Indian Weekender 22 January 2016

The pulse of Kiwi-Indians

22 January, 2016 • Vol. 7 Issue 42 • www.iwk.co.nzNZ’s first Kiwi-Indian weekly newspaper

22 January 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

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2 CONTENTS

New ZealandLohri celebrations at Bhartiya Mandir

India AbroadIndra Nooyi becomes Yale’s biggest alumni donor

RazzmatazzSummer essentials for you

Opinion/EditorialResolving structural issues for creating a start-up nation

SportsGayle equals Yuvraj’s T20 world record

Face of the WeekMeet Sunita Narula, an Auckland-based event planner

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Pg 21

Pg 24

Pg 17

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www.iwk.co.nz | 22 January 2016

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3COVER STORY

Legacy, grandeur and celebrations—India’s 67th Republic DayMaya ShivaM

Jahan paanv mein payal, haath mein kangana, ho maathe pe bindiya, it happens only in India.

Even years after this song first came out, Indians can’t help but tap and sway to it, or for that matter try and emulate SRK’s signature step to Phir bhi dil hai Hindustani. As they say, you can take an Indian out of India but you cannot take India out of an Indian.

In the hustle and bustle of a life away from one’s home country, we may not often stand back and reflect on what it means to have roots in one of the greatest nations of the world. Being too consumed by all the noise and news that emanates from our television screens and computers, we may often just prefer to not think of it at all. However, January 26 or August 15 arrives, they bring with them thoughts, feelings, the spirit and essence of Indianness. So rather than repeating the historical significance or bring our readers congratulatory messages, like we do each year, we explored the meaning of Indianness this year.

Indianness is not defined by the geographical confines of a land mass in South East Asia; it is in fact, like an individual, that is, a living entity with a body, life, mind, soul and with a unique temperament and genius. In this perspective, to be an Indian means to be consciously or unconsciously open to and in tune with the soul and mind of India. It means being aware and proud of the

rich and varied cultural heritage that we possess, the unique value system we have that may, in fact, dictate our worldview to a degree and to possess the spiritual genius that may perhaps be our guiding light. We realised that it is perhaps our Indianness that gives us the innate ability to work hard and persevere, which can be the prerequisite skills essential in the world today. Our diversity gives us the

strength to easily adapt to any country or culture that we may choose to adopt. The consciousness of this spirit of India also comes with knowing that while some of the other civilisations were still evolving, we were engaged in the finer trades of silks and spices; that our forefathers knew of flying objects much before the first aircraft was invented.

In celebration of the Indian Republic Day, we at Indian Weekender decided that we wanted to celebrate this spirit of being Indian with our readers. We wanted them to take a moment out of their busy schedules and think about this.

The plan was simple. We picked up three phrases—of course, they are Bollywood-inspired and got people’s first reactions to these. We share some of these with you here. There are more reactions from our readers on video that you can find on our website and Facebook page.

On behalf of the team at Indian Weekender, we wish all our readers a Happy Republic Day. Stand tall and walk proud. Jai Hind.


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4 COVER STORY

Sukhwindar

When I hear about phir bhi dil hain Hindustani, it reminds me of freedom. It makes me proud, as Indians are known for having a big heart. It also incites feelings towards my country.

Neeraj

The first thing that comes to my mind when I hear phir bhi dil hain Hindustani is my home, family and friends in Delhi. This is because Delhi is where I have spent all my life; my heart belongs there. I can go anywhere in the world, but Delhi will always be my home.

Anup Singh Bhajwa

I remember the long rides on my bike all the way up to the borders in Kashmir to military camps. We used to go on these road trips and reach the army camps on January 1.

Hardeep Singh Gujral

Shah Rukh Khan! I feel Bollywood has become such an integral part of our lives that it is hard to take that away. It has become one of the symbols of our culture, our life and country in the world.

Amar

First and the only thing that comes to my mind is Shah Rukh Khan. I am a big fan of him and these words remind me of his movies.

Sanjay

I have been in New Zealand for 13 years now and even today, I become emotional every time I listen to these words. I love my land and the Indian soil. I feel my roots back home.

Sania

The thing I miss the most is family and friend and that is what these lines remind me of.

Prateek Sadre I’m a Kiwi but very much Indian by heart. The first thing comes to my mind hearing “Made in India” is ‘beauty at its best’. Indian people are the most beautiful people on earth. Aishwarya Rai is considered to be the most beautiful woman in the world.

Prem SagarWhen I hear about made in India, the first thing that comes to mind are our food products in India. Even though we live here, we prefer consuming Indian products. We use it because we feel attached to them.

Hardeep Singh Gujral

First thing that comes to my mind is Maruti Suzuki, the carmakers in India. You see at least one Maruti car every time you look at the road.

Prateek Sadre

Recent turnout of events in politics where Indians decided they will vote and as a result gave a World Leader Modiji. Where else can you find such a majority win in the world?

Kirty Maheshwari

India to me is my country where I belong. Without the Indian tag, I am nothing. All the rest comes later if you are out of your country you are an Indian first. India to me is full of songs and music, you pick any word and I can tell a song on that. Does this happen anywhere else?

Neelu Taore

Grand weddings. I feel very proud of being an Indian and born as an Indian, as we have taken the best of both the worlds and we are the best in the world.

Aditi Dutta Uberoy

To me, being an Indian is diversity. Being traditional as well as modern at the same time. To be able to do havan as well as work on the computer. Proud of a country, which gives a freedom of choice.

Anjali Trihima Basra

Gives me a sense of pride in being an Indian and immense pleasure in the fact that India is progressing towards self-reliance and leaving its mark regarding the same at the global level. A small step while reiterating Gandhiji’s philosophy of Swadeshi, this will lead to a giant leap in future and place India in the selected list of advanced nations.

Amar Deep

Indians have grown amidst corruption. We have seen communal violence, we have seen worse things happening around us but still we love each other. There is still love for the country and a hope within our hearts, which will never die. This is what I feel the real essence of these words are.

Simrat

As the song suggests, we are always accommodative by nature. We accept the reality and try to see if we can work around the problems we face in everyday life. This amazing quality is what makes the Hindustani’s heart so special. The jugaad is the ultimate name of our life and an adjective that defines our spirit.

Lavish

There was a match between New Zealand and India a couple of years ago in Auckland. Although initially I wanted to support the home country, after reaching the stadium, I couldn’t. I eventually ended up sitting among Indian fans and cheered for India. Probably my heart was too Hindustani to support any other team.

Chetan Vij

Despite many countries being way ahead of India in terms of development and technology, if I was given a choice to select my nationality, it would still be India. A country of diversity, of cultures and traditions. It compels me to say mera dil hai Hindustani.

Prateek Sadre

We Indians, no matter where we go, love our Bollywood and who else can showcase (India) other than our crazy Punjabi brothers here in NZ. Diwali in Auckland is not complete without bhangra. Also, one example is Indians, no matter how busy in life, whenever there is topic about India, we do take time to participate. What else can be a better example than me, an engineer at work, taking time to respond to you? Akhir dil hai hindustani

Phir Bhi dil hai Hindustani

It happens only in India

Made in India

We spoke to some of our readers and asked them to share what comes to their mind when they hear popular phrases. Here are their reactions.

Celebrating the spirit of IndiaA Republic Day special—from unknown facts about the celebration to the major amendments made to the Indian ConstitutionESha Chanda

Little-known facts

On Tuesday, India will celebrate its 67th Republic Day—a commemoration of the day when

the Indian Constitution came into force in 1950. As thousands gather to witness the country’s military and cultural parade, and celebrate the constitutional sovereignty, we take a look at facts that you might not know about India’s national holiday.

Birth of the ConstitutionWhile some reports say that the

Constitution came into force at precisely 10:18 a.m., other reports say that it was shortly after 10:30 a.m.

Indian Air Force comes into existence

On this day in 1950, the prefix ‘royal’ was dropped from the Royal Indian Air Force—the auxiliary air force of the British Empire established in 1932—and the Indian Air Force came into existence.

Abide with meRepublic Day celebrations begin on

January 26 with the parade along Rajpath and end with the Beating Retreat ceremony on January 29. Every year, during the Beating Retreat, a band plays Abide With Me—a Christian hymn written by Henry Francis Lyte, which is believed to be Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite.

Longest constitutionWith 448 articles, India’s Constitution

is the longest in the world. The original constitution is handwritten in English and Hindu using calligraphy and is now stored inside helium-filled cases in the library of

the Parliament of India. Dr BR Ambedkar took on the herculean task of drafting the country’s constitution, which took two years and 11 months to complete.

A change in venueRajpath was not always the venue for

the annual Republic Day parade. The first parade was held at Irwin stadium where Dr Rajendra Prasad took an oath as India’s first president. The chief guest was President Sukarno of Indonesia. It was only from 1955 when Rajpath became the official venue for the parade. Previous venues included Ramlila Ground and Lal Kila.

A bag of borrowingsThe Indian Constitution is often referred

to as a bag of borrowings, as it has taken various features from other constitutions around the world such as the concept of having five-year plans taken from the USSR and the concepts of liberty, equality and fraternity, which was taken from the French Constitution.

First sitting US president at the parade

US President Barack Obama became the first US head of state to attend India’s Republic Day parade when he came to Delhi last year along with his wife Michelle Obama. It was the president’s most high-profile event during his three-day visit to India in 2015.

First-ever female contingentFor the first time, an all-women

contingent from the three forces—Army, Air Force and Navy—marched down Rajpath on India’s Republic Day in 2015. The Army contingent was led by Capt. Divya Ajith, the Navy was led by Lt Commander Sandhya Chauhan and the Air Force contingent was led by Squadron Leader Sneha Shekhawat.

Important amendments sInce 1950As of August 2015, there have

been 100 amendments to the Constitution of India since its

establishment. Here are some of the most iconic ones.

26th Amendment, 1971Privy Purse—a payment made to the

royal families of former rulers of princely states—was abolished after a two-year legal battle.

58th Amendment, 1987In December 1987, the Hindi

translation of the Constitution was officially accepted and a provision to publish future amendments in Hindi was made.

61st Amendment, 1988In 1988, the voting right for an

individual was lowered from 21 to 18 for

Lok Sabha assembly elections—a move that gave birth to a younger generation of voters.

86th Amendment, 2002With no amendment before for

children’s education rights, the 86th Amendment provided a right for education until the age of 14 and early childhood care until the age of six. This was later changed to extend the right till the age of 16.

94th Amendment, 2006Six years after Jharkhand and

Chattisgarh were established as new states in the country, a provision was made for a Minister of Tribal Welfare for the states considering the presence of tribal groups in the regions.


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How this R-Day parade will be differentGaurav SharMa

India’s Republic Day parade on New Delhi’s iconic Rajpath is often hailed as a

stunning display of the country’s military might, lavish floats depicting its rich cultural history and diversity, music and dance performances, as well as dare-devilish feats on motorcycles. But in tune with changing times, this year’s parade is set to witness some first-ever inclusions and some notable exceptions.

French contingent—first-ever foreign participation

Ever since India got its independence in 1947, this will be the first-time a foreign contingent—the 35th Infantry Regiment of 7th Armoured Brigade of the French Army—will march down the Rajpath. Notably, French President Francois Hollande is the chief guest for this year’s celebrations. The Regiment traces its history back to 1604 when it was raised for the first time in Lorraine.

India’s gesture is in response to France’s initiative of inviting one of the oldest regiments of the Indian Army—the Maratha Light Infantry—to participate in the Bastille Day celebrations in 2009 where it marched down the

Champs Elysee in Paris with the French army.

Indian Army dog squad

Thirty-six dogs of the Indian army’s canine unit will also form part of this year’s R-Day

parade after a gap of 26 years. This includes 24 Labradors and 12 German Shepherds, all belonging to the M e e r u t - b a s e d Remont and Veterinary Corps centre.

A l l - w o m e n s t u n t contingent

For the first-time ever, Women D a r e d e v i l s CRPF—created in 2014—comprising 120 women from the CRPF’s three women battalions

and Rapid Action Force will perform tandem motorcycle riding skills and stunts at the parade.

No camel contingent

In non-inclusions, for the first time in the history of the India’s

Republic Day, the iconic Border Security Forces camel contingent will not be a part of celebrations. It comprises a 54-member mounted contingent showcasing BSF border guards with weapons riding camels, followed by a 36-member band in multi-colour dresses on the back of camels playing martial music.

Non-inclusion of paramilitary forces such as ITBP, CISF and SSB

A notable exception this year will be the contingents of paramilitary forces including the Central Reserve Police Force, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and the Sashastra Seema Bal.

A short parade

Less parade contingents would mean that the duration of the parade will be shorter this year by almost 30 minutes. Past parades have clocked between 115 to 120 minutes consistently.

Read more stories on Republic Day on page 25 and 27


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Flag choice to fly on Auckland Harbour BridgeiWK BurEau

M inisters Bill English and Simon Bridges have announced that the proposed alternative Silver

Fern (Black, White and Blue) flag will fly alongside the current New Zealand flag on the Auckland Harbour Bridge from Friday, January 22.

The Auckland Harbour Bridge will be the latest in more than 250 sites around the country that have the alternative flag on-loan from the Flag Consideration Project to display beside the current flag, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English says.

“Having the two flags flying side by side around New Zealand will help people compare the designs before making a decision in the final flag referendum, which runs from March 3 to 24.”

Transport Minister Simon Bridges says he approved the request from the Flag Consideration Project to fly the alternative flag on the Auckland Harbour Bridge alongside the current flag from January 22 to March 24.

“The proposed alternative flag will be flown alongside the current flag each day

on the Auckland Harbour Bridge until the end of the referendum period, except for Waitangi Day when the current flag will be flown alongside the Tino Rangatiratanga flag.” At present, only three flags, alongside the New Zealand flag, are permitted to fly on the Auckland Harbour Bridge (the New Zealand flag flies every day, weather permitting). These are the Tino Rangatiratanga flag on Waitangi Day, the Australian flag on ANZAC Day and the Merchant Navy flag on Merchant Navy Day.

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KIte festIval taKes over aucKlandiWK BurEau

The 10th Indian kite festival was organised by Vaishnav Parivar NZ Inc. (VPNZ) on January 16

at the Avondale Racecource, Auckland to mark the auspicious festival of Makar Sankranti.

The only kite festival of its kind to be celebrated in New Zealand, the event saw more than 10,000 people from all age groups and from various communities.

Apart from kite flying, there were other activities that included drawing and colour competition, face painting, heena and tattoo and cultural programmes that included garba, Marathi folk dances, bhangra and Bollywood dances.

For kids, there were amusement rides for entertainment along with an area for cricket net practice that was organised by Auckland Cricket.

