The Indian Weekender - 10 September 2021

10SEPTEMBER2021 • VOL 13 ISSUE 27 

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The Indian Weekender Friday, September 10, 2021 

NEW ZEALAND 3 

Majority of 

Kiwi-Indians in 

Auckland jabbed 

More than 72% of Kiwi-Indians have been vaccinated in 

Auckland – higher than the overall average for New Zealand 

NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH 

Some 72.4% of the Indian community 

have had at least one dose and 40.5% 

have had two doses now in the Auckland 

metro area (which covers Auckland District 

Health Board (ADHB), The Counties Manukau 

District Health Board and Waitematā District 

Health Board) according to the latest statistics 

by Northern Region Health Coordination 

Centre. Overall for Auckland metro, 61.1% of 

the population have had at least one dose and 

32.8% two doses. 

Interestingly, this is above the average across 

New Zealand. 64% of the eligible population 

across New Zealand have got their first vaccine 

and 33% of the eligible population with two 

doses. In New Zealand, as of 8 September, 

4,100,657 doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been 

administered – 2,711,485 have had their first 

dose and 1,389,172 their second. 

At least 84,616 Indian community members 

vaccinated had at least one dose and, in all, at 

least 131,029 doses have been administered 

across the Auckland metro area. Out of them, 

52.5% have been given to males and 47.2% to 

females. According to recent statistics, 28.7% 

Supreme Sikh Society of New Zealand spokesperson Daljit Singh checks on people waiting for their dose 

of the vaccination. 

of the Indian community members in Auckland, 

who have had their vaccination, are in the age 

group of 30-39 years followed by 19.1% in the 

age group of 20-29 years. 

The recently held Indian community 

vaccination events have also helped boost 

numbers in the Indian community. About 250 

members of Auckland’s Indian community 

got their jabs at the Gurudwara in Takanini on 

Saturday night. 

The clinic was organised by Unichem 

Pakuranga Pharmacy co-owner Vicky 

Chan and supported by the Supreme Sikh 

Society of New Zealand. In an earlier event 

last week, 200 members of the Indian 

community had their Covid-19 vaccinations at 

Gurudwara in Takanini 

“We aim to make the vaccine as accessible 

as possible to everyone,” Dr Mckree Jansen of 

Northern Region Health Coordination Centre 

(NRHCC) was quoted as saying. 

Supreme Sikh Society of New Zealand 

spokesperson Daljit Singh said, “Having 

vaccination events at the Sikh temple offered 

the opportunity for people to have their 

vaccination in a familiar, safe and friendly 

environment. 

“Those who may have hesitated to get 

vaccinated elsewhere knew they would be 

comfortable here. It wasn’t only members of 

"It 

is great that 

more than 70% of 

Indians in Auckland 

have had their first 

dose. It is encouraging, 

and as a community, we 

should try to be the 

first one to be 100 

vaccinated." 

Pharmacy vaccinator Chris 

Leung gives Harvinder Singh, 

37, his first dose of the vaccine 

at the Sikh Temple on Saturday 

night. 

the Sikh community who 

turned up for vaccinations at 

these events. Members of other 

faiths were also in attendance.” 

Chan said holding vaccination 

clinics at places like the Sikh Temple allowed 

people who don’t have English as a first 

language to access the vaccine in a place they 

can have information translated – and feel at 

ease. Indian community members feel that the 

numbers in Auckland are good and the aim 

should be to have the percentage of Indian fully 

vaccinated to be even higher. 

“Vaccination is the key in this Covid 19 

global pandemic. As an Indian, I feel every 

Indian across New Zealand should try and get 

their vaccination done as soon as possible,” 

says Swati Sharma, a Kiwi-Indian essential 

worker. 

Another Kiwi-Indian, Ashi Sachdev said, 

“It is great that more than 70% of Indians 

in Auckland have had their first dose. It is 

encouraging, and as a community, we should 

try to be the first one to be 100 vaccinated.” 

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4 NEW ZEALAND 

Friday, September 10, 2021 The Indian Weekender 

Is mixing vaccines safe? 

Indian Weekender speaks to a Kiwi-Indian who took mixed 

jabs in India and New Zealand and a leading NZ vaccinologist 

IWK Exclusive 

NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH & DEV 

NADKARNI 

As the Delta variant hit our shores 

here in New Zealand, the sudden 

surge in vaccine demand has taken 

the government off guard, scrambling to 

get additional doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech 

vaccine, which is the only one used so far in 

New Zealand. 

However, because of the spike in demand, 

there have been reports of the government 

considering other makes of vaccine such as 

Astra Zeneca to build up enough contingency 

stock. 

But is it safe to mix vaccines – is it safe for 

the two doses administered to individuals to be 

from different vaccine makers? 

While the jury seems to be out on this 

important question, a growing list of countries 

including Bahrain, Bhutan, Canada, Italy, South 

Korea, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates 

have already begun mixing vaccines as policy. 

This is despite a World Health Organisation 

warning on July 12 that there was little data 

about the health impact. 

Australian Technical Advisory Group on 

Immunisation Co-chair Prof Allen Cheng, who 

is also an epidemiologist and infectious diseases 

physician in Melbourne, told The Guardian this 

week, “the clinical trials for two doses of the 

same vaccine have tens of thousands of people, 

and many millions of people have received 

two doses of the same vaccine, whereas the 

experience with mixed schedules is much 

more limited.” 

However, there seems to be growing 

evidence that mixing vaccines might actually 

be a good thing. 

A UK-based safety study of over 800 

participants, published in the respected journal 

Lancet, found that those who received the first 

dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine tolerated 

Pfizer’s shot as their second dose quite well. 

Another study in Spain points out that people 

who received the AstraZeneca vaccines 

benefited from taking Pfizer as their second 

dose, generating higher levels of antibodies 

than with shots of the same vaccine. 

Indian Weekender’s Navdeep Kaur Marwah 

spoke to Shobhit, a 41-year-old Kiwi-Indian 

who had his first dose of the Astra- 

Zeneca 

vaccine in 

India 

and his second of the Pfizer 

vaccine after his return to New 

Zealand last month. 

While he became unwell enough to be 

hospitalised, it has not been determined 

whether his illness was a result of mixing the 

vaccines or a documented side effect of any one 

of the vaccines. Indian Weekender also spoke 

to leading vaccinologist Dr Petousis-Harris on 

his case. 

Shobhit’s story 

want to inform people 

I coming from India/ 

Pakistan/Bangladesh/ 

Nepal to either they have 

both doses in India or 

have both doses here and 

for sure to have D-Dimer 

test before travelling to 

New Zealand, to make 

sure there is no clotting 

though. I don’t want 

anyone to be in my 

situation." 

Shobhit, currently hospitalised in Auckland 

City Hospital after a condition he 

developed after receiving his second dose here 

in Auckland upon his return from India, has 

a word of caution if you are planning to mix 

doses of Covid 19 vaccines. 

“I went to my hometown Bareilly in the 

month of March to be with my mother who 

was hospitalised. It was the month of 

April, when the second wave was 

in full swing in India, that I was 

diagnosed as Covid positive. 

"However, after self-isolating 

and taking the necessary 

medical advice and medication, 

I thankfully recovered within 

weeks.” 

He continues, “I continued 

to stay in India till my mother 

recovered. And finally, I booked 

my ticket back for Auckland for 29 

July. 

"It was on 20 July when I had my first 

dose of vaccination in India (CoviShield as 

the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine 

is known) in Bareilly. After the dose, I had no 

side effects – and I was feeling fit. 

“I travelled through Doha and Brisbane and 

reached Auckland on 31 July after nearly a 

journey of 40 hours. Luckily, I was exempted to 

spend 14 days in a green zone country as being 

parent of a NZ citizen.” 

The IT professional who migrated to NZ in 

2016, continued: “After I got here, I went to 

the MIQ facility named Sebel in Manukau and 

came out of there on the 14 August. 

“On 17 August, I went to get my second dose 

of vaccination after getting an online booking, 

but before getting the jab, I had informed the 

vaccinator that I had got a CoviShield dose in 

India. I had a long discussion regarding the 

same and I was assured that it is not a problem, 

and I can go ahead with my second jab. 

“To be honest, I had no immediate side 

effects after the second dose and then the 

lockdown happened, and I started working 

from home. It was on 25 August that I started 

feeling something unusual when I went out for 

a routine walk. I felt unusually tired. 

“This continued for a few days – I noticed 

I was getting tired very early. But on the 

afternoon of 30 August, my heart was just like 

pumping too fast. 

"Since I regularly take blood pressure 

medicine, I thought it may be due to fluctuation 

in my BP, so I checked my blood pressure, 

it was okay. Even then I had half a tablet as 

a precaution. But when my situation got out 

of control and worsened, my wife called the 

ambulance, and I was admitted to Auckland 

City Hospital. 

“It was at the hospital where they did the 

D-Dimer bllod test to check if there were any 

blood clots. After going through numerous tests 

and scans, got to know that I have a massive 

clot in lungs with higher side of D-Dimer 

test values. 

Even though doctors are trying to get to 

the root cause of that level of clotting and 

supporting me on each step to get cured, I do 

feel that it is due to mixing of vaccination,” says 

Shobhit, who is currently on blood thinners. 

“I want to inform people coming from India/ 

Pakistan/Bangladesh/Nepal to either they have 

both doses in India or have both doses here and 

for sure to have D-Dimer test before travelling 

to New Zealand, to make sure there is no 

clotting though. I don’t want anyone to be in 

my situation,” says Shobhit, who hopes to get 

discharged from hospital by next week. 

‘No evidence’ that mixed 

vaccines could be responsible 

Indian Weekender consulted vaccionolgist 

Dr Helen Petousis-Harris, University 

of Auckland’s Associate Professor in the 

Department of General Practice and Primary 

Health Care, and Director of the Vaccine 

Datalink and Research Group whether mixing 

separate vaccines could have issues. 

Dr Petousis-Harris whose team is involved 

in research on the safety and effectiveness of 

Covid-19 vaccines across the world, says, 

“First, as a viral vector vaccine, Covishield 

is associated with a rare side effect. This is a 

syndrome of thrombosis (blood clots) and 

thrombocytopaenia (bleeding). 

This is seen mainly in younger women and 

has some specific characteristics (by and large). 

There is no established association between the 

mRNA vaccines like The Pfizer vaccine and 

thrombosis.” 

She adds, “I cannot see a mechanism for a 

mixed vaccine schedule to do this and there is 

no evidence that it does. 

"These mixed schedules are generally viewed 

as positive and many people are having different 

vaccine types as part of their immunisation. 

“Second, blood clots are an established risk 

associated with long haul flights with onset 

within the month or so of the flight. 

"It is very important to report this to the centre 

of adverse reaction monitoring (CARM) as 

the case should be assessed by experts with 

all the information. 

It would be good if the health professional 

could make the report so as to include important 

medical details but also this report can be made 

by the individual.” 

Though Shobhit wants everyone to be 

cautious about mixing vaccines, at the time of 

writing there seems to be little evidence that 

there is an issue with this. 

In fact, countries are increasingly 

looking at doing exactly that encouraged 

by early tests that it might actually help the 

efficacy of the vaccines. 

Meanwhile, the Indian Weekender wishes 

Shobit a speedy recovery


NEW ZEALAND 5 

Why house building needs to 

continue even in lockdowns 

We published this story online on 

indianweekender.co.nz on the morning 

of 7 September. Just a few hours 

later on the vary day, the government 

announced that the building industry 

would be able to operate after Finance 

Minister Grant Robertson and Building 

and Construction Minister, Poto 

Williams, jointly announced the u-turn. 

IWK BUREAU 

Armed with nearly 16 months of 

experience dealing with the Covid 

pandemic and a series of lockdowns 

up and down the country, a better outcome was 

expected of the government. 

New Zealand’s housing supply problem has 

already crossed the crisis level. 

The government should have been more 

pragmatic in managing this current lockdown, 

especially at house building sites. 

Government ministers should have weighed 

the various pros and cons, and a system and 

process should have been developed by now 

whereby a house building site should not have 

been completely shut. 

Firstly, all building product manufacturers 

and their associated supply chain should be 

declared essential services. 

If a plastic box manufacturer in South 

Auckland was deemed essential, the building 

products manufacturing industry could be too 

– for far more justifiable reasons. 

Housing is undoubtedly an essential 

service, especially when the country is reeling 

under record shortages and homelessness 

that threatens to become chronic. The public 

housing waitlist has nearly 23,000 people on it, 

with an overall shortage of homes estimated at 

around 40,000. 

Extraordinary circumstances need 

extraordinary responses. 

Locking the country down is the easiest 

option and does not display any innovative or 

long term creative, solution-oriented thinking. 

Secondly, residential house building sites 

should have been allowed to operate under 

Housing 

is undoubtedly 

an essential service, 

especially when the 

country is reeling under 

record shortages and 

homelessness that 

threatens to become 

chronic. 

strict rules and regulations. 

New Zealanders have 

proven that, by and large, 

they are a very compliant 

society. 

A ruling could have 

developed and fine-tuned, 

which would limit the number of 

people, to say two per house site. 

Allowing two workers per house building 

site, with appropriate social distancing norms, 

could have kept the wheels moving and to some 

extent, alleviated the issue of shortage. 

Such innovative thinking and developing 

robust processes and procedures should have 

helped the current and future critical issue of 

housing supply our country is grappling with. 

Allowing two people per site, masked and 

socially distanced, would have limited any 

possible spread just as such measures are 

expected to work in comparable situations. 

Building product supply can be contactless, 

as has already been demonstrated by the big 

box retailers. 

If a courier can come and door-deliver 

clothes purchased online halfway across the 

world, so can be building materials. 

Labour shortages are already knocking on 

our doors. 

The immigration minister continually 

accepts this problem but has done little to 

alleviate it or improve the archaic and 

broken immigration system we are 

suffering. 

We all know we have issues 

to deal with; one is a severe 

housing shortage, and the 

other is Covid. 

