The Indian Weekender 26 August 2022

Friday, 26 August 2022 

Volume 14 / Issue 23 

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‘I haven’t come this 

far to be silenced’ 

Selling solutions, 

not promises 

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW 

Gaurav Sharma 

opens up 

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2 

EXCLUSIVE 

NEW ZEALAND 

Friday, August 26, 2022 

Read online www.iwk.co.nz 

I haven’t come this far to 

VENU MENON IN 

WELLINGTON 

Newly independent MP 

from Hamilton West, Dr 

Gaurav Sharma, spoke to 

the Indian Weekender following 

his expulsion from the Labour 

Party caucus. He discussed 

the events leading up to his 

removal and its aftermath. The 

interview has been edited for 

clarity and length. Excerpts: 

This is your first day as an 

independent MP in the House 

and it’s very clear that your 

expulsion has not resulted in 

your silence. In fact, you spoke 

out against outgoing Speaker 

Trevor Mallard. 

Look, I think the most important 

thing is, why am I doing this? 

I’m doing this because I am 

genuinely saying that things 

haven’t been done in the right 

way, the processes haven’t 

been followed, I have been 

bullied, other MPs have also 

been bullied. And there is an 

issue here with how the system 

is run, there’s an issue here with 

how things are done. And what 

I’m asking [for] is a fair trial 

for myself, a fair trial for other 

parties, but also hoping to help 

change the system in a positive 

way. And my fight isn’t with the 

Labour Party, my fight is with 

the system. That’s what it is. 

And it so happens to be that the 

Labour Party is in government 

at the moment, or is part of 

the system at the moment. But 

that’s what my fight is, that it’s 

against injustice, it’s against 

the way the system is set up 

and it doesn’t work. So there’s 

no point in being silent or being 

silenced there. And I haven’t 

come this far to be silenced. 

So is this going to be the trend 

from now on? Are you going to 

use parliamentary privilege to 

speak out? 

No, the intent here isn’t to just 

attack anybody or anything like 

that. It happened that today 

the Speaker had changed and 

I spoke about whatever the 

matter was for the day. [I 

was] just going back a little 

bit as well. I guess what I 

want to say is, I think people 

have different opinions about 

what’s happened in the last 

few days. When I wrote that 

article in New Zealand Herald 

on Thursday, [August 11], I 

genuinely thought that the 

Prime Minister would come out, 

[that] the Labour Party would 

come out and they would say 

that on Friday, when they were 

going to do their press release, 

that things haven’t gone 

well and they will be doing an 

independent investigation and 

that would help everybody clear 

their name. So it wasn’t [that] I 

was intending this whole plan for 

the past two weeks. Then what 

happened is, I think the Prime 

Minister said there’s no proof 

that there is bullying going on 

I was the one who made [the] complaints against the 

staff, and not the other way round. So I [raised the] staffing 

issues, [but] they didn't resolve them. And things got worse. 

So my point is, even if staff are making complaints, and 

not in every situation staff will be right or MP will be right. 

Sometimes both will have their own views of doing things. 

The point is who is investigating it? Nobody is. 

in caucus, [that] everything is 

all fine, which then led me to 

release more information about 

what happened [to] me. I had 

to name people, [but] even 

then, it wasn’t accepted. So 

then I had to put [out] some 

screenshots, obviously cutting 

off people’s name[s] there, 

which showed that other MPs 

were also being affected by 

bullying. 

So the intent was [not] to 

bring disrepute or whatever to 

people or party. My intent was 

from day one to see justice 

[is done]. And that’s why I 

just wrote an opinion piece. 

And there’s nothing wrong 

with writing an opinion piece 

and it was an opinion piece 

about how the system wasn’t 

working. Unfortunately, the 

reply to that wasn’t that let’s 

have a look at [an] independent 

[investigation], look at the 

system and see if it can be 

changed. Does it need to be 

changed? Have things gone 

wrong? Which is the right 

way to do it? An independent 

investigation, we [will] look into 

it. What happened was that 

they were trying to silence me 

and blocked me from speaking 

and then saying that there 

isn’t an issue. That’s when I 

had to release the screenshots. 

Right then we ended up at a 

point where I was told that 

there would be an independent 

[investigation], [that there] 

would be a fair caucus meeting, 

[that] I was able to present my 

side of the case. 

