The Indian Weekender, Friday 03 July 2020

03JUNE2020 | Vol 12 Issue 16 

www.iwk.co.nz /indianweekender /indianweekender 

Health Minister resigns: Govt finally 

chooses to play by the 'playbook'

2 NEW ZEALAND 

Friday, July 3, 2020 The Indian Weekender 

HEALTH MINISTER RES 

finally chooses to play by 

SANDEEP SINGH 

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s government - in 

accepting the resignation of embattled Health Minister 

Dr David Clark – has finally chosen to play by the 

“playbook” of a Ministerial responsibility under a Westminster 

model of parliamentary democracy. 

This brings hope that finally the government, which to 

be fair, is hugely occupied in managing a once-in-hundred 

years crisis – will eventually choose to return to following 

the playbook – an expectation from any modern, liberal 

democracy, in other domains of decision making. 

For quite some time, the Prime Minister and Ministers in 

the government and MPs outside the government have been 

seeking to avoid criticism of any apparent shortcoming in 

their govt’s response to Covid-19 pandemic on both health 

and economic management side, purely on the pretext that the 

pandemic had no “playbook.” 

Prime Minister Ardern had sought to push back any 

criticism or an unpalatable line of questioning from either 

the opposition or the media by seeking to refute on the “no 

playbook” of the Covid-19 crisis – be it the announcement 

of first post-lockdown budget or the latest issue of bungle at 

our borders. 

Soon after the PM had first used the argument effectively 

in one of her media briefing on health updates, it was quickly 

picked up by all her Ministers and MPs in their respective 

interactions with the media or the members of public and 

applied for any line of questioning. 

Can the govt now play by “playbook” 

on temporary migrant workers stuck 

overseas? 

Notably, where this argument was most markedly used was 

on the issue of thousands of temporary migrant workers being 

stuck overseas, as the clueless government chose to act with 

extreme caution and till now has stopped short of giving any 

assurance for an early entry back into the county. 

The idea that thousands of unsuspecting temporary visa 

holders who were travelling overseas for normal family 

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The Indian Weekender Friday, July 3, 2020 

NEW ZEALAND 3 

IGNS – Govt 

the 'playbook' 

poses could lose their visa status and the entire 

in the country as the government continues to 

der closed can easily cause chills down the spines 

inister’s when being queried about how 

ely the Immigration New Zealand was applying 

n giving exceptions to partners and families - even 

ns and residents who were stranded overseas - along 

isa holders who have been working diligently in 

for years to enter back into the country, have been 

o - playbook” card conveniently to deflect the line 

ng. 

e of temporary migrant workers stranded overseas, 

ot been one single empathetic response from 

e government - apart from the usual “appreciation 

tration” slog, - which could assure the temporary 

stuck overseas that they will not lose 

tatus, for contributing in collective 

eping NZ safe against the spread of 

rus. 

ny playbook for govt’s response 

stranded temp migrant worker 

t the government has returned 

playbook mode, after accepting 

ion of one of the Ministers in the 

as per the core principles of Westminster 

rliamentary democracy, is there any hope that 

ide behind this annotation anymore? 

ard, while the government might be right in terms 

ical challenge that the current public health crisis 

den border closure had brought upon it in terms 

on the fate of the temporary visa holders stuck 

However, 

there is always 

a playbook for the 

government to look 

compassionately on the 

situation of individuals and 

a large number of groups 

who have been falling 

between the 

cracks. 

outside the borders. 

The question of our public health safety and keeping 

everyone safe in New Zealand is indeed paramount and 

non-negotiable, and mostly dependent on the government’s 

ability to shore up quarantine facilities to house the 

incoming travellers. 

However, there is always a playbook for the government 

to look compassionately on the situation of individuals and 

a large number of groups who have been falling between the 

cracks. 

At the end, it is a question of political will, and not 

capabilities, for any government to do what it wants to do 

genuinely. No matter how the government chooses to present 

the matter in public. 

To make it clear, most of the temporary migrant workers 

who are caught on the wrong side of the border, are willing 

to bear a share of the burden of the quarantine cost, or 

wait patiently outside borders for as long it takes – 

as long as the government can come out and give 

them a clear timeframe of the waiting period 

and an assurance they will be getting a fair 

chance as per their respective visas at the time 

of the border closure. 

Like all New Zealanders, temporary 

migrant workers ordinarily resident in NZ have 

already paid and are willing to continue to pay an 

exorbitant price of keeping our country Covid-19 free 

- all they are expecting is fairness and compassion from the 

government. 

And there is always a “playbook” for giving a little bit of 

compassion to those in need for any government to follow. 

Can this newly re-focused government play by playbook 

now in the case of temporary migrant workers? 

SIMON BRIDGES makes a 

comeback in National caucus 

as Foreign Affairs spokesperson 

SANDEEP SINGH 

The former National Party 

Leader Simon Bridges has 

returned to the caucus as the 

spokesperson of Foreign Affairs - a 

position that he asked for and got in the 

latest reshuffle announced by the Leader 

Todd Muller. 

Mr Bridges will have a new ranking of 

number 17 under the Todd Muller caucus. 

“Simon Bridges will be picking up 

the Foreign Affairs portfolio and will be 

ranked at number 17. 

"Simon has been leader and a minister 

for a number of years in the last National 

Government. He expressed a desire for 

this portfolio and his experience will 

be valuable in this important role,” a 

press release from Leader Tod Muller’s 

office said. 

Fixing ethnic diversity issue at the 

top, Dr Shane Reiti elevated to 

No 13 

In a move that clearly sought to fix the 

issue of dearth of ethnic diversity (read 

Maori-representation) in the National 

Party’s front benches under the new 

Leader Todd Muller Dr Shane Reiti 

has been elevated to No 13 rank with 

additional responsibility of Associate 

Drug Reform. 

“Dr Shane Reti will be ranked number 

13 and will take on Associate Drug 

Reform. Shane has demonstrated a huge 

intellect and capacity for work, supporting 

Michael Woodhouse in our Covid-19 

response, as well as achieving much in 

the Tertiary Education portfolio,” Mr 

Muller said. 

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Friday, July 3, 2020 

The Indian Weekender 

Not every temp migrant workers stranded 

overseas will be able to return: Iain Lees-Galloway 

SANDEEP SINGH 

plausible entry date; however, the Minister was 

once again unable to give such timeframes. 

However, on being queried further the 

Minister assured that some decisions could 

come within weeks time while some other more 

complex ones could come in a months time, 

depending upon how the officials were able to 

align mutually conflicting goals of keeping NZ 

safe from any overseas infection of the novel 

Coronavirus and letting those stranded overseas 

back into the country. 

In news that can break many hearts and 

lives, the Immigration Minister Iain Lees- 

Galloway has suggested that not every 

temporary migrant worker stuck overseas 

might be able to come back to New Zealand. 

The Minister was speaking with the Indian 

Weekender on Sunday, June 28. 

When pressed for a response about what 

was in store for the temporary migrant work 

visa holders stuck overseas, the Minister said 

they are working on a policy where it might be 

required for such work visa holders to put an 

altogether new application. 

On further enquiry, if that means that many 

such workers could potentially be declined 

to enter back in NZ forever, the Minister 

responded affirmatively. 

The Indian Weekender had got the opportunity 

to speak with the Minister for Immigration for 

the first time since the onset of Covid-19 related 

border closure and Alert Level 4 lockdown, and 

it chose to discuss with the Minister a range of 

immigration policy-related issues affecting the 

wider communities. 

The issue of temporary migrants 

stranded overseas 

Most of the conversation with the Minister 

was focussed on the perils of tens of thousands 

of temporary migrant workers who were 

unsuspectingly caught on the wrong side when 

NZ borders were closed on March 19. 

The Minister was categorically asked if 

he had any timeframe on exactly when those 

stranded temporary migrant workers would 

be able to hear from the government about a 

In the ensuing discussion around 

this hugely emotional issue, 

the Minister was not willing to 

reveal too much, except that 

the officials were working on 

new immigration policy - thus 

making it clear that most of the 

visa holders who are fortunate 

enough to be allowed back into 

country will be invited to apply 

for a new visa under the new visa 

policy. 

In the ensuing discussion around this hugely 

emotional issue, the Minister was not willing 

to reveal too much, except that the officials 

were working on new immigration policy - thus 

making it clear that most of the visa holders 

who are fortunate enough to be allowed back 

into country will be invited to apply for a new 

visa under the new visa policy. 

Clearly, their respective work visas will look 

vastly different from their current work visas. 

Exceptions for relationshipbased 

visa holders to enter NZ 

The issue of the continued declining majority 

of requests for exceptions from the partners of 

NZ citizens and residents was also discussed 

in detail with the Minister, bringing to his 

attention the perceived gap in the government’s 

assurance on uniting the families with the 

situation on the ground. 

On being queried, if the Minister was aware 

that possibly around 80 per cent of applications 

for exceptions by partners and spouses of NZ 

citizens and partners were being rejected, the 

Minister acknowledged the fact saying that it 

was always clear that the partners who were 

not ordinarily resident in NZ would not be 

able to get such exceptions. 

Processing delays in Skilled 

Migrant Category visas 

The Minister also acknowledged the 

processing delays in Skilled Migrant 

Category visas - in some cases for 

more than 15-18 months, however, 

sought to shift the blame of the 

delay on the burgeoning numbers 

of new applications under the 

category. 

In the ensuing conversation 

when the Minister was categorically 

asked if he had set any expectation 

on the INZ for the time frame for 

disposal of applications under the 

SMC category, he responded with 

a broad 12 months window - which 

apparently was not being met, even in the 

pre-Covid 19 environment. 

Please see the full interview on the 

Indian Weekender’s Facebook page. 

वापस पटरी पर 

हैमिलटन का COVID-19 से ननपटने का बजट 

वार्षिक योजना 2020/21 का प्ारूप 

हर साल Council एक वार्षिक पलान बनाती है जजसिे 

िुखया प्ोजेकट और उनका वार्षिक आय - वयय ननज्चित 

ककया जाता है ! 

Covid-19 की हिारे सिुदाय और हिारी आर्षिक ज्तर् पर दुष्प्भाव 

की वजह से वार्षिक आय - वयय पर दुबारा दृजष्ट डालना अनत आव्यक 

हो गया ्ा! 

इस ददशा िें हि कु छ बदलाव का प््ताव पेश कर रहे हैं ! जजससे 

हिारे शहर को Covid-19 के दुष्प्बाहवो से ननपटने िें सफलता मिलेगी! 

अरिक जानकारी और अगले 12 िहीनो के बारे िें अपने 

रवचिार हिे बताये ! 

hamilton.govt.nz/annualplan/feedback 

ककताब ककसी भी Council दफतर 

से या Hamilton City Library 

से प्ापत कर सकते हैं !


NEW ZEALAND 5 

Deceased Indian woman 

repatriated on Vande 

Bharat flight to India 

NEW LISTING 

RIZWAN MOHAMMAD 

The body of 26-year-old Indian woman 

who died in Auckland last week 

has been repatriated to India on 

Wednesday, July 1. 

The office of Consulate of India in Auckland 

confirmed to the Indian Weekender that the 

mortal remains of the Indian woman had been 

repatriated via Vande Bharat Mission led 8th 

Air India flight from Auckland to New Delhi 

on Wednesday, July 1. NZ Police media team 

said the police became aware of a sudden 

death incident involving a person who died at 

Auckland Hospital on Friday, June 26. 

The woman came to New Zealand on a 

student visa in 2017 to study Business course, 

Level 8 at Whitirea College, in Auckland. 

She was on a work visa in New Zealand 

and was employed full time as a retail 

assistant at the newly opened Westfield mall in 

Newmarket, Auckland. 

Close contact of the deceased said he was 

informed of the death on Friday afternoon who 

later informed her family in India. 

“She was very smart, an intelligent person, 

but used to be reserved about personal matters,” 

the close contact said on the condition of 

anonymity. 

“It’s sad that such a bright life and left us so 

soon,” he added. 

The death has been referred to the coroner. 

If you are worried about your or someone 

else’s mental health, the best place to get help 

is your GP or local mental health provider. 

However, if you or someone else is in danger 

or endangering others, call police immediately 

on 111. 

Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any 

time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any 

reason. 

Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 

4357 

Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 

0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for 

people who may be thinking about suicide, 

or those who are concerned about family or 

friends. 

Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) 

or text 4202 

Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7) 

Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 

234 (8am-12am), or email talk@youthline. 

co.nz 

What’s Up: online chat (3pm-10pm) or 0800 

WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 helpline (12pm- 

10pm weekdays, 3pm-11pm weekends) 

Kidsline (ages 5-18): 0800 543 754 (24/7) 

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Applications open for urgent aid needed by temporary 

visa holders experiencing serious hardship in NZ 


Temporary Visa Holders experiencing 

serious hardship due to Covid-19 in 

New Zealand can now apply for urgent 

aid with Red Cross New Zealand from July st. 

The ‘Assistance for Foreign Nationals 

impacted by COVID-19 Programme’ was 

announced by Foreign Minister Winston Peters 

and Minister for Community and Voluntary 

Sector, Poto Williams on June 16, last month 

to help foreign nationals who have exhausted 

their financial means of survival in the country 

due to Covid-19 and are in dire need of 

basic necessities. 

The Programme was allocated a fund of 

$37.6 million by the ministry that will run 

from July 1 for three months, administered by 

Department of Internal Affairs and delivered by 

a community-based NGO, which is Red Cross 

New Zealand for this Programme. 

“New Zealand Red Cross is scaling up at 

speed to address the urgent needs of people 

on temporary visas in Aotearoa New Zealand 

who are experiencing serious hardship due to 

COVID-19,” a press release from Red Cross 

New Zealand read. 

From July 1, people who are in need and 

on temporary visas can check their eligibility 

and apply through foreignnationals.services. 

govt.nz. Minister Peters had then said, foreign 

nationals should be seeking to depart New 

Zealand as soon as possible if they cannot 

support themselves here, and should contact 

their embassy, high commission or consulate 

for assistance in the first instance. 