We have two options, one dwell 

on the problems to the extent of 

wallowing in them, which we think the 

current government has mastered, and the 

second option is to find innovative, balanced, 

workable solutions and create win-wins. 

Let’s hope the powers that be wake up and 

find ways not to damage the building and 

construction sector further and exacerbate the 

housing crisis – all in the name of the pandemic. 

Aotearoa New Zealand 

It’s your time to get vaccinated 

COVID-19 vaccinations are now open for everyone 12 years 

and over. They’re completely free and are one of the most 

powerful tools against COVID-19. 

Book your vaccination today 

To book online, go to BookMyVaccine.nz 

and follow the simple steps to book both 

doses. It will take about 5 minutes to book 

your two appointments. Just choose the 

location, dates and times you prefer. 

You can also book for you and your family 

by calling the COVID vaccination healthline 

on 0800 28 29 26 from 8am – 8pm, 

7 days a week. 

• If you speak a language 

other than English, please 

ask for an interpreter. 

• Someone else can book 

for you, and you can take 

a support person to your 

appointment. 

• You don’t have to be a 

New Zealand citizen or 

resident. As long as you’re 

in New Zealand, you can 

book yourself in. 

CALL NOW 

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0800 66 77 92 

Oliver Pereira 

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6 NEW ZEALAND 

How would 

you like NZ’s 

immigration 

policy to be? 

Have your say! 

Friday, September 10, 2021 

The Indian Weekender 

IWK Exclusive 

PRITI GARUDE KASTURE 

In 2019, Indians in New Zealand contributed 

$10 billion to the New Zealand economy. 

Migrants have always been integral to 

the fabric of New Zealand’s society and have 

made a more than a significant contribution to 

the country’s economy. And yet, despite that 

important role, the New Zealand immigration 

system has not had a fundamental review since 

the 1990s. 

Now, the Government has asked New Zealand 

Productivity Commission, an independent 

Crown entity that provides evidence-based 

analysis and advice about ways to improve 

productivity in New Zealand, for advise the 

on what immigration policies are fit for New 

Zealand’s future. 

The Commission’s job is to take a longer 

10-30-year view and to think about what New 

Zealand’s immigration system should be trying 

to achieve, and how it can best do that. It looks 

at what skills may be needed in the future, 

do the visa categories need to be reviewed, 

how can the policies inculcate Te Ao Maori 

principles to our immigration system, along 

with considering other factors that contribute to 

the overall wellbeing of New Zealanders. 

Indian Weekender spoke exclusively 

to Dr Ganesh Nana, Chair, New Zealand 

Productivity Commission on the questions 

raised in New Zealand’s immigration, 

productivity and wellbeing issues paper and 

what are the factors are under consideration 

before recommendations are put forth to the 

government. 

Can you elaborate on New Zealand’s 

immigration plan over the last 30 

years? 

Our initial finding has been that there hasn’t 

been a plan, so to speak. There hasn’t been a 

coherent plan in terms of immigration, and 

that’s part of the inquiry that the Productivity 

Commission is running. 

In the last 30 years, you could loosely say it’s 

been around filling gaps in the labour market. It 

has been haphazard. 

Our inquiry will find out what has been 

productive and beneficial in the last few 

decades, and where it hasn’t. We will look for 

evidence and lessons from there to develop an 

explicit, coherent plan for the next 30 years. 

Will the Productivity Commission 

recommend New Zealand look at the 

changes that other OECD countries are 

taking into consideration? 

We haven’t got to our recommendations yet, 

and that’s part of the jigsaw puzzle that we need 

to consider. I think though we need to recognize 

and realize that it’s not just COVID that has 

caused these issues of global competition 

for skills. There has always been a global 

competition for skills of various occupations, 

and that is going to get even more and more 

intense into the future. 

Whether they be health skills or technical 

skills. New Zealand needs to think about the 

sort of skills it needs and how it’s going to 

attract those skills in the context of a more 

intense market for skills out there in the world. 

New Zealand’s reputation has taken a 

hit after recent border closures, delay 

in immigration processes – is that a 

concerning factor that’s been taken 

into consideration by the Productivity 

Commission? 

It’s coming through in our conversations and 

engagements, and so it’d be silly to ignore that. 

I think what we need to understand and our 

recommendation back to Government when we 

formulate them will be around, what’s good 

for New Zealand and what sort of reputation 

we might want to foster because it’s not just 

signals from immigration policy, that then does 

impact on overall relationships with the rest of 

the world. 

Our previous inquiries from the Productivity 

Commission about Frontier Firms was about 

how it was vital for New Zealand to have 

connections with the rest of the world. So, we 

can’t look at this in isolation. 

Migrant exploitation is an issue that 

many Kiwi-Indians are concerned 

about. What are the questions that were 

put forth on this issue in the paper? 

There’s a question of our obligations – if we 

are to invite migrants into our country, what 

obligations do we have, and that’s a very hot 

topic which we will be tackling. 

We are quite keen to make some 

recommendations about obligations, not just on 

employees, but on our own community. That’s 

central to the overriding theme in our terms 

of reference about bringing a Te Ao Maori 

perspective, the concept of Manaakitanga, 

the concept of who we are in terms of our 

immigration policy. We are inviting visitors to 

our home, and we have an obligation to look 

after those visitors. 

In terms of obligations on employers, we 

have a question that what obligations do those 

employers have, not just to the migrants but 

also to other domestic workers. 

There is a question about how can we get past 

that power imbalance? Especially if migrants 

are tied to specific employers, there’s a clear 

risk thereof that imbalance of power, there is a 

risk of exploitation. 

There are a few very important questions that 

we will be thinking about and then making our 

recommendations. 

Has the Commission considered a 

skill mismatch that may correlate to a 

decrease in productivity, in their recommendations? 

Absolutely, that’s the thing about skills. As a 

part of our obligations, if we do have migrants 

coming in, if they come in under the belief 

that they’ll be able to use their qualifications, 

use their skills, they may come here and find 

their skills are not recognized, then we haven’t 

fulfilled our obligations and we haven’t 

done right. 

So, we do have to be clear in terms of what 

skills were after and why, and that goes back to 

our fundamental reasons for immigration. 

Will the Productivity Commission 

provide recommendations to work with 

small businesses to transform their recruitment, 

which will help to get more 

local workforce, which in turn will help 

local wellbeing? 

There are lots of arms of policy and arms 

of government that are engaging with small 

businesses, in terms of skill development, terms 

of trading, in terms of local labour market jobs. 

It’s a matter of making sure all those things are 

not working against each other, and where does 

immigration fit into that jigsaw puzzle. 

So, yes, we will be considering all those 

things, but also at the same time, we are keen to 

receive submissions on our issues paper, which 

is still open, from businesses and individuals 

and communities in response to those questions. 

Will the Productivity Commission look 

at suggestions from the industry on jobs 

that might no longer exist in 10 years 

because of automation, AI? 

No, we are not. The Commission has already 

completed an inquiry into Technological change 

and the future of work. It found that technology 

doesn’t just replace jobs, it also creates them. 

Technology has many effects on the 

labour market, some of which are positive 

for workers, the quality of work, and jobs. 

Predictions that technology will inevitably 

Dr Ganesh Nana, Chair, New Zealand 

Productivity Commission 

replace work are simplistic and out of step with 

historical experience. 

There’s going to be a lot of automation 

in agriculture going forward, and NZ is 

highly dependent on seasonal labour, is the 

Commission taking into consideration what 

will happen to that labour in the future? 

Yes, we are consulting with industry and 

other experts and conducting research and 

analysis into seasonal labour and will be 

making relevant policy recommendations. 

Will other cultural factors be taken into 

consideration while designing these 

recommendations? 

I think we can’t ignore them. We must look 

at it from a positive perspective. One of the 

benefits of migration is the building of a diverse 

community. 

These communities understand a range of 

cultures, society, values that also then reinforces 

our connections to various parts of the world, 

which not only improves our economy and 

productivity performance but also, our overall 

wellbeing. 

So, it goes back to square one about what is 

the objective of immigration and whether our 

policy settings are consistent with our overall 

values, about Te Ao Maori perspectives, 

around whanau, manaakitanga, and all those 

other elements. 

Some people see immigration as just about 

bringing in workers. But it’s bringing in people, 

and people bring in their families, so it’s that 

family-community perspective, and overall 

wellbeing that drives whether the immigration 

policy is good or bad. 

Submissions can be made via the 

Productivity Commission website. A draft 

report with proposed recommendations 

will be released in October 2021. A final 

report will be presented to the Government 

in April 2022.


NEW ZEALAND 7 

New builds ‘absolutely not’ 

PHIL PENNINGTON, RNZ 

The increasing cost of building 

materials is jeopardising first 

home buyers’ finances. 

The rapid rise in the price of 

materials such as bricks, timber 

and steel, of up to 50 percent in the 

past year, is pressuring builders to 

invoke escalation clauses within socalled 

“fixed price” contracts. 

A lawyer warns there is no such 

thing as a fixed-price contract, and 

buyers need to beware. 

Master Builders is warning 

companies not to remove clauses 

in contracts that allow them to raise 

prices even after signing a deal. 

Lucy McPherson, 25, and her 

partner Ben Butterick signed up in 

July for a $545,000 build yet to begin 

in Selwyn near Christchurch. 

They thought by going rural 

they had got a good deal on a fourbedroom 

house-and-land package. 

But already the price has risen by 

$7000 - and the sleepless nights have 

kicked in. 

“You just don’t know what to 

do,” McPherson, who works in 

marketing, said. 

If what they end up paying 

breaches a cap of $550,000, they will 

not only have to pay the extra but 

will also lose their HomeStart grant. 

recommended for first-home buyers 

Lucy McPherson says the the cost of her first home is going up and resulting in 

sleepless nights. Photo: Supplied 

“I just can’t imagine having to 

finish your first home, and then turn 

around and pay back not only extra 

costs that you didn’t know were going 

to pop up, but also that HomeStart 

grant which is such a big help to firsttime 

buyers like ourselves,” she said. 

Their bank had pre-approved up 

to $550,000 - but was “strongly, 

strongly” advising them not 

to go ahead. 

“They gave us the very stern 

warning that they have seen many 

cases like this, that have spiralled 

out of control”, cases where cost 

over-runs had hit $60,000-plus, 

McPherson said. 

A mortgage broker told RNZ 

about two similar-sized over-runs she 

had seen recently in Auckland. 

“If someone came up to me 

today and said, oh, I’m a first-time 

buyer, should I build new?’ I’d say, 

‘absolutely not, don’t even bother’,” 

McPherson said. 

“You’ll have your head in the 

ground for months and months 

and months dealing with all the ... 

craziness at the moment.” 

‘We absolutely regret putting 

money into KiwiSaver’ 

The couple is eligible to get the 

maximum $20,000 HomeStart 

grant due to pouring all their savings 

into KiwiSaver. 

“Years and years ago, we were 

sold this idea of KiwiSaver and 

how wonderful it was to put all this 

money into it for years and you’d be 

all set to go to buy your first house.” 

Now, KiwiSaver was just a 

“chokehold around your neck”, 

she said. 

“We absolutely regret 

putting money into 

KiwiSaver for that 

purpose”. 

Their builder had told them 

that Registered Master Builders 

Association’s advice to him weeks 

ago was: not to offer a fixed-price 

job.The standard Master Builders’ 

contract has a provision covering 

price fluctuations, but builders have 

been known to remove it. 

Master Builders Association chief 

executive David Kelly has warned 

against that. 

“We recommend builders exercise 

caution before removing these clauses 

given the current environment,” 

Kelly said in a statement. 

Global disruption forcing up 

material costs was “making it very 

difficult to determine exactly how 

much a build will cost”. 

“The key for builders is to 

communicate and be upfront and 

honest with their customers. 

“Provide realistic timelines and 

cost structures and talk openly about 

the risk - then together you can 

manage this.” 

Goalposts shifting 

However, Christchurch property 

lawyer Prue Miller said home buyers 

were bearing too much of the risk 

without realising it. 

She said she even had to tell 

banks that the regular “fixed-price” 

contracts that they demanded from 

customers almost always allowed for 

cost “adjustments”. 

“There is and has never been such 

a thing as a fixed-price residential 

build contract,” she said. 

Previously, Miller would strike 

out any escalation clauses she came 

across, and builders “would never 

argue” - but the goalposts were 

shifting. 

“Now they certainly would 

[argue].” 

Kelly said buyers should talk to 

their builder and designer, and be 

clear about their budgets. 

McPherson has been told they can 

come in under $550,000 if they build 

only two or three bedrooms, not four. 

But she worries this would give the 

builder licence to go to the maximum 

of $550,000. 

“There’s kind of no protection. It’s 

so uncertain. 

“Months ago we were being 

encouraged to build more houses ... 

blah, blah, blah. Now, it’s been made 

so hard.” 

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8 NEW ZEALAND 

New rules for mandatory 

record keeping from today 

IWK BUREAU 

If your business is opening at 

Alert Level 2, you have until 

11.59pm Tuesday, 14 September 

2021 to get your systems set up. 

Many businesses and locations 

are required to take steps to ensure 

a people can easily make a record 

when they visit. 

If your business was open at Alert 

Level 3, you should already have 

systems set up. You legally must 

have more than one way for people 

to record their visit, especially for 

people who are not able to scan QR 

codes. Your system for recording 

customers and visitors can include: 

• asking people to scan in using the 

NZ COVID Tracer app 

• recording your customers’ and 

visitors’ details manually 

• providing paper forms for 

customers and visitors to fill in 

with their details and place in a 

collection box 

• using your existing recordkeeping 

systems, such as swipecard 

access or appointment 

bookings. 

If you are the person in charge of 

a business, location or event, you 

legally must make sure you have safe 

and secure systems and processes in 

place so that everyone working on or 

visiting your premises can scan in or 

provide their details in an electronic 

or paper-based manual process, no 

matter how long they are there for. 

This includes workers, contractors, 

customers, and volunteers. 

You still need to continue 

displaying your QR code poster even 

if you are not required to collect 

customer records. 

Business.govt.nz has guidance on 

record keeping. 

