The Indian Weekender, 26 March 2021

North Shore?
26 MARCH2021 • VOL 13 ISSUE 02
Learn more about
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Brijesh Patel
021 529 003
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Strength
in numbers
How we’re rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine
We have secured enough doses of the Pfizer vaccine for everyone
16 years and over in Aotearoa. Any vaccine’s strength is in numbers.
The more of us who get vaccinated, the stronger and safer we’ll all be.
It will give us more freedom in our daily lives, and more options for our
whānau, our businesses and our country. Because when we roll up our
own sleeves, we’re helping to protect all of us.
Here are the key facts about the Pfizer vaccine:
It’s safe
It has been approved by our own
Medsafe experts. It’s also already
been used successfully all around
the world by millions of people,
and by thousands here in
New Zealand too.
It’s effective
The Pfizer vaccine is 95%
effective when you receive
both doses.
It’s free
The vaccine will be free for
everyone in the country. We have
secured over 10 million doses of
the Pfizer vaccine. That’s enough
for all of New Zealand.
New Zealand’s vaccination rollout plan
The rollout plan for the Pfizer vaccine is simple. Everyone in the country aged 16 and over falls into
one of four groups. Firstly, we’ll protect those most at risk of picking up the virus in their workplaces
– and then those most at risk of getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19.
NOW FROM MARCH FROM MAY FROM JULY
Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4
Border and MIQ workers
Frontline workers and
people in high-risk areas
65+ and people with
underlying health
conditions or disabilities
Everyone else
aged 16 and over
More strength. More freedom. More options.
We’ll let you know when it’s your turn for the vaccine. Until then, please
keep using the NZ COVID Tracer app, and stay home if you’re sick.
Covid19.govt.nz/vaccine

The Indian Weekender Friday, March 26, 2021
NEW ZEALAND 3
PM inaugurates multimillion
dollar sports complex in Takanini Gurudwara
SANDEEP SINGH
Takanini Gurudwara’s multimilliondollar
sports complex in South
Auckland, which was ready since last
year, has been officially inaugurated by Prime
Minister Jacinda Ardern over the weekend.
The colourful event held on Sunday,
March 21, witnessed PM Ardern arrive
with several cabinet Ministers and caucus
colleagues, including Kiwi-Indian MPs
Priyanca Radhakrishnan (Minister for Ethnic
Communities) and Dr Gaurav Sharma, along
with Mayor of Auckland Phil Goff, Deputy
Commissioner New Zealand Police Wallace
Haumaha and Hon Consul of India Bhav
Dhillon.
For many in the community and beyond, who
have been closely following the progress of this
world-class sporting facility for the last couple
of years, this formal inauguration ceremony
was a long-awaited event after the disruptions
brought by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
And the executive committee of the Supreme
Sikh Society of New Zealand, along with a
vast team of volunteers, had fully lived up to
the expectations by delivering a memorable
inauguration event, which also saw tens of
thousands of members of the community
flocking to enjoy the display of several
traditional and modern sports in the precinct of
Gurudwara as a part of the official inauguration
ceremony.
Named as ‘NZ Sikh Sports Complex-
Takanini,’ the sporting facility will be available
to everyone in New Zealand regardless of
ethnicity – a fact not only reiterated by the
spokesperson of Supreme Sikh Society of
New Zealand – but also repeatedly told by all
high-profile dignitaries speaking from the dais
at the inauguration ceremony including Prime
Minister Ardern and Mayor Goff.
PM Ardern, Mayor Goff and other dignitaries
were first taken inside the Gurudwara Sahib to
offer prayers and also address the members of
the community present inside the Gurudwara
before officially being escorted to the main
stage in front of the traditional Kabaddi – a
touch game that has become increasingly
popular in New Zealand in recent years.
Notably, a local Maori girl’s Kabaddi team
of New Zealand have also travelled to India
recently to participate in international Kabaddi
tournaments.
Speaking on occasion, Prime Minister
Ardern acknowledged the contribution of the
Sikh Community led by the Supreme Sikh
Society New Zealand in rendering food and
other services to the wider communities during
different lockdowns and distributing about a
hundred thousand food bags.
“The role that you have played as a
community has been immense. When I first
saw images of the work that was being done
to provide food to the wider members of the
Auckland community and feeling like what I
was seeing from the Sikh community was the
team of five million in action,” Ardern said.
For that endeavour, the SSSNZ received
several accolades and certificates from the High
Commission of India in Wellington, Counties
Manukau South Police, Papakura Local
Board, Mayor of Auckland, Office of Ethnic
Communities, and the NZ Food Hero Award
2020 under people’s choice category.
The inauguration ceremony mega event was
spread over the course of three days, starting
from Friday, March 19 and culminating on
Sunday, March 21, with several cultural and
sports activities including, Kabaddi, football,
hockey, volleyball, netball, basketball, tug
of war, 100m sprints and cricket speed gun
competitions.
Among other prominent dignitaries
who attended the event were the Leader of
Opposition National Party’s Judith Collins,
who came along with her caucus colleagues,
including MPs from Port Waikato and Takanini,
along with former Kiwi-Indian MPs and current
members of Party List Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi
and Dr Parmjeet Parmar, CEO of Sport New
Zealand Raelene Castle, NZ Football President
Johanna Wood, CEO Andrew Pragnell and Jodi
Tong, along with members of local Council.
The vision behind the mega
sports centre
The Indian Weekender had been regularly
covering the progress of the iconic sports
facility, which holds the unique recognition of
being the largest such sports facility owned and
managed by any Sikh Gurudwara all around the
world.
• Continued on Page 9
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4 NEW ZEALAND
Friday, March 26, 2021
The Indian Weekender
Gopa Bains’ is first recipient of
the Community Award launched
by the Supreme Sikh Society
Supreme Sikh Society, on the occasion
of the official opening of NZ Sikh Sports
Complex- Takanini last weekend launched its
maiden Community Award, which was given
to Gurwinder Singh, popularly known as
Gopa Bains.
Gopa Bains is deeply immersed in the basic
tenet of Sikhism - helping those in need - from
his very early years when he lived with his
parents back in India and saw them religiously
following the practice of Dasvand (donation).
During his early formative years in the
streets of village Manakdheri in Punjab, India,
Bains had also found his love with the game
of kabaddi – a love that he brought with him -
to New Zealand and committed himself in the
popularity of the game in the land of Aotearoa.
After having arrived in NZ in 2002, Bains
got into farming Kiwi fruits and, through his
hard work and perseverance, soon earned the
name ‘King Kiwi’ in the industry.
He had joined Supreme Sikh Society NZ in
2005 and became a member of Dasmesh Sports
Club Te-Puke in 2007.
He participated in Kabaddi
tournaments in New Zealand as a sports
promoter, and with his knowledge and
network, he expanded his reach to the
next level.
Moved by the plight of the injured kabaddi
players who often have to sit at home for months
with injuries and no financial support, Bains,
along with his teammates, vowed to take care
of such injured players. In the last three years,
he had donated $200,000 annually towards
the insurance, care, and financial support of
struggling Kabaddi players back in India.
Whenever a donation campaign is started by
the Supreme Sikh Society, for numerous causes,
including food parcels during the lockdowns in
2020, Gopa Bains’ team is the first to come and
stand in support.
For his works in the last almost two decades,
the Supreme Sikh Society honours him with the
first Community Award for 2021.

The Indian Weekender Friday, March 26, 2021 5
NEW ZEALAND
PM inaugurates multi-million dollar
sports complex in Takanini Gurudwara

6 NEW ZEALAND
EPSOM HOMICIDE:
Police lay murder
charges
Friday, March 26, 2021
The Indian Weekender
IWK BUREAU
UPDATE:
Police
investigating the deaths of
Epsom couple Elizabeth and
Herman Bangera have charged a man
with their murder.
Police had on Thursday, March 25,
laid charges on man currently under
Police guard at Auckland Hospital
just before this paper was going to
press.
The 29-year-old faces two
charges of murder and one charge of
attempted murder.
A bedside court hearing is
scheduled on Friday, March 26.
Earlier, the Indian Weekender had
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is in a critical but stable condition
in Auckland Hospital and is under
police guard, Beard had said.
“We will rely on the medical
experts letting us know when it
is appropriate to interview him,”
Beard said.
Beard said the couple were the
victims in this tragedy.
“This is a double homicide, this is
a family incident and it’s a tragedy. A
husband and wife have lost their lives
and obviously we feel for the family
and we extend our condolences.”
Police have spoken to family
members both in New Zealand
and overseas.
“This is a tragedy. The two
victims here have family, brothers,
sisters, and the rest of the family are
struggling. We’re offering a lot of
support, victim support around that.”
He said police were still trying to
establish the motive.
“Part of the police investigation
is looking into the background of all
the family members because people
want to know, the police want to
know, why did this happen. We still
haven’t established that.”
Beard said a close family friend of
the deceased couple was called to the
house shortly before the double fatal
stabbing, and was also injured.
“The person who suffered the
superficial injuries was a close
family friend and he was called
to the scene not long before the
incident and understandably he is in
shock and so we’re offering support.
We have interviewed him and he’s
assisted us greatly.”
Post-mortem examinations and
formal identification processes on the
deceased couple were completed on
Monday afternoon.
“The scene examination is
ongoing, and the investigation team
is continuing to speak to people
associated with the family,” Beard
said.
“Police wish to thank those
members of the public who have
provided information to assist. Our
thoughts and sympathies are with
the families and friends of those
involved in this tragic incident.”
He said it was a traumatic situation
for emergency services staff who
were being offered support.
Herman and Elizabeth left Goa to
make New Zealand their home over
a decade ago.
Auckland Indian Association
president Narendra Bhana said the
couple were highly respected.
“They were Christian, they used to
go to church regularly. They were a
really harmless peaceful family.”
He said the community
was in shock.
“The community is grieving,
everybody is finding it hard to believe
what has happened to this family
who is very highly respected in the
community. We are just shocked to
hear this news.”
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The Indian Weekender Friday, March 26, 2021
NEW ZEALAND 7
Communities Action Trust NZ celebrates
Race Relations Day with the community
RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
Communities Action Trust New Zealand
(CATNZ), in association with Auckland
Council’s Onehunga Centre, hosted
Race Relations Day at the former’s centre with
the community.
March 21 is observed as International
Race Relations Day for the Elimination of
Racial Discrimination since 1966, and several
community organisations across New Zealand
host events to commemorate the day and
create awareness about racial discrimination
and equality.
CATNZ, on Sunday, March 21, presented a
multicultural concert, bringing together diverse
communities from South and Southeast Asia.
“The event was brought together at short
notice, with the performing
groups really keen to
connect and present their
culture.
“We must come
together, share
our culture and
work together,
rejoicing the
connections and
diversity we
have around us!
Murali Kumar from
CATNZ said.
Celebrations
across other cities in
New Zealand
In Dunedin, a celebration of culture
was conducted observing Race Relations Week
during the last weekend presenting a powhiri,
drumming, musical shows
and dance.
The event was attended by
hundreds of people, starting
with the powhiri at Arai Te Uru
Marae, some performances near
peach police at the museum-reserve, some
groups gathered in their national costumes at
the musical event Dunedin Botanic Garden.
In Timaru, International Food Festival was
held outside Landing Service Building with
84 food stalls from around the world alongside
Timaru Artisan Farmers Market.
The International Food Festival turned the
city’s Landing Service precinct into a United
Nations as several hundred people from
different ethnicities and backgrounds came
to enjoy the Race Relations Day event on
Saturday, March 20.
Food and music-dance performances from
India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka,
Korea, South America, middle-eastern, Pacifica
countries, and 20+ different nations feasted the
crowd’s taste buds and entertained them.
In Invercargill, Southland Multicultural Food
Festival was held on Saturday, March 20, which
was also attended by hundreds of people at the
ILT Stadium Southland. The event presented
cuisines of Korea, Brazil, Jamaica, South
Africa, India and Colombia, among others
feasting the crowd with multi-ethnic food on
Race Relations Day celebrations.

