Indian Weekender 16 December 2016

16 DEC2016
RAJINIKANTH
NEVER
FORGOT HIS
ROOTS
Vol. 8 Issue 39
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NEW ZEALAND
www.iwk.co.nz | 16 December 2016
Will English fit the bill and

charm Kiwi-Indians?
Sandeep Singh
he nations wait for a new

prime minister is over with
the appointment of Bill
English as the new leader of the
nation and Paula Bennett his deputy
on December 12.
The appointment was largely
expected after all other initial
aspirants chose to give way to Mr
English and withdraw their names
from the scheduled National Party
caucus elections.
To what extent can this oneweek wait since last Monday be
characterised as an anxious wait
for the nation for their new prime
minister will depend on how the
news is received.
For many, especially the KiwiIndians, the anxiety begins after the
appointment of Mr English as the
prime minister.
The only reason being that Mr
English will only be New Zealands
third prime minister in the last 17
yearsa period when almost twothird of all Kiwi-Indians currently
in New Zealand have arrived in
the country.
During the 2001 census, the
population that identified themselves
as Indian was 62,646, which surged
to 159,333 in the 2013 and reaching
to just around 200,000 in 2015.
A predominant majority of the

Kiwi-Indian population in New
Zealand has been accustomed to a
strong, stable, and personality-driven
leadership of the country under
either Helen Clark or John Key.
This is in contrast to the
arrival
of
relatively
quiet,
poised but sharp and untested
Mr English.
Adding to this will be the departure
of the historic comfort of dealing
with Auckland-based leaders as the
countrys prime minister.
Without
any
sweeping
generalisations, it can be argued to
some extent that a large number of
Indian-New Zealanders warm up to
and connect with leaders who are
more visible and approachable than
who appears elusive or recluse.
Completely aligned to this above
observation is the fact that Ms Clark
and Mr Key both were based in
Auckland and highly visible in the
city public life to allow Kiwi-Indians
developing a special fondness for
both the leaders.
Unfortunately,
as
of
now,
Mr English does not fit into the
leadership norms to which the Indian
community in New Zealand has
largely been accustomed.
Although, it does not limit him
from any possible way to develop
M E R RY
C H R IST MAS
Queen St / Botany / Mt Eden / Newmarket
High St / Henderson / Dannemora / Gleneld
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09 274 7744 / 09 274 7749
suggest their proximity towards

everything that reflects urban-liberal
rather than rural-conservative.
For some, Ms Bennett may allay
some of these above-illustrated
anxieties
within
the
Indian
community purely because of her
perceived persona of friendliness
and approachability along with her
Auckland-based imagethe key
attributes that have connected the
Indian community with the two
previous popular prime ministers.
To that extent, it may be argued
that Ms Bennett is just a deputy
leader and not the prime minister
to have an immediate impact on the
Indian communitys anxieties.
Bill English
roads within the community and the

community itself to get connected
with the countrys new leadership.
Adding to this is another fault line
between the community and the new
prime minister, which also coincides
with the larger fault line within the
National Party itselfthe divide
between the urban-liberal and the
rural-conservative.
With the departure of Mr Key

and the arrival of Mr English, that
fault line may also get some traction
as Mr Key was an epitome of urbanliberal whereas Mr English is a proud
owner of the image of the farmer
from Dipton.
The demographic profile of the
newly settled Kiwi-Indians might
In this regard, it is important to

note that the new prime minister
has already indicated his intentions
to calm any anxiety arising
from his personal opinions and
intellectual leanings as manifested
in making a U-turn on the
same-sex marriage.
Still, it will take some more efforts
and a little bit more time before the
new prime minister and the Indian
community in the New Zealand can
start warming to each other.
For now, the anxiety begins.
NEW ZEALAND
16 December 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz
International students in NZ:

increasingly feeling unwelcomed
Sandeep Singh
urrently, international students and

skilled migration system are at the
heart of growing public disquiet
around the current immigration levels in
New Zealand.
The way this debate has been set in public
eye appears to castigate the entire system as a
sham. The allegation being put forward is that
international education has become a backdoor
route to immigration.
This way, serious questions have been raised
about the quality of international students
and the overall value they bring to the New
Zealand society.
These seemingly correct questions are
backed by facts, assertions, and individual
experiences of a few.
Similarly, the government is rebutting these
arguments on the basis of a few facts and
their assertions.
Either way, both sides appears to be off target
in finding ways to improve the system and
enhancing the overall international education
experience in New Zealand for those who chose
to come to New Zealand.
Apparently, the main reason for this is
that both sidesthose who are thrashing the
government and the government itselfhave a
gap in their accurate understanding of some
of the main aspects of global international
education
environment
and
market
specific behaviour.
This piece seeks to address some of the key
stereotypes related to the Indian segment of the
international education market.
A key stereotype gaining traction in public
eyes is that most of the international students
from India have poor English language skills
and are as a rule seeking to escape from the
torturous grill of poverty and corruptionridden life back home. Although not completely
incorrect, it is still far removed from the reality
and an accurate reading of Indian students
global mobility and the Indian segment of the
The choice of international education and

the destination of pursuing that international
education, like migration, is a complex choice
determined by multiple factors.
Any oversimplified understanding of factors
determining international education choices
of the prospective students, especially from
India, has a potential to create complacency
in shaping New Zealands responses to the
In a similar vein, another prominent
stereotype getting much attention is the stories
of seemingly rampant exploitation of Indian
international students, largely by ethnic
Indian employers.
These exploitation stories are being repeatedly
linked with the quality of international
students
coming
to New Zealand,
their apparent lessprivileged situation
back home, and are
thereby contributing
towards
an
u n w e l c o m e
environment
for
As your new Labour MP, I thank
the
international
students.
you for your support and look
In this regard,
forward to being a strong voice for
two points deserve
some
attention.
our community.
First, the need
To contact my office, please call
for an urgent and
stern action against
09 624 2278 or email:
the
unscrupulous
michael.wood@parliament.govt.nz
employers exploiting
international
students
in
a
precarious
work
situation cannot be
overemphasised.
This
is
not
required
as
a
Thank you
Michael Wood
MP for Mt Roskill
Authorised by Michael Wood,

Parliament Buildings, Wellington
mark of commitment to help international

create more drama than urgent actions and
students in distress. Instead, this is required
policy responses to ameliorate the plight
as a commitment to New Zealands value
of people in distress. Above all, it creates a
system and reputation as a fair place to live
negative profile of all international students in
and work.
the country.
Secondly, it is important to note the fact that
International student mobility is the current
the life journey of a migrant is relatively tough
reality of global politics, and India has emerged
and is widely acknowledged in the realms of
as the second largest source-destination driving
international politics.
this international student mobility market.
Migrants, regardless of their country of
In 2015, India had sent 360,000 students
origin, ethnicity, social and religious background
overseas around the world with a 17.8% growth
and the choice of dreamed destination,
in the numbers from the previous year the
experience considerable challenges.
second year in a row that Indias growth rate
has been higher than China.
Even the Kiwis who choose to fly
off to distant lands of London,
Only 29,000 managed to
A
New York, and beyond do not
come to New Zealand
key stereotype
always have a dream start to
during this period, which
gaining traction in
their lives at their chosen
is eight per cent share of
public eyes is that most of
destinations.
the Indian market of
the international students
international students.
There are numerous
from India have poor English
stories
of
humble
This clearly suggests
language skills and are as a rule that there is still a vast
beginnings
and
the
seeking to escape from the
poor run of
many
market out there waiting
torturous grill of poverty
prospective Kiwi migrants
to be tapped by
and corruption-ridden
in those distant cherished
New Zealand.
life back home.
destinations.
Also important to note is the
Probably this is the reason
fact that New Zealands recent
why even United Nations prefers to
success in penetrating the Indian student
club migrants together with refugees and
market is in part because of a rapid decline
other people uprooted from their natural
seen in the UK market.
habitat either by force or by choice to create
There has been a stupendous 49% increase in
maximum global awareness about how best to
the number of Indian students coming to New
assist them.
Zealand in 2014 immediately after the UK chose
Towards this goal, there is a need
to unleash several unfriendly policies for the
to create a socio-political environment
that makes a migrants life journey less
At the end of the day, the UKs revenue loss
stressful and they are welcomed in their
is New Zealands gain, and there is a need for
dreamed destination.
us to be less inclined to follow UKs path in the
New Zealand is no exception. In this regard,
global education market.
the temptation to create a poor mans story out
Tempering the urge to make a poor mans
of every international students personal misery
image out of international students individual
should be resisted.
miserable situations would possibly be in
Such frequent stories in public attention
everyones best interests.
To advertise, call at
022-3251630
NEW ZEALAND
INZBC commits
support to NZ High
Commissioner
designate to India
IWK Bureau
he India New Zealand Business

Council (INZBC) has welcomed the
new High Commissioner designate of
New Zealand to India, Joanna Kempkers and
promised all support and cooperation from the
business community.
The appointment of Ms Kempkers has
come at a crucial time when India-NZ bilateral
relations are interestingly poised.
Apart from the much awaited Free Trade
Agreement (FTA) between both the nations,
several new sectors such as education, tourism,
and goods sector are fast emerging.
Speaking with INZBC members and other
members of the industry at a meeting at the
Deloitte centre on December 13, Ms Kempkers
acknowledged that a lot of good work has
already been done on the ground and she shall
endeavour to improve upon that.
I am looking forward to working with
the business community and the society at
large from both countries, to build stronger
ties between India and New Zealand, Ms
Kempkers said.
Ms Kempers comes from a long and illustrious
background in diplomacy and international
affairs and her last posting before her recent
appointment was as the Chief of Protocol at
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
In that capacity, she has already been to India
immediately before former Prime Minister John
Keys recent visit to India in October this year.
Acknowledging
the
importance
of
continuous engagement in any successful
bilateral relationship, Ms Kempkers affirmed
the need for a two-way dialogue between New
Zealand and India.
While the FTA would undoubtedly be a
catalyst for growth in the bilateral trade and
economic relationship there is more that could
and should be done to advance our economic
ties. NZ trades successfully with a number of
countries without an FTA, and, We can with
India too.
We appreciate the work done by agencies
[such as] INZBC, who act as a bridge between
the government and the industry people. We
look forward to working with them in the
future, Ms Kempkers said.
INZBC board member Sameer Handa also
felicitated the new High Commissioner and
presented her with a brochure of INZBC,
with a summary of all events done in the past
one year.
Sir Ken Stevens, Executive Chairman,
Glidepath Group, was a special attendee at
the event and delivered a brief presentation
on his experiences of working within the
Indian market.
Top: Mr. Wenceslaus Anthony adresses

the gathering; Below: Joanna recieves INZBC
brochure from board member, Sameer Handa;
Bottom: Tony Martin,Regional Director - India,
Middle East and Africa, NZTE addressing
the gathering
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10 AM - 2 PM
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The Women of Troy
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Thursday 1 December - Saturday 3 December, 8pm
Tickets available at the door
Tony Martin, Regional DirectorIndia,
Middle East and Africa, NZTE, who was
also present on occasion, discussed their
organisations strategies to expand to help local
businesses expand in these markets.
Wenceslaus Anthony, Head of Government
Relations, INZBC, felicitated the new High
Commissioner designate and reiterated that
INZBC is committed to developing great ties
between India and New Zealand, as it has been
doing so for the past few decades.
Acknowledging the recent change of
leadership in New Zealand Bhav Dhillon,
INZBC treasurer, said that these are exciting
times to have new impetus to the relationships.
We hope to work closely with the prime
minister and the High Commissioners
office, on the various policies and initiatives
of the government, for bilateral trade, Mr
Dhillon said.
CALL 0800 GO PIPA
VISIT WWW.PIPA.AC.NZ
NEW ZEALAND
Shearer leaves, by-elections likely

Sandeep Singh
NZPP on hunt
for suitable
candidate
t Albert electorate has lost their

second successive electorate MP to
the lure of top United Nation (UN)
job in a span of seven years.
This time, it is because the much-liked David
Shearer has accepted the role of head of United
Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)
starting early next year.
Earlier it was Labour Leader Helen Clarks
exit as the administrator of United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) in 2009.
Labour has held this seat since it was created
in 1946 and was Ms Clarks stronghold between
1981 and 2009.
UNMISS is the UNs third-largest
peacekeeping mission, with 17,000 uniformed
and almost 2,000 civilian personnel deployed
in the mission. A recommendation for Mr
Shearers appointment was put before the UN
Security Council by outgoing UN SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon.
This recommendation was based on his
individual capacity, not requiring any official
backing from the New Zealand government.
Nevertheless, the NZ Foreign Minister has fully
extended its endorsement behind Mr Shearers
new appointment as a UN administrator.
This is a senior position at the United
Nations that would report directly to the
Secretary-General.
Labour Leader Andrew Little confirmed that
he had been kept informed of Mr Shearers
involvement in the selection process and he was
very excited for him.
David will be the only New Zealander in
charge of a UN peacekeeping mission. This is
a very exciting opportunity for him to make a
difference and help bring peace to a country of
nine million people torn apart by civil war, Mr
Little said.
David Shearer
Mr Shearer has a short political career from

2009 to 2016 with many hits, misses, and regrets.
Undoubtedly, the high point of his political
career was his leadership of the Labour Party
from 2011 to 2013a period when the party
had maximum polling.
One of the regrets was the end of his time
as Labour leader in 2013 without fighting
an election.
For me, the Labour leader was both
a highlight, and obviously, ultimately a
disappointment. Sadly, I think we were at our
best at the end, said Mr Shearer recalling his
experience as the Labour leader in his final
departing speech to the Parliament.
With this exit, the third self-propelled
departure of
former Labour leaders
after Phil Goff and David Cunliffe has
successfully completed.
Mr Goff had earlier left the Labour caucus
HAVE YOU BOOKED YOUR XMAS PARTY YET?

Gift
s
voucherle
availab
for Auckland Mayoralty and Mr Cunliffe has

declared that he would not be returning to
Parliament in 2017, thus giving a clear run to
the current Labour leader Andrew little.
Earlier this year, Mr Goff and Mr Shearer
had threatened to cross the party line and vote
against Labour caucus opposition to TransPacific Partnership (TPP).
Mr Goff has then escaped unscathed whereas
Mr Shearer was threatened with a censure for
not toeing the party line against TPP. It might
be a possibility that Mr Shearers exit plan from
Labour caucus might have been triggered as a
post-TPP effect.
Meanwhile, Labour MP Jacinda Ardern has
put up her hand up to stand for Labour in Mt
Albert by-election.
The recent Mt Roskill by-election results have
given the Labour Party the added confidence to
retain the seat. Mt Albert is another traditional
Labour stronghold seat where National Party
had more party votes in 2014.
WE HAVED
MOVED
Indian Weekender
has moved to a new location.
Please note our new address

for all future correspondence
and communications:
133A, Onehunga Mall,
Onehunga. Auckland.
NZPP leader Roshan Nauhria
ew Zealands People Party (NZPP)

is aggressively looking for a suitable
candidate to stand for the Mt Albert byelection likely to be held after David Shearers
departure from their partys ticket.
NZPP, formed earlier this year in September,
is the countrys first political party purely for
ethnic immigrants.
Speaking with Indian Weekender, Roshan
Nauhria the partys founder and president,
appeared undeterred with the results of the
recently concluded Mt Roskill by-elections.
Mr Nauhria failed to make a mark on the byelection results.
We are committed to building our party for
the next 2017 elections.
Mt Roskill was a good learning, and we are
equally committed to Mt Albert electorate, Mr
Nauhria said.
Mr Nauhria was partys candidate in the Mt
Roskill by-elections.
Although this time, the party is eyeing on a
candidate of Chinese descent for the Mt Albert
by-elections, apparently to keep a balance
between Indians and Asiansthe key target
constituency of the party.
On being probed further if the party has
some credible aspirants for the Mt Albert seat,
Mr Nauhria reiterated, We will be able to
announce our candidate in the next two or three
days.
NZPP is aiming to secure 10% votes in the
2017 general elections to get the balance of
power in the government.
Mt Albert, like Mt Roskill, is also among one
of the most ethnically diverse constituencies in
New Zealand.
Heavy weights light up Papatoetoe

Childrens Christmas
H
Birthday Party Cruises, Fishing Charters, Riverhead
Tavern Cruises, Island Day Trips & More...
unters PlazaPapatoetoes premier

shopping
destinationplayed
host to a group of heavy weights
including professional boxer David Letele aka
Brown Buttabean, The Grinch, Frozen stars
and, last but not the least, Santa on Sunday,
December 11.
Letele, famous for losing 90kg and inspiring
thousands around the globe, was available
to meet and greet with fans as well as
sign autographs.
He talked about his Buttabean Motivation
boot camps, which are being held at the
Kolmar Papatoetoe Sport Centre.
Another massive draw card for the children
was Santas Magical Christmas Show featuring
The Grinch, Frozen stars Anna, Elsa and Olaf.
Monya van Wyk, Marketing Manager of
Hunters Plaza says they are excited to be bring
such a positive and community focused event
to Hunters Plaza in the lead up to the festive
season. Children love the magic of Christmas,
and this show promised to deliver lots of fun

and it did. David is such a positive role model
for people, and we expect many to turn up to
meet him and hear his messages around being
healthy and reaching your goals, says Monya.
NEW ZEALAND
Royal
Business
College
Avondale FC- winners of Eid Cup 2016. Photo by Auckland Fiji Times
Eid Cup Sports Carnival

concludes for 2016
Rizwan Mohammad
ew Zealand Muslim Sports Association

(NZMSA) hosted a three-day sports
carnival from Friday, December 9
to Sunday, December 11, at Centre Park
in Mangere.
NZMSA in association with Federation of
Islamic Association of New Zealand (FIANZ)
host two community sports events every year,
Unity Cup, which is held in MarchApril and
Eid Cup, just after the Eid-ul-Adha festival.
The event brings more than 400 participants
in different categories and sub-categories.
Since football is the biggest attraction for
the community, participants are subdivided
into three groups such as Mens teams, Kids
Madrassa teams for players in U10 and U13
category, and Youth Soccer for players in U15
and U18 category.
The other two outdoor sports activities held
are volleyball and cricket. Besides the main
sports tournament, NZMSA also conducted
Quran recitation, Oratory or Naat competitions,
which took place on December 9 at
Airport Mosque.
The concept of the sports tournament is to
unite the youth using sports as a medium. There
is also a huge pool of talent in the community,
and this is a platform for them to participate and
showcase it, Shaheen Rahmani, Chairman of
the Tournament said.
The tournament, although organised by
Muslim Sports Association, involves everyone
in the community irrespective of their faith and
beliefs, he added.
The Mens Soccer has 16 teams, four in each
pool. Pool A has Ponsonby, Manukau, Botany,
and Mt. Wellington teams. Pool B comprises
teams from Avondale, Dannemora, Mangere,
and Lynfield. West Gate, Takanini, Papatoetoe,
and Waikato formed Pool C, and Pool D had
Airport Oaks, Onehunga, Green Bay, and
Otahuhu teams.
Airport Oaks and Westgate were the two

new teams this year, and the Ponsonby team
was defending their title for this year. Avondale
defeated Dannemora in the final with a
10 score.
The Madrassa Soccer had nine teams in U13
and seven in U10 categories with seven players
in each team. Ranui mosque, Maunatul Islam
(Mangere), Waikato Islamic School, Park Ave,
Al Noor (Papatoetoe), Al-Falah (Botany), Al
Taqwa (Manukau), Al-Farouq (Otahuhu), New
Lynn mosque participated.
Ranui Mosque teams defeated Waikato
Islamic School in U13 and Maunatul Islam in
U10 category.
The Youth Soccer had four teams
participatingOnehunga, Ponsonby, Mangere
and Ranui with 11 players in each team.
Ponsonby defeated Onehunga in U15 and
Onehunga won against Mangere team in the
U18 category.
The T20 cricket matches were held over
two weekends with preliminary rounds on
December 4 and finals on December 11. The
Ponsonby team scored 230 runs in 20 overs,
limiting Airport Oaks with only 180 runs.
Takanini mosque won the main Quran
recitation competition followed by Airport
Oaks. Raeesh and ShoaiB from Mosque Alnoor won the U13 and U10 Madrassa Quran
recitation competition. Maunatul Islam team
won the Naat (oratory) competition.
Hafiz Junaid from Al Noor Educational Trust
in Papatoetoe, Feroz Patel, Dr Iqbal and Liaqat
Ali from NZMA were the chief guests for the
tournament, and they also represented FIANZ,
the apex body of the Muslim community in
New Zealand.
More than 2,500 people visited the three-day
tournament that also had fun activities for the
non-participating members of the community.
Bouncy castles and fun rides were arranged for
the children along with food and henna stalls
for the visitors.
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NEW ZEALAND
SOUTH LINE
Career options in dairy explored at
Lincolns Open Farm Day
News-in-brief
from South Island
Gaurav Sharma
here is no denying the fact