Record keeping involves collecting 

the details of all workers, customers, 

and visitors who visit your workplace 

or location. If there is a case of 

COVID-19 in the community, public 

health officials and contact tracers 

will use this information to identify 

people who may have been exposed 

to COVID-19. 

When businesses and event 

organisers keep records of who 

was at their workplace or location, 

it makes contact tracing faster and 

more efficient. 

Good record keeping and fast 

contact tracing will help stop the 

spread of COVID-19, and protect our 

businesses, communities and each 

other. Contact records are personal 

information and need to be kept safe 

and secure to maintain and build trust 

in the contact tracing system. 

At all Alert Levels, certain 

businesses and event organisers 

legally must have a way for 

customers and visitors to record that 

they have entered their premises or 

attended a gathering or event. 

You must have ways to record a 

visit if you are: 

• a cafe, restaurant, bar or nightclub 

• a health service 

• a close-contact personal care 

service — for example, a 

hairdresser or beautician 

• an indoor exercise facility — for 

example a gym or swimming pool 

• an entertainment venue — for 

example a cinema, stadium, 

theatre or casino 

• an indoor public facility where 

people gather — museums or 

libraries 

• a court or tribunal 

• a social services provider with 

customer service counters — 

such as a Ministry of Social 

Development office 

• organising a wedding, funeral, 

tangihanga or faith-based service 

• organising a concert 

• having a gathering or hui at a 

marae. 

For more visit 

https://covid19.govt.nz/businessand-money/businesses/recordkeeping-and-contact-tracing/ 


NZ GOVT/ IWK BUREAU 

Students facing a hard time 

as a result of COVID-19 

restrictions will continue to 

be supported,” Education Minister 

Chris Hipkins says. 

The Government is putting a 

further $20 million into the Hardship 

Fund for Learners, which will 

help around 15,000 students to 

stay connected to their studies and 

learning. “We know a strong public 

health response is the best approach 

to COVID-19, and we know that 

in taking swift, decisive action we 

give our tertiary students the best 

chance to return to their studies in 

workshops, classrooms and lecture 

theatres,” Minister Hipkins said. 

“But the Government also 

recognises that COVID-19 has made 

continuing to study difficult. 

“In Budget 2020, we established 

the $20 million Hardship Fund for 

Learners. We then extended the fund 

with a further $10 million as part of 

Budget 2021. We know that this fund 

is helping people, which is why we 

are extending it for a third time. 

“We are also ensuring that MSD 

will have the discretion to continue 

paying out both student loans and 

allowances to learners who are 

unable to resume their study until 

COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.” 

The additional money will be 

paid to tertiary providers, as it has 

previously, who disburse it to their 

learners. It can be used to help 

students who are facing any kind 

of hardship that is interfering with 

their ability to progress with their 

study. For example it can address 

financial challenges, or be used 

for technology-related costs where 

COVID-19 restrictions remove 


Support for tertiary students 

affected by COVID-19 

" 

We know a strong 

public health 

response is the best 

approach to COVID-19, 

and we know that in 

taking swift, decisive 

action we give our 

tertiary students the 

best chance to return 

to their studies in 

workshops, classrooms 

and lecture theatres 

options for face-to-face study. 

“Because students’ needs are 

diverse, this funding is flexible. 

Tertiary providers understand the 

needs of their students and will 

distribute it in the way that is most 

suitable. Learners may receive 

either cash grants, or goods/services 

purchased on their behalf,” Chris 

Hipkins said. 

“COVID-19 is a tricky and 

unpredictable virus that will be 

with us for some time yet. That is 

why through today’s funding we are 

supporting learners’ current financial 

needs and helping to provide cover 

into the start of 2022. 

“If you are a tertiary student and 

need support to keep studying, please 

talk to your provider.” 

The Tertiary Education 

Commission will be working directly 

with providers to manage this 

additional funding. 

LANGUISHING, BURNOUT AND STIGMA – 

Delta’s possible psychological impacts 

RNZ/ DOUGAL 

SUTHERLAND* OF THE 

CONVERSATION 

As New Zealand remains 

under different levels of 

restriction, the psychological 

toll of the Delta outbreak may start 

to show, even as lockdown eases for 

everyone outside Auckland. 

We know that stress and isolation 

associated with a lockdown can 

exacerbate underlying mental 

illnesses. But even for people with 

no existing concerns, the impact 

can show in more subtle ways, on a 

continuum between flourishing and 

languishing. 

Imagine a t-shaped cross with 

symptoms of mental illness on the 

horizontal axis ranging from severe 

to none, and mental health on the 

vertical axis, ranging from high 

(flourishing) to low (languishing). 

Under this model, it’s quite possible 

to experience a mental illness but 

still be flourishing or to have no 

symptoms of a mental illness, yet 

be in a state where life feels dull and 

meaningless. 

Increased levels of languishing 

were reported in the UK as extended 

lockdowns continued. New 

Zealanders, especially in Auckland, 

are at risk of experiencing a similar 

decline in their mental health as 

the groundhog days of an extended 

lockdown continue. 

Essential workers at risk 

of burnout 

For health workers, extended 

lockdowns come with a risk of 

professional burnout. Health Minister 

Andrew Little recently noted the high 

levels of stress experienced by nurses 

and doctors as they continue to 

provide care in trying circumstances. 

The World Health Organization 

defines burnout as mental and 

physical exhaustion, feelings of 

cynicism and detachment from work, 

and a loss of productivity. 

Prior to lockdown, nurses were on 

the verge of strike action, spurred on 

by high levels of reported burnout. 

The ongoing demand due to 

Covid-19 is unlikely to alleviate this. 

Recent media comments regarding 

the well-being of Prime Minister 

Jacinda Ardern and Director-General 

of Health Ashley Bloomfield remind 

us that public servants are not 

immune either. Nor are essential 

workers such as truck drivers and 

supermarket workers. 

The latter in particular are at 

increased risk because of abuse 

they suffer from irritated shoppers 

and the shock linked to the recent 

supermarket terror attack. 

Vaccination may ease 

anxiety 

As more people become fully 

vaccinated, people’s perception of 

threat linked to an outbreak is likely 

to diminish. So, too, are our levels 

of anxiety, if overseas experience is 

anything to go by. 

This shift in the public mindset 

is logical and would signal a step 

towards us learning to live with 

Covid-19 in the same way perhaps 

as we have learnt to live with 

other diseases. 

But experience to date suggests 

this transition is likely to have 

some ups and downs, with the 

ongoing potential emergence of new 

Covid-19 variants. 

As vaccination rates rise, there is 

also a risk that media and the public 

begin to stigmatise identifiable 

groups who haven’t been vaccinated, 

blaming them for the spread of the 

virus and a loss of liberty. 

New Zealand had a taste of this 

recently when one cluster of the 

Delta outbreak was linked to a 

Samoan church, triggering online 

racist comments blaming them for 

the lockdown. 

These types of comments increase 

the suffering of those already affected 

by the virus. They also overlook the 

evidence for substantial inequities in 

access to healthcare. 

But languishing, burnout and 

stigmatisation are not inevitable 

consequences of an ongoing 

lockdown. Noticing changes in your 

own mental health is the first step to 

preventing a slide into languishing. 

* Dougal Sutherland is a clinical 

psychologist at Te Herenga 

Waka - Victoria University of 

Wellington. He works for Victoria 

University of Wellington and 

Umbrella Wellbeing.


NEW ZEALAND 9 

80 homes significantly 

damaged in last week’s storm 

IWK BUREAU 

Rapid Building Assessments undertaken 

by Auckland Council’s Regulatory 

team have identified that almost eighty 

homes suffered significant damage in last 

week’s floods. 

Preliminary investigations undertaken 

on Thursday and Friday showed that the 

impacted area was more localised than 

originally suspected, reducing the number of 

affected homes. 

“Last week’s flooding added an extra level 

of stress to what was already a difficult time, 

and my thoughts continue to be with those 

whose homes and businesses were affected,” 

Mayor Phil Goff says. 

“Alert Level 4 has made the response even 

more challenging, and I want to thank all 

of those involved for acting quickly and for 

helping get the recovery effort underway in 

difficult circumstances. 

“For those who are still unable to return home, 

support is available from Auckland Council. If 

you need assistance, advice or support, please 

call the council on 0800 22 22 00.” 

The assessments, which were undertaken by 

a team of 90 building consenting and regulatory 

compliance staff, have to date resulted in: 

Four homes receiving a red placard – this 

means that re-entry is prohibited because it is 

no longer habitable or has suffered significant 

structural compromise and is unsafe due to 

safety concerns. A red placard means further 

investigation and remedial work is required 

before the property is safe to occupy. 

74 receiving a yellow placard – This 

means there is restricted entry to part of the 

building, that there is enough damage for the 

council to have concerns about the building’s 

performance, but not enough to prevent entry 

entirely. 

For example, it might mean that electrical 

systems have been compromised but the rest of 

the house is safe. 

106 receiving a white placard – This means 

the property may have minor damage, but it 

has been deemed to be sufficiently safe and 

inhabitable and that no council follow up is 

required. 

The numbers of placards are expected to 

change overtime as further assessments / 

remedial work is conducted. 

Council General Manager Building 

Consents, Ian McCormick says the council’s 

Regulatory Compliance team will be following 

up with owners who have received a yellow or 

red placard to provide support. 

“It is likely that most of the damage suffered 

to these homes will not involve remedial work 

that requires building consent, but our teams 

will be on hand to let owners know what the 

next steps are. 

" 

Anyone who has a 

question regarding the 

placards that have been 

placed on their property, 

or who needs further 

assistance can call the 

council’s contact centre 

and they will be transferred 

directly to a designated 

team that has been set up to 

help them." 

“We know that this can be a challenging 

time, and we want to make it as easy as possible 

for those that have been affected. 

“Anyone who has a question regarding 

the placards that have been placed on their 

property, or who needs further assistance can 

call the council’s contact centre and they will 

be transferred directly to a designated team that 

has been set up to help them.”

10 NEW ZEALAND 



India’s biggest ever medal ha 

AVINESH SEN 

The Summer Olympics this year were 

a huge deal. Despite it being delayed 

because of the pandemic, the world 

got together and celebrated the best of the 

best in human ingenuity, sportsmanship 

and physical prowess. Everyone around 

the globe glued themselves to their screens 

and waited with bated breath to see who 

would come out on top. And although the 

excitement of one event came to a close, we 

didn’t stop there. 

The Tokyo Paralympics 2020 Games were 

held in full glory, starting on 24 August and 

ending with a flourish on 5 September. 

These athletes are a living testament of ‘never 

giving up no matter what obstacle comes your 

way.’ It’s only right that we pay tribute to our 

behenon aur bhaiyon both from India and New 

Zealand, who are giving their all to make their 

country, and themselves proud. 

Let’s start off with Team 

India 

During the Paralympic games this season, 

India brought home a total of 19 medals, its 

biggest medal haul yet; five gold, eight silver and 

six bronze. Here’s a little bit about the winners. 

Sumit Antil 

Men’s javelin throw F64, Gold Medal 

Parmod Bhagat contracted polio at a young age, 

leading to problems with his left leg. 

Avani Lekhara 

Women’s 10m air rifle shooting standing 

SH1, Gold Medal & women’s 50m rifle 3 

positions shooting SH1, Bronze Medal 

Avani Lekhara took home the gold in the 

women’s 10m air riffle shooting standing 

SH1 event, after scoring 249.6, setting a new 

Paralympic record. After that, she also won 

the bronze medal in the women’s 50m rifle 3 

positions shooting SH1 category, becoming 

the first Indian woman to win two Paralympic 

medals. 

This was the 19-year-old’s debut at the 

Paralympics. She has not allowed her paraplegia 

as a result of a car accident 2012, slow her down 

in any way. 

Krishna Nagar 

Men’s singles badminton SH6, Gold Medal 

to his already impressive repertoire, despite a 

congenital impairment of his right hand. 

Singhraj Adhana 

Men’s 50m pistol SH1, Silver Medal & men’s 

10m Air Pistol, SH1, Bronze Medal 

In the men’s 50m pistol SH1 category, 

Singhraj Adhana joined his compatriot on the 

podium after securing the silver medal with a 

total score of 216.7 in the final. He also secured 

the bronze medal on the men’s 10m Air Pistol 

SH1 category, finishing with a total of 216.8 

points in the final. He contracted polio when 

he was just a year old, and it resulted in him 

needing a stick to walk. 

Devendra Jhajharia 

Men’s javelin throw F46, Silver Medal 

Nishad Kumar 

Men’s high jump, T47, Silver Medal 

Equaling his personal best of 2.06m, which is 

also an Asian record, Nishad Kumar claimed the 

silver medal at the men’s high jump T47 event. 

No bronze medals were handed out this time 

around; instead there were two silver medalists, 

Nishad Kumar and Dallas Wise of the USA. He 

has limb deficiency (missing right hand), and 

aims high with the rest of his body! 

Praveen Kumar 


Sumit Antil broke his own world record, not 

once, not twice, but thrice this season, beginning 

with a throw of 66.95m, shattering his previous 

record of 62.88m. He later broke that record too, 

with a massive 68.08m throw and ended the event 

by obliterating that one with a final magnificent 

68.55m throw. It secured him the gold and the 

top step in the podium. His disability is a limb 

deficiency (left leg amputated below the knee) 

as result of a motorcycle accident in 2015, which 

only spurred him on to greater glory. 

Pramod Bhagat 

Men’s singles badminton SL3, Gold Medal 

Krishna Nagar wrapped up his campaign at 

the Tokyo Paralympics, after winning the gold 

medal in the men’s singles badminton SH6 

category. He won all four of his games in the 

tournament, and stood proudly at the top step 

of the podium. Krishna was diagnosed with 

dwarfism at age two, which just goes to show the 

able bodied that nothing can stop a determined 

person from achieving greater heights. 