But then it turns out there 

was a secret meeting the night 

before, and I was made aware 

of it by somebody else [and 

a] senior as well. And then 

somebody said, well, that’s 

not true. There was no secret 

meeting. We didn’t really discuss 

these issues. Well, then there 

was an audio tape available as 

well, where somebody for 55 

minutes went on to use the 

word “predetermined” many 

times, but also talked about 

how the prime minister didn’t 

want an investigation. All of 

that was predetermined. I 

guess what I’m trying to say 

is, first of all, at every step 

of the way, it hasn’t been like 

I’ve planned it. So coming to 

your question, it’s not that I’m 

trying to use or will be using 

the parliamentary questions 

just to do this. I do want to get 

on with doing the work as well. 

But it just happened to be the 

situation that you’re in. 

Your Op-ed piece was the 

trigger. It goes to the heart 

of the problem. It proved that 

you opted for media over 

mediation. So in hindsight, do 

you think that was politically 

naive? Did you expect the 

Labour party to get up and 

order an investigation? 

So to answer your question, 

first thing is it’s not something 

that happened over one-anda-half 

weeks or two months or 

three months. It’s been going 

on for one-and-a-half years. 

And for one-and-a-half years, 

I’ve tried every office. I’ve tried 

talking [to] the relationship 

manager, their boss, their 

boss’s boss, the deputy CEO 

of Parliamentary Services, 

the CEO of Parliamentary 

Services. I’ve talked to multiple 

whips, I’ve talked to the Prime 

Minister’s office. Even when 

they didn’t come forth after 

our oral conversation, I even 

wrote an email to them. So it’s 

not something that happened 

because I didn’t try all the 

avenues. It happened because 

I tried all the avenues and 

nothing worked. 

I was already at the highest 

office in the country, which is 

the Prime Minister’s office. In 

December, I provided them all 

the evidence and talked to them 

and raised my concerns, and 

nothing happened. And then, 

this person who they should 

have looked at, because other 

MPs were getting affected by 

it, that person ends up getting 

promoted. So there was no 

Kieran McAnulty 

I'm quite active 

and will continue to 

be active because 

I'm still the Member 

of Parliament for 

Hamilton West. So 

my intention is to 

continue to work 

hard and lobby for 

my constituents. 

actual genuine concern for 

other people’s wellbeing, other 

MPs’ wellbeing as well. So going 

back to your point, it wasn’t 

that I was naive or didn’t try 

all the avenues. I went through 

every single step of the system 

before I got there. 

I also want to say, the only 

time mediation was offered was 

after I was suspended. It was 

only after I was suspended that 

they sent me a text message 

saying we are happy to do a 

mediation. 

I also want to say that you 

can’t say that I have had staffing 

issues for one-and-a-half years, 

as they said it, then I would 

take a lawyer into a meeting 

and they said there were 

never any issues and we will 

give you all the staffing rights 

and everything, and within 30 

minutes, somebody has texted 

you from Parliamentary services 

and said, it’s all good. The point 

of difference then was, well, 

you still need to investigate 

the claims I have made, where 

I’ve said that the staff were 

drunk, they didn’t show up to 

work. There were lots of other 

issues where constituents had 

raised issues, organisations 

had raised issues. So there 

were lots of things going on. 

They didn’t want to investigate 

them. All they wanted was to 

put it under the rug again and 

for me to move on. But is it not 

odd to you that for one-and-a-

Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, August 26, 2022 

EXCLUSIVE 

NEW ZEALAND 3 

be silenced: Gaurav Sharma 

half years, if there have been 

issues, I take a lawyer into the 

meeting, and then there are 

no issues? So the mediation, 

that definitely only came 

after I got suspended. I 

tried every avenue that 

there was and nobody 

paid any attention, 

nobody tried to help. 

So you exhausted all 

the avenues before you 

went to the media? 

Definitely. And I think 

the thing people have 

to realise [is] that by 

going to the media, or 

whatever has happened 

in the last two weeks, 

it doesn’t help my 

career. Why would I do 

this as the first thing 

to do? I would only 

do this if there was 

no other resort left. 