that dairy is the backbone of
New Zealands economy with
the sector more and more reliant on
migrants, who are willing to work on
isolated rural farms.
Many, including from India, come
from places where technology is not
so advanced. For them, the Lincoln
University (LU) Dairy Farm Open
Day held in November in the South The annual Open Farm Day hosted by the Lincoln University provided an overview of opportunities in New Zealands single
Islands Selwyn district, provided largest industry
an excellent opportunity to get to Zealands environment due to the 12,000 dairy farmers work with or
Kumaraguru College of Technology
know what actually goes inside increased nitrogen content in the employ another 30,000 people on
(KCT), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu,
a farm and maybe explore some ground, Jim Moir, senior lecturer in farm, thousands more are employed
India, for its Motorsport Engineering
career options. To aid this, all the Soil Fertility at the LU explained, in associated businesses and in dairy
Systems Analysis programme in
seven partner organisationsLincoln This farms objective is to ensure factories.
January 2017. This initiative is part
University, DairyNZ, South Island that the average annual concentration
Moreover, South Island dairy
Dairy Farmers (represented by the of nitrate-N in drainage water from production is the fastest growing in of Aras ongoing efforts in developing
mutually beneficial relationships with
South Island Dairy Event (SIDE)
below the plant root zone the country, representing 39 per cent
institutions in India.
network), Ravensdown Fertiliser
remains below the of total New Zealand milk solids
This
So far, the Polytechnic has signed
Cooperative
Limited,
critical
value
(16
mg
production, from 23.8 per cent of
farms
MoUs with Jaipuria Institute of
Plant & Food Research,
N/L)
specified
in
the
countrys
herds
and
35.8
per
objective is to ensure
Livestock Improvement
E n v i r o n m e n t cent of its cows. This provides huge Management, Rizvi College of Arts,
that the average annual
Corporation
(LIC),
C a n t e r b u r y s opportunities to those interested, they Science & Commerce, and Gujarat
concentration of nitrate-N in
Technological
University,
apart
and
AgResearch
p r o p o s e d added.
drainage water from below the
from
KCT.
Notably,
the
number
of
who are managing the
regional rule.
plant root zone remains below
international students coming to Ara
Ara
will
host
Indian
186-hectare irrigated
This
is
not
to
say
the critical value (16 mg N/L)
from India has steadily increased,
property of which 160
that challenges students in January
specified in Environment
from 160 in 2014 to more than
hectares is the milking
are not there. But
Canterburys proposed
hristchurch-based
Ara double this year. In 2016, of the total
platform, were at hand
we
are
working
regional rule.
Institute of Canterbury 1,017 full-time international students
educating the gathering
towards it.
formerly
Christchurch studying at Ara, 365 are from India,
about the options available.
The organisers also Polytechnic Institute of Technology
For those who are sceptical about noted that while New Zealands will be hosting 10 students from according to the figures provided by
the institute.
the harmful effects of diary to New
Christmas celebrated in style
Christchurch Kerala Association also launched a special loyalty card scheme for members as part of the festivities
Gaurav Sharma
stablished
in
2005,
Christchurch
Kerala
Association
(CKA)a
non-profit organisation catering
to the needs of the Malayalee
community living in and around
the
Christchurchorganised
its Christmas celebrations on
December 10. More than160 people
attended. Christchurch Central MP
and Minister Nicky Wagner, and
Canterbury District Manager for
Maori, Pacific, and Ethnic Services,
Inspector Hirone Waretini were the
special invitees.
Aby Abraham, Secretary at CKA,
informed, Celebrations started at 6
p.m. with cake cutting and dinner.
This time, we organised few
competitions, including the best
Christmas tree and crib, as well as
the best Christmas cake. Later, a
aaa
small segment of Malayalee dance

and music was presented with
help from our local music director
Justin James.
Mr Abraham also informed
that this year, the association has
tied up with nine sponsors for its

newly-launched membership card
loyalty scheme.
All CKA members would be
given the loyalty card in the next
few months, which will entitle
them to up to 15 per cent discount

from our partner organisations.
By Easter next year, we hope to secure
at least 15 more partners to make
CKA membership a very attractive
option, he concluded.
Canterbury Police: Avoid SH 7 during holidays

Police is urging caution to those using the alternate inland route of State Highway 7, Lewis Pass, during holidays
Gaurav Sharma
ith summer in full swing

and the country looking
forward to the holiday
season, Canterbury Police is advising
motorists to be cautious while driving
through the State Highway 7Lewis
Pass/Murchison alternate highway.
This is because the route remains
the only one between Christchurch

and Picton until the damaged State
Highway 1 is cleared of all landslides.
The police and New Zealand
Transport Agency (NZTA) have
indicated that there will be
increased traffic police patrols in the
area, and members of the public
should call *555 for non-urgent
road-related matters.
Canterburys Highway Patrol Team

Leader, Senior Sergeant Philip Dean,
said, The Lewis Pass route is more
challenging than SH 1 and takes at
least seven and a half hours. But with
all the traffic being diverted to the
only connecting road between Picton
and Christchurch, holiday-makers
should be prepared that it might
take longer.
To smooth matters at SH 7, though,

NZTA will be upgrading road signage
and markings, closely monitor the
traffic patterns, construct additional
slow vehicle bays, widen road at
critical points, as well as increase the
available space for parking of trucks
in small towns along the route to leave
more space on the roadside for other
moving vehicles.
Portion of
SH1 might
open before
Christmas
This would bring the muchneeded relief for quake-hit
Kaikoura with hopes that
tourists from Christchurch
will return
Gaurav Sharma
It was a week of some good news
for earthquake-hit Kaikoura. First
came the news that the Central
Government has decided to extend
the business wage subsidy package
for quake-affected businesses in and
around the region for a further eight
weeks. Making this announcement
was Economic Development Minister
Steven Joyce when he visited the town
on December 9.
The extension of the subsidy, which
includes $500 gross per week for a
full-time employee and $300 gross
per week for a part-time employee,
means that the government will cover
a total of 16 weeks now for businesses
facing a dramatic drop in their
turnover, following the closure of
State Highway 1. But for businesses
in Hamner Springs, the package will
be limited to only eight weeks, the
minister added.
Another bit of good news for the
tourist town came on December 12
when the New Zealand Transport
Agency (NZTA) expressed hope to
reopen the southward-bound portion
of State Highway 1between
Christchurch and Kaikourabefore
Christmas. Of the 20-plus slips
on the road, NZTA has managed
to remove all but four until now.
Although in some places, the route
will be single-lane for the time being,
NZTA informed.
Meanwhile, relief and recovery
efforts have gathered pace in North
Canterbury and South Marlborough.
Authorities have received more than
60 requests for emergency housing
till now, with 22 applicants already
placed. Under New Zealands civil
defence management plan, the
Ministry of Business, Innovation,
and Employment finds emergency
accommodation for people after the
Ministry of Social Development
made the assessment.
Efforts are also under way to address
the spiked mental health needs of
Kaikoura and Marlborough. The
Central Government has announced
that it will pay $1.76 million as part of
a $3.76m support package of which
the remaining $2m would help build
the towns new health centre.
The capital had its share of bad
news, too, when it was announced
by the Wellington City Council that
the quake-damaged Reading Cinema
carpark would be demolished. Work is
scheduled to begin before Christmas
and would likely take two months
to complete.
Meanwhile, Wellingtons inner
city residents have called on for
governments and councils support
to strengthen earthquake-prone
buildings, which they say will incur
substantial costs.
NEW ZEALAND
The compassionate musical saint

Tasmad asaktah satatam
karyam karma samacara
asakto hy acaran karma
param apnoti purusah
Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji
-Chapter 3.19 Bhagavad Gita
Molly Palanieappan, Datta Yoga

Centre NZ
he above verse was conveyed by Lord

Krishna to a distraught Arjuna during
the Kurukshetra war, in which he
explains the concept of Karma yoga. It means
therefore, without being attached to the fruits
of activities, one should act as a matter of duty,
for by working without attachment, one attains
the Supreme.
However, how does this relate to us in the
Kali Yuga? We are not in a middle of a war, so
why would this verse be important to us?
This verse is important because it teaches
one to do ones duty and at the same time
render selfless service to others without
any expectations.
It should be noted that interdependence
is a way of life. The labour of other men
or women, either on a physical, psychic,
intellectual or spiritual plane, benefits us. No
task is insignificant.
Lord Dattatreya has preached the essence of
Universal Brotherhood.
This principle is one that Sri Ganapathy
Sachchidananda Swamiji (Sri Swamiji)
advocates. Sri Swamiji always emphasises that
practising humanity should be our motto.
Thus, he has established a world-renowned
institution for the social, Avadhoota Datta
Peetham in Mysore and all over India. This
institution or ashram runs various programs,
activities and charities for the enrichment of
human life.
One of the notable services that the ashram

does other than spiritual activity is that they
provide Annadanam (free food) to all the ashram
visitors. And on a regular basis, food is also
distributed to the needy.
Sri
Swamiji
has
also
launched
a
programme
called
Share your Food. This programme encourages
devotees around the world to share their food
with the needy, every Tuesdays.
Moreover, another most important activity
that the ashram conducts is the Medical
Service Camps (SGS Vaidya Seva). Dedicated
professionals offer their services to the poor
and needy regularly for free, especially in
the village and slum areas. There have
been many speciality camps such as cancer

detection, diabetes, women and child care,
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Funded by the Parliamentary Service and authorised by

Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi MP, 1/131 Kolmar Road, Papatoetoe
Sri Swamiji
aims to
remind people of their
social responsibility
towards others and
to encourage them to
engage in social
welfare activities
being conducted simultaneously with the

Medical Camps.
This is to promote health awareness and
the benefits of prevention against the diseases.
Over the years, charitable hospitals have also
been established around Mysore, Cochin,
Hyderabad, Chennai and many other places.
Other than that, the Avadhoota Datta
Peetham have also founded several homes
such as the Ammavodia rehabilitation centre
for the destitute women, old age homes and
orphanages. Furthermore, Sri Swamiji has also
founded several schools including schools for
the disabled. The ashram has also established
a volunteer group, Sri Datta Humane Service.
This group renders their services during major
socio-religious-community events.
Several examples include service at flood
affected areas or calamity areas, donation of
cots (beds), stationary and nutritional food to
the needy and poor.
Sri Swamiji also uses modern technology to
spread spiritual awareness and moral values,
especially in students through several means
such as the monthly magazine Bhaktimala
(which now can be accessed online), SGS
Video MMS and Puttugam, where short and
educational messages can be shared online, and
Dattavania place where Swamijis speeches
have been uploaded and can be read by
everyone at any time.
Through all these, Sri Swamiji aims to
remind people of their social responsibility
towards others and to encourage them to
engage in social welfare activities.
It will be a great opportunity to come along
and witness this divine musical saint who is
overflowing with compassion and love for one
and all. Experience a unique event with this
divine saint where you can go on a musical
journey on the February 4, 2017 at Dorothy
Winstone Theatre, Auckland.
www.national.org.nz
Well-established and well set-up 10-year old

business ready for a new owner to takeover
Huge potential with all the hard work done.
Full training will be provided to the new owner.
The shop is not only a Kebab shop but also a
fast food shop having a variety of several fast
food items.
Due to the change in family circumstances
owner wants to sell the business. With
developments happening in the area and
new train station coming to KRd, and new
apartments being built this customer base is
about to explode and there is a lot of potential
to expand this business, this place will be a
gem in coming years.
NEW ZEALAND
10
Police working with people

for safer communities
New Zealand Police works with the community to make New Zealand safe and
secure for its citizens, and seeks to prevent crime, improve public security,
and detect offenders. The unwavering commitment of NZ Police officers to
provide service to the public helps in maintaining the law and order in the
country. The NZ Police force is actively involved with the community to ensure
that it addresses the grievances of the citizens.
that children get to spend time with

both parents.
Problems can be resolved without
arguments. Take time out. If things
become heated or stressful, go
somewhere for a few hours to let things
calm down.
If you are feeling afraid or overwhelmed,
talk to someone you trust.
Most importantly, if you have any fears
for your own or your childrens safety,
contact the police immediately.
Addressing family violence
C
Sergeant Gurpreet Arora
District Ethnic Services Coordinator,
Counties Manukau
Police in action
t about 2:20 p.m. on Friday,

September 9, three men with their
faces covered walked into a liquor
store in Manurewa. At the time, there were
two attendants present in the store.
One of the men pointed a weapon at
one of the victims and demanded money,
while another picked up liquor bottles off
the shelves.
The men stole liquor and ran out of
the store on foot. The case was broadcast
on Police Ten-7 TV programme and one
of the men was brought to the Manukau
Police Station by his family member. Police
investigation is ongoing to identify other
two offenders.
hristmas holidays should be about

peaceful time together but for
some families the reality is quite
different. Family violence is a crime, and
unfortunately, this time of the year is one
of the busiest for police dealing with family
violence. Family violence incidents can
range from verbal abuse to serious physical
assaults, and in extreme cases, they can result
in death. Sadly, the casualties are often
children who are caught up in the violence,
and through no fault of their own, end up
having a terrible Christmas.
Counties Manukau Police gives some
practical tips that will assist everyone
to have a calm, happy, and safe family
Christmas and New Year.
Set aside money to cover bills in
January and February. Dont spend
more on Christmas than you can afford.
Christmas can be about spending time
together as a family and not about buying
expensive presents.
Moderate your alcohol consumption.
You dont need to drink in excess to
have a good time. Dont drink and drive.
Arrange for transport to home prior to
going out or appoint a sober driver.
If you share custody of children, come
to an agreement before Christmas so
Netsafe
rom November 21, Netsafe has

started to receive, assess, and
investigate complaints of harm
caused by digital communications under
the Harmful Digital Communications Act.
The highly anticipated free service is
available to all New Zealand internet users
experiencing online harassment, offering
help and advice to resolve complaints.
Netsafe takes calls about cyberbullying,
online abuse, and harassment. You can
reach them by calling on 0508 NETSAFE
(toll-free) or by visiting the website
netsafe.org.nz.
Information and guides for staying

safe online can be found on the
website. You can contact Sergeant
Gurpreet Arora on 021-191-0461.
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Police hunt offenders of twin

crime in South Auckland
Rizwan Mohammad
hree men attacked

a petrol station in
South Auckland at
1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, 14
December and took cash and
cigarettes from the counter,
the Counties Manukau
Police reported.
The trio, armed with
bricks and a crowbar, were
clad in hooded jackets and
had covered their face with a
balaclava.
They approached the
window of the petrol station
and smashed it with bricks to
gain entry.
The sole attendant at the
counter activated the stores
fog machine and sought
safety in a nearby room. The
alleged entered the store and
grabbed cash and cigarettes
before evading in their
Mitsubishi car.
The panic button pressed
by the attendant alarmed
the owner Bal Singh and the
police, who rushed to the
scene of the crime in a few
minutes.
The attendant on duty
during the burglary is shaken
but safe.
Following enquiries, the
police have determined that
the vehicle was stolen earlier
in the evening from Clover
Park in Flatbush.
The police have appealed
to the public for any

information that may lead
to the identities of the
offenders captured in the
CCTV footage. Anyone
with information about the
incident should contact the
Counties Manukau Major
Crime Team hotline on
0508 422 443.
Armed burglaries and
shoplifting have become
rampant in South Auckland.
A dairy owner was robbed
with a knife pointed on his
neck on the morning of
December 11. The offender
is still at large.
Another armed robbery
was reported at BP petrol
station on London Street
in Whanganui on Tuesday
morning. Four men armed
with knives entered the
station at 3:30 a.m. robbing
cash and cigarettes. The
hunt for the offenders is
still on.
Armed robbery in Otahuhu

builds fear and scepticism
Rizwan Mohammad
n aggravated robbery in broad

daylight on Sunday, December 11, at
a dairy in South Auckland, has shaken
the community.
Mahesh Kumar, 47, a patient of asthma, was
at his dairy on Avenue Road in Otahuhu when
a man ran into the counter pointing a sharp
knife on his neck demanding cash.
The incident happened between 7:30 a.m.
and 8 a.m., and the offender has been described
as a well-built man wearing a black jacket with a
hood, balaclava, and gloves.
While resisting the knife attack Mr Patel
received a deep cut on his left hand between the
fingers and also suffered a cut on his neck.
My neck bled as he pinched the knife on me.
Had he (the offender) pressed a little harder, I
would have had deeper cut, Mr Patel said.
Mr Patel opened the cash counter and
pleaded to not be hurt further when the
offender pushed him to the ground. He suffered
minor injuries on the head as he hit the chair
next to him.
Mr Patel quickly ran out to the flea market
next to the store and alarmed the people
nearby. In the meantime, the offender collected
the cash and fled from the store.
Mr Patels 14-year-old son, who was assisting
him at the shop, was inside the storeroom when
the incident took place.
The owner ran back to the store to get his
car keys from his son and chased the offender.
Back in the store, his son and the neighbours
from the flea market called the police and
emergency services.
I drove towards the roundabout on the
east of Avenue Road where the offender
disappeared in his car, Mr Patel said.
The police arrived at the scene around 8 a.m.

Mr Patels wife, Nayana Patel, 44, rushed to
the scene from her Mt Albert home on receiving
the news.
We own this dairy shop for nine years now.
This area is prone to shoplifters, but this was
the first time we faced an armed robbery, Mrs
Patel said.
There were no property damages, but the
offender was successful in taking $802100 from
the counter. The police is investigating the
incident, and the offender is yet to be located.
The robber was covered from top to bottom
with a face mask and gloves, and he could not
be identified even in the CCTV footage, Mr
Patel said.
The incident, which has been reported in
media, has made Mr Patel sceptical. He says
that the robbery might make the store more
susceptible to such incidents in the future.
I am sorry to say this but now every second
person in the shop looks like a suspect,
The incident has made me more fearful of
the people around the store, the dairy owner
added.
Mr Patel received his treatment on Monday
and is stable now.
NEW ZEALAND
11
Kiwi-Indian duos rib-tickling

videos storm Facebook
Rizwan Mohammad
been positive. Our long-term goal is to create a community both

online and in person where people can feel special and included.
At this stage, however, we are simply looking to impact people
one video at a time positively.
IWK: There are hundreds of groups making YouTube/

FB videos (overseas). Any group/artiste you can relate
your videos to?
R&R: We have drawn our inspiration from Superwoman (Lily
Singh from Canada), JusReign and Zaid Alis videos. Its about
finding humour in day-to-day conversations. We feel like we are
catering to a similar audience but still we make sure that our
content is always original.
wo Hamiltonians of Indian descent are making waves

with their comedy videos on YouTube and Facebook.
Reneel Singh and Rajneel Naickar, popularly
known as Ren and Raj, are students of law at Waikato
University and are using their sense of humour to entertain
a bigger crowd via social media.
Reneel Singh frantically laughs in his recorded voicemail,
an invitation that the caller is going for a crazy ride talking
to him. The duos fun-loving nature has garnered them a
fan base that is growing exponentially in New Zealand and
Fiji. In a conversation with Indian Weekender, Ren and Raj
talk about what motivated them to start producing videos .
IWK: Tell us a little about Reneel and Rajneel.
R&R: We are of Indian descent, born and brought up in
New Zealand. We love acting, directing, making stories, and
all other forms of entertainment. We were both studying
business management and law at Waikato University when
one day we decided to give in to our passion and decided
to create Ren and Raj.
IWK: What kind of response have you had from your

fans? Do you look forward to changing the genre or go
bigger?
R&R: The response has been great. We have had several
personal messages on Facebook and have met people on the

streets too. We are even planning to meet a fan who loves our
work. He came from Fiji and is in New Zealand for a short time,
so we are likely to be meeting him by the end of the week.
Although we create all sorts of different videos, friendship and
happiness is the concept that we want to share with as many
people as possible. We are therefore looking to go as big as
humanly possible and spread our videos with the world.
IWK: Anything else that you would like to share with
our readers?
R&R: If youre ever feeling down or are looking to put
yourself in a good mood, our videos are for you. Go and check
out our YouTube or our Facebook Page. Our videos are sure to
cheer you up and leave you feeling positive.
Our YouTube: Youtube.com/renandraj
Our Facebook: facebook.com/RenandRaj
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Happy New Year
IWK: What kind of videos/vines do you make?