Free cycle training was organised by Auckland Transport and a health awareness campaign by Diabetes NZ.

Kite and threads were specially imported from India and were on sale at the festival. The raffle draw was a special attraction where more than 20 prizes were given away to the lucky winners.

Manhar Patel, president and kite festival co-ordinator for VPNZ said that the feedback received for this year’s event was excellent and the festival was a grand success.

Lohri celebrations at Bhartiya Mandir SWati SharMa

In a first, Bhartiya Mandir (Balmoral temple) celebrated Lohri this year with the Indian community and

provided them with an opportunity to stay connected to their roots. The celebration, held on January 14 in the temple, started with an aarti and was followed by the Lohri ceremony.

More than 70 people gathered at the temple to be a part of the celebration. After the temple priest Govind Sharma performed puja with Mr Roshan Nauhria, President, Bharitya Mandir, and other committee members, everyone present performed the puja and took rounds around the pious Lohri bonfire. They offered peanuts, rewdi and chiwda to the fire and sang traditional Lohri songs.

“It is so good to be a part of this celebration. It helps us and our kids to know about our culture away from home. We hope to see dhol, dance and e n t e r t a i n m e n t at next year c e l e b r a t i o n s , ” said one of the family present at the event.

The puja was then followed by mahaprasadam (dinner).

It’s time for summer funiWK BurEau

Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust organised its annual Summer Camp 2016 for children and youth

at Mt Roskill War Memorial from January 11 to 15.

This year, the event saw more than 105 participants between the age group of six and 14. The Summer Camp was inaugurated by the Education Chairperson BSCT, Ms Roopa Suchdev QSM, with a morning prayer.

The days started with an energy-filled Bollywood aerobics session under the expert guidance of fitness instructor Ms Ella Kumar, which was followed by nutrition in the form of morning breakfast. The day began with a series of workshops and activities, which were pre-planned by a team of 20 volunteers and teachers.

The day included regular nutrition breaks in the form of lunch, fruit and evening snack. During these five fun-filled days, the children at the camp attended various workshops including personality development, nutrition, arts and crafts, dance, music and sports.

The organisations involved included Auckland Council, Smita Biswas from Auckland Libraries, BAPS Auckland, Hope and Health, SwarSadhna Music School and Kelly Sports.

On January 13, a picnic for the children to Ambury Farm was arranged, wherein

the children enjoyed nature playing with friends and yummy Subways with chips and drinks. Children also actively

participated in various dance sequences and performed on the last day in front of their parents at the closing ceremony.

Clockwise from above: Volunteers serving food, the group of children at this year’s summer camp and participants during the group activities

New Wellington to Singapore flights from SeptemberiWK BurEau

T ransport Minister Simon Bridges says the launch of a new international air service out of

Wellington is a significant development for Wellington Airport.

Singapore Airlines announced the new service on January 20, which will operate between Wellington and Singapore, via Canberra, four times a week.

“This new service opens up two new international connections and creates the first ever, non-stop connection between New Zealand and Canberra and the first direct service (operated with a single flight-number) between Wellington and Singapore,” Mr Bridges says.

“The new service will have significant benefits for the Wellington economy and the tourism sector with it expected to generate $95 million in visitor expenditure and add around $44 million to the national economy.”

Flights will begin operating in September.

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9NEW ZEALANDNEW ZEALAND

First-ever Lohri celebrations in ChristchurchGaurav SharMa

More than 300 people attended the Lohri celebrations organised for the first time in

Christchurch, this past weekend. An initiative of city-based social

organisation Indian Cultural Group (ICG), and supported by Selwyn District Council, the event started with traditional giddha dance and bhangra performances by the volunteers of ICG.

Later as the evening warmed up, the entire gathering joined the fun and danced on the dhol beats and traditional folk music

arranged by Christchurch-based DJ Ajay Sharma. Prizes for best dressed male and female in traditional Indian attire were also given. Overwhelmed by the response, Sandeep Sachdev, president of ICG, noted, “We have succeeded in making the venue, Lincoln Events Centre, resemble mini Punjab and Haryana for an entire evening.

“Next on cards is the uttarayan makar sankranti kite-flying festival, which is being organised by the ICG on January 24 at Halswell Domain in Christchurch. And all are invited.”

Prestigious Bharat Gaurav awards for Kiwi duoiWK BurEau

K iwi Indian community leaders Jeet Suchdev QSM, JP and Ms Roopa

Suchdev QSM were honoured with the coveted Bharat Gaurav Award by Governor of Punjab, His Excellency Honorable Kaptan Singh Solanki on January 8 at Le Meridian Hotel, New Delhi for their excellent contribution in serving the community of South Asians in New Zealand.

Union Minister of Rural Development Honorable Choudhary Birender Singh was also present as Guest of Honour at the award ceremony.

The award ceremony was held at Hotel Le Meridian by Indian International Friendship Society (IIFS), a voluntary organisation based in New Delhi, established to forge greater unity and integrity among the people of Indian origin living anywhere in the world. On January 8, IIFS celebrated the global friendship day in a grand way by awarding people who use their passion to serve community people at wherever they lived to make it a better place. Awards were giving out to members of the public service, private sector,

businesses and those involved in humanitarianism, culture, community building and youth work. They were all honoured for activism, advocacy and affirmation efforts. They believe—“Indians are bestowed with extraordinary talent and skill, which is manifested across the world where Indians stand out in distinction and excellence in their

respective fields of activities.” Jeet Suchdev QSM, originally from India, after spending his life in different countries, arrived in New Zealand in 1987. Since 1995 he has followed his passion in assisting the vulnerable and building cohesive and strong communities. He founded the Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust in 2001. Under his leadership and guidance, Bhartiya

Samaj had evolved to become a vibrant and highly successful community organisation. It has received numerous accolades and recognition for its work with the elderly, children and in migrant settlement and empowerment of women from South Asian communities in New Zealand. Jeet Suchdev is also a Justice of the Peace and a recipient of Queen

Service Medal (QSM) for his work in the community. He was awarded the Hind Rattan Award at the 25th International Congress of NRIs held at New Delhi, India.

Ms Roopa Suchdev, QSM, is a social activist in New Zealand, who migrated from India in 1992. Since 1995 she is serving the South Asian Community here. In 2005, she was awarded the QSM by the government of New Zealand to recognise her contributions to the community service. Ms Suchdev has put in more than 20 years in the field of domestic violence. She says, “Your purpose may not always be obvious, but always remember that you do have a purpose. As each one of us deserves to be happy! Live a fearless protective life, as this life is a beautiful gift from Almighty.”

In the past, the awardees have included late Her Holiness Mother Teressa, former Vice President of India, Gen.G.V.KrishnaRao, Joginder Singh, Former CBI Director, NRI business-magnate Vijay Mallya and Bollywood stars such as Dev Anand, Late Sunil Dutt, Rajesh Khanna, Raveena Tandon and Jayaprada and singer Pankaj Udhas.


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10 NEW ZEALAND

Tackling the r-word ESha Chanda

The rapidly changing demographics of different countries have left people

around the world struggling to cope with a problem that is insidiously injected in the fabric of the society. Blatant racism doesn’t go unnoticed, but it is the snide remarks, often concealed in classrooms and the corridors of universities that create a hostile environment for students from diverse backgrounds.

I, too, am Auckland—a University of Auckland student-run initiative based on a Polynesian, Maori and wider university community collective— challenges people to rethink racial stereotypes. On Tuesday, January 19, they released a series of four new videos at Waipapa Marae where the university’s students spoke about their personal experience of everyday racism during their tertiary study. Following last year’s social media campaign aimed at raising awareness about the issue, this year, the videos, aptly titled as Conversations, focussed on the power of conversation as a tool to address the problem of racism in New Zealand.

The videos featured participants from different ethnicities. Through the conversation sessions, the participants spoke about how the issue can be tackled to make

the university a safe place for minorities. “Mutual support and cooperation within groups is more productive and is what is going to progress us socially,” says Lydia Batson, a video participant.

The screenings were followed by panel discussions where community leaders, students and academics addressed the issue.

Racial microaggressions are unpleasant and jarring for individuals who are victimised. But it is not a struggle that they need to fight alone, an opinion echoed by Bartek Goldmann, another video participant. He says, “Addressing racism shouldn’t be a struggle only left to the people of colour. It is not fair to leave that battle only to be fought by those who are victimised by it most.”

The biggest challenge that minorities experience is being labelled and judged, says Sehar Moughal, a video participant. “In academic settings, it means not getting into a course of being pushed around when you go to administration. It means being

ignored in a line until you speak up to get their attention. On a larger scale, you lose opportunities. You don’t get scholarships or grants.”

Moughal believes that the first step that needs to be taken is to bring about awareness. “I became a part of I, too, am Auckland because I think it is challenging

the status quo. It is challenging those in a position of power to start taking racism seriously. They might think they are not being racist but it is happening.

If guidelines are there, they must be adhered to. Students’ rights should be made more accessible. More conversations need to happen around this,” she says.

I,too,am

Auckland

I, too, am Auckland— a University of Auckland student- run initiative based on a Polynesian, Maori and wider university community collective— challenges people to rethink racial stereotypes

Top: Attendees at the I, too, am Auckland eventAbove: (left to right) Marama Davidson, MP Green Party; Dr Camille Nakhid, Associate Professor at AUT; and Piakura Irene Tiraa Passfield, a University of Auckland student at the panel discussion


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Parents feeling the pinch of increasing school costsThe increasing cost

of technology is placing the whole

notion of free school education at risk, Labour’s Education spokesperson Chris Hipkins says.

“New Zealand parents are now being asked to fork out hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to provide digital devices for their kids’ schooling. Many families are struggling to find the money.

“School education in New Zealand is supposed to be free—that’s what the law says. Yet year after year, parents are being asked to put their hands in their pockets for larger and larger sums.

“Underfunding of the school system is creating huge equity issues. While some parents can easily afford to buy their kids the latest electronic devices, for others it’s simply not an option.

“The days when parents could send their kids off to school with a couple of exercise books and some pencils are long gone, but the level of government support available simply hasn’t changed to meet the increasing costs.

“IT plays a huge role in our education system, and if we’re to live up to our legal commitment to a free schooling for

our kids, the government needs to do a lot more to help address the rising cost of technology.

“The ever-increasing burden that rising school ‘donations’ place on parents also needs to be addressed.

“Labour has concrete plans to deal with all of these issues. National is missing in action,” says Chris Hipkins.

Underfunding of the school system is creating huge equity issues. While some parents can easily afford to buy their kids the latest electronic devices, for others it’s simply not an option.


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12 NEW ZEALAND

NZ welcomes implementation of Iran nuclear dealDuty Minister Nikki Kaye

has welcomed the next stage in the historic

nuclear deal between Iran, the Five Permanent (P5) members of the United Nations Security Council, and Germany.

“The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has now verified Iranian compliance with the deal and this will clear the way for the lifting of UN sanctions against Iran,” Ms Kaye says.

“New Zealand hopes this agreement can form the basis for building trust, opening a new

chapter of cooperation in the Middle East.

“New Zealand has now started the domestic process for removing the UN sanctions, which we hope will be completed in February. This will include removing the

current requirement for those trading with Iran to register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Consistent with the terms of the deal, some newly imposed restrictions, including restrictions regarding the transfer of sensitive goods, will apply.

“Iran was previously New Zealand’s fifth largest export market. We hope that the lifting of UN sanctions we enable us to build a stronger trade and economic relationship with Iran,” Ms Kaye says.

Tertiary cuts make skills shortage worseNational is making the

skills shortage worse with their moves

to restrict access to tertiary education, Labour’s Tertiary Education spokesperson Chris Hipkins says.

“Steven Joyce is turning a deaf ear to industry leaders who are crying out for skilled workers.

“Instead of increasing access to skills training, under National a large number of tertiary courses have seen big drops in numbers, including vital trade and pre-trade courses.

A lot of these courses led directly to employment or onto further study. National’s cuts are driven by penny-pinching, not education, and are making it harder for employers to get the skills they need. “Some adult

l e a r n e r s need foundation skills before they can attempt more advanced study or training. Some will have left school with few or no qualifications and now the door to a second chance is being slammed in their face.

“A whole generation of New Zealanders received their tertiary education more or less free and

now they are reaching r e t i r e m e n t age they are reliant on the next generation to pay tax to support that retirement. Now us a good time to invest in the education of the next generation,” says Chris Hipkins.

Minister welcomes Chinese New YearE thnic Communities

Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says he is looking

forward to celebrating Chinese New Year with communities around the country.

“2016 is the Year of the Monkey, the ninth animal on the Chinese zodiac calendar. New Zealand’s Asian communities, and the wider community, look forward to the lunar new year with much excitement,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“It is a time for renewal, for families to come together and for celebration.” Although the Chinese New Year officially falls on February 8, many celebrations in New Zealand are being held early to avoid clashing with Waitangi Day weekend and Auckland Anniversary.

Mr Lotu-Iiga will attend the Auckland Chinese Community Centre celebration in Auckland

this weekend, to which up to 30,000 people are expected.

“I am looking forward to the colour, the culture, the food and, of course, the traditional dragon dance,” he said.

“I hope people from all of our diverse communities will join with our Chinese and other Asian citizens in celebrating this significant event in the lunar calendar.” This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Auckland Chinese Community Centre event.

New appointments to three CRI boardsScience and Innovation

Minister Steven Joyce today announced the

appointment of three new members to the boards of the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS), and the New Zealand Forest Research Institute (Scion).

Richard Gill has been appointed to the ESR Board. He has established and sold a number of technology-based companies, and has worked in New Zealand and in the United States. Auckland based, he is the founder, director and Chief Executive of CLOUD M Ltd, a cloud technology company providing applications in emergency and civil defence management, and health and safety for high-risk industries.

“Mr Gill has well respected commercialisation experience and will add real value to the ESR Board,” Mr Joyce says.

Chris Bush has been appointed to the GNS Board. He is a chemical engineer based in New Plymouth with senior leadership experience in the energy sector. He runs his own consultancy providing strategy and risk management

advice to the energy sector and associated industries, and has particular expertise in health and safety. Mr Bush was previously Chair of the Petroleum Exploration and Producers Association and of the Be Safe Taranaki Trust.

“Mr Bush’s extensive governance, management and energy sector experience makes him well qualified for the GNS Board role,” Mr Joyce says.

Dr Jon Ryder has been appointed to the Scion Board. He has held senior management and leadership roles in Australia and New Zealand. He is Chief Executive and Managing Director of Oji Fibre Solutions, previously known as Carter Holt Harvey, and is director of the Wood Processing and Manufacturing Association of New Zealand and the New Zealand Wood Council.