So I know that having 

done this hasn’t 

helped my career, 

but it’s also the only 

option I had left after 

going through all the 

avenues. So it wasn’t 

that I didn’t follow 

anything else, I went 

through every avenue 

I was supposed to for 

a very long period of 

time. One-and-a-half 

years is a long time, 

trying to get justice. 

Trying to get resolution. 

The staffing issues that you 

faced, were they unique to your 

office? Or did your colleagues 

also have the same issues? 

As the prime minister said, 

multiple people have had 

issues with their staff. Any 

workplace will have staffing 

issues. The question is who’s 

investigating it. If a staff makes 

a claim against an MP, who is 

investigating it? If MPs make 

claims against [their] staff, who 

is investigating it? Because the 

problem here is [that] nobody 

is investigating it. So when I say 

that I had two staff members, 

who were both drinking at work 

(one was caught drunk at work, 

the other was drinking at work), 

nobody investigated it. 

When I had a staff member 

who threw all the brochures 

that they were supposed to 

deliver on the side of the 

road, [after which] I had a 

constituent who emailed me 

and said you’re wasting tax 

payers money. All of this is 

thrown on the side of the road 

near my [the constituent’s] 

house. When I went there, I saw 

it. 

The staff member had gone 

home at 11 o’clock and was 

sleeping, and pretending as if 

they were working till 5 

o’clock. All of that 

information, 

all of those 

claims, 

are easily 

proven, 

because I 

have the 

n a m e 

of the 

My fight isn't with the Labour Party, my fight is with 

the system. That's what it is. And it so happens to be that the 

Labour Party is in government at the moment, or is part of 

the system at the moment. But that's what my fight is, that it's 

against injustice, it's against the way the system is set up and 

it doesn't work. So there's no point in being silent or being 

silenced there. 

Continued on Page 10 

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4 

EXCLUSIVE 

NEW ZEALAND 

Friday, August 26, 2022 


I haven’t come this far to be silenced: Gaurav Sharma 

constituent, have the date and time. 

Same thing with the complaints of 

drinking, they were made in writing, it’s 

all available. I was the one who made 

[the] complaints against the staff, and 

not the other way round. So I [raised 

the] staffing issues, [but] they didn’t 

resolve them. And things got worse. 

So my point is, even if staff are making 

complaints, and not in every situation 

staff will be right or MP will be right. 

Sometimes both will have their own 

views of doing things. The point is who 

is investigating it? Nobody is. 

Now that you have been expelled from 

the caucus, are you still pushing for an 

investigation? If so, given your changed 

status in the House, how close are you to 

realizing your mission of an independent 

investigation? 

I’m not the only one who has asked 

for it. We have had members from the 

party, the volunteers from the party, 

multiple community organizations who 

have actively asked for an independent 

investigation. Some of the organisations 

have actually written to the Ombudsman 

directly to see if they would investigate 

this as well. So I mean, whether you’re in 

the party or not, that doesn’t mean that 

my right to having a just and fair trial 

goes away. That applies to everybody. 

The fact that I’m not, or I am, a member 

of the Labour Party shouldn’t stop me 

from getting a fair trial or fair justice. 

Continuing to request that shouldn’t be 

a problem. 

Has your expulsion impacted your 

standing in the constituency? 

In terms of the constituency, I’ve been 

going to markets, I’ve been going to 

clinics, and this is obviously before 

I think the thing people have to realise [is] that by 

going to the media, or whatever has happened in the 

last two weeks, it doesn't help my career. Why would 

I do this as the first thing to do? I would only do this if 

there was no other resort left. So it wasn't that I didn't 

follow anything else, I went through every avenue I 

was supposed to for a very long period of time. Oneand-a-half 

years is a long time, trying to get justice. 

the expulsion because I’ve been here 

[in Wellington] since the expulsion. At 

the markets, I was doing an after-hours 

pharmacy where I do my clinics from 7 to 

9pm. That went well. I was at a school, 

that went really well, the markets went 

really well. So most people that have 

come in have been very supportive. My 

mail box is actually full of people just 

writing positive messages. And what 

they’re saying is, we appreciate that 

all you’re asking for is an independent 

investigation. I’m not saying heads should 

roll, I’m not saying fire this person or that. 

