The Indian Weekender, 01 October 2021

01OCTOBER2021 • VOL 13 ISSUE 30 

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2 NEW ZEALAND 

Friday, October 01, 2021 The Indian Weekender 

At long last, visa 

IWK Exclusive 

NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH AND 

PRITI GARUDE-KASTURE 

Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi on 30 

September announced a one-off resident 

visa pathway, which could see about 

110,000 migrants submitting their applications 

by July 31' 2022. 

A further 55,000 applications are estimated 

to be processed for partners and dependent 

children. So in all, 1,65,000 migrants are on a 

fast track to residency. 

Applications will phase out with preference 

given to those already in the queue. 

From December 1, 2021, those who have 

applied for residency under the Skilled Migrant 

and Residence from Work categories before 29 

September 2021 as well as submitted a Skilled 

Migrant Category Expression of Interest 

and have included a dependent child in the 

Expression of Interest aged 17 years or older 

will be considered for processing. 

There are expected to be around 13,000 to 

14,000 applications during this phase. 

At a media press conference, Minister Faafoi 

said no priorities were set in terms of industries 

or critical workers in this phase. 

He said, “The prioritisation decision in 

the first tranche of applications is for those 

who are already in the application queue, and 

those who have got an expression of interest 

application with dependent children who are 17 

years and over.” 

The second phase which starts from 

March 1, 2021, will be open to all other 

eligible applicants, including those who 

have submitted a Skilled Migrant Category 

Expression of Interest. 

Pathway provides certainty 

to businesses 

Minister Faafoi said government recognises 

the contribution that migrants have made to 

New Zealand during the COVID pandemic as 

well as the need to provide certainty to many 

employers and businesses. 

Indian Weekender was at the ministerial 

online media conference. 

“This announcement recognises the 

uncertainty faced by migrants due to border 

restrictions and changes to the immigration 

settings. It also reflects the need to continue 

to make the most of the onshore workforce 

while the border remains closed,” Minister 

Faafoi said. 

“When we look at numbers, we're essentially 

putting three or four years' worth of residence 

through in a 12-month window. So, to a large 

degree, this will help those businesses and give 

certainty to those temporary visa holders who 

are eligible,” he added. 

Who can apply for this visa? 

Those present in New Zealand, on an eligible 

visa and able to satisfy one of the three set 

criteria, can submit their applications for a 

resident visa. 

The 2021 Resident Visa would be available 

to most work-related visa holders, including 

Essential Skills, Work to Residence, and Post 

Study Work visas. Partners and dependents 

can be included as part of these residence 

applications. 

It is expected most applications will be 

processed within 12 months. 

The news has been welcomed by one and 

all. The politicians, business associations, 

immigration experts as well as migrants, seem 

to be happy with the announcement calling it 

'long due'. 

National Party Immigration spokesperson and 

Member of Parliament Erica Stanford 

National Party Immigration spokesperson 

and Member of Parliament Erica Stanford, who 

has been vocal about the government urgent 

need to have a residence plan for migrants, 

said, “Today’s announcement is a retreat 

from the earlier position to drastically limit 

immigration to now adopting National’s Covid 

contribution policy. 

“ 

The minister must now 

increase the number of staff 

in the residency processing 

team, otherwise migrants will 

simply move from one long 

queue of misery to another. 

"After wasting four years Immigration 

Minister Kris Faafoi has finally realised that 

with the tightest labour market in more than 40 

years, low unemployment and a global bidding 

war for talented workers kiwis businesses 

desperately need our valuable skilled migrants 

to stay.” 

She further added, “While this is a good 

move, why did it take Mr Faafoi so long 

to solve the problem? We know of some 

highly skilled migrants, such as Otaki doctor 

Harding Richards, who simply gave up 

and left the country, but how many more 

examples are there? 

It is unacceptable that delays in processing 

residence visas have been left to explode out of 

control for three years, to the point where the 

only option the minister now has is to fast-track 

residence to 165,000 people. 

“Granting residence to 165,000 people 

is a panicked reaction from a government 

that had no other choice because it broke our 

immigration system.” 

Stanford also feels that the Immigration staff 

has to be increased. 

“The minister must now increase the 

number of staff in the residency processing 

team, otherwise migrants will simply move 

from one long queue of misery to another. 

This team processes around 33,000 visas 

annually, even with a fast-tracked process, 

a 230 per cent increase in productivity 

to 110,000 applications in a year is an 

impossible task. 

“National is also calling for all split migrant 

families who are eligible for the 2021 residence 

visa to apply in the first phase on 1 December 

to expedite their family reunification. We must 

prioritise split migrant families. 

Apart from that, those migrants unfairly 

disadvantaged by processing delays who passed 

the age requirements for residence should also 

be granted an age waiver so that they remain 

eligible for this new visa category,” she said. 

Vanushi Walters, Labour MP for Upper Harbour 

Vanushi Walters, Labour MP for Upper 

Harbour called this announcement “a big 

investment by government”. 

Giving her reaction to the announcement, she 

said, “Many families woke up this morning to 

the news that brings certainty to their future in 

New Zealand”. 

Minister Faafoi’s announcement of 

the 2021 Resident Visa signifies a huge 

investment by the government to provide 

safe, fair and workable options to migrants 

and their families. 

Immigration issues have been front of mind 

for our ethnic caucus and we are delighted to 

see the one-off, simplified pathway to residence 

for approximately 165,000 migrants currently 

in New Zealand announced today. 

"Our thanks to the Minister for his leadership 

in responding to issues raised by community 

leaders and introducing this robust policy, 

providing certainty and stability for migrant 

workers and employers.” 

Reacting to the development, ACT’s 

Immigration spokesperson Dr James McDowall 

said, “ACT is congratulating Immigration 

Minister Kris Faafoi for giving up on his socalled 

Immigration reset – but we need to be 

sure he’s not culling a years-long queue to 

simply create another one. 

The ‘One-off Residency Visa’ has 

Immigration NZ estimating 110,000 principal 

applicants, and if you include their dependents, 

a total estimate of 165,000 people will be the 

biggest test of the department’s capabilities yet. 

This will be welcomed by migrants and 

employers, but questions remain about whether 

the Minister is shifting his policy failures from 

one corner of the room to another. 

“While the clearing of the decks is welcome 

– we call on the Government to sort out EOI 

selection and its new residency settings as soon 

as possible. 

"Future migrants, businesses and those that 

will miss out need certainty. ACT has been 

calling the Minister out for his poor policies 

and piling on the pressure. We welcome this as 

a victory for migrants, families, employers, and 

the New Zealand economy as a whole.” 

Business and employers happy 

Apart from the political parties, the 

Business associations are also welcoming this 

announcement openheartedly. 

Greg Harford, Retail NZ’s Chief Executive 

Greg Harford, Retail NZ’s Chief Executive 

was quoted as saying, “New Zealand has a 

shortage of workers across the economy, and 

many on temporary workers have jobs in the 

retail sector. 

Many of those on temporary visas have been 

living in a state of limbo during COVID-19, 

creating uncertainty for both the employees and 

their employers. 

“Many temporary workers have been in 

New Zealand for several years and play an 

important role in helping businesses function, 

and it is good news that the Government is 

moving to create a pathway for many of these 

workers to gain residency in New Zealand. 

Businesses don’t want to see temporary visa 

holders forced to leave the country, as it would 

create a significant hole in New Zealand’s pool 

of available talent. 

"Many retailers will be pleased that there is 

now a pathway for some workers to be allowed 

to stay.

The Indian Weekender Friday, October 01, 2021 

NEW ZEALAND 3 

news delights all 

"The requirement for workers to have been 

here already for three years may still mean that 

there is a group without the ability to stay on, 

and it would be good to see some flexibility 

around this.” 

BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope 

Sharing a similar sentiment, BusinessNZ 

Chief Executive Kirk Hope was quoted as 

saying, “Residency pathways for critical 

workers and their families recognise the 

significant contribution international workers 

have made to New Zealand during the 

pandemic. The critical services that have kept 

the country going are reliant on international 

skills and talent. 

“Many of these people have been in 

challenging circumstances given the 

uncertainty about whether they would be able 

to stay in New Zealand, and separation from 

family overseas. 

"In an environment of major skill shortages 

across several industries and regions, and 

ongoing pressure at the border, New Zealand 

cannot afford to lose any more skilled people 

from the workforce if we want to maintain 

economic momentum and bounce back from 

the latest Auckland lockdown. 

This will be a welcome relief for employers 

across the country who have been trying to 

retain international workers and support them 

through this challenging environment. 

“New Zealand needs to signal that we 

welcome and value those who choose to 

contribute to this country if we are to remain 

globally competitive and continue to attract the 

best international skills and talent, and this is a 

positive step in that direction.” 

Alastair McClymont of McClymont & Associates 

Immigration consultants 

delighted 

Immigration experts are also mostly pleased 

with the government's announcement. 

Alastair McClymont of McClymont & 

Associates said, “The new policy announcement 

has taken a long time for the government to 

announce. I began working on a proposal to the 

government for a Work to residence pathway in 

2018, and again in early 2020, together with the 

Migrant Workers Association, Unite Union and 

One Union. 

“ 

While the clearing of the 

decks is welcome – we call 

on the Government to sort 

out EOI selection and its new 

residency settings as soon as 

possible. 

In 2021 the three main opposition parties, 

National, The Greens and ACT also adopted 

variations of this proposal, in particular the 

Greens push for a broad pathway to residency 

and National’s Covid Contribution Visa. 

“The only thing surprising about this 

announcement is that it has taken the 

government so long to announce it and that the 

Minister of Immigration didn't tell the migrant 

community that something was coming this 

year, as so many valuable skilled migrants 

have already left the country solely because the 

Minister failed to communicate with the public 

about what they are planning. 

Everyone has been insisting that the 

government adopt such a policy for at least a 

year or more, on most other western countries 

have adopted such a proposal months ago. It 

has been so self-evidently necessary for so long 

and is the obvious solution to the labour market 

shortages since the first COVID lockdown 

early last year. 

The infamous “Immigration reset” announced 

by the government earlier this year can now be 

discarded into the rubbish bin of history where 

it deserves to stay forever.” 

Former immigration minister Tuariki Delamere 

Former immigration minister Tuariki 

Delamere does have a word of caution as he 

said many questions still need answers by the 

government. 

He said, “I believe it is great news for the 

migrants but there are many questions that still 

need to be answered. 

The announcement has brought cheers to 

all but I do believe that there are many issues 

on which need some clarity including what 

happens to the families of those eligible people 

who are stuck overseas. 

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• Continued from Page 3 

Also, a question that does need answering 

concerns the skilled migrant applications 

currently being processed - do they get priority 

over this 2021 Resident Visa? I just hope it is 

not just another lollypop.” 

Immigration expert and Director, NZAMI Arunima 

Dhingra 

Immigration expert and Director, NZAMI 

(New Zealand Association of Migration 

& Investment) Arunima Dhingra called 

it the happiest immigration news for 

New Zealand migrants. 

“It is the best news for those migrants who 

had been stuck in limbo. I believe because 

the government was unable to manage 

the previous queue that is why they have 

introduced it. 

"There will be some layers – some 

requirements to it. I don't know how the 

government is going to deliver their promise 

of processing it in 12 months' time frame. 

Immigration New Zealand would have to hire 

loads of immigration officers to process these 

applications. I do feel this announcement has 

probably come as this government was under 

too much pressure. 

It also seems to me that the others things 

were too problematic to fix that Immigration 

New Zealand thought of doing it this way.” 

“ 

New Zealand needs to 

signal that we welcome 

and value those who choose 

to contribute to this country 

if we are to remain globally 

competitive and continue to 

attract the best international 

skills and talent 

Migrants too seem to be overwhelmed by this 

news and can’t contain their excitement. 

An emotional Sandeep Kaur, who has been 

in New Zealand for eight years said, “I had lost 

all my hope to get residence in New Zealand. 

But today everything has changed. I am so 

happy and relieved that I now I can think of a 

permanent future in New Zealand.” 

Another migrant Akshay Sharma, who has 

been in the country for five years and working 

in the healthcare sector says, “Today is the 

happiest day of my life. 

After thinking years and months about my 

future here, I had honestly lost hope of getting 

residence here. 

"I was even thinking of migrating to Canada 

but today’s announcement has changed it all. 

I am thankful to the government for finally 

taking such positive steps for migrants.” 

Friday, October 01, 2021 

The Indian Weekender 

‘United Voice’ pleased with 

Immigration announcement 

IWK BUREAU 

‘United Voice’, a group representing more than 

160 organisations and nearly all ethnicities 

living in New Zealand has welcomed the 

recent immigration policy announcement by 

Minister of Immigration Kris Faafoi where a 

one-off Residence Visa will be offered to some 

165,000 migrant workers and their families. 

United Voice said in a media release, “We 

would like to thank the current government for 

listening to our concerns and responding with 

today’s announced policy. 

At the same time, the support from various 

political party leaders including those from 

opposition is duly acknowledged here for being 

vocal in representing the interests of migrants 

as well as the country.” 

The one-off resident visa for up to 165,000 

migrants provides certainty for New Zealand 

businesses and paves the way for a residence 

pathway visa for over 5,000 health and aged 

care workers, about 9,000 primary industry 

workers, and more than 800 teachers; offers 

a streamlined application process for health, 

police and security, with the majority of 

applications to be granted within a year of the 

category opening 

The United Voice group’s efforts were 

initiated with a meeting with Prime Minister 

Jacinda Ardern and other ministers at the 

Takanini Sikh Temple in the presence of 

community leaders Daljit Singh, Prithipal Singh 

Basra and Jeet Suchdev, the media release said. 

These efforts were further aligned with 

the parallel representation of more than 160 

organisations collectively calling themselves 

United Voice. 

A seven-member core team comprising 

Jeet Suchdev 

Daljit Singh, Ghouse Majeed, Gurdeep Talwar, 

Jaspreet Singh Kandhari, Jeet Suchdev, Navtej 

Randhawa and Rajeev Bajwa was formed to 

draft a memorandum with inputs from all the 

organisations. 

“We made a strong case for a clear streamlined 

visa process for low-skilled and skilled onshore 

and offshore migrants who didn’t have clear 

pathway to residency. 