“Dr Ryder’s strong scientific background and his in-depth knowledge of the sector will enable him to make a significant contribution to the Scion Board,” Mr Joyce says.

“I welcome the valuable knowledge and experience that these high-calibre appointees bring to the boards of these three Crown Research Institutes.”

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Youth Programme recognises inspirational young peopleAround 100 young people

who have overcome significant challenges

have been selected for the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) and are participating in the programme.

Youth Minister Nikki Kaye says the programme, personally spearheaded by the Prime Minister and held annually since 2010, is a great opportunity for the young people from Auckland aged between 14 and 17, to be recognised for their personal achievements and community contributions.

“These young people have each faced and overcome significant challenges in their lives including the death of more than one immediate family member, mental health issues, truancy, and offending. They

have been nominated to attend the programme by people who have worked with them closely and know them well. This could have been their school teacher, principal, youth or social worker, Police Youth Aid officer, or other community members. The Turn Your Life Around (TYLA) Youth Development Trust, BlueLight and The Village Trust are the key organisations supporting the young people through this programme.

“This week is about rewarding young people and also investing in their personal development. They will be participating in activities such as white water rafting in Waitomo, a ‘market to table’ chef’s experience, and visits to large New Zealand companies.

“The PMYP will involve a Celebration Dinner where the

young people will receive their certificates. This year we are very pleased to have Parris Goebel as the guest speaker. Parris Goebel won Young New Zealander of the Year in 2014, recognising her leadership at her Palace Dance Studio in South Auckland and her commitment to young people. Parris has gone on to be an internationally recognised and sought-after choreographer and dancer, recently collaborating with Jennifer Lopez and Justin Bieber.

“This week is an important time to recognise and celebrate this group of 100 young New Zealanders who despite incredible challenges are doing very well. This programme is all about investing in them to do even better.”


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13NEW ZEALAND

Mt Eden summit to be vehicle-freeThe Tūpuna Maunga

o Tāmaki Makaurau Authority is delighted

that the tihi (summit) of Maungawhau/Mt Eden will be vehicle-free from Wednesday, January 20. This implements the authority’s April 2015 decision, which applies to all motor vehicles, including motorbikes and scooters.

Tūpuna Maunga Authority Chair Paul Majurey says this widely supported outcome respects the spiritual and cultural significance of the tihi to mana whenua as well as community aspirations reflected in the 2007 Maungawhau/Mt Eden Management Plan.

The 2007 plan resulted in the removal of heavy vehicles from the tihi in 2011, which achieved a safer environment for people through significantly less congestion.

“For mana whenua, the tihi of Maungawhau has always been a place to be treated with respect and reverence. The taonga is loved by all visitors as a place for quiet reflection and connection,” Mr Majurey says.

“Motor vehicle restriction on the tihi of Maungawhau was signalled many years ago as a key measure to protect this taonga, and to reflect the mana whenua and community aspirations of their living connections with this

taonga. It is very pleasing to have reached this point.”

Limited mobility access

Council staff has worked closely

with disability organisations on the arrangements for access by people with limited mobility.

From January 20, people who have limited mobility and are unable to walk to the tihi, or the driver for someone with limited mobility, can obtain a keypad access code to lower the bollards at the entrance to the summit road and drive to the tihi in their own vehicle.

Visitors will be able to obtain an access code on the day of their visit by calling Auckland Council on 09 379 1340 and providing their total mobility scheme or mobility parking permit number.

This widely supported outcome respects the spiritual and cultural significance of the tihi to mana whenua as well as community aspirations reflected in the 2007 Maungawhau/Mt Eden Management Plan

Auckland Zoo welcomes rare red panda cubsAuckland Zoo is

celebrating the arrival of two

Nepalese red panda cubs. The pair is an extremely valuable addition to the international breeding programme for this endangered species.

The zoo’s carnivores’ team leader, Lauren Booth, says that the twins were born just after 3 a.m. on Thursday, January 14. While it is still early days, everything is going well with mum and the cubs.

“By watching the nest box cameras we’ve set up, we can see they have both been suckling. We couldn’t ask for a better mum

in Bo.” The twins are the fifth and sixth offspring of six-year-old mum Bo (who arrived at Auckland Zoo in mid-2012) and the last of 15-year-old Sagar, who was euthanised in December 2015.

“The average lifespan of a red panda is eight to 12 years, so Sagar reached a great old age

for a red panda. But due to his age he had developed a spinal condition that was at the point where treatment was not able to increase his quality of life,” says Lauren.

“Ever since arriving from Darjeeling Zoo in 2010, he had an amazing personality. He’s left a great legacy within the

region fathering six cubs over the course of three years. With these two being the last of his legacy with Bo, it was nice to have this positive to focus on as we said a difficult goodbye.”

Lauren says that red pandas develop slowly and are dependent on their mother for at least three months, so it will be some time before visitors see the cubs venturing out of their nest box and around the enclosure with Bo. “We’re keeping a regular watch on the cubs, but taking a very hands-off approach so Bo can continue to do the great job

she’s doing, and we minimise any potential stress for her. Around late February will be a safe time for us to do a full vet check on the cubs to find out whether we have boys or girls or both,” she says.

Although it shares the same name, the red panda is not related to the giant panda. In fact, the red panda is not related to any other animals, making it unique.

C o u n c i l - c o n t r o l l e d organisation Regional Facilities Auckland manages major regional facilities and iconic venues across Auckland, including Auckland Zoo.

Future of Long Bay restaurant decided

P lans for a large-scale restaurant at Long Bay Regional Park have

halted indefinitely out of respect for the cultural significance of the beachfront site and the lack of a suitable alternative location.

Regional Parks Manager Richard Hollier says the council, working together with mana whenua, the existing restaurant licensee and Heritage New Zealand, has come to a decision not to progress development of a restaurant any further.

“Since the first discovery of koiwi (historic human remains) on the restaurant redevelopment site in July 2013, we have followed the rules for managing heritage discoveries set down by Heritage New Zealand (and the Ministry of Culture and Heritage) and been guided by iwi with tribal ties to the parkland.

“A closer working relationship with mana whenua has also emerged out of this situation. We continue to be guided by our iwi representatives on finalising the most appropriate final resting place for the koiwi that were unearthed during

the construction works and on the best way to restore the discovery site.

“I would also like to acknowledge the patience and understanding of the existing restaurant licensee. This situation has caused uncertainty yet they have worked with us with good grace,” says Mr Hollier. A new large-scale restaurant will not be planned for Long Bay Regional Park again, following the general understanding that the foreshore area is a burial site and was potentially a site of occupation and perhaps conflict in the past. Other parts of the park are not suitable for a restaurant development due to terrain, access or other heritage areas.

Plans for the discovery site will be finalised in the coming months. A kiosk or cafe-style food service will remain at the park, which also offers self-catering picnic sites, barbecue areas, Auckland’s largest all-access children’s playground, walking tracks, a historic homestead and one of the east coast’s most popular white sandy beaches.

The average lifespan of a red panda is eight to 12 years, so Sagar reached a great old age for a red panda.


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14 FIJI

Source: Fiji Sun

NEWS in BRIEFModel sets healthy focus

She began her modelling career in 2011 and has never looked back.

As one of Fiji’s three representatives at this year’s World Supermodel South Pacific Pageant, Mykaela Georgia Preston-Powell, 18, believes her participation will be an opportunity to promote healthy living.

The lass from Lomaloma, Vandual Australian and Fijian citizenship, says being healthy physically and mentally is something she considers to be important.

For her, healthy living means visiting the gym three times a week, drinking a lot of water, having proper meals and a balanced diet.

Modelling is not new for the former Yat Sen Secondary School student, having participated in modelling events such as Fiji Fashion Week, Style Fiji Charity Show and MHCC Miss Teen Model among others.

She describes herself as very caring, outgoing, enthusiastic and a young woman who will do anything for her family and loved ones.

For those hoping to pursue a career in modelling, she said, it was important to have self belief.

Fiji to host Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum

F iji will be hosting the 25th Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum in January 2017.

The announcement was made at the Executive Committee meeting of the 24th Forum in session in Vancouver, Canada.

The Fijian delegation at the Forum is being led by Speaker Dr Jiko Luveni, and accompanied by Alexander O’Connor and Mikaele Leawere.

Dr Luveni says it is an honour for Fiji to host the next APPF. She says it is an opportunity to dialogue on issues of common interest to the Asia-Pacific region and also showcase Fiji’s renowned brand of hospitality.

Fiji PM eyes free education as legacy

F iji’s prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, says he wants the free education

programme to be his legacy once he leaves office. Speaking on his tour of Vanua Levu, he said he wanted his government to be remembered for freeing families from the burden of payments, extra payments and special payments to the schools.

He says his administration has also put schools on a more equal basis because the resources available to children no longer depend on how much they can pay. Speaking at a school, Mr Bainaimarama also said he was using every available opportunity to condemn the crimes of domestic violence and sexual assault. He says these crimes have no place in Fiji and they are causing too many of women and children to live in fear.

Miss Fiji Pageant to be held in October

The 2016 Telecom Miss Fiji Pageant will be hosted by Suva in October. Chairman of the Miss Fiji Pageant Association Hirdesh Prasad said the 10 municipalities who participated

in 2015 are working on their festivals.Prasad said other municipalities that may wish to participate in

the Miss Fiji Pageant can contact the secretariat.The winner of the Telecom Miss Pageant 2015 Zaira Begg was

Miss Ba and she represented Fiji in December at the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant in the Cook Islands.

Prasad said works are also underway for Fiji to host the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant next year.

Call for social media users to be vigilantThe Ministry of Women,

Children and Poverty Alleviation is advising

the public to be cautious when communicating through social media. This follows an advisory by the Fiji Police Force to the public on the usage of social media.

Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Rosy Akbar today reiterated the need for online users to take heed of the advice and be cautious when using social media. “People need to be mindful of the kind

of information they share whilst communicating via online media and who they choose to connect with through social media. With diligence, you should be aware of the risks and consequences of networking through social media,” Minister Akbar said.

“Particularly when communicating with strangers online we should be very careful for we don’t know if the information they providing through social media is fake or real.” Minister Akbar also

emphasised on the importance of parental supervision for children who use social media.

“The social media is very much part of our young people’s world today, they are growing up in a digital age and technology is embedded in every aspect of their lives. Being conscious of when and where it is all right to reveal personal information is vital, it’s especially important to note this when using social networking sites,” Minister Akbar said.

Fiji to set up consular office in ChennaiF iji is in the process of

setting up its first consular office in Chennai that is

likely to be ready by April and will focus mainly on promotion of health and medical tourism, trade and agriculture, Yogesh Karan, Fiji’s High Commissioner to India said.

Mr Karan said S.N. Srikanth, Chairman and Managing Director of Hauer Associates, will be Fiji’s first honorary consul in Chennai. The Chennai office will be the archipelago’s third consular office in India after Mumbai and Kolkata. “We are also looking to set up an office in Bengaluru”, he said. “Chennai is a good producer of high quality medicines,

medical equipment and is a fast growing economic hub. We see potential for our people to come

here for medical referrals, which will also be cheaper compared to other places,” he said.

Fiji is also in the process of reviewing its air services agreement with India, which dates back to 1970.

“The review seeks to give us options for code sharing agreement with our national airlines,” he said.

Fiji Airways will roll out a direct flight between Singapore and Fiji on April 5.

“The airline is looking for a code sharing agreement with Jet Airways and Air India to fly from Singapore to Indian cities,” Mr Karan added.

Yogesh J. Karan, High Commissioner, High Com-mission of the Republic of Fiji

Minister farewells seasonal workersEmployment Minister Semi

Koroilavesau urged the 20 people chosen to work

in Australia under the seasonal workers programme to make Fiji proud.

“This is an opportunity for you to make a difference to your lives and improve the livelihoods of your family members too,” he said. “Fiji’s reputation as a country that breeds quality workers and our ability to send more seasonal workers to Australia is dependent on your performance.” The 20, who are the first group this year

to participate in the programme, will be employed in tomato farms in Victoria.

“For our unemployed people this is a huge opportunity for them to make something of themselves.

“They will go for four to six months and work continuously under a performance-based programme.”

He said Government was supporting the scheme because it offered employment for people registered in the National Employment Centre who had no source of income.

Fijians deserve the best in sea travel: PM

Sea travel needs to be modern, comfortable and safe.

This is what Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama expects for Fijians living outside the two main islands. He says Fijians travelling between the islands deserve vessels, which have comfortable seating, cabins and dining facilities. He made these comments while launching Goundar Shipping’s third vessel— the MV Lomaiviti Princess III.

“Each time we inaugurate a new service or a new piece of national infrastructure, we take another step—a step that breaks barriers, a step that brings Fijians closer together, a step together great national prosperity, a step that creates more opportunities for Fijians.”

The Lomaiviti Princess III will service a route to Kadavu— amongst other routes, which the Prime Minister says is great news for a growing tourism destination.


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Coral Coast 7s an opportunity to market Fiji as a holiday destinationSporting events such as the Bayleys

Fiji Coral Coast 7s serve as a good opportunity to market the country

as a holiday destination, says Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

He said apart from the obvious influx of tourists and spending from local fans, mega-events such as the Coral Coast 7s helped in boosting interest in sport. “With such events what you do get is a lot of people travelling to Fiji, spending a lot of

foreign currency, staying at hotels, paying the environmental levy, service turnover tax and VAT,” he said. “And it’s also good for the local economy at the same time with a lot of local produce being bought. “It’s also an opportune time to sell Fiji as a destination. Some people come here to play rugby and decide to come again with their families for a visit or holiday.

“So we’d like to thank the organisers for

this, in particular Jay Whyte and his team, for hosting such a world-class event.” The A-G said Lawaqa Park was a good venue for the mega rugby competition and Sigatoka was also ideal in terms of accommodation facilities. Police retained the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast 7s Cup title after defeating Wardens 26-5. More than 10,000 people including tourists and locals braved the heat to witness sevens rugby at its best.

EU will support Fiji’s sugar industry

The European Union will continue to support Fiji’s sugar industry to make it sustainable when

preferential prices end next year.EU Head of Delegation to Fiji and

the Pacific–Ambassador Andrew Jacobs says they have a plan to work with the industry in making it more competitive. The European Union will pump millions of dollars into the sugar industry so that it can go up against bigger, stronger sugar producing countries.

“This is going to be a big year for our cooperation with Fiji, last year we signed an agreement with PM for a new programme, which takes us to 2020. That programme is focusing on sugar and agriculture and access to justice.”

