The Indian Weekender, 14 May 2021

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Editorial IPL postponement: Indian cricket not a complete loser "The show must go on’ was what one had hoped would have been the way forward. Unfortunately, the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic struck the progress of the second half of cricket’s most popular entertainment, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. The safety net of the bio-secured bubble burst and was broken into, making it impossible for the tournament to continue. This was always an area of concern and this is the thought that lingers in the minds of every sport administrator involved in hosting any event at present. One is aware that just one mistake or blemish could jeopardise the sports event completely and the IPL became a victim of it. In retrospect, one can dwell on the fact that the six months earlier the IPL tournament that took place in the UAE without a blemish would have been the ideal venue. However, in order for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to prove that India could conduct a major tournament, it was imperative for them to do so in India. The IPL was just a precursor to the T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in India at the end of the year. The second wave of the pandemic has blown the lid off and exposed the weak and disorganised healthcare and welfare system prevalent in India. The dire situation that the country is going through became the corner stone for the IPL as well. India has failed on both accounts. One in safeguarding its millions of people from being infected by the virus as well as being able to conduct a fool proof, safe and secure environment to host a major sporting event. The reality one perceives is the lack of infrastructure, planning, and understanding of the situation that was prevalent as one faced the dreaded virus. The BCCI, one thought, had mastered the situation well, having successfully conducted and controlled an IPL in the UAE, a full cricket series against England and two domestic cricket tournaments without adverse issues. One does regret the failure of the BCCI to complete what looked to be a well-run and structured IPL 2021 until the first phase of the tournament. It all crumbled so quickly, like a gush of wind that blew ones bails away, calling it a ‘dead ball’. The IPL 2021 is still at an uncertain situation of whether it would be entirely cancelled or would be played on another dates. However, there were some positives that came forth for India. The IPL did give the Indian selectors a good opportunity to assess many of the Indian players, especially as they will need to finalise the squad for the T20 World Cup. The batting looks formidable with Shikhar Dhawan, K.L. Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill, Devdutt Padikkal and Ruturaj Gaikwad. There are also Manish Pandey and Ambati Rayudu, both experienced batters in the wings as well. The problem that India may face is to choose correctly as the surfeit of options could prove difficult. The sterling performance of Ravindra Jadeja who returned after the injury with a bang is a big plus for the side. He is after all at present India’s premier all-rounder. However, the concern is that of Hardik Pandya, whose powerful batting is essential for India but without his contribution as a bowler, his place becomes uncertain. The lack of another genuine all-rounder could be the Achilles heel for India at the T20 World Cup, so Hardik needs to get his bowling into play soon. The cupboard of pace bowling options is full and so is the leg-spin variety. Selecting the most effective combination of bowlers could prove to be another worrisome issue for the selectors. Another positive aspect of the IPL was that the tournament was not a complete washout and that at least half of the schedule was completed. Although the expected revenue may not be received, even a 50 per cent collection is a sum that cannot be ignored easily. The absence of spectators may have been a concerning factor for players. However, for millions of cricket fans and followers of the IPL, watching it on TV was a muchneeded break and entertainment from the lockouts and lockdowns that all are facing. The gloom of the world around one was forgotten during those engrossing moments and one is grateful to cricketers, support staff, and the administrators who took it upon themselves to give us those precious moments. Curtains may have come down on the second act of the IPL but the first act itself showed how important the tournament was for Indian cricket and for the unknown domestic players to get heard. Some lucky ones may shortly be wearing the Indian colours soon. Indian cricket has definitely not been a complete loser. Thought of the week “If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.” —Steve Jobs Indian Weekender : Volume 13 Issue 09 Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited Content Editor: Sandeep Singh | sandeep@indianweekender.co.nz Chief Technical Officer: Rohan deSouza | rohan@indianweekender.co.nz Graphic Designer: Yashmin Chand | design@indianweekender.co.nz Accounts and Admin.: 09-2173623 | accounts@indianweekender.co.nz Media Sales Manager.: Leena Pal: 021 952 216 | leena@indianweekender.co.nz Sales and Distribution: 021 952218 | sales@indianweekender.co.nz Editor at Large: Dev Nadkarni | dev@indianweekender.co.nz Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher is not responsible for advertisers’ claims as appearing in the publication Views expressed in the articles are solely of the authors and do not in any way represent the views of the team at the Indian Weekender Kiwi Media Publishing Limited - 133A, Level 1, Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland. Printed at Horton Media, Auckland 14 May – 20 May 2021 Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thu On-and-off rain and drizzle 22° 15° On-and-off rain and drizzle 19° 13° Clouds and sun 19° 14° Clouds and sun 20° 14° Clouds and showers This week in New Zealand’s history 13 May 1936 National Party founded 20° 14° Copyright 2020. Kiwi Media Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved. A few morning showers 21° 15° A few morning showers 26° 17° Following their crushing defeat by the Labour Party in the 1935 general election, the remnants of the United–Reform coalition government met in Wellington on 13–14 May 1936 to establish a new ‘anti-socialist’ party. 