The Indian Weekender, Friday 25 June 2021

25 JUNE2021 • VOL 13 ISSUE 15 

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Tornado rips through 

South Auckland, amid 

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2 NEW ZEALAND 

Friday, June 25, 2021 

The Indian Weekender 

Tornado rips through South 

Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe 

IWK BUREAU 

The tornado that swept through South 

Auckland on Saturday June 19 killed 

one worker, injured another had left a 

trail of wreckage behind. 

About 1200 homes in Papatoetoe were 

affected - most were left without power for 

at least many hours, while 60 had become 

uninhabitable. 

About 32 people remained out of their 

homes in emergency accommodation in motels 

overnight, while crews were still trying to 

restore power to homes on Freyberg Avenue. 

The storm lifted roofs, toppled trees, 

shattered windows, downed powerlines 

and sent trampolines flying in the suburb of 

Papatoetoe at around 8:30am on Saturday. 

A worker was killed when the tornado struck 

a freight container hub in Wiri Station Road. 

Two others were taken to Middlemore 

Hospital - one is in a moderate condition and 

the other has minor injuries. 

Several containers were toppled by the 

strong wind. 

Auckland Emergency Management team had 

swung into action, along with many community 

groups such as Supreme Sikh Society of New 

Zealand and several members of community to 

assist in rescue and relief operations. 

One Papatoetoe street, Freyberg Avenue, has 

borne the brunt of the damage with branches 

of trees strewn across the street, shards of glass 

cover the footpath, and pieces of corrugated 

iron hang from drooping powerlines. 

A resident of the street said the tornado felt 

like a washing machine on full spin. 

“Our windows smashed and after that it 

all kind of calmed down,” she said. “Walked 

out into the street and there was like all our 

neighbours assessing all the damage, there was 

a trampoline in the power pole and trees were 

dug up from the ground.” 

Acting Minister for Emergency Management 

Kris Faafoi and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff 

visited the tornado-hit suburbs later in the 

afternoon to oversee the relief operations being 

undertaken in the area. 

“My heart goes out to the family and friends 

who have lost a loved one, and to those 

who have been injured. I know this been a 

distressing weekend for people in Auckland, 

with many lives disrupted, and many homes 

and businesses damaged.” Kris Faafoi said. 

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff, who also visited 

the scene on Saturday afternoon, said the centre 

was helping people whose homes were no 

longer habitable and supporting others with 

whatever was needed. 

“I’m standing where the tornado went through 

and the devastation is pretty remarkable,” Goff 

said. “House after house with damage to their 

roofs, their fences blown over. 

“Just across the road from me, a truck was 

blown off the road, right through the fence and 

into a house.” 

Many homes were no longer weather proof, 

as windows had been smashed by flying debris 

or roofs damaged, he said. 

“People are working flat out here to get 

tarpaulins over the roofs before the weather 

breaks again. 

“The power is off until such time as all the 

power lines can be repaired. The damage to 

power lines is quite extensive - there are lines 

down everywhere.” 

The death of one man in the freak weather 

event was tragic, but Goff said many others 

had been lucky to survive. Goff urged people 

to take caution while cleaning up, as one person 

had already fallen from a roof. 

Goff also send his condolences to the family 

of the worker, who died when he was swept 

up by the freak wind and thrown against a 

container. 

Government kicks in $100k to help 

rebuild damaged communities 

The government has announced a contribution 

of $100,000 to support communities affected 

by last week Saturday’s tornado in Papatoetoe, 

South Auckland. 

“While it’s too early to know the full cost of 

the damage, this initial contribution will help 

those communities start to get back on their 

feet.” Auckland Council also announced similar 

support of $100,000 matching government’s 

contribution towards helping community 

affected by the tornado. 

“More than 1200 properties were affected by 

the tornado, including around 18 that have been 

assessed as uninhabitable and a further 51 that 

have been significantly damaged and may not 

be safe to enter,” Mayor Goff says. 

“The $200,000 Mayoral Relief Fund will 

support people who are experiencing hardship 

due to the tornado and who need urgent 

financial assistance. 

“The Fund is in addition to other support that 

people may qualify for through the Ministry of 

Social Development. It will be administered by 

the council and will help those in need as an 

interim measure until they can get back on their 

feet and access other forms of assistance,” he 

says. 

“Auckland Emergency Management, with 

the support of the Red Cross, has already been 

providing support in the immediate aftermath 

of the storm, including to around 67 people 

who need emergency accommodation. 

How to access the Mayoral Relief Fund 

Applications to the Mayoral Relief Fund can 

be made online or by calling Call Auckland 

Council on 09 301 0101. Papatoetoe Library 

staff will also be 

providing in-person 

application support 

to those who need 

it. Papatoetoe Library 

is located at 30 Wallace 

Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland. 

Immediate assistance 

People affected by the tornado in Papatoetoe 

who need help with accommodation, financial 

assistance and insurance advice can visit the 

Civil Defence Welfare Hub at Allan Brewster 

Leisure Centre, 7 Tavern Lane, Papatoetoe 

between 9am and 7pm. 

If you cannot make it to the hub, please 

phone Auckland Emergency Management on 

0800 22 22 00 for assistance. 

Community swung in action to 

provide relief 

Several community groups had swung into 

action to provide relief assistance to affected 

communities in the Papatoetoe area. 

Supreme Sikh Society of NZ led community 

efforts in lending a hand to those affected by 

South Auckland tornado. 

By 2 pm on Saturday afternoon, the Supreme 

Sikh Society was ready with around 1000 

bottles of milk, bread, packed food containers 

and water bottles in the first tranche of help for 

those affected by the tornado. 

Acknowledging the community support 

Mayor Phil Goff said, “Despite the devastation, 

the tornado had brought out the best in people, 

with one building company helping people 

weather proof their homes for free.” 

“It had been heartening to see the community 

spirit after such a severe event. 

“Not a person that I spoke to yesterday 

or today has come and complained about 

how tough life is that this has happened to 

them. The communities has come together, 

the families have come around, friends have 

come around. There was a building company 

that were out there all day yesterday, with the 

whole team I think they had 25-30 workers 

there, pro bono just putting tarpaulins over the 

roofs,” Goff said. 

Tornadoes hit too fast to predict: 

Meteorologist 

Meteorologists say predicting tornadoes is 

difficult and New Zealand does not have the 

technology to do it. A tornado ripped through 

Papatoetoe and Wiri yesterday morning, 

damaging 1200 homes, 60 of which are 

uninhabitable. A worker at a container freight 

hub in Wiri died in the high winds and two 

others were injured. 

MetService had issued a thunderstorm 

warning for the area but in response to questions 

about why it did not forecast a tornado it said it 

does not have a warning system like the United 

States does. NIWA meteorologist Richard 

Turner said predicting such events were 

challenging. 

“Our technology in terms of our numerical 

weather forecasts are getting better, but then 

there’s the real practical challenge of putting 

out warnings when tornadoes are actually 

occurring. In New Zealand they’re very shortlived 

so by the time you get them out often the 

event has passed.” 

He said such technology could be 

developed in time. 

Family mourns husband and father killed at freight site 

A 

member of the Fiji Indian community – Janesh Prasad – who was working at the Ports of 

Auckland freight hub on Wiri Station Road when the tornado swept him up and he struck a 

container – lost his life, leaving the family, friends and the wider community distraught. 

Prasad, a mechanic for Stellar Machinery, was carrying out repairs at the South Auckland 

freight hub when the tornado hit. He leaves a wife and two children aged 13 and 10. 

Family friend Reg Prasad described him as a much-loved family man. 

“It’s an absolutely terrible shock to his family and his wife is absolutely shattered,” Reg 

Prasad said. 

“Wonderful person - he’s got two beautiful kids, young kids growing up. 

“He’s just one of these people who just helps out other people in this world, and a wonderful 

husband to Mala. 

“The daughter is obviously very distressed. The younger son, it hasn’t sunk in quite yet.” 

Give a Little Page started to help the family of Auckland worker 

Reg Prasad started a Givealittle page to support the family which had already generated 

around $95000 by Wednesday afternoon.

The Indian Weekender Friday, June 25, 2021 

NEW ZEALAND 3 

Tornado victim Janesh 

Prasad remembered 

as a 'kind and loving 

man': Funeral held in 

South Auckland 

SANDEEP SINGH 

Janesh Prasad was 

in New Zealand on 

42 year old Janesh Prasad was a work visa along 

remembered as a “kind and loving man” with his wife 

by several friends and family members Mala Archana 

who paid the last tribute at his funeral that was Devi and 

held a short while ago at Ann’s Funeral in South two children, 

Auckland. 

Hundreds of members of the community 

Ashley, 13, and 

Jesh, 10. 

have come together this afternoon to pay their Originally, he 

last respect to Janesh Prasad – a migrant worker 

from Fiji whose life was cut short when he was 

picked up by the tornado on Saturday, June 

19 that has left havoc in many parts of South 

Auckland. 

Janesh was working at the South Auckland 

Freight Hub in Wiri when the tornado hit the 

South Auckland region. 

Janesh worked as a diesel mechanic for the 

forklift business Stellar Machinery and was 

repairing equipment when the tragedy struck. 

Several speakers at Janesh’s funeral earlier 

this afternoon, including Stellar Machinery’s 

senior manager, close family members, close 

friend Vishal Kumar, and community leaders 

including President, Fiji Girmit Foundation 

NZ, Krish Naidu, remembered Janesh as a 

kind-hearted noble soul who would go miles to 

help others. 

was from Labasa in 

Fiji and had migrated 

to New Zealand about five 

years ago for a better life. 

It was earlier reported that Janesh was 

planning to skip the work owing to the bad 

weather on Saturday but only turned up at 

the insistence of his wife, for keeping up with 

values of good work ethics. 

A speaker at the funeral speaking on behalf 

of his Mala said, “My marriage was perfectly 

made in heaven, as we never had an argument 

and our thoughts mostly aligned on everything.” 

“My childhood was not a pleasant one, but 

my life after marriage was absolutely perfect 

as Janesh always put our kids and me ahead of 

everything,” Mala said. 

Mala also said that she never planned to be in 

New Zealand five years ago, but they followed 

Janesh’s dream of a Kiwi life. 

Speaking on occasion, Stellar machinery’s 

manager assured that they would be keeping 

in touch with Janesh’s family to ensure their 

general well-being – a gesture duly noted and 

acknowledged by Krish Naidu, President Fiji 

Girmit Foundation NZ. 

" 

My marriage was perfectly 

made in heaven, as we 

never had an argument and 

our thoughts mostly aligned on 

everything. My childhood was 

not a pleasant one, but my life 

after marriage was absolutely 

perfect as Janesh always put 

our kids and me ahead of 

everything 

The tragic incident has brought together 

the Fiji Indian community, with many acts of 

kindness and support shown to assist Janesh 

Prasad’s family during this ill-fated hour. 

Ann’s Funeral director Sam Achary has 

earlier announced a free of charge funeral 

for Janesh Prasad. Waitakere Hindi School’s 

Saten Sharma has also been supporting the 

deceased’s family almost every day since the 

tragic incident on Saturday, June 19. 

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BLACKCAPS 

defeats India in style, become 

first world Test champion 

lost three wickets -- skipper Virat Kohli 

(13), Cheteshwar Pujara (15), and 

Ajinkya Rahane (15) -- in the 

first session to go to lunch at 

130/5. 

IWK BUREAU 

Blackcaps marched over India in style 

with an eight-wicket win on the sixth, 

and reserve, day of the World Test 

Championship final on Wednesday, after the 

rain-affected match ebbed and flowed over 

six days. 

This is an apt redemption for New Zealand, 

who had lost the final of the last two 50-over 

World Cups, in 2015 and 2019. Also, this is 

New Zealand’s second major international 

trophy, following their ICC Knock Out triumph 

in 2000. 

The match, in which two days were lost to 

rain, saw a strong performance from Kiwis on 

the reserve day as their bowlers ran through 

the Indian batting line-up and dismissed them 

for just 170 runs at the Hampshire Bowl. And 

then they scaled the 139-run target through a 

96-run third-wicket partnership between Kane 

Williamson (52 not out) and Ross Taylor (47 

not out). 

India got a sniff of victory when off-spinner 

R Ashwin removed the two openers early and 

bowled a tight line to Taylor. However, Taylor 

smashed Ashwin for two boundaries in one over 

to break the shackles and then coasted along. 

Earlier, India, who started the day at 64/2, 

Kyle 

Jamieson (2/30) removed Kohli 

and Pujara while Rahane fell to 

Boult (3/39). 

Post lunch, India kept 

losing wickets as the tail 

failed to wag once again. 

Rishabh Pant, who was 

the innings top scorer 

with 41 runs, was the 

last hope for India 

but he fell to a 

rash shot as the 

seventh wicket 

with the score 

on 156. 

Pace bowler Tim Southee picked four wickets 

for 48 runs to end as the most successful New 

Zealand bowler. 

Indian seamers, in response, failed to make an 

impact on a pitch where New Zealand bowlers 

looked unplayable. Barring a brief spell during 

which Ashwin unsettled the Kiwis by removing 

Devon Conway (19) and Tom Latham (9), the 

entire bowling unit looked innocuous. 