R&R: We make short funny videos. Some of the videos
we have created include funny, relatable scenarios depicting
parents, friends, social media habits, Bollywood parodies,
and even our take on Diwali. Some of our more popular
videos show us using funny ways to get out of arranged
marriages, and how parents can react when their kids are
not home on time.
IWK: When did you start making these videos?
R&R: We started playing around with the camera back
in 2012 and created several random projects. In August this
year, we got a little more serious about our work and started
working on social media. At that point, we decided it was
time to start pushing the limits to see how far we can go
with the videos, and now, we make and release at least one
video every week.
IWK: Do you take any help in making and
compiling the videos?
R&R: No, we are the directors, editors, actors, and even
the camera crew for our videos. We place the camera on
a tripod and press record, walk in front, and do our thing.
There have even been occasions where we have been
holding the lighting equipment while acting.
It is challenging doing everything, so occasionally we
drag our friend Nivikesh Krishna in to help us shoot when
the shot requires movement.
IWK: What is the USP for your videos?
R&R: We often refer to ourselves as the two idiots with
a camera. Neither do we have much equipment nor do
we have a large crew. This is evident in our videos, and
it is this quality that helps us create unique, relatable, and
funny videos for the ordinary Westernised Indian. When
you watch a Ren and Raj video, it will always be a fresh
new concept. We also speak in English to ensure that
everybody understands.
IWK: Where do you get ideas/inspirations for
your videos?
R&R: Our inspiration comes from Indian people and
Indian families. We get our ideas from the various situations
and scenarios that take place in every Indian household.
The ideas, however, can strike anytime. There have even
been times when we are simply sitting and talking with
friends, and an idea will pop into our heads. Our friends
often think we are quite odd when midway through a
conversation we start frantically typing a video idea on our
phone (so that we dont forget).
IWK: What is your goal/aim going forward with
video making?
R&R: At this stage, we are looking to extend our
friendship with the world. We love making people feel happy
and special, and so far, the feedback we have received has
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12
NEW ZEALAND
Community Karate
school awards its
students
Christmas
celebrations begin in
the community
Rizwan Mohammad
A student receiving award from Hanshi Dennis May at the award ceremony
Rizwan Mohammad
he Lion Budokan Karate School in

Auckland hosted its annual award
ceremony on December 3 at New
Windsor School Auditorium in New Windsor.
The Lion Budokan Karate International is
a member of Karate New Zealand and New
Zealand Martial Arts Institute and is run by
Sensei, Syed Mohiuddin, Black Belt 4th Dan.
Sixty students were presented with their
grading certificates and 25 were awarded
trophies in recognition of their performance
during the year.
The awards were divided into 16 categories
such as Bright Future Athletes, Newcomer of
the Year, Fighter of the Year, Kick Athlete,
Sportsmanship Award, Outstanding Effort,
Volunteer of the Year, and Assistant Instructor
of the Year.
In addition to excelling in the categories, the
students must follow dojo rules (Training Hall
rules) to be eligible for the awards. The dojo
rules were to seek perfection of character, give
ones best, refrain from violence, be faithful and
honest, and be respectful.
President of Karate New Zealand Hanshi
Dennis May was the chief guest at the
award ceremony.
More than 70 students learn martial arts at
the Lion Budokan Karate School from Sensei
Syed Mohiuddin at three different branches in
Central Auckland. The classes are held in the
community halls of New Windsor Primary
school in New Windsor, Mt Roskill Intermediate

School in Mt Roskill, and Bay Roskill Sports
Club in Blockhouse Bay. Students as young as
six years old to 58 years old have enrolled in
the school.
Learning self-defence is an important aspect
of life, and it is a sport that makes an individual
stronger, both mentally and physically.
Martial arts has many benefits for an
individual such as self-defence, improved focus,
developing confidence and sportsmanship.
Every student was encouraged and
motivated by the chief guest, whether they won
the trophy or not. We look forward to improving
their training and prepare them for the next
year awards ceremony, Syed Mohiuddin, the
teacher from the Karate School, said.
There are nine belts to attain before one can
fight for the black belt. The students start with
yellow belt progressing to green, orange, blue,
purple, brown four stripes, brown three stripes,
brown two stripes, brown one stripe then the
black belt.
It takes four to five months to clear each stage
up to brown four stripes, and from Brown three
stripes and above, the duration to clear each
stage becomes six months.
The event concluded with the speech of
Hanshi Dennis May, President of Karate
New Zealand.
He spoke about Karate being included in
Olympic 2020 and the opportunity our Karate
players would have to represent New Zealand
on a global platform.
ndian Christians Life Centre (ICLC) hosted

its annual eventChristmas Production
on Sunday, December 9 at ICLC Centre on
Springs Road in Henderson.
The event, started by Pastor Moses, the head
of ICLC, 19 years ago, continues to receive
strong contributions from the community. This
year, the event brought together more than
400 people.
December 9 saw the first part of the event
the second part takes place on December
16that included different performances in
Hindi such as drama, live music, short film
productions, and dances.
The second part will see an English
musical production.
Christmas Production is an annual
community event run by our team, and we
cater to 400500 Indians and still growing with
record-breaking attendance, Pastor Moses
son Joshua Singh said.
The programme on December 9 commenced
with a live music followed by a skit performed
by church kids group based on biblical chapters
and themes.
The theme for 2016 was Born to Save.
Different performances depicted the birth of
Jesus Christ to save humanity.
Sugar-Free, an independent skit group, also
gave a stellar performance at the event.
We have received positive feedbacks
from people. They were impressed to see
the inclusiveness we have at ICLC, Mr
Joshua said.
Jaggie Singh, a renowned singer, performed
qawwali at the event with his team of musicians
who played on the tabla and harmonium.
Pastor Moses started ICLC in 1997 with
Alice Singh when they came to New Zealand
after travelling around Asia Pacific. The church
started with six people, and today, is one of the
largest and strongest community churches in
Auckland.
A performer at ICLC Christmas Productions event
In the last few years, ICLC has hosted major

events such as featuring Johnny Lever in ASB
Stadium that saw more than 2000 people and
Ekk Life, a nationwide free to air TV show that
reached out to many nations through relief and
aid. Recently, ICLC also gave away $60,000
worth of products to Fiji to the cyclone-hit
areas earlier this year.
We wanted to create a community where
people can serve and help one another; a
community where we are all connected. We
have seen many lives transformed and want
to transform many more. We have a vision of
a community where people come together for
change, Pastor Moses said.
Besides organising community events, ICLC
also holds various programmes such as stress
management, marriage seminar, parenting
course, kids and youth programmes, business
community programmes, health focus activities
such as sports and healing meetings.
Police reminds drivers

to be careful on roads
this holiday season
IWK Bureau
olice is cautioning drivers to be mindful

of other road users this holiday season
and return home safely.
Holiday season is always a big challenge for
police to ensure road safety.
With seven more deaths this time than
last year on the roads, the police are urging
drivers to be mindful of others in the lead up
to Christmas.
This is a really high-risk time on our
roads, with people rushing around stressed
and over tired with their minds on other
things, Superintendent Steve Greally, National
Manager, Road Policing said.
Fatigued minds and other distractions can
lead to mistakes on the roads, so people need to
adjust their driving to account for this.
So far, 307 people have lost their lives on New
Zealand roads in this year.
In a press release issued to general public,
the police is insisting people to buckle up
buttercup and to put away their phones to
avoid distraction and eventually keeping
everyone safe on the roads.
Christmas is the most unfortunate time for
anyone to lose a family member and for the
staff members dealing with such stressful news
during the festival season.

So many families will be dealing with the
grief of losing a loved one on our roads this
Christmas, and thats incredibly sad, Mr
Greally further said.
It is important that people need to realise
that it can happen to anyone regardless of how
many years one has been behind the wheels.
Also to understand that people do make
mistakes, and sometimes on road, it doesnt
matter who actually does the mistake.
In most cases, the drivers speed determines
the outcome of mistakes.
NZ Police will maintain a highly visible
presence on the roads over summer and will be
using a range of tactics.
This includes focusing on those who choose
to drive above the speed limit, those not buckled
up, and those driving while impaired.
Like previous summers, speed cameras are
positioned in high-risk crash areas and are set
to enforce a reduced speed threshold of 4km/h
from December 1 until January 31, 2017.
At the end, it comes down to making good
decisions such as choosing to drive as per
the speed limit and the conditions, ensuring
everyone is buckled up, and not driving while
impaired.
NEW ZEALAND
Classical music concert gets rave reviews

Rizwan Mohammad
he annual concert of Sargam School

of Music held on December 10 and 11
received an astounding response from
the audience. More than 80 students from the
school performed over the two-day concert that
also saw a workshop from renowned musician
from India Pt Salil Bhatt.
The show commenced with the prayer for
the goddess of knowledge, Saraswati, based on
raag Bhimplasi, presented by 20 students. It was
followed by another group of singers presenting
Swar Malika in raag Yamana composition
where the singers in only sing the musical notes.
The event proceeded with a folk and classical
song by the young students of the school. The
sitar recital by Tiara Kelly and Sargam Madhur
was one of the highlights of the evening. They
were accompanied on the stage by eight other
sitar players.
The first half of the programme was
concluded by two group tabla recitals by 14
students in each group.
Pt Salil started his recital in raag Gawati in
a traditional Indian classical music style with
Alap, Jod, and Jhala. The very unique concept
of his performance was that 4 tabla players
accompanied him on the Tabla. The first
session of the raag was accompanied by Basant
Madhur and Prashant Kumar and second
session by Akhil Madhur and Shamal Lal.
The finale saw a performance by all tabla
players, and the audience, mesmerised by their
unique presentation, gave a standing ovation to
Pt. Salil and the tabla players.
Pt. Salil delivered two folk melodies based on
raag Kirwani and Mishar Pahadi and he was joined
by two percussionists, Deepak Madhur on tabla
& Ravi Nayaypati on dholak.
In the workshop conducted, Pt Salil,
explained the different aspects of Indian music
13
Celebrate Makar Sankranti

with Indian Kite Festival
The craze for the Indian Kite Festival is rapidly growing among various communities in Auckland
Swati Sharma
Young students play tabla at the concert
such as its origin, history, different type of string

instruments in the world, and his own creation
Satvik Veena.
He was later felicitated by a memento from
Prof. Shuk Dev Madhur, the senior most
teacher of Sargam School.
The second day of the concert was dedicated
to the students, who performed in choirs. The
event also saw group sitar and violin recitals,
group tabla recitals, solo classical recitals,
ghazals, and devotional songs.
Children as young as four and seven sang
hymns and played harmonium and tabla.
I see so proud to see my son playing
the tabla and singing, a parent of the
performer said.
Pt Salil Bhatt, Basant Madhur, and a few
musicians also gave a performance at the East
meets West musical event held on Monday,
December 12 at Nivara Lounge in Hamilton.
A CUT ABOVE
THE REST
Are you a landlord short
on time? Heading overseas?
Or just over dealing with tenants?
ontinuing the trend from last nine years,

Vaishnav Parivar NZ Inc. (VPNZ) is
bringing back the Indian Kite Festival,
as part of the organisations cultural activities.
This years festival will be held on Sunday,
January 15 at a new venueEastdale Reserve,
Avondale, next to Avondale College on
Rosebank Road.
With growing popularity year by year, the
festival is also growing in numbers. This year
about 9000 people attended the event, and the
organisers are expecting even more next year.
While these people are mostly from
the Indian subcontinent (India, Pakistan,
Bangladesh, Malaysia and Fiji), more and more
locals (Europeans, Maori and Chinese, and
Pacific Islanders) are also increasingly joining
and celebrating the festivities.
Significance of Kite Festival
akarsakranti or Uttarayan (falls on

January 14) is the day when the sun starts
travelling towards North marking the decline
of winter (in Northern hemisphere), and the
days become longer. It also marks the arrival
of spring season in India and is celebrated with

kite flying in many parts of the country.
The fascination and the fun associated
with the kite flying cuts across age groups and
communities. It is a competitive fun sport where
families enjoy, not only flying kite but also
outdoing rivals kite as well.
VPNZ imports kites and threads from
India each year which are available for sale at
the festival.
There will be various food and other stalls,
and entertainment for children such as the
kiddy castle and slide, merry go round, face
painting, drawing and colouring competition
and live performances.
There will also be a chance to buy raffle
tickets to win a holiday package for two with
five-day accommodation and other attractive
prizes. The festival has indeed become a big
day-out for families.
VPNZ is a charitable entity registered under
the New Zealand Charities Act 2005 and
operating from Blockhouse Bay in Auckland.
It has more than 250 registered members
with core activities as religious, cultural
and sports.
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NEW ZEALAND
Buddha Travel & Tours: New Plymouths only

making your holiday memorable
uddha Travel & Tours has been serving

clients in New Zealand since July 2015
and has had commendable journey so far.
Their sister concern in Australia has completed
8 years and they are aiming for growth in the
New Zealand market as well.
Buddha Travel & Tours offers a great range
of travel services including international and
domestic flights, family holiday, honeymoon
holiday, rail bookings, hotel bookings, stopover
holidays, adventure tours, day tours, car hire
and travel insurance.
With just over a year in Auckland, the agency
has been actively participating and promoting
community events.
In a travel market where customer service
is given as much importance as pricing, this
company looks to provide clients with the best
expertise and service on par with industry
standards. Their dedicated travel consultants
do the best research to offer the best price in
the market.
The company in the past year has sponsored
community events such as local football
tournaments, soccer games, ethnic festivals and
musical galas.
They believe in giving back to the community
and this has been reflecting in their activities in
Australia and New Zealand over the past year.
Buddha Travel & Tours is a customer oriented
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The above content is supplied by
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The advanced
advantagework
smarter, not harder
T
his November, 115 New Zealand
students were recognised for studying
five or more years above their school
grade level at the 2016 annual Kumon
Advanced Student forum.
Over 200 primary and secondary
school aged students, dressed in their best,
attended the event at Aucklands prestigious,
waterfront Hilton Hotel, receiving medals for
advanced study and plaques for completing
Kumon programmes.
Speaking at the event was Shilpan Patel,
a testament to the power of the advanced
study. After completing the Kumon Maths
Programme in 2011, Patel went on to study
medicine at the University of Auckland. Not
only did Patel gain entrance to the course
of his pick, but his excellent command of
mathematics meant that he did so with five
scholarships up his sleeve.
How did he achieve this? Advanced
learning meant that he had time on his
side. I would finish my homework in thirty
minutes and realised that I had all this time
on my hands, so why not practise some
scholarship questions.
The 22-year-old delivered a message that
was simple yet powerfulwork regularly so
that you can relax; work consistently so that
you learn, emphasising that being advanced
comes with a little bit each day approach.
You dont win your cricket day on
game day, you win it in the hours and
hours spent practising beforehand, said
Patel in his address to some of Aucklands
brightest youth.
Islamic Centre opens
fter a year-long development, a new

mosque has opened its doors to the
community in New Plymouth.
The mosque on 185 Smart Road,
Hillsborough will be used for prayer, community
gatherings, and education of the Muslims in
the region.
The mosque is the first fully-operational
Islamic Centre in the Taranaki region.
Before the current mosque, the Muslim
Association of Taranaki a registered not-forprofit organisation in New Zealand established
in 2006rented a small property on 9 Cracroft
Ave for prayers.
For six years, we used a small house for
holding our regular prayers, and it was essential
that we secure a permanent place of worship for
the community, Yusuf Khan, Vice President of
the Muslim Association said.
The Muslim Association of Taranaki
purchased The Old Bowling Club property
in July 2015 and received the final resource
consent from the council on November 1
this year.
Initially, the neighbours of the property
objected to the development of the Masjid
citing traffic issues in the area. The association
appealed to the council, and later the board
granted the resource consent with 28 car parks
onsite and seven overflow parking.
The mosque can accommodate 75 men in
the male section and 25 women in the female
section. It also has an acoustic fence built to
keep the noise level below the council range.
The plan was to acquire a property, which
can be used as a hub for Ibadah (worship), Islamic
learnings, and growth, for Dawah and a place
where families can come together and foster a
sense of community, Adeel Baig, President of
Muslim Association of Taranaki said.
The mosque hosted its formal open day on
Sunday, December 11, between 2 p.m. and 5
p.m. More than 80 people attended the opening
Kanwaljit Bakshi
T
In the popular mind, medical students
are often over-worked, under-slept, undernourished and caught in an endless cycle of
exam cramming. Patels approach turns this
on its head. Im a big believer in balance. I
never used to do work regularly, but once I
started I thought, this is great! I do a little
bit of work, and then I get the rest of the
day off.
Kumon is worlds largest after-school
education provider and has developed
advanced students of English and maths in
New Zealand for 21 years. As a step-by-step
daily study programme, it isnt surprising
that one of its graduates is an advocate for
working smarter, not harder.
The above content is supplied by
the advertiser.
ceremony and interacted with the volunteers at

the mosque.
Posters of the five pillars of Islam, different
hadiths (teachings of Prophet Muhammad,
pbuh) and Quran were on display, and light
snacks were served to the visitors.
Visitors were inquisitive about Islam [and]
its teachings, and it was a very happy and
friendly environment at the mosque, Mr
Baig said.
Peter Taylor and BJ Hetet, local Maori Iwi
representatives, attended the ceremony on
Sunday and expressed their joy at being a part
of the event.
We are quite impressed by the teachings
mentioned in the Quran. It is very similar to
ours, Mr Hetet said.
Andrew Judd, New Plymouths former mayor,
and Philip Richardson, Anglican Church
Archbishop of New Zealand, also attended the
opening ceremony of the mosque.
The mosque now holds regular prayers five
times a day and Friday prayers as well.
Treasury forecasts solid

growth and strong, stable
public finances
National List MP
Shilpan Patel
People praying inside the newly opened New

Plymouth Mosque
he best-performing societies dont get

there by luck. Successful societies get
there because of the hard work of
individuals and families, backed by supportive
governments which adopt policies to reward
investment in job-creating enterprise, while
championing programmes which strengthen
social cohesion.
We were reminded of this again this week
when the Treasury published its updated official
forecasts for our economy and the Crowns
finances through until June 2021.
The departments latest set of forecasts are
significantly stronger than its last set prepared
at the time of then Finance Minister Bill
Englishs2016 Budgetin May.
And they are a ringing affirmation that we are
headed in the right direction as a society, and as
a nation. Nationals policies and management
will pay strong and growing dividends for New
Zealanders.
In spite of the recent spate of earthquakes,
our economy is on track to expand around 3 per
cent a year, every year, for the next five years.

