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The Indian Weekender - 8th October 2021

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08OCTOBER<strong>2021</strong> • VOL 13 ISSUE 31<br />

Learn more about<br />

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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong> Friday, <strong>October</strong> 08, <strong>2021</strong><br />

NEW ZEALAND 3<br />

Resident Visa announcement<br />

a big disappointment for many<br />

‘Why were we not included? This is not fair for people who found that studying was the best option to<br />

stay in NZ,’ one of nearly 300 PhD students denied the residency pathway asks. This is first in a series in<br />

which <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong> looks at the categories that fell through the cracks of the ministry’s new policy.<br />

IWK Exclusive<br />

NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH<br />

On 30 September <strong>2021</strong>, Immigration<br />

New Zealand (INZ) announced a One-<br />

Off <strong>2021</strong> Resident Visa for migrants in<br />

New Zealand, which could see about 1,65,000<br />

migrants on a fast track to residency.<br />

Most of the migrants have been delighted by<br />

the news and hoping to get their residence in<br />

New Zealand. According to the announcement,<br />

to be eligible for this visa, the applicants must<br />

be onshore on 29 September <strong>2021</strong> on an eligible<br />

visa or have applied for an eligible visa on or<br />

before 29 September <strong>2021</strong> that is later granted.<br />

Apart from that, the applicant needs to meet<br />

one of the following conditions.<br />

• Must have lived in New Zealand for three or<br />

more years (have spent a minimum of 821<br />

days in New Zealand between 29 September<br />

2018 and 29 September <strong>2021</strong> (inclusive) on<br />

29 September <strong>2021</strong>, OR<br />

• Must earn at or above the median wage ($27<br />

per hour), OR<br />

• Must work in a role on a scarce list.<br />

Interestingly, student visa holders, as well as<br />

partnership based work visa holders, are not on<br />

the eligible visa list to apply for this pathway.<br />

While this news has been a dream come true<br />

for many migrants, it has also caused stress,<br />

disappointment and anxiety among many<br />

migrants who are not eligible for this new visa.<br />

Many migrants are feeling abandoned and<br />

ignored as the new announcement overlooked<br />

many other visa categories, which is a large<br />

number of migrants based on different category<br />

visas in New Zealand.<br />

Many of them have spent years in the<br />

country, check one or all the boxes but do not<br />

still qualify because of the category of the visa<br />

they are on. Some have been in the country for<br />

years and have even held essential visas but just<br />

chose to upskill themselves during a pandemic<br />

or some went on partner visas to find more job<br />

opportunities and not get tied to an employer.<br />

A petition, started by Rachel Swann, urging<br />

the Government to expand eligibility for the<br />

<strong>2021</strong> one-off resident visa to include those on<br />

student visas and partnership visas has so far<br />

been signed by some 19,500 people.<br />

“I started the petition due to waking up on<br />

the morning of the announcement and finding<br />

out that despite meeting the criteria we are not<br />

eligible for the one-off visa because our visa<br />

type is not included. (I am a partner of a PhD<br />

student).<br />

My partner switched his visa from essential<br />

skills to study his PhD in late 2020 and early<br />

<strong>2021</strong> I switched to a partner of a Student Visa<br />

for better opportunities. What we are asking for<br />

is simple, we want all visa holders to be eligible<br />

to apply for the one-off residency visa if they<br />

meet one of the criteria laid out.<br />

<strong>The</strong>se are skilled people who have contributed<br />

to the economy and society in New Zealand<br />

who have made choices to better themselves<br />

and have now been excluded as a result.”<br />

<strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong> will publish a series of<br />

articles covering each of these categories who<br />

are currently not eligible for this one-off visa<br />

over the coming weeks.<br />

We start with those migrants who are<br />

currently on a student visa to complete their<br />

PhD or Masters Qualification or qualification<br />

needed in industries such as healthcare. <strong>The</strong>y<br />

are urging that students as well as their families<br />

are an essential part of New Zealand’s economy<br />

and should not be left out from this one-off<br />

resident scheme as they are contributing to the<br />

economy and community, especially during the<br />

pandemic.<br />

One of them is Gaganjot Kaur, who is<br />

doing her PhD in Engineering, Computer<br />

& Mathematical Sciences. Calling this<br />

announcement “disappointing”, she says, “I am<br />

disappointed with this new announcement. It<br />

is an unjust and unwarranted treatment of PhD<br />

candidates. Sadly, I would have been eligible<br />

if I decided not to continue my study towards<br />

a PhD. In that case, I would have a post-study<br />

work visa and would have been eligible for this<br />

residency visa.<br />

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4 NEW ZEALAND<br />

Friday, <strong>October</strong> 08, <strong>2021</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong><br />

• Continued from Page 4<br />

“But since I decided I want to get a PhD<br />

so that my future career in NZ is brighter, my<br />

choices have backfired for me and my family.<br />

<strong>The</strong> government quite often claims they<br />

welcome high-skilled migrant workers, and<br />

they want to improve the research reputation<br />

of the country by attracting more high degree<br />

employees, but what they are doing with PhD<br />

visas shows the very opposite. We do not<br />

deserve to receive exclusion.”<br />

She further adds, “PhD students publish<br />

and present research papers in international<br />

conferences and journals where they<br />

represent the NZ universities, which helps in<br />

international academic ranking and recognition<br />

of universities of the country.”<br />

More than 290 PhD holders have signed a<br />

petition addressed to the Immigration Minister,<br />

Mr Kris Faafoi, asking the government to have<br />

residence eligibility under new rules for those<br />

holding student visas to complete their PhD.<br />

Another such story is that a student visa<br />

holder Is that of Jorge J. Castaño, who has<br />

been in NZ for almost five years. Sharing his<br />

story on the Facebook Migrants NZ group he<br />

wrote, “I share the same feeling of frustration<br />

and disappointment. I’m pretty sure all students<br />

have the same feeling.<br />

I came to study, then I worked for three years<br />

in Queenstown as office assistant and customer<br />

services, under an essential worker visa. In<br />

<strong>October</strong> 2020, I moved to Invercargill to study<br />

the Masters of Applied Management.<br />

“[Having studied] so hard for one year,<br />

putting money into the economy, paying taxes,<br />

working even less than 20 hours because<br />

studying demands time, doing my best to build<br />

a life in NZ, and yesterday I woke up knowing<br />

that students were left off from this type of visa.<br />

I am finishing my masters, in four weeks I am<br />

submitting my research project and I am able to<br />

apply for the post study visa.<br />

“Why we were not included? This is not fair<br />

for people who found that studying was the best<br />

option to stay in NZ. We are talented people<br />

that have been excluded, as students we are<br />

getting skills and knowledge to incentivise the<br />

economy and growth of NZ society.”<br />

Visa On<br />

29/09/<strong>2021</strong><br />

Post Study<br />

Visa<br />

Essential Skill<br />

Visa<br />

In NZ 29th<br />

Sept 21<br />

821 Days<br />

in NZ<br />

Raman, another immigrant, is regretting<br />

her decision to take up studies in the<br />

healthcare sector.<br />

“I came to NZ in 2015 on a student visa after<br />

that I got a three-year work visa, which finished<br />

in June <strong>2021</strong>. But since that time I didn’t have<br />

any job offer, I decided to study again and took<br />

admission in a healthcare course.<br />

Now immigration rules have changed and<br />

everyone is eligible who has a work visa and<br />

spent three years in NZ. That’s unfair for<br />

someone like me who too studied to improve<br />

skills. We have already spent around six years<br />

in NZ.”<br />

Even Immigration experts feel that it is<br />

indeed unfair to leave certain visa holder<br />

categories.<br />

Immigration lawyer Aaran Hunt says,<br />

“We’ve seen so many people leave NZ so<br />

we’re glad that a policy was finally released.<br />

However, it shows no evidence of the months<br />

of work the Minister suggests has gone into it.<br />

Obvious choices, such as partners who work in<br />

critical health, have been completely ignored.<br />

“PhD students, a group we want to retain, are<br />

left out while those who completed lower level<br />

studies are included. Those caught offshore,<br />

Earning<br />

Median Wage<br />

($27)<br />

Working<br />

in role of<br />

Scarce list<br />

Full time work<br />

was during 2020<br />

lockdown<br />

due to the government closing the border, get<br />

punished again, including both post-study<br />

work visa holders and those who managed<br />

to return but now can’t fulfil the 821-day<br />

requirement. This policy was either rushed out,<br />

or the Minister didn’t seek the assistance of any<br />

immigration law expert. Likely both.”<br />

Sharing the same sentiment, immigration<br />

lawyer Aaron Martin says, “I do think it unfair<br />

that PhD student visa holders who have the<br />

authority to work full-time and those on the<br />

partnership visa are left out. More importantly,<br />

I think those who may have been here on a<br />

Specific Purpose Work visa should have been<br />

included. Many talented skilled individuals are<br />

holding that type of visa who could provide<br />

significant benefit to New Zealand and stuck<br />

with us through covid.<br />

<strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong> reached out to Immigration<br />

Minister Hon Kris Faafoi’s office to get a<br />

comment on the issue. Just as this issue went<br />

into production, we received the following<br />

response from the Minister’s office:<br />

“<strong>The</strong> eligibility criteria for the <strong>2021</strong><br />

Residence Visa are designed to be broad and<br />

simple. It will be available to over 165,000<br />

migrant workers, which represent a very<br />

Full time<br />

Employment<br />

on 29 Sept 29<br />

NZ<br />

Eligibility<br />

Remarks<br />

Yes Yes No No No No Eligible Not having skill<br />

NZ required<br />

Yes NO Yes No No Yes Eligible<br />

Student Visa Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Not<br />

Eligible<br />

Shifted Visa<br />

to Upskilled<br />

with skills NZ<br />

Require<br />

<strong>The</strong> Group of thses skilled people bring diverse backgrounds and skillsets and immensely contribute to the ethnic cohesion<br />

model of New Zealand. We believe that the very spirit of this "one off resident visa" is getting lost with the exclusion of thses<br />

territory students from getting lost with the exclusion of these students from the pool and creating unnecessary discrimination.<br />

In the presence of all thses facts, we would appreciate it if INZ could review this oversight and issue and addendum to include<br />

we deserved health care students onshore instead of calling same skill set people from off shore and granting them resedency<br />

under CPVV. <strong>The</strong>se people are small in number but carry a huge weight in the productivity and contribution to the nation<br />

in challenging time and the future.<br />

large cross section of migrants. <strong>The</strong> criteria is<br />

focused on people whose primary purpose for<br />

being in New Zealand is to work. This provides<br />

certainty to the vast majority of migrant<br />

workers and businesses, and applies to settled,<br />

skilled and scarce migrant workers, reflecting<br />

their critical part in New Zealand’s economy.<br />

“While student visa holders are not eligible<br />

for the <strong>2021</strong> Resident Visa, they are able to<br />

progress through the normal channels toward<br />

residency which will be open to them, if after<br />

graduation, they wish to continue to work and<br />

live in New Zealand.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are no plans to broaden the eligibility<br />

criteria for the <strong>2021</strong> Residence Visa as the<br />

normal channels are still available for students<br />

who want to remain in New Zealand after they<br />

complete their studies.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> purpose of the <strong>2021</strong> Residence Visa<br />

is to provide certainty for migrant workers<br />

and businesses who have been playing a<br />

critical role in supporting our economy while<br />

the border remains closed. Policy work in the<br />

future will consider the aspirations of those<br />

people offshore who are wanting to make New<br />

Zealand home, when we are able to begin safely<br />

reducing our border restrictions.”<br />

PM announces Covid-19 vaccine certificate<br />

People wanting to access their record will be able to access it using a My Health account or RealMe.<br />

RADIO NEW ZEALAND<br />

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says<br />

Cabinet has agreed to the use of<br />

vaccine certificates in New Zealand.<br />

New Zealand’s “vaccine passport” is likely to<br />

be a digital Covid-19 vaccination certificate<br />

containing a QR code.<br />

A vaccine certificate is proof that you have<br />

been vaccinated and is now common overseas,<br />

Ardern says.<br />

More details will be shared in<br />

coming weeks, but for now the<br />

certificates will be used as a tool in<br />

high-risk settings including large<br />

events and the government is<br />

consulting on their use in places<br />

like hospitality.<br />

It will not be used for places<br />

like supermarkets or essential<br />

health services. It will be available<br />

either in digital form on smartphones<br />

or can be downloaded and printed out.<br />

<strong>The</strong>y are likely to start being used in<br />

November.<br />

Ardern said “please get vaccinated now,<br />

summer is close. And so to be fully vaccinated<br />

and fully protected and do the things you love,<br />

you need to be vaccinated this month, not in<br />

December”.<br />

<strong>The</strong> best Christmas present to your family<br />

this year would be to get vaccinated, Ardern<br />

said.<br />

Ministry of Health officials Shayne Hunter<br />

(Deputy Director-<br />

General Data and<br />

Digital) and Michael<br />

Dreyer (General Manager,<br />

National Digital Services) said<br />

they would be making access to vaccination<br />

records available “soon”.<br />

Within a few weeks of that - late this month<br />

- test results should be available via the My<br />

Covid Record, and after that the downloadable<br />

certificates will be accessible around November.<br />

People wanting to access their record will be<br />

able to access it using a My Health account or<br />

RealMe. <strong>The</strong>y will be able to create an account<br />

"<br />

That is an area where we are going<br />

to be very cautious and also learn from<br />

overseas<br />

if they do not already have one.<br />

<strong>The</strong> record will show details including<br />

batch number, site, and which arm was used.<br />

Second vaccinations can also be booked<br />

through the system.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re will be an app available for verification,<br />

and it should be able to be used either on a<br />

mobile device, on a website or using printouts.<br />

<strong>The</strong>y say it will be reachable from the current<br />

Covid app, but it is not part of the app because<br />

of privacy settings that are required.<br />

<strong>The</strong>y intend to keep the paper form<br />

available to people who don’t have access to<br />

digital technology.<br />

Ardern says they are also looking at ways<br />

that people can visit a health professional and<br />

have a certificate printed out for them.<br />

Large scale events are likely to make the use<br />

of the certificates mandatory, and while they<br />

may not be mandated in smaller settings those<br />

venues may consider using it themselves. <strong>The</strong><br />

government is still considering its options about<br />

whether the certificates will be mandatory in<br />

some of those gatherings.<br />

“That is an area where we are going<br />

to be very cautious and also learn from<br />

overseas,” Ardern said.<br />

<strong>The</strong> technology was being trialled<br />

and it was being widely used by some<br />

individuals, she said.<br />

<strong>The</strong> government is also still considering<br />

when the certificate will take effect for<br />

individuals who have been vaccinated.<br />

People are considered fully vaccinated after a<br />

second dose but they are not considered fully<br />

immunised until two weeks after they have<br />

had their second dose. Ardern said clear advice<br />

would be supplied about where the certificates<br />

cannot and should not be used.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> best way to guarantee your entry into a<br />

summer festival is to be vaccinated,” she said.<br />

<strong>The</strong> system could in future be adapted to take<br />

account of vaccinations administered overseas,<br />

and certification offered by other countries.<br />

Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson<br />

said mandating vaccinations was doubtful, but<br />

vaccine certificates were likely to be introduced<br />

in the near future.


