Indian Weekender Vol5 Issue 18

www.iwk.co.nz31 January 2014

1

January 31, 2014 Vol. 5 Issue 18 | www.iwk.co.nz

The leading Kiwi Indian fortnightly newspaper FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION

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Jatinder catches NZD 100,000 with one handJatinder Singh, 23, from Te Aroha in Hamilton, took a catch hit out for a six in the 2nd ODI held in Hamilton on January 22, to win NZD100,000 in the TUI Catch A Million competition. When Corey Anderson smashed Indian pacer Ishant Sharma on to the embankment, the ball came straight to him and he grabbed it.He became the second person to win the prize after Michael Morton who won the prize in the fifth ODI against the West Indies earlier in January. In three other ODIs and two T20s against the Windies for which the competition was held, no one won the prize.

Arav Dosshi, 4 year old was chearing for Dhoni outside the bus, after the Hamilton ODI, when Dhoni surprised him. He presented the little fan with his autographed cap and a sweet message.

Winning Moments

Praveet Singh, a Fiji Indian woman, 40, had gone for a walk in the South Auckland suburb of Old Papatoetoe, in the early

evening, when a stranger wielding a bottle attacked her from behind. The attack left Mrs. Singh with fractured eye sockets, a broken nose and bruises.

The mother of two had reportedly tried to seek help from one of her neighbours but the man continued to wash his car while Mrs Singh was being assaulted.

Mrs. Singh said on a social network that an intoxicated man punched and physically abused her “in front of more than 15 Fiji-Indians who stood and watched the entire ordeal like they were watching some show, while I screamed and yelled for help.”

In her account narrated on One News, Praveet Singh said that, “I fell on the ground and the guy just kept hitting me. And I said ‘please someone help me’.” She ran into a driveway, seeking help from a couple who were washing their car. She said the man in the driveway moved away and pushed

her back towards the man who had attacked her.The man who had been in the driveway said

he did try to step in, but because he is on kidney dialysis decided to leave and alert the police.

“Someone save me. That’s the only thing I could think of was someone save me. I’m getting beaten up and I’ve got an audience. That’s what it felt like” she told us at the Weekender.

She set it is not about the culture but a question of mindset and attitude. She praised the role of the police in the quick relief and filing of the complaint. However, she urged the authorities to put a blanket ban on alcohol consumption in public.

The New Zealand Herald quoted a man who said he was reluctant to intervene as he had thought it was a domestic assault. A 26-year-old man appeared in the Manukau District Court on Friday charged with one count of common assault and another of injuring with intent to injure, the court released him after charges were pressed against him by the police.

- IWK Bureau

Woman bashed as Indian neighbours watch unmoved


3NEW ZEALAND

Black Caps remove Team India from their throneAn inspired all round performance from

the New Zealand Blackcaps saw them take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the

on going ODI series against India with the 3rd Auckland ODI ending in a thrilling draw.

Corey Anderson’s all round skills with bat and ball, ruthless hitting and taking wickets at will made sure NZ stayed ahead in all games.

The third ODI between India and New Zealand here ended in a tie on Saturday with the excitement reaching up to the last ball played in the game.

In the first ODI in Napier, India lost by 24 runs. Virat Kohli’s fighting 123-run knock failed to help India as New Zealand’s Corey Anderson played a blistering innings and pacer Mitchell McClenaghan delivered a magical spell to help the home side win the first match of the series.

After posting 292 on the scoreboard, New Zealand bowlers finished the job by bowling out India for 268 in 48.4 overs.

MS Dhoni (40) and Kohli would almost take India home after re-building the innings which was tottering after losing the top order, but it wasn’t to be. Needing just 70 to win in eight overs, the target looked gettable.

McClenaghan, however, pulled the match back to New Zealand’s favour by picking up the wickets of Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja (0) and Kohli in quick succession to reduce the ‘Men in Blue’ to 237 for seven.

This was the first match India lost where Kohli hammered a century. He hit 11 boundaries

and 2 sixes in his knock. This was Kohli’s 18th century in his ODI career.

Kane Williamson (71), Ross Taylor (55) and New Zealand’s new cricketing sensation Corey Anderson (68*) contributed for the home side.

Appreciating McClenaghan, New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum said, “It’s a captain’s nightmare when you have those two guys there, but the message was simple, try to find a way to get a wicket.”

The second ODI held in Hamilton on

January 22, was marred with rain interruptions but a more closely fought contest saw the Indian captain Dhoni taking the team to the brink of victory and getting out.

India lost the second ODI against New Zealand by 15 runs via Duckworth-Lewis method and with it Team India, lost their No. 1 position in the ICC ODI rankings.

New Zealand posted 271 for seven and India made 277 for nine in 41.3 overs chasing 297 for victory.

Kane Williamson (77), Ross Taylor (57) continued their top form for New Zealand.

However, India tried to give a good challenge to the home side as Virat Kohli (78), MS Dhoni (56) and Suresh Raina (35) contributed well with the willow.

The weak bowling attack and the missing final act has seen India come close and lose the matches from a fighting position. Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni have been the only two consistent performers while the younger lot, have only performed like journeyman here.

The Blackcaps are buoyed by their performance and are steadily gaining in confidence with their bowling and batting units looking well set and in form.

- Vaibhav Saklani

However, India tried to give a good challenge to the home side as Virat Kohli (78), MS Dhoni (56) and Suresh Raina (35) contributed well with the willow.


4 NEW ZEALAND

IMMIGRATION & LITIGATION SPECIALISTS

Sit down with our team of experts for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION

Raj Pradeep SinghBarrister/SolicitorLLB/BA (Hon.)

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Banking & Finance

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Vaibhav Saklani

Prime Minister John Key, on January 21, set out his decision on which parties National will consider working with

following this year’s General Election.“MMP makes it likely that every election

will be a tight contest,” Mr Key says. “That means it’s also likely that following the election we will need to work collaboratively with other parties to form a stable Government.

Since November 2008, National has lead a stable Government with ACT, the Māori Party and United Future.

Mr Key says that given the right electoral circumstances, his preference would be to continue working with the current three partners. However, there is also a scenario where it would be possible to add the Conservative Party to this group, said Key.

“We also have policy differences with the Conservative Party, however it is likely that there would be enough common ground to work with them in Government.”

In terms of other parliamentary parties, Mr Key ruled out working with Labour, the Greens and Mana on the basis that there is insufficient common ground to achieve a stable and successful working relationship. “These parties represent a far left wing agenda that we do not believe is good for New Zealand,” says Mr Key.

He did not rule out an alliance with Winston Peters, New Zealand First, saying a

post-election working relationship was very unlikely; however the possibility of a pre-poll alliance exists.

Hon Winston Peters, leader of New Zealand First didn’t hold anything back and termed this as ‘engineering’ election results. He said the general election should be decided by voters and not by a series of backroom deals between political parties.

NZ First made its position clear from the outset that it will not be part of any pre-election discussions or arrangements aimed at subverting the democratic process.

“We thought MMP would stop the gerrymandering and ‘old boys’ arrangements of the past but some political parties keep manipulating the political process for their own ends instead of trusting the voters.” Mr

Peters says the time for talking about forming governments should be immediately after the election and not before.

“When the time comes we will take everyone into our confidence. We promise voters to keep politics and politicians accountable and act in the peoples’ best interests” said Mr. Peters.

“This is no time to start jacking up the election results like some tin pot military dictatorship where the general election results always favour the generals,” says Mr Peters.

While the National Party in its quest to regain power is keeping its doors open, NZ First seems to be claiming political mileage with its poll rhetoric.

It is quite easily understood that Winston Peters is in a win-win position with a gain in vote share and the resulting push in Parliament seats, by opposing the National party and yet having the option of joining them when it counts.

The poll pundits have called Peters’ opposition ‘a theatrical illusion’; and concluded that it is a political necessity for the two parties to join hands. As a third term beckons John Key, so does the ghosts of the past and anti-incumbency he needs all the support he can garner. The principal opposition, Labour Party, has a steady partnership with the Greens, and it is neck-and-neck with the National Party in the polls.

Colin Craig will be feeling comfortable at his desk too, with an invitation from the National Party even though they may not be seen by the voter in the same pan.

National’s tryst with coalition politics

The poll pundits have called Peters’ opposition ‘a theatrical illusion’; and concluded that it is a political necessity for the two parties to join hands.

In response to queries about use of Self Defence in situations where you have to defend yourself or someone else.

The law relating to self-defence“Everyone is justified in using, in the defence of himself or another, such force as, in the circumstances as he believes them to be, it is reasonable to use.” (Section 48 of the Crimes Act 1961) This means you are allowed to defend yourself from attack, but use your common sense. Don’ seek revenge. If you use unreasonable force, you are committing a crime. Your first concern should always be for your own safety and that of others with you. Never take the law into your own hands or take unnecessary risks.For more information visit: http://www.police.govt.nz/advice/personal-community/out-about

Courtesy: Gurpreet Arora,South Asian Liaison OfficerCounties Manukau

Safer Families DayOn a related note, the Manukau Indian

Association is organising a ‘Safer Families Day’ at its premises at 57, Hillside Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

The event, supported by East Tamaki Health Care, Auckland Council, Counties Manukau Police and the Department of Corrections, will be held from 11 am to 2 pm. The meeting will discuss measures to promote safety at home and on the road, elders’ safety, family violence and neighbourhood support.


5NEW ZEALAND

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6 NEW ZEALAND

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Mumbai Monologues: A thousand unsaid wordsLove and attraction, glamour and fashion;

the city has its own style which changes from mile to mile.

For someone it could be the chance to earn a living wage, whilst for another it could bring individuals a step closer to the possible fulfillment of a nurtured dream.

It’s a place where individuals from drastic

lifelines, coexist in harmony. From industrialists, film stars, artists, teachers and clerks; it’s not uncommon to fund such juxtaposition in Mumbai.

Therefore the city has many stories to tell too, including those of Nisha, Rahul and Abby. Whether it is searching for love, acceptance or simply chasing Bollywood, each untold story is intertwined resulting in the lifeline of Mumbai.

And this is exactly the essence the play

Mumbai Monologues aims to capture on the stage for audiences to experience. All set for next month, the play will also be featuring as a part of Auckland’s Pride Festival.

Agaram Productions, an international production house will be backing the play, as it encourages local creations to showcase New Zealand’s many facets.

Directed by Ahi Karunaharan and Padma Akula, the play features a local cast and crew from the smaller city of sails.

“ A u c k l a n d Pride Festival is an extended platform and It’s exciting to expand South Asian Theatre work beyond the usual boundaries

and set a new trend” says Padma Akula.

Immersed in live band, the play aims to bring together the chaos and kaleidoscope of colors embedded in Mumbai, celebrating cultural diversity. The play starts from Wednesday 12th February through to Sunday 16th at TAPAC, 100 Motions Road, Western Springs.

Tickets are now available online on TAPAC’s website www.tapac.org

- IWK Bureau

All set for next month, the play will also be featuring as a part of Auckland’s Pride Festival.

Fun, friends and whānau this Waitangi Day

Celebrate Waitangi Day with live entertainment, food stalls, arts and craft markets and workshops at Barry Curtis

Park on Thursday 6 February. Waitangi Day Celebrations 2014 is a free

event brought to you by Auckland Council and is a great opportunity to celebrate with family and friends.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown says that this is a special day, celebrating tangata whenua and who we are as Aucklanders today.

“Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our Māori culture set us apart in the world. Waitangi Day is a perfect time to acknowledge the history and diversity of Auckland, and of New Zealand,”

he says. “There will be a mihi whakatau led by mana

whenua at 10am and I invite anyone interested to come and join us.”

With record breaking Pacific Music Award winner Aaradhna and heaps of home-grown talent like the young performers of Pao Pao Pao!, the powerhouse voice of Ria Hall and Vodafone New Zealand Music Award winner David Dallas this is a definite must-do event.

Waitangi Day Celebrations, Thursday 6 February 2014

10am - 5pm, Barry Curtis Park, Flat Bush This is an alcohol-free, smoke-free and

zero-waste event.

MOKSHA - an Odissi dance performanceA rare treat, the Sri Vidiyalaya Foundation

presents MOKSHA by Veshnu on 1st Feb at the Musgrove Theatre for one

night only. Performing Odissi, a classical Indian dance form, the show will explore the concepts of illusion (maya) and divine play (leela) with narration by Dr Chandrabhanu that will provide a window into this sensuous and richly nuanced dance form.

Veshnu, an award winning dancer originally from Singapore, has settled in New Zealand after dancing for the Bharatam Dance Company of Melbourne for a number of years and established The Sri Vidiyala Foundation dance school in Auckland last year where he teaches classical Indian dance forms of Odissi and Bharatnatyam

Starting his training when most classical dancers are performing their final graduation piece, Veshnu started learning as a teenager and quickly showed promise. He went on to perform at major Singapore events and traveled to places like Switzerland, Malaysia and even New Zealand as a cultural ambassador for Indian Dance Singapore before taking the unconventional leap to go back to study with aclaimed dance gurus in India.

Riding on his bicycle to his dance classes before dawn and returning home in the dark while in Chennai, Veshnu spent hours practicing under the stern gaze of his dance gurus, a grueling regime aimed to further refine his body and discipline his mind. Steeped in spiritual symbolism each pose, each hand position, each facial expression tells a rich and complex story that he sought to perfect. Praise was hard earned

and rarely given.His time in India led to being recommended

as a principal dancer at the Bharatam Dance Company where he also learned Odissi under Dr Chandrabhanu. Today, in addition to his dance school, he freelances internationally as a teacher, choreographer and dancer.

MOKSHA - An Odissi Dance Performance, Sat 1st Feb 7.30pmTickets are $30To book call (09) 3082383 or visit www.maidment.auckland.ac.nz


7NEW ZEALAND

Colour and spice at the NZICA ConferenceThe NZ Indian

C e n t r a l A s s o c i a t i o n

Women’s Forum is conducting a conference on the 15th of February 2014 at Ellerslie Convention Centre.

This year the theme of the conference is ‘Colour and Spice’. It is symbolic as it tries to reflect the rich, vibrant colours and the exciting and spicy food of the culture.

Previously the Annual forum of ‘Just Do It’ was an inspirational conference. There was a lot of interaction in the workshop and the feedback was extremely positive. From the Evaluation forms received, the underlying theme of retaining our culture and maintaining our heritage in this age of change was very strong.

“I am hoping this conference will show that we are all so similar with 20% differences in our beliefs and values” said Ranjna Patel, chaiperson of the NZICA.

“We have some amazing speakers with Minister Judith Collins opening and setting the scene with her personal experiences” she added.

The keynote speaker is Prof. Edwina Pio,

who will speak about her research on inter racial marriages and religious tolerance in the workplace. Followed by a panel discussions with people from interfaith and inter cultural/racial marriages.

An interactive workshop with colourful occupations derived from passion will also take place at the conference.

The conference will be enlightening for the young and old, said Ranjna Patel. “The perspectives of infusion of culture and religion will prove to be invaluable insight into our multicultural society we will in.”

For more information please email [email protected] or visit the NZICA website

- IWK Bureau

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8 NEW ZEALAND

Come and talk to us at Attainable Trust. We are a not for profit charitable trust located in the South Auckland area. We have a contract with the Ministry of Social Development to provide work related activities and vocational services for adults with disabilities.

Attainable Trust provides a supported work environment and a Attainable Trust provides a supported work environment and a day programme in which people with disabilities can learn valuable work skills and social skills. This environment assists people with disabilities to achieve their goals and utilise their potential. We also encourage people to develop pride in their work and confidence in their abilities. Minimum Wage Exemptions may apply.

For exploring opportunities to work and to arrange for an interview at Attainable Trust phone Shelieon (09) 279 2616 or email her at [email protected] on or before14th February 2014

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Information and submission forms are also available at your local library, service centre and local board office. Submissions must be received by 4pm on Monday 24 February 2014.

www.annualplan.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz For more information, phone 09 301 0101

Rangmanch presents Mareech Ka KhelMareech Ka Khel which will be

staged by one of the most famous theatre groups of Auckland :

Rangmanch on the 01st and 2nd of March 2014 at the Playhouse Theatre, in 15 Glendale Road, Glen Eden, Auckland.