Where returning home isn’t immediately 

possible, assistance will be provided under 

"New 

Zealand Red 

Cross believes 

in humanity and 

impartiality, and in 

providing the support 

that is based on need and 

focused on upholding the 

dignity of the people 

we work with." 

the Programme to temporary 

visa holders where it has been 

established that: the person 

is experiencing serious 

hardship, and 

all other avenues of potential 

support have been exhausted, 

such as access to savings or other 

assets, insurance cover, consular 

assistance from their own foreign missions, or 

help from family and friends. 

Working with Te Tari Taiwhenua, Department 

of Internal Affairs, who is managing the New 

Zealand Government’s Foreign Nationals 

Impacted by COVID-19 Programme (known 

by New Zealand Red Cross as ‘Visitor Care 

Manaaki Manuhiri’), New Zealand 

Red Cross will deliver in-kind 

assistance to help foreign nationals 

meet basic needs, such as food and 

accommodation. 

“We know that this inkind, 

individualised, temporary 

assistance will meet a real and urgent 

humanitarian need in Aotearoa. These 

are visitors in our home who we are pleased 

to work with Te Tari Taiwhenua to provide 

assistance to quickly, simply and with care,” 

says Rachel O’Connor, Visitor Care Manaaki 

Manuhiri Project Lead for New Zealand 

Red Cross. 

New Zealand Red Cross support will include 

needs assessments, local distribution of inkind 

aid, psychosocial support, and engaging 

the community to ensure that our support is 

reaching the people who are eligible and most 

in need. 

“New Zealand Red Cross believes in 

humanity and impartiality, and in providing 

the support that is based on need and focused 

on upholding the dignity of the people we 

work with. As with everything New Zealand 

Red Cross does, the support New Zealand Red 

Cross provides will align with our Fundamental 

Principles,” the PR said. 

Under programme Assistance for 

Foreign Nationals impacted by COVID-19 

Programme’ assistance will be provided 

for: food and household goods required to 

meet urgent and immediate needs blankets, 

hot water bottles and basic clothing to meet 

urgent and immediate needs over-the-counter 

medication to meet urgent and immediate needs 

accommodation (including rent, boarding costs 

and rent arrears) utilities (electricity, gas). 

Excludes internet and broadband connection 

and plans if required, pre-paid phone cards 

to enable emergency communication and 

communication with consulate/embassy petrol/ 

travel (limited to travel required to shift to a 

new location for employment purposes or to 

the airport to leave New Zealand). 

There will be no cash payments offered under 

this Programme, and only in-kind assistance 

will be provided. 

Temporary visa holders check their eligibility 

for this support on uniteforrecovery.govt. 

nz and apply through foreignnationals.services. 

govt.nz. 

Priyanca 

Radhakrishnan 

Labour List MP based in Maungakiekie 

Maungakiekie Office 

09 622 2660 

priyanca@parliament.govt.nz 

Level 1 Crighton House, 

100 Neilson St, Onehunga 

(entrance via Galway St) 

| | priyancanzlp 

Authorised by Priyanca Radhakrishnan 

Labour List MP, 100 Neilson St, Onehunga


NEW ZEALAND 7 

Support for 

Christchurch 

Muslims falling: 

Community leader 

RADIO NEW ZEALAND 

A 

leader in the Christchurch Muslim community says 

support for victims is slowly being withdrawn. 

Following the massacre on 15 March 2019, 

case managers were assigned to the bereaved and injured 

to help them navigate their way around government 

agencies including the Ministry of Social Development 

(MSD), Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) and 

Immigration New Zealand (INZ). 

Muslim Association of Canterbury general secretary 

Feroze Ditta, who still carried fragments of the shooter’s 

bullets in his leg, said this help was increasingly not 

on offer. 

He said instead people were being referred to non- 

Christchurch based staff. 

“We are being palmed off to other people who do not 

necessarily know the background of what has happened 

and they have to familiarise themselves again [with our 

cases].” 

However the needs were still significant, he said. 

“Those that were injured, some of them have not been 

able to return to work, [there’s still work to do] retraining 

them, as well as the mental trauma.” 

MSD regional commissioner Diane McDermott said 

initially 16 case managers were assigned to help the 

community but was reduced to nine shortly after. 

“With the advent of Covid-19, we assigned seven of 

these case managers to also assist with our response to the 

economic impacts of the virus. However, each of these case 

managers remained available to their ‘case management 

service’ clients if they were needed,” she said. 

New car park booking 

system for Mt Ruapehu 

IWK BUREAU 

Queuing for a carpark is set to 

become a thing of the past at Mt 

Ruapehu’s Turoa and Whakapapa 

ski fields. 

A new parking booking system is being 

introduced this season to help ease traffic 

congestion at the mountain during peak 

times and ensure a sustainable level of 

visitation can be managed. 

RAL CEO Jono Dean says, “This means 

that visitors can book a park in advance 

and put an end to waiting in frustrating 

queues and being turned around at the last 

minute. 

“We’ve listened to the frustrations about 

queuing for parking and general volumes 

of visitors to the ski areas and we’ve come 

up with what we believe is a good solution 

that will ensure fair and equitable parking 

for everyone.” 

Jono is hoping that the booking system 

will also encourage visitors to plan their 

trip in advance and avoid busy times, like 

weekends. “While weekends will always 

be busy, skiers need to consider going up 

the mountain mid-week to avoid crowds 

and queues. The new booking system will 

show live availability so people can easily 

see when is the best time to visit.” 

Visitors will be able to book online 

at https://www.mtruapehu.com/ on a 

Wednesday which will include availability 

for the week ahead. Car number plates 

will be scanned on arrival to match to the 

booking at a controlled entry point on the 

Bruce Road or Ohakune Mountain Road. 

“Visitors will also be asked how many 

people will be in each car, which will help 

us to manage the reduced Safe Carrying 

Capacities in place for both ski fields this 

season. Whakapapa is limited to 4,500 

visitors and Turoa 3,700,” Jono says. 

He adds that besides driving, there 

are other options to get up the mountain. 

“While RAL isn’t operating a shuttle 

service this season there are a number of 

great local shuttle operators who transport 

visitors up the mountain from local towns.” 

The booking system will be open to 

the public by Wednesday 8 July and in 

operation by Saturday July 11. The process 

to book and secure a carpark is free to 

customers this season. 

And this week heralds the official start 

of winter 2020 season. Whakapapa ski area 

will open on Wednesday July 1, but due 

to Mother Nature not delivering enough 

snow yet the offering will be limited. 

“Our snow machines are pumping 

snow but we’re lacking a good base of 

natural snow. Sky Waka will be open for 

sightseeing and also Happy Valley for 

learners. We’re also hoping to have the 

tobogganing slope up and running for the 

school holidays but it very much depends 

on snowfall,” Jono says. 

Before heading up the mountain visitors 

should check the Mt Ruapehu website for 

the latest updates, snowcams, weather 

conditions and to book a carpark. This is 

a mandatory component on visiting Mt 

Ruapehu this season. Further information 

about the new car parking booking system 

is also on the website https://www. 

mtruapehu.com/. 

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How’s life in quarantine at our borders? 

Kiwi-Indian woman shares her journey 

living through managed isolation 


The Covid pandemic has left 

people all around the globe 

stranded away from their 

homes, their families, workplaces 

with people losing their jobs and 

their livelihoods. A few lucky have 

been able to make it back, but that 

too has come at a considerable cost, 

both financially, mentally and in time 

dollars. 

People who have returned home 

somehow, have had to go through 

mandatory quarantine or selfisolation 

for at least two weeks so 

that if they had contacted the virus, it 

subsides or gets detected within that 

time and community transmission 

can be avoided. 

The Indian Weekender spoke to a 

Kiwi-Indian woman Rachna Vijan, 

who was stuck in India for more than 

three months and returned home to 

New Zealand at the first possible and 

available flight earlier in June. 

Rachna Vijan travelled to Jodhpur, 

Rajasthan in India in February this 

year to see her ailing father that made 

extend her stay in the country for a 

longer period. 

She had to travel between the 

hospital, home and pharmacies 

during this time looking after her 

father when Covid-19 pandemic 

Passengers on Vande Bharat Mission led first direct Air India flight from New Delhi to Auckland 

hit India, and the whole country 

transitioned into lockdown. 

Sadly, Rachna’s father succumbed 

to his illness in May leaving her with 

fewer reasons to stay there, and in a 

situation to travel back to her family; 

her husband and children living in 

Auckland, New Zealand. 

She took the first available 

opportunity to travel back to New 

Zealand on Indian government led 

Vande Bharat Mission’s Air India 

direct flight on June 5 to Auckland. 

“We took reasonable precautions 

when in flight from New Delhi to 

Auckland. We were given a plastic 

face cover, wore masks and since I 

was travelling alone, I did not speak 

to anyone in the flight or at the 

airport,” Rachna said. 

She adds that upon reaching 

the Auckland Airport, 

which was deserted, she 

was duly checked by 

the airport security 

and then taken on 

a bus to Grand 

Millennium 

in 

Hotel 

Auckland 

CBD. 

“I didn’t know 

where I will be taken. 

I had my protected gears 

on and boarded the bus to 

the hotel where I was given 

some forms to fill, then 

escorted to my room.” 

Rachna adds that all this 

while, she did fear of getting 

in contact with the virus, 

as she had spent most of 

her time travelling between 

hospital, and pharmacies 

back in India. 

“Indeed, there was a 

substantial chance of getting 

infected, not just in India, but 

also while travelling to India 

to New Zealand. Though 

I had my protective gears, 

everyone was confined 

to limited space sitting 

relatively in close proximity 

with co-passengers, and 

one had to use the restroom 

facilities in the almost 17- 

hour flight,” she added. 

Once in the hotel, Rachna 

was relieved to have finally 

found a place to rest, but 

this was still far from over. 

She was still away from the 

comfort of her house, her 

husband and children and 

she had to go through this 

ordeal, in self-isolation for 

14-days. 

"We 

took reasonable 

precautions when in 

flight from New Delhi to 

Auckland. We were given a 

plastic face cover, wore masks 

and since I was travelling 

alone, I did not speak to 

anyone in the flight or 

at the airport" 

“The first few days were difficult, 

alone in the hotel room, limited to 

no contact with anyone outside my 

room, and food would be dropped at 

my doorstep in takeaway boxes and 

door knocked once for intimation. 

“I was given two laundry 

coupons to get my 

used clothes and 

linens washed. 

Housekeeping would 

drop fresh linens and 

sheets when asked, 

and I had to make 

my own bed at the 

hotel, so pretty much 

a good service was lined 

up for me, and I assume the 

same would be for other travellers in 

managed isolation facilities.” 

Rachna adds that since her balcony 

faced the street, her family would 

sometimes come over to the street 

just to have a glimpse of her. After a 

few days, her family was allowed to 

drop homemade food in a takeaway 

container which was checked by the 

hotel staff before dropping at her 

doorstep. 

“Once I had settled in the hotel, 

mentally, I started working remotely, 

managing my café business from the 

room. I would stroll out on my floor 

and lobby during the evenings. The 

hotel had also created a yoga studio 

in one of the halls, and I would go 

there to relax and get some fresh air, 

and exercise,”. 

She adds that a nurse would 

come every alternate day to take 

her temperature from outside, 

ask her questions about getting 

any symptoms, such as cough, 

fever, cold, losing sense of taste or 

smell etc. 

“As I was moving closer to the 

end of quarantine, I was, of course, 

excited and getting a sense of relief 

of finally joining my family and to go 

back home. 

“On Day 12 of my managed 

isolation, I was asked if I would like 

to take a test for Covid-19, which was 

voluntary 

then by the 

Ministry of Health. 

“I got myself swabbed, and then the 

next day, the two cases from the UK 

who were reported having Covid-19 

came out which made mandatory all 

self-isolated individuals to get tested 

with a negative result to leave the 

isolation facility.” 

She further added that since she 

was tested negative and given results 

by Day 15, the day she was supposed 

to check out from the hotel- there 

was a lot of confusion and issues 

in the hotel as tests were done for 

all those other passengers in selfisolation 

just a day before and their 

results had not yet arrived. 

“I finally had the green signal 

and then reached home to be with 

my family, after almost four months 

since I left home for India,” Rachna 

says. 

Rachna was visited by a few close 

friends and family members, but she 

says some people had apprehension 

to see me in person, given I had just 

come out of quarantine and that is 

totally understandable. 

Overall, Rachna says, her 

experience was much better and 

somehow comfortable as compared 

to what people are going through 

around the world. 

“Yes, even in quarantine, there 

were times when you actually feel 

blue in quarantine, have a fear of 

contracting the virus and when it 

pops up but overall I understood that 

one has to endure through all these, 

as we are not living in normal times 

now and the key is to go with the 

flow, take precautions and adjust to 

the situation. 

Rachna further adds that once 

the cases started coming up, and 

the Ministry of Health (MoH) 

announced that it would check all 

the people who left the managed 

isolation facilities, she was expecting 

a call from MoH if she was needed to 

undergo another testing. 

“I called MoH helpline and asked 

them if I need to be tested again, as 

mentioned in the news, but they said 

I would be tested again only if I show 

any Covid symptom, else no test is 

required,” Rachna added.


NEW ZEALAND 9 

Hare Krishna Temple’s ‘Food for Life’ initiative 

feed hundreds of school children every month 


ISKCON Temple’s free food initiative that 

has been feeding people on alternate weeks 

in Auckland CBD in the last few years has 

now expanded to schools providing hundreds 

of children with free lunch once a month. 

This initiative ‘Food for Life- No One Should 

Go Hungry’ in Schools started last year as a 

part of reaching out to the broader community, 

and ISKCON contacted four schools so far in 

different parts of Auckland providing them 

with free food. 

The free food drive of Hare Krishna 

Temple has been taking place for years, every 

fortnight on a street corner of Auckland CBD 

accompanied by chanting and live devotional 

music, monthly community dinner in Massey 

and on temple site every Sunday called ‘Sunday 

Love Feast’ that serves to more than a hundred 

visitors every week. 

The history of ISKCON’s free food project 

dates back to 1974 by founder Acharya A. C. 

Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada when he 

witnessed children fighting for a scrap of food, 

he told his disciples to make sure ‘no one, 

within ten miles of a temple should go hungry’. 