<strong>The</strong> <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong> Friday, <strong>October</strong> 08, <strong>2021</strong><br />

NEW ZEALAND 5<br />

More first home buyers looking<br />

to townhouses, apartments<br />

PRITI GARUDE-KASTURE<br />

<strong>The</strong> latest report from property site<br />

realestate.co.nz shows that while<br />

the national average asking price for<br />

houses has gently cooled, Auckland, despite<br />

the tough lockdown, saw a new 14-year record<br />

high, up by 2.6% from August and up 22.5%<br />

when compared to September 2020.<br />

<strong>The</strong> September NZ Property Report<br />

revealed that new listings remain a challenge<br />

throughout the country primarily on the back<br />

of the nationwide lockdown during the month.<br />

Auckland had the biggest gap, with a 57.9%<br />

drop in new listings as agents and sellers were<br />

unable to hold open homes.<br />

In the release, Sarah Wood, CEO of<br />

realestate.co.nz, says it’s difficult to tell what<br />

impact Delta has had on the market.<br />

“It would be easy to assume that a lockdown<br />

would have a major impact on asking prices.<br />

We saw a jump in average asking prices in<br />

Auckland after COVID April 2020, but that<br />

could have been due to a number of factors—<br />

expats coming home, favourable interest rates<br />

and access to lending.”<br />

“What we can certainly expect a lockdown<br />

to affect though, is new property listings.<br />

Agents can’t hold viewings during Level 4<br />

and the restrictions are tight in Level 3,” Sarah<br />

continued.<br />

lifestyle,” said Sarah.<br />

“This month, the average apartment in<br />

New Zealand was priced at about $750,000<br />

according to our data, which poses and<br />

interesting question about what it means for a<br />

home to be affordable. <strong>The</strong>re are certainly many<br />

conversations to be had about futureproofing<br />

the market for our young people.”<br />

Ajay Kumar, Director, Global Finance<br />

Services believes life for the first-time buyer is<br />

about to get tougher.<br />

He says, “<strong>The</strong> reason being the latest decision<br />

taken by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.<br />

Effective from <strong>October</strong> 1, <strong>2021</strong>, banks are<br />

allowed to give only 10% of the total lending to<br />

first home-buyers.<br />

"Prior to 1st <strong>October</strong>, it was 20% of the total<br />

lending so banks were quite liberal because<br />

they could give more loan. But now that limit<br />

has been reduced to 10%, the amount available<br />

to first home-buyer will be less.”<br />

Encouragement by the Reserve Bank of New<br />

Zealand to buy new homes could also pose a<br />

challenge to the buyer, according to Mr Kumar.<br />

He remarks, “<strong>The</strong>re is a freedom or relaxation<br />

on buying new houses. If you are buying homes<br />

for which CC has been received very recently<br />

or is yet to be received, there is an exemption<br />

from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand where<br />

people are encouraged to buy new houses to<br />

get more construction, more supply. But the<br />

question is where is the supply, where are the<br />

ready houses? Because we know that there is<br />

a building material supply shortage, logistic<br />

problems, labour shortage. So what I’m finding<br />

is that from the month of <strong>October</strong>, the overall<br />

scenario has become difficult for the first home<br />

buyer.” His suggestion to first home-buyers -<br />

plan their income, and expenses carefully.<br />

He recommends, “First home buyers have to<br />

now plan very carefully to be successful to get<br />

a loan from the bank to enable them to buy a<br />

house.<br />

"Every first home buyer must plan - what’s<br />

the size of the house they want to buy, what<br />

will be the likely purchase cost, how much<br />

deposit can they put in, what will be the lending<br />

criteria, how much income will they need,<br />

and if they don’t have the income, they must<br />

reduce their expectation or budget, so that<br />

they qualify, especially for those having less<br />

than 20% deposit."<br />

Gary Bal, Director and Licensee Agent,<br />

Century 21 Local Realty, says that with Level<br />

3, buyer and seller interest has increased.<br />

He says, “Buyer enquiries have gone up<br />

again. Even, during the lockdown, there<br />

were more enquiries because people were<br />

staying at home.<br />

"We find that more people are now coming to<br />

view houses, want to buy them. With owners,<br />

and new listings, I’m seeing the confidence<br />

coming back again because everyone was<br />

waiting for Level 3 to come in so they can go<br />

see houses. <strong>The</strong> confidence is coming back with<br />

the owners.”<br />

With asking prices steadily climbing month<br />

after month and reports of many new builds<br />

selling for higher than their valuation, the<br />

report discovers that many first-home buyers<br />

are looking to townhouses and apartment<br />

dwellings to climb onto the housing ladder.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> lock-up and leave lifestyle is<br />

commonplace in many countries around the<br />

world. Although it’s not the quarter-acre<br />

dream, many European and Asian countries<br />

have turned apartment living into a fantastic<br />

Prateek Malhotra, Loan Market Mortgage<br />

Adviser at Loan Market believes first homebuyers<br />

are turning to apartment because that’s<br />

the only option left for them.<br />

He says, “Most of them would like to buy a<br />

standalone houses but you could say that they<br />

are being forced to look into town houses or<br />

even apartments. Because the reality is that it’s<br />

getting out of hand in terms of the prices.<br />

<strong>The</strong> range is so high that they can’t<br />

really get into that as a first home buyer.<br />

So the only options left for them are<br />

townhouses and apartments.”<br />

"<br />

Most of them<br />

would like to buy a<br />

standalone houses but<br />

you could say that they<br />

are being forced to look<br />

into town houses or even<br />

apartments. Because the<br />

reality is that it’s getting<br />

out of hand in terms of the<br />

prices.<br />

Gary concurs, “<strong>The</strong> problem is that lot of first<br />

home buyers can’t even afford townhouses as<br />

the cost keeps going higher.<br />

Terrace houses that were going sold for $750,<br />

000 to $800, 000 earlier this year, have now gone<br />

up to $ 950, 000.”<br />

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6 NEW ZEALAND<br />

Friday, <strong>October</strong> 08, <strong>2021</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong><br />

‘A decision on the<br />

MIQ complaints will<br />

happen pretty soon’:<br />

Ombudsman<br />

‘I understand that the MIQ system has caused anger, concern and distress<br />

among many people... We are currently looking into all the complaints...<br />

We will be sharing some news in a week or two.<br />

IWK Exclusive<br />

NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH<br />

<strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong> caught up with the Chief<br />

Ombudsman of New Zealand Peter Boshier<br />

to know more about the significance of the<br />

role of Ombudsman, the history, his motivation<br />

and what he is doing about the increasing<br />

complaints against the MIQ system.<br />

Mr Boshier was born and educated in<br />

Gisborne, attended Victoria University of<br />

Wellington and obtained a Bachelor of Laws<br />

with Honours Degree in 1975. In 2004 he was<br />

appointed as the Principal Family Court Judge<br />

of New Zealand and in December 2012, he was<br />

appointed a Law Commissioner. He has been<br />

the Chief Ombudsman of New Zealand since<br />

December 2015.<br />

What is the significance of<br />

this position?<br />

I came here having been a Judge in the<br />

family court. When I was asked by Parliament<br />

to become an Ombudsman, honestly, I knew<br />

very little about the position then. It is one of<br />

three offices of the Parliament and I have a<br />

direct relationship with Parliament.<br />

From a constitutional point of view, it is a<br />

very, very important role, and one that I value<br />

because of the independence that we have to<br />

say what should be said –independent of the<br />

views and wishes of the government of the day.<br />

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nimish@saffronfinance.co.nz<br />

How did the role of an Ombudsman come<br />

about and how has it developed over the years?<br />

A long time ago, Scandinavia decided<br />

it would have an Ombudsman’s team. It is<br />

a Scandinavian expression, which means<br />

someone who looks into complaints and<br />

investigates them.<br />

New Zealand became the first country outside<br />

of Scandinavia to develop an Ombudsman team<br />

in the year 1962.<br />

<strong>The</strong> most famous being Sir Guy Powles, the<br />

first Ombudsman of New Zealand who was<br />

appointed on 1 <strong>October</strong> 1962.<br />

Next year, on the 60th anniversary, we plan<br />

to celebrate with a function in Parliament. Sir<br />

Paul started with just a staff of 16, and now my<br />

office has 170 staff. I<br />

t has grown by leaps and bounds. We<br />

encourage people to use us. We want to help<br />

people, and we have got good ability to do so.<br />

A lot of complaints come in. It can be<br />

everything from bullying, noisy neighbours<br />

to immigration, not applying the correct<br />

procedure to process a person’s application.<br />

One can complain against anything that one<br />

feels is disrupting his/her life.<br />

We triage these in the office and give them<br />

a time as quickly as we can. <strong>The</strong> breadth of<br />

work that we do has changed over the years.<br />

Most of our work starts as complaints under the<br />

Ombudsman act.<br />

<strong>The</strong>n we have the official information act,<br />

and that’s when people want to know what<br />

information an agency<br />

holds about something<br />

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www.saffronfinance.co.nz<br />

- be it Immigration or<br />

Department of Customs.<br />

Let say, for example,<br />

a particular agency of<br />

local government is not<br />

providing them with the<br />

information they need,<br />

they can complain to us.<br />

We are appointed by<br />

Parliament to monitor<br />

the rights of people with<br />

disabilities. Apart from<br />

that, for all those who<br />

are in detention – be it<br />

in prison, mental health<br />

facility, current MIQ<br />

facility or aged care<br />

facility, we are asked<br />

to make sure they are<br />

being treated humanely.<br />

We understand that<br />

many people do not<br />

necessarily know their<br />

rights, they don’t know<br />

what they can ask and<br />

what to accept and that’s<br />

why we are here.<br />

Can you tell us<br />

the process of how a<br />

complaint can be made<br />

to the Ombudsman’s office?<br />

<strong>The</strong> Ombudsman has been a bit too much of<br />

a Wellington institution and hasn’t reached the<br />

four corners of New Zealand, especially<br />

the <strong>Indian</strong> community, Pacific<br />

community and Maori as<br />

much as it should have.<br />

We have a userfriendly<br />

website<br />

which is even<br />

mobile-friendly<br />

to make a<br />

complaint. You<br />

can also ring us<br />

on 0800 802<br />

602 or email<br />

us at info@<br />

ombudsman.<br />

parliament.<br />

nz.<br />

I<br />

understand that the<br />

MIQ system has caused<br />

anger, concern and<br />

distress among many<br />

people who can’t come to<br />

New Zealand. But the fact<br />

is the MIQ will be likely<br />

here there for years. We<br />

are currently looking into<br />

all the complaints. We<br />

know it is an important<br />

matter. We are looking at<br />

the big picture.<br />

We accept complaints in all forms. We<br />

are also available on social media including<br />

Twitter, Facebook and Linkedln. <strong>The</strong>n we<br />

enter the complaint into our case management<br />

system and then allocated it to an investigator.<br />

A case number is assigned, and then we track it<br />

and until we finish it and have a decision on it.<br />

It is important to know that we are free and<br />

that’s different from going to court where one<br />

has to pay a big fee. I want my staff to be more<br />

and more open about the way we communicate<br />

and the language we use. We want us to be<br />

culturally appropriate.<br />

What is your message to people who<br />

are fearful of complaining against an<br />

authority?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re is nothing to fear. We are secret. Every<br />

investigation is done in confidence and secret. I<br />

know people are scared to complain.<br />

<strong>The</strong>y are scared to create a fuss and are<br />

often prepared to accept a decision and not<br />

protest, but we say we are prepared to look<br />

into the case, and if we think you are treated<br />

unfairly, we would try and help you in a way<br />

which doesn’t land you in any trouble. I am<br />

sensitive to the fact that the <strong>Indian</strong> community<br />

might worry about the consequences, and that’s<br />

why I am reaching out. I am trying to be more<br />

available. We believe all communities need to<br />

be treated with equal fairness.<br />

How binding is a decision given by an<br />

Ombudsman?<br />

Under the Ombudsman Act, the decision<br />

is not binding the way it is in court. <strong>The</strong><br />

decisions and recommendations are given<br />

effect to. <strong>The</strong>re is no point in someone coming<br />

to me if my decision is not taken seriously. I<br />

would lose credibility.<br />

If somebody does not obey the decision or<br />

recommendation given by me, they get a letter<br />

telling them off. We are few organisations<br />

that can table our report in Parliament. When<br />

we have an important report it is read in the<br />

Parliament. People don’t like to be exposed<br />

for bad behaviour, and many people would<br />

change. We want to be able to make life better<br />

for others.<br />

What is the thing that keeps<br />

you motivated?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are 16,000 [people] on average in a<br />

year that wants our help. <strong>The</strong> fact that we can<br />

change their life, it gets me motivated.<br />

<strong>The</strong> office is growing. We are trusted, and<br />

more and more people need us and are reaching<br />

us. In the current scenario, a lot of people have<br />

complaints against the MIQ system. What is<br />

happening with them?<br />

I understand that the MIQ system has caused<br />

anger, concern and distress among many<br />

people who can’t come to New Zealand. But<br />

the fact is the MIQ will be likely here there<br />

for years. We are currently looking into all the<br />

complaints. We know it is an important matter.<br />

We are looking at the big picture. We will be<br />

sharing some news in a week or two.


<strong>The</strong> <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong> Friday, <strong>October</strong> 08, <strong>2021</strong><br />

NEW ZEALAND 7<br />

"This is where our missing<br />

hospitals are" – Oxfam<br />

Reaction to new exposé of secretive tax havens<br />

IWK BUREAU/ OXFAM<br />

<strong>The</strong> International Consortium of<br />

Investigative Journalists (ICIJ)<br />

published a new report earlier this<br />

week exposing the wealthy individuals and<br />

multinational corporations using tax havens to<br />

avoid paying their fair share of tax.<br />

“This is another shocking exposé of the<br />

oceans of money sloshing around the darkness<br />

of the world’s tax havens that must prompt<br />

immediate action, as has long been promised,”<br />

Susana Ruiz, Oxfam International’s Tax Policy<br />

Lead, said.<br />

“Bravo to the whistle blowers and journalists<br />

for shining a light into this secret parallel<br />

system of capital, one open only to those with<br />

fat amounts of money and the greed to hoard it<br />

all untaxed, and those who facilitate it.”<br />

<strong>The</strong> document dump has shown New<br />

Zealand-registered trusts held nearly $300<br />

million in assets for a Roman Catholic order<br />

caught in an international paedophilia scandal,<br />

according to leaked records contained in the<br />

Pandora Papers.<br />

New Zealand foreign trusts were promoted<br />

to international clients as a way of holding<br />

assets confidentially without paying tax,<br />

in a jurisdiction that did not carry the s<br />

tigma of a tax haven.<br />

Many of these were wound up after<br />

the first such document dump known<br />

Dedicated team for<br />

disabled to access vaccine<br />

NZ GOVERNMENT<br />

A<br />

new<br />

team has been mobilised to support<br />

disabled people to access transport and<br />

get vaccinated in a way that suits their<br />

needs, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris<br />

Hipkins and Disability Issues Minister Carmel<br />

Sepuloni said.<br />

“As part of our plan to give every eligible<br />

person the opportunity to get vaccinated by the<br />

end of the year, we are ensuring it is both easy<br />

and accessible for everyone, including disabled<br />

people,” Chris Hipkins said.<br />

“A 30-strong team has been tasked with<br />

answering calls and questions, assisting<br />

disabled people and their carers to get the<br />

information and support they need. It will not<br />

only help increase vaccination rates among this<br />

group, but keep them and their whānau safer.”<br />

To speak with a support specialist, people<br />

can call the COVID Vaccination Healthline on<br />

0800 28 29 26 for free 8 am – 8 pm Monday to<br />

Friday and ‘push 2’ to speak to one of the team.<br />

“We know that being vaccinated will be one<br />

of our greatest protections against COVID-19,<br />

which is why we need to continue making<br />

every effort to prioritise disabled people in<br />

the vaccination programme,” Carmel Sepuloni<br />

said.<br />

as the Panama Papers a few years ago.<br />

“This is where our missing hospitals are.<br />

This is where the pay-packets sit of all the<br />

extra teachers and firefighters and public<br />

servants we need.<br />

"Whenever a politician or business<br />

leader claims there is ‘no money’ to pay<br />

for climate damage and innovation, for<br />

more and better jobs, for a fair post-COVID<br />

recovery, for more overseas aid, they know<br />

where to look,” Oxfam’s Susana Ruiz said<br />

“I’m encouraged to see the team is already<br />

having a positive impact, supporting over 440<br />

disabled people in the first two weeks since the<br />

team began taking calls.<br />

“Support has included ensuring sites have<br />

mobility assistance in place, arranging sign<br />

language interpreters, providing transport<br />

options, ensuring1737phonecounsellors are<br />

available to support people with needle anxiety,<br />

and other bespoke solutions developed for<br />

individuals alongside District Health Boards.<br />

“This is another step in the right direction as<br />

we continue to remove barriers to vaccinations<br />

for disabled people, and make the vaccination<br />

programme accessible, inclusive and manaenhancing,”<br />

Carmel Sepuloni said.<br />

<strong>The</strong> most visited<br />

<strong>Indian</strong> news website in New Zealand<br />

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in a media release from the global charity.<br />

“Tax havens cost governments around the world<br />

$427 billion each year. That is the equivalent of<br />

a nurse’s yearly salary every second of every<br />

hour, every day. Ordinary taxpayers have to<br />

pick up the pieces. Developing countries are<br />

being hardest hit, proportionately.<br />

"Corporations and the wealthiest<br />

individuals that use tax havens are<br />

outcompeting those who don’t. Tax havens<br />

also help crime and corruption to flourish.<br />

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“140 countries are currently participating<br />

in international tax negotiations under the<br />

OECD-G20 umbrella.<br />

"<strong>The</strong>se talks have been ongoing for a decade<br />

but the best they’ve come up with is to suggest<br />

a 15 percent tax bar close to the nominal rates<br />

already offered by Ireland, Switzerland and<br />

Singapore,” she added.<br />

Oxfam has called on governments to end tax<br />

havens by:<br />

Ending tax secrecy on individuals, offshores<br />

and multinational corporations. Set up a public<br />

register on the real owners of bank accounts,<br />

trusts, shell companies and assets. Require<br />

multinational corporations to publicly report<br />

their accounts where they do business, countryby-country.<br />

Increasing the use of automatic exchange,<br />

allowing revenue authorities access to<br />

information they need to track the money.<br />

Ending corporate profit shifting to tax havens<br />

via new rules, and by setting a global minimum<br />

tax under the OECD’s BEPS deal, ideally of<br />

around 25 percent.<br />

Agreeing a global blacklist of tax havens and<br />

taking counter measures, including sanctions,<br />

to limit their use.<br />

Setting a new global agenda on taxing wealth<br />

and capital fairly; addressing tax competition<br />

between countries on high-net-worthindividuals,<br />

either on income or wealth, against<br />

agreed standards.<br />

Oliver Pereira<br />

Financial Adviser<br />

Mob: 021 66 77 92<br />

Email: oliver.pereira@opminsurance.co.nz<br />

For further information about us, please refer to https://www.opminsurance.co.nz<br />

OPM Insurance Services Limited (FSP117285), trading as OPM Insurance Services Limited<br />

holds a licence issued by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) to provide financial advice.