8 NEW ZEALAND
Friday, March 26, 2021 The Indian Weekender
Government announces plan
to help first home buyers
RADIO NEW ZEALAND
The government plans to
help first-home buyers into
the market, by increasing
the caps for financial support,
and extending the bright-line test
to 10 years.
It has unveiled its long-awaited
plan to tilt the balance towards firsttime
buyers and to turn down the heat
in the market.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
said the plan is a package of both
urgent and long-term measures to
relieve pressure.
“The housing crisis is a problem
decades in the making that will
take time to turn around, but these
measures will make a difference.
“There is no silver bullet, but
combined all of these measures will
start to make a difference,” she said.
From 1 April, the income cap
to access First Home Grants and
Loans will be lifted from $85,000 to
$95,000 for single buyers, and from
$130,000 to $150,000 for two or
more buyers.
“We want our first-home buyers to
be able to get into the market and so
much of what we’re doing today is
about them,” Ardern said.
Rampant growth has been driven
by speculators in the market,
she said.
Regional price caps for accessing
support have also lifted.
Ardern said the new caps are based
off March 2021 data.
Housing Minister Megan
Woods said the government is also
expanding the rules so that more
people will only need a 5 percent
deposit before first home buyers can
apply for support.
“This package of measures will
help first-home buyers into the
market and boost activity and create
jobs in the construction sector, as
we recover from the impacts of
Covid-19,” she said.
“As we’ve investigated where the
greatest housing needs are and what
has been done to meet those needs,
we’ve found out just how broken the
system is.”
She said modelling shows between
80,000 and 130,000 homes could be
built over a 20-year period, but that
is dependent on buy in with councils,
iwi and private developers.
Finance Minister Grant Robertson
said with property investors making
up the biggest share of buyers it was
“essential the government takes steps
to curb rampant speculation”.
As well as increasing the brightline
test, which sees investment
Housing Minister Megan Woods
said the fund would speed up the
pace and scale of house building.
“We estimate the Housing
Acceleration Fund will help green
light tens of thousands of house
builds in the short to medium term.
“Investment in infrastructure has
been identified as one of the key
actions the government can take to
increase the supply of housing in the
short term.
“This fund will jump-start housing
developments by funding the
necessary services, like roads and
pipes to homes, which are currently
holding up development,” she said.
The government will also assist
Kāinga Ora to borrow an extra
$2 billion to scale up at pace land
acquisition to boost housing supply.
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properties sold within a set time
taxed on the capital gains - to 10
years, the government will remove
the ability for property investors
to offset their interest expenses
against their rental income when
calculating tax.
Robertson said this will “dampen
speculative demand and tilt the
balance towards first home buyers”.
“The New Zealand housing market
has become the least affordable
in the OECD. Taking action is in
everyone’s interests as continuing
to allow unsustainable house price
growth could lead to a negative hit to
the whole economy,” he said.
Robertson said to encourage
investment in new builds, the brightline
test for these properties will
remain at five years.
“This will give Kiwis a better
chance at purchasing their first
family home. I want to stress that the
bright-line test does not and will not
apply to the family home,” he said.
However, in a pre-election
interview Robertson said that there
would be no change in the brightline
test under a Labour government,
Ardern said at that time New Zealand
was not experiencing rampant house
price growth as it is now.
She said it not a capital gains
tax and the government is simply
extending a policy that was
already there.
Associate Minister of Finance and
Revenue Minister David Parker said
with interest rates as low as they are,
it is a good time to transition, and will
make things smoother for investors.
Ministers are also considering
closing a loophole on interest-only
loans to speculators.
The Reserve Bank will report back
to ministers in May on this and any
proposals around debt to income
ratios, particularly for investors.
The plan also includes a $3.8
billion fund to accelerate housing
supply in the short to medium term.
It is also extending the
Apprenticeship Boost initiative by
four months, to further support trades
and trades training.
Warning new measures could
affect economy
Retail banks have warned the
government’s measures to cool the
housing market and deter property
investors may not just chill the
housing market, but also the
broader economy.
Westpac senior economist Satish
Ranchhod said cutting the incentives
to invest in the sector, such as
removing the tax deductability
of mortgage interest, might flow
through to broader spending.
He said a slowdown in house prices
would slow economic recovery and
make the Reserve Bank even more
reluctant to raise its official cash rate.
ANZ economists say the measures
would increase the risk that house
prices actually fall.

The Indian Weekender Friday, March 26, 2021
NEW ZEALAND 9
PM inaugurates multi-million dollar
sports complex in Takanini Gurudwara
• Continued on Page 9
Sharing the vision behind this world-class
multi-sport facility, Daljit Singh, Spokesperson
of Supreme Sikh Society of New Zealand, told
the Indian Weekender in a detailed interview in
late 2019, “This [multi-sports centre] has been
a long-held dream since last 10-15 years when
the Supreme Sikh Society first got the land in
South Auckland.”
“We have been clear from the very beginning
of this Gurudwara that we need to come up
with a major sports facility not only to promote
sports and good health among our youths from
the wider Kiwi-Indian community.”
“But also because sports is a great unifier
of people helping in cutting our cultural
differences,” Mr Singh had then told the
Indian Weekender.
With the formal inauguration ceremony held
last Sunday, that long-held dream clearly seems
to have realised.
More about NZ Sikh Sports
Complex
• The sports complex comprises a total
of seven different sports’ turf including
soccer, hockey, athletics track, volleyball,
basketball, cricket and kabaddi, which are
further vetted by the highest professional
"
We have been clear from
the very beginning of this
Gurudwara that we need
to come up with a major
sports facility not only to
promote sports and good
health among our youths
from the wider Kiwi-Indian
community
regulatory bodies of each sport in the
country.
• The soccer pitch is fully approved by
FIFA [the highest international governing
body for football].
• The turfs and pitches for other games are also
being constructed under the strict guidelines
of respective sporting authorities to ensure
that facilities comply with the highest levels
of professional standards.
• The entire complex has been fitted with
seven floodlights to facilitate sporting
fixtures at the night.
• Each floodlight is also fitted with an inbuilt
sound system so that game organisers will
not have to arrange for separate microphones
or a public address (PA) system.
Migrant New Zealanders
experience fear, loss of culture
and identity due to racism
IWK BUREAU
Migrants across the country have for
the first time extensively shared
their lived experiences of racism
in Aotearoa New Zealand.
In the report “Drivers of migrant New
Zealanders’ experiences of racism”, published
by the Human Rights Commission, migrants
have expressed continued institutional,
personally mediated and
internalised experiences of racism.
Many respondents said that racism deeply
wounded their sense of self-belief resulting in
fear, disengagement in society and loss of
culture and identity. Many also expressed how
racism led to exclusion, colonised thinking and
even judgement of their own culture.
As a result, migrants have said they had to
change how they looked, dressed, spoke, or
acted to fit into Eurocentric expectations in
New Zealand.
“Our migrant communities should
not have to change themselves to fit into
white society. Migrants must feel safe in
expressing their language, culture, and
identity. This is their home,” Race Relations
Commissioner Meng Foon said. The impacts
of racism felt by our migrant communities were
extensive and spanned across all aspects
of wellbeing, including health, housing,
employment, education, governance, and the
justice system.
Migrants pointed out that colonisation,
fear, ignorance, a need to blame others, white
privilege, racial supremacy, and a limited
response to racism within the country were
among the drivers of racism.
“The impacts of racism are traumatic,
intergenerational, broad and affect all aspects
of wellbeing. Racism leaves deep-rooted scars
that often don’t heal,” Foon said.
“No one should be made to feel they do not
belong in Aotearoa, worry about their public
safety, or experience negative mental wellbeing
because of discrimination or racism.”
Migrants identified numerous opportunities to
influence change and strengthen responses
to racism including honouring Te Tiriti o
Waitangi, having diverse representation in all
levels of leadership, teaching a balanced New
Zealand history, education, and strengthening
identity among others.
“We must support our migrant communities
to identify their own solutions to racism. This
will empower their voices, validate their lived
experiences and help them take ownership and
action in response to racism.”
The research findings will also help inform
the national action plan against racism to
ensure it is evidence-based in its development,
implementation and review.
“We all have a responsibility to foster
harmonious and inclusive communities
that preserve dignity and respect for all people
across Aotearoa,” Foon said.
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10 NEW ZEALAND
Friday, March 26, 2021
The Indian Weekender
RAFI-KISHORE-MUKESH NIGHT
concert once again wows the audience
RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
Creations NZ Group left no stones
unturned to make its live concert ‘Rafi
Kishore Mukesh Night 4’, another
masterpiece of a show.
Despite being postponed twice due to
Covid-19 lockdowns in February and early
March this year, the show was able to garner a
full house booking and with at least 50 people
politely declined due to unavailability of seats.
Rafi-Kishore-Mukesh Night 4 was held on
Saturday, March 20, at the Dorothy Winston
Centre in Freemans Bay, and the auditorium
gleamed with yesteryears’ music lovers
singing-along and asking for more.
"
The 15-minutes medley of
these singers’ famous and
loved songs mesmerised our
audience, and it was a time
remember how the whole
auditorium echoed with the
audience joining in the singalong,
and it was the best
feeling for me
Led by Arif Zia rendering the voice of
legendary singer Md Rafi, Viraj being the voice
of Mukesh, and Joseph – one of the most loved
singers in Auckland and being the voice of
Kishore Kumar.
The most popular songs from the three
leading singers- Dard-e-Dil from Karz film
sang by Arif, Jaane Kaha Gaye Wo Din from
the film Mera Naam Joker sang by Viraj and
singer Joseph dressed in sherwani and turban
as worn by Amitabh Bachchan rendered the
famous song Pag Ghungroo from the film
Namak Halal.
“The three most popular songs sought by
the crowd received a thunderous applaud
and cheers in the auditorium,” Arif Zia,
chairperson of Creation Group NZ, told The
Indian Weekender.
The audience raved about the ambience of the
concert, which was not limited by the singers’
songs but also the perfection of the musicians
and stage decoration that sets a new benchmark
for such shows every year.
Unlike previous years, the concert also
presented a medley of legendry but not-soremembered
singers starting from the early days
of the Indian (read Bollywood) music industry,
such as Noor Jahan, Shamshad Begum, Talat
Mahmood, Hemant Kumar, Manna Dey etc.
“The 15-minutes medley of these singers’
famous and loved songs mesmerised our
audience, and it was a time remember how the
whole auditorium echoed with the audience
joining in the sing-along, and it was the best
feeling for me,” Arif said.
Creation Group NZ also completed ten
years in 2021 and, on occasion, felicitated its
media partners The Indian Weekender with a
memento for its work towards the Kiwi Indian
and migrant community living in New Zealand.
Kiwi-Indian mum-daughter duo hopes to get
popular votes for people’s choice category
of Outstanding NZ food producers awards
SANDEEP SINGH
A
Kiwi-Indian
mum-daughter food business – Sobhna’s
- which makes Indian curry pastes and spice blends, is
hoping to get popular votes from the members of the
community for Coast People’s Choice Award in the Outstanding
NZ Food Producer Awards 2021.
The awards have fast gained the reputation – within five years
of its inception since 2017 - of being the best of the country’s
locally grown and made food and drink products.
Nimeesha Odedra, the daughter and the co-founder of
Sobhna’s, told the Indian Weekender that they were inspired by
their solid customer base to enter into the Outstanding NZ Food
Producers awards for this year.
“From my understanding, no Indian food business has ever
won a gold award or the Coast People’s Choice Award in this
competition, and we are determined to change this.
“We think it is really important for our community to have
our businesses pushing boundaries and winning awards,”
Nimeesha said.
Sharing the inspiring journey of how Sobhna’s first came
into existence which was out of compulsion, Nimeesha said,
“Seventeen years ago my mum gave up her job to help me bring
up my son when my marriage fell apart so that I could carry on
in my career. When my son was old enough to go to school, my
mum found herself locked out of the job market due to her age.”
“But she never gave up, and this is how Sobhna’s began,”
Nimeesha said.
“Initially, she started making vegetarian samosa and pakora to
sell at the local farmers’ markets. These were really popular, and
often she would sell around 500 plus samosa in the space of 3-4
hours. My mum has an amazing personality and loves meeting
and talking to people and so she developed some amazing
relationships. Over time she added spring rolls to her menu.
The other popular product line of the business – Indian curry
pastes – also emanated out of compulsion from another crisis.
“In December 2019, my mum damaged her shoulder, and it was
really difficult for her to carry on making samosa from scratch.
Especially the pastry, which is very difficult. So, we shifted focus
to the curry pastes range, which our regular customers are quite
liking,” Nimeesha said.
The 2020 lockdown brought more challenges, forcing the
mum-daughter duo to innovate further and adapt.
“During the first lockdown, the business couldn’t trade at all.
To keep my mum busy and to have some fun with our Facebook
followers (approx. 200), we started making short cooking video
tutorials. After five weeks, our followers went up and up, and at
the end of lockdown, we were sitting at 1200 followers.
“When we hit Alert Level 3, we started getting orders for the
curry paste. I had to literally drive all over Auckland to deliver
curry pastes because we had no courier system set up.
“It took us a few weeks to find a supplier of packaging, get a
courier and just find our feet,” Nimeesha said.
Recalling the whole experience of managing and running this
small food business in 2020, which has seen many established
businesses go down, Nimeesha said, “The last several months
have been a rollercoaster ride. We now have a website, over 8000
followers on Facebook and a range of products.”
Speaking about the
motivation behind
entering into this
popular award category
Nimeesha said, “This is
the first time ever that we
have entered our products
for any Food Awards. I think
when you look at food awards
in New Zealand, there often isn’t
much diversity. We really want to
aim high with our business and showcase
authentic, healthy Indian food to the world.
“We think it’s really important that our community pushes
these boundaries and showcases our culture and value by entering
and winning these awards. In our case, we may not win because
at this stage we are only a small mother-daughter business;
however, we will have showcased our products, and more people
will know about us and the ethos behind our business.”
“This would be a total game-changer for us and would really
help showcase healthy authentic Indian food,” Nimeesha said
with a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
(Here is the link to vote for mum-daughter duo : tinyurl.com/
qpzxchwu)
(You only need to put Sobhna’s as your favourite producer
(the farmers market is optional)

