa holders
who had hoped they would be able
to apply directly for the permanent
resident visa (as opposed to the
standard resident visa) will be
disappointed. But at least they can
still acquire a resident visa – they
just need to remain in New Zealand
in order to acquire the permanent
resident visa.
Disclaimer: The views, thoughts
and opinions expressed in this
piece by Immigration Lawyer
Aaron Martin his alone and
do not necessarily reflect
the opinions of The Indian
Weekender. 
 18 INDIA Friday, 20 September, 2019 The Indian Weekender

India-US ties in very A

UP’s Rajni won’t come
down to earth unless
ISRO ‘recovers’ Vikram!

good health: Jaishankar

video doing the rounds on
social media since Tuesday
shows a man standing on
a pillar of New Yamuna Bridge in

A
head of Prime Minister
Narendra Modi's visit to
the US and his meeting
with President Donald Trump
during which trade issues are set to
figure, External Affairs Minister S.
Jaishankar said that bilateral ties are
in "very good health".
Addressing a press conference,
Jaishankar said he would view the
relationship as a "glass that is 90 per
cent full rather than as a glass that is
10 per cent empty" -- focusing on the
positives of the relationship.
With the US voicing concern over
the trade deficit, which in 2018-19
stood at $16.85 billion, the minister
said that "India-US relations have
come a long way. There is no facet
of the relationship that has not grown
upwards, and the trajectory has
always been upwards."
On the bilateral ties, he said "First
thing, the relationship is in very good
health, I am very satisfied about the
state of relations and very optimistic
about where we are going."
India's exports to the US in 2017-
18 stood at $47.9 billion, while
imports were at $26.7 billion.
On the nigglings over trade,
with Trump voicing concern over
Indian tariffs, he said that "As any
relationship grows there will be
issues. The only way you can not
have a trade problem is if you don't
trade. And trade problems often
happen with the people you are
closest to."
He said that having trade problems
"are normal and indicative of a very
substantial relationship".
He said that after a lot of exchanges
mostly at the bureaucratic level,
"there will be an effort to take it to
a higher level and see where we can
find a common ground for give and
take, and find a way that works for
both of us".
Jaishankar said that his expectation
is that "some of the sharper edges
would be addressed, that they would
be addressed in some form in the
not too distant future", which would
be worked out with the commerce
ministers of both nations.
According to a US report, US and
Indian officials are nearing a trade
negotiation breakthrough which
could be unveiled during Modi's
visit.
The Washington Examiner,
quoting sources said "I can confirm
intensive discussions between [trade
officials] on both sides, putting
together a trade package."
US Trade Representative Robert
Lighthizer's team is racing to
conclude discussions about the
preliminary agreement ahead of
Modi's US visit.
Modi's visit will include at least
one meeting with Trump on Sunday.
The framework could set the table for
a finalised agreement in November,
when Trump may visit New Delhi.
"The trade relationship is in sharp
focus right now on both sides,"
said Nisha Biswal, president of the
Chamber of Commerce's US-India
Business Council.
Prayagraj.
He climbed with the Indian flag
and refused to get down unless
ISRO manages to ‘recover’ the
Vikram lander.
The man has been identified
as Rajnikant. Although he claims
to be a namesake of the Tamil
superstar, his action-packed drama
did not quite manage to achieve the
impossible.
Vikram is still believed to be
out there, somewhere on the lunar
surface.
The man has been identified as
a native of Manda in Prayagraj,
Uttar Pradesh, according to an
“indiatoday.in” report. He climbed
up on Monday night.
It’s been 11 days now that ISRO’s
prestigious moon mission went
awry, when the space research
organisation lost contact with
Vikram lander of Chandrayaan 2
owing to a last-minute snag that
developed after the operation went
off smoothly all along.
On September 7, Vikram, while
on its descent to soft land on
the Moon’s south polar region,
apparently lost control and
crash-landed there, snapping the
communication links.

Modi-Xi summit will be in as warm PM has shown Pak its place by

a spirit as Wuhan: Jaishankar
U
nion Home Minister Amit bogged down by party politics. We
Shah on Wednesday said that have always stood strong with the

D
ismissing the recent scuffle
between Indian and Chinese
troops in Ladakh as a "face-
off" that was resolved, External
Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said
the second informal summit between
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and
Chinese President Xi Jinping, set for
October in India, would be held in
"as warm a spirit as Wuhan".
Answering a query on the scuffle
in eastern Ladakh on the Pangong
Tso lake's bank, Jaishankar said it
was not a skirmish but a face-off
that was resolved using the bilateral
mechanisms. He also said it took
place due to differing perceptions
about the Line of Actual Control
(LAC). Jaishankar declined to reveal
the venue of the second informal
summit.
However, he said it would "be
held in as warm a spirit as Wuhan,
or maybe warmer depending on
the temperature of the location
of that place. But my sense is the Prime Minister Narendra government when the matter is of the
commitment to have those kinds Modi had shown Pakistan its place nation’s security and integrity. Rahul
of conversations remains strong on by abrogating the special status for Gandhi must clear the Congress
both sides." Jammu and Kashmir and has also stand on such issues,” he asserted.
He said as part "It
is important shown to the world that Kashmir is Shah said: “When we go for
of the Wuhan
for both India an inalienable part of India. surgical strike, Rahul Gandhi
spirit, "the and China, which are
leaders of the “No one can raise an eye on opposes it. When we go for airstrike,
rising powers, to find
two important Kashmir now,” Shah said. he asks for evidence. He should tell
equilibriums because
countries each has their own Amit Shah was in Jharkhand’s the people of the country which
spent two expectations of the Astana meeting between the Jamtara where he flagged off the Jan direction he wants to take.”
days in great world and of each two leaders, which was that the Ashirvaad Yatra. On Jharkhand, he said the state is
comfortable, open other" bilateral relationship should be a During his address he attacked developing at a fast pace through the
conversation with source of stability in an uncertain the Congress and said: “BJP always efforts of the Raghobar Das-led BJP
each other on a range of subjects. In world and that they should not allow maintained that Article 370 is against government.
the past, most conversations were their differences to become disputes. the unity and integrity of India, but “There are a lot of opportunities
choreographed with a set agenda. To a question about Chinese ships Congress has always opposed our in the state. Jharkhand is the biggest
This was free-wheeling." being sighted near areas in the South
stand.” repository of mineral wealth in the
"It is important for both India and China Sea where India was working
“Modiji took a bold decision and country,” he said.
China, which are rising powers, to on hydrocarbon explorations with
find equilibriums because each has Vietnam, he said Hanoi was looking removed this article. Such matters Shah appealed to the people to
their own expectations of the world into it. "I think a lot of the responses need to be looked into by rising bring the BJP back to power in the
and of each other," he said. to that are being handled by the above party and vote bank politics,” state in the upcoming elections to
He said the idea of the Wuhan Vietnamese and that is the way it he said. When the country’s interests keep the fast paced development
informal summit sprung from the should be," he said. are in question, we don’t get going on in Jharkhand.