8 NEW ZEALAND<br />

Friday, <strong>October</strong> 08, <strong>2021</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong><br />

Experts pick rise in cases following<br />

easing of restrictions<br />

IWK BUREAU/ SCIENCE MEDIA<br />

CENTRE<br />

Aucklanders are to stay in Alert Level 3,<br />

but some restrictions will be eased over<br />

time in a three-step plan, that started<br />

Wednesday this week.<br />

Up to 10 masked people from two<br />

households can mingle outdoors in the first<br />

stage. Early childhood education, recreation,<br />

and small events will also be possible – albeit<br />

with restrictions. <strong>The</strong> second stage will involve<br />

retail and public facilities reopening with rules,<br />

and gatherings limited to 25. In stage three,<br />

gatherings will widen to a 50-person limit and<br />

schools will fully open. Cabinet has signalled it<br />

will review each step weekly before confirming<br />

any move. <strong>The</strong> Science Media Centre asked<br />

experts to respond to this news:<br />

Professor Shaun Hendy, Dept of Physics<br />

and Te Pūnaha Matatini, University<br />

of Auckland:<br />

“This relaxing of restrictions will see<br />

more spread and more COVID cases in the<br />

community over the coming weeks. <strong>The</strong>se<br />

new freedoms should reduce the risk of<br />

superspreading compared to Level 2, but still<br />

open up considerable opportunities for new<br />

spread. <strong>The</strong> government will be hoping that<br />

any growth in cases that result is slow enough<br />

that vaccination can get ahead of the outbreak,<br />

before it puts significant strain on our testing<br />

and tracing system, not to mention our hospitals.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> next steps in the plan, which involve<br />

reopening retail and even some hospitality,<br />

really won’t be safe until the vaccination<br />

programme is very well advanced. This will<br />

probably not be the case until<br />

well into November.<br />

"Until then or unless vaccination take-up<br />

accelerates, Auckland is unlikely to be able to<br />

return to Level 2 and there is a greater risk that<br />

restrictions will be needed in other parts of the<br />

country. <strong>The</strong> best thing we can do now is get<br />

vaccinated or encourage our friends and family<br />

to do so.<br />

“Meeting other families and friends outside<br />

is lower risk, but definitely not zero risk, so it<br />

will be important that people who choose to<br />

do so exercise caution and wear masks. If you<br />

are not vaccinated I would suggest avoiding<br />

meet ups until you’ve at least had your first<br />

shot and if you are meeting friends or family<br />

ask them whether they have had theirs yet.<br />

Monetary stimulus further reduced<br />

RBNZ/ IWK BUREAU<br />

<strong>The</strong> Monetary Policy Committee agreed to increase the<br />

Official Cash Rate (OCR) to 0.50 per cent. Consistent<br />

with their assessment at the time of the August<br />

Statement, it is appropriate to continue reducing the level of<br />

monetary stimulus so as to maintain low inflation and support<br />

maximum sustainable employment.<br />

<strong>The</strong> level of global economic activity has continued to<br />

recover, supported by accommodative monetary and fiscal<br />

settings, and rising vaccination rates enabling a relaxation of<br />

mobility restrictions.<br />

While economic uncertainty remains elevated due to the<br />

prevalent impact of COVID-19, cost pressures are becoming<br />

more persistent and some central banks have started the process<br />

of reducing monetary policy stimulus.<br />

New Zealand’s public health settings are also<br />

evolving as domestic vaccination rates rise. <strong>The</strong> higher<br />

the vaccination rate, the less virus-related disruption<br />

there will be to New Zealand’s economic activity over<br />

Professor Shaun Hendy, Dept of Physics and Te<br />

Pūnaha Matatini, University of Auckland<br />

Dr Dianne Sika-Paotonu, Immunologist, Associate<br />

Dean (Pacific), Head of University of Otago<br />

Wellington Pacific Office, and Senior Lecturer,<br />

Pathology & Molecular Medicine, University of<br />

Otago Wellington<br />

Fully vaccinated people are far less likely to<br />

catch the virus if exposed and less likely to<br />

pass it on, so meet ups of vaccinated people<br />

pose far lower risks. This move really does put<br />

the responsibility for preventing spread in the<br />

hands of the public, so it is vitally important<br />

that everyone does their bit.”<br />

Dr Dion O’Neale, Principal Investigator,<br />

Te Pūnaha Matatini; and Lecturer,<br />

Physics Department, University of<br />

Auckland:<br />

“<strong>The</strong> roadmap looks like a significant increase<br />

of risk for wider transmission, given that there<br />

is still ongoing community transmission with<br />

unlinked cases.<br />

“Preventing spread of COVID in the<br />

community requires two components:<br />

minimising the number of interactions and also<br />

minimising the chance of transmission for those<br />

Dr Dion O’Neale, Principal Investigator, Te Pūnaha<br />

Matatini; and Lecturer, Physics Department,<br />

University of Auckland<br />

interactions that do still occur. Allowing people<br />

to meet up in groups of up to 10 people and<br />

with two households is a significant increase<br />

in the number of interactions and the number<br />

of possible pathways for COVID to spread.<br />

Something that could mitigate this would be<br />

an expectation that people only meet up with<br />

a limited number of households in total, or a<br />

limited number per week.<br />

“Even with people only meeting up in pairs,<br />

this change moves us to a situation where the<br />

Auckland is essentially reconnected from a<br />

contagion point of view.<br />

“Limiting people to meeting outside will<br />

help to reduce the risk of transmission when<br />

people do meet up but that is a case of playing<br />

Russian Roulette with fewer bullets in the gun<br />

as opposed to minimising the number of times<br />

you play it. While the risk of transmission<br />

depends on the exact details of interactions<br />

(e.g. are people talking, eating, wearing masks),<br />

the early days of the NSW Delta outbreak saw<br />

reports of transmission occurring from only<br />

glancing interactions as people moved past<br />

each other.”<br />

“Given that there is still ongoing community<br />

transmission, with new unlinked cases<br />

discovered most days, including from people<br />

who were often unaware that they were<br />

infectious, there seems to be an implicit<br />

assumption in this move that the contact tracing<br />

and targeted public health efforts are sufficient<br />

to completely ring-fence the remaining<br />

community transmission.<br />

Dr Dianne Sika-Paotonu, Immunologist,<br />

Associate Dean (Pacific), Head of<br />

University of Otago Wellington Pacific<br />

Office, and Senior Lecturer, Pathology<br />

coming years.<br />

<strong>The</strong> current COVID-19-related restrictions have not<br />

materially changed the medium-term outlook for inflation and<br />

employment since the August Statement.<br />

Capacity pressures remain evident in the economy,<br />

particularly in the labour market. A broad range of economic<br />

indicators highlight that the New Zealand economy has been<br />

performing strongly in aggregate.<br />

While the economy contracted sharply during the recent<br />

& Molecular Medicine, University of<br />

Otago Wellington:<br />

“How Aotearoa New Zealand responds and<br />

treats the needs of the most vulnerable during<br />

this COVID-19 pandemic, will indeed reveal<br />

our moral compass as a society and define who<br />

we are as a nation for generations to come.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> Auckland roadmap provides an outline<br />

of the individual steps and details involved in<br />

easing restrictions over the next weeks, with<br />

assurance given that ongoing monitoring will<br />

be applied moving forward.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> consequences of any premature<br />

changes such as easing restrictions too quickly<br />

given our vaccination rates at this time, along<br />

with the adverse health impact already seen for<br />

our vulnerable in Aotearoa New Zealand, will<br />

be dire.<br />

“Border controls will require focus as<br />

Delta has continued transmitting through the<br />

community and across borders under current<br />

Alert Level conditions, with unlinked mystery<br />

cases of unknown origin also continuing to<br />

appear under these same restrictions.<br />

“If we are not careful, we will be at serious<br />

risk of allowing our health system to become<br />

overwhelmed, given it was already under strain<br />

and burdened even before the COVID-19<br />

pandemic began.<br />

"One only has to consider the situation in<br />

other countries with their high hospitalisations<br />

and deaths, for a reality check.<br />

“It has been strongly signalled that increased<br />

vaccinations will also be needed to ensure<br />

reduced restrictions.<br />

"High vaccination rates of 90% and beyond,<br />

coupled with the appropriate public health steps<br />

against Delta, will help avoid future higher<br />

alert level lockdown measures – paramount to<br />

keeping everyone safe from COVID-19.<br />

“Accelerated vaccination, testing and<br />

COVID-19 prevention efforts must continue<br />

in a way that reduces barriers and builds<br />

trust for people – with the appropriate and<br />

targeted approaches focused on getting help<br />

and assistance out to those who need it most.<br />

Caution and compassion will be needed moving<br />

forward, as a high degree of risk remains for<br />

all in Aotearoa New Zealand, but especially for<br />

our most vulnerable communities.<br />

“Get vaccinated, get tested, follow the alert<br />

level rules, and reach out to others and help<br />

them do the same – we cannot give up fighting<br />

COVID-19.”<br />

RBNZ raises official cash rate to 0.50 percent<br />

nationwide health-related lockdown, household and business<br />

balance sheet strength, ongoing fiscal policy support, and a<br />

strong terms of trade provide confidence that economic activity<br />

will recover quickly as alert level restrictions ease.<br />

Recent economic indicators support this picture.<br />

However, the Committee is aware that the latest COVID-19<br />

restrictions have badly affected some businesses in Auckland<br />

and a range of service industries more broadly. <strong>The</strong>re will<br />

be longer-term implications for economic activity both<br />

domestically and internationally from the pandemic.<br />

Headline CPI inflation is expected to increase above 4<br />

percent in the near term before returning towards the 2 percent<br />

midpoint over the medium term. <strong>The</strong> near-term rise in inflation<br />

is accentuated by higher oil prices, rising transport costs and<br />

the impact of supply shortfalls.<br />

<strong>The</strong>se immediate relative price shocks risk leading to<br />

more generalised price rises. At this time, measures of core<br />

inflation and medium-term inflation expectations remain<br />

close to 2 percent.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Committee noted that further removal of monetary policy<br />

stimulus is expected over time, with future moves contingent<br />

on the medium-term outlook for inflation and employment.


<strong>The</strong> <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong> Friday, <strong>October</strong> 08, <strong>2021</strong><br />

NEW ZEALAND 9<br />

Kiwis should prepare to encounter<br />

Covid-19 before Christmas – experts<br />

RADIO NEW ZEALAND<br />

Leading epidemiologists say everyone in<br />

New Zealand should plan to encounter<br />

Covid-19 before Christmas, and they<br />

had better be prepared.<br />

But while Delta is here to stay, one expert<br />

says we should not give up on fighting it<br />

because the consequences would be disastrous.<br />

University of Otago professor Michael<br />

Baker told radio programme Morning Report:<br />

“Basically I think ... all New Zealanders should<br />

plan to encounter this virus in the next couple<br />

of months and act accordingly, and the number<br />

one thing of course is to get vaccinated.”<br />

University of Canterbury Covid-19 modeller<br />

professor Michael Plank also told Morning<br />

Report: “It does look like Delta’s here and it’s<br />

here to stay, but it’s really important that we<br />

don’t just wave the white flag and let it rip,<br />

because that would be disastrous of course.<br />

“Disastrous for the health system. Disastrous<br />

for Māori and Pasifika, who have lower<br />

vaccination rates, you know our essential<br />

workers out in the firing line. And of course<br />

our under 12’s are unprotected so it would be<br />

disastrous on a number of fronts.<br />

“So we really need to do everything we can<br />

to control the spread of the virus and use all<br />

the tools we have in the box to keep the rates<br />

of community transmission as low as possible<br />

while we vaccinate.”<br />

What worried Plank most was if Aotearoa<br />

ended up in a situation with immense pressure<br />

on the health care systems and a struggle to<br />

cope with the impact.<br />

“If you have a health care system that’s<br />

struggling, it means that people with other<br />

health care needs can’t get treatment.<br />

“So yeah, that’s the situation that worries me<br />

Hospitality, retail gutted at ‘steps’<br />

adding to Level 3 uncertainty<br />

IWK BUREAU<br />

Hospitality and retail businesses are<br />

disappointed by the Government’s<br />

decision to keep Auckland at Alert<br />

Level 3 “with the added uncertainty of ‘Steps,’”<br />

the Dairy and Business Owners’ Group says.<br />

“For Auckland businesses, my own included,<br />

that decision represents ‘Alert Level Hotel<br />

California.’ We have been checked in to<br />

Level-3 and may never leave,” says Sunny<br />

Kaushal, Chair of the group.<br />

“What we needed was a date but all we got<br />

instead was more week-by-week uncertainty.<br />

"<br />

If schools can go back on 18<br />

<strong>October</strong>, something you can<br />

bank the house on, why can’t<br />

hospitality businesses reopen?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re’s going to be a lot more<br />