This is New Zealand’s sixth successive win 

over India in ICC tournaments, dating back to 

World T20 in 2007. 

As India started the sixth day at 64 for two 

in their second innings, a lead of 32, all four 

results were still possible but the Black Caps’ 

pace quartet of Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Kyle 

Jamieson and Neil Wagner combined to take 

the last eight wickets for the just 106 more runs. 

That gave them at least 53 overs to chase 

down 139 and, despite some early Ashwininduced 

wobbles, their two most senior batsmen 

saw them over the line. 

After rain had wiped out two of the first five 

days of this Test match, the ICC implemented 

the use of the reserve day to increase the 

chances of a result, with 98 overs due to be 

bowled on day six. 

The 35-year-old Watling - playing his final 

Test match of a distinguished international 

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New Zealand bowler Kyle Jamieson signs autographs on the boundary for young cricket fans (File Photo/ 

AP) 

Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson led India and New 

Zealand in the WTC final. 

career - dislocated his right ring finger during 

the morning session but gamely battled on 

behind the stumps and took his third catch of 

the innings to remove Ravindra Jadeja after 

lunch and reduce India to 142 for six. 

The unorthodox Pant had shown his class 

when whipping Jamieson through mid-on 

for four before charging down the pitch to 

Wagner and punching the ball through midoff 

for another boundary, so him finally being 

dismissed for 41 felt like a huge moment for 

New Zealand. 

Pant danced down the track once again, 

aiming to hit Boult over long-on but instead 

got under the ball and Henry Nicholls took a 

good catch over his shoulder with India still 

only on 156. The Indian tail was then quickly 

dispatched as Boult had Ashwin caught by 

Taylor two balls later and Southee ended with 

innings-best figures of 4/48 by dismissing 

Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, both 

caught by Tom Latham, as India were all out 

for just 170. 

It was the first time since 2018 that no 

Indian batsman reached a half-century in either 

innings of a Test match and a target of 139 

looked within reach of New Zealand. 

A circumspect start by the Black Caps 

allowed openers Latham and Devon Conway 

to see out the eight overs before tea unscathed, 

as they reached 19-0 at the interval. 

But scoring was slow and the pressure 

eventually told as Latham came down the 

wicket, saw Ashwin’s delivery beat the bat and 

Pant smartly stumped him to make the score 33 

for one. India thought they had the key wicket 

of Williamson for just one when he was given 

out LBW by umpire Michael Gough, again off 

Ashwin, only for the decision to be overturned 

on review. 

Ashwin did trap Conway LBW shortly after 

to become the leading wicket-taker in the World 

Test Championship and reduce the Black Caps 

to 44/2 but Taylor (47 not out) and Williamson 

(52 not out) rebuilt by keeping the scoreboard 

ticking and punishing the bad balls. 

Taylor in particular crunched a couple 

of wider balls through the off-side for four 

and when Pujara dropped him at slip off the 

bowling of Bumrah, with 55 runs still needed, 

the writing appeared to be on the wall. 

And so it proved, as the two veteran New 

Zealanders hit another gear to reach the 

target inside 46 overs, despite a Williamson 

skier hitting the ground with the Black Caps 

approaching single figures needed. 

Fittingly, the New Zealand skipper reached 

the half-century mark, bringing up his 50 with 

a boundary, while Taylor flicked the winning 

runs through the leg-side. 

Brief scores: India 217 all out in 92.1 overs 

and 170 all out in 73 overs (R Sharma 30, 

R Pant 41, T Southee 4/48, T Boult 3/39, K 

Jamieson 2/30); New Zealand 249 all out 

in 99.2 overs and 140/2 wkts in 45.5 overs 

(K Williamson 52 not out, R Taylor 47 not 

out) 

Result: New Zealand won by eight wickets 

Man of the Match: Kyle Jamieson


NEW ZEALAND 5 

18-year-old Sikh youth pursues 

childhood dream to join NZ Army 

PARIDHI BAKSHI 

Family of 18-year-old Mansimrat 

Singh – the latest Kiwi-Indian 

graduate in New Zealand Army 

- were initially surprised when they learnt 

about his decision to join the armed forces 

– a decision that they all relish now and are 

extremely proud of. 

Ever since New Zealand Army put 

up a Facebook post on Saturday, 

June 19, about the graduation 

ceremony of its Regular Force 

401 at Waiouru Military Camp, 

with images of new recruits 

marching parade in full military 

uniform, Mansimrat Singh has 

become an instant sensation. 

The news had since then 

spread like a fire in the jungle 

with his families inundated 

with congratulatory messages 

from friends, extended 

families, acquaintances 

and the wider Kiwi-Indian 

community, all conveying 

the common theme of a 

mutually shared sense of 

“pride” and “excitement.” 


spoke with Manjit Singh – 

a close uncle of Mansimrat 

Singh – and spokesperson 

of the family (as his 

parents were reluctant 

to speak with media) 

about the young man’s 

"He 

was very 

determined and 

focused. His parents 

wanted him to pursue his 

career in hockey, but he 

surprised the family by 

announcing that he wanted 

inspirational career path. 

“I can only say that it was Mansimrat’s 

own decision to join the NZ army. He 

was very determined and focused. His 

parents wanted him to pursue his career in 

hockey, but he surprised the family by announcing 

that he wanted to join the army after his graduation.” 

“As a family, we are all very happy with his decision and 

are very proud of him,” Manjit Singh said. 

Bright childhood 

Mansimrat has begun to excel very early in life, shinning 

both in academics and sports, earning a prestigious 

scholarship from St. Kentigern College in Pakuranga. 

He became a part of the Howick and St. Kentigern 

hockey team playing under 18. It was his phenomenal love 

and commitment towards hockey that kept his unassuming 

parents thinking that the young lad might be thinking of 

making a career in professional sports and even encouraged 

him to pursue the game professionally. 

However, Mansimrat seems to have his heart into 

something else as a choice for a career – joining New 

Zealand Army. 

“He was a bright student since childhood, and once he set 

his mind on something, nothing ever holds him back.’’ Mr 

Singh told the Indian Weekender. 

to join the army after 

his graduation." 

“Entire family is into sports” 

Manjit Singh told the Indian Weekender that Mansimrat 

Singh’s entire family is into sports, with his father (Manjit’s 

very close friend of last 40 years) being a hockey player 

who played in the local league in Punjab, India, representing 

Punjab Agriculture University. 

Now Mansimrat and his younger brother are also 

playing hockey in Auckland. 

Revealing more about the family from where 

Mansimrat could possibly have picked up the 

inspiration for joining NZ Army, Manjit Singh 

told the Indian Weekender that Mansimrat’s 

uncle was an engineer in Indian Air Force before 

migrating to New Zealand. 

Notably, Mansimrat will also be working (after 

being graduating) as System Engineer in NZ Army. 

Parents migrated to NZ from Punjab 

about three decades ago. 

Manjit Singh told the Indian Weekender that Mansimrat’s 

parents had migrated to New Zealand in 1998 from 

Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab. Working through different 

jobs in and around Auckland, they have raised two kids 

(Mansimrat’s younger brother) and are extremely happy 

with Mansimrat’s latest career move. 

Mansimrat’s father works as a Taxi driver, and his mother 

works at Auckland Airport as a passport control officer, and 

he is being a great role model for his younger brother, who 

is following his elder brother’s footsteps and has received a 

scholarship and studying at St Kentigern College. 

Well rooted in traditional culture 

Speaking further on Mansimrat’s family and cultural 

values, Manjit Singh told the Indian Weekender that the 

young boy is fully versed in tenets of Sikhism and well 

trained in the traditional Sikh martial art known as Gatka. 

Mansimrat had represented New Zealand Gatka team in 

Canada, Australia and India. 

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7th International D 

roll out yoga-mats 

SANDEEP SINGH 

Thousands of enthusiastic Kiwis all 

over the country have rolled out yoga 

mats to mark the occasion of the 7th 

International day of Yoga on Sunday, June 20. 

Every year June 21 is celebrated as 

International Day of Yoga after the United 

Nations had proclaimed as International Day 

of Yoga by passing a resolution on December 

11, 2014. 

Although Yoga has long been recognised as 

India’s gift to the global culture of wellness, the 

official UN recognition came after a push by 

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014. 

Since then, there has been an increased 

awareness and willingness amongst different 

organisations worldwide, including New 

Zealand, which had been practising Yoga albeit 

within their respective confines, to think bigger 

involve wider participation from different 

communities. 

Kiwis in this endeavour have always been 

enthusiastic participants and promoters of Yoga 

as a holistic practice for spiritual and general 

well being as evident in generous participation 

from members of the public and MPs and 

Ministers in the government. 

This year the office of the Indian High 

Commission hosted more than 25 events 

all over the country in close association 

with different organisations and community 

associations, which witnessed enthusiastic 

participation from wider communities. 

Wellington 

The High Commissioner of India Muktesh 

Pardeshi led the Wellington event at Bharat 

Bhawan, organised by Wellington Indian 

Association and supported by the Art of Living 

(who provided Yoga instructors). 

More than two hundred yoga enthusiast 

attended the event, including MP Greg 

O’Connor, officials at the Indian High 

Commission, prominent community leaders 

and members of the community. 

Speaking on occasion, High Commissioner 

Pardeshi extolled the now universally accepted 

values of Yoga in an individual’s physical, 

spiritual and general wellbeing and encouraged 

everyone to consider adopting Yoga in their day 

to day lives. 

“In the present times, where people all 

around the world are adapting their lives to the 

new reality of a pandemic, yoga has become 

even more relevant,” Mr Pardeshi said. 

“Let us all join hands and contribute to the 

global healing process and make wellness a part 

of our lives by embracing Yoga,” Mr Pardeshi 

said. 

Auckland 

One of the major yoga events was organised 

in Auckland – the biggest city of New Zealand 

– at the iconic Mahatma Gandhi Centre of 

Auckland Indian Association and was led by 

Hon Consul of India Bhav Dhillon. 

Continuing the previously demonstrated 

bonhomie, more than 16 prominent Indian 

diaspora organisations, including Auckland 

Indian Association, Bhartiya Samaj 

Charitable Trust, Auckland Tamil Association, 

Communities Action Trust New Zealand, 

Telangana Jagruthi of New Zealand, Gujarati 

Samaj of New Zealand, Telugu Association of 

New Zealand, Telangana Association of New 

Zealand, Roopa Aur Aap and many more, have 

come together under the aegis of Consulate of 

India’s office for the international day of Yoga 

event. 

The event was attended by hundreds of 

members of the community, leaders in the 

community and dignitaries, including Minister 

of Transport and the local MP Michael Wood, 

who performed yoga postures under the able 

guidance of Art of Living yoga instructors. 

Speaking on occasion, Hon Consul Bhav 

Dhillon said, “We all know that Yoga is India’s 

gift to the rest of the world, and to know that 

such a holistic practice was developed by 

India’s sages and gurus in ancient times, much 

before the advent of modern technology says a 

lot of the scientific temper in ancient India.” 

“It is satisfying to see the modern world is 

now accepting the importance of India’s gift 

to the rest of the world like never before,” Mr 

Dhillon said. 

Waitakere Hindi School and Waitakere 

Indian Association also organised a yoga event 

in West Auckland with students of the school 

and members of the wider community. 

Associate Minister of Immigration Phil 

Twyford (who is also local MP for Te Atatu


NEW ZEALAND 7 

ay of Yoga: Kiwis 

with enthusiasm 

South) was key in attendance at the West 

Auckland Yoga event. 

Hamilton 

In Hamilton (Waikato Region), local MP Dr 

Gaurav Sharma joined a yoga event hosted by 

Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan New Zealand for the 

two-hour long yoga session. 

Speaking on occasion, Dr Gaurav Sharma 

said, “I did The Art of Living yoga course when 

I was at school but over the years have gotten 

out of the rhythm of practising it. 

“It is great to be able to reconnect with mind 

and soul again along with a wide range of yoga 

experts - some of whom were doing yoga for 

the first time while others had been practising it 

for many years,” Dr Sharma said. 

Further down south in Waikato Region – a 

prominent tourist destination and adventure 

sport centre in the North Island of New Zealand 

– a group of yoga enthusiast gathered together 

in the premises of Holiday Inn hotel under the 

leadership of Vishal Sharma of I Love Rotorua” 

fame. 

Local councillor Mercia Dawn Bates also 

joined the yoga enthusiasts in 

Rotorua 

Several other yoga events were also held 

in regions like Christchurch, New Plymouth, 

Palmerstone North, Nelson, Lower Hut, and 

other places in New Zealand to mark the 7th 

International Day of Yoga. 

Indian High Commission hosts 

several other Yoga related 

activities 

The office of the Indian High Commission 

had this year further expanded the ambit of 

yoga-related events, from actual physical 

events to commemorative events in virtual 

space, with the goal of spreading Yoga’s 

outreach in New Zealand. 

One of the key activities was a photo 

competition that invited photos from 

participants in different yoga postures, 

preferably from outdoor locations in New 

Zealand. 