What I’m saying [is] that, for myself, I 

should get a fair trial. Also, an independent 

investigation means that people like Kieran 

McAnulty, against whom claims have been 

made, get a genuine opportunity to clear 

their name if they are in the right because 

why should this hang on their head for such 

a long time. 

Similarly, staff should get a genuine 

opportunity to be heard. Because if they 

feel aggrieved, then why not hear them 

out? What the constituents have said is that 

it’s not unreasonable to ask for something 

like this. 

How do you see your political career panning 

out from here? 

As an electorate MP, I have always been 

very passionate about the work I do in the 

community. If you look at the last one-anda-half 

years, I’ve done 52 constituent clinics, 

in marae’s, churches, schools, community 

centres, pharmacies, markets, everywhere. 

I’m very connected to people at the 

grassroots level. I try to do as much as I can 

with the constituent cases. 

I’m also very transparent. I know that’s a 

word that gets thrown around quite lightly 

these days. One example I’ll give you is of 

the hundreds of thousands of cases we get 

through our office. We have done a data 

analysis on them. How many percentage of 

cases are immigration related, MIQ related, 

DHB related, ACC related, crime-related? 

We are publishing that data, showing our 

constituents what exactly an MP does in terms 

of work. We’ve done thousands of flyers. I’m 

quite active and will continue to be active 

because I’m still the Member of Parliament for 

Hamilton West. So my intention is to continue 

to work hard and lobby for my constituents. 

Finally, Brian Tamaki of Destiny Church 

led an anti-government protest march in 

Wellington yesterday. He has invited you to 

join his new political outfit. Will you accept? 

I read it in the news that he has said that. I’ve 

had lots of parties talking to me or sending 

me messages. Most of them are about [my] 

well-being, a lot of them are [offers of] 

support. I’m sure people would want me to 

take sides one way or the other. My focus 

is on my constituents. My focus is actively 

on Hamilton. So I’m not looking at joining 

anybody.

Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 26 August, 2022 

NEW ZEALAND 5 

Proposal for rezoning of Ormiston 

Primary school hits panic button 

NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH 

Talk to any Indian parents 

in New Zealand and ask 

them what is the one 

thing they are most particular 

about as regards their children – 

and most would say ‘exemplary 

education’. 

There is no denying that 

providing good education by 

enrolling kids in a high decile 

school is a priority for parents, 

especially the Indian ones, given 

their conditioning back home. 

And when one talks about 

Auckland and particularly 

the Flatbush area, Ormiston 

school – be it primary, junior 

college and senior college is 

the preferred choice for many 

Indian parents. 

Many parents have bought or 

rented homes in the Flat Bush 

area, which is in the zone for 

the Ormiston schools. 

However, now many are in a 

state of panic as there has been 

a proposal by the Ministry of 

Education (MoE) to amend the 

enrolment zone for Ormiston 

Primary School. 

The MoE is currently 

undertaking consultation about 

the proposed changes, which 

will end on Friday, Sept 2. When 

a decision is made, the changes 

“The proposed 

scheme is picking 

and making random 

discrimination on 

a certain block 

of houses not 

considering that 

Chapel Downs School 

cannot be compared 

to Ormiston Primary in 

terms of infrastructure 

and quality of 

education provided.” 

will be effective starting 

Jan 1’ 2023. 

Fearing its repercussions, an 

online petition, “We Oppose 

Ormiston Primary School 

rezoning” has been started, 

which has got more than 250 

signatures so far. 

According to the petition, 

the consequences of rezoning 

would be that kids currently 

living in the already existing 

Ormiston Primary school inzone 

area and enrolling in 

Ormiston Primary school after 

Jan 1, 2023 will need to be 

enrolled in Chapel Downs School 

of Decile 2. 

‘Rezoning is unfair’ 

One of the signatories, Bal Pillay, 

says, “I oppose the zoning as 

we have spent a lot of money 

to buy a house which qualified 

in Ormiston school zone, and 

we wanted our kids to start 

their education from primary to 

secondary in one school. 

If the MoE had plans to change 

the zone, this should have been 

notified to the people buying 

in these zones when the subdivisions 

got completed. We 

have been misled here, and this 

will not only affect the future 

of our kids but the financial 

distress it will cause to families 

as the house prices will drop 

due to the change in zoning.” 