kids in close proximity than<br />

what you’d get seated in a cafe<br />

or in retail shops<br />

“If schools can go back on 18 <strong>October</strong>,<br />

something you can bank the house on, why<br />

can’t hospitality businesses reopen? <strong>The</strong>re’s<br />

going to be a lot more kids in close proximity<br />

than what you’d get seated in a cafe or in retail<br />

shops.”<br />

Kaushal says the move is a public relations<br />

band-aid. “So what can government do to show<br />

they are listening? First, they must move Alert<br />

Level/Step decisions to Sunday making all<br />

future announcements that day and not end of<br />

the most, and I think we need to do everything<br />

we can to try and avoid it.”<br />

Vaccination still the key<br />

Baker said the now-shortened interval<br />

between Pfizer doses was right. <strong>The</strong><br />

government advised people should have three<br />

weeks between doses rather than the earlier<br />

recommended six weeks.<br />

"<br />

Basically I think ... all New<br />

Zealanders should plan<br />

to encounter this virus in the<br />

next couple of months and act<br />

accordingly, and the number<br />

one thing of course is to get<br />

vaccinated<br />

“Basically I think ... all New Zealanders<br />

should plan to encounter this virus in the<br />

next couple of months and act accordingly,<br />

and the number one thing of course is to get<br />

vaccinated,” Baker said.<br />

“We know that means having two doses<br />

plus another two weeks after that to get fully<br />

protected.<br />

play Monday.<br />

If we ever drop down a step, a Sunday<br />

decision would give us a whole extra day to<br />

get rosters and staff, food prep/stock done and<br />

systems set up.<br />

“We also want the Resurgence Support<br />

Payment moved to weekly payment for<br />

businesses unable to open under Alert Level<br />

3 Steps 1 and 2. Owner-operated retail and<br />

hospitality businesses are dying in Auckland.<br />

It has already killed Euro in recent days at just<br />

22 and we<br />

need support now to stop others from sadly<br />

following them.<br />

“We also need government and Auckland<br />

Council to push pause on any new policy that<br />

makes it difficult for us to do business. We just<br />

need a fair go because this has been one small<br />

step for government and a giant leap backward<br />

for retail and hospitality,” Mr Kaushal said.<br />

“For example, if you have your first dose<br />

next week you’d get your second dose three<br />

weeks after that at the start of November, and<br />

you’d be fully protected by mid-November, so<br />

I think that’s really what people should plan to<br />

do, and the trouble is, if you have a six-week<br />

gap between your two doses, that really pushes<br />

that protection right into December, and some<br />

people might miss out at that stage.<br />

“I would say that’s really a very good reason<br />

to go back to the three-week gap.”<br />

<strong>The</strong> gap would not make the vaccine<br />

any less effective.<br />

“<strong>The</strong>re’s marginally less antibodies generated<br />

if it was a three-week interval, but remember,<br />

this is still the recommended interval by the<br />

manufacturer.<br />

“This is what all the trials were done with,<br />

so after your first dose they found that you<br />

had about 50 percent protection against<br />

symptomatic infection.<br />

“After your second dose, it rose to 90 percent<br />

within two days and a week after that 95 percent<br />

protection. So it’s extremely high following the<br />

manufacturer’s standard approach.”<br />

Plank said there was no “magic number” for<br />

Business confidence fails<br />

as Level 2 hopes fade<br />

90 percent businesses support<br />

“No Jab, No Job” policy – but<br />

needs govt to enable<br />

IWK BUREAU/ AUCKLAND<br />

BUSINESS CHAMBER<br />

Business confidence has taken a knock<br />

with over 60 per cent of Auckland<br />

businesses, looking at a more gloomy<br />

six months as hopes of a return to Level 2<br />

diminish by the day.<br />

“Our latest business survey has just 10% of<br />

businesses believing the economy will be better<br />

and a massive 67% saying they believe it will<br />

be worse for them,” says Auckland Business<br />

Chamber CEO Michael Barnett.<br />

<strong>The</strong> survey also showed that under a more<br />

permissive Level 2, 41 per cent of businesses<br />

could climb to full output and another 47 per<br />

cent to 50-75 per cent of operations, a lifesaver<br />

for the enterprises and for sustaining jobs, skills<br />

and revenue to pay overheads and debt.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> results are a stark reminder of the<br />

damage inflicted to financial, health and mental<br />

wellbeing under Level 3 conditions and signal<br />

what can be done under Level 2 conditions to<br />

get on with improving lives, livelihoods and a<br />

better future for the good of all.”<br />

<strong>The</strong> survey, which saw 90 per cent of<br />

respondents support a no jab no job regime but<br />

needs to be enabled by government, showed<br />

that under a more permissive Level 2, 41 per<br />

cent of businesses could climb to full output<br />

and another 47 per cent to 50-75 per cent of<br />

vaccinations.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> more people we get double vaccinated<br />

and provided we can keep case numbers from<br />

getting too high, the more will be able to<br />

progressively loosen restrictions,” he said.<br />

“So we’re still under alert level 3 restrictions<br />

in Auckland at the moment. Once we get<br />

to maybe 70 percent double vaccinated,<br />

we might be able to loosen those and then<br />

progressively loosen them as we get to those<br />

higher coverage rates.<br />

“But we really need to be aiming for very<br />

high vaccination rates.”<br />

Plank said modelling considering the<br />

influence of antiviral drugs might make had not<br />

been looked at.<br />

“But we do know that these antiviral<br />

drugs are very much a second best relative<br />

to the vaccine. It’s far better to be vaccinated<br />

and protected rather than to risk catching<br />

the virus even if you do have an antiviral<br />

treatment available.”<br />

Plank said the increasing number of unlinked<br />

cases showed there was “significant undetected<br />

community transmission”.<br />

“If you can’t find the cases, obviously it<br />

makes it much, much harder to control them,<br />

so yeah … we have to keep an eye on those<br />

mystery cases because we need our contact<br />

tracing system to remain functional to protect<br />

us from those spiralling case numbers and<br />

hospitalisations.”<br />

Testing was crucial and we needed to “up our<br />

game on the testing front”, Plank said.<br />

“We need to also start looking at other options<br />

like more saliva testing and rapid antigen<br />

testing in some circumstances as a complement<br />

to the PCR system and to give us you know<br />

more options and more layers of protection on<br />

the testing front.”<br />

operations, a lifesaver for the enterprises and<br />

for sustaining jobs, skills and revenue to pay<br />

overheads and debt.<br />

“Level 2 will be about recovery of the fittest<br />

and at this point only 27 per cent of respondents<br />

indicated that they would be hiring,” Mr Barnett<br />

said.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> survey results were highly critical of<br />

the perceived lack of government, landlord<br />

and bank financial support to get business<br />

through the hardships and stresses of trying to<br />

stay afloat in an environment where they have<br />

limited or no revenue coming in and were not<br />

part of the decision making process so had<br />

no clarity or certainty of what the next policy<br />

would be,” he said.


10 NEW ZEALAND<br />

Simple Yoga exercises<br />

Friday, <strong>October</strong> 08, <strong>2021</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong><br />

AVINASH SEN<br />

Namaste everyone. Hope you’re all able to keep<br />

yourselves healthy and happy in these strange<br />

and turbulent times. Personally I’ve found that<br />

sometimes the best way to deal with stress and anxiety<br />

is to metaphorically ‘turn your brain off.’<br />

But funnily enough, even turning your brain off<br />

requires you to do something. Now everyone has<br />

different way to do that, watching TV, surfing the<br />

internet, reading a book, going for a walk, exercising,<br />

talking to someone, etc. and so on.<br />

A couple of weeks back we discussed Surya<br />

Namaskar (Sun Salutation). In this piece, I’d like to talk<br />

a set of yoga moves that helps me switch my brain off<br />

for a little while. It’s called the Chandra Namaskar, and<br />

anyone can do it.<br />

Small warning, just like any exercise, you should<br />

avoid performing certain yoga poses if you are injured,<br />

ill or suffer from a physical ailment that could be<br />

aggravated by doing these yoga poses. Also, be sure to<br />

practice moderation, too much of anything is harmful<br />

for you.<br />

With that said, let’s get started.<br />

Chandra Namaskar<br />

This yoga exercise consists of 14 simple poses<br />

move your forearms upwards so they form a 90 degree<br />

angle with your upper arms.<br />

Utthita Trikonasana: Straighten your knees, extend<br />

both arms either side to shoulder level and now bend<br />

your torso to the right. Your right hand should be<br />

touching your toes/floor and your left hand should be<br />

extended up to the sky. Make sure your chest is facing<br />

forward, not towards the ground.<br />

Parsvottanasana: Now bring your left arm down and<br />

press your chest, stomach and face with your right thigh<br />

and knee. Extend your left arm and place it next to your<br />

arm till it is touching your toes/the floor.<br />

leg, placing the heel on the ground. Bend your left knee<br />

and balance your body with your left toes.<br />

Tadasana: Stand upright with your feet together,<br />

shoulders back and chin up, perpendicular to your chest.<br />

Anjaneyasana: Now lower your left knee, place<br />

it on the ground and raise your arms up and stretch<br />

backwards till your back and arms make a crescent<br />

shape. No need to strain yourself, just go as much as<br />

you can comfortably.<br />

Anjaneyasana: Place your left foot on the floor, turn<br />

your right knee so that it is facing the ground and lower<br />

it. Raise your arms up and stretch backwards till your<br />

back and arms make a crescent shape.<br />

Parsvottanasana: Straighten your left knee and raise<br />

Utkata Konasana: Raise<br />

while keeping both hands<br />

level. While keeping your f<br />

till your thigh and your shi<br />

Keep your upper arms paral<br />

your forearms upwards so th<br />

with your upper arms.<br />

Urdhva Hastasana: Raise your arms upwards and<br />

outwards and bend your upper body to the right to form<br />

a crescent.<br />

Skandasana: Release your arms and turn your hips and<br />

torso to the left. Extend your left leg, placing your heel<br />

on the floor and balance your body with your right toes<br />

with your knee bent. You place your palms on the floor<br />

to help keep balance.<br />

your hips. Bring both your arms to your left toes/ the<br />

ground; press your chest, stomach and face with your<br />

left thigh and knee.<br />

Now we will be re-doing everything back or<br />

rewinding, from the other side.<br />

Utkata Konasana: Straighten your upper body. Step<br />

and take your feet far apart from each other. Bend your<br />

knees till your thigh and your shin form a 90 degree<br />

angle. Raise your arms to shoulder level, place your<br />

upper arms till they are parallel to the ground and then<br />

Skandasana: Shift your weight and extend your right<br />

Utthita Trikonasana: Leave your left hand on your<br />

toes/floor and raise your right hand to the sky. Make<br />

sure your chest is facing forward.<br />

Urdhva Hastasana: Join y<br />

your arms upwards and ou<br />

body to the left to form a cre


<strong>The</strong> <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong> Friday, <strong>October</strong> 08, <strong>2021</strong><br />

NEW ZEALAND 11<br />

: Chandra Namaskar<br />

and arms at your sides.<br />

• Lift both your legs up at a 60 degree to 70 degree<br />

angle. Keep your knees straight.<br />

• Now, using your stomach muscles, lift your upper<br />

body off the floor, your waist acting as the pivot.<br />

• Point your fingers towards your legs and straighten<br />

your arms. Look at your feet.<br />

• Hold your breath and stay this position for as long as<br />

possible (a count of ten or more).<br />

• Breath out, reax and lie back down flat, count to 20,<br />

then do the pose again.<br />

• Repeat this process 5 times.<br />

Tadasana: Stand upright with your feet together,<br />

shoulders back and chin up, perpendicular to your chest.<br />

While performing the Chandra Namaskar, try to<br />

hold each pose for five to ten seconds. Do the Chandra<br />

Namaskar five to ten times, but remember not to overdo<br />

it and/or hurt yourself.<br />

Singular poses<br />

Now let’s talk about some poses which can be done<br />

all by themselves and are not necessarily part of a<br />

sequence.<br />

Vrikshasana: This is a yoga exercise makes your<br />

thighs and calves strong and helps with balance and<br />

concentration. This is how you do it:<br />

• Stand up straight, hands at your sides.<br />

• Bend your right knee and place your right heel as<br />

far up your left inner thigh as you can. Don’t strain<br />

yourself though.<br />

• Keep your left leg straight and keep yourself<br />

balanced on one leg.<br />

• Now raise your arms as high up and they can go.<br />

Join your palms together in namaste while keeping<br />

them up.<br />

• While maintaining your balance and keeping<br />

yourself straight, count to twenty.<br />

• Now put your arms and legs down and repeat the<br />

process with your other leg.<br />

• Repeat this process 3 times.<br />

Salabhasana: This pose is great for strengthening your<br />

lower back, and hamstrings. It also helps with your<br />

posture. This is how it’s done:<br />

• Lie down flat on your stomach.<br />

• Breathing normally, lift your head and upper torso<br />

away from the floor.<br />

• Slowly lift both your legs away from the floor too.<br />

• Hold this pose for as long as possible (a count of ten<br />

or more).<br />

• Bring your legs, upper torso and head slowly back<br />

to the ground.<br />

• Repeat this process 3 to 5 times.<br />

• <strong>The</strong>re are different versions of this pose where one<br />

only lifts your upper body or only you legs. Practice<br />

the one you are most comfortable with.<br />

your upper body straight<br />

extended and at shoulder<br />

eet apart, bend your knees<br />

n form a 90 degree angle.<br />

lel to the ground and move<br />

ey form a 90 degree angle<br />

our feet together and raise<br />

twards. Bend your upper<br />

scent.<br />

Anulom-vilom: This is a specific type of controlled<br />

breathing (pranayama); it is also known as alternative<br />

nostril breathing. This breathing exercise is great for<br />

stress reduction. Here’s how it’s done<br />

• Use your right thumb to block your right nostril and<br />

take a deep breath in through your left nostril.<br />

• Now open your right nostril, use your right little or<br />

ring finger to block your left nostril and breathe out<br />

through your right nostril.<br />

• Take deep breath in with your right nostril, open your<br />

left nostril and once again close your right nostril<br />

with your right thumb and breath out with your left<br />

nostril. This is one cycle.<br />

• Repeat this process 20 times.<br />

You do not need to hold your breath during this,<br />

however there is a version of this process where you do<br />

hold your breath.<br />

Uttanapadasana: This pose helps strengthen your legs<br />

and lower abdomen. It is said to also help with digestion<br />

and anxiety. Here’s how it’s done:<br />

• Lie down flat on your back, on the floor, your bed or<br />

a small mat.<br />

• Move your legs and hold straight up till they make a<br />

90-degree angle with your upper body.<br />

• Hold them up for as long as you can (a count of 20<br />

or more).<br />

• Slowly bring your legs back down.<br />

• Repeat this process 5 times.<br />

Naukasana: This pose helps strengthen your core and<br />

back muscles. Here’s how it goes:<br />

• Lie down flat on your back with your feet together<br />

Shavasana: This pose is often used at the end of a yoga<br />

session to relax your muscles. Here’s how it’s done:<br />

• Lie down flat on your back. Relax slowly, letting<br />

your feet fall to the sides, turning your arms outwards<br />

and your palms up.<br />

• Close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths through<br />

your nose. Feel your body relax and the tension seep<br />

away.<br />

• Aim your attention at one part of your body like your<br />

feet and let it relax, then move along to the other<br />

parts.<br />

• Feel the relaxation spread along your calves, your<br />

thighs, hips, back, stomach, chest, hands, arms,<br />

shoulder, neck, face and your head.<br />

• As you do this, your mind scans your body for<br />

muscular tension and consciously relaxes it.<br />

• At the end, break your concentration and allow<br />

yourself to relax normally.<br />

• Remain in this pose for a few minutes.<br />

You may find yourself falling asleep<br />

during this process.<br />

This is normal and nothing to worry about.<br />

Well, yeh hain anth, this is the end of the exercises.<br />

As you can see, these moves are quite simple. As long<br />

as you keep practicing, you should find yourself feeling<br />

better physically and mentally. Just make sure you don’t<br />

strain yourself like I did, I still can’t stand up straight<br />

without some painkillers.<br />

All jokes aside, do be careful and I hope you found<br />

this helpful and I hope you enjoy your new knowledge<br />

as you start your yogic journey. Take care.


