The Indian Weekender, 28 May 2021

28 MAY2021 • VOL 13 ISSUE 11
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India-NZ Foreign Office
Consultation held online:
Affirm commitment to
advance bilateral ties
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2 NEW ZEALAND
Friday, May 28, 2021
The Indian Weekender

The Indian Weekender Friday, May 28, 2021
NEW ZEALAND 3
India-NZ Foreign Office
Consultation held online: Affirm
commitment to advance bilateral ties
SANDEEP SINGH
In a new normal amidst a raging global
pandemic, the 3rd India-NZ Foreign Office
Consultation was held online on Tuesday,
May 25, where the two sides affirmed mutual
commitment further to advance the bilateral
relations between the two nations.
India’s delegation was led by Riva Ganguly
Das, Secretary (East), while the New Zealand
side was led by Mark Sinclair, Deputy
Secretary, Asia and Americas, along with the
respective High Commissioners of the two
countries joining with their respective teams.
Both sides reiterated the importance of
the relationship and discussed the steps to be
taken to enhance the depth and momentum
of engagement in different areas, including
defence and security, trade and investment,
space, counterterrorism, cybersecurity,
disarmament and climate change, and for
strengthening people-to-people ties.
The two sides also discussed the response
to the COVID-19 and access to vaccines and
medicines for containing the pandemic globally.
Notably, this was the 3rd Foreign Office
Consultation between the higher echelons
of the foreign policy bureaucracy of the two
countries – a long-existing mechanism - that
was revived and revitalised following the visit
of the former NZ Prime Minister Sir John Key
to India in 2016.
Held at the higher leadership level within
foreign policy bureaucracy of the two countries,
such Foreign Office Consultation – acts as
an important institutionalised mechanism to
discuss all-important aspect of the bilateral
relationship.
Recently, as late as
March 1, this year, we
had a 45-minute telephonic
conversation between External
Affairs Minister of India Dr
S. Jaishankar and Foreign
Minister of New Zealand
Nanaia Mahuta on how to
build-up the bilateral relations
between our two countries
As per unstated diplomatic conventions,
such Foreign Office Consultations are hosted
alternatively by one country in their home
country, and it was likely that this year the
3rd Consultation would have been held
in New Zealand.
The last Foreign Office Consultation between
the two countries was held in New Delhi on
February 9, 2019.
Speaking to the Indian Weekender, the Indian
High Commissioner to New Zealand Muktesh
Pardeshi expressed satisfaction saying that we
have a strong momentum of top-level political
engagement between the two countries.
“Last year, just before lockdown and border
closure, we had a very successful visit from the
then Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister
of New Zealand to India.”
“Recently, as late as March 1, this year,
we had a 45-minute telephonic conversation
between External Affairs Minister of India Dr
S. Jaishankar and Foreign Minister of New
Zealand Nanaia Mahuta on how to build-up the
bilateral relations between our two countries.”
“So we clearly went into this Foreign Office
Consultation with some momentum,” Mr
Pardeshi said.
Reinvigorating Joint Trade
Committee to discuss bilateral
trade & investment.
Illustrating further on what he thought was
the key takeaway of this Consultation, Mr
Pardeshi said, “Apart from a comprehensive
review of different facets of bilateral relations
between our two countries, a key takeaway
was mutual desire to reinvigorate Joint Trade
Committee to deepen our discussions around
trade and investments.”
• Continued on Page 4

4 NEW ZEALAND
India-NZ Foreign Office
Consultation held online:
Affirm commitment to
advance bilateral ties
• From Page 3
Notably, Joint Trade Committee has been an existing
foreign policy mechanism between the two countries
that has for some time been working under the broader
framework of RCEP and FTA discussions.
Mr Parsehi said both sides had shown a keen desire
to revitalise that committee in a manner to create
synergies for deepening trade and investment between
two countries without any seemingly restrictive
framework.
It clearly reflects a mindset and willingness on both
sides to sidestep any perceived setback from creating
a mutually workable free trade regime either within
RCEP or directly under FTA.
“Virtual diplomacy” in age of Covid –
Indian envoy shares insights
Sharing further insight on the changing nature of
“virtual diplomacy,” Mr Pardeshi said, “Like everyone
else, we diplomats are also adjusting with the changes
brought around by the Covid pandemic and relying
more on digital platforms.”
“On one hand, this has enhanced our abilities to
engage with foreign diplomats from otherwise distant
regions of the world, which was previously not
possible, thereby enhancing the level of engagement
between countries in a Covid world,” MR Pardeshi
said.
“However, on the flip side, the otherwise available
special tools such as ‘corridor diplomacy’ or ‘pullaside-diplomacy’
which diplomats all around the
world have been employing to deepen the engagement
or weeding out some differences are being lost in the
new era of virtual diplomacy,” Mr Pardeshi said with
a smile.
Friday, May 28, 2021
The Indian Weekender
Wellington Phoenix to defend
Auckland fortress in Eden Park
stadium this weekend
SANDEEP SINGH
Wellington Phoenix will defend
their Auckland fortress after 470
days away in one of only two
home fixtures this season against Perth Glory
on Sunday, May 30.
This will be after another Trans-Tasman
sporting action where Blues will face off
against the Brumbies in round three of
Super Rugby on Saturday making Eden
Park stadium the place to be with a stacked
double-header of trans-Tasman sporting
action on the line-up.
Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner is calling all
sport lovers dying for some real-action and
Trans-Tasman rivalry on display to come to
national stadium.
Wellington Phoenix has remained
undefeated in Auckland and Nick Sautner is
calling all soccer fans to come in and support
the team.
“We’re delighted to welcome the
Wellington Phoenix back to Eden Park in
what’s sure to be a celebration for New
Zealand football fans.
“The Wellington Phoenix remain
undefeated at New Zealand’s national stadium
and this fixture provides an opportunity to
fill the stands with a sea of yellow as tens
of thousands of Phoenix fans descend upon
Eden Park for the first time in more than 15
months,” says Sautner.
The event, says Sautner, marks a new era
for the beautiful game at Eden Park, which
will host the opening matches of FIFA World
Cup 2022/23.
This weekend’s double-header also signals
the return of international sporting content to
Eden Park. Over the last two months, seven
fixtures have been added to the venue’s event
schedule, including three Super Rugby Trans-
Tasman fixtures, the Wellington Phoenix and
three All Blacks test matches. Tournaments
originally shifted from 2021 to 2022 are also
now being confirmed, including RWC 2022.
“After a challenging year of Covid
restrictions and cancellations, it’s very
encouraging to see the return of premium
international content to Eden Park,” says
Sautner.
“A year ago, we were just emerging from
lockdown. So, to see these fixtures returning
is very welcome not only for us, but for our
members and partners who have continued
to support us through unparalleled times,”
Sautner said.
Meanwhile Eden Park and Auckland
Unlimited have teamed up to give one lucky
fan the chance to experience the weekend’s
action up close and personal, with 1 x night’s
stay in Eden Park’s Staydium Glamping
domes (Sunday 30 May), 2 x tickets to the
Blues v Brumbies (29 May), 2 x tickets to
the Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory (30
May), $100 dining voucher, Signed rugby
ball and a Blues jersey, and The Blues game
day experience.
Enter now at aucklandnz.com/win.
(Competition closes 27 May, Ts & Cs
apply.)
INZBC to examine the new decade of
action, in its first-ever hybrid Summit
IWK BUREAU
At the beginning of this new decade,
new realities have emerged: a world
post-Brexit, RCEP, COVID, Trump
and other geopolitical changes is now our new
normal. In this new world order, both India and
New Zealand are well-positioned to work and
strive together for mutual benefit.
Keeping this in mind, the India New Zealand
Business Council (INZBC) aims to make this
into a ‘Decade of Action’ for the New Zealand-
India relationship with their upcoming annual
Summit to be held on 23 - 24 June 2021.
Adapting to changing times, the first INZBC
Summit of the ’20s will be a hybrid summit
that will be held at a physical venue as well as
broadcasted virtually.
Attendees will get to interact with each other
face-to-face one the first day at The Trusts
Arena in Henderson, Auckland.
The second day is entirely virtually, link
for which will be sent to attendees upon
registration. To buy tickets at https://www.
inzbusinesssummit.com
The Summit will bring together influential
Ministers, policymakers, diplomats from across
India and New Zealand to focus on various
issues of diplomacy & trade that affect the new
world order.
It aims to provide a deeper and meaningful
dialogue at a diplomatic level, by moving the
conversation away from the FTA and to find
new, innovative ways of collaboration on
diplomacy and trade.
Championing the cause of educating kiwi
businesses of on-the-ground realities of doing
business with India, the team at INZBC
continues to work closely with government
agencies like the Ministry for Foreign Affairs
& Trade, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise,
Education NZ, Indian High Commission.
The Summit will cover four main themes,
which will be examined by the speakers over
the two days.
Panel Discussion: Indo-Pacific
strategic ties
The first panel discussion of the INZBC
Summit will focus on the power dynamics in
the Indo-Pacific.
Examining India’s involvement and
relevance in the region along with New
Zealand’s dynamic and strategic importance, an
ensemble of speakers will decode the shifting
geopolitics in the region.
Experienced diplomats and public sector
leaders will examine the future of rule-based
trade and international security in the Indo-
Pacific.
Panel Discussion: Globalisation,
post COVID-19
The second panel discussion of the summit
will examine the impact of post COVID policy
changes and initiatives on globalisation. With
the global community continuing to reel from
the effects of the pandemic, what does the
future look like for international trade?
Speakers from across the public and private
sector will compare different avenues of future
trade - collaboration, strategic partnerships, IP
sharing, against a trade that’s solely reliant on
import and export.
The panel discussion will also examine the
growth of the indigenous and Maori economy
by the Indian and New Zealand government
respectively.
Panel Discussion: Trade
Regulations – The New Normal
On day 2, this virtual panel discussion
will explore the future of trade regulations.
Speakers from across dairy, pharmaceutical,
politics and food industry will examine the
future of trade between India and New Zealand.
Will it be more bilateral or multilateral trade
agreements between nations and how will this
affect relationships between the two countries?
Panel Discussion: Services
Sector – Changing scenarios and
challenges
Service sectors like education, tourism and
sporting industries are the biggest casualties of
this pandemic.
While these sectors contribute a significant
percentage to the Indian and New Zealand
economy, a lack of movement has hindered
growth within these sectors.
The INZBC Summit has brought together
local and international experts for this virtual
discussion, who will examine the current
biggest challenges faced by the service sector
and present best case scenarios, solutions and a
way forward for these industries.
For more information about the Summit,
head over to https://www.inzbusinesssummit.
com.
The website has details on each panel
discussion and speakers.
Details of the Summit as below:
Day1: Wednesday, 23 June 2021
[Physical + Virtual; Trust Arena
Conference Centre, West Auckland]
Day2: Thursday, 24 June 2021 [Virtual
Only]
Time: 5pm to 8pm NZT [Both Days]

6 NEW ZEALAND
Friday, May 28, 2021
The Indian Weekender
DaNZ: An International Dance Festival
showcases NZ’s diversity in form of ‘train journey’
SANDEEP SINGH
Taking a cue from the recently
started Hamilton to Auckland
train service, creative artists
from Rambutan Media Works NZ
Limited had choreographed an
international dance festival DaNZ
– whereby showcasing diversity in
New Zealand’s multicultural society.
Conceived and organised by
Rambutan Media Works NZ Limited
at the beginning of the month on
Saturday, May 1, at Uxbridge Arts
and Culture Centre, Howick, the
Dance Festival has mesmerised
many observers in the broader Indian
cultural creative space.
The event showcased cultural
symbols, languages art forms from
different countries and coalesced
them with Maori culture as the
train reaches its dream destination –
Aotearoa.
Speaking to the Indian Weekender
Yugendran Vasudevan, actor, singer,
and founder of Rambutan Media
Works, said, “DaNZ is a cultural
integration program that mirrors
New Zealand’s diversity.”
“It is choreographed as a train
journey that starts in China, proceeds
to Nepal, then North India, Andhra
and Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu,
Sri Lanka and reaches its dream
destination- Aotearoa, while picking
up the likeminded passengers who
VASTU TIPS: How to manage various types of
energies at home for your general well-being
VIKRAM SINGH THAKUR
The centuries-old Indian science of
Vastushastra, is a knowledge that might
be helpful while organizing your home
or buying a new home.