"We are pleased with the announcement today 

and want to thank each and every organisation 

who attended our meetings and contributed by 

sharing their concerns,” Jeet Suchdev said. 

The United Voice team will continue to 

advocate the concerns of the community for a 

brighter future, Mr Suchdev added. “Today’s 

news is a victory for all of the participating 

organisations.” 

United Voice hopes to hear “something 

positive for rest of the categories under 

consideration which the Immigration 

Minister has already assured in 

his statement.” 

Kiwi Indians stranded abroad 

face financial crises 

IWK Exclusive 

NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH 

The strict border closure by the New 

Zealand government in response to the 

Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly 

taken a toll on hundreds of Kiwis and Kiwi 

Indians who remain stranded outside New 

Zealand. 

Those who are unable to come to New 

Zealand, be it due to the border restrictions or 

not getting the ever-elusive MIQ voucher, are 

facing mental stress as well as an increasing 

financial burden. 

One such story is that of Kiwi Indian migrant 

Kunwarjeet Singh, who is currently stuck in 

India. Kunwarjeet, who works as an Operations 

Manager in Auckland, went to India on 14 

March this year to meet his ailing grandmother, 

who unfortunately passed away on 24 March. 

Sharing his story, Kunwarjeet, who is 

currently in Punjab, says, “I feel so helpless. I 

have a job in New Zealand, but I can’t go. I tried 

getting a border exemption couple of times. 

But both the times was rejected by 

Immigration New Zealand. Despite having my 

work visa till October 2024, I can’t travel to 

New Zealand. 

It has been months that I am not earning 

anything. While staying in India, I am living 

off my savings, and unfortunately, I don’t have 

much left. I am so stressed thinking about my 

financial situation.” 

Another such unfortunate story is that of 

Jatinder Virdi, a migrant, who is facing similar 

financial hardships. Virdi, who is a registered 

plumber in New Zealand, travelled to India to 

meet his family in March. 

He intended his trip to be just six weeks long, 

but the border closure and the fact that India 

got placed on the high-risk countries list by the 

New Zealand government changed his plans. 

He says, “I don’t know when I will be able to 

travel to New Zealand and resume work. I have 

almost finished all my savings, and the financial 

pressure has started taking a toll on my health. 

Despite having no income for months now, 

I am paying all my expenses in New Zealand 

including the EMIs of my car in New Zealand 

as well as my NZ health insurance among other 

things. It is getting hard to survive like this.” 

Ruby Singh is also among those trying 

hard to get back to New Zealand and facing 

financial problems owing to not being able to 

do so. “I had come to India to meet my mother, 

who was diagnosed with cancer in February 

this year. I had taken leave from my work as 

an administrative executive in Wellington 

to be with her. 

“Fortunately, she is well now, and I want 

to go back to NZ, but I can’t. My savings are 

almost over as there has been no income. 

"Despite being in India, I am paying for the 

mortgage of my house in NZ as well as the 

instalment of my car and other expenses. 

"The uncertainty of when I will be going 

back and the dropping finances are making me 

depressed.” 

Health experts feel that with no income 

coming in, it gets extremely difficult to survive. 

Psychotherapist Madhu Chandra, says, “Any 

financial burden can be very stressful and 

causes anxiety. 

" 

Too much stress and 

anxiety take a toll on 

both physical and mental 

health. On top of it, we 

are living in a pandemic, 

therefore, the intensity 

of stress has multiplied. 

Moreover, It is difficult to 

work out financial problems 

when you are abroad. Each 

person’s resilience to stress is 

different. 

"Too much stress and anxiety take a toll on 

both physical and mental health. On top of 

it, we are living in a pandemic, therefore, the 

intensity of stress has multiplied. Moreover, It 

is difficult to work out financial problems when 

you are abroad. Each person’s resilience to 

stress is different. 

“Some people can feel isolated and alone 

which can lead to depression. The best way 

to deal with such a situation is to ask people 

for emotional support and financial advice as 

you may not be thinking clearly when under 

financial stress. 

"Others can give you a clearer perspective 

of your options and choices and that can help 

in solving your problem. And don’t lose hope. 

Remember this too shall pass.”


NEW ZEALAND 5 

Retail NZ 

welcomes 

immigration 

decision 

IWK BUREAU 

Retail NZ says it’s good news that the 

Government has moved to create a 

residency pathway for workers on 

temporary visas. 

“New Zealand has a shortage of 

workers across the economy, and many on 

temporary workers have jobs in the retail 

sector,” Greg Harford, Retail NZ’s Chief 

Executive, said today. 

“Many of those on temporary visas have been 

living in a state of limbo during COVID-19, 

creating uncertainty for both the employees and 

their employers. 

"Many temporary workers have been in New 

Zealand for a number of years and play an 

important role in helping businesses function, 

and it is good news that the Government is 

moving to create a pathway for many of these 

workers to gain residency in New Zealand. 

“Businesses don’t want to see temporary visa 

holders forced to leave the country, as it would 

create a significant hole in New Zealand’s pool 

of available talent. 

"Many retailers will be pleased that there is 

now a pathway for some workers to be allowed 

to stay. 

"The requirement for workers to have been 

here already for three years may still mean that 

there is a group without the ability to stay on, 

and it would be good to see some flexibility 

around this.” 

SMS scam targets the NZ public 

in record numbers 

DEPARTMENT OF 

INTERNAL AFFAIRS/ 

IWK BUREAU 

Te Tari Taiwhenua 

Department of Internal 

Affairs want to make 

the public aware of a largescale 

malware scam which has 

generated thousands of complaints 

recently. 

The scam involves people being 

sent a text message indicating 

you have a parcel that is out for 

delivery, or that has failed, with 

a link included. This link is to a 

website that asks the recipient to 

download a new application to 

their phone. Upon downloading 

the application, the recipient’s 

phone will become infected with a 

piece of malware called “Flubot”. 

If installed, it uses malware to 

steal personal information from 

your phone including banking 

details, passwords, and other 

sensitive information. The app then 

accesses your contacts and sends 

their details to the perpetrators 

of the scam and send additional 

text messages from your device 

to other people’s contacts, further 

spreading the scam. 

Joe Teo, Manager of the Digital 

Messaging and Systems Team 

said that “The scam appears to 

be impacting mobile network 

operators across New Zealand”. 

“We have seen similar text 

scams featuring the “Flubot” 

malware being detected globally 

in recent weeks including in 

Australia”. 

If you received one of the below 

scam text messages, or a text from 

an unknown sender, do not click 

any hyperlinks included in the 

message. Simply report the text 

spam for free on your phone by 

forwarding the spam text message 

to 7726. The Department will 

contact you with details on how to 

complete a report. 

“The Department is working 

closely with the mobile network 

operators and other government 

agencies including CERT NZ 

and NZ Police to develop a 

strong multi agency collaborative 

approach to this scam” said Teo 

If you have already downloaded 

the app, do not log into any 

accounts until you have taken the 

following steps: 

• Perform a factory reset on your 

device as soon as possible. 

When you start up your device 

after the reset, it may ask you 

if you want to restore from a 

backup. Do not restore from 

any backups created after you 

downloaded the app, as they 

will also be infected. 

• Change your passwords to 

any accounts or apps that you 

logged into after downloading 

the app 

For more information about 

preventing malicious software 

from infecting your device or 

advice on what to do if you have 

become a victim of a malware 

scam, contact CERT NZ at cert. 

govt.nz or call 0800 2378 69. 

How to report a spam 

message 

Email Spam: If the email has 

no attachments then you can 

complete a short online form on 

our website. 

If the email has attachments or 

may be malicious you can simply 

forward it us. 

Text Spam: You can report text 

spam for free on your phone by 

forwarding the spam text message 

to 7726. 

The Department will contact 

you with details on how to 

complete a report. 

Help and Guidance 

Department of Internal 

Affairs: 

• If you want more information 

about what to do if you 

receive spam please check out 

our factsheet. 

• For more information about 

how to avoid being exposed to 

spam and online scams you can 

visit our webpage here. 

• For more information about 

what to do if you’ve been 

victim of a scam check out 

our factsheet. 

• Netsafe: If you want more 

information about harassment 

and abuse under the Harmful 

Digital Communications Act 

and all types of scams you can 

visit https://www.netsafe.org. 

nz/ 

• Consumer Protection: For 

more information about 

how to minimize the impact 

of spam and scams visit 

Consumer Protection on www. 

consumerprotection.govt.nz 

• CERT NZ: For more 

information about cyberattacks 

and malware visit cert. 

govt.nz or call 0800 2378 69. 

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Family separation taking toll 

on migrants’ mental health 

IWK Exclusive 

PRITI GARUDE-KASTURE AND 

NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH 

A 

whopping 

85 percent of families split 

from their loved ones due to New 

Zealand border closures have been 

affected by depression, anxiety, and stress 

issues – according to a survey conducted by 

the NZ Indian Split families Facebook group. 

Indian Weekender reported on this survey 

and the effect of New Zealand’s fortress way 

of life in a story last week. Since then, the team 

has spoken to several families that have had 

been impacted by these closures, revealing 

stories of heartbreak, prolonged separation, 

violence, and an arduous journey home. 

A month-long journey from 

India to New Zealand 

On April 8, 2021, Raj, a New Zealand 

resident, went to his hometown New Delhi to 

meet his family. Little did he knew that getting 

back to New Zealand would be a challenge 

and take a toll on his health – both physically 

as well as mentally. 

“I only intended to be in India for two 

months and had my tickets booked for 10 

June. My son Gurjas' second birthday was on 

30 June. I had planned my trip so that I could 

be back home for his birthday after completing 

the 14-day MIQ. 

However, due to the NZ border closure, 

my flight on 10 June was cancelled and I was 

disheartened as I knew I would not be able to 

be with my family for his birthday,” says the 

38-year-old. 

After that, Raj kept waiting and hoping that 

the border restrictions would be eased. But on 

April 28, India was regarded as a high-risk 

country and a resident who wanted to travel 

to NZ had to spend 14 days in a green zone 

country before travelling to NZ. 

Raj, who had migrated to NZ in 2014, 

further said, “Then in July after we had no 

option, I decided to book my travel to New 

Zealand via Serbia. It was quite expensive, but 

I had no option. 

"It was quite stressful to think about 

spending 14 days in an unknown country 

where I knew no one. Then we had to request 

MIQ to change my MIQ voucher. Finally, we 

booked my flight for September 7. However, 

the fact that I wanted to be with my family 

kept me going. 

“Finally, on 7 September, five months 

after my arrival in Delhi, I took my first 

flight which was till Doha. Then from there I 

travelled to Serbia and reached Belgrade. The 

vast time difference made it difficult for me 

to communicate regularly with my wife and 

family as Serbia was 10 hours behind NZ time. 

However, I somehow managed to kill 

my time by watching series on Netflix and 

other channels. 

Finally, on September 22, I started my 

journey to New Zealand. I took my first 

flight which was from Belgrade to Dubai. 

The duration of this flight was 5 hours and 20 

minutes. Then I had a stopover in Dubai for 

10 hours. 

“My next flight was from Dubai to 

Auckland, but it had a technical stopover at 

Kuala Lumpur for one hour and 30 minutes,” 

he continued. 

“I finally landed at Auckland airport at 11 

am on September 24, but we were then told 

on the flight that our MIQ is in Christchurch. 

Despite being 15 minutes away from my home 

in Auckland, I was unable to meet them and I 

felt helpless. 

"We took a domestic flight and I landed in 

Christchurch where I am just counting each 

day before I can be with my family, when I can 

hug my son. I am looking forward to meeting 

him finally after six months. I regret missing 

so many special moments of his growing up. It 

has become a mission to be with my family. A 

lot of mental stress but the hope that it is just a 

few more days is keeping me going.” 

Making a humanitarian appeal 

Natasha (name changed on request) arrived 

in New Zealand at the end of January 2016 

on student visa. Married in December 2016, 

Natasha and her partner planned to apply for a 

dependent visa after completion of her studies. 

This happened in April 2019, when promptly 

thereafter they applied for one. 

Their application was rejected by 

Immigration due to lack of evidence. 

“My partner and his family believed that 

the lack of evidence was from my side, and 

that his visa was declined because of me. 

Immigration pointed out that my partner has 

never supported me financially which led to 

declining his visa application, which makes 

sense to me. 

"But when I mentioned the same thing and 

tried to convince my in-laws and my partner 

that we will put up his application with proper 

evidence again, but they are still not ready to 

listen,” she said. 

This one rejection spiraled 

into a life-threatening situation 

for Natasha 

“Their behaviour toward me started 

changing day by day. It started with mental 

torture and abusive language. As time passed 

by, my partner and in-laws started getting 

more aggressive toward me with mental and 

physical torture,” she elaborated. 

“I had enough of this mental and physical 

torture and decided to leave the country for 

my mental peace. I have been staying in Dubai 

with a friend, but my visitor visa expires 

in February. I want to come back to New 

Zealand, a place where I have made my home. 

I was waiting for the New Zealand border to 

re-open, but it seems it might take long time to 

re-open the border.” 

Putting in a request to Immigration New 

Zealand on humanitarian grounds, Natasha 

said, “It’s been more than 18 months that I am 

away from the country. 

If I had to go back to India, I am sure I 

will be the victim of domestic violence and 

that will have a huge impact on my career 

and personal growth. Considering my current 

situation, I do not see any options available for 

me except coming back to New Zealand and 

start focusing on my career.” 

Separation affecting personal 

and professional life 

Sufiyan Malim, head chef at a restaurant 

in Auckland has been waiting for this wife, 

Nagma Qureshi to join him since June 2019. 

The couple had applied for a partnershipbased 

visitor visa in June 2019, which was 

approved in March 2020. 

However due to border closures, his wife 

has been unable to join him in New Zealand. 

Managing busy work schedules, time 

difference and broken plans, Sufiyan says 

the separation has had a major impact on his 

mental health. 

“This really has affected me a lot. Being 

apart from your partner, at such a crucial time 

when you need a support system, it’s impacted 

my mental health. I am unable to concentrate.” 