Editorial<br />

Clueless as<br />

babes in the<br />

woods<br />

By its continued dithering and slow action on a raft of matters concerning<br />

Covid-19 after it successfully put a lid on it with its swift early action, the<br />

Labour government has squandered the opportunity to capitalise and build on<br />

those impressive gains over the past year.<br />

Every single Covid-19 case that we have had in New Zealand so far, including the<br />

present outbreak of the more infectious delta variant has come in through the rickety<br />

MIQ system and yet there has been no substantial investment – whether in terms of<br />

finances or ideas – in improving that single most important portal of entry into the<br />

country for the virus.<br />

<strong>The</strong> government ignored expert advice on considering building dedicated quarantine<br />

centres away from urban hubs, notably Auckland, where it sent overseas passengers<br />

straight into hotels in the CBD.<br />

Today, we know that is the main reason why we have the country’s biggest economic<br />

engine with its hard-working citizens in lockdown for more than 50 days.<br />

Other countries have had purpose-built facilities built away from crowded, dense<br />

population centres even as the pandemic raged in those countries. We had nearly a<br />

year at Level one when we did nothing of the sort – and continue to do nothing –<br />

instead conjuring up wasteful ideas like a dedicated cycleway across the harbour for<br />

hundreds of millions of dollars only to dump it into the Waitemata – but not before<br />

wasting $51 million on preparing the hare-brained proposal.<br />

Much of that money could have been diverted in these dire times to build dedicated<br />

quarantine facilities and strengthening our second line of defence against Covid –<br />

building more healthcare facilities – what with New Zealand having less than five<br />

ICU beds per 100,000 population, among the lowest in the OECD.<br />

In an ostensible display of misplaced altruism, the government went slow on its<br />

vaccination programme so that other poorer nations could have it, since it had so<br />

brilliantly succeeded in keeping Covid out for so long, becoming a posterchild for the<br />

world to follow in the process.<br />

We now know that behind that smugness is the fact that the government kept<br />

vaccine provider Pfizer waiting for six weeks before the first meeting after Pfizer had<br />

made the approach to finalise vaccine contracts.<br />

As a result, New Zealand has had one of the tardiest rollouts among the world’s<br />

developed nations.<br />

When Delta hit, only twenty percent of Kiwis were vaccinated. Delta caught the<br />

government completely off guard and then it scrambled madly to get doses in urgency.<br />

Had the contracts been signed in time and doses steadily been imported in late 2020<br />

through to mid-<strong>2021</strong>, we would have had most of our population vaccinated before<br />

the arrival of Delta having reached 90 per cent cover by, being able to embrace the<br />

oncoming summer without a worry.<br />

<strong>The</strong> government still does not have a plan out of the pandemic.<br />

Nations worse off on the pandemic scale have set forth clear plans of how they<br />

plan to live with endemic Covid instead of pandemic Covid. Though the Labour<br />

government has all but given up pretensions to stick steadfastly to its much-avowed<br />

total elimination strategy, it has still not come up with firm and clear plans of how<br />

New Zealanders will live with Covid as an endemic.<br />

This has unfortunately led to speculation and a growing sense of despondency<br />

especially among businesses and employers. <strong>The</strong> government’s easy way out has<br />

been to borrow to the hilt to continue paying subsidies.<br />

All that scrambling since Delta has left the government look as clueless as babes<br />

in the wood. With no clear pathway or even a semblance of a plan, New Zealanders’<br />

frustrations are bound to rise, and we are only likely to see more Covid protocol<br />

violations and defiance from growing sections of the public in the coming weeks as<br />

we head toward Christmas.<br />

<strong>The</strong> government needs to rise out of its decision-making paralysis ––now.<br />

Thought of the week<br />

“When one door of happiness closes, another<br />

opens; but often we look so long at the closed<br />

door that we do not see the one which has been<br />

opened for us.” ― Helen Keller<br />

08 <strong>October</strong> <strong>2021</strong> – 14 <strong>October</strong><br />

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thu<br />

On-and-off<br />

rain and<br />

drizzle<br />

22°<br />

15°<br />

On-and-off<br />

rain and<br />

drizzle<br />

19°<br />

13°<br />

This week in New Zealand’s history<br />

<strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong> : Volume 13 Issue 31<br />

Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited<br />

Editor: Dev Nadkarni | dev@indianweekender.co.nz<br />

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Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher<br />

is not responsible for advertisers’ claims as appearing in the publication<br />

Views expressed in the articles are solely of the authors and do not in any way represent<br />

the views of the team at the <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong><br />

Kiwi Media Publishing Limited - 133A, Level 1, Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland.<br />

Printed at Horton Media, Auckland<br />

Clouds<br />

and<br />

sun<br />

19°<br />

14°<br />

Clouds<br />

and<br />

sun<br />

20°<br />

14°<br />

9 <strong>October</strong> 1967<br />

First day of ten o'clock closing<br />

Clouds<br />

and<br />

showers<br />

20°<br />

14°<br />

Copyright 2020. Kiwi Media Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved.<br />

A few<br />

morning<br />

showers<br />

21°<br />

15°<br />

A few<br />

morning<br />

showers<br />

26°<br />

17°<br />

Fifty years of six o’clock closing of pubs had ended two days earlier, after a referendum<br />

convinced the government to change the antiquated licensing law. Introduced as a<br />

‘temporary’ wartime efficiency measure in December 1917, 6 p.m. closing was made permanent<br />

the following year.<br />

10 <strong>October</strong> 1975<br />

Waitangi Tribunal created<br />

<strong>The</strong> Labour government created the Tribunal to hear Māori claims of breaches of the Treaty<br />

of Waitangi. It has evolved ever since, adapting to the demands of claimants, government<br />

and public. <strong>The</strong> Tribunal was created to report on and suggest settlements for contemporary<br />

Māori claims, and to ensure that future legislation was consistent with the treaty.<br />

12 <strong>October</strong> 1917<br />

New Zealand's ‘blackest day’ at Passchendaele<br />

Ever since 1917, Passchendaele has been a byword for the horror of the Great War. In terms<br />

of lives lost in a single day, the failed attack on Bellevue Spur on 12 <strong>October</strong> was probably<br />

the greatest disaster in New Zealand’s history.<br />

12 <strong>October</strong> 1918<br />

Niagara's arrival blamed for flu pandemic<br />

For decades, many people believed that a deadly new influenza virus came to New Zealand<br />

aboard the Royal Mail liner Niagara, which arrived in Auckland from Vancouver and San<br />

Francisco on 12 <strong>October</strong> 1918. This is no longer thought to have been the case. Among the<br />

ship’s passengers were Prime Minister William Massey and his deputy Joseph Ward, who were<br />

returning from Britain. False rumours circulated that Massey had personally rejected quarantine<br />

measures. In fact, he had insisted that he and Ward be treated the same as other passengers.<br />

12 <strong>October</strong> 1996<br />

New Zealanders go to the polls in first MMP election<br />

In the first general election held under the new mixed-member proportional representation<br />

(MMP) voting system, New Zealand voters selected 120 members of Parliament through a<br />

mixture of electorate contests (returning 65 members) and party lists (55 members). <strong>The</strong> MMP<br />

system, which replaced New Zealand’s traditional first-past-the-post voting method, had been<br />

proposed by a Royal Commission on the Electoral System that reported in 1986.


<strong>The</strong> <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong> Friday, <strong>October</strong> 08, <strong>2021</strong> FIJI 13<br />

‘Register for vaccination’<br />

FIJI TIMES<br />

Parents and guardians of<br />

15 to 17-year-old children<br />

are urged to register for<br />

vaccinations so they can be protected<br />

against COVID-19.<br />

Prime Minister Voreqe<br />

Bainimarama highlighted this issue<br />

while visiting schools that have been<br />

set up as vaccination centres for<br />

children.<br />

He also commended the<br />

commitment and dedication of<br />

civil servants, medical officers and<br />

volunteers who have been manning<br />

the centres ensuring that operations<br />

run smoothly at the various centres.<br />

Mr Bainimarama visited Lami<br />

Convent Primary School, Samabula<br />

Primary School, John Wesley<br />

College, Assemblies of God High<br />

School, Rishikul College and<br />

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. Picture: SUPPLIED<br />

Bhawani Dayal Memorial College.<br />

In a Government statement,<br />

parents and guardians wishing to<br />

register their children can do so<br />

through the Vaccine Registry portal<br />

that is on the Fijian Government and<br />

Ministry of Health Facebook pages<br />

or click https://vra.digitalfiji.gov.fj/<br />

aMinorsRegistration/index<br />

Registration requires the birth<br />

registration number, citizenship<br />

certificate number or permit number<br />

from both the parent or guardian<br />

and the child, entered alongside<br />

correlating dates of birth,” the<br />

statement read.<br />

Ministry leans towards digitally driven education<br />

FBC<br />

With the expected reopening<br />

of schools, the Education<br />

Minister says there is a<br />

need for quality teachers with a focus<br />

on digitally driven education.<br />

Premila Kumar emphasized this<br />

during a meeting with New Zealand<br />

High Commissioner to Fiji Jonathan<br />

Curr to deliberate on the direction<br />

of Fiji’s education in relation to the<br />

current scenario.<br />

Kumar says improvements<br />

have been planned for the current<br />

NEW ZEALAND HIGH COMMISSIONER TO FIJI JONATHAN CURR AND EDUCATION<br />

MINISTER, PREMILA KUMAR.<br />

education system.<br />

<strong>The</strong>se include improved curricula<br />

and inclusion of civic and moral<br />

education to equip the children<br />

Indicators used to critically<br />

assess Fiji’s COVID situation<br />

FBC<br />

Fiji is at an acceptable level of<br />

the outbreak as COVID-19<br />

cases continue to decrease in<br />

its severity compared to the initial<br />

start of the second wave of the<br />

pandemic in April.<br />

This was revealed by the<br />

Permanent Secretary for Health<br />

Doctor James Fong, as<br />

positivity rate have been<br />

gradually decreasing on<br />

a daily basis.<br />

Doctor James Fong<br />

says moving forward, the<br />

Ministry will be monitoring<br />

for COVID-19 transmission<br />

and disease and intervening when<br />

cases cross the beyond acceptable<br />

levels.<br />

with the essential life skills in<br />

the development of an informed,<br />

effective, and responsible citizenry.<br />

For the younger ones, Kumar says,<br />

work has been mobilised for a proper<br />

and structured Early Childhood<br />

Education curriculum to strengthen<br />

the foundation of children’s<br />

education.<br />

She says the plans are to align it to<br />

the NZ curriculum and Curr assured<br />

his full support for the intended<br />

improvements.<br />

While the Ministry is having<br />

regular consultations with the<br />

“Given that there is<br />

low cases, it doesn’t<br />

mean that the epidemic<br />

is over. We will be<br />

using the indicators of<br />

positivity rate, admissions,<br />

ICU admissions and deaths”<br />

Dr Fong adds that they have<br />

switched their operation from<br />

mitigation phase to containment<br />

phase.<br />

Ministry of Health on the reopening<br />

of schools, there are indications<br />

that more emphasis will be given to<br />

e-learning platforms.<br />

Kumar says the actual date of<br />

opening will depend on when we<br />

have reached the expected target<br />

of 80% vaccination rate and also<br />

on when classrooms are ready in<br />

accordance to the COVID Safe<br />

Protocol.<br />

She adds they will imminently<br />

await due clearance from the<br />

Ministry of Health for a go ahead<br />

with at least Years 12 and 13.<br />

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IMMIGRATION<br />

MORTGAGE<br />

EVENTS<br />

NEW ZEALAND<br />

Over a ton of colour to be used at<br />

Krishna Holi <strong>2021</strong> event in Kumeu<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong> Friday, February 12, <strong>2021</strong> 11<br />

RIZWAN MOHAMMAD<br />

T<br />

he biggest Holi event in the country<br />

on Sunday, February 14 at ISKCON<br />

Temple in Kumeu will put over one<br />

ton of colours for 10,000 visitors to play with<br />

celebrating the annual Hindu festival.<br />

Holi is one of the most popular and widely<br />

celebrated festivals for the <strong>Indian</strong> community<br />

after Diwali that is celebrated by the diaspora<br />

and the adjoining communities across the globe.<br />

<strong>The</strong> annual festival of colour falls on March<br />

28-29 this year, and the religious element of the<br />

festival signifies the triumph of good over evil.<br />

It is observed a the end of winter and advent of<br />

spring month (in the <strong>Indian</strong> subcontinent), and<br />

spiritual part of the festival starts with Holika<br />

Dahan (burning demon Holika) also known as<br />

Chhoti Holi and the following day as Holi.<br />

In its 9th year, Krishna Holi event at the<br />

iconic Hare Krishna Temple in Kumeu, West<br />

Auckland attracts thousands of people from all<br />

walks of life, different ethnicities and faiths to<br />

be a part of a colourful and joyous event.<br />

Speaking with the <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong>,<br />

Krishna Chandra from the temple said they are<br />

excited to see the festive season of Holi back<br />

after a gloomy year of Covid-19 in the country.<br />

“Holi at the Krishna Temple is one of the<br />

most vibrant events in our calendar- we see<br />

families dressed white clothing visi the temple<br />

and then dance and drench in dry and wet<br />

colours from noon till early evening,” Krishna<br />

Chandra, secretary and spokesperson of Hare<br />

Krishna Temple said.<br />

<strong>The</strong> temple spread over 100 acres start the<br />

free event at 11 a.m. and will have stalls that<br />

distribute at least ten to 12 colours, and there<br />

will also be watercolours for the visitors.<br />

A giant LED screen is also installed on the<br />

stage with a DJ and live music for the attendees<br />

to dance and have fun.<br />

“It’s a family-friendly- tobacco and alcoholfree<br />

event. People of all ages can have fun as<br />

there will be colour stalls, water stations, food<br />

stalls, changing rooms, showering stations for<br />

people drenched in colour,” Mr Chandra said.<br />

He added tha the temple stocks colours to be sanitisers are in place for people, arrangements<br />

used at the festival at least 2-3 years at a time. for children activities, so that everyone gets to<br />

<strong>The</strong> temple will be used over a ton of colour at enjoy the even to its fullest.<br />

the event both in its dry form and with water. “We have volunteers, security to usher<br />

“We have given 200 kgs of colour to fire vehicles to park in the appropriate places,<br />

brigade who will mix it in their water tank manage the oncoming and returning traffic,<br />

and then splash it on the visitors at different and make sure visitors feel comfortable at the<br />

intervals.<br />

event,” Mr Chandra added.<br />

“Since this year’s event coincides with <strong>The</strong> event organisers have appealed the<br />

Valentine’s Day, we have kept valentine theme visitors to come in white dress as colours tend event like previous years will be high octane,<br />

gifts and gift station too at the venue for the to exhibit its vibrancy on white clothing, get full of energy and good vibes,” Mr Chandra<br />

public to celebrate the occasion there,” Mr spare clothing to change after playing with added.<br />

Chandra added.<br />

colour and food and water arrangements have ISKCON Temple is located on 1229<br />

Mr Chandra says all arrangements in been made a the venue.<br />

Coatesville-Riverhead Highway, Kumeu, West<br />

terms of Covid QR Code scanning and hand “Hol is always a fun event and Krishna Holi Auckland, and the event starts at noon to 5 p.m.<br />

Hare Krishna temple to host ‘Saatvik food festival’<br />

RIZWAN MOHAMMAD<br />

T<br />

he Hare Krishna Temple in Kumeu, West Auckland<br />

is hosting its annual food festival event on Saturday,<br />

February 13, for the community.<br />

More than 3000 people are expected to attend the event<br />

where they will be served saatvik vegetarian food, tour the<br />

temple premises and have a relaxing family-fun day.<br />

“Our Hare Krishna Food Festival is very popular amongs the<br />

wider Kiwi community in Auckland, people from all faiths and<br />

ethnicities come to the temple, take a tour of the place knowing<br />

about the deities, the ISKCON establishment, its works for the<br />

community and have snacks and food during the day,” Krishna<br />

Chandra, secretary and spokesperson for Hare Krishna temple<br />

told the <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong>.<br />

<strong>The</strong> event is said to be quiet, and exhibit a relaxing<br />

environment where people get to meet new people, make<br />

friends, experience the calmness being with nature, have<br />

Saatvik (pure) vegetarian food and have good family day.<br />

“This event is happening just one day before our most<br />

popular Krishna Holi event which is will be loud, full of energy,<br />

playfulness, music and dance,” Mr Chandra added.<br />

<strong>The</strong> events will start at 2 p.m. and end at seven in the evening.<br />

Besides the food festival, Krishna Temple organises lunch<br />

event every Sunday at its premises where 300-400 people<br />

come, chant mantras, meditate, spend some time with nature<br />

and dine with the community members.<br />

“It is a soothing atmosphere at the temple, chanting mantras<br />

with the community, knowing more about the religion, what<br />

can they do a the temple and how can they make a difference in<br />

the community by serving others and the less privileged.<br />

“<strong>The</strong>re are also children’s activities<br />

organised so that they engage themselves<br />

and also have a good time at the temple,” Mr<br />

Chandra said.