The competition received enthusiastic 

participation from yoga enthusiasts and 

culminated in the announcement of prizes 

under five different categories. 

Sachidananda Gowda, Srushti Madaiah 

Basavaraju, and Monika were announced 

as first, second and third prize winners, 

respectively, under photos for adults. 

Anika Mohan, Khushi Talkad, and Ruth 

Samuel were recipients of first, second, and 

third prize in the kids’ category. 

In the lead up to the International Day of 

Yoga, the office of the Indian High Commission 

also organised a webinar promoting yoga 

and emphasising the healing prowess of this 

traditional Indian ancient practice. 

Expressing satisfaction on the overall 

footprint of Yoga events this year, Durga Das, 

Second Secretary, Indian High Commission 

(Press, Info & Culture), said, “We are satisfied 

with the level of outreach we were able to 

reach this year with different communities 

and regions of New Zealand in promoting 

values of Yoga.”

8 NEW ZEALAND 



Haryana Federation NZ’s annual 

SANDEEP SINGH 

Haryana federation New Zealand – a 

community organisation for migrants 

from the Indian state of Haryana - had 

its annual general meeting on Sunday, June 21 

in Auckland. 

The meeting intended to bring together the 

members of the organisation at one platform 

and apprise them of the activities taken up by 

the executive committee in the last 12 months 

and share the details of the audit of the last year. 

Haryana Federation New Zealand is a 

relatively young diaspora organisation formed 

in 2019 and has been actively working in the 

realm of community service, specially in 

the form of sport & cultural activities, blood 

donation camps, and free food banks. 

The key emphasis is to bring together 

migrants from the Indian state of Haryana so 

as to give them an opportunity to socialise and 

network in a culturally appropriate manner. 

Speaking to the Indian Weekender, Gurbaj 

Singh Mall, one of the co-founders of the 

organisation (Kanwaljeet Singh Cheema is 

the other co-founder) said, “We discussed and 

general meeting held in Auckland 

decided to further focus on organising more 

blood donation camps and food distribution 

banks in the coming year.” 

“It was also discussed to initiate some more 

community activities which further deepen 

social cohesion and interconnectedness within 

different communities in New Zealand,” 

Cheema said. 

“The other main discussion in the AGM was 

around the celebrations of Haryana Day next 

year,” Gurbaj Singh said. 

For the uninitiated, Haryana Day is celebrated 

on November 1, to mark the anniversary when 

the independent state was created in 1966. 

The day marks many celebrations in Haryana, 

India, 

The members of the 

Haryana Federation 

of New Zealand 

expressed 

aspirations to 

commemorate 

the next 

Haryana 

Day in New 

Zealand. 

M a n y 

members of the 

association attended 

the meeting, including 

Aran Cheema, Gurbaj Mall, 

Ravi Gangaj, Prince Kajal, Manish Snehamar, 

Karampal, Abhishek Dahiya, Harjot Bhatti, 

Nirvair Varach, Mandeep Manes. 

Elaborating further on some other important 

decisions taken in the first AGM, Gurbaj Singh 

told the Indian Weekender that a decision was 

made to form a special team of volunteers 

to help the community during any crisis or 

distress. 

Everest day celebrated in NZ parliament 

SANDEEP SINGH 

New Zealand Parliament hosted Everest 

Day celebrations for the second time 

on its premises on Wednesday, June 9, 

after the first such celebrations back in 2019. 

The event was organized by the Nepal 

Society of New Zealand and few other 

Nepalicommunity associations and was hosted 

in NZ parliament by Kiwi-Indian MP of Labour 

Party Dr Gaurav Sharma. 

More than 300 members of the Nepalese 

community and the wider ethnic communities 

attended the event from all around 

New Zealand. 

The celebratory event witnessed Nepalese 

people dressed in their colourful traditional 

attires, reflecting many local cultural groups 

from Nepal’s diverse society. For the 

uninitiated, Nepal is a country of 101 ethnic 

groups 123 different languages. 

Nepal and New Zealand has a 68-year-old 

relationship when Sir Edmund Hillary from 

New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa from 

Nepal put their foot in the highest peak of the 

world for the very first time on May 29, 1953. 

Since then, there has been a special 

relationship between Nepal and New Zealand, 

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which has grown further with the growing size 

of the Nepalese community in New Zealand. 

The Everest Day event in parliament 

was attended by several Ministers from the 

government, including Minister of Ethnic 

Communities Priyanca Radhakrishnan, 

Minister of Transport Michael Wood, Several 

Members of Parliament, along with acting 

ambassador for Nepal to New Zealand who 

came to celebrate the event all the way from 

Nepalese Embassy Canberra, Australia. 

The inauguration of the event was jointly 

done by the president of the Nepalese Society 

of Wellington Prakshit Niraula and Labour MP 

Dr Sharma according to the Sherpa tradition. 

Speaking on occasion, Dr Gaurav Sharma 

recalled his own connection with Nepal, which 

prompted him to host the event in parliament 

when Dinesh Khadka, the previous president 

of Nepal Society of New Zealand, put up the 

proposal to hold such an event in parliament. 

“I was born in the Indian state of Himanchal 

Pradesh which is very similar to Nepal in 

geography, food, customs and culture, and 

therefore I always have a very special place for 

Nepalese community in my heart,” Dr Sharma 

said. 

He also mentioned that he got a chance to 

visit Everest Base Camp back in the year 2015. 

Speaking on occasion, Minister of Transport 

Michael Wood said, “I always love to come 

to celebrate Nepalese event and always more 

than happy to help Nepalese community people 

when needed.” 

"I was born in the Indian 

state of Himanchal Pradesh 

which is very similar to Nepal 

in geography, food, customs 

and culture, and therefore 

I always have a very 

special place for Nepalese 

community in my heart." 

Acting Ambassador for Nepal to New 

Zealand Ms Durpada Sapkota thanked the New 

Zealand government for helping 1 Million 

dollars to Nepal government during this 

pandemic. 

She also mentioned that this pandemic would 

end very soon, and the Nepal government is 

very excited to welcome Kiwis back to Nepal. 

The president of Himalayan trust Peter 

Hillary, the son of Edmund Hillary, said that 

this organization has already made hospitals 

and schools in the Himalayan region of Nepal. 

He also said that they also have other projects 

that will continue very soon once the pandemic 

will over. 

The Hon Consul of Nepal in New Zealand 

Atma Ram Khanal, Non-Resident Nepalese 

Association New Zealand president Lal KC, 

Tourism Ambassador Ramil Adhikari, along 

with other community leaders, also participated 

in the event.


NEW ZEALAND 9 

INZBC Summit mulls upon transforming NZ-India 

bilateral relations in 'decade of new normal' 

SANDEEP SINGH 

the two countries, along with the Covid-related 

The ambitious theme undertaken by the 

destruction and disruptions to global travel and 

India New Zealand Business Council 

supply lines were other areas of emphasis in the 

Summit 2021 to foray into the “decade 

respective speeches of the two Leaders. 

of new normal” was so apt that it was tested the 

The second session of the two-day summit 

very first day of the summit when Wellington 

was a hybrid panel discussion on Indo-Pacific 

was moved into Alert level 2 forced physical 

Strategic ties which brought together an elite 

absence of the Keynote speaker Minister of 

panel including High Commissioner of India 

Foreign Affairs and Trade Nanaia Mahuta 

Muktesh Pardeshi, High Commissioner of NZ 

along with many other Members of Parliament. 

David Pine, Hon Consul of India Bhav Dhillon, 

Probably, there could not have been any other 

Parliamentary Under Secretary for Minister 

way to resonate with the central theme of the 

of Trade, Rino Tirikatene, Ambassador Rajiv 

INZBC Summit that we have entered into the 

Bhatia (Chair, FICCI Taskforce), Suzannah 

“decade of new normal,” where disruption in 

Jessep, Director Research & Engagement, Asia 

travel and supply chains could test the resolve 

New Zealand Foundation) and Prof Manjeet 

and agility of businesses and governments to 

virtually) by NZ’s Foreign Minister Nanaia 

T 

Pardeshi (Victoria University of Wellington). 

respond appropriately. 

he Indo-Pacific connects In his opening intervention, High 

Mahuta and India’s Minister of State for 

Undeterred by this last-minute disruption 

our whanau of the Pacific, Commissioner Pardeshi also welcomed NZ’s 

External Affairs V Muraleedharan. 

in the plans of key dignitaries, which also 

or close friends and relatives, refreshing commitment towards the Indo- 

Speaking on occasion, Minister Nanaia 

included Labour Party MP Dr Gaurav Sharma, 

further afield in East Asia and Pacific, as expressed earlier in Minister 

Mahuta delivered one of the very few speeches 

and Rino Tirikatene, the summit went on with 

the Pacific Rim. And most Mahuta’s speech. NZ’s High Commissioner 

from NZ’s top political leadership in recent 

virtual participation of local dignitaries along 

importantly, the Indo-Pacific David Pine said, ‘The tides of democracy are 

times exhibit undiluted attention towards the 

with from India and other parts of the world – 

recognises the influence of the pushing countries that value democracy closer 

emerging Indo-Pacific region and the centrality 

which made the summit truly hybrid. 

Indian sub-continent on the together.’ 

of India & Indo in the “Indo-Pacific.” 

The physical part of this two-day hybrid 

wider region 

Beyond Indo-Pacific focus, one of the oftrepeated 

theme expressed by many speakers, 

“The Indo-Pacific connects our whanau of the 

summit was organised at The Trust Arena, 

Pacific, or close friends and relatives, further 

Henderson, Auckland, which was attended 

afield in East Asia and the Pacific Rim. And have shared interests in a peaceful, cooperative including Hon Consul of India, who is also 

by the High Commissioner of India Muktesh 

most importantly, the Indo-Pacific recognises and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. The need a prominent business leader within the NZ- 

Pardeshi, and the Hon Consul of India Bhav 

the influence of the Indian sub-continent on the for strengthening the strategic dimension of India commerce ecosystem, was to find ways 

Dhillon, while High Commissioner or New 

wider region,” Minister Mahuta said. 

our relationship is felt more strongly than ever to expand bilateral trade and the overall 

Zealand in India David Pine joined virtually 

Acknowledging the growing convergence of before. There is keen interest in India to further relationship between the two countries. 

from New Delhi. 

interests between India and New Zealand in the strengthen our relationship.” 

The INZBC Summit is still continuing on 

The two-day summit was opened by a 

Indo-Pacific region, India’s Minister of State V. The sense of mutual bonhomie and a shared the second day, bringing perspectives from 

welcome note from INBC Chair Sameer Handa 

Muraleedharan said, “India and New Zealand history of long diplomatic relations between different experts and leaders from politics and 

and followed a keynote address (delivered 

business from both countries. 

Social cohesion programme to address 

incitement of hatred and discrimination 

IWK BUREAU 

The Government is launching a 

significant programme of work 

to strengthen social cohesion in 

New Zealand and create a safer, more 

inclusive society. 

The work is part of the wider response to 

recommendations from the Royal Commission 

of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on 

Christchurch masjidain (mosques), and builds 

on existing initiatives by government to 

strengthen social cohesion. 

“The Government wants to ensure 

Aotearoa is a place where 

everyone feels safe, valued, 

heard, has a strong sense 

of belonging, and is 

able to participate fully 

in society,” Associate 

Minister for Social 

Development and 

Employment, Priyanca 

"Our 

diversity 

extends across 

ethnicity, culture, gender 

identities and expressions, 

religion, values and beliefs, 

ages, disabilities, sexual 

orientation, and the 

structure of 

Radhakrishnan said. 

our families." 

Today the Government is 

announcing public consultation 

on the latest programme of work on proposed 

changes to the Human Rights Act 1993 to 

strengthen protections against speech that 

incites hatred and discrimination; and seeking 

New Zealanders’ views about how they would 

make Aotearoa New Zealand more socially 

cohesive. 

“Our diversity extends across ethnicity, 

culture, gender identities and expressions, 

religion, values and beliefs, ages, disabilities, 

sexual orientation, and the structure of 

our families. 

“We are stronger as a nation because of 

this diversity but to maximise that strength, 

we need to create a society where our diverse 

communities are able to access opportunities, 

and express differences of opinion in a way that 

is safe,” Priyanca Radhakrishnan said. 

“The context for creating a socially 

cohesive society in Aotearoa New Zealand 

is underpinned by Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Te 

Ao Māori perspectives and the Māori-Crown 

relationship. 

“Building social cohesion, inclusion and 

valuing diversity can also 

be a powerful means of 

countering the actions of 

those who seek to spread or 

entrench discrimination and 

hatred,” Kris Faafoi said. 

The Ministry of Justice 

is seeking public feedback 

on proposed changes to 

the Human Rights Act 

1993 that aim to strengthen 

protections against speech 

that incites hatred and 

discrimination. 

“Abusive or threatening 

speech that incites hostility 

can cause significant harm 

and divide communities. 

“Protecting our right 

to freedom of expression 

while balancing that right 

with protections against 

‘hate speech’ is something 

that requires careful 

consideration and a wide 

range of input,” Kris Faafoi 

said. 