Manish Narwal 

Mixed 50m pistol SH1, Gold Medal 

Devendra Jhajharia secured the silver medal 

after throwing a new record 64.35m in the final 

match; second only to Dinesh Herath of Sri- 

Lanka, who threw it even further at 67.79m, 

securing the gold. This silver medal makes 

Devendra Jhajharia India’s most decorated 

Paralympian, adding to his two gold medals 

won the Athens 2004 and Rio 2016 games. He is 

an inspiration to all youngsters, not allowing his 

limb deficiency (amputated left hand) as a result 

of accidentally touching an electric wire while 

climbing a tree when he was young, to slow him 

down in any way. 

Yogesh Kathuniya 

Men’s discus throw, F56, Silver Medal 

Praveen Kumar set a new personal and a 

new Asian record when he cleared 2.07m in 

the final of the men’s high jump T64 category, 

securing the silver medal and winning India’s 

eighth medal in athletics. He has a congenital 

impairment that affects the bones that connect 

his hip and left leg. What an Olympian achiever! 

Bhavina Patel 

Women’s singles table tennis Class 4 

category, Silver Medal 

Badminton has made its debut in the Tokyo 

Paralympics, and Pramod Bhagat made India 

proud by grabbing the gold medal in the men’s 

singles badminton SL3 category. He is a threetime 

para shuttler world champion and won 

three of his four matches in the tournament, 

earning his place at the top of the podium. 

Manish Narwal, secured India’s third gold 

medal after his fantastic performance at the 

mixed 50m pistol SH1 category. He earned 

218.2 during the event, setting a Paralympic 

record. Manish Narwal already holds a world 

record in the category, and now this score adds 

After a best throw of 44.58m in the men’s 

discus throw F56, Yogesh Kathuniya brought 

home the Silver medal. He had experienced a 

paralytic attack that resulted in impaired limb 

movement, which spurred him on to achieve 

Olympic heights in arm strength. 

This was the Indian paddler’s debut in the 

Paralympics. At the final match, she faced the 

world’s no.1, Zhou Ying of China. Displaying 

magnificent strokes, first timer Bhavina Patel 

put up a credible challenge, securing the silver 

medal. She was afflicted with polio at a young 

age and has impaired mobility below the waist, 

which has been unable to slow her down.


NEW ZEALAND 11 

ul at Tokyo Paralympics 2020 

Mariyappan Thangavelu 


After clearing his first few marks with ease, 

Mariyappan Thangavelu cleared first 1.83m and 

then 1.86m, in three attempts, securing the silver 

medal for himself in the men’s high jump T42 

category. This is his second Paralympic medal. 

He has an impaired right leg, the result of an 

accident where his leg was crushed by a vehicle 

when he was on his way to school as a child. 

Suhas Yathiraj 

Men’s singles badminton, SL4, Silver medal 

Suhas Yathiraj played an absolutely brilliant 

campaign at the Paralympics. Through his 

willpower and grit, he was able to secure 

the silver medal in the men’s singles badminton 

SL4 category. He serves as an IAS officer in 

India. His ankle impairment may make him 

limp, but his strokes remain first class. 

Sundar Singh Gurjar 

Men’s javelin throw, F46, Bronze Medal 

Joining his brother, Devendra Jhajharia on the 

podium, Sundar Singh Gurjar secured the bronze 

medal in the men’s javelin throw F46 category 

after launching his javelin to 64.01m. This is the 

athlete’s first Paralympic medal. He lost his left 

hand in 2015 when a metal sheet dropped on 

him, driving him to greater achievements with 

his right! 

Sharad Kumar 

Men’s high jump, T42, Bronze Medal 

Sharad Kumar joined his teammate on the 

podium, after securing the bronze medal in the 

men’s high jump T42 category. He cleared his 

initial marks with ease, including the 1.83m 

with his first jump. His impairment is the result 

of polio causing paralysis of his left leg, and 

inspiring him to jump higher! 

Manoj Sarkar 

Men’s singles badminton, SL3, Bronze 

Medal 

Manoj Sarkar brought home the bronze medal 

for India, after his remarkable performance at 

the men’s singles badminton SL3 category. He 

was - incidentally - also the only player who was 

able to take a game off of his compatriot, Pramod 

Bhagat. He contracted polio when he was oneyear-old 

which affected his right leg resulting in 

post-polio residual paralysis, and now will be an 

inspiration to all, able-bodied or not. 

Harvinder Singh 

Men’s individual recurve, open archery, 

Bronze Medal 

Harvinder Singh made his place in history 

when he won the bronze medal in the men’s 

individual recurve, open archery category. This 

is his first medal in archery from the Paralympics. 

When he was a baby, just 18 months old, he 

contracted dengue; he was treated by a local 

doctor with an injection that resulted in his 

impairment, a deficiency in one leg. 

Team Aotearoa New 

Zealand 

New Zealand brought in a total of 12 medals: 

six golds, three silvers and three bronze. Here’s 

a little about the athletes who made Aotearoa 

proud. 

Lisa Adams 

Women’s shot put F37, Gold Medal 

Lisa Adams did her country proud when she 

secured the gold medal in the women’s shot 

put F37 category, shattering the Paralympic 

record with her first throw of 14.36 and then 

breaking that one later with a 15.12. This win 

matches the gold medal she won during the 

event in the 2019 world championship in Dubai. 

She has not allowed cerebral palsy resulting 

in left hemiplegia, make a difference to her 

achievements. 

Tupou Neiufi 

Women’s 100m backstroke, S8, Gold Medal 

Supported by her teammates, Tupou Neiufi 

brought New Zealand’s first gold medal for the 

Tokyo Paralympics 2020. She stayed ahead and 

beat her rivals, finishing with a time of 1min 

16.84sec in the women’s 100m backstroke S8 

category. She has left-sided hemiplegia and 

swimming is her forte. 

Anna Grimaldi 

Women’s long jump, T47, Gold Medal 

Anna Grimaldi flew high for her fellow Kiwis 

when she took off and brought home the gold 

at the women’s long jump T47 category. Her 

winning jump was 5.76m, just a few points short 

of her personal best of 5.91m. The athlete has 

a limb deficiency; she was born without a right 

hand. 

Holly Robinson 

Women’s javelin throw, F46, Gold Medal 

Holly Robinson aimed for gold and hit her 

target thanks to her winning throw of 40.99m at 

the women’s javelin throw, F46 event. She is no 

stranger to sports, in fact it runs in the family. She 

started playing rugby at the age of four and went 

on to play in a number of other sports, including 

basketball, cricket, badminton and netball. Her 

father and her twin brother have played rugby 

union for the West Coast provincial team in the 

Heartland Championship in New Zealand. Holly 

Robinson has limb deficiency; she was born 

with a shortened left arm below the elbow. 

Danielle Aitchison 

Women’s 200m T36, Silver Medal & 

women’s 100m T36 Bronze medal 

This was the athlete’s debut in the international 

field. She came in second in the women’s 200m 

final with a time of 29.88 seconds, just slightly 

over the 28.21 seconds of Shi Yiting of China. 

She also secured the bronze medal in the 

women’s 100m T36 category. Danielle Aitchison 

has cerebral palsy and abnormal movements of 

her limbs which have not held her back from 

running. 

Sophie Pascoe 

Women’s 200m individual medley SM9, Gold 

Medal, women’s 100m freestyle S9, Gold 

Medal, women’s 100m breaststroke SB8, 

Silver Medal & women’s 100m backstroke 

S9, Bronze Medal 

Sophie Pascoe has won a whopping four 

medals for New Zealand, two golds, one silver 

and one bronze. What an awesome record! 

Her two golds come from the women’s 200m 

individual medley SM9 category and the 

women’s 100m freestyle S9 category. 

Her silver came from the women’s 100m 

breaststroke, and she later stated that her win 

was unexpected as she had initially planned to 

not participate in this event! Her bronze came 

from the women’s 100m backstroke S9 category, 

which she finished in 1min 11.15 sec. 

This proficient swimmer has limb deficiency 

(left leg amputated below the knee) due to an 

accident she had when she was very young. 

William Stedman 

Men’s long jump T36, Silver & men’s 400m 

T36, Bronze Medal 

This is not the young man’s first big event; he 

has previously competed in the Rio 2016 games, 

at the age of 16. After snatching the bronze in 

the Men’s 400m T36, he brought home the silver 

medal in the men’s long jump, less than 24 hours 

later. William Stedman’s Olympic winning jump 

is despite having cerebral palsy and ataxia. 

And so doston, as the Paralympics come to 

an end, let us show our behenon aur bhaiyon 

just how proud we are of them for giving their 

all, accomplishing glory and fame for their 

countries. 

Jai ho to all of you! Hip-Hip Hooray!

Editorial 

Government 

has too many 

unanswered 

questions 10 

It’s not just last Friday’s deadly knife attack on seven innocent supermarket 

shoppers by a well-documented, dangerous, ideologically driven terrorist 

with a very questionable refugee status that has left a slew of unanswered 

questions squarely at the government’s door. 

There is a legion of other questions yet to be answered on a range of other 

matters too. For instance, the circumstances of the origin of the Delta outbreak 

in New Zealand from a traveller from Sydney that is costing the nation $1billion 

a week; questions around the management of MIQ facilities – the suspected leak 

from the Crowne Plaza Hotel and details on the sole absconder from Novotel 

Ellerslie, to name just two. 

Then there are questions on the delays on procuring enough vaccines for the 

entire eligible population; the belated deals struck last week with a country or 

countries that we have no knowledge about for a price that hasn’t been disclosed 

and questions about the hurried approval for Novavax as a booster vaccine that 

is supposed to arrive next year, without the nation’s vaccine community having 

known nothing about it – finding out only through the media. 

Let’s look at the L ynn Mall knife attack: Though the Prime Minister was at 

pains to stress that the government had exhausted every avenue to deport the 

terrorist, there appear to be questions whether this was indeed the case. 

Sections 163 and 164 of New Zealand’s Immigration Act 2009, has clear 

provisions on the circumstances where deportation is possible. 

There is valid argument that he had other cases pending disposal before action 

based on those clauses could be activated, but did this outweigh the danger he 

posed to New Zealanders as was amply and, unfortunately, bloodily borne out by 

his action on September 3? 

Clearly, those seven New Zealanders have been failed by the administration’s 

delays in dealing with this individual’s case, not to speak of the dozens who were 

left terrified and a nation that was left shocked. 

Legal experts and human rights organisations like Amnesty International are 

now warning the government not to take a knee-jerk approach to overhauling 

legislation in a hurry, as the government has set itself a deadline of this month’s 

end to come up with revamped legislation to avoid the repeat of such dastardly 

incidents by individuals who are known to be potentially dangerous and have 

extremely questionable immigration statuses. 

We can only hope that we do not land up with a legislation that will create more 

issues vis a vis our international obligations simply because we breeze through 

the changes, as the government appears to be simply because of the dithering by 

so many concerned agencies all these months. 

The Prime Minister said there are “very few” others like the terrorist who was 

shot dead that are also under surveillance. 

If 30 police officers were tasked in tailing the mall stabber for over two months 

24 hours seven days a week. One can only guess how many are involved in 

surveillance of the “very few” others who are thought to be between 30 and 40? 

New Zealanders not only deserve to know how much of taxpayer money is 

being spent on these individuals but we need more details on them for our own 

safety. The apparent secrecy and the protections being accorded to them seem to 

be far more than the concern for the safety of life and limb of New Zealanders. 

Why is it that a deadly event that puts innocent, unsuspecting New Zealanders 

in harm’s way is required before the government and the powers that be are 

spurred into action? Why can’t the government be more proactive when it comes 

to their safety? 

The old ‘She’ll be right’ Kiwi attitude is no longer good enough for dealing 

with the safety of New Zealanders and protecting them from the virulence of both 

terrorists and viruses. 

Thought of the week 

“Goals should never be easy. They should 

force you to work, even if they are 

uncomfortable at the time.” 

—Michael Phelps 

10 September – 16 September 2021 

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thu 

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This week in New Zealand’s history 

Indian Weekender : Volume 13 Issue 27 

Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited 

Editor: Dev Nadkarni | dev@indianweekender.co.nz 

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Graphic Designer: Yashmin Chand | design@indianweekender.co.nz 

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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 

Clouds 

and 

sun 

19° 

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and 

sun 

20° 

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and 

showers 

20° 

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

A few 

morning 

showers 

21° 

15° 

September 1914 

Eruption on Whakaari White Island kills 10 people 

A few 

morning 

showers 

26° 

17° 

Attempts were first made to mine sulfur on Whakaari White Island around the beginning of 

the 20th century. Sulfur was used in the manufacture of sulphuric acid and superphosphate 

fertiliser. 

11 September 1880 

Rail tragedy on the Remutaka incline 

Four children were killed and 13 adults injured when two rail carriages were blown off the 

tracks by severe winds on a notoriously exposed part of the Remutaka incline railway. 

11 September 1928First trans-Tasman flight touches down 

Australian pilots Charles Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm crossed the Tasman in a Fokker 

tri-motor named the Southern Cross, covering 2670 km in 14 hours 25 minutes. 


Forty-three miners killed in explosion at Huntly 

At 7.20 a.m. an explosion at Ralph’s mine on Raynor Rd rocked Huntly. Fortunately, it was a 

Saturday and only 60 men were at work instead of the weekday shift of 250. 


'Originals' kick off All Black tradition 

The first fully representative New Zealand rugby team to tour the northern hemisphere was 

known as the ‘Originals’. They won 34 of their 35 matches and popularised both the haka 

and the ‘All Blacks’ nickname. 


First steel produced from local ironsand 

New Zealand Steel’s Glenbrook mill, near Waiuku, south of Auckland, produced iron and 

steel from local ironsand (titanomagnetite) for the first time. In 2020 ironsand and coal 

were being used to produce about 650,000 tonnes of steel a year. 


Flogging and whipping abolished 

As well as (temporarily) doing away with capital punishment for murder, the Crimes 

Amendment Act 1941 abolished judicial provision for flogging and whipping. These 

punishments had been introduced – initially for juveniles – from 1867 and by 1893 applied to a 

number of (mainly sexual) offences by adult men.