14 INDIA<br />

Friday, <strong>October</strong> 08, <strong>2021</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong><br />

Cloud hacking: India now 2nd<br />

most targeted nation after US<br />

India now ranks second only to the US in<br />

followed by Malicious Script with 125 per cent<br />

most security threats on Cloud, followed by<br />

and Malware with 47 per cent.<br />

Australia, Canada and Brazil, and malware<br />

Financial services were targeted the most<br />

was the technique used most often in reported<br />

incidents, a new report showed on Monday.<br />

With the shift to a more flexible pandemic<br />

workforce, cyber criminals have introduced<br />

new and updated threats and tactics in<br />

among the reported cloud incidents, followed<br />

by healthcare, manufacturing, retail and<br />

professional services.<br />

"<strong>The</strong> US experienced the most reported<br />

incidents in the second quarter, and Europe saw<br />

campaigns targeting prominent sectors,<br />

the largest increases in reported incidents in Q2<br />

such as government, financial services<br />

with 52 per cent," said the report.<br />

and entertainment.<br />

<strong>The</strong> government was the most targeted sector<br />

in Q2 of <strong>2021</strong> with a 64 per cent increase in<br />

publicly reported cyber incidents, according to<br />

the 'Advanced Threat Research Report: <strong>October</strong><br />

<strong>2021</strong>' by McAfee Enterprise.<br />

"Ransomware has evolved far beyond its<br />

origins, and cybercriminals have become<br />

smarter and quicker to pivot their tactics<br />

alongside a whole host of new bad-actor<br />

schemes," said Raj Samani, McAfee Enterprise<br />

fellow and chief scientist.<br />

"Names such as REvil, Ryuk, Babuk<br />

and DarkSide have permeated into public<br />

consciousness, linked to disruptions of critical<br />

services worldwide," he added.<br />

<strong>The</strong> most targeted sectors by ransomware<br />

in Q2 of <strong>2021</strong> were the government,<br />

followed by telecom, energy, and media and<br />

communications.<br />

Spam showed the highest increase of reported<br />

incidents -- 250 per cent -- from Q1 to Q2 <strong>2021</strong>,<br />

<strong>The</strong> second quarter of <strong>2021</strong> was a vibrant<br />

quarter for ransomware, earning its place as<br />

a high-profile cyber agenda item for the US<br />

administration following the Colonial Pipeline<br />

attack.<br />

"In the second quarter of <strong>2021</strong>, we continued<br />

to see the challenges of shifting cloud security<br />

to accommodate a more flexible pandemic<br />

workforce and an increased workload, which<br />

presented cybercriminals with more potential<br />

exploits and targets," the report mentioned.<br />

UP girls to learn science in the joyful way<br />

Girls enrolled in Kasturba Gandhi Balika<br />

Vidyalaya (KGBV), a residential<br />

chain of schools for socially and<br />

economically weaker sections, will now<br />

learn science through games, stories, and<br />

‘curiosity boxes’.<br />

<strong>The</strong> UP government, in collaboration<br />

with <strong>Indian</strong> Institute of Technology (IIT)<br />

Gandhinagar, has launched a ‘curiosity<br />

programme for teaching science in an<br />

experimental way’.<br />

This is aimed at making 79,000 girls<br />

enrolled in 746 KGBVs proficient in science<br />

as a subject. According to the government<br />

spokesman, a team from IIT-Gandhinagar<br />

will groom 50 teachers as master trainers<br />

through 100 modules prepared on teaching<br />

science in an experiential manner that involves<br />

using interesting toys, activities, stories and<br />

assignments.<br />

Each module is a 5-to-15-minute video<br />

covering different topics from science books<br />

of classes 6 to 8.<br />

<strong>The</strong> videos describe ways of doing an<br />

activity and the science behind it.<br />

Apple iPhone 14 rumoured<br />

to offer 2 TB storage<br />

Apple recently launched iPhone 13 Pro models<br />

with storage options of up to a whopping 1 TB<br />

and now a new report has claimed that the next<br />

flagship series, the iPhone 14 line-up, will come with up<br />

to 2 TB of storage. Apple will adopt QLC flash storage for<br />

next year’s iPhone and that thanks to the newer storage<br />

technology, it will increase capacity to 2 TB, reports<br />

MyDrivers.<br />

According to famed analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, top-tier<br />

“iPhone 14” models will adopt a 1/1.3-inch 48MP CMOS<br />

image sensor for wide-angle camera module duties.<br />

“We believe that the new 2H2022 iPhone may support<br />

direct 48MP output and 12MP (four cells merge output<br />

mode) output simultaneously,” Kuo said in a note to<br />

investors.<br />

“With 12MP output, the CIS pixel size of the new 2H22<br />

iPhone increases to about 2.5 um, which is significantly<br />

larger than the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13, and larger than<br />

existing Android phones, and close to the DSC level,” he<br />

added. <strong>The</strong> company typically concentrates on wide-angle<br />

camera technology first, with the benefits trickling down<br />

to telephoto and ultra-wide angle systems in subsequent<br />

years. <strong>The</strong> sensor could support hybrid-operating modes<br />

to maximise pixel size and capitalise on the hardware’s<br />

light-gathering capabilities.<br />

Under the hood, the upcoming iPhone is expected to<br />

run on iOS 16 and pack a 3,815mAh battery with fastcharging<br />

support.<br />

An integral part of the programme is the<br />

curiosity box, to be provided to each school.<br />

<strong>The</strong>se boxes contain material enabling<br />

teachers to conduct the activity with students<br />

essential for an immersive experience. It will<br />

also help students perform activities on their<br />

own. Additional project director of Sarva<br />

Shiksha Abhiyan Sarita Tiwari said, “<strong>The</strong>re<br />

is a notion that science is not a girls’ subject.<br />

We have decided to take this as a challenge.<br />

Through this programme, we intend to make<br />

students and, more importantly, teachers fall in<br />

love with the subject.”<br />

She added that the idea is to make classes<br />

Make in India drone used to transport Covid vaccines<br />

For the first time, a ‘Make in India’ drone has been used to<br />

transport Covid vaccines over an aerial distance of 15<br />

km, from the Bishnupur district hospital to Loktak lake<br />

in Manipur, for their administration at the PHC, Union Health<br />

Minister Mansukha Mandaviya said on Monday, adding that in a<br />

geographically diversified country like India, drones can be used to<br />

deliver essentials to the last mile.<br />

In an effort to make healthcare accessible to the last citizen of<br />

the country, Mandaviya launched ICMR’s Drone Response and<br />

Outreach in North East (i-Drone) programme on Monday.<br />

This is a delivery model to make sure that life-saving vaccines<br />

reach everyone. <strong>The</strong> actual distance by road between these locations<br />

is 26 km. On Monday, 10 beneficiaries received the first dose while<br />

8 received the second dose at the PHC.<br />

Congratulating the people on this innovative step, Mandaviya<br />

said, “We can use drones to deliver life-saving medicines and<br />

collect blood samples. This technology can also be used in critical<br />

situations. It may prove a game changer in addressing the challenges<br />

in healthcare delivery, particularly health supplies in difficult areas.”<br />

Launching the initiative, which would facilitate vaccine delivery<br />

to the hard-to-reach terrains of the country, the minister said,<br />

“Our immunisation programme for Covid-19 has already<br />

exceeded all expectations. I strongly believe that this<br />

initiative will further help us achieve the highest<br />

possible immunisation coverage for Covid-19.<br />

“Incorporating such drone technologies into<br />

the national programmes would help deliver<br />

other vaccines and medical supplies as quickly as<br />

possible.”<br />

<strong>The</strong> minister also said that under the leadership of<br />

more engaging, provide experiential learning,<br />

foster creativity, spark innovation and focus on<br />

concepts. Students will maintain a notebook<br />

where they pen down their experiences for<br />

each activity, their observations, scientific<br />

understanding and questions. <strong>The</strong>y will also be<br />

given interesting assignments in each module<br />

to think about the concept.<br />

Teachers from all 746 KGBVs will be<br />

trained online thrice a week.<br />

In addition, there will be a residential<br />

workshop of master trainers at IIT-Gandhinagar<br />

after six months of the programme. Physical<br />

workshops will also take place early next year.<br />

"Incorporating<br />

such drone<br />

technologies into the<br />

national programmes<br />

would help deliver other<br />

vaccines and medical<br />

supplies as quickly as<br />

possible.<br />

Over 1.8m <strong>Indian</strong><br />

students to go for<br />

foreign education<br />

by 2024, says<br />

report<br />

As international borders reopen with<br />

the Covid situation easing, studying<br />

abroad is set to grow in the coming<br />

years and according to new forecast, over 18<br />

lakh <strong>Indian</strong> students are set to opt for foreign<br />

colleges and universities by 2024.<br />

While the demand for studying abroad is<br />

increasing and the outflow is also increasing,<br />

student expenditure is soaring and is likely to<br />

touch $75-85 billion by 2024, which will be an<br />

increase of more than 2 times from 2019.<br />

While the sector faced a stunted growth<br />

in 2020-21 as international borders were<br />

closed to combat Covid, it is now expected to<br />

regain momentum as things become normal,<br />

according to the report by Bengaluru-based<br />

market research firm RedSeer.<br />

“We are bullish about this segment’s growth<br />

in the coming years. Our research shows that<br />

the total number of <strong>Indian</strong> students studying<br />

abroad will stand at around 18 lakh by 2024,”<br />

said Abhishek Gupta, engagement manager at<br />

RedSeer.<br />

Nearly 7,00,000 students applied to study<br />

abroad in 2019.<br />

“In 2019 alone, around 420k students<br />

headed out but the total number of applicants<br />

was around 1.7 times. This colossal increase<br />

is due to factors like rise in GDP in the past<br />

two decades leading to more consumption and<br />

awareness about education abroad,” Gupta<br />

mentioned.<br />

<strong>The</strong> growth in the outflow rates had outpaced<br />

domestic student growth by 6 times in 2016-<br />

19 which shows the massive demand that this<br />

segment is witnessing.<br />

“Our research shows that currently, 770k<br />

<strong>Indian</strong> students are studying abroad from 440K<br />

in 2016 which is a 20 per cent growth. On the<br />

other hand, the growth in the domestic region<br />

has been merely 3 per cent when compared to<br />

the demand for education abroad,” the analyst<br />

informed.<br />

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the nation is progressing at a great<br />

pace.<br />

“Today is a historic day, which showed us how technology is<br />

making life easier and bringing social change,” he said.<br />

i-Drone has been designed to overcome challenges by deploying<br />

unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to remote areas. Currently, the<br />

drone-based delivery project has been granted permission for<br />

implementation in Manipur and Nagaland, as well as Andaman and<br />

Nicobar Islands.<br />

ICMR conducted an initial study in collaboration with <strong>Indian</strong><br />

Institute of Technology, Kanpur, to test the capacity of drones<br />

to carry and transfer vaccines safely.<br />

<strong>The</strong> study was conducted in Manipur, Nagaland and<br />

Andaman and Nicobar Islands. <strong>The</strong>se studies provided<br />

promising results on the basis of which the Ministry<br />

of Civil Aviation, the Directorate General of Civil<br />

Aviation (DGCA) and other regulatory authorities<br />

have granted permission to fly drones beyond the<br />

visual line of sight.


<strong>The</strong> <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong> Friday, <strong>October</strong> 08, <strong>2021</strong><br />

FEATURES 15<br />

Ingredients<br />

• 3 tsp coconut oil<br />

• 1/4 tsp mustard seeds<br />

• 1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds<br />

• 5-6 curry leaves<br />

• 2 slit green chillies<br />

• 1/2 sliced onion<br />

• 1 tsp coriander powder<br />

• 1/4 tsp mustard powder<br />

• 1/2 chopped tomato<br />

• 2 soaked kokum fruits<br />

• 4 big cubes of any sea fish<br />

• 1/2 cup fish stock<br />

• 1/2 cup coconut milk<br />

• For the tempering:<br />

• 2 tsp coconut oil<br />

• 1/4 tsp ginger juliennes<br />

• 1/4 tsp chopped garlic<br />

• 5-6 curry leaves<br />

• 2 Tbsp chopped shallots<br />

Method<br />

• Heat oil in pan.<br />

• Add mustard seeds, fenugreek<br />

seeds, curry leaves, slit green<br />

Healthy cooking every day<br />

chillies and sliced onions. Saute<br />

till onions turn brown.<br />

• Now add coriander powder,<br />

mustard powder, chopped tomato,<br />

kokum fruits, big cubes of any sea<br />

fish and fish stock.<br />

• Cover and cook for 5 minutes.<br />

• Now remove cover and reduce to<br />

a semi dry consistency.<br />

• Add coconut milk and let simmer<br />

for 2 minutes taking care not to let<br />

the milk come to a boil.Temper<br />

with coconut oil; ginger juliennes,<br />

chopped garlic, curry leave and<br />

chopped shallots.<br />

• Serve hot with appams.<br />

Lighter Takes<br />

& Easy Tips<br />

Popular South <strong>Indian</strong> recipes<br />

Kerala Recipes-Prepare yourself for a culinary journey that canvases everything from exquisite<br />

seafood to ignored vegetables, from coconut milk to crispy curry leaves, from spluttering mustard<br />

seeds to soft and spongy appams. Prepare yourself for a scrumptious ride to 'God's own country'.<br />

Fish Mappas (Fish Curry)<br />

Fish Mappas is a Kerala style curry where fish is cooked<br />

in creamy coconut milk and served with appams<br />

Cheera Thoran Kerala style stir-fry<br />

An authentic Malayali stir fry with spinach,<br />

coconut and mild spices. Absolutely healthy!<br />

Ingredients<br />

• 1 cup chopped spinach<br />

• 2 Tbsp oil<br />

• 1/2 Tbsp mustard seeds<br />

• 2 Tbsp chopped red chillies<br />

• 7 to 8 curry leaves<br />

• 2 Tbsp chopped green chillies<br />

• 1/2 Tbsp turmeric powder<br />

• 1 Tbsp chopped garlic<br />

• 2 Tbsp grated coconut<br />

• Salt to tas<br />

An array of delicious ingredients like kokum fruits, curry leaves and coconut milk is<br />

used to prepare this sumptuous dish of fish curry.<br />

Method<br />

• Heat oil in a pan.<br />

• Add mustard, red chillies and<br />

curry leaves.<br />

• Now add green chillies, turmeric<br />

powder, chopped garlic and<br />

spinach.<br />

• Let the spinach steam, then add<br />

grated coconut.<br />

• Season and cook for a few<br />

minutes.<br />

• Serve garnished with grated<br />

coconut<br />

Kerala mutton stew<br />

About Kerala Mutton Stew Recipe: Succulent chunks of mutton simmered<br />

in delicate southern flavors of coconut milk, curry leaves, cinnamon etc.<br />

Ingredients<br />

• 500 gms cubed mutton (boiled<br />

with 10 gm ginger)<br />

• 100 gms onion, sliced<br />

• 5 gms green chillies (slit)<br />

• 10 gms ginger strips<br />

• 1 tsp pepper corns<br />

• 10 Curry pattas<br />

• 1 coconut, grated<br />

• to taste Salt<br />

• 100 gms oil<br />

• 150 gms cubed potatoes<br />

• 50 gms diced carrot<br />

For sabut garam masala:<br />

• 1 Cinnamon stick<br />

• 4 Cardamoms<br />

• 4 Cloves<br />

Method<br />

• Boil mutton along with ginger.<br />

Set aside.<br />

• Boil potatoes and carrots. Set<br />

Kozhikodan Biryani<br />

Ingredients<br />

• 1 Kg Chicken legs (small pieces)<br />

• 400 gram Rice<br />

• 600 ml Water (the water is 1.5<br />

times more than the quantity of<br />

rice)<br />

• 6 Green cardamoms<br />

• 2 Cinnamon sticks<br />

• 3 Bay leaves<br />

• 3 Javitri<br />

• 10 gram Fennel seeds<br />

• 200 gram Onion<br />

• 80 gram Tomatoes<br />

• 20 gram Green chilli<br />

• 50 gram Ginger<br />

• 50 gram Garlic<br />

• 50 gram Red chilli powder<br />

• 50 gram Coriander<br />

• 30 gram Mint<br />

• 5 gram Turmeric<br />

• to taste Salt<br />

• 15 gram Garam masala<br />

• 60 ml Oil<br />

• 4 Eggs, boiled<br />

• 30 gram Butter<br />

Method<br />

• Pour oil into the pot, add whole<br />

spices into it and stir a while.<br />

• Put crushed onions, julienne of<br />

green chillies and ginger.<br />

• Now add ginger & garlic paste,<br />

aside.<br />

• Extract coconut milk twice.<br />

• Heat oil and saute sabut garam<br />

masala, onion, green chillies,<br />

ginger, curry patta, peppercorns.<br />

• Add boiled mutton, potatoes and<br />

carrot along with second extract<br />

of coconut milk and cook. Add<br />

salt to taste.<br />

Paal Payasam (South <strong>Indian</strong> dessert)<br />

mint, coriander and stir.<br />

• Add turmeric, red chilli and<br />

fennel powder.<br />

• Now add pieces of chicken,<br />

chopped tomatoes, water and<br />

butter.<br />

• When chicken is almost cooked,<br />

add rice and salt.<br />

• Cover and simmer it for a while<br />

till done.<br />

• Cut each egg into four then<br />

garnish on the rice.<br />

Key Ingredients: Chicken legs<br />

(small pieces), Rice, Water (the<br />

water is 1.5 times more than the<br />

quantity of rice), Green cardamoms,<br />

Cinnamon sticks, Bay leaves, Javitri,<br />

Fennel seeds, Onion, Tomatoes,<br />

Green chilli, Ginger, Garlic,<br />

Red chilli powder, Coriander,<br />

Mint, Turmeric, Salt, Garam masala,<br />

Oil, Eggs, Butter<br />

• Stir first extract of coconut milk<br />

just before serving.<br />

• Key Ingredients: cubed mutton<br />

(boiled with 10 gm ginger),<br />

onion, green chillies (slit), ginger<br />

strips, pepper corns, Curry pattas,<br />

coconut, Salt, oil, cubed potatoes,<br />

diced carrot, Cinnamon stick,<br />

Cardamoms, Cloves<br />

delicious, creamy, rice and milk enriched with the goodness of cashews and raisins, paal payasam is a south <strong>Indian</strong> dessert, a version of kheer,<br />

A made on various festivals and celebratory occasions like onam. It is a simple recipe with richness of nuts and goodness of milk.<br />

Ingredients<br />

• 50 gms rice<br />

• 1 litre milk<br />

• 5 gram cardamom powder<br />

• 100 gms sugar<br />

• 50 ml ghee (clarified butter)<br />

• 50 gms cashew nuts<br />

• 25 gms raisins<br />

Method<br />

• Wash and soak the rice for 1/2 an hour.<br />

• Cook the rice in milk until soft.<br />

• Add cardamom powder, sugar and stir until<br />

the sugar is dissolved.<br />

• Heat ghee in a pan and add the cashew nuts.<br />

• When the cashew nuts are slightly golden,<br />

add the raisins and saute for a minute.<br />

• Pour on the rice mixture and serve warm.