This matters because it means stronger
employment and income growth opportunities
for New Zealanders. It matters because it means
declining unemployment.
It is important because it means we have a
strong basis from which to invest in the essential
social services New Zealanders value, and to
invest in the infrastructure our economy needs
for productivity growth and still-higher living
standards in the future.
Under the policy settings of the National-led
government, Treasury expects another 150,000
jobs to be created, the average wage to increase
by $7,500 to $66,000, and for Crown net debt
to decline to 18.8 per cent of national income
in 2020/21.
Net Crown debt levels are now past their
peak as a share of national income.
We go into the Christmas 2016 period in
a dramatically different place than what the
Treasury had been forecasting for this time
when National was first elected. Back then,
Treasury expected ever-rising debt levels under
the former Labour-led governments policy
settings.
Nationals careful stewardship over the past
eight years means we now have a lot more
choices and options in the years ahead as a
society.
Over the coming months, we will set out
some of those options for 2017 and beyond.
NEW ZEALAND
15
Why international education to skilled

migration pathway is under scanner?
Sandeep Singh
Recently, the pathway available to

international students to seek permanent
residency in New Zealand through skilled
migration category has come under public
scanner. There have been some populist claims
alleging that the presence of international
students is distorting New Zealands labour
market. Added to this are convenient
interpretations of several systematic studies
and reports previously recommended to the
key decision makers within the government
and now made available to the general public,
which questions the sanctity of this pathway
available to international students towards
skilled migration in New Zealand.
Therefore, it becomes easy for government
bashers to use statistical data such as that
international students now makes up nearly half
of New Zealands skilled migrantsup from
17% in 2006 to 43 per cent last year to corner
the government by suggesting that international
education is diluting New Zealands skilled
migration system.
This piece seeks to contest some seemingly
convenient interpretations of figures and
data bolstering public perceptions about
the international education and pathway
to skilled migration in New Zealand. The
objective is to address some glaring gaps in
mutual expectations of both New Zealand and
There is no denial of the fact that New
Zealands immigration system, including skilled
migration system, should best serve the countrys
interest. However, it is also important to note that
New Zealand is not the only western, developed
country in the world that provides a pathway

to international students towards emigrating
through skilled migration category. It is a
time-tested and widely acknowledged practice
around the globe, especially in the Anglospheric
world (Australia, Canada, the UK, the US, and
New Zealand). Indeed, all around the world,
this pathway from international education to
skilled migration is treated as a recognition of
a quality way of producing skilled and onshore
trained workforce.
There is a reason that special points are
assigned for education acquired onshore in
the point-based immigration system. It serves
a dual purpose. On the one hand, it brings
revenue that accompanies with incoming
international students. Simultaneously, it
provides New Zealand with access to a skilled
workforce that is trained onshore according
to the needs and demands of the economy.
Contrary to convenient interpretations, the

figures indicating a hike in the number of
international students making New Zealands
skilled migrants is a testimony to our success in
creating an onshore trained skilled workforce.
The fact that today we are conveniently
choosing to question the value of this onshore
trained workforce is like shifting the goal post
half way through.
Commonly, the pretext on which this pathway
to skilled migration through international
education is being questioned is based on some
reports seeking to improve our skilled migration
system. This again emanates from reports
suggesting that low-level diploma education
alone or followed by some questionable work
experience in New Zealand are not enough to
produce a skilled workforce. In this regard, it is
submitted that this is a subjective assessment of
the entire process and leaves much at the whims
Im both excited and honoured to be

New Zealands 39th Prime Minister. Im
looking forward to getting to work
and am proud to lead a strong team
who are full of ideas about how we can
make New Zealand an even better place
to live, work and raise a family.
Rt Hon Bill English

Prime Minister
Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160 | P 04 817 9999 |

Authorised by Bill English MP, Executive Wing, Parliament, Wellington.
facebook.com/pmbillenglish |
@pmbillenglish
of individuals rather than creating a reasonable

process of how best to prepare a skilled
workforce. The fact that low-level diploma
courses are not enough to graduate into a
skilled workforce or that some unscrupulous
employers are retorting to inflated job titles to
support their workers residency application
does not automatically shift the burden on the
international students. So why question the
pathway to skilled migration currently available
to international students instead of improving
our systems and processes.
It is not fair to international students who
after spending thousands of dollars on their
education and following the processes laid out
to them well in advance much before they make
their choices of overseas education destination
to be told that the process they have followed is
now redundant.
Make no mistake. The point being made here
is not about individual cases but of about having
a robust system in place much in advance before
international students come onshore. The
suggestion being made here is that delinking
international education with skilled migration
pathway entirely, or partly, without giving a fair
chance to those who have acquired skills and
competencies onshore to meet the benchmark
set by the New Zealand government is neither
desirable nor a fair outcome. It neither serves
the interest of New Zealand nor is fair to
students. Alternatively, if the intentions are to
defunct this pathway progressively, then there
should be valid reasons in the best interest
of New Zealand and information clearly
communicated to those who are most liable to
be affected.
READERS SPEAK
What are your plans for this

forthcoming Christmas holidays?
Editorial
Will 2017 be a year of change

for New Zealands politics
here is no novelty in saying that John Key might have triggered a mass exodus of several
cabinet ministers from the parliament.
Nor there would be any novelty in pointing that with David Shearers recent exit
Singhi Reddy, Mt Wellington

I was really looking forward to the Christmas
holidays this year. On the eve of Christmas, I will fly
to Wellington for the Christmas party with my friends
there. Next day, we are taking a road trip to Mt
Taranaki and Taupo, we have planned to do bungee
jumping and paragliding there. So one week, on the
road, camping, walking and the daredevil activities.
from the Labour caucus, the party has got rid of three former leaders this year to give Andrew
Little a clear run at the next general elections in 2017.
However, it could be asserted with some degree of confidence that the year 2016 has brought
several changes in New Zealand politics that can at least make 2017 elections look interesting
even if not produce any major change in the outcome.
Among several possible interesting outcomes of this years happenings on the next years
general elections would be a relatively even contest between the National and the Labour Party
the two mainstream parties in our multi-party democracy.
Shahib Singh, Mt Roskill

I am looking forward to having a quiet holiday at home,
in Auckland. The plan is to stay home, watch some
films, go out shopping with my girlfriend and evening
parties. I dont like travelling much, and I am lucky
enough to have friends who have no plans for the
Christmas. So all in all, a bit of work and then relax at
home.
National Party with their new leader Bill English and the Labour with their not so antiquated
leader Andrew Little, would be relatively evenly poised in the 2017 elections.
This will give a fair chance to people to vote for the policies projected by these parties rather
than be swayed in the last minute by the personality brand politics that has so dominated
the JK era.
JKs exit might have given Mr Little slightly better understanding of the political centre
something which he was struggling to understand a couple of weeks before JKs exit.
Though, it is not to suggest that JKs departure might give him an unchallenged access to
Halekkul Jamal, Hamilton

I have not made any concrete plans till now,
but probably I will be in Rotorua. I have heard
much about the mud fountains and the volcanic
environment there so that should be good fun. If
not Rotorua then I will drive to Raglan and other
Coromandel beaches.
that political centre.

In fact, Bill English the new Prime Minister has not yet given away anything to hint a free
run to Mr Little party to the voters who sit at fence till the last minute.
Mr English has already rolled back his opinion on the same-sex marriages to position himself
towards the centre.
Surely, the changes that might become predominant in 2017 have its genesis in 2016.
Accompanied with this change, the other prominent change worth appreciating is the
planned departure of several MPs such as Murray McCully, Sam Lotu-Liga, Craig Foss,
Hekia Parata, David Shearer, David Cunliffe and few more, will bring some new faces to the
parliament next year.
Prem Upadhyay, Mt Wellington

My plan for Christmas is to party in Auckland itself.
I have some work pending as of now, which is
making me stay until New Year in town. I have big
plans for the New Year, my friends are having a get
together in Queenstown, and I am flying there. Its
party time of the year and what better than with old
friends.
In the end, since we are just on the cusp of new Prime Ministers announcement of his
cabinet and the reports that backbenchers may be given some representation in the new
cabinet are gaining traction, it might be tempting to guess if any Indian-origin MP can get a
promotion call.
Although superficially their individual progress reports do not suggest so, yet we will leave it
for readers to make their assessments.
Indian Weekender : Volume 8 Issue 39
Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited
Bhupindra Singh, New Lynn

I have work commitments and therefore I will be
staying in Auckland and have made no big plans
for Christmas. My friends are planning for two-day
trekking in the Tongariro Alpine forests so I may
probably join them but nothing big travel plans for
me.
Managing Editor: Bhav Dhillon | bhav@indianweekender.co.nz

Content Editor: Sandeep Singh | sandeep@indianweekender.co.nz
Chief Reporter: Swati Sharma | swati@indianweekender.co.nz
Reporter: Rizwan Mohammad | rizwan@indianweekender.co.nz
Chief ReporterSouth Island: Gaurav Sharma
Chief Technical Officer: Rohan Desouza | rohan@indianweekender.co.nz
Sr Graphics and Layout Designer: Mahesh Kumar | mahesh@indianweekender.co.nz
Graphic Designer: Yashmin Chand | design@indianweekender.co.nz
Accounts and Admin.: 09-2137335 | accounts@indianweekender.co.nz
Mohan Rao, Hamilton

I have a road trip planned with my wife from Hamilton
to northernmost tip of Auckland. The first three days
my itinerary has five stops, Auckland, Whangarei
Fall, sand mountains at Giant Te Paki, and the tip of
Northland Cape Reinga. Eight hours drive back to
Hamilton will rest for one full day Possibly, I might
also drive from Hamilton to Wellington on my return
from up-north.
Sales and Distribution: 022 3251630 | sales@indianweekender.co.nz

Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher
is not responsible for advertisers claims as appearing in the publication
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
Kiwi Media Publishing Limited - 133A Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland.
Printed at Horton Media, Auckland
Copyright 2016. Kiwi Media Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved.
The dif fe re nce be t we e n a succe s sf ul pe rson

and o t he rs is no t a lack of s t re ng t h, no t a lack
of k no w le dge, bu t rat he r a lack of w ill .
Vince Lombardi
OPINION/EDITORIAL
17
Demonetisation deed is done - now look ahead

M
Salim David
oney is a medium that

lubricates the economic
system. Without it the
wheels creak, and turn slowly.
Make no mistake: the current cash
crunch will last.
Lets face itwe have just removed
86 per cent of our money. The mints
werent built to replace so much in
one go. It will take many months of
suffering, scrimping and standing
with outstretched hands in bank
queuesunless we do something.
The only way out is to promote
the use of digital money. More
transactions with digital money will
reduce the need and dependence
on cash.
The good news is that most of the
salaried class in urban India have
convertedstores and e-commerce
sites report a higher percentage of
card usage vis-a-vis cash.
The bad news is that most others
have not. Among the lower middleand lower-classes, which form the
bulk of our population, digital
money hasnt made much headway.
Rural India, as a whole, is also bereft
of card penetration, banks are always
miles away, and few ATMs function
Only if we convert these people
to the use of digital money can we
emerge from this cash crisis which
threatens to stall our economic
growth engine.
The lower middle and lower-classes
normally dont have smart phones
and internet. Now, with technology,
they can use their normal phones
to make and receive payments.
Some are already doing this, but if

we can quickly get the majority to
adopt mobile money we can ease
the requirement for cash and bolster
spending. This is the challenge: to
get everyone to use digital money for
every purchase.
Here are some suggestions.
In order to induce the masses
to get Paytm, freecharge, m-pesa,
Airtel money, or any other mobile
money on their normal phones, let
the Centre give a one-time incentive
of Rs 100 as a bonus for those who
install it.
Everybody loves a freebie, and

Rs 100 is a lot of money for most
Indians (wages for half a days work).
If the communication and ease of
installation is right, one can expect at
least 50 per cent penetration across
Indiaperhaps 20 crore connections
(out of a population of 125 crore).
With 20 crore Indians keen
to use their bonus money, shops
and establishments will surely
install the mobile money apps and
ensure suppliers and customers
can seamlessly be serviced with
mobile money.
Once they use mobile money they

will see the ease of it and be happy
to accept mobile money payments,
decreasing the need for cash. The
rest will follow.
The penetration of mobile phones
in India is 82 per cent and growing. It
is not unreasonable to envisage that
the penetration of mobile money will
be over 50 per cent to start with, if
the campaign is carried out right.
Farmers or farm labour who get
paid by cheque will be able to easily
transfer money from their account to
their mobile with just a four-digit pin.
A variety of goods and services can
be mandated to be paid by mobile
money/digital transfer, further taking
away the need for cash.
Lets take a look at what it will cost.
If 20 crore people start using this it
will cost the Centre Rs 2,000 crore as
a one-time payment. This, however,
goes directly to the people and will
boost spending and the digital habit.
This amount is about 0.02 per cent
of our GDPnot a big deal if it is to
save us from a cash crunch. (And the
government could likely sell the data
and recover some money there.)
There are other benefits as well:
completely transparent transactions,
100 per cent accountability for
supplier and buyer.
If phone numbers are linked to
Aadhar cards, then a useful data
base can be generated as to which
category of customer spends how
much, and on what items.
If retail outlet bills are linked to

customers, then brand-wise customer
purchase data is possible and will be
of great help to corporates who want
to identify their customer profile, and
get their customers mobile numbers
in the bargain.
Are we sayinglets try and make
the best of a bad deal?
Maybe. But who doesnt make
mistakes? Lets use the opportunity
to achieve what we couldnt in
normal circumstancestry and get
to a new normal. In the process, we
must mitigate the pain and loss or the
larger objective will be forsaken.
So lets try and get as many
people to embrace mobile money,
especially among those who dont
have smartphones.
The key will be the ensuring of
adequate call centre points to address
the growing demand for clarifications
17
in vernacular languages.
As mentioned earlier, lets try
and add mobile money to 20 crore
connections across India and hope
we get digital money to cater to 67 per
cent of transactions in value terms
(India is currently at 32 per cent, the
US is at 80 per cent and the UK at 89
per cent). Cash requirement would
halve from the current level, and
the wheels of the economy would
turn easier.
Now that would be something.
(Salim David hung up his
corporate boots a few years ago
and farms roses and organic
vegetables near Hyderabad.
Views expressed are personal)
Jayalalithaa presented alternate model of development

Amit Kapoor
ayalalithaa was to Tamil Nadu

what Narendra Modi was to
Gujarat. Their respective states
symbolise their legacy and present
unique models of development
that have fuelled the long-standing
debate on economic growth and
social progress.
Economists who feel that the
governments policy focus should be
on boosting economic growth have
cited the Gujarat model to argue
that higher growth leads to better
social outcomes.
On the other hand, the
Kerela model is exemplified as
evidence that investing more in
social infrastructure can boost
the productivity of people and
thereby growth.
However, the comparison seems
unfair as Kerela has had a historical
advantage over Gujarat and social
indicators of the former have been
better than the latter since the time
of independence. Also, the Kerela
model is often criticised for doing
well on the social front but not on the
economic side.
Tamil Nadu, however, presents a
fair counter-example. Unlike Kerala,
the state had no historical advantage.
In fact, Gujarat was doing better in
many indicators before the 1990s.
They also had almost similar Gross
State Domestic Product (GSDP) at
the time.
Moreover, both states have almost
similar geographical area, population
size and access to the sea. They are as
similar as two different states can be

and thus, all differences can be safely
attributed to public policy.
Since the early 1990s, when India
undertook economic liberalisation
and Jayalalithaa first came to
power in Tamil Nadu, both states
have maintained consistently high
economic growth rates. The average
growth rate in the two decades
following liberalisation was 7 per
cent per annum for Tamil Nadu
and 8.3 per cent for Gujarat. Even
though Gujarat has grown slightly
faster, the gap between the
two has been consistently
growing narrow.
Meanwhile, during
this period, Tamil
Nadu has outperformed
Gujarat in many social
indicators.
Between
1993-94 and 2011-12,
the
state
reduced
rural poverty by 34
percentage points
as opposed to
G u j a r a t s
2
2
percentage points; urban poverty

by 27 against Gujarats 18;
workforce illiteracy by 20 against
latters 17; infant mortality by
33 against 11 percentage points
by Gujarat.
Inequality has almost remained
the same in Tamil Nadu while it has
gone up in Gujarat. Life expectancy
is better in the former as well.
Apart from Gujarat, the state has
outperformed the average Indian
trend in numerous social
and
Jayalalithaa passed away on December 6
economic indicators, an analysis

by Institute for Competitiveness
has found.
Infant mortality in Tamil Nadu is
the second lowest in the country, and
fertility rates are the lowest. Similarly,
crime rates against women and
children are among Indias lowest.
On the economic front, it has the
highest per capita income among
Indias large states and also more
factories than any other state in
the country.
The reason behind Tamil Nadus
stellar performance has been the
states public services, most of which
are universal in nature and among
the best in the country.
On the healthcare front, the state
has a clear commitment to free and
universal healthcare covering a wide
range of facilities and services. The
state has also set up a computerised
supply chain to ensure timely supply
of free medicines in all governmentrun clinics.
Tamil Nadu was also the first
state to introduce free and universal
midday meals in primary schools,
which became a model scheme for
the entire country. The states PDS
system, with timely distribution
and lower corruption, also became
a model for the country while
significantly impacting rural poverty
in the state.
The universalism of all public
amenities and schemes has played a
significant role in reducing leakages
and enhancing impact. As a result,
very few have been deprived of the
basic amenities of life in the state.
The political focus on healthcare

and education in Tamil Nadu is also
evident from the states per capita
expenditure in these areas, which is
one of the highest in the country. It
is also interesting to note that these
issues feature in election campaigns
in the state, in contrast with the rest
of the country.
It is evident that Jayalalithaa
is not solely responsible for all
the reasons that Tamil Nadu is
performing well. The positive social
and economic outcomes of the state
have to be attributed to an organised
political pressure that arises within a
healthy democracy.
Nevertheless, her initiatives like
Amma canteens that significantly
addressed issues of food insecurity
require exceptional political will.
Jayalalithaa managed to carve
out a model of development that
inculcated the best of both the
Gujarat and Kerala models. Issues
of corruption might still be pending
against her at the Supreme Court, but
the good in her political career needs
to be recognised and presented as an
alternate model of development for
the country as a whole.
The Tamil Nadu model shows
that a middle ground between the
Gujarat and Kerala models can be a
better pathway to development.
(The article is co-authored with
Chirag Yadav, a researcher at
the Institute for Competitiveness,
India, where Amit Kapoor is the
Chair. The views expressed are
personal.)
18
FIJI
Fiji calls for greater certainty for

ACP countries in lead-up to Brexit
T
T
he Fijian Minister for
Industry, Trade and Tourism,
Hon. Faiyaz Koya, has called
for immediate discussions on the
impact that the United Kingdoms
(UK) withdrawal from the European
Union (EU) will have on relationships
between the Africa, Caribbean and
Pacific Group of States (ACP), the
EU and the UK.
IMF commeds
Fijian Govts
cyclone recovery
efforts
He made the call when speaking

on behalf of Pacific ACP countries
at the ACP Ministerial Trade
Committee Meeting in Brussels.
Neither the EU nor the UK have
given clear positions on Brexit for the
ACP group to thoroughly analyse
and assess.
We have only been able to
speculate under the circumstances.
However, it remains an imperative
that ACP countries be able to

conduct assessments to determine
our most effective course of action in
advancing our relationships with the
EU and the UK, he said.
Minister Koya added that the high
dependence of some ACP countries,
Fiji included, on UK and EU markets
was a particular area of concern.
Fiji is a case in point in this regard,
as 45 per cent of our exports to the
EU were destined for the UK market

in 2015. In 2014, the UK market
accounted for an even higher 76 per
cent of Fijis exports to the EU, down
from a peak of 94 per cent in 2011.
So the UK market is very important
to Fiji and for other Pacific Island
countries, he said. O ur preference
is that current trade and economic
relationships are preserved as best
as possible.
Pooja in
top 24
of Miss
World
pageant
iss World Fiji Pooja