The Indian Weekender Friday, March 26, 2021
NEW ZEALAND 11
NZ Gujarati Sports
Association hosts
Cricket tournament
after a 15-year gap
RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
New Zealand Gujarati Sports and
Cultural Association is hosting a
community cricket tournament after
15 years gap this year. The Association works
towards bringing together Gujarati Indian
diaspora moved to New Zealand from India,
Fiji, and other nations by hosting different
sports and cultural events to keep them
connected to their roots.
The T20 tournament is being held after a
decade and a half’s gap, the final of which will
be held at Eastdale Reserve in Avondale on
Sunday, March 28.
The tournament was postponed from
February last month to March due to the third
Covid lockdown, which hosted between six
teams divided into two pools. After the roundrobins
and after knockout matches, the final
will be played between Flying Arrows (Sports
Club) and Nadi (NZ Nadi Gujarati Sports and
Cultural Association).
The tournament is supported by Auckland
Cricket Association and Auckland Cricket
Umpires Association, who have provided
necessary help and professional empires for the
tournament.
NZ Gujarati Sports and Cultural Association
was incorporated in 1995, five years after being
run and operated informally as a society.
The Association had Gujarati descent
members from Fiji, India, Canada, the United
States and worked towards integrating
the community as one. The Association at
different intervals hosted sports events such
as squash, cricket, football, table tennis and
more, but it was football that garnered the
most attention from the community and was
held regularly every year since the existence of
the Association. In cricket, 80 per cent of the
players were from India, and it was the opposite
in football, where 80 per cent of players were
originating from Fiji.
“The cultural and sports reach within
Gujarati community was not only confined to
players and participants from Auckland but has
had participants from different parts of North
"
The cultural and sports
reach within Gujarati
community was not only
confined to players and
participants from Auckland
but has had participants from
different parts of North and
South Island, from overseas
such as Fiji, Canada, Australia
etc
and South Island, from overseas such as Fiji,
Canada, Australia etc.,” Ritesh Raniga, vicepresident
of NZ Gujarati Sports and Cultural
Association told the Indian Weekender.
“In football, we had 8-14 teams every
year, and the number of teams and players
fluctuated in this range every year,” Mr Raniga
further added. Regarding cricket this year, the
Association received enormous support from
Black Caps cricketer Ajaz Patel who also plays
in one of the teams in this tournament.
“We are fortunate to have big names
associated with our sports events such as Black
Cap Ajaz Patel, who too is of Gujarati descent,
Harshae Raniga, who has represented New
Zealand U17 and U23 of international football
matches etc.” Mr Raniga said.
The Association is also hosting its annual
Soccer Championship Tournament 2021 over
the Easter weekend to be held at Mangere
Central Park in Mangere.
“Once this event concludes, the Association
will focus on organising other tournaments such
as squash, snooker and golf, to name a few, with
planning already underway for a major cultural
event to be held in late July. These events will
be promoted to encourage participation from
our youth and ladies to ensure that we reach all
of the Gujarati demography,” added Mr Raniga.
“The Association is led by Paresh Parshotam
as the president, Rohit Patel and I as vicepresident,
Sunil Bhikha as Secretary, Jay Patel
as Asst. Secretary Anish Patel as Treasurer
and Ashok Kapadia as Asst. Treasure,” Mr
Raniga said.
Hamilton Kirikiriroa
को मिलकर नया आकार दें
आप हमारे दीर्घकालिक योजना के प्ारूप पर
अपनी प्तिक्रिया 7 April िक दें
अपनी आवाज़ सांझा करें
futurehamilton.co.nz पर