The Ministry of Social 

Development will lead a 

programme talking to the 

public about whether there 

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• Top up & Debt consolidation 

• Re-Finance and Refixing 

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• Restructuring of loan 

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are changes people would like to see to make 

Aotearoa New Zealand more socially cohesive, 

and what success might look like. 

Public submissions for both work 

programmes are open from 25 June to 6 August 

2021. 

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10 NEW ZEALAND 

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Mercedes-Benz in New Zealand is owned 

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Doolabh is multilingual and this has proved 

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This along with his interest in other cultures 

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Wellington region moved 

to Alert Level for four days 

IWK BUREAU 

The Wellington region, including 

Kāpiti Coast and Wairarapa has 

been moved to Alert Level 2 as a 

fallout of Sydney Covid-19 case. 

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris 

Hipkins announced on Wednesday, June 

23, that Wellington would move to alert 

level 2, from 6pm until 11.59pm on 

Sunday. while the rest of the country 

remains at level 1. 

This was after a person who travelled 

from Sydney to Wellington tested 

positive for Covid-19 upon their return 

to New South Wales. The Ministry of 

Health has released the locations visited 

by the tourist on Saturday and Sunday 

last weekend. 

Four close contacts in New Zealand 

have been identified and are isolating. 

Meanwhile, the healthline experienced 

its fourth-busiest day on Wednesday 

as hundreds of people sought advice 

upon hearing of the Sydney traveller 

who visited Wellington and later tested 

positive for Covid-19. The service 

answered nearly 3500 calls, with just 

under 1000 of those from the Wellington 

region. It said the Covid-19 info line 

spiked immediately following the news 

of the Australian traveller. 

There was an average wait time of 

49 minutes. People are being urged to 

contact the service only if they were in 

a location of interest or have symptoms 

of Covid-19. 

In the daily Covid-19 update today, 

Director-General of Health Ashley 

Bloomfield said the two most common 

things people were asking healthline for 

was information on locations of interest 

and what alert level 2 meant. 

“That information is on both the 

ministry website and the Covid-19 

website. Please go there first.” 

Alert level 2 means: 

• Limits on gathering size to fewer than 

100 people, including tangi, church 

services, weddings and so on 

• Physical distancing in public places 

of 2m, and at least 1m in most other 

places including workplaces 

• Face masks remains mandatory on 

all public transport, and encourages 

while waiting for public transport and 

in rideshare services and taxis as well 

• Businesses can open but must follow 

public health rules including the 100 

person cap on venues 

• Hospitality locations must apply the 

three S rules 

• As with all levels, people with 

symptoms should call Healthline or 

their doctor to seek advice on getting 

a test. 

• Get tested if you have cold, flu or 

Covid-19 symptoms. 

• People are encouraged to practise 

good hygiene - including washing 

hands, coughing or sneezing into 

your elbow and cleaning surfaces - 

keep track of where they have been 

(using the NZ Covid Tracer app or a 

manual diary) and stay home if they 

are unwell. 

• People should also maintain a distance 

of 2m from others in public spaces and 

in retail stores. 

• In other places like workplaces, cafes, 

restaurants and gyms, people must 

stay 1m apart. 

• Hospitality businesses must keep 

groups of customers separated, seated, 

and served by a single person with a 

maximum of 100 people at a time. 

• Masks are mandatory on public 

transport and encouraged where 

physical distancing is not possible. 

• Gatherings, including weddings and 

funerals, are limited to 100 people. 

• Businesses can open, but they legally 

must follow public health rules. These 

include physical distancing and record 

keeping. 

• Early learning services, schools and 

tertiary education facilities are open 

to all ages. 

• You can do your usual exercise and 

recreation activities, if you can do 

them safely. 

• Professional leagues can go ahead at 

alert level 2 because they take place in 

controlled workplaces. 

• Earlier, the Ministry or Health said 

based on the time of their symptom 

onset and CT score, it is most likely 

they contracted the virus prior to their 

visit to New Zealand. 

Genome sequencing is underway in 

Australia to see if the case is linked to the 

current outbreak in Sydney. 

Wellingtonians and visitors to 

Wellington last weekend are urged to 

check the up-to-date list of locations of 

interest. 

Last night, the ministry announced 

quarantine-free travel from New South 

Wales to New Zealand was put on pause 

and would remain in place for at least 72 

hours. 

People who have been at these locations 

at the relevant time should immediately 

isolate at their home or accommodation 

and call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for 

advice on testing. 

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MIQ spots booked 

out until November, 

more on the way 

Managed isolation is now booked out until November, 

although the government says more vouchers will be 

released to meet the high demand. 

A security guard and soldier guarding an entrance to the 

M-Social Hotel, which is being used as a managed isolation 

facility, in Auckland.Photo: Supplied/ NZDF 

Room bookings at border hotels for December are likely to be 

available next month, including for New Zealanders returning 

for Christmas. MIQ said further vouchers for upcoming months 

would be released, but explained that capacity in the system 

had been reduced by 900 rooms a day, out of an operational 

total of 4000. More than 450 rooms are out of use because of 

maintenance work at the Grand Millennium and M Social hotels 

in Auckland. The Mercure hotel reopened at the weekend after 

work was completed on its ventilation systems. 

While an estimated 1000 spaces had been freed up by the 

trans-Tasman bubble, another 500 contingency rooms had been 

set aside as a result of the quarantine-free travel launch. 

“We are currently experiencing high demand for MIQ 

vouchers,” Joint Head of MIQ Brigadier Rose King said. 

“Vouchers for MIQ are gradually released in batches over 

several weeks and months to assist people in different time 

zones and to help manage the number of users on the site at 

any one time. 

“There are still more rooms to be released for August, 

September and October. We advise people to keep checking the 

system for available dates. 

“Vouchers for December will be released once airlines have 

confirmed their schedules. Airlines are likely to have schedules 

available in July 2021 for November onwards.” 

Cohorting - grouping guests together according to their arrival 

dates or arrival planes - was among the factors that had affected 

the number of rooms available. 

• Continued: Page on Page 11


NEW ZEALAND 11 

Vastu for money flow 

VIKRAM SINGH THAKUR 

People always have one thing in mind how to 

make, win, or get enormous money. 

Is it possible to generate cash flow with Vastu 

science? Will money flow be greater if we do Vastu 

adjustments in our life and home, is a question that many 

doubtful minds often seek an answer of. 

With the changing times and the changing values, 

money today has the great importance in life, argues 

Vikram Thakur – an Auckland based Vastu expert. 

A person is judged by his financial situation, not by 

his moral values, so in the changing scenario, most 

people face the challenge of getting ahead in life without 

enough money. 

Some people who suddenly become rich by chance 

either by winning lotto or receiving fortunate inheritance 

in form of investments, shares or property may often 

appear to others as fluke or completely out of nowhere. 

However, a closer look on their stars in the celestial 

world, often reveals, they have some very powerful 

planets formations in their horoscopes. 

Or by default, they live in Vastu aligned houses which 

drag fortune towards them. It is this Vastu-aligned 

houses that most of us can create with little help from 

certified Vastu experts, who have proven experience in 

channelling different forms of energies in their houses or 

place of work in a profitable manner. 

It will not be an exaggeration to say that 80 per cent of 

people in the world continuously keep searching for the 

money and financial stability in their lives, often striving 

for more money. 

While everyone is interested in more cash flow into 

their homes, but for most people, this is an ongoing 

struggle. 

In sheer powerlessness or despair, people seek to 

overcome their problems relating to money. 

Quite often, the people that adapt, Vastu, seemed to 

have found amazing results in this area. 

Small changes or modifications in the house may bring 

prosperity. There is a chance that people can find more 

money coming their way if they follow Vastu science 

in their houses. Some important generic suggestions are 

If a mountain or a big building is facing south of the 

house, then the flow of money can be heavier for the 

house. The southern direction, altitude or elevation must 

be maintained correctly. 

Opening the door to the northeast or the northern part 

of the house can also enhance the flow of money. 

The opening of the North-East-East door also brings 

money with the name & fame in the society. 

Keeping heavy items stored southwards, Southwest 

also helps to bring a better flow of money. 

The north-facing door also points to good gains and 

business development. 

West facing apartment or home also makes it possible 

to have money. 

If there are heavy open spaces such as a yard, garden, 

park towards the north side of the house, that will help 

attract money and growth towards home. 

A less open space towards the south keeps money to 

stay in the house. 

These are a few universal tips of Vastu’s science, which 

can improve the chances of bringing a considerable 

amount of change into a person’s financial position. 

However, it is not advisable to practice this at home 

without the guidance of an able Vastu expert – for 

simple reason that like humans, every house, is also 

different and has different energy equation that needs to 

be stabilised in order to create favourable outcomes. 

Vikram Thakur is an Auckland based Vastu expert 

and the views expressed are authors alone. He can 

be contacted @ vikram26thakur@gmail.com. 

A 

Vastu& 

S C 

I E N C E 

By Vikram 

Astro 

Our own Ingenuity at home in 

Horticulture: Auckland and Tauranga 

I N Y 

O F 

D E S T 

MIQ spots booked 

out until November, 

more on the way 

• From Page 10 

“Recently, we have 

been operating at a lower 

capacity due to ongoing 

planned maintenance 

work, implementation of 

cohorting and both the 

Grand Mercure and Grand 

Millennium having been 

offline,” she said. 

“This means, MIQ has been operating at 3100 rooms per fortnight, down 

from our normal operating capacity of 4000.” 

The Navy has been posted outside a Novotel being used as a managed 

isolation facility in Auckland. 

Contingency rooms - 400 set aside for emergencies and unexpected peaks - 

have swelled to 900 since the introduction of the trans-Tasman bubble. 

According to the MIQ website, that was designed to help “with the changing 

MIQ operating environment” as lower risk travellers from Australia are 

“replaced” by travellers from higher risk points of origin. 

They also provide additional capacity in the event of some travellers needing 

to go into MIQ at very short notice (i.e. their plane is already in transit when a 

suspension is imposed). 

The government noted earlier that it expected the bubble to free up 1000 to 

1300 spaces. 

Almost 150,000 people have been through managed isolation hotels since 

March last year and the voucher system was started last November to coordinate 

arrivals with border accommodation. 

The ebb and flow of MIQ availability have affected many of those who have 

been through the system. Hundreds of managed isolation vouchers came free 

in April, after demand outstripped supply in the preceding six months and in 

particular during the run-up to Christmas. 

But the booking system has faced criticism after website crashes when 

vouchers were released and because of the need to monitor websites or social 

media to find out when other rooms become available. 

Immigrants locked out by the border closure have been frustrated that rooms 

have remained empty despite predictions to the contrary. 

National last week spoke out about the cost and waste of unoccupied rooms, 

saying the government could use them to allow more critical workers into the 

country as well as to reunite split migrant families. 

“At the moment there are on average over 1500 rooms vacant every day in 

MIQ, and over 9000 MIQ room vouchers have been unused since the beginning 

of the year,” said its Covid-19 response spokesperson Chris Bishop. 

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Editorial 

G-7 summit disappoints 

The 3Cs: Covid, China and Climate Change dominated the G-7 Summit. But overall the 

leaders were not able to present a united stand on any major issue. 

The 47th annual G-7 Summit, ended on Sunday last at the Carbis Bay in Cornwall, UK. 

Though the British Prime Minister wanted the summit to showcase his brand of ‘Global Britain’, 

after the Brexit. But there were terse exchanges between the French, EU and British leaders and 

officials on the issue. In effect the summit turned out to be more Biden focussed and expectations 

were raised high on some real agreement taking place on the 3C’s before the summit, though that 

was not the result ultimately. 

Broadly, Biden sought to set a new tone after the unrestrained Trump years. Most G-7 leaders 

seemed relieved to have a return to a more predictable and traditional US administration. France’s 

Emmanuel Macron welcomed Biden back to the “club.” But the final Communique showed that 

even Biden’s expectations to ensure a consensus on many of his promises fell short. 

Covid-19 

On the issue of Covid-19, the leaders of the seven most affluent western nations seemed united, 

but there was difference of opinion on the way forward. Earlier, they had showed commitment to 

donate 1 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses over the next year to poorer countries. But in reality the 

bloc fell short of its own goal -- 613 million new doses pledged, instead of a billion. 

Even so, the vaccine effort gave Biden some help with his China push. Biden has criticised China 

for a transactional brand of vaccine diplomacy, where the shots are being doled out for geopolitical 

advantage. Biden called on democracies to counter China and Russia by donating vaccines equally 

and based on need, without seeking favours in return. 

The COVAX facility, backed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Alliance 

for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), aims to secure 2 billion vaccine doses for lower-income 

countries by the end of 2021. “We will work together with the private sector, the G20 and other 

countries to increase this contribution over the months to come,” the communique said. 

China 

On the second day of the summit, US unveiled plans to counter China through infrastructure 

funding for poorer nations. Promising to “collectively catalyse” hundreds of billions of infrastructure 

investment for low- and middle-income countries, the G7 leaders said they would offer a “valuesdriven, 

high-standard and transparent” partnership. 