A lot of us must have heard the phrase “The
universe is composed of five elements” - Water,
Fire, Air, Earth and Space.
These five elements also govern the space
where we reside or work.
The materials used in the construction of the
houses come from these 5 elements.
Like everything else, we humans also have
the five elements.
We have blood within our body, which is 90
per cent water.
The woman is the central focal point and
balances all the responsibilities of the house
and makes it a home.
If you follow the instructions below you can
make her healthier and happier.
• Couples must avoid the Northeast bedroom
and use more of the South area.
• At any time she feels weak, tired or sick,
she should try and spend more time in the
eastern part of the house.
• The East brings power from the Rising Sun,
which is good for its bones, heart and overall
blood circulation.
• Meditation and practising breathing exercise
in the North-East region, which is considered
as the Health Zone of the house would bring
in much peace and holistic health for the
woman/women of the house.
• An imbalance of the water element or the
North-East zone causes cardiac and progeny
problems. Do not sleep with your head in a
aspire to make New Zealand their
new home.”
To deliver this creative idea, a
dance festival was planned and
choreographed in an innovative
manner divided into seven segments
with each segment starting a small
snack service- a snack that is popular
in the region, unique information
about the region, a cultural
performance of the region and finally
an ethnic, bridal wear parade.
northern direction during pregnancy.
• Vastu imbalance in the Northeast and
Southeast together leads to significant health
problems with most women.
• Housewives and women, having their
cooking in the south, south-west, and west
experience fatigue and tire very easily.
• Any residence with Vastu defects in the
North-East, South-East and South-West
areas combined leads to severe problems
or delay in pregnancy or conception and
complications in childbirth.
• If the fire element is not balanced
correctly in the form of the kitchen in
the South-East region, then problems
with hormones, gynaecology and
ophthalmic problems are very
much likely to occur.
Many members of the community
in audiences were enthralled with
the creativity on display in the dance
festival.
Bhav Dhillon, Hon Consul of
India, who was at the event, said,
“These days, I am consistently
reminded about the level of creativity
and talents within our diasporic
community.” “This idea of snacktrain
which showcased different
cultures from different parts of the
"
This idea of snack-train which
showcased different cultures from
different parts of the world was indeed
an innovative one that I have not seen
before, so full marks to creativity
world was indeed an innovative one
that I have not seen before, so full
marks to creativity,” Mr Dhillon said.
The festival included performances
including Lion and Dragon Dance
from China, dance and fashion show
• Large windows toward the southwest must
be avoided, especially if the woman in the
house is also a working woman.
• Kitchen in the Southwest and or the West
causes a huge fatigue in women.
• Kitchen in the Southwest also increases
dominance attitude among women that
leads to a strained relationship between
husband and wife.
• If your main room is located in the Southeast,
the chances of acidity, indigestion and
hormonal imbalances are more likely in
women.
• If the main entrance placed in South-East,
it leads to hot temperament in woman
of the house.
But do remember these are universal tips
of Vastu science. Practicing in the homes by
from Nepal, Kuchipudi dance from
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana,
Mohiniyattam dance from Kerala,
Bharatanatyam from Tamil Nadu and
another dance and fashion show from
Sri Lanka.
yourself are not at all advisable because, like
humans; every home is different all together
and having different issues.
To book an appointment: Contact Vikram
Singh Thakur on 0226476592 or email at
vikram26thakur@gmail.com
A
Vastu&
S C
I E N C E
By Vikram
Astro
I N Y
O F
D E S T

The Indian Weekender Friday, May 28, 2021
NEW ZEALAND 7
Mana Andhra Telegu
Association celebrates
festival of Eid
SANDEEP SINGH
Mana Andhra Telugu
Association – New
Zealand (MATA-NZ)
– a relatively new community
association for Telugu speaking
people in Auckland - celebrated the
festival of Eid, bringing Muslim
and wider communities together
at Mt Albert War Memorial on
Friday, May 21.
This was the second major festival
celebrated by MATA after having
earlier organised the festival of Ugadi
– a popular festival of the Andhra and
Deccan region in India.
Ghouse Majeed, General
Secretary (MATA-NZ), told the
Indian Weekender that the event
was successful, with more than three
hundred community members from
Muslim and wider communities
coming together to celebrate the
festival of Eid.
National MP Melisa Lee, former
Kiwi-Indian MP Kanwaljeet Singh
Bakshi, Hon Consul of India Bhav
Dhillon were some of the key
dignitaries to attend the event.
The event began with a brief prayer
by Moulana Hafiz Junaid followed
by speeches from Dr Reginald
Samuels, President MATA-NZ, and
among others Ibrar Sheikh, President
of Federation of Islamic Associations
of New Zealand (FIANZ), National
MP Melisa Lee and Hon Consul of
India Bhav Dhillon.
The speakers wished everyone
Eid Mubarak along with sharing
the importance of the festival to
connect with family, friends and
extended community.
Eid marks the end of a month
Eid marks the end of
a month of fasting
from dawn to sunset
– Ramadan – which
began this year on the
night of April 13 - as
well as an opportunity
for spiritual reflection
and prayer.
of fasting from dawn to sunset –
Ramadan – which began this year
on the night of April 13 - as well as
an opportunity for spiritual reflection
and prayer.
The event culminated with dinner
served to everyone, including
vegetarian food.
Ghouse Majeed further told the
Indian Weekender that their new
organisation would be planning for
more such events to celebrate other
major festivals of the region.
Public Health experts say New Zealanders should
get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19
should be everyone’s top priority in
2021, says the New Zealand College of
Public Health Medicine (NZCPHM).
The College’s members have been part of the
frontline of defending the country against the
COVID-19 pandemic over the past year.
We have much to be grateful for in New
Zealand, if we look at the situation in most
other countries around the world, says College
President Dr Jim Miller.
However, we cannot rely solely on strict
border control measures indefinitely.
A wide-reaching immunisation campaign
will be needed to develop the level of population
immunity to the virus that may allow for border
controls to be relaxed and put us on a path to
managing life with the virus.
With no sustained community transmission
of COVID-19 currently, New Zealand is
fortunate to be in the position of not having to
rush vaccine roll-out. This gives time to plan
for equitable implementation.
It is important to note that safety requirements
have not been relaxed in the prompt approval
of the COVID-19 vaccines, says Dr Miller.
The vast injection of funding worldwide has
allowed accelerated processes for development
of the vaccines.
The robustness of the assessment for the
safety and effectiveness of the vaccines has not
been compromised.
In New Zealand, Medsafe has the role of
looking at the data from the worldwide clinical
trials and immunisation campaigns and taking
decisions on what should be approved for
implementation. Medsafe has advised that the
Pfizer vaccine that has recently been approved
for use in New Zealand is both effective and
very safe for use.
It is important to note that
safety requirements have
not been relaxed in the prompt
approval of the COVID-19
vaccines, says Dr Miller. The
vast injection of funding
worldwide has allowed
accelerated processes for
development of the vaccines.
New Zealand will be watching the latest
developments with regards to the effectiveness
of current vaccines against COVID-19 infection
and illness very carefully in the months to come,
but initial results overseas are very promising.
Getting vaccinated when the vaccine is
available is an important protection not only for
yourself, but also for everyone around you.
This includes those who might be more
vulnerable to severe infection, such as the
elderly or ill, or who cannot have the vaccine
say the College.
We urge all New Zealanders to get vaccinated
as soon as possible once the vaccine becomes
widely available.
There is good information available on
the Ministry of Health’s website about New
Zealand’s vaccination plan, including a call for
additional vaccinators.
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8 NEW ZEALAND
Friday, May 28, 2021
The Indian Weekender
Rotary
Papatoetoe
Central’s Indian
diaspora night
raises more than
$80k for charity
SANDEEP SINGH
Rotary Papatoetoe Central’s Indian
diaspora night and fundraising dinner
has raised more than eighty thousand
dollars for charity.
Organised on Saturday, May 22 at Vodafone
Events Centre, Manukau, the fundraising
dinner witnessed enthusiastic participation
from members of the club – largely Indian
origin professionals from South Auckland –
along with specially invited guests from the
wider community to raise some money towards
some of the pressing social issues in near and
far away regions of the world.
The Event Chair for the night, Raj Pardeep
Singh Barrister & Solicitor of Legal Associates,
told the Indian Weekender that the organisers
were largely satisfied with the overall event and
the total collection of amounts for the charity
through auction and sponsorship.
“Any money collected for a good cause is
never enough, given that there are so many
out there who are less fortunate than us, yet
we are extremely thankful to our members and
the community for coming out and strongly
supporting the cause,” Raj Pardeep said.
“Without their compassion, we would not
have been able to collect what we finally were
able to do so,” Raj said.
Overall, the evening was a pleasant mix of
several cultural performances, a community
award ceremony and a high-octane auction
of pre-donated items and services, which
interspersed with snacks and dinner, giving
guests a wonderful platform to come together
and enjoy what was dubbed as Indian
iaspora night.
Several dignitaries, including Minister for
Transport and Labour MP from Mt Roskill
Michael Wood, other Labour MPs Jenny
Salesa, Vanushi Walters, Arena Williams,
National Party’s MP & Spokesperson for
Treasury Andrew Bayley and Hon Consul of
India Bhav Dhillon graced the occasion with
their presence.
Welcoming guests at the event, Kulbir
Singh, President Papatoetoe Central Rotary,
said that this smallest and newest (established
in November 2015) Rotary Club has always
believed in punching above its weight when it
comes to coming together and collecting funds
for charity.
A two-minute silence was observed to pay
respects to those who have lost lives or continue
to suffer amidst a raging global pandemic
overseas.
Three Special community awards were
announced to honour and acknowledge special
people who continue to make a significant
impact and a meaningful difference in the lives
of members of the community.
Ranjna Patel – whose name does not need
much introduction in New Zealand and was
recently conferred the 2021 Trade Me New
Zealand Innovator of the Year award was
given Papatoetoe Central Rotary’s special
Community Award.
Ranjna has extensive involvement in
charitable and community groups, for which
she received a QSM in 2009 and inducted into
the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2017.
Kulwinder Bath - proud Rotarian and
member of High brook Rotary since 2018 –
was another recipient of the Rotary community
Award for his voluntary community work with
Auckland Sikh Society, services to Gurudwara
Shri Dashmesh Darbar Kolmar Road and
Punjabi Cultural Association.
"
Any money collected for
a good cause is never
enough, given that there are
so many out there who are
less fortunate than us, yet
we are extremely thankful
to our members and the
community for coming out
and strongly supporting the
cause."
Two special Paul Harris Fellow Recognition
was conferred upon longstanding Rotarians
Paramjeet Dhatt and Kulbir Singh,
acknowledging their work with the Rotary club.
Paul Harris Fellowship acknowledges
individuals who contribute, or who have
contributions made in their name, of US$
1000 to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary
International.
It was established in 1957 to show
appreciation for and encourage substantial
contributions to what was then the Foundation’s
only program, Rotary Foundation Fellowships
for Advanced Study, the precursor to
Ambassadorial Scholarships.

The Indian Weekender Friday, May 28, 2021
NEW ZEALAND 9
Labour, National tight-lipped on
former Kiwi-Chinese MPs’ departure
RADIO NEW ZEALAND
Labour and National are refusing to
comment on reports that say they
orchestrated the resignations of two
Chinese MPs last year due to security concerns.
Labour MP Raymond Huo and National
MP Jian Yang both announced their
retirement from politics within days of one
another in July 2020.
News website POLITIK yesterday reported,
from multiple sources, that the exits came
after intelligence agencies flagged concerns
about the MPs› relationship with the Chinese
Government. PR consultant Matthew Hooton -
who was working for the then-National leader
Todd Muller at the time - also published a
column, stating the party leaders struck a deal
in mid-2020 that the MPs would leave with “a
minimum of fuss”.
Hooton said the deal was based on intelligence
briefings “expressing concern” about the two
MPs’ links with the Chinese Government.
Another source also confirmed to RNZ that
an agreement was reached during a meeting
attended by the parties’ chiefs of staff.
Asked about the allegations, Prime
Minister Jacinda Ardern declined to
comment to reporters.
“We do not confirm or deny any security
briefings that we do or don’t receive,”
Ardern said.