Editorial
India central to the
Indo-Pacific region
The importance attached by the US to the Indo-Pacific, places India at an advantageous
position, both in defence and economic sectors.
While the world was combating the Covid pandemic, international leaders were also
busy in realigning the world as per their country’s priorities and goals. One region, which has
emerged on the top of this new realignment, is the region of the Indo-Pacific.
The Indo-Pacific comprises the Indian Ocean, the western and central Pacific Ocean, and the
seas connecting the two oceans around parts of Indonesia. The term “Indo-Pacific” gained usage in
geopolitical discourse after 2011. It is also described as a substitute for “Quad” or the Quadrilateral
Security Dialogue, an informal grouping of like-minded democracies in the region, comprising
Australia, Japan, India, and the United States.
Former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expanded on the spirit of the term in his speech to the
Indian Parliament in August 2007 when he talked about the “Confluence of the Indian and Pacific
Oceans” as “the dynamic coupling as seas of freedom and of prosperity” in the “broader Asia”.
American push for the Quad
Quad was first floated in 2004 to manage disaster relief after the Tsunami. Later, Dick Cheney
tried to redefine it as a military club, to counter Chinese influence, but was abandoned in 2010 as
India and Australia didn’t wanted to ruffle the Chinese feathers. The Trump administration revived
the regional grouping in 2017, ostensibly to counter China in the region, particularly in the South
China Sea, where the Chinese have continually challenged the Japanese and Americans.
US under Trump wanted to shape the Quad into an Asian NATO, a point that has been raised
and challenged by the Chinese again and again, as they see it as a potential defence deterrent in
the region. The importance being attached to this by the original members, and the recent desire
expressed by the British and French to join also underlines both its economic and defence utility.
Though the Biden administration wants to position it as an American outreach on trade, immigration,
public health, climate change, yet its security aspect can’t be overlooked.
To give a boost to the alliance, the leaders of the Quad met on March 12, 2021through a virtual
summit. The summit and the joint statement issued highlights the evolution of the grouping and its
agenda made clearer and resolve by the member states to sustain the momentum.
At a White House press conference following the summit, the U.S. National Security Advisor
Jake Sullivan noted that each of the four leaders present had described the meeting as “historic.”
Quad talks were elevated to the ministerial level in 2019 with foreign ministers from all four
countries holding a meeting on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly session in
New York in September that year. Since then, Quad foreign ministers have met twice: in-person in
Tokyo in October last year, and virtually last month.
President Biden has zealously endorsed the “free and open Indo-Pacific” jargon favoured by his
predecessor, contrary to apprehensions that he would seek to adopt a softer line toward China and
that the Indo-Pacific paradigm would not be so significant for the new administration.
However, the reality is that the Quad, in essential sense is not a formal alliance, yet. The recent
summit concentrated primarily on urgent global catastrophes comprising coronavirus and the
climate emergency and tried not to ruffle feathers or cause undue apprehensions in the regional
countries, particularly ASEAN member states. A joint statement after the assembly noted that the
four nations would collaborate to increase Covid vaccine production, in which India would be
helped financially by other members to boost its vaccine production base. But differences remained
among the member states on how to handle China.
India’s future in the Quad
The moot question is whether Quad in essential sense would be transformed into a real regional
alliance or will it continue to serve some countries only, to use it as and when required as per their
necessity. Though one country, which seems poised to gain most out of Quad is India. Due to its
vast market potential and also as a counter to China in the region, most western powers attach great
importance to it in the region. Indian leaders also realise this besides the fact that to transform into a
regional power it has to pursue a geopolitical strategy, which maximises its economic interests and
security. The Indian Prime Minister has spelled out the Indian vision of Indo-Pacific as an enabler
for “a common pursuit of progress and prosperity... not directed against any country... (albeit based
on) our principled commitment to rule of law.”
India’s role at the Quad seems central to the Biden administration’s plans for the region and the
quest to counter China. US initiatives so far suggests the Biden administration is serious about its
stated intention to counter China through alliances, based on shared values, and that it sees the Quad
and India as central to that. At the same time the US seems ready to moderate India’s feeling of
insecurity in regard to be part of a binding alliance along with its ambition to emerge as a dominant
regional player, while downplaying China.
It seems that the US wants to promote bilateral ties by bolstering India at the Quad, and also
focussing on more areas of cooperation, which were ignored during the Trump regime. The recent
visit of the US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin to India demonstrates both these aspects.
With Tony Blinken at the State Department and Jake Sullivan at the National Security Council,
as well as Mr Biden himself, the current US administration possesses more experience of dealing
with India than any of its predecessors. It also highlights its resolve to make Indo-US relations as
central to its plans. With China as a common denominator, the relationship holds more chances of
being robust and fruitful for both. And the key role, which the US wants India to play at the Quad, is
more apparent now. It may also open the doors for increased bilateral cooperation and sale of more
American military hardware to India besides economic benefits.
Thought of the week
"Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work
in hand. The sun's rays do not burn until brought
to a focus." – Alexander Graham Bell
26 March – 01 April 2021
Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thu
On-and-off
rain and
drizzle
22°
14°
Partly
sunny
24°
13°
25°
14°
Indian Weekender : Volume 13 Issue 02
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
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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
24°
15°
A touch o
dafr
This week in New Zealand’s history
28 March 1923
Forest and Bird founded
25°
25°
Copyright 2020. Kiwi Media Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Sunshine
and pactcy
clouds
26°
15°
A few
morning
showers
26°
17°
The New Zealand Native Bird Protection Society was formed at a meeting in Wellington
called by a local conservation advocate, Captain Ernest ‘Val’ Sanderson.
28 March 1955
NZ cricketers skittled for 26
In recent years most test matches between New Zealand and England have been keenly
contested. This was not the case in 1955.
28 March 1983
Signing of CER agreement strengthens trans-Tasman
trade ties
The Australia–New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement, better known as
CER, was New Zealand’s first comprehensive bilateral trade agreement, and one of the first
such agreements in the world.
29 March 1901
Skippers Bridge opened
At 96 m long and 91 m above the river, the Skippers suspension bridge over the Shotover
River near Queenstown in Central Otago is one of the highest and most spectacular in
New Zealand.
1 April 1773
First beer brewed in New Zealand
In an attempt to concoct a preventative against scurvy, Captain James Cook brewed a batch of
beer on Resolution Island in Dusky Sound, using rimu branches and leaves.
1 April 1965
TEAL becomes Air New Zealand
New Zealand’s international airline, Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL), was
renamed Air New Zealand Limited.
1 April 1978
Thermal insulation required in NZ homes
Māori houses (whare) were made of natural materials that had good thermal performance
(such as raupō reeds) or kept out the wind (such as earth). European-style timber frame
construction was less efficient at retaining heat, but it was not until 1978 that the level of thermal
insulation required in new houses was specified by law.

The Indian Weekender Friday, March 26, 2021 FIJI 13
We are still pushing for Aust and
NZ to open their doors and heart
to a travel bubble with Fiji: PM
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama
says they are still pushing regional
neighbours like Australia and New
Zealand to open their doors and heart to a travel
bubble with Fiji.
Bainimarama highlighted this at the Fiji
Excellence Awards Annual Presentations at the
Sofitel Resort and Spa in Denarau.
He says from our blue lanes for yachts,
vacation in paradise, VIP lanes to the support
towards the Love Your Locals program, we
have showed the world that we are willing and
able to innovate and adapt to support our vital
tourism industry.
Bainimarama says Fiji belongs in the
quarantine free regional travel arrangement for
the Pacific.
He also told the business owners that the borders do reopen.
government has dramatically dropped taxes Bainimarama says in the next budget they
and a subsidy scheme is in place for when the will be looking at other innovative ways that
Presentation
of credentials
by Fiji’s High
Commissioner
to India
they can give businesses the drive to kick start
this industry.
The Prime Minister has also assured families
that are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
that the government has their back.
He says the government has already directly
paid out over $118 million in unemployment
benefits and that support has gone mostly to
those in the tourism sector and even those who
have managed to secure work on the weekends.
Bainimarama says this will continue as will
their effort to tap into new opportunities and
create new paths forward.
Bainimarama also paid tribute to the late
Dixon Seeto and says he was a dear friend and
a tourism heavyweight.
He says Seeto played such an outsized
leadership role in shaping the tourism industry
and reminded him that tourism was the single
most important driver of the Fijian economy.
Fiji has new border
quarantine case from
Papua New Guinea
A
new
border quarantine case of
COVID-19 has been announced.
The Ministry of Health says the
new case is a 55 year old man who travelled
to Fiji from Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea,
arriving in Nadi on flight FJ1920 from Brisbane
on March 12th.
He returned a positive test result during
routine testing while undergoing 14-day
quarantine at a government-supervised border
quarantine facility in Nadi.
The man has been transferred to the isolation
unit at the Lautoka Hospital in accordance with
the standard protocols for positive cases.
Since the last update on March 17th, there has
been 1 new recovery, leaving this new border
quarantine case as the 1 active case currently
admitted at the Lautoka Hospital isolation unit.
It has now been exactly 1 year since Fiji
recorded its first case of COVID-19 on March
19th 2020.
Since our first case was reported, Fiji has now
had 67 cases, with 64 recoveries and 2 deaths.
The Health Ministry says the last 49 cases
have been international travel-associated cases
detected in border quarantine. It has been 335
days since the last case was detected outside
border quarantine on April 18th 2020.
34,782 laboratory tests have been conducted,
with a daily average of 210 tests per day over
the last 7 days, and a weekly average of 1615
tests per week over the last 2 weeks.
From left” Fiji’s High Commissioner allocation of COVID-19 vaccines, that would his diplomatic appointment at the Fiji High
to India Kamlesh Prakash with support Fiji’s recovery and rebuilding efforts. Commission in India and he reaffirmed India’s
Secretary(West) at India’s Ministry of Reflecting on the
commitment to further advance the bilateral
External Affairs, Shri Vikas Swarup during
the virtual presentation of credentials to the
historical ties between
Fiji and India, Mr
"Reflecting
on the historical
relations with Fiji at all levels.
He emphasised that Fiji was also an
President of the Republic of India, Shri Ram Prakash said ties between Fiji and important partner for India not only
Nath Kovind on Thursday
the bilateral India, Mr Prakash said the bilaterally but also in the Indo- Pacific
Fiji’s High Commissioner to India, Kamlesh relationship bilateral relationship between region.
Shashi Prakash presented his credentials to the between the the two nations was based on the In commending Fiji for its swift
President of the Republic of India, Shri Ram two nations shared values and aspirations response to contain COVID-19
Nath Kovind, in a virtual ceremony held on was based on on democracy and the pandemic, President Kovind stated
Thursday March 18, 2021.
the shared values
universal principles of
that India was at the forefront of global
In presenting his credentials, Mr Prakash and aspirations
human rights, peace
efforts to contain the pandemic through
and security."
acknowledged the timely provision of on democracy and
assisting several countries with provisions
humanitarian assistance to Fiji, from the
Government and the people of India, in the
aftermath of Tropical Cyclones Yasa and Ana.
He also commended India for the timely
the universal principles
of human rights, peace and
security.
President Kovind congratulated him for
of COVID19 vaccines.
Mr Prakash is the sixth resident High
Commissioner of the Republic of Fiji to the
Republic of India.
India to help Fiji with Astrazeneca vaccines
The Government of India is
in the process of arranging
the delivery of a significant
number of AstraZeneca vaccines into
Fiji. This was revealed by the Acting
Indian High Commissioner to Fiji
Sukanta Sahoo.
Mr Sukanta said the agreement
was signed in India on Wednesday
and they were awaiting endorsement
from the Fijian Government.
“These AstraZeneca vaccines were
manufactured by the Covashield
Branch in India and it had proven to
be very effective,” he said.
“I am not able to disclose the
number of vaccines we are arranging,
but I can assure you that it is more
than what Fiji had received on its first
batch that arrived a few weeks ago.
“Once we are able to confirm
the shipment date we will
announce all other details of
the vaccines.”
"
Early planning and sticking to the plan and
the political will in my view and the leadership
and vision of the countries and the Governments
has really helped Fiji and other Pacific countries
succeed and we really need to get that story out to
the rest of the world
He said the Indian High
Commission would be able to
release other details while they were
finalised by next week.
Best kept secret
“Fiji and the Pacific’s handling of
COVID-19 is one of the best kept
secrets that I know of.”
United Nations (UN) Resident
Coordinator, Sanaka Samarasinha
said this in an interview at the
Radisson Blue Resort Fiji in Nad.
Mr Samarasinha said it was an
amazing story to tell the rest of
the world how Fiji and the other
Pacific Island countries worked
together to contain the global
COVID-19 pandemic.
He said although we managed to
contain the pandemic, there still was
not enough credit given to Fiji and
the other Pacific Island nations.
“It really is an amazing story
in some ways not surprised but I
am disappointed that Fiji and the
Pacific countries that have managed
to contain COVID for so long have
not got the credit and people have
not learnt their lessons from these
countries and look at us, we are able
to walk around and not wear masks,”
he said.
“Of course, the economy is in
shambles because of the COVID that
has rampaged around the world.
"One reason that has been the case
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is because back in 2019 when there
was a measles outbreak in the Pacific,
the World Health Organization
and the UN agencies got together
along with partners, Government
and development partners to setup
a team to manage and look out for
the measles outbreak and that team
was reconfigured in January 2020 to
prepare for COVID-19 coming into
the Pacific.
“Early planning and sticking to the
plan and the political will in my view
and the leadership and vision of the
countries and the Governments has
really helped Fiji and other Pacific
countries succeed and we really need
to get that story out to the rest of the
world,” Mr Samarasinha said.
Meanwhile, Minister for Health
and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi
Waqainabete and Permanent
Secretary for Health Dr James Fong
were vaccinated.