16 ENTERTAINMENT<br />

Friday, <strong>October</strong> 08, <strong>2021</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong><br />

Most popular movies on Netflix right now<br />

<strong>The</strong> Mitchells vs. <strong>The</strong> Machines<br />

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are credited<br />

as producers here, but as with Spider-<br />

Man: Into <strong>The</strong> Spider-Verse, their fingerprints<br />

are all over this extremely enjoyable Netflix<br />

animation.<br />

Marriage Story<br />

Marriage Story really is a warts-and-all<br />

piece of filmmaking, with all the horrible<br />

details of divorce – having to look for lawyers,<br />

questioning who gets to keep the child, parents<br />

who seemingly go out of their way to worsen<br />

the situation – being portrayed on screen.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Little Prince<br />

Netflix doesn’t only focus on maturethemed<br />

movies, even though the freedom<br />

from R-ratings gives it plenty of scope for<br />

swearing, violence, and sex. Here you’ll find<br />

a precious little animated movie based on<br />

a French novella from 1943, about a young<br />

lonely girl whose imagination is transported to<br />

another world through magical stories told by<br />

her eccentric neighbor.<br />

Pieces of a Woman<br />

Falling into the movies that make you<br />

cry category, Pieces of a Woman is an<br />

emotional well that'll steep you in melancholy.<br />

Martha's home birth leads to a schism in her<br />

marriage as her life falls to pieces. Known<br />

for its opening 24-minute childbirth one-shot,<br />

this portrait of grief will ultimately take you to<br />

poignant places.<br />

Roma<br />

Alfonso Cuaron's semi-autobiographical<br />

snapshot of the Colonia Roma<br />

neighborhood of Mexico City tells a small<br />

story with staggering prowess. Let Cuaron<br />

steer you through the ups and downs of a livein<br />

housekeeper of a middle-class family.<br />

Happy as Lazzaro<br />

This Italian film has the seal of approval from<br />

Bong Joon-ho, so let's listen to the Oscarwinning<br />

director of Parasite and add it to this<br />

list. Written and directed by Alice Rohrwacher,<br />

Happy as Lazzaro is set in the '70s on a tobacco<br />

farm, where good-hearted young peasant<br />

Lazzaro dutifully works.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Jaws Series<br />

<strong>The</strong> sequels may not live up to the original,<br />

but it'll please the completists among<br />

you that every Jaws movie is now available<br />

to stream on Netflix. You can have a weekend<br />

marathon of all four films—Jaws, Jaws 2, Jaws<br />

3, and Jaws: <strong>The</strong> Revenge—or just skip around<br />

to your favourites.<br />

Nightbooks<br />

In Netflix's new fantasy<br />

film Nightbooks, Jessica Jones star Krysten<br />

Ritter takes a villainous turn as Natacha, a<br />

witch who kidnaps a young horror fan named<br />

Alex (Winslow Fegley). She demands that he<br />

pen a new terrifying tale for her every night,<br />

with the alternative being a prospect that may<br />

be a bit too scary for pint-sized viewers.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Father Who Moves Mountains<br />

father (Adrian Titieni) takes it upon<br />

A himself to use his intelligence training and<br />

contacts to track down his son when he goes<br />

missing in a remote and unforgiving landscape<br />

in this <strong>2021</strong> Romanian/Swedish drama.<br />

Safe House<br />

Ryan Reynolds and Denzel<br />

Washington spar—as a CIA interrogator<br />

and an alleged agency traitor, respectively—<br />

in this 2012 action flick. When the safe<br />

house where Washington's character is being<br />

questioned is attacked, the two go on the run<br />

together.<br />

Most popular movies on Amazon Prime right now<br />

Jennifer's Body<br />

<strong>The</strong> Descent<br />

One Night in Miami<br />

It took a decade and some change, but Jennifer’s Body is<br />

finally being vindicated as a cult classic and ahead-of-its-time<br />

horror-comedy thanks to the power of the internet (and, in all<br />

honesty, the rise of Megan Fox on social media). Which was far,<br />

far too long for this movie to get the credit it deserves. A<br />

<strong>The</strong> Social Network<br />

Before Neil Marshall started directing action-packed episodes<br />

of your genre favs a la Game of Thrones and Westworld, the<br />

filmmaker delivered two of the great monster movies of the 21st<br />

century with Dog Soldiers and <strong>The</strong> Descent, the latter of which<br />

is destined to go down in the books as a horror classic of its time.<br />

Attack the Block<br />

Regina King makes a commanding directorial debut with One<br />

Night in Miami, an understated historical drama set during<br />

a meeting of extraordinary minds, when Malcolm X (Kingsley<br />

Ben-Adir), Muhammad Ali (then Cassius Clay, Eli Goree), Sam<br />

Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.), and Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge) spent a<br />

night in a quiet Florida hotel room.<br />

Coming 2 America<br />

<strong>The</strong> Social Network was already an exceptional, fascinating<br />

film when it arrived in 2010, but in the aftermath of<br />

Cambridge Analytica, “Pivot to Video,” and all the other societychanging<br />

scandals that have plagued Facebook in the decade<br />

since, now it’s an absolutely essential film. And it arguably plays<br />

better, hits harder, and grows ever more impressive with each<br />

passing year.<br />

If you’re looking for an action-packed, high-tension romp<br />

through the streets of South London, set your sights on one<br />

of the best original sci-fi thrillers in recent memory. Starring<br />

John Boyega in an outstanding performance that couldn’t be<br />

more caddy-corner to his best-known role in Star Wars, the<br />

2011 film follows an alien invasion in the streets of South<br />

London, where a local teenage gang rallies to fight back against<br />

ravaging space beasts.<br />

N<br />

early the entire original cast reunites, led by Eddie<br />

Murphy and Arsenio Hall as Prince Akeem and his righthand-man<br />

Semmi, in a slim, but cheerful and vibrant follow-up<br />

that sweeps audiences back to the kingdom of Zamunda (and<br />

of course, back 2 America) for a new take on the fish-out-ofwater<br />

comedy that sees Akeem unite with his unexpected heir<br />

(Jermaine Fowler), while learning how to be a good king.


<strong>The</strong> <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong> Friday, <strong>October</strong> 08, <strong>2021</strong><br />

FEATURES 17<br />

FASHION AND BEAUTY<br />

Major summer fashion trends<br />

that are already in your closet<br />

You've probably heard by now that throwback looks are resurfacing, and on top of that,<br />

seasonless fashion is on the rise. Classics are reigning supreme, and the spicer, more statementmaking<br />

styles can easily be DIY'd or replicated with a few quick tricks. Take a look at what's worth<br />

re-wearing for the season ahead, and if you're still stumped on how to style these items for modern<br />

day? We've got plenty of summer outfit ideas to inspire you, too.<br />

Scarves<br />

Another piece that can be turned into something<br />

brand new for #ShotGirlSummer? A scarf.<br />

Fasten it around your neck to add flair to your outfit,<br />

use it as a hair accessory, or (if it's long enough, or<br />

can be tucked into a bralette) wrap it around your<br />

body and style it as a top.<br />

How to Wear Scarves For Summer <strong>2021</strong>: Grab a<br />

chain necklace and knot the scarf in the center before<br />

securing it around your neck. <strong>The</strong>n, grab the two<br />

sides of the the scarf, bring down and around your<br />

chest area, and tie it in back. It should now look like<br />

the above top, while making use of old pieces sitting<br />

in your drawer.<br />

Mini Skirts<br />

We'll always have a soft spot in our hearts<br />

for midis and maxis, but with the return<br />

of sexy '00s fashion, we're loving this leggy<br />

look that works for just about any occasion.<br />

How to Wear Mini Skirts For Summer <strong>2021</strong>:<br />

Make your mini feel more understated with an<br />

oversized shirt and 'ugly' sandals, or go full<br />

Y2K with a crocheted halter neck or crop top<br />

- and don't forget your baguette bag and claw<br />

clip!<br />

Puff Sleeves<br />

Puff sleeves refuse to leave our rotation, yet<br />

somehow, they're always whimsical and<br />

fun instead of stale and boring. It's possible<br />

you've already stocked up on voluminous<br />

blanket dresses in 2020, so feel free to break<br />

them out once again.<br />

How to Wear Puff Sleeves For Summer <strong>2021</strong>:<br />

We're feeling fashion's bold, chaotic vibe as of<br />

late, and while big-sleeved tops and dresses can<br />

turn heads all on their own, feel free to get even<br />

more OTT. Add a pair of statement earrings,<br />

opt for lace-up sandals, or even reach for bow<br />

details to turn it full cottagecore.<br />

Straps and Strings<br />

It's time to go full '00s popstar and play around with string<br />

details. If you own a dress that ties at the shoulder, skip the<br />

neat bows and crisscross your straps or tie them to one side<br />

instead. TikTok has even shown us that even a basic cami can<br />

be transformed into anything from a strappy halterneck to a<br />

skirt, and that there are also ways to play around with shoelaces<br />

to create a handful of looks. Plus, you're not imagining things<br />

- the peek-a-boo thong is also having a moment.<br />

How to Wear Straps and Strings For Summer <strong>2021</strong>: Of<br />

course, this trend - especially if you're DIYing it - is all about<br />

experimentation, but you really want it to be the focus of your<br />

ensemble. Don't pair these pieces anything too loud in order<br />

to let your strappy something shine.<br />

Oversized Shirts<br />

Chances are you own fair share of button-downs, which is<br />

good news, since baggy shirts and tees are once again a key<br />

part of the summer rotation. <strong>The</strong>y're essentially the perfect<br />

throw-on-and-go piece: they can be worn with just about any<br />

bottom, work as a swimsuit coverup, and even be layered like<br />

a light sweater.<br />

How to Wear Oversized Shirts For Summer <strong>2021</strong>: Wear<br />

your button-down with Bermuda shorts and slides for a full<br />

relaxed look, or use one to replace your go-to jacket, styling it<br />

over a crop top or sundress when things get chilly.<br />

Crop Tops<br />

Skin is especially in for <strong>2021</strong>, and if you don't already<br />

own backless designs or something with cutouts<br />

(another major trend that's bubbling up), you can go the<br />

belly-baring route - even if it means cutting or knotting<br />

an old tee.<br />

How to Wear Crop Tops For Summer <strong>2021</strong>: Use this<br />

one to balance out bottoms that offer more coverage, such<br />

as Bermudas, bike shorts, and baggy jeans or trousers on<br />

a chilly day. Playing around with different proportions or<br />

fit (loose vs. tight) will create an outfit that's interesting<br />

to look at.<br />

Boots<br />

Despite the fact that boots are typically<br />

considered a fall and winter staple, warm<br />

weather styles are becoming pretty popular.<br />

Even model Irina Shayk is a fan of the summer<br />

boot, and included one in her collaboration with<br />

Tamara Mellon.<br />

How to Wear Boots For Summer <strong>2021</strong>: Use<br />

this shoe as a way to make fancy summer<br />

staples, like sundresses, into an outfit that's<br />

more relaxed. You can even wear your favorite<br />

knee-high pair with the aforementioned mini<br />

skirt, providing a bit of balance.<br />

Large Sunglasses<br />

After a multiple-year run, it seems as if those<br />

teeny tiny, '90s-inspired sunglasses are on<br />

their way out, being replaced with glamorous,<br />

oversized options once again. Go ahead and dig<br />

them out of your collection to enjoy some full<br />

coverage this season.<br />

How to Wear Large Sunglasses For Summer<br />

<strong>2021</strong>: Try your hand at the '70s trend and style<br />

these babies with flares, crochet, and fringe.<br />

You can also wear your oversized shades with<br />

basics, using them as the statement piece in an<br />

otherwise simple outfit.