Following Swami Prabhupada’s guidance, 

ISKCON’s NZ President Kalasamvara Das 

suggested that besides service the public in 

CBD, a humble attempt should be made for the 

wider community and school was the first place 

to start it. 

“The food we cook is karma free and made 

with love and care. 

“It is said that whatever we eat does have 

an impact on our consciousness, and having 

eaten food which is karma free and made 

with love and care will help one to develop 

these qualities which are 

important elements in our 

society,” a spokesperson 

from ISKCON Auckland, 

Krishnachandra Das told The 

Indian Weekender. 

The food for the school is prepared 

within the temple premises in Kumeu, West 

Auckland, which is then transported to schools 

by volunteers of ISKCON. 

Currently, ISKCON is doing free food 

initiative at Ferguson Intermediate School in 

Otara with 420 students, Mt Richmond Special 

School in Otahuhu with 150 students, East 

Tamaki Primary School with 240 students, 

and Waitakere College in Henderson with 400 

students. The food drive at Waitakere College 

was started earlier this year. 

“So far, we have been serving free food 

at four schools in Auckland, and we are in 

conversation in a few more to be joined soon. 

The schools have been kind enough to let us 

serve the community and reach out to young 

students with this important message of service 

to humanity,” Mr Das added.

10 NEW ZEALAND 

Rebuilding a strong 

economy together 

Priyanca Radhakrishnan 

Labour List MP based in 

Maungakiekie, Parliamentary 

Private Secretary to the Minister 

for Ethnic Communities 

The COVID-19 pandemic is worsening 

globally. Here in New Zealand, as an 

increasing number of Kiwis return 

home, we have cases that have cropped up at 

the border. It’s important to note that they are all 

in managed isolation. There is no community 

transmission. There have been over 80,000 

tests in the last fortnight and there are no cases 

in the community. 

In addition, our economy is now one of the 

most open in the world and is predicted to 

emerge from COVID-19 better than most. 

We have been working hard to support 

as many people as possible. We have done 

this through measures like the wage subsidy 

scheme that aimed to help businesses maintain 

a connection with their employees during the 

various levels of lockdown. The scheme has 

been extended beyond the initial 12 week period 

covered, for companies that are experiencing 

particular hardship. 

We also know that in the tough economic 

times ahead it will be important to give people 

of all ages, the opportunity to upskill and retrain 

so that we grow the workforce we need. That’s 

why Budget 2020 included funding for free 

trades training in critical industries and support 

for employers to retain and keep training their 

apprentices. 

From 1 July, targeted vocational training 

courses will be free for people of all ages, not 

just school leavers. This will help people who 

have lost their jobs to retrain and will also allow 

new employees in some essential services to 

train on the job. 

It includes courses linked to industry skills 

needs in building and construction, agriculture, 

manufacturing and also vocational courses like 

community health, counselling and care work. 

Apprentices are significant investments for 

companies particularly in the early years of 

their training. They are also frequently the first 

to be laid off when companies have to tighten 

their belts in an economic downturn. 

The initiative to support employers and group 

training schemes to retain and keep training 

their apprentices is critical for continuity. The 

last thing we want to see is apprentices and 

trainees having to be let go when we really need 

them. 

Budget 2020 also funds the establishment 

of Workforce Development Councils to 

strategically plan for the recovery of industries 

and jobs from the impact of COVID-19. 

Our approach to ensure that we support as 

many people as possible has got the tick of 

approval from a major global economic agency. 

According to Shaun Roache, Chief 

Economist of S&P Asia-Pacific, “New Zealand 

definitely is one of those economies that has 

exited the most severe periods of the pandemic 

first, and that clearly was just because what that 

allows the economy to do is reopen those faceto-face 

service activities that are so important 

for the labour market.” 

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on 

the global economy is significant and New 

Zealand is not immune to it. However, our 

government has a plan and the leadership to 

rebuild our economy together. 

IWK BUREAU 

Applications are now open for the chance 

to perform and also for stallholder sites 

at the Auckland Diwali Festival 2020. 

The Auckland Diwali Festival is one of New 

Zealand’s largest cultural festivals. More than 

60,000 people attend each year to celebrate this 

important and ancient Indian festival. 

The Auckland Diwali Festival is delivered 

by Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic 

Development (ATEED), on behalf of Auckland 

Council, in conjunction with founding partner 

Asia New Zealand Foundation. 

This year’s festival will be held on Saturday 

31 October and Sunday 1 November at Aotea 

Square and Queen Street and will be delivered 

in line with Government event guidelines and 

advice at the time. 

This free, family-friendly event is a highlight 

of Auckland’s major events calendar, and one 

of New Zealand’s largest cultural festivals. 


Performer Applications now open 

The performances are a highlight of the 

Auckland Diwali Festival, showcasing a 

mix of established and up-andcoming 

talent. Performer applications 

are now open now, and details of how to be part 

of the festival are outlined below. 

Each year, more than 1000 performers take 

part in the Auckland Diwali Festival. 

There are three stages that performers can 

apply for: 

• Aotea Stage 

• Queen Street Stage 

• Street performance zone 

To help us assess and select 

performers, all applicants must attend 


Aucklanders achieve 

target water savings in June 

IWK BUREAU 

Watercare chair Margaret Devlin says 

Aucklanders are to be commended 

for their water savings in June, 

achieving an average daily water usage of 

402 million litres a day against a target of 410 

million litres a day or less. 

This result was 38 million litres per day less 

than expected for June. 

“I would like to thank Aucklanders for their 

water savings efforts over the past month,” 

says Devlin. 

“It shows people understand the impact 

of the drought on our city’s water supply 

and are motivated to do their bit while our 

dams recover.” 

The rolling 7-day water usage target for July 

is 409 million litres a day or less. Devlin says 

that while it is slightly tougher than the June 

target, Aucklanders have already demonstrated 

they can achieve it. 

“The challenge for everyone in July is to 

sustain the behavior changes they’ve already 

made – keep having shorter showers; keep the 

tap off when brushing teeth; and keep using 

washing machines and dishwashers efficiently.” 

The next four weeks is forecast to be drier 

than normal, with occasional rain events. 

The rain event at the end of June saw the 

volume of water stored in Auckland’s dams 

climb from 44.89% on Wednesday 24 June to 

55.35% on 1 July. 

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says Aucklanders 

water-savings efforts combined with the rain 

over the past week has helped boost the water 

supply in the dams and shows that people 

understand how serious the situation is. 

“However, the water crisis is far from over— 

the situation remains critical so it’s important 

that everyone continues to make savings 

wherever possible. 

Every litre we save this winter 

is a litre more we will have 

come summer. This is all the more important 

given long-term weather forecasts of a drier 

than normal winter and spring.” 

While Watercare has set an Auckland-wide 

water usage target for July of 405 million litres 

a day or less, the company is still asking people 

to reduce their water use indoors by 20 litres a 

day – two bucketsful. 

How to reduce your water use at home 

• Spend two minutes less in the shower: save 

around 24 litres 

• Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth: 

save around 4 litres 

• When possible, use the half flush on the 

toilet: save around 6 litres 

• Wash one less load of laundry a week: save 

around 122 litres 

Applications now open for 

performers and stallholders at 

Auckland Diwali Festival 2020 

a compulsory workshop in August. This 

workshop is to discuss details of the 

performance, technical requirements, and your 

eligibility and fit for the festival. Performers 

that attend the workshop will be given priority 

for performance slots. Performers that do not 

attend the workshop will be automatically 

waitlisted for performance slots. 

The deadline for performer 

applications is Friday 7 August 2020. 

Apply here https://www.surveygizmo.com/ 

s3/5592735/Auckland-Diwali-Festival-2020- 

Performer-Application 

Stallholder sites applications now open 

Applications are now open for stallholder 

sites at the Auckland Diwali Festival 2020.As in 

previous years, stalls will operate from 12pm – 

9pm on both festival days. There are five types 

of stalls available for the 2020 festival: 

Food (vegetarian only, no eggs) 

Retail (includes craft, clothes, jewellery etc) 

• Henna only 

• Information 

• Information Charitable 

The deadline for applications is Sunday 2 

August 2020. Apply here: https://www. 

surveygizmo.com/s3/5682815/Auckland- 

Diwali-Festival-Stallholder-Application-2020.


NEW ZEALAND 11 

Australia-NZ win bid to host 

Fifa Women’s World Cup 2023 

RADIO NEW ZEALAND 

Australia and New Zealand have won 

the right to host the 2023 Women’s 

World Cup football tournament by a 

comfortable margin after a vote by the FIFA 

Council. 

Their joint proposal beat a rival bid from 

Colombia to host the tournament which is being 

expanded to 32 teams. 

Japan, who had also put forward a bid to 

stage the event, pulled out on Monday after 

they were ranked below the joint bid by world 

governing body FIFA’s evaluation report. 

The report highlighted the infrastructure and 

organisational advantages of the Australia/New 

Zealand bid which FIFA believed would make 

for a commercially successful tournament. 

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said New 

Zealand was honoured to have been selected as 

co-hosts. 

“It will be a historic tournament of firsts that 

will create a profound and enduring legacy for 

women’s football in the Asia-Pacific region and 

beyond. We are looking forward to delivering 

the best ever FIFA Women’s World Cup in 

both nations, one that will elevate the women’s 

game and inspire women and girls around the 

world.” 

NZF President and FIFA Council Member, 

Johanna Wood, believes Australia-New 

Zealand will deliver a tournament the likes of 

which has not been seen before: 

“Australia and New Zealand will not only 

host a FIFA Women’s World Cup that is the 

largest tournament ever run, but it will also 

be a catalyst for ensuring the development of 

women’s football continues in the Asia-Pacific 


Rotoruan Vishal Sharma is 

known in the community for his 

passion for tourism, explicitly 

drawing the attention of travellers to the 

city of ‘geothermal geysers’, Rotorua in 

Bay of Plenty. 

Vishal, who has been associated with 

the media and tourism industry has 

used all his talents and skills to promote 

Rotorua city not just to New Zealanders 

but also reaching out to travellers from 

all around the globe. 

His spirit of promoting the city 

as a global destination for activities 

and sighting seeing is unbroken 

even after losing his job due to the 

Covid-19 pandemic. 

This news of becoming redundant at 

his previous job did disappoint him first, 

but the man has decided to make the 

most of this adversity to his advantage, 

dedicate his talents to a new venture 

until the tourism sector gets back on 

its feet. 

Vishal has started ‘mini brochure 

business’ as a secondary option, for 

now, which will help him bring sustain 

himself and his family and at the same 

time promote small, medium and big 

tourism enterprises offering various fun 

activities in Rotorua. 

“The idea is not just to make a 

decent livelihood but also give tourism 

operators in Rotorua an opportunity 

to attract travellers from within the 

region and globally. 

“Our two nations have worked together to 

deliver an exceptional, historic bid and I would 

like to thank FIFA and the whole football 

family for giving us this opportunity. The FIFA 

Women’s World Cup 2023 will bring us all 

together in a celebration of our shared loved of 

football.” 

Football Ferns’ captain, Ali Riley, believes 

placing players’ needs firsts will produce great 

benefits for the tournament: 

“As players, we have been in close contact 

with both FFA and NZF to develop a tournament 

which will enable players to deliver their very 

best on the field. To lead the Football Ferns 

in a home FIFA Women’s World Cup in New 

Zealand will be truly special and inspire a new 

country, for now, to come and enjoy 

Rotorua and activities it is offering,” 

Vishal told The Indian Weekender. 

Vishal Sharma earlier last year 

penned the coffee table book on Rotorua 

‘Places of Pride Rotorua Rotovegas of 

New Zealand’. 

Vishal has for long planning to 

write the third edition of his book and 

this time, distribute the book globally 

to major cities in different countries, 

all with the goal to brand Rotorua the 

‘hotspot’ for tourism and activities in 

New Zealand. 

“It was indeed challenging 

to lose a job due to a 

drastic drop in tourism 

in this Covid-19 

pandemic, and the 

industry had suddenly 

gone into massive losses 

generation of Football Ferns.” 

There had been media reports that the 

vote could be tight with UEFA’s European 

representatives backing Colombia but in the 

end the margin of victory was wide with 

Australia and New Zealand gaining 22 votes to 

Colombia’s 13. 

The tournament will be held in July and 

August and New Zealand will host four of the 

eight pools and also one of the quarter-finals 

and a semi-final. 

The opening game of the tournament will be 

held at Eden Park. 

The 2019 World Cup in France was hailed as 

a watershed for global interest in the women’s 

game and FIFA President Gianni Infantino 

personally drove the campaign to increase the 

Man undeterred in his mission to 

promote Rotorua, even after losing his job 

"The 

idea is not 

just to make a decent 

livelihood but also give 

tourism operators in Rotorua an 

opportunity to attract travellers 

from within the country, for now, 

to come and enjoy Rotorua and 

activities it is offering" 

and job cuts. But I am certain that things 

will pick up in months and we need to 

prepare ourselves from now, branding 

and promoting tourism in the country, 

especially Rotorua, which I believe 

is the most beautiful place on earth,” 

Vishal said. 

Vishal is looking forward to his 

upcoming coffee table book’s 3rd 

edition which will be a breakthrough 

for him and it will be distributed 

globally, such as Australia, Thailand, 

USA, Singapore, India, Canada etc. 

“The coffee table book 

is very special to me; 

I have designed, 

penned it, published 

and distributed 

the previous two 

versions to every 

important business 

and government sector, not 

just in locally, nationally 

and even overseas,” Vishal 

added. 

Besides the coffee table 

book and brochure venture, 

Vishal will be in and around 

Rotorua city and other regions 

around New Zealand with his 

‘I Love Rotorua’ photo frame to 

promote the destination and 

bring business to the 

region. 

Vishal says he 

is hopeful, confident, 

and even 

though he lost 

his job recently, 

has 

not lost his 

vision to 

make 

R o - 

torua 

the 

onestop 

fun 

destination in the 

country. 

field to 32 teams from 24 for 2023. 

Infantino had also expressed a preference 

for the successful Australia/New Zealand bid 

during the FIFA Council meeting. 

Colombia, who were hoping to become 

the first South American nation to hold the 

tournament, were disappointed at the decision 

but vowed to keep fighting to host a major FIFA 

event. 