Talking about this impact on his work, he 

says, “Being a head chef, I am unable to lead 

my team properly because of this uncertainty 

and pressure. And in our industry, if you 

are not able to be mentally present, it can 

be very risky.” 

Having taken a toll of his life and future, 

Sufiyan has decided to leave New Zealand 

after Summer. 

“This is leading me to make the decision 

that I am going to leave the country in 2022. 

I don’t want to leave my 

employer in a lurch 

during the summer 

season, but after 

that I will be 

leaving New 

Zealand. 

"Because if 

"This 

is leading me to 

make the decision 

that I am going to 

leave the country in 

2022. I don’t want to 

leave my employer in 

a lurch during the 

summer season, but 

we must wait 

for another year 

to apply and get a 

visitor visa, our goals, 

future, decisions are all 

stuck, we have been in a limbo 

and cannot continue like this.” 

Psychologists weigh in on 

mental health issues and 

consequences during COVID 

after that I will 

be leaving New 

Zealand. 

Neha Golchha, Registered Clinical 

Psychologist, says, “The COVID-19 pandemic 

has caused unprecedented disruption to 

daily life and undoubtedly has increased the 

psychological distress. There are many studies 

confirming the same. It's a tough time to be a 

migrant in New Zealand.” 

Kavita Ram, a counsellor elaborated, “The 

stress level is not for the individual but also for 

one's entire family. 

The government's rules are adding to stress 

levels. It is a shame. 

The government is now looking at the 

broader picture of keeping New Zealander's 

safe, but they do need to realise that mental 

health is also as important. One need to not 

lose hope and get through it. 

One should look at the other side and keep 

thinking positive.” 

On what people should do to keep their 

mental stress low, Neha says, “Firstly, let's 

acknowledge that this indeed is a tough time 

for all of us, maybe in different ways. Just 

like physical health, our mental health needs 

attention now more than ever.” 

She suggests connecting and keeping in 

touch with people. 

As the theme for Mental Health Awareness 

week is "a little chat can go a long way", 

staying connected can make a difference to 

our well-being. 

“'Are you okay?' can be the beginning of a 

meaningful conversation.” 

Sharing her view on what the government do 

to reduce risks on an individual’s mental health, 

especially during these trying times, Neha 

said, “Equitable and accessible timely mental 

health services is definitely an important step. 

Strengthening the mental health workforce is 

crucial to the Government's ongoing efforts to 

enhance New Zealand's mental health services. 

To mitigate the psychological consequences, 

the government might be able to provide as 

much information as possible regarding the 

opening of borders and further information.”


NEW ZEALAND 7 

ACT’s 3.0 Covid response 

provides certainty 

David Seymour 

Leader of ACT Party 

New Zealanders need this Government 

to provide certainty. Delta has changed 

the game; the lockdowns are no longer 

short and sharp. Overall effects of lockdowns are 

impacting our wellbeing, mental health, families, 

and businesses, this needs to be considered. 

A balance between safeguarding us against 

Covid and economic growth and social wellbeing 

must be established. 

I hear from our migrant communities regularly 

about the issues of permanent residents not being 

allowed back into New Zealand. 

These include tech entrepreneurs and skilled 

migrants who are productive members of our 

economy, not being provided the platform to 

add to New Zealand’s economic growth. This is 

also causing a strain on families torn apart by a 

Government that claimed to be kind. 

With the eradication strategy no longer 

viable, there needs to be a change of approach. 

ACT has put forward the following plan as 

part of our Covid recovery strategy. It’s time to 

start planning for life beyond lockdowns. We 

can’t keep living with the uncertainty that we 

could be locked down again at any moment. 

It’s time to look to the future with a renewed 

sense of confidence 

ACT recognises that eradication is no longer 

a viable strategy to pursue. We must move to a 

policy of harm minimisation. This policy should 

aim to reduce transmission, hospitalisation, and 

death from COVID at the least possible cost to 

Kiwis overall well being 

Move from isolating entire cities to isolating 

only those who are vulnerable to be impacted 

by the disease. Personal isolation should be 

restricted to three groups: those who are medically 

vulnerable and require special protection, those 

who have recently arrived in New Zealand 

and are privately isolating, and those who 

have tested positive as part of widespread 

surveillance testing. Move from chronic fear and 

uncertainty and get on a clear path to restoring 

freedom. We should settle when the vaccine 

rollout is ‘complete’ and aim to get Kiwi’s home 

for Christmas- that will be the best present for 

many Kiwi families. 

Move from a ‘government knows best’ 

approach to an approach of openness, and host all 

in ‘sprints. In each sprint, the business community 

and all of society are invited to help reach clearly 

identified goals of lower transmission rates, 

hospitalisations, and deaths, in time for reopening. 

This will be areal-life example of Kiwis banding 

together as a team. 

The entire tone of New Zealand’s 

COVID response should shift from fear 

and a singular focus on public health, 

towards an emphasis on maximising 

overall wellbeing. 

Six months ago, ACT released COVID 2.0. 

The Government implemented nine of the fifteen 

policy ideas in our policy paper; many-many 

months after they were first published. 

Today we ask the Government to look at our 

positive and future-focussed proposal, swallow its 

pride and take our ideas – sooner rather than later. 

New Zealanders are ready to open to the worldsafely 

and practically. We want our children back 

at school, tertiary students attending Universities 

in person, getting back to setting up and expanding 

our businesses, attracting bright human capital, 

regaining our freedoms, and living our lives to our 

best potential. 

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8 NEW ZEALAND 

SELF-ISOLATION pilot 

expressions of interest open 

IWK BUREAU/ MINISTRY OF BUSINESS 

INNOVATION AND EMPLOYMENT 

Self-isolation Pilot Expressions Of Interest Open 30 

September. 

The Government recently announced a Self- 

Isolation Pilot will begin in October as a key step in 

‘Reconnecting New Zealanders’ and safely re-opening 

borders and developing new pathways for people entering 

New Zealand. 

The Self-Isolation Pilot will test some of the systems 

and processes needed to roll out self-isolation more 

widely, allowing more people to visit and return to New 

Zealand without the requirement to enter into MIQ. 

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment 

will administer the pilot. 

Expressions of Interest (EOI) open from 9am on 

Thursday 30 September. 

The pilot is for up to 150 participants and is aimed at 

business travellers who must have a requirement to travel 

internationally for business purposes (this includes sole 

traders), arriving back in Christchurch or Auckland from 

30 October to 8 December 2021. 

The pilot will also include a small number of Ministers 

and Officials attending overseas events as New Zealand 

government delegates. Participants are required to be 

New Zealand citizens or holders of a resident visa with 

a right to re-enter New Zealand, be fully vaccinated in 

New Zealand with the Pfizer vaccine, and not travel to, or 

through very high-risk countries. Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga 

and Vanuatu are not included as part of this trial, as oneway 

Quarantine-Free Travel from these countries to New 

Zealand will start in October. 

Pilot participants will be required to self-isolate in 

approved accommodation for 14 days on their return to 

New Zealand. Participants must isolate alone or with 

members of the same travelling party, in a private dwelling 

with no shared ventilation system. 

The dwelling must have cellular coverage and be within 

50km radius (by road) for Christchurch International 

Airport or be within a 50km radius (by road) of Auckland 

International Airport and within the boundary of Auckland 

Council. Monitoring and testing over the self-isolation 

period will be mandatory. 

Employers will need to submit an EOI on behalf 

of their employees. 

All eligible EOIs will be put into a ballot and spread 

across the six-week arrival timeframe. If their EOI is 

accepted for the pilot, a self-isolation plan must be 

supplied. 

Applicants will be advised by Friday 15 October if they 

have been selected to participate in the pilot. 

Participants or employers will need to pay for their own 

accommodation, if rental property is being used, their 

food and other personal costs. A fee of $1,000 (incl. GST) 

per participant will also be payable for transport and other 

associated pilot costs. If participants need to enter MIQ 

because they fail to comply with self-isolation protocols, 

they will be liable for MIQ fees. 

Employers will be expected to take all reasonable steps 

to ensure their employees comply with self-isolation 

requirements if accepted into the pilot. 

What does self-isolation look like? 

When in self-isolation, participants must: 

• remain in their place of self-isolation for at least 14 

days. They will not be allowed to leave the property 

at any time 

• isolate alone or with others from the same travelling 

party. They cannot isolate with family or any other 

household members 

• not allow any visitors to enter the premises, aside from 

medical staff for testing purposes and emergency or 

other essential services if required (e.g. fire, ambulance, 

police, tradespeople for urgent repairs) 

• provide their own food and supplies (contactless 

deliveries are allowed) 

• comply with all testing requirements set out by the 

Ministry of Health 

• comply with all monitoring requirements, which could 

include a smartphone app and/or regular and random 

phone-based checks. 

Key dates for the pilot 

Date 

Thursday 30 September 

9:00am (NZT) 

Saturday 9 October 

5:00pm (NZT) 

Friday 15 October 

Saturday 30 October to 

Wednesday 8 December 

Wednesday 

22 December 

Milestone 

EOI opens 

EOI closes 

Applicants who have been 

selected for the pilot will 

be advised by this date. 

Final approval is subject 

to participants providing 

verification information 

and a self-isolation plan. 

Arrival dates for 

participants 

The final date that 

participants will finish 

self-isolation (after 

completing 14 days). 



Global 24-hour Wikipedia 

'Edit-a-thon' Kicks Off in NZ 

Aotearoa NZ kicks off 24-hour worldwide Wikipedia 

'Edit-a-thon' to showcase women in the sciences 

IWK BUREAU 

On October 

12th, volunteer 

Wikipedia 

editors in Aotearoa 

start an international 

24-hour editing 

marathon to improve 

the coverage of women 

in Wikipedia. 

The event will begin at midday in Aotearoa with a 10 hour edit-a-thon cojointly 

run with Australian wikipedians. As October 12th Australian and New 

Zealand pass the baton from time zone to time zone, finishing back in New 

Zealand 24 hours later. 

The date chosen, October 12th, is Ada Lovelace Day, named after 

the 19th century British mathematician regarded as the world’s first 

computer programmer. 

Ada Lovelace Day celebrates women in STEM (science, technology, 

engineering, and mathematics). 

The event is organised by the group Women in Red, a volunteer organisation 

within Wikipedia whose aim is to reduce the “gender gap”: the disportionate 

number of biographies in the online encyclopedia devoted to men. It takes its 

name from “red links” in Wikipedia: ones for which there is no corresponding 

article yet. 

Women in Red was started six years ago in Mexico by two volunteers, 

British and American, and now has thousands of followers and hundreds of 

active editors but no budget, office, or hierarchy. 

When the group was formed, 85% of Wikipedia biographies were about 

men. Since then the community has created over 167,000 new articles 

about women, at a rate of about 70 a day. Participants work in parallel in 

over 30 languages. 

In Aotearoa there are several editors active in Women in Red, and between 

them they have run events to showcase women in the arts, history, science, 

and politics. 

This event is the first national Women in Red event in Aotearoa, and will 

take place simultaneously in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, 

and even Hokitika. Participants will be working from “red lists” of dozens of 

notable women from Aotearoa in the sciences, mathematics and technology 

without Wikipedia articles. 

The online edit-a-thon event has a series of workshops where experienced 

editors coach people to learn to edit Wikipedia themselves and contribute to 

reducing the gender gap. 

The online encyclopaedia Wikipedia began in 2001 and now has 6 million 

articles in English and over twenty million more in hundreds of other 

languages. It is now the eighth-most-visited website and one of the few that is 

run by a non-profit. 

The Wikimedia Foundation, based in San Francisco, keeps Wikipedia 

running but major decisions about its content and future direction are made by 

the global community. All the content is written and kept up to date by about 

250,000 active volunteers around the world.


NEW ZEALAND 9 

Kiwis making money on used cars as prices 

increase 35% 

IWK BUREAU/ TRADEME 

Used car values have accelerated as 

a result of the pandemic, with the 

median asking price increasing by 35 

per cent since 2019 to reach $13,494 in July, 

according to the latest Trade Me Motors data. 

Trade Me Motors Sales Director Jayme 

Fuller said in the past year alone, the median 

asking price for a used car in New Zealand has 

increased by nearly $2,500. “Unusual market 

conditions as a result of Covid-19 have seen car 

prices skyrocket and in July, prior to the latest 

lockdown, the national median asking price 

jumped by 23 per cent in just 12 months.” 

National median asking price for a used 

car in New Zealand 

July 2019 July 2020 July 2021 

$9,974 $11,000 $13494 

And for the first time, Ms Fuller said 

current market conditions have resulted in a 

phenomenon where Kiwis are selling their 

cars for more than they originally paid, despite 

adding more kilometers to the clock. 

“Anyone will tell you that you start losing 

money on your car as soon as you drive it out of 

the dealership and traditionally cars have been 

well known to be depreciating assets. However, 

our latest data shows that’s no longer the case, 

with many Kiwis actually making money on 

their used cars.” 

Ms Fuller said there were a number of factors 

behind the increases. 

“Ongoing global shortages in the market have 

meant there has been a drop in supply of both 

new and used cars entering the country. When 

compared with the same month in 2019, prior to 

the pandemic, we saw a 27 per cent drop in the 

total number of cars listed onsite in July. 

Demand for cars has also taken off since the 

beginning of last year. 

"With our borders closed for 18 months, 

many Kiwis are redirecting their overseas 

holiday funds to purchase big ticket items like 

a new car. 

In July we saw a 65 per cent increase in 

views and a 36 per cent increase in watchlists 

on used car listings onsite when compared with 

the same month in 2019. 

“This combination of low supply and high 

demand has put enormous pressure on the 

market and is driving prices up.” 

Looking ahead, Ms Fuller said it’s difficult to 

gauge how long it will take before the used car 

market looks like it did pre-Covid. “We’re not 

likely to see a change until the country’s usedcar 

inventory returns to healthier levels, which 

is realistically not going to happen for at least 

another year.” 

New Zealand’s most loved 

models see prices jump 

Ms Fuller said prices were impacted across 

the board, with increases seen in higher value 

cars, too. 

“For cars over $15,000, the median asking 

price increased 12 per cent in July when 

compared with the same month in 2019, while 

cars over $25,000 saw an 11 per cent jump in 

the same period.” 