Mareech Ka Khel is a powerful and moving play. It evolves on the story of exploitation of simple human beings, through the ages. Told in a very unique narrative form with tremendous humour. This play has a fantastic message of anti war. It is an intelligent, and intellectually stimulating play. The story revolves around Mareech- the demon turned yogi from the great Indian epic Ramayana, an Indian peasant and a beautiful girl from USA. This play has been told with an utmost wit and tremendous fervour.

Rangmanch’s this year’s play “Mareech ka Khel” is adapted from Arun Mukherjee’s Bengali play : “Mareech Sangbad” which is highly popular play in the theatre world of West Bengal. It is a cleverly structured, intelligent, humorous look at the changing forms of exploitation through space and time.

Director Jayanta Bhaduri who has directed most of the plays produced by Rangmanch has stated in an interview that like all other Rangmanch productions, Mareech Ka Khel will also be a smashing hit. Amit sengupta is credited with the music score for the play.

The play promises to be a stimulating, powerful and yet packs in lots of laughter and comic timing.

Rangmanch is an Auckland based theatre group dedicated to produce good quality Indian theatre for Auckland audience. Rangmanch has produced super hit theatre productions like : Zimmedari , Ballbhpur Ki Kahani, Dildar, Sunehre Sapne and a Gujarati play : Badtameez Dil and all the plays have earned huge appreciation from the audience. Rangmanch is the first theatre group in Auckland who started producing Indian theatre in Hindi in Auckland.

For any further information and tickets please contact 278 4820 or 021445166. Also please follow Rangmanch at www.rangmanch.org.nz.

Event:Hindi Play by RangmanchWhen: 1st March 2014 (Saturday)at 06.30 pm 2nd March 2014 (Sunday)at 05.30 pm.Where: Playhouse Theatre, 15 Glendale Road, Glen Eden, Auckland


9NEW ZEALAND

After literally stumbling in to teaching, Erum Panju, has not only in love with the profession, but she has gone that extra mile with special needs teaching. She takes each day as it comes, but is making the most of her career choice. Here’s an insight in to the life of a special needs teacher in New Zealand:

Erum, tell the readers a little about yourself and your educational background..

I’ve lived most of my life in New Zealand and lived in Auckland for most of my life and done most of my schooling here. I basically studied in the eastern side of Auckland and I went to the University of Auckland and majored in primary education.

I know the work that you do, but tell the readers a little about what you do…

I teach special needs children, at a high school. Most of these children are either verbally delayed, autistic, they have Asperger’s, ADHD… we usually just say that “they’re on the spectrum”.

So, kids with special needs attend our school and I teach the senior students who are between 13 and 18 years of age.

So, was teaching really your first preference for a career choice?

(Laughs) No, it wasn’t! I always had teaching at the back of my mind, since I was a little child…that one day I will be a teacher. But it wasn’t as if I’d immediately finish school and go into education. My circumstances at the time kind of took me in to teaching. And obviously my mother guided me towards it.

Is she a teacher as well?

Yes, she is. She is actually specialized in teaching high school and special needs kids.

So I’m guessing your mother inspired you to take up teaching, is it?

I won’t say inspired…I would say it was her encouragement, but definitely not inspiration (laughs)…

Give the readers a glimpse in to your day to day teaching life…some interesting incident?

Each day is a new day and no one student is the same!

Even if two children have been classified as autistic, they will still be poles apart. Taking the example of autistic children, time is extremely important to them, to have a sense of control. So at any point when there’s a disruption in the timetable, it’s extremely interesting to see their reactions because they are so different. Some will continue to stick to the timetable, some will panic. So it can sometimes be a task to regroup them; but you learn more and more on the job every day and with time get used to it.

But I am sure that you might have had some particularly difficult days; how do you deal with those?

Yes, definitely! This is where the support staff comes in…they aren’t just there to help students, but they’re there to help us too. Sometimes you need to do one on one with students, and they help a lot with that. But like I said, you learn over time along with learning how to deal with stress.

So, when you first started teaching, did you pick the path that you are following today, or did you start elsewhere and were lead to where you are now?

Like I said, teaching wasn’t my first choice…and by the end of it I wasn’t even sure about whether or not I wanted to pursue it. So I took a “gap month” (laughs)…I didn’t apply for any jobs, just to figure out if I really wanted to do it or not…I was leaning more towards studying further. But since the school year starts before university, I started relieving. I got some good work and went with the flow. I landed a fixed term position and now I am in a permanent role.

Okay, so, how difficult or different is it to deal with special needs children, in comparison to normal children?

Regardless of whether they are special needs or not, we try to treat them as normally as possible. Specifically, with our students, you need to be so much more empathetic and tolerant; I think that’s key.

Are schools adequately equipped to deal with special needs children, because as you said, they require more attention, empathy and tolerance. How do the lower decile schools fit in to this scenario?

In higher decile schools, the parents of the

students are able to pay those ‘donations’. But with lower docile schools, the donations are much less in comparison…they depend more on government funding. Along with that, the community is structured in such a way that there are a lot of opportunities and support for the schools to take advantage of.

With special needs students in particular, they are ORS funded; the funding depends on the needs of each individual student. This funding also pays the support staff and the OTs and the PTs along with paying for any special equipment that these students may require.

As you say, the government is doing their best to support these students and the schools. But how are the parents of these children being helped? What is being done for them?

Dealing with special needs children is a lot of work; we, as teachers, only deal with them for 6 to 8 hours in a day, their parents have them for the rest of the time. So, the government has special organisations in place – in Auckland there is the Taikura Trust – where parents can go and ask for help; these places have translators in case the parents have trouble speaking English. There are also respite days where parents can send

their children off to the respites and take a day or two off. Some of the funding that they get from the government also goes to the respite centres, so they are well equipped.

This is the good that they’re doing, but do they lack anywhere?

There are certain changes that the government is trying to bring about, like increasing the classroom size and bring in the concept of performance pay. That affects us adversely…because special needs students don’t achieve as much, or as well as normal students would, so performance pay doesn’t really work for us.

So do you as teachers have a say in these issues?

Yes, we do. We have a teacher’s union who we pay on a fortnightly basis and they raise any concerns or issues that we may have with government policies.

Is there then much being done to get students to take up special needs teaching? Are there enough teachers to support special needs schools and teachers?

It’s funny you say that, because 20 years back or so, New Zealand teacher used to be the highest paid! And when I started teaching, there was a shortage of teachers, but now there are fewer jobs in comparison to the number of teacher available. So now we have a brain drain of teachers, and increasing class sizes really isn’t going to help us special needs teachers.

And I didn’t study as a special needs teacher; I studied as a normal teacher…and New Zealand law says that any child regardless of who he or she is, can study in a normal school, so it depends on the parents where they’d like to send their children. So you will still get a child on the spectrum studying at a normal school.

As far as teachers being encouraged, I haven’t been in a permanent position at a normal school to be able to comment on that, but like I said, it really depends on the school – my school has been sending me on courses. We as teachers just basically adapt normal curriculum for our students.

So how do you do adapt the normal curriculum to the needs of these children?

Well, with special needs children, sooner or later, they need to go out into the society. Apart from teaching them the regular subjects, we also teach them life skills. Things like understanding body language, gestures, going shopping, using public transport, issuing books at a library; this is an additional aspect to the normal curriculum. So, that is the one big difference.

And special needs students can go up to the age of 21; so once they’re past the age of 18, they go in to the a transitional unit where we mostly try to build up a CV for them to they can transition easily into the society.

So, like you said, this wasn’t your first choice, but it has now caught your fancy! So would you like to continue on this career path?

So far so good! With special needs, there are a lot of opportunities out there…and it makes me feel like I am doing my bit for society (smiles).

It’s interesting to see the reaction when someone asks me what I do. I always get the “Oh, special needs teacher. That’s interesting.” You don’t get a lot of teachers my age going into this field straight after they come out of university. It’s such a unique and interesting job, and I am really enjoying this.

Lastly, any words of encouragement for young teacher wanting to take up special needs teaching…

It’s a great field! And I didn’t know that I had the knack for it until I started relieving, and I now love it. So yeah, if you have a passion for teaching, definitely go ahead with it, and see where it takes you!

- For additional information on how the government is trying to help special needs children; parents and caregivers can visit: Http://www.Minedu.Govt.Nz/nzeducation/

educationpolicies/specialeducation.Asp

Shreya Bakshi

Every day is a new learning


10 NEW ZEALAND POLITICS

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external double garage.

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Immigration is failing employers over skilled workers

Minister pats herself on back for increased unemployment forecast

“Skilled staff recruited from overseas are getting short shrift from Immigration New Zealand,” says Labour’s immigration spokesperson Dr Rajen Prasad.

“The end of year Employment Survey

by the Employers and Manufacturer Association shows that there is a gap between the immigration system and the country’s employers over the need for skilled staff. This means that skilled staff are being sent home after a relatively short period because their visas are not being renewed.

“I can understand the frustration of employers when you consider the time taken to find, bring and train to New Zealand suitable workers from overseas. It makes it all the more difficult to have to let these workers go after a short period of time

“I have constituents, both employers and employees, who have struggled with

this issue for some time. The Immigration system should be robust enough to determine where the skills shortages are and provide for permits that enable employers to recruit effectively from overseas.

“The same EMA survey showed that in 2013 almost 60% of employers found it difficult or very difficult to attract suitable staff and 55% thought that there would be a skill shortage in their industry.

“Employers are clearly finding the immigration system difficult to deal with and the Minister of Immigration should direct his officials to address this matter urgently.

“Immigration needs to fully understand the problems employers are complaining about and develop a robust approach to address it”, said Dr Prasad.

“Many countries are now competing for skilled staff and New Zealand will lose this race if our system is not responsive. The immigration system is failing employers and the knock on effect on the economy will be felt at all levels.”

Dr Rajen Prasad

“I have constituents, both employers and employees, who have struggled with this issue for some time.

Labour’s Spokesperson for Social Development, Sue Moroney said, “Fewer beneficiaries is only good news

if they have decent jobs to go to” in response to the Ministry of Social Development’s recently issued report. While child poverty and inequality continue to grow in New Zealand, Paula Bennett has the nerve to congratulate herself on a report that shows unemployment last year was higher than expected and will therefore be higher than forecast for the next nine years, says Moroney .

The report shows that while unemployment was higher than expected, the numbers on benefits was lower than expected. This tells us that Government is losing on the jobs front, while forcing people off Government support.

Widows have been particularly hard-hit with a 25% decrease in the Government support for them under Ms Bennett’s new sanctioning regime. In some cases this has meant cutting the benefits of people who haven’t been able to been able to afford the travel to a training session.

What makes this so called good news even harder to swallow is that the $10b decrease in forecast future welfare payments the Minister brags about is based on a crystal ball-gazing approach which saw $1.5b of this decrease come from a mistake made in last year’s valuation.

It stands to reason that as baby-boomers move into retirement, New Zealand’s long-term liability for benefits will naturally decrease and will be replaced with an increased liability for superannuation. “Is the Minister going to take the credit for the natural ageing process too?”,

Moroney rebuked.“National’s policy of cutting people off benefits

whether they have jobs or not is increasing child poverty and inequality”, Moroney added.

The report increased the forecast unemployment figure for 2013 – so a corresponding fall in the number of people receiving Government support raises questions. Benefit figures released recently show the Government is making no headway in the number of 18-24 year olds or Maori on job seeker benefits in the last year, despite their harsh reforms. The figures also tell a story of increasing joblessness in the regions outside of Canterbury and Auckland. Moroney said, “Depending on natural disasters, such as earthquakes, to reduce unemployment is not a sustainable strategy.”

In the Waikato Region, the number of people on the Job Seeker benefit rose by 1,134 in the last quarter alone. And that is despite the harsh approach being taken by this Government.

There have been instances of people having their benefits cut because they couldn’t get to a seminar 30kms away or there was a bureaucratic bungle within Work and Income - this is hardly a cause for celebration in a country that prides itself on fairness. “We know that less than half of people coming of benefits each week are going into jobs. Unless the Minister can show that these 17,000 people have got decent jobs we have nothing to celebrate,” says Sue Moroney

There are still 35,700 more people on benefits now than there were in December 2008, backing her own Labour government policies.

- IWK Bureau


11NEW ZEALAND POLITICS

David Cunliffe, leader of the Labour Party delivered his State of the Nation speech at the Kelston Girls college with

an overflowing hall. David Cunliffe, started on a personal note recounting how proud he was of his childhood and the New Zealand he grew up in.

“We will build a nation of opportunity. And it all begins with our kids. I’m a proud dad. I have two great boys, and like every Kiwi parent I want to give my children the best start possible.”

Going on to detail the ’Best Start’, saying the start a child has in life affects all of us in the long run, and the more support we can give parents during those critical years, the better off we will all be.

There is no year more critical than the first. For 59,000 families with new-born babies, will all receive a Best Start investment of $60 per week, for the first year of their child’s life. The payment will go to all families with a combined income of $150,000 or less, and will give them more choices around how they juggle the pressure of work and care for their baby.

Easing the pressure for modest and middle income families beyond that first year the families will get a payment of up to $60 a week continued to their child’s third birthday. Also proposing to increase Free Early Childhood Education to 25 hours, up from 20.

“We’ve already freed up $1.5 billion per

annum by dropping policies that were not as targeted as these. And we will be unashamedly asking the wealthiest few percent of income earners to contribute to giving all Kiwi kids the best start” said Cunliffe.

We will also expand access to early childhood centres, because free hours aren’t enough if you don’t have a centre in your neighbourhood, or if all the rolls are full.

In partnership with communities, Labour will fund the development of early childhood centres in lower income communities to ensure there are places for every kid.

Emphatically responding to the applause from the audience he said that quantity is no good without quality.

Criticising the National government’s funding

cuts for qualified teachers in our early childhood centres.

He called on the opponents to remove their financial veto, so that Sue Moroney’s Paid Parental Leave bill can proceed as planned on 1 July this year. The Best Start package will ensure parents have more choices and better support so they can give their kids the opportunities they deserve.

Blowing the election conch, Cunliffe encouraged the people to choose between growing inequality on the one hand, and restoring opportunity for all New Zealanders on the other. “It’s between a Government that has stopped listening” he said for the National lead government, “that is arrogant and out of touch” and a new direction from a new government that will create opportunity for all, starting with our

kids.David Cunliffe had earlier underlined the

principles NZ had fallen from and no more represented. “This is a great country built on great values, compassion, resourcefulness, creativity, respect for our environment, and opportunity and fairness for all, regardless of background. What has happened to our country? From the highest living standards in the world, to “sponsor a Kiwi kid for less than a dollar a day.”

That is the state of our nation today, Cunliffe remarked. That’s why under Labour:

A full day’s work will cover the basics, There will be more jobs available, and wages will catch-up with prices, New Zealanders will pay what is fair – whether in their power bill, their tax bill, or their grocery bill; And every child in this country will have the ‘best start’ in life.

But we can’t have good jobs and better living standards without a strong, modern economy. That’s why we will support our world-beating innovators and entrepreneurs, by rewarding research and development with tax credits. That’s why we will encourage investment away from property speculation and into our productive businesses by introducing a capital gains tax.

And that’s why we will to assist our primary industries to keep jobs and profits in this country. Because when raw logs, or bulk fish, or whole carcasses - rather than finished products - sail off our shores, so does most of the added value. And off with it go the good jobs and the decent wages Kiwi families deserve, and need to get ahead.

State Of The Nation Speech - David CunliffeBest Start – Labour’s plan to give every Kiwi kid the best start in life, starting before they’re born and moving through early childhood and into education.

‘Best Start’ package for the Kiwi child

Indian Weekender


12 NEW ZEALAND POLITICS

www.national.org.nz

AUCKLAND OFFICE: Unit 1, 131 Kolmar Rd, Papatoetoe, Auckland

Ph: 09 278 9302 | Email: [email protected]

Postal Address: PO Box 23136, Hunters Corner, Auckland 2025

www.bakshi.co.nz

Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi NATIONAL L IST MP

Investing an extra $359 million to lift student achievement

Every parent wants to see their child reach their full potential. And we know education is a key to that

success.That’s why National is investing an extra

$359 million over the next four years to lift the achievement of our school students.

