The Indian Weekender, 04 June 2021

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Thought of the week “The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” — Vince Lombardi Editorial Can India play pivotal role in Afghanistan’s stability after US withdrawal? As the United States prepares to pull out the entirety of its remaining 2,500 troops from Afghanistan– a move fast being followed by NATO allies in the war-tattered nation – the onus for security and stability will fall on the region’s neighbours. However, this is a window of opportunity in which India can lead the way, if it chooses to do so. It will not be an easy or simple process. As the Taliban become increasingly assertive in the ongoing peace talks and potentially set to govern the country again someday, it is vital that New Delhi carves a channel for diplomatic dealings. So far there have been some evident efforts in that direction. Indian officials are taking an increasingly visible role in the various meetings concerning Afghanistan’s future, of which Taliban members have been party. New Delhi will attend the ten-day Istanbul conference starting this week Of course, India’s history with the Taliban – for instance when it was poised at the Kabul helm from 1996 to 2001 – has been a turbulent one. This is not surprising given the Taliban’s protracted policy of directly and indirectly supporting Pakistani terrorist groups, a policy which has resulted among other things in various skirmishes in Jammu and Kashmir. Moreover, it is hard to forget the painful hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight in 1999 by five Taliban gunmen, resulting in one passenger being fatally stabbed and 17 being wounded (Joshi, 2020). Allegations of involvement by the Pakistani ISI inflamed the aftermath. And certainly, the Taliban’s perchance for violence and the ruthless targeting of both Afghan forces and civilians in recent years reminds all the sobering reality that their overarching tactical approach remains unchanged. Furthermore and of course, India’s leaders cannot enthusiastically align with a political faction that ideologically limits the education and vocational opportunities for women and endorses extremist values that amount to violence and terrorism. The diplomatic dance with the Taliban must therefore be delicate, but not dismissive. Uncomfortable facts are facts nonetheless, and India will need to work with the reality on the ground if – or when – the Taliban resume a potent palace position. On the plus side, the Taliban’s top brass has not – for some two decades – made explicit anti-New Delhi threats. They were swift to release, following quiet negotiations, the seven captured Indian engineers working in Afghanistan three years ago. The organisation has also refrained from sabotaging or attacking India-backed development projects in Afghanistan – all of which should be perceived as positive tools for the communications arsenal. The success in this area may have stemmed in large part from New Delhi’s non-militarized Afghan strategy. Rather than bolstering Kabul’s security endeavours with boots on the ground, India’s lawmakers instead opted for a “soft power” approach – focusing its support spending on economic and infrastructure projects, as well as community-centric development and humanitarian aid. The war-splattered nation is the second-largest beneficiary of Indian assistance shoring up a positive perception of India among much of the Afghan citizenry – a critical puzzle piece for future influence in the embattled nation. Indeed, India has built up a robust portfolio of strategic interests in Afghanistan – despite its conflicts and volatility. A good example is the $100 million enlargement of the Chabahar to serve as an import-export core between Central Asia and Afghanistan. By opting to play a more pervasive part in Afghanistan, India also stands to secure even closer strategic ties to the United States. Washington has vowed to maintain its diplomatic and humanitarian endeavours in Afghanistan after the military exit, and President Biden has expressed a desire to see neighbouring nations play more prominent roles. US State Department spokesperson Ned Price announced this month that Secretary Tony Blinken and his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar would work together in advocating Afghanistan cohesion. This of course constitutes the outgrowth of a long and trusting affinity. India can also coordinate its strategy and act as something of an interlocutor for all countries directly impacted by security affairs in Afghanistan – China, Russia, Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar and beyond. Moreover, the likes of ISIS-K, the Da’esh outfit operating on Afghan terrain, appears relatively small at this stage; there are an estimated 19 other terrorist outfits thought to have a footprint inside the country. The Taliban may, in