A new economic partnership agreement signed between Fiji and EU provides for continued quota free and tariff free access for Fijian products to the EU market. Fiji’s sugar industry still has loopholes which Ambassador Jacobs says needs to be plugged. WTO has ruled that preferential prices for Fiji are anti-competitive and there needs to be a level playing field. This means Fiji will no longer enjoy a higher price for its sugar from late 2017.

Fiji needs high-ways, air and maritime routes

TO be truly united for commerce and connected as a nation, Fiji needs a network of highways, air routes

and maritime routes, says Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. Mr Bainimarama said Labasa needs to be linked to Lautoka, Rotuma to Suva, and Koro and Kadavu to Taveuni. He made the comments while launching the Lomaiviti Princess III in Suva this week.

ILO team prepared for Fiji mission

The ILO tripartite mission will consist of representatives

appointed by the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation. ILO’s Satoshi Sasaki–Specialist on Decent Work Strategies has confirmed to FBC News that the mission will be assisted by three ILO technical staff.

The meetings with the concerned parties will take place from January 25 to 28, stipulated in the terms of reference of the mission agreed to by the Fiji government and the ILO. Sasaki says that the tripartite mission will report its findings to the ILO Governing Body in March. The ILO sanctioned tripartite mission is expected to assess why the government, the unions and employer representatives have failed to agree to a collective labour law reform plan.

NEW ZEALANDINDIA

Editorial— JK Rowling

Thought of the week

To the well-organised mind, death is but the next great adventure.

From the desk of the Managing Editor

I t was on January 26, 1950, when India declared itself a Sovereign, Democratic and Republic nation with the adoption of the Constitution. A salute of 21 guns and the unfurling of the Indian national flag by Dr Rajendra Prasad heralded

the historic birth of the Indian Republic. The Constitution gave the citizens of India the power to choose their own

government and paved the way for a democratic future. Dr Rajendra Prasad took oath as the first President of India at the Durbar Hall in Government House and this was followed by the Presidential drive along a five-mile route to the Irwin Stadium, where he unfurled the national flag.

The transition of India from a British colony to a sovereign, secular, and democratic republic was indeed historical. It was a long and difficult journey of around two decades that started with the conceptualisation of a dream to its actualisation in 1950. A thought about the journey that led to the birth of the Indian Republic makes our celebrations even more meaningful. We bring you various aspects of celebrating the spirit of India on this Republic Day special and along with my entire team wish all Indians, the world over—a very Happy Republic Day.

I am sure each one of us is looking forward to catch a glimpse of the parade that is the signature for the Republic Day celebrations. Even though the celebrations are shorter this year, there are a few “firsts”. Read about them in our lead story. This has also become a day synonymous with a tribute to our armed forces. We, therefore, have two special dedications to the work that our armed forces do. We hope you enjoy them. We are also going to be running a dubsmash competition on our Facebook page towards January 26. So please look out for it and submit your entries to win exciting hampers.

Among our regulars, we bring you another serving of Razzmatazz and Maya’s Kitchen Adventures.

As I sign off, the words of John F Kennedy come to mind: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” For us, of course, it means that even though we are far away from it, we bear in mind at all times, where we come from and what we can do for our country from here. This also means let’s cherish our identity and walk tall and proud because we come from the great country that we do.

Giri Gupta

Pick of the week

An orange zinnia, the first flower to be grown in space. The flower is part of a wider attempt to grow food in orbit, using Nasaís plant growth system Veggie, which was delivered to the ISS in April 2014. Photograph: Scott Kelly/NASA

Taming your wardrobe clutter• Use over-the-door shoe rack to organise

small items such as scarves, socks and belts• For each item you buy to put in your closet,

remove an old one• Place thin divider slides over your shelves to

separate your t-shirts, shirts and tank tops• Use a multiple-hook spinning tie hanger to

display your collection of favourite ties• Use stackable laundry baskets for

easy sorting

Indian Weekender : Volume 7 Issue 42

Publisher: Kiwi Media Group Limited Managing Editor: Giri Gupta | [email protected] Editor: Annu Sharma | [email protected] Chief Reporter: Swati Sharma | [email protected] Reporter: Rizwan Mohammad | [email protected]: Esha Chanda | [email protected]: Kumar Suresh | [email protected] Technical Officer: Rohan Desouza | [email protected] Graphics and Layout Designer: Mahesh Kumar | [email protected] Designer: Yashmin Chand | [email protected] Accounts and Admin.: Farah Khan | [email protected] Sales and Marketing: 022 3251630 / 021 1507950 | [email protected]

Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher is not responsible for advertisers’ claims as appearing in the publication

Views expressed in the articles are solely of the authors and do not in any way represent the views of the team at the Indian Weekender

Indian Weekender is published by Kiwi Media Group, 98 Great South Road, AucklandPrinted at Horton Media, Auckland

Copyright 2015. Kiwi Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

Tip from the trenches

Word: Yeah, nah

Meaning: technically means no

Usage: Yeah, nah, I don’t think he is good at playing rugby


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17OPINION/EDITORIAL

After odd/even, time to think of EVsMouShuMi Mohanty

The time for electric vehicles, or EVs, may not yet be ripe for India,

but the idea of non-polluting passenger cars is surely and certainly maturing, and it must be welcomed.

World Health Organisation figures show that India has 13 of the planet’s 20 most polluted cities, with New Delhi ranked as the most polluted of all. And with pollution levels scaling new heights in December, the local government was forced to announce a slew of measures to combat the menace.

Attention, however, was most focussed on the measure that restricted vehicle movement, with odd and even numbered cars allowed on the city’s roads on alternate days. The pilot scheme, which ended on January 15, saw nearly 2.7 million vehicles going off the roads every day, according to Mint business daily citing vehicle registration data available with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Last year, the National Green Tribunal, which has the powers of a civil court, ordered the Delhi government to ban the entry of diesel vehicles older than 10 years into New Delhi. The odd/even scheme was proposed by the state

government after the court sought an action plan to control pollution. The state government also has plans to scrap commercial vehicles that are more than 15 years old.

In addition, the Supreme Court banned registrations of new diesel cars in the capital till April 1, 2016, effectively preventing the sale of a car and sports utility vehicle (SUV) inventory worth Rs. 10 billion. The ban has been a major blow to companies such as Mahindra & Mahindra, Toyota, Tata Motors, Ford, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi.

With diesel’s popularity on the wane, automakers such as Toyota are mulling re-introducing petrol variants of the popular Innova. Petrol, however, is now being seen as the lesser evil among fuels, and that may well push popular imagination towards electric vehicles.

As the idea of alternative propulsion takes shape, the

government is fast working on developing a sustainable eco-system for EVs as well as hybrids (together known as HEVs).

On the one hand, it is clamping down on traditional-fuel propelled vehicles, while on the other, it is promoting adoption of such vehicles with tools such as the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (hybrid and) Electric Vehicles (FAME) India programme.

Launched on April 1, last year, FAME hopes to have six million electric vehicles on the road by 2020 and offers a subsidy of Rs. 29,000 for two-wheelers and Rs. 138,000 for cars.

The incentives drove sales of EVs, including two-wheelers, up by three times to 21,000 units in the April-December 2015 period compared to between 7,000 and 8,000 units during the same period in 2014. Incentives have always played a crucial role in

enhancing the Indian EV market. In 2010–2012, when the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) had implemented an Alternate Fuels for Surface Transportation Programme, EV sales in India had reached a range of 85,000-100,000 units.

The percentage of electric cars in these figures is however very small. Mahindra & Mahindra produces the only electric car available in the country, the e2o. IHS Automotive expects e2o sales at only 243 units in 2016 and 1,056 in 2020 in India.

Apart from incentivising the demand side of electric vehicles, the government is also pushing for the development of indigenous batteries to make the EV programme viable. For this purpose, the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has tied up with the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) to develop battery technology for use in HEVs, leveraging technology used in batteries for space vehicles.

On laboratory testing of the batteries used in space, the research team discovered that the same batteries are suitable for automotive use as well.

The ARAI now plans to test the batteries in an automotive environment and release a prototype in a year’s time. Not only the battery, ARAI will also develop

the battery management system (BMS) and thermal management for the battery to make it safe for use in HEVs.

With these moves, ARAI expects to kick-start a ‘Made in India’ battery programme that could lower costs when the batteries are mass-produced. Batteries used in powering hybrids and EVs are still expensive, thus prohibiting larger adoption of such vehicles. India, being a price sensitive market, has been slow in adopting such vehicles mainly due to range issues and lack of infrastructure.

It’s not only the central government and related agencies that are making definite moves towards EVs. Following pollution concerns hitting headlines every day, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra are considering waiving taxes on electric vehicles.

Multiple pockets of promotional moves favouring EVs around the country may just add up to achieve what was believed to be unachievable even a few months ago in India—dramatically enhancing adoption of EVs on Indian roads in the mid- to long-term, if not the short-term. Especially so after Delhi’s citizens gave the odd/even scheme the thumbs up and showed that concern over vehicular pollution is real and widespread.

Resolving structural issues for creating a start-up nation aMit Kapoor

The recent congregation of investors, policymakers and entrepreneurs

under the broad theme of Start-up India Stand Up India is a good beginning.

The government announced several significant steps at this recent event in Vigyan Bhawan

Some of these included easier compliance regime with self-certification, plans of creating a start-up hub, easy registration and faster exit for start-ups, public funding through a fund of funds and the like. While these are welcome announcements and steps towards bettering the existing situation, in the long-term the focus should be on solving deeper structural challenges.

These include resolving the issues of education and skilling that are necessary for enabling a creative population. Human capital cannot be harnessed so long as formal institutions of learning do not support the creative ability. In this, the government has done well to show intention for establishing incubators and start-up centres but what is also required is an

education in this direction among the young.

This is where the creation of a start-up nation will require direction at the initial educational level for people who undergo formal education.

The second set deals with the issues around labour laws. While the government has looked to rationalise the laws for start-ups as well as offered a three-year window, equally required is rationalising the archaic inflexible labour laws that prevent start-up’s to make a difference that they actually can post this period.

The crux is to find legal mechanisms in which concerns of both employers and employees rights are resolved in an amiable manner. How one creates a balanced functioning system is important from the government’s point of view.

Another pertinent issue is in the context of capital. The government has planned to set up a fund of funds with an annual corpus of Rs.2,500 crore per annum over the next four years. Again, this is a positive step but the fundamental issue is not to do with access to capital with

many investors looking to Indian markets but with the quality of ideas that form the enterprises of tomorrow. The government role should be a focus on increasing how many people look at solving tomorrow’s problems and how they can apply their learning to solve these rather than just providing people with money.

More than money, knowledge, skills, and application of ideas as well as the scale is what is required. Most Indian start-ups still look to solve India’s problems rather than global problems. This is where scale is necessary and

the government should encourage companies to look at scaling up.

Lastly, another major factor inhibiting the dream of a start-up nation has to do with social context and the mindset in our society. The unfulfilled dream for having a government employee (in most cases a bureaucrat) as a son-in-law/daughter-in-law is replaced by the dream of an IT professional with a well-paying job. Till the time parents and the broader society will be forthcoming in letting youngsters take up entrepreneurship as a career option, the dream of a

start-up nation will remain just that. These mental models and expectations show what we drive the society towards and what we value as a society.

What will happen in the country in the coming five years in the context of start-ups is best left to posterity. Will there be a successful start-up creation ecosystem? Only time can tell. While the proposals have been nothing short of revolutionary from the side of the government these structural issues mentioned above are important to be resolved for truly creating a start-up nation.


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Congress accuses Modi of deafening silence on net neutralityThe Congress accused Prime

Minister Narendra Modi of “deafening silence” on

the issue of net neutrality at the launch of Start-Up India action plan and demanded the Rs.10,000 crore fund for new enterprises be directed towards social sector innovation.

Noting that Modi unveiled policy initiatives for the new class of emerging, innovative companies called start-ups, Congress leader and former union minister Jairam Ramesh said his party welcomed “yet another re-discovery by the prime minister of something that it had always recognised”.

The Congress was proud that India rose to becoming the third largest start-up ecosystem in the world during its regime, he said, in a statement.

Ramesh said that during meetings held by party vice president Rahul Gandhi with start-ups across the country, the most important policy requirement expressed by entrepreneurs was to maintain neutrality of the internet between big business and start-

ups. “It is unfortunate that in the mega show for start-ups that the government held yesterday (on Saturday, January 16), the prime minister failed to commit to net neutrality. His silence on this vital issue is deafening,” he said.

Referring to the Rs.10,000 crore fund for new enterprises announced by the government, Ramesh said such taxpayer funds should preferably be directed into social impact innovation in sectors such as agriculture technologies, education, affordable healthcare where private venture capital is

not easily available. “When the overall economy is in shambles with falling exports, weak domestic demand and a collapsing rupee, it is prudent to optimise government funds in important social sectors and not in risky generic venture capital funds,” he said.

Modi unveiled the Start-Up India Action Plan on January 16 that included an income tax holiday for three years and exemption from capital gains levies on venture capital investments.

Lalu Prasad elected RJD chief for ninth time in row

On Sunday, January 17, Lalu Prasad was formally elected the Rashtriya

Janata Dal national president for the ninth consecutive term.

The re-election of the former railway minister for another three-year term was a foregone conclusion since he was the only candidate in the fray for the top party post.

“Lalu Prasad has been formally elected the RJD national president for the ninth consecutive time,” party’s national election officer Jagdanand Singh said.

The formal voting to elect Lalu Prasad, 67, was held at the party’s national council meeting, with more than 700 delegates from 24 states attending.

Lalu Prasad, who filed his nomination papers at the RJD state headquarters on January 8, has been the RJD chief since the party’s formation on July 5, 1997, after a split in the Janata Dal.

Soon after his re-election, hundreds of party leaders and workers garlanded the former chief minister and presented flowers to him amid slogan-shouting.

After his re-election, Lalu Prasad said the RJD will play an important role in uniting like-minded parties on one platform to end the “misrule” of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

Earlier, the RJD chief—a former Bihar chief minister—reached the meeting venue at S.K. Memorial Hall here along with his wife Rabri Devi and sons Tejaswi Yadav and Tej Pratap and RJD state president Ram Chandra Purbey besides scores of other senior leaders.

The RJD won 80 of the 243 seats in the Bihar assembly to emerge as the single-largest party after the November 2015 polls.

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25 children to be honoured with National Bravery AwardsThree girls and

22 boys are to be presented on

Sunday, January 24, with National Bravery Awards—a much-anticipated feature of the Republic Day celebrations every year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will honour the 25 children, including as many as six from Kerala, with the awards for the year 2015 for their acts of valour, it was announced.

Shivampet Ruchitha from Telangana’s Medak district, who is all of eight, is one such child who saved two children’s lives as her school bus stopped on a

railway track before it got hit by a speeding train.