A spokesperson for the National Party also
said the party did not comment on security or
intelligence briefings.
Both Huo and Yang featured heavily in
research into China’s influence in New Zealand
by Canterbury University professor Anne-
Marie Brady.
Brady’s 2017 paper Magic Weapons named
Huo as someone who “works very closely with
PRC representatives in New Zealand” and had
links with China’s “united front organisations”.
In his valedictory speech, Huo described
some of the paper’s allegations as “bizarre” and
noted it referenced “almost all active Chinese
community leaders”.
“I’m a proud Kiwi-Chinese,” Huo told MPs.
“Sometimes ‘Made in China’ or ‘Originated
from China’ may not be that scary.”
In a statement announcing his retirement on
21 July, Huo said while he had intended to
stay on as a Labour candidate, “the subsequent
lockdown enabled me to spend more time with
my family and reflect on my political career”.
Yang’s exit statement on 10 July provided
even less clarity, saying only that he had
decided not to stand in the 2020 election after
“careful consideration and talking to my wife
and children”.
Yang has been the subject of media scrutiny
since reports by Newsroom and the Financial
Times in 2017 revealed he had attracted the
interest of the Security Intelligence Service
and had previously taught English at an elite
Chinese academy for military intelligence
officers.
In response to media questioning, Yang denied
he was, or ever had been, a spy, but admitted he
had taught English to students in China to assist
them with “collecting information”. In his final
speech in Parliament, Yang said he was loyal to
New Zealand and had been transparent with the
National Party about his background in China
“from the very beginning”.
He also apologised to former National leader
Simon Bridges for arranging a meeting with the
person in charge of China’s secret police, Guo
Shengkun, during a visit to the country in 2019.
“I did not really know Mr Guo’s portfolios.
So I did a quick search online and discovered
that he was in charge of justice and law and
order,” Yang said.
“Back in New Zealand, conspiracy theorists,
however, claimed that I had organised a
meeting between the National Party leader and
the head of the Chinese Communist Party’s
secret police.”
Covid-19 border closure: Millions spent on attracting migrants
RNZ
Immigration New Zealand’s visa account
was already $58m in the red before borders
closed last year but that more than doubled
in the following four months and continued to
grow (File image). Photo: 123rf.com
The government spent $900,000 to repatriate
migrants who could not afford plane tickets
to fly back to their home countries, Budget
documents show.
While borders remained closed, the
government also spent $11 million on attracting
migrants to come here.
It has also emerged the government
spent almost a quarter of a billion dollars in
plugging a black hole in immigration’s visa
account finances.
Last week’s budget recorded the $242m
spent in February to “reduce the accumulated
Covid-19 related deficit”, which still leaves a
$56m deficit.
The Budget figures show $11m
will be spent in the next financial
year on attracting migrants to
come here. Another $19m in
funds allocated for travel costs
in the migrant attraction budget
was last year re-purposed.
Immigration New Zealand’s (INZ) visa
account was already $58m in the red before
borders closed last year but that more than
doubled in the following four months and
continued to grow.
Budget documents show the government
spent $900,000 in the current financial year
on “repayable financial assistance to foreign
nationals on temporary visas in need of support
to return home”. RNZ has asked how much of
the money has been repaid.
When the repatriation scheme emerged in
September, INZ stressed the money would
have to be repaid if immigrants want to return
to New Zealand in the future.
Those who would be eligible included
workers made redundant and visitors whose
funds had run out, and who could not get help
from other sources such as their embassy.
The Budget figures show $11m will be spent
in the next financial year on attracting migrants
to come here. Another $19m in funds allocated
for travel costs in the migrant attraction budget
was last year re-purposed.
The figures showed immigration spent $23m
more than budgeted last year, some on the
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closure of its overseas offices where staff had
not been able to work during the pandemic.
Offices in Mumbai, Manila and Pretoria closed
this year and 329 people lost their jobs.
It is not clear from Budget figures how
much money has been set aside to refund
migrants who have withdrawn their residence
applications.
Almost 3000 migrants had received refunds
in the 12 months to September, more than in the
three previous years combined, and totalling
nearly $1.4 million.
That was before the Ombudsman’s ruling last
month on INZ’s residence scheme, that paved
the way for refunds to skilled migrants who had
unwittingly joined a non-priority queue behind
fast-tracked applications.
INZ has been approached for comment on
the spending outlined in the Budget.
2013
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029 770 9767
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10 NEW ZEALAND
Friday, May 28, 2021
The Indian Weekender
More train services, new
sustainable homes scheme approved
Waikato Regional Council
will be rolling out more
Te Huia train services
and sooner in response to public
feedback on its long term plan. Its
one of a number of decisions made
during deliberations on the councils
2021-2031 Long Term Plan | Mahere
Whnui …
Waikato Regional Council will
be rolling out more Te Huia train
services and sooner in response to
public feedback on its long term plan.
It’s one of a number of decisions
made during deliberations on the
council’s 2021-2031 Long Term Plan
| Mahere Whānui in Hamilton on
Tuesday [25 May].
More than 80 per cent of all
submissions were on the proposal
to extend the new Waikato to
Auckland passenger rail service. Of
those 1240 submissions, 95 per cent
were in favour of improvements to
the service with many wanting it to
happen sooner than the proposed
2023/24 timeframe.
Councillors decided an inter-peak
service will be trialled for 12 months,
starting no sooner than December
2021 due to lead in times to complete
the required work to implement the
service, including confirmation of
the operating cost, 75.5 per cent
government subsidy and timetable.
“This is on the back of a zero per
cent increase in rates revenue from
current ratepayers last year, which
recognised the impact of COVID-19
on our communities. But there’s work
we simply must do and at pace, like
meeting the central government’s
new Essential Freshwater regulations
which makes up just over 2 per cent
of the rates increase in year one.”
It would have been a rise of 8.4
per cent in year one if councillors
had opted to bring forward the start
of biodiversity work to the 2021/22
financial year.
“Our communities told us there
is a biodiversity crisis so we should
bring work to protect it forward a
year. We wanted to do this too,” Cr
Rimmington said.
“But we had a very good discussion
about it, and at the end of the day we
agreed to stick with the preferred
option we consulted on. We need to
see the detail of government direction
on indigenous biodiversity first, but
we’re poised to respond with a bold
plan to increase biodiversity support
from year two.”
Chief Executive Chris McLay
said the council had stepped up its
engagement approach for this year’s
long term plan, which showed in the
number and quality of submissions.
Councillors also approved an
extension of Saturday Te Huia
services to The Strand in Auckland’s
have really good social outcomes and
be great for the environment too,” Cr
Rimmington said.
CBD for a cost of $10,000 per Further work is required to
annum. A start date for the extended
service is to be confirmed, pending
develop the final scheme, with a
launch expected in the latter half of
completion of the necessary 2021/22. Initially $5 million will
operational requirements.
During the meeting councillors
be available, with each application
capped at $15,000 and operational
considered the feedback of reviews after 50, 100 and 200
submitters ahead of voting in favour
of establishing a sustainable homes
scheme and to increase funding to
Te Waka, the regional economic
development agency.
Chair Russ Rimmington described
the scheme being set up to help
applications have been approved.
The lending rate to homeowners will
be 5.5 per cent over 10 years, to be
paid through a voluntary targeted
rate levied on individual properties
from 1 July 2022.
All up, the decisions mean a 7.9
homeowners make sustainable per cent rates increase to existing
improvements as “different and
visionary”.
“Everyone deserves to have a
warm, dry home. This programme
will enable people to do that, and to
make other improvements that will
ratepayers in year one of the long
term plan – 0.6 per cent more than
proposed when the council opened
for consultation on 1 April. For threequarters
of Waikato ratepayers, it’s
an increase of less than $50 a year.
Content Sourced from scoop.co.nz
First home buyers losing hope
Nationally, first home buyers’
(FHB) market share in Q1
2021 was 21.5%, down
from 24.8% six months ago and also
the lowest since Q1 2018, according
to the latest CoreLogic First Home
Buyer Report. This hints at fatigue,
with a growing struggle to keep up
with other buyer groups, ever-rising
deposit requirements and property
values.
Perhaps contrary to popular
belief, the average age of FHBs
has not risen markedly in recent
years. After dipping from 35 to 34
in 2017, the national average has
held steady at that figure ever since;
FHBs in Auckland are 35 years old
on average, 34 in Wellington and
Tauranga, and even younger – 31 –
in provincial areas like Manawatu,
Masterton, Rangitikei, and Timaru,
where property values are generally
lower and affordability measures
therefore less stretched.
Among the possible reasons for
the average age of FHBs holding
steady, despite growing affordability
pressures, are earlier access to
larger KiwiSaver pots, a willingness
to move further afield or look at
different or cheaper property types,
as well as help from parents or
family. FHBs may also have begun
to save earlier than in the past.
We know that historically FHBs
share of purchases has been affected
at certain times by loan to value ratio
(LVR) restrictions. Owner-occupiers
are currently required to have a 20%
deposit, although the banks can of
course make use of the Reserve
Bank-mandated speed limit and
allow up to 20% of owner-occupier
loans (including FHBs) to be made at
less than a 20% deposit.
On that note, there is evidence that
some would-be FHBs have become
so disenfranchised or discouraged
that they are giving up on buying,
but based on mortgage data showing
that about one-third of FHB loans in
March 2021 were done at less than
a 20% deposit, many would be well
advised to pursue their options with
a mortgage adviser or bank. There is
more flexibility in the lending market
than many may think.
Yet Century 21 New Zealand
Owner, Derryn Mayne says the
housing market remains too hot for
most young Kiwis.
“Eyes will now be on Budget Day
to see what action will be taken for
desperate first-home buyers.
“More needs to be done if the
Finance Minister is to ‘tilt the balance
more towards first-home buyers’ as
he has long promised.”
Mayne says the Government
could establish partnership models
such as ‘rent to buy’ schemes or act
as guarantor for eligible first-home
buyers’ borrowing.
“Another initiative could be
interest-free government loans
for deposits on first-homes – with
borrowers paying them back over
time via Inland Revenue. Those in
tertiary study can get interest-free
student loans as education is rightly
seen as a good investment and asset.
That same logic could be applied
here.” Shift in types of property
being purchased and median prices
being paid by FHBs
Across NZ, houses accounted
for 75% of FHB purchases in
Q1 2021, down from 77% in the
calendar year 2020, but still higher
than the latest figure for all buyers
of 72%. Flats account for 16%
of FHB purchases, versus 13%
for all buyers, while lifestyle for
all buyers (7%) outweighs that
category for FHBs (3%).Even with
Government intervention potentially
freeing up opportunities for FHBs
to access existing properties with
less competition from leveraged
investors than before, FHBs may
face more competition for newbuilds,
a segment they have shown
interest in recently.
In Q1 2021, FHBs paid a median
price of $650,000, higher than
the 2020 calendar year figure of
$576,500, but less than the Q1 2021
all-buyer figure of $725,000. That
said, the FHB median in Q1 2021
of $650,000 was still well above the
all-buyer lower quartile ($510,000),
illustrating that FHBs don’t always
start at the bottom and work their
way up.
As was the case at the national
level, each of the main centres saw
FHBs pay a median price in Q1
2021 that was lower than for all
buyers. Reflecting the fact that it has
the highest prices to start with, the
gap was largest in Auckland, with
FHBs paying a median in Q1 2021
of $877,000, $133,000 less than the
figure for all buyers ($1,010,000).
The gap was also more than
$100,000 in Tauranga, although the
median price actually paid by FHBs
was higher in Wellington ($770,000
versus $699,000 in Tauranga).
The standout centre is Christchurch,
where the FHB median price paid is
still below $500,000, lower than in
many provincial areas. The relative
affordability in our second-largest
city is so much better than anywhere
else, and especially appealing for
FHBs because the city’s business
community is established and jobs
are on offer.
- Scoop Media
Waikato DHB
attack a wake
up call on
cyber security
Hackers of Waikato District
Health Board (DHB) are
believed to have gained
access to their systems via an email
attachment opened by a staff member.
They have caused disruption to all
clinical services in a bid to extort a
ransom payment.
This follows a similar attack on
the Irish health system in the form
of ransomware, just a few days ago.