However, several leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, pushed back over 

worries about turning the G-7 into an anti-China group, suggesting any infrastructure programme 

should be framed as a more positive, pro-environment effort. 

French President Emmanuel Macron also pushed back publicly, saying that the “G-7 is not a 

group that is hostile to China.” Macron was one leader who sought the middle ground. 

China hit back at these statements dismissively saying that the days when “global decisions” 

were dictated by a “small group of countries are long gone”. Chinese embassy in London issued 

a statement saying that world affairs should be handled through “consultation by all countries”, 

and added that the valid global system was the “international order based on the principles” of the 

United Nations. 

Climate Change 

The claim by environmental activists before and after the summit was that the world’s rich 

nations, which caused the climate crisis, know what’s expected of them - but they consistently fail 

to deliver in full. They asserted that for the umpteenth time the rich club has failed to deliver on its 

promise to channel $100bn a year to poor nations coping with climate change’s negative effects. 

Environment campaigners further warned there could be no overarching deal to protect the 

climate unless a $100 billion sum is reached and guaranteed at the vital COP-26 climate conference 

in Glasgow in December. The summit made some progress, especially on heralding the demise 

of coal - the fuel that drove the industrial revolution and sent emissions soaring. President Biden 

talked about the end of coal for power generation in America (with no details of a date, or of how 

he would get legislation passed through the Congress). The president also trumpeted the end of coal 

finance for poor nations, with the hope that this may heap pressure on China to follow suit. 

India 

As India’s PM Modi had announced last month that due to surging Covid cases in India, he’d 

not travel to the UK, he addressed the summit virtually. He conveyed India’s commitment to 

“collective” solution to global health challenges, and called for “one earth, one health” approach, 

which aims for unity and solidarity among the states of the world to deal with the pandemic. He also 

emphasised the need to keep raw materials for vaccines easily accessible. 

Mr. Modi further sought G7’s support for a proposal moved by India and South Africa at the 

WTO for a TRIPS waiver. This waiver will help India scale up production of anti-COVID-19 

vaccines. 

Summit’s Attainment 

The UK summit was the first G-7 summit to be held in the last two years, and will serve as 

a blueprint for international gatherings in the post-pandemic age. The western leaders met after 

four turbulent years of Donald Trump in the White House, and though Biden was welcomed into 

the Club, yet he seemed unable to make a significant mark at the summit, as most of pre-summit 

promises were not included in the final communique and this shows that he’ll have to work hard to 

convince his European allies. 

It was also the final summit for German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has served as a bulwark 

for Europe for 16 years, a position which is being eyed by Macron to become “Dean” of the club. 

Also there was no mention of a new US-UK Atlantic Charter modelled on the historic statement 

made by Churchill and Roosevelt on the post-war world order, a dream cherished by both Biden 

and Johnson to be remembered as the one who led the world’s economic recovery post-pandemic. 

The summit’s Communique, which was issued several hours after the end of the summit, promises 

many things but falls short of what was expected to be achieved before the summit. 

Indian Weekender : Volume 13 Issue 15 

Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited 

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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 

19 June – 1 July 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° 

19 July 1982 

Privy Council rules on Samoan citizenship 

Copyright 2020. Kiwi Media Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved. 

A few 

morning 

showers 

21° 

15° 

A few 

morning 

showers 

26° 

17° 

When the Privy Council granted New Zealand citizenship to Western Samoans born since 

1924, the government did not accept this decision. It rushed through an act granting New 

Zealand citizenship only to Western Samoans who were living in New Zealand on 14 September 

1982 or subsequently obtained permanent residence. 

20 July 1892 

Steam locomotive sets world speed record 

The Wellington and Manawatu Railway (WMR) Company’s locomotive No. 10 established a 

world speed record for the narrow 3 foot 6 inch (1067 mm) gauge, averaging 68 km per hour 

on a two-hour run and hitting a top speed of 103 kph. 

20 July 1965 

Riots rock Mt Eden prison 

The disturbance followed a botched escape attempt and lasted into the next day. Prisoners 

took several warders hostage and fire gutted part of the prison. 

22 July 1987 

Lotto goes on sale for first time 

Outlets opened to long queues, with a first division prize in the inaugural draw of $360,000 

(equivalent to more than $760,000 today). In the first year, Kiwis ‘invested’ nearly $249 

million ($525 million) in the new lottery, which was based on a weekly draw of six numbers (plus 

a bonus number) between 1 and 40. 

26 July 1865 

Parliament moves to Wellington 

The capital moved from Auckland to more centrally located Wellington on the recommendation 

of a specially appointed Australian commission. The former Wellington Provincial Council 

chamber became the new home for Parliament. 

28 July 1893 

Massive women’s suffrage petition presented to 

Parliament 

The monster suffrage petition contained the signatures of more than 25,000 women. A dozen 

other, smaller petitions were also submitted around the same time. When pro-suffrage 

MP Sir John Hall presented them to the House of Representatives on 11 August, he noted that 

together they contained the signatures of nearly 32,000 women − almost a quarter of the adult 

European female population of New Zealand.

The Indian Weekender Friday, June 25, 2021 FIJI 13 

NZ announces an additional Fj$14m 

Covid-19 assistance package to Fiji 

Aotearoa New Zealand is providing 

additional support to Fiji to mitigate 

the effects of the current COVID-19 

outbreak on vulnerable households, Foreign 

Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta announced today. 

“Recognising the increasingly challenging 

situation in Fiji, Aotearoa will provide 

an additional package of assistance 

to support the Government of 

Fiji and Fijians most affected by 

the current outbreak,” Nanaia 

Mahuta said. 

“The assistance includes up 

to $5 million for the Government 

to deliver COVID-19 operations, 

and $5 million to local civil society 

organisations working directly with 

households to mitigate poverty risks, including 

through the provision of food rations. 

“In addition, New Zealand is embedding two 

medical specialists into a Medical Assistance 

Team (MAT) alongside our Australian partners 

to support Fiji in its COVID-19 response,” 

Nanaia Mahuta said. 

A New Zealand anaesthetist will today travel 

with the six-person Australian team to Fiji on 

a Fiji Airways flight from Australia and spend 

seven days in MIQ in Fiji before beginning 

their 28 day assignment. 

A New Zealand Defence Force public health/ 

infectious disease specialist will be deployed in 

the near future. 

New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern with her new Foreign Affairs Minister, Nanaia Mahuta — the fi rst woman 

to hold the role. Picture: www.axios.com 

8 personnel from Australian And NZ medical assistance 

team arrive in Fiji 

8 

personnel 

from a joint Australian and 

New Zealand Medical Assistance Team 

arrived in Nadi last week. 

Following a request from the Fijian 

Government, Australia and New Zealand 

deployed a highly trained multi-disciplinary 

team to join forces with their Fijian 

counterparts from the Ministry of Health & 

Medical Services – Fiji to bolster Fiji’s fight 

against COVID-19. 

The team’s priority over the next 28 days 

will be creating additional spaces to offer 

care to non-COVID patients and to strengthen 

infection control protocols. 

The team are fully vaccinated and, following 

quarantine, will deploy to Suva to support the 

Fiji Ministry of Health. 

Australia would like to say a big vinaka 

vakalevu to the Fijian medical & support 

"Recognising 

the increasingly 

challenging situation in 

Fiji, Aotearoa will provide 

an additional package of 

assistance to support the 

Government of Fiji and 

Fijians most affected by 

the current 

outbreak" 

The team will work with the Fijian Ministry 

of Health to provide immediate support for 

health system management and infection 

prevention control. They will also assist with 

assessments of Fiji’s priority health needs 

responding to the current outbreak. 

“This assistance will support Fiji to navigate 

the medium-term challenges posed by 

The team are fully vaccinated and, following quarantine, will deploy to Suva to support the Fiji Ministry 

of Health. 

staff who continue to sacrifice time with their 

families and their safety to ensure Fijians 

COVID-19. New Zealand continues to stand 

alongside Fiji as it responds to this outbreak 

and our thoughts are with all affected,” Nania 

Mahuta said. 

The announcement today furthers New 

Zealand’s package of assistance to date, which 

includes budget support, operational funding, 

supplies and equipment. 

can access quality healthcare throughout the 

pandemic. 

NZ sends more personal protective equipment to Fiji 

A 

second 

consignment of personal 

protective equipment and medical 

supplies has arrived from New 

Zealand to support Fiji’s COVID-19 

containment efforts. 

The New Zealand High Commissioner to 

Fiji Jonathan Curr revealed that over 13 tonnes 

of medical personal protective equipment 

worth $700,000 has been sent from Auckland 

to further bolster the Ministry of Health and 

Medical Service’s capacity to fight the virus. 

Curr says New Zealand is a 

close friend of Fiji and as 

natural partners they come to 

each other’s assistance during 

these challenging times. 

This follows the initial deployment of 

3 tonnes of PPE worth $200,000 that was 

sent in May. 

Curr says New Zealand is a close friend 

of Fiji and as natural partners they come 

to each other’s assistance during these 

challenging times. 

He says their priority is to work in solidarity 

by sharing resources and supporting Fiji in the 

COVID-19 response. 

PPE for healthcare workers includes gowns, 

face shields, goggles, gloves, disposable face 

masks, shoe covers, bouffant caps and other 

supplies such as infrared 

thermometer, antibacterial 

tabs, biohazard 

bags, swab kits and 

many more. 

This support is 

complemented by an additional 

FJ$14 million to support the Fijian 

India, Fiji sign MoU 

for cooperation in 

agriculture, allied 

sectors 

India and Fiji signed a Memorandum of 

Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in 

the field of agriculture and allied sectors 

between the two countries. The MoU will 

remain valid for a period of five years from 

the date of its signing and any variation to its 

duration will have to be approved in writing by 

both parties. 

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh 

Tomar and Fiji's Minister of Agriculture 

Mahendra Reddy signed the MoU in a virtual 

meeting. 

The MoU provides for cooperation in the 

fields of dairy industry development, rice 

industry development, root crop diversification, 

water resources management, coconut industry 

development, food processing industry 

development, agriculture mechanisation, 

horticulture industry development, agricultural 

research, animal husbandry, pest and disease, 

cultivation, value addition and marketing, 

post-harvest and milling, and breeding and 

agronomy. 

The agriculture ministries of the two 

countries shall be the executing agencies from 

their respective sides. 

Under the MoU, a joint working group will 

be established to set down procedures and plan 

and recommend programmes of cooperation 

towards achieving its aims. The working group 

will hold its meetings alternatively in India and 

Fiji once in every two years. 

Tomar said that signing of this MoU will 

prove to be a milestone in further strengthening 

the multi-faceted cooperation between the two 

countries. 

Noting that food and agriculture are closely 

related to climate change, Tomar said both 

countries are cooperating in dealing with global 

challenges in this regard. 

"Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, we have 

been able to distribute about 7 tonnes of seeds of 

14 varieties of fruits and vegetables as requested 

by Fiji, as a grant from the Government of India, 

for the livelihood restoration of communities 

affected by Cyclone Yasa," he said. 

Fiji's Minister Reddy expressed happiness 

over the MoU and said that both the countries 

will keep their mutual relations dynamic in the 

same spirit. 

Government’s COVID-19 response and 

civil society organisations working with 

vulnerable households. 

New Zealand has also partnered with 

Australia to deploy a Medical Assistance Team 

to work alongside the Ministry of Health and 

Medical Services to provide immediate support 

for health system management and infection 

prevention control. 

The NZ High Commission has 

also worked closely with Civil 

Society Organisations to 

support communities with 

food relief packs, hygiene 

kits and counselling 

services across Viti Levu. 

Curr says they remain 

in contact with the Fijian 

Government and their 

partners on the ground and 

New Zealand stands ready 

to respond to further requests 

for assistance.

14 

INDIA 

Friday, June 25, 2021 The Indian Weekender 

NEWS in BRIEF 

AstraZeneca says 92% vaccine 

effectiveness against Delta variant 

AstraZeneca said new data from Public Health England 

(PHE) demonstrated COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca, 

offers high levels of protection against the Delta variant 

(B.1.617.2; formerly the ‘Indian variant). 

AstraZeneca vaccine is used in India as Covishield. Real 

world data from PHE, demonstrated two doses of COVID-19 

Vaccine AstraZeneca are 92% effective against hospitalisation 

due to the Delta variant and showed no deaths among 

those vaccinated. The vaccine also showed a high level of 

effectiveness against the Alpha variant (B.1.1.7; formerly the 

‘Kent' variant) with an 86% reduction of hospitalisations and 

no deaths reported. The higher efficacy against severe disease 

and hospitalisation is supported by recent data showing strong 

T-cell response to COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca, which 

should correlate with high and durable protection. 

India seeks concerted action to tackle 

terror, radicalisation across Asia 

India sought concerted action to tackle terror, radicalisation, 

drug trafficking and organised crime across Asia, and said 

its vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific is aimed at ensuring 

the shared pursuit of progress and prosperity. 

Foreign secretary Harsh Shringla outlined India’s position 

while addressing a virtual meeting of senior officials of 

member states of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence 

Building Measures in Asia (CICA), a grouping established by 

Kazakhstan in 1992. 