India, US ‘nearing’ trade deal, says Report

A
head of Prime Minister Narendra
Modi’s visit to the US, the two countries
are “nearing a trade breakthrough”,
an influential publication, the Washington
Examiner, has reported quoting US officials
and industry “insiders”.
The conservative publication with close
access to the Trump administration reported that
“US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer’s
team is racing to conclude discussions about the
preliminary agreement over the course of this
week”.
It quoted an official as saying: “I can confirm
intensive discussions between (trade officials)
on both sides, putting together a trade package.”
The Examiner said that the proposal being continuous dialogue for past several months
worked on would restore the General Scheme with the US and we are working towards an
of Preferences (GSP) benefits for India, which early resolution of many of those issues.”
was cancelled in June. But a final decision was up to Modi and
“In exchange, Modi would agree to make it Trump, he said.
easier for American companies to work in India Modi and Trump are to meet in Houston
in a few key sectors,” it said, adding that the when they both participate in the “Howdy
proposals could be the framework for a final Modi” rally organised by the India community.
agreement to be signed in November if A trade deal with India, even if
Trump visits India. "In partial, could be a welcome relief
exchange, Putting pressure on the Trump administration,
Meanwhile, in New Delhi, India’s for Trump, who is mired in
Modi would agree a bipartisan group of 44 US lawmakers have
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to make it easier for trade disputes with China, the
has also struck a note of optimism, European Union and others asked Washington to reinstate the GSP status
American companies to
hinting at an “early resolution”. work in India in a few key bringing on severe criticism for India, which enabled tariff-free imports to
He said on Monday: “We are in sectors" domestically and abroad. the US worth $5.6 billion.
 20 INDIA
On birth anniversary,
Mahatma to ‘return to life’ at UNESCO
M A
ahatma Gandhi is ‘set to
return to life’ in the form
of a hologram at UNESCO
Paris to mark the International Day of
Non Violence 2019. The life size 3D
hologram will “address audience” to
explain the Mahatma’s philosophy in
a life-like audio visual medium.
The 3D hologram will feature in
the Ahimsa Lecture delivered by
leading proponents of peace and
non-violence for the benefit of peace
builders, policy makers, UNESCO
Member States, youth and the
international community.
The Ahinsa Lecture is organised to
mark the International Day of Non-
Violence celebrated on October 2,
the Mahatma’s birth anniversary.
According to plans, the hologram
would speak for 2 to 3 minutes to
set the tone for the panel discussion
and would also indulge in a question
answer session.
“While Gandhi Ji was amongst
the most photographed people of his
time and the world has access to his
photographs, filmed interviews and
radio addresses, it is less than 5 per
cent of the compiled 98 volumes,”
said Dr. Anantha Duraiappah,
Director, UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi
Institute of Education for Peace and
Sustainable Development (MGIEP)
“A 3D hologram can bridge this
gap and the written word of the
Mahatma can be experienced. The
hologram in colour would lip-sync
the words of the Mahatma and
body movement incorporated that’s
associated with a speaker on stage,”
Duraiappah said.
Through Holography, a standing
hologram of Mahatma Gandhi will
speak for 2 to 3 minutes and set
the tone for the panel discussion.
(The talk will be extracted with
Rajinikanth backs ‘One Country, One Language’,
but says implementation tough in India
W
ading into the ‘One
Country, One Language’
debate, actor-turned-
politician Rajinikanth Wednesday
said the imposition of any language,
not just Hindi, will face stiff
opposition from the southern states
and also some in North India.
“A common language in any
country will help its unity and
development. Unfortunately, it is not
possible in India.
"The imposition of any language,
especially Hindi will not be accepted
by states in the south and even some
in North India,” Rajinikanth said
while speaking to reporters at the
Chennai airport.
On Hindi Diwas, Union Home
Minister Amit Shah had hinted at
making Hindi a common language
across the country last week. Shah
claimed that Hindi had the ability
to “string the nation together”, and
could be the “mark of India’s identity
globally”.
His comments had drawn a
sharp reaction from leaders
across the country, language in any
especially from the country will help its
south. In Tamil Nadu, unity and development.
DMK chief M K Stalin Unfortunately, it is not
possible in India."
called it a “deliberate
While Gandhi
segments of 2 to 3 minutes each, so
that these segments can be played out
Ji was amongst as per a pre-determined script to act
as a catalyst at a “Panel Discussion”
the most
in UNESCO, Paris to mark the
photographed people International Day of Non Violence
of his time and the 2019,” Duraiappah added.
The Distinguished Lectures Series
world has access
was inaugurated in 2014 and has
to his photographs,
since become a space for renowned
filmed interviews and academics, policymakers and
radio addresses, it is practitioners to discuss and debate on
topics related to education for peace,
less than 5 per cent
sustainable development and global
of the compiled 98 citizenship.
volumes UNESCO MGIEP is a category
1 research in education institute
integral to UNESCO. It is supported
due reference of his writings on
largely by the MHRD, and is the only
Satyagraha, Ahinsa, Kindness,
UNESCO category 1 institute in the
critical inquiry and education).
Asia Pacific Region with a mandate
The hologram will then sit with
to mainstream social emotional
the panellists, to take part in the
discussion, during which he will learning in education systems using
answer 5 questions with 2 to 3 minute innovative pedagogies (including
interventions. intelligent platforms, video games,
“It is envisaged to create 5 dialogic platforms and more).
attempt” to make non-Hindi speakers the Jallikkattu protest, which was a
feel like “second-class citizens”. relatively smaller one”.
The party will launch a statewide Rajinikanth, a Tamil superstar,
agitation on September 20 to protest chose not to contest in the 2019 Lok
the “Hindi imposition”. Sabha elections despite announcing
Actor-turned- his political aspirations. While he is
"A
common politician Kamal yet to launch his political outfit, there
Haasan had has been widespread speculation
warned that any over his entry as he continues to
imposition would meet political leaders and issues
result in a stir statements on national issues.
“much bigger than
Friday, 20 September, 2019 The Indian Weekender
NEWS in BRIEF
Amit Shah gives push to 'Ram, Ramayan, Ramrajya'
t a time when the top court of the country is seized of the title suit
dispute over Ayodhya, the Modi government has given a push to 'Ram',
'Ramayan' and 'Ram Rajya'.
Speaking at the fifth edition of the Ramayana Festival, BJP President and
Union Home Minister Amit Shah called Ramayana, the Hindu epic, as the
solution of all global problems. "Ramayana is the solution to your personal,
social, national and global problems," said Shah.
The reference to Ram was recurring and the veiled reference to 'Ram
Rajya' was also clear enough to understand. When Shah was talking about
"susashan" (good governance), something that the Modi government boasts
of providing India with, he was making a veiled reference to the utopian
"Ram Rajya".
The three-day event that he inaugurated will see foreign delegations
performing and presenting their interpretations of Ramayana. The college
of dramatic arts under Bunditpattanailpa Institute of Thailand, a dance guild
from Sri Lanka, Cambodian Artist Troupe, Notre Dame Kali Maa Mandir
Association from Mauritius are some of the many international delegations
taking part in this Ramayana extravaganza.
NASA joins ISRO to track Vikram 'calling home'
T he Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) is
continuing its attempt to reach
out to India's moon lander
sending communication signals
with its Deep Space Network
(DSN), said officials.
It is also reported the
American space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration's
(NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is sending radio signals to Vikram.
"Attempts are being made to reestablish communication links with the
moon lander Vikram. The attempts will be made till September 20-21 when
the sunlight will be there in the area where the Vikram has landed," an ISRO
official preferring anonymity said.
The ISRO is trying to establish link with Vikram with its Indian Deep
Space Network (IDSN) at Byalalu near Bengaluru.
Scott Tilley, an amateur astronomer who found American weather satellite
IMAGE in 2018 that was considered to be lost, on September 10, tweeted:
"#DSN 24 beams 12KW of RF at the #Moon in hopes of stimulating
#Chandrayaan2's lander #VikramLander into communicating with home.
"Here's a eerie recording of the searcher's signal reflected off the Moon
and back to Earth via EME (Earth Moon Earth) on 2103.7MHz."
Urmila quashes rumours of joining Shiv Sena
F
ormer Mumbai Congress leader and
Bollywood actress Urmila Matondkar
dismissed all political speculation that she
will be joining the Shiv Sena, ahead of the
upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections.
"I am not joining any other party... request
media not to share whatever they hear. It is
unfair towards me to say the least, and also
not appropriate towards any party," Matondkar
said. Her clarification came in response to
intense speculation in media circles of her next political step that after her
abrupt departure from the Congress last week (September 10).
Several probabilities and theories were doing rounds. Some said she
would join the Nationalist Congress Party, or Maharashtra Navnirman Sena
- with whose leaders she enjoyed a good rapport - but the latest were bets
were on Shiv Sena. The Sena predictions gained ground after reports that
a senior Sena functionary had a detailed chat with Matondkar, but she has
rubbished all rumours on this count.
IAF Wing Commander Anjali Singh becomes India’s first
female military diplomat
W
ing Commander Anjali Singh has become
the first female officer from the armed
forces to be posted as a military diplomat in any
of the Indian missions abroad when she joined
the Indian Embassy in Moscow as a Deputy Air
Attache. Anjali Singh joined the Indian Embassy
in Moscow on September 10.
“Wing Commander Anjali Singh joined @
IndEmbMoscow on 10th Sep as the Deputy Air
Attache. She enjoys the distinction of being the first female Indian Armed
Forces Officer to be posted as a military diplomat in any of the Indian
missions abroad,” the Indian Embassy in Moscow tweeted on Monday.
Singh is from the aeronautical engineering branch of the Indian Air Force
(IAF) with 17 years of service. She is trained on MiG-29 aircraft.
The role of a defence attache is to assist in cooperation, training and
procurement in the field of defence between the country she represents and
the country in which she is posted. Women comprise 13 per cent of the
Indian Air Force’s workforce, the highest among the three armed services.