The Indian Weekender Friday, September 10, 2021 FIJI 13 

Fiji entry only for fully 

vaccinated travellers, says govt 

Only fully vaccinated travellers will be 

allowed entry into Fiji. 

The Government confirmed this 

week the only exemptions would be “a few 

emergencies.” 

Despite the Covid-19 outbreak, now spread 

to the country’s remote islands, the government 

is optimistic international travel will resume 

soon. Fiji expects to reopen its border in 

November this year. The government also 

expects to vaccinate at least 60 percent of the 

target population by the end of October. 

As of 1 September, 560,940 adults in Fiji 

have received their first dose of the vaccine and 

"History 

278,131 got both jabs. 

has taught 

The Health Ministry said this means that 96 

us many lessons, 

facility has been established in 

percent of the target population have received 

the scale-up required phenomenal and we need to 

the Civil Aviation Authority 

at least one dose and 48.4 percent are now 

by this crisis has been continue to adapt and learn as we 

of Fiji (CAAF) compound at 

fully-vaccinated nation-wide. 

phenomenal and we need respond.” 

Namaka, Nadi, to address any 

The Ministry said preparations are underway 

to continue to adapt Last month, Tourism and 

MIQ issues. 

for new Covid variants, reportedly more 

and learn as we Trade Minister Faiyaz Koya said 

“We are also setting up a 

transmissible than the deadly Delta. 

respond" the relevant industry partners had 

container laboratory in Namaka 

developed a re-opening framework. 

International scientists have reported they 

which has the capacity to process around 

Koya said Fiji’s goal was to safely re-open 

were unsure how effective existing vaccines 

500 tests per day,” he said. 

travel and tourism by December 2021 which 

would be against C.1.2, a new variant. 

Dr Fong said the ministry would also was predicated on national vaccination rates. 

The variant was first detected in South Africa 

establish a slot management system with Fiji “Our preparation is largely attributed to how 

in May and in New Zealand in June. 

Airways to put a cap on quarantine capacity to we have come together, with a shared vision, to 

Fiji’s Health Secretary James Fong said only 

more manageable levels. 

ramp up co-ordination,” Koya said. 

fully vaccinated people would be allowed into 

He said all personnel engaged in quarantine He said the travel proposition had two 

the country, apart from a few emergencies. 

operations were fully vaccinated and goals - firstly, to minimise risks and keep both 

Dr Fong said it was important for Fijians to 

strengthened by CCTV support and increased tourists and Fijians safe and secondly, to ease 

treat any Covid-19 variant as dangerous. 

oversight. 

restrictions to maintain competitiveness. 

He said everybody has some control over 

Dr Fong said the team also wanted to create “National factors will largely focus on 

their exposure to the virus. 

a no-blame environment where the ministry’s acceptable test positivity and vaccination rates, 

He said a special team led by Sam Fullman 

quarantine teams felt safe from discrimination as well as any new variant of concern. 

- from the ministry’s border health team - with 

for reporting any breaches or if anyone was “And, of course, on an individual level, we 

military and police personnel will provide the 

feeling unwell. 

will look at vaccination status.” 

leadership needed to strengthen quarantine 

“History has taught us many lessons, the Fiji now has over 16,000 active cases in 

operations in Fiji. 

scale-up required by this crisis has been isolation and the death toll is over 500. 

Dr Fong said a border health protection 

Fiji Airways plans 

to welcome Aussie 

travellers for 

Christmas 

TRAVEL MONITOR 

Fiji Airways’ managing director & CEO, 

Mr. Andre Viljoen, says the airline 

welcomes the news that NSW Premier 

Gladys Berejiklian’s government have advised 

that it will look at international travel options 

when the state reaches 80 per cent double dose 

vaccinations. 

Fiji has been rolling out vaccinations and 

says it is on track to have the entire working 

population fully vaccinated by November 

2021. Fiji Airways’ staff are now 97% fully 

vaccinated, with the entire workforce expected 

to reach the milestone by the end of October 

2021, with all of the airline’s customer-facing 

staff already fully vaccinated. 

“As we celebrate our 70th birthday, the best 

present we could receive is the knowledge that 

in the near future we’ll welcome our Australian 

Fiji likely to achieve vaccination target by November 

Fiji is expected to reach its 80 percent 

full vaccination target before the 1st 

of November. This was highlighted by 

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama while 

speaking during the Noda I Lalakai program on 

Radio Fiji One. 

Bainimarama says having witnessed an 

influx of eligible Fijians flocking to vaccination 

centers in recent days is commendable and 

shows the level of support towards the current 

COVID mitigation strategies. He says business 

guests back onboard our aircraft with a big 

Fijian Bula,” said Mr Viljoen. 

“We’re on track. We’re the only airline in 

the Australia-Pacific region, and one of only 

a handful in the world, to achieve a Skytrax 

5-Star COVID Safety rating, as well as the 

highest “DIAMOND” or Hospital Grade 

certification for APEX Health Safety powered 

by Simpliflying. With the processes and 

procedures we have put in place to ensure safe 

travel, there’s no reason we can’t realise that 

dream sooner rather than later.” 

Mr Viljoen said Fiji’s vaccination rollout 

has helped accelerate the timeline, and a 

reopening framework was being finalised in 

partnership with the Ministry of Health and 

the COVID Response Management Team, 

operations among others are expected to return 

to some state of normalcy soon, as Fiji has 

exceeded the fifty percent full vaccination 

rate. Bainimarama is optimistic that the target 

will be achieved in the next few weeks. “As 

we anticipate the reopening of the borders, we 

must seriously consider the need to be fully 

committed and adhering to measures that can 

halt the spread of the virus. It this important 

for people to leave their differences aside and 

work together for the common good. This is an 

comprising key Permanent Secretaries from 

across Government. 

“Our flight schedules will be released 

immediately following an official 

announcement by the Government which 

outlines border requirements and travel 

framework. 

"One of these will undoubtedly be that 

visitors must be fully vaccinated, a position 

Fiji Airways strongly supports,” he said. 

“The world has changed and there will be 

a new normal for travel when most countries 

reopen their borders and we are ready for it. 

Through our Travel Ready programme, Fiji 

Airways has attained two distinct awards that 

will give confidence to our customers when 

commercial flying resumes.” 

" 

As we anticipate the 

reopening of the borders, 

we must seriously consider the 

need to be fully committed and 

adhering to measures that can 

halt the spread of the virus. 

opportune time as well for people to show the 

government that they are serious about the need 

to reopening the containment borders.”The 

Fiji PM officiates 

in first vaccine 

sweepstakes draw 

IWK BUREAU 

Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe 

Bainimarama last night officiated at 

the first draw of the “Win Together 

Sweepstakes” – a national lottery for Fijians 

who have been fully vaccinated against 

COVID-19. 

Emphasising the need for more Fijians to 

get vaccinated, Prime Minister Bainimarama 

indicated that fully vaccinated Fijians meant 

more lives will be saved and more freedom 

restored. Additionally, houses of worship will 

open; sports will be played again, businesses 

fully opened and Fiji opened to the world. 

“I’ve said it before and I will say it again: the 

best reward for being vaccinated isn’t money. It 

is the protection that vaccines provide against a 

deadly virus and the lives that they save. This 

national lottery is our “thank you” to the Fijians 

who are taking the time to follow the science, 

register, and become fully vaccinated”, Prime 

Minister Bainimarama added. 

The Prime Minister also confirmed that 

as of 07 September, a total of 566,285 adults 

in Fiji were fully vaccinated and reaffirmed 

the nations pathway to a safer Fiji, restoring 

freedom whilst remaining vigilant to keep the 

virus at bay, and positioning the Fijian economy 

for a recovery in the new normal. 

“As of tonight, over 96 percent of adults in 

Fiji have received one dose. But one dose is not 

enough, we have to make sure all of these folks 

get the full protection of two doses. 

If you have one dose, do not skip dose number 

two. When you are fully-vaccinated, not only 

will you be more protected against COVID-19, 

you will be eligible to enter our next draw on 

Fiji Day, where we’ll have more opportunities 

for more fully- vaccinated Fijians. We will 

be awarding a total of $51,000(US$25,000) 

in prize money to ten winners –– so $5,100 

each(US$2,550) –– in honour of our 51st 

anniversary of independence.” 

Speaking on the 8th Year Anniversary 

of the Fijian Constitution, Prime Minister 

Bainimarama stated the Fijian Constitution has 

served as a foundation of a united Fiji. 

“Every day of the past eight years it has been 

the guiding star for our mission to empower 

every Fijian. It is the promise that we are 

one people, the assurance that those most 

vulnerable will be protected, and the contract 

that guarantees the equal value of the votes we 

cast in elections. Today, as common, equal, 

and patriotic Fijians, we proudly mark its 

anniversary.” 

Meanwhile, the application window for last 

night’s first draw was open for 60 hours from 

Saturday, 28 August at 5pm until the morning 

of 31 August at 5am, with a strict limit of one 

application per phone. 

The electronic number generator ran through 

every entry to select one number from the 

104,000 fully vaccinated Fijians who applied 

to enter this contest. 

The lucky winner from the draw, Lorraine 

Rigamoto won $8,000(US$4,000) in honour 

of the eighth anniversary of our Fijian 

Constitution. 

Prime Minister has also confirmed that funeral 

gathering restrictions have been increased to 20 

persons. 

“This is made possible as Fiji has achieved a 

little over 50 percent of full vaccination. While 

the increasing vaccination rate is a good sign, 

the COVID-19 measures in place must still be 

followed. I’m urging all eligible Fijians who are 

yet to be fully vaccinated to visit their nearest 

vaccination center when they are due for 

their second jab.”

14 INDIA 


ISRO commemorates two 

years of Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter 

Commemorating the completion of two years of 

operation of Chandrayaan-2 orbiter around the 

moon, the Indian Space Research Organisation 

(ISRO) Chairman and Secretary, Department of Space 

K. Sivan inaugurated two day Lunar Science Workshop 

2021. He also released Chandrayaan-2 data product and 

science documents, along with data from Chandrayaan-2 

orbiter payloads. 

The eight payloads onboard Chandrayaan-2 are 

conducting scientific observations of the Moon by remote 

sensing and in-situ techniques. 

According to ISRO, the science data are being made 

available for analysis by academia and institutes, for 

a greater participation to bring out more science from 

Chandrayaan-2 mission. The two-day Lunar Science 

Workshop, is live-streamed on ISRO’s website and 

Facebook page, for effectively reaching the students, 

academia and institutes, to engage the wisdom of the 

scientific community to analyse Chandrayaan-2 data. 

The science results from the eight payloads will be 

presented by the scientists in this workshop. 

In addition to the science results, during September 

6-7, there will be lectures on the Chandrayaan-2 mission, 

tracking, operations, and data archival aspects as well. 

Along with the scientists from ISRO/DOS, there will 

also be lectures on lunar science to be delivered by 

scientists from Indian Institutes of Science Education 

Research, Kolkata, IISc, Bengaluru and IIT Roorkee. The 

Chandrayaan-2 is India’s second moon mission. 

India, Japan hold their first high level 

meeting on climate change, COP26 

India and Japan have agreed to 

further strengthen the bilateral 

cooperation on environment 

India and Japan on Tuesday 

held their first High Level Policy 

Dialogue in a virtual format and 

discussed issues on air pollution, 

sustainable technologies and 

transports, climate change, marine 

litter, fluorocarbons and COP 26. 

At the Dialogue, while India 

was led by Union Minister of 

Environment, Forest and Climate 

Change Bhupender Yadav, Japan 

was represented by the country’s 

Minister of the Environment 

Koizumu Shinjiro 

As per the Ministry of 

Environment, Minister Yadav 

acknowledged the importance of 

Indo-Japan bilateral cooperation on 

environment and appreciated efforts 

made by Japan in bringing new 

technologies in India. 

He also highlighted the 

achievements made by India in 

tackling climate change under 

the leadership of Prime Minister 

Narendra Modi. 

The Union Minister said India and 

Japan may explore strengthening 

bilateral cooperation especially 

on circular economy and resource 

efficiency, low carbon technology, 

Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav 

green hydrogen. Given Japan’s 

expertise and technology on low 

carbon technology, the Environment 

Minister also requested Japan to 

consider joining the Leadership 

Group for Industry Transition, a 

global initiative spearheaded by 

India and Sweden. 

In his remarks Japanese 

Environment Minister Koizumi 

Shinjiro said both Japan and India 

can strengthen bilateral cooperation 

through the Joint Credit Mechanism 

(JCM), Coalition for Disaster 

Resilience Infrastructure (CDRI) 

and may also explore collaboration 

in areas endorsed by the G20, 

especially on climate, environment 

and energy. 

Both sides agreed to further 

strengthen the bilateral cooperation 

on the environment, and also to take 

forward the discussion on JCM. 

India’s July-Sep GDP growth 

seen at 7-8% 

The growth rate of India›s 

GDP for the July-September 

quarter is likely to remain in 

the range of 7-8 per cent. 

In the first quarter of financial year 

2021-22, India’s GDP witnessed a 

growth of 20.1 per cent compared to 

the same period of the last fiscal. 

According to the EcoScope report 

of Motilal Oswal Financial Services 

Limited (MOFSL), there would 

be some moderation in Economic 

Activity Index-Gross Value Added 

(EAI-GVA) growth in July 2021, 

largely on account of weaker fiscal 

spending. 

It, however, noted that private 

spending – consumption and 

investments – on the other hand, has 

grown decently. 

“Although there is no one-to-one 

correlation between our EAIs and 

the official GDP/GVA due to the 

underlying differences, our composite 

indices move in sync with the official 

real GDP (ex-discrepancies) and real 

GVA estimates,” it said. 

“Accordingly, we expect real 

GVA growth of 7-8 per cent YoY 

in 2QFY22 v/s 20.1 per cent YoY 

growth in 1QFY22.” 

Tata Motors inaugurates 70 new 

sales outlets in a single day 

Expanding its retail footprint, 

automobile giant Tata Motors 

inaugurated 70 new sales 

outlets across south India in a single 

day. According to the company, 

these outlets, spread across 53 cities, 

have been strategically mapped 

to key emerging markets of the 

southern region. 