AUT Computer Science Professor
Dave Parry explains that in this sort
of attack, the attacker manages to
get some of their software onto the
victim’s network and this encrypts
files, making them unreadable. The
attacker then offers to give the victim
the key to unlock the encryption in
return for money – usually in the form
of bitcoin or other cryptocurrency.
Melbourne’s Eastern Health was
also targeted back in March. Vectra
APJ Director of Security Engineering,
Chris Fisher says that while the
organisation was quick to reassure
and confirm that patients were not at
risk, the incident highlighted major
security vulnerabilities, resulting in
significant disruption to the hospital’s
network including the cancellation of
elective surgeries.
Ransomware activity has risen
steeply recently, causing significant
impact to a number of organisations
around the world including the high
profile attack on the Colonial Pipeline
in the US. The company reportedly
paid the hackers $5 million for the
restoration of their IT services.
Parry says this will probably have
encouraged more attacks.
“Attackers are proving
increasingly bold in targeting large
scale infrastructure like hospitals,
wreaking havoc on overburdened
healthcare systems at time when they
are needed most,” Fisher says.
“The vectors of attacks have
remained the same, however the
speed at which the attackers can pivot
through an organisation’s network
and the coverage they are able to
achieve has greatly increased. This
highlights that current prevention
tools are no longer enough to
mitigate risk.”
Recognising the risks
In today’s digitally driven
environment, smart technologies
are crucial in improving operational
efficiencies.
One of the largest containment
measures implemented globally
during the pandemic was the massive
shift to remote working, which
rapidly accelerated the adoption of
hybrid cloud to improve business
agility and respond to changing
customer needs. Technology and
collaboration tools, such as Microsoft
Office 365 applications, meant work
and life could continue.
“Unfortunately, the speed and scale
of cloud adoption has also presented
transitional gaps and opportunities
for adversaries to exploit,” Fisher
says. - Scoop Media

2021
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
Friday,
CORDIS,
August
Auckland
14, 2020
Friday, CORDIS, August Hosted Auckland by 14, 2020
CORDIS, Auckland
Friday, August 14, 2020
CORDIS, Auckland
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Editorial
Maritime partnerships
are key to promoting
India’s key strategic
interests
During the Raisina Dialogue held earlier in year in April, India’s External Affairs Minister S.
Jaishankar, in articulating his description of the ‘India Way’, said that India is now “more
of a decider or a shaper rather than an abstainer”.
This is a welcome change in India’s approach to the region and the world. If India hopes to
contribute to shaping the future, it will need to look outwards. This implies shedding archaic
baggage of past decades, along with the affliction of being myopically inward looking. Assuming
greater roles and responsibilities regionally and globally should form a vital element of the approach
alluded to by the Minister.
It is in this context that India’s continued unwillingness to join broad, issue-based, multilateral
security constructs may need a review.
One of these important multilateral groupings is the Combined Maritime Forces or CMF that
operate extensively in India’s backyard. The CMF website articulates that the multinational
maritime partnership “exists to uphold the International Rules-based Order”. This is a concept that
India’s leadership too has been seized of in recent years. Moreover, it is not an alliance but rather
a ‘partnership’.
Why then the reluctance to join?
The CMF is an agglomeration of about 34 countries engaged in myriad security tasks in the
Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf.
Areas that are of critical and of direct interest to India. It has representation from countries
spanning the entire globe. East and Southeast Asian representation includes Japan, the Philippines,
Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, and Singapore.
Europe finds representation through Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, The
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey.
Interestingly, all these players are from beyond the region, but have still invested in such a
partnership, driven by their individual and collective national interests. Of course, regional players
like Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Seychelles and UAE are also part of the construct.
Then there is Pakistan, which has been part of the CMF for well over a decade and has commanded
two of the three Task Forces under the CMF on multiple occasions. Everyone seems to be playing,
except India.
If India is to be a ‘shaper’ and ‘decider’ on the global stage, it needs to first be more proactive
and engaged at the regional stage. Structures such as the CMF have the potential to accrue multiple
strategic and operational benefits.
For instance, being a part of the construct, Pakistan has a ready platform to promote its own
narrative, build professional expertise, gain access to valuable operational information (if not
intelligence) and, in essence, punch above its weight. Notably, it is able to play the game with
practically no opponent, for instance, to challenge its version of events.
From a geo-strategic perspective, the Indian Ocean is progressively becoming the primary arena
for global competition and volatility. Threats like terrorism, drugs and gun-running, piracy, etc., all
compete for attention.
Then there is inherent land-based volatility in the region spilling into the seas like in Somalia,
Yemen, and more recently in the Persian Gulf. On top of all these, great-power competition in its
latest avatar is also being played out in India’s backyard.
As USA and China jostle for influence, other players are either hopping on to one bandwagon or
hedging their bets.
A complex mosaic indeed, and a game requiring keen skill, and more importantly a fresh
approach. It is increasingly apparent that ‘more of the same’ will not do, nor will rigid approaches
to dynamic issues foment advantages.
From an operational perspective, the Indian Navy’s INS Suvarna undertook an operation off the
coast of Kerala recently, seizing over 300 kg of narcotics.
A few days earlier, a French Naval Ship FS Guepratte had also carried out a similar operation in
the Arabian Sea to seize over 600 kg of narcotics. Two players, one evident goal, but both playing
separately. Could they not play in collaboration?
Can the whole not be more than the sum of its parts? Will joining an issue-based, non-binding
construct such as the CMF not accrue tangible operational benefits for India?
As India’s defence budget continues to be under stress, harnessing partnerships across the region
could be beneficial.
From a regional and policy perspective, India’s political leadership have recently articulated the
vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region -- SAGAR. This alludes to cooperation and is
collaborative in its essence.
As players of all hues engage in pursuit of common goals in the region, India remains somewhat
of an outlier. If India is to truly don the mantle of being a ‘Preferred Security Partner’, as envisaged
by the political leadership, it may be time to think and act differently.
It may be time to identify convergences with constructs like the CMF and, indeed, fast-track
policy changes that promote India’s interests through every possible avenue, including participation
in multilateral constructs such as the CMF towards shaping and deciding the direction of the game.
Thought of the week
“If your actions inspire others to dream more,
learn more, do more and become more, you are a
leader.” —John Quincy Adams
Indian Weekender : Volume 13 Issue 11
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
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Editor at Large: Dev Nadkarni | dev@indianweekender.co.nz
Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher
is not responsible for advertisers’ claims as appearing in the publication
Views expressed in the articles are solely of the authors and do not in any way represent
the views of the team at the Indian Weekender
Kiwi Media Publishing Limited - 133A, Level 1, Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland.
Printed at Horton Media, Auckland
28 May – 3 June 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°
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Clouds
and
sun
20°
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Clouds
and
showers
This week in New Zealand’s history
20°
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Copyright 2020. Kiwi Media Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved.
A few
morning
showers
29 May 1905
World’s first state-run maternity hospital opens
21°
15°
A few
morning
showers
26°
17°
At the beginning of the 20th century, the quality of midwives varied from caring and
competent to dirty and dangerous. As Assistant Inspector of Hospitals, Grace Neill had
seen first-hand the harm done by poor midwifery. She wanted to improve the standard of care
for mothers and babies.
29 May 1947
Mabel Howard becomes first female Cabinet minister
First elected to Parliament for Christchurch East in a by-election in February 1943, Mabel
Howard became a high-profile and sometimes flamboyant minister in the first two Labour
governments.
29 May 1953
Hillary and Tenzing reach summit of Everest
A
beekeeper from New Zealand, Edmund Hillary, and the Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay
became the first people to stand on the summit of the world’s highest peak.
30 May 1901
New Zealand turns down federation with Australia
A
10-man Royal Commission reported unanimously that New Zealand should not become a
state of the new Commonwealth of Australia.
30 May 1959
Auckland harbour bridge opens
New Zealand’s best-known bridge opened after four years of construction.
30 May 1996
New honours system established
A
New Zealand Royal Honours System was established with the institution of the New
Zealand Order of Merit, which replaced the various British State Orders of Chivalry. From
1848 to 1975 New Zealand had shared in the British honours system. Between 1975 and 1996,
the system was a mix of British and New Zealand honours.
31 May 1916
HMS New Zealand fights at Jutland
In the misty North Sea on the last day of May 1916, 250 warships from Britain’s Royal Navy
and Germany’s High Seas Fleet clashed in the First World War’s greatest and bloodiest sea
battle. Among them was HMS New Zealand, the battlecruiser the Dominion had gifted to the
Royal Navy.

The Indian Weekender Friday, May 28, 2021 FIJI 13
WHO: Virus can only be defeated if we cooperate
As Fiji continues to battle COVID-19, the World Health “That’s what we are saying to the world, this virus can be Dr Ghebreyesus said even though not all were vaccinated yet,
Organization (WHO) says the virus can only be defeated defeated if we work together, we cooperate and unite,” said Dr the fight against the virus needed to continue.
if we all cooperate.
Ghebreyesus.
“Vaccines are not being distributed equitably, so we have to
WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
said if people were divided then the virus actually exploits the
division.
“If we are divided, then the virus actually exploits the division.
“So we need to fight it together.
“And it’s a common enemy, enemy for everybody.”
still continue to fight.” In many developing countries, vaccination
hasn’t even started.”
Australia has
delivered 30,000
doses of the
AstraZeneca
vaccine in the
last 3 days
Australia has delivered a further 30,000
doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19
vaccine to Fiji as well as vaccine
consumables such as syringes and other
equipment over the last 3 days.
This has been confirmed by Australian High
Commissioner to Fiji, John Feakes who says of
the 1 million doses committed to Fiji, Australia
has delivered 70,000 doses this month alone.
Health Minister, Doctor Ifereimi
Waqainabete had earlier stated that Fiji is
targeting to get 1.2 million doses of the
COVID-19 vaccine as they aim to vaccinate
600,000 people in the country.
The vaccination drive for Suva and Nausori
containment zones continues today.
This is for the first dose of the vaccine.
Please stay in your home and wait for your
turn when your family is called by the mobile
teams from the road.
Vaccination is only available to the people
living in the listed areas today.
Mobile teams will be visiting and
vaccinating households having home-bound
individuals due to illness or old age.
Wear a mask, wash your hands or sanitize
before and after being vaccinated, maintain
safe physical distancing of 2 metres from
another person and do not get into close contact
with anyone while waiting to be vaccinated.
Those who are above 18 years of age and
wish to be vaccinated, please present your
valid photo identification e.g. Joint FNPF/
FRCA, driver’s license, passport, student ID
or FNPF card to register for vaccination.
If you have registered, please be ready with
your registration reference number and valid
photo identification.
Those who are living within the allocated
area for vaccination but have to go to work
out of the area can be vaccinated next time.
Those who are working within the areas of
vaccination sites can get vaccinated.
Please note you need to get two doses of
AstraZeneca for greater efficacy.
The date for your second dose will be put in
the vaccination card after your first dose.
Ministry: Do
not travel if
you are sick
Do not travel on public transport vehicles
or enter supermarkets if you are
experiencing any one of the following
symptoms fatigue, fever, sore throat, cough,
shortness of breath, body aches or a sudden loss
of taste or smell. This was the plea from the
Health Ministry in a statement issued yesterday
after five new COVID-19 cases were reported,
taking the total number for Fiji since March last
year to 235.
“We have also seen evidence that people
have travelled on public transport or done
shopping despite experiencing symptoms,” the
ministry stated. We all must take individual
responsibility for stopping the spread of this
virus. If you experience any of these symptoms
– even one and even if it is very mild – you
must be screened immediately.
“Go to the nearest mobile screening centre,
wearing a mask and maintaining 2m physical
distance between you and any other person you
encounter. If you do not know where the nearest
screening centre is located, call 158 and ask.
“Do not use public transport if you have any
symptoms. If you cannot get to a screening
centre, again, call 158 for assistance.”
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NEW ZEALAND
Over a ton of colour to be used at
Krishna Holi 2021 event in Kumeu
The Indian Weekender Friday, February 12, 2021 11
RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
T
he biggest Holi event in the country
on Sunday, February 14 at ISKCON
Temple in Kumeu will put over one
ton of colours for 10,000 visitors to play with
celebrating the annual Hindu festival.
Holi is one of the most popular and widely
celebrated festivals for the Indian community
after Diwali that is celebrated by the diaspora
and the adjoining communities across the globe.