International evidence and New Zealand-based research clearly shows that quality of teaching is the most important factor in a child’s education. The next biggest influence is school leadership.

The current system often leads teachers to move out of the classroom to advance their careers, meaning our children can lose the opportunity to learn from the best.

So we’re introducing four new teaching and leadership roles in our schools – Executive Principals, Expert Teachers, Lead Teachers, and Change Principals.

This is the next step in National’s education plan. Since we came into government, we’ve introduced National Standards so parents, teachers, and principals know how students are doing at school. We’ve also built, and are continuing to build, new and better schools, and we’re investing more money than ever before in

education.These new teaching and leadership roles

are about recognising excellent teachers and principals, keeping good teachers in the classroom, and sharing expertise across schools. People in these new roles will be paid additional allowances on top of their usual salaries in recognition of their new responsibilities.

These changes draw together the best of New Zealand and the best of overseas experience. They’re a mixture of what the profession has been telling us it needs, what the best performing countries are doing, and what international evidence and research shows works.

There is still some detail to be worked through with the sector about how the new approach will work, but the first roles are expected to be appointed in 2015.

Over the next few months, the Government will work with the sector unions and other key groups from the education profession to further develop and finalise details of the new approach.

Ensuring every child gets a good education is one of the most important things National can do to help our kids succeed, and to build a more competitive and productive economy.

Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi

Our greatest asset is our reputation.

When Nelson Mandela died, I was at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The UN flag went to half-

mast and the General Assembly stopped for a rare minute’s silence.

The moment carried the weight of history from the UN General Assembly’s very first meeting in 1946, when the elimination of apartheid was on the agenda, to 1994 when Nelson Mandela addressed the assembly as South Africa’s first democratically elected president.

He said: “We stand here today to salute the United Nations organisation and its member states for joining forces with the masses of our people in a common struggle that has brought about our emancipation and pushed back the frontiers of racism.”

People ask me why the UN Security Council is important. Moments like that remind us why.

It reminds us that although the UN was formed in the aftermath of World War II, its mandate today covers all issues fundamental to international peace, prosperity and human progress.

I recently travelled to New York to help with our bid for a seat on the UN Security Council in 2015 and 2016. I met with close to 30 ambassadors as well as people I knew from my international work before entering Parliament. I did so at the request of Foreign Minister Murray McCully because our bid is a bipartisan one.

National and Labour are working together because winning a council seat is in New Zealand’s best interests.

It’s in our interests because we have a responsibility to contribute to the peace of mankind. And when it comes to preventing or resolving conflict, no more important body exists. It’s in our interests to ensure regional security exists so that we can safely engage with the rest of the world. A seat on the council gives us ongoing contact with the world’s most powerful actors and economies.

And it’s a stage upon which New Zealand can showcase that we’re not just clean and green, but clean, green, honest and influential.

I believe having New Zealand on the council is also important to the UN.

New Zealand’s connection with the UN goes back to its very beginning when the first Labour Government signed us up as a founding member in 1945.

The views of the five powerful permanent members must be balanced by other members of the world community.

The Pacific is increasingly important in the Asian century. Our geography sees us as an important bridge between the US and China and so our views carry significant weight.

We’re not the puppet of any master: we are independent and honest.

And we have experience in resolving conflict, including leading from the front in brokering the end to civil war in Bougainville.

I remember very clearly last time New Zealand was on the UN Security Council. It was 1993-1994 and I was working in Rwanda as head of Save the Children, reuniting 3000 children with surviving family members after the genocide. In the Security Council, New Zealand took the most forceful stand against the unfolding genocide than any other country.

This time around, we are competing with Turkey and Spain for two available spots.

Our greatest asset is our reputation.I believe we can make a big impact. I’ve seen

commentators make the mistake of assuming that because New Zealand is small and isolated, we’ll never hold much sway.

Yes we might be isolated, but we’re not isolationist. We’ve played a pretty courageous role in the world.

While we’re united on our bid, there are also differences within Parliament. I was disappointed when Prime Minister John Key went to Sri Lanka and turned a blind eye to 40,000 un-investigated civilian deaths.

I want to see New Zealand take a stronger stand on human rights than that. And we’ll get our chance if our bid for the Security Council succeeds. I’m optimistic. We stand a good chance, but gaining a two-thirds majority vote from 193 countries means putting our best foot forward together.

- David Shearer MP, Labour Spokesman for Foreign Affairs and Energy

David Shearer

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13NEW ZEALAND

17-year-old pop sensation Lorde picked up two Grammy awards for her song

Royals. Lorde won the Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance, and together with co-producer Joel Little won Song of the Year for Royals.

Ella Yelich-O’Connor, more famously called Lorde broke through international charts last year with her number Royals. With the song, Lorde had become the first from New Zealand to top the Billboard chart in the US.

Prime Minister John Key congratulated

Lorde on her double success at the Grammy Awards.

“This Grammy success underlines a fantastic year for Lorde and Joel Little. They have achieved something no other New Zealander has,’’ says Mr Key.

“Lorde is a phenomenal talent and an inspiration to all young New Zealanders. At just 17 years-old she has a great future. Her success today has made us all very proud,” says Mr Key.

From 28th January, a new team will help Prime Minister John Key run the National-

led Government. Among the various changes, marks the

return of Peter Dunne, from United Future. He will now take charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Associate Minister of Health and Associate Minister of Conservation. Mr Dunne will be a Minister outside Cabinet as he was prior to his resignation in June last year.

Chris Tremain, Internal Affairs and Local Government Minister will be resigning later this week. He had previously announced his intention to retire from Parliament at the upcoming general election.

The new Minister outside Cabinet will be Peseta Sam Lotu-liga, he will be appointed Minister of Pacific Island Affairs and Associate Minister of Local Government. Mr Lotu-liga is the MP for Maungakiekie and was first elected to Parliament 2008.

Michael Woodhouse will be promoted to the vacancy in Cabinet, and will retain all of his

current responsibilities.Paula Bennett picks up the role of Minister

of Local Government, in addition to her current portfolio responsibilities.

Todd McClay will take up the role of Associate Tourism.

The Governor-General will swear in the new Ministers on Tuesday 28 January, prior to Parliament getting underway for the new year.

“I am pleased to welcome Peter Dunne back as a Minister. We have worked together well in the past, and United Future continues to be a valued partner in government,”said Key.

“While 2013 brought its challenges, both Peter and I start this election year looking forward, not back.”

Mr Key also congratulated Mr Lotu-liga on his elevation to the Ministry.

“The National-led Government’s strong Ministerial team will continue to take New Zealand forward and deliver on what we have promised,” Mr Key added.

Another earthquake, measuring 6.2 on the richter scale, hit most parts of lower North Island on January 22. The

earthquake was felt across lower North Island with the epicentre being close to Eketahuna.

No injuries were reported, neither any flights from the airport were affected, but at Wellington Airport the giant eagle installed by Weta Workshop fell from the ceiling.

The Transport Agency says it has assessed bridges and they are all safe. However, there were reports of rock falls and slips in the Manawatu Gorge. The NZ Herald reported that the Gorge road is down to one lane, and the road between Pahiatua and Palmerston North is closed.

- IWK Bureau

Lorde wins at the Grammys

New ministers in place

EQ jolts in Lower North Island

NEWS IN BRIEF


14

Allegations of abuse and corruption in the transport sector are no longer the topics of

casual discussions around the grog bowl. They are now out in the open.

Thanks to the public consultations the Attorney-General and Minister for Anti-Corruption, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, is holding.

In the Western Division, many came forward to express their concern and disgust over alleged abuse and corruption. Public officers, councils, and even Police were said to be implicated.

The Land Transport Authority got the brunt of the public wrath. One can only assume from the public submissions that abuse, corruption and poor service delivery are present in the areas highlighted.

The complaints aired were not new. They have been around for many years and under past governments but no one has really addressed them in the way it should.

Now, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum is doing it, and as he continues, there is no doubt he will uncover more.

Why is corruption something we should all be concerned about?

The insidious effects of abuse and corruption run deep and destroy individual lives, families, communities and governments.

In governments where abuse and corruption are endemic, the principles of good governance, transparency and accountability are seriously compromised and can cripple efforts to deliver services. When members of the public go to a Government department or agency to make an application for a licence or permit the last thing they want is to be given the run-around. Some do not have the time nor the resources to be subjected to this kind of frustrating and sometimes humiliating experience.

They quickly lose faith in the system and give up hope or they get tempted to circumvent it to get what they want. Both outcomes are unacceptable.

Government’s commitment to wipe out corruption is commendable. Dedicating a ministry for this cause shows it is serious. In addition, the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption, has been set up to investigate and prosecute corruption cases. In the past, the investigation responsibility solely rested with the Police which lacked the expertise to deal with sophisticated white collar crime.

Corruption is a complex social, political and economic phenomenon that affects many countries. It comes in many different forms. Corruption undermines democratic institutions, slows economic development and contributes to governmental instability.

It attacks the foundation of democratic institutions by distorting electoral processes, perverting the rule of law and creating bureaucratic quagmires whose only reason for existing is the soliciting of bribes.

Economic development is stunted because foreign direct investment is discouraged and small businesses within the country often find it impossible to overcome the “start-up costs” required because of corruption.

The entire country should rally behind Mr Sayed-Khaiyum and his team of dedicated officers. Those with concerns or grievances should attend the rest of the transport consultation meetings and make their voices heard. This information is essential for the Government because it will help in the formulation of new policies and implementation of new systems to prevent corruption and abuse and improve service delivery.

It is encouraging to see the Government listening to the people and addressing their concerns.

It will raise public awareness about the destructive effects of corruption and instill a zero-tolerance attitude.

- Nemani Delaibatiki is the Managing Editor of the Fiji Sun, based in Suva

NEW ZEALAND POLITICSSPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

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Indian Weekender Volume 5 Issue 18Publisher: Kiwi Media Group LimitedManaging Editor: Giri Gupta | [email protected]: Arvind Kumar | [email protected]: Vaibhav Saklani | [email protected] Technical Officer: Rohan Desouza | rohan@ indianweekender.co.nzDesign: Desaign LimitedAdvertising & Business Development Manager: Gaurav Gupta - M: 021 292 4519 l [email protected] Support: Leena Pal - M: 022 015 1971 | [email protected] Accounts and Admin.: Farah Khan - P: 520 0922 l [email protected] Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisheris not responsible for advertisers’ claims as appearing in the publication

Editorial

“The Roots of Violence: Wealth without work, Pleasure without conscience, Knowledge without character, Commerce without morality, Science without humanity, Worship without sacrifice, Politics without principles”

- Mahatma Gandhi

Thought ofthe Week

Nemani Delaibatiki

An interesting observation was made in the offices of the Indian Weekender this

week as the editorial team got together to put this issue to bed.

Discussing this week’s lead article featuring Praveet Singh Chahal, the 40-year-old woman who was brutally assaulted by a stranger while out on her daily walk in Papatoetoe, in South Auckland, one team member noted that the article was bereft of comments from community leaders.

This was in stark contrast to the previous issue which featured DJ Neill Andrews making racist comments about the Indian community. That had raised the ire of several prominent members of the community and leaders. At least six community leaders voiced out strongly against Andrews’ diatribe, deploring the actions of the Wellington DJ and demanding further action against the offender.

Praveet Singh was battered while out for a walk in broad daylight and screamed for help from several bystanders. No one helped, and one even pushed her out of his compound as she tried to seek refuge from the drunk attacker. Her battered and bruised face graced the front pages of the major newspapers in Auckland – one with the headline “I was screaming ‘help me, I don’t know this man’.”

She ran towards a couple washing their car in a nearby driveway: “The guy wouldn’t help – he kept saying to me, ‘don’t come here’. I still went because I needed help. He pushed me away and started running. I ran towards the woman as well but she was running away.”

To make a point, we decided not to seek comments from any of the community leaders, but only publish those who responded of their own volition to express their concerns over the ugly incident watched by several residents of the street.

The silence has been deafening.It matters not one iota that the majority

of the bystanders were Indians who had also made New Zealand their home, just like Praveet Singh. But shouldn’t someone have offered some assistance considering there were at least a dozen bystanders against a lone attacker? Ethnic and mainstream media were abuzz with reports on the attack. A quick read of articles about the attack reminded me of some Bollywood movies where a few thugs would molest and abuse

a few, while hundreds of villagers stood inn a circle and watched.What sort of people are we?

Having said that, this incident raises another interesting issue of whether bystanders should risk their lives to save someone else’s. Flashback to September 2008: Austin Hemmings, a Devonport father of three, stepped into a confrontation between a man and a woman in a downtown Auckland alleyway. The assailant, who’d previously killed a woman in Australia, stabbed Hemmings in the chest as the woman escaped.

In a report in the New Zealand Herald this week, the family of Austin Hemmings, said the attack on Praveet Singh, and the subsequent inaction of the bystanders, brought back memories of the attack and loss of their beloved family member.

“When faced with a need to help someone, a lot of people will find it difficult to get physically involved - but at least try to do something. Phone the police, call out, run for help, but do something. Do what you are capable of, but at least try,” Austin’s brother, Grant, said.

Austin’s father, Dick Hemmings, 84, welcomed the chance to remind people of his son and doing the right thing. “I think the fact of keeping this in the public eye will encourage people to step up to the occasion.”

Meantime, Praveet Singh, still nursing bruises to her face, says she has forgiven those who failed to come to her aid during the attack. “I think it’s better to forgive and move forward. It’s not good for me and it’s not good for them. I do hope these people realise what they did to me, and that they might react a bit directly if something like this ever happened again.”

About a month ago, a 77-year-old Indian woman was attacked, also in Papatoetoe, as she went out to her backyard to take clothes off the clothesline. The attacker left only when she played dead.

The New Zealand Police, in an article in this newspaper, have emphasized the need for people to be prepared with strategies to be able to stave off such vicious assailants, and they are offering self-defence classes to kick start the campaign. Ugly as it may be, this incident should again serve as a reminder that violence, in any shape or form, is not OK.

- Arvind Kumar

What would you have done?

Zero tolerance on corruption – the way to go in Fiji


15COMMENTS

The dialogues need to change: Cannot overcome structural deficits by protesting their existence

Call it my native cynicism, but it comes as no surprise when the AAP continues to resort to popular protest even after coming

to power in Delhi.With our Centre-heavy federal structure, the

CM of a state has precious little power in the first place. Delhi is a doubly curious case, where the CM is in some ways truly empowered, but simultaneously faces the most central interference. Further, when it comes to law enforcement, quarrels over jurisdiction and responsibility under national, state-specific and local legislation, as also about the authority of city police vs. state police vs. other forces (RPF, GRP, CRPF, CISF, and so on), have always been par for the course.

Let’s focus, instead, on three lessons to learn from what is now incidental:

1. Winning the election doesn’t mean things stop going wrong. The job, really, only starts after you win - when you realise you have responsibility, but nothing approaching commensurate authority. In fact, winning a State election makes you a more credible threat, which makes your job even harder!

2. Status quo powers *will* do all they can to see AAP fail to deliver on its promises, and call for Kejriwal and his cabinet to resign when it does (or risk losing moral

legitimacy). Nobody will change a law simply because Kejriwal requests it (even were it a sensible, legitimate and practical request).

3. AAP, in turn, *will* use what leverage it has to fight this, including dharnas. They will mobilise mass support in favour of what they have promised.

This mobilisation may well be in favour of decisions we agree with strongly, but it can just as easily be for ones with which we violently disagree. On this particular incident and investigation, I may well sympathise with the AAP stance (not that they come out covered in roses). On whose control the Delhi police should fall under, I recognise that cogent arguments can be made for at least two options, if not more. On FDI in retail, I’m pretty convinced protectionism is cuckoo - you need to be aligning incentives, not constructing binaries.

That by way of context. Bear with me here, because *NONE* of that is the point.

THE POINT IS: AAP is setting up a model of politics that promises to deliver substantive performance. Which is a great promise, but one that’s set up to fail. It’s based on democracy-in-theory, but flies in the face of anyone’s experience of how a democracy actually works in the real world.

AAP’s promise of “effective democracy” is based on two syllogisms:

1. I am answerable to you, and the public authorities are answerable to me, hence they are answerable to you.

2. I am clean (and incorruptible), and I do an honest job of representing my constituents’ agenda, hence my proposed policy is right*.