The company said with the 

addition of these new showrooms 

in a rapidly growing market, Tata 

Motors’ network in southern India 

will be 272 and the retail footprint in 

India will grow to 980. 

“Southern India contributes to 28 

per cent of the total industry volumes 

and hence, it is very critical for us 

to be strategically present in the 

emerging markets. 

With a 12.1 per cent market share 

in southern India, we are committed 

to our customers and want to make 

our ‘New Forever’ range of passenger 

cars easily accessible,” Tata Motors’ 

As per Motilal Oswal’s estimates, 

total consumption grew 5.1 per cent 

YoY in July 2021 against 2.7 per cent 

in June 2021 and ‘-12.1’ per cent in 

July 2020. 

Within consumption, private 

consumption grew at a three-month 

high of 6.9 per cent YoY, though 

government consumption fell 31 per 

cent YoY in July 2021. 

Excluding government 

consumption, EAI-GVA grew 

faster at 7.1 per cent YoY in July 

2021, faster than 3.2 per cent YoY 

in June 2021, but slower from 

March-May 2021. 

Further, faster growth in imports 

compared to exports led to negative 

contribution from external trade to 

EAI-GDP in July 2021. 

Total investments grew at fivemonth 

lows of 12.1 per cent YoY in 

July 2021 against 18.5 per cent in 

June 2021 and 21 per cent decline in 

July 2020. 

Vice-President, Sales, Marketing and 

Customer Care, Passenger Vehicles 

Business Unit, Rajan Amba, said. 

“The trailblazing launch of these 

70 new sales outlets, marks an 

important milestone in our aggressive 

retail expansion plans in India. 

This expansion will help us cater 

to our consumers’ requirements and 

tastes that are constantly evolving, 

with both online and offline solutions, 

to provide a seamless ‘phygital’ 

experience that is more convenient 

and relevant today.” 

MI6, CIA chiefs and Russia’s Security Council secretary make beeline for India 

Top security and intelligence officials 

of the UK, the US and Russia have 

made a beeline for India to discuss the 

situation in Afghanistan following the Taliban 

takeover in Kabul and the implications for 

regional security. 

Richard Moore, the head of the UK Secret 

Intelligence Service or MI6, was the first of 

the visitors over the past week, and he was 

followed on Tuesday by Central Intelligence 

Agency (CIA) director William Burns. 

Both spy chiefs and their teams met National 

Security Adviser Ajit Doval and top members 

of the National Security Council Secretariat, 

people familiar with developments said on 

condition of anonymity. 

On Wednesday, Doval met Nikolay 

Patrushev, the secretary of Russia’s security 

council. Patrushev is visiting India at Doval’s 

invitation for high-level bilateral intergovernmental 

consultations on Afghanistan, the 

external affairs ministry said. 

The visits came against the backdrop of the 

old guard of the Taliban tightening its grip on 

power in Afghanistan a little more than two 

weeks after the group marched into Kabul on 

August 15, following the chaotic collapse of the 

Ashraf Ghani government. 

Just three days after a visit to Kabul by 

Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) 

chief, Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, the Taliban on 

Tuesday announced a 33-member interim setup 

led by veteran political leader Mohammad 

Hasan Akhund, a close aide of the group’s 

founder, Mullah Mohammad Omar. 

The people cited above said developments 

in Afghanistan and the possible spillover of 

terrorism from Afghan soil were among the 

key topics discussed in the meetings with 

the MI6 and CIA chiefs and the Russian 

security official. 

The meetings also looked at the way forward 

on Afghanistan, especially at a time when 

Russia and China appear to be veering towards 

the possible recognition of the 

Taliban dispensation. There 

are indications that Russia 

and China are keen to 

work with the Taliban 

to address their security 

concerns, especially the 

perceived threat from the 

Islamic State and the East 

"Both 

countries also 

share concerns on 

terrorism, especially 

ensuring that the 

Taliban adhere to their 

commitments,” one of 

the people said 

Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM). 

Russia and China are also among the very 

few countries that have kept their embassies 

in Kabul open and their envoys have been 

meeting with Taliban leaders. 

Burns and his team interacted with Doval and 

key members of the National Security Council 

Secretariat, including deputy national security 

adviser Rajinder Khanna and Lt Gen (retired) 

VG Khandare, the secretariat’s military adviser, 

the people said. 

While the external affairs ministry announced 

Patrushev’s visit, there was no official word 

from any side on the trips by the British and 

American spy chiefs. Burns is believed to 

have travelled to Pakistan after the India 

leg of his visit. 

“Both countries also share concerns 

on terrorism, especially ensuring 

that the Taliban adhere to their 

commitments,” one of the people said.


FEATURES 15 

Sheera 

One of the most popular offerings 

to Lord Ganesha, sheera is 

a sweet dish prepared from 

semolina, sugar, ghee, cashew 

nuts, raisins and other dry fruits. 

Ingredients 

• Semolina (rawa/suji) 1 

cup 

• Ghee 1/2 cup 

• Milk 2 1/2 cups 

• Saffron (kesar) 5-6 strands 

• Green cardamom powder 1/2 teaspoon 

• Sugar 1 1/2 cup 

• Almonds chopped 2 tablespoons + for garnishing 

• Cashewnuts chopped 2 tablespoons + for garnishing 

Healthy cooking every day 

Method 

• Heat ghee in a non-stick pan. Add semolina and roast on low heat till 

fragrant. 

• Heat milk in another non-stick pan. 

• Add milk, saffron and cardamom powder to semolina, mix, cover and cook 

on low heat for 5 minutes. 

• Add sugar, mix, cover and cook till it melts. Switch off heat, add almonds 

and cashewnuts and mix well. 

• Serve hot garnished with cashewnuts and almonds. 

Lighter Takes 

& Easy Tips 

Top 5 foods that are an absolute must try during Ganesh Chaturthi 

Modak 

Lord Ganesha is often called ‘modapriya‘ 

for his immense love for modaks. Stuffed 

with jaggery and sweet coconut, these 

Indian dumplings have different variations, 

like steamed modak, dry fruits modak, rice 

modak and even chocolate modak. Almost 

every household in Maharashtra makes 

this dish during Ganesh Chaturthi. 

Ingredients: 

For the filling: 

• 1 cup coconut, grated 

• 1 cup jaggery 

• A pinch of nutmeg 

• A pinch of saffron 

For the shell: 

• 1 cup water 

• 2 tsp ghee 

• 1 cup rice flour 

Method 

Prepare fillling: 

• Heat a pan, add the grated coconut 

and jaggery. 

• Stir for about five minutes. Add 

the nutmeg and saffron, mix well. 

• Cook for another five minutes and 

keep aside. 

Prepare modak: 

• In a deep dish, boil water with 

Puran Poli 

This classic sweet flatbread is iconic to 

Ganesh Chaturthi. These tuvar dal or chana 

dal parathas have stuffings of jaggery, 

coconut, cardamom and ghee. Another 

quintessential dish of Ganpati festival 

bhog, Puran Puli can get your hunger 

pangs sorted in the most delectable way. 

Ingredients 

• 1 cup blanched chana dal 

• 2 tablespoon ghee 

• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds powder 

• 1 cup all purpose flour 

• salt as required 

• 1/2 teaspoon refined oil 

• 1 cup powdered jaggery 

• 1 teaspoon powdered green 

cardamom 

• 1 teaspoon nutmeg powder 

• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric 

• 1/4 cup water 

Method 

ghee. Add the salt and flour. Mix 

well. 

• Cover the dish and cook till its 

half done. 

• Spread some ghee on the base of a 

steel bowl and while the dough is 

still hot, knead it well. 

• Now take a little dough, roll it into 

a ball, flatten it well, shape the 

edges into a flower pattern. 

• Put a spoonful of the filling onto 

the dough and seal it. 

Prepare the filling for Puran Poli 

• Put a saucepan over medium 

flame and add ghee to it. Once the 

ghee is melted, add blanched dal 

in it. Roast for 2-3 minutes and 

then add jaggery, ginger powder, 

cardamom powder, fennel powder 

and nutmeg powder into it. Mix 

all the ingredients and cook the 

dal for another 2-3 minutes. Once 

done, turn off the flame and let it 

cool. Then mash the dal using a 

masher. 

Knead the dough 

• In a dough kneading plate, add 

all-purpose flour, turmeric, salt to 

taste and refined oil. Mix well and 

then add a little water at a time 

and knead to make a stiff dough. 

Divide the dough into 3 parts and 

keep it aside. 

Make Puran Polis 

• Take one part and press it a little 

Aluwadi 

Also known as patra, these are basically 

steamed taro leaf rolls made with chana 

dal, ginger, garlic, tamarind and sesame 

seeds. Aluwadis are unique to the state of 

Maharashtra. They are high on taste and 

aid in better digestion too. Aluwadi is often 

served as a side-dish along with meals. 

Ingredients 

For 1 Roll 

• 3 Alu patta 

• Chana dal 1 bowl 

• 1 inch Ginger 

• 1 Whole Garlic (peeled) 

• Coriander with stems 

• 4-5 dark green chilli 

• 1 tsp Turmeric 

• 1 tbsp Tamarind 

• Salt 

• 1 tbsp rice flour optional 

• 1 tbsp sesame seeds 

Method: 

• Soak Chana daal for 2-3 hrs 

and grind it with garlic, ginger, 

coriander, green chilli and 

• Put the dumplings in a muslin 

cloth and steam them for 10- 15 

minutes. Serve. 

RECIPE NOTES 

You can experiment with the 

stuffing of modak as per your 

liking, from chocolate, nuts, khoya 

to dry fruits, add whatever suits 

your preference. You can also fry 

the modaks instead of steaming 

them. You can also try these 

different modak recipes that we have. 

to make space in the centre. Once 

done, take the chana-jaggery 

mixture and fill it in the centre. 

Close and shape again like a ball. 

Grease your hands a little and 

make roti with your hands. You 

can roll it out using a rolling pin 

too. 

Cook the Puran Polis 

• Put a tawa on medium flame 

and place the roti on it. Add 1/2 

teaspoon ghee and cook well from 

both sides. Serve hot or pair with 

tea or coffee. 

Tips 

• Soak chana dal for 30 minutes 

before you pressure cook it so that 

it is evenly cooked. 

• If you don't want to use sugar, you 

can also use powdered or grated 

jaggery. It is a healthier choice 

than processed refined sugar. 

• Mash the dal and jaggery mixture 

turmeric. Add little water to make 

smooth mixture. 

• Soak tamrind in 2 tablespoon of 

water and squeez it. And use that 

pulp only. 

• Now mix tamrind pulp with chana 

dal batter. Add salt and mix it. 

Add baking soda if you want 

• Place alu leaf upside down and 

Shrikhand 

Saffron and cardamom flavoured hung 

curd topped with almonds, cashew nuts, 

raisins and other dry fruits- that’s what 

exactly Shrikhand is. A mere glimpse of this 

silky smooth delicacy can be profoundly 

soothing to the eyes and soul. It is a 

popular dish in Gujarat and Maharashtra. 

Ingredients 

• 500g tub Greek yoghurt 

• 125g Icing sugar 

• 2-4 strands of saffron 

• 2 tbsp warm milk 

• 8-9 pistachios, crushed 

• 1/2 tsp cardamom 

Method 

• Place Greek yoghurt in strainer 

over an empty bowl to drain the 

excess water (you can strain 

this for 6 hours or overnight in 

the freezer). Remaining yogurt 

should be thick. 

• When the yoghurt is fully 

strained, remove the strainer and 

place the yoghurt into a bowl. Use 

a whisk to whisk it into a smooth 

consistency. It should be creamy 

and smooth in texture. 

• Add icing sugar into the bowl and 

very well using a potato masher. 

No chana dal should be left 

unmashed in the stuffing as it will 

be difficult to roll out thin Puran 

Polis. 

• Knead a soft dough. You can use 

spread this mixture on it. Place 

another leaf on top and repeat it 

for next leaf too 

• Now roll leaf bunch and steam it 

for 15-20 minutes. 

• Cut in into small pieces and 

shallow fry it with some sesame 

seeds. 

• Serve it. 

mix it well. 

• Add cardamom powder to the 

bowl. 

• Meanwhile in a small bowl, mix 

the saffron and warm milk. Add 

it very slowly to the yoghurt 

mixture. 

• Add crushed pistachios into 

yogurt mix, leaving some aside 

for garnishing. Mix yoghurt and 

pistachios well. 

NOTES 

Plus overnight draining. 

half all-purpose flour and half 

whole wheat flour too. 

• Apply ghee on the Puran Poli 

only when the golden brown spots 

appear while toasting. This will 

give the dish a crispy texture.

16 ENTERTAINMENT 


Most popular movies on Netflix right now 

T 

THE WITCHER: NIGHTMARE OF THE extraordinary adventures. Starring: Sean Hayes, he Chair is too short to achieve all of its 

WOLF (2021) 

Gary Cole, David Harbour, Patti Harrison 

ambitions, but spot-on observations about 

BRAND NEW CHERRY FLAVOR (2021) 

academia and a sturdy ensemble led by an 

empathetic -- and hilarious -- performance from 

Sandra Oh ensure it's never less than watchable. 

Starring: Sandra Oh, Jay Duplass, Holland 

Taylor, Nana Mensah. Directed By: Sandra 

Oh, David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Bernadette 

Caulfield 

Focusing on the adventures of a strapping 

young Vesemir, Nightmare of the Wolf is a 

fluidly animated addendum to the Witcher story 

that will delight fans with its swashbuckling 

action. Starring: Theo James, Lara 

Pulver, Graham McTavish, Mary McDonnell 

MANIFEST 

Though definitely not for all tastes, Brand 

New Cherry Flavor is a delightfully 

deranged trip anchored by another incredible 

performance from Rosa Salazar. Starring: Rosa 

Salazar, Eric Lange, Catherine Keener, Manny 

Jacinto 

SWEET GIRL (2021) 

WORTH (2020) 

MONEY HEIST (2021) 

Manifest's attempts to balance supernatural 

mystery and melodrama largely work 

thanks to its well-chosen cast -- though it could 

use a few more distinguishing characteristics. 