“We wanted the seat of the Women’s World 

Cup 2023 for Colombia and we gave everything 

to get it,” the country’s sports Ministry wrote 

on twitter. 

“We will work more strongly to bring another 

World Cup to Colombia. With the efforts of all, 

women’s soccer (here)...will keep growing.” 

The countries have proposed to stage 

matches at up to eight grounds in Australia: 

• Stadium Australia, Sydney (the final), 

capacity: 70,000 

• Sydney Football Stadium, capacity: 42,512 

• Melbourne Stadium, capacity: 30,052 

• Brisbane Stadium, capacity: 52,263 

• Perth Stadium, capacity: 22,225 

• Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide, capacity: 

18,435 

• Newcastle Stadium, capacity: 25,945 

• York Park, Launceston, Tasmania, capacity: 

22,065 

• And five stadiums in New Zealand: 

• Eden Park, Auckland (opening game), 

capacity: 48,276 

• Wellington Stadium, capacity: 39,000 

• Christchurch Stadium, capacity: 22,556 

• Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, capacity: 

25,111 

• Dunedin Stadium, capacity: 28,744

Editorial 

Hibernation was 

never in the DNA of 

today’s cricketer 

The lockdown period of cricket has brought to the fore many discussions on the game. 

There have been several panel discussions as well as individual interviews with cricketers 

and cricket experts. The game needs to be kept alive and the only way to do so where 

ï¿½live cricket is not concerned is to have ï¿½live performance. 

Cricket players old and new are in the news, each one giving their views and anecdotes of life 

on the field as well as off it. 

The thought of listening as well as watching highlights of some of the great moments of cricket 

is wonderful, but one feels that comparing one cricketer or team to another from a different era 

rests only with the bookworms. The averages and runs scored comparisons can never ever reflect 

the truth at most times. 

In every 10 years, the changes in rules, regulations and the improvement in equipment makes 

the game an entirely different ball game. 

Test cricket before World War II and thereafter, over every decade, changed in several parameters 

of the game. The first sea of change was cricket losing its stature as an amateur sport to becoming 

more professional in its approach. 

Cricketers, started looking at the sport as a way to make a living. One of India’s greatest allrounders, 

Vinoo Mankad, was a good example of it. He opted to play club cricket in England in 

1959 rather than play for India. 

He was, therefore, not selected in the touring squad. Mankad was finally called upon to save 

India at a time when the Indian side was down and out and his performance at Lords was one of 

the finest feats ever accomplished by a cricketer. 

India took many years to finally be called a professional side. The BCCI had no money and 

therefore, the system of cricket becoming a full-time profession was definitely not an option till 

the 21st century. 

Rahul Dravid in one of his interviews recently said that the most crucial or significant decision he 

made before he played for the country was to concentrate on his cricket. He knew the uncertainty 

and the lack of financial returns of playing the game in India but his passion for the game is what 

pressed him into taking the risks that came with it. 

This fortunately is not a tale for the present lot of cricketers as money has made the sport one 

that a cricketer can not only make plenty of but also enough to lead a good life in the future. 

The commercial success of the game has brought a surfeit of cricket and in the last two decades 

made it into a 365 days affair. 

Cricketers were grumbling about excessive cricket, with players pleading and excusing 

themselves from playing for the country on the grounds of needing a break. 

Unfortunately, now, the uncertainty of life and the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic 

has confined them to their homes. 

The frustration of not wielding their bat or ball and being caged among four walls must be quite 

a concern for them. 

This must have given rise to mental anguish in each one of them, especially, as they were used 

to the fast and active way of life earlier. 

The present cricketers have never encountered being away from the game for such a long period 

of time and so the big question in their mind would be as to whether they will be able to perform 

at the same level as they did earlier. 

This was a dilemma that cricketers in the earlier days faced year after year. The first-class 

season in India came to a close in March and the next season only got underway in November. 

Although, one did play club and corporate cricket, most of the months were sans cricket because 

of the monsoon. 

One kept fit playing other sports and exercising on one’s own as facilities like gyms and fitness 

centers were not in existence then. 

After the long break and on return, one developed unconsciously at times a change in ones’ grip, 

stance and even in body movement. This is a fundamental issue that the present cricketer may face 

when they return. 

Fortunately for them they have video clippings of their earlier batting and bowling performances 

to compare with. 

In our days one depended on the eye of one’s local coach. Most of them were brilliant in 

analysing and I can recall my coach, the legendary Kamal Bhandarkar in Pune, who would by 

watching just 10 minutes of my batting tell me what off season effects have come about in my 

batting. It will be interesting to see how the modern cricketers handle the break from the game. 

Technology has spoilt them on being able to evaluate themselves but in my opinion, they miss out 

on the human touch. 

They are fortunate that they play top-level cricket so frequently which kept their reflexes and 

movements alive. A long break like this is something they have never faced before. 

In cricket it is nice to be physically fit but more than the six packs, it is the skill, technique, 

confidence and mental toughness that prevails in the middle. 

Cricket is not played through an on and off switch. Cricketers will need to chart their own 

current course, after all, hibernation for a present cricketer was never a part of their game. 

Thought of the week 

"If you don't value your time, neither will 

others. Stop giving away your time and 

talents--start charging for it." – Kim Garst 

3 July – 9 July 2020 

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thu 

On-and-off 

rain and 

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Indian Weekender : Volume 12 Issue 16 

Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited 

Content Editor: Sandeep Singh | sandeep@indianweekender.co.nz 

Chief Reporter: Rizwan Mohammad | rizwan@indianweekender.co.nz 

Chief Technical Officer: Rohan deSouza | rohan@indianweekender.co.nz 

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Graphic Designer: Yashmin Chand | design@indianweekender.co.nz 

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Media Sales Manager.: Leena Pal: 021 952 216 | leena@indianweekender.co.nz 

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Editor at Large: Dev Nadkarni | dev@indianweekender.co.nz 

Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher 

is not responsible for advertisers’ claims as appearing in the publication 

Views expressed in the articles are solely of the authors and do not in any way represent 

the views of the team at the Indian Weekender 

Kiwi Media Publishing Limited - 133A, Level 1, Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland. 

Printed at Horton Media, Auckland 

Parlty 

sunny 

Clouds and 

sun 

18° 

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dafr 

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This week in New Zealand’s history 

4 July 1902 

New Zealand Boxing Association formed 

Copyright 2017. Kiwi Media Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved. 

Sunshine 

and pactcy 

clouds 

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morning 

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The New Zealand Boxing Association (NZBA) was formed to promote and foster amateur 

boxing in this country. After drawing up its rules and obtaining parliamentary sanction, the 

association staged its first New Zealand championships in Christchurch later in 1902. 


Poll tax imposed on Chinese 

Parliament passed the Chinese Immigrants Act. After this received the Royal Assent, a ‘poll 

tax’ of £10 (equivalent to nearly $1700 today) was imposed on Chinese migrants and the 

number allowed to land from each ship arriving in New Zealand was restricted. 


New Zealand’s first prize fight? 

The boxing bout was fought in an improvised ring on the banks of the Waimakariri River near 

Kaiapoi after police were ejected from the scene. London prizefighter Harry Jones defeated 

‘navvie’ George Barton over 30 bloody bare-knuckle rounds for a purse of £100 (worth more 

than $11,000 today). 


New Zealand Racing Conference meets 

The New Zealand Racing Conference was formed to control the thoroughbred horse-racing 

industry in this country. Horse racing had been quickly introduced to the early settlements. 


Homosexual Law Reform Bill passed 

Wellington Central MP Fran Wilde’s private member’s bill, which removed criminal 

sanctions against consensual male homosexual practices, was read a third time in 

Parliament by 49 votes to 44. 


New Zealand adopts decimal currency 

Pounds, shillings and pence were replaced by dollars and cents − 27m new banknotes and 

165m new coins. The new money was valued at $120m and weighed more than 700 tonnes. 


Rainbow Warrior sunk in Auckland 

One crew member died when French secret agents mined the Greenpeace vessel Rainbow 

Warrior in Waitematā Harbour, Auckland.

The Indian Weekender Friday, July 3, 2020 FIJI 13 

Government will not rest when 

it comes to development: PM 

As Fiji reels from the global 

economic impact of 

COVID-19, government will 

not rest when it comes to continuing 

our national development says Prime 

Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. 

Speaking in Vunivau, Dama in 

Bua, Bainimarama says government 

is dedicated to building on the 

progress achieved so far to invest in 

our communities by giving Fijians 

the tools they need to overcome 

any obstacle. 

Bainimarama made the comment 

while handing over a new mechanical 

harvester to rice farmers in Vunivau 

to address labor shortage. He says 

with government setting its sights on 

a wholly sustainable agro-economy, 

rice will play an essential role in 

achieving this vision. 

“Rice is a staple found on kitchen 

tables throughout the country. But 

all too often, that rice is grown 

thousands of kilometres away, 

imported from some far-off country. 

But there’s no reason that Fiji –– and 

Fijian economy anticipated to 

contract severely this year: RBF 

our ideal climate for rice cultivation 

–– can’t make that journey from 

the rice paddy to our tables much, 

much shorter.” 

Bainimarama adds, government is 

providing assistance every step of the 

way –– from seeds to harvesting and 

to milling –– to make rice farming as 

hassle-free and profitable as possible. 

“From community-based 

farming to large commercial 

farms, we’ll get there by working 

together. And farmers like you, 

right here in Vunivau, are our most 

valuable asset.” 

There are over 100 rice farmers in 

the Vunivau area, majority of whom 

sell their rice to Fiji Rice Limited. 

Fiji had effectively implemented 

required measures: Seam 

The Reserve Bank of Fiji says the Fijian economy is 

anticipated to contract severely this year due to the 

significant decline in tourism activity and its knockon 

effects to the rest of the economy. 

done in containing the Coronavirus. 

This is for the excellent work it has 

According to the RBF’s June Review, tourism activity 

Sujiro Seam says Fiji had effectively 

remains muted as visitor arrivals contracted significantly by 

implemented required measures to contain 

56.2 percent in the year to May due to the halt in international 

the virus. 

“The response is the combination of 

travel and tourism. 

tracking, testing, isolating, and restrictions on 

The RBF says on a positive note, the lifting of restrictions 

social gathering and all these measures were 

by Government will complement the “Love Our Locals” 

implemented here in Fiji in a very successful 

initiative announced by domestic tourism stakeholders and 

way as we can tell.” 

catalyse broader economic activity. 

The Ambassador acknowledged the Prime 

Sectoral performances to date remain weak as electricity, 

Minister Voreqe Bainimarama who has been at 

cement, gold and timber production fell up to May. the forefront of the fight against COVID-19. 

There was a -28.7 percent decline in cement production He adds the Prime Minister has described the 

largely due to weak demand, while lower gold production current situation really well. 

Seam says the virus does not recognize 

(-7.6 percent) was driven by supply chain disruptions “He doesn’t want to use the words 

border or race and poses a common challenge 

resulting from the pandemic restrictions. 

COVID-19 free because he is aware as long as 

to all, adding that solidarity and cooperation 

There were double digit declines noted in pine wood supply the Coronavirus lingers around the world it is 

are the most powerful weapons against 

(-23.9 percent), sawn timber (-50.8 percent) and woodchip only contained. But Fiji is one of the countries 

the disease. 

production (-11.5 percent), due to subdued demand. where Coronavirus is contained.” 

Australia, New Zealand Police Force 

conduct training for Fiji Officers 

The Australian Federal Police 

in collaboration with the New 

Zealand Police have been 

conducting a series of workshops 

designed at enhancing Command and 

Control capabilities of Fijian Police 

officers during major incidents. 

The Pacific Command and Control 

"This 

Incident Management Program is 

programme 

was designed for Fiji 

aimed at creating a philosophy of 

and is consistent with 

command and coordination amongst 

training in Australia, and the 

Police officers of all ranks. 

AFP is working with the New 

Facilitating the training was 

Zealand Police to deliver the 

Australian Federal Police Liaison 

training in the Pacific and this 

Officer Superintendent of Police (SP) working closely with the Fiji Police in Australia, package has been tailor 

Glen Fisher who says the program during COVID-19 in partnership and the AFP is 

made for the Pacific 

environment." 

is similar to a course delivered with law enforcement officers from working with the 

within the Australian Federal New Zealand Police and the United New Zealand Police to 

Police Force and other Australian States and have been exchanging deliver the training in the Pacific and 

Police Forces and emergency ideas and lessons learnt from policing this package has been tailor made for 

service providers including Fire and 

Ambulance services. 

“This course came about after 

during the pandemic”. 

“This programme was designed 

for Fiji and is consistent with training 

the Pacific environment”. 

SP Fisher said Fiji’s handling of 

the COVID-19 pandemic situation 

has been commendable. 

“The challenges in policing the 

world over have been unique and 

majority have never experienced 

policing in a pandemic situation as 

operations has been required to be 

fluid in our responses to support 

government initiatives aimed 

not just at containing the 

spread of COVID-19 but to 

reassure the public that we 

have a safe and protected 

environment”. 

The training 

programme will be 

incorporated into Fiji’s 

training packages that will be 

delivered under the Pacific Centre 

for Law Enforcement Cooperation 

under the Pacific Islands Chiefs of 

Police umbrella as Fiji has been 

indentified as a leading center for 

training for its regional partners. 

Key Points From 

Prime Minister 

Bainimarama’s 

Covid-19 Update 

Some key points announced 

by the Hon. Prime Minister 

this afternoon as he called 

on Fijians to set a new standard of 

care among our people for their 

communities, their families, their 

relatives, neighbours and especially, 

for our most vulnerable citizens –– 

those most at-risk from COVID-19. 

• The nationwide curfew will 

remain in effect, but to allow 

for more economic activity and 

freedom of movement, it will now 

be enforced from 11pm and lifted 

at 4am from Monday the 22nd of 

June until further notice. 

• Nightclubs will stay closed. 

• From Monday, the 22nd of June, 

social gathering restrictions will be 

relaxed – allowing for gatherings 

up to 100 individuals and will 

apply to weddings, funerals, cafes, 

restaurants, conferences and other 

community gatherings. 