14
INDIA
Friday, March 26, 2021 The Indian Weekender
NEWS in BRIEF
India at forefront of initiatives to prevent noncommunicable
diseases: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India is at the "forefront" of
initiatives that seek to prevent non-communicable diseases (NCD).
Modi's remarks came after the UN Institute for Training and Research
(UNITAR) commended India's remarkable progress in reducing premature
mortality from NCD. Expressing gratitude to UNITAR, the Prime Minister
said in a tweet, "India is at the forefront of initiatives that seek to prevent
non-communicable diseases and further wellness. Grateful to UNITAR for
their kind words. Together, we all have to make our planet healthier".
The UNITAR also sought India's cooperation in promoting lessons of the
National Multisectoral Action Plan (NMAP) for prevention and control of
common NCDs.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi also tweeted on
the subject. Bagchi wrote, "Long strides towards tackling non-communicable
diseases (NCD). UNITAR commends India's remarkable progress to reduce
pre-mature mortality from NCDs and seeks cooperation with Government
of India to promote lessons learned from implementation of the NMAP for
Prevention and Control of Common NCDs."
ISRO demonstrates free space quantum
communication
Indian space agency
has successfully
demonstrated free-space
Quantum Communication
over a distance of 300 metre
with several technologies
developed within the country.
"For the first time in the country, Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO) has successfully demonstrated free-space Quantum Communication
over a distance of 300 metre," ISRO said.
According to ISRO, a number of key technologies were developed
indigenously to accomplish this major feat, which included the use of
indigenously developed NAVIC receiver for time synchronization between
the transmitter and receiver modules, and gimbal mechanism systems
instead of bulky large-aperture telescopes for optical alignment.
The demonstration has included live video conferencing using
quantum-key-encrypted signals. This is a major milestone achievement
for unconditionally secured satellite data communication using quantum
technologies, ISRO said.
India, US agree to re-establish Homeland Security
Dialogue discontinued by Trump
The Biden administration has
announced the re-establishment
of the Homeland Security Dialogue
with India that was discontinued by
the previous Trump dispensation. This
comes a day after Homeland Security
Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas spoke
with India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu and expressed
his desire to further strengthen the partnership between India and his
department.
“Mayorkas and Sandhu agreed to re-establish the US-India Homeland
Security Dialogue and to discuss important issues such as cybersecurity,
emerging technology and addressing violent extremism,” according to a
readout of the meeting issued. It is rare for the department to issue a readout
of the secretary’s meeting with a foreign envoy.
“During their discussion, they highlighted the positive engagement that
has already taken place during the Biden Administration, including with the
Quad, which addressed concrete commitments to cooperate on COVID-19,
climate actions, and cybersecurity,” said the readout.
After two-year pause, Indus water talks take off
between India, Pakistan
The Indus Commissioners of India
and Pakistan met for the first
time in over two years in New Delhi
on Tuesday in a bid to resolve a host
of outstanding issues under the Indus
Waters Treaty, including Pakistan’s
objections to the design of Indian hydropower projects on the Chenab river.
Pradeep Kumar Saxena, Commissioner (Indus), is leading the Indian
delegation, while the Pakistan side is being led by Syed Muhammad Meher
Ali Shah, the country’s Commissioner for Indus Waters.
While no official statement has been issued regarding the meeting, which
began at 10 am and continued till 5 pm, an official said both sides “presented
their views to each other”.
The meeting is being seen as a positive step after both countries agreed to
the LoC ceasefire last month.
India is building the 1,000 MW Pakal Dul Hydro Electric Project on river
Marusudar, a tributary of the Chenab.
The project is located in Kishtwar district of Jammu & Kashmir. The
second project, Lower Kalnai, is being developed on the Chenab river.
CORONAVIRUS:
'Double mutant' Covid
variant found in India
A
new "double mutant" variant
of the coronavirus has been
detected from samples
collected in India.
Officials are checking if the
variant, where two mutations come
together in the same virus, may be
more infectious or less affected by
vaccines.
Some 10,787 samples from 18
Indian states also showed up 771
cases of known variants - 736 of the
UK, 34 of the South African and one
Are double mutants a be effective, though sometimes less
Brazilian.
so when compared to the original
Officials say the variants are not
worry?
viruses they were designed against.
linked to a spike in cases in India. A "double mutant virus" - it's a
Scientists are confident that if needed,
India reported 47,262 cases and
scary phrase. Breaking it down, the
existing vaccines can be modified to
275 deaths on Wednesday - the
words suggests that Indian scientists
target new mutations.
have discovered two significant
sharpest daily rise this year.
The Indian government denies
mutations - or changes - in different
The Indian SARS-CoV-2
that the rise in cases is linked to the
locations in a single variant of
Consortium on Genomics
mutations.
the virus.
(INSACOG), a group of 10 national
"Though VOCs [variants of
That is not so surprising. Viruses
laboratories under India's health
concern] and a new double mutant
mutate all the time but the questions
ministry, carried out genomic
variant have been found in India,
that need answering are: does the these have not been detected in
sequencing on the latest samples. presence of this double mutation numbers sufficient to either establish
Genomic sequencing is a testing change how the virus behaves? Will a direct relationship or explain the
process to map the entire genetic this variant be more infectious now, rapid increase in cases in some
code of an organism - in this case, or cause more severe disease? And states," the health ministry said.
the virus.
importantly, will current vaccines The recent report comes after
several experts had asked the
government to step up genome
sequencing efforts.
"We need to constantly monitor
and make sure none of the variants
of concern are spreading in the
population. The fact that it is not
happening now doesn't mean it will
not happen in the future. And we have
to make sure that we get the evidence
early enough," Dr Jameel told the
India's two approved vaccines — AstraZeneca and Bharat Biotech — are effective BBC's Soutik Biswas earlier this
against the UK and Brazilian variants
month.
India became the fifth country in
still work well against it?
the world to sequence the genome of
Scientists will now be busy doing the novel coronavirus after isolating
the detective work needed to find out it from some of the first cases
the answers. Officials say because recorded in January last year.
The genetic code of the virus
works like its instruction manual.
Mutations in viruses are common
but most of them are insignificant
and do not cause any change in its
ability to transmit or cause serious
infection. But some mutations, like
the ones in the UK or South Africa
variant lineages, can make the virus
more infectious and in some cases
even deadlier.
Virologist Shahid Jameel
explained that a "double mutation
in key areas of the virus's spike
protein may increase these risks
and allow the virus to escape the
immune system".
The spike protein is the part of
the virus that it uses to penetrate
human cells.
The government said that an
analysis of the samples collected
from India's western Maharashtra
state showed "an increase in the
fraction of samples with the E484Q
and L452R mutations" compared
with December last year.
"Such [double] mutations confer
immune escape and increased
infectivity," the health ministry said
in a statement.
Dr Jameel added that "there may
be a separate lineage developing in
India with the L452R and E484Q
mutations coming together".
India reported more than 47,000 new infections over the previous 24-hour period,
the highest since early November
the proportion of tests that have
come back with this double mutation
is currently low, there is currently
nothing to suggest this is behind the
current surge in cases.
What is clear is that this double
mutation, as different as it sounds,
requires the same public health
response. Increased testing, tracking
of close contacts, the prompt isolation
of cases, as well as masks and social
distancing will all help. Reducing the
pressure on India's over-burdened
healthcare system is key.
In terms of vaccines - so far, for
many variants of concern around
the world they have been shown to
More than 11.7 million cases and
160,000 deaths later, efforts are
continuing to identify mutations.
The latest surge - which began this
month - comes during what some
experts have called a "delicate phase"
for India - the healthcare system is
already exhausted from a year-long
battle against the coronavirus.
States have already begun reintroducing
restrictions, including
curfews and intermittent lockdowns.
Two major cities, Delhi and
Mumbai, have also ordered
randomised rapid tests at airports,
railway stations and crowded areas
such as shopping malls.