In the Navy and Army, the women constitute 6 per cent and 3.80 per cent of
the workforce respectively.
 The Indian Weekender
Guterres rules out UN
involvement in Kashmir
U
N Secretary-General
Antonio Guterres on
Wednesday ruled out any
direct involvement in resolving the
Kashmir issue unless both India and
Pakistan agreed to it.
At a news conference here, he said
that his capacity for helping resolve
the situation “is related to good
offices and good offices can only
be implemented when the parties
accept it.” His statement was in line
with India’s position that Kashmir is
a bilateral matter under the terms of
the Simla Agreement of 1972.
But Guterres said that he will
continue to advocate for a settlement
of the Kashmir dispute.
He was answering a question
from a Pakistani journalist on what
he could do to resolve the Kashmir
dispute and about his reaction to the
clampdown in Kashmir after India
rescinded its special constitutional
At 17.5 million, Indian diaspora S
largest in the world: UN report
I
ndia was the leading country of
origin of international migrants
in 2019 with a 17.5 million
strong diaspora, according to new
estimates released by the United
Nations, which said the number
of migrants globally reached an
estimated 272 million.
The International Migrant Stock
2019, a dataset released by the
Population Division of the UN
Department of Economic and
Social Affairs (DESA), provides
the latest estimates of the number
of international migrants by age, sex
and origin for all countries and areas
of the world.
The estimates are based on official
national statistics on the foreign-
born or the foreign population
obtained from population censuses,
population registers or nationally
representative surveys.
The report said that the top 10
countries of origin account for one-
third of all international migrants.
In 2019, with 17.5 million persons
living abroad, India was the leading
country of origin of international
migrants. Migrants from Mexico
constituted the second-largest
diaspora (11.8 million), followed
by China (10.7 million), Russia
(10.5 million), Syria (8.2 million),
Bangladesh (7.8 million), Pakistan
(6.3 million), Ukraine (5.9 million),
the Philippines (5.4 million) and
Afghanistan (5.1 million).
India hosted 5.1 million
international migrants in 2019,
less than 5.2 million in 2015.
International migrants as a share
of the total population in India was
steady at 0.4 per cent from 2010 to
2019.
The country hosted 207,000
refugees, the report said adding that
refugees as a share of international
migrants in the country were four
per cent. Among the international
migrants in the country, the female
population was 48.8 per cent and the
median age of international migrants
was 47.1 years. In India, the highest
number of international migrants
came from Bangladesh, Pakistan
Friday, 20 September, 2019
status last month.
“I go on with a clear opinion that
human rights must be fully respected
in the territory,” he said.
He said his capacity to find a
solution to the India-Pakistan dispute
“relates to advocacy.”
and Nepal. In 2019, regionally,
Europe hosted the largest number of
international migrants (82 million),
followed by Northern America (59
million) and Northern Africa and
Western Asia (49 million).
At the country level, about half
of all international migrants reside
in just 10 countries, with the United
States of America hosting the largest
number of international migrants (51
million), equal to about 19 per cent
of the world’s total.
Germany and Saudi Arabia host
the second and third largest numbers
of migrants (13 million each),
followed by Russia (12 million), the
United Kingdom (10 million), the
United Arab Emirates (9 million),
France, Canada and Australia
(around 8 million each) and Italy (6
million).
The share of international
migrants in total population varies
considerably across geographic
regions with the highest proportions
recorded in Oceania (including
Australia and New Zealand) (21.2
per cent) and Northern America
(16.0 per cent) and the lowest in
Latin America and the Caribbean
(1.8 per cent), Central and Southern
Asia (1.0 per cent) and Eastern and
South-Eastern Asia (0.8 per cent).
A majority of international
migrants in sub-Saharan Africa (89
per cent), Eastern and South-Eastern
“Advocacy was expressed and will
be maintained” on the issue, he said.
“I go on with the clear opinion that
dialogue between India and Pakistan
is an absolutely essential element
for the solution of the problem,” he
added.
Asia (83 per cent), Latin America
and the Caribbean (73 per cent), and
Central and Southern Asia (63 per
cent) originated from the region in
which they reside.
By contrast, most of the
international migrants that lived
in Northern America (98 per cent),
Oceania (88 per cent) and Northern
Africa and Western Asia (59 per
cent) were born outside their region
of residence.
UN Under-Secretary-General for
DESA Liu Zhenmin said that “These
data are critical for understanding
the important role of migrants and
migration in the development of both
countries of origin and destination.
Facilitating orderly, safe, regular
and responsible migration and
mobility of people will contribute
much to achieving the Sustainable
Development Goals.
The report added that forced
displacements across international
borders continue to rise.
Between 2010 and 2017, the
global number of refugees and
asylum seekers increased by about
13 million, accounting for close to a
quarter of the increase in the number
of all international migrants.
Northern Africa and Western
Asia hosted around 46 per cent of
the global number of refugees and
asylum seekers, followed by sub-
Saharan Africa (21 per cent).
Sri Lanka unveils South
Asia’s tallest tower funded
by China under BRI
The Lotus Tower, the tallest
tower in South Asia in
shape of a 356-meter lotus
and built with Chinese
funding, is seen during
its launching ceremony
in Colombo, Sri Lanka
September 16, 2019. Picture
taken through a window.
ri Lanka on Monday unveiled
South Asia’s tallest tower,
costing over USD 100 million,
80 per cent of which has been funded
by China under the controversial Belt
and Road Initiative (BRI).
The 350-metre-tall 17-storey
Lotus Tower, located in the heart of
Colombo city, comprises a television
tower, a hotel, a telecommunications
museum, restaurants, auditorium, an
observation deck, a shopping mall
and a conference centre.
The tower, spread over an area of
30,600 sq metre, is constructed at a
cost of over USD 100 million, 80 per
cent of which was funded by China,
Sri Lankan media reports said.
According to a Colombo Page
report, Sri Lanka and China signed
the Lotus Tower agreement in 2012
under the Chinese government’s
ambitious Belt and Road Initiative
(BRI) to build the highest TV tower
in South Asia, with China National
Electronics Import and Export
Corporation (CEIEC) being the
general contractor.
The BRI project, critics say, is
saddling nations with debt.
Trump says will meet Modi, Imran Khan
U
S President Donald Trump
has said that he would meet
Indian and Pakistani Prime
Ministers Narendra Modi and Imran
Khan "soon", while maintaining
that tensions between the two South
Asian neighbours had reduced.
The US President made the
comments while speaking to
reporters at the White House.
He said "a lot of progress was
made", in reference to deescalation of
tensions between India and Pakistan.
"I'll see Prime Minister Modi and I
will - we'll - be meeting with (Prime
Ministers of) India and Pakistan and
I think a lot of progress has been
made there... Lot of progress," he
responded to a question.
In a statement earlier, the White
House said: "On Sunday, September
22, 2019, President Donald Trump
will travel to Houston, Texas, and
Wapakoneta, Ohio, to underscore the
important partnerships between the
US and India, and Australia."
It said that Trump's attendance at
the "Howdy Modi" event organised
by the Indian diaspora in Houston,
WORLD 21
India has been severely critical of
the BRI, the pet project of Chinese
President Xi Jinping, as it comprises
the USD 50 billion China Pakistan
Economic Corridor (CPEC), which
passes through Pakistan-occupied
Kashmir (PoK). Though the tower
is still under construction, President
Maithripala Sirisena decided to open
the structure to public.
“We still have not completed this
project, but we decided to go ahead
and open sections of the tower that
can be accessed by people,” Sirisena
said during the unveiling ceremony.
The project which began in 2012
under the then-president Mahinda
Rajapakse faced numerous delays
amid funding issues.
The Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT)
in a release said the Lotus Tower is
foreseen to be one of the significant
landmarks and an epitome of the
country’s economy, culture and
development.
The tower, which is expected to
function as Sri Lanka’s ‘digital TV
tower’, is built with fibre optic cables
and is fully equipped with necessary
telecommunication equipment.
would be "a great opportunity to
emphasize strong ties" between the
two nations.
It is a rare honour for a US President
to appear at an ethnic meeting with a
foreign leader and has not happened
on the scale of the Houston rally with
political overtones in recent memory.
Over 50,000 people have
registered for the event at the NRG
Stadium in Houston.
On Monday, Trump did not say
when or where he would meet
the Pakistani Prime Minister. But
according to reports, the meeting
may take place on the sidelines of
the UN General Assembly session in
New York later this month.
 22 SPORTS
CHINA OPEN: Sindhu, Sai
Praneeth through to 2nd round
P
.V. Sindhu cruised to the second
round of the 2019 China Open with
a straight-game win over Chinese
Olympic gold medallist Li Xuerui. In
a match that lasted 34 minutes, Sindhu
beat Li Xuerui 21-18, 21-12 to reach the
second round where she will face either
Thailand's Pompawee Chonchuwong or
Canada's Michelle Li.
Sindhu took a four-point lead first up
before Li fought back to get the first game
level at 9-9. After the interval, Sindhu
took control of the game. Although Li
managed to save four game points in the
end, Sindhu took the game 21-18.
Li started the second game on the front
foot. Sindhu was trailing 6-2 at one point
but once the reigning world champion
got into her groove, there was no looking
back. Sindhu raced into the lead and
ended up winning the second game by a
comfortable margin of nine points.
Sindhu's fellow World Championship
medallist Sai Praneeth also booked a place
in the second round with a hard fought
three game win over Thailand's Suppanyu
Avihingsanon 21-19, 21-23, 21-14. He
will next face China's Lu Ghuangzu.
Earlier, Saina Nehwal was knocked
out after a defeat to Thailand's Busanan
Ongbamrungphan while mixed doubles
pair N Sikki Reddy and Pranaav Jerry
Chopra lost to German pair of Mark
Lamsfuss and Isabel Hertrich.
Reddy will next be featuring in women's
doubles with Ashwini Ponnappa later in
the day. Other Indians yet to play their
matches are Parupalli Kashyap in men's
singles and Manu Attri and Sumeeth
Reddy in men's doubles.
Friday, 20 September, 2019 The Indian Weekender
2nd T20: Kohli
stars as India register
7-wicket win over South Africa
V
irat Kohli slammed
an unbeaten half
century and took a
stunning catch to lead from
the front as India eased to
a seven-wicket win over
South Africa in the second
T20 international.
Skipper Kohli first took
a brilliant catch running to
his left from mid-off off
Navdeep Saini's bowling