Priyankas
project
to build a sea wall at
Qelekuro Village in Tailevu as
part of her Beauty with Purpose
campaign for the Miss World
Pageant has landed her in the top
24 of the contest.
Miss World Fijis
captivating
video which
highlighted
the plight of
Fijians, in
particular
the villagers
f r o m
Qelekuro who
lost everything
post-severe Tropical
Cyclone Winston, left judges at the
pageant emotional.
Miss World Fiji pageant director
Andhy Blake said it was exciting
news for Miss World Fiji to be
recognised in the Beauty with
Purpose category.
Mr Blake said the category was
the most important category of the
pageant as it carried 80 per cent of
the total scores.
Speaking from Washington
recently Miss World Fiji said she
was happy her video was shortlisted for the final.
The final screening for all projects
will take place this week and a
winner will be announced during
the live finals on December 19.
Get
the
latest
buzz
@
www.
iwk.co.nz
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama with the EU President of the European Council, Donald Tusk. Photo: DEPTFO News
PM presses EU on Schengen visa status
rime
Minister
Voreqe
Bainimarama has raised
Fijis lack of visa free access
to Schengen countries amid a
wide-ranging discussion with the
President of the European Council,
Donald Tusk, on areas of mutual
interest between Fiji and the
European Union.
At the meeting, held in Brussels,
Prime
Minister
Bainimarama
requested urgent action be taken

to grant Fiji visa free access to the
Schengen zone, given that Fiji has
already met the requirements for
visa free travel and had submitted a
formal request to the EU in 2015.
He also cited the visa free status
already granted to many other Pacific
Island countries.
Prime Minister Bainimarama also
briefed Mr Tusk on Fijis plans as
President of the 23rd session of the

United Nations Conference of the
Parties on Climate Change (COP23), and sought EU support for
Fijis agenda.
President Tusk commended Fijis
rapid development, particularity the
work undertaken to reform Fijis
sugar industry, and assured the EUs
full support to Fiji through the EU
representative in Fiji, Andrew Jacobs.
he
Deputy
Managing
Director of the International
Monetary Fund (IMF), Mr
Tao Zhang, has praised the Fijian
governments reconstruction efforts
following Cyclone Winston as
quick
and
admirable
following
a
meeting with
AttorneyGeneral and
Minister for
Economy
Aiyaz Sayed
Tao Zhang
Khaiyum.
Mr Zhang
credited Fijis projected economic
growth rate of nearly 3 per cent
to governments recovery and
reconstruction policies that kept Fiji
on the right track.
During his meeting with the
Attorney-General, Mr Zhang was
updated on the progress of Cyclone
Winston rehabilitation and other
ongoing efforts by government to
diversify the Fijian economy.
At the meeting, held in Suva,
the
Attorney-General
outlined
potential investment opportunities
in tourism-related activities in Fiji,
such as recreational parks and highend shopping, along with in health,
housing and ICT development.
The AG also called for more
tailored training under IMF
programmes in the Pacific.
He said the geographic and
economic differences between Pacific
and Asian countries should be
considered, regardless of the fact that
these countries fall under the same
groupings within the IMF.
Mr Zhang will also visit school
reconstruction sites in Ba before
leaving for Vanuatu.
Fiji has sugar at heart, says PM

F
iji will not give up on its sugar
industry. A new action plan
will be put together to identify
what works, Prime Minister Voreqe
Bainimarama told a major industry
meeting in London.
While delivering remarks at the
50th Session of the International
Sugar Organisation Council in
London, Mr Bainimarama spoke
about the resilience of the industry in
the face of devastation by Category 5
Tropical Cyclone Winston.
The Fijian industry is undertaking
a review of its Sugar Action Plan
2013-2017 to identify what is
working and what is not. To find out
why certain targets havent been met
and what needs to be done to meet
them, he said.
And set new targets and time
lines, plus new policy guidelines and
investment plans, to take us forward.
All this will be included in a new
successor plan for the industry for the
next three to five years starting next
year 2017.
He said Fiji does not intend to give
up on sugar cane.
On the contrary, we intend to
continue with our programme to
modernise the industry, to embrace
new technology to improve our yields
Fiji PM Bainimarama acknowledged EU for assistance provided in rehabilitation post-Cylcone Winston
and give us the information we need

to make better planning decisions,
the PM said.
We must extract as much sugar
as we can from a single plant and
value add with new products and
by-products. We must build our
resilience to the threat to the industry
posed by climate change.
And we must constantly scan the
horizon for new markets and work as
hard as we can as an industry to give
those markets what they require.
Fijis aim, he said, was to reduce
the cost of production, maximise
revenue and ensure that the industry
remains viable and sustainable.
Because that is our ultimate duty

to Fijian people and especially those
who rely on sugar. That we provide
the industry with the right leadership
and all work as a team one people,
one industry as we move forward
together in challenging times.
Special mention to
European Unions
assistance to the industry
Mr Bainimarama made special
mention of the European Union for
assistance provided post-Winston in
rehabilitation efforts.
I especially want to acknowledge
the generosity of the European Union
and its member states in assisting our

agriculture sector, including sugar.
The EU has provided Fijithrough
direct budget supportthe sum of
10 million Euros for rehabilitation
and recovery.
Mr Bainimarama will travel to
Brussels for meetings this week with
European officialsincluding the
President of the European Council,
Donald Tusk.
As you all know, our preferential
access to the European market for
sugar draws to a close towards the
end of the next year. And we also
appreciate the assistance that the
European Union is providing to Fiji
to make that transition less painful.
INDIA
19
Congress dubs demonetisation biggest

scam, Jaitley says look whos talking
he Congress on Tuesday, December 13,

stepped up its attack on the government
over demonetisation, dubbing the move
as the biggest scam.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the
stand on the anti-graft measure taken by the
opposition party with a scandalous record
was not surprising.
The Congress launched a coordinated
attackwith party leaders Rahul Gandhi
in Uttar Pradesh and P. Chidambaram in
Nagpuragainst Prime Minister Narendra
Modis move to scrap high value currency notes.
Gandhi, addressing traders and commoners
in Dadri in Uttar Pradesh near Delhi, said the
real motive behind the demonetisation exercise
was to enable the banks collect enough money
so they could waive off the loans given to the big
corporates and industrialists.
The motive is to flush the banks with your
money. These banks have given out loans
to the tune of Rs 8 lakh crore to corporates
and industrialists, the Congress Vice
President said.
Gandhi accused Modi of behaving like
kings who just want to speak.
He said the Prime Minister had misled the
nation by claiming that the economic crisis
triggered by the spiking of 500- and 1,000-rupee
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley addressing the reporters in New Delhi
notes would be over in 50 days. India will

suffer because of this for several years.
Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram
told reporters in Nagpur that the demonetisation
was the biggest scam of the year and
demanded a probe into how some people were
getting loads of cash in new denomination
of Rs 2,000 when the poor were scrambling
for cash in serpentine queues outside banks
and ATMs.
I cant get a Rs 2,000 note, yet crores

in Rs 2,000 notes found their way to
individuals being raided all over the country,
Chidambaram said.
He said the demonetisation was thoughtless
move and the government was trivialising a
major blow to Indias economy
Jaitley shot back, saying the Congresss
tenures of government between 2004 and 2014
were mired in corruption and graft.
Read my lips: Rahul says

PM Modi is corrupt
fter threatening an earth-shattering

disclosure on demonetisation earlier,
Congress Vice President Rahul
Gandhi on Wednesday, December 14, said he
wanted to expose Prime Minister Narendra
Modis personal complicity in corruption but
a terrified government didnt let him speak
in Parliament.
Though the Prime Minister and his office
didnt react to the remarks, the government
dismissed the baseless allegations as a sign
of desperation by the Congress.
Gandhi didnt make the proof public. He
insisted he wanted to explode the bombshell
in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing winter
session that has been almost completely
washed away in opposition protests against the
governments November 8 move to ban Rs 500
and Rs 1,000 notes to combat corruption and
black money.
Read my lips. The Prime Minister is
personally terrified with the information that
I have. I have information on the personal
corruption of the Prime Minister, Gandhi told
reporters after the Lok Sabha was adjourned
for the day without conducting any business
the way it has been since the session began on
November 16.
The session ends on Friday, December 16.
If I speak, his (Modis) balloon will burst. He
is scared. The government is scared of the
information I have.
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi
Thus, they (the government) are not allowing

me to speak in Parliament. Let us speak in
the Lok Sabha. We will reveal everything.
The
Gandhi
scion
also
dubbed
demonetisation as Modis personal decision
... taken against the poor of the country
(that) has destroyed millions of lives.
The Congress leader was joined by other
opposition leaders, including Trinamool
Congresss Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Marxist P.
Karunakaran and Nationalist Congress Partys

Tariq Anwar, in cornering the government.
Gandhi last week said an earthquake will
come if he was allowed to speak in the Lok
Sabha about the biggest scam committed by
Narendra Modi single handedly
The BJP fielded an array of its
leaders
to
counter
the
allegations.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister and senior
BJP leader H.N. Ananth Kumar alleged
that some Congress leaders were acting as
commission agent to exchange old currency
notes for new at the party headquarters.
Kumar was referring to a sting operation by
a news channel showing some politicians,
including those from the Congress,
being involved in money laundering.
Gandhi is making baseless allegations.
He should instead apologise to the nation,
said Kumar, accusing the opposition of
sabotaging the entire winter session
of Parliament.
He said that if the Congress had information
to share with Parliament, Gandhi could
have done it when the House was in session.
Human Resource Development Minister
Prakash Javadekar said, Rahulji, we want
you to speak. When you do, you expose
the Congress, so we want you to speak.
BJP spokesperson G.V.L. Narasimha Rao
said that Rahul Gandhi is making a joke of
himself every time he speaks.
From 2G scandal to coal block,

AgustaWestland helicopter deal, each of the
scandals, which is even today discussed in
public space, belongs to that period.
'Given this scandalous record, it is not
surprising that the Congress is extremely
uncomfortable with the anti-corruption
campaign our government has launched,
Jaitley said.
The Finance Minister said the government is
rapidly completing remonetisation exercise.
Everyday RBI is injecting a large amount of
currency into the banking system. Significant
amounts are going to be injected in next
three weeks which are gradually bringing the
pressure down.
Citing the advantages of the move, Jaitley
said the money operating as loose cash in the
system had come into the banking system, and
as future transactions would be substantially
digital and would come in the tax net, it would
ultimately help the government to make taxes
more reasonable.
When this is seen along with many other
reforms the government is bringing about,
particularly the proposed GST, the restrictions
on cash spending subjected to PAN declaration,
in itself is going to bring down the levels of
corruption in society, he said.
Cabinet approves
agreement to improve
rural development
programmes
he Union Cabinet, chaired by

Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
on Wednesday, December 14,
approved agreement between Ministry
of Rural Development and Food and
Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to
improve the effectiveness of rural
development programmes and to facilitate
knowledge sharing.
An inter-governmental MoU on Joint
Technical and South-South Cooperation
to provide a framework for collaboration
will be signed between Ministry of Rural
Development (MoRD) and FAO, said a
cabinet communique.
The agreement will facilitate SouthSouth cooperation mechanisms around
Deendayal Antyodaya YojanaNational
Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM)s
experience through exchange visits and
dialogues, and establishment of a goodpractice Learning Centre.
It will strengthen the vertical upscaling
of the livelihoods of rural populations
that are supported by DAY-NRLM, help
to develop inclusive and sustainable value
chains for key crops and agro-industrial
products, employment diversification and
skills development, it added.
More than 93% of TCS shareholders oust Mistry as Director
ore than 93 per cent shareholders

of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
voted to oust Cyrus Mistry as the
Director of the company.
According to a regulatory filing with the
stock exchanges, 93.11 per cent of TCS
shareholders voted Mistry out of its board
of directors in an extra-ordinary general
meeting (EGM) held on Tuesday, December
13. However, the ousted Chairman of Tata
Sons termed the development as a big

moral victory.
Almost 20 per cent of shareholders of TCS
that accounts for more than 70 per cent of
non promoter shareholders supported Cyrus
by voting against the resolution or abstained
(expressing their disapproval of the promoter
actions), Mistrys office said in a statement.
On November 10, TCS had appointed Ishaat
Hussain as its new Chairman of the board of
directors of the company in place of Mistry.

Tata Sons had also issued a special notice under
Section 169 (read with Section 115) of the
Companies Act, 2013, and made a requisition
for an EGM of shareholders to consider the
removal of Mistry as the director of TCS.
The ouster comes a day after Tata Industries
removed Mistry from its board of directors.
The company had taken the decision at its
EGM held on Monday, December 12.
Tata Industries is a non-listed subsidiary of

Tata Sons. Several Tata companies, including
Tata Motors, Tata Power and Tata Steel, hold
equity in the firm.
Tata Sons had earlier asked Mistry to step
down from the boards of Tata companies
after it removed Mistry as its chairman on
October 24 and appointed Ratan Tata as the
interim Chairman.
20
INDIA
16 December 2016| www.iwk.co.nz
India ready to talk on

D
Indus waters issue
Delhi International Airport

launches e-shopping platform
elhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) on Tuesday, December

13, said it has launched an airport e-shopping platform
www.shopflydel.into improve the experience of airport shopping
among the domestic travellers. According to DIAL, travellers will have
access to over 20 categories of products through this online shopping portal,
such as beauty, confectionery, fashion, souvenirs, and pens, sold across
Terminal 3 and Terminal 1 domestic outlets.
Shopflydel.in creates a niche market for Delhi Airport in the e-commerce
space, said DIAL CEO I. Prabhakara Rao. The airport operator said
travellers can book products upto 12 hours before their flight through
this facility. With this unique facility in place, one can book product(s)
of his choice from 30 days upto 12 hours before his flight in three simple
stepsClick-Pick-Fly, it said in a statement. The airport operator has been
actively promoting various digital initiatives at the Delhi Airport with an
intention to leverage technology for passenger experience and operational
efficiency, which include self check-in kiosks, self-bag drop facility, mobile
app-flyDEL, flap gates and mobile data offloading facility.
ndia on Tuesday, December 13,

said that it is ready to engage
in further consultations on
matters relating to the waters of
the Indus river basin in relation to
Pakistan after the World Bank took
a decision that is seemingly in New
Delhis favour.
External
Affairs
Ministry
spokesperson Vikas Swarup said
that India remains fully conscious
of its international obligations
and is ready to engage in further
consultations on the matter of
resolving
current
differences
regarding the Kishenganga and
Ratle hydroelectric power projects.
The World Bank Group announced
a pause in the separate processes
initiated by India and Pakistan
under the 1960 Indus Waters
Treaty to allow the two countries to
consider alternative ways to resolve
their disagreements.
According to a statement issued by
the World Bank, the announcement
temporarily halts the appointment
of a neutral expert, as requested
by India, and the chairman of the
Court of Arbitration as requested by
Pakistan, to resolve issues regarding
the two power plants under
construction by India along the Indus
rivers system.
We are announcing this pause
to protect the Indus Waters Treaty
and to help India and Pakistan
consider alternative approaches to
resolving conflicting interests under
the Treaty and its application to two
hydroelectric power plants, said
World Bank Group President Jim
Yong Kim.
Tata Sons hikes stake in Tata Motors
World Bank said the Indus Waters Treaty, 1960, is seen as one of the most
successful international treaties and has withstood frequent tensions between
India and Pakistan, including conflict
This is an opportunity for the

two countries to begin to resolve the
issue in an amicable manner and
in line with the spirit of the treaty
rather than pursuing concurrent
processes that could make the treaty
unworkable over time. I would hope
that the two countries will come to an
agreement by the end of January,
he added.
The pause was announced by Kim
in letters to the Finance Ministers
of India and Pakistan, stressing that
the Bank was acting to safeguard
the treaty. Following the September
18 cross-border terror attack on
an army base at Uri in Jammu and
Kashmir that claimed the lives of 19
Indian soldiers, New Delhi said that
it would consider revisiting the Indus
Waters Treaty that was brokered by
the World Bank. India has blamed
the Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaishe-Mohammed for the Uri attack.
According to the agreement,

India has control over three eastern
riversBeas, Ravi and Sutlejall
flowing from Punjab.
Pakistan, as per the treaty, controls
the western rivers of the Indus,
Chenab and Jhelum that flow from
Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and
Kashmir has been demanding a
review of the treaty as it robs the
state of its rights to use the water of
the rivers.
The current processes under the
treaty concern the Kishenganga
(330 MW) and Ratle (850 MW)
hydroelectric power plants, being
built by India on the Kishenganga
and Chenab rivers respectively.
The Indus Waters Treaty was
seen as one of the most successful
international treaties and has
withstood
frequent
tensions
between India and Pakistan,
including conflict.
Cyclone Vardah leaves debris,

damage in Tamil Nadu
hennai
residents
woke
up to uprooted trees/big
branches blocking the roads,
fallen name boards and hoardings,
damaged walls and vehicles under
fallen trees, power cuts and lack of
milk supplies on Tuesday, December
13, a day after Cyclone Vardah
ripped through the city and killed 16.
The cyclone also damaged over
7,000 huts and power infrastructure
with Tamil Nadu government asking
for Rs 1,000 crore for relief and
reconstruction. While the cyclonehit residents have now become
accustomed to closed ATMs, many
hoteliers and shopkeepers declined
to accept card payments citing nonworking point of sale terminals
owing to network failure.
There was no power at home and
no milk. So we decided to go to a
hotel and have brunch. However, the
hotel said they are not accepting card
payments as the swipe machine was
not working. We had to come back
home to have a home-cooked meal,
K. Muralidharan, a public sector
employee said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister
O.Panneerselvam in a late night
statement said the cyclone killed 16
and announced a solatium of Rs
400,000 each to their families.
Cyclone Vardah leaves trail of destruction in Tamil Madu
He had also requested Prime

Minister Narendra Modi to release
a sum of Rs.1,000 crore as on
account payment from the National
Disaster Response Fund for relief
and reconstruction activities.
Panneerselvam told Modi that
more than 10,000 electric poles have
been mangled and more than 800
transformers damaged in Chennai,
Kanchipuram and Thiruvallur
districts. People in the residential
localities after being awed by the
damage caused by the cyclone started
cleaning their compound of fallen
trees, leaves and other muck that was
blown by the cyclonic winds.
It is as if we are in the midst of
a forest, quipped A. Viswanath,
a businessman surveying the fallen
trees in his locality.
Over 12,000 trees were felled by
cyclone in Chennai and its suburbs.
In the Chennai city alone it was over

4,000 trees. According to citizens, the
number could be much more if one
takes into account the trees inside the
residential compounds and the parks.
Around
200
students
of
Ramakrishna Mission Home in
Chennai actively lent a helping hand
to the residents of different localities
by clearing the trees fallen on
the roads.
The cyclone has affected power
generation at North Chennai
Thermal Power Stations (NCTPS)
600 MW Unit 1, the Power System
Operation
Corporation
Ltd
(POSOCO) said.
Cyclone Vardah is the first natural
disaster after O. Panneerselvam took
over as the state Chief Minister and
the administration seems to have
passed the acid test, people felt.
ata Sons this week hiked its stake in automobile major Tata Motors.
According to information with stock exchanges, Tata Sons bought
five crore shares worth Rs 486.13 per share.
At the end of the last quarter on September 30, Tata Sons held 26.98
per cent stake in the company, while the complete promoter group had a
holding of 33.01 per cent in Tata Motors. The shares of Tata Motors on
the BSE gained 3.48 per cent to close at Rs 470.35 from previous close of Rs
454.55. The consolidation in Tata Sons stake in its automobile subsidiary
comes after Tata Motors called an extra-ordinary general meeting (EGM)
on December 22 to decide whether or not to remove Tata Sons ousted
Chairman Mistry as a Director from its board.
Tata Sons had earlier asked Mistry to follow his own assertions on
corporate governance and step down from the boards of Tata companies
Banks told to incentive digital

payments, transactions
s part of the Digital India campaign and to promote cashless

transactions across the country, Union Electronics and IT Minister
Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday, December 13, urged banks to
incentivise digital payments. At a meeting in New Delhi, Prasad said, The
ministry is taking initiatives to offer better technology products and user
friendliness to inform, educate and enable citizens on digital transactions.
Exhorting state-run and private sector banks to become change agents
of Digital India, the minister said uniform branding would help create
awareness in the public on availability of digital transactions with merchants.
He also urged the banks to identify large mandis to encourage adoption of
digital transactions in line with the governments priority to promote digital
payment transactions Electronics and IT Secretary Aruna Sundarajan who
was also present said that banks should work towards making Unstructured
Supplementary Service Data (USSD) a preferable and convenient mode of
digital payments, especially for Jan-Dhan account holders
India, Indonesia seek to tie to

comprehensive strategic
partnership
ollowing Prime Minister Narendra Modis talks with Indonesian