13 May 1995 New Zealand wins the America’s Cup Few New Zealanders in 1995 could have avoided television commentator Peter Montgomery’s famous line, ‘the America’s Cup is now New Zealand’s cup!’ The phrase was repeated endlessly as New Zealand enjoyed one of its most significant sporting triumphs. 14 May 1866 Wreck of the General Grant On 14 May 1866 the General Grant, sailing from Melbourne to London, hit cliffs on the west coast of the main island in the subantarctic Auckland Islands. Of the 83 people on board, 15 eventually made it ashore at Port Ross at the northern end of Auckland Island. 14 May 1870 First game of rugby played in NZ? Around 200 people were on hand at Nelson’s Botanic Reserve to watch a game of football played under Rugby rules. Nelson College played the Nelson Football Club, with 18 players on each side. The ‘town’ team, wearing ‘street clothes’, won the match 2-0. 14 May 1941 New Zealand minesweeper sunk near Hauraki Gulf HMS Puriri was a converted 927-ton Anchor Company coaster that was commissioned into the 25th Minesweeping Flotilla on 19 April 1941. 18 May 1937 New Zealand nurses detained on way to Spanish Civil War The only organised New Zealand contingent to serve in the Spanish Civil War comprised New Zealand Spanish Medical Aid Committee (SMAC) nurses René Shadbolt, Isobel Dodds and Millicent Sharples. 20 May 1870 Pasifika labourers arrive in Auckland New Zealand received its first known shipload of labourers from the Pacific Islands when the clipper schooner Lulu docked in Waitematā Harbour with ‘a quantity of cocoanuts, &c.,’ and 27 adult male passengers from Sandwich Island (Efate) in the New Hebrides (now Vanuatu).
The Indian Weekender Friday, May 14, 2021 FIJI 13 Fiji now fighting a variant of concern The World Health Organization has now the new information to hand does show some B1.6.17 variant is one of concern. is some reduced neutralization and as such as classified the COVID-19 mutation that concern. The WHO classifies COVID-19 “In consultation with our virus working are classifying as a variant of concern at the is present in Fiji as a variant of concern. variants as either variants under observation group, and our epi teams and our lab teams, global level.” This comes as cabinet meet today to look at and endorse the available options in the fight against the rapid rise of cases on Viti Levu. While the WHO has been warning all nations about the threat of coronavirus in general, or variants of concern. Variants of concern are classed as more contagious, hard to control and one that leads to more severe illness. WHO’s senior scientist, Maria Van Kerkhove, says they have some information that shows that the internally there is some information to suggest increased transmissibility of B 1.6.17. There is a preprint that is out. So this is a paper that has not undergone peer review and it has some limited number of patients suggesting that there 12 more people were announced positive last night, while five more people have recovered. There are now 43 active cases, six are border quarantine cases, 31 local transmissions, and six under investigation. NZ ready to assist Fiji, as WHO calls for equality The comments have been followed by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s promise to Fiji of continuing support in vaccine and other aid to help fight our current crisis. WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus has told media the virus cannot be defeated through competition for the vaccine. His comments follow the revelation that several countries are now resorting to vaccine diplomacy and leaving smaller nations vulnerable and without enough jabs. “But from WHO’s side, we have been saying, we cannot defeat this pandemic through competition, we can’t. If you compete for resources or you compete for geo-political advantages, then the virus gets advantage.” Earlier today, Ardern speaking to Radio Tarana, has again assured Fiji of her government’s support. New Zealand and Australia have been at the forefront of assistance to us in terms of jabs coupled with assistance from India and the COVAX agreement. “We have been in contact with Fiji and they have asked for support we can provide for in vaccine. They have made a request there that we have been looking to fulfill around vaccination donations, as well as other forms of overseas aid and development support. So we have got a great relationship there with Fiji and just working to support where we can and they have welcomed what we gave been able to provide so far.” New Zealand has committed 250,000 doses, while Australia has announced 10,000 and both nations say they could supply more later. Fiji’s vaccination campaign is underway in Savusavu today. Fijians need to be prepared: Fong Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong says Fijians need to be prepared for the long haul as the country fights to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. When queried whether lockdowns would be enforced soon, Dr Fong said given the increasing number of local transmission cases, he could not take away the possibility of continuing the current health operations around the country. “I cannot take away the possibility that we may have to enforce another 2 4 - h o u r curfew type of lockdown and you know it behoves all of us if people are thinking while "So we need to be prepared for all eventualities and this is the