Sharing the same concerns, 

Abhishek Sood says, “I am the 

owner of the house currently 

zoned for Ormiston primary. 

I bought the house in June 

2022 with the primary purpose 

of enrolling my daughter in 

Ormiston Primary. 

"This is so discriminating and 

unfair to pull out our section 

of houses from the zoned area 

and defeats our purpose of 

purchasing the property here.” 

Another signatory Ritika Sood 

points out, “The proposed 

scheme is picking and making 

random discrimination on a 

certain block of houses not 

considering that Chapel Downs 

School cannot be compared to 

Ormiston Primary in terms of 

infrastructure and quality of 

education provided.” 

Indian Weekender got in touch 

with the MoE to know their take 

on the issue, particularly about 

the distress faced by those 

who are likely to be affected by 

the rezoning. 

“We need to respond to the 

growth occurring at Ormiston 

Primary School, which is 

close to capacity.” 

MoE hautū (leader) Te Tai Raro 

(North) Isabel Evans maintains 

that the population growth in 

the Ormiston Mission Heights 

catchment is the reason behind 

this proposed decision. 

“Flatbush is one of the fastest 

growing areas in the country, 

and ensuring schools can meet 

the school-aged population 

growth is a priority. 

"There are expected to be 

5550 additional dwellings 

in this catchment, and the 

network of schools will need 

to accommodate close to 

another 3000 students,” 

explained Evans. According to 

Evans, the Ministry has been 

working closely with these 

schools to develop a plan to 

deal with this growth. 

• Continued to Page 6

6 

NEW ZEALAND 

HOWICK WARD 

Maurice 

Williamson 

Maurice Williamson was the 

member of parliament for 

Pakuranga (included Howick) for 

30 years. He has recently returned 

to New Zealand from a diplomatic 

posting as New Zealand’s Consul 

General in Los Angeles and is also 

standing for the Auckland Council 

here in the Howick Ward. 

Together we have serious 

concerns for how the Auckland 

Council has been managed. 

Rates keep rising, spending 

exceeds income and debt is 

ballooning. Of more concern 

is the fact the wishes of the 

general public are being just 

totally ignored. Your vote can 

ensure Auckland’s future. 

Sharon 

Stewart 

Sharon Stewart QSM is standing 

for re-election to the Auckland 

Council to continue serving 

the community that she loves. 

Having lived here for most of 

her life, her family history within 

the district goes back over 100 

years. 

Friday, 26 August, 2022 

Just 5% of Indian nationals’ 

visitor visa applications approved 


After a series of lockdowns and 

travel restrictions for over 

two years owing to the global 

Covid-19 pandemic, New Zealand finally 

had the final stage of its structured 

re-opening plan on July 31 July 2022, 

when the visitor, as well as all student 

categories, re-opened. 

The Indian community in NZ has been 

waiting for borders to open fully so they 

can have their families and friends over 

for a visit or to study. 

Indian Weekender got in touch with 

Immigration NZ to get the latest data on 

the application they have received from 

Indian nationals so far since July 31 in 

the visitor and student visa category. 

Responding to IWK’s query, 

Michael Carley, Acting General Manager, 

Border and Visa Operations, said, “The NZ 

border re-opened in a staged approach, 

with the final step of re-opening on July 

31 to student and visitor visas as part of 

our Reconnecting NZ strategy. 

INZ has received 7,833 visitor visa 

applications from Indian nationals since 

July 31. Of these, 402 applications have 

been approved so far, with a total of 514 

people included in these applications.” 

This means only around 5 percent 

of visitor visa applications by Indian 

nationals have been approved according 

to the latest data. 

As for student visa applications from 

Indian nationals since July 31, Carley 

said, “INZ has received 644 student visa 

applications from Indian nationals since 

July 31. Of these, 67 applications have 

been approved so far.” 

Considering the increased number 

of visa applications due to border 

re-opening, INZ has confirmed that 

they are well geared to process 

the increased workload. 

According to Carley, INZ is strongly 

committed to ensuring they play their 

part in reconnecting New Zealand with 

the world. 

“We are confident that the work we 

have been doing to improve processes 

and build capability in the system 

through our people and technology 

means we are well placed to deliver a 

good customer experience. 