*(in the specialised sense of being the best a democracy can produce.)

The point is: Do we really believe the only problem a democracy faces is a dearth of suitably noble and competent candidates? Honesty aside, there is an entire spectrum of leadership that ranges from the transformative leader (who executes empirically good policies despite majority opposition) to the faithful agent (who champions the constituency’s interests as most sacred, policy implications be damned). Even granted integrity and good intentions, how is Mr. Kejriwal to squat at both ends of that continuum at once?

In practice, ensuring both answerability and effectiveness is a matter of having robust institutions (not individual leaders) - or else an exceptionally homogenous constituency to represent. India historically offers neither, and has never lacked for dissension. Nehru, Patel, Gandhi - our greatest and most popular leaders still had their detractors. Heck, at times they were each others’ detractors!

A large and heterogenous population includes spoilers and vested interests pretty much by definition. There will always be someone discontented with any given decision - and they will be swayed by neither dharnas nor opinion polls... How is their disagreement to be handled, if not by a fair process? How is the fairness and sustainability of that process to be assured, if not by institutionalisation?

If the sole guarantee of fairness is personal probity and representativeness, we are left with a narrative that calls every candidate (i.e. other than yourself) corrupt, undemocratic or both. To an extent, this is implied in every political contest, but in India today it has swollen into the dominant electoral plank, displacing any discussions about other relevant qualities by conflating integrity with competence. This culture of delegitimising your opponent ad hominem - even when richly deserved, as no doubt it is in far too many cases - has already rendered our national legislature all but defunct.

Worse, it peddles a fundamentally undemocratic citizenship - one where participation is reduced to casting the “correct” vote, where exit can be passed off as voice - and sets the stage for irredeemably self-assured and tautological debates.

The point is: you can’t address structural deficits by protesting their existence.

- Disclaimer: I recognise that what I’m arguing for is super-ambitious, and I know the change has to

start somewhere - maybe it can only start small. I also recognise there may be those who, when setting out on such a path, would prefer to misrepresent the scale of

their ambition - the better to avoid early opposition. Especially when it comes to the AAP, I will readily

concede that it’s too early to judge; if they can gain real power in national elections, they may actually be able to

enact some of those policies they’ve promised.Ameya is a psychologist and lawyer by

training, and currently studies at the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy. He blogs at:

kianayema.blogspot.com

Ameya Naik

Delivered straight from the English, a colonial habit, chai or tea, accompanied by profound discussions is a National

pastime for all age groups. Anytime of the day, any place is convenient, people can be familiar or just a passerby will do. Politics, Cricket, and Bollywood have had a stronghold on the Indian conversations and in that order too.

Come election year, the conversations change strictly to politics, people on buses and rails, at the saloon and stand are all chatting up. The chaiwallahs (tea vendors) are especially abuzz with news and long drawn from their spheres of influence. Mostly very emotional and driven by their beliefs, yet some are very detailed arguments.

Much like our very own politicians lip-lashing each other in public just to stay relevant.

The buzz word in the world’s largest democracy, India, is the Aam Aadmi (common man) a party is rallying people under an umbrella to vote out the old, quagmire, corrupt parties. It is a revolution, if you may. But the common man is still sipping his tea, unflinching and doing his rounds at the nukkad (corner) discussions.

There have been a parallel duels between Modi and Rahul Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Kejriwal, Kejriwal and Modi all happening at

the same time. Options are good, and the voter has a lot on his plate to chew.

After being rebuked by Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar’s recent remark where he said Modi is only capable of becoming a tea stall vendor. Ascribing the remark as showing the feudal mindset of the Congress; Modi and the BJP latched onto it and jumped onto the Aam Admi bandwagon,from which the Congress seems to be going further and further, saying even a Chaiwallah can become PM as theirs is not a dynastic setup.

Modi ceased the moment in a speech saying that that is the mentality they do not like it if a Chaiwallah, walks with his head held high.

Modi has given wind to the motion of Congress Mukt Bharat (Congress-free India), he is vehemently rallying people tired of the dynasty politics. In his usual oratory style of rousing and creating a hubble, he declared in a rally recently that the assembly election were a trailer for 2014. Gujarat Chief Minister and Prime Ministerial candidate of BJP Narendra Modi has consistently said people should go by his track record and commitment and not be misled. He said talking about the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that he has only formed only committees, instead of firm commitment to take the nation forward. “They are naamdar, I am kaamdar [they believe in name, I believe in work],” he said, attacking Rahul Gandhi on his dynastic strength. The other man who has created a place for

himself on the National scene is Arvind Kejriwal. He told NDTV, that “Delhi will be repeated at the national level and the Congress party will be reduced to 10% like in Delhi.

The Aam Admi Party (AAP) leader has grown much in confidence after the Delhi assembly results. Kejriwal has not shied away from his style of protesting and taking on the Union Ministers and detractors head on. However, they are still finding their feet in the formal set ups of democracy, conducting an unprofessional junta durbar, being slapped with a notice from the election commission for allegedly using common man lingo that over stepped the Election Commission’s code of conduct. Rahul Gandhi, after he was named as the Congress party’s campaign chief in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, shot back, “many people come and fade away, so will the AAP”. The party, however, did not name Rahul Gandhi as its Prime Ministerial candidate for the polls keeping with their traditional ways of not naming a candidate before voting is held. And the constraints of coalition politics to pan out.

While Rahul Gandhi tried to bludgeon both oppositions using syntax and held that, democracy cannot be ruled by a single man. “Democracy is not ruled by dictate. Democracy is not ruled by one man. Democracy is ruled through empowered elected representatives.” The Gandhi scion claimed that the Congress had given power to people, unleashed democratic opportunity. Citing examples of Right to

Information (RTI), the Right to Identity through Aadhaar.

And stopped just short of claiming the creation of AAP when he said that the common people need to be empowered and should be included in mainstream politics. However he slammed the opposition and said for those who want a Congress-free India, aren›t aware of the history of our country mocking them as news spinners with marketing skills.

While the Congress No#2 talks big on policies and empowerment, a newbie to politics and AAP leader Kumar Vishwas has had the audacity to challenge to contest from the Gandhi scion›s constituency Amethi.

After AAP decided to go National and contest the General Elections, Kejriwal, did not rule out contesting the Lok Sabha elections himself. Though understanding his limitations (or may be not) he agreed that he is not the prime ministerial candidate of his party.

Kejriwal said the AAP represents the people of the country. “Our party truly represents people of India,” he said.

Is the Kejriwal lead AAP a faux front of the Congress to tackle the Modi wave? Is Rahul Gandhi finally been ready to take the PM candidacy? Is the Modi upsurge, just a desperate attempt to get things right by the hasty youth?

When the ballot speaks in a few months time, the Chai-wallahs and Charchas of Aam Admi will have softened out. Yet the nukkad will be buzzing, watch this space for more Chai Pe Charcha all year. Slurrrp.

Chai pe charchaVaibhav Saklani


16 INDIA

Arvind Kejriwal in action

Dr. (Ms.) Rajesh Joshi

PART 2 of a 2 part series. Read part 1 online at www.iwk.co.nz

Within hours of assuming the office of Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal started working with

a very small team of only 6 ministers. They had already decided not to take red-beacon cars, big bungalows or security guards. The ministerial portfolios were thoughtfully divided among the seven of them-though none of them had any experience to run the office in the given capacities. Kejriwal kept Home, Finance, Vigilance, Services and Planning & Power to himself. His close associate 41 year Manish Sisodia defeated Nakul Bhardwaj of BJP by 11,478 votes. Sisodia who was a journalist by profession holds Education, Urban Development, P.W.D., Local Bodies, Revenue and Land & Building departments. 49 year old Girish Soni defeated Kailash Sankla of BJP by 1,100 votes. Soni who was a Social Activist has been entrusted with Employment, Development, Labour and S.C. /S.T. departments. Big time BJP leader Arti Mehra lost to Somnath Bharti by 7,772 votes -the 39 year old alumnus of IIT Delhi also holds Law Degree. He is the new Law Minister. He has also been assigned Tourism, Administrative Reforms and Art & Culture departments. Satyendra Jain defeated BJP’s Shyam Lal Garg by more than 7,000 votes. The 49 year old architect by profession has been assigned Health, Industries and Gurudwara Elections departments. 34 year old Saurabh Bhardwaj who is an engineer by profession and also has Law degree holds Transport, Environment, Elections, General Administration and Food & Supply departments. He had beaten Ajay Kumar Malhotra of BJP; the son of senior BJP leader, V.K. Malhotra by 13,000 votes. The only woman and the youngest minister Rakhi Birla worked as journalist with a T.V. Channel. She crushed Raj Kumar Chauhan of Congress by 10,585 votes. The 26 year old Rakhi is now Women & Child Development Minister. She also holds Social Welfare and Languages departments.

Initially, it was felt that AAP made lofty promises in their election manifesto but they had done a good homework and started working on their election promises as soon as they assumed office. Their major works so far include the following:

• AAP has allowed 20,000 litres of free water every month to all metered households from 1st January 2014.

• Rs.1 crore compensation for the family of the slain 48 year old Delhi Police constable Vinod Kumar was announced by Kejriwal. Kumar had died in an attack by bootleggers on 27th December 2013. AAP had announced in their manifesto that any police official dying on duty would be suitably compensated.

• Power tariff was cut by 50% for those who consume up to 400 units. As per the slabs announced, those who consume up to 200 units, will pay Rs. 1.95 and those who consume between 200-400 units will pay Rs. 2.90 per unit with effect from 1st January 2014.

• AAP Government has issued orders to release 5,500 Inter-state permits to auto-rickshaws to ply between Delhi and any

area within the National Capital Region (NCR). 1500 more permits will be issued after the settlement of the court cases.

• C.A.G. to audit Delhi’s 3 power distribution firms- Tata Power, BSES Rajdhani and BSES Yamuna shortly.

• Chief Minister Kejriwal has ordered to build 45 new night shelters to give protection to the poor in Delhi at the earliest.

• AAP has declared that they want to make Janlokpal very powerful in Delhi. Lokayukta will have the authority to investigate corruption cases against all public officials including the Chief Minister. Stern actions will be taken against all those who are found guilty of graft.

• AP has set up an anti-corruption hotline 1031 or +911127357169 to report abuse of power in Delhi government departments. People can directly get advice on the corruption incidents on this number throughout the day.

• Delhi residents can also report sudden power cuts on +91 9223166166 by sending SMS.

• As a part of their anti-corruption policy, AAP has also asked people to report demands of capitation fee at the time of

admission in private schools in Delhi to the Education Minister Manish Sisodia on the number +91 11 27352525.

It is commendable that in such a short time, AAP has successfully gained vote of confidence in the legislative assembly. Also their party’s M.S. Dhir beat Jagdish Mukhi of BJP to be the speaker of the Legislative Assembly. Now the next and the closest test of AAP will be in the forthcoming Parliamentary elections in near future.

AAP has touched a chord with the common people with its people-friendly policies. After many decades of tug of war between two premier national political parties Congress and BJP to gain power, AAP has entered the Indian political scenario with a bang. It has raised people’s imagination, hopes or aspirations. In a country where politics was considered to be the game of only high & mighty, AAP gives a hope that simple common people with good principles can also join politics. Many illustrious personalities have already made a bee-line to join AAP. Some of them are Kanubhai Kalsaria (Gujarat’s former MLA from BJP), Mallika Sarabhai (Classical Dancer and the daughter of famous scientist Vikram Sarabhai), Sameer Nair (Former CEO, Star TV), Pawan Munjal (CEO Hero Motocorp.), Adarsh Shashtri (Grandson of

Shri Lal Bahadur Shashtri), Meera Sanyal (CEO, RBS), Remo Fernades (Singer & Musician), G.R. Gopinath (Founder of Air Deccan), H.S. Phoolka ( Senior Advocate of 1984 riots), Alka Lamba (Ex NSUI President) and the most recent Ashutosh (Chief Editor IBN 7).

The most important aspect behind the rise of AAP is that they are not the prisoners of a particular image. They are not afraid that their government will lose power. AAP promises to give an honest, clean and transparent governance to Delhi and this is their chance to prove their worth. It requires ample of courage, conviction and fortitude to do what one says. AAP has made an impressive start by challenging and prevailing over the conventional and eminent political scions but it still remains to be seen how well and how far do they live up to the expectations. The vision of ‘Swaraj’ that Kejriwal shared in his book has still to find an echo in the hearts of Indians but he must never compromise on the high standards and values that he has banked on till now as in the words of Abraham Lincoln:

“I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.”

AAP has touched a chord with the common people with its people-friendly policies. After many decades of tug of war between two premier national political parties Congress and BJP to gain power, AAP has entered the Indian political scenario with a bang.


17INDIA

Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal continues to be Chief Protestor Sunanda Pushkar Tharoor dies amidst controversial circumstancesDelhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal,

who has been slammed for holding a ‘dharna’ (sit in) on the streets of the

national capital, said he has not violated the Indian Constitution.

Kejriwal on Tuesday ended his dharna here after two policemen were sent on leave. According to reports, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung offered to send Station House Officer (SHO) of Malviya Nagar police station and in charge of the Paharganj PCR Van on leave.

Speaking to media, Kejriwal had said: “Happy to say that this is a victory for the people of Delhi....We have decided to call off our dharna.”

“If any woman of Delhi is attacked, then we will not sit quietly,” the AAP supremo said.

The AAP supporters and the Delhi police personnel had fought pitched battles on Tuesday on the second day of an indefinite dharna by Kejriwal and his people outside the Rail Bhavan here to demand accountability of the Delhi Police in matters of crime against women and to bring it under Delhi government.

Kejriwal’s sit-in-protest, called to demand suspensions of “errant Delhi policemen”, had earned him several criticisms.

Attacking the Delhi Police further, the AAP supremo posted on Twitter,

“One Danish woman gangraped, shouldn’t responsibility be fixed on some policeman for laxity in duty? One woman burnt alive. Barring one, rest of guilty still at large. Local SHO refuses to arrest the rest. Shouldn’t the SHO be punished? Police refuse to act in a case of drug and sex racket. Shouldn’t police in all these 3 cases be held responsible? Hasn’t police become a law unto itself? “

He has also vehemently refused security cover, in trying to prove a point of removing the

‘Lal Batti’ (red light for ministers) culture. Amid reports that terror outfit Indian

Mujahideen (IM) is planning to kidnap Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, on Sunday declined to take any security cover.

He said the Delhi Police and the Centre were ‘playing politics’ over the issue of providing security to him. “Is delhi police n central govt playing politics with my security? Police

officials met me in afternoon. Informed me abt threat. Asked me not to disclose it to media. Den (then) dey (they) themselves went and told media,” Kejriwal tweeted rebuking the central governments alleged tactics. “By announcing this, haven’t police made me vulnerable. Now anyone can attack and it wud be said that Bhatkal’s men did it.Is delhi police so foolish or r they playing politics? At whose instance?I am not afraid of my life. As i said, i strongly believe in God. Will not take any security.I wud urge police to stop playing politics. Rather than giving security to me, let them deploy these men for aam aadmi’s security,” he said.

Amongst growing calls to check this foolhardy way of running the government Kejriwal has been labeled as running an anarchist government.

Union Minister, P. Chidambaram taunted, “If you can’t govern quit.”

Slamming Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) two-day dharna at Rail Bhavan in New Delhi, Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde called Kejriwal a “veda mukhyamantri” which means “mad CM”, without taking his name directly.

Earlier in the day, former IPS officer and social activist Kiran Bedi hit out at Kejriwal over his dharna in the national capital. “After the Anarchist conduct of Delhi’s CM there is a compelling need for a judicial verdict on legal sanctity of a constitutional oath!” tweeted Bedi.

She slammed Kejriwal’s dharna and said: “2 full days of close down of delhi,4000 cops on duty!A CM who declares himself an anarchist and breaks d law! For sending two cops on leave?”

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray called Kejriwal a ‘mad’ person and that he is becoming an enemy of the common man.

In Sena’s mouthpiece ‘Saamna’, Thackeray said: “A new fair of mad people has risen in the country, and a mad (yeda in Marathi) called Arvind Kejriwal is its head.”