President Joko Widodo, India and Indonesia have sought to elevate
the bilateral relationship to a New Comprehensive Strategic
Partnership, according to the Vision Document 2025, the details of which
were released by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi on Tuesday,
December 13. It stated that in the 20th century, India and Indonesia
were among the first nations to declare independence after World War
II, initiated the Afro-Asian and Non-Aligned Movements, and actively
promoted multilateralism, decolonisation, disarmament and North-South
dialogue as well as South-South cooperation. Indonesia is among the largest
of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) regional
grouping, which is the focus of New Delhis Act East Policy.
The bid to elevate this relationship is significant following India elevating
its relationship with another Southeast Asian nation, Vietnam, Strategic
Partnership to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, during Modis visit
there in September this year.
Bathinda gets new airport, flight
athinda town in south-west Punjab on Sunday, December 11,

became the latest place in the country to get air connectivity with
the start of a new flight connecting it with New Delhi.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju inaugurated the
newly built civil air terminal at Bathinda airport and the flight for DelhiBathinda-Delhi sector. The first flight, operated by Air India Regional,
landed at the airport on Sunday. The flight was welcomed with fire engines
spraying water on it.
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Union Food
Processing Industries Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who is the MP from
Bathinda, were also present. Sukhbir Badal said that the Adampur airport
had also been approved by the Union government and efforts were on to get
the clearance for Ludhiana and Pathankot also.
He said that the Delhi-Amritsar-Birmingham flight has also been
accorded sanction by the Union government which would provide a direct
link from Amritsar to Britain. Bathinda is about 230 km from Chandigarh.
Trump appoints PepsiCo CEO Indra
Nooyi to strategic, policy forum
Arul Louis
alling her one of the

pioneering
CEOs,
President-elect Donald Trump
appointed PepsiCo Chairman Indra
Nooyi on Wednesday, December 14,
to the Presidents Strategic and Policy
Forum that will consult with him on
implementing his economic agenda.
America has the most innovative
and vibrant companies in the world,
and the pioneering CEOs joining this
Forum today are at the top of their
fields, Trump said.
My administration is going to
work together with the private sector
to improve the business climate and
make it attractive for firms to create
new jobs across the United States
from Silicon Valley to the heartland.
The forum is headed by Stephen
Schwarzman, the CEO of the
My
administration is going
to work together with the
private sector to improve
the business climate and
make it attractive for
firms to create new jobs
across the United States
from Silicon Valley to the
heartland
Indra Nooyi
investment company Blackstone and

includes Jack Welch, the former CEO
of General Electric, and CEOs Elon
Musk of SpaceX and Tesla, Ubers

Travis Kalanick; Jamie Dimon of
Chase and Mary Barra of General
Motors. Trumps transition team said
that forum members will give Trump
their views on government policy,

job-creation and productivity in a
frank, non-bureaucratic and nonpartisan manner.
Nooyi heads a multinational with
an annual revenue of $63 billion that
employs 110,000 people.
A graduate of Madras Christian
College in Chennai, she has
management degrees from the
Indian Institute of Management in
Kolkata and Yale University.
Earlier Trump had appointed
Shalabh Kumar, the chair of the
Republican Hindu Coalition, to
the transition finance and the
inauguration teams. The finance
team members review prospects for
administration positions and make
recommendations to Trump. The
inauguration team organises the
festivities for Trumps swearing in as
president on January 20.
Vancouver-based band to reveal hidden world

of bhangra in a documentary
Natalia Ningthoujam
fter shooting a video

in
Mumbais
Dharavi,
considered Asias largest
slum, Vancouver-based world music
group Delhi 2 Dublin, that comprises
a mix of Canadians and IndoCanadians, is set to put the spotlight
on the hidden world of bhangra in
their upcoming documentary.
The electronic pop-bhangra fusion
band launched the official music
video of Were All Desi, shot with
the local cast and crew in Dharavi
slum earlier this year. Now, they
are working on a documentary on
bhangraa genre of Punjabi dance
and music.
At the moment, we are shooting
a documentary on the hidden world
of bhangra. Trying to shed light on
this subculture of Punjabi music in
Vancouver that has such deep roots
here (India), and also in the UK.
Well be travelling to Punjab later this
month, Tarun Nayar, the bands DJ
and tabla player, said in an interview.
The band, which also consists of
Sanjay Seran, Ravi Binning, James
Hussain and Serena Eades, will show
India in a good light. But generally,
when international filmsincluding
Oscar-winner Slumdog Millionaire
choose India as a backdrop, the focus
is on poverty or other social evils.
How does such representation of the

country affect him? Nayar says that,
as the children of Indian immigrants
to North America, we take issue
with the systemic misrepresentation
of Indian culture in mainstream
western media.
Its so annoying! Were vocal
about it both in our music and in
our online and real-life personas.
And its not just Indian culture that
is fetishised and exotified for easy
consumption of the mainstream
it is all narratives outside the
conventional white, straight-male
perspective, he said.
Talking about Were All Desi, he
said the video was the brainchild of
videographer Kedar Sonigra. So, any

Bollywood dreams?
We are working on a small
Bollywood project. Loving it,
he said.
Right now, they are pumpedup about their Indian tour, which
will conclude on December 17 in
Bengaluru. So excited. After our
trip to India last year, which included
SulaFest and Jaipur Lit fest, we
just couldnt wait to come back,
said Nayar.
And their fans in India must be
overjoyed as Delhi 2 Dublin is not
restricted to just one genre.
esearcher
Minhajuddin
Sirajuddin from the Institute
for Stem Cell Biology and
Regenerative Medicine (inStem)
in Bengaluru has become the
first scientist from India to join
the European Molecular Biology
Organization
(EMBO)
Young
Investigator Programme network,
a statement said on Saturday,
December 10.
Minhajuddin Sirajuddin from

Bengaluru is the first young life
scientist to be nominated for
the EMBO Young Investigator
Programme, EMBO said in
a statement.
At a launch event in February
2016, European Molecular Biology
Conference (EMBC), EMBO and
Indias Department of Biotechnology
signed a cooperation agreement,
under which India became an
and jointly explore new ideas, the

EMBC Associate Member State.
statement said.
Nearly one year on, the
partnership is picking
EMBO announced the
Nearly
up momentum, with
selection of 25 young
one year on, the
Indian scientists
researchers as EMBO
partnership is picking
benefiting from
Young Investigators.
up momentum, with
the full range
The new Young
Indian scientists benefiting
of
EMBO
Investigators
from the full range of EMBO
programmes in programmes in order to forge represent
11
order to forge
different countries,
international collaborations
inter national
including
India
and jointly explore
collaborations
new ideas.
Members of Delhi 2 Dublin band based in Vancouver
Weve never been too concerned

about fitting into a genre or getting
radio or TV play. I guess, from the
outset our music was so weird that
those things werent an option for us.
So we just make whatever music
we like. Ranging from really folky to
really electronic. And over the years,
as weve grown, so too have our tastes
and the music we represent.
He says the band, which was
formed 10 years ago, didnt really
strategically pick any form, but agrees
they have a strong bhangra influence
as 2.5 of our members are Punjabi.
INDIA ABROAD
21
Indian teens get

$100K prizes
in Siemens
science contest
Identical twin sisters Adhya and

Shriya Beesam
ndian origin identical twin

sisters and another teen
got $100,000 grand prize
scholarships in the 17th annual
Siemens Math, Science and
Technology Competition with their
medical projects.
Adhya and Shriya Beesam
shared the grand prize for teams
in the competition finals on
December 13 for their project
developing a method for early
diagnoses of schizophrenia using
both brain scans and psychiatric
evaluations. Both of them are 11th
grade students in Plano, Texas.
Vineet Edupuganti took the
individual grand prize with a
biodegradable battery that can be
used to power medical devices.
It is for use in devices that can
be swallowed to diagnose and
track conditions affecting internal
organs. He is a final year high
school student in Portland in
Oregon state.
David Etzwiler, CEO of the
Siemens Foundation, said the
Beesam twins and Edupuganti are
poised to transform the lives of
millions around the globe by helping
us advance medical knowledge and
technologies designed to diagnose
and treat various diseases.
Three Indian origin teens took
other prizes in the individual
category and two others shared a
team prize.
In the individual category
scholarship awards, high school
final year students Manan Shah
of Los Altos, California, received
$50,000; Prateek Kalakuntla from
Plano, Texas, got $30,000, and
Pranav Sivakumar, of Tower Lakes,
Illinois, picked up $20,000.
Nikhil Cheerla, a high school
final year student, and Anika
Cheerla, a tenth grade student, from
Cupertino in California shared the
$50,000 scholarship team prize.
In the competition sponsored by
the Siemens Foundation, 2,146
school students participated with
1,600 projects.
Indian researcher nominated to European

investigator programme
R
for the first time. The programme

provides support for researchers
under forty years of age who have set
up their first laboratories in the past
four years.
During their three-year tenure,
EMBO Young Investigators receive a
range of benefits, including an award
of 15,000 euros and the opportunity
to apply for additional funds to
support the establishment of their
first independent laboratories.
22
SPORTS
Pankaj Advani wins World
Billiards Championships title

A
ce Indian cueistPankaj Advaniwon his

11th World Billiards (150-Up format)
Championships title by beatingPeter
Gilchristof Singapore in the summit clash on
Monday, December 12.
Advani
beat
multiple
world
championGilchristby six games to three in a
gripping final contest to wrap up his 16th world
title overall.
Coming into the finals with right frame
of mind after defeating Myanmars Aung
Htay in the semifinals, Advani scripted a
convincing victory over his Singapore-based
British opponent.
The Indian champion beat Gilchrist 151
(98)-33, 150 (97)-95, 124-150, 101 (98)-150 (89),
150 (87)-50, 152-37, 86 (86)-150, 151 (110)-104,
150 (88)-15.
In contrast to his semifinal match, where he
posted century break points in all the games,
Advani was satisfied with going for short break
points to put pressure on his rival.
Advani posted his only century break of 110
in the eighth game of the match,
Advani
which almost dashed the
beat
hopes of Gilchrist to win
multiple
world
the title as he trailed 3-5
championGilchristby
against the Indian cueist.
six games to three in a
Advani began on a
gripping final contest to
strong note by pocketing
wrap up his 16th world
Ace Indian cueistPankaj Advaniwon his 11th World Billiards (150-Up format) Championships title
the first two games, 150
title overall
points against 33 and 150
sixth game helped Advani to take a 4-2 lead
hopes of Gilchrist by posting a thumping 150
against 95.
over his opponent, but could not sustain it as he
against 15 points, and laid claim to his eleventh
However, Gilchrist bounced back
lost the seventh game after Gilchrist broke twice
world billiards championship. Earlier, Advani
in the next two games by winning 150 points
with 86 and 53 break points.
had beaten Htay 5-0 in the morning to storm
against 124 and 150 against 101, after he
into the finals while Gilchrist defeated Indias
Eighth and ninth games belonged to Advani,
engineered 112 and 89 break points in third
Dhvaj Haria 5-1 in another semi-final.
especially the final one, as he shattered the
and fourth games. The 79-break point in the
Singapore Airlines 2017 to India (Blackout dates apply)

(NEW DELHI / MUMBAI / KOCHI)
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One-way Fares starting from NZD 595*
Return Fares starting from NZD1090*
Sales ends on 19 December 2016.
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(CHENNAI / MUMBAI / HYDERABAD/BANGALORE / DHAKA /

NEW DELHI / COLOMBO)
Economy return fares starting from NZD 999*
Departures between 16 Jan to 31 Oct 17.
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(AMD, BLR, BOM, CCU, COK, DEL, HYD, MAA, TRV)

Economy Return Fares starting from 1199*
Departures between 01 Feb to 18 May 17.
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Ronaldo wins his

4th Ballon dOr
eal Madrids Cristiano Ronaldo has

been named as the winner of the 2016
Ballon dOr for the fourth time, second
only to five-time recipient Lionel Messi.
The Portuguese internationals first golden
ball came in 2008, before Manchester United
sold him to the Blancos for $132 million, EFE
news reported.
Ronaldo scored 51 goals in 54 games this
year while leading Real Madrid to their record
11th Champions League trophy and Portugal
to its first European Championship.
The 31-year-old striker was not on hand for
the ceremony held in Paris on December 12,
as Real Madrid are in Japan this week for the
semifinals of the Club World Cup.
This has been the best year of my career
from both a team and individual level,
Ronaldo said in an interview recorded earlier
at the Santiago Bernabeu. To win the title
for Portugal was what was left to achieve
on my resume and it was one of the most
important moments.
But to win Champions League as well with
Real Madrid was huge, he said, surrounded by
the 11 trophies the team has won in Europes
elite club competition. This is a dream come
true and it is the fourth time. I feel very proud.
This win is for my teammates in both the club
and the national team. It is incredible to earn
this trophy again, Ronaldo said.
Presented by the magazine France Football,
the Ballon dOr has been awarded every year
since 1956.
Messi, whose Bara squad won La Liga and
the Copa del Rey came second in the voting
for the Ballon dOr, followed by Antoine
Griezmann of Champions League finalist
Atletico Madrid.
FUN ZONE
23
Answers to last week's puzzles
Sudoku
6 2
5
9
2
8
6 3
Animal Word Scamble Answer
1. Bird
2. Dog
3. Donkey
4. Giraffe
5. Alligator
6. Cat
7.Horse
1
5
3 6
1 9
4
6
1
9
4
Large print sudoku from largeprintpuzzles.com
Crossword
15. Dolphine
16. Gorilla
17. Mouse
18. Tiger
19. Rabbit
20. Rat
8. Lion
9.Monkey
10. bee
11. Duck
12. Frog
13. Elephant
14. Crocodile
Questions - Word Scramble

1. TROACR
2. IPE
3. TIURF
4. OCABN
5. EECHSE
6. LPPAE
7. EDARB
8. GBELTVEEA
9. NDCAY
10. RCIE
11. AAANNB
12. OOMTTA
13. TTCLUEE
14. NRCO
15. OAOTPT
16. TARYREBWSR
17. AHGRMRUBE
18. AOGERN
19. PAIZZ
20. UOPS
Riddles
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
Q: What has a foot but no legs?

A: A snail
Q: Poor people have it. Rich people need it. If
you eat it you die. What is it?
A: Nothing
Q: What comes down but never goes up?
A: Rain
Q: I'm tall when I'm young and I'm short when
I'm old. What am I?
A: A candle
Q: Mary's father has 5 daughters Nana,
Nene, Nini, Nono. What is the fifth daughters
name?
A: If you answered Nunu, you are wrong.
It's Mary!
Q: How can a pants pocket be empty and
still have something in it?
A: It can have a hole in it.
Q: In a one-story pink house, there was a
pink person, a pink cat, a pink fish, a pink
computer, a pink chair, a pink table, a pink
telephone, a pink shower everything was
pink! What colour were the stairs?
A: There weren't any stairs, it was a one
story house!
Q: A dad and his son were riding their bikes
and crashed. Two ambulances came and
took them to different hospitals. The man's
son was in the operating room and the
doctor said, I can't operate on you. You're
my son. How is that possible?
A: The doctor is his mom!
Q: What goes up when rain comes down?
A: An umbrella!
Q: What is the longest word in the dictionary?
A: Smiles, because there is a mile between
each s
Q: If I drink, I die. If i eat, I am fine. What am I?
A: A fire!
Q: Throw away the outside and cook the
inside, then eat the outside and throw away
the inside. What is it?
A: Corn on the cob, because you throw
away the husk, cook and eat the kernels,
and
throw
away the cob.
Q: What word becomes shorter

when you add two letters to it?
A: Short
Q: What travels around the world but stays
in one spot?
A: A stamp!
Q: What occurs once in a minute, twice in a
moment and never in one thousand years?
A: The letter M
Q: What has 4 eyes but can't see?
A: Mississippi
24
FEATURES
Scientific reasons for visiting temples

Devika Rani | devika@e-puja.co.nz
isiting temples is customary for most

Hindus. It is ingrained in our lifestyle.
In India, prolific temple building
started more than 2,500 years ago. In South
India alone, there are more than 108,000
temples. Visiting temples is not just to get divine
blessings and to find peace; there are several
other benefits, too.
Activation of the senses
here are several benefits and meanings for

the various rituals conducted in temples.
Not only are the rituals established to offer
prayers to the almighty but it also specifically
activates the various senses or indriyas in
the body.
the sense of sight. The idol also absorbs the

heat and sharp aroma of the camphor flame.
Taking aarthi
Doing pradakshina
The location and structure
emples are built on vaasthu principles

at a place where positive energy
isavailableabundantly from the magnetic and
electric waves of north and south poles. The idol
of the deity is set in the sanctum sanctorum of
the temple known as garbhagriha or moolasthanam
where the Earths magnetic waves are extreme.
Walking barefoot inside the temple
Ringing the bell
efore entering the moolasthanam, where

the main idol is placed, the ringing of
the brass bell produces a sound that creates
unity in the left and right parts of the brain.
The loud and high-pitched sound reverberates
for a minimum of seven seconds. This sound
is known to activate the seven fundamental or
healing chakras in the body. The sound of the
bell dispels negative thoughts from the human
mind and is absorbed by the idol and vibrated
for a certain amount of time.
Lighting of camphor
emples are known to project pure

vibrations of magnetic and electric fields
with positive energy. In the olden days, temples
were built with stone floors. Devotees walked
barefoot inside the temple so their bodies could
absorb the positive vibrations from the temple
through their feet.
he moolasthanam of ancient temples is often

dark. You usually close your eyes to pray and
when youopenyour
eyes, you can see the
camphor that was
lit during the aarthi.
The bright light of
the burning camphor
seen in the dark
surrounding activates
December 16 to 22 | By Manisha Koushik

Aries (Mar 21-Apr 20)
So much had been planned for implementing in
the past few weeks but now you can start to have
second thoughts because of the difficulties involved.
The best way to achieve your aim would be to hire
expertise and delegate responsibilities. Someone
in the family may desire to pursue some course or
hobby that you are not exactly in favour of, but it will
be in your interest to give in. Love and romance may
pale if kept out in the cold for long, so do something
about it.
is believed to cure sore throat,cold,cough,and

respiratory problems as well as reduce the
formation of kidney stones.
he priest brings the camphor to the devotees

after the aarthi. You then take the deitys
blessings by placing your hands gently over the
camphor. This makes your hands warm and
then you touch your eyes. This activates your
sense of touch.
Offering flowers to the deity
lowers produce a beautiful fragrance and

are soft to touch. Only specific flowers are
used for puja such as rose petals, jasmine, and
marigold based on different factors, but the
most important one is fragrance. The combined
fragrance of the flower, camphor, and incense
sticks has the strong essence to activate your
sense of smell and also calm the mind.
Drinking theertham
he water used for theertham would usually

contain tulsi leaves dipped in water and
must be stored in a silver or a copper vessel.
According toAyurveda, water stored in a
copper vessel has the ability to balance all
the threedoshasin your body and does so
by positively charging the water. By drinking
theertham, the sense of taste is activated. Theertham
fter performing all the rituals, you have

to walk around the idol in a clockwise
direction for nine times. Pradakshina literary
means the right side in Sanskrit.
The idol of the deity inside the garbhagriha
absorbs all the energy from the rituals and
radiates positive energy. When you do the
pradakshina, you tend to absorb all these positive
vibrations once the five senses are activated. It
is advised to visit the temples often and follow
the same rituals to get prolonged benefits to the
body and mind.
Use of kumkum and tilak
ur scriptures tell us that the spot between

the eyebrows has to be protected with a
tilak or kumkum, as this is a major nerve point.
This helps to retain energy in the human body
and control the various levels of concentration.
While applyingkumkum,the points on the midbrow region and adnya-chakra are automatically
pressed. This also facilitates the blood supply to
the face muscles.
Offerings to the deity
t is recommended to use only bananas and

coconuts during puja. These are considered
pure and untainted, as they do not grow
from seeds. The coconut tree grows from the
sapling from a full coconut and the banana tree
grows from an offshoot from the roots of the
main tree. This is the reason why coconut and
banana have an important place in all religious
activities. Our ancestors had discovered these
thousands of years ago and this system is still
followed today.
Courtesy: e-puja.co.nz
Manisha Koushik is a practicing astrologer, tarot card reader,

numerologist, vastu and fengshui consultant based in India with a
global presence through the online channels. She is available for
consultations online as well. E-mail her at support@askmanisha.
com or contact at +91-11-26449898 Mobile/Whatsapp:
+919015607139 www.askmanisha.com
Cancer (Jun 22-Jul 20)