Looking at the median asking price of New 

Zealand’s most popular model, the Toyota 

Hilux, showed how much prices had shot up 

over the past two years. 

“In the past seven days alone, we have 

seen over 136,000 searches for Hilux onsite 

and it has long been New Zealand’s favourite 

vehicle.” 

In July this year, Ms Fuller said the median 

asking price of a 2016 Toyota Hilux was sitting 

at $39,490. 

“This marks a 9 per cent increase when 

compared with the median asking price of the 

same car in 2019, even though it is now an 

older model. 

“We’re also seeing Kiwis flock to buy a Hilux 

before the Government’s Clean Car scheme 

comes into effect next year and they face extra 

charges on utes. 

This will no doubt be playing a part in the 

price growth of this make.” 

Ms Fuller said two more of New Zealand’s 

most loved models, the 2016 Ford Ranger and 

2016 Mazda Axela, had also seen a year-onyear 

increase in value in July. The only model to 

buck the trend out of the top five most popular 

Kiwi vehicles was the 2016 Suzuki Swift which 

saw no price change when compared with 2020. 

Median asking price of NZ’s most 

searched-for cars 

At this stage, Ms Fuller said it was too early 

to say whether car prices will continue to climb. 

“As we come out of the latest lockdown there 

is a bit of uncertainty going forward, but one 

thing is clear; there’s never been a better time 

for Kiwis to sell their vehicles. Even if you 

don’t think the car you’re trading in is worth 

much, you may be pleasantly surprised.” 

Model 

Median asking Median asking Median asking 

price July 2019 price July 2020 price July 2021 

2016 Ford Ranger $ 38,996 $ 37,203 $ 40,567 

2016 Suzuki Swift $ 13,042 $ 12,852 $ 12,852 

2016 Toyota Hilux $ 36,215 $ 34,943 $ 39,490 

2016 Mazda Axela $ 20,443 $ 18,297 $ 19,836 

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10 NEW ZEALAND 

PITRU PAKSHA SHRADH: Praying 

for the dear departed 

The last day of the Pitru Paksha, called Sarva Pitru Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya, falls on 6 October, 

next week. It is said to be the most significant day of the period when special prayers are recited. 

AVINASH SEN 

A 

family member, a dear 

friend, a loved one. Everyone 

has had to go through loss in 

one way or another. It is for them and 

their memory that we celebrate Pitru 

Paksha Shradh. 

The word Shradh is the general 

term used in Hinduism to describe a 

part of the Hindu funeral ceremony. 

It comes from the word ‘Shraddha,’ 

which means “to do something with 

faith.” 

Pitru Paksha Shradh is a period 

of sixteen days dedicated to the 

departed, which takes place once 

every year. 

It is a time when we remember 

our ancestors, seek their blessings, 

and pray for the departed soul to 

achieve ‘Moksha’ or freedom from 

the cycle of birth and death. Just like 

the Shradh of a funeral, Pitru Paksha 

It is a Hindu ritual, been practised on the occasion of Mahalaya when 'Pitri Paksha' 

ends and 'Devi Paksha' starts. 

is a period of mourning marked with 

a number of rituals, prayers, and 

charitable activities called ‘daan.’ 

Pitru Paksha is marked by the start 

of the waning phase of the lunar 

cycle. 

It is believed that during Pitru 

Paksha, the souls of those who 

haven’t found peace in death, come 

to check on their family members. 

This year, Pitru Paksha starts on 

September 20th and will go on until 

October 6th. Here’s a complete list of 

Pitru Paksha dates: 

Date and Time 

Monday, 20th September 2021 

Tuesday, 21st September to Friday, 

1st October 2021 

Saturday, 2nd October to Tuesday, 

5th October 2021 

Wednesday, 6th October 2021 


The last day of the Pitru Paksha, 

called Sarva Pitru Amavasya or 

Mahalaya Amavasya, is said to be the 

most significant day of the period, 

when special prayers are recited. 

The next day is beginning of 

the autumn or Sharada “Navratris” 

where the Durga Pujas are observed. 

So bahiyo aur beheno, let us put 

our hands together and pray for the 

peace of our dearly departed loved 

ones together. 

Shradh 

Purnima Shradh 

Pratipada Shradh to Dashmi Shradh 

Ekadashi to Chaturdashi Shradh 

Sarva Pitru Amavasya or Mahalaya 

Amavasya Shradh. 

DHBs call for stronger action on alcohol 

IWK BUREAU 

ALCOHOL HEALTHWATCH 

Alcohol Healthwatch, an 

organisation of professionals 

funded by the Ministry of 

Health that is dedicated to reducing 

and preventing alcohol-related harm 

and inequities in New Zealand says 

it strongly supports the collective 

call made by all 20 District Health 

Boards (DHBs) for New Zealand’s 

liquor laws to be reviewed. 

This is the first time the collective 

heads of the DHBs have joined forces 

on a singular position statement 

calling for law change. 

“The harm from alcohol remains 

unacceptably high and drives 

health inequities. For DHBs to 

improve the health of their people 

and communities, and importantly, 

reduce health inequities, they 

need the Government to support 

them by enacting best practice 

alcohol policies. 

"It’s unfair to ask DHBs and 

their communities to continue to 

bear the health and economic costs 

of alcohol harm when we clearly 

know the measures that will save 

lives, prevent harm and reduce 

inequities” says Executive Director, 

Dr Nicki Jackson. 

The collective DHB Position 

Statement on the Sale and Supply of 

Alcohol Act 2012 recommends the 

Government take effective actions on 

the three strongest drivers of alcohol 

use and harm - the price, availability 

and advertising of alcohol. 

These calls are underpinned by a 

wealth of high-quality, consistent 

evidence and echo previous 

recommendations made by the Law 

Commission in 2010, Ministerial 

Forum on Alcohol Advertising 

and Sponsorship in 2014, and 

Mental Health and Addiction 

Inquiry in 2018. 

Since the 2012 liquor laws, the 

affordability of alcohol has increased 

substantially, alcohol advertising 

remains pervasive, and councils and 

communities have been unsuccessful 

in their efforts to restrict local alcohol 

availability. T 

his maintains an environment that 

" 

Our DHBs are our 

leaders in health and 

have called for urgent 

change - they deserve 

to be heard. We need 

to act now to reduce 

the burden of alcohol 

on our health services 

and enable current and 

future generations to 

thrive 

promotes heavy drinking, drowning 

out calls made by communities for 

urgent change. 

“New Zealanders living in our 

most deprived neighbourhoods are 

shown to have greater exposure to 

cheap alcohol, high alcohol outlet 

density, and alcohol advertising. 

This unequal exposure to alcohol 

risk environments contributes to 

disproportionately higher levels 

of alcohol harm and this is unjust. 

Effective alcohol policies that address 

the price, availability and advertising 

of alcohol are pro-equity.” 

“Enacting the DHB’s 

recommendations can lift the 

physical and mental health of every 

New Zealander, as well as prevent 

and reduce health inequities between 

Māori and non-Maori. 

Alcohol is the most harmful of all 

drugs, due to its wide-ranging harms 

to the drinker and to others. 

"Its use is associated with more 

than 200 health conditions (including 

cancer). We all stand to gain so much 

from reducing alcohol harm - safer 

roads, safer communities, happier 

families, and healthier children are 

just some of the endless benefits”, 

says Dr Jackson. 

“By strengthening our liquor laws, 

we can create healthier and fairer 

environments. 

"This will support millions of New 

Zealanders to reap the many benefits 

from our country drinking less. 

"Our DHBs are our leaders in 

health and have called for urgent 

change - they deserve to be heard. We 

need to act now to reduce the burden 

of alcohol on our health services and 

enable current and future generations 

to thrive”, ends Dr Jackson. 


Hindi 

school to 

be launched 

in Rotorua 

A 

new 

Hindi school is set to 

be launched in Rotorua on 

October 2, coinciding with 

Gandhi Jayanti, the birth anniversary 

of Mahatma Gandhi. 

Hindi is the most-spoken language 

in India, spoken by 425 million 

people as the first language and a 

further 120 million people as their 

second language. 

Hindi Diwas (Hindi Day) is 

celebrated on September 14 every 

year with an aim to raise awareness 

about the language. 

At the recent Hindi Diwas 

celebrations, which coincided with 

Maori Language Week, the Hindu 

Council of New Zealand discussed 

starting Hindi classes in Rotorua for 

the benefit of Indian children and 

others who are interested in learning 

the language. 

Learning a language is a great way 

to get introduced to a new culture, 

tradition and country. It is a means 

to enable better social cohesion. For 

students of Indian origin, it will also 

provide a means to stay connected 

with their language. 

In 1949, the Constituent Assembly 

of India had recognised and adopted 

Hindi in Devanagari script as the 

official language of the country. 

At first, spoken Hindi classes 

will be conducted for the Rotorua 

public by volunteer teachers and 

over time, written script and proper 

syllabus will be introduced as a 

formal Hindi School. 

“We have spoken to Indian High 

Commission and Wellington Hindi 

School organisers regarding Rotorua 

Hindi School. 

"They are very happy to support 

with teaching materials and share 

their experience,” said Prof Guna 

Magesan, General Secretary of 

Hindu Council of New Zealand. 

The Rotorua Hindi School will 

run weekly, initially on Saturdays, 

operating from Playtopia Educare at 

2 Ti Street in Rotorua. 

The school is looking for Hindi 

teachers who are passionate in 

teaching Hindi to young children. 

Interested persons are invited to send 

CVs to rotoruahindischool@gmail. 

com with a copy to hindu.nz@ 

gmail.com 

The most visited Indian news website in NZ 

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NEW ZEALAND 11 

MYOPIA: Top four tips to protect 

your child’s eyesight 

DR RASHA ALTAIE, 

OPHTHALMOLOGIST, 

AUCKLAND 

As a child grows, his or her 

vision passes through key 

developmental phases which 

are profoundly integrated with their 

overall development. Vision can 

therefore often become the key to 

understanding how your child is 

progressing through developmental 

milestones. 

One of the most common eye 

problems in children is myopia, often 

referred to as ‘short-sightedness’, 

and which causes blurred distance 

vision. The management of myopia 

and the importance of early detection 

is critically important as myopia 

cannot be reversed. 

Knowing your child’s potential 

risk of myopia and taking action 

early can benefit their academic 

and physical performance, personal 

growth and overall health. 

Top four actions you can take now! 

More Green Time Less 

Screen Time 

Children are spending a lot of time 

on close-up work, mainly devices and 

screen time, and less time outdoors. 

Such lifestyle factors including low 

levels of outdoor activity [1] may 

influence the development of myopia. 

More research is needed to 

If you were asked, “what kills 

the greatest number of people 

in New Zealand”, what would 

you answer? According to Statistics 

NZ, the three leading causes of death 

in 2015 were cancer (30.2%), heart 

attack (15.8%) and stroke (7.8%) 

(Ministry of Health, 2015). Of these, 

heart attacks and strokes are very 

closely related because they are 

both to do with our cardio vascular 

system and fall under the umbrella of 

cardiovascular disease(CVD). 

Our cardiovascular system 

consists of our heart = ‘cardio’ 

and blood vessels = ‘vascular”. 

The hearts job is to pump blood 

around the body through blood 

vesselsthatwecallarteriesandveins. 

Thisallows us to supply oxygen 

and nutrients to important organs 

in our body such as the brain, liver, 

intestines, muscles, skin and also the 

heartitself. 

In cardiovascular disease, what 

happens is that these arteries become 

blocked due to a build up of fat or 

a blood clot, which means blood is 

no longer able to flow to sufficiently 

supply the organs. 

If this happens to the brain, the 

brain is no longer able to function 

properly resulting in a stroke. If one 

of the blood vessels that supplies 

the heart itself (coronary arteries) 

become blocked then that person 

experiences a heart attack. 

We may have encountered people 

determine if it is to do with the 

intensity or brightness of the 

light or the distances that children 

focus on, but what is proven is that 

there is a link between outdoor time 

and its benefit to a child’s myopia 

development. 

Given that outdoor play is free, 

“more green time less screen time” is 

a timely reminder for moderation in 

an increasingly digital world. 

Limit prolonged near tasks 

Minimising screen time, taking 

short breaks every 20 minutes, 

using good lighting when reading 

and doing close-up work may help 

to prevent or reduce your child’s 

myopia progressing. 

Regular check-ups are even more 

we know, inourfamilies, friends and 

community who have suffered from 

the seconditions and may be even 

died as a result. CVD is a major 

cause of death and shortening of 

our lifespan. If living a long, happy 

and healthy life matters to us, then 

looking after our cardiovascular 

health is one of the best things we 

cando. 

The burden of CVD is unevenly 

distributed across ethnic groups in 

New Zealand. Unfortunately, our 

Indian subcontinental population 

experience one of the highest rates of 

CVD, alongside Māori and Pacifica 

(Grey, 2018). If we think about it, 

our lifestyles in general are vastly 

different than that of Europeans. 

The lifestyle choices that we 

make have a large effect on our 

cardiovascular health. Making some 

important 

than usual 

with the 

increase in 

screen time 

and closeup 

work. 

Have your 

eyes examined 

by an Optometrist 

Optometrists are 

able to diagnose myopia and may 

be able to slow the progression of 

myopia in children. 

It’s therefore important for a child 

to see an optometrist early in their 

developmental years, even if there 

are no known problems, as high 

myopia is associated with lifelong 

increased risks of eye diseases and 

changes 

in our 

lives 

can be 

difficult 

to begin 

with, but I 

believe that 

with small steps 

and consistency 

we too can achieve 

better health and live longer and 

happierlives.Our diet is a major 

contributor to CVD. Us Indians 

tend to have diets that are high in 

carbohydrates (sugar), fats and salt. 

We should aim to reduce our intake 

of these and instead aim to consume 

more 

fruits, vegetables and protein. 

Processed foods should be avoided 

and consumed every once in a while. 

children may be unaware 

their vision is not as it 

should be. 

Discuss myopia 

management options 

As a parent it may be 

comforting to know that 

there are new techniques 

and strategies emerging to 

limit progression of myopia. 

