The Indian Weekender, 14 May 2021

8 NEW ZEALAND
Not a Fair Delivery
Friday, May 14, 2021
The Indian Weekender
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi
Former MP National Party
As India battles an unfortunate second
wave of the deadly Corona virus that
continues to kill and infect thousands
of people on a daily basis, the anxiety and
stress levels of people from New Zealand who
are in India and want to return to this country
increase.
The ban on all people aside from Kiwi
citizens to return to New Zealand and lack
of any planning or declared timelines by the
Labour government, mean thousands of lives
and livelihoods stay in a forgotten state
and stare at a dark future. However,
in a clear violation of principles
of a fair and equal society this
government supposedly
promotes, New Zealand
Cricketers who were
part of the cash rich
Indian Premier
League (IPL)
being held in
India, which was
put on hold in view
of the Corona crisis,
get to fly back in the
country on luxurious
jet planes, run by the billionaire
IPL franchise holders?
We must acknowledge that
these are world class Cricketers who have
brought the nation glory. But when they
decided to take part in this year’s IPL, they
were fully aware of the risks involved and most
importantly they were not representing New
Zealand at the event but were there playing for
local Indian franchises.
This is a completely different situation to the
athletes who will proudly wear the Silver Fern
at the forthcoming Olympics in Japan.
The major reason that has been given to
severely cut travel numbers of people wanting
to return to New Zealand from India, is that
they can increase the risk of a community
spread in the country as they are returning from
a Covid hot spot. But the cricketers given these
special privileges, fall in this category, so why
do they get to choose when they can travel back
to the country?
Government talks about a well-managed
MIQ policy for returnees- will they let us know
how these Cricketers found a spot straight away
in these facilities, as compared to thousands
of Kiwis facing lengthy delays in securing an
MIQ slot? Is there a special quota or policy
that is known to an exclusive few? A private jet
plane flies a few Cricketers back in the country
from India, but the government is unwilling to
undertake any steps to help thousands making
requests to this Government on a daily basis ,
to let them return on special flights.
Or is the reason these Cricketers are allowed
to return is that they are citizens and suddenly
in 2021 this government that claims to be
transparent, now has different rules for citizens
and residents of New Zealand; which we do not
know of?
Residents can vote to choose a government,
but cannot return to a country they call home,
where they reside as law abiding productive
members of the society? Cricketers returning
from IPL can pick and choose if they return
to New Zealand or go to England (to play a
series against that country) and all
permissions and travel
arrangements are
made for them, with
the blessings of the
government.
On the
other hand,
thousands
of residents,
work visa
holders and
students are
left in a state
of uncertainty
in a country that
possesses a health
system crashing under the
onslaught of this dreaded
virus, with no end in sight.
Does the government have a plan in mind
for work visa, open visa and students in mind
who are losing on precious time and expanding
a lot of economic resources by not being in a
country they desire to be in. These people have
followed all directions from the authorities,
only to find out that they are not treated equally
when compared to the millionaire Cricketers.
The least we can expect from this government
is to at least acknowledge the pain and suffering
thousands wishing to return to New Zealand
from India are going through? To create and
share a plan to reunite these families and get
their skills back in our economy.
Does the Minister of Immigration even have
a plan, let alone a timeline for return of work
visa, open visa and student visa holders back to
New Zealand?
The governments disappointing track record
on this front suggests otherwise – and these
unfortunate people cannot wield a bat and bowl
as well as a privileged few.
Bhartiya Samaj Charitable
Trust celebrates Health Day
Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust, in
collaboration with Roopa Aur Aap,
Prana Family Health, and Unichem,
organised Health Day on Saturday, May 8 at
Mount Roskill War Memorial Hall during the
Senior Citizens meeting.
During the event, the senior members and
volunteers got an opportunity to avail free
flu vaccines.
Immunisation provides crucial protection to
older people against the disease or to reduce the
severity of symptoms if they get sick.
Along with the flu vaccination campaign, the
Prana Health team conducted routine health
checks such as blood pressure and diabetes so
as to monitor their vital levels and to ensure
early detection of lifestyle diseases so as to
consult with their GP’s to get timely treatment.
A team of pharmacists from Unichem gave
flu shots to over 60 Senior Members and
volunteers.
Speaking to the Indian Weekender Jeet
Suchdev, President Bhartiya Samaj Charitable
Trust said, “We are incredibly grateful to the
Prana Family Health team, Counties Manukau
and Pharmacists from Unichem Pharmacy for
their collaborative efforts to deliver best health
outcomes and inspire healthy lifestyles.”
“A big thanks to the senior members and the
volunteers for their active participation and
making the day successful,” Mr Suchdev said.
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