The annual festival of colour falls on March
28-29 this year, and the religious element of the
festival signifies the triumph of good over evil.
It is observed a the end of winter and advent of
spring month (in the Indian subcontinent), and
spiritual part of the festival starts with Holika
Dahan (burning demon Holika) also known as
Chhoti Holi and the following day as Holi.
In its 9th year, Krishna Holi event at the
iconic Hare Krishna Temple in Kumeu, West
Auckland attracts thousands of people from all
walks of life, different ethnicities and faiths to
be a part of a colourful and joyous event.
Speaking with the Indian Weekender,
Krishna Chandra from the temple said they are
excited to see the festive season of Holi back
after a gloomy year of Covid-19 in the country.
“Holi at the Krishna Temple is one of the
most vibrant events in our calendar- we see
families dressed white clothing visi the temple
and then dance and drench in dry and wet
colours from noon till early evening,” Krishna
Chandra, secretary and spokesperson of Hare
Krishna Temple said.
The temple spread over 100 acres start the
free event at 11 a.m. and will have stalls that
distribute at least ten to 12 colours, and there
will also be watercolours for the visitors.
A giant LED screen is also installed on the
stage with a DJ and live music for the attendees
to dance and have fun.
“It’s a family-friendly- tobacco and alcoholfree
event. People of all ages can have fun as
there will be colour stalls, water stations, food
stalls, changing rooms, showering stations for
people drenched in colour,” Mr Chandra said.
He added tha the temple stocks colours to be
used at the festival at least 2-3 years at a time.
The temple will be used over a ton of colour at
the event both in its dry form and with water.
“We have given 200 kgs of colour to fire
brigade who will mix it in their water tank
and then splash it on the visitors at different
intervals.
“Since this year’s event coincides with
Valentine’s Day, we have kept valentine theme
gifts and gift station too at the venue for the
public to celebrate the occasion there,” Mr
Chandra added.
Mr Chandra says all arrangements in
terms of Covid QR Code scanning and hand
sanitisers are in place for people, arrangements
for children activities, so that everyone gets to
enjoy the even to its fullest.
“We have volunteers, security to usher
vehicles to park in the appropriate places,
manage the oncoming and returning traffic,
and make sure visitors feel comfortable at the
event,” Mr Chandra added.
The event organisers have appealed the
visitors to come in white dress as colours tend event like previous years will be high octane,
to exhibit its vibrancy on white clothing, get full of energy and good vibes,” Mr Chandra
spare clothing to change after playing with added.
colour and food and water arrangements have ISKCON Temple is located on 1229
been made a the venue.
Coatesville-Riverhead Highway, Kumeu, West
“Hol is always a fun event and Krishna Holi Auckland, and the event starts at noon to 5 p.m.
Hare Krishna temple to host ‘Saatvik food festival’
RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
T
he Hare Krishna Temple in Kumeu, West Auckland
is hosting its annual food festival event on Saturday,
February 13, for the community.
More than 3000 people are expected to attend the event
where they will be served saatvik vegetarian food, tour the
temple premises and have a relaxing family-fun day.
“Our Hare Krishna Food Festival is very popular amongs the
wider Kiwi community in Auckland, people from all faiths and
ethnicities come to the temple, take a tour of the place knowing
about the deities, the ISKCON establishment, its works for the
community and have snacks and food during the day,” Krishna
Chandra, secretary and spokesperson for Hare Krishna temple
told the Indian Weekender.
The event is said to be quiet, and exhibit a relaxing
environment where people get to meet new people, make
friends, experience the calmness being with nature, have
Saatvik (pure) vegetarian food and have good family day.
“This event is happening just one day before our most
popular Krishna Holi event which is will be loud, full of energy,
playfulness, music and dance,” Mr Chandra added.
The events will start at 2 p.m. and end at seven in the evening.
Besides the food festival, Krishna Temple organises lunch
event every Sunday at its premises where 300-400 people
come, chant mantras, meditate, spend some time with nature
and dine with the community members.
“It is a soothing atmosphere at the temple, chanting mantras
with the community, knowing more about the religion, what
can they do at the temple and how can they make a difference in
the community by serving others and the less privileged.
“There are also children’s activities
organised so that they engage themselves
and also have a good time at the temple,” Mr
Chandra said.

14
INDIA
Friday, May 28, 2021 The Indian Weekender
NEWS in BRIEF
India records 300,000 COVID-19 deaths as
pandemic rages
The number of
deaths linked to
COVID-19 in India has
moved past the 300,000
mark as the country
continues to grapple with
the pandemic. Experts
warn that the real number of fatalities might be much higher
as many deaths are not officially recorded. BBC News reports
India has recorded 26 million cases - second only to the US -
and is now the epicentre of the global pandemic.
The country is also only the third in the world to record more
than 300,000 deaths - behind the US and Brazil.
It took less than a month to record its last 100,000 deaths.
A deadly second wave in recent weeks has overwhelmed the
country's healthcare system, with hospitals struggling to cope
with the influx of patients and with critical drugs and oxygen
running out. Nearly half of India's virus deaths occurred in the
last three months. In the last 26 days alone, the country has
recorded 102,533 COVID-19 deaths.
India’s total coronavirus cases cross 27m
India’s total coronavirus infections crossed 27 million on
Wednesday, swelled by 208,921 new cases over the last 24
hours, while daily deaths from COVID-19 rose by 4,157.
The South Asian country’s overall caseload is now at 27.16
million, while total fatalities are at 311,388, according to
health ministry data.
Zinc use linked to black fungus but more
research needed: Experts
Amid the spread
of 'black', 'white'
and 'yellow' fungus
in Covid-recovered
patients, health experts
on Wednesday said that
multiple factors are
playing a role and the
high intake of zinc supplements in the pandemic may also be
one of the key factors, but more research is needed on this.
Zinc is thought to accumulate iron in the body which
can create a breeding ground for mucormycosis, a serious
but rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds called
mucormycetes. Mucor growth in a human body depends on
multiple host factors. Last year, doctors had seen mucor patients,
but the number was less as number of Covid patients was less.
"This year, the number of Covid patients is high, virulence of
Covid is more and steroids have been used indiscriminately,
so several factors are playing a role in the spread of black
fungus," Dr Aparna Mahajan said. Mucormycosis has been
there in India for decades. Rhinoorbitocerebral mucormycosis
is the most common and has been managed by ENT surgeons
since several decades.
Rare sighting of rescued Himalayan Griffon
Vulture thrills Maha bird-lovers
An
unexpected
sighting of a majestic
Himalayan Griffon
Vulture in the lush green
Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in
Maharashtra has thrilled
bird-lovers in the state
and the country. More so,
after it emerged that the bird sighted soaring in the skies was
actually the once rescued on December 28, 2020, and spending
over a month at the Malabar Awareness & Rescue Centre for
Wildlife (MARC) in Kerala's Kannur.
"This vulture was spotted going for food in the Jungli Jaigad
Fort area of Sahyadri on May 9 morning and forest guard
Santosh Chalke managed to click it in flight," ornithologist and
honorary Wildlife Warden Rohan Bhate said.
Chalke provided the vulture's photos to Bhate for further
studies which revealed an orange tag on the majestic
vulture's right wing which was affixed by MARC scientific
and migratory studies before it was released in the Wayanad
Wildlife Sanctuary on January 31.
After its release, the Himalayan Griffon Vulture was spotted
only once on February 28, feasting over a carcass in Kerala
with many other vultures, as per a MARC report, and followed
by the latest sighting in Sahyadri Tiger Reserve a fortnight ago.
Later, the team of Bhate, Chalke, and others kept a vigil for
over a week, but it was not seen again.
Emirates extends suspension
of passenger flights from India
UAE flag carrier Emirates has announced the extension
of its passenger flights from India until June 14 in the
wake of the Covid-19 pandemic situation in the South
Asian country.
The Dubai-based airline had announced the suspension first on
April 24 as a devastating second wave of the pandemic hit India,
leading to record high number of daily cases and deaths.
In a statement issued on Sunday evening, the airline added:
"Furthermore, passengers who have transited through India in
the last 14 days will not be accepted to travel from any other
point to the UAE.
"UAE Nationals, holders of UAE Golden Visas and members
of diplomatic missions who comply with the revised published
Covid-19 protocols will be exempt for travel."
Earlier this month, the UAE's General Authority of Civil
Aviation and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters
Management Authority said that the suspension of entry for
travellers from India would be extended, Gulf News reported
The Departments said the suspension applied to travellers
from India on all flights on national and foreign carriers, as well
as for transit passengers coming from India, with the exception
of transit flights travelling to the UAE and bound for India.
Explained: Why India’s Covid-19 deaths
are spiking even as cases go down
India coronavirus numbers
explained: the daily count of
coronavirus-related deaths in India
touched a new high, with 4,329 deaths
being reported from across the country.
That overtook the count of 4,205 deaths
recorded a week earlier on May 11.
It has been 12 days since the daily
count of cases peaked.
The cases have been on a decline after
that. Since the death curve usually has a
two-week lag, it is expected that the death
count would also begin to come down in a
few days’ time. In the period, however, it
is possible that this count goes up further,
because lots of states are reporting deaths
that happened a few days to a couple of
weeks earlier.
Maharashtra, for example, more than
1,019 deaths on Monday. Of these, 289
had occurred between Saturday and
Monday, while 227 were from the week
before that.
Another 484 deaths happened more
than a week ago, but had so far not been
included in the state tally. The state
also reported 19 deaths among Covid19
patients that were assessed to have been
caused by other ailments.
Other states also reported deaths from
previous days. There is an administrative
lag in reporting of deaths, that sometimes
extends to several weeks. The 476 deaths
reported by Karnataka, for example,
included a few that occurred in March.
Several of these were from April.
Right now, five states — Maharashtra,
Karnataka, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and
Tamil Nadu – have been reporting at
least 300 deaths every day on average.
On Tuesday, a relatively smaller state like
Uttarakhand reported 223 deaths, though
more than 80 of those were from previous
days. Twelve states have been reporting
100 deaths or more.
Since the start of this month, 66,866
people are reported to have died because
of Covid-19, making it the deadliest
month during the pandemic. April was the
worst month for India in terms of number
of infections.
Close to 70 lakh infections had been
detected during that month. But its
impact on mortality is being felt only
now. In April, close to 49,000 deaths had
been recorded.
While Maharashtra’s death toll, close
to 85,000, far exceeds that of any other
state, it is the neighbouring state of Goa
that has recorded the maximum deaths
as a proportion of its population. Goa
has so far seen 1,475 deaths per million
population, while Delhi has 1,301. These
are the only two states to have more than
1,000 deaths per million population.
India approves opening of
first consulate in the Maldives
The Indian government on Tuesday approved the opening
of a new consulate in Addu City of the Maldives this
year to augment the country’s diplomatic presence in the
Indian Ocean archipelago.
A meeting of the Union cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, cleared the proposal for opening the first such
consulate in the Maldives, which has an important place in the
government’s “Neighbourhood First” policy.
“Opening of a consulate general in Addu City will help
augment India’s diplomatic presence in Maldives and make
it commensurate with the existing and aspired level of
engagement,” an official statement said.
“This is also a forward-looking step in pursuit of our national
priority of growth and development or ‘Sabka Saath Sabka
Vikas’. Augmentation of India’s diplomatic presence will...
provide market access for Indian companies and bolster Indian
exports of goods and services,” the statement added.
The opening of the consulate will also have a “direct impact
in augmenting domestic production and employment in line with
our goal of a self-reliant India or Atmanirbhar Bharat,” according
to the statement. India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic,
cultural, religious and commercial links steeped in antiquity.
Maldives occupies an important place in the ‘Neighbourhood
First Policy’ and the ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in
the Region) vision of the Government of India.
Indians are the second largest expatriate community in the
Maldives, with an approximate strength of 22,000. About 25%
of doctors and teachers in the Maldives are Indians.
India is currently implementing large infrastructure projects
worth $2 billion, such as ports, roads, bridges, water and
sanitation, in the Maldives. Bilateral relations have also benefited
from President Ibrahim Solih’s “India First” policy.

The Indian Weekender Friday, May 28, 2021
WORLD 15
Masks, social restrictions
return to Australia’s Melbourne
after fresh outbreak
Australia’s second largest city Melbourne reinstated
COVID-19 restrictions as authorities scrambled to find
the missing link in a fresh outbreak, prompting New
Zealand to pause a “travel bubble” with the state of Victoria.
