06MARCH2020 Vol 11 • Issue 49

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IS RACISM TRIVIALISED
IN NZ POLITICS?

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 2 NEW ZEALAND Friday, March 06, 2020 The Indian Weekender

Winston Peters’ defence of

Shane Jones’ racist comments reflects
sickening ‘victim-blaming’ mindset obligations in hearing from the voters of
SANDEEP SINGH
the country who want to engage with them,

N
ew Zealand First Leader Winston
Peters’ defence of Shane Jones’ racist
comments is a sickening reflection of
the victim-blaming culture right at the top of
NZ politics.  community. This is indeed trivialisation of
Blaming victims themselves by holding them
responsible and in some way telling them why
they deserve the crime perpetrated upon them,
is victim-blaming culture.  "Mr
Often rape and sexual assault survivors are
asked whether they wore provocative clothing’
or how they fought back.
Poor people who work three jobs and still
can’t support a family are blamed for ‘laziness’
and failure, despite facing an economy that is
stacked against them. 
In a similar vein, Mr Peters has shifted the
responsibility of the latest racist rant on the
Indian community by his party colleague,
by audaciously suggesting that Mr Jones’ is
relaying the community’s opinions and so
somehow that doesn’t make it racist!
NZ Herald reported on Wednesday, March
3, that Mr Peters said the comments couldn’t
have been racist as they “come from the Indian
people themselves”.
“Mr Jones was mirroring the comments
that the Indian people have passed on
to us – so they couldn’t be racist in that
context,” Herald further quoted Mr Peters.  than the Deputy Prime Minister it is alarming,
This is not just outrageous but also sickening
and could well damage the reputation of NZ
politics at the highest level.  to express displeasure and appear helpless
In any case, since this audacious victim-
blaming mindset is coming from none other
especially since the Prime Minister herself
seems disinclined to take a tougher stand than
including the Indian community.
However, it is not right if they outrageously
extrapolate some private racist conversations
as an excuse for a racist tirade against the entire
racism. 
It is a devilishly clever application of
convoluted political logic that trivialises
racism.
Jones was
Dividing the Indian community for
mirroring the
political gains is an age-old colonial
comments that the
tactic 
Indian people have
passed on to us – so they Meanwhile, for the Indian
couldn’t be racist in community, which has a mutually
that context." shared historical experience of colonial
tactics of divide and rule, this is not
an altogether new experience where the
political masters succeed in pitting one against
the other, before successfully subjugating them. 
The only thing of interest will be if the Indian
community in NZ has learned anything from
their previous mutually shared experience of
being allowed to drift apart in the wake of the
application of divisionary politics. 
So far The Indian Weekender has spoken
with many leaders and key stakeholders in the
blaming coalitions, the MMP system and an community, who have refused to agree with Mr
election year! 
Peters’ another bold assertion that there was
Trivialisation of racism  only one leader (as reported in the Herald story)
Like any other political party, Mr Peters and who was finding the comment by Mr Jones
his party are well within their constitutional as racist. 

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 The Indian Weekender Friday, March 06, 2020
KIWI-INDIAN COMMUNITY INCENSED OVER
TRIVIALISATION OF RACISM AT COUNTRY’S
TOP-POLITICAL LEVEL
SANDEEP SINGH
K
iwi-Indian community is incensed over
seemingly mundane trivialisation of
racism, as inherent, first in, Cabinet
Minister Shane Jones comments, and then
followed by his Party’s leader and Deputy
Prime Minister Winston Peters backing of him
with tasteless selection of words, and summed
up Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s stopping
short of calling-out Mr Jones comment as racist.
This is indeed the most systematic and
opportunistic trivialisation of racism being
carried out at the country’s topmost political
level in recent times.
Defending Cabinet Minister Mr Jones’
outrageous comments, Mr Peters briefly spoke
with the media on Tuesday, March 3, and made
some astounding claims in subsiding the level
of outrage within the Kiwi-Indian community,
while simultaneously also perpetuating a
victim-blaming culture.
NZ Herald reported that when Mr Peters
was challenged with the views of one of the
community leader calling out cabinet Minister’s
comments as racist, he casualised it by saying,
“That was one person, what about the other
200,000,” in reference to New Zealand’s
total Indian population. Clearly, in his usual
belligerent style, Mr Peters suggested that he
was not bothered with one lone voice of reason.
However, what was also outrageous, was
the fact that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern,
who initially appeared lashing out Mr Jones
has stopped short of calling his comments as
“racist.”
In response to this trivialisation, the Indian
Weekender reached out to many community
leaders seeking response on the ongoing
trivialisation at the country’s topmost political
level.
Narendra Bhana, President, Auckland
Indian Association Inc.
S hane Jones’ comments on the Indian student
are racist. Period. New Zealand prides itself
for being an inclusive culture and comments on
one particular ethnic group is nothing other
than a very severe form of racism. I simply do
not understand, why Shane Jones’ backed by
NZ First target the Indian community, again
and again.
Indian students come here to study and
contribute immensely to New Zealand not just to
the social fabric of the country but economically
too. Look at the hospitality industry, the Indian
students are the real contributors and are a real
asset for the industry.
Jeet Suchdev, Chairperson, Bhartiya
Samaj Charitable Trust:
I f this is not racism, then what is. The Indian
students are the contributors to this economy
too; they are the youth workforce who study
and work hard here to make their career
legitimately. Such negative connotations about
the Indian students here and by extension, the
Indian community living in New Zealand is
upsetting. New Zealand is facing dangers of
two viruses, Coronavirus and Shane Jones
virus. Shane Jones’ comments are ridiculous
and simply not acceptable.
Paul Patel, President, New Zealand
Indian Central Association (NZICA)
I
am not surprised that NZ First has against
stooped down to such a level targeting the
Indian community only to further their cause
of political mileage riding on one ethnic group.
A few years ago, they targeted the Chinese
community, and in the last few months, well,
the Indian community is their punching bag.
Where does Shane Jones’ or Winston Peters get
such information that the Indian community is
not happy with the students coming here? Has
he backed his claims with sufficient evidence
and information? No, he does not. This is what
happens when we have a coalition government
that does not help.
Yes, the Prime Minister has condemned her
cabinet’s minister’s comments, but that is not
enough. If you direct a tirade against one ethnic
group, that demotes them, it is racism, that is
the definition. I am glad that our Human Rights
Commissioner Meng Foon has condemned
Shane Jones’ comments and released a
statement stating how such comments for
political ambitions hurt the sentiments of any
ethnic group and affects them largely.
Just because we didn’t respond to his [Shane
Jones] comments much earlier, that does not
mean we stand in agreement. We just don’t
want you to ride on the Indian community once
again and further your cause.
Look at the way Shane Jones gives
interviews- so full of arrogance the way he
talks, and know-it-all attitude as if he knows all
the ins and outs of the Indian community. You
cannot have a one-on-one conversation with an
arrogant person who is so full of himself.
Sunny Kaushal, Spokesperson, South
Asian Leaders Group NZ
N
one of us wants to give any importance to
Shane Jones, neither we sympathise with
his ‘politics of desperation for existence’, but
the way some of these politicians in the Labour-
NEW ZEALAND 3
led Coalition Government have targeted and and I can understand what they feel when they
created rhetoric against the migrants accusing hear such downtrodden views about them. Mr
them for every public issue for gaining the vote Jones’ comments, of course, comes once again
is unacceptable. close to the elections. He needs oxygen and
It is dangerous for NZ’s international image, publicity to survive and what better for him to
bilateral trade and foreign policy. One side the target the Indian community once again.
Prime Minister is busy showing off in front For him, the Indian community is the lowest
of international media proclaimed herself hanging fruit that he can use anytime for his
as a champion to stop the hate speech but on political gain and mileage.
the home ground her own ministers are out of No, sir, we are not a steppingstone in your
control and fueling the hate. political ambitions, and the community
certainly does not appreciate being used as a
tool for his publicity.
Vai Ravindran, President, Auckland
Tamil Association: Nilima Venkat, General Manager,
I
strongly condemn Shane Jones’ comments
Shanti Niwas Charitable Trust
I
on the Indian students here. People are upset,
ts election time and Shane Jones’ wants
just because we did not speak on this earlier and
publicity. His comments are nefarious, and
out loud, it does not make Mr Jones’ comments we do not appreciate being the subject of his
not racist. rant. His comments are racist, and we should
I work with the Indian students very closely, ignore it, so he does not gain for this publicity.
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 4 NEW ZEALAND
Prime Minister lambasts Minister Jones, denies
suggestions of abetting casual racism in govt
SANDEEP SINGH
P
rime Minister Jacinda Ardern
has strongly refuted the
criticism on her government
for overseeing a casual trivialisation
of racism at country’s highest
political offices condemning and
distancing herself from Minister
Jones’ outbursts against the
Indian community.
“I consider those comments to be
both wrong and I consider them to be
bad for the community and bad for
New Zealand,” Ms Ardern said.
Ever since Cabinet Minister Shane
Jones has targeted the Kiwi-Indian
community – second time in just a
few months - by saying that Indian
students had ruined NZ academic
institutions and was further defended
by his Leader Deputy Prime Minister
Winston Peters by shifting the blame
on the Indian community for Mr
Jones’ comments, there has been
much concern in the community
about growing casualisation of
racism at the highest political offices.
Speaking to the Indian Weekender,
Ms Ardern was at her usual best in
distancing herself from her cabinet
colleague’s racist tirade, when
she asserted the importance of
“admonishing someone in public.”
When asked if she was giving a
lame excuse for allowing racism to
perpetuate at the topmost level of the
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government Ms Ardern firmly denied
by asserting “I don’t consider that I
have excused it in any way. I have
condemned it most vehemently.”
“Ultimately, the only thing that
can stop [Shane Jones’ comment]
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Friday, March 06, 2020 The Indian Weekender
the power of being admonished in
such a public manner.”
Ms Ardern further asserted,
“I think that me standing up and
saying that it’s bad for New Zealand
actually matters. And I do not want to
trivialise that.”
“But equally my message to voters
is that in an election year the power
now sits with you as you determine
who is able to form the government
and you have within your own power
to decide what you make of those
remarks as well,” Ms Ardern said.
When asked if she, by not
disciplining the errant Minister
was risking too much goodwill that
she had rightly earned after the
unfortunate Christchurch terror attack
last year when she firmly criticised
the racist ideology Ms Ardern remain
stoic in her convictions that she has
again “stood firm in criticising racist
comments.”
"Ultimately, “For me the issue of inclusiveness
the only thing in New Zealand, the issue of our
that can stop [Shane diversity being our strength... you
Jones’ comment] are will see me repeat time and again...
voters. Voters decide who they are values I believe strongly in,
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work with,” Ms Shane Jones for going rogue statement of one individual MP
Ardern asserted. as and when he wished, Ms and cast a shadow on an entirely
On being further asked if Ardern sidestepped the suggestion by different Party, because we have
she had given a clear runway of saying, “I think you are diminishing condemned those statements,” Ms
Ardern asserted.
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 The Indian Weekender Friday, March 06, 2020
Race Relations Commissioner
Meng Foon slams Shane Jones’ racist
comments against Indian community
IWK BUREAU
R
ace Relations Commissioner Meng
Foon has condemned Shane Jones’
comments against Indian communities
as racist, ignorant and harmful.  Home Loans*
Commissioner Meng Foon says ‘Shane
Jones’ continued racist and ignorant statements
against Indian communities must stop.
“As a leader in Government, his words are
irresponsible and harmful to many Indian,
migrant, and ethnic communities. These
types of comments divide us as a country and
embolden those that hold racist and xenophobic
views.”
“This stereotyping goes against the central
Maori value of manaakitanga (hospitality),
which so many of us love about New Zealand,
and is the reason alot of us came here.
International students, including those who
come from India, choose New Zealand tertiary
education because we are a safe county to
study in. They do not deserve to be vilified or
discriminated against.”
“The comments about Indian students,
and others he has made, undermine the rich
contributions that the Indian community has
made since first arriving here in the mid-1800’s.
Indian New Zealanders enlisted in WW1 and
fought alongside fellow Kiwis at Gallipoli,
Somme and Passchendaele. Today, Indian New
Zealanders remain an important part of who we
are as a society,” says Mr Foon.
“This month, New Zealand will mark two
important events, the one year anniversary of
the Christchurch Mosque shootings and Race
Relations Day, that remind us of the ugliness
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 6 NEW ZEALAND
For NZ First, it’s always Indians Last
DEV NADKARNI
I
n his usual blusterous manner, Cabinet
Minister Shane Jones once again targeted
his longtime favourite punching bag –
Indian immigrants in New Zealand. Naming
a specific ethnic group in a general comment
on air about NZ’s growing population was
unabashedly for effect, and very probably,
with a thinly-veiled ulterior motive aimed at
his leader –but more of that in a moment.
In an interview on TV show Newshub last
weekend Jones said, “If you want another
million, two million, three million people, we
should debate it and there should be a mandate,
rather than opening up the options, unfettered,
and everyone comes here from New Delhi.”
Making sure that the reference to ‘New
Delhi’ was not just a casual off-the-cuff
mention, he said, “I think the number of
students that have come from India have
ruined many of those institutions,” referring to
NZ’s educational institutions.
Really? How much have these institutions
collected by way of ‘international fees’ from
Indian students over the years?
This isn’t the first time Jones has targeted
immigrant Indians and Kiwi Indians in recent
times. On the contentious issue of partnership
visas, particularly relating to culturally
arranged marriages, still the norm in many
Indian communities, he had earlier said, “You
have no legitimate expectations in my view to
bring your whole village to New Zealand, and
if you don’t like it and you’re threatening to go
home, then catch the next flight home.”
Jones’ is not the lone voice droning and
ranting against Indian immigrants. Party
leader, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign
Affairs Minister Winston Peters has taken
Season’s first Holi celebration in Christchurch draws 12000 people
IWK BUREAU
H
oli celebrations for 2020
started a little early in
Christchurch that witnessed
a crowd of more than 12000 people
to the event. Christchurch’s annual
Indian Holi Festival of Colours
magnetised the Hagley Park with
thousands drenched in colours
dancing and celebrating unity in the
city.
The event on the leap day of the
year was held to foster brotherhood
and peace amongst various
ethnicities and communities living in
Christchurch, especially after March
Bollywood-style dance at the event
15 incident of 2019 that unified the
to represent the story of the origin of
spirit of ‘oneness’ in the country.
Holi; the legend of Krishna who had
“This Holi event is more
dark skin and painted fair-skinned
important now than ever due to
Radha to show that they were the
the events of March 15, 2019, and
same.
this event emanates the message of
The
togetherness,” Hitesh Sharma, event
powdered-colours that every attendee
organiser told The Indian Weekender.
“Holi is traditionally focused on
creating unity. The colours symbolise
that no matter your skin colour,
religion, background or social status,
we are all one. We need events
like Holi in our city to continue to
show strong support for all of the
people that call Christchurch home.
This year we are promoting the
need for kotahitanga – togetherness
and solidarity as Cantabrians,” Mr
Sharma said.
at the event used, besides, the colour
This event aimed to continue
cannons were blasted from the stage
building community understanding
to the crowd and dry powdered
through showcasing traditional
colours also thrown throughout the
cultural performances, food, games
event venue on the people.
and stories.
Chenda
Revathi Performing Arts created a
potshots against Indians over several years of
his political career.  on TV. So, was there some sort of grand design
The timing of Jones’ mention of New Delhi
and India in a poor light, is interesting. On that
very same weekend that Jones was on air, his
boss Peters was in New Delhi, India, leading a
substantial official NZ delegation and meeting
with highly placed officials and ministers of
the Indian establishment.  supporters.  Or will she succumb to realpolitik and risk
Peters and his team were on a charm
offensive, waxing eloquent on the India-
NZ relationship in a glossy brochure titled
‘India-New Zealand 2025: Investing in the
Relationship’: “New Zealand has benefited
from skilled migrants, student exchanges, and
rapid increases in tourist numbers from India.”
organisers arranged
performed by the ‘Rhythm of Kerala’
mesmerised the audience and was
one of the highlights of the event,
which is traditionally only seen in
temples. Holi was a rare chance
rhythm drumming for Cantabrians to witness this
Friday, March 06, 2020 The Indian Weekender
Today, like it or not, some 11 per cent of
voters in the Auckland region are of Indian
origin and we don’t need a psephologist to
tell us that this is a significant number that can
have a bearing on any electoral result of New
Zealand’s proportions. Statements like Jones’
are bound to turn proudly Indian voters away
from his party in droves.    
Despite being a coalition partner, Jones
statement sharply goes against the grain
of what Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s
leadership of the Labour Party has come to
assiduously stand for, especially in the past one
year – inclusion, compassion and tolerance. 
Though the credit for keeping the coalition
waka afloat must necessarily go to Ardern’s
sharp negotiating and navigating skills, it is
greatly disappointing that as a senior partner
in the coalition she has failed to rein in such
pronouncements from NZ First leaders that
so blatantly go against what the New Labour
would have us believe it ostensibly stands
for along with its other coalition partner, the
Greens.
This is the exact opposite of what Jones said The Prime Minister did well last week, when
she stood up to Australian Prime Minister Scott
to target Peters in a veiled way?  Morrison telling him in no uncertain terms
However, what is concerning to Kiwi about NZ’s position on the deportation issue. 
Indians is that Indian immigrants and Kiwi Now, will the Prime Minister once again
Indians have once again been used as cannon summon her considerable skills and courage to
fodder in whipping up pre-election fervour in tell off the likes of Jones for the sake of what
the party’s predominantly provincial, rightist she avowedly stands for?
Pronouncements bordering on xenophobia losing the support of the hordes from New
might have stood them in good stead over the Delhi and their entire villages that have legally
years delivering votes from their provincial made New Zealand their home, meanwhile
constituency and kept the flock together but adding more than five per cent to the national
with NZ’s vastly changed demographic that GDP, to say nothing of their contribution to
tack is no longer a safe bet. NZ’s brains trust and skills pool?
The party’s spin doctors must know this. 
festival.
“We were mindful that this event
would get people from all walks of
life, so it was made family-friendly,
wheelchair accessible, strictly
alcohol and drug-free. The colours
available to play were from cornflour
and was suitable for all ages,” co-
organiser of the event from Revel
Events Sandeep Khanna said.
“The event was assisted by
volunteers from Christchurch and
proceeds generated from the event
are reinvested into future events and
charities in India and Christchurch,”
Mr Khanna added.
Cultural background on Holi
The most popular origin stories are
that of Holika Dahan, and Krishna
and Radha.
Holika Dahan is ‘the lighting of
bonfires’, held the evening before
the main Holi festivities to symbolise
the triumph of good over evil, and
prepare for a good harvest season.
The festivities officially welcome
in spring, with Holi celebrated as a
festival of love, harmony, happiness
drumming, which comes from the
and abundance.
Kerala region in India.
The reason colours are thrown
The traditional game of Matki Phod
stems from a legend about Lord
provides an opportunity for teams
Krishna and his beloved Radha.
from all across Christchurch to build
Krishna had blue skin and wanted
a human pyramid and tip a hanging
to be fair like Radha, so his mother
pot of yoghurt – representing one of
suggested he paint their faces so that
the legends of Krishna growing up.
they could be the same – symbolising
The event served the taste buds
coming together as one.
of 12000 people with a variety of
In India, when the colours are
delicious Indian snack and food
thrown, all differences are put aside,
stalls. Music, dance and other small
and everyone becomes equal, no
activities for the visitors were crucial
matter their culture, background,
to engage everyone present at the
religion or social status.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, March 06, 2020
Shane Jones comments
deeply disappointing
• Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi
National Party List MP
S
ometime back I wrote an article
describing the Maori world view using
the famous Maori proverb
He Aha Te Mea Nui O Te Ao (What is the
most important thing in the world?)
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata (it is the
people, it is the people, it is the people).
As New Zealanders recall and mourn the
unprecedented and tragic 15 March 2019
terrorist attack, it is deeply disappointing to
hear racist comments made by New Zealand
First Cabinet Minister Shane Jones against the
Indian community.
The New Zealand National Party and our
leader Simon Bridges consider comments made
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NEW ZEALAND 7
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 8 NEW ZEALAND Friday, March 06, 2020 The Indian Weekender

AL NOOR MOSQUE THREAT: Police arrest

19-year-old white nationalist group member
RIZWAN MOHAMMAD not be tolerated." Police said.