Regardless of what the political opponents have to say, Kejriwal is running the Delhi government in his own merry way, with daily achievements going on the notice board, showing the same exuberance of the protest days by walking into conferences with evidence and documents. He believes he can continue to be the Chief Protestor of Delhi for the cause of the people, even though he now occupies the very chair he protested against. With a muffler wrapped around his face he is trying to brave the cold and political heat alike.

- IWK Bureau

Kejriwal’s sit-in-protest, called to demand suspensions of “errant Delhi policemen”, had earned him several criticisms.

Sunanda Pushkar, wife of of Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development Shashi Tharoor, was found dead at Leela

Palace Hotel in New Delhi. Amidst alleged speculations on the cause

of her demise since the couple was caught in a controversy over their “hacked” Twitter account and some tweets that involved a Pakistani woman journalist linked to Tharoor romantically.

Pushkar was found dead in room number 345 at around 2030 IST after Shashi Tharoor returned to the five-star hotel attending the All India Congress Committee (AICC) session for the whole day. Her body was discovered after the door of her room was broken open. Whether she committed suicide or died from her sickness- she said she had also got tuberculosis- was not immediately known. Media reports had also suggested some marital discord between Sunanda and Shashi Tharoor but in one of her last interviews she said she loved her husband and would not leave him while slamming the Pakistani journalist Mehr Tarar for stalking her husband and even called her an ISI agent.

The autopsy report of Sunanda Pushkar, cited drug overdose as the cause of her death. “It was an unfortunate combination of media stress, tensions and a wrong mix of different medications. Sunanda’s death was peaceful, she passed in her sleep,” he said.

The investigation into the death of Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development Shashi Tharoor’s wife Sunanda Pushkar was transferred to the Crime Branch of the Delhi Police on Thursday, reports said.

She had last tweeted to an acquaintance that she was sick and if she died she would go from the world smiling.


18 INDIA

Paes, Yuvraj and Vidya Balan among those honored with prestigious Padma awards.

Tennis star Leander Paes, badminton coach Pullela Gopichand, cricketer Yuvraj Singh, fashion designer Wendell Rodricks, actors Vidya Balan and Kamal Haasan and late Justice Jagdish Sharan Verma were among the recipients of Padma awards announced on Saturday by the President of India.

Paes and Gopichand were selected for the prestigious Padma Bhushan while Yuvraj Singh and Vidya Balan got Padma Shri.

Late Justice Verma got Padma Bhushan.President Pranab Mukherjee has approved

conferment of 127 Padma Awards including one duo case (counted as one) as per the list. The list comprises two Padma Vibhushan, 24 Padma Bhushan and 101 Padma Shri Awardees.

A total of 27 of the Awardees are women and the list also includes 10 persons from the category of foreigners, NRIs, PIOs and Posthumous Awardees.

Padma Awards, the country’s highest civilian awards, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.

The Awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities, viz- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.

‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year. The awards are

conferred by the President of India at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhawan sometime around March/ April.

Notable winners:

Padma Vibhushan

• Dr. Raghunath A. Mashelkar, Science and Engineering, Maharashtra

• Shri B.K.S. Iyengar, O t h e r s - Y o g a , Maharashtra

Padma Bhushan

• Begum Parveen Sultana, Art - Classical Singing, Maharashtra

• Shri Kamala Haasan, Art-Cinema, Tamil Nadu

• Ms. Anita Desai, Literature and Education, Delhi

• Shri Ruskin Bond, Literature and Education, Uttarakhand,

• Shri Pullela Gopichand, Sports - Badminton, Andhra Pradesh

• Shri Leander Paes, Sports - Tennis, Maharashtra

• Late Justice Jagdish Sharan Verma, Public Affairs, Uttar Pradesh

Padma Shri

• Shri Sudarsan Pattnaik, Art - Sand Artist, Orissa

• Shri Paresh Rawal, Art - Cinema and Theatre, Maharashtra

• Shri Santosh Sivan, Art - Film, Tamil Nadu

• Ms. Vidya Balan, Art-Cinema, Maharashtra• Prof. Ashok Chakradhar, Literature and

Education, Delhi• Ms. Anjum Chopra, Sports - Cricket, Delhi• Shri Yuvraj Singh, Sports - Cricket,

Haryana

For the full list of awardees refer to the following link: http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=79881

- IWK Bureau

Padma awardees announced for 2014

Clockwise from top left: Kamala Haasan, Ruskin Bond, Vidya Balan, Leander Paes, Yuvraj Singh, Begum Parveen Sultana

Pomp and pageantry as India celebrates 65th Republic Day

Pomp, pageantry and patriotic fervour were in the air, as the Indian Republic celebrated its 65th Republic Day across the country

with flag hoisting ceremonies, military parades, cultural extravaganzas and pledges to work for a better India.

At 9.9 degrees Celsius, it was the coldest Republic Day in a decade. The fog was a deterrent, in the morning, yet thousands of people, from all age groups turned up, flocking to the Rajpath boulevard to celebrate Natinal pride emphatically.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the chief guest at the event, keenly witnessed the Republic Day parade.

Dressed in a dark suit and sporting a striped yellow and black tie, Abe arrived at the saluting base on the Rajpath boulevard along with President Pranab Mukherjee, and was welcomed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

He was introduced to the three service chiefs and other dignitaries before taking his place to Mukherjee’s right on the saluting dias.

The President’s Bodyguard thereafter formed up, the tricolour was unfurled and the national anthem played before the general officer commanding of Delhi area, Lt Gen Subroto Mitra, rolled down the Rajpath to signal the start of the parade.

The celebrations were peaceful barring a minor bomb blast triggered by militants near the residence of Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.

India’s commercial capital Mumbai witnessed a dazzling Republic Day celebration, with a colourful parade at a new location -- the picturesque Marine

Drive.In Kolkata, West Bengal Governor

M.K. Narayanan unfurled the tricolour and took the salute at a colourful march-past by security forces and students.

The simmering tensions over the Telangana issue did nothing to dampen the Republic Day spirit in Andhra Pradesh. Besides the official functions, all political parties marked the day in their own way.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal used the occasion in Ludhiana to demand a redrafting of the constitution, saying the powers of the states had been eroded over the years by successive central governments.

Republic Day was celebrated across Tamil Nadu, with Governor K. Rosaiah presiding over the main event at the Marina beach in Chennai.

Republic Day was celebrated with enthusiasm in Rajasthan. Governor Margaret Alva unfurled the

national flag in Jaipur here and witnessed a parade and colourful cultural shows.

The day passed off peacefully in Jammu and Kashmir amid heightened security measures.

Governor N.N. Vohra hoisted the national flag in Jammu while Rural Development Minister Ali Muhammad Sagar did the same in Srinagar. A strike called by separatists, however, affected

life in the Kashmir Valley. Security had been mounted throughout Srinagar, where private and public transport remained suspended because of a separatist-called shutdown. Parades and flag hoisting ceremonies were also held peacefully in other district towns of Jammu region and also the Kashmir Valley.

IWK Bureau

Clockwise from top left: Rajpath comes alive with the dare devil stunts of motorbike ridersof Border Security Force, during the 65 Republic Day Parade-2014, in New Delhi; The Punjab Regiment marching contingent passes through the Rajpath during the 65th Republic Day Parade 2014, in New Delhi on January 26, 2014


19SHIRDI SAI SANSTHAAN SPECIAL


20 SHIRDI SAI SANSTHAAN SPECIAL


21SHIRDI SAI SANSTHAAN SPECIAL

Genesis of Shirdi Saibaba Movement in Auckland

• Till 2001, Satsangs on Thursdays were conducted by Shirdi Sai devotees in small groups, in different suburbs, not knowing each other much. Thanks to the Founder President Mr Laxman Sunkari, all the groups met on 2nd February 2002, when he organised Madhyan aarthi in Bharatiya Mandir, Balmoral, Auckland after good publicity. This was the time all the groups met and developed acquaintance with each other. Late Swaminathan, Past President and Bhaskara Reddy Duvvuru met Laxman later with some other devotees and mooted the idea of bringing in all devotees under one umbrella.

• The Sansthan then approached Bharatiya Mandir and the trustees gave permission to conduct Dhoop Aarthi every Thursday in the temple. First Satsangh was conducted on 28/02/2002 by about 30 devotees and all the devotees present on that day still cherish that moment.

• Constitution of the Sansthan was drafted by Swaminathan, a Chartered Account and Shri Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan of New Zealand Inc was registered on 04/06/2002 as a religious non profit organisation with the main objective of propagating the philosophy of Baba and to build a Temple for our beloved SADGURU.

• Subsequently the Sansthan was registered with Charities Commission which entitles 33 % refund on all donations made to the Sansthan by the New Zealand Tax Residents.

• Sansthan then moved the Thursday Bhajan venue to Mt Roskill War Memorial, May Road, Mt Roskill, Auckland in April 2004 and conducted bhajans till 10/10/13. Sansthan also performed aaratis at devotee’s place every Saturday on prior booking and the same is being continued till date.

• Journey has started in 2002 to achieve the main objective of building the Temple of Shirdi Saibaba during the President ship of Laxman Sunkari. “Donate a Brick”, “ Automatic Payment Schemes “ were

introduced in the very first year, which brought in substantial donations in to the Sansthan coffers. Several devotees, committees struggled over years, actively involving in Community based programmes to bring visibility to the Sansthan in the Community, besides several religious and fund raising programmes to build the temple.

• Over the last 12 years, the Sansthan has regularly conducted 4 Major functions, one in each quarter viz. New Year Day Celebrations, Sree Ramanavami, Gurupurnima and Niryan day. SAI SUMIRAN, the quarterly magazine of the Sansthan was released on each occasion. Sansthan has actively conducted half yearly Blood Donation camps with NZ Blood Services for the last 12 years, participated in Tree Planting with Auckland City Council to keep up the CLEAN n GREEN image of Auckland, donated food items to Auckland City Mission on several occasions to support the needy. Several Fund Raising Programmes like Mata Chowki, Food Stall at Diwali Mela by Auckland City Council, Rhythm & Rhapsody the Dance & Music programme by the youth of the Sansthan and Chak de Dandiya brought in substantial amounts to support the Temple Project. Each and every Committee over these 12 years had put in it’s Heart & Soul, for meticulous implementation all the programmes & projects.

• Sansthan got a big boost in the later part of 2002, when a European lady walked in and donated over $ 100,000.

• Foundation for any organisation is having good systems in place, especially in the formative years. The Sansthan was stabilised during the President ship of Late Swaminathan (2004-06) with the introduction of right accounting systems and good practices. Thanks to Sam, Sansthan never spent a dollar on accounting and audit services till date.

• Consolidation of Systems and Finances, which are resultant of stabilised systems is an important feature of a growing organisation. Sansthan was consolidated during the President ship of Amar Alluri

( 2006-08 ) through meticulous follow up of established systems. After 6 years of hard and committed work, a piece of land was purchased in Henderson, the Western suburb of Auckland in Feb 2008 with the available resources to build the Temple

• Acceleration of Stabilised systems is next phase in the growth process of any organisation. Active fund raising programmes were taken up during the President ship of Hari Gangisetty (2009-11). The Sai Asthothara Donor Scheme ( Major Donor ) was a successful Fund Raising Programme that was launched on 01/01/11. About $ 800 k was raised during this term of 28 months. As the financial position has improved and considering the proximity to several devotees, Sansthan has purchased a high roof warehouse admeasuring 1960 sq mts, on 2975 sq mts land in Central Auckland at 12-18 Princes St, Onehunga, Auckland on 24/03/11 for $ 2.565 million, with a loan of $ 2 Million.

• A perfect building in line with the plans of the Sansthan. Sansthan always had plans to build a Temple with Community Hall and provision for accommodation for the priest. Manoj Dutta of Mak Associates was the Architect whose services were utilised to get Resource Consent.

• Bhaskara Reddy Duvvuru became the President in April 2011 and lead the team for 15 months. Thanks to Dr Raghunatha Reddy Pamuru, fondly called as DR RR helped the Sansthan in getting all Murty’s in the temple from India in September 2011 after getting the puja done in Shirdi. Manoj, the architect assisted getting the Building Permit, who was also the Technical advisor later at the time of Temple Construction. Shakthi Construction was given an opportunity to build the temple after an elaborate short listing process of about 9 companies.

• Sansthan performed Bhumi Puja Ceremony on 4th & 5th February 2012. Bhaskar Reddy & Rajiv Keth had an opportunity to meet Guruji Chandrabhanu Satpathyji in New Delhi on 27/11/11, who blessed them and gave 4 Silver Coins. These coins were embedded in the ceremonial pit along with 9 sacred bricks representing 9 forms of Devotion as per the advice of Guruji. An innovative fund raising scheme “ Lay a Brick “, was launched during

Bhumi Puja which raised over $ 100 k in 2 days. The Total Surplus for the event was $ 239 k including new commitments, a record for any functioN.

• New schemes like Sai Kalpataru and Sai Sahasranama Donor were launched. Major Donor scheme was used as a Spring Board to accelerate fund raising and an amount of over $ 1.1 million was raised which is a record till date. An amount of $ 1.90 million was paid back through fund raising, sale of Henderson property and GST refunds.

• • Hari came back as President in July 2012 as

he was very passionate about supervising the temple construction process. He has put in phenomenal amount of time in coordinating the project, acting as an active link between Sansthan and Architect/Builder. The EC had several meetings during this term to discuss and facilitate construction process. “Sai Punyavachan”, scheme was launched which was quite successful.

• The Community Hall was opened in November 2013 with Bhagavath Katha by Swami Nalinanandji and most of the Temple work was completed . Congratulations to Hari and the team for the successful completion of the Temple / Community Hall with in the stipulated budget of about $ 3.00 million.

• Bhaskara Reddy was back as the President in November 2014 with an active, experienced team with proven track record. The team tied up most of the loose ends to finish off few unfinished works with the support of all devotees. Here the Sansthan is today, getting the Pranapratista done by Guruji Chandra Bhanu Satpathyji on the Waitangi Weekend from 6th to 9th February 2014. Whatever Sansthan has achieved is because of the support of all the devotees over 12 years.

• But this is the beginning of another JOURNEY, as stabilising and running the temple is a big task. With the Grace of Baba, blessings of Guruji Satpathyji and the support of all devotees, the team can accomplish this and make the Sansthan debt free as soon as possible

Sansthan thanks every body for the support & service rendered till date and looks forward for the continued support

Journey from genesis – The story of the SansthanBuilding a Temple of Baba in Auckland was a DREAM of numerous devotees over the years. Not anymore, as 12 years of committed work by several Committees and devotees culminated in to a MEMORABLE MANDIR for our beloved Satguru Shirdi Saibaba in AUCKLAND. In this relay race the baton was passed on from team to team over these 12 years. Few members started the Sansthan, some consolidated, some accelerated the financial growth and every one endeavoured to reach the final goal. Difficult to understand the LEELAS of SATGURU SHIRDI SAIBABA, as he had different people, at different times, to perform different duties to achieve the FINAL GOAL – HIS ABODE IN AUCKLAND.

SHIRDI SAIBABA CENTRE - HALL FOR HIRECommunity Hall (about 500 sq .mts) with Dining facility and Commercial kitchen ( about 500 sq mts ) available for hire. Suitable for weddings and major functions.

For details contact Bhaskar 021 2023807 or Amar 027 230 5360


22 SHIRDI SAI SANSTHAAN SPECIAL

Dr Chandra B h a n u S a t p a t h y ,

born on the 14th of January,1948, in Cuttack Odisha, India, is a prolific writer, philanthropist and a world renowned devotee of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba. For his outstanding contribution in the field of philanthropy and literature, he has been conferred with D Litt(Honoris de Causa) by Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, Ll.D by Berhampur University and Vachaspati by Rashtriya Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya, Tirupati. He is a multi-lingual writer in English, Hindi and his mother tongue Odia.