The Bharat Award will be conferred posthumously on 15-year-old Gaurav Kawduji Sahastrabuddhe from Maharashtra, who sacrificed

his life in an attempt to save four of his friends. The Sanjay Chopra Award will be presented to 16-year-old Arjun Singh, who fought a tiger in Uttarakhand to save his mother.

All awardees will receive a medal and financial assistance in their education. They will also participate in and be felicitated in the Republic Day parade. The awards scheme, initiated by the Indian Council for Child Welfare, aims to recognise those children who distinguish themselves by performing outstanding deeds of bravery.

NASSCOM inaugurates start-up warehouse in HyderabadNasscom, on Monday, January 18,

said it has partnered with the Telangana government and other

entities to create a “start-up warehouse” here that will provide an affordable co-working space to the young entrepreneurs.

T-Hub Nasscom Start-up Warehouse would take care of young entrepreneurs’ concerns of building right product in the market and give them a platform to emerge as stronger players, said Nasscom chairman B.V.R. Mohan Reddy in a statement.

T-Hub is a public private partnership (PPP) between Telangana government and Indian School of Business (ISB), International Institute of Information Technology-Hyderabad (IIIT-H) and National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) along with other private sector leaders.

Aiming to create a micro ecosystem where start-ups and entrepreneurs can work together and share experiences, ‘NASSCOM 10,000 Start-ups’ is setting up ‘warehouses’ across Indian states.

The first start-up warehouse was set up in Bengaluru in 2013, followed by Kolkata, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Kochi, and Gurgaon.

“Nasscom 10,000 start-up programme is now looking to launch this facility in other emerging cities in partnership with their respective governments,” said the Nasscom statement.

Bengaluru warehouse has recently been expanded from 10,000 sq ft to 40,000 sq ft in keeping up with the response the warehouse elicited from budding entrepreneurs.

According to Nasscom report Start-up India—Momentous Rise of the Indian Start-up Ecosystem, Hyderabad is one of the emerging cities.

T-Hub in collaboration with ISB, NALSAR and IIIT-H announced a $100 million venture capital fund, the statement said.

Telangana IT and Panchayat Raj Minister T. Rama Rao also attended the inauguration.

Arjun Singh, a student from Tehri, will receive the Sanjay Chopra National Bravery Award

RBI to buy government securities of Rs.10,000 croreIn a bid to infuse liquidity into

markets, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) purchased

government securities worth a total Rs.10,000 crore this week.

“Based on the current assessment of prevailing and evolving liquidity conditions, the Reserve Bank decided to conduct purchase of government securities under Open Market Operations (OMO) for an aggregate amount of Rs.100 billion on January 20, 2016, through multi-security auction using the multiple price method,” the RBI said in a release Mumbai. “There is an overall aggregate ceiling of Rs.100

billion for all the securities in the basket put together,” the

statement said.The RBI purchased

government securities maturing in 2019 (interest rate of 7.28 per cent), 2023 (8.83 per cent), 2025 (7.72 per

cent) and 2030 (7.88 per cent), it added.

The central bank also said it may accept less than

the aggregate amount of Rs.10,000 crore, or may purchase marginally higher than the aggregate amount owing to rounding off effects and other relevant factors.

INDIA


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NEWS in BRIEF80% reduction in patent fees for start-ups: Modi

P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, January 16, said patent fees for start-ups will be cut by 80% to support and protect intellectual property rights of new entrepreneurs.

“Patent fee for start-ups will be reduced by 80 per cent. India’s future lies in innovation and creativity. Newcomers should get equal opportunities,” Modi said while addressing at the Start-up India, Stand up India event.

He also said start-ups will be helped through facilitation centres by lawyers to file patents without any charges. Delays in patent approvals, he added, need to be reduced.

Talking about intellectual property rights (IPR) Modi rued that India was lagging behind in IPR. “We have enough youth property (YP), but we don’t have enough intellectual property (IP),” the prime minister said.

BJP names candidates for UP assembly bypolls

The BJP on Monday, January 18, announced the names of its candidates for bypolls to three Uttar Pradesh assembly constituencies to be held later this month.

Bharatiya Janata Party spokesman Vijay Bahadur Pathak said the names were cleared by party president Amit Shah.

Rampal Pundir was the candidate from Deoband, Kapil Deo from Muzaffarnagar and Shriram Krishna Tiwari from Bikapur.

Bypolls to these three seats are being held because of the death of their sitting members, all of the ruling Samajwadi Party.

The BJP is the first party to announce its candidates.

Security geared up ahead of R Day, Hollande’s visit

Security in the national capital has been heightened “to an unprecedented level” ahead of Republic Day in which French President Francois Hollande will be the chief guest, said

official sources.On Monday, January 18, Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed

the security situation in Delhi with Delhi Police commissioner B. S. Bassi and other senior officials from intelligence and security agencies.

As per home ministry sources, the security machinery is fully alert to foil any threat by terror groups and possible presence of Islamic State sympathisers is also being factored.

“There may make an attempt to undermine the sense of security through small actions such as knife attack on security personnel or snatching of service weapons. But the security agencies are alert and will foil any such attempt,” a ministry source said.

The Pathankot terror attack has been weighing heavy on the minds of India’s security machinery and all security aspects are being looked into.

Hollande will watch the Republic Day celebrations on January 26 at the Rajpath. President Pranab Mukherjee will take salute of the parade.

The French president will be visiting India more than two months after the terror attacks in Paris in which 130 people were killed.

Jaitley supports limited practice by foreign lawyers in India

F inance Minister Arun Jaitley has expressed support for enabling

foreign lawyers to establish a presence in India.

He said this in course of the eighth UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue which he held with his counterpart George Osborne.

Britain has been seeking access to the Indian market to offer legal services for several years.

Jaitley’s support was for foreign lawyers to “provide legal advice on non-Indian law”. Such advice is to be rendered as per regulations to be framed, which are likely to include employing or entering into partnerships with Indian lawyers.

The implementation in the matter is subject to a memorandum of understanding being signed between the Law Society of England and Wales, the Bar Council of England and Wales and the Bar Council of India.

Odd-even scheme will be repeated: Delhi’s transport ministerThe odd-even scheme to

restrict the number of vehicles on the national

capital’s roads will be repeated sometime in the future, Delhi’s Transport Minister Gopal Rai said on Monday, January 18.

Rai, however, said the scheme would be implemented only after a concrete strategy was finalised.

One of the worries for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government was that the scheme might prompt people to buy two cars which would only add to the traffic woes of the capital, the minister said.

“We can re-implement the odd-even scheme in its existing format but we have two worries—one is that repeating the formula might prompt people to buy two cars and secondly the parents, who pick and drop their wards, may face problems with the odd-even scheme in place,” Rai told the media after a meeting held to review the plan.

“We will repeat the scheme in Delhi only after getting a proper solution to both these worries,” the minister said.

“In the review meeting today, we asked officials of all the concerned departments to come up with a solution in the next meeting which will be announced soon.”

The city government implemented the odd-even scheme on a trial basis from January 1 to 15, eliciting a

largely positive response and cooperation from the judiciary, environmentalists and the public.

The scheme, which allows private vehicles with odd and even last digits of their registration numbers to ply on roads on alternate dates, was largely aimed at curbing air pollution.

The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Officials of the transport department, environment department, Public Works Department (PWD), traffic police, experts from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) were also present. Rai said the fortnight-long plan was a success which brought the pollution level down.

“The odd-even scheme lowered the average pollution level in the city and resulted in less traffic on roads. Decongestion of roads in the capital improved the efficiency of public transport,” he added.

For India, ties with Israel of highest importance: SushmaIndia attaches the highest

importance to its relations with Israel and always

offers a safe and secure home to the Jewish people, said External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

“Our bilateral cooperation has developed well in a number of areas over the past two decades. But the potential of our relationship is much more,” Sushma Swaraj, who is on her first visit to West Asia as external affairs minister, said.

Welcoming the Indian minister, Netanyahu, who is also Israel’s foreign minister, said that India and Israel were intensifying cooperation in a number of fields.

“In the fields of science and technology, cyber, defence and agriculture, we want to do more,” he said.

He said that Sushma Swaraj’s visit has provided a special opportunity for the foreign ministries of both the countries to discuss various challenges and opportunities. “The future belongs to those who innovate. Israel and India are at the cutting edge of so many areas of innovation,” the Israeli prime minister said.

“By working together we can do a lot more for our peoples and for the world,” he said, adding that Israel admired and viewed India as a great friend.

Sushma Swaraj, who is being accompanied by the Secretary (East) in the external affairs ministry, Anil Wadhwa, and a number of other senior officials of the ministry, then held delegation level talks with Netanyahu. Sushma Swaraj also

held delegation-level talks with Israel’s Minister of National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Yuval Steinitz and Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon.

Ahead of the Indian minister’s visit, Israeli Ambassador to India Daniel Carmon said at a media briefing in New Delhi that Israel and India would collaborate in the areas of agriculture and water management.

Stating that Israel had faced the problem of water scarcity, he said that his country would collaborate with the Indian private sector on this and was in close contact with India’s water resources and Ganga rejuvenation ministry. He also said defence cooperation was “the central pillar of our relationship”.

He said Israeli defence manufacturing companies were “open and flexible” to the idea of ‘Make in India’. Carmon said India-Israel defence ties have

gone way beyond a buyer and seller relationship and now it was about joint research and development.

On Monday, Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely and former Israeli foreign minister and chair of the India-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group Tzipi Livni also called on Sushma Swaraj.

Later in the evening, addressing a community event, the visiting Indian minister said that India has always offered the Jewish people a safe and secure home.

“India has always offered the Jewish people a safe and secure home for many centuries,” Sushma Swaraj said while addressing the Indian community and the Friends of India.

She congratulated the Indian caregivers for performing commendable service away from their homes.

Sushma Swaraj says ties with Israel is vital


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Indian-origin businessman in run-up for Madison mayor

India-born businessman Hanu Karlapalem is in the running to become the mayor

of Madison city in the US, a media report said.

Born in Andhra Pradesh, Hanu Karlapalem now runs a network solutions business, Vinhamz, in Madison, in Alabama state of south-eastern United States.

Karlapalem said he would like to see Madison become the number one small city in America.

“This city is one of the most intelligent and best educated cities yet we are not even at the top 10 in the nation,” said Karlapalem,

Madison has fallen behind on improving roads, increasing job growth and internal communication,” he said, adding that he would use his experience to “promote a culture of diplomacy”.

“If (the voters) decide I am the right person to lead this city, that would be a historic election, not only in Madison, but also in the state of Alabama,” Karlapalem was quoted as saying.

He will formally announce his candidacy at a kick-off on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. at ‘Grounded Coffee’ coffee shop in Madison.

This is his first attempt at a public office. He was earlier elected to the board for UAH alumni and was once president of the local Indian association for Huntsville and Madison.

He has also served on the board of the international exchange programmes Global Ties Alabama and International Services Council of Alabama. A mechanical engineer, Karlapalem studied at Delhi College of Engineering in India.

He said he moved to Alabama when his wife, Vidya, took a job in software development in the Huntsville area 16 years ago.

He earned a master’s in management information systems from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Obama to award Science Medal to Indian-American professorarun KuMar

Indian-American professor Dr Rakesh K. Jain and 16 other scientists, engineers,

mathematicians, and innovators will receive the National Medals of Science and Technology and Innovation from President Barack Obama on Friday, January 22.

Jain, a B. Tech in Chemical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur, and a professor at Harvard Medical School and director of tumour biology laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital will receive the National Medal of Science.

Awarded annually, the Medal of Science recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to science, engineering, and mathematics.

The National Medal of Technology and Innovation recognises those who have made lasting contributions to America’s competitiveness and quality of life and helped strengthen its technological workforce.

“Science and technology are fundamental to solving some of our nation’s biggest challenges,” Obama said, according to a White House announcement last month.

“The knowledge produced by these Americans today will carry our country’s legacy of innovation forward and continue to help countless others around the world. Their work is a testament to American ingenuity.”

Jain is regarded as a pioneer in the area of tumour micro-

environment and widely recognised for his seminal discoveries in tumour biology, drug delivery, in vivo imaging, bioengineering, and bench-to-bedside translation.

These include uncovering the barriers to the delivery and efficacy of molecular and nano-medicines in tumours; developing new strategies to overcome these barriers; and then translating these strategies from bench to bedside. A mentor to more

than 200 masters, doctoral and postdoctoral students from more than a dozen different disciplines, he has received more than 75 awards from engineering and medical professional societies/institutions.

Jain is a member of all three branches of the US National Academies—the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Sciences—and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

In 2014, he was chosen as one of 50 Oncology Luminaries on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

In 2015, he received honorary doctorates from Duke University, KU Leuven, Belgium and IIT-Kanpur, India.

Jain received his bachelor’s degree in 1972 from IIT, Kanpur, and his MS and PhD degrees in 1974 and 1976 from the University of Delaware, all in chemical engineering.

Indra Nooyi becomes Yale’s biggest alumni donorIndra Nooyi, the Indian-born

PepsiCo Chairperson and CEO, has become the Yale

School of Management’s biggest alumni donor with a ‘landmark gift’ to endow the deanship at her alma mater.

Chennai-born Nooyi, 60, who graduated from the school in 1980, has made the gift to also inaugurate the Fifth Decade Innovation Fund, the school announced. The fund is an ambitious initiative designed to advance the school’s aim of developing leaders with the broad global mindset and multi-disciplinary approach to business that is needed to succeed in 21st century capitalism, the school said.

With this gift, Nooyi becomes the most generous graduate of Yale School of Management in terms of lifetime giving to the school. She is the first woman to endow the

deanship at a top business school. “My experience at the Yale School of Management forever altered the course of my life,” said Nooyi, who has served as the chief executive officer of PepsiCo since 2006, and chairperson since 2007.

“My gift to this wonderful institution pales in comparison with the gift that Yale gave me— the fundamental understanding that leadership requires an expansive worldview and a deep appreciation of the many points of intersection between business and society. They will make a difference and create shareholder value by improving the quality of life in every market in which they operate,” said Nooyi.

Edward A. Snyder, the inaugural Indra K. Nooyi Dean has led the Yale School of Management since 2011 and was

recently appointed to a second five-year term as dean.

“Indra Nooyi has become a leading voice among Fortune 500 CEOs in no small part because of her willingness to take a stand on the broader purpose of the corporation while delivering top-echelon performance,” Snyder said

“Indra Nooyi’s sense of purpose, deep engagement with civic life, and the pursuit of excellence exemplify the kind of leadership in service to society that we hope all Yale graduates will achieve,” Yale University president Peter Salovey said.