C
Police have referred the image to Chief
anterbury Police on Wednesday, March
Censor for consideration as to whether it should
4, conducted a search warrant at a
be classified as objectionable material.
Christchurch address and arrested a
If the image is classified as objectionable,
19-year-old man who is a member of a white
anyone who knowingly possesses or shares
nationalist group.
the image commits a criminal offence
Police conducted a search operation
and can receive a maximum of 14 years
concerning a threat message on Al Noor
imprisonment.
mosque received by the community earlier
"The safety of the community is our utmost
this week.
priority. Police continue to work alongside
Police reported that a number of items
Al Noor mosque, Linwood mosque, and
including a vehicle were located at the
other members of our community impacted
address and the 19-year-old arrested appeared
by the terrible events of March 15, 2019,"
in Christchurch District Court and charged
Superintendent John Price, Canterbury District
unrelated to the threat on Thursday morning.
Commander said.
Stuff reported that through multiple sources
Police have increased patrols around Al Noor
they confirmed the 19-year-old is a member of
and Linwood mosques and will be maintaining
'Action Zealandia', a far white nationalist group
photo of a masked man sitting outside in a car "We knew that since the March 15 a visible presence in the community as the
that in recent weeks has attempted to gain
outside the mosque. anniversary is coming, someone might try to anniversary of the terror attack approaches.
publicity.
As reported on Stuff, the image showed a man create a nuisance and disturb the peace and "On behalf of NZ Police, I want to thank
Earlier on Monday, it was reported that a
wearing dark glasses and a balaclava printed harmony of the community," Ms Rahman said. those members of the community who alerted
significant number of community members
with a picture of a human skull. Through a car Security Intelligence Service director us to the recent threat against Al Noor mosque.
received an encrypted message via social
window, the front of the Al Noor can be seen, Rebecca Kitteridge last month warned that "We ask that you continue to remain vigilant,
media app Telegram that showed a man in a
and in the background, four people are visible some Kiwis had been inspired by the March 15 and encourage you to report anything suspicious
mask outside the Al Noor mosque with a threat
at the entrance of the mosque. terror attack, and monitoring such people had or concerning to police immediately."
message directing towards the community and
The message accompanied with the photo been difficult. Police said.
March 15, 2019 incident.
was both in English and Ukrainian that implied At a press conference on Monday afternoon, A number of remembrance events are
This threat has come just two weeks before
the people at the 'same mosque' would be Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she was planned in major cities of the country, and
the Christchurch mosque attacks on March 15,
greeting each other for the 'last time' with a devastated to see Muslim people threatened some smaller events in mosques inviting the
2019, that killed 51 people and injured 100.
gun emoji or symbol also used in the message, nearly a year on from the Christchurch terror wider community for a prayer service for the
Stuff added that an activist group in Paparoa
Stuff reported. attack, RNZ reported. people affected.
that tracks nationalism and online hate speech
Islamic Women's Council national co- Police said they are aware of that a number "Observing death anniversaries in not really
alleges that it has evidence of the teenager
ordinator Anjum Rahman told The Indian of people are sharing an image featuring Al a part of our Islamic faith, but this incident
describing his 'group of fascists' in Christchurch.
Weekender that she received a screenshot of the Noor mosque which was initially published on affects the broader Kiwi communities living in
The Paparoa spokesperson said that they
threat message on Monday morning of which social media and is creating significant stress New Zealand. We all should pray for the fallen
are deeply concerned with Islamophobia
she immediately notified the police. Police and anxiety for the members of the community. souls and their families who have endured
being increasingly normalised and tolerated in
were aware of the threat via other sources and "This type of imagery has no place in through these tough times," Ms Rahman told
New Zealand.
had already started their investigation. Aotearoa New Zealand. It is abhorrent and will The Indian Weekender.
The threat issued on Sunday night showed a

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 The Indian Weekender Friday, March 06, 2020 NEW ZEALAND 9

Police reassures Muslim community

ahead of ChCh terror attacks anniversary
RIZWAN MOHAMMAD day events, exhibitions and prayer
sessions for the fallen souls. 

N
Z Police has conveyed
a special message to the NZ Police’s message to
Muslim community living the Muslim community
in New Zealand reassuring the goes as: 
community’s safety ahead of the first Dear members of the Muslim
anniversary of March 15 attacks on community,
two mosques in Christchurch that In preparation for the anniversary
took the lives of 51 people.  of the tragic events that occurred on
This message was sent to the March 15 2019, Police want to assure
Muslim community assuring all communities in New Zealand that
all security arrangements and Police have been in regular contact
communications are being made with and communication with mosques
mosques leading to both planned
and related communities.
and unplanned commemorative
Police have worked with mosques
events on March 15 anniversary in
on security arrangements and to
New Zealand. 
provide ongoing support and advice
Earlier on Monday, Stuff reported
as required.
that around 2000 people in New
In light of the planned and
Zealand received a new threat
unplanned commemorative events
directing at Al Noor mosque via an
encrypted message app Telegram.  around NZ, Police will support these
New Zealand Police in a press events as much as possible.
release said they are aware of the Be reassured that Police have an
planned on March 15 this month Muslim community, Christchurch Queens Drive, Kilbirnie, Wellington in-depth knowledge of individuals
matter and are treated all threads observing the one full year since that City Council, the Government and from 10 a.m. till 3 p.m.
made to the community seriously.  and groups whose actions may pose
mosque attacks that took the lives of Ngai Tuahuriri as Mana Whenua. The New Zealand Muslim a threat in New Zealand.
“Police are working closely with
51 injured 100 and affecting the lives Wellington City on March 15 Association (NZMA) based in If anyone sees or hears of anything
the organisations involved, and we
of hundreds of thousands whose will witness an exhibition organised Auckland in association with FIANZ concerning, or suspicious that does
have the common aim of ensuring
the safety of our communities,” a memories are permanently etched by FIANZ (Federation of Islamic is also hosting a remembrance day look or seem right call us on 111 to
Police spokesperson said.  with the scars of the tragic day.  Association in New Zealand) in similar to the event organised last report it immediately.
NZ Police spokesperson confirmed Christchurch City Council is association with Wellington City year. The event this year will be held Police work tirelessly every day
to The Indian Weekender that the holding a remembrance service on Council and IMAN (International at Eden park grounds on Sunday, to ensure we keep the public in
message of assurance released to the Sunday, March 15 at North Hagley Muslims Association of New March 15, after 1 p.m.  New Zealand safe and make them
Muslim community was in relation Park to honour those killed in the Zealand) called UMAH Day. Some Islamic centres across the feel safe.
to the anniversary as an awareness attack and to build on the spirit of The exhibition has been merged country will also host non-formal Thank you for your cooperation
for the community.  unity that came out of the tragedy. with Mosque Open Day and will be memorial day events with a relatively and support around this time and
Three significant memorials are The service is jointly led by the local held at Kilbirnie Mosque on 7-11 smaller gathering, mosque open in future.

Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi

National List MP based
in Manukau East

1/131 Kolmar Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland

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

For JP services please contact

Rahul Chopra on 09 278 9302

Funded by the Parliamentary

Service. Authorised by
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi MP,

/thegateauhouse 1/131 Kolmar Road,

Papatoetoe.

www.gateauhouse.com
Queen St / Botany / Mt Eden / Newmarket / Henderson / Glenfield / Albany
 10 NEW ZEALAND
New Kiwi Indian
talents to watch
out for in 2020:
Pop Singer
Arjun Bhat
RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
K
iwi Indian singer Arjun Bhat aka
theajsound is on a roll after making
a number of music videos earlier and
now has released his solo single ‘ANYMORE.’
on various music platforms.
Performing with the big names in the
community such as Shirley Setia, Kanik
Mongia and Avish Sharma, the artiste has now
graduated to make his own debut as a talent
to watch out for in 2020. ‘theajsound’ quickly
topped YouTube fame when his cover with
Shirley Setia hit more than 11 million views
from around the world drawing thousands of
new fans to his name.
After moving to New Zealand at the age
of nine, Arjun played cricket growing up and
loved to sing as his hobby. He studied Computer
Science and Information Systems and worked
as a developer for eight years before taking up
music as his next parallel venture.
The Mumbai born passionate popstar,
cricketer and IT Developer eyes to become a
full-time musician-singer making music videos
and performing for millions on music tours.
In conversation with The Indian Weekender,
Arjun aka ‘theajsound’ narrates his dream
of pursuing music from his childhood, his
struggles and challenges to break the ice and
what music means to his life.
IWK: When did you start getting inter-
ested in making music, and what was
the turning point for you?
theajsound: Back in 2012, I was in a
relationship with a pianist, and it was her family
who encouraged me to play until I did my first
performance for our families in the lounge. I
was so nervous, but it was exhilarating – and I
Friday, March 06, 2020 The Indian Weekender
knew deep down this is what I should be doing!
I went on to do covers with the likes of
Shirley Setia, Kanik Mongia and Avish Sharma,
who were doing Bollywood songs at the time.
Eventually, I started working on my own covers
in English pop music.
IWK: How was working with Shirley
Setia?
theajsound: Amazing. We’ve been
friends for years and are still so close. We’re
continually sharing our struggles with making
it big out there.
It’s all about finding people you resonate
with and can grow with. She’s helped with my
growth a ton, and I’m grateful to her for that!
I’d love to say she feels the same, but you’ll
have to ask her that.
IWK: What made you pursue this sing-
ing and music?
theajsound: Losing the love of my life just
kicked things into motion for me to make this
into a career. I don’t think it’s just talent – I It then progressed to Ed Sheeran, Taylor
think anyone can do it! For me, it’s been hours Swift and Jason Mraz. As of late, I’ve been
of work and grinding day and night. I devoted leaning towards the more hip “pop” music like
hours and days on my guitar practicing, singing Post Malone and Ali Gatie.
and many sleepless nights to improve and IWK: What are your aspirations long
perfect my craft. term?
I did about three years of vocal coaching. theajsound: I want to perfect my music,
One year focused on the rock genre, with RvR. something that inspires the audience. I dream
Then went on to learn from a lovely lady who of going on a world tour someday, become the
did theatrical and operatic vocal coaching with biggest pop singer/songwriter in the world. I
me for two years. want to see my music on No. 1 position on the
IWK: What kind of music do you play/ billboard charts and Spotify.
sing/write? IWK: Tell us briefly about your new
theajsound: My taste and style of music single ‘ANYMORE.’?
are ever-evolving. At the moment, I’m writing theajsound: ANYMORE. is my debut single
mainly pop music, but I don’t limit myself by that follow his emotional journey after a painful
genre. heartbreak. ANYMORE., to me, describes that
I started by playing a lot of acoustic covers moment after a breakup where you just can’t
of artists my dad likes! Such as Neil Diamond, seem to forget about each other, I still can’t get
Guns n Roses, Metallica and so on. her out of my head.
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 The Indian Weekender Friday, March 06, 2020
Football tournament to pay tribute
to victims of ChCh mosque attacks
RADIO NEW ZEALAND
T
wo men whose lives have been tipped
upside down by the 15 March mosque
shootings are organising a football
tournament to mark the one-year anniversary.
Siraz Ali, who lost his father in the Al Noor
mosque, and Azam Ali, who witnessed the
shooting at the Linwood mosque, are holding
the inaugural Memorial Cup on the weekend
following the one-year anniversary.
The idea for the tournament was formulated
just before Christmas in Azam Ali’s garage,
over a few bowls of kava.
Azam, who was still recovering from an
operation to fix a back injury sustained in the
rush to get out of the Linwood mosque, said it
was about giving back to St John Ambulance
whose staff saved dozens of lives that day.
The coming together of Muslims and non-
Muslims that characterised the days and weeks
after the shootings should not be forgotten, he
said.
“I think it’s slowly fading away. So I think
it needs a bit of a jumpstart again. And hey,
we’re Cantabrians, we’re hard, we survived
the earthquake, we’re going to survive what
happened last year in March and let’s show
the world. We are one. You know we can live
together, play together.”
The tournament would be a multi-cultural
affair involving 16 teams with players
representing a rainbow of nations.
Siraz said with teams playing for pride in
their heritage, the competition would be fierce
and the quality of the football high.
“Every team wants to win. So I think they’re
India delegation 2020
lPriyanca Radhakrishnan
Labour List MP based in
Maungakiekie,Parliamentary
Private Secretary to the Minister for
Ethnic Communities
I
was recently in India with Trade and Export
Growth Minister, Hon. David Parker
and Foreign Affairs Minister, Rt. Hon.
Winston Peters who were co-leading a business
delegation that included representatives
from various sectors, business councils and
organisations like the Asia New Zealand
Foundation.
We were there to strengthen our ties with
India and to build the rapport that is the
precursor to a relationship of mutual trust.
As the refreshed India Inc. strategy that was
launched during the visit outlines, there are five
goals we aim to achieve by 2025.
They are: developing a relationship based
on mutual trust that advances our shared
interests; developing more India-capable New
Zealanders; improving our trade relationship;
ensuring that New Zealand’s value proposition
is known and understood and finally,
strengthening and expanding our sporting and
cultural connections with India.
It has been said often that India and New
Zealand have a lot in common. Our population
of Indian New Zealanders – our bridge to
understanding India - has grown to over
220,000. India’s population is 1.3 billion and
poised to be the largest by 2025.
It’s also a young population, the largest
democracy and still enjoys a relatively high
growth rate. It presents enormous market
opportunities.
And yet, our contexts are quite different. New
Zealand is a proponent of trade liberalisation.
We have to be – we are a small nation at the
bottom of the world and we’re reliant on trade.
Azam Ali and Shiraz Ali are expecting a fierce competition at a football tournament to mark the one know where they are
year anniversary since the Christchurch mosque shootings. Photo- RNZ- Conan Young
already preparing themselves. And basically,
we don’t know where they are doing it. So they
don’t want us to come and spy and check out the
players, who’s playing, who is not. So basically
we’re only going to find out on Saturday and
Sunday, who’s the top team.”
Prize money was on the line for the top four
India, on the other hand, tends to be a little
sceptical about trade deals as they feel they
don’t do quite as well out of bilateral – or even
multilateral - deals.
Their reservations when it comes to trade
deals, coupled with a large domestic market
means that India is much more domestically-
focused. All that means, though, is that we need
to shift the way we see India – a little bit like
what this government has done with the Pacific
Reset. The Pacific Reset has two main strands
– renewed Pacific diplomacy, which includes
more frequent high-level delegations and to put
our money where our mouth is and invest in
this relationship.
As I see it, the Pacific Reset is also about
how we view our Pacific partners differently –
from a donor-recipient relationship to a mature
partnership based on mutual understanding,
friendship, mutual benefit and collective
ambition.
Our refreshed New Zealand-India strategy
is about doing just that – growing our
understanding of the Indian context, building
a more mature relationship built on mutual
benefit and strengthened people-to-people
links, telling the New Zealand story better in
the Indian context and ensuring that we partner
with India to add value to both our nations.
Priyanca Radhakrishnan, List MP
based in Maungakiekie and Parliamentary
Private Secretary to the Minister for Ethnic
Communities
NEW ZEALAND 11
Siraz said his father was a keen footballer
and he was pleased to be able to honour his
memory in this way.
“When we used to go out to play tournaments
and stuff, most of the boys used to come home
and they all knew my dad. So yeah, my dad was
like part of this team.
“That’s why I said like, we should do
something, not just for my dad [but] for the 51
people who have left us and plus like the whole
of Christchurch to get back together and say we
are one again.”
Siraz said it had been a steep learning curve
and had involved a lot of their own money and
time.
But he hoped the tournament would become
a regular fixture in the years to come.
“It’s not going to be stopping here but it’s
going to keep moving, the ball will keep rolling,
rolling, rolling until whoever can take over
from us. Once we are old, somebody
else will be here, hopefully
"Every
our boys. They are soccer
team wants
fans as well. So hopefully
to win. So I think
they will take over this as
they’re already
well.”
preparing themselves.
The two men had
And basically, we don’t
been helped by a wider
group of 15 to organise
doing it"
the tournament which was
teams who would also each receive a cup. all being done with the help
Prize money is on the line for the top four of sponsors, the city council and
teams who will also each receive a cup.Photo: Mainland Football.
Supplied They are still hoping a member of the public
The third-placed team would be awarded the or a sponsor will help out with seating and a
Ashraf Ali cup in honour of Siraz’s father who marquee, and with providing some children’s
died in the Al Noor mosque. entertainment.
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 12 NEW ZEALAND Friday, March 06, 2020 The Indian Weekender