“In Asia, we face the challenges of terrorism, radicalisation, 

drug trafficking and organised crime. To face these diverse 

challenges, we need to undertake concerted action,” he said. 

“India’s vision of the Indo-Pacific as a free, open and 

inclusive region underpinned by international law is premised 

on the common pursuit of progress and prosperity. In this 

direction, India has traditionally maintained close and friendly 

cooperation with regional organisations in Asia, including 

CICA,” he added. 

Flying to Dubai from India? Here are the 

guidelines you should follow 

Emirates airline will on 

Wednesday resume 

flights between the United 

Arab Emirates (UAE) 

and India as announced 

recently by the UAE-based airline. The announcement came 

after authorities in Dubai, on June 19, eased travel curbs for 

passengers from three countries, including India. 

Following the easing of travel norms, Emirates had said in 

a statement, “We welcome the latest protocols and measures 

announced by Dubai’s Supreme Committee and Disaster 

Management to allow the safe resumption of passenger travel 

from South Africa, Nigeria and India to Dubai onwards. We 

will resume carrying passengers from South Africa, Nigeria 

and India in accordance with these protocols from June 23 

onwards.” The UAE first suspended air travel to and from 

India in April as the latter battled a devastating second wave of 

Covid-19; the ban was later extended till July 6. 

IndiGo launches special discount on its 

flights for vaccinated customers 

In a first, IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, 

has launched a special discount on its flights for vaccinated 

customers from Wednesday. Passengers who have been 

administered either one or both the Covid-19 vaccine doses, 

will be given discount of up to 10% on the base fare while 

booking. 

IndiGo is the first airline to roll out this offer in India. 

The airline said this offer is only available to vaccinated 

passengers aged 18 years and above, who are located in India 

at the time of booking and have already received a Covid-19 

vaccine in the country. 

“Passengers who have availed the offer at the time of 

booking shall be required to furnish a valid Covid-19 

vaccination certificate, issued by the Ministry of Health & 

Family Welfare. Alternately, they can display their vaccination 

status on the Aarogya Setu mobile application at the airport 

check-in counter/boarding gate,” said the airline spokesperson. 

AstraZeneca 

vax linked to 

rare neurological 

disorder in India, England 

Eleven individuals who received 

the AstraZeneca-Oxford Covid-19 

vaccine have developed a rare 

neurological disorder called Guillain- 

Barre syndrome, clinicians in India 

and England have reported in two 

separate studies. 

The studies, published in the peerreviewed 

medical journal Annals of 

Neurology, describe an unusual variant 

of Guillain-Barre syndrome characterised 

by prominent facial weakness. All the 

eleven cases were among people who had 

received that vaccine 10-22 days earlier. 

Seven cases were reported from a 

regional medical center in Kerala, India, 

where approximately 1.2 million people 

were vaccinated with the AstraZeneca 

Covid-19 vaccine till April 22. The cases 

occurred within two weeks of the first 

dose of vaccination. 

"Six out of the seven patients 

progressed to areflexic quadriplegia and 

required mechanical ventilatory support," 

said Boby Varkey Maramattom, from the 

Department of Neurology, Aster Medcity, 

Kochi, Kerala. 

Pandemic 

delays big-ticket 

launches by Isro 

this year 

The Indian Space Research 

Organisation’s (Isro) big-ticket 

launches planned towards the end of this 

year are likely to be delayed after the 

second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic 

impacted the timeline, people aware of 

the matter said on Wednesday. 

After the first wave of the pandemic 

last year, a committee of the space 

agency reviewed all pending missions 

to reschedule them. Isro was to carry out 

the first unmanned flight of the humanrated 

GSLV Mk III and the country’s first 

solar mission, Aditya L1, in December, 

according to the revised schedule. 

“The decision on the new timelines 

for the missions is awaited,” an official 

from the agency said on condition of 

anonymity. Another official said the 

Underlining the importance 

of digitisation in the post- 

Covid world, External Affairs 

Minister S Jaishankar discussed said 

that connectivity in general and digital 

connectivity between India and the EU is 

a "fairly fertile area to be explored". 

"Going forward, the areas that the 

two partners (India and the EU) would 

be looking at would be technology and 

artificial intelligence. Data security, 

cyber security and privacy, EU and their 

conversations with big tech were all 

issues of interest to India. Connectivity 

in general and digital connectivity, in 

particular, is a "fairly fertile area to be 

explored" between India and the EU," he 

said. 

"Connectivity, data, technology even 

"The frequency of GBS was 1.4 to 

10 fold higher than that expected in this 

period for a population of this magnitude. 

In addition, the frequency of bilateral 

facial weakness, which typically occurs 

in less than 20 per cent of GBS cases, 

suggests a pattern associated with the 

vaccination," he added. 

Four cases were reported from 

Nottingham, England, in which 

approximately 700,000 people 

received the same vaccine. These were 

characterised by bifacial weakness with 

a paraesthesias variant of GBS occurring 

within three weeks of vaccination with 

the Oxford-AstraZeneca SARS-CoV-2 

vaccine. 

"This rare neurological syndrome has 

previously been reported in association 

with SARS-CoV-2 infection itself. Our 

cases were given either intravenous 

immunoglobulin, oral steroids, or no 

treatment," said Jonathan Rhys Evans, 

Department of Neurology, Nottingham 

University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK. 

"If the link is causal it could be due 

to a cross-reactive immune response 

missions were likely to be delayed 

beyond their schedule. 

Last year, the space missions were 

impacted by the inability to move 

equipment and parts from across 

the country during the lockdown 

necessitated by the pandemic. 

The third lunar mission, carrying 

aboard only a lander and rover, was 

initially slated for the end of 2020 

or beginning of 2021, but has since 

been pushed to 2022. The government 

green-lit the third mission soon after 

the lander-rover of the Chandrayaan 2 

mission crashed and lost communication 

just 2.1km from the surface. 

the climate challenge -- all of this is 

going to require us to work together more 

closely. We have crossed a threshold, we 

have seen more momentum more energy 

in the relationship," he added. 

His remarks came while he was 

participating in a discussion on 'The 

future of India-EU relations' at a virtual 

event organised by Observer Research 

Foundation (ORF). 

"We have just launched our connectivity 

partnership. Digital connectivity, energy 

to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and 

components of the peripheral immune 

system," wrote the authors of the report 

from England. 

While the benefits of vaccination 

substantially outweigh the risk of this 

relatively rare outcome (5.8 per million), 

the research groups stressed that clinicians 

should be alert to this possible adverse 

event and look for this rare neurological 

syndrome following administration of 

Covid-19 vaccines. 

"We suggest vigilance for cases of 

bifacial weakness with paraesthesias 

variant GBS following vaccination for 

SARS-CoV-2 and that post-vaccination 

surveillance programmes ensure robust 

data capture of this outcome, to assess for 

causality," Evans said. 

Cases of Delta Plus variant of 

coronavirus rise to 40: Govt 

According to the central government 

most cases from the Delta Plus 

variant are from Maharashtra, 

Tamil Nadu and Kerala. India has reported 

a total of 40 cases of the coronavirus disease 

(Covid-19) due to the Delta Plus variant till 

now, media reported citing sources from the 

central government. 

"India reports 40 cases of the Delta Plus 

variant of the novel coronavirus. Most of 

the cases are from Maharashtra, Madhya 

Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is still a 

variant of interest," the government sources 

were quoted as saying. Till Tuesday, the 

number was 22. 

In its statement, the ministry had also 

noted it alerted the states where the said 

variant has been found. "Maharashtra, Kerala 

and Madhya Pradesh have been advised that 

the public health response measures, while 

broadly remaining the same, have to be more 

focused and effective. 

Digital connectivity between India, EU 'fairly 

fertile area' to be explored, says EAM S Jaishankar 

connectivity, and human connectivity. 

On the physical connectivity the views 

of India broadly tally with the views of 

India," said Jaishankar. 

Regarding human connectivity, 

Jaishankar said, "Knowledge economy 

will require flow of talent, more seamless 

we make that, we are helping ease of 

business, helping growth of creativity in 

respective societies." 

"We have migration and mobility 

partnership with different countries. Done 

some agreements with EU countries like 

France, we are looking at number of other 

countries, Portugal is one of them," said 

Jaishankar, adding, "Digital connectivity 

- is very much on our minds, we are 

looking at digital investment forum. We 

are looking at taskforce on AI."


WORLD 15 

Australia’s New South Wales 

extends mask mandate for 

Sydney as virus cluster grows 

Australia’s most populous state, 

New South Wales (NSW), 

reported its biggest rise in 

new locally acquired COVID-19 

cases in nearly a week, prompting 

authorities to extend a mask mandate in 

Sydney for a week. 

Ten new locally acquired cases were 

reported in NSW on Tuesday, as officials 

fight to contain a latest cluster of the 

highlyinfectious Delta virus variant. 

Eight of the 10 are household contacts of 

previous cases in isolation. 

“There is no doubt there is an increased 

level of concern, given the additional 

numbers of cases, but … given how 

absolutely contagious the virus is, we 

expected household contacts already in 

isolation were likely to get the virus,” 

NSW state Premier Gladys Berejiklian 

told reporters in Sydney. 

Masks will be mandatory indoors in 

Sydney, Australia’s largest city, for another 

week from Thursday morning although 

officials stopped short of announcing 

further curbs as the cluster increased to 21 

infections in six days. 

Medical workers administer tests at the Bondi Beach drive-through coronavirus disease 

(COVID-19) testing centre in the wake of new positive cases in Sydney, Australia, June 17, 

2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott/File Photo 

“At this stage, we feel that the response 

we are having is proportionate to the risk,” 

Berejiklian said, although she expects 

more cases among household contacts. 

The Delta variant, which has 

been classified by the World Health 

Organization (WHO) as among the 

four COVID-19 variants of concern, 

most likely caused the latest devastating 

outbreak in India. Tuesday’s data includes 

seven cases recorded after the 8 p.m. cutoff 

deadline, which will be included in 

What the Delta variant could mean 

for Covid-19 in the United States 

A 

coronavirus 

variant first spotted 

in India is poised to become 

the dominant one in the United 

States, where infectious disease modelers 

say it could cause a "resurgence" 

of Covid-19 later this year. And it 

may already account for 1 in every 5 

infections nationwide, experts say. The 

Delta variant, as it's now called, has swept 

across the UK, all but replacing the Alpha 

variant first identified there late last year. 

"This is the most transmissible of all the 

variants that we've seen," Dr. Peter Hotez, 

dean of the National School of Tropical 

Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, 

told CNN's Ana Cabrera Monday. 

"We saw what happened in the UK, 

where it overtook the entire nation. So 

I'm worried that's going to happen in the 

US," he said. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, 

director of the US Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention, told CNN last 

week she anticipates Delta will become 

"the predominant variant in the months 

ahead." 

And that could be a few weeks -- not 

months -- away, according to William 

Lee, vice president of science at Helix, 

a company whose Covid-19 tests have 

Wednesday’s numbers. Authorities say 

the latest outbreak, the first in the state in 

more than a month, is linked to a driver 

who transports overseas airline crew 

members and then later visited several 

venues, including a shopping centre in 

Bondi, a popular tourist hotspot. 

Swift tracing systems, tough social 

distancing rules and a high community 

compliance have kept Australia’s 

COVID-19 numbers relatively low, with 

just over 30,350 cases and 910 deaths. 

NEWS in BRIEF 

COVID-19: Brazil hits 500,000 deaths amid 

'critical' situation 

The number of deaths related to Covid-19 has passed 

500,000 in Brazil, the second-highest in the world, 

as experts say the outbreak could worsen amid slow 

vaccination and the start of winter. The virus continues to 

spread as President Jair Bolsonaro refuses to back measures 

like social distancing. The health institute Fiocruz said 

the situation is "critical".Only 15 percent of adults are 

fully vaccinated. 

Congress is investigating the government's handling of 

the pandemic. Bolsonaro has been heavily criticised for not 

implementing a co-ordinated national response and for his 

scepticism toward vaccines, lockdowns and mask-wearing 

requirements, which he has sought to loosen. 

The opposition accuses the president of delaying the purchase 

of vaccines for political reasons, as he has consistently played 

down the severity of the pandemic. 

Biden unveils strategy to 

combat US crime wave 

President Joe Biden has announced a five-point strategy 

to combat surging levels of violent crime in the US, 

with a particular focus on gun violence. 

Mr Biden outlined new measures that aim to curtail rogue 

gun dealers and illegal gun trafficking. He also called on cities 

and states to use the direct aid from his Covid-19 relief bill 

on public safety efforts. The remarks come amid a nationwide 

surge in homicides and as legislation on gun control has stalled 

in Congress. Several sweeping gun reforms have failed to 

garner adequate Republican support in either chamber, where 

Democrats hold slim majorities. But the Biden administration 

has made gun control a central plank in stemming violent 

crime. 

Big numbers apply to be European 

astronauts 

The European Space Agency 

says it it "thrilled" by the 

number of people who have applied 

to join its astronaut corps. A total 

of 22,589 individuals filled out the 

online form - two-and-a-half times 

the interest level when Esa last ran a competitive process in 

2008. There was also a sizeable jump in women wanting to go 

into orbit - 5,419 applications this time compared with only 

1,287 last time. Appointments should be made in 2022. 