Starring: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas, 

Athena Karkanis, J.R. Ramirez 

Q-FORCE (2021) 

handsome secret agent and his team 

A of LGBTQ superspies embark on 

Burdened with action clichÃ©s and tripped 

up by a late plot twist, Sweet Girl wastes a 

potentially resonant story and some solid work 

from its well-matched leads. Starring: Jason 

Momoa, Isabela Moner, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, 

Raza Jaffrey 

THE CHAIR (2021) 

Must-watch movies on Disney Plus 

It isn't as hard-hitting as one might expect, 

but Worth remains a powerfully performed 

and rewardingly complex dramatization of reallife 

events. Starring: Michael Keaton, Stanley 

Tucci, Amy Ryan, Laura Benanti 

HE'S ALL THAT (2021) 

Hobbled by a lack of chemistry between 

its stars, He's All That comes up short 

on numerous opportunities to improve upon its 

gender-swapped source material. 

An unusual group of robbers attempt to 

carry out the most perfect robbery in 

Spanish history - stealing 2.4 billion euros from 

the Royal Mint of Spain. 

CLICKBAIT (2021) 

With an array of flashy, half-formed ideas 

and thin characterizations, Clickbait is 

more akin to its namesake than the deeper show 

it aspires to be. Starring: Adrian Grenier, Zoe 

Kazan, Betty Gabriel, Pheonix Raei 

Soul 

Soul is about aspiring jazz pianist Joe (voiced 

by Jamie Foxx) who is accidentally sent to 

the "Great Before" after an accident on Earth. 

In a bit of a hiccup, Joe, mistaken as a mentor 

for baby souls, is assigned to help 22, a young 

soul who has lost their spark for life. 

Mulan 

Black Is King 

In this film, Beyoncé pays a tribute to African 

art and culture by exploring the meaning 

of blackness through connecting to one's 

ancestral roots. This visual album tells the story 

of a young king and his transcendent journey 

through betrayal, love, and his own identity. 

The film is based on the music of The Lion 

King: The Gift. 

Coco 

Lady & The Tramp 

A remake of this 1955 classic that will melt 

your heart, this tale follows the dog Lady who 

has a warm home with owners Love and Jim. 

However, when they have a baby, she feels left 

out. On the street she meets the Tramp, with 

whom she experiences a great adventure. 

10 Things I Hate About You 

On the very first day at his new school, 

Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) becomes 

smitten with Bianca (Larisa Oleynik ), the girl 

of his dreams. The only problem is that Bianca 

is not allowed to date until her moody and 

utterly disinterested older sister Kat (Julia 

Stiles) does. 

Folklore: the Long Pond Studio Sessions 

The Greatest Showman 

P 

.T. Barnum (played by Hugh Jackman) 

is a visionary who works his way up 

from nothing to becoming the brains behind 

one of the world's most successful circuses, 

an enchanting spectacle and a triumph of his 

living fantasy. His performance appealed to a 

worldwide audience and enraptured everyone. 

Secret Society of Second Born Royals 

The story follows Sam, a second-born child 

in a royal family. She is not a typical highborn 

child and she doesn'tt really fit into the 

world she lives in. 

The Princess Diaries 

In this live-action remake, Mulan is a young 

woman who lives in China with her father. 

She wants nothing more than to replace him in 

the army as he is not physically strong enough 

to fight. To secure a place in this army and help 

save her family, she pretends to be a man. 

Miguel dreams of becoming a successful 

musician. He would love to become 

as famous as his idol Ernesto de la Cruz, but 

anything related to music has been banned by 

his family. 

Together with her co-producers Aaron 

Dessner and Jack Antonoff, Taylor 

Swift plays her album Folklore live. This 

intimate performance was recorded in the 

renowned Long Pond Studios, a setting that 

enhances the nostalgic, melancholic atmosphere 

of this album. 

A 

cademy Award winner Julie 

Andrews, Anne Hathaway and Hector 

Elizondo form a "courteous" team in The 

Princess Diaries, a heartwarming and modern 

take on Cinderella.


FEATURES 17 

FASHION AND BEAUTY 

Spring trends for women 

FOZIA YUSUF 

Still in lockdown but feeling happy. As we are 

heading into spring, going into my garden and 

seeing new life blooming. Spring is a transitional 

season; we haven’t got the taste of summer yet. I 

can’t wait to explore new creative ideas and bring 

you the trends designers and stylists have conjured 

up for this beautiful season. 

Slouchy Denim 

Who doesn’t like 

oversized high-waisted 

denim? You can’t 

get enough of the 

roomy feel and slimming 

waistline. Pair 

high waisted denim 

with crop tops. Adorable 

look for this 

season. 

Sheer me up 

This season is bringing out the sheer. It is a great look to 

stay covered as it is still nippy and look sexy at the same 

time. The delicate drapes in black go with all outfits, the 

mixed tie-dye tones are totally in style.. 

Form Fitting Activewear 

Well let’s not forget about sporty 

chicks, activewear is totally in style. 

So take out your yoga pants, whether 

you like working up a sweat or 

just lounging around, and having a 

casual catch up with friends. Leggings 

are a great way to stay comfortable 

and chic. Try the crossover 

leggings, they are totally in fash. 

Be Dramatic 

Spring always brings out the dramatics, 

Tis the season to be bold. 

Who doesn’t love bows? I remember 

my mother dressing me up 

in bows and am glad to see this 

style blooming into the light. Since 

it is not too hot, yet it is great to 

style the bit of fabric into a bow 

style that goes well with shirts and 

dresses. Don’t forget to add to 

your shopping cart the dramatic 

collars with a bow. 

Puff Goes the sleeves 

Pretty Flowey dresses are spring favourite this year, and 

who doesn’t like to look and feel pretty.You can pair any 

dresses with sneakers, boots, heels, or sandals. You can style 

your hair in a beach style or leave it open as natural. Chuck 

in a pair of earrings and chunky necklaces to play around 

from casual to formal looks. Feel like a princess in mini 

dresses pinks, petals prints are a must-have this spring. 

Cosy up 

Cardigans are a girl’s best friend. 

In spring leaving behind the jackets. 

Kinits are a great transitional 

style to stay warm yet breezy. 

Pair the bright cardigans with a 

statement colour hat to maximize 

the bold looks. A bright Knit can 

be worn simply into a top great to 

pair with high waisted jeans or a 

high waisted skirt with a slit on 

the side.

18 NEW ZEALAND 

CROSSWORD i FreeDailyCrosswords.com 

NO: 84 

ACROSS----------- 

1) No longer original 

6) Good-will agreements 

11) Sun, moon or sphere 

14) Bird with a curved neck 

15) Cancel, as a rocket launch 

16) Positive sign? 

17) It starts after 40 hours, for 

many 

19) Mendes of Holl yw ood 

20) Get what you bask for 

21) Coke's alcoholic partner 

22) Bleed in the wash 

23) Crossword constructor's 

activity 

27) States of friendliness 

29) Did 22-Across 

30) Catchy tune 

32) One billion years (var.) 

33) Make sense (with "up") 

34) Snobbish expression 

36) Original sin city 

39) Slope slider 

41) Rubbernecked 

NO MIDDLE GROUND 

1 2 3 4 5 

14 

17 

43) Correct the pitch of 

44) Calligrapher's stroke 

46) More friendly 

48) Order's counterpart 

49) Difficult expedition 

51) Spreadsheet contents 

52) Gerard of "Buck Rogers" 

53) Tries anew 

56) Some children at kidfriendly 

zoos 

58) Pub order, often 

59) One little piggy 

60)_Lanka 

61) Eggy Christmas libation 

62) They have grave 

responsibilities 

68) Brains of a PC 

69) "The Canterbury Tales" 

character 

70) Virtual certainty 

71) Barnyard figure 

72) Committed a faux pas 

73) Student's composition 

E. Parker 

DOWN 

1) However, in short 

2) Gun, as an engine 

3) More than vexation 

4) Bakery sweet 

5) Involves 

6) Mindy portrayer of TV 

7) Bart's animated granddad 

8) Dried coconut meat 

9) Emergency room concern 

10) Hinders the progress of 

11) Not stop when one should 

12) Musical show 

13) They may be refried 

18) Unit of six outs 

23) Boorish 

24) Big dipper 

25) Feeling great pressure 

26) Gather little by little 

28) Harbor sound 

31) Not too hot 

35) Closing news segment 

37) How the euphoric walk 

38) Cries weakly 

40) Desperate, as circumstances 

42) Can't stand 

45) Highlight 

47) Stressful corporate routine 

50) Danish coins 

53) Dressing option 

54) Run away to wed 

55) Exodus commemoration 

57) Hawaiian lights 

63) First mate 

64) One side in checkers 

65) Printer's widths 

66) Zenith competitor of old 

67) A verse to first moves 

1st September 

ANSWERS CROSSWORD NO: 84 

i FreeDailyCrosswords.com 

ACROSS----------- 

1) No longer original 

6) Good-will agreements 

11) Sun, moon or sphere 

14) Bird with a curved neck 

15) Cancel, as a rocket launch 

16) Positive sign? 

17) It starts after 40 hours, for 

many 

19) Mendes of Holl ywood 

20) Get what you bask for 

21) Coke's alcoholic partner 

22) Bleed in the wash 

23) Crossword constructor's 

activity 

27) States of friendliness 

29) Did 22-Across 

30) Catchy tune 

32) One billion years (var.) 

33) Make sense (with "up") 

34) Snobbish expression 

36) Original sin city 

39) Slope slider 

41) Rubbernecked 

NO MIDDLE GROUND 

1 2 T R 3 I 5E 

4T 

1 i-l E R 0 N 

1 b V E R T 

18 1 

2 T A N 

2 c 

2 l 

2U E N 

A N I 

3A D 

3s L 

1; E R I 

4i- R E 

5k 51: H E A R 

5)l L E 51" 0 

6 6 

6 N 0 G i.J N 

8c 6 p u k E 

71-1 E N 7 R 

HITORI NO: 84 

43) Correct the pitch of 

44) Calligrapher's stroke 

46) More friendly 

48) Order's counterpart 

49) Difficult expedition 

51) Spreadsheet contents 

52) Gerard of "Buck Rogers" 

53) Tries anew 

56) Some children at kidfriendly 

zoos 

58) Pub order, often 

59) One little piggy 

60)_Lanka 

61) Eggy Christmas libation 

62) They have grave 

responsibilities 

68) Brains of a PC 

69) "The Canterbury Tales" 

character 

70) Virtual certainty 

71) Barnyard figure 

72) Committed a faux pas 

73) Student's composition 

B Timoth E. Parker 

6 P 7A a c 9T 1 1 1 1 

5 b k 8 

1\, 

0 R T E E 

1 

p A y 1: V A 

2 R u M 2k u N 

2 6 

I 2 

I E s 

L 31" E 0 N 

E E 3k 3 D 3b 3"" 

p E 4b N E 

I C E 4R A w 

5b A T A 5b I 

5s 51:, T 51" E 

6 

E 0S R I 

6 6 6 6 

D 1: T A K e k 5 

E V 7c I N C H 

R E 71: s s A y 

DOWN 

1) However, in short 

2) Gun, as an engine 

3) More than vexation 

4) Bakery sweet 

5) Involves 

6) Mindy portrayer of TV 

7) Bart's animated granddad 

8) Dried coconut meat 

9) Emergency room concern 

10) Hinders the progress of 

11) Not stop when one should 

12) Musical show 

13) They may be refried 

18) Unit of six outs 

23) Boorish 

24) Big dipper 

25) Feeling great pressure 

26) Gather little by little 

28) Harbor sound 

31) Not too hot 

35) Closing news segment 

37) How the euphoric walk 

38) Cries weakly 

40) Desperate, as circumstances 

42) Can't stand 

45) Highlight 

47) Stressful corporate routine 

50) Danish coins 

53) Dressing option 

54) Run away to wed 

55) Exodus commemoration 

57) Hawaiian lights 

63) First mate 

64) One side in checkers 

65) Printer's widths 

66) Zenith competitor of old 

67) A verse to first moves 

1st September 

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: 84 

65 66 67 

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR 

KIDS BETWEEN 4-7 YEARS 

1. What is the capital of Chile? Santiago 

2. What is the highest mountain in Britain? 

Ben Nevis 

3. What is the smallest country in the world? 

Vatican City 

4. Alberta is a province of which country? 

Canada 

5. How many countries still have the 

shilling as currency? Four – Kenya, 

Uganda, Tanzania and Somalia 

6. Which is the only vowel not used as the 

first letter in a US State? E 

10 September to 16 September 2021 | By Manisha Koushik 

ARIES (MAR 21-APR 20) 

Going out of the way for organising something 

will get you much praise. An official trip promises 

lucrative returns. You are likely to come into your 

groove now on the academic front. Keeping the 

elders on your right side will be important in 

a family situation. Much sweet nothings and 

sharing and caring are likely to be exchanged on the romantic front 

in this week, so rejoice! A new décor for the home interior will be a 

welcome change. Lucky No.:3 / Lucky Colour: Lemon 

TAURUS (APR 21-MAY 20) 

The personality you project will make someone 

reluctant to ask you for a favour. A task entrusted 

to you on the professional front will proceed 

smoothly. Those studying in professional institutes 

may find the job market brightening. Not becoming 

too greedy in speculation or betting will serve 

you well, as you can find yourself in a situation 

of no return on the financial front. Gossiping with someone close 

may hold special interest for you. Luck favours those seeking love. 