SUNIL GROVER’S avatars get

standing ovation in Auckland
RIZWAN MOHAMMAD

L
iving up to the excitement and
expectation of his fans in Auckland,
Sunil Grover aka Dr Mashoor Gulati,
Rinku Bhabhi, Gutthi and duplicate Amitabh
Bachchan delivered a massively successful
show in Auckland last week.
Actor and stage comedian Sunil Grover
stood in different characters donning a saree
with a broad vermilion on his forehead playing
the avatar of Rinku Bhabhi; the comedian
jumped at the first chance walking amongst
the audience interacting with them.
The much-anticipated show of the year
received an almost full house booking with
families and friends queueing outside the
Convention Centre to see the actor perform
live.
In his starting act, Sunil Grover dubbed
speeches of former Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh, former President of USA,
Barrack Obama and also Prime Minister
Jacinda Ardern in his voice making humorous
anecdotes while welcoming his audience in
the auditorium.
Sunil charmed the audience with his
witty one-liners, picking up on the audience
who arrived late to the show. Against the
background of his signature music video
in which he complains not being loved by
her husband, Sunil raved the audience with
several anecdotes and jokes that got the Bachchan where he picked a random person one-day ahead of the show, Sunil
audience of their seats laughing. from the audience and played Kaun Nahi Grover did not hesitate to mingle
What made the show an actual ‘paisa Banega Crorepati, a parody of the famous with every guest present at the
vasool’ was his charm and part of the act to Indian game show Kaun Banega Crorepati. event and shared a laugh or two
engage with the audience seated by making The surprise elements of the evening were with them.
them dance with him, cracking jokes and Dr Mashoor Gulati inviting ten ladies from Sunil mentioned his
playing silly games that brought more laughter the audience for a ramp walk on the stage, inspirations that he draws from
and smiles. dance and gave a sponsored goodie bag to the his real-life experience that he
Sunil used seemingly mundane words most cheered contestant. enacts them or scripts them for
and situations relevant to New Zealand and Another act just after the interval that Sunil his sketches, both on-screen
created comedy in his act. Grover played was reading a poem on the life and on stage.
“Who would have thought here that Mission and his struggles, then narrating a seemingly “He is one of the most
Bay, Papatoetoe, DOL, Immigration at the real-life horror story and scared the audience humble stars that I have ever
airport and Ghar da Achaar would create with a thunder. met,” a guest present at the
such hilarious comedy acts on stage and Sunil Sunil Grover’s brilliance on stage was meet and greet event said.
Grover performed used these words to create not just his comic timings, and different CFI Events is the
a never seen comedy act on the stage,” a characters that bring to life on stage, and but Events Manager of show
member of the audience said giving feedback even when playing actor Sunil Grover, he co-ordinated by RS
on the show. presented himself to the crowd with utmost Promotions, presented
He equally charmed the audience with humility and won the hearts of his audience. by Travel Corner &
his avatar Dr Mashoor Gulati, Sunil Grover Addressing the guests at the meet and greet Bindu’s Brows+Beauty.
himself, Gutthi, and duplicate Amitabh

Government’s soft on crime attitude hits a new low

l Dr Parmjeet Parmar
National List MP based in Mt Roskill
National Party Spokesperson for
Research, Science and Innovation,
Associate Spokesperson for
Economic Development
released. What does that say about the state of Once offenders come out of prison and have re- to be put in this position and we should be
our justice system under this Government?  joined society then they have this right returned putting them before criminals.
This is just one example of the Government’s to them.   National has always been very clear, we
soft on crime attitude filtering down, and this Going to prison is a punishment, it should unapologetically stand on the side of victims,
time it’s Corrections reacting to it.  be treated as such. Instead this Government is and a National Government would ensure
If releasing a prisoner on bail because he intent on making it seem like a holiday, even victims feel as though they have received

T
his week we’ve seen the Government’s
soft on crime attitude has hit an all new
low.
 For a start, Corrections released a prisoner
on bail after he staged a hunger strike for 25
days. Instead of dealing with the offender
inside prison, Corrections took the easy option.
 As a result, we now have a recidivist offender
with an extensive criminal record living in our
community.
 Corrections has set a dangerous precedent
and has essentially opened the floodgates, what
will prisoners try next to force Corrections’
hand?  robberies, family violence and sexual offences.   If you commit a crime you shouldn’t get off
What’s even worse is that the prisoner
himself didn’t even think he should’ve been
went on hunger strike wasn’t bad enough, then
the Government introduced a Bill that will
allow prisoners to vote.
 Losing the right to vote is a consequence of
serious offending, and National has been very
clear that we will oppose any change to the law
on this.
  It’s difficult to be sentenced to prison, and
you have to have committed serious crimes to
get there.
 Prisoners who have received sentences of up
to three years aren’t petty criminals. They are
people who have committed serious assaults,
Losing the right to vote is consistent with the
loss of other freedoms when going to prison.
releasing prisoners early if they become too justice. 
difficult to deal with.  It’s becoming obvious at the election this year
But with this sort of behaviour happening, there is a stark difference between a Labour,
it’s no wonder other criminals are feeling Greens, NZ First soft on crime Government
emboldened under the current Government. clearly on the side of offenders, and a National
We’ve seen a sharp increase in gang Government that is tough on crime and puts
membership as well, since October 2017 almost victims at the heart of our justice system.
1600 more people have joined gangs, with this
number continuing to grow.
It’s making excuses for drug use, we saw last
year that drug dealers who could prove their
addiction caused the crimes could receive a 30
per cent discount on their sentence.
easily.  
This isn’t fair on victims. They haven’t asked
 The Indian Weekender Friday, March 06, 2020 NEW ZEALAND 13

Fourth NZ Hindu Youth

Conference held in Auckland
IWK BUREAU

T
he fourth New Zealand Youth
Conference lauds youths in community
for stepping up and taking leadership
working towards the goal of a mutually shared
peace and prosperity in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The one day conference was hosted by Hindu
Youth New Zealand (HYNZ) and New Zealand
Hindu Students forum (NZHSF) on Saturday,
February 29, at KPMG, Auckland.

The conference had more than 120 delegates
from around the World, including Fiji,
Australia, Malaysia and Bharat (India).
The conference welcomed young people of
all ethnicities, backgrounds, and affiliations
providing the opportunity for important
discussions and networking opportunities with
various young leaders.
The Minister for Ethnic Communities, Hon.
Jenny Salesa inaugurated the event, which
was also attended by the Race Relations
Commissioner Meng Foon and National MP
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi who all addressed the
young delegation.
“There are now about 123,500 Hindus in
Aotearoa New Zealand, and you are the second
largest, but fastest growing community. Your
faith and your community will be a big part
of Aotearoa New Zealand’s future,” said Hon.
Salesa speaking at the occasion.
Minister Salesa further went on to
acknowledge the participation of Hindu youth
in medicine and technology as well as in a
range of different workplaces throughout the
"
There are now interested in this sector.
about 123,500 She said she was very much impressed by the
welcome speech and keynote address given by
Hindus in Aotearoa New the Hindu youth before her presentation.
Zealand, and you are the Ms. Salesa was joined with Dinesh Naik,
second largest, but fastest Partner - Diversity and Inclusion, KPMG;
Inspector Rakesh Naidoo, Principal Advisor –
growing community. Your New Zealand Police;, as well as Vinod Kumar,
faith and your community President of Hindu Council of New Zealand
will be a big part of in lighting the lamp and inaugurating the
conference.
Aotearoa New Zealand’s
“Be proud of your identity and use it to stand
future, out. Be outstanding and not a bystander,” said
Meng Foon, Race Relations Commissioner, in
country. She also encouraged young Hindus his summing up of his address to the delegates.
to participate in politics and state sector He went on to commend the efforts of KPMG
boards whilst opening her doors for offering in their support of such activities saying, “it is
mentorships and pathways for young people heartening and encouraging to see a company
like KPMG coming out in full support of
encouraging cohesion and inclusiveness.”
Expressing his interest in the deliberations of
the day and to ensure that youth voices are heard
Hon. Bakshi said in his address, “I would like to
receive a summary of today and understanding
from Hindu Youth New Zealand of how I can
help to make sure what you want is heard by
us.” Acknowledging under-representation in
certain areas, he also welcomed young people
to politics stating that mentoring opportunities
will be available to Hindu Youth that approach
the party.
Conference Coordinator and Hindu Youth
New Zealand President, Murali Krishna
Magesan delivered the keynote address in the
inaugural session, highlighting the participation
of Hindu Youth in nation building.

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 14 FIJI Friday, March 06, 2020 The Indian Weekender

NZ announces $2m funding Four people in Fiji

are in isolation and

for Fijian climate fund

are being monitored
for Coronavirus

F
our people in Fiji are being

N
ew Zealand has today
become the first country to
contribute to Fiji’s Climate
Relocation and Displaced Peoples
Trust Fund.
This as New Zealand Prime
Minister, Jacinda Ardern announced
a two-million-dollar contribution to
the fund.
The contribution comes from the
$150 million package of Pacific-
focused climate change assistance
the Government announced at the
Pacific Islands Forum last August.
Speaking at the University of the
South Pacific, Ardern says Fijian
Prime Minister Bainimarama had
asked for a contribution to the Fiji
Trust last year.
“New Zealand really the funding
that we announce today, for instance,
it came with the request of the
Fiji government. We’re the first
contributes towards it and it is been
of the battle against climate change monitored for Coronavirus
and it is important that New Zealand which is now known as
supports those who contributed the COVID-19 and are in strict isolation
least to rising sea levels and extreme as the Ministry of Health awaits
weather but who’re experiencing it test results.
the most to resettle their communities There are no confirmed cases of
in safer places. coronavirus in Fiji. All four are in
Praising the fund, which is a stable condition. A 15-month old girl
world-first initiative, Ardern says developed respiratory symptoms in
it’s a practical project that helps Suva after arriving in Fiji from the
people already impacted by climate United States of America yesterday.
"We change that they want to ensure their A 37-year-old Fijian woman who
here in the assistance is targeted at. returned from Italy was flagged with
driven by Fiji for Pacific have long everyone has seen the “We here in the Pacific have long respiratory symptoms during a health
known that we are so
Fiji and for those reality sadly.” known that we are so much stronger screening at Nadi Airport yesterday.
much stronger and so much
communities by more effective when we Ardern says and so much more effective when A three-year-old Fijian boy and
those communities speak with one voice and the relocation of we speak with one voice and act as a his 26-year-old mother developed
and I think that is act as a region from communities has region from here and into the world. respiratory symptoms yesterday after
so important. here and into the already started in Fiji and "Last year as leaders we’ve returning from Bali and Singapore.
"No one is to be world" five communities have been highlighted the importance of Contact tracing has commenced
the ones coming in and moved to a date and a further maintaining region solidarity and for all four patients.
make those decisions on those 42 have applied for Government encouraging engagement in the The Ministry of Health says as the
communities’ behalf. That is support to move. region that aligns with and supports symptoms of coronavirus are very
meant for Fiji but really I think She says Fiji is on the front line Pacific’s priorities and values.” similar to many other respiratory

Ardern: NZ illnesses, it is expected that with time

the Ministry will investigate more

hopes to persons with relevant travel history

and symptoms related to coronavirus.

replicate The Ministry is urging the

public to not share rumours and

Fiji’s women misinformation.  

72 countries outside China have

representation reported cases of coronavirus with

30 countries reported by the World

in Parliament Health Organisation as having local

transmission.

N
ew Zealand hopes to
replicate Fiji’s women
representation
Parliament.
Speaking in an interview with
the media during her official visit
to the country this week, NZ Prime
Minister Jacinda Ardern said she
shared this with Prime Minister
Voreqe Bainimarama during their
There are now over 90,000
confirmed cases of coronavirus
in globally with over 80,000 cases
alone in China. Over 3,000 people
have died worldwide and most deaths
have been recorded in China.
How can you prevent yourself
from getting coronavirus and other
diseases?
Bainimarama commends Jacinda Ardern’s leadership • Frequently clean hands soap

bilateral meeting.
“I discussed and raised with PM
Bainimarama my appreciation of the
fact that within the Pacific, you have
the greatest representation of women
in Parliament and that I’m very
keen to continue to do what we can
to replicate that around the Pacific
and the strength of the women and
leadership here,” she said.
PM Ardern was in the country
this week for a four-day visit before
departing for Australia to meet with
Australian Prime Minister Scott
Morrison.
T
he visit by New Zealand
Prime Minister Jacinda
Ardern is a celebration of the
rich and enduring friendship between
Fijians and Kiwis.
Prime Minister Voreqe
Bainimarama highlighted this at the
State Dinner for his NZ counterpart.
Bainimarama stressed that
Ardern’s interactions with Pacific
Island leaders at last year’s forum
in Funafuti, is a reflection of New
Zealand’s genuine desire for a
renewed and strengthened connection
among our regional family.
Bainimarama also commended
the way Ardern responded to the
Christchurch terror attacks last year.
He said this was one of two defining
moments in Jacinda Ardern’s time in
office to date.
“The other was her unshaken
response to the hate-filled acts of
terror carried out at mosques in
Christchurch last year, and the
comfort she lent in a time of immense
fear, grief and mourning.
“They are us.” Those few words
helped unite a nation and inspire the
world.
"And behind the words stood
a remarkable story of resilience,
compassion and action that I believe,
set a new benchmark for how any
leader can help a wounded nation
heal.”
This morning, Prime Minister
Ardern met the Secretary-General of
the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat
before making an official visit to the
RISE project in Tamavua-i-wai.
At four this afternoon, Prime
Minister Ardern is scheduled to
speak at the University of the South
Pacific, her last official function.
and water or an alcohol-based
hand rub
• Avoid touching your face –
especially your mouth, nose
and eyes
• When coughing and sneezing
cover mouth and nose with
flexed elbow or tissue – throw
tissue away immediately and
wash hands
• Avoid close contact with anyone
who has fever and cough – stay at
least 1 metre away
• Avoid travel to mainland China,
Iran, Italy and South Korea

NZ PM says building resilient communities is crucial

N
ew Zealand Prime Minister
Jacinda Ardern has stressed
that we have to build
resilient communities.
Ardern highlighted this while
officiating at the ground breaking
ceremony for the RISE (Rising
Informal Settlements and the
Environments) Project at Tamavua-i-
wai in Suva yesterday.
Ardern says we face the
consequences of climate change
and Fiji knows all too well the
consequences of flooding.
The New Zealand PM adds that
the voice of the Pacific is important
on the world stage right now, to
remind other world leaders of the friends.”
real impacts of the environment that Minister for Housing Premila
they are facing daily. Kumar says with New Zealand’s
“We are all connected by our support, Fiji will be able to
shared humanity and by the fact that forge ahead with much needed
we are friends. infrastructural work with the
"I hope that we can see the benefit installation and improvement of
of what here might seem like just utilities, including roads, water and
a number on a page but $3m that electricity in the communities.
means that 2,000 people benefits The RISE project will use
from a project that realizes innovative, community driven
all of those goals. "We nature based methods
"I know there is are all to address health,
more work to do connected by our environment, water and
but I am confident shared humanity and sanitation issues faced
that we can keep by the fact that we are by people in informal
doing it together as friends." settlements.
FOOD, FUN & MUSIC

FREE

Holi
ENTRY

SUNDAY MARCH 22 / 12PM - 7PM

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 Thought of the week
"Life is 10% what happens to you and 90%
how you react to it."
- Charles R. Swindoll

Editorial 06 March – 12 March

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thu
Mind & behavioural
coaching a must for On-and-off Partly Parlty Clouds and A touch o Sunshine A few