Amid worries the cluster, which has grown to nine cases
in two days, could spark a major outbreak, Victoria imposed
social restrictions and made face masks mandatory in hotels,
restaurants, and other indoor venues from 6 p.m. (0800 GMT) on
Tuesday until June 4.
The latest outbreak ends Victoria’s run of zero cases for
nearly three months and saw New Zealand suspend quarantinefree
travel with the state and the neighbouring state of South
Australia impose travel restrictions. Australia has avoided the
high COVID-19 numbers seen in many developed countries by
closing its international borders in the early stages of the pandemic
and with lockdowns. It has reported just over 30,000 cases
and 910 deaths.
Thousands of people in Melbourne have been ordered to self
isolate and undergo COVID-19 tests with health alerts issued
for several sites, including one of the largest shopping centres
in the country. One of the cases had a high viral load while he
visited some venues prompting authorities to warn Melbourne’s
five million residents to brace for more positive cases in the next
few days.
Authorities urged Victorians to get
vaccinated.
“There are right now millions of Victorians that are eligible
to be vaccinated. They shouldn’t wait for tomorrow, they
shouldn’t wait for next week. They should move now and get
vaccinated,” James Merlino, Victoria state’s acting premier, told
reporters in Melbourne.
Victoria was the hardest-hit state during a second wave late last
year, accounting for about 70% of total cases and 90% of deaths
in Australia. The state, the country’s second most populous,
only controlled the outbreak after one of the world’s longest and
strictest lockdowns.
Five new locally acquired cases were reported in Victoria on
Biden, Putin likely to hold
summit in Geneva: Reports
US President Joe Biden and
Russian President Vladimir
Putin will likely hold a
summit in Geneva in June, US media
reported on Monday.
Citing sources familiar with the
matter, several media outlets said
that the Swiss city of Geneva is
expected to be the venue for Biden's
first in-person meeting with Putin
as President, the Xinhua news
agency reported.
The reports came as National
Security Advisor Jake Sullivan
held consultations with his Russian
counterpart Nikolai Patrushev. "The
meeting was an important step in the
preparation for a planned US-Russia
summit, the date and location of
which will be announced later," the
White House said.
The meeting between Sullivan
and Patrushev was "constructive"
despite "outstanding differences,"
according to the statement. The two
officials also discussed a wide range
of issues of mutual interest, with a
high priority given to the topic of
strategic stability.
"The sides agreed that a
normalisation of US-Russian
relations would be in the interest
of both countries and contribute
to global predictability and
stability," it added.
Relations between Washington
and Moscow have been adversarial
in recent years. The two sides have
obvious differences on issues related
to Ukraine, cybersecurity, human
rights, and US election interference.
The Biden administration noted
it seeks "a more predictable, stable
relationship" with Russia. During
their meeting in Iceland last week,
US Secretary of State Antony
Blinken and his Russian counterpart
Sergei Lavrov expressed willingness
to cooperate while admitting "serious
differences" amid the two countries'
tense relations.
Biden said earlier this month
that he expected to meet with Putin
during his trip to Europe in June,
when he would attend the Group of
Seven Summit in Britain and then the
NATO Summit in Brussels, Belgium.
"
There are right now millions of Victorians
that are eligible to be vaccinated. They
shouldn’t wait for tomorrow, they shouldn’t
wait for next week. They should move now
and get vaccinated,” James Merlino, Victoria
state’s acting premier, told reporters in
Melbourne.
Tuesday, a day after four infections were recorded in Melbourne.
All cases belong to one extended family across different
households and could be traced back to the variant found in an
overseas traveller who returned to Melbourne early this month
after completing quarantine in the city of Adelaide.
Authorities, however, said they could not yet find how the
latest cases contracted the virus from the overseas traveller.
New Zealand’s COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins
said the ‘travel bubble’ with Victoria has been suspended for
three days from Tuesday evening.
“New Zealand officials have assessed that the most cautious
option is to pause the travel bubble with Victoria as there are still
several unknowns with the outbreak,” Hipkins said.
Melbourne’s fresh outbreak comes as Australian authorities
try to ramp up a sluggish national vaccination drive with
health experts worried many people were delaying getting
inoculated because of the country’s success in effectively
eliminating the virus.
Jaishankar offers
backing for Guterres
re-election, discusses
Covid vaccines, terrorism
India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar
has offered India's support to Secretary-General
Antonio Guterres for his re-election during
a meeting in New York at which they discussed a
range of issues from Covid-19 vaccine to terrorism.
In a tweet after the meeting on Tuesday,
Jaishankar said that he told Guterres that India
"values" his leadership and conveyed its support
for his election to a second term.
The global crisis of the Covid-19 pandemic
featured prominently in their discussions.
Jaishankar tweeted that they emphasised the
importance of finding "urgent and effective global
vaccine solutions" and the critical need to ramp
up the vaccine supply chain to "ensure greater
production and fairer distribution."
With India set to assume the rotating presidency
of the Security Council in August, their meeting
covered a wide range of issues.
In a series of tweets on the meeting, Jaishankar
said that they talked about "regional challenges in
India's neighbourhood" and "shared our concerns
about ensuring that the gains of the last two decades
in Afghanistan are adequately protected."
US President Joe Biden is pulling out the nation's
troops from Afghanistan after a 20-year deployment
even as terrorist activities continue raising fears of
regional instability.
In his tweets Jaishankar said, "Countering
terrorism and radicalisation remain priorities for
the entire region."
Jaishankar said that he "highlighted India's
constructive role" in the Security Council and
"conveyed priorities of our Presidency in August."
He added, "Maritime Security and Technology
for Peacekeeping address the needs of the day."
NEWS in BRIEF
Kuwait's Covid-19 caseload tops 300,000
The Kuwaiti Health Ministry reported 1,240 new
Covid-19 cases, raising the total infections in the
country to 300,455. The ministry also announced seven more
fatalities, taking the death toll in Kuwait to 1,741, while the
tally of recoveries rose by 1,081 to 286,199, the Xinhua news
agency reported.
A total of 12,515 Covid-19 patients are receiving
treatment, including 145 in the intensive care units, it said. At
a meeting of Kuwait's government on Monday, Minister of
Health Bassel Al-Sabah said the recovery rate in the country
has reached 95.3 per cent along with a drop in daily deaths.
Meanwhile, the government urged citizens and residents of
the country to continue taking precautions such as avoiding
crowds and receiving vaccines.
Australian scientists develop new drugs to
fight Covid-19
Scientists from QIMR
Berghofer Medical
Research Institute in
Australia's Queensland have
developed two new drugs to
both prevent SARS-CoV-2, the
virus behind Covid-19 infection, and also treat people who
have been exposed to the virus so they do not develop severe
disease. The two early intervention drugs target how human
cells respond to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, instead of the virus
itself, according to the findings published in the journal
Nature Cell Discovery. The first peptide-based drug would
be given pre-exposure to the virus and help boost the efficacy
of vaccines, while the second drug would stop the spread of
the virus in already infected cells.
Laboratory tests show the first peptide-based drug reduces
infection by cloaking the ACE2 receptor protein on human
cells. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein uses the ACE2
receptor to bind to and invade cells. The virus then latches
onto the cloaking peptides, which they mistake for human
cells -- preventing infection.
Moderna says its COVID vaccine is 'highly
effective' in teens
Moderna says its COVID-19
vaccine is "highly
effective" in adolescents aged 12
to 17. BBC News reports no cases
of COVID-19 were seen in a trial
involving 3,732 young volunteers
who received two doses of the
vaccine, compared to four cases in controls who had placebo
injections. Moderna says it will soon submit the data to
regulators globally to seek approval for use in teens.
The Pfizer vaccine has already been approved for use in
US adolescents. BBC News reports the Pfizer-BioNTech
vaccine, which is authorised for use in those aged over
16, is also being tested in children under 12, with the aim
of involving babies from just six months old. Moderna's
vaccine is currently authorised for people 18 and older.
Samoa's first female prime minister sworn
into office
Samoa's first female prime
minister has been sworn
into office in a tent after she
was locked out of parliament
by her opponent, who has
refused to step down.
Fiame Naomi Mata'afa took the oath of office in a marquee
in the parliament's gardens, leaving uncertainty over who
controls the Pacific island nation.
Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who has been Prime Minister
for 22 years has ignored a court order to step down.
Mata'afa who is 64-years-old arrived at parliament
yesterday expecting to be sworn in.
But the former deputy prime minister who arrived
alongside the chief justice, found herself barred from the
building, which had been locked by allies of Malielegaoi in
advance of her arrival.
Instead, Mata'afa and members of her Faatuatua i le
Atua Samoa ua Tasi (Fast) party gathered in a marquee in
parliament's gardens, in the capital Apia, with supporters
looking on and were sworn in one by one.
The ad-hoc ceremony was rejected by rivals as unofficial.
Malielegaoi called the improvised swearing-in ceremony
"illegal and unlawful".

16 ENTERTAINMENT
Friday, May 28, 2021 The Indian Weekender
Annu likens celebs’
vacay pics to ‘eating
lavish meal in front
of the starving’
Many celebrities recently came under
fire for sharing vacation pictures of
themselves as India battles a deadly
second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Veteran actor Annu Kapoor said that while he
has no objection if they go on a holiday, he is
opposed to them flaunting it on social media.
Last month, Annu tweeted, “I humbly appeal
to rich and famous from all walks of life and
media not to post their pictures vacationing at
exotic locations while the most of the world
suffers with pandemic.
Kisi ko jalaa ke majloomon ki baddua kyun
lena (Why should you attract the curse of the
downtrodden by making them jealous)?”
Talking to the Media, Annu said that he is
not in any way stopping those who have the
means to go on a holiday from going on one.
However, displaying it to the world is in bad
taste, he added.
“Aap bilkul bhukhe ke saamne 56 bhog ki
thaali leke kha rahe ho yaar! Maalum hai aap
Manoj Bajpayee: It has been extraordinary,
how united we are as a nation today
Despite the gloom and panic
surrounding us amid the
second wave of the Covid-19
crisis, a lot of good Samaritans
have come forward to help people
in distress. From distributing free
meals to Covid positive patients and
even those struggling financially
amid the pandemic, to helping in
arranging medicines and oxygen
cylinders, people have gone all out
to stand with each other. And Manoj
Bajpayee is overwhelmed to see this
unity among people.
The actor himself has been
amplyfying requests of people on
social media and connecting them
to the right resources. He tells us,
“It has been very tough for each
and everyone in the country in this
second surge of Covid-19 cases.
But they have come forward to help
known and unknown people. The
manner in which the entire nation has
come together to help each other has
been an extraordinary experience.”
Bajpayee, 52, feels all these
While Saif Ali Khan is one of the most
established actors in Bollywood
right now, he did not enjoy the
same success as the other Khans - Shah Rukh
Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan. In a
new interview, Saif talked about the same and
agreed that it worked in his favour, as it gave
him not only the freedom to experiment but
also to forge his own path as an actor.
As Film Companion’s Anupama Chopra said
that Saif’s relatively less success was a ‘really
good thing’ for him as an actor, he ‘absolutely’
agreed.
“I have to say these guys - Shah Rukh, Salman
and Aamir - were kind of born somehow to be
actors. I think it must have been a childhood
ambition. Certainly, I know it was for two of
them. I don’t know if it was Salman’s ambition
afford kar sakte ho, maalum hai aap paisewale
ho, maalum hai khubsoorat badan hai aapka.
Aur iske alawa aur kya numaish kar sakte ho?
Achcha nahi lagta.
Ek German term hai - ‘kitsch’ (It is like
eating a lavish meal in front of people who
are starving. We know you are rich and can
afford it, we know you have a beautiful body.
What else can you be showing? It doesn’t look
good. There is a German term called ‘kitsch’).
It means art in bad taste,” he said, adding that
celebrities should be ‘sensitive’ and show some
‘empathy’.
While calling out celebrities, Annu also
pointed fingers at those who looked at their
vacation photos. “Taali dono haath se bajti hai
(You cannot clap with one hand),” he said.