Lucky No.:5 / Lucky Colour: Red 

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUN 21) 

Keep in touch with those who matter, as you may be requiring them 

in future. Maintaining a happy demeanour will help 

defuse a tense situation at home. Others may be 

touched by your concern for someone on the social 

front. You are likely to become an indispensable 

member of a professional organisation. Better 

returns from property can be expected. Tighten 

the reins on your expenditure. Body language will tell a lot on the 

romantic front, so take your call. Lucky No.:1 / Lucky Colour: 

Golden 

CANCER (JUN 22-JUL 20) 

You may need all your wit to counter someone’s attack on your 

competence. Priority work facing you will be 

completed successfully. Good news awaits some on 

the academic front. Organising a family gathering 

is possible and promises lots of fun. You can get 

serious about someone on the romantic front and 

start an exciting phase in your life. Enjoying a 

vacation is on the cards for some, in which travelling will be half 

the fun! Lucky No.:6/ Lucky Colour: White 

7. What is the largest country in the world? 

Russia 

8. Where would you find the River Thames? 

London, UK 

9. What is the hottest continent on Earth? 

Africa 

10. What is the longest river in the world? 

River Nile 

11. What did the Romans call Scotland? 

Caledonia 

12. Who was made Lord Mayor of London 

In 1397, 1398, 1406 And 1419? Richard 

(Dick) Whittington 

13. Who was Henry VIIIs last wife? 

Catherine Parr 

14. Who was the youngest British Prime 

Minister? William Pitt (The Younger) 

15. In which year was Joan of Arc burned at 

the stake? 1431 

16. Which nationality was the polar explorer 

Roald Amundsen? Norwegian 

17. Who was the first female Prime Minister 

of Australia? Julia Gillard (2010-2013) 

18. Which English explorer was executed in 

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) 

You are likely to grow spiritually, as religious 

rites begin to fascinate you. Something initiated 

by you will work in your favour. You will manage 

to step up the pace on the work front and meet 

an important deadline. Exchanging notes with 

others on the academic front may prove helpful in 

whatever you are trying to achieve. Don’t volunteer your personal 

financial information to anyone. Romance may need to be given a 

backseat in this week, as you remain busy. Lucky No.:8 / Lucky 

Colour: Blue 

VIRGO (AUG 23-SEP 23) 

Your enthusiasm is likely to propel you forward 

on the professional front. Implementing your 

ideas will prove most satisfying. Prospects on 

the academic front are set to brighten. You will 

have enough to spend yourself, as your financial 

front strengthens. Bringing some variety in your 

fitness routine is likely to prove most beneficial. 

Someone is there to ease your problems, so don’t worry. If you are 

looking for property, the time seems favourable. Love life cruises 

along smoothly. Lucky No:9 / Lucky Colour: Maroon 

LIBRA (SEP 24-OCT 23) 

You may find this week exceptionally favourable. 

Something that was stuck in red tape will get 

released. Whatever you are engaged in at present, 

you are likely to discharge it with competence. 

You may come in for a lot of praise on the social 

front. Self-discipline and self-control will keep 

you hale and hearty on the health front. Money is likely to flow 

in from various sources. Your romantic aspirations will soon be 

satiated, as someone catches your eye! Lucky No.:11 / Lucky 

Colour: Off White 

SCORPIO (OCT 24-NOV 22) 

A change of scene is likely to do a whale of a 

good to you. Attracting new clients and getting 

established more firmly on the professional front is 

indicated. A tough exam or competition is likely to 

be cracked. Becoming the chief guest or guest of 

honour of a function cannot be ruled out for some. 

Your popularity is all set to soar by donating to charity. Enjoying 

a few tender moments with the one you love is possible. Lucky 

No.:22 / Lucky Colour: Beige 

1618, fifteen year after being found guilty 

of conspiracy against King James I of 

England and VI of Scotland? Sir Walter 

Raleigh 

19. Which English city was once known as 

Duroliponte? Cambridge 

20. The first successful vaccine was 

introduced by Edward Jenner in 1796. 

Which disease did it guard against? 

Smallpox 

SAGITTARIUS (NOV 23-DEC 21) 

Make a mental note of what someone says or does, 

as you may need this information at a later date. 

You will manage to step up the pace of work on the 

professional front. A large order may be placed on 

some manufacturers. Good earning is assured and 

will contribute towards realising your dreams. Travelling with likeminded 

people will be fun. You can start the process of doing up the 

premises owned by you. Health remains satisfactory. Lucky No.:4 

/ Lucky Colour: Smokey Grey 

CAPRICORN (DEC 22-JAN 21) 

Someone’s red carpet treatment will have you 

thoroughly impressed. Those suffering from a 

lifestyle disease will manage to keep it under 

control. Things begin to look up on the professional 

front, especially for those starting something new. 

Financially, your position remains sound and 

opportunities to earn materialise. Getting invited to a function or 

a party cannot be ruled out. Luck favours those seeking love, as 

cupid’s arrow finds its mark! Lucky No.:7 / Lucky Colour: Purple 

AQUARIUS (JAN 22-FEB 19) 

Take the cue from someone and act accordingly. 

You are likely to take on more work, than you can 

handle on the professional front. Keeping a tight 

control on expenses will help you in preventing 

wasteful expenditure. Your academic pursuit is 

likely to bring good returns. It will be important to 

allay the suspicions of spouse now, before things 

take an ugly turn. Romantic relationship may need some more 

nurturing to become exciting. Health poses no problems. Lucky 

No.:1 / Lucky Colour: Orange 

PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 20) 

It may seem almost impossible to please someone, 

but perseverance will pay. Your romantic 

endeavours are likely to get positive response soon. 

Planning a trip with someone, rather than travelling 

alone, will be a correct decision. You will manage 

to find a helping hand on the home front for doing 

household chores. Exercise patience on the academic front to get 

what you want. Introducing fresh ideas on the professional is the 

need of the hour. Lucky No.: 2 / Lucky Colour: Light Blue

intervals. 

added. 


NEW ZEALAND 19 

Fully vaccinated Indians can travel to 

this country without quarantine mandate 

If any passengers from the positive, the person will receive 

three nations fail to produce the treatment in accordance with the 

above-mentioned certificates and coronavirus guidelines of the Turkish 

reports, they will be subject to a health ministry. 

10-day quarantine. On the 10th day, Moreover, if passengers don’t 

yet another RT-PCR test will be undergo an RT-PCR test on their 

conducted and if the result comes 10th day of the quarantine, they 

out to be negative, the isolation will have to be isolated for four 

will be terminated. 

additional days – summing up to 

But, if the result turns out to be 14 days in total. 

Indians need to show proof of being inoculated with both doses of Covid-19 

vaccines approved by WHO, with at least 14 days passed since the last dose 

Passengers travelling from 

India or those who have been 

in the country in the last 14 

days can avoid quarantine if they can 

show proof of being fully vaccinated 

by Covid-19 vaccines approved by 

the WHO. 

Turkey has eased travel restrictions 

due to the coronavirus disease 

(Covid-19) pandemic for several 

countries, including India, even as a 

few nations continue to remain on its 

‘Red List’. 

The Turkish interior ministry 

issued a circular detailing a fresh 

set of travel guidelines on Thursday 

that said passengers arriving in 

Turkey from India, Bangladesh and 

Pakistan will either need to provide 

a negative RT-PCR test or proof 

of administration of both doses of 

Covid-19 vaccine approved by the 

World Health Organization (WHO). 

What are the rules for 

Indian passengers? 

People travelling from India or 

those who have been in the country in 

the last 14 days need to compulsorily 

produce a negative RT-PCR test 

report taken no more than 72 hours 

before landing in Turkey. 

Quarantine is not mandatory 

for passengers travelling from 

India, Pakistan and Bangladesh – 

provided they can show proof of full 

vaccination report. 

For this, individuals need to show 

proof of being inoculated with 

both doses of Covid-19 vaccines 

approved by WHO, with at least 14 

days passed since the last dose. 

However, for Johnson and 

Johnson vaccines, proof of getting 

administered with one dose would 

suffice. 

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NEW ZEALAND 

The Indian Weekender Friday, February 12, 2021 11 

Over a ton of colour to be used at 

Krishna Holi 2021 event in Kumeu 

RIZWAN MOHAMMAD 

T 

he biggest Holi event in the country 

on Sunday, February 14 at ISKCON 

Temple in Kumeu wi l put over one 

ton of colours for 10,000 visitors to play with 

celebrating the annual Hindu festival. 

Holi is one of the most popular and widely 

celebrated festivals for the Indian community 

after Diwali that is celebrated by the diaspora 

and the adjoining communities acro s the globe. 

The annual festival of colour fa ls on March 

28-29 this year, and the religious element of the 

festival signifies the triumph of good over evil. 

It is observed a the end of winter and advent of 

spring month (in the Indian subcontinent), and 

spiritual part of the festival starts with Holika 

Dahan (burning demon Holika) also known as 

Chhoti Holi and the fo lowing day as Holi. 

In its 9th year, Krishna Holi event at the 

iconic Hare Krishna Temple in Kumeu, West 

Auckland a tracts thousands of people from a l 

walks of life, di ferent ethnicities and faiths to 

be a part of a colourful and joyous event. 

Speaking with the Indian Weekender, 

Krishna Chandra from the temple said they are 

excited to see the festive season of Holi back 

after a gloomy year of Covid-19 in the country. 

“Holi at the Krishna Temple is one of the 

most vibrant events in our calendar- we see 

families dre sed white clothing visi the temple 

and then dance and drench in dry and wet 

colours from noon ti l early evening,” Krishna 

Chandra, secretary and spokesperson of Hare 

Krishna Temple said. 

The temple spread over 100 acres start the 

fre event at 11 a.m. and wi l have sta ls that 

distribute at least ten to 12 colours, and there 

wi l also be watercolours for the visitors. 

A giant LED screen is also insta led on the 

stage with a DJ and live music for the a tendees 

to dance and have fun. 

“It’s a family-friendly- tobacco and alcoholfre 

event. People of a l ages can have fun as 

there wi l be colour sta ls, water stations, food 

sta ls, changing rooms, showering stations for 

people drenched in colour,” Mr Chandra said. 

He added tha the temple stocks colours to be 

used at the festival at least 2-3 years at a time. 

The temple wi l be used over a ton of colour at 

the event both in its dry form and with water. 

“We have given 200 kgs of colour to fire 

brigade who wi l mix it in their water tank 

and then splash it on the visitors at di ferent 

“Since this year’s event coincides with 

Valentine’s Day, we have kept valentine theme 

gifts and gift station too at the venue for the 

public to celebrate the occasion there,” Mr 

Chandra added. 

Mr Chandra says a l a rangements in 

terms of Covid QR Code scanning and hand 

sanitisers are in place for people, a rangements 

for children activities, so that everyone gets to 

enjoy the even to its fu lest. 

“We have volunteers, security to usher 

vehicles to park in the appropriate places, 

manage the oncoming and returning traffic, 

and make sure visitors feel comfortable at the 

event,” Mr Chandra added. 

The event organisers have appealed the 

visitors to come in white dre s as colours tend 

to exhibit its vibrancy on white clothing, get 

spare clothing to change after playing with 

colour and food and water a rangements have 

been made a the venue. 

“Hol is always a fun event and Krishna Holi 

event like previous years wi l be high octane, 

fu l of energy and good vibes,” Mr Chandra 

ISKCON Temple is located on 1229 

Coatesvi le-Riverhead Highway, Kumeu, West 

Auckland, and the event starts at noon to 5 p.m. 

Hare Krishna temple to host ‘Saatvik food festival’ 

RIZWAN MOHAMMAD 

T 

he Hare Krishna Temple in Kumeu, West Auckland 

is hosting its annual food festival event on Saturday, 

February 13, for the community. 

More than 3000 people are expected to a tend the event 

where they wi l be served saatvik vegetarian food, tour the 

temple premises and have a relaxing family-fun day. 

“Our Hare Krishna Food Festival is very popular amongs the 

wider Kiwi community in Auckland, people from a l faiths and 

ethnicities come to the temple, take a tour of the place knowing 

abou the deities, the ISKCON establishment, its works for the 

community and have snacks and food during the day,” Krishna 

Chandra, secretary and spokesperson for Hare Krishna temple 

told the Indian Weekender. 

The event is said to be quiet, and exhibit a relaxing 

environment where people get to meet new people, make 

friends, experience the calmne s being with nature, have 

Saatvik (pure) vegetarian food and have good family day. 

“This event is happening just one day before our most 

popular Krishna Holi event which is wi l be loud, fu l of energy, 

playfulne s, music and dance,” Mr Chandra added. 

The events wi l start at 2 p.m. and end at seven in the evening. 

Besides the food festival, Krishna Temple organises lunch 

event every Sunday at its premises where 300-400 people 

come, chant mantras, meditate, spend some time with nature 

and dine with the community members. 

“It is a soothing atmosphere a the temple, chanting mantras 

with the community, knowing more about the religion, what 

can they do a the temple and how can they make a di ference in 

the community by serving others and the le s privileged. 

“There are also children’s activities 

organised so that they engage themselves 

and also have a good time at the temple,” Mr 

Chandra said. 

Temple In 

North Shore 

14-16 Bay Park Place 

Birkdale North Shore Auckland 

New Zealand 

Phone: 09 -4839460 

https://www.facebook.com/shreehanumanmandir 

https://www.shreehanumanmandir.org.nz

STOP THE SPREAD 

2 M / 6 FT 

WASH YOUR HANDS 

FREQUENTLY 

Regularly and thoroughly clean 

your hands with an alcohol-based 

hand rub or wash them with soap 

and water. 

MAINTAIN 

PHYSICAL DISTANCING 

Maintain at least 2 meters (6 feet) 

distance between yourself and 

anyone who is coughing or 

sneezing. 

AVOID! 

AVOID TOUCHING EYES, NOSE 

AND MOUTH 

Hands touch many surfaces and 

can pick up viruses. Once 

contaminated, hands can transfer 

the virus to your eyes, nose or 

mouth. 

IF YOU HAVE A FEVER, COUGH 

AND DIFFICULTY BREATHING, 

SEEK MEDICAL CARE EARLY 

Stay home if you feel unwell. If 

you have a fever, cough and 

difficulty breathing, seek medical 

attention and call in advance. 

Source: World Health Organization

The Indian Weekender - 10 September 2021

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