• Effective from Friday, the 26th of 

June, houses of worship will be 

allowed to re-open their doors to 

100 worshippers at a time. 

• Year 12 and Year 13 students will 

start classes on Tuesday, 30 June. 

• The rest of the primary and 

secondary schools –– as well as 

early childhood education –– will 

open one week later, on Monday, 

the 6th of July. 

• Tertiary institutions as well can 

open for face-to-face classes from 

30 June. 

• Gyms, fitness centres and 

swimming pools –– both public 

pools and those at hotels –– will 

be permitted to re-open from 

Monday, the 22nd of June 

• Contact sports will be allowed 

also from tomorrow. 

• Live sporting events will resume, 

but with restrictions. 

• Formal indoor and outdoors 

sporting venues can host sporting 

events with spectators at 50 per 

cent capacity, so long as physical 

distancing is maintained within 

the venue. 

• For informal sports events at the 

community level, the 100-person 

limit applies. 

• Cinemas will re-open their doors 

from Monday 22nd June, but 

will be limited to 50 per cent of 

capacity. 

AND DON’T FORGET TO 

DOWNLOAD THE careFIJI App 

onto your phone 

Also keep in mind that the new 

CURFEW HOURS comes into effect 

on Monday 22nd June and not today.

14 

INDIA 


India: Coronavirus cases 

Confirmed:585,493, Deaths:17,400, Recovered:347,979, Active: 220,114 

India wary of China investing, 

trading through a third party 

India suspects that China could 

be engaging in unfair trade 

practices by supplying goods 

and investments through a third party 

such as Hong Kong and Singapore, 

but may not bar legitimate Chinese 

trade and investments in India while 

scanning them from the perspective 

of national interest, people with 

direct knowledge of the matter said. 

Data suggests significant indirect 

inflow of Chinese goods and 

investments through locations order.” Sino-Indian tensions have These figures show that something 

with which India has free trade 

agreements (FTAs), preferential trade 

agreements (PTAs) or other bilateral 

commercial arrangements. This is 

not only illegal but also injuring 

domestic industry, the people said, 

requesting anonymity. 

The development comes a day 

after the Narendra Modi govenment 

announced ban on 59 mostly Chinese 

mobile applications such s Tik-Tok, 

UC Browser and WeChat, citing 

concerns that these are “prejudicial 

to sovereignty of India, defence of 

India, security of state and public 

shot up after a violent brawl between 

Chinese and Indian soldiers on June 

15 along the Line of Actual Control 

in the Galwan Valley in eastern 

Ladakh in which 20 Indian army 

personnel were killed. 

Data shows that total foreign 

direct investment (FDI) from China 

is minuscule, but many Indian firms 

have received Chinese investments. 

Similarly, imports from China have 

registered a minor decline recently, 

but at the same time imports from 

Hong Kong and Singapore have 

surged. 

is amiss and needs to be probed, one 

of the people cited above, who works 

in an economic ministry, said. 

According to the Federation of 

Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), 

while India’s trade deficit with 

China narrowed by $6.05 billion to 

$51.25 billion in 2019, the gap with 

Hong Kong widened sharply by $5.8 

billion in 2019, nullifying almost all 

the gains. 

Similarly, India trade deficit with 

Singapore was $5.82 billion in the 

previous financial year, the person 

mentioned above said. 

In China Market: ‘Want to sell 

Indian goods but where are they?’ 

The signs of economic 

distress are obvious. It’s the 

city’s oldest “big hotel”, 

and at 4 pm on a weekday, with 

offices and markets nearby, the 

restaurant of Hotel Rajhans is empty. 

There are only two waiters, both 

watching Prime Minister Narendra 

Modi announce more free ration for 

the poor. As the speech ends, the 

overwhelming feeling is of relief — 

and a little disappointment. 

Relief, says Sonu Kumar, one 

of the two waiters, because “he did 

not announce another lockdown”. 

And disappointment, because he 

was waiting for the Prime Minister 

to tell the country about what was 

happening on the border with China. 

“I don’t mean a ban on goods, 

because that would mean more 

losses, but he should have at least 

mentioned China, no?” he asks. 

Bhagalpur aspires to become one 

of the four “Smart Cities” in Bihar, 

with markets that sell mobile phones 

and plastic trinkets, flatscreen TVs 

and silk sarees. Here, traders back 

the government in its economic 

offensive against China. But, with 

an important caveat: the government 

must provide options that will not 

sink the local economy. 

With 60,000 returning migrants, 

and a Covid count touching 500, 

the district is also the focus of a 

month-long assignment by The 

Indian Express to track how lives 

and livelihoods in smalltown 

India are coping with the 

unlockdown. 

The flavour of the week, 

though, is China. Or rather, 

China Market, opposite the 

Bhagalpur railway station. 

Bhagalpur aspires to become one of the four “Smart Cities” in Bihar, with markets 

that sell mobile phones and plastic trinkets, flatscreen TVs and silk sarees. 

Its small shops sell cheap electronic 

equipment, most of it sourced from 

China. There is a torch that sells for 

Rs 230, an emergency light for Rs 

150, plastic bats, toys. But there are 

no customers. 

“China killed 20 of our soldiers 

on the border, we are with the 

government. Who doesn’t want to 

sell Indian goods? But are there 

any in the market? Give us an 

alternative,” says Manish Sah, a 

shopkeeper. 

“Our business has fallen over 

90 per cent. Much of the market 

revolved around the railway station, 

and since that is shut, except for 

one train, everything is gone. If the 

government bans Chinese items 

without giving us any other options, 

where will we go?” asks another 

shopkeeper, who does not wish to be 

named. 

As for those clamouring for war, 

there is a word of 

"So 

far, what we 

have said and done 

in response is okay, but 

more must follow. I am 

sure that Modi is looking 

for the right time and 

opportunity" 

caution outside the 

district soldiers 

welfare office, 

about 3 km 

away. And the 

man voicing 

it is Honorary 

Naib Subedar 

Yogendra Mandal, who spent 24 

years in the Indian Army, serving in 

10 Bihar and 

14 Bihar. He spent four years in 

Ladakh, over two terms, and is one of 

the nearly 6,000 ex-servicemen from 

Bhagalpur district. 

That’s not all. Both his sons are 

also in the Indian Army and, he 

says, one of them is being moved to 

Galwan Valley, the site of the violent 

face-off with China two weeks ago. 

“I know how difficult the terrain 

is. I was posted about 110 km from 

Leh… There was a place called the 

Three Sisters mountain where you 

could see China. It used to be so cold 

that our food was never warm, and 

we had no appetite,” Mandal recalls. 

The news of the border deaths 

shook him. 

“So far, what we have said and 

done in response is okay, but more 

must follow. I am sure that Modi 

is looking for the right time and 

opportunity,” he says. 

Mandal warns, though, that the 

cost of war is terrible. “Our economic 

situation and theirs will both be 

damaged, our lives and their lives 

will both be lost. Perhaps, first, we 

can try and solve it without bullets,” 

he says. 

NEWS in BRIEF 

PM tweets in 16 languages to talk 'Dignity 

of India's poor' 

" 

Ensuring dignity of the poor of India"—Prime Minister Narendra Modi 

tweeted this in as many as 16 languages, while highlighting his recent 

decision to extend the free ration scheme for 80 crore Indians for another 

five months. From Bengali to Marathi, and Bhojpuri to Maithili -- the PM 

tweeted in an array of regional languages with a YouTube link of his dubbed 

version of the address to the nation on Tuesday. While the wordings may 

differ, the essence of all the tweets remains the same -- the BJP-led Centre's 

pro-poor outlook. In Tamil, Modi tweeted, "Ensuring the dignity of the poor. 

The extension of the Prime Minister's Garib Kalyan Anna Yojna will benefit 

billions of poor people across the country." 

Meanwhile, in Gujarati, his mother tongue, Modi said, "Pradhan Mantri 

Garib Kalyan Yojana will benefit crores of poor people of the country, the 

dignity of the poor will be honored." 

India bans 59 Chinese apps over national 

security concerns 

The Indian government on Monday banned nearly 59 Chinese apps 

including TikTok, WeChat and UC Browser and Xiaomi's Mi 

Community over national security concerns as India-China bilateral 

relations remain strained after the death of 20 Indian soldiers in the Galwan 

Valley clash with Chinese PLA troops in eastern Ladakh. 

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has 

issued a list of 59 Chinese apps that are now banned in the country. 

"These measures have been undertaken since there is credible information 

that these apps are engaged in activities which are prejudicial to sovereignty 

and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order," 

said a MeitY statement. The ministry received complaints from various 

sources including several reports about misuse of some mobile apps 

available on Android and iOS platforms for stealing and surreptitiously 

transmitting users' data in an unauthorised manner to servers which have 

locations outside India. 

PM Modi reviews preparations for large-scale 

Covid-19 vaccination exercise 

A 

day after India’s first 

Covid-19 vaccine 

candidate received the central 

drugs controller’s approval 

for human clinical trials, 

Prime Minister Narendra 

Modi reviewed India’s 

preparations for vaccinating 

its vast population against the 

coronavirus disease (Covid-19) once a vaccine becomes available. 

Vaccination must be affordable and universal, Modi said. At a high-level 

meeting, he directed officials to start work on a detailed plan for carrying 

out such large exercise in the country of 1.3 billion people and review 

preparations in place for vaccination against the viral disease that has 

infected at least 10 million and killed 508,876 across the globe. In India, the 

disease has infected 566,840 people and caused 16,893 deaths. 

Bharat Biotech said it had received the drug controller’s approval for 

carrying out human trials on a vaccine it developed in collaboration with the 

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of 

Virology (NIV), Pune. The trials are expected to begin in July, the company 

said. ICMR-NIV researchers managed to isolate and culture 11 strains from 

swab samples in early February from initial Covid-19 patients in Kerala that 

could be used to develop vaccines and aid research. 

Home-made masks effective, says study 

Homemade quilted cotton 

masks are likely more 

effective than those made 

from handkerchiefs or even 

commercially available cone 

masks to contain the spread of 

Covid-19, according to a study 

published in the American 

Institute of Physics journal. 

“The reason is the weaving 

pattern and the string thickness,” 

the study’s lead author, Dr 

Siddhartha Verma, associate professor (ocean and mechanical engineering), 

Florida Atlantic University, told HT in an email. 

“The quilting cotton (most effective) we used had a tight-weave with 

thicker threads, in addition to having two layers stitched together, all of 

which impeded droplets significantly. One quick test that some people have 

suggested is to hold up the fabric to a light, and see how well it blocks the 

light,” Verma added. The study, which is peer-reviewed and published on 

June 30, involved simulating a cough through a manikin. For the experiment, 

Verma and his team covered the manikin’s mouth with four commonly used 

non-medical grade masks: a folded handkerchief, a stitched quilted cotton 

mask, a bandana and a cone mask (which is a non-medical grade mask 

available over the counter).


WORLD 15 

World: Coronavirus cases 

Confirmed: 10,590,953, Deaths: 514,021 

Recovered: 5,798,270, Active: 4,278,662 

Many Indians, families 

of diplomats not allowed 

on special flight to China 

China did not allow several 

Indians, including families 

of diplomats, from taking 

a special Air India flight from New 

Delhi to Guangzhou city early on 

Monday because two Indians had 

tested positive for Covid-19 on a 

Shanghai-bound special flight that 

landed on June 21. 

After the two Indians were 

diagnosed with Covid-19, Chinese 

authorities gave permission only for 

an empty flight from India to land in 

the southern city of Guangzhou to 

repatriate Indians. 

The special plane from India took 

off from Guangzhou this afternoon 

with 86 Indians under the third phase 

of the “Vande Bharat Mission”, the 

repatriation scheme for the country’s 

citizens stranded abroad. 

The June 21 Shanghai flight was 

also part of the repatriation mission 

on which 186 Indians returned. 

China’s decision not to allow 

Indians even on special airlifts and 

with diplomatic passports is an 

indication that commercial flights 

between the two countries are 

unlikely to resume any time soon. 

The media had reached out to 

the Chinese foreign ministry for a 

clarification on the decision not to 

allow families of Indian diplomats to 

take the flight to China. Media had 

also asked if the decision was linked 

to the ongoing border tension. 

The foreign ministry responded 

without referring to the ongoing 

border problem. 

“Recently, we have assisted 

in arranging the return of some 

Indian diplomats and their families 

to China,’’ the Chinese foreign 

"Cases 2 

and 3 are 

of Indian nationality 

and live in India. 

They departed 

from India on June 

20 and arrived at 

Shanghai Pudong 

International 

Airport that day. 

After entering the 

customs, they were 

intensively isolated 

and observed. 

ministry said. “In view of the number 

of confirmed cases of Covid-19 on 

the temporary flight, China and India 

agreed in advance that the temporary 

flight arriving in Guangzhou on June 

29 would not carry passengers,” the 

ministry statement added. 

More than 100 Indians, including 

diplomats’ families and officials 

of a multilateral bank, were on the 

June 21 flight. The Shanghai health 

commission (SHC) confirmed the 

cases of three foreigners – one from 

the US and two Indians on that flight. 

“Cases 2 and 3 are of Indian 

nationality and live in India. They 

departed from India on June 20 

and arrived at Shanghai Pudong 

International Airport that day. 

After entering the customs, they 

were intensively isolated and 

observed. Symptoms occurred 

during the period. Comprehensive 

epidemiological history, clinical 

symptoms, laboratory tests and 

imaging findings, etc, were diagnosed 

as confirmed cases,” the SHC said. 

“Three imported confirmed cases 

have been transferred to designated 

medical institutions for treatment, 

and 47 close contacts with the flight 

have been tracked, and all have been 

implemented for centralised isolation 

and observation.” 

While China has seemingly 

controlled the Covid-19 outbreak – 

barring the burst of more than 300 

domestically transmitted cases in 

Beijing this month – it has reported 

nearly 2000 “imported” cases of the 

disease. 

“The Chinese mainland reported 

five new imported Covid-19 cases 

Sunday, bringing the total number of 

imported cases to 1,907,” the national 

health commission (NHC) said. 