Recently, author Shobhaa De and actor Shruti
Haasan also slammed celebrities for sharing
holiday pictures on social media amid an
unprecedented surge in the number of Covid-19
cases in the country.
selfless and relentless efforts prove
that no matter what, we are united as
a country.
“It also shows how much we feel
about humanity,” says the actor,
who himself battled the virus, along
with his wife, sometime back,
and successfully recovered. He
continues, “In the end, only this is
going to matter and nothing else —
no amount of money or fame are
going to help you. Only humanity
will be victorious in the end.”
Meanwhile, just like last year,
work has once again come to a
standstill in the entertainment
industry, with no shoots happening in
Maharashtra. Even, theatres are shut
across the country and no new films
are releasing on the big screen. In
such a situation, actors have no other
option but to wait before signing new
projects.
Bajpayee, currently awaiting
the release of the second season of
his web show, The Family Manis
in a similar dilemma. “I have my
hands full. I am just waiting and
praying that this corona time will
be over soon, so we can get back to
work. It’s a dominos effect. If you
are not shooting now, that means
all commitments are going to get
postponed, and there is no room
left for anything new,” he explains,
adding, “So, first I will finish all that
I have in mind and then get on with
the script readings, go for narrations,
or consider anything new.”
'Friends: The Reunion' to stream in India
The much-awaited "Friends:
The Reunion" will stream
simultaneously in India with
the United States and the world.
The reunion special brings
the star cast of Jennifer Aniston,
Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt
LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David
Schwimmer. The unscripted show
will also feature special appearances
by David Beckham, Justin Bieber,
BTS, James Corden, Cindy
Crawford, Cara Delevingne, Lady
Gaga, Elliott Gould, Kit Harington,
Larry Hankin, Mindy Kaling,
Thomas Lennon, Christina Pickles,
Tom Selleck, James Michael Tyler,
Maggie Wheeler, Reese Witherspoon
and Malala Yousafzai.
"We received an overwhelming
response from the audience after
recently announcing that 'Friends:
The Reunion' special would stream
exclusively on Zee5 in India. We are
proud to share that we will bring this
event to India along with the world
on May 27 at 12.32 pm," said Manish
Kalra, Chief Business Officer, Zee5
India. Ben Winston has directed the
unscripted special and also executive
produced along with Kevin Bright,
Saif agrees being less successful than Shah
Rukh Khan, Salman, Aamir was ‘good’ for him
anyway but he was certainly built for it and
made for the kind of success he saw. I joined
movies at a time where you got to aim to either
be a superstar or not bother. And there’s a point
there. It wasn’t really about nuance, different
kinds of characters...all that has happened
now,” he said.
Saif said that another reason he experimented
with different roles is that he became ‘more
interested in acting’ and understands it better
now. He asked everyone to be hopeful because
‘there is no definite path’ to make it big. “For
me, films have also changed. I am being offered
complex roles and parts, and it is possible to
make a lucrative living that can support a fairly
lovely lifestyle,” he said.
Also read: Sushmita Sen’s daughter Renee
answers questions on ex and ‘future’ boyfriends,
Tusshar Kapoor
completes 20 years in
B'wood, talks of his 'dizzy
roller coaster ride'
Actor Tusshar Kapoor
completed 20 years in
Bollywood, his debut film
"Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai" had
released in 2001 on this date.
Tusshar shared a few stills on
Instagram from the sets of the
Satish Kaushik directorial that also
starred Kareena Kapoor, along with
the film's poster and photos of the
opening week's ticket that he has
carefully preserved.
"#20yearsofmujhekucchkehnahai...
of highs that made the struggles
seem worthwhile and lows that were
equally rewarding as lessons of life,
from #mujhekucchkehnahai to #Laxmii
and the journey feels like it's only
begun! In gratitude for accepting me
as a part of your universe, to have
your love and for so many happy
endings to the never ending battles
of making stories come to life! No
regrets whatsoever, despite the dizzy
roller coaster ride in tinsel town, and
miles to go before these milestones
are done." Tusshar wrote.
Marta Kauffman, and David Crane.
"We expect high demand from
users and would urge them to avail
'Friends: The Reunion Special'
unlimited viewing offer at least 12
hours in advance before the launch
for a seamless experience," Kalra
added.
The original series ran from 1994
to 2004 and continues to draw big
ratings in reruns. Over a decade,
Aniston played Rachel Green,
Courteney Cox was Monica Geller,
Lisa Kudrow played Phoebie Buffay,
Matt LeBlanc essayed Joey Tribbiani,
Matthew Perry was Chandler
Bing and David Schwimmer
played Ross Geller.
reveals she is single Saif credited Akshay
Kumar for helping him make it in Bollywood.
The two worked together in films such as Yeh
Dillagi, Main Khiladi Tu Anari and Tashan.
“If I was cute and fun in a lot of movies and
I did a lot of work with Akshay Kumar, who
perhaps lacked at that point, cute and fun, so
we made a kind of super-person and found our
way in the industry. I completed him and he
completed me. I think that’s why we are so fond
of each other till today. We realise we owe each
other that, in a sense,” he said, adding, “Usually,
a solo successful superstar like these guys (the
Khans) don’t need someone to complete them.”
He was most recently seen in the Amazon
Prime series Tandav. His upcoming films
include Bunty Aur Babli 2, Bhoot Police and
Adipurush.

The Indian Weekender Friday, May 28, 2021
FEATURES 17
Aloo ghobi matar
INGREDIENTS:
• 2- potatoes, medium
• 1 - cauliflower, small ( gobhi )
• 1/2cup - peas ( in warm water )
• 1 - onion, medium
• 2-3 - green chillies
• 5 - garlic cloves
• 2inch - ginger piece
• 2tbsp - dry fenugreek leaves
(kasoori leaves )
• 1/2tsp - turmeric powder
• 1tsp - red chilli powder
• 11/2tsp - garam masala powder
• 1tsp - salt or according to taste
• 2tbsp - oil or clarified butter
• 1tbsp - coriander leaves, chopped
• Add the cauliflower florets and
peas and mix well so that they
get nicely coated with the paste.
Sauté on high heat for 30 seconds
while mixing them with the flat
spatula.
• Add diced potatoes followed by
fenugreek leaves and mix well.
• Sprinkle red chilli powder,
turmeric powder, garam masala
powder and salt, mix gently.
• Add 2-3 tablespoons of water,
mix; cover the pan and cook on
low to medium flame for 6-8
minutes or until the vegetables
are done.
• Remove the lid and cook over
medium flame for a few seconds
to dry the water if any left at the
base.
• Garnish with a sprinkle of a pinch
of garam masala powder on top
and chopped fresh coriander
leaves.
• Serve with roti and raita.
• Serves - 6
Traditional Indian vegetable delights
GAJAR MATAR
ALOO MATAR
INGREDIENTS:
INGREDIENTS:
• 5 - carrots, large (gajar)
• 2 - potatoes, large
• 11/2cup - peas (matar frozen)
• 1cup - peas (frozen)
• 1/2tsp - cumin seeds
• A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
• 1tsp - garlic paste
• 1/2tsp - cumin seeds
• 11/2tsp - ginger paste
• 1- onion, large
• 1tsp - red chilli paste
• 2 - green chillies
• 11/2tsp - ginger paste
• 1/4tsp - turmeric powder
• 1tsp - garlic paste
• 1tsp - salt or according to taste
• 1/2tsp - red chilli powder
• 11/2tbsp - clarified butter (ghee)
• 1/4tsp - turmeric powder
• 1tsp - dry fenugreek leaves
(kasoori methi)
• 1tsp - garam masala powder
• 1tsp - salt or according to taste
• 2 - tomatoes
• 2tbsp - oil
• Fresh coriander to garnish
METHOD:
• Peel, wash and chop carrots, place
them in a medium size bowl.
• Add peas in a warm water and
keep aside for later use.
• Heat clarified butter in a broad
heavy base saucepan over
medium flame.
• Add cumin seeds and let them
splatter for few seconds.
• Add ginger and garlic paste and
MATAR PANEER
INGREDIENTS:
• 350gm - paneer (unsalted cottage
cheese)
• 1cup - peas (frozen)
• 2 - onion, large
• 2 - green chillies
• 1tsp - garlic paste
• 1tsp - ginger paste
• 11/2tsp - coriander powder
• 1tsp - red chilli powder
• 1/2tsp - turmeric powder
• 1/4tsp - mango powder (amchoor
powder) optional
• 1/2tsp - garam masala powder
• 1tsp - salt or according top taste
• 2 - tomatoes, large
• 2tbsp - oil
sauté for 2-3 minutes.
• Add carrots and peas, mix well.
• Add red chilli powder, turmeric
powder and salt; mix well until
everything is well combined.
• Add 2 tablespoons of water,
mix, cover and cook for 8-10
minutes or until the vegetables
are tender; while checking
and mixing in between (If
the vegetables start to get
browned, add some more water).
Serve gajar matar ki sabzi with
roti. Serves - 4
METHOD:
• Peel, wash and dice potatoes into
a desirable cubes. Set aside for
later use.
• Add frozen peas in a warm and set
aside.
• Heat oil in broad non - stick pan
over medium flame.
• Add peeled, washed and chopped
onion and sauté until brown in
colour.
• Add washed and chopped green
chillies and cook for few seconds.
• Add ginger paste, sauté, add garlic
paste and cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Lower the flame and then add red
chilli powder, turmeric powder,
fenugreek leaves, garam masala
powder and salt, mix well with a
splash of water.
• Add washed and chopped
tomatoes and sauté till the
moisture gets evaporated and oil
starts oozing on the sides.
• Add potatoes and peas along with
1 cup of warm water, stir well.
• Cover and cook over medium
flame, stirring in between for 6-8
minutes or until the vegetables are
done.
• Sprinkle chopped coriander on
top.
• Serve hot with roti or rice and
raita on the side. Serves - 4
of water.
• Add washed and chopped
METHOD;
tomatoes and sauté till the
• Peel, wash and cut potatoes into
moisture gets evaporated and oil
desired cubes.
METHOD;
starts oozing on the sides.
• Wash and cut cauliflower into
• Cut paneer into 1 inch cubes and • Add the peas. Mix well and add
small florets. Set aside for later
use.
• Peel, wash and chop onion; chop
green chillies, garlic and ginger
and set aside.
• Heat oil in a broad non-stick pan
over medium flame.
• Add chopped onion and
sauté till they turn light
brown in colour ( onions
set aside for later use.
• Add frozen peas in a warm water
and set aside.
• Heat oil in a pressure cooker over
medium flame.
• Peel, wash and chop onion then
add them to the oil and sauté till
the onions turn golden brown in
colour.
• Add washed and chopped green
2 cups of water. This will make
quite a runny curry; you can add
less water if you like a thicker
curry.
• Mix well and put the lid on the
pressure cooker. Cook it on high
heat for 2 whistles, then off the
flame, let the steam escape by it
self before opening the lid of the
pressure cooker.
will get cooked more with
chillies, sauté for few seconds. • Add the paneer cubes while the
ginger and garlic ).
• Add ginger, garlic paste and sauté curry is warm and simmer them
• Add chopped green chillies,
for 2-3 minutes.
in the curry for 1 minute.
• Add coriander powder, red chilli • Serve hot with rice or roti and
garlic and ginger, mix well
powder, turmeric powder, mango raita on the side.
and cook for another 1
powder, garam masala powder • Serves - 3-4
minutes.
and salt, mix well with a splash
What is GUA SHA and why is the beauty
industry OBSESSED with this Chinese tool?
A
practice
popular in China and
Southeast Asia, Gua Sha is one of
the most ancient ways of massaging
the skin. It translates to ‘scraping the pain
away,’ which in turn increases the blood flow
making it one of the most popular beauty
tools right now.
Gua Sha is a flat stone that is rigorously used
in detoxifying the skin and a relaxing ritual for
the face and neck.
The crystal stones help in increasing the
lymphatic flow and hence reduces puffing
while the gentle stores help in lifting the skin.
Here are the benefits of using Gua Sha for
the skin:
Relaxing
Crystals are used for healing across the
world and these flat crystal stone do live up to
the same hype. Massaging the skin with a Gua
Sha right before bed makes you feel calm and
relaxed. It also puts you to ease. Remember
how relaxed you feel after a facial? You can
feel the same after using it on your face for a
few minutes.
Anti-ageing
When done right, it induces lymphatic
drainage and lifts the skin to make it look
smooth and plump.