You can familiarise yourselves 

with these myopia management 

options that are now available, to 

have an informed discussion with the 

optometrist or ophthalmologist 

Several interventions have been 

explored to slow the progression of 

myopia. 

Pharmacological: Atropine eye 

Look after your cardiovascular health 

AUTHOR: SHADMAN 

Many of us believe that eating a lot 

JAHIN (MBCHB III) 

of rice is healthy, where in reality it 

is very rich in carbohydrates and can 

cause weight gain,especially if it is 

not burned off. 

Reducing the amount of saltin 

our curries will also help control 

blood pressure, which is a risk factor 

forCVD. 

So, what does a healthy meal 

looklike? Wecanthink of it 

simply through the 

plate analogy, 

where we split 

our plate into 

quarters. 

Two of 

those 

quarters 

should 

be fresh 

green 

fruits and 

vegetables, 

one quarter 

should be 

carbohydrates (rice, 

bread, roti) and one 

quarter should be proteins (meat, 

fish, eggs, peas, beans, nuts, dhal). 

Exercise is important. From what I 

have seen in my own parents and in 

the community, I can definitely attest 

to how busy we are with work, with 

many of us working multiple jobs to 

sustain ourselves in this country. 

Because of this, exercise has 

become very low in our priority 

list. However, it has such great 

drops 

Contact lenses: Special designs 

of soft lenses and orthokeratology 

lenses 

Glasses: Special designs of 

spectacle lenses 

Treating myopia in children 

doesn’t mean just getting glasses. 

The above options can induce 

changes in the structure and focusing 

of the eye to reduce the development 

and progression of myopia. 

Get eye health on your child’s 

health check-up list 

Regular eye examinations are very 

important. Similar to regular dental 

check-ups, your Optometrist can 

help to prevent bigger problems in 

the future. 

As recommended by the New 

Zealand Association of Optometrists, 

a child’s first eye test should be with 

an optometrist before starting school 

and at regular intervals thereafter. 

Good vision is key to a child’s 

physical development, success in 

school and overall well-being, so the 

earlier an eye problem is detected, 

the earlier an appropriate treatment 

can be recommended to ensure 

successful vision correction and lifelong 

benefits. 

The author is founding member of 

the Australia and New Zealand Child 

Myopia Working Group 

benefits, not only for reducing our 

risk of CVD, but also for our w eight 

control, functionalability and mental 

health – exercise works wonders. 

We should aim to do at least 20 

minutes of moderate- vigorous 

exercise per day, at which intensity 

it should be hard for us to maintain 

a conversation with someone when 

exercising. 

Ways we can do this are walking, 

cycling, dancing and getting 

involved in community sport like 

cricket or football. During my time 

in Palmerston North, I recall playing 

football alongside uncles of all ages 

every Sunday. Do not hesitate to get 

involved and to beactive. 

Lastly, I encourage ourselves to 

make sure we are registered with 

a GP practice and to have regular 

screening for CVD risk factors, 

such as blood pressure, diabetes and 

cholesterol. Doctors can provide 

appropriate advice and medication to 

manage these. 

I hope to have encouraged you to 

take some steps towards achieving 

better cardio vascular health and 

reduce the risk of CVD for you and 

your lovedones. 

Disclaimer:This article was 

written by a medicine student 

from the University of Auckland 

Migrant Health Group. 

The information and opinions 

expressed in the article are 

not a reflection of the Indian 

Weekender, University, or any 

DHB. We hope that you find 

them useful. Always speak to 

your GP or specialist if you have 

anyconcerns.

Editorial 

Keep up the 

pressure, New 

Zealand 

It appears this government only responds to relentless pressure. 

Finally, after more than four years of dithering and false starts, the Labourled 

Government has announced that it is setting up a one-off resident visa. It 

will come as welcome news to thousands of onshore migrants who have been in 

limbo, some for more than a couple of years. 

There have been mounting media reports of qualified professionals who were 

rendering valuable services leaving New Zealand for countries where there was 

greater certainty of a clear path to residency. 

All this while the New Zealand government’s immigration apparatus seemed 

to have been in a state of paralysis only responding with communiques to expect 

announcements “shortly”, that never eventuated. This development has been long 

in coming but it shows that this government needs great pressure to be exerted 

on it before it will take any action on matters crucial to New Zealanders and the 

economy. 

It was only the relentless pressure put on the government by a range of 

organisations from political parties like the National and ACT parties, dozens of 

business apex bodies and, last but not the least, informal groups like United Voice 

comprising leaders of more than 160 ethnic organisations (see separate story in 

this edition) is what was required for the government to act on the hundreds of 

thousands of migrants who were in limbo for unconscionably long lengths of 

time. 

For months, The Indian Weekender has been covering the plight of the Kiwi 

Indian migrant community stranded here (and in India) with no recourse to any 

information about their immigration pathway in New Zealand, their situation 

exacerbated by the closure of borders and the diversion of the government’s 

attention and resources to deal with the demands of the pandemic. 

As well as families torn asunder by the border closures, we have catalogued 

stories of Kiwi Indian families and individuals plunged into financial crises and 

rising numbers of cases of mental health illness – all with not so much as even 

a semblance of hope in sight until this announcement from the Im migration 

Minister. 

Given the government’s track record in delaying and dithering on decision 

making and implementation – be it in matters of vaccine purchasing and roll 

out, the MIQ mess and lockdowns, besides others – it will be important for New 

Zealanders to keep up the pressure on the government to spur it into taking further 

and sustained action on yesterday’s announcement as well as a number of other 

matters relating to restarting New Zealand’s engagement with the world post the 

dark and depressing regime of lockdowns. 

The government needs to act fast in implementing its decision to grant 

residency. It has said it will take a year to process the considerable backlog. But 

is it possible? What is the government plan to achieve this? We don’t want this to 

be just another place-holder announcement. New Zealanders must know. 

The system must also prioritise the trades and professions that the country sorely 

needs in this pandemic situation and should look at the Expression of Interest 

pool, which is not in the reckoning in the current plan. We need the 3000 doctors 

and nurses out of that expression of interest pool and we need them processed 

them urgently just as we do critical healthcare workers. 

At the same time, New Zealanders need to keep up the pressure on the government 

to take crucial decisions on looking at the Delta variant as an endemic. Nearly 

all countries have now come round to the practical view that eliminating Delta is 

well-nigh impossible and all strategies are concentrating on living with it. Even 

Singapore has decided on this pathway. 

The government has to find a clear and unambiguous pathway out of lockdowns 

as the only way to deal with Delta. It must tone up contact tracing capabilities, 

build dedicated MIQ facilities away from dense urban centres, bring in saliva and 

self-testing kits and look at other medical remedies through Pharmac. 

As yesterday’s immigration announcement has shown, only relentless pressure 

will help. 

Thought of the week 

“If something is important enough, 

even if the odds are stacked against 

you, you should still do it.” – Elon Musk 

01 October 2021 – 07 October 

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thu 

On-and-off 

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This week in New Zealand’s history 

Indian Weekender : Volume 13 Issue 30 

Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited 

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

Chief Technical Officer: Rohan deSouza | rohan@indianweekender.co.nz 

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 

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sun 

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and 

sun 

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1 October 1962 

Government watchdog appointed 

Clouds 

and 

showers 

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

A few 

morning 

showers 

21° 

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morning 

showers 

26° 

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Sir Guy Powles was New Zealand’s first Ombudsman. In a loose translation from Swedish, 

the word means ‘grievance person’. The office was created to investigate complaints about 

the actions of government departments and other national public sector organisations. 


Goods and Services Tax Act introduced 

Adding 10 per cent to the cost of most goods and services, GST was a key part of the 

economic reforms of the fourth Labour government – dubbed ‘Rogernomics’ after Minister 

of Finance Roger Douglas. 


New Zealand pilot saves Scottish village 

In May 2007 the residents of the Scottish village of Cowie gathered to unveil a memorial to 

Pilot Officer Carlyle Everiss – a New Zealand fighter pilot whose heroic actions saved the 

lives of many villagers during the Second World War. 


New Zealand Natives team plays first game in UK 

The privately organised rugby team was the first to wear the silver fern and an all-black 

uniform. Originally called New Zealand Maori, their name was changed after organiser 

and captain Joe Warbrick (Ngāti Rangitihi) and promoter Thomas Eyton added five Pākehā to 

strengthen the team. 


Morris Yock trademarks the jandal 

Inspired by footwear he had seen in Japan, businessman Morris Yock and his son Anthony 

began manufacturing this simple rubber footwear in their garage in 1957. The name ‘jandal’ 

combined the words ‘Japanese’ and ‘sandal’. 


Young Nick sights land 

Ship’s boy Nicholas Young received a gallon of rum and had a headland named after him for 

being the first aboard HMB Endeavour to spot land in the south-west Pacific. It was 127 

years since Abel Tasman had made the first known European sighting of New Zealand.

The Indian Weekender Friday, October 01, 2021 FIJI 13 

NZ supports Fiji’s covid-19 response with the 

funding of four fully equipped ambulances 

FIJI SUN 

The ambulances will 

boost the capacity of first 

response teams to carry out 

emergency retrievals & transfers, as 

well as home assessments for high 

risk patients. 

The New Zealand government has 

funded the conversion of four vehicles 

into fully equipped ambulances 

for use by the Ministry of Health 

andMedical Services Pre Hospital 

Emergency Care Coordination Centre 

(PHECCC) team to support their 

COVID-19 operations. 

Today, the last of those vehicles 

was commissioned at a ceremony 

at Central Eastern Health Command 

Center, PJ Twomey Hospital, 

Tamavua in Suva. 

The ambulances will boost the 

capacity of first response teams 

to carry out emergency retrievals 

Fiji’s remittances highest last year 

FIJI TIMES 

Fiji’s remittances received last 

year was the highest ever, 

says Minister for Commerce, 

Trade, Tourism and Transport 

Faiyaz Koya. 

“Currently, Pacific island 

countries combined are among the 

largest export destinations for Fiji, 

approximately 40 percent of total 

exports of $894.6 million(US$426.4 

million) in 2019 was destined for 

Pacific island countries,” he said. 

“And better rules of entry into 

the PIC markets essentially mean 

more Fijian exports in the region 

and strengthens Fiji’s position as a 

trade up. 

“We will be able to attract 

investment in manufacturing in 

warehouse facilities as a market will 

actually increase to over 10 million 

odd people.” 

Koya said labour mobility was 

also a very important contributor to 

the Pacific economy and according 

to the World Bank Group, workers 

Supporting Fijian first response teams in a highly 

practical way has helped to ensure patients get 

faster access to critical medical care. 

- NZ High Commissioner Jonathan Curr 

& transfers, as well as home 

assessments for high risk patients. 

on the Pacific Labour Mobility 

schemes send approximately 

AUD$9,000 (FJD$13,700) back to 

their families. 

“This is equivalent to three 

years wages in many countries, so 

remittances such as these are vital to 

support livelihoods. 

“In Fiji, remittances over the 

last 10 years averaged to about 

$433.2 million (US$206.5 million), 

equivalent to 4.7 percent of GDP 

The Minister for Health and Medical 

Services, Ifereimi Waqainabete, 

with more than about 60 percent of 

the funds coming from Australia, 

New Zealand and the U.S. 

“Fiji’s remittances received 

last year were the highest ever 

and that was standing at $652.75 

million(US$311.1 million) which is 

an annual increase of 11 percent. 

“The trade ministers, Speaker sir, 

have collectively agreed to enhance 

this labour mobility arrangements 

and last week, the labour mobility 

who received the ambulance on 

behalf of the Ministry, expressed his 

appreciation for the partnership with 

Aotearoa New Zealand, and outlined 

plans to further develop Fiji’s first 

response capabilities and strengthen 

coordination of services. 

While the ambulances were 

being fitted out, the New Zealand 

High Commission also provided 

rental vehicles and communications 

equipment for immediate use by 

the first response team to help meet 

increased demand for their services. 

Since starting operations in late 

June 2021, the PHECCC team have 

undertaken more than 2,220 patient 

retrievals with the assistance of New 

Zealand funded vehicles. 

“Supporting Fijian first response 

teams in a highly practical way has 

helped to ensure patients get faster 

access to critical medical care,” said 

reference group consisting of 

officials from the region met to 

discuss the comprehensive review 

of the labour mobility schemes in 

the region, and addition to these, that 

region is working on strengthening 

our regional trade data through 

the establishment of a regional 

trade observatory and regional 

infrastructure strategy has also been 

developed to guide the region’s 

collective efforts in building and 

strengthening the development of 

our factors of production in the 

Pacific. 

“These are some of the collective 

efforts that the region is taking to 

mount a recovery and to create a 

stronger foundation that will enable 

us to withstand future extended 

shocks and builds on resilience. 

As a region, we are actually futureproofing 

ourselves not just looking 

at short- term gains, but long-term 

stability and sustainability,” he said. 

- PACNEWS 

Fiji’s growing HIV infections unacceptable –Ratu Epeli Nailatikau 

FIJI GOVERNMENT 

The Speaker of the Fijian Parliament and 

UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for the 

Pacific region Ratu Epeli Nailatikau said 

Fiji is among the top five countries of rising new 

HIV infections in the Asia Pacific region, among 

the 15–24-year-old age group. 

With an increasing rate of over 50 percent 

since 2010 - this has put Fiji ahead of all other 

Pacific Island countries, says the Global AIDS 

Monitoring Report, 

“In 2020, Fiji had a total of 147 new cases and 

13 of these cases were paediatric cases. These 

were mostly opportunistic cases, meaning that 

there wasn’t active outreach done for testing. 

This could indicate that there are many unknown 

cases out there – a trend that is common 

throughout the world.” 

“I have no doubt that you will agree with me that 

these numbers are not acceptable,” Ratu Epeli said. 

The Speaker highlighted that the COVID-19 

pandemic is threatening the progress that the world 

has made in health and development over the past 

20 years, including the gains made against HIV. 

“This year has been like no other for Fiji and 

despite it all, we can proudly stand together 

to affirm the continuation of our HIV 

response.” 