The Indian Weekender Friday, March 26, 2021
WORLD 15
NEWS in BRIEF
Qantas says vaccines
will be required to fly
The boss of Australian airline
Qantas says governments are
going to insist on vaccines for
international travellers.
Coronavirus vaccines are seen as
crucial to reviving an industry that saw
worldwide passenger numbers fall 75.6%
last year.
Chief executive Alan Joyce told the
BBC many governments are talking about
vaccination as "a condition of entry".
Even if they weren't, he thought the
airline should enforce its own policy.
He believes that would justify changing
the terms and conditions on which tickets
are booked. Joyce thinks passengers
would be willing to accept the change.
The lack of passengers means that in
the last six months of 2020 Qantas lost
800m US dollars.
That compares with a profit of $596m
in the same period of 2019.
It's also meant 8,500 job cuts from a
pre-pandemic staff of about 29,000.
And thousands of others are on
furlough, with the Australian government
paying their wages. Other international
carriers have seen similar reversals in
US trial confirms Astra-Zeneca is 79% effective at
stopping symptomatic COVID and 100% effective
at preventing people from falling seriously ill
Results from the long-awaited US trial
of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID
vaccine are out and confirm that the
shot is both safe and highly effective.
The BBC reports that more than 32,000
volunteers took part, mostly in America, but
also in Chile and Peru.
The vaccine is 79% effective at stopping
symptomatic COVID disease and 100%
effective at preventing people from falling
seriously ill.
And there are no safety issues regarding
blood clots. The US trial should further reassure some EU countries that
recently paused rollout of the vaccine amid concerns about a possible link.
Some are already starting to use it again now that Europe's medicines regulator
has completed its review and has also concluded the vaccine is safe and
effective.
Fiji has rolled out the first phase of Astra-Zeneca and health officials are now
awaiting more batches of the doses under the COVAX facility.
Data from this new trial - run by experts at Columbia University and the
University of Rochester in collaboration with AstraZeneca - may also prove
useful in reassuring people about how well the vaccine works to protect the
elderly against COVID-19 illness.
Several countries initially would not authorise the use of the vaccine in
adults over 65 years, citing lack of evidence.
Around a fifth of the volunteers in this trial were over 65 and the vaccine -
given as two doses, four weeks apart - provided as much protection to them as
to younger age groups.
Professor Sarah Gilbert, co-designer of the vaccine, said in many different
countries and across age groups, the vaccine is providing a high level of
protection against COVID-19 and they hope this will lead to even more
widespread use of the vaccine in the global attempts to bring the pandemic to
an end. Professor Gilbert says there are always cases of people falling ill after
receiving a vaccine, particularly when very large numbers are receiving a jab,
but that does not mean that the vaccine is responsible for the problems.
She says it is really important that they get the chance to protect people as
quickly as possible, and this Astra-Zeneca vaccine will save lives.
their fortunes.
Aviation is vital to the global economy.
The International Air Transport
Association estimates that it supports 1.8
trillion US dollars in global economic
activity. But government restrictions and
fears of catching coronavirus have led
to an unprecedented fall in passenger
numbers in an industry that carried 4.5
billion people in 2019.
Covid: Rich states
'block' vaccine plans
for developing nations
Wealthy countries -
including the UK
- are blocking
proposals to help
developing
nations increase
their vaccine
manufacturing
capabilities.
Several poorer
countries have
asked the World
Health Organization to
help them.
But richer nations are pushing
back on provisions in international law that would
enable them to achieve this. This is according to
a leaked copy of the negotiating text of a WHO
resolution on the issue.
Among those richer nations are the UK, the US,
as well as the European Union.
"Where we could have language in there that
would make it easier for countries to produce more
vaccines and more medicines within their country,
it would include initiatives that would finance and
facilitate that. The UK is on the opposite side of
the argument of trying to remove those kinds of
progressive proposals from the text," says Diarmaid
McDonald, from Just Treatment, a patient group for
fair access to medicines.
A spokesperson for the UK government says
"a global pandemic requires a global solution and
the UK is leading from the front, driving forward
efforts to ensure equitable access around the world
to Covid vaccines and treatments".
NASA set to fly a mini helicopter on Mars
In a first, the Perseverance rover
on Mars is set to deploy a minihelicopter
named Ingenuity that will
fly and explore the Red Planet.
After dropping the debris shield,
Perseverance will spend next couple of
days following the Ingenuity's flight zone
on Mars.
"Away goes the debris shield, and
here's our first look at the helicopter. It's
stowed sideways, folded up and locked in
place, so there's some reverse origami to
do before I can set it down. First though,
I'll be off to the designated "helipad," a
couple days' drive from here," the rover
team said in a tweet on Monday.
NASA expects the first test flight of the
four-pound, four-blade rotorcraft to come
"no earlier than the first week of April".
The teams operating Ingenuity and
NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance rover
have chosen the flight zone where the
helicopter will attempt the first powered,
controlled flights on another planet.
Perseverance – with Ingenuity attached
to its belly – landed in Jezero Crater on
February 18. Ingenuity is a technology
demonstration with a limited test flight
duration of up to 31 days (30 Mars days,
or sols).
"The rover will deploy the helicopter
and provide environmental monitoring
and imaging support. It also hosts
Ingenuity's base station, enabling
communication with mission controllers
on Earth," according to NASA.
NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter
is the first aircraft humanity has sent
to another planet to attempt powered,
controlled flight. If its experimental flight
test program succeeds, the data returned
could benefit future explorations of the
Red Planet – including those by astronauts
– by adding the aerial dimension, which is
not available today.
Biden considers executive actions on
guns, calls on Congress to pass weapons
ban
U
.S. President Joe Biden urged Congress to swiftly pass
gun control laws and may take action on his own to stop
mass violence, the White House said on Tuesday, a day after
the second deadly mass shooting in a week.
The Democrat called on the Senate to approve two bills
passed by the House of Representatives on March 11 that
would broaden background checks on gun buyers. He also
called for a ban on assault-style weapons.
“I don’t need to wait another minute - let alone an hour - to
take common-sense steps that will save the lives in the future,
and I urge my colleagues in the House and Senate to act,”
Biden said at the White House on Tuesday.
Spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters Biden is
“considering a range” of executive actions to try to stop
gun violence. Such actions do not require the approval of
Congress.
Britain toughens its post-Brexit asylum
system
Britain will introduce new rules for those seeking asylum,
making it more difficult for refugees entering illegally to
stay in the country in what interior minister Priti Patel called
a firm but fair system.
Since Britain completed its exit from the European
Union at the end of last year, Prime Minister Boris Johnson
has been keen to set out a new independent vision for the
country, unveiling new policies on defence, foreign affairs
to immigration.
In what the government calls the biggest overhaul of the
asylum system in decades, the “New Plan for Immigration”
sets out a plan to resettle refugees at urgent risk more quickly
while making it more difficult for those arriving illegally.
Iceland volcano remains hazardous after
eruption near Reykjavík
Volcanic activity
has "somewhat
decreased" in the
Reykjanes peninsula
in Iceland, southwest
of the capital
Reykjavík,
where
a volcano erupted
Friday night, the the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO)
announced Saturday.
The current eruption is "small" with the "volcanic activity"
having "decreased somewhat" in the area, the agency said on
Twitter. The eruptive fissure is approximately 500-700 meters
long according to the IMO with the lava area spanning less
than one square kilometer. Despite this reduction in activity,
the lava flows still pose a "local hazard," the IMO said.
"Gas pollution is not expected to cause much discomfort
for people except close up to the source of the eruption," a
further tweet added. The IMO is continuing to monitor the
gas emissions following Friday's spectacular eruption which
caused authorities to direct citizens away from the major
Reykjanesbraut highway.
Covid: France and Poland increase
lockdown measures as infections surge
France and Poland have reintroduced partial lockdowns as
both countries battle a sharp rise in Covid infections in
recent weeks.
Some 21 million people in 16 areas of France, including the
capital Paris, are affected as the country fears a third wave.
In Poland, non-essential shops, hotels, cultural and sporting
facilities are now closed for three weeks.
The country has the highest new daily rates of Covid
cases since November. Coronavirus cases are also rising
exponentially in Germany, with Chancellor Angela Merkel
warning it is likely that the country will now need to apply an
"emergency brake" and re-impose lockdown measures.
The vaccine rollout across the European Union has been
hindered by delayed deliveries, as well as the suspension
in several countries of the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca
Covid-19 vaccine, over fears of possible side effects.
Meanwhile demonstrations against coronavirus restrictions
have affected several European cities.
In Amsterdam, police fired water cannon to clear
protesters from Museum Square, a frequent venue for
unauthorised demonstrations.

16 ENTERTAINMENT
Friday, March 26, 2021 The Indian Weekender
SUNIEL SHETTY: Being
judged over 'success'
is mentally disturbing
67TH NATIONAL AWARDS:
Prakash Raj, Satish Kaushik,
Nani express gratitude
He has been in the industry
for three decades now
and has had his share of
hits and misses. Suniel Shetty says
that an actor is judged according
to his success, which can be
mentally disturbing.
Suniel, 59, made his Bollywood
debut in 1992 with Balwaan. He was
later seen in films such as Sapoot,
Hu Tu Tu, Krodh, Hera Pheri, Dus,
Kaante, Border, Gopi Kishan and
Chup Chup Ke among many others.
Talking about living the fastpaced
life in Bollywood can be mentally
exhausting, Suniel.
"It is not the pace or the effort that
is exhausting. It is people around
judging you all the time. Success
and failure means so much. You're
judged according to your success
which is mentally very disturbing,"
said Suniel.
The actor, who is all set to host
a show titled "21 Din Wellness" on
BIG FM, stresses on mental and
physical fitness.
"That is why staying mentally
and physically fit is very important
-- because it keeps you going and if
you are not then you aren't an actor.
That is why wellness means a lot to
me," he added.
Suniel, who is the father of actress
Actor Emraan Hashmi,
whose film Mumbai Saga
is currently running at
the box office, has a slew of films
coming out. The actor has three
very different films in his kitty at the
moment. While he is committed to
Chehre and Ezra, the actor is yet to
confirm playing the villain in Tiger
3. He says he seems to have finally
got rid of the "Serial Kisser" tag.
"I haven't done those films for a
bit. People don't address me that way
anymore. I have never really thought
of how people think of me. It's as per
the film, I have never thought of how
people perceive me," he said.
The actor, however, says that he
has never bothered trying to change
Actor Manoj Bajpayee on Monday
was declared Best Actor at the
67th National Film Awards
along with Dhanush. While Manoj won
for Bhonsle, Dhanush received the award
for the Tamil film Asuran.
"I am very happy and thankful to
each and everyone who believed in this
film and believed in me. I'm thankful
to my director Devashish Makhija and
my co-actors Santosh (Juvekar) and
Ipshita (Chakraborty), my producers
Sandiip Kapoor, Piiyush Singh, Saurabh
(Gupta) and all of these guys. I'm feeling
Athiya Shetty and debutant Ahan
Shetty, finds radio a very expressive
medium.
"The reach is a lot more and
this is one medium which is
very expressive. I thought if the
people's perception.
"It's up to people to
think how they want to
think. I can't catch people by the
throat and force them to look at me
thankful to each and everyone who have
supported this film and supported me
from the depth of my heart. I really feel
this is an award not only for me but for all
of yours guys. When Bhonsle completed
its journey with this National Award, I am
only feeling thankful and nothing else,"
said Bajpayee.
The film deals with the real problem
faced by migrants in Mumbai, which is
relevant in the present times.
Bajpayee plays the lead role of Ganpat
Bhonsle, for which he has received
critical acclaim.
Honourable Prime Minister reaches
out through this. I don't think there is
a better medium than this. So, thanks
to radio. You add the visual layer to
it, we'd give the expression through
voice," he added.
in a certain way. I just do my job
as an actor and I don't think about
the perception as such," he says.
Meanwhile, Emraan says that he is
relieved that his film Mumbai Saga
got a theatrical release.
"There was a bit of nervousness
and excitement as it's our baby
which has been ready for
while. We couldn't release
it last year. But better
late than never," he says.
He says that films like
Mumbai Saga need to be
released in the theatres.
"This film was always
meant for a theatrical release.
People will enjoy this film maximum
there," he says. However, he adds
Actor Prakash Raj's film
"Wild Karnataka" won
the National Award in the
"Best Exploration Film" at the 67th
National Film Awards on Monday.
The actor was the narrator in the
documentary film and is elated with
the achievement.
"Being a part of the vision that
brought to life the ‘Wild Karnataka'
documentary was truly a beautiful
experience. A culmination of four
years and almost 500 hours of footage,
it was an absolute pleasure to be the
voice, narrating this extraordinary
story in my language, Tamil and
Telugu, of the exquisite outback of
Karnataka, one of the last places in
the world where big wild animals can
roam safely. I've always loved nature,
it's something that keeps me rooted
which made me proud to have been
a part of this project and I'm grateful
to the Discovery team for trusting
me to be its voice. I congratulate
the producers, award-winning
filmmakers Amoghavarsha JS and
Kalyan Varma on this fantastic win
Emraan Hashmi on 'Serial Kisser' tag:
People don't address me that way anymore
"There
was a bit of
nervousness and
excitement as it's our
baby which has been
ready for while. We
couldn't release it last
year. But better late
than never"
that when it comes to predicting how
his films will fare at the box office,
he has no idea.
"You have nurtured this baby and
you want to know if the world will
accept or reject it. But at the same
time, you don't know what a Friday
brings," he says.
"I am concentrating on these films
at the moment. I am gearing up for
release of my upcoming films and
then I will move over to the new
projects," he says.
Emraan's next film is Chehre, a
psychological drama co-starring
Amitabh Bachchan and Rhea
Chakraboty. His other upcoming
film Ezra takes him back to the
horror genre.
Manoj Bajpayee on 'Bhonsle' National
Award: Thank everyone who believed in me
at the 67th National Film Awards,"
Raj said.
Actor Satish Kaushik's film
"Chhoriyan Chhoron Se Kam Hoti"
won the National Award for "Best
Harayanvi Film''. Even though he is
currently under treatment for Covid,
the senior actor expressed his joy
through a statement.
He said: "When I was working on
this film, I was sure that the project
would be impactful and it would send
the right message in society. This
recognition goes on to prove that
my vision was right. I'm so grateful
to the director Rajesh Babbar & his
team who contributed towards this
amazing project.
I'm from Haryana and working
for the development of the Haryanvi
Film Industry ,hence I was personally
connected with the subject of this
film. The project definitely deserved
an award as big as this, and I feel
humbled to have produced the film
along with Zee Studios and the team
who believed in my vision and acted
in it."
Sanjay Suri: With
success comes a
bit of isolation
Actor Sanjay Suri, who has
been a part of the industry
over the last two decades,
says that actors should try and get
along with each other on the sets
of their films. He says that this can
only happen when people leave
the "burden of their achievements"
behind when they are on the set.
"What happens is that you have a
lot of perceptions and when the walls
become higher and thicker, then you
are not allowed to be natural. Or you
feel that your space is invaded. For
example, you can't expect a star to be
sitting out on the road. But I feel that
if you work and get along without
the burden of your achievements,
then you can connect and interact
every easily, like you do on a train
journey," he said.
However, he says that one should
not build walls around oneself.
"But when you build walls around
yourself or are not accessible. Then it
becomes like first class travel where
you don't talk and are expected to be
silent. I think with lots of success
comes a bit of isolation," he says.