In turn, this reduces the signs of ageing by
tightening and shaping your face muscles.
For people who feel that their face has
started to sag, you should definitely give Gua
Sha a try. Your face will feel plumped, youthful
and lively in just a few days.
Glowing skin
Any kind of massage helps in increasing the
blood flow so when you use Gua Sha it will
slowly drain the toxins and oxygenate your
skin cells.
With regular use, you will see that your skin
automatically starts to glow by decongesting
your skin cells and reducing inflammation.

18
TIME OUT
Friday, May 28, 2020 The Indian Weekender
CROSSWORD FreeDailyCrosswords.com
NO: 70
ACROSS------------,
I) Large school of fish 39) Impel
6) Emulate a picador 40) Throw, as a coin
10) Pastrami source
41) In other words, in Ovid's
14) Bay of Naples isle
words
15) Account of incidents or 42) It gets hot in a bag
events
43) Quick gait
16) Very big birds
44) Historical leader?
17) It comes monthly 45) Word of respect to a woman
20) "No" in France
46) Bacterium
21) Coin introduced on 1/1/99 50) Backward, upon the waters
22) Baby's diversion
53) Cash in Cancun
23) Makes certain
54) Snapshot, in slang
25) Continuity problems 55) Change you shouldn't take
26) Smidge
if offered
27) Man who hit 660 homeruns 58) Forget to include
28) Common title word 59) Pastoral woodwind
31) To remain in abeyance 60) Machete kin
34) Tourist's entry permit 61) They have kids
35) Relative of 16-Across 62) Plant parasite
36) They know their cues? 63) Ream unit
WHATS HIS NAME?
14
17
2 3 4 5
18
6 7
15
8 9
19
B Carl Cranb
10 11 12 13
16
May 1st
DOWN
I) Vista
2) Fire extinguishing gas
3) Begins the bidding
4) Compass line
5) Book review types
6) Agitates
7) Cinco de Mayo snack
8) "Sting like a bee" athlete
9) Breach of trust
10) Financial burdens
11) Put off
12) Calm in a storm
13) Lighthouse locale
18) Kicked oneself for
19) Sharp barks
24) Affording benefit
25) Struggles for air
27) In the_ of (among)
28) "God shed His grace on_"
29) Term on terrycloth
30) Division for Orioles
31) Touch borders with
32) Covert transmitting device
33) Pond organism
34) Sound of acceleration
35) Actress Winona
37) Haphazardly
38) Anny branch until July 1947
43) Truck weight without fuel or load
44) Galileo's birthplace
45) Track & field get-togethers
46) Donnybrook
4 7) Editorialize
48) Place for stagnant water
49) Showy success
50) Physicist's study
51) Foolish oaf (Variant spelling)
52) Barbershop request
53) Conspiracy
56) Kimono belt
57) Ebenezer's exclamation
ANSWERS CROSSWORD NO: 70
FreeDailyCrosswords.com
ACROSS------------,
May 1st
DOWN
I) Large school of fish 39) Impel
I) Vista
6) Emulate a picador 40) Throw, as a coin
2) Fire extinguishing gas
10) Pastrami source
41) In other words, in Ovid's 3) Begins the bidding
14) Bay of Naples isle
words
4) Compass line
15) Account of incidents or 42) It gets hot in a bag
5) Book review types
events
43) Quick gait
6) Agitates
16) Very big birds
44) Historical leader?
7) Cinco de Mayo snack
17) It comes monthly 45) Word of respect to a woman 8) "Sting like a bee" athlete
20) "No" in France
46) Bacterium
9) Breach of trust
21) Coin introduced on 1/1/99 50) Backward, upon the waters 10) Financial burdens
22) Baby's diversion
53) Cash in Cancun
11) Put off
23) Makes certain
54) Snapshot, in slang
12) Calm in a storm
25) Continuity problems 55) Change you shouldn't take 13) Lighthouse locale
26) Smidge
if offered
18) Kicked oneself for
27) Man who hit 660 homeruns 58) Forget to include
19) Sharp barks
28) Common title word 59) Pastoral woodwind
24) Affording benefit
31) To remain in abeyance 60) Machete kin
25) Struggles for air
34) Tourist's entry permit 61) They have kids
27) In the_ of (among)
35) Relative of 16-Across 62) Plant parasite
28) "God shed His grace on_"
36) They know their cues? 63) Ream unit
29) Term on terrycloth
30) Division for Orioles
31) Touch borders with
32) Covert transmitting device
33) Pond organism
WHATS HIS NAME?
B Carl Cranb 34) Sound of acceleration
1 2 s H 3 S 0 4A L 6 S1 1 1 1 s 7T A 9B b E l 31 35) Actress Winona
37) Haphazardly
1 1 1
c A p R I
;-
A L E 38) Anny branch until July 1947
M u s
1
1 1 43) Truck weight without fuel or load
L E C T k I C I T v B I L L 44) Galileo's birthplace
2 45) Track & field get-togethers
0 E u A T L E 46) Donnybrook
47) Editorialize
48) Place for stagnant water
AV
49) Showy success
50) Physicist's study
ISA 3R EA 51) Foolish oaf (Variant spelling)
52) Barbershop request
-------- DPL3hYERS 53) Conspiracy
s D
56) Kimono belt
57) Ebenezer's exclamation
5 AAM I
5 5 TERN 5t> s
---+-----,l---+--
5
THREE D tl LL AR 1i I LL
bMI T 5
bBOE 1>ANGA
6nilOMS 6f.111 TE 6 sHEE T
HITORI NO: 70
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).
SUDOKU SOLUSIONS AND ANSWERS NO: 70
50 51 52
55
56
57
58
60
61
63
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. What country has the longest coastline in the world?
2. What is the capital of Malta?
3. What country is the newest in the world to be recognised
by the UN?
4. In which UK city would you find the river Clyde?
5. What is the oldest recorded town in the UK?
6. If you travelled to the city of Volgograd, which country
would be in?
7. What is the name of the largest river to flow through
Paris?
8. What did Ceylon change its name to in 1972?
9. What is the most populous city in the US state of
Illinois?
10. What is the highest mountain in Britain?
11. The world’s first national park was established in 1872
in which country? A bonus point for the name of the
park…
12. What is the capital of Peru?
13. Mount Vesuvius casts a shadow over which modern
Italian city?
14. There are three US states with just four letters in their
name: can you name them?
15. What is the currency of Sweden?
16. To what country to the Canary Islands belong?
17. What is the capital of Canada?
18. How many states are there in Australia?
19. What African country has the largest population?
20. Constantinople and Byzantium are former names of
which major city?
Answers: 1.Canada, 2.Valetta, 3.South Sudan (2011), 4.Glasgow,
5.Colchester, 6.Russia, 7.The Seine, 8.Sri Lanka, 9.Chicago, 10.Ben Nevis,
11. USA, Yellowstone, 12.Lima, 13.Naples, 14.Utah, Iowa, Ohio,
15.Swedish Krona, 16.Spain, 17.Ottawa, 18.Six – New South Wales,
Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia,
19.Nigeria (190 million), 20.Istanbul
28 May to 03 June 2021 | By Manisha Koushik
ARIES (MAR 21-APR 20)
This is a good time to enjoy exclusive time with
partner. Remain tactful and diplomatic at work
as it is easy to get on the wrong side of higher
ups in this week. Those in the advertising and
event management fields can face difficulty
in developing new clients. Financial troubles
for those in debt are set to be over soon. Your
popularity is likely to soar on the social front. Students may crave
for a break from intensive studies. Lucky Number: 4 / Lucky
Colour: Dark Slate Grey
TAURUS (APR 21-MAY 20)
Financial gains are indicated, as good earning
commences. Your success on the professional
front is foretold as you manage to handle
complicated situations all by yourself. Domestic
front will remain tranquil and peaceful, and
allow you to rest and recoup. Staying the night
out with friends will prove to be lots of fun. You
may take up a social cause. Lover is likely to respect your decision
for waiting some more to tie the knot. Lucky Number: 5 / Lucky
Colour: Light Green
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUN 21)
A lot of pending jobs get cleared in this week at
home. You may plan to enjoy the weekend with
someone out of town. Those into private practice
will need to boost up publicity to enhance business.
A call from office may put paid to your weekend
plans with family. Those browsing the marriage
market may not find a good match. Overly hectic
schedule may keep some busy. Mental stress will become a thing of
the past. Lucky Number: 6 / Lucky Colour: Cream
CANCER (JUN 22-JUL 20)
Your hunt for bargain is likely to get you the right
price for something that you desperately need.
Chances of getting into the good books of a senior
cannot be ruled out for some. A little praise will
be enough to raise your spirits on the academic or
professional front. Some of you will succeed in
shedding pettiness and focus at the larger picture
on the social front. Relationship gets strengthened as you manage to
spare time for lover. Lucky Number: 4 / Lucky Colour: Magenta
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)
Widening your professional sphere may be on
your mind. You will feel like relaxing week even
on the job front, irrespective of whatever tasks
there may be on your table. Someone will be at
hand to take up your workload, but may expect
the same some other time. Homemakers may
find resetting the house tedious and may get tired
doing so. Lucky Number: 1 / Lucky Colour: Yellow
VIRGO (AUG 23-SEP 23)
There is a possibility of your decision not being
accepted by someone close. You may feel a bit
disappointed on the financial front. You will be
able to curb a situation that threatens to put paid
to your efforts at work. Those seeking love may
have to double their efforts. Those in business
are likely to reap rich dividends from a recent
venture. Chances of falling sick during a journey cannot be ruled
out for some. Lucky Number: 22 / Lucky Colour: Indigo
LIBRA (SEP 24-OCT 23)
There is no need to be impulsive in a matter
that is not urgent. An average week is foreseen.
Efforts to achieve much at work seem difficult
due to some unforeseen circumstances. Don’t
be callous on the financial front as incurring loss
cannot be ruled out. Your tendency for impulse
buying needs to be curbed. Getting ticked off by
a parent or family elder can spoil your mood. Something you have
eaten may not agree with your system. Lucky Number:3 / Lucky
Colour: Pink
SCORPIO (OCT 24-NOV 22)
You may have to keep an eye on a colleague,
who is up to no good. Those hoping for a
lucky break on the promotion front are likely
to get positive feelers. A subordinate may turn
out to be a big support in an ongoing project.
Students are likely to fare excellently through
a focussed approach. Intelligent investments on
your part will help restore financial health. Your fair play will be
much appreciated in a family situation. Lucky Number: 6 / Lucky
Colour: Sky Blue
SAGITTARIUS (NOV 23-DEC 21)
You do generally well on the academic front. A
business trip is likely to bag you a good deal.
Your achievement can make the family proud.
Window shopping with partner will not only
be pleasurable, but also enhance togetherness.
Leave applied for is likely to be sanctioned. Some
of you can enjoy a leisure trip with family. Romance is in the air
and promises immense fulfillment. You manage to achieve perfect
health through self-motivation and hard work. Lucky Number:11
/ Lucky Colour: Cyan
CAPRICORN (DEC 22-JAN 21)
A matter related to academics may be taken up
by some. You can find your senior in a happy
mood in this week. A new colleague will give
you a helping hand at work. Those looking for
sponsors for some event can expect a positive
response. You are likely to receive good returns
from an investment. You may get the chance to buy expensive items
or jewellery at bargain price. Put your tongue on the leash, especially
on the romantic front. Lucky Number:2 / Lucky Colour: Maroon
AQUARIUS (JAN 22-FEB 19)
Someone may manage your affairs in your
absence. You will manage to shed lethargy to raise
the level of your performance on the professional
front. Discussing financial matters with experts
will prove an enlightening experience. A new
product line launched may not show the desired
response without adequate publicity. Some of
you are likely to misplace an important document. Your social life
remains fertile as you go all out to woo people to join your camp.
Lucky Number: 3 / Lucky Colour: Lemon
PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 20)
There is much to be done, but you may find
it difficult to get started! You will succeed
in developing a good understanding with a
colleague to smoothen things out on the work
front. Romantic front is in need of excitement, so
churn up some ideas that will simply floor lover!
You have enough funds to indulge in a bit of
luxury, so go forth and enjoy. Don’t reveal your
plans to someone you are not comfortable with. Lucky Number: 7
/ Lucky Colour: Orange