Indian cricket rain and

drizzle
sunny sunny sun dafr and pactcy
clouds
morning
showers

T
he previous week had three significant moments with regard to Indian cricket.
The senior Indian team, having demolished New Zealand in the five-match T20I
series were brought down to earth, lost 0-3 in the ODIs. The New Zealand side,
which looked like a dazzled rabbit under a spot light after the T20Is, suddenly turned into
hunters rather than one that was being hunted.
Although the ODIs did not have much importance at this stage, the failure of India’s
three star performers -- Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav -- are a cause for
concern. All of them looked till then infallible, but going into the important two-match
Test series, New Zealand may feel that they have found a chink in India’s armour.
The Test matches are crucial for India to garner points for the Test Championship. The
two top qualifiers will play for the first ever Test-match Trophy in the final to be held at
Lords next year. The Test series, therefore, should be very interesting as New Zealand,
especially at home, are a side that seem to flourish in their backyard.
The red cherry or cricket ball is all that it takes to make cricket encounters between
teams into a different ball game.
The wonderful aspect of the New Zealand versus India battle has been the spirit in
which both the teams have played the game. It is so inspiring to see players on both sides
appreciating, acknowledging as well as admiring each other on and off the field.
On the other hand, the next significant moment for India was the U-19 World Cup final
and the atrocious behaviour that one witnessed while watching it.
India played Bangladesh and the match turned out to be an encounter that one should
ensure never happens again on the cricket field. The umpires, I felt, should have sternly
put a stop to it at the very beginning. It gradually escalated into an abusive and aggressive
mayhem that marred the spirit of the game.
India, the more powerful side with the leading batsmen of the tournament in Yashasvi
Jaiswal and the bowler Ravi Bishnoi in their fold, were the strong favourites. Although,
both of them did come through with match winning performances, Bangladesh as a team
and with an astute captain in Akbar Ali, romped home victorious.
The Indian defeat, if one analyses, was not because of the lack of any cricketing ability
but solely on account of their immature and emotional outbursts.
Bangladesh, who had nothing to lose, may have instigated the aggressive behaviour, but
the Indian side, rather than focusing on their game fell a victim to it.
The talented Indian opening bowlers, rather than concentrating on their line and length
went into a mode to showcase the fire power that they possessed and gave away those
extra runs that proved detrimental at the end. This was a very bitter lesson that not only
the coaching staff of the U-19 side learnt but one hopes that it will be an awakening for
the young Indian cricketers in the future as well.
The U-19 Indian side had three of the coolest heads in Indian cricket preparing them for
the tournament, in Rahul Dravid, Paras Mhambrey and Hrishikesh Kanitkar.
All of them are known for their serious, unemotional attitude and ones who never lost
their cool even in the most adverse conditions. One, as they say, lives and learns and one
is sure that, hereafter, the U-19 and the India A players will be taken through an emotional
and mental behaviour class in going forward.
The third significant encounter was the tri-series final between Australia and the India
women. India, did well to qualify ahead of England and had Australia in trouble.
This T20I series is a warm-up to India’s T20 World Cup being held from February 21.
Once again as in the past, India failed to close the match, with 40 runs to make with both
their top players Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur at the crease.
The Indian women are getting themselves into a very good position but somehow fail
to complete the task at hand. Once again this is all to do with mental preparation and the
Indian coach, W.V. Raman, needs to address this very seriously.
India, has two of the most renowned finishers of the game in M.S. Dhoni and Virat
Kohli. A talk with these two individuals before they commence their World Cup campaign
would be just the pep talk needed to build their confidence.
Cricketing wise the Indian women’s team is right at the top. A cool and collective mind
is all they require to win the first big trophy for Indian women’s cricket.
Indian cricket at all levels seems to be swarmed with talented and skillful cricketers.
But the BCCI now has to make them mentally and behaviourally strong and coaching is
the only way forward. One hopes they put a good curriculum in place soon.
21° 23° 24° 23° 23° 24° 24°
14° 13° 16° 15° 16° 16° 17°
This week in New Zealand’s history
8 March 1929
First 'talkie' draws crowds in Wellington
M oviegoers flocked to see Frank Borzage’s Street angel, a silent picture with a recorded
musical soundtrack, at Wellington’s Paramount Theatre. There were also five ‘talkie
shorts’, including an interview with the King of Spain. Live music usually accompanied silent
movies, so a recorded soundtrack was a real novelty.
8 March 1921
First appointment of trainee school dental nurses
O n 8 March 1921 newspapers reported that the first 34 women had been appointed to train as
dental nurses for the state-funded School Dental Service (SDS). A world first, the SDS was
established to provide New Zealand primary school children with free dental care, in recognition
of the appalling condition of New Zealand children’s teeth; it had been found that four out of five
schoolchildren were in need of dental intervention. 
9 March 1890
Sutherland Falls climbed
Y oung surveyor William Quill needed only basic climbing equipment, including a billhook
and an alpenstock, to scale the side of the ‘great Sutherland waterfall’ which cascades for
580 m near Milford Sound.
10 March 1869
New Zealand Cross created
T his medal was created because members of New Zealand’s
colonial forces were not eligible for the Victoria Cross. Only
23 were awarded, all to men who served in the New Zealand Wars,
making it one of the world‘s rarest military honours.
11 March 1884
New Zealand Freethought Association
founded
F orty delegates from six regional associations met in Dunedin to adopt a constitution and
elect the first officeholders in the new organisation. ‘Freethinker’ was the 19th-century term
for people (mostly middle-class men) who viewed the world through the lenses of reason and
logic.
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 The Indian Weekender
RACIST COMMENTS WILL ERODE
LABOUR’S KIWI-INDIAN BASE
DEV NADKARNI
L
ast month a report in online
media outlet The Newsroom
said, “Voters in the Indian
communities are particularly
unhappy with the Labour-NZ First
coalition’s migration rhetoric and
policies,” in an in-depth article
headlined ‘Unhappy Indian voters
eye shift to National’.
Last weekend’s unfortunate
comments by Shane Jones criticising
Indian immigrants might well have
accelerated that shift to blue.
Making a point about New
Zealand’s growing population
and NZ First’s plans to bring to
centerstage a conversation on a
‘Maximum Population Policy’ in
the coming election, Jones said,
“If you want another million, two
million, three million people, we
should debate it and there should be
a mandate, rather than opening up
the options, unfettered, and everyone
comes here from New Delhi.”
In the same Newshub interview he
said, “I think the number of students
that have come from India have
Why Bollywood doesn’t do this?
AMIT KHANNA  support in this regard. If some
T
here’s no denying that
cinema, especially Hindi
cinema, has tremendous
influence on contemporary Indian
culture. Bollywood is arguably one
of India’s most well-known brands
globally. Having spent five decades
in showbiz, I am often asked some
common questions at various forums
-- international conferences, social
media and familial get-togethers.
Let me try and answer a few of these
questions.
Why do Bollywood films not win
Oscars? First, we must understand
Academy Award, the official name
of Oscar is an award given by a
few thousand (7,000-odd) members
of American Academy of Motion
Pictures Arts and Sciences. Only
recently, a couple of non-American
artistes and a few technicians have
been included in the voters’ list of the
academy.
We must remember until China
emerged for a select number of
Hollywood films, 70 per cent of the
revenue of a Hollywood film came
from their domestic market. Hence,
all awards and promotions were
largely US centric.
Academy members, bulk of whom
were retired artistes and technicians,
were largely ignorant of global
cinema. Condescendingly they gave
out one award for best foreign film
every year.
A lot of canvassing and trade
marketing and PR happens before
nominations and winners are
announced. Indian filmmakers don’t
have either adequate skill or money
for this promotion.
Friday, February 28, 2020
ruined many of those institutions,”
referring to NZ’s educational
institutions.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
publicly criticised Jones’ comments
saying they were “loose” and
“wrong”.  her coalition partner’s rant.
She said, “When I see Minister
Jones next I intend to [bring it up]. But
I will very happily put on record my
position… that on many occasions
I have witnessed Minister Jones be
both loose with his language and also
be wrong, and on this occasion he
Besides, there is no substantive
financial fallout by winning this
award. For some it’s a mere ego
massage.
At the end of the day, I don’t see
much difference between a Filmfare
award and an Oscar. As neither
impact the box office returns of a film
and both involve a lot of lobbying
and PR.
Oscars and similar awards cannot
even ensure the people involved
get work because of these awards.
Of late, our media has gone on a
hyperdrive every award season,
egged on by an equally ignorant
bunch of social media ninjas.
Today, almost every organization
from a neighborhood club to leading
media houses run dozens of award
shows where the only criterion for
such awards is either to attract TV
audiences or sell advertising.
In most cases, strange categories of
awards are created to “honour” every
and anyone who attracts eyeballs.
was both,” as Newshub reported.  Simon Bridges clearly stole her
In her media stand-up yesterday,
the Prime Minister reminded
reporters that this was a coalition
arrangement under the MMP system
and an election year, as if justifying
But as well as being a coalition
partner, he is also her cabinet
minister and she could well have a
taken a more stringent line.
Her response won’t wash with the
Indian community.
In fact, National Party leader
Many get paid to receive awards in
person or at least some assured media
coverage in lieu of being honoured.
Our insecure creative fraternity
collects these poorly designed
trophies by the bagful, some TV
media coverage and indulge in some
mutual back slapping at these made-
for TV shows and the accompanying
red carpet and after parties, often in
borrowed outfits.
Some organizations like IIFA and
IFA are actually running a thriving
business on the basis of these shows
and awards. Similarly, while dozens
of Indian films are screened in film
festivals regularly, few win prizes at
major festivals like Cannes or Berlin.
The reasons are again akin to the
Indian performance at the Oscars.
Since there is hardly any economic
payback (except an occasional
Lunchbox or two) not enough time
and effort are invested in the festival
circuit.
There is very little government
OPINION/EDITORIAL
thunder saying that Jones’ comment
was racist and that he should be
reprimanded once again reiterating
that National would not work with
NZ First.
Those words will undoubtedly
be welcomed by the Indian
immigrant community.  succeed in distracting attention from
Traditionally, a sizable chunk of
Indian immigrants have stood solidly
behind Labour. But more recently,
particularly since this coalition
government has come to power,
younger filmmakers are carving
a niche for themselves, it is only
their talent and spunk which is
responsible for their success. Media
and audiences confuse red carpet
appearances with a festival presence.
The same set of half a dozen critics
keep writing their obscure columns
read only by few filmmakers and
cineastes.
Another question I am often asked
is why don’t ‘good’ films get screen
time or are not even released in many
cases?
Again, the answer is simple. One
cinema theater is a part of a business
and not some film society promoting
good cinema.
When they have an oversupply
of films every week, they obviously
select those films which will have
maximum footfalls.
Why should they be responsible
for either safeguarding ‘art’ or give
opportunity to new talent at the cost
of a haemorrhaging bottom-line.?
For true cinephiles, there are
enough film festivals where such
films can be viewed.
Besides, several film clubs and
institutions hold regular screenings
of award winning and off-beat
cinema in dozens of towns and cities.
I watch almost 30/40 such films at
such screenings.
We must remember India is a
hugely under screened country. With
a population of over 1,300 million
cinema lovers and production of
2,000 films and just 9,000 screens, it
becomes obvious that half the films
will never get released as the cinemas
can’t accommodate them.
Since there is no embargo or
17
that support has steadily wavered.
Not least because of repeated
pronouncements by Labour’s
coalition partner NZ First, whose
leaders have continually targeted
Indian immigrants for one reason or
another in the media.
NZ First has little to lose by
alienating the Indian community. But
the loss will be telling for Labour,
whose leadership will be seen as
being unable to control its coalition
partner’s repeated generalised
criticisms obviously designed to
play to the galleries of its shrinking
provincial support base.   
The Kiwi-Indian community can
expect more such sprays from NZ
First’s leaders as the election nears. 
Unfortunately, though, 17 New
Zealand democracy will be the
poorer because such repeated
insulting comments, rabble-rousing
and fear-mongering will only
any genuine underlying concerns that
richly deserve civilised, collegial
debate in the interests of all New
Zealanders and their collective
future.  
qualification on producing films, all
and sundry jump into film making,
many with no talent and others
with no resources. The result is
several disgruntled filmmakers,
writers, artistes and technicians and,
of course, a small section of the
audience.
Leading the chorus of how unfair
multiplex chains are is a group of
film critics, cineastes and some
cultural interlopers.
Let’s not forget, since the
beginning of cinema in India over
a century ago, many a talented and
brave people have fought against
odds and not only succeeded but
even made landmark films in spite of
lesser cinemas.
It is assumed, largely based on
hearsay and stray misdemeanors,
that all film people are promiscuous.
There is great exploitation and
gender inequality. Of course, there
is but perhaps far less than in other
occupations.
Nowadays, most production
houses and all studios practice a
healthy work environment and
discrimination on caste, creed,
language, religion and sex is
discouraged.
Today, there is a greater awareness
and observance of copyright and
seldom are writers, technicians,
artistes, musicians and other creative
professionals denied their credit.
A $ three billion industry,
employing over half a million people,
is definitely not what people imagine.
Behind tinsel and glamour, and neon
lights, there is struggle, ignominy
and loneliness.
(Amit Khanna is a filmmaker,
writer and media guru)
 18 INDIA Friday, March 06, 2020 The Indian Weekender

The Delhi patient, who tested positive for the viral infection, Don't panic, work
has been kept in a separate cubicle within this isolation ward together: Modi on
Coronavirus
How India is P
rime Minister Narendra Modi
urged people not to panic
and "work together" on a

preparing to
day six new suspected coronavirus
cases were reported from Uttar
Pradesh's Agra.

tackle the
"There is no need to panic. We
need to work together, take small yet
important measures to ensure self-
protection," Modi tweeted.

coronavirus
He also tweeted a poster
highlighting basic hygiene like
washing hands frequently and

outbreak
avoiding touching eyes, nose and
"Plus, mouth to prevent the spread of
there would
the virus. A control room number is
be support from
private facilities also provided in the tweet.

T
wo floors in the new super-speciality block
of Safdarjung Hospital have been set aside
for isolating persons suspected to have been
infected by the novel  coronavirus  (COVID-19).
The Delhi patient, who tested positive for the
viral infection, has been kept in a separate cubicle
within this isolation ward.
Another floor of the same building has been
kept on stand-by.
“These are not like general wards, these are
all cubicles that can accommodate one or two
patients. Two floors in the new building have been
reserved for isolation of patients, either (those
who have tested) positive or suspected to have the
viral infection. We do not know what the situation
will be like and we need to be prepared. One
floor has been opened, the other will be opened
if necessary,” a doctor at the hospital said on
condition of anonymity.
The wards can accommodate over 100 people,
if need be.
Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, the other
nodal centre for COVID-19, also has a 32-bed
isolation facility. Besides the two nodal centres,
the Delhi government has asked 25 other hospitals
– 19 government-run and six private — that
as well, like when Hundred and twelve evacuees were airlifted from China to New
usually treat there was a swine
Delhi’s Chhawla quarantine facility.
H1N1 (swine flu outbreak in
flu) patients to India" set up
isolation wards, adding
230 beds. Currently, 30 people
are in hospital in isolation in Delhi – 26 in
Safdarjung Hospital and four at RML Hospital.
Apart from the hospitals, two isolation facilities
created by the army and the Indo-Tibetan Border
Police in Manesar and Chhawla can accommodate
around 800 persons.
Even as Delhi gears up to handle  coronavirus
cases  by activating its H1N1 network, other
states have been asked to identify possible
isolation facilities. The armed forces, paramilitary
forces, medical colleges and even public sector
undertakings (PSUs) have been asked to help
in scaling up the isolation facilities across the
country. The health ministry has also asked state
governments to hold meetings with hospital
associations to identify such isolation facilities in
the private sector as well.
The health ministry is also coordinating with
the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce
& Industry (FICCI) to develop standard operating
procedures for private facilities.
“India has actually handled the situation very
well. Our surveillance has been very strong since
the cases started being reported in China.
"Yes, Kerala and even Delhi has better
healthcare facilities than many other states but our
disaster preparedness is very strong even at the
district level.
Isolation facilities can be created easily at a
short notice,” said Dr Jugal Kishore, head of the
department of community medicine at Safdarjung
Hospital. “Plus, there would be support from
private facilities as well, like when there was a
swine flu outbreak in India. Healthcare systems
have learnt a lot from swine flu outbreak and
Nipah. I think we are prepared.”
After a meeting of all senior officials of the
health department on Tuesday, Delhi health
minister Satyendar Jain also said there was
sufficient stock of masks and personal protection
equipment, or PPE, in the city-state.
“A total of 230 beds are being arranged in the 25
hospitals to treat people in case of an outbreak. We
have around 3.5-lakh N95 masks and over 8,000
PPE kits for the hospital staff treating coronavirus
patients,” he said.
He also had an "extensive review"
regarding the preparedness on the
COVID-19. "Different ministries
and states are working together, from
screening people arriving in India to
providing prompt medical attention,"
tweeted Modi.
Earlier in the day, health concern
was discussed between Modi and
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal during a
meeting in Parliament.
On Tuesday, six fresh cases of
suspected Coronavirus with high
viral load was detected in Agra
besides one in Lucknow. Apart from
Uttar Pradesh, there is at least one
case in Delhi, one in Telangana and
one in Jaipur, where a traveller from
Italy showed signs.
The Agra cases were detected
during sample testing. Contact tracing
of the persons who have come in
contact with these six persons is also
simultaneously being done through
the Integrated Disease Surveillance
Program (IDSP) network, informed
the government.

Modi, Kejriwal discuss Delhi violence, coronavirus Will do whatever possible

D to bring peace: Rajinikanth
elhi Chief Minister Arvind
Kejriwal after meeting Prime

Minister Narendra Modi in
Parliament said they discussed the
Delhi violence and first coronavirus
case in the city.
Speaking to the media after the
meeting, Kejriwal said, "I told him
that whoever is found guilty for Delhi
violence should be given the strictest
punishment. Be it anyone from any
party or religion or how powerful he
may be, a strong message needs to be
sent across."
He said he told the Prime Minister
about the good work done by the
Delhi Police in controlling the
rumour mongering that had gripped
the city on Sunday.
But, at the same time he also
conveyed him that "had the police
acted in the same way when the
violence was first reported in one
district only, many lives would have
been saved." Kejriwal said that he
appealed to the Prime Minister to
which he agreed that steps need to
be taken to prevent such things from
recurring in the future.
On the first coronavirus case
being reported in Delhi, Kejriwal
said, "This was also discussed with
the Prime Minister. We discussed
that we have to work together
against coronavirus." This was
the first meeting between Prime
Minister Modi and Delhi Chief
Minister Kejriwal after the Assembly
elections. Tuesday's meeting was
held in the Prime Minister's room in
the Parliament premises and came
a day after Delhi Lt. Governor Anil
Baijal met the Prime Minister and
briefed him on Delhi violence.
T
amil superstar Rajinikanth
has said that he would do
whatever possible within
his capacity to bring peace in
the country.
In a tweet late Sunday, Rajinikanth
said he was happy to meet the
officials of Tamil Nadu Jamathul
Ulama Sabai (TNJUS) and hear
their views.
"I second their views that love,
unity and peace should be the main
goal of a country," he said.
Earlier on Sunday, TNJUS
members met Rajinikanth and Citizens (NRC).
apprised him of issues related to According to K.M. Baqavi,
the Citizenship Amendment Act TNJUS President, Rajinikanth
(CAA), National Population Register assured the delegation that he would
(NPR) and the National Register of do the needful.

Help poor countries fight COVID-19, Bill Gates tells donors

S
aying that the novel coronavirus solve the immediate problem and keep it from cent) and the 1918 influenza pandemic (2 per
(COVID-19) has started to behave a lot happening again. The COVID-19 pandemic is cent)," Gates said.
like the once-in-a-century pathogen the an excellent case in point. The world needs to "Second, COVID-19 is transmitted quite
world has been worried about, Bill Gates has save lives now while also improving the way efficiently. The average infected person
called upon donor governments to help low- we respond to outbreaks in general." spreads the disease to two or three others.
and middle-income countries prepare for this The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation "That's an exponential rate of increase.
"pandemic", in addition to helping their own earlier this month announced that it would There is also strong evidence that it can be
citizens respond. immediately commit up to $100 million for transmitted by people who are just mildly ill
"By helping countries in Africa and South the global response to the novel coronavirus. A can kill healthy adults in addition to elderly or not even showing symptoms yet," he added.
Asia get ready now, we can save lives and significant portion of the commitment people with existing health problems."The Gates warned that COVID-19 will be much
"The
also slow the global circulation of the world needs that the foundation made is focused data so far suggests that the virus has a case harder to contain than Middle East Respiratory
virus," the Microsoft co-founder and to save lives now particularly on developing fatality risk around 1 per cent; this rate would Syndrome or Severe Acute Respiratory
billionaire philanthropist said. while also improving countries, Gates said. Explaining make it several times more severe than typical Syndrome (SARS), which were only spread by
"In any crisis, leaders have two the way we respond to why COVID-19 is a big threat, seasonal influenza and would put it somewhere those showing symptoms and were much less
equally important responsibilities: outbreaks in general" Gates pointed out that the virus between the 1957 influenza pandemic (0.6 per efficiently transmitted.
 The Indian Weekender Friday, March 06, 2020 INDIA 19