Coronavirus: Melbourne wakes up to streets divided, as 

10 postcodes across 36 suburbs sent back into lockdown 

Melbourne is waking to streets and suburbs 

divided, with more than 300,000 forced into 

new lockdowns as of today as Victoria battles 

to slow a sharp rise in coronavirus cases. 

"Very clearly, we are not where we wanted to be," 

Premier Daniel Andrews said as he revealed the 10 

postcodes encompassing 36 suburbs where stage three 

restrictions began at midnight and will be in effect until 

at least July 29. 

Some streets face the bizarre reality where houses on 

one side fall into a postcode that is now in lockdown while 

the other side escapes. 

Remy Pham and Sonia Lear's family live on the 

"restricted" side of Warleigh Road in West Footscray. 

When the postcode lottery for the new COVID-19 

lockdown was announced, they won the prize of staying 

home for the next four weeks. 

"I said 'ahhh not again'... but at the same time we 

understand," Mr Pham said. 

Some council leaders are distraught about the move, 

especially in terms of what it means for local small 

businesses who have struggled to survive in recent 

months. To many, however, it's clear the new lockdown is 

the only way to stop the virus spreading further. 

In the 24 hours to 4.10pm yesterday, Victoria confirmed 

73 new cases. The state currently has 370 active cases. 

The government is urging everyone in the postcodes 

below to get tested for COVID-19 as part of a three-part 

'test, trace, isolate' strategy to combat the outbreak. 

Fixed, mobile and drive-through testing sites have 

been set up in 29 locations so far, with more on the way. 

Community health outreach teams will continue go doorto-door 

with mobile testing in areas including Brunswick 

West today. 

Residents who refuse to be tested could face fines, Prime 

Minister Scott Morrison said. 

"We are doing it the Australian way, the use of incentive 

carrot not stick – occasionally the stick will have to be put 

about, whether it's fines or sanctions in place to ensure we 

keep everybody safe," he said. 

NEWS in BRIEF 

Australia boosts cybersecurity amid 

growing foreign attacks 

The Australian government announced that it will allocate A$1.35 

billion ($928 million) to strengthen the country's cyber security amid 

escalating tensions due to suspicion of meddling and espionage by foreign 

countries. The investment, which will be made over a period of a decade, 

will also be used to enhance Australia's intelligence capabilities, Efe news. 

"The federal government's top priority is protecting our nation's economy, 

national security and sovereignty. Malicious cyber activity undermines 

that," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a statement. 

"My gGovernment's record investment in our nation's cyber security will 

help ensure we have the tools and capabilities we need to fight back and 

keep Australians safe," he added. 

On June 19, Morrison announced that Australia had suffered a large-scale 

cyber attack, allegedly backed by a foreign country. 

"We know it's a sophisticated state-based cyber actor because of the scale 

and nature of the targeting and the tradecraft used," he said at an impromptu 

press conference. 

‘No excuse’ for countries that fail in 

contact tracing: WHO chief 

Tracing contacts of people with coronavirus infections is the most 

important step in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, and countries 

that are failing to do so have no excuse, the World Health 

Organization chief said. 

“Although many countries have made some progress, globally the 

pandemic is actually speeding up,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a 

briefing. We all want this to be over. We all want to get on with our lives. But 

the hard reality is that this is not even close to being over,” he said. “Most 

people remain susceptible, the virus still has a lot of room to move.” 

Countries such as South Korea had managed to contain the disease by 

tracking down the contacts of those carrying infection, Tedros said. This 

was possible even under extreme conditions, as the WHO itself had shown 

by halting an outbreak of Ebola in eastern Congo, tracing 25,000 contacts a 

day in a remote area where some 20 armed groups were fighting, he added. 

WHO warns that the 'worst is yet to come' 

The head of the World Health Organisation 

has warned that the COVID-19 pandemic 

is not even close to being over. 

It has now been six months since the first 

cases of a mysterious pneumonia-like illness 

were reported in Wuhan, China. At the time it 

was feared that we would see a repeat of the 

Sars outbreak of 2002 to 2004, which killed 

774 people. Now, with more than 500,000 people dead and more than 10 

million confirmed cases worldwide, WHO director-general Dr. Tedros 

Ghebreyesus has said this is "a moment for all of us to reflect". 

But, he warned, the "worst is yet to come" - adding that "with this kind of 

environment and conditions, they fear the worst". 

Despite progress in some countries, he said the pandemic was speeding 

up and the world would need even greater stores of resilience, patience, and 

generosity in the months ahead. 

Milton Glaser: Graphic designer behind 'I 

dies aged 91 

Milton Glaser, the 

influential American 

graphic designer who created 

the "I NY" logo, has died 

NY' logo 

aged 91. 

Made for a 1977 tourism 

campaign, the logo rapidly 

gained recognition across the world and has been described as the most 

frequently imitated in history. Glaser later said he was "flabbergasted by 

what happened to this little, simple nothing of an idea". The cause of his 

death was a stroke. 

COVID-19: ILO reports 400 million people lost their 

jobs worldwide 

A 

total of 400 million people lost their jobs worldwide between April- 

June due to COVID-19, states the International Labour Organisation. 

And 93 per cent of the world’s workers continue to live in countries with 

some sort of workplace closures, the ILO stated in its latest “ILO Monitor: 

COVID-19 and the world of work”. 

“The highly uncertain recovery in the second half of the year will not be 

enough to go back to pre-pandemic levels, even in the best scenario, and 

risks seeing continuing large scale job losses,” the ILO warned. 

ILO stated there was a 14 per cent drop in global working hours during 

the second quarter of 2020, equivalent to the loss of 400 million full-time 

jobs. “The new figures reflect the worsening situation in many regions over 

the past weeks, especially in developing economies. The vast majority of 

the world’s workers (93 per cent) continue to live in countries with some 

sort of workplace closures, with the Americas experiencing the greatest 

restrictions.”

16 

SPORTS 


NEWS in BRIEF 

IPL was an opportunity for me to learn, says 

Williamson 

Hailing the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the biggest domestic 

competition, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has said other 

leagues have followed suit by watching the cash-rich tournament to start 

their own franchise competitions. 

"The initial interest was obviously watching the IPL and seeing how big 

it was, it is the biggest domestic competition, T20 cricket being relatively 

new, what I saw was an opportunity to gain experience and learn," 

Williamson told Ravichandran Ashwin on the senior India off-spinner's 

YouTube show titled 'DRS with Ash'. 

"For us, to see the passion for cricket in India is an amazing thing, 

it is a brilliant competition and there is a high standard, a lot of other 

countries have followed suit to start their leagues," he added. 

Williamson, who plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and has 

also led the side in the past, said he always kept an open mind while 

playing the IPL. 

"It is quite different to lead New 

franchise, initially I did not know what 

I mentioned it is an Indian competition 

coming into quite a different culture, 

Zealand and an IPL 

to expect, but like 

so you are 

I 

was trying to keep an open mind, there is a lot 

of experience in all of the groups, it was an enjoyable 

season to lead the Sunrisers Hyderabad," Williamson said. 

Ganguly changed mentality of Indian cricket, 

Dhoni took it forward: Rajput 

Lalchand Rajput, who was 

Team India's manager 

during their victory at the 

inaugural edition of the 

WT20, gave an insight into 

wicket-keeper-batsman 

Mahendra Singh Dhoni and 

what made him one of the best captains the game has ever seen. 

Rajput likened Dhoni's style to that of former India captain and current 

BCCI President Sourav Ganguly. He believes that Ganguly played a big 

role in changing the way cricket was played in India and Dhoni simply 

took that forward when he became the captain of the side in 2007. 

Ganguly is widely credited with giving players chance at the highest 

level and Dhoni was one of them, which eventually led him to scoring a 

marathon 148 against Pakistan in Vizag in 2005. Rajput stated Dhoni is also 

of the same mould as far as giving young players chance and confidence 

is concerned. 

MS Dhoni to lead Aakash Chopra's all-time IPL XI 

Former India batsman Aakash Chopra has 

picked decorated former India skipper 

Mahendra Singh Dhoni to lead his all-time 

Indian Premier League XI. 

Dhoni is one the most successful IPL captains, 

leading Chennai Super Kings to three titles and 

taking the side to the final a record seven times. 

Chopra, on his YouTube channel 'AakashVani', 

picked Rohit Sharma and David Warner to open 

the batting with India captain Virat Kohli coming at No.3. Suresh Raina, 

AB de Villiers and Dhoni form his middle-order before veteran spinner 

Harbhajan Singh and Sunil Narine come in to bat. 

In the pace department, Chopra has picked Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lasith 

Malinga and Jasprit Bumrah with Gautam Gambhir and Andre Russell on 

the bench. The coronavirus pandemic had brought the world to a standstill 

since March with all outdoor activity severely limited in almost every part 

of the globe. Cricket was halted since mid March due to the deadly virus 

with the Indian Premier League also being postponed. 

First hit in the nets in 3 months: Steve Smith back 

in training 

Steve Smith has hit the nets for 

the first time in three months, 

Australia's premier batsman said in 

a social media post. 

"First hit in the nets in 3 months. 

Good news... I remembered how to 

hold the bat," said former captain 

Smith in an Instagram post with a photo of him in cricket gear. The 

coronavirus pandemic had brought the world to a standstill since March 

with all outdoor activity severely limited in almost every part of the globe. 

Cricket was halted since mid March due to the deadly virus with the Indian 

Premier League also being postponed. 

Australia are currently scheduled to play their first Test of the revamped 

FTP in November, against Afghanistan. It will be followed by the fourmatch 

Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India in December. 

Smith has been a vital cog in Australia's wheel especially in red-ball 

cricket where he is the No.1 batsman in the world at the moment. 

Recently, former England captain Mike Atherton said Smith is someone 

he loves watching because of his unorthodox batting style. 

going to be: Finch 

Australia white-ball skipper Aaron Finch isn't clear as to where the team's 

next assignment will be because of the ever-changing scenario put forward 

by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Cricket Australia on Tuesday announced that the three-match ODI series against 

Zimbabwe, scheduled to be played Down Under in August, has been postponed due to 

ongoing crisis. The three ODIs were scheduled to take place on August 9, 12 and 15. 

"It's obviously unfortunate that Zimbabwe aren't coming and it (the tour) has been 

postponed. I think everyone did their best to get that up and running," Finch told 

reporters via videoconference as per ESPNCricinfo. 

"As cricketers, we always wanted to be playing regardless of where it's at or who 

it's against, so it's just in the best interests of cricket to have everyone out there playing 

again is so important. Unfortunate that's been postponed." 

Finch also failed to give a definite answer as to when he sees the team back out 

on the field. He, however, did mention that in their minds they are preparing for the 

limited-overs series in England, which currently stands postponed. 

"It's little bit up in the air to be honest. Just how quick everything is changing in 

Australia. We are talking about Victoria where things are sort of going the other 

way...we had a mini outbreak there," Finch said. 

"We are actually not sure where our next game is going to be. In our minds we 

were preparing for Zimbabwe, we're planning for England. I am preparing in my 

mind to go to England and play. 

"Whether that happens - we'll wait and see. We just have to be really conscious 

of being ultra-flexible - there might be a tour that comes up at relatively short 

notice because we can get there, and that'd be brilliant. Whatever it takes, I 

think all the players are in the same boat," he added. 

International cricket, however, is returning to England shores 

with West Indies coming over for a three-Test series starting July 8 

that will mark the resumption of the sport. Pakistan are due next as 

they will 

be playing three Tests and as many T20Is against England. 

2014 Adelaide Test an important 

milestone for Team India: Kohli 

India skipper Virat Kohli went down the memory lane 

and recalled the Adelaide Test during India's tour of 

Australia in 2014 which according to him will always 

remain as an important milestone for the team. 

In the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy played 

from December 9-13, Team India gave a tough fight to 

Michael Clarke and his team. However, they were not 

able to cross the line despite Kohli scoring twin centuries 

in both the innings of the Test match. 

"Throwback to this very special and important Test in 

our journey as the Test team that we are today. Adelaide 

2014 was a game filled with emotion on both sides and 

an amazing one for people to watch too," Kohli said in an 

Instagram post along with a photo from the game. 

"Although we didn't cross the line being so close, it 

taught us that anything is possible if we put our mind 

to it because we committed to doing something which 

seemed very difficult to begin with but almost pulled it 

off. All of us committed to it. This will always remain a 

very important milestone in our journey as a Test side," 

he added. 

Australia had scored a mammoth 517/7 declared in 

their first innings, riding on centuries from David Warner, 

Clarke and Steve Smith. India replied strongly and scored 

444, with Kohli contributing with 115. 

In their second innings, the hosts declared for 290/5, 

setting a 364-run target for Team India. 

Kohli once again scored a brilliant ton (141) and Murali 

Vijay also contributed with valuable 99. However, their 

efforts didn't prove to be enough as India lost the match 

by 48 runs, bundling out for 315. 

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon was declared Man of the 

Match as he played a crucial role in Australia's win by 

scalping a total of 12 wickets. 

Rohit's greatest quality is that he goes for big 

hundreds: Srikkanth 

Rohit Sharmas career took a turn when M.S. Dhoni 

asked him to open for India in the 2013 Champions 

Trophy. From being a talented youngster, he 

became a performer and former India chief selector Kris 

Srikkanth believes that the limited-overs deputy is one of 

the best in the business. 

Speaking on Star Sports show Cricket Connected, 

Srikkanth heaped praise on Rohit Sharma, "I think I 

would rate him as one of the greatest all-time one-day 

openers in world cricket. 

What's the greatest quality Rohit Sharma is that he 

goes for these big hundreds and double hundreds, that is 

something amazing. 

In a one-day cricket match, you will go 150, 180, 200, 

just imagine where you are going to take the team to, 

that's the greatness about Rohit Sharma. He is definitely, 

Not sure where 

our next game is 

probably is in the top 3 or 5 all-time greatest openers as 

far as one-day cricket is concerned." Former teammate 

Irfan Pathan had earlier said that there has always been 

more to the stylish opener than just talent. 

The former India all-rounder Irfan spoke about how 

Rohit always worked hard in early years even if his 

body language suggested otherwise, "Lot of people are 

mistaken when they see a guy who has lot of time and he 

is slightly more relaxed than compared to Rohit.