Before joining PepsiCo in 1994, Nooyi worked in senior roles at Asea Brown Boveri, Motorola, and the Boston Consulting Group.

Nooyi serves as a member of the boards of US-China Business Council and US-India Business

Council. She is also a member of the Foundation Board of the World Economic Forum and was appointed to the US-India CEO Forum by President Barack Obama.

Kerala Evening’ enthralls Silicon ValleyThe vibrant cultural

experience of the Indian state of Kerala captured

the imagination of corporate leaders attending a ‘Kerala Evening’ in Silicon Valley, which is home to the world’s top technology companies.

Kathakali and Kalaripayattu performers enthralled a packed venue of the event organised by Kerala Tourism in partnership

with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and US-India Business Council last week in Palo Alto, California.

“It is a significant day in the history of our state’s tourism sector,” said Kerala Tourism Minister A.P. Anil Kumar.

“The United States is a key market for Kerala Tourism. Inbound tourism from America to Kerala has grown about 40

percent in the past two years,” he said. “Our first-ever corporate meet in the Silicon Valley is a crucial step to further increase those numbers.”

The executives of more than 50 companies in Silicon Valley attended the corporate meet addressed by Kerala Tourism Principal Secretary G. Kamala Vardhana Rao. Tourist arrivals from the US have registered a

39.24 per cent growth during 2012–14. In 2014, the number of American tourists who visited Kerala was 76,616 compared to 55,741 in 2011, according to a media release.

Kerala Tourism event was intended to introduce Kerala as a tourist destination and also to portray the state as an investor-friendly destination to the companies in the Silicon Valley.

Kalaripayattu performance organised by Kerala Tourism at Palo Alto in California’s Silicon Valley

SPORTS 22 January 2016 | www.iwk.co.nz

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Badminton will bring India at least two medals at RioBadminton Association

of India (BAI) president Akhilesh Das Gupta said

that the country’s shuttlers will bring home not one but at least two medals from the Rio Olympics later this year.

Saina Nehwal became the first and only Indian to win an Olympic medal in badminton when she

brought home a bronze from London in 2012.

“India will win at least two medals if not more from Rio Olympics and the colour of the metal will be even better,” Das Gupta assured.

The sports administrator, who is also the chairman of the Premier Badminton League (PBL), said the

six-team tournament will benefit Indian players to perform better in the future.

“Legendary shuttler Lee Chong Wei recently said that the players who will benefit most from this league are Indians,” said the PBL chairman.

Importantly, Das Gupta added that the players taking part in

the league have already received their payments. In the 2013 Indian Badminton League (IBL), a lot of controversy surrounded the players and coaching staff’s remuneration, with several of them not being paid for months.

Das Gupta, in a light-hearted comment, also hinted that chief national coach Pullela Gopichand,

who is also a governing council member of the tournament, might be elevated to the position of commissioner from next edition.

“Gopichand has been the real backbone behind the PBL. He is not just a good coach but an able administrator as well and he might be made commissioner for the next edition of PBL,” said Das Gupta.

Dhoni to lead Rising Pune Supergiants in IPLThe Pune franchise of the

Indian Premier League (IPL) will be named

Rising Pune Supergiants (RPSG) with India’s limited overs skipper M.S. Dhoni captaining the side, its owner announced on Monday, January 18.

The franchise is owned by the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group and its chairman Sanjiv Goenka exuded confidence that the new team would do well in its maiden season.

On opting for Dhoni to lead the side despite having South African T20 skipper Faf du Plesis and Australian captain Steve Smith in the squad, Goenka said, “Yes, we have three captains in our team and we are proud of that fact. All three are outstanding leaders but looking into all aspects, we felt Dhoni to be the best choice.

“Dhoni is somebody who has shown tremendous leadership in all formats of the game that he has played. We have great confidence

in him,” he said. Refusing to comment on Dhoni being under fire over India’s poor performance in the ongoing One-Day series in Australia, Goenka asserted the existence of three captains in his squad will not impact the harmony of the team.

On Dhoni being named as the captain only for this season, Goenka said, “Our focus right now is 2016. Being a new team we have to do well, so he has been named for our first season.”

While the Pune franchise has opted for the former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) coach-captain combination of Stephen Fleming and Dhoni, Goenka denied having any role for Michael Hussey as the new team’s batting consultant.

“This is not CSK, this is our team. Just because somebody was in Chennai team doesn’t mean he will have to do the same here.

“Dhoni-Fleming is a great combination. We will go with whoever we believe is in the best interest of our team,” said Goenka.

“Because we are a new team that cannot be an excuse for lack of performance in the field, we have to do what we have to do. We have to make sure we have to perform well and we are very confident of doing that,” he said.

Goenka also announced former CEO of Rajasthan Royals, Raghu Iyer, as the head of the sports wing of the company which also co-owns Indian Super League franchise Atletco de Kolkata.

Sharapova shines at Australian OpenWorld No.5 Maria

Sharapova shone in her first round

match at the Australian Open tennis tournament, serving up a straight set singles victory over Japanese Nao Hibino on Monday, January 18.

There were question marks surrounding Sharapova’s health after she withdrew from her only lead-up event in Brisbane due to a left forearm injury suffered in practice, but there were no ill effects as the No.5-seeded Russian powered past Hibino in an hour and 13 minutes, 6–1, 6–3 at the Margaret Court Arena.

“It was just nice to get on court and face the opportunity of playing a first match,” Sharapova said afterwards. “No matter how much you train, it’s always different when you walk out onto the court. It’s definitely a relief to get that first one out of the way,” she said after the win. Sharapova was also told she’s Hibino’s idol

and that the Japanese has posters of her on her wall.

“She’s got to take those off! It’s time to put her posters up there,” Sharapova said.

“I actually hadn’t heard much about her, and I hadn’t seen too much of her game before I went on the court today. She actually likes the pace and takes the pace quite well. For a first Grand Slam performance I thought she was there till the end. That’s impressive. She never let in, never gave up.”

“I mean, experience is priceless for anyone, but especially for someone that’s just starting out in their Grand Slam experience,” Sharapova added. “I’m sure she’ll have a great future ahead of her.”

Sharapova has now won 46 of her last 47 Grand Slam first round matches. Her only loss in the first round of a Grand Slam since 2003 came at the hands of Maria Kirilenko at the 2010 Australian Open.

Gayle equals Yuvraj’s T20 world record with 12-ball 50West Indian Chris

Gayle has smashed the joint-fastest 50

in the history of Twenty20 cricket, taking just 12 balls to reach the mark during a whirlwind knock for Melbourne Renegades against Adelaide Strikers in a Big Bash League (BBL) tournament on Monday, January 18.

Set a target of 171 runs from 16 overs, Renegades’ Gayle simply

exploded, hitting four successive sixes in the first over of the innings from youngster Greg West.

The assault continued in the third over, Gayle taking 22 from Ben Laughlin to take himself to 44 from 11 deliveries.

He still needed a six to equal the world record for the fastest T20 fifty, set by Yuvraj Singh at the 2007 T20 World Cup against England in Durban - a knock that

included six sixes in an over from pacer Stuart Broad.

The left-hander was out shortly after, on 56 from 17 balls. Gayle’s knock also smashed the BBL record for the fastest fifty, from 18 balls, first set by Tim Ludeman in BBL 2014–15.

But Gayle’s bombarding effort was still not enough for his team to win, as they lost by 27 runs, folding for 143 in 15.3 overs.

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KIDS ZONEwww.iwk.co.nz | 22 January 2016

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23

All polar bears are left pawed

Did you know

Crocodiles are colour blindDid you know

Humm

ingbir

ds ar

e the

only

species

of bi

rds t

hat

can f

ly backw

ards

Did

you

kno

w

Send us stories, drawings, poems and other

contributions by your little ones along with their photographs for this page. E-mail us

at editor@ indianweekender.

co.nz

Find tHe pAtH

Find tHe WORdS

elephants have the largest brain among all mammals. their brains weigh an

average of 11 pounds.

Did you know


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24 FEATURES

A bikini:Invest in at least two good pairs and then mix it up—polka dots with stripes and florals with geometric prints

Flirty sarong:Wonderful, elegant

and flattering. Pretty prints is my mantra for this summer. A sarong

can be worn in different ways—as a skirt with a

bikini top or like a dress.

Shades: The perfect

fashion accessory! I love my coloured

sunnies that just add that extra oomph to my look. You can either opt

for the printed ones or buy a bright

fuschia one.

Hats: Whether it is the floopy hat, fedora, boar or the trilby, there’s a hat for every girl. Wear it with your maxis and kaftans or simply team it up with shorts to complete the look.

Jandals:It is time to

bring out your favourite pair

of jandals. Opt for a silver

or gold one to add some bling to your

summer outfit. If I am out with

my favourite people on a

brunch, I just put on my flats with beads—a perfect match

for a cool summer dress.

Stock up on these essentials to survive the soaring high temperatures this season

arChita Wad

Archita Wad is a fashion designer. A graduate from Mumbai University, she is currently in Auckland in the fashion industry.


Red Black Orange

25COVER STORY

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Jake–the hero of the 1971 warKuMar SurESh

There are always small battles within battles. These small battles re-

define history but fail to engrave itself in the human memory. The heroics of the people, who fought these battles, though are for everyone to admire who take the pain to read their names and stories, written in fine prints of the history books.

Lt Gen. JFR Jacob, who passed away on January 13, left a legacy that redefined the way military can operate under pressure. A charismatic and a celebrated officer, Jacob, aka Jake, was an expert war game analyser. He was audacious in his moves during the war and employed some of the most unimaginable and stunning tactics in 1971 war against Pakistan. Although these executions were far from what was asked from him by his superiors, he seldom gave them a chance to complain.

To analyse and understand Jake’s contribution as a soldier to India, one just has to have a cursory glance at the most celebrated picture in the Indian military archives, the surrender of East Pakistan (as in the picture). Even as Pakistan’s army general, A A K Niazi signing the surrender document for India’s Lt Gen. Aurora, is etched in the memory of millions, it is hard to imagine what the calm head in the far right of the frame is thinking.

Born in Israeli Jewish family in West Bengal, Jake joined the Indian army at the age of 19. He served India in the Second World War and 1965 war with Pakistan. By 1969, the veteran was the chief of staff, eastern command of Indian army.

During the war, against the wishes of his superiors, Gen Jacob lead his assault on the East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). With all the major towns and

cities being well protected and fortified, his idea to bypass them all and use the countryside roads to reach Dhaka turned out to be a masterstroke. It reduced the time needed for India to take over the then East Pakistan completely. It

also saved thousands of lives on both Pakistani and Indian side.

On reaching Dhaka, with no backup and only 3,000 men deep inside the enemy territory, Gen Jacob showed the audacity of dealing with the head of Pakistan’s army in Bangladesh, Niazi, head on. He successfully faked the number of Indian soldiers on the ground to be much higher and went out with Niazi for lunch.

At the lunch table, while Niazi didn’t even drink a glass of water, unarmed Jake along with few journalists were being served food in shining silverwares. Jake

coolly handed him an instrument of surrender, which Niazi refused to sign. At that time, Pakistan had 35,000 soldiers in Dhaka capable of holding the Indians back for at least four to six weeks. It was enough time, as ceasefire would have been called by that time by the UN. This is where the tactical and negotiating skills of Jake came into play.

Although no one knows for sure what Jake said to Niazi, a BBC reporter later said that he saw Gen. Jacob pacing up and down an empty room smoking his pipe, humming a song. After half

an hour, when he went back to Niazi, the Pakistani general was in tears and agreed to sign the surrender document. Gen Jacob later admitted that, at that time, he saw many Pakistani officers in the room giving him wild and hateful stares. He rubbed the salt to the injury by asking Niazi to sign the surrender instrument in public at Dhaka’s racecourse ground and insisted that he surrender his service revolver as well.

Although Niazi later accused Gen. Jacob for blackmailing him of dire consequences awaiting his family and army if the surrender does not take place, it is hard to not to admire the brazen guts of Gen. Jacob, who went into the den of the enemy camp un-armed and negotiate a surrender agreement of this magnitude.

What took place four hours later that day was to go down in history—something every Indian can take pride in. It was unique. The only public surrender in the history where the ceasefire was converted into surrender. India now had more than 90,000 prisoners of war.

Niazi though played dirty again. The service gun he surrendered was actually a random gun belonging to a lower ranked officer. But it hardly made a difference as the world saw the fall of one and rise of another nation on that day.

As a true patriotic by heart, his reply to the invitation to move to Israel where his family roots can be traced to was: “I have never experienced any anti-Semitism in India, none whatsoever. When everyone asked me why I did not go to Israel, I tell them—I was born in India, India gave me everything, I will die in India”.

Indian Weekender salutes this war craftsmen.

Lt. Gen J F R Jacob, who passed away on January 13, left a legacy that redefined the way military can operate under pressure

Left: Lt Gen. JFR JacobAbove: Pakistan’s army general, AAK Niazi signing the surrender documentBelow: Prime Minster Narendra Modi and Lt Gen. JFR Jacob with copies of his book Sur-render at Dacca: Birth of a Nation and An Odyssey in War and Peace: An Autobiography Lt Gen. J.F.R. JacobI.


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26 FEATURES

Meet the superfood—QuinoaMaya ShivaM

The nutrition world seems to be all excited about what is now being called the superfood of the future—Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah). Grown in the Andes for thousands of years, the “mother grain of the Incas” was obscure until it was discovered by foodies and nutritionists who feted it as a superior alternative to bulgur wheat, couscous and rice. Although it often occupies a similar role to these grains, quinoa is actually a chenopod, the same as beets and chard. According to WHFoods, quinoa “was the gold of the Incas” because the Incas believed it increased the stamina of their warriors. Quinoa, whose edible seeds are white, red or black, is packed with protein, minerals and vitamins. It’s gluten-free. You can have it for breakfast (as a cereal), lunch (as a salad) and dinner (in a patty or as a side). So, who would not want to reap the benefits of this amazing superfood? Let me give you a quick rundown on the health benefits of quinoa, before I give you some quick, yummy recipes on how to incorporate this superfood into your diet.

Here are seven health benefits of quinoa:1. Rich in protein: Quinoa is one of the best

sources of protein, especially if you are a vegetarian.

2. Contains almost twice as much fibre as most other grains: Fibre is most widely known to relieve constipation, prevent heart disease by reducing high blood pressure and diabetes, lowering cholesterol and glucose levels, may lower the risk of developing haemorrhoids and even helps you to lose weight as it takes a longer time to chew than other foods because it makes you feel fuller for longer.

3. High in iron: Iron helps keep our red blood cells healthy and carries oxygen from one cell to another supplying oxygen to our muscles to aid in their contraction. Iron also increases brain function because the brain takes in about 20% of our blood oxygen. In just a one cup serving you can get 15% of how much iron you need each day.