the end, turn out to be a necessary bastion against groups that pose threats both within and outside of Afghanistan’s borders. However, when assuming responsibilities, India must also be mindful of maintaining a healthy distance from Kabul’s internal security affairs – ramping up developmental support with the goal of long-term stability while giving space for Afghanistan to grow and take shape on its own. And even though it remains to be seen whether the Taliban takes an increased focus on the contentious Kashmir issue, Suhail Shaheen – a representative for the Taliban’s political wing in Afghanistan – has previously taken to Twitter to espouse that in their policy it “is clear that it does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.” For its part, another spokesperson for the Taliban’s political wing – officially termed the Islamic Emirate – also pledged this past week that its foreign policy would “seek positive relations with all its neighbours” on the basic principles of “respect and interaction”. The Islamic Emirate does not allow anyone to use the soil of Afghanistan against another country, group or individual. It should also be made clear that the Islamic Emirate will never allow anyone to turn the soil of Afghanistan into an arena of proxy conflicts and disputes while also doubling down that they do not intend to interfere in any cross-border disputes, including those involving Pakistan. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan calls on all to assist the Afghan people in achieving independence and freedom, in the light of the values of the people, in the establishment of an independent Islamic system and the reconstruction of the country. Indian Weekender : Volume 13 Issue 12 Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited Content Editor: Sandeep Singh | sandeep@indianweekender.co.nz Chief Technical Officer: Rohan deSouza | rohan@indianweekender.co.nz Graphic Designer: Yashmin Chand | design@indianweekender.co.nz Accounts and Admin.: 09-2173623 | accounts@indianweekender.co.nz Media Sales Manager.: Leena Pal: 021 952 216 | leena@indianweekender.co.nz Sales and Distribution: 021 952218 | sales@indianweekender.co.nz Editor at Large: Dev Nadkarni | dev@indianweekender.co.nz Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher is not responsible for advertisers’ claims as appearing in the publication Views expressed in the articles are solely of the authors and do not in any way represent the views of the team at the Indian Weekender Kiwi Media Publishing Limited - 133A, Level 1, Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland. Printed at Horton Media, Auckland 4 June – 10 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° 14° Clouds and sun 20° 14° Clouds and showers This week in New Zealand’s history 20° 14° Copyright 2020. Kiwi Media Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved. A few morning showers 21° 15° 6 June 1996 New Zealand’s first wind farm becomes operational A few morning showers 26° 17° Commissioned by Genesis Energy, New Zealand’s first commercial wind farm opened in the windy hills of Wairarapa. Named Hau Nui Farm, meaning Big Wind, its location was chosen because of the wind currents that are funnelled and accelerated by nearby Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. 7 June 1921 First Rotary club in New Zealand founded A local Rotary club was established at a luncheon in Wellington’s YMCA, with Alexander Roberts elected as the first president. An Auckland branch was formed six days later, with former Liberal Cabinet minister George Fowlds as president. 7 June 1976 McDonald's arrives in New Zealand The golden arches appeared for the first time in New Zealand at Cobham Court, Porirua. Big Macs were priced at 75 cents (equivalent to $6.40 in 2020), cheeseburgers 40 cents and hamburgers 30 cents. 8 June 1987 New Zealand goes nuclear-free The New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act was passed into law, establishing this country as a nuclear and biological weapon-free zone. 9 June 1909 Public Trust Office building opens On 9 June 1909, Prime Minister Sir Joseph Ward opened the Public Trust Office Building on Lambton Quay, Wellington. The Minister in Charge of the Public Trust, Apirana Ngata, invited members of both Houses of Parliament and prominent Wellington citizens and their wives to the opening ceremony – a lunchtime banquet, with a concert and dance in the evening. 10 June 1886 Eruption of Mt Tarawera The eruption lasted six hours and caused massive destruction. It destroyed several villages, along with the famous silica hot springs known as the Pink and White Terraces. Approximately 120 people, nearly all Māori, died. 10 June 1889 First kindergartens Public concern about rowdy street kids, ‘gutter children’ or ‘waifs and strays’, as they were known, was a key factor in the establishment of the first kindergarten in New Zealand.