This includes building capacity and 

capability to ensure timely visa decisions 

for applicants across all visa categories 

can be delivered,” says Carley. 

Interestingly, Carley claims that INZ 

JH17538 

had been planning since July 2021 

to return INZ’s workforce to a level 

appropriate for when the borders reopened. 

“We made system changes that have 

improved efficiencies in processing and 

freed up capacity. 

"This included moving more visa 

categories onto our enhanced 

Immigration Online platform, which 

allows for greater efficiency in processing 

visas through the automation of routine 

tasks,” signed off Carley. 


Full house Atif Aslam 

show turns into a big party 

SANDEEP SINGH 

The enchanted fans of the king of 

romantic melodies and Bollywood 

singer Atif Aslam were left 

wanting for more, even after three 

hours of continuous power-packed 

performance at a concert in Trust Arena 

last week. Fans thronged in front of the 

stage and converted the gig into one big 

party to the delight of concertgoers. 

Held on Friday, August 19, the show 

was an absolute choker blocker with 

more than 4500 revellers present in the 

Trusts Arena. 

Bringing his pop star-like charisma and 

act on the stage, Aslam was quick to 

establish a direct connection with the 

music fans present in the auditorium 

from the very start and delivered one 

after another popular Bollywood songs 

keeping fans glued to their seats. 

The auditorium reverberated with 

choruses when Aslam encouraged them 

to sing along with him on some of his 

most famous Bollywood songs – Tere 

Sang Yara, Dil Diyan Gallan, Main rang 

Shartbaton ka, O mere Khuda. 

In between his melodious songs, Aslam 

also delighted his female fans by signing 

on some of their posters depicting 

their love for the famous musician and 

Bollywood singer leaving them further 

enamoured with him. 

One of the attractions of the Atif 

Aslam show was a small musical tribute 

paid to legendary musicians of the Indian 

subcontinent Lata Mangeshkar and 

Pakistani folk singer Reshma. 

• Continued from Page 5 

“In the short term, we need to 

respond to the growth occurring at 

Ormiston Primary School, which is close 

to capacity. 

"We’ll provide extra classrooms so 

the school can accommodate 1200 

students places, and we’ll amend the 

school’s enrolment scheme, so its zone 

is appropriate for its capacity,” she says. 

Evans maintains that if they continue 

to provide classrooms at the three 

schools, they could collectively cater 

for more than 7000 students, but 

this would put significant pressure 

on their infrastructure and ability to 

deliver the curriculum. 

“The proposed amendment to 

the Ormiston Primary School zone 

will change the pathway for new 

families living in the amended area to 

Chapel Downs School, which is also 

amending its zone. 

"Chapel Downs School is on a large 

site, and there’s lots of scope to increase 

its capacity. 

"The option to establish a new 

junior college in the area will also be 

explored, along with a new primary 

school,” she says. 

These proposed zone changes won’t 

affect existing families with children 

already enrolled at the school. Younger 

siblings will also be able to attend as 

though they were in-zone students as 

long as they continue to live at their 

current address after the zone change is 

made, assures Evans. 

For more details: https://consultation. 

education.govt.nz/education/ormistonschools-enrolment-schemes/ 

The concert was presented by Taarish 

Entertainment and Red Chillies with 

Forum Films as a marketing partner 

and the Indian Weekender as print 

media partners, along with other media 

partners. 

Expressing satisfaction on the super 

success of the show Pritesh Raniga of 

Forum Films said, “It gives us immense 

pleasure to bring such exciting shows 

for the people of Auckland and see them 

enjoying every moment of the evening.” 

“Forum Films remains committed 

to entertain Aucklanders through 

various films, musical shows and other 

productions,” Raniga said.


NEW ZEALAND 7 

Lifetime award for tireless 

community leader 

DEV NADKARNI 

Harshad K. Patel, one of the 

Kiwi-Indian community’s most 

dedicated volunteer-workers has 

been conferred the Lifetime Achievement 

Award for his nearly four decades-long 

services to the community. 

Harshadbhai, as he is fondly addressed 

by the community, was presented with a 

plaque and a framed certificate at India’s 

76th Independence Day celebrations 

at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre on 21 

August, in the presence of prominent 

political and community leaders, 

diplomats and a capacity crowd that had 

gathered for the celebrations. 