4. Quinoa contains lysine: Lysine is mainly essential for tissue growth and repair. Lysine is usually found in sports supplements by those trying to add lean

muscle to their body. It’s been said to also help strengthen the immune system.

5. Rich in magnesium: Magnesium helps to relax blood vessels and thereby to

alleviate migraines. Magnesium also may reduce Type 2 diabetes by promoting healthy blood sugar control. Other health benefits of magnesium include

transmission of nerve impulses, body temperature regulation, detoxification, energy production, and the formation of healthy bones and teeth.

6. High in Riboflavin (B2): B2 improves energy metabolism within brain and muscle cells and is known to help create proper energy production in cells. It also helps with the much-needed antioxidants.

7. High manganese content: Manganese is an antioxidant, which helps to prevent to red blood cells and other cells from injury by free radicals. The symptoms of being low on manganese include having high blood pressure levels, high cholesterol levels, neurological problems, hearing impairments, and more.

There are several other benefits of including this superfood in your diet. Below are a few basic recipes that can help you introduce this to your diet.

Quinoa is readily available in supermarkets in New Zealand, you could also get this in health stores.

Toasted quinoa pilafIngredients

• 1 cup uncooked quinoa • 1 teaspoon ground cumin • chicken broth • 1/4 cup whole-kernel corn.• 10 strings of green beans• One carrot grated (thick)• Some jalapeño peppers, chopped • 1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions • 2 tablespoons lime juice • Fried peanuts and coriander for garnish.

Preparation

1. Add a tablespoon of olive oil to a pan and add scallions. Fry until brown. Add cumin.

2. Add the quinoa to the pan with a tight-fitting lid, and place the pan over high heat. Swirl the quinoa in the pan to toast it evenly. When the grains are fragrant and crackle, remove from heat.

3. Add saltand other spices to taste, then slowly add the water/vegetable broth

(be careful; it might boil over) Normally 1.5 cup for 1 cup quinoa or as per instructions on the packet. Put the pan over high heat, and then bring to a boil.

4. Reduce heat to low, add the corn and beans and cook, covered, for 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.

5. Stir in the carrots and jalapeño peppers; cover and cook for two more minutes. Stir in the lime juice.

6. Garnish with fried peanuts and coriander.

7. Serve warm.

Quinoa baked tomatoesIngredients

• 2 poblano chilies/ Capsicums• 1 cup fresh corn kernels • 6–8 Mushrooms chopped• 1 cup chopped onion • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh coriander • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice • 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black

pepper • 6 large ripe tomatoes • 1 cup uncooked quinoa • 1 Cup Colby cheese, shredded

Preparation

1. Cut tops off tomatoes and set it aside. Carefully scoop out tomato pulp, leaving shells intact. Drain pulp through a sieve over a bowl, pressing with the back of a spoon to extract liquid. Reserve 1 1/4 cups liquid, and discard remaining liquid. Sprinkle tomatoes with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Invert tomatoes on a wire rack and let it stand 30 minutes. Dry the insides of tomatoes with a paper towel.

2. Place quinoa in a fine sieve, and place sieve in a large bowl. Cover quinoa with water. Using your hands, rub the grains

together for 30 seconds; rinse and drain. Repeat the procedure twice. Drain well. Combine reserved tomato liquid, quinoa, 1/4 cup water, bring to a boil.

3. Cover, reduce heat, add the chopped mushrooms, corn and capsicum, salt and pepper to taste. Add any other spices you may like. Simmer for 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat; fluff with a fork.

4. Preheat oven to 350°.5. Spoon the mixture into each tomato,

topping it up with cheese. Place tomatoes and tops, if desired, on a jelly-roll pan. Bake at 250° for 15 minutes or until the cheese melts. Remove from oven.


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27FEATURES

Two new Hindi channels to be introduced by SKY TelevisioniWK BurEau

SKY Television will be launching five exciting new channels in February, including two premium

Hindi channels in addition to existing channel Star Plus—offering the best in entertainment and movies.

Colors and Star Gold will be available for subscription from Tuesday, February 9, together with two new Chinese channels Star Chinese Channel and SCM (Star Chinese Movies) and Filipino Channel TFC (The Filipino Channel).

Star Plus, which is currently broadcasting on SKY Channel 315 will remain on SKY but moves to the new home of Channel 150 on February 9 where it will available at a reduced monthly rate.

SKY’s Director of Content Strategy, Megan King commented:

“At SKY, we’re always evolving to provide our customers with a world class entertainment experience. These new

channels will offer s u p e r b e n t e r t a i n m e n t content and will help bring your own culture c l o s e r to home here in New Zealand.”

“We’ve taken care with the selection of Hindi channels to ensure we deliver a good range of entertainment content. From general entertainment series on Colors, to the best of Bollywood on Star Gold, when added to existing channel Star Plus, this gives a very well-rounded selection for viewers.”

To subscribe to the channels you must be either a SKY Basic or Broadcast subscriber

or before being able to add the new line-

up. Colors offers general entertainment in and will be

available on Channel 151 while Star Gold, SKY Channel 152, will

show the best of Hindi film. SKY subscribers will be able to sample

all of the new channels for a month after the launch date at no extra charge.

The existing foreign language channels operated by WTV will come off SKY on Tuesday, March 1.

If a customer subscribes to the SKY Basic tier structure, they can choose the Hindi package that is available in three options—any one channel for $9.99, any two channels for $14.99 or all three Hindi channels for $19.99. Under the broadcast tier structure, the three Hindi channels are available for $19.99 (+the broadcast tier fee/decoder rental).

What people don’t understand about life in the Army Daughter of an Army officer explainsaMrit Mann

Nobody is a fan of loose talk and I am no exception. What boils up every drop of blood in me are

misinformed conversations that give birth to misinformed opinions.

I recently overheard two so-called ‘educated, suited-booted gentlemen’ discuss the Pathankot terrorist attacks that killed seven of our brave soldiers. In a matter-of-fact manner, they discussed how the slain soldiers’ families will get ‘mota paisa’ (a big amount) as compensation.

“Hume bhi fauj mein hona chahiye tha, bhai (We should have also been in the army)”—the conversation ended with a smirk and a smouldering cigarette butt on the floor.

I should have reacted, given it back to those guys, but I stood there completely numb. How and what could I possibly tell those men for whom the Army seemed to be just a four-letter word?

The year began on a tragic note for the nation. Waking up to the news of terrorists attacking the Pathankot Air Force station shattered me. What followed were innumerable attack theories, high-level government meetings, blame-game and questions being raised on the country’s security mesh— things that typically happen after an attack in our country.

My father served in the Indian Army for 32 glorious years. Growing up, I always had my set of complaints. He never made it to even one of my parent-teacher meets, never saw me participate in any sports event, never took me school book-shopping. I do not have a count of how many of my birthday parties he missed. Why did it have to be my mother holding my finger and seeing me off at the school gate? Back then, I detested his attitude towards me.

I could never understand why dad spent hours gazing at an already shining uniform

laced with glistening medals. I could never understand him staring at every fold of the uniform, trying to look for imperfections and then scolding batman ‘bhaiya‘ (designated Army help for an officer) for not doing his job well.

I could never understand his anger over a microscopic layer of dust on his uniform.

I tried hard to understand what was so different between my school uniform and his Army uniform, but could never really find an answer. For me it was a dark green dress that dad wore to office.

My father had a major share of his postings in field areas. This would mean that we would live in separated families’ quarters and not see him for months.

I still remember that winter afternoon, that red sweater, and my father at the door. He was on a month-long break. I was on cloud nine, 30 days of dad not going to work, 30 days of family time, 30 days of not suddenly going to mock drills at odd hours.

Bearing my non-stop rant, dad paused and suddenly asked me what class I was studying in. With a gulp down my throat and a shock in my tone I said, ‘papa, class 6.’

There was an uneasy calm between the two of us. I was in disbelief to see my inexpressive, yet affectionate father hug me for a long time. That evening we went to eat ‘golgappas‘ and chicken soup on our tiny-puny scooty. Life felt real that evening.

I was in class 7 when the 1999 Kargil operation took place. Although posted in the North-East during Operation Vijay, he was intensively involved in the intelligence corps.

My mother and I were once again in separated quarters in Ambala cantonment (Haryana). For an entire year, visuals of bodies wrapped in the tricolour being carried in official vehicles, almost on an everyday basis, haunted me.

Screams of Army wives who lost their husbands still reverberate in my ears. Gun-

salutes, a blanket of grief and an unspoken shared pain were a major part of our lives.

A year later, when dad came home, he had stories to tell me, stories of his ‘fauji experiences’. Something he had never done before. Maybe I was grown up to understand him, to make sense of his absence.

Episodes of young militants carrying AK-47s in milk containers, him getting frostbites in Kupwara district, being shot in the arm several times during combing operations intrigued me. I could see the light in his eyes, the soaring passion which made me realise he wouldn’t trade any of this for all the glitter in the world.

He retired in September 2007. Sitting on the couch he said, “That uniform there, it is my pride and honour, a well-deserved fruit of two years of rigorous

military training, a commitment to my nation. Something only I can understand. It was more than a job for me.”

I see that passion in every man in uniform. For me, disrespect to that uniform is personal. Yes, I see my father in Late Lt Col. Niranjan Kumar, in Garud Commando Gursevak Singh, in Subedar Fateh Singh, in every NSG commando, in every soldier.

Yes, it hurts when people casually comment on the free ration, the pension and the so-called perks that Army personnel get. Remember, most of them don’t live through their entire life to avail them.

One cannot expect every Indian to forcefully respect the forces, but remember, an officer dying in the line of duty cannot be fodder for a casual conversation. Remember that he had a family like you, aspirations like you, unluckily life didn’t give him another chance.

This article was originally published by Youth Ki Awaaz—an online news blog and has been republished here

with their permission.


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28 ENTERTAINMENT

Youth understanding importance of realistic films: Akshay

Bollywood’s Khiladi Akshay Kumar thinks that the taste of audiences has changed today and especially

the youth understand the importance of realistic films.

“Times are changing. The youth [understands] the value of this kind of cinema, such as Baby, which was about RAW. There weren’t any songs in it. But it did good business. So automatically the value of realism is increasing and will go on rising,” said Akshay in a press conference for his film Airlife.

His leading lady in the film, Nimrat Kaur echoed his views. “I can say this even for The Lunchbox; it was such a big standing example. [It is] a small film, which didn’t contain any of the aspects that you associate with a commercial formula, or relief or escapism. The commercial success and the numbers of the film, is also a standing proof of it,” she said.

Airlift is based on the evacuation of Kuwait-based Indians during the Iraqi occupation in 1990, where Akshay plays the crucial character of Ranjit Katyal who was an unsung hero in aiding the evacuation process.

Refuting the assumption that he might be exhausted after back-to-back promotions for the film, Akshay said that the team viewed the film a few days back. “I’m very happy with the way the movie has shaped. We feel proud that we have made this film. I eagerly waiting for people to watch it, feel proud that we are Indians and know what all things our people do to save people’s life.”

Not ready to compromise with my film: Abhay Kumar

F ilm-maker Abhay Kumar, who is set to debut with the anti-Gandhi movie Gandhi vs Aazaad, says he

is prepared to fight with the Central Board of Film Certification to secure its release without any cuts.

“As a film-maker, I will release the film without any cuts. I understand the censor board has its own guidelines to follow, but it’s important for me to take this film worldwide without any cuts. No matter

what, I am not ready to compromise with this film,” Abhay said.

“Many friends from the film industry and close friends have told me that it’s not going to be easy for me, but I am prepared for it,” added the grandson of the Bombay Talkies studio founder Raj Narayan Dube.

Abhay will also try to show the film at various film festivals.

“My team is already working on it. They are in talks with a few people to push the film for film festivals as well. If I don’t get a commercial release, it’s fine. I will try to get a festival release because this is the kind of film which needs to reach worldwide,” he said.

“I am not ashamed of this film... I am proud of it and as a film-maker the film only reveals the truth of our history,” he added.

Written and directed by Abhay, the historical drama will also see him in the title role of revolutionary hero Chandra Shekhar Azad.

Constant struggle to balance censorship, freedom of expression: Aditya Roy Kapur

Actor Aditya Roy Kapur says that it is a constant struggle to maintain a balance between freedom of

expression and censorship but the industry is endeavouring for it.

“As an artist, it’s great if you have complete freedom of expression, but censorship is also important. It’s just about finding the right balance, which is not an easy thing to do.

It’s a constant struggle and there’s no perfect way to do it,” said Aditya at a fashion show organised by designer Manish Malhotra, where he and his Fitoor co-star Katrina Kaif walked the ramp.

“So there’s going to be a give and take,

there’s going to be some people who might think it is right, or wrong but the endeavour is to find the right balance. I hope we’re getting there,” he added.

The censor board helmed by Pahlaj Nihalani has been constantly in the news for its decisions and the problems filmmakers and actors have with it. But actors, directors and other performers have also been under attack for some of the content they create.

This debate has been triggered by the recent incident, where comedian Kiku Sharda was arrested for imitating Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim.

On Kiku Sharda, Aditya tried to avoid making a statement.

“I’m not well-informed to make a completely informed point of view on it. It’s quite a sensitive topic, so without having the necessary know-how, it’s not necessary to make a comment like that.”

Juhi wants tax-free status for Chalk N Duster in Maharashtra’

Educational drama Chalk N Duster actor Juhi Chawla wants the film to be declared tax-free in Maharashtra

like in four states which have given it this status.

“It’s a matter of great joy that as soon as the committees watched the film, they felt that this film should be tax-free and that it should reach the people. We have received it so soon in four states, but I’m waiting for Maharashtra because it is our home. This

is where Bollywood is, and this is where the film was made—shooting took place in Mumbai and Aurangabad,” said Juhi at a screening of the film.

“So I feel that others are giving us a lot of respect and love, and it’d be great if our home (state) also gives us recognition.”

The film has received tax-free tag in Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Juhi had tweeted about her delight at did and the other lead actress Shabana Azmi also had shared her joy about the news.

The film has received positive reviews from some critics, and Juhi said it was “heart-warming”.

“When I had heard the script of the film, it had touched me. And in the same way it has been touching the hearts of the audiences, so I feel delighted. The most strong point of the film is its content - its writing and its intentions. If it touches your heart, our work feels satisfied.”

Did she invite her good friend and business partner Shah Rukh Khan for a screening?

“I couldn’t get the time to invite anyone... literally there was no screening from my side since just two days back the film got ready. We were all over the place for promotions, so I couldn’t get time,” she said.