India to have its first sky NEWS in BRIEF

eye in geostationary orbit GISAT-1
I
ndia will launch its first state of
the art earth observation satellite
Geo Imaging Satellite (GISAT-1)
to be placed in geostationary
orbit on March 5, said the Indian
Space Agency.
The satellite will provide real
time image of large area of region
of interest at frequent intervals. The
GISAT-1 will also enable quick
monitoring of natural disasters,
episodic events and any short
term events.
According to Indian Space
Research Organisation (ISRO), the
GISAT-1 will also provide spectral
signatures for agriculture, forestry,
mineralogy, disaster warning, cloud
properties, snow, glaciers and
oceanography.
The satellite will have payload
imaging sensors of six band multi-
spectral visible and near infra-red
with 42 metres resolution; 158 bands
hyper-spectral visible and near infra-
red with 318 metres resolution and
256 bands hyper-spectral short wave
infra-red with 191 metres resolution.
Weighing 2,268 kg, the GISAT-1
will be carried by the three stage
geosynchronous satellite launch
vehicle (GSLV-F10).
The rocket is expected to lift off at
5.43 p.m. on March 5 from the second
launch pad at India's rocket port at
Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
About 18 minutes into the flight the
GSLV rocket will first place GISAT-1
in a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit
(GTO). From GTO, the satellite will
be taken up further firing its on-board
motors to geostationary orbit.
A satellite in geostationary orbit
(about 36,000 km above earth) has
an orbital period equal to earth's
rotational period.
A four metre diameter Ogive
shaped payload fairing (heat shield)
is being flown for the first time in this
GSLV flight. This is the fourteenth
flight of the GSLV.
India cancels all visas issued to
citizens of 4 countries
T he Directorate General of Civil Aviation
(DGCA) has said that all visas issued to
nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan,
on or before March 3, and who have not yet
entered India, stand suspended with immediate
effect. Those required to travel to India due to compelling reasons, may
seek fresh visas from the nearest Indian embassy or consulate, it said.
"All regular/e-visas issued to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea and
Japan issued on or before March 03, 2020 and who have not yet entered
India, stand suspended with immediate effect. They may not enter India
from air, land or seaport ICP," the DGCA circular said.
It further said that the regular or e-visas issued to all other nationals who
have travelled to China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan, on or after
February 1, and who have not yet entered India, stand suspended with
immediate effect, it said.
"Diplomats, officials of UN and other international bodies, OCI
cardholders and aircrew from above countries are exempted from such
restrictions on entry. However, medical screening is compulsory."
Mamata launches new housing scheme
for poor people
W
est Bengal Chief Minister Mamata
Banerjee on Tuesday launched a
new housing scheme "Snehaloy" for poor
people, under which the beneficiaries will
receive Rs 1.20 lakh each from the state
government to build houses. The scheme
is for those economically backward people

‘True leader’ would focus on averting crisis to be

who don't qualify for the state government's
present housing scheme Bangle Awas Yojana. Speaking at a rally here,

unleashed by coronavirus on India:Rahul Gandhi

Banerjee said around 25,000 people would benefit from the scheme.
"Around 25,000 people from economically weaker sections had

R
aising concerns over the detection of fresh
coronavirus case in India, Congress leader Rahul
Gandhi on Tuesday said a “true leader” would be
completely focused on averting the massive crisis about to
be unleashed by the virus on the country and its economy.
Gandhi’s remarks came after India on Monday reported
two new cases of the novel coronavirus, including one
from the national capital.
“There are moments in the life of every nation when
its leaders are tested. A true leader would be completely
focused on averting the massive crisis about to be
unleashed by the virus on India and its economy,” Gandhi
tweeted.
He also tagged his February 12 tweet in which he had
said the coronavirus is an extremely serious threat to “our
people and our economy”.
“My sense is the government is not taking this threat
seriously. Timely action is critical,” he had said.
Nirbhaya
case: Stop
playing with
India had earlier reported three cases from Kerala,
including two medical students from Wuhan in China, the
epicentre of the dead
scheduled for March 3 is deferred till
further order," he added.
Earlier today, convict Pawan Gupta
had sought stay on the grounds that
his mercy petition is pending before
the President of India.
Another convict, Akshay, also filed
telephoned the chief minister's grievance cell requesting for a house to live
in. They are not entitled for our housing scheme Bangle Awas Yojana.
"25,000 people have made such requests to Didi (elder sister, as Banerjee
is affectionately called). For them, today we are launching a new housing
scheme 'Snehaloy'. Under this scheme the beneficiaries will get Rs 1.20
lakh each. We have handed out the cheques and certificates ti a large number
of people today," she said. The money would be given in two tranches.
UN rights chief to move SC over CAA, irks India
I n an unprecedented move, the UN
human rights chief has said she intends
to intervene in India’s Supreme Court on
the contentious Citizenship (Amendment)
Act (CAA), prompting New Delhi to assert
on Tuesday that no foreign party has such
a right in matters related to the country’s
sovereignty.
The UN high commissioner for human
rights, Michelle Bachelet, informed India’s
permanent mission in Geneva on Monday
evening that her office would file an “intervention application” in the
Supreme Court. People familiar with the development in Geneva said on
Tuesday evening the brief was still being worked on and would be “filed
shortly”.
The external affairs ministry opted to act pre-emptively, with

fire, court a fresh mercy petition contending that

the previous one was "incomplete".
spokesperson Raveesh Kumar saying the CAA was India’s internal matter
and “concerns the sovereign right of the Indian Parliament to make laws”.

tells convict's During the hearing on the

application today, the court was
He added, “We strongly believe that no foreign party has any locus standi
on issues pertaining to India’s sovereignty.”

lawyer
Y
ou are playing with fire.
You should be conscious,"
the court told the lawyer
representing the convicts in Nirbhaya
rape and murder case on Monday.
Additional Sessions Judge
Dharmendra Rana made the
observations while noting that
there was a "delay in filing
curative and mercy petition by the
death-row convicts."
"You are playing with fire. You
should be conscious. One wrong
move by anybody, and you know
the consequences," the court rapped
advocate A.P Singh.
The convicts were scheduled to
be hanged on Mrach 3, but the court
deferred their execution indefinitely.
apprised that the jail authorities are UN asks India to mediate between Israel & Palestine
T
"Despite stiff resistance from the aware of the convict's mercy petition. he UN is exploring ways to engage India for mediation between Israel
victim's side, I am of the opinion "This game of hide-and-seek and Palestine to resolve the protracted conflict between the two in the
that any condemned convict must needs to be handled with a hard hand. Middle East. A delegation of the UN Committee on the Exercise of the
not meet his creator with a grievance This application is not maintainable," Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People was on a two-day visit to New
in his bosom that the courts of this public prosecutor Irfan Ahemed said. Delhi beginning from Monday.
country have not acted fairly in The case pertains to the gang- The team includes UN Ambassadors and Representatives of Senegal
rape and murder of a 23-year-old (Committee Chair); Indonesia and Malaysia (Committee Members); and
grating him an opportunity to exhaust
girl, called later as Nirbhaya, in the State of Palestine (Committee Observer).
his legal remedies," Additional
the national capital in December According to an official statement, the delegation "intends to engage
Sessions Judge Dharmendra
2012. Six people, including the four India, a country with good relations to both the State of Palestine and Israel,
Rana said.
convicts and a juvenile, were named in looking for ways how it could play a more proactive role in the settling
"I am of the opinion that the death of the question of Palestine".
sentence cannot be executed pending as accused.
The UN group will focus on enhancing the political and diplomatic
the disposal of the mercy petition Ram Singh, the sixth accused,
support of India for a peaceful solution of the question of Palestine; and
of the convict," the judge allegedly committed suicide in Tihar
"You engaging Indian counterparts on synergies in capacity building for staff and
said. jail days after the trial began in
are playing institutions of the State of Palestine.
"It is hereby with fire. You the case.
The visit would also focus on enhancing the coordination of the UN
directed that the should be conscious. The juvenile was released
committee bureau and India on capacity building projects for the State
execution of death One wrong move by in 2015 after spending
of Palestine, including within the context of South-South and Triangular
warrants against anybody, and you know three years in a correctional Cooperation.rks India
all the convicts the consequences" home.
 20 WORLD Friday, March 06, 2020 The Indian Weekender

Coronavirus spreads to NEWS in BRIEF

over 60 countries, global Global ocean covered entire Earth 3.2bn years ago

toll reaches 3,000   E arly Earth, home to some of our planet's

first lifeforms, may have been a real-life
"waterworld" without a continent in sight- a

C
oronavirus cases surged
in Italy, and France closed
the world-famous Louvre
Museum as the deadly outbreak
that began in China sent fear rising
across Western Europe, threatening
its tourism industry.
The number of countries hit by the
virus climbed past 60, and the death
toll worldwide reached at least 3,000.
New fronts in the battle opened
rapidly over the weekend, deepening
the sense of crisis that has already
sent financial markets plummeting,
emptied the streets in many cities and
rewritten the routines of millions of
people. More than 88,000 around the
globe have been infected, with the
virus popping up on every continent
but Antarctica.
Australia and Thailand reported
their first deaths Sunday, while
the Dominican Republic and the
Czech Republic recorded their
first infections. Italian authorities
announced that the number of people
infected in the country soared 50% to
1,694 in just 24 hours, and five more
had died, bringing the death toll there
US announces new travel restrictions
to 34. France raised its number of
reported cases to 130, an increase of
30 from the day before, and said it
has seen two deaths.
The U.S. government advised
Americans against traveling to the
two northern Italian regions hit
hardest, among them Lombardy,
which includes Milan. Major
American airlines began suspending
flights to Milan. The travel restrictions
against Italy and the rising alarm in
France could deal a heavy blow to
the countries’ tourism industries.
Spring, especially Easter, is a hugely
popular time for schoolchildren to
visit France and Italy.
“We had already registered a
slowdown of Americans coming to
Italy in recent days,” Bernabo Bocca,
president of Italy’s hotel association,
said in a statement Saturday. “Now,
the final blow has arrived.”
Tourism accounts for 13% of the
economy in Italy, with its world-
class art museums, archaeological
sites and architectural treasures.
More than 5.6m Americans visit
Italy every year, representing 9% of
foreign tourists.
Netanyahu, allies win
discovery that can scientists to better understand
how and where single-cell organisms first emerged
on Earth. The researchers took advantage of a quirk
of hydrothermal chemistry to suggest that the surface
of Earth was likely covered by a global ocean 3.2
billion years ago. It may even have looked a bit like the post-apocalyptic, and
land-free, future imagined in Kevin Costner's infamous film 'Waterworld'.
"The history of life on Earth tracks available niches. If you've got a
waterworld, a world covered by ocean, then dry niches are just not going to
be available," said Boswell Wing, an associate professor in the Department of
Geological Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Lead author Benjamin Johnson and Wing analysed a geologic site called
the Panorama district located deep in Northwestern Australia's outback.
It's also the resting spot for a 3.2 billion-year-old chunk of ocean crust
that's been turned on its side.
Australian Associated Press to shut after 85 years
T he Australian Associated Press (AAP) announced on Tuesday that they
will shut down their entire media operations after 85 years in operation,
adding that their newswire service which supplies every major media outlet
in the country was no longer viable.
Founded in 1935 and owned in partnership by News Corp, Nine
Entertainment and Seven West, current editor in chief Tony Gillies said: "We
have had a place like no other in journalism," reports Xinhua news agency
"We exist for the public's interest and I now fear for the void left by the
absence of AAP's strong, well-considered voice." Set to impact the company's
180 reporters, Gillies added that throughout the years, hundreds of the nation's
top journalists made their start at AAP and went on to have brilliant careers.
"Our reporters, photographers, videographers and production staff are
second to none," he said.
"They have been leading the country in breaking news for decades and

to combat coronavirus outbreak Israel elections: Exit polls showed the way for publishers in terms of the 24-hour news cycle."

T I
he United States announced
new travel restrictions to and
from parts of the world worst
hit by the coronavirus outbreak after
the first death caused by the disease in
America as the Trump administration
was seen struggling to put together
an effective response.
The Trump administration has
expanded the travel ban on Iran,
which has seen a surge in COVID-19
cases, to now include foreign
nationals who have visited that
country in the last 14 days.
The state department raised travel
warning advisory for Americans
travelling to South Korea and Italy,
which are reporting an increasing
number of cases, to the highest
level. More restrictions are expected,
including along the southern border.
which appears to have continued.
Acknowledging the first death from
COVID-19 in the US, President
Donald Trump misidentified the
victim as a woman, telling reporters
at a White House briefing Saturday
she was “a wonderful woman – a
medically high-risk patient in her late
fifties”. The victim was a man.
The United States has 22
sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu's Likud party and its
allies are poised to win the largest
number of seats in the parliamentary
elections, exit polls have showed.
According to the exit polls
on Israel's TV news channels,
Netanyahu and his right-wing and
Jewish ultra-Orthodox ally parties
are likely to win 60 seats together,
one seat short of the majority needed
in the 120-seat Israeli Parliament
to form a coalition government,
Xinhua reported. The centre-left
bloc, headed by former military chief
Benny Gantz, gained between 52-54
seats. Netanyahu's rightwing Likud
party was projected to win about
37 seats while its main rival, Benny
Gantz's centrist Blue and White
Indonesia's most active volcano erupts,
flight alert issued
M
ount Merapi, the most active
volcano in Indonesia, erupted,
spewing a column of thick ash which
prompted authorities to issue flight
alerts, a senior official said. The eruption
of Merapi in the main island of Java
was detected 2 km from the crater, media reported. The volcano unleashed
dangerous volcanic gas and hot clouds, head of the Indonesian Research and
Technology Development for Geological Disaster Agency (BPPTKG) Hanik
Humaida said.
Rains of ash and sand poured down villages 3 km from the crater, Humaida
said, adding that the rains of ash fell in the northern areas about 10 km from
the crater. Flights have been banned from flying over the mountain as a
volcano observatory notice for aviation (VONA) has been put in place with
red code, the highest level of alert, according to the official. Residents were
prohibited from a radius of 3 km from the crater, the official said.
Sri Lankan Parliament dissolved,
elections on April 25

The Trump administration’s initial
response to the outbreak and rising
concerns in the United States was
seen as marked by confusion and
bureaucratic infighting, some of
reported cases of coronavirus and
health officials have warned there
are more but have also sought to
reassure Americans that their risk of
contracting the illness was “low”.
party, garnered about 33.
The Israeli leader is expected to
soon arrive at the Likud's elections
headquarters in Tel Aviv to give his
victory speech.
S
ri Lankan President Gotabaya
Rajapaksa dissolved parliament late,
and the election commission announced
a general election for April 25. Rajapaksa
– a former defence secretary – won the

COVID-19 a unique virus with unique

presidency last November and named his
elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa as interim Prime Minister. The election
could help the Rajapaksas, known for the brutal defeat of separatist Tamil

characteristics: WHO chief rebels, to strengthen their hold over the island of 22 million people. The
president is empowered by Sri Lanka’s constitution to dissolve parliament