Dr. Satpathy received a Post-Graduate degree in Political Science from Delhi University in 1970 and joined the Indian Police Service in 1972 having served in a college in Delhi for two years as a lecturer. He retired at the rank of Director General of Police from the state of U.P. After retirement, he has undertaken the mission of propagating the philosophy and divine role of Shirdi Sai Baba›s all over the world in various ways. So far, he has been instrumental in the construction of over two hundred temples in India and other countries, the creation of more than sixty charitable and other trusts in the name

of Shirdi Sai, written many books related to Shri Sai and on allied spiritual subjects in English, Hindi and Odia, has been regularly contributing messages in five magazine on Baba, has created public schools and provides medical care to the poor. His book Shirdi Sai Baba and Other Perfect Masters has been translated into eight Indian languages and one foreign language. Baba, May I Answer has been translated into eight languages. His magnum opus Shri Guru Bhagavat- originally written in Odia- has been published in five volumes of which

various volumes have been translated into Hindi, English, Telugu and Assamese. His book Gopyaru Agopya, a treatise on the cosmology and cosmogeny of Hinduism has been translated into Sanskrit under the title of Srushtitattwanuchintanam. He has also authored many other books on Shirdi Sai Baba. Further, a number of CD’s of his lyrics and music on Baba have been released by companies like Times Music, SaReGaMa and T-Series. he has written lyrics and composed music in Hindi which have been sung manyy famous singers from all over the country.

Travelling from place to place in India and abroad, he addresses thousands of people on the life and teachings of Baba.

Vigraha Pratista on Thursday, the 6th Feb 14 and Prana Pratista on Sunday, the 9th Feb 2014 will be done for the following deities in our Temple:

1. Shirdi Saibaba 5 ½ ft in White Makarana marble

2. Ganesh

3. Hanuman

4. Ram Parivar

5. Radha Krishna

6. Dattatreya

7. Durga mata

8. All these are 3 ½ ft in White Makarana Marble

9. Shiv

10. Balaji Padmavathi All these are 3 ½ ft in Black Granite

11. Navagrahas 1 ½ ft in Black Granite

You can offer NAVARATNAs ( $ 101 per pack ) to all or your chosen deities by 5th Feb 2014. This is ONCE IN A LIFE TIME OPPORTUNITY and they will go permanently beneath the deities. Navaratnas are sold at the temple.

Puja will be done for Kalash – 108 each for Shiva & Navagraha for 4 days. Devotees can do Abhishek after Prana Pratista on Sunday, the 9th Feb 2014 and take kalash home.($ 151/ kalash)

Deities in our Temple


23

Washington D.C.

The Indian community in the US celebrated India’s 65th Republic Day with Ambassador S. Jaishankar unfurling the national flag at a colourful function at the Indian embassy here on a bright and sunny but chilly day.

After hoisting the flag in front of the embassy overlooking a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, Jaishankar read out President Pranab Mukherjee’s address to the nation.

About 200 members of the community joined the celebrations including singing of the national anthem and a short cultural programme.

In his message of “congratulations and best wishes” in “the warm spirit of friendship and partnership” President Barack Obama has said: “Our partnership has always been guided by our shared values and interests.”

Describing India as a country on the move, US Secretary of State John Kerry said, “The real magic of India lies as much in its promising future as it does in its rich heritage.”

Similar flag hoisting ceremonies were also held at India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations and the Indian consulates in New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Houston.

Warsaw Braving a freezing minus 10 degrees Celsius temperature, the Indian community in Poland celebrated India’s 65th Republic Day here with great fervour.

India’s Ambassador to Poland Monika Kapil Mohta unfurled the Tricolour and read excerpts from President Pranab Mukherjee’s address to the nation.

“Each one of you is also an ambassador of India in Poland whether you are doing business here or you are teaching Indian studies in Polish institutions. Your day-to-day interaction with Polish people matters the most. With your work and with your cultured behaviour, we have got a good profile of India throughout Poland,” the envoy said.

JakartaThe Indian community in Indonesia celebrated the 65th Republic Day with Ambassador Gurjit Singh unfurling the tricolour at a colourful function, complete with songs, dance and food, at the Indian embassy here Sunday. Nearly 400 members of the Indian community, persons

of Indian origin (PIOs) and friends of India attended the ceremony.

About 150 students from three Indian schools sang the national anthem and patriotic songs followed by a cultural performance by students of the Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre here.

Several charitable organisations, under the umbrella of the Indian Cultural Forum, distributed food rations, clothes and medical help to the victims affected by the recent floods in various suburbs of Jakarta.

The day was also celebrated with traditional gaiety and fervour at the Indian consulates in Bali and Medan.

Ljubljana The Embassy of India in Slovenia is holding a “Days of India in Slovenia” festival from 18-30 January 2014. The event included music concerts, photo exhibition, Indian film shows, seminars on Mahatma Gandhi and laying a wreath at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia.

SeoulSub-zero temperatures did not prevent the Indian community in South Korea from celebrating the 65th Republic Day at the Indian embassy and at the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) here Sunday.

Ambassador Vishnu Prakash unfurled

the tricolour to the cheers of hundreds of individuals, including members of the embassy and their families, who assembled for the occasion.

It was followed by the rendering of the national anthem and a brief cultural programme put up by Korean students of the Indian Cultural Centre and members of the community.

The event was attended by Jeong Kab-yoon, member of the National Assembly and chairman of India-Korea Parliamentary Friendship Association, and Shim Yoon-joe, member of the National Assembly.

Over 400 guests, including Korean officials, industrialists, cultural and academic personalities, members of media, Indian companies in Korea, diplomatic and Indian communities, joined the festivities.

Referring to India as “a friend and well-wisher of Korea”, Shim had expressed his conviction that President Park Geun-hye’s

recent state visit to India would not only enhance bilateral ties, but also contribute to the prosperity of the regions.

Shim highlighted India’s role as a factor of peace and stability in the world, and the growing support for India’s candidature as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

INDIA ABROAD

India’s 65th Republic Daycelebrated world over

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Seol

Auckland, New Zealand


24

India pulled off a dramatic last ball tie against New Zealand in the third One-day International here Saturday to stay alive in

the five-match series.While the cricket was happening on the

field, there was celebration all day long, in the stands. Every wicket, boundary, single and even an extra was celebrated depending on the occasion and importance of the instance.

The cricket frenzy took over Auckland on the day. Eden Park and the surrounding suburbs were struggling with parking problems and volunteers tried their best to direct the movement of traffic and people to avoid any chaos.

The Indian community in true blue spirit turned up to cheer up both the home team and the visitors, although it was hard to say which one was which.

Ross Taylor tweeted after the game, “What a game. Awesome crowd and at times I thought I was playing in Mumbai after the noise the Kiwi Indians were making.”

It was only complimentary that the stars on the field responded to such a fantastic turnout by providing an equally thrilling game. A last ball tied encounter.

India, chasing 315, looked down and out at 184 for six in the 36th over before a 85-run stand between Ravichandran Ashwin (65) and Ravindra Jadeja (66 not out) brought them back in the game. Ashwin departed but Jadeja took the game to the last over where India needed 18 runs for their fist win of the tour. The visitors managed 17, denying New Zealand a famous series win after they came out on top in the first two games.

The stadium was packed with Indian supporters. Giving the visiting team the feel of playing at home, cheering every single and extra as the tail-enders made a match of it.

All-rounder Corey Anderson (5-63), who came handy with the bat at Napier and Hamilton, almost turned from hero to zero at Eden Park.

Anderson did not fire with the bat this time but took his team on the brink of victory with a maiden-five wicket haul. He, however, faltered in the 50th over of India’s innings, conceding two wides, two fours and six which Jadeja hit off the penultimate ball. India, now needing a couple for the last ball, could only pick a single after Jadeja played a full delivery to the man at mid-off.

Ashwin and captain Dhoni (50) too played a part in enforcing the draw. Dhoni fell after scoring his third consecutive fifty of the series.

Aswhin departed to make it 269 for seven, his team needing another 46 off 31 balls.

Earlier, Opener Martin Guptill (111 off 129 balls) and Kane Williamson (65) had guided New Zealand to 314 after Dhoni opted to chase once again.

Spinners Ashwin (1-47) and Jadeja (2-47) were the most economical of the Indian bowlers. Barring Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1-48), the Indian speedsters proved expensive.

India were in a sorry state from which Jadeja and Ashwin brought back the team and remained in the reckoning in the 5-match series, since New Zealand played the third ODI after winning the first two.

- IWK Bureau

SPORTS

Auckland ODI proved to be a celebration for the cricket crazy Indian diaspora

The stadium was packed with Indian supporters. Giving the visiting team the feel of playing at home, cheering every single and extra as the tail-enders made a match of it.


25FEATURES

Open all days

5.30 pm to 10.30 pm

This includes a curry a naan, rice & glass ofhouse wine or soft drink

Vaishnav parivar celebrates kite festivalVaishnav Parivar NZ Inc., popularly

known as VPNZ, celebrated its 9th Kite Festival on 18th January 2014

at the Avondale Racecourse, Avondale. This is the only Kite Festival of its kind celebrated in New Zealand. Huge crowd of people of all age groups from various communities enjoyed the festival in perfect weather for kite flying. Apart from kite flying, there were many other activities at the festival including Drawing & Colour Competition, Face Painting, Bollywood Dances, Fun Rides, Kids Story-Telling, etc. Health awareness campaign was also introduced first time with Diabetes NZ and Chiropractic information centres. People enjoyed the taste of delicious food, sugarcane juice, ice cream and ice gola. Kite and threads were specially imported from India and were on sale at the festival. The Kite Festival Raffle Draw was a special attraction at the festival as 12 attractive prizes were given away to the lucky winners.

Manhar Patel, the President and Kite Festival Coordinator for VPNZ said that the feedback from all around was excellent and festival was a grand success. This was an outcome of hard work of VPNZ Committee members & volunteers for 6 months and precise planning. VPNZ appreciates the support from all the event partners, sponsors, media partners, food stall owners, volunteers, Auckland Council, Avondale Jockey Club and many others who were involved with the festival directly and indirectly. Next year, it will be 10th Kite Festival and VPNZ hopes to celebrate it at a bigger scale.

Participating Organizations were:Lion Foundation, Global Financial

Services Limited, Eco Travels, Radio Tarana, Indian Weekender, Kuk Punjabi, Harvey Communications (2 Degree Henderson), AB Internationals, Punjas, Ashon Ventures, Ecolife Lighting, Hell Pizzas – Albany, John Adrew Ford, Roops Takeaway, Kiwi Plastic Packaging Ltd. , Reliance Ventilation Systems Limited, Diabetes NZ, Auckland Council, Avondale Jockey Club, Auckland Libraries….. Big thanks to all.

Kite and threads were specially imported from India and were on sale at the festival. The Kite Festival Raffle Draw was a special attraction at the festival as 12 attractive prizes were given away to the lucky winners.


26

I watched the dense forest trees blur as the car flew along the twists and turns of some back road through the Kaurilands, and

queasiness crept into my stomach. It wasn’t the nausea of car sickness but a creeping anxiety for what lay ahead: my very first residential meditation retreat.

I tried to rely on my meditation practice—focusing on the emotional sensations manifesting in my stomach, watching them move and change, disappear and reappear. But as we got nearer and nearer to the retreat centre, my mind struggled for control and kept butting in with a tidal wave of questions, stories, fantasies, and worries about heading into the unknown. All of these excited and apprehensive thoughts had been working their way into my psyche over the months that had passed since I had decided to sign up for the retreat.

It was in this state that I stood at the drive way watching the sign board, “Silent Retreatants ONLY Beyond This Point.”

The silence didn’t begin until that evening, after I’d filled out the necessary paperwork, and gotten settled in my sparse yet sufficient room. Though refraining from talk was a comfort to me, I immediately recognized its weight. Speaking was another distraction that I was to do without for the coming four days, just as I had put down and disconnected from the distractions of my phone, my books, and any other entertainment that I might normally turn to.

That first evening I settled into bed with a considerable amount of unease, particularly since I no longer had any way of telling the time, and could no longer keep my usual careful eye on the future. With all diversions removed, I was already experiencing far more of myself, my thoughts, my neuroses than I had ever cared to. The days ahead were going to be a long one.

Every day followed the same schedule. Wake up bells were rung at 5:45am, followed by another series of bells at 6:15 calling everyone to the first sitting meditation of the day. From there, alternating between 30 to 45 minute sitting and walking periods, taking breaks for meals, one session of yoga, and a Dharma lecture in the evening.

I was used to sitting for about 15 minutes a day, with a 30 to 45 minute sit once a week in a Yoga class. And here I was thrown into approximately six hours of sitting meditation per day.

The effects of such a big change were swift. If my normal meditation practice was deconstructing old neural pathways and creating new ones with hammer and chisel, here I found the bulldozer, the steam roller, the wrecking ball.

For the first time I saw; for the first time I heard. I watched the worries plaguing my brain drop one by one as I came to the simple realization that every single one was out of my control. Resistance to the mental, physical, and emotional discomfort began dropping away into a surrender that brought more insight than any other experience I’ve known.

Because I could really only interact with myself, I could truly see the relationship I had within, as clearly as if I were examining a relationship between two of my friends.

I saw my dysfunctional inner life, my lack of self-worth, a heart rooted with a sense of insufficiency. It was painful to look at, but

it made me see the importance of regularly offering love & compassion towards my soul and body.

As I incorporated it into my practice over time, I noticed my confidence and esteem growing, comfort and happiness with myself in the present moment becoming less and less intangible.

Each day was chock-full of insight and revelation So when I needed a break from the intensity, I would take a bush walk up into the gorgeous, forested hills, gently allowing my thoughts to rise and pass away. A surprising number of Yoda quotes kept flitting in, but my mind would settle on the Whitman line:

Why are there trees I never walk under but large and melodious thoughts descend upon me?

Accustomed to regular physical activity,

the long periods of sitting took their toll on my muscles and joints, and walking all alone in the woods, sans music, was a refreshing movement meditation. I’d get completely caught up, broken out of my trance only by the bells ringing for the next sit, and I’d have to quickly rush back and put my shawl and game face back on. It was like the opening scene of The Sound of Music, but considerably quieter.

Eccentricities aside, the profundity of my retreat experience was striking. In examining my initial reservations and fear, I saw that I had perceived that coming to retreat would mean being trapped with my negative thoughts for four days.

I thought that perhaps through intensive meditation I would learn to cope with that imprisonment, learn to accept it and tolerate it, but that at the end of the day I would still be stuck with my thoughts. Instead, I found that I had come to a place where I could choose

to escape from the self-created mental torture chamber in which I had thrown myself. That was really the turning point of the retreat—when my resistance fell away and was replaced with an unshakeable freedom.

And the best part? After returning to civilisation — slapping on makeup in the morning, getting distracted by text messages, sliding back in to the tiny collection of victories and losses that is daily life — that freedom is still there. Even outside of the special retreat conditions, I still know that the mud has settled and the water is clear. Every day, every sit, every breath, and every moment are greeted as another opportunity for consciousness, for

wakefulness, and to start again. Totally worth it.

Interested readers can choose their pick. They can either visit the Anahata Yoga Retreat is located in beautiful Golden Bay, New Zealand, in the northwest part of the South Island or the Balanced Living Centre located at 81A Pleasant Rd, Titirangi, Auckland.

Click on their webpages to know more:

• http://www.anahata-retreat.org.nz/wiki/tiki-view_homepage.php

• http://www.balancedliving.co.nz/

Namaste!!

FEATURES

Still water is clear: My first silent retreatZee Shah

Balanced Living Centre located at 81A Pleasant Rd, Titirangi, Auckland.

“Enough. These few words are enough. If not these words, this breath. If not this breath, this sitting here.

This opening to the lifeWe have refusedAgain and againUntil now.Until now. “

— Lines by David Whyte


27EDUCATION SPECIAL

Speaking and Living EnglishCERTIFICATE IN PRACTICAL ENGLISH (ESOL)Life would be easier if you knew English!

Albany, Auckland1/2 William Pickering DriveRosedaleAlbany 0632Phone: (09) 448 2570

New Lynn, AucklandLevel 33055 Great North RoadNew LynnPhone: (09) 827 3612

Auckland CityLevel 10238 Queen StreetAuckland CityPhone: (09) 377 2434

Botany Downs, AucklandOffice 5B, Block E(above Subway)Level 1 Fountain Lane SouthBotany Downs Town CentrePhone: (09) 279 9313

Manukau15 Canning CrescentMangereAuckland 2022Phone: (09) 255 6741

If you, or someone you know wants to learnEnglish in a fun and friendly environment,call into one of the sites below and bringyour passport or proof of residency.Be quick - places are limited!