in the 12th over to send
counterpart Quinton de
air with his right hand at long on.
Kock (52 off 37 balls; 8x4) back in the hut and
Kohli's reaction said it all as to how good
stymie South Africa's run-flow as they ended up
the catch was as Miller's teammates ran to him
with 149/5 in 20 overs after being asked to bat
to celebrate. Rishabh Pant, under the pump for
first.
his poor shot selection, did not do his cause any
Chasing a modest 150 for victory, Kohli
good as he picked out Shamsi at short fine leg off
smashed an unbeaten 72 from 52 deliveries, his
Bjorn Fortuin and was gone for 4, leaving new
innings studded with four fours and three sixes
batting coach Vikram Rathour shaking his head
as India won with an over to spare. They put
in the dressing room.
up 151/3 in 19 overs. Kohli's superlative knock
But Kohli was batting in a league of his own
got him past vice-captain Rohit Sharma as the
and Iyer also joined him for two fours as India
leading run-getter in T20 internationals.
coasted to victory. Earlier, newly appointed
Kohli brought up his 22nd fifty in T20Is off 40
captain de Kock got off to a flying start and
balls by hitting Andile Phehlukwayo for a four
brought up his fifty as the away side looked good
in the 17th over and in the next, flicked Kagiso
after ten overs after the first rubber was washed
Rabada for a six to underline his dominance. In
out without a ball being bowled.
the 19th over, Kohli hit debutant Bjorn Fortuin
De Kock was gone for 52 off 37 balls, (8x4)
for a six and a winning four to seal the deal as
as South Africa could never recover from the
Shreyas Iyer (16 not out) looked on from the non
setback. In the last over, Andile Phehlukwayo (8
striker's end.
not out) and Dwaine Pretorius (10 not out) took
Besides Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan (40; 31 balls,
16 runs off Saini's over to take them to near the
4x4 1x6) also got runs on his comeback to the
150-run mark.
team after getting injured during the World Cup.
Indian bowlers, led by Deepak Chahar who
India were off to a superb start with Rohit and
returned best figures of 2/22 did a good job to
Dhawan, finding the fence at will. Phehlukwayo
bowl a tight line and not let the batters free their
got rid of Rohit in the fourth over to hand his
arms post de Kock's dismissal. Only 39 runs
team some respite as the Indian vice-captain
came off the last five overs.
missed a straight delivery and was trapped in
De Kock was in the mood from the outset,
front.
hitting Navdeep Saini for three back-to-back
In came Kohli and together with Dhawan the
fours in the third over. The stumper-batsman
pair added 61 runs for the second wicket as the
smashed Deepak Chahar for a four in the first
hosts seemed to be easing to the target. David
ball of the fourth over to signal his intent but
Miller injected fresh life into South Africa's
his team suffered their first setback when Reeza
cause by taking a breathtaking catch, diving full
Hendricks was taken at mid on by Washington
length to his right to pluck the ball out of the
Sundar off Chahar for just 6.
Power Sportz bags international
excellence award in Dubai
I
n recognition of its work in the field of digital
journalism, a web-based sports channel from
India, Power Sportz, has become one of the
winners of the "India International Excellence
Awards".
Launched by former President Pranab Mukherjee
in New Delhi on September 10, the award
distribution event took place in Dubai on September
14 amid the presence of a galaxy of Bollywood stars
and diplomats from around the world.
Power Sportz Founder and Editor-in-Chief,
Kanthi D Suresh, received the award from BJP
national spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain
with dignitaries from the UK and the United Arab
Emirates present at the event held at Dubai's iconic
Burj Khalifa.
The two-day affair began with a pre-award
function on September 13, followed by an investor
Power Sportz Editor-in-Chief was to receive the
meet the next day.
award from a Bollywood actor.
Power Sportz was selected from India in the
However, after the on-stage gaffe, the sports
category of digital media excellence in the field of
channel head finally received the award from the
sports.
dignitaries who were actually supposed to present
The event, however, also witnessed a minor
her the award.
hiccup as the anchor wrongly announced that the
 24 FEATURES
Healthy snacks
that can help
you lose weight
Y
ou may wonder if it’s possible to lose
weight while not giving up snacks.
If you choose healthy, whole-food
options with a lot of protein and nutrients,
snacks can be integral to weight loss. Some can
even help keep you full throughout the day and
limit your cravings for unhealthy foods.
Mixed nuts
N uts are an ideal nutritious snack.
They’re linked to a reduced risk of
heart disease and may help prevent certain
cancers, depression, and other illnesses.
Despite being relatively high in fat, they are
very filling. Several studies suggest that eating
nuts in moderation can help you lose weight.
Nuts provide the perfect balance of healthy
fat, protein, and fiber. They contain 180 calories
in a 1-ounce (28-gram) serving, on average.
Because they don’t require refrigeration,
they’re perfect for taking on the go.
Red bell pepper with guacamole
R ed bell peppers are extremely healthy.
Although all bell peppers are
nutritious, red varieties are particularly high
in antioxidants like beta carotene, capsanthin,
and quercetin.
They’re are also rich in vitamin C. In fact, 1
large red bell pepper contains over 300% of the
daily value (DV) for this nutrient (7).
Pairing 1 large red bell pepper with 3 ounces
(85 grams) of guacamole adds healthy fat and
fiber while keeping this snack’s calorie count
under 200.
Greek yogurt and mixed berries
P lain Greek yogurt and berries make a
delicious, nutrient-dense snack.
In addition to being a great source of calcium
and potassium, Greek yogurt is also high in
protein. Berries are one of the best sources of
antioxidants around. Eat a mixture of differently
colored berries to get an array of these powerful
compounds.
Combining 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of plain,
full-fat Greek yogurt with 1/2 cup (50 grams)
of mixed berries
provides
about
Healthy
Snacking
Guide
10 grams of protein and under 150 calories.
Cottage cheese with flax seeds
and cinnamon
C ottage cheese, flax seeds,
and cinnamon each have impressive health
benefits. Together, they›re incredibly healthy.
Cottage cheese is high in protein and very
filling, and full-fat varieties boast  conjugated
linoleic acid (CLA), a fatty acid linked to
health benefits. Flax seeds are beneficial for
weight loss and blood sugar control. They may
also reduce breast cancer risk. Cinnamon helps
lower blood sugar and may improve gut health.
Here’s an easy recipe that provides about 15
grams of protein with fewer than 150 calories:
Celery sticks with cream cheese
C elery sticks with cream cheese are a
classic low-carb, filling snack.
Celery contains luteolin, an antioxidant
that  reduces inflammation  and may help
prevent cancer. Five small celery sticks with
2 ounces (60 grams) of cream cheese harbors
fewer than 200 calories.
Dark chocolate and almonds
D ark chocolate and almonds make a rich,
satisfying, and portable snack.
Dark chocolate is loaded with flavanols that
may lower blood pressure and reduce heart
disease risk, provided the chocolate contains
at least 70% cocoa solids.
Almonds are high in heart-healthy
monounsaturated fat and have
beneficial effects on blood
sugar control. Studies
also show that they can
reduce appetite and
help you lose weight.
Both dark
chocolate and
almonds are high
in magnesium.
One ounce (30
grams) of each
provides about
300 calories in
total, depending
on cocoa content.
Friday, 20 September, 2019
Cucumber slices with hummus
C ucumber and hummus go well together.
Cucumbers contain cucurbitacin E, a
compound that may have anticancer effects.
Hummus is made from chickpeas, olive oil,
and garlic, which reduce inflammation and may
improve heart health.
One cup (52 grams) of sliced cucumbers
dipped in 3.5 ounces (100 grams)
of hummus has about 180 calories.
A piece of fruit
H ealthy snacks don’t need to be
complicated. Just a single piece
of fruit can be incredibly satisfying.
Portable, easy-to-eat fruits include bananas,
apples, pears, grapes, grapefruit, and oranges.
Hard-boiled eggs
E ggs are one of the healthiest and
most weight-loss-friendly foods you can
eat.They pack plenty of protein, as well as
vitamins K2 and B12.
Eggs are incredibly filling and may reduce
the number of calories you eat for many hours,
which should help you lose weight.
Although their high cholesterol content gave
them a bad reputation for years, more recent
studies suggest that moderate egg intake doesn’t
have any effect on your risk of heart disease.
Two large, hard-boiled eggs contain about
140 calories and 13 grams of protein.
The Indian Weekender
Baby carrots with blue cheese
dressing
C arrots are among the best sources of
carotenoids, including beta carotene,
which your body can convert into vitamin A.
The carotenoids in carrots may reduce your
risk of cancer, heart disease, and cataracts.
It’s a good idea to pair carrots with a creamy
salad dressing or dip because fat increases your
absorption of carotenoids.
A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of baby
carrots with 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of blue
cheese dressing provides about 200 calories.
Whey protein shake
A  whey protein shake is a good snack when
you need something substantial until your
next meal. Studies show that whey protein can
help you gain muscle, lose fat, and improve
body composition.
Many great whey protein supplements are
available online. Look for types without added
sugar. Here’s a recipe for a shake that contains
about 150–200 calories and 20–25 grams
of protein, depending on the type of protein
powder used.
Ingredients:
• 8 ounces (225 ml) of unsweetened almond
milk
• 1 scoop (30 grams) of whey powder
• A pinch of stevia or other healthy sweetener,
if desired
• 1/2 cup (140 grams) of crushed ice
• For this recipe, combine all ingredients in a
blender and process until smooth.
Spicy avocado
A
vocados are among the most nutritious
and satisfying foods on the planet.
Studies show that they can help lower LDL
(bad) cholesterol, improve symptoms of arthritis,
and protect your skin from sun damage. What’s
more, avocados are high in fiber, potassium,
magnesium, and monounsaturated fat. Sprinkle
half a medium avocado with salt and a dash of
cayenne pepper for a savory, filling snack with
around 130 calories.
 26 FEATURES
Murti Visarjan: Let’s be
kind to our environment  20 September – 26 September 2019 | By Manisha Koushik
PT SHRADDHA NAND SHARMA
S
hree Sanatan Dharam Purohit Brahman
Maha Sabha New Zealand is concerned
of the way the Murti Visarjan (Idol
immersion) and puja ritual items are being
disposed of into the rivers, beaches, lakes and
sea by members of the religious community
over the years.  Lucky Colour: Dark Green
“The sabha thinks this is not the way to treat
the natural environment and the place we live
in as it is a disrespect to the God and Goddesses
we pray to,” Pt Shraddha Nand Sharma, from
the Sabha, said.
The Hindu God Ganesha is the bestower of
happiness and eliminator of sorrow; people
pray to Lord Ganesha asking for knowledge
and wisdom, as Lord Ganesha is the source of