You are likely to gain popularity on the social
front because of something unique that you have
achieved. You can feel attracted to someone, and
the good part is that this attraction will be mutual.
Some of you can plan a short break just to enjoy the
season. A property is likely to be yours soon. Getting
an old building renovated is possible. Efforts will
be required, if you want to make your mark on the
academic front. Dont leave anything pending on the
work front.
Libra (Sep 24-Oct 23)

A medical problem making life difficult for some is
set to disappear through a new line of treatment. It
is better to get certain things approved by higher
ups before going ahead with a project on the
professional front. Repayment of a loan can keep
your financial position a bit tight, but you will get
used to it. A relation or a family friend can come and
stay with you for a few days. Those seeking love can
get attracted to someone soon.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 21)

Romantic thoughts and longing for a partner may
make you focus on love. There is a possibility of
taking a short break by travelling to someplace
exotic. Those planning to buy property are likely
to get a good bargain. A hectic social event may
leave you tired and fatigued. There will be mistakes
galore in an assignment submitted by you at work.
Performance on the academic front can remain
below expectations. It may be difficult to get your
money back from someone you had loaned to.
Lucky number: 11 / Lucky colour: Lavender
Lucky number: 17 / Lucky colour: Gray
Lucky number: 5 / Lucky colour: Sea green
Taurus (Apr 21-May 20)

This is a good period to take a step forward on the
professional front. Your style of functioning is likely
to impress those who matter. Someone may be
instrumental in opening new avenues for earning
for you. A malady that had posed problems for you
on the health front is likely to disappear for good.
You may seek out someone special on the romantic
front. This is a good time to visit someone who can
be of help to you in the future.
Leo (Jul 21-Aug 22)

This is a good time to take up some physical activity
if you want to achieve total fitness. A financial
bonanza can come your way. Meeting and planning
something with friends or cousins is on the cards
for some. You may be sought out for something
special on the social front. A regular dose of romance
promises to keep you chirpy and rejuvenated. A
ride to the countryside will help some unwind.
Refurbishing the house may be topmost on your
mind this week.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)

You will manage to free yourself from all ailments
and lead a happy and healthy life. Your concern about
the current financial situation will be unfounded
as money flows in. At work, you are likely to give a
good account of yourself through your efficiency and
dedication. It is best to keep away from the gossip
mill on the social front as it can rebind on you. Some
of you can get hard pressed for time on the romantic
front and cut short your meeting with the lover.
Lucky number: 15 / Lucky colour: Brown
Lucky number: 11 / Lucky colour: Light blue
Lucky number: 1 / Lucky colour: Pink
Aquarius (Jan 22-Feb 19)

Someone is likely to hurt your feelings, but it will
not be deliberate, so take it in your stride. A lot of
legwork will be required to get an approval or a
sanction on the business front, but you will manage
it. Plans for buying a second vehicle may put some
in the saving mode. You will be able to maintain
your popularity on the social front. Someone may
be taking an inordinate interest in you, so decide
whether you want to get romantically involved or
not.
Gemini (May 21-Jun 21)

You may find it difficult to shed old grudges against
people, even if you have taken them on someones
behalf. Strong likes and dislikes are likely to narrow
down your social front and may even get you
sidelined. Some of you can fall in and out of love
and lead an unstable romantic life. Someone can
force you to accompany him or her to a place you
are reluctant to go. A property is likely to come into
your name.
Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 23)

Certain steps may have to be taken before you
become totally comfortable with a project or a
task on the professional front. You will have to be
sweet, but firm, in saying no to someone asking for
monetary help as his or her need appears unjustified.
Someone who used to like you may deliberately try
to avoid you, so find out why. Self-control and an
active life are likely to have positive fallout on your
health. Make your love life exciting.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)

You are likely to get a chance to share your
innermost feelings with someone you feel close to.
The discovery that someone loves and admires you
can get you all excited on the romantic front. Your
blunt ways may spoil chances on the job front. You
can lose money through sheer carelessness towards
the end of this week. Something you eat outside may
not agree with your system, so stick to homemade
food. Those using the road should remain alert as
stars dont seem favourable.
Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20)

Visiting someone close is likely to give you a sense
of immense fulfilment. You will manage to convert
an official trip into leisure trip and enjoy your heart
out. Taking possession of a flat is likely for some. A
cash crunch may force you to redraw the budget, but
it will be a temporary phase. Remaining irregular in
workouts may begin telling on your health soon. Tiff
with a senior on the work front is possible. Someone
may try to malign you on the social front.
Lucky number: 4 / Lucky colour: Dark turquoise
Lucky number: 8 / Lucky colour: Forest green
Lucky number: 3 / Lucky colour: Lemon
Lucky number: 6 / Lucky colour: Yellow
Lucky number: 22 / Lucky colour: Off white
Lucky number: 18 / Lucky colour: Rose
FEATURES
Chicken 3.7:
3.7
Saag Chicken
Succulent chicken cooked in a spiced
spinach gravy
Features

Preparation time: 30 minutes (plus

marination time: 6 hours or ideally
overnight)
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Serves/makes: 6
Tastes (on icon of spice meter) (mild/
medium/spicy/hot): Medium
Ingredients
For the marinade

1kg boneless chicken, skin removed and

cut into bite-sized pieces
cup thick plain yoghurt or Greek yoghurt
1 tsp. coriander powder (dhania powder)
1 tsp. cumin powder (jeera powder)
tsp. red chilli powder
Add ginger and garlic paste,

and stir and saut for another
23 minutes.
Add red chilli powder, turmeric
powder, coriander powder, garam
masala powder, salt to taste (note
we have already added salt in the
marinade), and yoghurt.
Do not stir immediately,
as yoghurt will curdle. Cook
gently on low heat for 34
minutes or until the oil
has separated.
Add spinach pure to the
onion masala, cover, and
cook for 34 minutes until it
comes to the boil.
Add chicken and cook
on high heat for 45 minutes,
stirring occasionally, until any
excess water has evaporated,
the oil surfaces and the chicken
pieces are well coated with the
spinach gravy.
Serve with roti or tandoori roti.
tsp. garam masala powder

1 tsp. ginger paste
1 tsp. garlic paste
tsp. salt
For the spinach gravy
popular dish in the North Indian

cuisine, chicken is cooked until
tender and simmered with spices in a
nutritious spinach gravy. Saag can mean just
spinach leaves or a mix of spinach and mustard
leaves. Although a variety of spices are used,
their carefully balanced proportions accentuate
the flavour of the spinach.

260g spinach
1 cup water
23 green chillies
2 large black cardamom seeds
1 clove
2 large onions, chopped
2 tsp. garlic paste
2 tsp. ginger paste
tsp. red chilli powder
tsp. turmeric powder
1 tsp. coriander powder
1 tsp. garam masala powder
Salt to taste
cup plain thick yoghurt
Greek yoghurt
2 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. oil
25
For the spinach gravy

or
Method
For the marinade

In a large bowl, whisk the yoghurt, then add
all the spices, salt, ginger, and garlic paste. Stir to
combine well. Add chicken and mix well to coat
evenly. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator
for at least six hours or ideally overnight.
Boil spinach until cooked. Process it into

a puree with a hand mixer or blender, and
keep aside.
Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan on
medium heat. Cook the chicken pieces, along
with its marinade, for around 56 minutes each
side or until tender.
Take the chicken out of the pan and
keep aside.
In the same pan, melt butter on low heat.
Add cardamom and clove and stir. Add onions,
stir and saut until it turns light brown.
Rubys tip
The chicken pieces are meant
to be well-coated with the
spinach gravy. The consistency
of this preparation is thick.
The chicken can be marinated
overnight and refrigerated.
The spinach puree can also be
made the day before. This way,
cooking time can be halved on
the day.
Things not to eat before going to bed
ne should eat carefully to stay fit and

fabulous but keeping a check on your
diet before going to bed needs extra
attention as some food items have the tendency
to disturb your sleep if taken regulalry.
Sonia Narang, nutrition expert, Oriflame
India, lists products that shouldnt be consumed
at night
Nut Butter: Nut butter is a healthy

source of fat. Also, it may help in losing
weight but fats digest slow and may
remain present in your stomach all night
if consumed in large quantities, hence,
may lead to disturbed sleep. So keep high
fat foods like (nuts, cheese, cream sauces)
relatively low at night.
Chocolate: Dark chocolates are

considered as a healthy food that contains
magnesium and antioxidants, but it also
contains caffeine, which could keep you
awake. So you should avoid it specially
during night time as it may create
hindrance in your sound sleep.
Chilies and spicy foods: Chilies are

healthy if made with the right mix of
ingredients, but they are spicy, and may
end up causing heartburn, if consumed
late in the night and may result in killing
your sound sleep. So heavy spiced foods
should be avoided during night because
if your sleep is disturbed, your health
will deteriorate.

Greasy or fat-filled foods like pizza:

Greasy, heavy, fatty foods would make
your stomach overwork throughout night,
resulting in disturbed sleep and making
you sluggish next morning. So foods like
fast food, nuts, ice cream, or super cheesy

foods should be avoided before bed.
Chinese Food: This is another food item
that is important to avoid during night
as the MSG (Monosodium Glutamateflavour enhancer)
found in
Chinese
food
does what the
caffeine would
do to your
body, making
it
really
difficult to
fall asleep.
M i l k :
Though we
consider
milk
to
be a rich
source
of
protein and
calcium,
it may kill
your sleep
if you drink
it before bed because of its
lactose content that can create digestive
issues in many individuals. Especially
if you are lactose intolerant, you should
definitely avoid it.
Red meat and other non-veg items:
Eating red meats and other non-veg
items in large amounts at night will

remain in your digestive system for long
time and it will make it
hard for you to get
sound
sleep
while youre
d i g e s t i n g.
So
red
meat and
eating a
large
portion
of
chicken or
pork may affect you
the worst leading to
troubled sleep along
with weight gain.
Celery: Celery is a
vegetable that act as a
d i u re t i c in the body,
h e n c e results
in
making you pee a lot.
Hence you should avoid
taking celery at night.
Rice: If large amounts of
rice are taken at night, it encourages your
body to store excess fat that it doesnt
need and make it harder to lose weight. It
can also lead to water retention.
26
FEATURES
Depression drug cuts joint pain

for women with breast cancer
drug typically used to treat

depression and anxiety can
significantly reduce joint
pain in postmenopausal women
being treated for early stage breast
cancer, says a study.
The researchers conducted a
trial to test whether duloxetine, a
depression and anxiety drug, could
alleviate pain caused by aromatase
inhibitors, a common breast cancer
treatment thats particularly effective
with postmenopausal women.
Weve shown that this treatment
is a potential option for women, said
N. Lynn Henry, a SWOG investigator
from Huntsman Cancer Institute at
the University of Utah in the US.
SWOG is the international cancer
clinical trials network funded by the
US National Cancer Institute (NCI).
women each year are treated with

aromatase inhibitors (AIs), pills that
stop the production of oestrogen and
essentially starve hormone receptorpositive breast cancer cells.
Many womenas many as 50
per centexperience joint pain and
stiffness as a side effect of the
therapy.Henry said
The
some women stop
pain can really
taking
their
interfere with daily life.
medication
to
And this is a big problem.
The length of treatment with get relief.
A lot of
AIs can be five to 10 years, so
6
0
-yearwere asking a lot of women
old women
to manage significant
Taking this drug may help
report feeling
discomfort for a very
them tolerate their breast cancer
like
theyre 80,
long period of
treatment. And its important
Henry said.
time.
for their health that they stick with
The pain can
their treatment, Henry noted. Tens
really interfere with daily life. And
of thousands of postmenopausal
this is a big problem. The length of

treatment with AIs can be five to 10
years, so were asking a lot of women
to manage significant discomfort
for a very long period of time,
Henry noted.
Results of the trial involving nearly
300 women showed that patients
taking duloxetine saw their average
pain drop on the scale from 5.5 to
about three.
Improvement was rapid, and
relief persisted through the end of
the 12-week trial. Improvement in
pain was also seen in the placebo
arm of the trial, suggesting a robust
placebo effect.
The findings were presented at
a special plenary presentation at
the San Antonio Breast Cancer
Symposium in the US.
Bacterium in undercooked chicken causes paralysis: Study
S researchers have identified

a bacterium, commonly
found in undercooked
chicken, that may cause GuillainBarre Syndrome (GBS).
GBS is an autoimmune disorder
and is the worlds leading cause
of acute neuromuscular paralysis
in humans.
The research showed that if
chicken isnt cooked to the proper
minimum internal temperature,
bacteriaCampylobacter jejuni
which still exist in the food can
trigger GBS.
The study showed that it takes a
certain genetic makeup combined
with a Campylobacter (bacteria)
strain to cause this disease, said lead
author Linda Mansfield, Professor at
the Michigan State University, in
the US.
Further, most of the bacteria
strains were found to be antibioticresistant, with some causing more
harm than good.
Use of
certain antibiotics
aggravated
neurological
signs,
lesions and the number of immune

antibodies that can mistakenly attack
a patients own organs and tissues.
The exact cause of this
autoimmune
disease
is
still
uncertain, although some studies
You earn extra 4kg along

with a college degree
ompleting a four-year degree

course is likely to add more
than 4.5 kg to your body
weight, along with the associated
health risks, a study says.
Our study shows that there is
concerning weight gain among
college students that happens over all
four years they are in college, said
the studys lead author Lizzy Pope,
Assistant Professor at University of
Vermont in the US.
The study measured student
weight and body-mass-index at the
beginning and end of students first
and second semesters and again at
the end of their senior year.
At the beginning of their college
careers, the mean weight of the
students in the study was about 147
pounds (66.6 kg). By the end of
senior year, it had increased to about

157 pounds (71 kg). The extra weight
translates to increased health risk,
according to the study.
Twenty-three percent of the
students in the study were overweight
or obese as they were starting college.
By the end of senior year, 41
percent were in that category, a
78 per cent increase, published in
the Journal of Nutrition Education and
Behavior. Obese young adults are at
risk for a variety of health conditions,
including diabetes, hypertension,
polycystic ovarian syndrome and
psycho-social distress, Pope said.
This study and earlier ones
suggest that college students are
prone to weight gain that can impact
their health in the present and even
more significantly in the future,
Pope pointed out.
have linked GBS with the Zika virus,

the researchers said.
Campylobacter jejuni is also
known to trigger other autoimmune
disorders such as inflammatory
bowel disease and Reiters arthritis.
In the study, the researchers

successfully
produced
three
preclinical models of GBS that
represent two different forms of the
syndrome seen in humans.
Many patients with GBS are
critically ill and cannot participate in
clinical trials.
Thus, the models hold great
potential for discovery of new
treatments for this paralysis.
Our models now provide a
unique opportunity to understand
how your personal genetic type may
make you more susceptible to certain
forms of GBS, Mansfield added.
Mansfield now wants to move
forward quickly to test drugs against
GBS in her models.
Of course, new treatments would
be wonderful, but therapeutics to
prevent GBS from developing in the
first place would be the best strategy
so that people dont have to suffer
with paralysis, she said.
The study was published in the
Journal of Autoimmunity.
Suffering
from mental
illness?
Adopt a pet
or
individuals
suffering
from various mental illness,
pets can provide them with
unconditional support as well as help
manage stigma, a research suggests.
The study found that the consistent
presence
and
close
physical
proximity of their pets can provide
an immediate source of calm and
therapeutic benefit for people with
mental health conditions.
The people we spoke to through
the course of this study felt their
pet played a range of positive roles
such as helping them to manage
stigma associated with their mental
health by providing acceptance
without judgement, said lead author
Helen Brooks from University of
Manchester in Britain. For 60 per
cent of study participants, pets
played a central role in the social
networks of people managing a longterm mental health problem.
According to the participants,
one reason for this was that their
pet helped by distracting them from
symptoms and upsetting experiences
such as hearing voices or suicidal
thoughts. Participants from the study
were quoted as saying, I felt in a
sense that my cat was familiar, in that
he understood or was an extension of
my thoughts.
However, despite the identified
benefits of pet ownership, pets were
neither considered nor incorporated
into the individual care plans for
people with mental conditions, the
researchers said, suggesting that pets
should be considered a main source
of support in the management of
long-term mental health problems.
For the research, published in the
journal BMC Psychiatry, the team
interviewed 54 participants, aged 18
and above, who were under the care
of community-based mental health
services and had been diagnosed with
a severe mental illness.
Chemotherapy may cause heart damage in diabetic patients
ancer patients who also

suffer from diabetes also risk
heart damage because of
chemotherapy, a study has found.
The study found that cardiotoxicity
induced by chemotherapy with
anthracyclines is being increasingly
reported, mainly because a smaller
proportion of patients now die
from cancer.
In the coming years this
cardiotoxicity looks set to increase
the burden of heart failure in cancer
survivors, said Ana Catarina
Gomes, cardiologist in training

at the Hospital Garcia de Orta in
Almada, Portugal.
The good news is that
cardiotoxicity can be reversible in
the early stages before overt heart
failure develops.
Surveillance programmes are
hugely beneficial, particularly in the
first year of treatment when up to 80
per cent of the systolic dysfunction
develops, Gomes added.
The research investigated factors
that could affect the likelihood of
patients having heart damage after
treatment with anthracyclines.
Of 83 patients included in the
surveillance programme, 54 had
breast cancer, 20 had lymphoma and
nine had gastric cancer.
Patients with diabetes had a
significantly greater decrease in
global longitudinal strain during
treatment, despite having baseline
levels similar to non-diabetics, the
research noted.
According to Gomes, sub-clinical

reduction in global longitudinal strain
is an early predictor of heart failure
and was particularly pronounced in
patients with diabetes.
It is possible that the trend
for greater reduction in patients
with hypertension might become
statistically significant in a larger
study, Gomes added.
The researchers hypothesised
that cancers themselves could have
direct cardio-toxic effects induced
by cytokines.
The cardio-toxic effects may vary
with the type of cancer, study noted.
Researchers suggested that cancer
patients should strictly control
cardiovascular risk factors with
lifestyle changes and, if necessary,
with medication.
The findings were presented
at EuroEcho-Imaging 2016 in
Leipzig, Germany.
ENTERTAINMENT
FEATURES
Rajinikanth never forgot
where he came from: Daughter

Subhash K. Jha
e worked as a bus conductor.