reason why I talk the way I talk, I don’t want to be committed to one direction but I want you to be open in your preparation for all types of course of action" they’re watching this,” he said. “They would probably start Be prepared for all types of course of actions, Dr Fong Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services Dr James Fong is encouraging people to be prepared for all types of cause of action that government might take. While speaking at last night’s press conference he said, “one of the things that we need to do is to prepare Fiji for the long haul.” “I cannot, given the way the cases are coming up, I cannot take away the possibility that we may have to continue this operation for a very long time. “I cannot take away the possibility that we may have to enforce another 24 hour curfew type of lockdown.” He pleaded with people to start stocking up on non-perishable food items and goods that in stocking up on their nonperishables and they’ll probably start looking at some kind of goods that they’ll have to keep in store in case we have to have a rapid lockdown.” Dr Fong said Fijians needed to be prepared for any scenario given case there is a rapid lockdown. “We need to be prepared for these eventualities so this is the reason I talk the way I talk. I don’t want to be committed to one direction but I want you to be open in your preparation for all types of cause of action.” In his speech he said a more sustained the uncertainties surrounding the containment of the pandemic. “So we need to be prepared for all eventualities and this is the reason why I talk the way I talk, I don’t want to be committed to one direction but I want you to be open in your preparation for all types of course of action.” COVID-19: Curfew times announced; enough time to prepare your households Future curfews and changes in curfew times were announced by Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services Dr Fong this evening. According to Dr Fong, a 72-hour curfew beginning from 11pm on Friday, May 14, will last till 4am on Tuesday, May 18, for the Suva and Nausori containment areas. The rest of Viti Levu will have 6pm to 4am curfew from Saturday, lockdown will require a more strategic approach and after a year’s experience, there is a much greater understanding of the virus and a range of tools available to fight it including stronger testing capacity and the careFIJI app. “Future lockdowns, should they be needed, will be targeted and active. They will be May 15, onwards. For the rest of Fiji, curfew hours of 11pm-4am remain. Dr Fong said there was more than 48 hours between now and when the lockdown measures would come into effect. “That is more than enough time to prepare properly without mass mayhem and disorder. You have two full days to manage your shopping and purchase food and other essential items for your home,” he said. Chaudhry urges govt to impose a lockdown If we take the lockdown route, people will be given ample notice – Dr Fong The Fiji Labour Party says they urge the government to bite the bullet and impose a lockdown so that people can get on with their lives as soon as possible. Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry says government should come out with a firm decision on whether to impose another lockdown in the containment areas. Chaudhry further says with new cases emerging virtually everyday, it has become clear that the virus is spreading fast and only a more measured and practical lockdown will ensure that the virus is contained. He says for several weeks now people have been locked in containment areas but this has not stopped the spread of the virus adding the nation cannot continue with a situation where businesses and industries remain closed indefinitely. However Chaudhry says the lockdown must not be the curfewlike lockdown that was imposed two weekends ago. He says we should take our cue from the manner in which lockdowns were imposed in Australia and New Zealand which went through a lockdown period of 14 weeks during the case of a severe pandemic. Chaudhry highlighted that people should be allowed out for an Future lockdowns, should they be needed, will be targeted and active. They will be targeted because the lockdown area will be defined as narrowly as possible. And they will be active because we will endeavour to permit the broadest range of movement and economic activity possible, in bubbles that mitigate widespread transmission of the virus hour or so a day only to buy food and access other essentials, go to the pharmacies or the doctors as the case may be and this should be rigidly controlled with the enforcement of rules which clearly spell out the restrictions and the penalties that will apply for the breach. He adds time should also be allowed for daily exercises. He says this way families that can afford to buy food will be able to do so without becoming a burden on the State and government can then provide food for those who lack the means to purchase it. Chaudhry has also questioned why non-containment areas like Ba, Tavua and Sigatoka are currently subjected to lockdown conditions adding they should be allowed to operate as normal with little disruption to their lives, but with tightly controlled borders. targeted because the lockdown area will be defined as narrowly as possible. And they will be active because we will endeavour to permit the broadest range of movement and economic activity possible, in bubbles that mitigate widespread transmission of the virus.” He said they want essential services to continue, and as many people as possible to go to work and open their businesses. Whatever step government takes whether it is to legally mandate mask-wearing or the use of the careFIJI app, or even re-introducing a 24- hour curfew, Dr Fong said Fiji’s success will ultimately come down to the diligence and the vigilance of the public.
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