The Indian Weekender Friday, March 26, 2021
FEATURES 17
Chana dal and potato cutlet
INGREDIENTS
• 1cup - split chick pea lintels (chana dal)
• 2 - potatoes, large
• 1 - onion
• 2 - green chillies
• 1/2tsp - red chilli powder
• 1/2tsp - coriander powder
• 1tsp - chaat masala powder
• 1/4tsp turmeric powder
• 1tsp - salt or according to taste
• 1/2cup - fresh chopped coriander
• 1cup - breadcrumbs
• 2tbsp - cornflour
• Oil for frying the cutlets
• Chaat masala to sprinkle
METHOD:
• Thoroughly wash lentils until the water runs
clear and then soak them in 2 cups of water;
cover and leave it over night.
• Place unpeeled potatoes in a large saucepan,
fill with water, and place over high flame.
• Bring to a boil; cook until potatoes are soft
and tender ( check with a knife or fork to see
if the potatoes are cooked well. The knife
should be able to slid easily if the potatoes
are cooked properly ).
• Drain, cool, and peel potatoes. Set aside.
• Drain lentils and then coarse grind them in
the grinder ( you can add 1 tablespoon of
water to grind lentils; only if its necessary ).
• Add boiled potatoes to a large size bowl.
• Add grinned lentils.
• Add washed and chopped green chillies.
• Add red chilli powder, coriander powder,
chaat masala powder, turmeric powder and
salt, mix well with your hand or by using the
fork until everything is well combined.
• Add chopped fresh coriander and mix well
again.
• Rub oil on your palms; take a hand full of
potato mixture and shape it into flat cutlets,
about 2 or 3 inches in diameter and 1 inch
thick ( roll gently between your palms and
then slightly flatten it by pressing the ball
between your palms ).
• Place the patties in the fridge for 2 hours ( or
overnight ) to firm up (this will prevent the
patties from breaking when you fry them).
• Spread breadcrumbs in a plate.
• Add corn flour into a bowl along with half
cup of water and mix well. Set aside.
• Dip each cutlet in the cornflour then coat each
cutlet lightly in bread crumbs, and set aside.
• Heat about 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet
over medium flame.
• Fry cutlets in batches until golden brown and
crisp on both sides; gently flipping it over
with spatula (Between batches, add oil as
needed).
• Use a slotted spoon to remove the cutlets and
place them onto a paper-towel-lined plate.
Repeat until done.
• Sprinkle chaat masala on top.
• Serve hot with chutney or dip of your choice.
• Serves - 2-3
POTATO AND CHICKEN CUTLET
INGREDIENTS:
• 400gm - chicken, boneless
• 1cup - water
• 1/4tsp - turmeric powder
• 1/4tsp - salt
• 2 - potatoes, large
• 1 - onion, large
• 2-3 - green chillies
• 1tsp - ginger paste
• 1tsp - garlic paste
• 1/2tsp - black pepper
powder
• 1/2tsp - mango powder (
amchoor powder )
• 1/4tsp - red chilli powder
• 1/4tsp garam masala
powder
• 1/2tsp cumin powder
• 1/4tsp - coriander powder
• 1tsp salt or according to taste
• 1 - lemon
• 2tbsp - coriander, chopped
• 2 - eggs
• 1cup - bread crumbs
• Oil for frying the cutlets
METHOD:
• Place washed and cleaned chicken in a
heavy base saucepan along with water,
turmeric powder and salt over medium
flame.
• Cook chicken for 15-20 minutes or until
tender.
• Transfer cooked chicken on to a plate and
shred it. Set aside for later use.
• Place unpeeled potatoes in a large saucepan,
fill with water, and place over high flame.
• Bring to a boil; cook until potatoes are soft
and tender ( check with a knife or fork to
see if the potatoes are cooked well. The
knife should be able to slid easily if the
potatoes are cooked properly ).
• Drain, cool, and peel potatoes. Set aside.
• Add shredded chicken and potatoes to a
large size bowl.
• Peel, wash and chop onion; wash and chop
green chillies then add them to the potatoes
and mix well.
• Add ginger paste and garlic paste, mix well
again.
• Add black pepper powder, mango powder,
red chilli powder, garam masala powder,
cumin powder, coriander powder and salt,
mix well with your hand or by using the
fork.
• Add fresh chopped coriander and mix well
again.
• Rub oil on your palms; take a hand full of
Potato and vegetable cutlet
mixture
and shape it into flat
cutlet, about 2 or 3 inches in diameter and 1
inch thick ( roll gently between your palms
and then slightly flatten it by pressing the
ball between your palms ).
• Repeat until you’ve used all the mixture to
form cutlets.
• Cover and refrigerate cutlets for 2 hours (
this will prevent them from breaking while
frying ).
• Spread breadcrumbs in a plate.
• Whisk 1 egg in a bowl with the fork ( use
second egg if needed ).
• Dip the patties into the whisked egg and
then into the fine bread crumbs, place them
onto the plate.
• Heat about 2 tablespoons oil in a large
skillet over medium flame.
• Fry cutlets in batches until golden brown
and crisp on both sides; gently flipping it
over with spatula ( between batches, add oil
as needed ).
• Use a slotted spoon to remove the cutlets
and place them onto a paper-towel-lined
plate.
• Repeat until done.
• Serve hot with chutney or dip of your
choice. Serves - 4
INGREDIENTS:
• 5 - potatoes, large
• 1cup - green peas ( frozen )
• 2 - carrots
• 1 - green capsicum
• 1cup - cauliflower, chopped
• 1 - onion, large
• 1tsp - oil
• 2-3 - green chillies
• 1tsp - ginger, chopped
• 1/2tsp - red chilli powder
• 1/4tsp - turmeric powder
• 1/2tsp - garam masala powder
• 1/2tsp - chaat masala powder
• 1/2tsp - cumin powder
• 1tsp salt or according to taste
• 1 - lemon
• 1/2cup - coriander, chopped
• 1cup - breadcrumbs
• 2tbsp - cornflour
• Oil for frying
• Chaat masala to sprinkle
METHOD:
• Place unpeeled potatoes in a large
saucepan, fill with water, and
place over high flame.
• Bring to a boil; cook until potatoes
are soft and tender ( check with a
knife or fork to see if the potatoes
are cooked well. The knife should
be able to slid easily if the potatoes
are cooked properly ).
• Drain, cool, and peel potatoes. Set
aside.
• Thaw peas; wash, peel and
grate carrots; wash and chop
cauliflower and onion.
• Add 1 tablespoon of oil in the fry
pan over medium flame.
• Add all the chopped and grated
vegetables along with onions and
sauté for few seconds until the
moisture evaporated.
• Add washed and chopped green
chillies and chopped ginger.
• Add red chilli powder, turmeric
powder, garam masala powder,
chaat masala powder, cumin
powder and salt, mix well over
medium flame.
• Remove pan form the flame and
let the mixture get cool.
• Add boiled potatoes to the
vegetables; mix and mash them
with your hands or by using the
fork until well combined.
• Squeeze lemon; add chopped
coriander and mix well again.
• Rub oil on your palms; take a
hand full of mixture and shape
it into flat cutlets, about 2 or 3
inches in diameter and 1 inch
thick ( roll gently between your
palms and then slightly flatten it
by pressing the ball between your
palms ).
• Place the patties in the fridge for
2 hours (or overnight) to firm up
(this will prevent the patties from
breaking when you fry them).
• Spread breadcrumbs in a plate.
• Add corn flour into a bowl along
with half cup of water and mix
well. Set aside.
• Dip each cutlet in the cornflour
then coat each cutlet lightly in
bread crumbs, and set aside.
• Heat about 2 tablespoons oil in a
large skillet over medium flame.
• Fry cutlets in batches until
golden brown and crisp on both
sides; gently flipping it over with
spatula ( Between batches, add oil
as needed ).
• Use a slotted spoon to remove
the cutlets and place them onto
a paper-towel-lined plate. Repeat
until done.
• Sprinkle chaat masala on top.
• Serve hot with chutney or dip.
• Serves - 4-6