Dhansukh Lal and Narendra Bhana, 

the Presidents of the Auckland Indian 

Association and New Zealand Indian 

Central Association (NZICA) restively; 

Honorary Consul of India Bhav Dhillon 

and Bhartiya Samaj’s Jeet Suchdev 

jointly presented the award to 

Harshadbhai on stage. 

In his short acceptance speech, an 

emotional Harshadbhai thanked the 

community for its love and for the 

opportunity to work for Kiwi-Indians. 

Since moving to New Zealand from his 

native Gujarat state in western India in 

1974, Harshadbhai has tirelessly worked 

for over four of the nearly five decades 

living in New Zealand as a volunteer in 

many capacities to serve the community. 

He has strived hard to bring the 

community together through events, 

activities and initiatives. 

Associated with the century-old 

Auckland Indian Association for more 

than 30 years, he has served as its 

President from 1999 to 2002 and again 

from 2008-2012. He also served as 

Vice President for five years, chairman 

of the entertainment committee for 

Tamaki hijacks Parliament protest movement 

VENU MENON IN WELLINGTON 

As the protestors gathered at 

Civic Square and proceeded 

towards Parliament on 

August 23, clogging the streets, 

Wellingtonians braced themselves for 

a repeat of the Parliament Occupation 

witnessed in March. 

From Parliament, Prime Minister 

Jacinda Ardern implored the protestors 

to be “peaceful and lawful.” 

This time the anti-government 

protestors were led by Bishop Brian 

Tamaki of the Destiny Church. 

In contrast to the mayhem that 

attended the 23-day siege of the 

Parliament precincts witnessed nearly 

six months ago, the Tamaki-led protest 

was orderly and peaceful. 

But the authorities were taking no 

chances. Parliament was fenced off by 

bollards and road blocks in anticipation of 

trouble. Police maintained a heightened 

presence in the surrounding area. Buses 

were diverted. 

The protestors, numbering around 

1500 people according to police 

estimates, surged towards the 

Parliament grounds. 

Tamaki delivered an anti-government 

sermon before the crowd dispersed by 

Harshadbhai is 

a true inspiration 

to young leaders,” 

NZICA President 

Narendra Bhana 

said, speaking to 

Indian Weekender. 

“He was one of the 

main community leaders 

responsible to raise a 

significant amount of 

funding for the development 

of Mahatma Gandhi Centre in 

early 90s.” 

over two decades. He was leader of 

the team fundraising for the Mahatma 

Gandhi Centre and the Radha Krishna 

Temple. He has organised the Navrati 

Festival for more than 30 years, and has 

been a member of Access Community 

Radio. He is also a past-president of the 

New Zealand Indian Central Association 

(NZICA). 

Harshadbhai started his professional 

career in NZ as an officer in bulk tonnage 

with NZ Railways then moving to work 

with NZ Famers Fertilizer as Research 

and Development technician, as he had a 

around 2 pm. 

Except for some verbal altercations 

between Tamaki’s followers and a 

crowd of counter protestors opposed to 

him, the event passed off without any 

incident. 

It was clear that this protest was 

radically different from the earlier 

Parliament occupation. 

The original anti-vaccine mandate 

protest movement had been hijacked 

by Tamaki and transformed into a 

platform to serve his new-found political 

ends: Tamaki has formed a three-party 

political alliance called Freedoms NZ. 

While Tamaki’s critics, drawn from the 

Bachelor’s degree 

in chemistry from 

India. 

The Kiwi-Indian 

community was 

much smaller than 

it is today when 

Harshadbhai and his 

wife migrated to NZ 

and he felt the need to 

rally the community together to 

celebrate the regional, cultural, religious 

and national festivals collectively. 

He worked to bring the small yet 

diverse community together for 

Diwali, Navratri and national days like 

Independence Day. 

Being a musician himself, he was able 

to play and present the event along with 

the help of other volunteers. 

A self-taught musician, Harshadbhai 

plays several Indian musical instruments 

like keyboards, piano, accordion, flute 

and banjo, and has been deeply involved 

in musical and cultural initiatives over the 

years. He coordinated and participated 

in the Indian folk dance at the opening 

ceremony of The Commonwealth Games 

in 1990 held in Auckland. 

