The Indian Weekender, Friday 03 July 2020

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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 drizzle 16° 10° Partly sunny 18° 11° 17° 11° 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 Sr Graphics and Layout Designer: Mahesh Kumar | mahesh@indianweekender.co.nz Graphic Designer: Yashmin Chand | design@indianweekender.co.nz Accounts and Admin.: 09-2173623 | accounts@indianweekender.co.nz Media Sales Manager.: Leena Pal: 021 952 216 | leena@indianweekender.co.nz Sales and Distribution: 021 952218 | sales@indianweekender.co.nz 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° 11° A touch o dafr 18° 10° 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 17° 12° A few morning showers 17° 11° 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. 5 July 1881 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. 8 July 1862 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). 8 July 1893 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. 9 July 1986 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. 10 July 1967 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. 10 July 1985 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.
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The Indian Weekender, Friday 03 July 2020

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