D
ifferent from SARS, MERS
or influenza, COVID-19
is "a unique virus with
unique characteristics," the chief
of the World Health Organization
(WHO) said.
"We are understanding this virus
and the disease it causes more and
more," said WHO Director-General
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
COVID-19 does not transmit as
efficiently as influenza, according to
the data collected so far, Tedros said,
noting those people who are infected
but not sick are not major drivers of
COVID-19 transmission, the Xinhua
news agency reported.
He stressed that evidence from
people will provide further insight
into the extent of infection in
populations over time, said Tedros.
Although no vaccine and no
specific treatment are available for
COVID-19 so far, Tedros noted
that more than 20 vaccines are in
development globally, and several
therapeutics are in clinical trials.
China showed that most of the Tedros reiterated that COVID-19,
reported cases develop symptoms rather than seasonal flu, can be
within two days and only contained by a comprehensive
one percent have no "COVID-19 approach. He urged countries
symptoms. does not to adapt their existing
The ongoing transmit as healthcare systems to
studies on examing efficiently as influenza, contain COVID-19.
COVID-19 antibodies according to the data "They are not starting
in large numbers of collected so far" from scratch," he said.
any time after it completes four-and-a-half years of its five-year term – which
it did on Monday.
Nasa images show fall in China’s pollution due to
coronavirus shutdown
N asa satellite images show a dramatic
fall in pollution over China that
is “partly related” to the economic
slowdown due to the coronavirus
outbreak, the space agency said.
The reduction in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution was first noticed near
Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, but eventually spread across China,
according to Nasa scientists who examined data collected by their and
European Space Agency satellites.
Maps comparing NO2 concentrations showed a marked decline between
January 1-20, before a sweeping quarantine was imposed on Wuhan and other
cities, and February 10-25.
 The Indian Weekender
Women's T20 WC:
England wary of Poonam
Yadav threat in semis
E
ngland dealt with leg-spinner
Poonam Yadav impeccably
two years ago and captain
Heather Knight insists that a repeat
of that is what they need when they
face India in the Women's T20 World
Cup semi-final at the Sydney Cricket
Ground (SCG) on Thursday.
"We've practised for her a lot, I
thought we played her (Poonam)
outstandingly in the last T20 World
Cup and that was due to the
preparation we had," said
a massive
Heather.
threat and is an
"We don't have
improved bowler since
(assistant coach) Ali the last World Cup, so for in the game," she
Maiden anymore, who us to be successful, we're added.
bowled brilliant leg- going to have to play her
spin, but we've got a few
and all their spinners
coaches who have bowled
it brilliantly and we've been
really clear on how we're going to
do things against her.
"She's a massive threat and is an
improved bowler since the last World
Cup, so for us to be successful, we're
going to have to play her and all their
spinners well. That's going to be key
ICC Test rankings: India, Kohli
retain spots despite NZ drubbing
I N
ndia remain top of the
International Cricket Council's
Test rankings despite the 2-0
drubbing they received in New
Zealand. India have 116 rating points
and lead second-placed New Zealand
by six points. Third-placed Australia
are on 108 points.
Indian captain Virat Kohli remains
second on the batsmen's rankings on
886 rating points. Top ranked Steve
Smith is on 911 points. Kohli had a
dismal series in New Zealand, scoring
38 runs in four innings as India lost
the two matches by 10 wickets and
seven wickets respectively.
New Zealand skipper Kane
Williamson lost his third place to
Australia's Marnus Labuschagne.
Mayank Agarwal fell out of the top
10, being replaced by England all
rounder Ben Stokes.
Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah
and his New Zealand counterpart
Trent Boult returned to the top 10
while Boult's new ball partner Tim
Southee, who was declared player of
the series, has jumped two places to
no.4 on the bowlers' rankings.
Satisfying to beat a quality side like India: Williamson
N
ew Zealand captain Kane
Williamson said that it
was quite satisfying for his
team to leave behind their debacle
in Australia and defeat a "quality"
side like India in the two-match Test
series.
New Zealand, after winning the
first Test by 10 wickets in Wellington,
registered another comprehensive
seven-wicket victory over India
within three days at the Hagley Oval.
"It's an outstanding feeling. The
surfaces in both the Tests were quite
sporting. Bowlers had to put it in the
right areas, but this pitch played well
on all the days, even though history
suggests it flattens out after doing a
bit initially," said Williamson at the
Friday, March 06, 2020
"She's
P o o n a m
bamboozled hosts
well" Australia in the
tournament opener
and her wicket-taking
exploits haven't stopped there,
leading the charts with nine scalps in
four matches.
But the leg-spinner couldn't
cast her spell the last time India
met England in the tournament,
Kyle Jamieson rose to 43 on the
bowlers' rankings. Jamieson had
made his Test debut in the series
and took nine wickets and scored
93 runs as he repeatedly led lower
order fightbacks from New Zealand
to frustrate India. This meant that he
jumped 26 places to no.22 on the all-
rounders' list.
Tom Blundell scored 117 runs in
the series with one half century and
the performance helped him jump 27
places to no. 46.
Prithvi Shaw, playing his first
series since he made his debut in
2018, scored 98 runs including 54
in the first innings of the second Test
and rose 17 places to 76.
post-match presentation ceremony.
"A fantastic series from outside
and the way the guys stuck in. India
are a world-class side and to beat
them is quite satisfying," he added.
The Black Caps skipper reserved
rich praise for Kyle Jamieson who
performed with bat and ball in both
the Tests. Jamieson picked nine
wickets in the two Tests and also
conceding 29 from her four overs
as Knight's side romped to an eight-
wicket victory to reach the final in
2018.
Poonam has since gone on to
become India's leading T20I wicket-
taker and her ability to deceive on
Australian pitches has forced Knight
to take note ahead of their crunch
match in Sydney.
With rain forecast for parts of the
day in Sydney, a degree of flexibility
will likely be required against India
– a change in approach Knight is
willing to take on.
"It feels like we've built some
momentum, we were gutted after the
South Africa game and we've been
playing knockout cricket since game
two, that stands us in very good stead
going into the knockout stages," said
the England skipper.
"We've started to get some players
in real form and the players that
aren't, you feel like they're just
round the corner and can produce
in a massive game such as the semi-
final."
Kohli 'very passionate',
tries to bring out best in
himself: Southee
ew Zealand pacer Tim
Southee has defended Virat
Kohli's outburst during the
second Test, saying the India captain
is a "very passionate and energetic
guy" who is always trying to "bring
out the best in himself" on the field.
"He's (Kohli) a very passionate
guy... and very energetic on the
field. He tries to bring out the best in
himself," Southee told 'Radio New
Zealand'. Kohli had a fiery exchange
with a journalist who asked him to
tone down his aggression following
his team's crushing defeat in the
second and final Test against New
Zealand at the Hagley Oval.
On the second day of the Test
match, Kohli was seen giving
angry send-offs to Kiwi batters and
animatedly celebrating the fall of
wickets during the first two sessions.
On one particular instance, Kohli
was even seen using an expletive
towards the crowd.
The Indian skipper got riled up with
the question and told the reporter: "I
am asking you the answer."
contributed with valuable 93 runs
in the two innings he played in the
series. "Jamieson's a very exciting
talent, and contributed incredibly
well with both bat and ball in both
games. He's tall and gets bounce
which is very helpful in these
conditions," said Williamson.
"The runs he scored in the backend
of both games were very valuable.
Great progress for him," he added.
New Zealand had come into the
series after suffering a 3-0 whitewash
in Australia. They then conceded a
5-0 clean sweep in the T20Is against
India and were on the backfoot.
However, they came back strongly
and registered wins in the three ODIs
and two Test matches.
SPORTS 21
NEWS in BRIEF
Chelsea dump Liverpool out of FA Cup
C helsea prevailed 2-0 over Premier League champions-in-waiting
Liverpool to advance to the fourth round of the FA Cup and smash the
Reds' hopes of winning the treble.
Jurgen Klopp's men suffered their third loss in four outings, though
Liverpool were better than in last weekend's shocking Premier League
defeat to Watford, reports Efe news. And while mistakes by Reds backup
goalkeeper Adrian were a major factor on Tuesday night at Stamford Bridge,
it was Chelsea's solid performance that determined the outcome.
Kepa, ousted as the Blues starting keeper after some disappointing results
in the league, made the most of his opportunity in the cup competition,
making some impressive saves to ensure the victory.
As expected, Klopp chose a starting 11 heavy with subs. His Chelsea
counterpart, Frank Lampard, also turned to the reserves, though partly out
of necessity, as N'Golo Kante, Christian Pulisic and Tammy Abraham are
sidelined with injuries.
No threat to IPL due to coronavirus: Ganguly
T
here is no threat to the Indian Premier League
due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, said
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly.
He also asserted that the South Africa series is
on as per schedule and there is no threat. The three-
match series is beginning with the first ODI on
March 12 at Dharamsala.
"Nothing in India. Not even discussed it
(Coronovirus)," Ganguly said.
IPL Governing Council chairman Brajesh Patel also ruled out any threat
but said they are keeping a watch. "There is no threat as of now and we are
keeping a tab (on the situation)."
The IPL begins with a clash between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super
Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29.
Barty, Djokovic remain on top in tennis rankings
A ustralia's Ashleigh Barty and Serbia's Novak Djokovic have maintained
their respective top spots in the tennis rankings.
In the latest WTA rankings released on Monday, Barty has a best of 8,717
points and is followed by Romania's Simona Halep on 6,076 points.
Switzerland's Belinda Bencic managed the only gain in the top 10 players,
moving to eighth from ninth at the cost of 23-time Grand Slam champion
Serena Williams. Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova surged 14 places to reach
32nd and Briton Heather Watson moved up 20 spot to make the 49th spot.
In the ATP rankings, Austria's Dominic Thiem has reached a career high
of third place. The 26-year-old has 7,045 points to overtake Swiss great
Roger Federer, who is currently out with a knee injury and intending to
return for the grass season from June.
Situation should be carefully monitored: Abhinav
Bindra on coronavirus threat to Olympics
I ndia’s champion shooter Abhinav Bindra said
the situation arising out of the coronavirus
outbreak has to be carefully and constantly
monitored in the run-up to the Tokyo Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC)
on Tuesday unequivocally backed this summer’s
Tokyo Olympics, urging athletes to prepare “full
steam” despite the coronavirus threat. The novel coronavirus has so far
claimed over 3,000 lives and infected more than 94000 people across the
world after being first detected in Wuhan, China.
“It is a situation which has to be monitored, a decision can’t be taken
today. It is a question of monitoring the whole situation very carefully and
which is being done,” Bindra said on the sidelines of an event.
Sakshi Chaudhary advances to quarters of boxing’s
Asian Olympic Qualifiers
F
ormer junior world champion
Sakshi Chaudhary (57kg) stunned
Asian silver-medallist and fourth seed
Nilawan Techasuep of Thailand to enter
the quarterfinals of the Asian Olympic
Qualifiers for boxing. The two-time youth
world champion Indian, who is only 19,
prevailed in a split verdict against the Asian Games bronze-medallist in an
engrossing bout. She will next be up against Korea’s Im Aeji on March 9.
Making the semifinals would assure her of a spot in the Tokyo Olympics
scheduled in July-August this year.
The opening round was fought on even keel for most part but Sakshi
managed to be ahead of her fancied rival in a split verdict. Techasuep
came out all guns blazing in the second round and caught Sakshi off-guard
with a barrage of combination straight punches. The Indian was pushed to
the backfoot by the aggressive Thai, whose left jab was particularly eye-
catching. But the judges ruled in Sakshi’s favour in a 3-2 second round
verdict. In the final three minutes, Saskhi’s counter-attacks proved enough
to trump Techasuep’s consistent aggression. The seasoned duo of Gaurav
Solanki (57kg) and Ashish Kumar (75kg) advanced to the pre-quarterfinals
in the men’s draw.
 22 FEATURES
People who eat less
fruit, vegetable more
prone to anxiety
P
eople who have low fruit and vegetable
intakes have a higher likelihood of being
diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, say
researchers.
The study, published in the International
Journal of Environmental Research and Public
Health, found that those who consumed less
than three sources of fruits and vegetables
daily, there was at least at 24 per cent higher
odds of anxiety disorder diagnosis.
"This may also partly explain the findings
associated with body composition measures.
As levels of total body fat increased beyond 36
per cent, the likelihood of anxiety disorder was
increased by more than 70 per cent," said co-
author Jose Mora-Almanza, a Mitacs Globalink
Intern who worked with the study at Kwantlen
Polytechnic University in Canada.
According to the researchers, increased body
fat may be linked to greater inflammation.
Emerging research suggests that some anxiety
disorders can be linked to inflammation.
"Our findings are in keeping with previous
research which has also indicated that women
are more vulnerable to anxiety disorders than
men," said study co-author Karen Kobayashi.
The study team analysed data from the
Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging which
included 26,991 men and women between the
ages of 45 and 85. Other factors associated with
anxiety disorders among mid-age and older
Canadians
In addition to diet and body composition
measures, the prevalence of anxiety disorders
also differed by gender, marital status, income,
immigrant status and several health issues.
6 foods for a healthy liver
O
ne of the most vital organs of your
body, the liver is responsible for most
metabolic functions. Here are foods
to include in your diet to keep your liver
functioning normally.
Avocados: Avocados produce a type
of antioxidant called glutathione, which is
needed for our livers to filter out harmful
materials.
Garlic: Loaded with sulfur, a mineral that
helps rid the body of toxins, garlic is known
to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
It is also used in the treatment of
high blood pressure, atherosclerosis,
and bacteria- related
illnesses.
Tu r m e r i c :
Using turmeric (haldi) as a spice in your food
can not only enhance the colour but also help
your liver. It is said to help your system digest
fats and acts as a natural detox for your liver.
One in nine women had an anxiety disorder
compared to one in fifteen men, the study said.
The prevalence of anxiety disorders among
those who had always been single (13.9 per
cent) was much higher than among those who
were living with a partner (7.8 per cent).
Approximately one in five respondents with
ousehold incomes under $20,000 per year
had anxiety disorders, more than double the
prevalence of their richer peers.
"We were not surprised to find that those in
poverty had such a high prevalence of anxiety
disorders; struggling to afford basics such as
food and housing causes relentless stress and
is inherently anxiety inducing," said study co-
author Hongmei Tong, Assistant Professor at
MacEwan University in Canada.
Grapefruit: Rich in vitamin C and
containing antioxidant properties, having
this fruit or as a juice can help flush out
carcinogens and toxins.
Spinach: Leafy veggies, especially spinach
and lettuce help in neutralising chemicals
and aid protective mechanism for the liver.
Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits like oranges
and lemons are full of vitamin C that can
help your body remove out all the toxic
materials and aid the digestion process.
Friday, March 06, 2020 The Indian Weekender
6 kinds of walks and
their benefits
W
e have all have heard that walking is so beneficial to health — we know about how it helps
prevent several chronic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke — but are
we walking enough? How many calories you burn depends on your body weight and how
fast you walk. It's also important to walk the right way. Take brisk strides, keep your shoulders back,
swing your arm and don't tilt your head. As you take steps, let the heels dig into the ground first,
then let the pressure move towards the balls of your feet and finally the toes.
1. Brisk Walking: This is the most holidays and during other recreational
commonly used style. Beneficial to activities. It works to strengthen the
weight-watchers, it also strengthens the calves, thighs and hamstring.
heart and cuts diabetes risk. 5. Treadmill walking: Part of the
2. Power striding: An upgrade to the cardio gym activity, this works for just
brisk walk, power striding is taking the anyone. Use the pace as you're your
natural gait to a faster, brisker pace with comfort level. Also one of the most
exaggerated arm swings. Helps to burn relaxed styles of walking as you need
fat, build metabolism and boost energy not worry about obstacles in your path.
levels. 6. Pool walking: Can also be done by the
3. Stairwell walk: Walking up and
downstairs is also a great way to burn
calories (175-200 an hour) and tones seashore. It takes the stress and pressure
major muscle groups. Remember, to off the joints as water provides support.
take rest in-between. It's apt for patients with arthritis, back
4. Uphill climb: Usually done on pain and osteoporosis.
Health Tip of the Day
S
tudies have
shown that basil
leaves are a
significant anti-stress
agents, providing
protection against stress.
Even healthy persons
can chew 12 leaves of
basil, twice a day, to
prevent stress.
 The Indian Weekender
WHITE SAUCE PASTA
INGREDIENTS:
• 250gm - wide lasagne, uncooked
• 1/2tsp - garlic pasta
• 50gm - chicken thigh, boneless
• 4-5 - mushroom buttons
• 60gm - baby spinach leaves
• 4 - bacon strips
• 200gm - cream
• 1/4tsp - crushed black pepper
• 1/2tsp salt or according to taste
• 1/2cup - grated cheese ( Do not press cheese
into the cup while measuring it ).
• 1tbsp - butter
METHOD
• In a small pan over medium flame cook wide
lasagne as per the given instructions.
• Drain the lasagne and keep aside for later use.
• Cook bacon over medium flame in a large flat
pan or skillet, turn the strips as needed until
they reach the desired crispness.
• Drain well on a paper-towel lined plate and
leave it for later use.
• Heat butter in a medium pan over low flame.
VEGETARIAN ALFREDO FETTUCCINE
INGREDIENTS:
• 250 gm - fettuccine, uncooked
• 4 - asparagus
• 1 - red capsicum, small
• 1 - zucchini, medium
• 2tbsp - olive oil
• 2 - garlic cloves
• 1/2tsp - salt
SAUCE INGREDIENTS:
• 1/2cup - butter
• 11/2cup - heavy cream
• 1/2tsp - garlic paste
• 1/4tsp - black pepper
• 1/4tsp - salt or according to taste
• 11/2cup - parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/4tsp - nutmeg
METHOD
• Wash and cut asparagus, capsicum and zucchini into halve
inch pieces; peel and chop garlic. Keep aside.
Friday, March 06, 2020
• Add garlic and sauté for a minute.
• Remove skin, clean, wash and cut chicken
into small pieces and cook over medium flame
for 3-4 minutes or until the chicken is almost
cooked.
• Wash and cut mushrooms into halves and add
them to the chicken, mix well.
• Wash and add spinach leaves, mix well again.
• Cut cooked bacon strips into small pieces and
add them to the chicken.
• Add black pepper, salt and sauté everything
together over medium flame, stirring
occasionally until extra water dries up.
• Add cream and let 1 boil come over medium
flame, then stir in grated cheese.
• Garnish with extra grated cheese and serve
warm.
• TIP: Chicken paste can be refrigerated in the
air tight container for up to 4 days.
• Microwave pasta for 30 seconds, stir and
microwave it again or reheat on the stove top
over medium-low flame so that the sauce does
not get over heated and separates.
• Serves - 2
• cook pasta according to the package directions, drain and
then rinse well under cold water. Keep aside for later use.
• Heat oven to 180dc.
FEATURES 23
COLD PASTA SALAD
INGREDIENTS:
• 50gm - penne pasta, uncooked
• 1/2cup - mayonnaise
• 1/2tsp - lemon juice
• 1/4tsp - garlic powder
• 1/2cup - ham, chopped
• 40gm - chicken, cooked and shredded
• 1 - onion, small and chopped
• 4 - cherry tomatoes, sliced into halve
• 1tbsp - parsley, chopped
• 1rib - celery, diced
• 1/4tsp - black pepper, coarsely grind
• 1/4tsp - salt
METHOD
• Cook pasta according to the package
directions, drain and then rinse well under
cold water. Keep aside for later use.
• In a large bowl add mayonnaise, lemon
juice and garlic powder, mix well.
• Add all the other ingredients to the
mayonnaise and mix well again. TIP: This pasta is good for tailgating events,
• Add cooked pasta and gently mix it with potluck dinners and picnics. It can also be
the spatula. excellent hot summer evening main dish.
• Serve • Serves - 2
ALFREDO FETTUCCINE
INGREDIENTS: stir over low flame for about 2 minutes
• 350gm - fettuccine, uncooked until melted and it starts lightly to simmer.
• SAUCE INGREDIENTS: • Add garlic paste, sauté for a minute over
• 1/2cup - butter medium flame, then add black pepper and
• 11/2cup - heavy cream salt, mix well.
• 1/2tsp - garlic paste • Reduce the flame to low and add in the
• 1/4tsp - black pepper Parmesan cheese, continue to whisk until
• 1/4tsp - salt or according to taste melted.
• 11/2cup - parmesan cheese, grated • Add cooked fettuccine, mix it well into
• 1/4tsp - nutmeg the sauce.
• Sprinkle nutmeg on the top and serve.
METHOD
TIP: You can reduce fettuccine to 250gm and
• Cook pasta according to the package
add 50gm of shredded chicken along with
directions, drain and then rinse well under
sliced 6 mushroom buttons.
cold water. Keep aside for later use.
• Serves - 4
METHOD FOR SAUCE
• In a large pan, add butter and heavy cream;
• In a large bowl, place chopped asparagus, capsicum, zucchini
then toss them with olive oil, garlic and salt until evenly
coated.
• Spread the vegetables on the silver foiled tray.
• Bake uncovered for 6-8 minutes or until tender. Keep aside.
METHOD FOR SAUCE
• In a large pan, add butter and heavy cream;
stir over low flame for about 2 minutes until
melted and it starts lightly to simmer.
• Add garlic paste, sauté for a
minute over medium flame, then add
black pepper and salt, mix well.
• Reduce the flame to low and add
in the Parmesan cheese, continue to
whisk until melted.
• Add cooked fettuccine, mix it well into the
sauce.
• Slightly mix vegetables into the pasta.
• Sprinkle nutmeg on the top and serve.
• Serves - 4
 24 FEATURES Friday, March 06, 2020 The Indian Weekender

CROSSWORD NO: 49 ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK'S QUESTIONS

SUDOKU NO: 49

HITORI NO: 49
Hitori – a logic puzzle with very simple rules and challenging solutions. Can you eliminate
numbers until there are no duplicates in any row or column? Objective / Rules. Eliminate
numbers until there are no duplicates in any row or column. Eliminate numbers
by marking them in Black. You are not allowed to have two Black squares touching
horizontally or vertically (diagonally is ok). Any White square can be reached from any
other (i.e. they are connected).
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE NO: 49
See how many differences you can find in the right or left photo.
1. In the song “Frosty the Snowman,” what made Frosty
come to life? An old silk hat
2. What Christmas decoration was originally made from
strands of silver? Tinsel
3. Who played George Bailey in the Christmas classic
“It’s a Wonderful Life?” Jimmy Stewart
4. Per a recent holiday fad, what “spy” hides around
the house, reporting back to Santa on who has been
naughty and nice? The Elf on the Shelf
5. What Christmas beverage is also known as “milk
punch?” Eggnog
6. One of Santa’s reindeer shares a name with a famous
symbol of Valentine’s Day. Which reindeer is that?
Cupid
7. What Christmas-themed ballet premiered in Saint
Petersburg, Russia in 1892? The Nutcracker
8. In 1981, Bob and Doug McKenzie released their own
version of a classic Christmas song. Which song is
that? The Twelve Days of Christmas
9. What animated 2004 film is about a train that carries
kids to the North Pole on Christmas Eve? The Polar
Express
10. What much-reviled Christmas edible is known for its
long shelf life? Fruitcake
11. In Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” what was
Mr. Scrooge’s first name? Ebenezer
12. What Bing Crosby song is the best-selling single ever?
White Christmas
13. In the early 1800s, the first gingerbread houses were
reportedly inspired by what famous fairy tale? Hansel
and Gretel
14. “Miracle on 34th Street” centers on what real-life
department store? Macy’s
15. In the song “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,”
what “incriminating” evidence was found on
Grandma’s back? Claus marks
16. How many reindeer are featured in the poem “Twas the
Night Before Christmas?” Eight (no Rudolph!)
17. What traditional Christmas decoration is actually a
parasitic plant? Mistletoe
18. In “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” who played
Scrooge? Hint: It wasn’t a muppet. Michael Caine
19. What beverage company has been using Santa Claus in
its advertising since 1931? Coca-Cola
20. According to legend, what holiday goodies were
shaped to resemble a shepherd’s staff, as a way to
remind children of the shepherds who visited baby
Jesus? Candy canes
21. In the movie “A Christmas Story,” what was the
name of the next door neighbors whose dogs ate the
Christmas turkey? The Bumpuses
22. What figure from English folklore came to be
associated with Santa Claus? Father Christmas
23. In the 1964 classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed
Reindeer,” what was the name of Rudolph’s faithful
elf companion? Hermey
24. According to the folklore of Austria and other
countries, what horned figure punishes naughty
children at Christmastime? Krampus
25. In the TV special “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,”
what three words best describe the Grinch? Stink,
stank, stunk
26. What well-known Christmas carol became the first
song ever broadcast from space in 1965? Jingle Bells