knowledge and intelligence.  professionalism may be appreciated and make your career graph soar. A married family
Thousands of brightly painted statues of
the long-trunked deity are carried through
the streets and then put in honoured places in
private homes. But a day later, at low tide, the
beach looks like a hideous battlefield. 
Beheaded and dismembered Ganesha’s lie
marooned in the shallows; the use of poisonous
substances in the paints has led to pollution of
the water bodies.  peaceful. Tying the knot may cross the minds of those in a long-term relationship. You
“Frankly, it’s an unfortunate sight, and some
serious damage is being done to the seafloor
leaving items carelessly on the shore or in
these waters can harm nature,” Pt Sharma said.
Fish, shorebirds and other marine animals
can become entangled by cloth and other
inorganic materials and can be poisoned when
ritual items decompose in the water.  ruled out for some. Don’t trust even your close ones in property matters, use your own
Organic offerings such as coconuts and
bananas, flowers and candy also pose a danger
to wildlife and take away from the positive
symbolism and impact of the ritual.  by continuing to do what you don’t like, but avoid harsh methods to discipline him or
“As we pray to Lord Ganesha, we must
Lack of sleep does alter fat metabolism
L
ack of sleep can be harmful as it
can make participants feel less full
after eating and metabolise the fat in
food differently, says a study, adding to the
mounting evidence that how harmful lack of
sleep can be.
The study, published in the journal of Lipid
Research, by Pennsylvania State University
found that sleep disruption has been known
to be have harmful effects on metabolism for
some time. Orfeu Buxton, a professor at Penn
State, added that long-term sleep restriction
puts people at a higher risk of obesity and
diabetes.
Kelly Ness, now a postdoctoral fellow at the
University of Washington, ran the study when
she was a graduate student in Buxton's lab.
She and other researchers not only collected
data but also spent time, "interacting with the
subjects, playing games with them, talking
with them -- helping to keep them awake and
engaged and positive."
To find out how the uncomfortable schedule
affected metabolism, the researchers gave
Drinking coffee may protect against gallstones
I
n a treat to coffee lovers, researchers have
found that drinking coffee may help in
reducing the risk of developing gallstones.
"We have tested the hypothesis that high
coffee intake causally protects against
symptomatic gallstone disease," said
researchers from the University of Copenhagen
in Denmark.
According to study, those who drank more
than six cups of coffee per day had a 23 per
cent lower risk of developing symptomatic
gallstones compared with individuals who did
not drink coffee. Drinking one extra cup of
coffee per day was associated with three per
cent lower risk, the study said.
Manisha Koushik is a practicing astrologer, tarot card reader, numerologist, vastu and
fengshui consultant based in India with a global presence through the online channels. She is
available for consultations online as well. E-mail her at support@askmanisha.com or contact
at +91-11-26449898 Mobile/Whatsapp: +91-9716145644 • www.askmanisha.com
remember to do so responsibly,” Pt Sharma
added.
Shree Sanatan Dharam Purohit Brahman
Maha Sabha New Zealand wishes to advise
all Hindu communities including all purohits
(priest) and bhaktgan’s (disciples) that everyone
must take accountability, responsibility and
ownership for keeping the environment safe
and clean while doing prayers for success,
happiness, peace and prosperity for everyone.
The sabha wishes to advise all Purohits
(Priest) that they are accountable, responsible
and must take ownership to inform their
yajmaan’s (disciples) and other people
attending their prayers on the importance of
visarjan (immersion) and the disposal of puja/
prayer ritual items and how to responsibly do
so. 
The sabha advises all that Ganesh murti’s
or other murti’s for visarjan should be made
of clay so it will easily dissolve in water and
cause less pollution to the environment.
People having any doubts or questions
can contact the Sabha via Facebook or on
email nzbrahmansabha@gmail.com.
Let’s keep our beautiful country clean and
green. The biggest dharma is “paropkaraya
punyaya” be kind to one another. This includes
people, animals, plants, oceans, lakes, sea and
whole land.” 
participants a standardized high-fat dinner, a
bowl of chili mac, after four nights of sleep
restriction. "It was very palatable -- none of
our subjects had trouble finishing it -- but very
calorically dense," Ness said, adding that most
participants felt less satisfied after eating the
same rich meal while sleep deprived than,
when they had eaten it well-rested.
It focused on healthy young people, who
are usually at a lower risk of cardiovascular
disease, and all of the participants were men.
The researchers also wondered whether
giving more recovery time would change the
magnitude of recovery they observed.
Nonetheless, the study gives worthwhile
insight into how we handle fat digestion.
Also, individuals with certain genetic
variants that have been linked to increased
coffee consumption had a lower risk of
gallstones. The researchers also highlighted
several mechanisms by which coffee
consumption might help to prevent gallstones
from forming.
Friday, 20 September, 2019 The Indian Weekender
ARIES (MAR 21-APR 20)
Your style of tackling a situation at work is likely to come in for praise. Promptness in
attending to something important will get you noticed by those who matter. Spouse is likely
to spring a pleasant surprise. Those wanting to pursue higher studies will find the stars turn
favourable. A member of opposite camp for whom you took a liking to may enter your
life once again. You will manage to check someone going wayward. Lucky Number:15 /
TAURUS (APR 21-MAY 20)
This week, you may be forced to attend a family event that you are not keen on. Good
showing on the academic front is likely to keep your morale high. You are likely to
impress all with competent handling of a task at work. Homemakers may feel lethargic
and postpone something important for another week. Problem about finances get resolved,
as you receive outstanding payments. Go with the mood of lover, if you want to make the
evening a success! Lucky Number: 2 / Lucky Colour: Light Blue
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUN 21)
Getting ahead of your close competitors on the academic front is foretold. Your
member is likely to give some good news. A joyous occasion is in the offing and may get
you involved in preparing for it. Understanding and like-mindedness will be the two pillars
that will keep your relationship secure. Making conscious efforts to improve your financial
condition will steer you to stability. Lucky Number:22 / Lucky Colour: Dark Grey
CANCER (JUN 22-JUL 20)
Take the correct course of action in the situation confronting you by discussing it with
more knowledgeable persons. You are likely to catch your senior in a good mood and get
what you wanted. Good foresight will be required on your part to make the domestic front
may head for an exotic locale for a perfect vacation. Spirituality may beckon some. Lucky
Number:7 / Lucky Colour: Lemon
LEO (JUL21-AUG 20)
Safeguarding your interests at work may assume importance in the current scenario. Too
many distractions may make you lag behind on the academic front. Those in tourism and
hospitality sectors will find new opportunities knocking at their door. Someone’s good
wishes may keep you aglow and in an upbeat mood. Love blossoming at work cannot be
judgement. Health remains satisfactory. Lucky Number: 8 / Lucky Colour: White
VIRGO (AUG 23-SEP 23)
Close ones may need supervision, so don’t relax on this score. Someone may irritate you
her. Fears about your financial condition will be unfounded, as you manage to do the
balancing trick. Preempt problems regarding health before they become insurmountable.
Those planning to buy a house must sort out all the legalities, before signing the dotted line.
Keep the transaction transparent. Lucky Number:18 / Lucky Colour: White
LIBRA (SEP 24-OCT 23)
Finding faults with others, even when the fault lies with you may get you sidetracked.
Socially, you may remain reluctant to intermingle, as you have too many other things
to spend time on. It is best not to interfere in someone else’s life. Help sought on the
academic front will materialise. Some legwork may be required for releasing funds for a
new venture. You will need to get over lover’s moodiness to make the evening pleasant.
Lucky Number: 3 / Lucky Colour: Peach
SCORPIO (OCT 24-NOV 22)
Choosing correct option on the academic front may assume importance for your future.
Someone may try to sway you and poison your mind, so don’t react blindly without
ascertaining facts. Your loving words can be joyful to spouse or a family member. A loan
gets repaid and gives you a sigh of relief. Decisions taken by higher ups at work may
prove favourable. On the fitness front, special efforts may be required to get back in shape.
Lucky Number: 9 / Lucky Colour: Cream
SAGITTARIUS (NOV 23-DEC 21)
You may sympathise with someone who is being pressurised for no fault of his or her.
Your advice in the matter will count. Hire better qualified people by paying better salaries,
if you want to run your business profitably. Talk about promotion that is in the air for
sometime may finally be acted upon, so rejoice! Someone close will help you in sorting
things out on the domestic front. You may nurture a sick family member back to health.
Lucky Number:2/Lucky Colour: Lavender
CAPRICORN (DEC 22-JAN 21)
A new acquisition may keep you happily occupied this week. You may need to pick up
where you left off, to see a task to completion. Those forced to live separately from their
families may soon manage to join them briefly for a few weeks. Perseverance pays for
those seeking love. A financial advice may not prove hundred percent correct, so don’t act
blindly. Unforeseen circumstances may mar a perfect outing with lover, but you will get to
enjoy togetherness. Lucky Number:11 /Lucky Colour: Light Pink
AQUARIUS (JAN 22-FEB 19)
You may remain socially active this week, rather than pursue anything else. Your stand in at
work may corner all the glory at work. Unfinished jobs of others may add to your workload.
A monetary reward or some kind of recognition is in store for those pursuing school or
college. You will manage to raise finances for buying an expensive utility item. Cupid’s
arrow is likely to hit the mark and make you starry-eyed soon! Health remains excellent.
Lucky Number:22 / Lucky Colour: Dark Grey
Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20)
YMoney is no problem, but finding time to enjoy it is! So, take a break and head for
salubrious surroundings with your loved ones. Purchase of a luxury item may find you
on seventh heaven! Your professional advice may become indispensable in sorting out an
important matter at work. Always remaining prepared on the academic front will hold you
in good stead. Take steps to pave the way for love to blossom! Health remains satisfactory.
Lucky Number: 17 / Lucky Colour: Dark Grey
 The Indian Weekender Friday, 20 September, 2019 TIME OUT 27
CROSSWORD NO: 33 ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK'S QUESTIONS