18 FEATURES
Friday, March 26, 2021 The Indian Weekender
CROSSWORD FreeDailyCrosswords.com
NO: 64
2nd February ANSWERS CROSSWORD NO: 64
SUDOKU SOLUSIONS AND ANSWERS NO: 64
FreeDailyCrosswords.com
2nd February
ACROSS------------, DOWN
ACROSS------------,
I) Confront
5) Happy or content
9) Dinner prayer
14) It may let off a little steam
15) Be footloose
16) Plane device, back and
forth
17) High school bookworm
18) Biblical victim
19) Squirrel's snack
20) Modern test subject
21) Limerick's land
23) Muslim greeting
25) Certain pronouns
26) Canny
29) Sales-kit item
33) Mortise mate
35) Spacious window
37) Use a knife and fork
38) Home's opposite
39) Codgers
GEM DANDY
2 3 4
14
17
20
23
33 34
38
6 7
40) Juan's abode
41) Albanian coin
42) Like a rock
43) Buenos_, Argentina
44) Like noisy floorboards
46) Shark's back fin
48) Tucks' partners
50) Floodgate-opening sound
53) Rolling Stones classic
58) "Aye" canceler
59) Allocate
60) Like some bar signage
61) Four times around a
common track
62) Making no sense
63) Uttered
64) Unexpected windfall
65) Some other time
66) Still-active volcano
67) Tolstoy's Karenina
James Q. Ellis
8 11 12 13
DOWN
I) Locates
2) Pro hoops locale
3) Brightly banded slitherer
4) Finish
5) Unit of weight (var.)
6) Ear projection
7) Attest
8) Ai rp ort headache
9) Occurring in small stages
l 0) Certain bias
11) Big deals
12) Baseball legend Yastrzemski
13) It soars over shores
21) Make at work
22) Mislays
24) Ship shout
27) Sweater material, sometimes
28) R2-D2 or C-3PO
30) Gibson garnish
31) Utilize a light ray
32) TAD postings
33) After-bath powder
34) Big-mouthed pitcher
36) "What good would __ ?"
39) Web-footed rodent
40) "So long!"
42) Move along jumpily
43) Pallid
45) "I don't care who"
4 7) Landlocked African nation
49) Sight or hearing
51) Where to make waves?
52) Laughing canine
53) Bannister
54) Bone connected to the triceps
55) Utter like a sheep
56) Good thing to have on a train
57) Kill
61) CEO's degree, often
I) Confront
5) Happy or content
9) Dinner prayer
14) It may let off a little steam
15) Be footloose
16) Plane device, back and
forth
17) High school bookworm
18) Biblical victim
19) Squirrel's snack
20) Modern test subject
21) Limerick's land
23) Muslim greeting
25) Certain pronouns
26) Canny
29) Sales-kit item
33) Mortise mate
35) Spacious window
37) Use a knife and fork
38) Home's opposite
39) Codgers
GEM DANDY
1F 2A 3C 4E
14
1 R 0
LAT
HITORI NO: 64
40) Juan's abode
41) Albanian coin
42) Like a rock
43) Buenos_, Argentina
44) Like noisy floorboards
46) Shark's back fin
48) Tucks' partners
50) Floodgate-opening sound
53) Rolling Stones classic
58) "Aye" canceler
59) Allocate
60) Like some bar signage
61) Four times around a
common track
62) Making no sense
63) Uttered
64) Unexpected windfall
65) Some other time
66) Still-active volcano
67) Tolstoy's Karenina
Al
TN
B James Q. Ellis
96 1k 1A 1c 11:
1
R A D A R
CORN
AV
I L E
OON
N NA
I) Locates
2) Pro hoops locale
3) Brightly banded slitherer
4) Finish
5) Unit of weight (var.)
6) Ear projection
7) Attest
8) Ai rport headache
9) Occurring in small stages
l 0) Certain bias
11) Big deals
12) Baseball legend Yastrzemski
13) It soars over shores
21) Make at work
22) Mislays
24) Ship shout
27) Sweater material, sometimes
28) R2-D2 or C-3PO
30) Gibson garnish
31) Utilize a light ray
32) TAD postings
33) After-bath powder
34) Big-mouthed pitcher
36) "What good would __?"
39) Web-footed rodent
40) "So long!"
42) Move along jumpily
43) Pallid
45) "I don't care who"
47) Landlocked African nation
49) Sight or hearing
51) Where to make waves?
52) Laughing canine
53) Bannister
54) Bone connected to the triceps
55) Utter like a sheep
56) Good thing to have on a train
57) Kill
61) CEO's degree, often
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).
51 52
59
62
65
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. In which part of your body would you find the cruciate
ligament? Knee
2. What is the name of the main antagonist in the Shakespear
play Othello? Lago
3. What element is denoted by the chemical symbol Sn in the
periodic table? Tin
4. What is the name of the 1976 film about the Watergate
scandal, starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman? All
the President's Men
5. How many of Henry VIII’s wives were called Catherine? 3
6. What was the most popular girls name in the UK in 2019?
Olivia
7. Which comedian was the second permanent host of Never
Mind the Buzzcocks after Mark Lamarr? Simon Amstell
8. Which popular video game franchise has released games with
the subtitles World At War and Black Ops? Call of Duty
9. In what US State is the city Nashville? Tennessee
10. Which rock band was founded by Trent Reznor in 1988?
Nine Inch Nails
11. What is the currency of Denmark? Krone
12. Which Tennis Grand Slam is played on a clay surface? The
French Open (Roland Garros)
13. In which European country would you find the Rijksmuseum?
Netherlands
14. How many films have Al Pacino and Robert De Niro appeared
in together? Four (The Godfather Part 2, Heat, Righteous
Kill, The Irishman)
15. What was the old name for a Snickers bar before it changed
in 1990? Marathon
16. Who was the head of state in Japan during the second world
war? Emperor Hirohito
17. What is the smallest planet in our solar system? Mercury
18. Who wrote the novels Gone Girl and Sharp Objects? Gillian
Flynn
19. Which legendary surrealist artist is famous for painting
melting clocks? Salvador Dali
20. Which football club plays its home games at Loftus Road?
Queen’s Park Rangers
26 March to 1 April 2021 | By Manisha Koushik
ARIES (MAR 21-APR 20)
You will need to be at your persuasive best to get
what you desire! Family’s support will help you
in thinking bigger thoughts. Someone that you
find harsh on the social front may have a soft
heart, so don’t make opinions in haste. You may
be held responsible for a deed that you have not
committed at work. Financially, you may find
things improving. An exercise routine may look discouraging, but
will help bring you back in shape. Lucky No.:1 / Lucky Colour:
Maroon
TAURUS (APR 21-MAY 20)
There is a fifty-fifty chance of getting a break
that you so eagerly want. Some promising
career options may come to those looking for
suitable employment. You will be able to achieve
what your heart desired on the professional
front. A timely loan may save some from an
embarrassment. Raising money for higher
education will not be much of a problem. You are likely to adopt
healthy options to achieve total fitness. Catering to somebody’s
mood is required. Lucky No.: 5 / Lucky Colour: Cyan
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUN 21)
Don’t get involved in the personal life of others’,
as it may not be appreciated. Vet your profit
making ideas properly or you can get a rude
shock. Those in the creative field may have to
spend sleepless nights in completing something
urgent. Dietary control will be a dire necessity in
keeping your health intact. Lifestyle change may
be needed to keep fit. Your laziness on the academic front threatens
to negate your hard work. Lucky No.: 11 / Lucky Colour: Orange
CANCER (JUN 22-JUL 20)
You may have to keep an eye out for the right
indication to resume something at work. A change
of lifestyle is likely to give some immense health
benefits. Those feeling a bit suffocated in the
current profession will need to hold their horses
for the time being. You may not be satisfied with
your financial situation and think out ways to enhance your earning.
Family may not be too eager to let you go and settle someplace else.
Lucky No.: 4 / Lucky Colour: Turquoise
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)
Someone’s untiring efforts to promote your cause
will help you in creating a niche for yourself.
Your romantic endeavours will be fruitful. You
will manage to turn a business trip into a jaunt
and enjoy it immensely. Getting a job done to
the satisfaction of a senior is likely to give you
a great sense of achievement. You may shortly
own something expensive. Betting or speculation may bring you
into big money. Health remains satisfactory. Lucky No.:18 / Lucky
Colour: Sandy Brown
VIRGO (AUG 23-SEP 23)
Longing to meet your near and dear ones may
lead to depression. Home front requires your
attention, so don’t neglect it. Those seeking
love will need to be more discerning and seek
compatibility first. Driving down to a friend’s
place is indicated, but do ensure that he or she
is at home. Those selling property may have to
hunt for the right customers for a good bargain. Your focus may
waver on the academic front and affect your performance. Lucky
No.:2 / Lucky Colour: Magenta
LIBRA (SEP 24-OCT 23)
Keep your finger on the pulse of a situation,
if you want to gain an upper hand. You are
likely to become a force to contend with on
the professional front. Higher ups are likely to
repose full faith in you for carrying a project
through. Some of you are likely to enter a
higher pay scale bracket. You will resolve to opt
for a healthy lifestyle in order to remain fit. Romance may come a
knocking for some. Lucky No.:9 / Lucky Colour: Golden
SCORPIO (OCT 24-NOV 22)
Some more time may be required for completing
a task, so project it now. You are likely to
shake your lethargy off and go whole hog in
achieving something important on the work
front. Your self-confidence will be apparent
in a presentation and help clinch a deal. Some
of you will succeed in stabilising your income.
Something special is on the anvil for you on the romantic front.
A comfortable journey is envisaged for those travelling by road.
Lucky No.:11 / Lucky Colour: Rust
SAGITTARIUS (NOV 23-DEC 21)
Your attempts at being extra smart may not
get you the kind of returns you expect. Extracurricular
activities may take a major chunk of
your time on the academic front, but will get you
recognition all the same. You will be able to make
some money on the side by moonlighting or by
some other means. You will find yourself more energetic than usual.
Romance is likely to give immense pleasure to some. Love to be
loved. Lucky No.: 5 / Lucky Colour: Teal
CAPRICORN (DEC 22-JAN 21)
Something that you have been entrusted with on
the professional front may not get completed in
time. A rival may attempt to tarnish your image
on the social front. You may feel reluctant to
join a group of health nuts and miss out on a
chance to get back in shape. Travel may have
its share of woes this week, so be careful. You
will need to become more socially active by
meeting people more often. Lucky No.:18 / Lucky Colour: Indigo
AQUARIUS (JAN 22-FEB 19)
Some of you may begin to plan for a vacation,
after something important is over. Arranging a
party or a function at home is most likely for
some. There is a good chance of catching the eye
of someone who makes your pulse race! Planning
an overnight picnic to the countryside is likely
and will prove most exciting. Incomplete work
may need to be completed before you leave office , so pull up your
socks right in the morning! Lucky No.:4 / Lucky Colour: Dark
Grey
PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 20)
Luck shines on those hunting the job market.
Cordial relations with everyone may become an
asset on the professional front. Higher studies
may beckon and make you enroll in a prestigious
institute. Lover may make this week special for
you by doing something you enjoy the most. A
vacation is in the offing, so pack your bags for
somewhere exotic. You will be able to overcome a cash crunch by
pre-empting the situation. Health remains excellent. Lucky No.: 7
/ Lucky Colour: Yellow

USE IT RIGHT AND
she’ll be right!
USE A TRIGGER
NOZZLE
This autumn, you can use a hand-held
hose with a trigger nozzle.
watercare.co.nz