“I fully understand and totally 

support the importance of the 

COVID-19 response and the 

prominence it has now been given and 

"The 

COVID-19 

pandemic must not 

be an excuse to divert 

investment from 

HIV." 

the calling for full and concerted public action to 

combat it. However, I also believe that existing 

diseases, such as the pandemic HIV/AIDS, also 

needs our continued attention as it has been around 

for so many years - and is still without a cure - 

and as such has lifelong impacts on people who are 

affected and their families. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic must not be an 

excuse to divert investment from HIV. 

"There is a risk that the hard- earned gains of 

the AIDS response will be sacrificed to the fight 

against COVID-19, but the right to health means 

that no one disease should be fought at the expense 

of the other,” he added. 

Ratu Epeli thanked the UNAIDS based in Fiji 

and Thailand for their leadership in mobilising the 

support needed to ensure that the HIV drugs arrived 

in Fiji without any disruptions in treatment. 

The Speaker also thanked the Atlanta 

Medicare from Thailand for their 

donation of first-line HIV drugs 

and Fiji’s Vuvale partner - DFAT 

for supporting the paediatric HIV 

medications. 

New Zealand High Commissioner 

Jonathan Curr. 

Mr Curr acknowledged the efforts 

and dedication of first response 

teams over months of high demand 

and difficult conditions. 

He expressed his hope that the 

additional vehicles will make a 

significant difference to Fiji’s 

COVID-19 response operations. 

“The rental vehicles, medical and 

radio communications equipment 

facilitated by NZHC has really 

enabled the PHECCC team to 

respond effectively and efficiently 

to patients in need”, said Mr 

Lemeki Lenoa, First Response Fleet 

Coordinator. 

He added that “the commissioning 

into service of the new ambulances 

strengthen this response as our area 

of operations has expanded.” 

Remain 

cautious to 

avoid future 

lockdowns 

The Ministry of Health is 

preparing for the lifting 

of international travel 

restrictions, and other social and 

workplace engagement restrictions. 

However, Permanent Secretary, 

Doctor James Fong says a number 

of countries have seen an increased 

number of cases with the relaxation 

of restrictions. 

Dr Fong says there will always 

be people vulnerable to the virus 

even if the vaccination coverage is 

increased. 

One-third of Fiji’s population 

under 18 years will soon be eligible 

for vaccination. 

He adds Fiji has older people with 

comorbidities whose ability to build 

up vaccine immunity is not as good 

as younger and healthier persons. 

He stresses the key to avoiding 

future restrictions and lockdowns 

is for the public to remain cautious 

about how they engage in the greater 

freedom they will enjoy. 

Dr Fong highlighted that while 

the easing of restrictions is needed 

to facilitate social and economic 

livelihood, the public must ensure 

that together with vaccination, 

everyone continues to observe their 

COVID safe measures and avoid 

contained spaces and crowds. 

He adds the 

potential for 

transmission 

in any 

community 

will be 

slower, 

and the 

ability to 

contain the 

outbreak better, 

when Fiji achieves 

a high vaccination rate and also 

maintains strict adherence to COVID 

safe measures.

14 

INDIA 


India extends international 

flight ban till Oct 31 

INDIA’S civil aviation 

regulator Directorate General 

of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on 

Tuesday (28) extended the ban on 

international passenger flights till 

October 31, 2021. 

The ban is not applicable to cargo 

flights and those that have been 

approved by the regulator. 

All scheduled international flights 

to and from India were banned 

from March last year after the 

Covid-19 pandemic started. The 

flight ban has been continuously 

extended since then. 

However, India’s ministry of 

civil aviation has signed air-bubble 

agreements with several nations. 

India currently has bio bubble 

pacts with around 25 nations, 

including the US, the UK, the UAE, 

Bhutan, Kenya and France. 

As per the rules, those special 

international flights can be operated 

by their airlines following an air 

bubble pact between two countries, 

irrespective of the travel ban, which 

initially came into place on March 

22, 2020. 

On Monday, direct flights resumed 

between India and Canada after a gap 

of almost five months. 

The US was set to reopen its 

doors for vaccinated air passengers 

from countries like India, China and 

the UK, among others, from early 

November. The US eased its travel 

advisory for India on August 16, 

2021, lowering it to level two, which 

is considered safe. 

The UK had moved India from 

its “red” to “amber” travel list from 

August 8. 

The validity of Indian visa or 

stipulated period of stay for foreign 

nationals who have been stranded in 

India due to the pandemic has been 

extended till October 31. 

Travellers from India have been 

allowed to fly to 49 cities across 18 

nations since September under the 

air-bubble pacts. 

Centre to grant 6 months' e-visa to Afghan 

military cadets training in India 

The Indian government will 

grant six months' e-visa 

to Afghan military cadets 

training here after they complete 

their courses in different military 

academies. 

The Indian government will 

grant six months' e-visa to Afghan 

military cadets training here after 

they complete their courses in 

different military academies. 

Around 180 Afghan cadets are 

training in different academies and 

140 of them have applied for visas 

in western countries. The future of 

these cadets became uncertain with 

the rout of the Afghan army as the 

Taliban seized power in Afghanistan. 

“Six month e-visas would be 

given to all the Afghan cadets and 

soldiers who are training in our 

academies. They have the option 

of deciding upon their course of 

action regarding their future in this 

period,” government sources told 

India Today. 

While most of the Afghan cadets 

In the first such communication 

between the Taliban regime in 

Afghanistan and India, the outfit 

has written to the government for 

resumption of flights between the 

two countries. 

In a first such official 

communication between the Taliban 

regime in Afghanistan and India, the 

outfit has written to the government 

for resumption of flights between 

the two countries. India Today is in 

possession of the letter that the new 

regime in The Islamic Emirate of 

Afghanistan has written to India. 

The letter, addressed to Director 

General of Civil Aviation Arun 

Kumar, has been written by Alhaj 

Hameedullah Akhunzada, acting 

minister, Afghanistan Civil Aviation 

Authority. It is dated September 7. 

After extending his compliments 

have applied for asylum in European 

nations and Canada, many of them 

also want to stay on in India. These 

soldiers have been put in touch with 

agencies who have been working 

with Afghans already living in the 

country, government sources said. 

Earlier, India had allowed 

around 180 cadets to complete their 

respective courses in the military 

academies of defence forces here. 

The Indian defence forces have been 

training Afghan soldiers as part of 

the capacity-building programme. 

to the DGCA, Akhunzada writes, 

"As you are well informed recently, 

the Kabul Airport was damaged and 

dysfunctional by American troops 

before their withdrawal. By technical 

assistance of our Qatar Brother, 

the airport became operational once 

again and a NOTAM (Notice to 

Airmen) in this regard was issued on 

6 September, 2021." 

The minister then requested the 

resumption of flights between India 

and Afghanistan. 

As many as 180 Afghan military 

personnel are being trained at 

different institutions, with a bulk 

of them at the Indian Military 

Academy (IMA) at Dehradun, the 

Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) 

at Chennai and the National Defence 

Academy (NDA) at Khadakwasla in 

Pune. 

Defence officers said the training 

and other expenses of these officers 

and cadets were being borne by India 

as part of nation-building efforts in 

Afghanistan after 2001. 

Taliban want resumption of flights between India and Afghanistan, write to DGCA 

"The intention 

of this letter is to 

keep the smooth 

passenger 

movement 

"Yes, 

we are taking 

a longer route 

currently, as are most 

international airlines. 

When things get better, 

we will be back on the 

same track." 

between two 

countries based on 

the signed MoU and our 

National Carriers (Ariana Afghan 

Airline & Kam Air) aimed to 

commence their scheduled flights. 

Therefore, Afghanistan Civil 

Aviation Authority requests you to 

Indian consumer tech brands stand 

tall against Chinese invasion 

As Chinese smartphone 

vendors decimated 

the Indian players like 

Micromax, Intex, Lava and Karbonn 

(famously known as MILK brands) 

and fully captured the market, 

homegrown consumer technology 

brands were desperate to find some 

breathing space. Now, Indian audio 

and wearable players have proved 

they can take on and outsmart 

Chinese giants with their cuttingedge, 

affordable products. 

The secret sauce behind the 

success of homegrown audio and 

wearable brands like BoAt, Noise 

and Fire-boltt has been a healthy 

mix of product, price, placement 

and promotion. According to the 

International Data Corporation 

(IDC), among the top five wearable 

brands, three spots are currently 

captured by Indian brands. 

Homegrown Noise continues to 

be the leading player in the overall 

watch category for five straight 

quarters with a 28.6 per cent share in 

the second quarter this year, closely 

followed by BoAt with a 26.9 per cent 

share. Fire-boltt, another homegrown 

brand, has entered at fourth position 

in just three quarters of starting its 

business in this category, the IDC 

data shows. Can the new-age Indian 

consumer tech brands continue their 

facilitate their commercial flights," 

the letter said. 

"The Civil Aviation of Islamic 

Emirate of Afghanistan avails its 

highest assurance," Akhunzada 

further said. 

India does not officially 

recognise the Taliban regime 

in Afghanistan even though 

a meeting did take place in 

Doha on August 31. The 

Indian Ambassador to 

Qatar, Deepak Mittal, met 

Sher Mohammad Abbas 

Stanekzai, the head of the 

Taliban's political office in 

Doha, upon the latter's request. 

On the subject of flights to 

Afghanistan, Arindam Bagchi, 

Ministry of External Affairs 

spokesperson, said at a press 

conference, "We have been 

dream run? 

Aman Gupta, Co-founder of boAt, 

told IANS that boAt was born online 

and the marketing primarily revolves 

around the same. 

"Affordable Internet, as well as 

wide availability of smartphones, has 

forced brands to shift from traditional 

marketing to digital marketing and 

we are proud to be the disruptors in 

this wave," Gupta said. 

"Being a leader in the audio 

wearable industry, our audio products 

are rugged and equipped with a bass 

heavy sound to give a euphoric audio 

experience. Not only do we focus on 

quality products, we ensure that our 

'boAtheads' don't have to burn a hole 

in their pocket to join our tribe," he 

elaborated. 

The pandemic and constant 

lockdowns have heavily contributed 

to an increase in online transactions 

and the rise of direct-to-consumer 

(D2C) brands. 

IndiGo, American Airlines ink 

codeshare agreement 

Domestic airline IndiGo has entered into a codeshare agreement with the 

US-based American Airlines. 

In aviation parlance, a codeshare agreement allows airlines to sell 

seats on each others' flights in order to provide passengers with a wider choice 

of destinations. Accordingly, the agreement on 29 of IndiGo's domestic routes 

in India will provide a wider travel option for American Airlines' customers 

arriving on the carrier's new Bengaluru and Delhi flights. 

The codeshare agreement is expected to begin in October, as American 

Airlines launches new service between New York and Delhi on October 31 

and between Seattle and Bangalore on January 4, 2022. 

Besides, the codeshare agreement allows the members of American Airlines' 

'Advantage' loyalty programme to earn miles when traveling on American 

codeshare flights operated by IndiGo. 

"We are confident that this will be a strong partnership that will create many 

opportunities for trade and tourism through IndiGo's seamless nationwide 

connectivity," said Ronojoy Dutta, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo. 

At present, IndiGo is India's largest airline by number of passengers carried. 

It has a fleet of more than 275 aircraft and operates over 1,100 daily flights, 

connecting 70 domestic and 24 international destinations. 

prioritising the evacuation of our 

people there and some Afghans too. 

Currently, of course, the Kabul airport 

is not operational. So I don't have an 

update on more flights. I think we 

will be able to revisit this issue once 

Kabul airport is operational." 

Speaking to the media on 

September 9 on the subject of the 

resumption of commercial flights 

between India and Afghanistan, 

Union Civil Aviation Minister 

Jyotiraditya Scindia said, "Yes, we 

are taking a longer route currently, as 

are most international airlines. When 

things get better, we will be back on 

the same track." 

Authorities at the Ministry of Civil 

Aviation have told India Today TV 

that they were assessing the security 

situation on the ground.


FEATURES 15 

Rasam with tamarind and garlic 

INGREDIENTS 

• Tamarind pulp - 1 table spoon 

• Tomato - 1 (chopped) 

• Curry leaves - 10-12 

• Black pepper - 1-2 tablespoons 

• Garlic - 4-5 cloves 

• Turmeric powder (Haldi) - half teaspoon 

• Dry red chilli - 2 

• Salt - to taste 

• Cumin seeds - 1 teaspoon 

• Hing - half teaspoon 

• Coriander leaves - 1 tablespoon (freshly 

chopped) 

• Oil - 1 tablespoon 

• Mustard seeds - 1 teaspoon 

Method 

• Dry roast 2 red chilli, black-pepper, cumin 

seeds, garlic and 4-5 curry leaves and 

coarsely grind them in a mixer. 

• Keep the mixture aside. Take a kadhai and 

heat oil and add chopped tomatoes, the rest 

of the curry leaves, haldi and some salt and 

cook for 3-4 minutes. 

• Now add the coarsely ground masala and 

mix well. 

• Add the tamarind pulp and 2 cups of water. 

Healthy cooking every day 

Kung pao chicken 

Kung Pao Chicken is the internet's latest favourite food sensation with its 

appealing look and lip-smacking taste. It is a classic Chinese recipe that is 

loved by chicken lovers all over the world. 

Ingredients 

• 1 cup capsicum (green pepper) 

• 250 gm chicken boneless 

• 1/2 teaspoon sugar 

• 1/2 cup schezwan sauce 

• 1/2 cup onion 

• 1 tablespoon garlic 

• 3 tablespoon corn flour 

• 1 cup red bell pepper 

• 1 cup carrot 

• 1 teaspoon vinegar 

• 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce 

• salt as required 

• 1 teaspoon ginger 

• 2 tablespoon refined oil 

• 1 cup broccoli 

• powdered black pepper as 

required 

• For Garnishing 

Lemon Rasam 

Ingredients 

2 tomato 

• 1 cup toor daal 

• 3 lemon 

• 1 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds 

• 1 handful curry leaves 

• black pepper as required 

• 1 tablespoon ginger 

• 2 green chilli 

• 2 handfuls coriander leaves 

• 2 tablespoon ghee 

• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 

• 2 Kashmiri red chilli 

• salt as required 

Method: 

• Wash, soak and boil the dal 

• Take the dal out in a bowl and wash it until 

the water stops being foggy. Now, drain 

out the water and pressure cook the dal 

with 2 cups of water for about 10 minutes. 