And worked his way to be
idolised in the country as a
megastar. Actor Rajinikanth, who
turned 66 on December 12, has not
forgotten his roots and that helps him
to be as down-to-earth as he is, says
his daughter Soundarya. Excerpts
from the interview:
Q. How does Rajinikanth ji
remain so down-to-earth?
He is a very simple human being.
He never forgot where he came from.
As his children, my sister Aishwarya
and I learnt this from himto never
forget our roots. With our dad, there
are no two faces.
What you see is what he is.
Whether its a fan or a producer, he
treats them all the same. He has been
down to earth all his life. He will
never change. We, as his children, try
to emulate that trait of our dad.
Q. Rajinikanth jis last release
Kabali broke box office records.
Was there some anxiety in the
family about it? Critics and
fans were surprised by the
subtle but sudden sartorial and
image changes in Kabali.
I think what attracted by dad to the
role was the whole idea of playing a
don in Malaysia. The changes that
youre talking about came about with
the role. He was a little apprehensive
about the part because he had to play
someone close to his age. Also, there
was a message on the downtrodden.
He also had concerns about the
lack of comedy element in the script.
But by Gods grace, its all turned
out really well. The bottom-line is,
my father liked the director Ranjith
and he liked the subject that Ranjith
came up with. They instinctively took
to one another.
Q. Was there a sense of dismay
when Rajinikanth jis last two
films didnt do well?
Of course it makes a difference to
the artiste when his film doesnt do
well. Just like a successful film makes
a difference to everyone concerned,
a failure affects everyone too. But my

dad is not the kind to mope around
wondering what went wrong. After
he completes a film, he moves on,
whether it is a hit or a flop. He is
always wondering what to do next.
Even after the response to the last
two films, he moved on quickly. Sure,
there was minor dip in the graph. But
these things happen in every artistes
life.
Q. There are serious questions
being asked about Rajinikanth
jis health. Would you clarify?
Id like to say once and for all that
my dad is in fine health. But for the
first time in a very long time, he was
shooting two back-to-back films
Kabali and 2.0. As you know, 2.0
is a sci-fi film with lots of costumes
and action scenes. Dad was shooting
round-the-clock. Kabali required a
lot of night shooting. And my dad
doesnt normally shoot at nights.
The physical strain was getting to
be too much for him. So we whisked
him away for a holiday.
Q. Wasnt it odd that he wasnt
here for the release of Kabali?
It wasnt planned that way. It just
happened. My sister and I took him
away because he needed to be on his
own, away from the limelight and
only makes you better: Esha
Aamir Khan returns as singer after

18 years
ollywood superstar Aamir Khan,

who showcased his singing talent
with the song Aati kya khandala from
the 1998 film Ghulam, will return as a singer
after 18 years. The actor has recorded
his version of the song Dhaakad from his
upcoming film Dangal.
Aamir has recorded a video for the song,
which will be aired for the first time during
the Lux Golden Rose Awards, set to be
telecast on December 18 on Zee TV, read
a statement. Actor Arjun Kapoor, who will
be hosting the event alongside Bollywood
superstar Shah Rukh Khan and filmmaker Karan Johar, will unveil the
video. Dressed like a rapper, the 51-year-old can be seen talking about
women empowerment and introducing Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya
Malhotra, who play his onscreen daughters in Dangal.
Dhaakad, which originally has been sung by rapper Raftaar, is the second
song of Dangal after Haanikaarak bapu.
Dangal, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is slated to release on December 23.
Madhur Bhandarkar settles on

Indu Sarkar script
Working with strong actors

ctress Esha Gupta, who
will be seen sharing screen
space with Ajay Devgn and
Emraan Hashmi in forthcoming
movie Baadshaho, said working with
powerful actors enhances ones
acting ability.
Working with strong actors only
makes you better, rather than being
over-shadowed.
If they are doing such a good
job and you are not able to deliver a
good performance, then you wont be
there.
You get to learn the little nuances
they are doing.
Ajay Devgn or Akshay Kumar are
confident actors and they only make
you better in the craft, Esha said in
an interview in Mumbai.
The 31-year-old actress was last
seen playing a character with grey
27
shades in Akshay Kumar starrer

Rustom. Baadshaho is directed by
Milan Luthria.
Talking about working with
Emraan and Ajay, Esha said, As I
have worked with Emraan before
(Jannat 2 and Raaz 3D), so we have
good chemistry.
People liked us in our first two
films and even in the single (Main
rahoon ya na rahoon) we did. I am glad
to work with him again.
Ajay is a cool person. He is a great
actor. Honestly, I had a fan moment
because I will never forget Zakhm.
I have seen that film.
He is a very knowledgeable and
intelligent actor.
Baadshaho also features Ileana
DCruz
and
Vidyut
Jammwal. It is slated to
release May 12, 2017.
needed to rest and get his energy

levels up.
Q. Would we see him play more
socially relevant roles?
My dad never made any career
plans. He goes by the subject. As of
now he is only doing 2.0.
Q. Why do we only get to see
Rajinikanth ji in dubbed films?
Why hasnt he done a Hindi
film for so long?
The Robot sequel will have an
independent Hindi edition. The
language is a cultural mindset. The
language should not make any
difference. Having said that, I must
admit dad has not done a Hindi film
in a long time. If he gets the right
project in Hindi, he will do it. At the
end of the day, he is aware of what
his fans want from him.
And he works in the films that he
feels will please his fans.
Q. Do you think Rajinikanth ji
needs to take it easy?
He has cut down on action
scenes. Before he did Kabali and 2.0
simultaneously, he was doing only
one film at a time. The family is
very conscious of his health. We are
making sure he doesnt strain himself.
After 2.0, he wont do two films at the
same time. We are aware that he is as
precious to his fans as to his family.
ilmmaker Madhu Bhandarkar has

finished scripting his upcoming film
Indu Sarkar.
Bhandarkar, who has helmed films like
Fashion, Page 3 and Heroine, tweeted on
Monday, December 12: After months of
research and meeting politicians, journalists,
photographers, authors and common man
from the emergency era finally... The script
Indu Sarkar. The movie is reportedly based
on the Emergency era, a 21-month long
period from 1975 to 1977, when Prime
Minister Indira Gandhi unilaterally had
declared a state of Emergency across the country.
The details about the films cast and story are still under wraps.
I dont depend on films for my

bread and butter: Gul Panag
ctress Gul Panag, who loves travel and adventure, says she no longer
depends on films to earn her bread and butter.
She has been missing from the Hindi film scene for long.
Asked about it, Gul said, Its not that I dont do films. Of course, I am
doing them, but its just that I no longer depend on films for my bread and
butter... I havent (been dependent on films) for a very long time.
I am an entrepreneur for the last seven
to eight years and I have realised that the
kind of films that I want to do, it cannot
be for bread and butter. I am still happy to
do films but they are the ones that I should
really like, she added. Gul, a former beauty
queen, started her acting career in 2003 with
the film Dhoop, and later went on to films like
Dor, Manorama Six Feet Under, Rann, Turning
30 and Fatso!. Is she happy with the kind of
scripts that she is being offered these days?
I am busy these days. And every now and
then, I keep getting some scripts. I recently
did a Punjabi film (Ambarsariya) that I really
enjoyed doing. Whenever I find some challenging scripts, I will do it, she
added.
Gul has always been vocal about her opinion on vital issues of the society,
and specifically about women equality. She feels that as far as remuneration
disparity between men and women is concerned, its not just restricted to
the film world.
I think there are people who are speaking up adequately on that. Its
not just about Bollywood. I am also an entrepreneur, so its not just in
Bollywood. I see this outside Bollywood as well, the 37-year-old said.
Fitness, success interconnected:

Hrithik Roshan
ollywood actor Hrithik Roshan thinks fitness and success are

interconnected, and have a lot to do with ones mind.
Hrithik, who recently launched fitness blog Risque On Fitness
Food & Fashion by renowned columnist Shobhaa Des daughter Anindita
in Mumbai, said, Fitness and success both are interconnected and it all has
to deal with the mind. Thats where it starts.
If you apply your mind on fitness, you achieve success. If you use your
concentration on anything that will definitely bring you success.
On the professional front, Hrithik is gearing up for his next release Kaabil.
The action thriller, directed by Sanjay Gupta and produced by Rakesh
Roshan, also features Yami Gautam.
Kaabil will release on January 25, 2017, hitting the screens alongside Shah
Rukh Khans Raees.
28
FEATURES
ENTERTAINMENT
Befikre: Too much candy floss

with little substance
A
Rajesh Krishnamurthy
ditya Chopra was best known for his unintended

epic DDLJ (Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge) in 1995.
He followed this up with Mohabbatain (2000) and
Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008). All three were classic romance
films. However, this time he tries to reach out to post
Y2K generation.
Befikre, as the name suggests, is about two free-spirited
peopleDharam Gulati (Ranveer Singh) and Shyra Gill
(Vaani Kapoor). They meet in Paris (where else?), a city
known for its romantic passion.
They quickly lock lips and get in between the sheets for
what is essentially a one night stand.
However, things heat up from there on, as they get
involved with each other while jumping in and out of
bed with others in the name of love.
The funny thing is that while they are doing this, they
continue to sing praises of the institution of marriage.
I guess while Bollywood is changing and tackling more
mature themes, this is Chopras way of keeping a wide
range of his audience happy.
The story line is not original, but the treatment in many
ways is (for Bollywood, that is). In Befikre, Chopra skims
the surface of complicated relationships. It would have
been nice if he had fleshed his characters a bit more.
Ranveer Singh as a typical macho guy from Delhis
heartland, Karol Bagh, is a fine example of the loud
mouthed crass guy that would make you cringe in normal
social settings.
He carries the typical Dilli-wala role with aplomb. Vaani
Kapoor as the bindaas, modern-day lover does a pretty
Always
wanted to be
an entertainer:
Ranveer
good job. However, she has the range and

depth that is not fully exploited in Befikre.
Hopefully, we see more of her in future.
The shadow of DDLJ looms on Befikre in
its constant reference to the movie.
The scene between Shyra and her mother
feels like a refreshed and remixed version of
Kajols scene with Farida Jalal.
On the music front, the background score
by Mikey Mcleary is adequate. The hit duo
Vishal-Shekhar composed the music for
the film.
All in all, the lead actors do
a good job, the music is okay,
yet the soul of the movie
is missing. Befikre is too
much candy floss with
little substance.
Rating: 3/5 stars
Cast: Ranveer Singh,
Vaani Kapoor
Director:Aditya Chopra
Banner: Yash Raj Films
Rajesh Krishnamurthy is
a Financial Wellness Coach,
Columnist and Film Critic.
The 31-year-old says he chatted

along with superstar Aamir Khan
about the craft of acting.
A special six years of Ranveer
Singh celebration! Chatted about the
craft of acting at length with one of
my screen idolsAamir Khan. Day
well spent, Ranveer said.
He also watched his latest film
Befikre, helmed by Aditya Chopra,
with a live audience.
And now for the best part of it all!
Watching Befikre with a live audience!
What a feeling! Truly blessed,
Ranveer, popular for his infectious
energy, said.
Mahira Khan
not to promote
Raees, SRK tells
Raj Thackeray
ctor Ranveer Singh, known

for his live wire acts, says that
he always wanted to be an
entertainer and has thanked his fans
for making it possible for him to live
his dream.
Ranveer completed his six-year
journey in Bollywood on December
10.He made his acting debut in
2010 with the romantic comedy Band
Baaja Baaraat, directed by debutant
Maneesh Sharma.
In his six-year long journey in
Bollywood, Ranveer starred in
blockbusters like Lootera, Goliyon Ki
Raasleela Ram-Leela, Dil Dhadakne Do,
Bajirao Mastani and Befikre.
He is currently busy shooting
for
filmmaker
Sanjay
Leela
Bhansalis Padmavati.
All I ever wanted to be, was
an entertainer. Your love and
support has made it possible for
me to live my dream. Thank you,
Ranveer tweeted.
IWK Reviews
ollywood megastar Shah

Rukh Khan has assured
Maharashtra
Navnirman
Sena President Raj Thackeray that
Mahira Khan, a Pakistani actress in
his forthcoming release Raees will not
come to India for promoting the film,
a party official said in Mumbai.
Shah Rukh Khan met Thackeray
at his residence r ecently and gave this
assurance. He has also committed to

not engaging any Pakistani actors
in any of his future film ventures,
MNS Chitrapat Sena chief Ameya
Khopkar said.
The superstar was concerned by
rumours floating on social media
networks that his co-star in Raees
Mahira Khan was likely to come to
India next month for promoting the
film and joining its premiere.
However, Shah Rukh put all
rumours to rest and personally called
on Thackeray to apprise him of the
real situation, Khopkar said.
In view of his clarifications, the
MNS will not oppose the January
25 release or screening of Raees in
cinema halls, he added.
After September 18 Uri attack
that left 19 Indian soldiers dead and
the September 28 surgical strikes by
India on Pakistan terror camps, the
MNS had strongly protested against
hiring of Pakistani actors by Indian
film-makers.
Thackeray had vowed to stop
release of a few films in which
Pakistani actors are playing roles,
including Karan Johars recent Ae Dil
Hai Mushkil featuring Pakistani actor
Fawad Khan and SRKs Raees which
has cast Mahira Khan.
MNS had staged dramatic protests
prior to the release of Ae Dil Hai
Mushkil but finally relented after
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
brokered peace with MNS, Johar
and the Film & Television Producers
Guild of India.
This paved the way for
the films peaceful release
and
exhibition
across
Maharashtra on October
28.
In 2013, SRKs
Chennai Express had run
into trouble with the
MNS after it allegedly
threatened to yank off Marathi films
to accommodate its shows in singlescreen cinemas.
Prior to that, SRKs blockbuster
My Name Is Khan had run into trouble

with the Shiv Sena but the issue was
later amicably sorted out.
Dont believe in
awards: Kangana
ctress Kangana Ranaut

says she doesnt believe in
awards and doesnt attend
award functions.
I dont go
to
award
functions
and I dont believe in awards, said

Kangana who walked the ramp
for designer Manish Arora at the
Blenders Pride fashion show in
Mumbai on December 10.
Asked to choose between Alia
Bhatt and Sonam Kapoor for the
most deserving actress to win the best
actor award, she said, I am not an
awarding jury.
Its not my job to decide who
should win. I dont believe in awards,
then why should I bother? I dont
care who wins.
Kangana
however,
praised
Alia. Alia is one of those people
I reach out to. I have a very
beautiful equation with her. Its
very sweet that she wants to know
my whereabouts.
The Queen actress who was
looking stunning in a neon
pink lehenga and green
crop top worn with
an embellished jacket,
expressed her happiness
as the first actress to walk
for the designer.
As I have no release this
year, walking for Manish is
a great achievement for me.
Manish is my favourite Indian designer and I am the
first actress who
has walked
for him.
This
is
the highest point
of
2016,
she
said.
Kangana will be
next seen in
Vishal Bharadwajs
Rangoon
which
is
slated to release February
24, 2017.
pay nothing until September 2018*
25
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FEATURES
ENTERTAINMENT
30
Vidya Balan: Im no longer trying

to be superwoman
Durga Chakravarty
No. Those things are sacrosanct... Ill be

home for my anniversary, birthday and New
ersatile actress Vidya Balan, who
Year.
clocked four years of marital bliss
That is sacrosanct, added the actress, who
with producer Siddharth Roy Kapur
has carved a niche in Bollywood with pathon Wednesday, December 14, says she finds
breaking roles in films like The Dirty Picture,
balancing life between home and work an
Ishqiya, Kahaani, Paa and No One Killed Jessica.
overrated concept, and that she is no longer
Does she get tired of people associating her
trying to be superwoman.
with women-centric themes?
Asked how does she juggle work and home,
No, because Im enjoying the kind of work
Vidya said, I dont juggle. Im no longer trying
I
am
doing.
to be superwoman.
People
ask me Why call it women-centric
I am a woman who when Im working, Im
films, why cant you just call it film? I say
working, when Im home, Im home, when Im
because all these years and decades youve had
chilling, Im chilling. Sometimes, when I dont
men at the centre of the plot, she said.
feel like doing anything, I dont do anything.
That is changing, said Vidya, who admits
So, I think this balancing is really
she gets drawn to such stories where
overrated because women are
Maybe
the woman is at the centre.
constantly asked to balance home
a man wouldnt
Someday, when there are
and work and its unfair, she
feel the same way
equal number of films of men
added.
because you take it
and women at the centre of
Having said that, the
for granted that a man
actress, who was recently seen sometimes cant make it to the plot, then people will stop
saying women-centric films.
on the big screen in Kahaani
certain special occasions
So far it isnt a norm,
2, said when she is away
because they are
which is why they say that and,
from home and is not there
working
therefore, people ask me, Oh,
for a special occasion with her
you
are doing a women-centric
family or her husband, she does
film, she added.
feel guilty.
The actress has been part of the industry for
Maybe I feel guilty because I am a girl.
11 years and says her journey in Bollywood has
Maybe a man wouldnt feel the same way
been full of ups and downs.
because you take it for granted that a man
Its been dramatic. Thats because I think
sometimes cant make it to certain special
Im an intense person and I dont think I take
occasions because they are working.
anything lightly in that sense. But I dont think
We (women) still feel that we should work
I would want to have it another way, she said.
and be there (for occasions too).
I have learnt so much, I have enjoyed
But I think these unrealistic expectations
myself.
are slowly shedding, she added.
I have lived every moment like I have given
Vidya also turns a year older next month.
it
my
all. Its been very fulfilling and been a
Will it be a working anniversary and birthday
beautiful
journey, she said.
for Vidya
DATTA YOGA CENTRE New Zealand

presents for the rst time in New Zealand
Meditation and Healing Music Concert

by His Holiness
Dr.Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji
accompanied by His Celestial Music Troupe
Concert at Auckland:
4th February 2017,
6.00 pm - 8.30 pm
Dorothy Winstone Centre,
16 Howe St, Freemans Bay
Tickets: $100, $50, $30
Christmas Productions
by ICLC
Date: Sunday, December 18

Time: 6 p.m. onwards
Venue: Indian Christian Life Centre at 8/23 Springs
Road, East Tamaki
Indian Christian Life Centre presents BORN TO
SAVE our 2016 Christmas Production. This event
is family friendly, there is free entry and dinner is
provided. Come on down to Life Centre at 8/23
Springs Road, East Tamaki, Auckland on Sunday
18th of December at 6pm for a night of musical
performances in English.
Christmas at the Lake
Other programmes at Auckland

Datta Kriya Yoga: 28th-29th January 2017
Fickling Convention Centre
Hillsborough Room, Three Kings
Sri Chakra Puja: 5th February 2017, 5.00 pm - 8.30 pm

Sri Shirdi Sai Mandir, Onehunga
We welcome you to take part and benet from this unique Spiritual experience
For further details, contact:
Govardhan Mallela - 0211455708
Pravin Patel - 0211646468
Nagaraj Ambale - 0211498523
Valli Nagaraj - 0278388754
Email: enquiry.dycnz@gmail.com Website: dycnz.org Facebook: @dycnz
Date: Saturday, December 17

Time: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Venue: Innes Common, Lake Crescent, Lake
Rotorua, Hamilton
Christmas season party is a free family friendly event.
Two live bands will be playing popular sing-along
songs and six dance groups will be performing a
variety of dances from many ethnicities. The Dance
groups consist of adults, children and youth from
our community. We also have Santa Claus; free Face
painting for the children and ethnicfood stalls.
Children and Youth

Summer Camp 2017
Date: January 9 to 13
Time: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Venue: Mt Roskill War Memorial Hall, May Road,
Mt Roskill
Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust isorganising the

annual Summer Camp 2017 for children aged 6 to
14 years.The summer camp is aimed at translating
cultural values into everyday activities for children and
to promote emotional development and enrichment of
the young minds.The focus will be on imparting skills
like personality development, leadership, community
involvement and tolerance/understanding of multiple
culture andethnicity, at an early age.
The multiple activities which will include writing,
sports, draw/colouring/paint, craft, music, playing
on wheels, planting and other fun-filled amusement
activities, will polish and groom the children.For more
information and enrolment,contact Jeet Suchdev on
0212221020 or Ruchika Agarwal on 620 0579 / 021
08881461or drop off an emailat bsct1995@gmail.com
Vipassana Meditation
Centre Open Day
Date: Sunday, February 5, 2017

Time: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Venue: 153 Burnside Road, Makarau,
Kaukapakapa, Near Auckland
Vipassana Centre near Auckland has been operating
for more than 25 years, offering 10 day residential
courses in Vipassana Meditation as taught by Mr.
S.N. Goenka.Vipassana Technique is a practical
technique which enables one to lead a more
positive,balanced and happy life and has nothing to
do with any organised religion. Vipassana Trust is
a charitable organization. All expenses are met by
donations from students who have benefited from a
10 day meditation course. info@medini.dhamma.org,
website: www.medini.dhamma.org
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Indian Weekender 16 December 2016

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16 DEC2016

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Will English fit the bill and

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The compassionate musical saint

Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji

-Chapter 3.19 Bhagavad Gita

Molly Palanieappan, Datta Yoga

he above verse was conveyed by Lord

One of the notable services that the ashram