18 NEW ZEALAND<br />

CROSSWORD FreeDailyCrosswords.com<br />

NO: 88<br />

ACROSS------------,<br />

1) Life of_ (carefree<br />

existence)<br />

6) Flat-bottomed open boat<br />

11) "Shogun" sash<br />

14) Apparently amazed<br />

15) Country of over 1 billion<br />

16) Car tracking digits (abbr.)<br />

17) Gain experience<br />

20) Doubter's outbursts<br />

21) Like most NBA players<br />

22) Calorie-rich pastry<br />

23) 67.5 degrees, on a compass<br />

24) Retail center<br />

25) Fence repairer<br />

26) Bronco catcher<br />

28) Deafening noise<br />

29) Find in a mine<br />

30) Hole in your head<br />

34) Bums of documentaries<br />

35) Provider of wide-angle<br />

shots<br />

KEEP WATCH<br />

37) One way to get the gravy<br />

38) Former or previous<br />

39) Affectionate utterance<br />

40) Cape_ (cottage style)<br />

41) Olympic prize<br />

45) Greyhound alternative<br />

4 7) Crossing the Atlantic<br />

50) Day before a holiday<br />

51) Dutch shoe<br />

52) "_ go bragh"<br />

53) Hai ry jungle creatures<br />

54) Maryland state flowers<br />

57) Be in pain<br />

58) Model of perfection<br />

59) "Beetle Bailey" character<br />

60) "2001" mainframe<br />

61) From Oslo, e.g.<br />

62) More likely<br />

2<strong>8th</strong> February<br />

DOWN<br />

1) "Friends" female<br />

2) Big lizard<br />

3) Woodworker's machines<br />

4) Classic poetry<br />

5) Japanese currency<br />

6) Twine fiber<br />

7) Bell sound<br />

8) Short poem (var.)<br />

9) "Fee_ foe furn"<br />

10) Enrich<br />

11) Goes too far<br />

12) Marsh heron<br />

13) "Psst!" follower<br />

18) Airport stat.<br />

19) Billion years<br />

24) Cow sounds<br />

25) Prefix meaning "one thousandth"<br />

27) Quick cut<br />

28) Attempt to lose weight<br />

31) Prepared Bond's martini<br />

32) Work the bar<br />

33) "<strong>The</strong> Catcher in the _"<br />

34) Santa's seat?<br />

35) Gridiron game<br />

36) Mme. Bovary<br />

37) Hom of Africa nation<br />

39) "Rock the_" (<strong>The</strong> Clash hit)<br />

40) Birch tree spike<br />

42) Make an exit<br />

43) Exact retribution<br />

44) Not as great<br />

46) Legendary elephant eater<br />

4 7) Vicinities<br />

48) Move like a crab<br />

49) Coast Guard officer (abbr.)<br />

52) You right now, theme-wise<br />

53) " ... and make it fast!"<br />

55) Tokyo, long ago<br />

56) Place with a president<br />

ANSWERS CROSSWORD NO: 88<br />

FreeDailyCrosswords.com<br />

ACROSS------------,<br />

1) Life of_ (carefree<br />

existence)<br />

6) Flat-bottomed open boat<br />

11) "Shogun" sash<br />

14) Apparently amazed<br />

15) Country of over 1 billion<br />

16) Car tracking digits (abbr.)<br />

17) Gain experience<br />

20) Doubter's outbursts<br />

21) Like most NBA players<br />

22) Calorie-rich pastry<br />

23) 67.5 degrees, on a compass<br />

24) Retail center<br />

25) Fence repairer<br />

26) Bronco catcher<br />

28) Deafening noise<br />

29) Find in a mine<br />

30) Hole in your head<br />

34) Bums of documentaries<br />

35) Provider of wide-angle<br />

shots<br />

KEEP WATCH<br />

1R 21 3L 4E S y<br />

1A G A<br />

1i: u T<br />

,.. A<br />

N<br />

AB<br />

LA<br />

I L<br />

,.. A L<br />

58<br />

1<br />

37) One way to get the gravy<br />

38) Former or previous<br />

39) Affectionate utterance<br />

40) Cape_ (cottage style)<br />

41) Olympic prize<br />

45) Greyhound alternative<br />

47) Crossing the Atlantic<br />

50) Day before a holiday<br />

51) Dutch shoe<br />

52) "_ go bragh"<br />

53) Hai ry jungle creatures<br />

54) Maryland state flowers<br />

57) Be in pain<br />

58) Model of perfection<br />

59) "Beetle Bailey" character<br />

60) "2001" mainframe<br />

61) From Oslo, e.g.<br />

62) More likely<br />

N<br />

E<br />

-------<br />

D E A<br />

6<br />

N OR s<br />

HITORI NO: 88<br />

I N<br />

T H<br />

T E<br />

E R<br />

N E<br />

s lJ SAN s<br />

5<br />

SARGE<br />

6<br />

hP TE R<br />

2<strong>8th</strong> February<br />

DOWN<br />

1) "Friends" female<br />

2) Big lizard<br />

3) Woodworker's machines<br />

4) Classic poetry<br />

5) Japanese currency<br />

6) Twine fiber<br />

7) Bell sound<br />

8) Short poem (var.)<br />

9) "Fee_ foe furn"<br />

10) Enrich<br />

11) Goes too far<br />

12) Marsh heron<br />

13) "Psst!" follower<br />

18) Airport stat.<br />

19) Billion years<br />

24) Cow sounds<br />

25) Prefix meaning "one thousandth"<br />

27) Quick cut<br />

28) Attempt to lose weight<br />

31) Prepared Bond's martini<br />

32) Work the bar<br />

33) "<strong>The</strong> Catcher in the _"<br />

34) Santa's seat?<br />

35) Gridiron game<br />

36) Mme. Bovary<br />

37) Hom of Africa nation<br />

39) "Rock the_" (<strong>The</strong> Clash hit)<br />

40) Birch tree spike<br />

42) Make an exit<br />

43) Exact retribution<br />

44) Not as great<br />

46) Legendary elephant eater<br />

47) Vicinities<br />

48) Move like a crab<br />

49) Coast Guard officer (abbr.)<br />

52) You right now, theme-wise<br />

53) "... and make it fast!"<br />

55) Tokyo, long ago<br />

56) Place with a president<br />

Eliminate numbers until there are no duplicates in any row or<br />

column. Eliminate numbers by marking them in Black. You are<br />

not allowed to have two Black squares touching horizontally or<br />

vertically (diagonally is ok). Any White square can be reached<br />

from any other (i.e. they are connected).<br />

Friday, <strong>October</strong> 08, <strong>2021</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong><br />

SUDOKU SOLUSIONS AND ANSWERS NO: 88<br />

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE<br />

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS<br />

1. Which planet has the most moons?<br />

Saturn<br />

2. What part of a plant conducts<br />

photosynthesis? Leaf<br />

3. How many elements are in the periodic<br />

table? 118<br />

4. Where is the smallest bone in the<br />

human body located? Ear<br />

5. How many hearts does an octopus<br />

have?3<br />

08 <strong>October</strong> to 14 <strong>October</strong> 2921 | By Manisha Koushik<br />

ARIES (MAR 21-APR 20)<br />

A favour from someone will prove a great<br />

help on the academic front. You may remain<br />

in an upbeat mood, as a family youngster<br />

does well. Positive thoughts will keep the<br />

home environment tranquil and peaceful. By<br />

delegating tasks at work, you will be able to<br />

give attention to other pressing things. You may<br />

lend a helping hand to a relation or neighbour in organising a party<br />

or a get together. You remain fit and energetic in this week. Lucky<br />

No.:22 / Lucky Colour: Turquoise<br />

TAURUS (APR 21-MAY 20)<br />

Expect some positive changes in your life, as<br />

your lucky stars burns bright! A windfall can be<br />

expected by some on the financial front. Figure<br />

and physique that you are trying to achieve is<br />

likely to become a reality with regular workouts.<br />

A professional matter will be resolved in your<br />

favour. Meeting people from different walks of<br />

life is indicated. Lover may resent you not being able to spend<br />

more time with him or her. Take things easy. Lucky No.:11 / Lucky<br />

Colour: Lavender<br />

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUN 21)<br />

This is a good time for you to gain lost ground Some<br />

other avenues of making money may open up for<br />

you. You can expect total support of the family in<br />

a new venture. A luxury item is likely to be bought<br />

soon. Your charm is likely to impress someone of<br />

the opposite gender. A laid back attitude towards<br />

work may put you behind schedule. Impulse buying needs to be<br />

curbed to avoid wasteful expenditure. Some of you may need to<br />

shake a leg to remain fit. Lucky No.: 6 / Lucky Colour: Crimson<br />

CANCER (JUN 22-JUL 20)<br />

YYou will find great solace in spirituality and may<br />

even make changes in your lifestyle on this account.<br />

An uneventful week is foreseen which can lead to<br />

boredom. A domestic situation can have you in an<br />

emotional turmoil. Piled up work may take up a lot<br />

of your time. You can be forced to cater to some<br />

unwanted persons and made to accompany them against your will.<br />

Efforts for improving your financial condition will show positive<br />

signs. Lucky No.:17 / Lucky Colour: Navy Blue<br />

6. Who discovered penicillin? Alexander<br />

Fleming<br />

7. Queen Elizabeth II is the longest<br />

reigning monarch of the UK, followed<br />

by Queen Victoria – but who is third?<br />

George III<br />

8. Which two houses were involved in the<br />

War of the Roses? York, Lancaster<br />

9. Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced,<br />

beheaded, survived – who was Henry<br />

VIII’s last wife? Catherine Parr<br />

10. Which year did the European Union<br />

first introduce the Euro as currency?<br />

1999<br />

11. What is the capital of Bulgaria? Sofia<br />

12. What is the capital of New Zealand?<br />

Wellington<br />

13. Beirut is the capital of which country?<br />

Lebanon<br />

14. What is the capital of Canada? Ottawa<br />

Manisha Koushik is a practicing astrologer, tarot card reader, numerologist, vastu and<br />

fengshui consultant based in India with a global presence through the online channels. She is<br />

available for consultations online as well. E-mail her at support@askmanisha.com or contact<br />

at +91-11-26449898 Mobile/Whatsapp: +91-9716145644 • www.askmanisha.com<br />

LEO (JUL21-AUG 20)<br />

This is a good time to spread your wings on the<br />

professional front. You are likely to find yourself<br />

fit and full of energy in this week. Setting priorities<br />

and working on them will keep you in fine fettle<br />

on the academic front. Budgeting expenses will be<br />

a good idea. You will be much in demand on the<br />

social front. Your friends’ circle is set to expand. Romantic front<br />

appears rosy, as you meet an ideal match. Lucky No.:6 / Lucky<br />

Colour: Rosy Brown<br />

VIRGO (AUG 23-SEP 23)<br />

Things begin to look better now, as you develop<br />

a renewed interest on the academic front. You<br />

will be able to catch up on pending work on the<br />

professional front. Arrears are likely to make your<br />

bank balance healthy. You can surprise lover by<br />

revealing your romantic side. A parent may discourage you from<br />

doing something you are eager on. You can get a good bargain<br />

on property if you are persuasive enough. Remain regular in your<br />

workouts. Lucky No.: 5 / Lucky Colour: Sea Green<br />

LIBRA (SEP 24-OCT 23)<br />

You may have to go along with someone, even<br />

though your heart is not there. A soft approach<br />

in handling a subordinate will go a long way<br />

in encouraging a positive relationship. Support<br />

of other members will help ease the burden of<br />

homemakers. You will be able to find the perfect<br />

excuse for bunking office to be with lover! Some of you are likely<br />

to acquire a new skill. Freelancers will be in great demand. Lucky<br />

No.: 1 / Lucky Colour: Orange<br />

SCORPIO (OCT 24-NOV 22)<br />

Making a new beginning will not be as easy as<br />

it appears, but you will succeed. You will be<br />

able to put across your points effectively on the<br />

professional front. Work demands can force some<br />

to neglect family. Spouse may need your help in an<br />

important matter. An argument with lover cannot be<br />

ruled out; avoid it if you can. Those involved in a<br />

legal case will have to strengthen their position. Health may need<br />

care. Lucky No.:2 / Lucky Colour: Peach<br />

15. Hanoi is the capital of which country?<br />

Vietnam<br />

16. What is the capital of Argentina?<br />

Buenos Aries<br />

17. <strong>The</strong> capital of Iceland is? Reykjavik<br />

18. Slovakia’s capital is? Bratislava<br />

19. What’s the capital of Belgium?<br />

Brussels<br />

20. What is the capital of Brazil? Brasilia<br />

SAGITTARIUS (NOV 23-DEC 21)<br />

Keep your cards close to your chest, as it may<br />

matter on the career front. You are likely to come<br />

into big money of which you have no inkling now.<br />

Your expertise will be much in demand and add to<br />

your reputation at work. You are likely to become<br />

a bundle of energy as you tackle both personal and<br />

professional fronts admirably. Togetherness is likely to strengthen<br />

loving bonds as you devote time to family. Lucky No.:3 / Lucky<br />

Colour: Lemon<br />

CAPRICORN (DEC 22-JAN 21)<br />

You will start enjoying professional life and will<br />

manage to impress all. Academically, you remain<br />

on a safe wicket. You may earn a good amount<br />

by selling something at a competitive price. An<br />

opportunity to be with lover is likely to be availed<br />

by some. You may find spouse in romantic mood<br />

in this week. Advertisers and event managers<br />

will have to churn their creative juices for thinking up something<br />

original. Regular routine will keep you in good health. Lucky No.:<br />

22 / Lucky Colour: Grey<br />

AQUARIUS (JAN 22-FEB 19)<br />

You will be happy for someone, who has achieved<br />

his or her academic dreams. A task undertaken<br />

will be completed successfully. Those living<br />

separately from family can expect a spot of leave.<br />

Promised money is likely to materialise sooner<br />

than expected. Good health is assured, as you take<br />

steps to become fit. Having an enjoyable time<br />

with friends is foreseen in this week. Love pulls at the heart strings<br />

and you are likely to make music together with lover. Lucky No.:6<br />

/ Lucky Colour: Golden Brown<br />

PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 20)<br />

This is the right time to initiate something new at<br />

work. You will be able to distinguish yourself on<br />

the professional front. A difficult task can come<br />

your way, but you will be able to complete it to<br />

the satisfaction of all. Domestic front will offer<br />

peace and tranquility. You can become popular in<br />

your social circle. Those looking for love are likely<br />

to find their soul mate. Repayment of loan will pose no problem.<br />

Lucky No.: 22 / Lucky Colour: Dark Slate Grey


<strong>The</strong> <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong> Friday, <strong>October</strong> 08, <strong>2021</strong><br />

FEATURES 19<br />

Technology<br />

Google to turn on 2-factor authentication<br />

by default for 150mn users<br />

Google has announced that it is planning<br />

to auto-enroll 150 million users into<br />

the company's "two-step verification"<br />

system by the end of this year.<br />

With 2FA/2SV, when entering the password<br />

to open an app the user will receive a text<br />

message on his/her personal device with a<br />

unique one-time code to verify identity and<br />

open the app.<br />

"By the end of <strong>2021</strong>, we plan to auto-enroll<br />

an additional 150 million Google users in 2SV<br />

and require 2 million YouTube creators to turn<br />

it on," the company said in a blog post.<br />

Google says that two-step verification is<br />

"one of the most reliable ways to prevent<br />

unauthorised access to accounts and networks."<br />

<strong>The</strong> search engine giant originally introduced<br />

its effort to auto-enroll users into the two-factor<br />

authentication system back in May.<br />

iOS device owners can use Chrome to<br />

autofill saved passwords in their other apps as<br />

well, and Google says they will soon be able<br />

to use Chrome's password generation tool for<br />

any iOS app.<br />

"We also recognise that today's 2SV options<br />

aren't suitable for everyone, so we are working<br />

on technologies that provide a convenient,<br />

secure authentication experience and reduce<br />

the reliance on passwords in the long-term," the<br />

firm noted.<br />

In addition, Google has also shared the details<br />

of its Inactive Account Manager, which aims to<br />

better protect digital accounts after people stop<br />

using them.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Inactive Account Manager, available<br />

under My Account settings, allow users<br />

determine when an account should be<br />

considered inactive, whom to notify and what<br />

to share when an account is inactive.<br />

Twitch confirms massive data breach<br />

Game-streaming platform Twitch has<br />

appear to show payments made from August<br />

been the victim of a leak, reportedly<br />

or September 2019 to <strong>October</strong> <strong>2021</strong>.<br />

divulging confidential company<br />

Some versions shared online point to well<br />

information and streamers' earnings.<br />

More than 100GB of data was posted online<br />

on Wednesday. <strong>The</strong> documents appear to show<br />

Twitch's top streamers each made millions<br />

of dollars from the Amazon-owned company<br />

in the past two years. Twitch confirmed the<br />

breach and said it was "working with urgency"<br />

to understand the extent of it.<br />

In a statement posted on Twitter, the<br />

company said it would "update the community<br />

as soon as additional information is available".<br />

known streamers, including Dungeons &<br />

Dragons channel CriticalRole, Canadian xQC<br />

and American Summit1g, as being among the<br />

top earners.<br />

But the list of payments, apparently from<br />

Twitch itself, is unlikely to include sponsorship<br />

deals and other off-platform activities - or<br />

account for tax paid on income.<br />

And many, if not all, of these top streamers<br />

are effectively large-scale media operations,<br />

with their own employees and business<br />

Fortnite streamer BBG Calc told<br />

expenses - so the numbers do not represent<br />

BBC News: "<strong>The</strong> earnings list got my<br />

figure 100% correct."<br />

"take-home pay" for those listed, even if<br />

genuine.<br />

Another streamer confirmed to the BBC that<br />

their earnings were "accurate" while a third<br />

person closely linked to a high profile player<br />

said the details were "about right".<br />

Those behind the leak also claimed to have<br />

the source code for the video platform itself.<br />

Top earners<br />

<strong>The</strong> documents, shared in online forums,<br />

Google Korea to<br />

comply with new<br />

law on in-app<br />

payments<br />

Google's Korea head said the company<br />

will follow the country's new law<br />

that restricts app store operators from<br />

forcing their in-app payment systems on<br />

developers.<br />

In August, South Korea's National Assembly<br />

amended the Telecommunications Business<br />

Act barring app market operators from forcing<br />

certain payment systems on mobile content<br />

businesses by abusing their market positions.<br />

App store giants Google and Apple have<br />

been enforcing their own proprietary systems,<br />

which take commissions of up to 30 per cent<br />

from many developers, who have complained<br />

of high fees.<br />

Kim Kyung-hoon, the country's Director for<br />

Google's local unit, said the company would<br />

follow the new law after repeated questioning<br />

by lawmakers during a parliamentary audit<br />

by the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and<br />

Communications Committee, reports Yonhap<br />

news agency.<br />

"While there are areas that are regretful,<br />

we respect the law," Kim said, affirming the<br />

company will change its business model.<br />

In September, the country's<br />

telecommunications regulator said it will<br />

receive specific plans from app market<br />

operators on how they plan to abide by the new<br />

law and will also meet with app developers to<br />

discuss their grievances.


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