Jayant Gilatar’s Chalk N Duster deals with how the commercialisation affects the education system.

New award to recognise states’ contribution to films

A iming to promote the film industry, the government has decided to institute a new award category

under the national film awards especially to recognise the states’ contribution to films.

The award—tagged as the Most Film Friendly State/Union Territory—will be conferred for the first time at the 63rd National Film Awards to be given on May 3, 2016 by President Pranab Mukherjee.

The information and broadcasting ministry has also decided to establish a Film Facilitation Office at the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) premises, ministry secretary Sunil Arora said at the inaugural function for the Public screening of Indian Panorama-2015 films at Siri Fort Auditorium on Monday, January 18. “The objective of setting up the office is to provide single window clearance to film-makers and promote India as a filming destination. This would also enable creating a film-friendly environment in the country,” said Arora.

Would love to be Incredible India ambassador: Akshay

Actor Akshay Kumar, who has been a part of the entertainment industry for almost three decades, says he

would love to be the brand ambassador of the tourism ministry’s Incredible India campaign. Since Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan is no longer fronting the ads of the government campaign, there has been a lot of speculation as to who would replace him. Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra and Akshay are among the names floating around to be the face of the campaign. Asked if he would like to be the new Incredible India ambassador, Akshay said, “It’s a big thing. Why not? I would love to be there. It’s a good thing”.

The Khiladi star was promoting his forthcoming film Airlift on Monday, January 18, which has patriotism at its core. Directed by Raja Krishna Menon, Airlift is based on the evacuation of Kuwait-based Indians during the Iraqi occupation in 1990. Akshay plays the crucial character of Ranjit Katyal who was an unsung hero in aiding the evacuation process.

“India is the greatest country—that is what we want to show in this film. Airlift means air evacuation. The film shows how 1,70,000 people were evacuated from one place to other,” the actor said.

Apart from him, the film also stars The Lunchbox star Nimrat Kaur.

My journey in showbiz like a fairytale: Nimrat KaurActress Nimrat Kaur, who shot to fame through her

internationally acclaimed role in Bollywood film The Lunchbox and American TV show Homeland, says her journey in showbiz

has been like a “fairytale” till now.A face that found fame through the world of advertisements, Nimrat

started her tryst with acting via music videos. It was a role in The Lunchbox with Irrfan Khan that gave her a big lead role. “The journey in showbiz has been like a fairytale to me. It’s been a really interesting journey because of the unpredictability factor... You can’t plan your career when you are starting out. Whatever comes to you, you have to decide from it... whether to do it or not,” Nimrat, who will be seen alongside Akshay Kumar in forthcoming film Airlift, said here at a press conference on Monday, January 18.

Talking about the Raja Krishna Menon directorial, Nimrat said, “I really consider myself very fortunate to be a part of this story. It’s a story that I didn’t know about.

When I read the script, I didn’t know that this has happened and I was shocked about that.” In the movie, which is about the evacuation of Kuwait-based Indians in 1990, Nimrat plays the wife to actor Akshay Kumar’s character.

“I play the role of Ranjit Katyal’s wife Amrita Katyal. She is a very outspoken person, and not fearful of speaking her mind.” Asked about her experience working with Akshay, Nimrat said, “I was extremely excited to work with Akshay. He is someone whose work and choices I have admired completely.” Airlift will release on January 22.


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29ENTERTAINMENT

Kangana wants to write book on her strugglesActress Kangana Ranaut

intends to write a book on her struggles in her life,

which includes the period before she came to the film industry as well as her stint in it.

“The way I dealt with my failures has been very heavy and I would like to write a book about that, how success will never teach you anything” said Kangana at the launch of journalist Barkha Dutt’s book, The Unquiet India.

“So I’ve been through struggle for 10 years, and I think that’s what shaped me up as a person today. I don’t know how much a success people see me as—that is very external aspect of one’s growth—but I think I’m a very successful person on a very personal level. And when you lose something or face failure, it’s about how you deal with it and not lose your self-respect and self-worth,” she said.

“Ten years of humiliation, rejection, embarrassment could’ve made me believe what the whole world thought about me—like if they thought about me as a loser, but I didn’t think of myself as that or as what the world or my parents thought of me.

“That’s why I could do what I did in my life. Not just in India but all over the world, winning and success in so overrated,” she added.

Kangana, who was aspiring to be a doctor before she decided to enter the f i l m industry, says t h a t r i g h t f r o m

schools, the system of success or ‘standing first in class’ is prominent. She also faced trauma

due to her parents’ strange behaviour if she didn’t stand first in class. “We need to tell our children that it is okay to fail, there’s nothing wrong in it. Nothing lasts forever. That kind of spirit needs to be there,” she said.

Kangana also feels that this kind of prominence given to success and winning, creates a feeling where a rejection is hard for people to accept. She believes

that’s the reason violence against women happen, having seen

her sister Rangoli suffering an acid attack.

“So rejection is so hard to deal with for anyone, especially men, there’s

no acceptance for the fact that this women doesn’t want or that she doesn’t have feelings for me.

“Usually that is the intention and I feel that for 90 per cent of the violence

against women—that kind of rejection

triggers it.”Kangana

a l s o c o n f e s s e d

about being p h y s i c a l l y

abused by an industry celebrity and how she is fighting back physically and legally.

Delighted to be married one last time: Kabir BediKabir Bedi is a happy

man after tying the knot with his long-time

partner Parveen Dusanj last week. The 70-year-old actor says the marriage was “the most natural step forward”, but it took him a decade to convince her family.

Kabir gave his near and dear ones a surprise at his birthday celebrations on January 16 by announcing his marriage with Parveen, 42.

He got married in Alibag, Mumbai on January 15 in the presence of his close family and friends. It is Kabir’s fourth marriage and Parveen’s first.

He was previously married to late Odissi dancer Protima Gauri Bedi, then British-born fashion designer Susan Humphreys. TV and radio presenter Nikki Bedi was his third wife.

“Delighted to be married for the last time! Parveen and I have been together for 10 years, living in London, Rome, and Mumbai, so marriage was the most natural step forward,” Kabir said in a statement. “We met when I was performing a play, The Far

Pavilions in the West End of London, and she came to see the play. When I moved to Rome for a big Italian series A Doctor in the Family for over a year, I missed her, and asked her to come and live with me,” he recalled.

He added, “Since then, after moving to Mumbai, she has been a great partner for me, in love and life, and we plan to do great

things together through our media company, BediMedia. At the beginning, her family was cautious and it’s taken me a decade to convince them all. Parveen Dusanj Bedi is the love of my life.”

His friends were happy for him, but his and late Protima’s daughter Pooja Bedi passed snide remarks on Twitter after her father announced his wedding.

The actress posted: “Every fairytale has a wicked witch or an evil step-mother! Mine just arrived! @iKabirBedi just married @parveendusanj”.

Pooja then quickly retracted the tweet, but the damage was done.

Reacting to Pooja’s views, Kabir shared, “Deeply disappointed by venomous comments by my daughter Pooja against @parveendusanj just after we married. No excuse for bad behaviour.”

Pooja was understandably missing from the bevy of stars and friends in the wedding photographs, which surfaced online.

Ghulam Ali to make acting debut with Indian filmnivEdita

Pakistan’s legendary ghazal singer Ghulam Ali, whose performances

in India were marred last year by Shiv Sena threats, is now geared to make his acting debut with Hindi feature film Ghar Wapsi, directed by Suhaib Ilyasi. He has also composed and lent his voice to an Indian patriotic song for the movie.

Ghulam Ali was in New Delhi to dub his portion of the film where he seemed visibly excited to try out acting, which is a “new thing” for him.

“If I keep on doing this for three to four more days, I can be a (professional) actor. I guess singing is very easy,” Ghulam Ali, who seemed to have a childlike excitement during the dubbing, quipped during an interaction with media.

He was also showcasing his singing prowess in between dubbing, and shared that he took up the acting assignment for Ilyasi, whom he considers as a “younger brother”.

The ghazal maestro has enthralled fans across the globe

with his baritone voice, and just last week, he was in Kolkata where he performed to a packed audience, three months after the cancellation of his concert in Mumbai.

In Ghar Wapsi, he has also contributed to the song Apni mitti ki khushboo hain rago mein yeh basi hai…choomenge isko shaan se. Humko toh pyaara hain yeh watan, apni jaan se.”

The film stars Alok Nath, Farida Jalal, Reema Lagoo, Deepak Tijori and Zarina Wahab, and also includes the work of singers like Sunidhi Chauhan, Sonu Nigam and Shaan apart from Ghulam Ali.


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30 FEATURES

Sunita Narula

Celebrating in styleSunita Narula takes pride in her impeccable organisational skills and attention to detail—a skill set that gave birth to the concept of Milan Events. Indian Weekender spoke to the Auckland-based wedding planner to know more about her event management company and what sets them apart.ESha Chanda

IWK: What do Milan Events specialise in?

Sunita: I like to think of Milan Events as an event coordination company and not a planning company. We believe that the planning the event is a privilege that should be with the bride and the family. We step in to help with the co-ordinating and eliminate the stress involved.

It is important to enjoy your wedding, especially the days leading up to the big day. This does not happen if you are doing it all on your own. By having Milan Events on board, I like to think that we take away a large part of the stress.

IWK: How did Milan Events start?

Sunita: I immigrated to New Zealand about 25 years ago, a time when there were a handful of Indians here. With no family or friends, it was a lonely and difficult road. The concept of Milan Events was born then because of what I experienced. It is satisfying to be able to help people especially during weddings and other important family celebrations.

IWK: How is Milan Events different from other event management companies?

Sunita: There are many event companies in New Zealand now catering towards ethnic communities. At Milan Events, we cater to the ones who want something different. That is where my expertise lies. It is not the quantity that matters but the quality.

IWK: Which event do you consider your best so far?

Sunita: For me, each event that I have done has been the best; the best that I could have given. Every event requires many hours of thinking, planning and organising, and sourcing the right product in the available budget.

IWK: What was the reason behind starting Milan Events?

Sunita: My love for meeting people, for

parties, fun, laughter and above all, to see people happy. If you love doing something and can make it your work, then you should consider yourself

blessed. On a side note, I pride myself on my organisational and communication

skills and attention to detail. These are important factors for an event company.

IWK: Tell us a little about your latest project

Sunita: My latest project is currently underway. The wedding is in the first

week of February. I met the bride and groom when they first started planning

their wedding in June 2015. I have walked this journey with them, discussing, advising, recommending and finalising almost all aspects of their wedding—right from choosing their venue, their suppliers, meeting their parents, food tasting to discussing the bridal wear. They have chosen a great venue, and I am sure it will truly be a beautiful wedding.

I have walked this journey with them, discussing, advising, recommending and finalising almost all aspects of their wedding—right from choosing their venue, their suppliers, meeting their parents, food tasting to discussing the bridal wear.

Pongal and Chennai flood relief fundraising programmeDate: Sunday, January 31Time: 6 pm onwardsVenue: Mt Eden War memorial Hall, 489 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden, AucklandMuthtamil Sangam Inc. is organising a fundraiser to help Chennai flood victims. It is also an opportunity to celebrate Pongal with the community. The entertainment includes Tamil folk dance by Anujay School of Dance, drama by Mervin Constantine and team and karaoke music by Ravi Muthumanikam and team. Entry fee for adults is $15, children aged 4 and above $10. Collected funds will be distributed through Agaram foundation.

Free employment assistance workshopsDate: Tuesday, February 2 and Wednesday, February 10Time: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on February 2 and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on February 10Venue: Auckland Regional Migrant Services (ARMS), 532 Mt Albert Road, Three KingsARMS is organising free job search workshop for new migrants on Tuesday, February 2. The workshop provides new Kiwis with advice and guidance on finding work, writing a CV and cover letter, answering interview questions and communicating with potential employers. The seminar is open to newcomers on full work visas

and who have been in New Zealand for less than two years. On Wednesday, February 10, ARMS is holding a special LinkedIn workshop The workshop is open to all migrants and costs $15.To register and for

more information, contact ARMS on [email protected] or call 09 625 2440.

Mangere-Otahuhu Arts JamDate: Saturday, January 23, 2016 Time: 11:00am – 4:00pmVenue: Tōia Ōtāhuhu Recreational Facility, 30 Mason Ave, AucklandJoin celebrate the vibrant community of Māngere-Ōtāhuhu in a one-day arts festival. Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Arts Jam will feature music, food, art activities, beat making sessions, dance workshops, performances and much more. This is a free, family fun event.

One God One World Family with the BrahmakumarisDate: Saturday, February 13, 2016Time: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. | Venue: Ellerslie War Memorial Hall, 138 Main Hwy, Ellerslie.The Brahmakumaris, Auckland is celebrating a multifaith programme titled One God One World Family. Bring everyone together on the February 13, 2016. It’s a FREE event and everyone is cordially invited to attend it.

Auckland Anniversary WeekendDate: Saturday, January 30, 2016 to Monday, February 01, 2016Time: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.Venue: Various locations along Auckland’s waterfrontWith all the great events happening this Auckland Anniversary Weekend, there are many reasons to stay in town. From spectacular street performers to sensational seafood, Auckland’s waterfront is the place to be – and yes, there will be fireworks! Prices vary from event to event but there will be many free events.


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31FEATURES

*Offer ends on 29th February 2016 unless sold out prior. Advertised fares are all inclusive for travel on the route Auckland-India-Auckland(via Sydney/Melbourne/Delhi), priced as on 06th January 2016 for outbound travel on 10th March 2016 and inbound travel on 10th April 2016, with 8 kg carry-on luggage and 30 kg check-in baggage. Travel between Auckland and Melbourne/Sydney permitted on our interline partner Air New Zealand (NZ) Virgin Australia (VA), Qantas (QF) only. Outbound travel is permitted from 16th Feb 16 to 15th June 16 or 06th July 16 to 30th September 16. Travel must be completed within 3 months from the date of departure. Prices are correct as on 06th January 2016 and small variations in prices may occur as a result of changes in airport taxes or currency fluctuations. Offer is subject to availability and fares are valid on Air India operated flights only. Basic fare and fuel surcharge are non refundable and change/no-show fees apply. For full terms and conditions, please visit www.airindia.com or contact your local travel agent or call Air India on (03) 90218720 / (02) 92833370.

Note:-Passengers travelling to Amritsar will be provided with STPC at Delhi airport if the same day connecting flight is not operated.

Earlybird FaresEarlybird FaresReturn fare starting from

Delhi ...................... $1342*

Amritsar ............... $1364*

Hyderabad ........... $1268*

Mumbai ................... $1268*

Kolkata .................... $1268*

Ahmedabad ............ $1370*

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Indian Weekender 22 January 2016