SUDOKU NO:33

HITORI NO: 33 QUIZ QUESTIONS NO: 33

Hitori – a logic puzzle with very simple rules and challenging solutions. Can you eliminate 1. Who is honored as Father of Modern Chemistry? Mercury
numbers until there are no duplicates in any row or column? Objective / Rules. Eliminate
numbers until there are no duplicates in any row or column. Eliminate numbers Antoine Lavoisier 15. What is the chemical name of baking soda?
by marking them in Black. You are not allowed to have two Black squares touching
horizontally or vertically (diagonally is ok). Any White square can be reached from any
2. Who invented periodic table? Dmitri Mendeleev Sodium bicarbonate
other (i.e. they are connected). 3. Which is the most abundant gas in the earth's 16. What is sodium carbonate commonly known as?
atmosphere? Nitrogen (78.08%) Washing soda or soda ash
4. Which gas evolved from paddy fields and marshes? 17. What is sodium chloride? Table salt
Methane 18. What is table sugar? Cane sugar (Sucrose)
5. Which toxic element present in automobile exhausts? 19. What is the element present on lead pencils?
Lead
Carbon (graphite)
6. Which gases cause acid rain? Sulphur dioxide,
20. Which gas is found in soda water? Carbon dioxide?
Nitrogen oxides
21. What is the solvent of gold? Aquaregia
7. Which metal is used in the making of microchips?
22. Name the chemical assed to make tooth pastes white?
Silicon
Titanium dioxide
8. What is the toxicity caused by silicon called? Silicosis
23. Which chemical is the reason behind the brown colour
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE NO: 33 9. Which polymer is used to manufacture electric
See how many differences you can find in the right or left photo. of human faces? Bilirubin
switches, computer disks etc.? Bakelite
24. Which chemical is called Chile Salt peter?
10. With which polymer, the cabinets of radio and TV
made of? Polystyrene Sodium Nitrate
11. Which chemical is used to make rain coats? 25. What is marsh gas? Methane
Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) 26. What is the chemical name of Chinese salt?
12. Which type of plastics can be recycled? Monosodium glutamate
Thermoplastics 27. Which is the purest form of carbon? Graphite
13. What is the name given to plastics that cannot be recycled? 28. Which is called white poison? Sugar
Thermosetting plastics 29. Which is the simplest sugar? Glucose
14. Which element is a liquid at ordinary temperature? 30. What is the biological polymer in paper? Cellulos
Send us stories, drawings, poems and other contributions by your little ones along with their
photographs for this page. E-mail us at reporter@indianweekender.co.nz
 28 ENTERTAINMENT Friday, 20 September, 2019 The Indian Weekender

AYUSHMANN KHURRANA:
Gangs Of Wasseypur only
Indian film in The Guardian
Best 100 list

Happy to be accepted as
entertaining hero in Dream Girl F ilmmaker Anurag Kashyap’s
cult film Gangs Of Wasseypur