Send us stories, drawings, poems and other contributions by your little ones along with their
photographs for this page. E-mail us at reporter@indianweekender.co.nz
 The Indian Weekender Friday, March 06, 2020 FEATURES 25

Fashionable Singles
This also extends to lingerie avoid granny undies as it is a big
turn off.
Do not dress like a teenager. Dressing too young is not a turn
on. Avoid board shorts, pants that are too long or too short. Low-
rise jeans are out. None of these outfits will earn you any brownie
points on your date.
Coming to what you should wear on your first date. You could
go with full proof jeans and t-shirt combo. This outfit gives a
sense of comfort and confidence. As this outfit can be worn as an
FOZIA YUSUF athleisure if it’s an outdoor date.
If you lack confidence you can never go wrong with black.
Black is a colour that generally males people feel confident and
sexy.

families and partners kids etc. But in singles case, time to look
after yourself is in abundance as everything is about you.
Looking into some single’s fashionable lifestyles. You
shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. But in today’s dating world
of singles, first impressions and looks are impossible to ignore.
Fashion in a singles life is a big deal. Often it is related to deal
breaker if you don’t appear fashionable enough.
For singles who identify themselves as fashionable get more
attention on social media. Bad news for singles if you don’t
consider yourself as trendy and fashion-forward it is time to

W
hat does it mean to be single? Well taking a Stroll
down into my memories lane, all I can come up with
is – people who are single live best meaningful,
authentic life. As a single people mostly are beaming with Joy,
living unapologetically. Hence when you explore and see singles
live more fashionably.
Now you may think that’s a very vague statement. But it is
based on my years of meeting single people and living the phase Nude make up is the new millennial style. Even bright red
of my life. I have noticed this pattern. lipstick brings charm to your character and leaves a lasting
impression.

pick yourself up. Invest in a personal shopper. I know getting a

personal stylist can be expensive. Hence, I am here to guide you
along this journey of singlism and independence.
Dressing up for a first date is a must. If you feel fashion is not
your cup of your tea at least try not to fall into fashion disaster
traps.
Here are a few key things to Note.
Firstly wrinkled clothes are a big NO-NO, clothes must be
well ironed and washed. If you hate ironing have more wrinkle-
free outfits in your wardrobe.
Leave Behind the Croc’s, sandals, flip flops, and socks. It is
time to time to put on the big girl shoes. Heels are the way to
impress, introduce nude heels in your selection as it gives an Millennial singles focus on looking their best and exercise
illusion of long sexy legs. and a good diet is on their top priority list. If you are planning
Avoid wearing baggy clothes. It is good to wear clothes that dates surrounding these activities do not forget deodorant, the
fit you perfectly and according to your shape. Not too tight and last thing you want to do is smell like sweat that’s an ultimate
not oversized. if you feel you are not slim around the waistline turn off.
introduce belts so you can draw the attention away and belts also Hopefully few of these tips will help you along in planning
Singles have more time to look after themselves. Time is a your first date.
create an illusion of curves. As curves in a woman are always
valuable thing. Which most married couples and non- single
sexy. Photo Credit- Kaleidoscope fashion Events
people don’t have as they tend to be busy looking after their Pinterest
 26 ENTERTAINMENT Friday, March 06, 2020 The Indian Weekender

KUNAL KHEMU:
I feel underutilised as an actor
Chiranjeevi's 15
on why he's prou
A
ctor Sonu Sood says he is proud
to be a part of Telugu superstar

D
Chiranjeevi's upcoming
espite making a mark with varied roles in films mentioned that he was surprised to see
152nd film.
such as Kalyug, Traffic Signal, Go Goa Gone and me in 'Malang'. I think many people
now Malang, actor Kunal Kemmu says he mostly are under the impression Tentatively titled Chiru 152, the film is
gets offers to play comic roles thanks to his roles in the that I can only be good at helmed by Koratala Siva.
"Golmaal" series. The actor says he has much more to offer comedy. "It makes me very proud to be
as a performer. "I really have a lot associated with the project and sharing
"I can't say that I am underrated, but I am underutilised for to offer, if they cast screen space with Chiranjeevi Sir. The
sure as an actor. I know that I am capable of doing so much me!" said Kunal who, south Indian film industry has been very
as a performer. I have so much to offer. I have more potential in the nineties, had embracing of me and I hope with this
than what the audience has seen in the films that I have done impressed as a child film I am able to give them back the
so far. Or maybe my fans who like my work believe that I am artiste in films such as same amount of love through my work,"
versatile as an actor. But that is not how the filmmakers and Sir, Hum Hain Rahi said Sonu.
casting directors are seeing me," Kunal said. Pyar Ke, Naaraaz, I The actor has in the past worked in
The actor recently proved his versatility in Mohit Suri's Raja Hindustani, southern projects such as the Kannada
can't say that
Malang. In the film, he played a cold-blooded psychopathic Tamanna, Bhai and comedy "Vishnuvardhana" (2011), the
I am underrated, but
cop who deceptively passes off as a thorough gentleman Zakhm, before making Tamil romance "Raja" (2002), the Telugu
I am underutilised for
in public. While the multistarrer also featured Aditya his debut as a lead drama "Hands Up!" (2000).
sure as an actor. I know
Roy Kapoor, Anil Kapoor and Disha Patani in lauded and actor in the 2005 Meanwhile, his next Bollywood outing
important roles, it was Kunal's portrayal of a complex release, Kalyug. that I am capable of doing
so much as a performer. "Prithviraj" is a historical drama that
character that became a major talking point. Currently, the actor traces the life of King Prithviraj Chauhan.
"One of my friends who is also a filmmaker told me that is busy shooting the I have so much to
offer. The film stars Akshay Kumar in the
his reference to my work was Golmaal. So, he tends to think new season of the titular role and marks the debut of former
that I am good in comedy. ZEE5 web series Miss World Manushi Chhillar.
He added that my comic timing was good. Then he Abhay 2. Sonu will also be seen in the Tamil film

NEENA GUPTA: Don't fall Shruti Haasan admits to getting plastic surge
in love with a married man A
ctress Shruti Haasan recently choose to live. The biggest favour w e
took to her Instagram page can do for ourselves

V
to slam bodyshaming while and others is
eteran actress Neena Gupta has
admitting that she had gone under just be and learn
warned her fans not to fall in
the knife. to accept the
love with married men. She says
Having undergone plastic surgery, she changes and
she has done it in life and suffered.
says she neither advocates it nor is against it, the movement
In a video shot at Mukteshwar,
adding that she chooses to live that way. of our bodies and
Uttarakhand, Neena is seen giving a
In a long yet brave post, Kamal Haasan's minds."
piece of advice to her fans. daughter said: "I'm not one driven She ended the
"I'm
She begins by talking about how by other people's opinions of me note saying she
not one
extra marital affairs start. "He tells you but the constant commenting driven by other is learning to love
he doesn't like his wife and they are not and she's too fat now she's too people's opinions of herself a little more
getting along for a long time. You fall in thin is so avoidable. These two me but the constant everyday "because the
love with him, he is a married guy. Then commenting and she's
pictures have been taken three greatest love story of my
you say ‘why don't you separate'. But he too fat now she's
days apart. too thin is so life is with myself and I
says ‘no, no there are kids'." "I'm sure there are women out avoidable" hope yours is too".
She says they then start meeting there who relate to what I'm going A few weeks ago in an
secretly and go on holidays. That turns to to say. Most often I'm at the mercy of my interview with actress Lakshmi
spending nights together and ultimately hormones mentally and physically and over Manchu, Shruti Haasan opened up
"you want to marry him". the years I work hard to try and have a healthy on her battle with depression, and
Then, the woman wants the man to relationship with it. It isn't easy. The pain isn't overcoming alcoholism.
divorce his wife, but he says, "it's not easy the physical changes aren't easy but "I was trying to heal myself. I stopped
so easy, there is property, there are bank what's become easier to me is to share my caring about what people were saying. I
before, I have suffered. That is why I am
accounts etc". journey. had to figure it all out. I took a one year
telling my friends: try not to do it."
The woman gets frustrated and thinks No one famous or not is in a position to break," Shruti said.
Neena was in a relationship with West
of leaving him. It ends with the man judge another person. Ever. That's just not Shruti Haasan will soon be
Indian cricketer Vivian Richards in the
saying f*** off to you". cool. I'm happy to say this is my life my face seen in the Telugu film "Krack"
eighties. They share a daughter, Masaba and yes I've had plastic surgery which I'm not opposite Ravi Teja, and the Tamil
Then comes Neena's advice: "Do not
Gupta. Later, Neena went on to marry ashamed to admit. Do I promote it ? film "Laabam" opposite Vijay
get involved in all this, do not fall in love
Vivek Mehra. No am I against it ? No -- it's just how I Sethupathi.
with a married man. I have done this

Anubhav Sinha: Violence gets normalised Javed

if oppressed accept it T
he "Mr India" wa
its original creato
After Shekhar

W
ith "Thappad", filmmaker
Anubhav Sinha has trained
focus on a womans self-
respect in a relationship, and how it has
been compromised over the ages owing
to a certain conditioning of the mind in a
patriarchal society. Sinha believes it is not
just men but also women who are equally
responsible for the situation.
"Somewhere, women are equally
responsible for the whole practice
of ‘adjustment to keep the family
united', where the woman has to
compromise on several things
including self-respect.
"You see, violence gets
normalised if only the oppressed
accepts it," the filmmaker said. original, slammed the m
Sinha explained his point: "If your trilogy for not acknowled
mind is conditioned as a woman that such Kapoor took up cudgels
disrespectful behaviour is ‘chalta hai' in a Kapoor, who had starred
relationship — because she is responsible
of writer-lyricist Javed A
to maintain it — she will normalise it. She
the film is actually his i
will never raise her voice.
to Kapur.
"That is what has happened for ages.
"Shekhar saheb the sto
In this case, a slap is not
characters the dialogue th
"If only accepted, but
your mind these were yours.
also perpetrated by
is conditioned as "I gave it all to you. Ye
women."
a woman that such how can your claim on
"Thappad"
disrespectful behaviour is It wasn't your idea. It w
‘chalta hai' in a relationship features Taapsee Pavail Gulati, Ratna Pathak Shah, Tanvi opening collection of Rs 3.07 crore in the
Javedakhtarjadu.
— because she is responsible Pannu in a Azmi, Dia Mirza, Ram Kapoor, and domestic market, although it has received
Akhtar's tweet was a
to maintain it — she will starring role Kumud Mishra in important roles. excellent word of mouth and generally
latest outburst over the re
normalise it" and also features The film released on Friday to low-key positive reviews.
"The argument on a re
 The Indian Weekender Friday, March 06, 2020 ENTERTAINMENT 27

52nd: Sonu Sood Rishi Kapoor: Delay in Nirbhaya hangings ridiculous Divya Dutta:
V
eteran actor Rishi Kapoor convicts -- Mukesh Singh, Pawan
ud of the project I trust Neeraj
used the popular "Tareekh
pe tareekh" dialogue from
Gupta, Vinay Kumar Sharma and
Akshay Kumar -- were scheduled to
the 1993 film "Damini" to slam the
Delhi Court judgment to defer the
be hanged at 6 am on March 3.
Pawan Gupta, the last of the four
Pandey blindly
execution of the four convicts in the convicts to seek legal remedy or file
Nirbhaya rape and murder case. a mercy petition, had moved a fresh
On Monday, a court in Delhi again application seeking a stay on the
deferred the execution of the four hanging, as his mercy plea is pending
convicts in the Nirbhaya rape and before the President after the court
murder case, which was slated for dismissed their application seeking
Tuesday, till further orders. stay on hanging earlier on Monday.
Rishi finds the delay ridiculous, He filed the mercy petition after
and he took to twitter to express his his curative petition was rejected by

"Thamilarasan", an action drama starring
Vijay Antony and directed by Babu
Yogeswaran.
view with a post.
"Nirbhaya case. Tareekh pe
tareekh, tareekh pe tareekh, tareekh
pe tareekh - ‘Damini'. Ridiculous,"
he tweeted.
It may be recalled, "Damini"
starring Rishin Kapoor and Sunny
Deol with Meenakshi Sheshadri in
the title role, was a courtroom drama
that is fought out in the aftermath of
the rape of a young domestic help by
a group of influential boys.
Sunny Deol, who fights the case
to ensure justice for the dead victim,
mouths the "Tareek pe tareek"
dialogue in frustration and anger
even as the defence manages to bank
on one loophole after the other to
keep deferring the verdict.
In the Nirbhaya case, the four
Supreme Court on Monday morning.
The case pertains to the gangrape
and murder of a 23-year-old girl,
christened Nirbhaya bythe media, in
the Capital in December 2012. Six
people, including the four convicts
and a juvenile, were named as
accused.
Ram Singh, the sixth accused,
allegedly committed suicide in Tihar
jail days after the trial began in the
case. The juvenile was released in
2015 after spending three years in a
correctional home.
A
ctress Divya Dutta is excited
to collaborate with director
Neeraj Pandey for the
upcoming web show "Special Ops",
says she has and "blind faith" on the
filmmaker.
"As an actress, I am quite
instinctive, and do not over-prepare
before shooting. When it comes
to Neeraj, there is a blind faith,
in which I know that I am in good
hands. From the script to character
graph, everything is designed by
him. He is clear with exactly what
he wants from an actor and later how

ery Bhumi, Tanaaz Irani on period taboo

he will utilise it during editing, to
create a magical narrative out of the
material. So I was just following his

A
ctresses Bhumi Pednekar
and Tanaaz Irani are
shocked that conversations
around menstrual cycle are still
considered a taboo, and stressed
on the importance of opening up
about it.
Actress Tanaaz Irani, who
has a daughter and a son, said:
"Being a mother I feel the roads
of communication should be quite
open between a mother and a
daughter especially when it comes
to menstrual hygiene.
"Women are very shy and get very
scared to talk about these things. I
would want my daughter to talk to
me about it rather than go to their
friends."
"I think we need to raise more
awareness around the how girls are
dropping out of school due to lack
of menstrual hygiene among the
younger generation.
"There is an entire world out
there that does not have the kind
of facilities we do… When I was
in college and my friends from
the gynecology department went
out to government hospitals for
internships, they would find small
girls in serious health conditions
out of school each year," Bhumi
said.
The actress has joined hands
with Whisper for an initiative
#KeepGirlsInSchool.
Talking about it, Bhumi said:
"The initiative comes at a time
when empowering the young
women of India with the right
knowledge and education is critical
for our country's growth. It is a rare
opportunity where each of us can
collectively make a difference in the
lives of young girls. It truly is time
to #KeepGirlsInSchool."
"Qubool Hai" actress Shalini
Kapoor Sagar shared: "With times
we need to change too. I have no
shame in saying that during Ganpati
Visarjan I was on my period and I
as they would use foreign elements "we are already talking about how went to my doctor and asked for a
like ‘flower and coconut shells' to respect a women". pill to delay it.
when on their periods. "The cause of keeping girls in "He was shocked and told me that
"I was shocked and I feel that school hits home, and feels personal living in this time why do I think
the main thing is that the lines of to me, especially with like this and want to put yourself
communication have to be "Women periods continuing to through a hormonal misbalance. I
open on these topics at a are very shy be a taboo topic. I actually did the Puja despite having
younger age so that they and get very scared to was shocked to my periods because I know my
are conditioned to hear talk about these things. I learn that lack of thoughts are clean and that is what
these things." would want my daughter period education counts. I have realised that I can
Tanaaz says her son to talk to me about it rather is leading to 1 in bring a change to society once I
is about 12 years old and than go to their friends" 5 girls dropping change my own mind set."
instruction," Divya said.
"Special Ops" features Kay Kay
Menon, Karan Tacker, Meher Vij,
Sana Khan, Saiyami Kher, Vinay
Pathak, Vipul Gupta.
On her role, Divya said: "I cannot
disclose much of my character but
I was constantly looking forward
to the next scene because I did not
know what was coming next -- how
he will take the next shot!
He brought out the best of me on
screen."
The actress has worked with
Neeraj Pandey in the 2013 film
"Special 26" in the past.
What made them wait for so
long to reunite? "Since I do not ask
questions on the length of my role,
the story or the script, Neeraj is very
responsible with it. I trust him and
that is why he only calls me when he
feels that the role is worth my while.
This is the second time I am working
with him after 'Special 26'.
At that time I thought that my part
is small, but I remember the producer
telling me that my line would become
famous once the film released.
That has happened. I think Neeraj
knows how to utilise the potential of
any actor," she signed off.