"Having more than 22,000 applicants is quite a number," 

said Josef Aschbacher, Esa's director general. 

"We have all been astonished. For me, it is a very strong 

expression of interest and enthusiasm that people have across 

Europe in space, and in becoming an astronaut. 

Covid: Push to close gap in vaccine uptake 

Progress is being made to "close the gap" in the uptake of 

Covid vaccines, with more people from ethnic minority 

backgrounds booking jabs, the medical director of primary 

care for NHS England has said. But Dr Nikki Kanani - who is 

also a working GP - said the government was not "tackling all 

of the hesitancy". 

She said NHS staff were now preparing a "weekend of walkins" 

to get jabs done. More than 60% of the adult population in 

the UK has now had both doses. 

Speaking during a Downing Street briefing, Dr Kanani said 

that between mid-March and mid-June, uptake rose from 75% 

to 86% among Asian people and from 55% to 68% for black 

people. 

Unesco: Great Barrier Reef should be listed as 'in danger' 

Australia's government has lashed out 

after a United Nations report claimed 

it had not done enough to protect the 

Great Barrier Reef from climate change. 

UN body Unesco said the reef should be put 

on a list of World Heritage Sites that are "in 

danger" due to the damage it has suffered. 

Key targets on improving water quality had 

not been met, it said. 

Environment minister Sussan Ley said UN 

experts had reneged on past assurances. 

She confirmed that Australia planned to 

challenge the listing, which would take place 

at a meeting next month, saying: "Clearly there 

were politics behind it; clearly those politics 

have subverted a proper process." 

helped track a number of variants. 

In the two weeks leading up to June 5, 

CDC estimates that Delta was responsible 

for nearly 10% of US infections. And 

now, Hotez, Lee, and the nation's top 

infectious disease physician, Dr. Anthony 

Fauci, say it accounts for roughly a fifth 

of cases. 

"As of a couple of days ago, 20.6% 

of the isolates are Delta," Fauci said at a 

White House briefing Tuesday, referring 

to the two weeks leading up to June 19. 

This number has roughly doubled every 

two weeks, he added. 

"It's so transmissible that, unless your 

vaccination rates are high enough, you 

will still have outbreaks," said Lee. 

A more transmissible variant like Delta 

also raises the bar for what percent of 

a population has to be vaccinated "to 

reach this mythical herd immunity," he 

explained. 

"More worrisome is that we know that 

there are pockets of unvaccinated people," 

he added. "And so I would be worried 

about Delta spreading very quickly in 

those pockets." 

Predicting the future 

Infectious disease modelers are 

The World Heritage Committee is a 21-nation 

group chaired by China, which has had a vexed 

diplomatic relationship with Canberra in recent 

years. 

"Climate change is the single biggest threat 

to all of the world's reef ecosystems... and there 

are 83 natural World Heritage properties facing 

climate change threats so it's not fair to simply 

single out Australia," said Ms Ley. 

showing how a variant like Delta could 

make a Covid-19 comeback later this year. 

Faced with a more transmissible variant, 

"it looks like we do see a resurgence late 

in the summer, or in the early fall," said 

Justin Lessler, an epidemiologist with 

the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of 

Public Health. 

Lessler has been working with 

contributors from a dozen other 

institutions on the Covid-19 Scenario 

Modelling Hub to forecast the pandemic. 

The most recent model finds that a 

Delta-like variant that's assumed to be 

60% more transmissible than Alpha, 

coupled with 75% of eligible Americans 

getting vaccinated, can result in Covid-19 

bouncing back from summer lows to 

cause more than 3,000 deaths per week at 

various points during the fall and winter 

-- coinciding with children returning to 

school and weather that pushes people 

back indoors. 

Environmental groups say the UN's decision 

highlights Australia's weak climate action, 

however. 

"The recommendation from Unesco is clear 

and unequivocal that the Australian government 

is not doing enough to protect our greatest 

natural asset, especially on climate change," 

said Richard Leck, Head of Oceans for the 

World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia. 

The latest row is part of an ongoing dispute 

between Unesco and Australia over the status 

of the iconic site. 

The reef, stretching for 2,300km (1,400 

miles) off Australia's north-east coast, gained 

World Heritage ranking in 1981 for its 

"enormous scientific and intrinsic importance". 

After Unesco first debated its "in danger" 

status in 2017, Canberra committed more than 

A$3 billion (£1.bn; $2.2bn) to improving the 

reef's health. 

Scientists say the main reason is rising sea 

temperatures as a result of global warming 

caused by the burning of fossil fuels. 

In 2019, Australia's own reef authority 

downgraded the reef's condition from poor to 

very poor in its five-year update. 

But Australia remains reluctant to commit to 

stronger climate action, such as by signing up 

to a net zero emissions target by 2050. 

The country, a large exporter of coal and gas, 

has not updated its climate goals since 2015. Its 

current emissions reduction target is 26-28% of 

2005 levels by 2030.

16 ENTERTAINMENT 


AMITABH BACHCHAN reveals 

secret behind his iconic look in 

Deewar, says shirt was too long 

Amitabh Bachchan revealed the story behind his iconic knotted-shirt look in the film Deewar. 

Amitabh Bachchan on Tuesday took to 

Instagram to reveal a piece of trivia about 

his film Deewar, particularly his 'look'. 

Amitabh wore a shirt that was knotted at the 

bottom, and revealed that the decision was one 

made out of necessity. 

Sharing a picture of himself, in Deewar, Amitabh 

Bachchan wrote in a post shared on Instagram, 

"Those were the days my friend .. and the 

knotted shirt .. it has a story .. first day of 

shoot .. shot ready .. camera about to 

roll .. and the discovery that the shirt 

has been made too long - beyond the 

knees .. director could not wait for 

another shirt or a replaced actor .. so 

tied it up in a knot and…" 

Deewar, directed by Yash Chopra, 

also starred Shashi Kapoor. Released in 

1975, it cemented Amitabh's 'angry young man' 

image in popular culture. Amitabh in a recent post 

got nostalgic as he shot for his upcoming film 

SHEKHAR KAPUR: 

Important not to impose 

your ambitions on children 

Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur took 

to social media to talk of how 

parents often tend to impose 

their unfulfilled desires and ambitions 

on children. 

"It's really important not to impose 

your ambitions and desires on your 

children. For your unfulfilled desires 

are filled with fear and apprehension. 

So your kids grow up trying to prove 

themselves to you long after you're gone. 

And carry your fear for the rest of their 

lives," Kapur tweeted. Commenting on 

his tweet, his followers expressed their 

views, mostly agreeing with the veteran 

filmmaker. Sharing another piece of life 

lesson for netizens, Kapur expressed that 

while having a creative ego is good for 

one's creativity, it should not be confused 

with personal ego. 

"There is no creativity without your 

creative ego. Yet, how do you tell the 

difference between your creative ego 

and your personal ego?" he wrote in a 

separate tweet. 

Mayday, at the same location that 

a scene in Deewar had been filmed 

decades earlier. 

He wrote in a post, "Deewar 1975 

.. Mayday 2021 .. looking back in time .. 

the same corridor .. the same location .. so many 

film shoots here of several films of mine .. but 

today .. this came up." 

Yesteryear actor Meenakshi 

Seshadri has said that she 

is contemplating a return 

to cinema after a gap of nearly 

three decades. After making her 

debut in the 80s, she emerged as 

one of the leading female actors 

in Bollywood. She settled down 

in the United States after tying the 

knot in 1995. 

Meenakshi Seshadri was asked if 

she wants to emulate the long-lasting 

careers of actors such as Madhuri 

Dixit and Shabana Azmi. She said 

that she isn't aware of what they've 

been up to. 

"I don't know about these 

actresses, I don't know what is 

happening in their professional 

careers, but as for me, I am like 

a newcomer now," she told a 

leading daily. 

"I am starting after a long gap- 

-a sabbatical of 27 years. It will 

be interesting to see what kind of 

roles I’ll be offered and what I will 

accept. I think current filmmakers 

will want to know what I am 

like nowadays, what my artistic 

" 

Amidst other kind of stories, 

this one was a breath of fresh 

air. It was a unique topic with 

strong characters. I don’t know 

if people clap today when they 

hear great dialogues (laughs), 

but every line was impactful. 

To be a bit immodest, you find 

many reflections of moments of 

Deewaar [in other movies] 

In 2017, recalling his experience working on the 

film, Amitabh had told the media in an interview, 

"Amidst other kind of stories, this one was a breath 

of fresh air. It was a unique topic with strong 

characters. I don’t know if people clap today when 

they hear great dialogues (laughs), but every line 

was impactful. To be a bit immodest, you find 

many reflections of moments of Deewaar [in other 

movies]." 

Meenakshi says she 'doesn't know' 

what's happening in Madhuri Dixit's career 

expression is, before anybody 

decides to write a script for me." 

Meenakshi also spoke about the 

title of 'ice maiden' that was given 

to her by the press. 

She said that she fell ill during 

an outdoor shoot for her film Hero, 

because of the weather in Ooty. But 

the press present on set saw her 

unwell and gave her the title. 

"Later on, the name was used for 

me because I did not have link-ups, 

boyfriends, or affairs," she said. 

Besides Hero, Meenakshi 

has appeared in films such as 

Aandhi Toofan (1985), Meri Jung 

(1985), Swati (1986), Dilwala 

(1986), Dacait (1987), Inaam Dus 

Hazaar (1987), Parivaar (1987), 

Shahenshah (1988), Mahaadev 

(1989), Awaargi (1990), Jurm 

(1990), Ghayal (1990), Ghar Ho To 

Aisa (1990), Damini (1993), Duet 

(1994) and Ghatak (1996). 

Indian film 

industry 

mourns Milkha 

Singh's death 

Several film personalities took 

to social media on Saturday 

to express shock and grief 

over the demise of legendary sprinter 

Milkha Singh. 

Singh passed away in a local 

hospital in Chandigarh at 11.30pm 

on Friday, read a statement from the 

Post Graduate Institute of Medical 

Education & Research (PGIMER), 

where he was being treated for 

Covid-related complications. 

Amitabh Bachchan wrote on 

Twitter: "In grief .. Milkha Singh 

passes away .. the pride of India .. 

a great athlete .. a greater human .. 

Waheguru di Mehr .. prayers." 

Shah Rukh Khan tweeted: "The 

Flying Sikh may no longer be with 

us in person but his presence will 

always be felt and his legacy will 

remain unmatched... An inspiration 

to me... an inspiration to millions. 

Rest in Peace Milkha Singh sir." 

Anil Kapoor posted a picture 

with Milkha Singh and his family 

on Instagram and wrote: "Milkha 

Singh ji welcomed us into his home 

and his lovely wife fed us the most 

unforgettable aloo parathas I've ever 

had... He truly was an incredible 

sportsman, phenomenal host and 

above all an amazing human being... 

will be truly & deeply missed." 

Divya Dutta, who was part of 

the biopic "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", 

wrote: "RIP #milkhasingh ji! This 

has been an end of an era with you!! 

It s been an honour to have met you, 

known you.., and have lived a slice 

of your inspiring life… shall always 

remember the chai sessions and the 

gupshup!". 

John Abraham wrote: "A true 

sporting icon and an inspiration 

to generations. Rest in peace The 

Flying Sikh! #milkhasingh". 

Sonam Kapoor, who worked in 

"Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", put up a 

series of pictures on Instagram story 

and wrote: "Rest in peace sir! " 

Mahesh Babu put up an Instagram 

story to pay his respect and wrote: 

"Rest in Peace Legend." 

Jackie Shroff on going bankrupt after Boom 

failed: 'My wife didn't want the house back' 

Jackie Shroff has opened up about 

the financial crisis he and his family 

experienced after the box office failure 

of Boom. The actor had to sell his house and 

worked twice as hard to pay off the debts. 

Boom released in 2003. The movie 

starred Amitabh Bachchan, Jackie Shroff, 

Gulshan Grover, Padma Lakshmi, Madhu 

Sapre, Zeenat Aman and Katrina Kaif, and was 

produced by Ayesha Shroff. 

Now, Jackie opened up about bankruptcy and 

said that he repaid everyone he owed to clear 

his family's name. 

"I knew that we tried something and we 

lost something. If I had to pay for it, I’d pay. I 

had worked as much as I could and we repaid 

everybody so that my family’s name gets clear. 

Business mein up down hota hi hai, yeh 

zaroori nahi hai ki hum hamesha upar hi rahenge 

(Ups and downs are common in a business. It is 

not necessary that it's always going to stay up.) 

Kabhi upar kabhi niche hota hai (Sometimes it's 

up and sometimes it's down), but you need to 

know how to keep your sanity and ethics," he 

said, speaking with Bollywood Bubble. 

" 

My children are very 

responsible. I was a little 

reckless but I am learning 

lessons now and teaching 

them the same." 