CALL FREE0800 355 344

Good, basic, everyday conversational English taught in a fun andrelaxing way that is best for you!

Stress-free fun learning! Just 9 hours a week in an exciting classwith laughter and activities. (Two 3 hour sessions, plus an optional3 hour follow up tutorial per week for 18 weeks).You choose the time! Choice of morning, afternoon and eveningclasses.

Gain the everyday words you need, and the confidence to use them.

Fun home learning! Audio CDs, activities books and games.

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Build the confidence you need to take part in everydayconversations. You will learn common words and phraseswhile studying in a friendly environment with excitingresources and friendly qualified tutors. Enrol today. - bequick as classes are limited - and make your life easier by speaking English!

4676510AA

New Zealand ready to welcome another upsurge of skill seekersThe Indian educational system’s current

inability to provide students with the necessary skills is pushing students towards

gaining education outside of India. The continuous growth of the Indian economy

is subsequently increasing the demand for skilled graduates. The Indian government has set an ambitious target of up-skilling 500 million people by 2022 to meet the growing industry needs for skilled graduates, however, to do so the Indian education sector needs to improve and is currently working towards the target. The issue however, is, that it will take about a decade to achieve its target.

This is where the New Zealand educational sector comes in. India is New Zealand’s second-largest, and fastest-growing, market for international students. While more than 11,300 fee-paying students studied in New Zealand in 2012, there are also opportunities for New Zealand institutions to provide programmes and services inside India.

The New Zealand educational sector has been able to take advantage of the increasing numbers of Indian students going abroad to study. Based on the statistics provided by Education New Zealand, the number of Indian students has gone up from 2,600 in 2006 to 12,358 in 2011, this means that more than 5% of India’s international student population is currently studying in New Zealand.

India and New Zealand share a successful bureaucratic relationship, but to be able to further open up the New Zealand educational market to Indian students, it is essential that New Zealand establish similarly successful relationships with the

private and corporate sector in India. The majority share of the international Indian

student population is divided up amongst 3 sectors – Private Tertiary Education Providers, Polytechnic institutes and Universities, with PTE’s holding a total of 66% of the fee paying Indian student population. Thus a healthy relationship with the private and corporate sector in India can benefit the New Zealand education system with providing these Indian students with benefits like campus selection / placements, along with other benefits like scholarships or other types of monetary funding. The focus of New Zealand’s educational sector should now be on improving its relationship with the private sector within the Indian economy along with maintaining the existing stable relationship with the Indian government.

Moreover, the increasingly stringent visa laws in the US as well as the UK are making it increasingly difficult for Indian student to pursue tertiary education abroad. New Zealand’s relatively friendly visa policies are an attraction for a large number of Indian students who come to New Zealand to pursue tertiary education. This is another plus point for the New Zealand government as well as the educational sector as this definitely increase the number of international who may choose New Zealand over the US and the UK.

The future looks bright for the New Zealand educational sector as it has a lot going in its and should ideally be taking advantage of the present circumstances. The New Zealand sector can successfully and easily bank on the burgeoning student population from India.

Market briefThe outlook for continued growth in India is positive. India’s changing demographics, including a growing middle class, government reform, and increased government and private investment are critical factors influencing New Zealand’s opportunities.

India is a very important market for New Zealand’s education sector. With its growing middle class and increased government and private education investment, the outlook is

positive in the world’s second most populated country.

In 2012, more than 11,300 fee-paying Indian students studied in New Zealand. The majority (64%) studied in private training establishments (PTE). Others were in:• Institutes of technology and polytechnic (27%)• Universities (9%)

- Courtesy Education New Zealand

Future marketsThe demand for education across all sectors

– from early childhood to university level – is expected to continue to exceed supply for at least another decade. These factors create opportunities for foreign education providers inside and outside India.

New Zealand’s government-to-government relationship with India is strong, putting our education providers in a good position to capitalise on those opportunities. However creating relationships with India’s private and corporate sector will be essential to achieving success

Student numbersThe number of Indian tertiary students going

overseas to study rose 350% between 2000 and 2011 (from 58,091 to 203,338). In 2011, more than 200,000 Indian students studied overseas, with over half of those going to the United States.

International student numbers are expected to remain high as Indian students continue to demand a quality education, and India’s industry continues to seek skilled graduates.

- IWK Bureau

Total Indian students in NZ

Indian students by sector 2011


28 EDUCATION SPECIAL


29EDUCATION SPECIAL


30

SPECIALISTS INEARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER EDUCATION

09 520 4000international@nztertiarycollege.ac.nzwww.nztertiarycollege.ac.nz

• Study at one of New Zealand’s leading teacher education providers

• NZQA Category 1 provider • Programs approved by New Zealand Teachers Council.

New ZealandTertiary College

T E R T I A R Y C O L L E G E S G R O U P

..............................................................................

Why do early childhood teachersneed qualifications?It’s widely accepted that the early

childhood years are the most influential. It is the time when the brain forges trillions

of connections between cells; preparing the foundations for lifelong learning.

A qualified early childhood teacher is not a ‘child minder’ but a professional, intentional educator; specifically trained to care and educate children in this critical window of time. They have a solid knowledge of child development and their practice is informed by theory.

Those who choose to study a professional early childhood program learn about the development of the whole child, thus they understand which learning experiences to introduce at a developmentally appropriate time. They discover that learning in the early years is best initiated by the child and guided by the teacher. They are taught to practice observing the interests of the children and extending on their learning by asking questions and promoting related experiences.

Student teachers are required to familiarise themselves with a wide range of literature and resources. Topics often include learning through play, managing challenging behaviours and inclusive practice. Programs which have a strong practical component enable students to immediately connect the theory they’re learning to their teaching. Required reflections help them to develop an

awareness of ‘why they’re doing what they’re doing.’

A teacher’s knowledge of Te Whāriki, New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum framework, helps to uphold a level of quality across early childhood centres. It can help teachers to identify their aims and assess if they are adequately responding to children’s needs, as well as ensuring continuity between an early childhood centre and primary school.

By completing a New Zealand-recognised

qualification, teachers can apply for registration which joins them to a body of professional teachers. Registration indicates to center owners, colleagues and the community that a teacher has completed a satisfactory qualification and fulfils the criteria of a safe and competent teacher. Registered teachers pledge allegiance to the sector’s Code of Ethics, and have to maintain a practicing certificate every three years, which ensures relevancy of professional knowledge.

Being qualified enhances employability. According to the government’s newly-released Occupation Outlook report (http://www.dol.govt.nz/publications/lmr/occupational-outlook/pdfs/Early-childhood-teachers.pdf), 87% percent of early childhood graduates were in employment within one year of completing a bachelor’s degree.

Early childhood teaching is a hugely rewarding career – and with qualified teachers, children’s learning and development can be nurtured to their full potential.

New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC) has specialised in providing outstanding early childhood teacher education for over 30 years. Our most recent NZQA external evaluation and review returned the highest possible rating of Highly Confident.

Our students can study from any location in New Zealand through our online learning environment, NZTC Online. We offer a range of programs to suit every type of learner. Graduates of our Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) and Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE) programs are eligible to apply for teacher registration.

If you’re interested in starting your professional early childhood journey, call us today on (09) 520 4000 or email [email protected].

EDUCATION SPECIAL


31

NZQA APPROVED DEGREES & DIPLOMAS

Study in a Supportive Environment at AIS and gain a Quality Education

AIS offer a range of services to support you in your studies, including:• Flexible payment options• Visa applications processed

on Campus• Earn scholarships

Postgraduate Programmes• MBA• Postgraduate Diploma in

Business Administration

Bachelor Degrees and Diplomas• Hospitality Management• Information Technology• International Business• Tourism Management

www.AIS.ac.nz

For more information contact Bharath 09 815 1717

AIS St Helens is no more. Following an extensive brand audit and rebranding process, we have emerged with crisp new branding, a new set of guiding values and we are now known as Auckland Institute of Studies, or simply AIS.

For six weeks over July and August last year Auckland branding agency, The Fount, were engaged to conduct the brand audit. Hundreds of internal and external stakeholders including students, alumni, directors, managers, agents and staff were interviewed and surveyed.

The audit confirmed that there is considerable good will toward the institute and a large amount of brand equity exists, particularly amongst the extensive overseas agent network which has been such a key part of AIS’s success over the last 24 years.

Four guiding values have been proposed as a result of the brand audit: Quality Education, Individual Focus, Supportive Environment, and Real World Success.

“These four values have really allowed us to develop consensus and have been a great tool in facilitating decision making and sharpening up our communications. In terms of positioning they make the most of our strengths – at AIS we pride ourselves on the high levels of individual attention our students receive and we work hard to provide an environment where they feel comfortable during their time with us. We also ensure they receive

a quality education which will serve them well and give them choices in the future,” says Shane Ball, Marketing Manager at AIS.

The new branding is crisp, clean, and contemporary, featuring the red and black colours which have always been associated with the Institute – but with a splash of orange to differentiate from a Canterbury identity. The traditional academic logo has been modernised and the name simplified to clearly identify the institution and its location. St Helens Campus now bears the name paying homage to the property’s previous incarnation as St Helen’s Maternity Hospital. A photo shoot was conducted and resulted in a new and more intimate approach to the institution’s photography, revealing a commitment to the Individual Focus value.

“We have emerged refreshed and rejuvenated from the rebrand and are looking forward to taking on the challenges facing us in 2014 with a renewed sense of self confidence.”

AIS brand gets a makeover

Four guiding values have been proposed as a result of the brand audit: Quality Education, Individual Focus, Supportive Environment, and Real World Success.

EDUCATION SPECIAL


32

New Zealand Institute of Technical Training is an accredited and registered tertiary educational

provider by the New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA).

On 12 Dec, 2013, NITT organised its 3rd Graduation ceremony for the Graduates of the National Diploma in Business Level 5 and Level 6 at the Papatoetoe Sports Centre. The event Chief Guest was Mr Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Member of Parliament, New Zealand. The family, friends and relatives of the students attended this milestone day for Institute and the graduates. The event was also attended by some of the prominent personalities of local Indian community as

well. The graduation certificates to the 40 graduates were presented by Mr Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi and Mr Gurdeep Dhillon , Chief Executive Officer; NITT.

Mr Kulbir Singh, Managing Director , NITT ; welcomed distinguished guests who attended this significant event and advised that in May 2013, after the External Evaluation Review of the Institute conducted by NZQA , NITT has very proudly achieved the status of the NZQA Category 1 Provider. The Report by NZQA stipulates that NITT is” Highly Confident in the Educational performance and Confident in the ability in Self-Assessment. The Institute is bringing in new Qualifications in Agriculture and also expanding the Business

Courses to level 7 in near future.Mr Sukhjinder Singh was adjudged the Best

Student of the year from Business Level 6.Mr Ravi Sharma was adjudged the Best Student of the year from Business level 5.

The Academic Excellence award was presented to Mt Navjot Singh Sran from Level 5 and Mr Naveen Kaushik from level 6.

Here are some of the key features, which attract students to study at NITT?

The first and obvious reason is the quality of the programmes available at NITT.

The owners and staff have a commitment based on years of experience in education industry.

NITT Friendly staff members are ready to take extra care for students to help them settle in a new environment.

The campus of NITT is conveniently

located in the largest city, Auckland at one of its premier and upcoming business hub of Manukau City.

Our USPOur unique qualifications incorporate

Work Integrated Learning (Work Placement/Internship) as part of the course. The work placement aspect is compulsory at level 6. Students value the commercial business skills they learn for industry and gain confidence in communicating with those in business and improve their business English language skills. This is also the reason for high employment rates of NITT graduates.

Our Multi Country PresenceNITT has a branch in Australia under

the name Australian Institute of Technical Training & Australian National College in Melbourne.

ITC Voted leading travel training institution

The International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC) has been voted New Zealand’s Leading Travel Training

Institution in the Travel Digest Travel Industry Awards 2013.

“What makes this award such an honour is that it is voted for by members of the industry,” says ITC’s Marketing Director Claire Huxley.

“We have such a strong focus on making sure our graduates are genuinely prepared for work in travel, tourism and airlines, and this award acknowledges that we are getting it right.”

Travel Digest also lists ITC’s achievement of Category One status in the NZQA EER audit (the highest education rating) and its membership of internationally recognised quality brand Quality Education as contributing factors to its success.

“It’s important to us that our quality is made visible through NZQA audits and through our connections with associations like Quality

Education,” says Claire. “It’s critical that our students have confidence

in us, and it inspires all of us at the college to keep contributing to this industry that we love.”

ITC’s students certainly reap the benefits of the college’s strong industry reputation. Numerous opportunities to explore the industry first hand through trips and hands-on work experience and job placements all add to the college’s high job placement rate.

“This is an industry where the strength of your contacts is crucial. Our students constantly make us proud by showing employers their commitment and passion for this sector. And employers repay that by providing employment and training opportunities for our students.”

“We are grateful to Travel Digest for running these awards that showcase the best of our industry, and we would like to thank the people and organisations who voted for us.”

Studying at NITT:• Internationally recognised and respected Diploma courses • Quality of programmes available• Conveniently located in the educational & multicultural hub of Manukau Centre• 3 days of instructions per week • A pathway for higher studies

National Diploma in Business Administration Level 5National Diploma in Business - Marketing Level 5National Diploma in Business - Accounting Level 5National Diploma in Business Level 6National Diploma in Business Level 5 & Level 6 (2 Years)

We will open the world of knowledge for you...

www.nitt.ac.nz13B, Ronwood Avenue Manukau City 2104 Auckland, NEW ZEALAND | P.O. Box 97501 Manukau 2241 | PH +64 9 551 4597 | F +64 9 551 4596 | MoE 7264

IT’S OFFICIAL NOW!

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Work Integrated Learning sets the path for NITT

EDUCATION SPECIAL


33ENTERTAINMENT

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag runs away with multiple awards

The following is the list of winners at the Filmfare Awards 2014:

Best Actor: Farhan Akhtar - Bhaag Milkha BhaagBest Actress: Deepika Padukone - Goliyon Ki Rasleela RamLeelaBest Director: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra - Bhaag Milkha BhaagBest Film: Bhaag Milkha BhaagBest Debut (Director): Ritesh Batra - The LunchboxBest Debut (Male): Dhanush - RaanjhanaaBest Debut (Female): Vaani Kapoor - Shuddh Desi RomanceBest Film (Critics): Ritesh Batra - The LunchboxBest Actor (Critics): Rajkummar Rao - ShahidBest Actress (Critics): Shilpa Shukla- BA PassSony Trendsetter of the Year Award: Chennai ExpressBest Screenplay: Chetan Bhagat, Abhishek Kapoor, Supratik Sen and Pubali Chaudhari (Kai Po Che)Best Story: Subhash Kapoor - Jolly LLBBest Actor in a Supporting Role: Nawazuddin Siddiqui -The LunchboxBest Actress in a Suporting Role: Supriya Pathak - Ram-LeelaLifetime Achievement Award: TanujaBest Music Award: Jeet Ganguly, Mithoon and Ankit Tiwari - AashiquiBest Lyrics: Prasoon Joshi - Zinda (Bhaag Milkha Bhaag)Best Playback Singer (Male) - Arijit Singh, Tum hi ho (Aashiqui 2)Best Playback Singer (Female) - Monali Thakur, Sawaar Loon (Lootera)RD Burman Award: Sidharth MahadevanBest Choreogrpahy: Samir and Arsh Tanna - Lahu Muh Lag Gaya (Ram-leela)Best VFX: Tata Elxis (Dhoom:3)Best Background Score: Hitesh Sonik - Kai Po CheBest Action: Thomas Struthers and Guru Bachchan - D DayBest Cinematography: Kamaljit Negi - Madras CafeBest Editing: Aarif Sheikh - D-Day Best Production Design - Acropolis Design(Bhaag Milkha Bhaag)Best Sound Design - Bishwadeep Chatterjee and Nihar Ranjan Samar (Madras Cafe)Best Costume - Dolly Ahluwalia(Bhaag Milkha Bhaag)

The 59th Idea Filmfare Awards were held at Yashraj Studios, on January 24, hosted by actors Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra celebrating Bollywood movies of 2013.