Akhtar to Shekhar Kapur on Mr India: I gave it to you

ar is now being fought among
ors.
Kapur, director of the 1987
makers of an upcoming remake
dging him, and actress Sonam
s on behalf of her father Anil
d in that film, it is now the turn
Akhtar to join. Akhtar contends
idea and that he had given it
ory the situations the scenes the
he lyrics even the title none of
Yes you execute it very well but
the film be more than mine.
wasn't your dream," wrote @
reaction to Shekhar Kapur's
emake on Twitter, on Thursday.
emake of #MrIndia is not that
no one took permission from me or even bothered to
tell me.
"The question is. If you are remaking a feature film,
based on a director's very successful
work, does the Director have no
creative rights over what he/she
created?" @shekharkapur had
tweeted.
Akhtar co-wrote "Mr
India" with Salim Khan
and also penned the lyrics
for Laxmikant-Pyarelal in
the film. In fact, the script
marked the culmination of a
fruitful union of the celebrated
writer duo Salim-Javed, who had
belted out several memorable scripts
in the seventies including Andaz (1971), Haathi Mere
Saathi (1971), Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), and Yaadon Ki
Baarat (1973).
Salim-Javed also penned some of the films that
cemented Amitabh Bachchan's iconic
angry young man image, such as Zanjeer
(1973), Majboor (1974), Deewar (1975),
Sholay (1975), Trishul (1978), Don (1978), Kaala
Patthar (1979), Dostana (1980), Shaan (1980) and
Shakti (1982).
Unconfirmed reports have often stated that Salim-
Javed wrote the original "Mr India" with Big B in mind
too, to utilise the actor's rich baritone, in a character that
would remain invisible on screen.
Storm over the new "Mr India" started soon after
director Ali Abbas Zafar announced the project mid
February.
"Excited to partner with @ZeeStudios_for an epic
trilogy #MrIndia!
"It is a huge responsibility to carry forward an iconic
character loved by everyone. Currently, working on the
script, no actor has been locked till now.
" Once we lock the first draft of the script, casting
begins!" wrote @aliabbaszafar.
Soon, Kapur took to Twitter to declare that "no one
has even asked me or mentioned to me about this film
called Mr India 2".
A few days later, Sonam Kapoor avered: "My father
didn't even know the film was being remade, we found
out about it through social media when @aliabbaszafar
tweeted. It's quite disrespectful and underhanded if it
is true."
 FEATURES

Tips to clean your jewellery

28 Friday, March 06, 2020 The Indian Weekender

Health Tip
of the Week
W How to clean your silver
ith the festive season bidding
adieu, it is time to pack your heavy,
Jewellery
traditional jewellery. But do not do
so without cleaning them properly, otherwise Salt and baking soda: Line a glass
Trouble sleeping
you may permanently damage their sheen and
glaze.
container with tin foil and pour some hot in summers?
Here are some useful jewellery
care tips, to make your valuables last Cumin powder
forever.
mixed with mashed
banana taken at night
is one of the most
popular remedies to
water in it. Add one or two tablespoons
of salt and baking soda. Put your silver beat insomnia
jewellery in this mixture and leave it for five

1. Use soft cloth and a mild soap in water

to clean the jewellery.
2. When not in use, keep your precious
pieces clean and dry to keep away
the moisture.
3. Don’t make a cocktail in a box. Maintain
separate boxes for Gold, Silver,
Diamond and Gemstone jewellery.
4. Keep away your jewellery from
chemicals/alcohols of perfumes,
creams etc.
5. Don’t enter the pool with your gold
minutes. Rinse jewellery with water.
jewellery on, to avoid discoloration. Olive oil and lemon juice: Mix half a
6. Use Vodka to clean those cup of lemon juice with 1 tablespoon of olive
expensive diamonds. oil in a bowl. Dip the cloth in the solution,
7. To clean silver jewellery use a mixture squeeze the excess mixture out and polish the
of charcoal and washing powder. silver with it. Rinse it with warm water.
8. You can alternately clean them by White vinegar and baking soda: Soak
boiling in hot water with baking soda the piece of silver in a solution of half a cup
and a piece of foil paper. of white vinegar and two tablespoons of
9. Use a soft toothbrush to clean your jems. baking soda for two-three hours. Rinse it and
dry . This helps in removing heavy tarnish.

15 March – 12 March 2020 | By Manisha Koushik
ARIES (MAR 21-APR 20)
You will have to get somebody interested in what
you are doing, if you want help and support. Some of
you may feel under the weather on the health front.
You are most likely to spend on inessential things, if
you don’t prioritise your shopping list. A conscious
effort will have to be made to conserve money for a
future event. Critics are likely to punch holes in a project or assignment
submitted by you. Lucky No.:2 / Lucky Colour: Pink
TAURUS (APR 21-MAY 20)
There are many advisors to misguide you, so don’t
be gullible. You are likely to direct your energies in
doing what you do best both at home and at work.
Impressing those who come in contact with you
will prove much more beneficial than what you
had anticipated. A prized posting can be bagged
by those in uniform. You will manage to resolve a
workplace problem successfully. Homemakers may focus on giving the
home a facelift. Lucky No.: 6 / Lucky Colour: Fuchsia
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUN 21)
Keeping busy is in your blood and this week will
be no different! If there is nothing pressing, you
will remain busy doing up the home. A pleasant
week is foreseen, when you accomplish much,
both on professional and social fronts. You will
be able to impress those who matter at work due
to your cheerful nature and good communication
skills. Celebratory mood prevails at home as you manage to achieve
the unachievable. Health remains satisfactory. Lucky No. 4 / Lucky
Colour: Purple
Manisha Koushik is a practicing astrologer, tarot card reader, numerologist, vastu and
fengshui consultant based in India with a global presence through the online channels. She is
available for consultations online as well. E-mail her at support@askmanisha.com or contact
at +91-11-26449898 Mobile/Whatsapp: +91-9716145644 • www.askmanisha.com
LEO (JUL21-AUG 20)
You will find the week extremely lucky. Fame
and riches come to you as you ascend the ladder
of success. You are likely to beat the workplace
competition to emerge at the top. Excellent
performance on the academic front will keep you
in a buoyant mood. Those feeling unwell will
show quick recovery. There is much to gain by
visiting someone influential. You gain much by
focussing on fitness by taking up an exercise regimen. Lucky No.2 /
Lucky Colour: Brown
VIRGO (AUG 23-SEP 23)
A see-saw battle may rage between you and a rival
at work, but you hold the chips. Homemakers will
be able to implement some of their ideas on the
home front. Wedding is on the anvil for someone
who is close to you. You are likely to be smitten
by someone’s charms, so expect the romantic
front to get brightened! Those waging a see-saw
battle with health problems are likely to find relief soon. A short journey
is indicated. Lucky No.:1 / Lucky Colour: Red
LIBRA (SEP 24-OCT 23)
Your efforts are likely to be recognized by those
who matter on the professional front. Realising
your academic dreams becomes a possibility soon.
It is a good week to extend your social circle by
meeting people you have not met before. You are
likely to take an active part in a family do and gain
popularity. Someone you have helped out will
extend full support to you in your hour of need. You remain financially
strong. Lucky No.:5 / Lucky Colour: Teal
SAGITTARIUS (NOV 23-DEC 21)
A situation at work may call for your expertise.
Some of you are likely to fall head over heels in love
with someone you had been smitten with. Changed
mindset will help bring you out from negativity and
lead you towards positivity. Someone close will be
more responsive towards your well being and this
will make you feel nice from within. Financial front remains secure as
you remain tight-fisted. You are likely to help out spouse in her plans.
Lucky No.:7 / Lucky Colour: Olive Green
CAPRICORN (DEC 22-JAN 21)
A little bit of praise will keep you in an upbeat mood
in this week. Changes made on the home front will
be to your liking. A senior is likely to appreciate
your contribution. Plans for a family gathering will
be put in force, so expect an enjoyable time. Money
flows in and keeps you financially strong. You may
get concerned about the health of a family member, but things will turn
out right. Love life remains satisfactory. Lucky No.: 9 / Lucky Colour:
Brown
AQUARIUS (JAN 22-FEB 19)
Mistakes and carelessness may make a disastrous
cocktail at work, so be careful. You may not be
able to achieve everything that you had set out for.
On the academic front, constant interruptions may
keep you from carrying out your allotted tasks.
Some of you can get caught on the wrong foot
by a family elder. You may resent the authority of someone you don’t
particularly like on the home front. Health requires care. Lucky No.:1
/ Lucky Colour: Red

CANCER (JUN 22-JUL 20)
You may act childishly and undermine your
reputation on the social front. Don’t take someone’s
word at work and check things out for yourself, as
you can be put in an embarrassing situation. You may
not totally agree with spouse’s views, but it is best
to avoid confrontation at this point in time. Saving
money is likely to become a priority in view of a
future event. You will need to become health conscious for remaining
fit. Lucky No.:3 / Lucky Colour: Navy Blue
SCORPIO (OCT 24-NOV 22)
Don’t neglect anything that is vying for your
attention. Much excitement is foreseen at home
as you go all out to organise a function or party.
Someone may be all praise for you on the social
front. If you are seeking love, you will be able to
shed your inhibitions and approach the one you
desire. There is something positive taking place on
the work front that will prove favourable for you in the long run. Lucky
No.:8 / Lucky Colour: Fuchsia
Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20)
You will have to be up and about to meet the
expectations of seniors at work. A misunderstanding
with spouse cannot be ruled out. Tension may prevail
at home over an issue. There is scant chance of
someone responding to your romantic overtures, but
there is no need to lose heart! Your pocket may not
allow an overseas or out of town invitation. Your decision on a property
related matter may not be binding on others. Lucky No. 6 / Lucky
Colour: Navy Blue
 The Indian Weekender Friday, March 06, 2020 FEATURES 29

TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

Things every traveller

should DEFINITELY do
once in their lifetime

T
here are ‘n’ number of things that you might want to do of Dubai at the Arabian Desert or iconic Palm Jumeirah will be Ride a bike in Amsterdam
once in your lifetime and experience that adrenaline rush. an experience that you would surely want to do once in your
And being aware of how affirming and life-enriching lifetime.
those experiences can be, research suggests that most people Go on a bike trip, Ladakh
miss out on their wish list, and end up regretting when they look
back on their lives. However, just creating a bucket list will not
serve a purpose. You need to start somewhere. And here’s is the
first step, where we have curated a list to help you in getting a
kickstart.
Visit Taj Mahal, India

R iding a bike in Amsterdam

can be a nightmare if
you mess up with the rules,

T his will push you both mentally and physically, whereas

unpredictable weather and rugged terrains might also work
as a deterrent.
but once you grasp it, the
experience will be a blast.
Most of the bike rentals will
Yet, when you reach the destination, there is a peculiar sense also provide a helmet if you pay

T ill date, Taj Mahal remains an architectural marvel of the

modern world. Not only does it find a mention in stories
related to love, it is also a living testament to history, romance,
of accomplishment. As the saying goes, going on a bike trip to
Ladakh also means taking part in the Holy Grail of biker-trails
in the world.
them some extra cash.
Be safe, and enjoy this experience of
roaming around a city on a bike and moving
and magnificence. One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the around freely, without having to be dependent on
See the Northern Lights public transport.
moment you lay your eyes on it, you are awestruck, and this
is the very moment that you realise, your travel memoir would Climb Eiffel Tower
have never been complete without a visit to Taj Mahal.
See a Broadway show, New York

T he ever-elusive Northern Lights of Iceland remain on top of

most tourists’ wishlist.
However, to see this, you have to take into account many

T outed to be the best in the world, this experience will have

you admiring Dubai from an impressive height.
The glorious around-the-year sunshine makes skydiving in
Dubai an enjoyable sport, which will let you add another feather
to your lifetime memories.
Also, the freefall from an impressive height through the skies
things, such as the season and length of your stay, weather, time
of the year, and most importantly, your luck.
Your chances to view them will be high if you visit the spot
during winters.
You need to see it to believe the magical influence when the
sky is lit from within with different hues of purple, yellow, pink
and green.
E iffel Tower has three floors; the first two floors, you can
take the stairs, whereas the top floor is only reachable by
elevator. If you’re not in haste, you can take your time while
going up the steps, and read the signs detailing the history of
Eiffel Tower along the way.
Depends on what option you pick, the moment you reach the
top, the experience and views are just breathtaking.
30 FEATURES Friday, March 06, 2020
UPDATE ON COVID-19
Cover your mouth and
nose with a tissue when
you cough or sneeze
Put your used tissue in the
rubbish bin or in a plastic bag
IWK BUREAU
T
here are now three cases of COVID-19 now
Wash and dry your hands confirmed in NZ,  the chances of community
often, especially after coughing outbreak remain low.
or sneezing – use soap Public health staff are working with border agencies to
ensure any travellers arriving in New Zealand who have
been in China during the past 14 days are aware of the need
to self-isolate and know what that entails. Self-isolation
Stay away means avoiding situations where you could infect other
from others people. Such travellers are also asked to register for health
if you’re sick checks through the designated new Healthline service.
 Freephone: 0800 358 5453 (NZ only). Other general
health.govt.nz/coronavirus health enquiries can dial the standard Healthline
Protect your family/wha-nau from coronavirus number 0800 611 116.
January 2020 | HP7328 Staff at airports and ports have been advised what to
look out for and have information on hand for passengers
that advises them what to look out for and what to do if
they get symptoms.
What precautions can I take?
With no known cure and vaccination still many
months away we are reliant on our natural defences
for COVID-19. The best way to avoid catching COVID-19  this email.
virus is following WHO (World Health Organisation)
recommendations.
WHO advises people to follow the basic principles to
reduce the general risk of acute respiratory infections.
These are:
• Avoid close contact with people suffering acute
respiratory infections
• Wash your hands regularly, especially after contact
with ill people or their environment
• Try to avoid touching your eyes, ears or mouth (all
entry points for the virus)
• People with symptoms of acute respiratory infection
should practice cough etiquette (maintain distance,
cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or
clothing, and wash hands).
• Social interaction (hugs and handshakes not a good
India maximizing efforts to contain
the spread of novel coronavirus
A
s of 4 March, a total of 28 confirmed cases of
COVID-19 have been reported as following: in
Jaipur 17 cases, Delhi one case, Agra 6 cases,
Telangana one case and Kerala 3 cases. In addition,
laboratory confirmation is pending for two cases in
Telangana. Hospital isolation of the cases, tracing and
home quarantine of the contacts are ongoing in these
localities.The Prime Minister's Office, MoHFW and
Cabinet Secretary are closely monitoring the situation of
COVID-19.
Dr Harsh Vardhan chaired a high-level meeting on 4
March 2020 and urged the States/UTs to strengthen core
capacities for disease preparedness and surveillance and
focus on cluster containment strategy to avoid widespread
community transmission.
Cabinet Secretary chaired a review meeting through
video conference on 3 March 2020 wherein States were
asked to monitor airport management in coordination
with Airport Health Organizations (APHOs) and airport
managers.
Cluster management guidelines were shared with states
and Chief Secretaries were requested to operationalize
The Indian Weekender
idea when out and about)
• Stay properly hydrated, get a good night’s sleep, good
nutrition and exercise.
• All are important to make sure your immune system
is at its best.
Thinking of travelling overseas?
For the latest advice, visit the  Ministry of Foreign
affairs and Trade’s Safe travel website
Returning to NZ from overseas?
New Zealand citizens (including those from the
three Countries of the Realm: Tokelau, Niue and the
Cook Islands) permanent residents and their immediate
family or air crew who have been to or transited through
Mainland China in the past 14 days will need to self-
isolate when they return home to New Zealand.
Self-isolation means avoiding situations where
you could infect other people. Further information on
self-isolation is available on the Ministry of Health
website https://www.health.govt.nz/-ncov#travellers
Other information for returning travellers is attached to
What are the signs & symptoms of  COVID-19?
It appears that most cases have mild to moderate illness.
In severe cases, the virus can cause pneumonia and severe
acute respiratory infection.
Symptoms of  COVID-19 are similar to a range of
other illnesses such as influenza and do not necessarily
mean that you have COVID-19. Symptoms include fever,
coughing and difficulty breathing. Difficulty breathing
is a sign of possible pneumonia and requires immediate
medical attention.
New Zealand citizens (including those from the
three Countries of the Realm: Tokelau, Niue and the
Cook Islands) permanent residents and their immediate
family or air crew who have been to or transited through
Mainland China in the past 14 days will need to self-
isolate when they return home to New Zealand.
the guidelines. States were also asked to identify possible
quarantine facilities, to augment isolation wards and
for active engagement of district collectors in cluster
management at district, block and village levels.
Passengers (foreign and Indian) arriving directly or
indirectly from China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Italy,
Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, South Korea,
Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam are screened at point of
entry. Indian citizens are advised to refrain from travel
to China, Iran, Italy, Republic of Korea and advised to
avoid non-essential travel to other COVID-19 affected
countries.
“The Government of India has demonstrated strong
commitment for preparedness and response to COVID-19,
which is being led by the Prime Minister’s office and
coordinated by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
(MoHFW).
There is focus on point of entry screening, testing,
confirmation, isolation and management of cases.
The central government is working closely with the
states on all aspects including contact tracing through the
Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme.
 Inviting nominations for
The guidelines, which need to be adhered to, for
nominations, are as follows:

The Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame 2020

1. The nominee needs to have an undisputable

2. Should be nominated by a person of repute. Further,

the nominee.
3. The nominator has to provide their full contact
details. No anonymous applications will
be accepted.
4.
business, sports, art, culture, or any other
profession).
5.

Indian origin, from any part of the world, who has

settled here in New Zealand. To be of Indian origin,
at least one of the parents of the nominee have to
be Indian, by blood, thereby making the nominee
of Indian lineage.
6. The nominee must have either a Permanent
‘The Indian Weekender Honours’ recognises individuals who have built a road to Residency (PR), or Citizenship of New Zealand to
be eligible for consideration.
glory for themselves and left a path for the coming generations to tread on; who
7. The nominee should have no prior convictions.
have touched the lives of thousands and enriched the society with their being; 8. For minors, under the age of 18, parental consent
who have brought fame and respect to New Zealand and the Kiwi-Indian community. will be required.
The Indian Weekender invites nominations for such personalities from the 9. The successful candidate will be required to attend
community for getting inducted into the Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame 2020. the ceremony in person. In case a person is not able
to attend, due to any unforeseen circumstances, the
We also invite nominations for Kiwi Indian Young Achiever of the Year jury will use its discretion.
and Kiwi Indian Community Service Exellence Award 2020. 10.
Nominate Online: visit www.halloffame.co.nz cannot be challenged.
Post your nominations: Fill this form and post it to the address given below.

ENTRY FORM: Nomination form for The Indian Weekender Honours 2020 | Please fill and post it to the address below

Nominator Details Nominee Details About the Nominee

Name of the nominator Name of the nominee

For how long have you known the nominee?

Please state your reasons for nominating the above person. You may mention the
achievements of the nominee in his/her profession.
Professional details of the nominator Age of nominee

Gender M F

Address & Contact number of nominator Address & Contact number of nominee

How according to you has the Nominee brought fame and respect to the Kiwi-Indian
Category Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame community? (Add extra sheets to this form, if required)
Kiwi Indian Young Achiever of the year (16 to 35 years only)

Kiwi Indian Community Service Excellence Award

Declaration by Nominator
Nominee has accepted to appear in person
for the ceremony, if he/she gets chosen
the nominee for this application. for the nominated category for Kiwi Indian
Honours 2020.
Yes No
Yes No

I hereby declare that the above information is true to the best of my knowledge. I also
allow The Indian Weekender and the Jury to use the information provided for background
checks and to contact either me or the nominee for the purpose of getting any
What to do next?
Please take a print out of this form, sign (Add extra pages to this form if required.)
more information.
and send / or email at: For details contact Indian Weekender on
Jury Panel, Kiwi Indian Honours 2019 09-217 3623 or go to:
Level1,133A Onehunga Mall, www.indianweekender.co.nz
Signed: Date: Auckland 1061 halloffame@indianweekender.co.nz
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