He added that he and Ayesha did not let 

their financial situation impact their children 

Tiger and daughter Krishna. “My kids didn’t 

understand anything. They were too small and 

we didn’t let it get to them,” he said. Tiger had 

reportedly promised Jackie that he would buy 

back the house they lost. 

Reacting to Tiger's intention, Jackie said in 

the chat, "I'm just proud of both my children. 

They are strong enough and getting the house 

back, my wife didn't want it back. She said, 

'Let it be, what's gone is gone'. 

Moreover, Speaking of the fatherly 

advice that he has for his children and 

kids in general he says, “Make yourself 

accountable for each and every day of your 

life. What you’ve earned, how much you’ve 

paid your staff, the taxes you’ve paid, how 

much you’ve donated and how you’ve 

saved yourself and the creative learnings 

you’ve had on that particular day. All of this 

matters.” Signing off, in his characteristic 

nonchalance he says, “My children are very 

responsible. I was a little reckless but I am 

learning lessons now and teaching them the 

same.”

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18 

TIME OUT 


CROSSWORD FreeDailyCrosswords.com 

NO: 74 

ACROSS------------, 

I) Hole for a ship's anchor 

rope 

6) Have an edge against 

10) Accessories for a touring 

band 

14) "_ a Grecian Um" 

(Keats) 

15) Noted rocket launchers 

16) Bondsmen provide it 

17) Exactly what's expected 

20) Tripod for art 

21) At the scene 

22) Not sooner or later 

24) Musician's calling card 

27) Article of faith 

28) 10,000,000 rupees, in India 

31) Am,'s length 

33) Horse kin 

34) Give in 

36) Furnished with footgear 

38) Not relevant 

NOT DISMISSED 

42) Noted ventriloquist Lewis 

43) Word with security or 

networking 

45) Type of shot taken in winter 

48) Vertical section between 

treads 

50) Beatnik's drum 

51) Printing proof 

53) Grove item 

55) Ending for the very best 

56) Colorless fuel gas 

58) Gloomy, to the Bard 

61) Was dignified in a tough 

situation 

66) Word with role or house 

67) Bursting star 

68) Laughing matter 

69) Make no longer made 

70) Thicke of sitcoms 

71) Certain rial spender 

B Rob Lee 

May 4th 

DOWN 

1) Emulate a bunny 

2) Toothpaste box abbr. 

3) It's not always a beast 

4) Parlor seat 

5) Baseball's Slaughter 

6) Bullwinkle feature 

7) "A Christmas Carol" cry 

8) Take unfair advantage of 

9) Fried, folded and filled food 

10) Handle without care 

11) Boat dock 

12) Some downhill ski runs 

13) Precipitates, in a way 

18) Scarlet or crimson 

19) Type of training 

22) Money machine-making co. 

23) Cookie atop a sundae, sometimes 

25) More disorderly 

26) Most populous Hawaiian island 

29) TKO callers 

30) Make king or queen 

32) Middle ears? 

35) Bangkok citizen 

37) Art_ (retro style) 

39) Beginning for while, once 

40) Wide-screen technique 

41) Issues of the OMV 

44) Land parcel 

45) Michelangelo painting 

46) Deadly 

47) Support, as a ruling 

49) St. John's player 

52) Soulful crooner Lou 

54) Homophone for air 

57) Cartoon character Krabappel 

59) Yodeler's feedback 

60) Many a homecoming fan 

62) Costa del _ 

63) Donated eggs? 

64) "That's my boy!" recipient 

65)_Lanka 

ANSWERS CROSSWORD NO: 74 

FreeDailyCrosswords.com 

ACROSS------------, 

I) Hole for a ship's anchor 

rope 

6) Have an edge against 

10) Accessories for a touring 

band 

14) "_ a Grecian Um" 

(Keats) 

15) Noted rocket launchers 

16) Bondsmen provide it 

17) Exactly what's expected 

20) Tripod for art 

21) At the scene 

22) Not sooner or later 

24) Musician's calling card 

27) Article of faith 

28) 10,000,000 rupees, in India 

31) Am,'s length 

33) Horse kin 

34) Give in 

36) Furnished with footgear 

38) Not relevant 

42) Noted ventriloquist Lewis 

43) Word with security or 

networking 

45) Type of shot taken in winter 

48) Vertical section between 

treads 

50) Beatnik's drum 

51) Printing proof 

53) Grove item 

55) Ending for the very best 

56) Colorless fuel gas 

58) Gloomy, to the Bard 

61) Was dignified in a tough 

situation 

66) Word with role or house 

67) Bursting star 

68) Laughing matter 

69) Make no longer made 

70) Thicke of sitcoms 

71) Certain rial spender 

B Rob Lee 

1A 1nn 1P 1s 

N A S A 

h A I L 

--------- T HE c 1 b u R s E 

1 

2b NS I T E 

p sk 0 

T H A N 5i: 

65 H 0 w E D 6b M 

21" E 

66c A L 0 V A u M 0 R 

6 

6b L D 7A L A N 7b M A N I 

HITORI NO: 74 

May 4th 

DOWN 

1) Emulate a bunny 

2) Toothpaste box abbr. 

3) It's not always a beast 

4) Parlor seat 

5) Baseball's Slaughter 

6) Bullwinkle feature 

7) "A Christmas Carol" cry 

8) Take unfair advantage of 

9) Fried, folded and filled food 

10) Handle without care 

11) Boat dock 

12) Some downhill ski runs 

13) Precipitates, in a way 

18) Scarlet or crimson 

19) Type of training 

22) Money machine-making co. 

23) Cookie atop a sundae, sometimes 

25) More disorderly 

26) Most populous Hawaiian island 

29) TKO callers 

30) Make king or queen 

32) Middle ears? 

35) Bangkok citizen 

37) Art_ (retro style) 

39) Beginning for while, once 

40) Wide-screen technique 

41) Issues of the OMV 

44) Land parcel 

45) Michelangelo painting 

46) Deadly 

47) Support, as a ruling 

49) St. John's player 

52) Soulful crooner Lou 

54) Homophone for air 

57) Cartoon character Krabappel 

59) Yodeler's feedback 

60) Many a homecoming fan 

62) Costa del _ 

63) Donated eggs? 

64) "That's my boy!" recipient 

65)_Lanka 

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: 74 

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 

25 June to 01 July 2021 | By Manisha Koushik 

ARIES (MAR 21-APR 20) 

You will need to repose full faith in someone, if 

you want to ease your job. This is a good time 

to consolidate your gains on the academic front. 

A chance to improve upon something at work is 

likely to be gainfully used by you. You are likely 

to keep socially active by calling on a friend 

or relative. Eating out with the one you love 

promises to be lots of fun, so reserve a table for two! Lucky No.:3 

/ Lucky Colour: Red 

TAURUS (APR 21-MAY 20) 

Even though you feel a financial crunch, the 

benefits that accrue will be immense. Taking up 

an exercise routine is possible and will benefit 

you immensely. Your confidence on the academic 

front promises to take you to the very top. Praise 

and a pat on the back can be expected by some 

on the professional front. A family junior may 

require disciplining, but don’t be harsh. Waning interest of someone 

you secretly love may get your alarm bells ringing! Lucky No.:4 / 

Lucky Colour: Sky Blue 

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUN 21) 

You will need to generate the right kind of 

enthusiasm for a job, if you want it finished by 

the deadline. A new and exhilarating experience 

awaits you on a trip that you are contemplating. 

This is a good time to finalise property as stars 

are poised favourably. You may be expected to 

discharge a social commitment that you consider 

a waste of time. Excitement of yesteryears may be missing from a 

long-term relationship, but mutual efforts will help. Lucky No.: 8 / 

Lucky Colour: Yellow 

CANCER (JUN 22-JUL 20) 

You may have to keep those who matter happy, if 

you want your career to move ahead. A relaxing 

and fulfilling time is foreseen for those in love. 

Proceeding on a pilgrimage or vacation cannot be 

ruled out for some. Inadequate preparation may 

pose problems for those undertaking a journey. 

Refrain from joining the gossip mill, as nothing 

good is likely to come of it. Don’t invest blindly in something that 

is recommended to you. Lucky No.:18 / Lucky Colour: Saffron 

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) 

Gearing up to receive someone at home may keep 

you busy. Correct emphasis seems to be your key to 

tackling even the toughest situation on the academic 

front. A new job is in the pipeline for those looking 

for one. Those feeling under the weather are 

likely to show improvement. Your partner’s sweet 

nothings on the romantic front are likely to keep you aglow! You 

may be in the process of giving finishing touches to a property deal. 

Lucky No.: 9 / Lucky Colour: Lavender 

VIRGO (AUG 23-SEP 23) 

You will need to be patient and give a complete 

hearing to the other side, before you say anything 

or act. Don’t open your heart to anyone who 

expresses sympathy on the social front, even if he 

or she is your well wisher. An urgent and important 

job may involve a lot of footwork, but you will 

manage to accomplish it most efficiently. The 

starry-eyed may not get enough time to spend with their favourite 

celebrity.Lucky No.: 4 / Lucky Colour: Rust 

LIBRA (SEP 24-OCT 23) 

You may have to be in the know of things to get 

a leg up on someone. Romantic thoughts are 

likely to flood your mind, so spare some time 

for love and make efforts to rekindle your love 

life. Accompanying someone on a journey is 

foreseen and promises much pleasure. Overseas 

trip cannot be ruled out for businesspersons or 

industrialists. A professional accomplishment may please you no 

end. There is much happening in your personal life. Lucky No.:6 / 

Lucky Colour: Grey 

SCORPIO (OCT 24-NOV 22) 

You will need to plan things taking others into 

consideration. A pleasant surprise on the academic 

front cannot be ruled out for some. If you are 

lagging behind at work, it is in your interest to 

double the speed to catch up. Impulsiveness in 

investing money needs to be curtailed, as it can 

lead to some wrong decisions. Petty jealousies 

and one-upmanship can show you in a bad light on the social front. 

Love life remains satisfactory. Lucky No.:1 / Lucky Colour: 

Lemon 

SAGITTARIUS (NOV 23-DEC 21) 

This is not the right time for changes, especially 

on the professional front. Not keeping a tab on 

your expenses may soon find you in the red. Minor 

ailments, aches and pains threaten to make life 

miserable for some. You are likely to fare well on 

the academic front. A family member may prove 

a great support for you at work. It is best not to get overstressed. 

Those taking chances on the road need to be careful. Lucky No.:15 

/ Lucky Colour: Parrot Green 

CAPRICORN (DEC 22-JAN 21) 

You are in the right, so go ahead fearlessly and 

do what needs to be done. This is a good time 

to plan something with lover, as romantic front 

appears most promising. You are likely to take 

control of things on the academic front and 

forge ahead successfully. An initiative taken 

on the professional front is likely to bring in 

encouraging results. A chance to earn big bucks may knock on your 

door. Health remains satisfactory. Lucky No.:5 / Lucky Colour: 

Peach 

AQUARIUS (JAN 22-FEB 19) 

If success is what you seek, you will taste is 

soon! Much fun is foreseen on the social front 

as a marriage gets solemnised or a success, 

celebrated. Impressing someone on the 

romantic front is very much on the cards for 

some. Making good time on a long journey is 

indicated. Someone’s assistance is likely to find 

you performing well on the academic front. Someone is likely to 

put in a good word for you at work. Lucky No.:7 / Lucky Colour: 

Sandy Brown 

PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 20) 

This is your lucky week, as far as your career is 

concerned. A profitable deal may bring you into 

big money. Socially, you will remain as popular 

and add to your friends’ list. Those married or in 

love are likely to experience a blissful existence. 

An exciting trip is on the cards and will prove 

lots of fun. Your focus no health will keep you 

fit and energetic. Success is yours for the asking on the academic 

front. Lucky No.:22 / Lucky Colour: Light Blue

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Quiet cul-de-sac living in Birkdale 

Nestled in this quiet cul-de-sac but in close proximity to the local shops, motorway connecting 

to CBD and excellent schools is this well maintained weatherboard home which boasts of two 

heat pumps to keep it warm during winter and cool during summer. There is a lot of room 

around the house for kids and pets to run and play, a deck and lawn for partying or basking in 

the sun. If you are into gardening, there is plenty of room for you to have your options. Birds' 

songs come free with this house with an added bonus of a friendly, neighbourhood. 

The vendor wants to move closer to workplace and is highly motivated to sell. To learn more, 

please give me a ring or walk into our open homes 

10A Beeche Place, Birkdale 

AUCTION: 

Onsite, On Sunday 11th July 2021 at 12:00pm 

(Unless Sold Prior) 

Open Home: 

Contact Listing Agent 

022 086 1164 

sunil.john@harcourts.co.nz 

2 1 1 1 2/69 Stamford Park Road, Mt Roskill 

Just Sold this property. The buyer who missed out 

on this property are still waiting to buy in this area. 

Are you thinking of making a move in near future? 

Please call me for a no-obligation appraisal 

of your property now. 

021 109 5336 

suresh.rrk@harcourts.co.nz 

09 629 0088 

mtroskill.harcourts@harcourts.co.nz 

2 White Swan Road Mt Roskill

The Indian Weekender, Friday 25 June 2021

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