A
ctor Ayushmann Khurrana is has become the only Indian
elated with the response to film to feature in The Guardian list
Dream Girl, and says he is of 100 Best Films of the 21st century
happy that the audience has accepted Kashyap took to Instagram to
him as an “entertaining hero”. announce that his action drama has
Directed by Raaj Shandilyaa, bagged the 59th position.
Dream Girl narrates a love story with He wrote: “Proud to be here but
a quirky twist. this wouldn’t be my list. So many
Ayushmann plays role of a guy films which are my favourites can’t
with the talent of impersonating be below my film.. and ‘the Dark
a woman’s voice. The film Knight’ deserves to be way up. The
captures all the conflicts that number 1 film in the list I totally
comes with the situation in a agree with. That’s my absolute
witty way. favourite of the 21st century.
“I’m delighted that Dream Girl “P.S. this is also is that film of
has opened well and there is a lot of mine that totally destroyed my
positivity around the film. filmmaking life by the expectations
"This personal milestone of it sets from me as a filmmaker and
mine is really encouraging for has been continuously so , and I have
me. I tried my hand at a mass forever been trying to break away
"As
entertainer with Dream an artist, I from it. Hopefully someday that will
Girl and I’m happy that have tried to back happen.”
audiences across the projects that I felt had The two-film Gangs Of Wasseypur
country have accepted me the potential to break out series was released in 2012, and
as an entertaining hero,” in their own genres and narrated the saga of a coal mafia
Ayushmann said. this day one result is a director and writer heartening for all of us who gave it deserves all the credit for making family in the town of Wasseypur in
strong validation of Raaj Shaandilyaa our all while making this film,” he this film a laugh riot. Also special Dhanbad district of Jharkhand.
“As an artist, I have tried
that"
to back projects that I felt for bringing me this said. credit to Nirman D, my co-writer

had the potential to break out
in their own genres and this day one
result is a strong validation of that,”
he added.
He congratulated his entire team
amazing film that is
an out and out good family
comedy. I also thank my phenomenal
producer Ekta Kapoor for her vision
and support.
“My heroine, Nushrat Bharucha,
and my co-actors - the truly brilliant
Annu Kapoor, Manjot Singh, Vijay
Raaz, Abhishek Banerjee, Raj
Bhansali, Rajesh Sharma, Nidhi
The Sky
and Ruchikaa Kapoor, my creative
producer for being there at every step
of the film,” the actor continued.
He is “hoping” that the film will
“entertain all of India in the days to

reviews:
on the good start. “I congratulate my The strong start is extremely Bisht and every actor in the film come”.

Anees Bazmee acted

Radhika: OTT’s quality can only be checked with time in ‘Naseeb’ as a child
N film rece
ever the demure damsel, Radhika Apte refuses to be a Bollywood typecast. She
has played powerful characters across industries and mediums, but it’s her
roles in Netflix’s Ghoul, Sacred Games and ‘Lust Stories’ that have led to
her being hailed as the “queen of the OTT (over-the-top) platforms”.

4-minute
“Acting across mediums does not change things much. What does change is
the viewership, people across the world have viewed these shows. The digital

D
medium is very fast. It’s faster than films, because this content is in people’s irector Anees Bazmee has
hands all the time, and that really makes a difference,” the 33-year-old revealed in a throwback

standing
actor told life on the sidelines of a Lecoanet Hemant fashion show, where picture that he worked as a
she walked the ramp Radhika credits streaming platforms for generating child actor in the 1981 film “Naseeb”.
employment. But they are also producing superior content? Bazmee, who has directed
“Some actors have got outstanding parts. All the OTT platforms seem films like Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha,

actor hai
to be working on big productions only. I hope it’s not just a transfer Welcome, Singh Is Kinng, Ready
(of content) from Bollywood to them. Let’s wait for a year or two. and Mubarakan, took to Twitter,
Consistency can only be checked over time. Right now, the platform is where he shared a black and white
superb. There’s no doubt about that. The budgets are great, production photograph from the sets of Naseeb

‘outstand
and systems amazing, and work ethics in the right place. “ alongside actor Amjad Khan.
The consistency over time also needs to be tested for women characters, “I’ve been lucky enough to work
she points out. “At the moment, the digital platforms seem to be giving with the best in the industry over the
women more court to play with many more and stronger protagonists.” years as both a writer and a director.
Video-streaming services may be eyeing a larger share of the Indian Lekin kya aapko pata hai ki main
child actor bhi tha?.

A
entertainment market pie through cheaper mobile-only plans and other such
Bazmee is currently busy filming ctor Priyanka Chopra and Farh
launches, but the Vellore-born actor does not see them overtaking films any time
Pagalpanti, which features an Akhtar’s upcoming Bollywood fil
soon. The advent of Netflix in India hasn’t reflected in any change in the number of
ensemble cast, including Anil The Sky Is Pink was screened
box-office successes or their earnings so far, she emphasises. Kapoor, John Abraham, Ileana
Known for her roles in National Award winning films such as ‘Andhadhun’ and the Toronto International Film Festival a
D’Cruz, Arshad Warsi and Kriti received an overwhelming 4-minute lo
‘Padman’, Radhika herself is in the process of finalising a few big Bollywood projects. Kharbanda.
standing ovation.

Irrfan had ‘successful surgery’, actor’s office informs The early reviews of the film hint at
emotional roller-coaster ride with only prai