The Indian Weekender Friday, June 4, 2021 FIJI 13 Fiji fighting Delta Plus variant The variant affecting Fiji during this epidemiological update, it says the Western second wave of COVID-19 infections Pacific, which includes Fiji, reported over 139 will now be referred to as Delta Plus. 000 new cases, which is a six percent increase The World Health Organization has compared to the previous week and just under introduced this new name labels for all coronavirus variants, to avoid stigmatization and victimization of any nation where the variant and its mutant strains was first identified. Up until now, the second wave variant in Fiji has been referred to as the Indian variant. Delta is the new name for B.1.617.2, the double mutant strain that was first identified in India last October. The variant affecting us at the moment does not have a further specification of lineage at this time and hence it named Delta Plus. There are 11 other nations who fall in this category. Meanwhile, in the latest WHO 2100 new deaths, a similar number to the previous week. The numbers of both cases and deaths remain at the highest levels since the beginning of the pandemic. Overall the number of new COVID-19 cases and deaths continues to decrease, with over 3.5 million new cases and 78 000 new deaths reported globally in the past week¬, a 15% and 7% decrease respectively, compared to the previous week. 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines donated by NZ expected to arrive in 3 months NZ to also give close to $3m to support vaccine rollout. The 500,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines provided by New Zealand is expected to arrive within the next three months. New Zealand will also be donating around $3 million to support vaccine preparedness and rollout. This was highlighted by the New Zealand Minister of State for Trade and Export Growth Phil Twyford during the NZ-Fiji Business Council Meeting. Twyford says in the last few weeks New Zealand has provided emergency assistance worth over NZ$500,000 to support Fiji in containing the immediate effects of the outbreak. The New Zealand Government has also offered a grant contribution of approximately $60 million in budget support and Twyford says they are well aware that more must be done to support Fiji. He adds as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has indicated, they will be in a position to begin conversations with other Pacific neighbours including Fiji on quarantine-free travel arrangements when the time is right. Twyford says whatever the timeframe for reopening, their priority will always be keeping the New Zealand and Pacific people safe. 267 active cases in Fiji as of last night There were a total of 38 COVID-19 cases between Sunday and yesterday evening, taking the total number of active cases to 267. With nine infections announced last night, yesterday’s total was 32 after the 23 earlier announced infections. This was apart from the six from Sunday night. The cases yesterday were two from the Narere cluster, three are from the Waila cluster, 13 are linked to Nawaka in Nadi cluster and 15 are from the Navy and five from Muanikoso, Nasinu cluster. Fiji now has 267 active cases with 252 of these cases from the Lami-Suva containment zone, and 15 cases from Nadi. The Health Ministry says two of the active cases in Suva are considered to be severe cases. Fiji has had 438 cases in total since our first case was reported in March 2020, with 167 recoveries and 4 deaths. There have been 368 cases since this outbreak started in April 2021. 65,877 COVID-19 laboratory tests have been conducted during this current outbreak, with 108,738 conducted in total since testing started in early 2020. This does not yet include the 11,000 samples recently tested in Australia. A total of 2475 samples were tested yesterday. The daily average of testing over the last seven days is 2630 tests per day. At the national level, an average of three tests per 1000 population has been conducted over the last seven days. The seven- day average daily test positivity is now 1.1%. BOOK ADS IN NEWSPAPER The most widely circulated WEEKLY publication for Kiwi-Indians and the most popular news platform with a strong online, social media, and print. We deal with all major advertising: Digital, Social Media and Newspaper Print advertising. PROPERTY AUTOMOBILE EDUCATION Call us for a customised advertising solution with Indian Weekender www.indianweekender.co.nz IMMIGRATION MORTGAGE EVENTS 021 952 216 Email sales@indianweekender.co.nz / leena@indianweekender.co.nz 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 sanitisers are in place for people, arrangements used at the festival at least 2-3 years at a time. for children activities, so that everyone gets to The temple will be used over a ton of colour at enjoy the even to its fullest. the event both in its dry form and with water. “We have volunteers, security to usher “We have given 200 kgs of colour to fire vehicles to park in the appropriate places, brigade who will mix it in their water tank manage the oncoming and returning traffic, and then splash it on the visitors at different and make sure visitors feel comfortable at the intervals. event,” Mr Chandra added. “Since this year’s event coincides with The event organisers have appealed the Valentine’s Day, we have kept valentine theme visitors to come in white dress as colours tend event like previous years will be high octane, gifts and gift station too at the venue for the to exhibit its vibrancy on white clothing, get full of energy and good vibes,” Mr Chandra public to celebrate the occasion there,” Mr spare clothing to change after playing with added. Chandra added. colour and food and water arrangements have ISKCON Temple is located on 1229 Mr Chandra says all arrangements in been made a the venue. Coatesville-Riverhead Highway, Kumeu, West terms of Covid QR Code scanning and hand “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 a 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.
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The Indian Weekender, 04 June 2021

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