FEATURES 17 

CROSSWORD FreeDailyCrosswords.com 

NO: 57 

ACROSS------------, 

I) Warm up with gloves 

5) Difficult journeys 

10) Striker's adversary 

14) Glittery material 

15) Unsettling 

16) It's harvested in Hawaii 

1 7) It can be cast 

18) Chad's neighbor 

19) Bellicose god 

20) Produce new goods 

23) It's for the mill? 

24) Gold filling, e.g. 

25) Wizards' garments 

28) Domino that's played? 

30) Covering of an orange 

3 I) Wide receiver's pattern 

33) Winnerless game 

36) Entree follow-up 

COME INN SIDE 

2 3 4 5 6 

14 15 

17 18 

20 

30 

36 

51 

57 

60 

63 

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 

QUESTIONS AND 

ANSWERS 

7 

40) Prefix meaning "new" 

41) Tried to persuade 

42) Ocean predator 

43) Casual conversation starter 

44) Temper, as glass or steel 

46) Building contractor's job 

49) Inuit home 

51) Replace staff 

57) Bunny's kin 

58) Food from heaven 

59) Trojan princess of opera 

60) Decides 

61) Mimicry 

62) Pinball error 

63) Pause, on a music staff 

64) Grown fillies 

65) Georgetown player 

8 9 

B Core Bowers 

11 12 13 

54 55 56 

May 27th 

DOWN 

I) Common cowboy nickname 

2) Chute opener? 

3) Crazy way to run 

4) Western outlaw 

5) Wimbledon game 

6) Horse holders 

7) Grain disease 

8) Ukrainian capital 

9) Evening, in Milano 

l 0) Deck treatments 

11) Sing door-to-door in December 

12) Basketball "stadium" 

13) Giving demanding orders 

21) Rub the wrong way 

22) Strength of a chemical solution 

25) Lead-in to "apple" 

26) Kind of jacket or insurance 

27) Not misled by 

28) Supply with money 

29) Sent something down the tubes? 

31) Latvia's capital 

32) What two heads are better than 

33) Firestone product 

34) Andean civilization 

35) "Too many more to mention" abbr. 

37) Having regrets 

38) Arid 

39) Obelisk, say 

43) "I'm telling you the truth!" 

44) Without fail 

45) San Francisco hill 

46) Hate 

4 7) Cover with cloth 

48) Agronomist's samples 

49) Word with "tube" or "circle" 

50) Science fiction, for one 

52) Muslim leader 

53) California wine valley 

54) This and that 

55) Like a dipstick 

56) Numerical info 

1. Which city will host the 2028 Olympic Games? 

Los Angeles 

2. How many goals did England score (excluding 

penalty shoot-outs) at the Mens’ 2018 FIFA 

World Cup? 12 

3. Ben Stokes inspired England’s 2019 Cricket 

World Cup final victory over New Zealand – 

who scored the second-highest number of runs 

in the match for England? Jos Buttler 

ANSWERS CROSSWORD NO: 57 

FreeDailyCrosswords.com 

ACROSS------------, 

I) Warm up with gloves 

5) Difficult journeys 

10) Striker's adversary 

14) Glittery material 

15) Unsettling 

16) It's harvested in Hawaii 

1 7) It can be cast 

18) Chad's neighbor 

19) Bellicose god 

20) Produce new goods 

23) It's for the mill? 

24) Gold filling, e.g. 

25) Wizards' garments 

28) Domino that's played? 

30) Covering of an orange 

3 I) Wide receiver's pattern 

33) Winnerless game 

36) Entree follow-up 

COME INN SIDE 

1 2 S G s P 3A 4R T R 7E S K 9 s 

1 1 l A M E 1: E R I 

1 71 

1 

R 0 N I 

in A K E 21 G E 

1 N 

2 b R 

I 

b 

A 

S B R 

5i-l A R 

A N N A 

6b p T p E R y 

E s A R E s 

HITORI NO: 57 

40) Prefix meaning "new" 

41) Tried to persuade 

42) Ocean predator 

43) Casual conversation starter 

44) Temper, as glass or steel 

46) Building contractor's job 

49) Inuit home 

51) Replace staff 

57) Bunny's kin 

58) Food from heaven 

59) Trojan princess of opera 

60) Decides 

61) Mimicry 

62) Pinball error 

63) Pause, on a music staff 

64) Grown fillies 

65) Georgetown player 

B Core Bowers 

1 1 1 1 5 c A h 

1 

A R 0 

R E s 

I 0 N s 

I N T 

R C A 

E A L 

5 91 L I A 

6,. 

I L T 

1-1 0 y A 

May 27th 

DOWN 

I) Common cowboy nickname 

2) Chute opener? 

3) Crazy way to run 

4) Western outlaw 

5) Wimbledon game 

6) Horse holders 

7) Grain disease 

8) Ukrainian capital 

9) Evening, in Milano 

l 0) Deck treatments 

11) Sing door-to-door in December 

12) Basketball "stadium" 

13) Giving demanding orders 

21) Rub the wrong way 

22) Strength of a chemical solution 

25) Lead-in to "apple" 

26) Kind of jacket or insurance 

27) Not misled by 

28) Supply with money 

29) Sent something down the tubes? 

31) Latvia's capital 

32) What two heads are better than 

33) Firestone product 

34) Andean civilization 

35) "Too many more to mention" abbr. 

37) Having regrets 

38) Arid 

39) Obelisk, say 

43) "I'm telling you the truth!" 

44) Without fail 

45) San Francisco hill 

46) Hate 

47) Cover with cloth 

48) Agronomist's samples 

49) Word with "tube" or "circle" 

50) Science fiction, for one 

52) Muslim leader 

53) California wine valley 

54) This and that 

55) Like a dipstick 

56) Numerical info 

Eliminate numbers until there are no duplicates in any row 

or column. Eliminate numbers by marking them in Black. 

You are not allowed to have two Black squares touching 

horizontally or vertically (diagonally is ok). Any White square 

can be reached from any other (i.e. they are connected). 

4. How many different teams have won the 

Premier League since the start of the inaugural 

season in 1992/93? Six (Man Utd, Man City, 

Chelsea, Arsenal, Leicester, Blackburn 

5. In tennis, who has won more Women’s Singles 

Grand Slam titles – Martina Navratilova or 

Serena Williams? Serena Williams 

6. What score did cricketing legend Don Bradman 

average as a batsman across his career? 99.94 

SUDOKU SOLUSIONS AND ANSWERS NO: 57 

2 5 9 3 

Daily Sudoku: Tue 16-Jun-2020 

8 3 9 

8 9 7 6 4 2 

3 1 7 9 6 

6 9 

8 3 6 7 1 

9 6 7 1 3 5 

6 5 3 

4 9 8 1 

1 4 6 5 2 8 7 3 9 

7 2 5 9 1 3 4 6 8 

8 3 9 7 6 4 1 5 2 

3 1 7 2 9 6 5 8 4 

5 6 8 1 4 7 2 9 3 

4 9 2 8 3 5 6 7 1 

9 8 4 6 7 1 3 2 5 

2 7 3 4 5 9 8 1 6 

6 5 1 3 8 2 9 4 7 

Daily Sudoku: Tue 16-Jun-2020 

7. At which venue is the British Grand Prix held? 

Silverstone 

8. How many horses are on each team in a polo 

match? Four 

9. Where is the US Masters golf tournament 

held?Augusta National Golf Club 

10. Which European city hosted the 1936 

Summer Olympics? Berlin 

easy 

easy 

(c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2020. All rights reserved. 

(c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2020. All rights reserved. 

http://www.dailysudok 

3 July - 9 July 2020 | By Manisha Koushik 

ARIES (MAR 21-APR 20) 

You will need to double your efforts on the 

academic front to achieve anything worthwhile. 

A person you are indifferent to may surprise you 

by doing you a good turn. Success is foretold on 

the professional front and you will add to your 

reputation. In this week home is likely to be a 

happy place to be in. Controlled spending will help 

stabilise the financial front. Avoid getting overfriendly with someone, as 

he or she may have some vested interest. Lucky No.:1 / Lucky Colour: 

Baby Pink 

TAURUS (APR 21-MAY 20) 

You are likely to feel nice in doing a good turn 

to someone, even though you had not intended 

to. Romantic relationship gets stronger. You may 

be given a position of authority in a reshuffle on 

the professional front. Someone close may be 

of immense help to you on the domestic front. A 

property deal proves profitable, as you get it much below the market 

price. You are likely to enjoy travelling with someone you like. Lucky 

No.: 22 / Lucky Colour: Electric Grey 

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUN 21) 

If you want things to go smoothly, do what your heart 

dictates rather than listening to others. You are likely 

to enjoy a gathering and love meeting your near and 

dear ones. Getting into the groove in a new job will 

not pose much difficulty for the freshly employed. 

Some problems on the home front will require your 

immediate attention. Things not working out on the 

academic front will be set right through your efforts. Lucky No.:3 / 

Lucky Colour: Crimson 

CANCER (JUN 22-JUL 20) 

It is best not to make a scene, if you don’t get your 

way. Don’t take any issue lightly at work, as your 

performance may be under scrutiny. You are likely 

to take an exception to seemingly wasteful expenses 

at home. Use tact in touching upon a sensitive issue 

with spouse. Keep the domestic environment as light 

as possible. Lover seems in the mood, so plan out 

something special. Setting out on a long journey is indicated. Lucky 

No. 9 / Lucky Colour: Pink 

Manisha Koushik is a practicing astrologer, tarot card reader, numerologist, vastu and 

fengshui consultant based in India with a global presence through the online channels. She is 

available for consultations online as well. E-mail her at support@askmanisha.com or contact 

at +91-11-26449898 Mobile/Whatsapp: +91-9716145644 • www.askmanisha.com 

LEO (JUL21-AUG 20) 

If you get the right push, you can do wonders and 

that push is about to come! Some good opportunities 

on the professional front may materialise soon. 

Your academic performance is set to improve. A 

romantic evening out with lover is indicated and 

will prove loads of fun. Something that you want 

done officially may take time. Befriending a 

stranger is possible. Some of you will need to reassess your financial 

situation. Get going on the fitness front. Lucky No.:11 / Lucky Colour: 

Sky Blue 

VIRGO (AUG 23-SEP 23) 

A tiring week is foreseen, but your spirit will not 

be dampened. You will need to define your career 

goals clearly before deciding what to pursue on the 

academic front. Those seeking some concessions 

at work may not be fully satisfied with what they 

get. Overspending is foreseen, but it will be for 

a good cause. You can be at the receiving end of 

someone’s barbs on the social front. An exciting time with lover is 

foreseen. Lucky No.: 7 / Lucky Colour: Lemon 

LIBRA (SEP 24-OCT 23) 

Your attempts to gain an upper hand on the social 

front may not succeed. So, it is best to go with 

the crowd. Those new on the job will be able to 

establish themselves. Business people will find the 

week favourable. Academic pursuits may prove 

enjoyable for some. Financial terms and conditions 

regarding buying property may need to be sorted 

out first. Putting off something for tomorrow can get you on the wrong 

side of spouse. Lucky No.: 3 / Lucky Colour: Crimson 

SCORPIO (OCT 24-NOV 22) 

You will need to stretch your imagination a bit 

to see someone’s point of view. So, don’t reject 

it out of hand. There will be much excitement as 

romance transforms into matrimony. Improvement 

in financial situation will encourage you to think 

big. You will be able to handle a tricky situation 

at work with patience and perseverance. Being 

accused of not doing enough on the home front can get your goat. A 

journey may get postponed. Lucky No.: 15 / Lucky Colour: Coffee 

SAGITTARIUS (NOV 23-DEC 21) 

If something is pending at work, now is the time to 

complete it. A new work environment may make you 

feel uncomfortable. Efforts on the academic front may 

not be adequate, so turn your focus back to studies. 

Pending payments may get delayed and upset plans 

on the financial front. Atmosphere at home may not 

be conducive for you to do your own thing. Some difficulties in finding 

a suitable match for the eligible are foreseen. Lucky No.:18 / Lucky 

Colour: Dark Red. 

CAPRICORN (DEC 22-JAN 21) 

You are likely to participate in a celebration and 

enjoy every moment of it. Time to reap the fruits of 

your sound investments has arrived. Someone will 

be in a reciprocating mood for all the good that you 

have done for them. Your enthusiasm over an issue 

is likely to rub off on the family and make the week 

exciting. Vacation can become a possibility for some, 

as leave is granted. Some youngsters may opt for a summer camp. 

Lucky No.:5 / Lucky Colour: Bottle Green 

AQUARIUS (JAN 22-FEB 19) 

If you want things to remain favourable, observe 

what is happening around you and then act. 

Changes sought on the home front will be 

realised by homemakers. Financial front will 

require strengthening, so cut down on all wasteful 

expenditure. Expect a blissful existence on the 

romantic front, as sweetheart showers love! On the 

academic front, a new project may interest you, but prove a bit tedious. 

Some of you can take a short break to take someone sightseeing. Lucky 

No.:15 / Lucky Colour: Crimson 

Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20) 

A good break on the professional front is likely. Your 

academic record is likely to open many doors for you 

on the career front. Socially, you are likely to enjoy 

all the attention being bestowed on you. Someone is 

likely to do you a good turn by solving your problems. 

Visiting new and exotic places is on the cards. Chances 

of acquiring a new property brighten. Health will not pose any problems. 

Financially, you will not face any problems. Lucky No. 2 / Lucky 

Colour: Baby Pink

18 

FEATURES 


Channa 

Bhatura 

FOR BHATURA 

• 400gm - flour (Maida) 

• 300gm - yoghurt, room temperature 

• Warm water to knead the flour 

• Oil for frying the bhatura 

• Sliced red onion and yoghurt to serve 

METHOD 

PREPARATIONS 

• Mix flour and a pinch of salt in a large 

mixing bowl. 

• Slowly add yoghurt ( Yoghurt should be 

of room temperature) and mix it with 

your fingers then tip onto a lightly floured 

work surface and knead until you have a 

soft, pliable dough (Add little water while 

kneading if the dough is crumbly). 