A
ctor Irrfan Khan has undergone 'a successful surgery'
in London, his spokesperson said.
Speculations were rife after pictures and videos of
the actor leaving Mumbai airport in wheelchair went viral.
Giving update about Irrfan’s health, his spokeperson issued a
statement.
“Irrfan had a successful surgery after wrapping ‘angrezi
Medium’ shoot in London. We request the media to not
speculate and thanking everyone again for the continued
support,” the statement read.
The 52-year-old actor was spotted at Mumbai airport when
he returned after shooting for his upcoming film Angrezi
Medium in London
Irrfan got diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour last year.
For several months, he stayed abroad for treatment. In April,
Irrfan took to social media to shar his thoughts on the prayers,
blessings and love he received while he was fighting the
ailment.
“Maybe somewhere in the pursuit of winning, we forget
how much it means to be loved. In our vulnerability, we are
reminded. As I leave my footprints onto these steps of my life,
I want to pause to be grateful for receiving your immense love
and support.
“It soothed me in my process of healing. So I travel back to
you, thanking you from the bottom of my heart,” Irrfan wrote
with a photograph in which he reflects joy,” he wrote.
coming in for director Shonali Bose.
Praising Shonali’s direction skills, Wayne
took to Twitter and wrote, “The way Shon
Bose shot the film and used flashbac
effectively added more depth to the film. Al
having the daughter narrate the film add
another layer of connection to her. At the e
of the film #TheSkyIsPink is received a standi
ovation from the audience.”
He also shared his experience of listeni
to members of the Chaudhary family at t
festival as the story is based on the life of Ais
 The Indian Weekender Friday, 20 September, 2019
I don’t think about my stardom: Ajay Devgn
A
jay Devgn doesn’t believe in looking
back or prodding much about the
future, and likes to live in the present.
The actor says he doesn’t care or think about
stardom, and that helps him stay in touch
with reality.
Son of late veteran action director Veeru
Devgan, Ajay entered Bollywood in 1991 with
Phool Aur Kaante. It was a hit, and Ajay’s
winning streak started there.
“Luckily, I never had to go through struggle
in my life. Everything just fell in place. The
thing I learnt from my journey is to work hard,”
Ajay said, adding that he doesn’t believe in
comparing himself with others, and doesn’t
look back but “look at today”.
“I don’t get carried away by success too much
or bogged down by failure,” said the actor, who
is married to Kajol.
How does he detach himself from his
stardom?
“I don’t think about it. I don’t care about it.
I don’t go out much. I don’t show my power. I
think both (Kajol and him) don’t care about it.
We are happy in our space,” he said.
Hollywood star Ben Affleck went on record
to say that he doesn’t want his kids to pay price
for his fame. Although Ajay agrees with him, he
feels it is not possible in reality.
“I do (agree with him). But can it be possible?
I don’t know if that can be possible,” said the
father of two.
Does the constant spotlight on Nysa and Yug
bother him?
“It does hinder me. But I think kids are also
y Is Pink
Priyanka’s
eives
e long
g ovation,
iled as
ding’
han Chaudhary, played by Zaira Wasim in the film.
lm, “Amazing to hear from the Chaudhary family
at today which is whom #TheSkyIsPink is based.
and Deep, emotional film about family fighting
ong to keep their daughter alive due to a health
condition. @priyankachopra was outstanding
an and @FarOutAkhtar was great too. You will
ise cry,” he tweeted.
Overwhelmed after watching the movie,
eR Dr Winder Gill wrote, “Wow this movie was
nali incredible! It was an honour to have the Bose
cks and Chaudhary families in the audience today!
lso #TIFF2019.”
ded He added that after watching the film
end , he will try to advocate more for
"There
ing those with immune deficiencies.
are no words
“It has reinforced why I went
to console those
ing into #Medicine and my job as
who have lost lives,
the an #Immunologist,” he said.
but your courage &
sha He wrote in another tweet, stories help everyone #TheSkyIsPink. Your love and support
sensible that if they inherit so many positive
things from their parents, there will be some
negatives also,” explained the 50-year-old.
After 28 years in the industry and having
worked in over 100 films, Ajay is known as a
star with many talents.
He is an actor, director, producer and has
even lent his voice for songs. All these things
add more power to his star status.
For some fans, Ajay is Bollywood’s intense
hero who has won two National Awards.
For others, he is the ultimate action star -
Bollywood’s Singham. Still others swear by
his brand of deadpan comedy underlined by the
successful Golmaal films.
His choice of films has always been
diverse, evidenced over the years by projects
as Vijaypath, Diljale, Gangaajal, Omkara,
Drishyam, Total Dhamaal, Dilwale, Hum Dil
De Chuke Sanam, Company, Yuva, and the
Golmaal and Singham franchises. He was last
seen in the comedy De De Pyaar De.
“I love to rotate genres, otherwise I will
stop enjoying myself.
"If I keep on doing "Luckily,
the same thing again I never had to
and again,” said Ajay, go through struggle
adding that hard work in my life. Everything
is the only mantra just fell in place. The
to survive in the thing I learnt from my
industry. journey is to work
“For the rest, hard."
whatever you want or
plan, everything fails,” he
said.
“There are no words to console those
who have lost lives, but your courage
& stories help everyone.
"I myself think of patients who
became my friends & family, often
spending more time with them than my
own family. I’m so privileged to have
known them. I hope for a cure.”
Calling the film a tearjerker, a viewer
with the Twitter name Writethana wrote,
“What a powerful of #TIFF19 films! Started
my day with this tear jerker. #TheSkyIsPink
cast talk about this amazing story of a family’s
courageous journey!”
Priyanka has also posted a video of her
red carpet appearance at the festival
along with a note.
She wrote, “Thank you, thank you,
thank you... for coming to see us and
ENTERTAINMENT 29
Paulo Coelho praises
He will next be seen in the period drama
Taanaji: The Unsung Warrior, which also
Nawazuddin Siddiqui,
features Kajol, and will bring to screen the story actor feels honoured
of legendary footballer S y e d
Abdul Rahim in
Maidaan. Another
Golmaal film is
also said to be
in the pipeline.
“I don’t
plan the future
B
– ke mujhe
estselling author Paulo Coelho has
yeh karna
hai ya yahan praised Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s work in
paunchna hai. I “Sacred Games”.
just want to keep In turn, the Bollywood actor says it’s an
going at this pace honour for him to be noticed and mentioned by
and work all my someone like the noted author.
life,” he said. Coelho had shared the link of Netflix’s Sacred
Games and wrote: “One of the best series
on Netflix, with the great actor Nawazuddin
Siddiqui.”
To which, Nawazuddin replied: “Sir Paulo
Coelho. I have read your books The Alchemist
and also watched the film Veronika decides to
Die based on your novel. I have always been an
ardent fan of your writing and it’s an honour to
be noticed and mentioned by someone like you.
I don’t have words to describe the feeling.”
Nawazuddin will next be seen in Bole
Chudiyan, which marks the directorial debut
of his brother Shamas Nawab Siddiqui and is
produced by Rajesh Bhatia and Kiran Bhatia
under their banner Woodpecker Movies.
Vaani Kapoor, the new
Bollywood sex-symbol in ‘War’
CHAITANYA PADUKONE
A
lthough her bold romantic movie
Befikre shot in Paris, failed to woo
the box-office, resilient Vaani Kapoor
refused to go into the defeat-retreat mode
The ‘vivacious Vaani who made waves
with her bohemian babe character in Shuddh
Desi Romance’ (2013) may possibly have the
audiences going into a tizzy-trance with her
dare-bare oomph-quotient in the upcoming
YRF blockbuster War directed by Siddharth
Anand (of musical hit Bachna Ae Haseeno
fame).
In fact, the YRF-blue-eyed girl, Vaani is
banking on this movie to catapult her into
big-time stardom. The makers of the high-
octane action entertainer, War, (Hrithik Roshan
versus Tiger Shroff) have released the teaser
of the first song of the film, which is a groovy
party track.
Titled Ghungroo, the pulsating track has the
dancing sensation superstar Hrithik and the
super-sexy Vaani Kapoor grooving to it. Shares
Vaani, “In this song, I have danced for the first
time on a Cyr wheel which is challenging,
because I am not a trained dancer. Am so
excited ‘cos my role is impactful, although
‘War’ is a hero-centric movie.”
Not just War, she also has ‘Shamshera’
opposite the darling-of- movie-buffs Ranbir
Kapoor, lined up. Versatile singer Arijit Singh
has
has sung the Ghungroo duet with Shilpa Rao. 
Enthuses director Siddharth Anand, “Arijit is
always meant the
the biggest singing sensation of our country and
world to me... I’m so grateful for your constant
we were clear from day one that we wanted him
support! #WorldPremiere @tiff_net.”
to sing our party anthem.
The film stars Zaira Wasim as the central
Arijit singing a dance number for
character who tells the story of her parents
Hrithik is a huge USP for us and he has
dealing with their child’s critical illness. The
done a phenomenal job. We also have
actor was not present at the festival.
award-winning Shilpa singing for Vaani in
the film.”
30 FEATURES Friday, 20 September, 2019
Cultural program for
Swami Bodhasarananda
by Ramakrishna Vedanta
Centre
Date: Friday, September 20
Time: 6:45 p.m., to 9 p.m.
Venue: Blockhouse Bay Primary School, 584
Blockhouse Bay Road, Blockhouse Bay
The Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre Auckland
is organising a Cultural Function in honour
of the visiting Assistant General Secretary of
Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, India- Swami
Bodhasarananda. Every one is welcome to
attend this function.
Karwachauth & Diwali
Bash 2019
Date: Saturday, 5 October
Time: 3:00p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Venue: Mt Roskill War Memorial Hall
Come with your family and friends and enjoy the
fun-filled Diwali and Karwachauth Fest
Shop your favourite Indian wear, jewellery,
accessories, Diwali gifts etc...
Fun-filled games, face painting and activities for
kids. Cultural Program and performances for
your entertainment.
Oyster Festival Matakana
Date: Sunday 6th October 2019
Venue: The Farmer’s Daughter Omaha, 329
Omaha Flats Rd, Point Wells
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Now in its third year, Oyster Festival Matakana
kicks off the shucking season with a selection
of Mahurangi’s finest. Having started New
Zealand’s love for oyster farming, the Mahurangi
oyster is the cream of the crop. TICKETS: From
iTicket – general admission $34.50 for adults,
$10.50 for children (10-17 years, free entry for
kids under 10), $64.50 for VIP (includes priority
parking, access to the VIP bar and a mimosa on
arrival)
https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2019/
oct/oyster-festival-matakana. Visit www.
The Indian Weekender
oysterfestmatakana.co.nz for more info
Auckland Diwali Festival
2019
Date: Saturday, 12 – Sunday, 13 October
Time: 12 a.m. & 9 p.m.
Venue: Aotea Square, 291-297 Queen Street,
Auckland
Celebrate Auckland’s vibrant Indian culture at the
annual Auckland Diwali Festival.
This vibrant, FREE family-friendly cultural festival,
now in its 18th year, will showcase an exciting
array of international and local live music and
dance, a delectable range of Indian foods and
sweets, street theatre and workshops, and a
dazzling fireworks display. Find out more at
aucklandnz.com/diwali, Note: This is an alcohol
and smoke-free event.
The Majestic KK Live in
Auckland
Date: Saturday, 19 October
Time: 7:00 p.m. & 11:30 p.m.
Venue: Logan Campbell Centre 217 Greenlane
Rd West, Epsom, Auckland
Krishnakumar Kunnath (popularly known as
KK, K.K. or Kay Kay) is an Indian singer. He
is a prominent singer in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu,
Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Bengali and
Gujarati languages films. KK is noted for his
clear and soothing voice; broad vocal range
and noteplay. He is considered as one of the
most versatile singers of India. A show not to be
missed.
Walking Stars Auckland
2019
Date: Saturday, 23 November
Time: 6:30 p.m. & 2 a.m.
Venue: The Grandstand on Football Road in
the Auckland Domain
Hosted by Walking Stars New Zealand and
Cancer Society of Auckland. Walking Stars is
a night-time walking marathon bringing people
together to raise vital funds in support of local
people living with cancer. Tickets · $49-$85.
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