• Prepare the tomato mix 

• Now, in a deep bottomed pan, add some 

ghee and to it, add roughly chopped 

tomatoes, chillies, ginger and curry leaves. 

Mix everything well and now add the 

• 1 handful chopped spring onions 

Method 

• Chop the veggies 

• To prepare this main dish recipe, 

take a bowl and add cornflour to 

it. Pour 1 cup water into it. 

• Mix these two to prepare a 

slurry and keep it aside for a 

while. On a chopping board, 

chop the ginger, garlic, onions 

and carrots finely, chop the 

chicken into chunks, broccoli 

into florets, capsicum and red 

bell pepper into cubes. 

• Add these in separate bowls and 

set these aside. Now, apply salt 

and black pepper to the chicken 

pieces and set them aside for 

Close the lid and let it simmer for at least 

10 minutes. 

• In another pan, add some oil (or ghee). 

After the oil heats up, put mustard seeds, 1 

red chilli and hing and temper them till the 

seeds start crackling. 

• Now add the tempered spices in the 

kadhai. Switch off the flame and garnish 

with freshly chopped coriander leaves. 

Sprinkle some black pepper powder. 

• You can have plain Rasam or can have it 

with boiled rice in lunch. 

turmeric powder to it. Add 2 large cups 

of water and let it come to a boil. Once 

you see the tomatoes turning mushy, 

start mashing them. Add the salt to adjust 

seasonings. 

• Prepare the tempering, add lemon and 

serve! 

• Now, add the boiled dal into this mix and 

let it cook for about 5 minutes. On the 

other hand, start preparing tempering for 

the rasam. Take a small pan and add ghee 

to it. Once the ghee is hot, add cumin, 

mustard seeds, curry leaves, asafoetida 

and pepper. Once this starts to splutter, 

add to the prepared rasam, squeeze in three 

lemons and serve with rice or idli! 

some time. 

• Saute the veggies and cook the 

chicken 

• Place a pan over medium flame 

and heat refined oil in it. 

• When the oil is hot enough, add 

ginger and garlic. 

• Saute until they turn aromatic. 

• Next, add in the chicken chunks. 

Fry these until they are no longer 

pink in the centre. Next, add the 

onions in it and saute them until 

they become translucent. Once 

done, add the carrots, capsicum 

and red bell pepper. 

• Saute these for some time and 

keep stirring. Cook until they 

are tender. 

INGREDIENTS 

• 1 cup dry Lobia or black-eyed beans 

• 1 medium tomato finely-chopped 

• 1 cucumber finely-chopped 

• 1 ripe mango 

• 50g chopped cottage cheese 

• ¼ cup roasted and coarsely chopped 

peanuts 

• Chopped coriander leaves for garnishing 

• Seasonings: 

• Juice of 1 lemon 

• ¼ tsp cinnamon powder 

• ¼ tsp black pepper powder 

• ¼ tsp roasted cumin powder 

• ¼ tsp chaat masala 

INGREDIENTS 

• 200 grams Paneer, cut into small cubes 

• 1 tbsp pepper 

• 1/2 tsp jeera (Cumin seeds) 

• 1 cup vegetables (Onion and capscium) 

• 1 tsp lemon juice 

• Salt as required 

Method 

• Heat oil in a pan and add diced onions. 

Saute it till the raw smell goes. 

• Add capsium and give it a nice toss. Add 

salt as required. 

• Now, add pepper and jeera to the grinder 

and powder it. 

• Add the mixture to the paneer and nicely 

coat it. 

• Let it marinate for 10 minutes. 

Lighter Takes 

& Easy Tips 

• Add the sauces and seasonings 

• Now, add the schezwan sauce, 

soya sauce, sugar, vinegar and 

cornflour slurry to the mix. Give 

the mixture a stir and toss the 

vegetables. 

• Make sure that the sauces evenly 

coat the vegetables. Sprinkle 

Black-eyed bean salad 

• 1 tsp honey 

• Black salt as per taste 

Paneer pepper dry 

salt and black pepper powder 

over these and mix it again. 

• Cook for 5 more minutes. Once 

done, take it off the flame and 

transfer it to a bowl. Garnish 

with chopped spring onions and 

serve it hot with noodles or rice 

to enjoy! 

Method 

• Soak lobia overnight or for 4-6 hours. 

Pressure-cook it along with salt for 2-3 

whistles. 

• Keep a check on the amount of water used, 

it shouldn’t be more than 1-1/2 cups. 

• Take a large mixing bowl and add the 

drained and cooled lobia followed by 

chopped, tomato, cucumber, mango and 

cottage cheese. 

• Add all the seasonings and mix well. 

• Sprinkle coarsely grounded peanuts and 

fresh coriander. 

• Add the marinated paneer to the pan and 

give it a toss. 

• Garnish with lemon juice.

16 ENTERTAINMENT 


Most popular movies on Netflix right now 

Schumacher 

Vivo 

Rush Hour 

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part 

The holder of a record seven World Drivers’ 

Championship titles, there are few racing 

drivers more deserving of a documentary 

than German Formula 1 champion Michael 

Schumacher. This Netflix documentary 

chronicles Schumacher’s rise to racing 

prominence, his widely reported skiing accident 

and the subsequent recovery process, supported 

with exclusive interviews and archival footage. 

The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf 

It’s been a big year for Hamilton star Lin- 

Manuel Miranda, who has been working 

non-stop with his first musical In The 

Heights receiving a big-screen adaptation, as 

well as his first-ever animated film Vivo also 

seeing a Netflix release. Also the first musical 

from Sony Pictures Animation, the film tells the 

story of Vivo, a music-loving kinkajou voiced 

by Miranda who must deliver a long-lost love 

song to a famous singer on behalf of his owner. 

The Matrix 

The buddy cop genre was all the rage 

in the ’80s and ’90s – and Rush Hour 

remains one of the best. As you’d 

expect, two mismatched police officers – Jackie 

Chan’s dedicated Detective Lee and Chris 

Tucker’s wisecracking Detective Carter – are 

assigned to set aside the differences to work on 

a case, which this time involves rescuing the 

Chinese Consul’s kidnapped daughter. 

Zombieland: Double Tap (2019) 

After 2014’s The Lego Movie proved to be 

a thoughtful, emotional and somewhat 

meta tribute to the classic construction toys 

and not just a corporate cash-grab, Warner Bros 

took their time with this wacky follow-up. The 

cleverly named The Lego Movie 2: The Second 

Part sees the citizens of Bricksburg under attack 

from DUPLO invaders, and it’s soon up to 

Emmett to travel to the Systar system to save 

his friends from ‘Armamageddon’. 

Paddington 

Netflix has gone all-in on The Witcher 

franchise, commissioning not one, but 

two spin-offs ahead of the long-awaited and 

long-delayed The Witcher season two. Liveaction 

spin-off series The Witcher: Blood 

Origin is still a while away, but this anime 

feature film has arrived relatively speedily – 

and will do more than sate fan’s appetites for 

more Witcher content. 

seminal cyberpunk classic that catapulted 

A Keanu Reeves to a whole new level of 

fame, The Matrix is now available to stream 

on Netflix. While it made its cinematic debut 

22 years ago, its many infamous lines are still 

quoted today (although mainly by your parents 

as they are repeatedly locked out of their 

computers). 

It took ten years, but cult horror hit 

Zombieland finally got a long-awaited sequel 

in 2019. Now available on Netflix, Zombieland: 

Double Tap sees the now expert zombie slayers 

Tallahassee, Columbus, Wichita and Little Rock 

head to the American heartland, where they 

face off against not only evolved zombies and 

post-apocalyptic warriors, but also their own 

emotions as their makeshift family experiences 

growing pains. 

Must-watch movies on Disney Plus 

With the continued improvement of CGI and 

special effects, it’s perhaps unsurprising that a 

beloved IP such as Paddington got a big-screen 

adaptation – what is surprising, however, is 

just how good the finished product ended up 

being. Paddington, of course, follows the polite 

Peruvian bear as he travels to London, and is 

adopted by the Brown family after getting lost 

at Paddington station. However, the bear’s 

misadventures in the city are soon under threat 

– with Nicole Kidman’s taxidermist villain 

determined to add him to her collection. 

Hamilton 

the group wants to destroy them and take over 

the world, it’s up to the Incredibles (and a few 

hilariously on-point sidekicks) to save the day. 

world, winning the U.S. Open. It’s a story full 

of triumph, of perseverance...and really great 

20th century costumes. 

Jungle Cruise 

10 Things I Hate About You 

Cruella 

Who lives, who dies, who tells the story of 

Alexander Hamilton? Well, renowned 

playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda and the 

original cast of the smash hit Broadway show 

certainly do. Recorded live on stage back in 

2016, this explosive ensemble brings to life the 

story of a then-underknown U.S. dignitary... 

and also a new appreciation for the beauty of 

hip-hop. 

The Incredibles 

Let us introduce you to a young Heath 

Ledger, who absolutely shines as the 

loner-turned-love interest of the our Julia 

Stiles-played protagonist. This modern spin 

on a Shakespeare classic feels unique, and so 

perfectly 1990’s. And if there’s any scene you 

need to watch, just wait till the last ten minutes. 

You’ll be thanking us then. 

Pirates of the Caribbean, 

Tomorrowland, and The Haunted 

Mansion are no longer the only Disney Parks 

rides enjoying the big screen treatment. The 

venerable jungle cruise ride gets its day in the 

sun in this same-titled film about a scientist 

(Emily Blunt) who hires a skipper (Dwayne 

Johnson) to ferry her down the Amazon in 

search of the Tree of Life. 

Luca 

This crime-fighting family has hung up 

their capes, sort of. When a former fan of 

The Greatest Game Ever Played 

Shia LaBeouf takes a turn as Francis Ouimet, 

a poor boy who, in an unlikely evolution, 

goes on to become the greatest golfer in the 

Disney's quest to give classic villains 

their own live-action features, beginning 

with Maleficent, has now moved onto Cruella, 

a splashy origin story that explores a young 

fashion designer's madcap transformation into 

Cruella de Vil. It's a battle of the Hollywood 

Emmas when Emma Stone, as young Cruella, 

goes toe to toe with a renowned English 

designer played by Emma Thompson, making 

for a visually spectacular feast about two 

powerful women on the warpath. 

I 

s it an animated Call Me By Your Name? 

Yes and no. It does feature Luca, a sweet boy 

who makes an Italian friend named Alberto, 

and then two of them discover that when they 

enter water, they turn into mermaids. And Luca 

makes Alberto jealous when he befriends landonly 

dweller Giulia, so it's not not a sweet 

coming of age film!


FEATURES 17 

FASHION AND BEAUTY 

Sarees trending in 

2021 

FOZIA YUSUF 

Sarees have been around since 

2800-1800 BC. This can be 

traced back to the Indus Valley 

Civilisation, Northwest of India. 

The journey of Saree began with 

Cotton, which was cultivated in the 

Indian Subcontinent approx dated 5th 

millennium BC. 

Who doesn’t love sarees? 

Because of its feminine Sensuality, 

it has grabbed attention in time 

antediluvian. A saree makes a women’s 

look elegant, beautiful, and stylish. 

Usually, it is between 3.5 to 9 yards 

in length. Sarees are worn in different 

ways that can define their protean and 

enchantress looks. It is an outfit that can 

be worn on all occasions. We will bring 

a few trending looks for this year. 

Handsfree 

The hole is in the pallu of the saree. 

This rather unique take on the pallu of 

a saree is fascinating and exquisite. It 

allows you to slide your arm through the 

pallu keeping the drape in place. The construction 

of this design is both fashionable and practical. 

It features a circular composition in bandhani 

embroidery which adds dimension to the look. 

Metallic Saree 

Sarees with metallic finish and tincture are 

amongst the top saree trends for 2021. 

The fabric of these sarees looks like latex and 

are available in a range of colours. 

The metallic sarees are yet another 

interpretation of the traditional and modern style. 

This style saree can be draped in various ways to 

add glamour and make a statement. You can style 

this with statement jewellery. For the sexier look 

try the minimalistic look. 

Winged Drape Saree 

Another Fashionable trend in sarees 2021. The 

pallu of the saree that is usually pined on the 

shoulder has been given a glamourous makeover. 

This saree can be jazzed up by giving a simple 

saree the up-market look. The sight of this 

outcome is glorious. 

Blazer Saree 

Epicene is the future of fashion. Incorporating a 

blazer or a coat into a traditional saree is a small 

step towards that direction for traditional fashion. 

The Blazer saree is a mixture of the feminine 

saree and blazer, which falls towards the 

masculine end of the spectrum brings about an 

eclectic modern twist to the traditional saree. The 

east meets west indeed a bold statement. 

Dhoti style 

This style is Known as a Kasta saree, it is a 

combination of a dhoti and saree. This style bears 

similarity to the way the Maharashtrian dhoti is 

worn. The Draping technique of this saree takes a 

lot of time. However, the effort is certainly worth 

it to achieve this exquisite style. On the other 

hand, if you do not have the time, pre-stitched 

dhoti sarees are also available. The dhoti pants 

amalgamated into a saree is yet another modern 

and fun play on traditional fashion. 

Cocktail Trend 

The cocktail sarees are glamorous. The trailing 

pallus, sexy blouses and flattering cuts, pleats 

and frills speak volumes. This look Can easily 

transition into a ballroom gown. cocktail sarees 

are a must-have for any fashion-forward woman. 

To enhance the attractiveness of this trend, pair 

it with statement jewellery or accessories to 

complement the saree. This can be in the form of 

a necklace, earrings to even a waist belt. 

Touch of Glitter 

The shiny and sparkling glitter sarees are in 

fashion this year. Accessorised with equally 

glittery jewels and halter blouses. The glitter 

sarees make the best combination of traditional as 

well as sexy vibes. This look is perfect for a party. 

Teaming it with gorgeous accessories, makeup 

and hair will further amplify your beauty. It’s a 

must-have item in your wardrobe. 