Left column: Stills from top down Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, The Lunchbox, Raanjhanaa, Kai Po Che

Right column: Farhan Akhtar & Deepika Padukune, Ritesh Batra (Director The Lunchbox; Omprakash Mehra, Vaani Kapoor, Shilpa Shukla

• Bhaag Milkha Bhaag collected 6 awards from the 8 nominations it received including Best Actor, Best Director and Best Film.

• Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani turned out to be a disappointment at the awards as it was nominated in 9 categories but failed to win a single award.

• The other success story at the award was Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela and The Lunchbox which won the Best Film (Critics).

• Deepika Padukone who looked stunning at the ceremony won the award for the Best Actor (Female).

• Rajnikant’s son-in-law, Dhanush won the Best Debut (Male) award for Raanjhanaa and Vaani Kapoor won the Best Debut (Female) award for Shuddh Desi Romance.

The event was a star-studded affair with biggies like Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Rekha, Karisma Kapoor, Amrita Rao, Aditi Rao Hydari, Soha Ali Khan and Neha Dhupia, all gracing the event.


34 ENTERTAINMENT

‘Mention romance, I will get excited’After rocking 2013 with Lootera and Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Ranveer Singh is all set to start 2014 with Gunday where he stars with Arjun Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra. TWF correspondent Sreya Basu in conversation with the rising star of Bollywood

Gunday is releasing on Feb 14. Do you think youngsters will enjoy this gundagardi on Valentine’s Day, which is the day of love?

It is an action drama. It also has comedy. But above all there is full-on romance in the film. So I am sure it will be a great film to celebrate Valentine’s Day with. You won’t miss the romance if you take your boyfriend or girlfriend to watch Gunday.

Have you ever done any gundagardi in real life?

As you know, once I did some gundagardi with a mosquito that landed me in hospital with dengue.

You have done some kick-ass stunts in the film. How was the experience?

It was mindblowing. Since childhood, more so, when I dreamt of becoming an actor, I was inclined towards stunts. Now in Gunday there was a team of 200 people ready to help me do those stunts. I remember Arjun (Kapoor) and I were shooting the train sequence in end of May when the temperature was almost 50 degrees. We shot for eight days, running on top of the moving train, yet thoroughly enjoying ourselves.There were all safety measures taken so that we don’t get hurt. So, we could just have fun.

It seems your friendship with co-actor Arjun Kapoor has gone beyond your reel life. Arjun is one of my closed friends. My friendship with Arjun has reached an honest level; it has gone beyond the work we do. Which actor inspires you?

More than inspirations, there were influences. I grew up watching Hindi films and films in general.

I love films. I looked up to actors, idolized them … the reason I wanted to become and actor, not anywhere else, but mainstream Hindi films.

What are your upcoming projects?

I have just started shooting for Kill Dil. It is a major deal for me to be able to share screen space with one of my childhood idols Govindaji. I have been inspired by him. I loved him as I was

growing up. And now, to be able to act with him, it is an indiscribable feeling. Is it true that you are a flirt?

I get excited at the mention of the word ‘romance’. It’s a problem since my birth.

You are being romantically linked to your Ram-Leela heroine Deepika Padukone. Would you like to comment on that?

No.

Okay, I think this will be easier to answer - have you ever proposed to a girl in school or college days?

I have been doing this (proposing) since I was in first standard. She used to have a ‘Today We Did’ diary in which I left a chit – I love you. You love me?

And then?

She handed the chit to the principal and in no time I was standing at the principal’s office. Then my mother was called, she cried on hearing what I did … it was a big mess. But then, I don’t relent. I have done a lot of proposing.

1) Abhishek Bachchan and Rohan Sippy

The actor-director duo who have worked in a number of films together studied in the same boarding school at Aiglon College, Switzerland. Sippy mentioned in an interview to The Times of India that Bachchan was five years younger to him which limited the interaction between them. Nonetheless, they became close once they returned to Mumbai and worked together in films like Kuch Naa Kaho and Bluffmaster. Interestingly, their fathers, Amitabh Bachchan and Ramesh Sippy worked together in the legendary blockbuster Sholay. Seems like they are continuing the legacy of family friendship.Rohan Sippy and Abhishek BachchanPicture Courtesy: NDTV.com

2) Ranbir Kapoor and Avantika Malik KhanIt is a lesser known fact that Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan’s wife, Avantika were classmates at one of Mumbai’s most prestigious schools, Bombay Scottish. Kapoor who is known for his number of ex-girlfriends was also dating Avantika Malik during high school. While Avantika used to act as a child artist in a serial

called Just Mohobbat, Ranbir used to visit her on the sets frequently. However, the two broke up quite early and Avantika went on to date Imran Khan. Other prominent celebrities from the same school include Aamir Khan, Hritik Roshan, John Abraham and Varun Dhawan.

Avantika with husband Imran Khan and Ranbir Kapoor with a family member. Picture Courtesy: Fashioncirqle.con and Stuffkit.com

3) Aryan Khan and Navya NaveliShahrukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan and Amitabh Bachchan’s granddaughter Navya

Naveli made it to the pages of Bollywood when Navya posted pictures with Aryan on a social networking website. The two star kids are studying together in London’s Sevenoaks School. They were clicked together during a school trip. SRK’s daughter Suhana might also join them in coming years. Navya Naveli is the eldest daughter of Shweta Bachchan Nanda and Nikhil Nanda. They also have a son, Agastya. Navya Naveli and Aryan Khan pose during a school trip.Picture Courtesy: Bollywoodmantra.com

4) Ahan Shetty and Anshul AmbaniIndia’s leading businessman Anil Ambani and Bollywood star Sunil Shetty’s friendship has always been evident at many parties. The two have always spoken highly of each other. However, it is not widely known

that their respective sons Anshul Ambani and Ahan Shetty used to study in the same school, Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai. In fact, the two shared a common interest in rock music and represented their school at numerous inter-school competitions. Their parents are very encouraging and have created a mini auditorium at the Ambani residence. While Anshul is a drummer, Ahan is the lead vocalist. Anshul Ambani and Ahan ShettyPicture Courtesy: The Times of India

Not many people know that a number of Bollywood stars studied together. Let us update our Bollywood Quotient by letting you know which Bollywood star kids went to school together.

Yeh Dosti . . . starting from school

Akanksha Mehra


35

Bollywood Diary

ENTERTAINMENT

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan lent support to the Indian premiere of Anant Singh’s

“Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom” about former South African president Nelson Mandela, whom he remembers as a kind person.

“Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom” features Idris Elba in the title role and Naomie Harris as his wife Winnie. Its premiere was held here Wednesday in the presence of two of the movie’s actors, Atandwa Kani and Terry Pheto.

The 71-year-old also recollected his experience of performing in South Africa over two decades back.

“’Mandela’ the movie produced by

dear friend Anant Singh from South Africa, and he and his team solely responsible through the kindness of Mr. Mandela to give us the permission to bring the very first Concert to South Africa at a time when Apartheid was just on its way out,” Amitabh posted on his blog srbachchan.tumblr.com.

ANR leaves film-world misty eyed

Salman and Modi do a tete-a-tete over Uttarayan

Thousands bid tearful adieu to Telugu cinema icon Akkineni Nageswara Rao, who died aged

89, plunging the Telugu film industry into gloom. His last rites were performed in Hyderabad with state honours.

In the presence of eminent film personalities, politicians and fans, Rao’s sons and grandsons together lit the funeral pyre amid chanting of vedic hymns by pundits and gun salute by the police at Annapurna Studios.

Rao’s two sons, including popular actor Nagarjuna, three daughters and other family members broke down during the cremation. As a mark of respect to the legendary actor, policemen reversed their arms and later fired three rounds in the air. The buglers sounded The Last Post.

Actor-turned-politician Union Tourism Minister K. Chiranjeevi, Sridevi, Tabu, Junior NTR, Venkatesh, Rajasekhar, famous filmmakers Dasari

Narayana Rao and D. Ramanaidu were among key film personalities who attended the last rites.

On a call given by MAA, the Telugu film industry remained shut Thursday as a mark of respect to the legendary actor.

Salman Khan, attended a kite flying festival with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, said god would

decide who is the best man to become the prime minister.

The chief minister hosted a typical Gujarati lunch in which the Bollywood hero savoured the winter speciality “Undhiya” and other delicacies of the state at his Gandhinagar residence. Salman, who was here to promote his upcoming film “Jai Ho”, spent the afternoon with Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate Modi at the festival.

On his personal opinion about Modi, Salman said: “Today, I met Modiji for the first time. I hope we meet often. Modi is a great man and he is doing great for his state

and I wish him all the very best in life.” “I have not seen this sort of development elsewhere,” Khan said. “Development of any nation is important. I hope people of every state love their chief minister like you do,” he said when people cheered him and Modi.

Celebrating the festival of Uttarayan in which people fly kites, Modi told mediapersons: “Salman’s arrival in this festival will add new colours to the celebration. I welcome him and wish everyone Makar Sankranti and Pongal.”

The two then flew kites for the benefit of the large number of photojournalists and people who had assembled in a ground in Ghatlodia area of Ahmedabad.

Big B promotes ‘Mandela...’ in Mumbai


36 EVENTS

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Mar eech Ka KhelDirection: Jayanta Bhaduri

Music: Amit Sengupta

Tickets: $30, $25, $20 and $15

at Playhouse Theatre, 15 Glendale Road, Glen Eden, West Auckland.

Saturday 1st March, 2014 At: 06.30 pm Sunday 2nd March, 2014 At: 05.30 pm

presents another highly intelligent, humorous and mind stimulating Hindi play

For tickets please contactPavitra: 021 445 166 Jayanta: 278 4820 Ujjal: 021 250 6823

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MOKSHA - An Odissi Dance Performance

Sri Vidiyalaya Foundation presents MOKSHA by Veshnu. The show will explore the concepts of illusion (maya) and divine play (leela) with narration by Dr Chandrabhanu that will provide a window into this sensuous and richly nuanced dance form.

When: Sat 1st Feb 7.30pmWhere: Maidment ThetreAdmission: $30. To book call (09) 3082383 or visit www.maidment.auckland.ac.nz.

The Good, the Bad & the Ugly - Impact Pro Wrestling

IPW prsents “The Good, the Bad & the Ugly” with the main event already announced & set to be one of the biggest matches seen in New Zealand wrestling.

When: Sat 1st Feb 6.30pm-9:00pmWhere: Lynfield Recreation CentreAdmission: $15. To book call0800 289 849

Valentines Singles Dinner for 40-55ish Year Olds Put the love back in your life and you could jump for joy with a new love! A dash of ambience, a pinch of gourmet, sexy singletons in their naughty 40s & nifty 50s tossed together makes a recipe for a great evening out not to be missed.

Price includes three-course meal and complimentary drink.When: Fri 13th Feb 7:00pmWhere: Degree, 204 Quay St, AucklandAdmission: On requestMore info: To book call 021 513 717

Auckland Lantern Festival

Bring all the family to celebrate the Year of the Horse at Auckland’s 15th annual Lantern Festival. Highlights include a ‘lantern-only’ night at Albert Park on Thursday 13 February, where the magical hand-made creations can be enjoyed in a more relaxed environment, and the spectacular fireworks finale on Sunday night.

When: Fri 14th – 16th Feb 5:00-10:30pm Where: Albert Park, Princes St, AucklandAdmission: FreeMore info: www.asianz.org.nz

An Eve of Indian Classical Music – A Charity Concert

Sargam School of Indian Music is presenting a classical music night featuring Pt Rakesh Chaurasia (Disciple & Nephew of Legendary Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia) one of India’s leading flautist, accompanied by Basant Madhur on Tabla live in concert. All funds raised will be donated for the construction of Shri Ram Temple- Henderson.

When: : 6:30 pm, Saturday, 8th March 2014Where: Dorothy Winstone Centre, Auckland Girls Grammar School, 16 Howe St, AucklandAdmission: $50 ( VIP ) $40 & $25 available at Yogi Ji Food mart- Mt Roskill, Lotus Foreign Exchange- Westfield St Lukes & New LynnMore info: For Tickets & more info contact Basant Madhur on 626 2646 / 021 035 7954 & Deepak Madhur on : 8274151/ 021-02643739

WHAT’SOn


37ENTERTAINMENT

Presents

Pehla Nasha Ek aur bhar

In celebration of Valentines day we bring you a night of romance, entertainment, dinner, dance & LOVE!

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38

The International phenomenon, a celebration of humanity and healthy living, the Color Run, the ‘happiest 5km on the planet’ took

place in New Zealand for the first time. The event held on the 26th of January at the Pukekohe Race Course, saw thousands in attendance.

A crowd of almost 9,000 Color Runners - all dressed in white running gear – completed the 5km course around Pukekohe Racecourse, being showered with pink, blue, yellow and green colored powder. At the end of the 5km course, runners enjoyed the ‘Finish Festival’ alongside kiwi singer Jamie McDell and The Color Run mascot ‘The Runicorn’, where music and a family-friendly atmosphere provided the background for the stunning mass group throws of even more colored powder. Almost 3,000kg of color was used across the day.

The Color Run - an exciting and unique 5km fun run experience with a colorful twist - has been a massive hit in cities like London, Sydney and New York and will visit Wellington and Christchurch later this summer.

Inspired by paint parties and the Holi Festival, the Color Run sees runners looking like they’ve been struck by a rainbow after having been doused with a different brightly colored powder.

While the 5k event is all about having fun, the focus is on promoting a healthy lifestyle and improving health and wellness. More than half the participants are first-time 5k runners. It is an event for all fitness levels, ages and backgrounds.

The rounds of laughter, and continuous excitement, surrounding the event gives a tremendous ambience. The Color Run keeping with its tag line, “The Happiest 5k on the planet”,

was created after seeing the expressions of pure joy from participants.

Color Runners vary in demographics and reasons for running. With no winners or official times, The Color Run caters to everyone –first time

runners to seasoned athletes. Some Color Runners participate as a celebration and capstone of their healthy living accomplishments, while others participate for reasons unique to them.

At the end of the course there is an epic, family–

friendly celebration at the Finish Festival, including mass color throws, DJs, dance-offs and food stalls.

Color Runners can enter as individuals or teams of four or more and entry fees include an official white event T-shirt and sweat band, a temporary tattoo and a color powder packet for use at the Finish Festival party. For those who want to clean up before they head home after the event there is even a special ‘Cleaning Zone’. Official partners of The Color Run New Zealand, helping to make the event an experience to remember, were ZM, Resene, Telecom, New Balance and Hydr8.

The New Zealand chapter finds Luke Hannan, the National Manager and Josie Tapper for the success of the first chapter of The Color Run.

Photo Credits: Wilkie Productions.

HEALTHY CARROT SOUP

RECIPE

ENTERTAINMENT

Color Run arrives in Auckland: Healthiness, Happiness, Individuality and Giving back

Dates and locations for the Color Run events are as follows: Christchurch, Canterbury Agricultural Park, 23 February 2014 Wellington, Trentham Memorial Park, 30 March 2014

About The Color Run: Founded in January, 2012 by Travis Snyder, as an event to promote healthiness and happiness by bringing the community together to participate in the “Happiest 5k on the Planet”. We are the original paint race and have created a completely new genre of running events that continues to grow exponentially. The Color Run has hosted more than 170 events in 30+ countries in 2013.

Ingredients

Method

• 2- carrots medium sliced• 3- tomatoes medium roughly chopped• 4- potatoes small peeled and chopped• 3cups- vegetable stock• 1/2tsp- ginger, garlic paste• 8- coriander stems• 6 to 8- black peppercorns• Salt according to taste• Butter

• Heat butter in a deep pan. Stir ginger, garlic paste. Add all the above ingredients with a glass of water.

• Cover and cook until the vegetables are soft. You can add some more water if the mixture is thick.

• Blend the mixture with the hand blender into a smooth puree and strain the soup into a deep pen and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes or until one boil.

• Serve hot with chopped coriander.• Tip: Carrots are high in vitamins and essential minerals like beta carotene

which greatly aids vision and over all balanced growth and ageing.

Ruby’s KitchenBy Ruby Dhillon


39ENTERTAINMENT

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