INGREDIENTS 

FOR CHANNA 

• 11/2cups - chickpeas (White channa) 

• 2 - tea bags 

• 1/2tsp - salt 

• 1tsp - cumin seeds 

• 3 - black cardamom pods 

• 2inch - cinnamon stick 

• 2 - onions, large 

• 11/2tbsp - ginger paste 

• 1tbsp - garlic paste 

• 3-4 - green chillies 

• 1tbsp - coriander powder 

• 1tsp - Kashmiri red chilli powder 

• 1tbsp - mango powder (Amchoor powder) 

• 1tsp - turmeric powder 

• 1tsp - garam masala powder 

• 1tsp - channa masala powder 

• 3 - tomatoes 

• Tip dough into a large bowl; cover with a 

• 2tbsp tomato purée 

damp tea towel and leave it overnight to 

• 1tsp - salt or according to taste 

ferment ( leave it in the oven or somewhere 

• 3tbsp - oil 

where its warm to ferment the dough). 

RAJMA RICE 

INGREDIENTS 

FOR RAJMA 

• 11/2cup - red kidney beans ( Rajma ) 

• Pinch of asafoetida 

• 2 - onions, medium 

• 1tsp - garlic paste 

• 11/2tsp - ginger paste 

• 1tsp - red chilli powder 

• 1/2tsp - turmeric powder 

• 1tsp - garam masala powder 

• 11/2tsp - rajma masala powder 

• 2 - tomatoes, medium 

• 1tsp - salt or according to taste 

• 3tbsp - oil 

• Fresh coriander for garnishing 

FOR RICE 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 2cup - basmati rice 

• 1tsp - cumin seeds 

• 1 - onion, small 

• 1 - tomato, small 

• 4cups - water 

• 1/2tsp - salt 

• 1tsp - oil 

PREPARATION 

• Wash kidney beans and add them to a large 

bowl. Add water; enough to cover the 

kidney beans. Cover and leave it overnight. 

METHOD FOR RAJMA 

• Add kidney beans to the large heavy base 

saucepan with a pinch of salt and along 

with 1 tablespoon of oil. 

• Cover and cook over medium flame for 10- 

12 minutes or until they are soft ( You can 

also pressure cook them with 3 whistles ). 

• Heat oil in a heavy bottom large sauce pan 

over medium flame, add asafoetida, stir. 

• Add peeled, washed and chopped onions 

and fry for 2-3 minutes or until brown in 

colour ( Stir every few minutes so they get 

an even colour all the way through ). 

• Add garlic paste, stir add ginger paste and 

fry for 30 seconds as the raw flavours cook 

through. 

• Lower the flame and add all the powders, 

stir with a splash of water. 

• Add washed and chopped tomatoes and 

sauté over medium flame for 2 minutes or 

until soft and oil comes on top. 

• Now add cooked kidney beans, stir well. 

Add water ( water can be added according 

to your preference of the curry ) to make 

curry and give 1 boil on high flame. 

• Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes until well 

• Wash chick peas then transfer them into a 

large bowl, add water; enough to cover the 

chick peas. 

• Cover the chick peas and leave it overnight. 

TO COOK 

• Add chick peas to the large heavy base 

saucepan along with its water. 

• Add tea bags, and a pinch of salt along with 

1 tablespoon of oil. 

• Cover and cook over medium flame for 

20 minutes or until the chick peas are soft 

( You can also pressure cook them with 4 

whistles ). Keep aside. 

• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in large heavy base 

saucepan over medium flame, add cumin 

seeds, black cardamoms and cinnamon 

stick, sauté until aromatic. 

• Add peeled, washed and chopped onions 

and sauté until brown in colour. 

• Add ginger paste, stir, add garlic paste and 

sauté for 2-3 minutes. 

• Add washed and chopped green chillies to 

the onion masala and sauté for few seconds. 

• Lower the flame and add all the powders 

and stir for 1 minutes followed by the 

splash of water. 

• Add washed and chopped tomato, sauté 

over medium flame until soft. 

• Add tomato purée and sauté until oil come 

on top. 

• Discard tea bags from the chick peas and 

add them to the masala along with its water, 

bring it to boil on high flame, add more 

combined over medium flame ( Stirring in 

between ). 

• Garnish with chopped coriander. 

• Serve with rice and onion salad. 

METHOD FOR RICE 

• Wash rice thoroughly under the running 

water until the water comes clear. Keep 

aside. 

• In a heavy base sauce pan heat oil over 

medium flame. 

• Add cumin seeds, fry until aromatic. 

water if you would like the curry to be 

looser depending on your preferences. 

• Season with salt ( Do check before adding 

salt as we had already added it before ). 

• Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes over 

medium flame until its well combined. 

• While the chick peas are getting simmered 

heat oil over medium flame in a large heavy 

base pan to fry bhatura’s. 

• Tip the dough onto a lightly floured work 

surface and knead again. 

• Take golf ball size of dough, roll it into ball, 

then flatten it by pressing it between your 

palms. 

• Roll out with a rolling pin on a lightly 

floured surface until you have an oval shape 

bhatura ( It should not be very thin ). 

• Then gently lower it into the hot oil, now 

with the slotted spoon pressing on top let it 

puff up, then turn it to the other side frying 

it for 1-2 minute until golden in colour. 

• Transfer it onto a plate covered with a 

kitchen paper towel. Repeat the process 

until the dough is used. 

• Serve channa with the bhatura along with 

sliced red onions and a little yogurt on side. 

• TIP; in channa fried potatoes also go very 

well so for this recipe of channa bhatura. 

• Take 1 big potato. 

• Peel, wash and cut potato into big size 

cubes and deep fry them in hot oil. 

• Add fried potatoes to the channa in the end 

and cook for 3-4 minutes. 

• Serves - 6 

• Add peeled, washed and sliced onion, sauté 

until translucent. 

• Add washed and chopped tomato, sauté 

until soft. 

• Add water followed by salt. 

• Add rice and gently rotate the pan for 

everything to mix well. 

• Cover and give 1 boil to the rice then lower 

the flame and cook for 4 minutes or until 

the rice is done. 

• Serve with rajma or any other curry of your 

choice. Serves - 4


ENTERTAINMENT 19 

Sushmita Sen: 

I’m an outsider but 

was never desperate, 

I ensured even the biggest actor 

or director didn’t disrespect me 

A 

rank outsider in the film 

industry, Sushmita Sen 

explains how her journey 

has been somewhat different from 

many others. 

Referring to the whole outsiderinsider 

debate that has come in 

spotlight after Sushant Singh 

Rajput’s death, the actor admits that 

winning the Miss Universe title made 

things easier for her. However, she’s 

quick to add that wading through 

was difficult. 

“A lot of young people come from 

smaller cities, who live, breathe and 

eat cinema. They want to become 

actors, directors or follow some 

creative pursuit here. The hunger in 

them is fantastic, but it often gets 

seen as desperation,” points Sen, 

adding that everybody then tries to 

take advantage of this desperation, 

wherever one goes. 

While she asserts that fresh talent 

has to keep honing their skills, and 

trying hard, she warns them to not 

make anything look desperate. 

“Given the competition in the 

industry, this desperation then 

becomes too much a pressure. So, 

instead of performance, one is judged 

by his/her followers on social media 

and how many have applaud them. 

It’s like if we can market it well, 

we can sell anything,” explains the 

44-year-old. 

Sen, however, never had that 

mindset. She clarifies, “I’m an 

outsider but I was approached to be 

a part films by default because of 

the beauty pageant I won. I never 

thought of becoming an actor, but 

when I took it up, I felt I can learn 

and grow.” The actor adds that she 

gave her 100% even in her initial 

films that didn’t do well. 

“May be at that point I wasn’t an 

evolved person and it showed on 

screen. I take responsibility for that. 

I kept working hard, but was never 

desperate,” maintains the actor, who 

recently made her web debut,” she 

says. There was even a point when 

Sen thought of pursuing something 

else other than acting. 

Actress-producer Anushka Sharma says her 

early start in showbiz has taught her a lot, 

adding that she applies that wisdom in her 

personal and professional life every day. 

"The story of 'Bulbbul'' is the story of a girl's 

journey from innocence to strength and resilience... 

and it's a story I'm all too familiar with," she began 

her post on Instagram. 

Looking back at her journey, she said: "Getting 

to be a part of the modelling industry at the young 

age of 15 had a lasting impression on me. My 

dad was a very big influence, always pushing me 

to work harder and sharing positive affirmations 

about life and growth." 

“But I always knew that whatever 

I do, I’ll do it with integrity and 

respect. I’ll earn it. I’ve lived my life 

in a way where you can’t be in the 

same room with me and speak 

to me in a language which 

is ‘ok’ with a lot of other 

people. You could be 

the biggest filmmaker 

or hero, but you should 

show respect,” says Sen, 

stressing that this approach 

makes her stand out. 

Despite having this 

uniqueness, she points, many people 

lose themselves given the pressure. 

“By God’s grace, the industry 

invested in me. But the reason I 

can continue to work, stay relevant, 

is because people wanted it. If they 

hadn’t, nothing could have saved 

"May 

be at that 

point I wasn’t an 

evolved person and 

it showed on screen. I 

take responsibility for 

that. I kept working 

hard, but was never 

desperate" 

me. I get messages from 

fans all over. So there’s 

no rush, I’ll continue 

to work with 

due diligence. 

I’ll live with 

conviction and my 

own terms, sometimes 

it’ll be applauded, 

sometimes criticised,” 

she says adding how it wasn’t easy 

to deal with the life-threatening 

Addison’s disease. 

"From understanding how the industry works 

to turning into a producer when I was just 25, I 

started Clean Slate Filmz with a vision to tell the 

best stories out there. Working with newer faces 

and fresh talent has definitely given me a new kind 

of perspective. We are all constantly growing, 

changing and evolving as humans and there's a 

quiet strength to that," she added. The actress said 

that she "chose to dive into work when I was a 

teenager". 

"And I've been growing ever since. The early 

start has taught me a lot and I choose to apply that 

wisdom in my personal and professional life every 

day," she added. The actress made a dream debut in 

Abhishek Bachchan reflects on 

past failures, says it felt like ‘hell’, 

but he could not afford to ‘lament’ 

Actor Abhishek Bachchan, 

who will make his digital 

debut with the upcoming 

Amazon Prime series Breathe: Into 

the Shadows, spoke about coming 

from a privileged background, and 

the effort it took for him to succeed 

as an actor in Bollywood. 

In an interview to journalist, 

Abhishek recalled an interaction he 

had with director Yash Chopra at the 

premiere of his first film, Refugee, 

and the advice he received. 

“Remember, your father brought 

you till here,” Yash Chopra told 

Abhishek moments before the 

screening, “but the moment you 

walk into that cinema, and the show 

gets over and you walk out, you’re 

on your own two feet.”Asked about 

the moment he decided to become 

an actor, Abhishek said that he 

was inspired to take the leap after 

watching the Sean Penn film Dead 

Man Walking. 

“I had already informed my 

parents that this was my desire,” he 

said. “Once you first overcome the 

shyness or awkwardness that you 

want to join the films -- especially if 

it’s a family business -- you’re still 

trying to skirt the issue. 

You can’t be practical about this. It 

has to be an emotional decision. It’s 

all or nothing, it’s do or die. That’s 

when I decided it’s either this or 

nothing else.” But after the success 

of his first film, Abhishek went 

through a four-year period where his 

movies didn’t do all that well at the 

box office.He said it was ‘hell’. 

“Everybody has their own journey. 

We should never judge somebody 

else’s journey. I’ve never liked 

to look back and lament, because 

there’s a lot to be appreciative 

about,” the actor said. 

“I have immense respect for any 

actor who features in a film, no 

matter in what capacity. That period 

was very difficult to cope with, it 

was very difficult to confront. At the 

same time, I was so blessed to be a 

part of one film. That’s the dream 

of millions of people, so should I be 

complaining? 

At least I got to make those films, 

some people don’t get a chance to 

make even one film.” He concluded 

by expressing his gratitude to the 

fans who’ve supported not only his 

work, but also his family’s. He said, 

“I’m from this industry, I feel very 

protective of this industry. This is 

my family business – audiences have 

given my family everything that we 

have today.” 

Anupam Kher: Hope literally sustains life 

Actor Anupam Kher is 

confident that the world 

will survive the deadly 

coronavirus pandemic, and says all 

one needs to get through it is hope. 

"These are the kind of Deja vu pics 

the whole world will identify with. 

Pics of 102 years old #Pandemic 

called #SpanishFlu. Masks, Social 

distancing etc," Anupam wrote on 

Instagram alongside pictures from 

the Spanish Flu outbreak. 

"Everything is the same including 

the people. Minus the Wifi. But the 

world survived. So this too shall 

pass. Hope literally sustains life," he 

added. Recently, the actor released 

his autobiographical play "Kuch Bhi 

Ho Sakta Hai" on his new website 

to give people some relief and hope 

during these stressful times. 

Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai, directed 

by Feroz Abbas Khan, offers a glance 

of Anupam's failures, triumphs and 

life lessons, as the actor sets out to 

depict ordinary people. 

Bollywood opposite superstar Shah Rukh Khan in 

"Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi". 

She launched her production 

house Clean Slate Filmz 

with her brother Karnesh 

Ssharma, and has backed 

unconventional stories, 

bankrolling films like 

"NH10", "Pari", "Phillauri", 

the web-series "Paatal Lok", 

which was her debut digital 

production and which turned out to 

be a massive hit and recent supernatural thriller 

film "Bulbbul". 

"About a month back, I realised 

that we had shot Kuch Bhi Ho 

Sakta Hai, the play that I have 

been doing for the last 15 years. It's 

about my failures, disasters...it's an 

autobiography. And I laugh at all 

those things. 

"We had shot the whole play a 

few years ago, not for the reason of 

putting it up somewhere, but just to 

have a record of it. It was done on 

HD by professional people. During 

this pandemic time, I saw it again 

just like that. And I realised that it's 

a play about optimism and hope. 

It's a play about never giving up," 

Anupam said. 

Anushka Sharma: Working with fresh talent gave me new perspective 

"And 

I've been 

growing ever 

since. The early start 

has taught me a lot and 

I choose to apply that 

wisdom in my personal 

and professional life 

every day,"

The Indian Weekender, Friday 03 July 2020

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