Photo Credit: Instagram

18 NEW ZEALAND 

CROSSWORD FreeDailyCrosswords.com 

NO: 87 

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

I) "_ like old times" 

6) "Fear of Fifty" author Jong 

11) Endorsing 

14) Like draft beer 

15) Union group 

16) "Anytown, _" 

17) Hold grudges 

19) Blazing 

20) French wine classification 

21) Australian with three toes 

22) Doctor's due 

23) Pathetically inept person 

27) Cardinal 

29) Japanese tie 

30) Focal device 

32) One-eighth of a piece of 

eight 

33) Faux_ (blunder) 

34) Moved stealthily 

36) Latin music type 

39) Chancellor von Bismarck 

41) Three-tone chord 

FOUR SICK DAYS 

14 

17 

2 3 4 5 

43) Holier-than-thou 

44) Jockey's controls 

46) Like brains and ears 

48) Alter _ 

49) The moon in Paris 

51) Double negative? 

52) One of the Bobbsey Twins 

53) Some wrestling holds 

56) Prejudice 

58) Historic time 

59) Alternative to NC, once 

60) Cleo's killer 

61) Butter unit 

62) Reason for many surgeries 

68) Brunched 

69) Disease of cereals 

70) Establish as law 

71) _ Altos, Calif. 

72) Does a casino job 

73) Disney duck 

Berns 

1st February 

DOWN 

I) Weep 

2) Memphis-to-Nashville dir. 

3) Heathrow airport listing (Abbr.) 

4) Chagall and Antony 

5) DNA shapes 

6) Architectural annex 

7) Propel a boat 

8) More frigid and slippery 

9) Less agitated 

10) Hints at (with "to") 

11) Feeling of satisfaction 

12) Basket weaver's material 

13) Appraised 

18) Giving off light 

23) Deep sleep 

24) Diminish in intensity 

25) Some purified liquids 

26) Small projecting ridge 

28) Cotswold cries 

31) Descendant or heir 

35) Skewered fare 

37) Common sweetener 

38) Opposite of ecstasy 

40) Unwelcome obligation 

42) Rejection of a request 

45) Emulated a bull 

47) Iditarod vehicle 

50) Curtain call 

53) Country in the Himalayas 

54) A Muse 

55) _ different tune (changed one's 

mind) 

57) State one's views 

63) Costa del _ 

64) "_ a deal!" 

65) Shooter's marble 

66) Bar rocks 

67) Where bacon is stored? 

ANSWERS CROSSWORD NO: 87 

FreeDailyCrosswords.com 

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

I) "_ like old times" 

6) "Fear of Fifty" author Jong 

11) Endorsing 

14) Like draft beer 

15) Union group 

16) "Anytown, _" 

17) Hold grudges 

19) Blazing 

20) French wine classification 

21) Australian with three toes 

22) Doctor's due 

23) Pathetically inept person 

27) Cardinal 

29) Japanese tie 

30) Focal device 

32) One-eighth of a piece of 

eight 

33) Faux_ (blunder) 

34) Moved stealthily 

36) Latin music type 

39) Chancellor von Bismarck 

41) Three-tone chord 

FOUR SICK DAYS 

1 

s 

2 E 3E M 

s 

s 

1 

b N T A p 

1 l 

1 

il E A R I 

t: R u 

1 L L 

43) Holier-than-thou 

44) Jockey's controls 

46) Like brains and ears 

48) Alter _ 

49) The moon in Paris 

51) Double negative? 

52) One of the Bobbsey Twins 

53) Some wrestling holds 

56) Prejudice 

58) Historic time 

59) Alternative to NC, once 

60) Cleo's killer 

61) Butter unit 

62) Reason for many surgeries 

68) Brunched 

69) Disease of cereals 

70) Establish as law 

71) _ Altos, Calif. 

72) Does a casino job 

73) Disney duck 

7R 8 1 gc 1 A 

0 C A L 

w I L L I 

2 1: M u E 

2 R E D 

1 i I R 

2!, 2 2 

b C k 

2b B I N 35 3k E A L 

,, A s u C 3k A L 35 

3b T 

E 

I A 4b 

0 B E 4b 

4s 

HITORI NO: 87 

S N 0 N 

511 I 

A 

T 

E 

D 

 

L I 6 T 66 1 6 7S 

7 

ENAC T 

1 

bEWEY 

1st February 

DOWN 

I) Weep 

2) Memphis-to-Nashville dir. 

3) Heathrow airport listing (Abbr.) 

4) Chagall and Antony 

5) DNA shapes 

6) Architectural annex 

7) Propel a boat 

8) More frigid and slippery 

9) Less agitated 

10) Hints at (with "to") 

11) Feeling of satisfaction 

12) Basket weaver's material 

13) Appraised 

18) Giving off light 

23) Deep sleep 

24) Diminish in intensity 

25) Some purified liquids 

26) Small projecting ridge 

28) Cotswold cries 

31) Descendant or heir 

35) Skewered fare 

37) Common sweetener 

38) Opposite of ecstasy 

40) Unwelcome obligation 

42) Rejection of a request 

45) Emulated a bull 

47) Iditarod vehicle 

50) Curtain call 

53) Country in the Himalayas 

54) A Muse 

55) _ different tune (changed one's 

mind) 

57) State one's views 

63) Costa del _ 

64) "_ a deal!" 

65) Shooter's marble 

66) Bar rocks 

67) Where bacon is stored? 

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: 87 

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 

01 October to 7 October 2921 | By Manisha Koushik 

ARIES (MAR 21-APR 20) 

This is a good time to make a professional 

choice and stick to it. You are likely to achieve 

much on the academic front in this week. 

Businesspersons may find business picking up. 

Profits accrue for those who have ventured into 

something new. A family get together may find 

you in your element. Someone from the opposite 

camp may tug at your heartstrings and usher in romance! Heeding 

the advice of elders will be in your interest. Lucky Number:3 / 

Lucky Color: Yellow 

TAURUS (APR 21-MAY 20) 

A fresh perspective on an old problem is likely 

to open your mind to many more possibilities. 

Visiting someone close is likely to give you a 

sense of immense fulfilment. You will manage 

to convert an official trip into vacation and enjoy 

your heart out. Taking possession of a flat is 

likely for some. A cash crunch may force you to redraw the budget. 

Remaining irregular in workouts may begin telling on your health 

soon. Lucky Number:1 / Lucky Color: Red 

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUN 21) 

This is a good time for you to gain lost ground 

on the academic front. Achievements of a family 

youngster will be a feather in your cap. Previous 

investments are likely to give good returns. 

Getting regular with workouts is indicated and 

will do a whale of a good to your health. Someone 

with malicious intent may target you on the social 

front, but you will manage to get the better of him or her without 

difficulty. Lucky Number:7 / Lucky Color : White 

CANCER (JUN 22-JUL 20) 

You may choose to spend time with a friend or 

relation in this week. Consistent performance will 

help you in creating a niche for yourself at work. 

A family youngster is likely to make you proud. 

You can gain social mileage out of something you 

have done on the family front. Money will not be a 

problem as previous investments give good returns. You are likely 

to remain in the pink of health through your own efforts. Lucky 

Number :6 / Lucky Color : Cream 

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 may have to spend some time in a new 

environment, but it will prove to be a nice change. 

This is a good time to join the group of fitness 

conscious people. On the financial front, you may 

get in two minds regarding incurring an expense. 

Businesspersons will need to play their cards well 

to bag a deal. Too much socialising can get on your nerves and 

make you long for a break. Travelling is foreseen. Lucky Number 

:18 / Lucky Color : Maroon 

VIRGO (AUG 23-SEP 23) 

You may have to get the better of your rivals by 

hook or crook, if you want your image to remain 

untarnished. This is the right time to push your 

career up the corporate ladder, as opportunities are 

certain to come your way. Your financial position 

is set to improve, as earnings get enhanced. Taking 

due precautions will save you from season related ailments on the 

health front. Your helpful nature will be appreciated by all. Lucky 

Number : 8 / Lucky Colour : Dark Grey 

LIBRA (SEP 24-OCT 23) 

Mull over the decisions, before you take them, 

especially the harsh ones. You are likely to 

earn well and will be able to raise your quality 

of life. Enjoying good health through regular 

workouts and diet control is certain for some. 

Professionally, you are likely to forge confidently 

ahead. All round praise is in store for you on the social front. If 

you have to buy property, this is an auspicious week to make a 

beginning. Lucky Number :4 / Lucky Color : Navy Blue 

SCORPIO (OCT 24-NOV 22) 

Whatever happens on the professional front, you 

remain in the safe zone. Many opportunities may 

come your way on the academic front. You are 

likely to win a game of one-upmanship with a rival 

on the social front. Good time is foreseen in a longterm 

relationship on the romantic front. Delays 

encountered in a long journey will not hamper your 

trip. Don’t expect immediate reciprocation for the help extended to 

someone. A changed lifestyle will prove beneficial. Lucky Number 

: 5/ Lucky Color : Green 

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) 

You may have to do a lot of running around in this 

week to get things organised at work. Some of 

you are likely to achieve the unachievable on the 

professional front in this week. Moneywise, you 

will not face any problems as you will have enough. 

Regular exercise and controlled diet will keep you fit as a fiddle. 

Something you fervently wish for the family may not materialise, 

but it should also not be ruled out. A short vacation will be fun. 

Lucky Number : 9 / Lucky Color : Saffron 

CAPRICORN (DEC 22-JAN 21) 

You may have to go out of your way to pull someone 

to your side. A family gathering or a marriage party 

is on the cards for some. Chance of meeting people 

you have not met in years is possible. A long-term 

romance may turn into a lifelong commitment. A 

handsome amount is likely to be made by some 

in a property transaction. You are likely to hold your own against 

all the odds on the professional front. Lucky Number : 2 / Lucky 

Color : Turquoise 

AQUARIUS (JAN 22-FEB 19) 

A proposal for matrimonial alliance for the 

eligible may be received. You are likely to enjoy 

a family gathering in this week. An outing with 

friends cannot be ruled out for some. Those 

involved in a property dispute may find things 

turning favourable for them. You are likely to 

make the right impression on those who matter on the professional 

or academic front. A friendship turning into romance is possible 

for some. You are likely to become health conscious and benefit. 

Lucky Number: 8 / Lucky Color: Silver 

PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 20) 

This is a good time to plan for a vacation, as leave 

will not be a problem. You are likely to build your 

reputation at work by good PR and networking. 

An increment is in the pipeline for some. Physical 

fitness bug may bite you, but it may take you awhile 

to shake a leg! You may get you on the wrong side 

of spouse in this week, so keep your distance! Don’t bite more than 

you can chew. Lucky Number: 11 / Lucky Color: Aqua Marin


FEATURES 19 

Technology 

APPLE WATCH SERIES 6 

oximeter ‘reliable’ for lung 

disease patients: Study 

A 

new study has revealed that Apple Watch Series 6 

“is a reliable way to obtain heart rate and oxygen 

saturation (SpO2) in patients with lung diseases 

under controlled conditions”. 

The study, published in the journal Scientific Report, 

observed “strong positive correlations between the 

Apple Watch device and commercial oximeter”, reports 

9To5Mac. 

It notes that “there was no statistical difference in the 

evaluation of skin colour, wrist circumference, presence 

of wrist hair, and enamel nail for SpO2 and heart rate 

measurements in Apple Watch or commercial 

oximeter devices”. 

The study, from the University 

of Sao Paulo, was conducted 

with 100 patients with chronic 

obstructive pulmonary 

disease and interstitial lung 

disease from an outpatient 

pneumology clinic. 

It collected SpO2 and heart 

rate data with Apple Watch 

Series 6 and compared them to 

two commercial pulse oximeters. 

The tests were conducted with 

healthy individuals, people with 

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) and with chronic 

obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

They observed that strong positive correlations 

between the Apple Watch Series 6 device and commercial 

oximeters when evaluating heart rate measurements and 

oximetry measurements. 

The Apple Watch has a tendency of higher SpO2 values 

than commercial oximeters, however, heart 

rate measurements were similar in both 

devices. 

In the different groups, ILD, COPD and 

healthy individuals, the study didn’t observe 

significant differences between the Apple Watch and 

commercial oximeter devices for both parameters, SpO2 

and heart rate. 

Overall, the study said that “despite a tendency to 

present higher values when compared to conventional 

oximetry devices, the Apple Watch device was accurate 

and similar” although it’s important to note that results 

were made “under controlled conditions”. 

Smartphone sensor data has 

potential to detect cannabis 

intoxication: Study 

A 

smartphone 

sensor, much 

like what is used in GPS 

systems, might be a way to 

determine whether or not someone 

is intoxicated after consuming 

marijuana, a new study suggests. 

The study, which evaluated the 

feasibility of using smartphone 

sensor data to identify episodes of 

cannabis intoxication in the natural 

environment, a combination of time 

features (tracking the time of day and 

day of the week) and smartphone 

sensor data had a 90 per cent rate of 

accuracy. 

“Using the sensors in a person’s 

phone, we might be able to detect 

when a person might be experiencing 

cannabis intoxication and deliver a 

brief intervention when and where 

it might have the most impact to 

reduce cannabis-related harm,” said 

researcher Tammy Chung from 

Rutgers University. 

For the study, published in 

the journal Drug and Alcohol 

Dependence, the researchers 

analysed daily data collected from 

young adults who reported cannabis 

use at least twice per week. 

They examined phone surveys, 

self-initiated reports of cannabis use, 

and continuous phone sensor data to 

determine the importance of time of 

day and day of the week in detecting 

use and identified which phone 

sensors are most useful in detecting 

self-reported cannabis intoxication. 

They found that time of day and 

day of the week had 60 per cent 

accuracy in detecting self-reporting 

of cannabis intoxication and the 

combination of time features and 

smartphone sensor data had 90 per 

cent accuracy in detecting cannabis 

intoxication. 

Cannabis intoxication has been 

associated with slowed response 

time, affecting performance at 

work or school or impairing driving 

behaviour leading to injuries or 

fatalities. 

Existing detection measures, such 

as blood, urine or saliva tests, have 

limitations as indicators of cannabis 

intoxication and cannabis-related 

impairment in daily life.

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The Indian Weekender, 01 October 2021

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