He was production manager and music 

director of the Golden Jubilee Concert of 

the Auckland Indian Sports Club at The 

Auckland town hall in November 1986. 

anti-mandate groups who spearheaded 

the earlier protest marches that resulted 

in the Parliament occupation, complained 

the movement had been diluted, others 

welcomed the fact that the protest led 

by Tamaki was eschewing violence and 

endorsing the democratic process. 

Addressing the gathering outside 

Parliament, Tamaki called his new 

political coalition the “umbrella of hope”, 

and said MP for Hamilton West, Gaurav 

Sharma, who was expelled from Labour, 

“should get in touch.” 

In April, the original protestors 

had regrouped and sought 

to stage a comeback. 

He has been organising the cultural 

programme for India’s national days 

(January 26 and August 15) with other 

volunteers for several years. 

He was instrumental in bringing 

Access Radio permanently for the 

ethnic community, serving on its radio 

committee for many years besides the 

TV committee for five years. 

“Harshadbhai is a true inspiration 

to young leaders,” NZICA President 

Narendra Bhana said, speaking to Indian 

Weekender. “He was one of the main 

community leaders responsible to raise 

a significant amount of funding for the 

development of Mahatma Gandhi Centre 

in early 90s.” 

Current President of the Auckland 

Indian Association Inc. Dhansukh Lal 

said, “He was instrumental in bringing me 

into the AIAI when I served as Assistant 

Secretary in 2009 under his leadership. 

He had personally guided me all through 

and under his guidance and support I am 

today the President of this Association.” 

Harshadbhai has been the recipient 

of the Kiwi Indian Community Service 

Excellence award 2019, which he 

received at the hands of then Indian High 

Commissioner to New Zealand Muktesh 

Pardeshi at the Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame 

awards. 

Earlier in 2016, he was conferred the 

Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for his 

services to the community from former 

Governor General of NZ, Sir Anand 

Satyanand. 

The protestors, who had borne 

the brunt of the police crackdown 

that ended their three-week siege of 

Parliament in March, resurfaced with a 

different strategy. 

Rather than amassing at a single point, 

the protestors had gathered at various 

locations throughout the CBD as part 

of a two-week campaign to draw public 

attention to what they described as the 

government’s misleading messaging and 

faulty policies around Covid-19. That 

was then. 

Now, Tamaki’s protest movement has 

politics at its core, rather than Covid-19. 

“The government is lying to the 

people,” a Tamaki-led protestor told the 

Indian Weekender. 

“They are leading us down a road that 

is detrimental to us and our freedoms.” 

Freedom was the main theme of the 

Tamaki-led protestors who took to the 

streets in Wellington.

8 

NEW ZEALAND 

Spreading 

Uttarakhand’s 

uniqueness 




Being home to four great 

Hindu religious sites – 

Gangotri, Yamunotri, 

Badrinath and Kedarnath, 

Uttarakhand is perhaps one of 

the most divine states of India. 

Described by many as the 

land of the Gods, the land – 

that boasts of the towering 

Himalayas, scenic natural 

beauty, exotic flora and 

fauna – lures everyone from 

everywhere. 

But those from Uttarakhand in 

New Zealand, numbering some 

six thousand, are also doing 

their bit to ensure their culture 

is kept alive in Aotearoa. And 

one such organisation which 

endeavours to do the same is 

the Devbhoomi Association of 

New Zealand (DANZ). 

In this seventeenth part of 

our series on cultural Indian 

associations across New 

Zealand, we look closely at the 

Wellington-based Devbhoomi 

Association of New Zealand, 

which has around 600 members 

and its body of work. 

Giving information about 

how DANZ came into being, its 

media in-charge, Manas Rawat, 

says, “Our organisation came 

into being in 2016 when some 

like-minded people got together 

who had a feeling of giving back 

to the community. Following 

Australasian Tapas competition winner announced 


It was a big day for the chefs 

competing at the fourth edition of 

the Australasian Tapas Competition. 

The event on Monday (August 22) at 

Ignite Colleges in Wiri saw contestants 

being judged by renowned names like 

Masterchef Sanjeev Kapoor, World Tapas 

competition organiser Angel Moreton 

and New Zealand celebrity chefs Simon 

Gault, Ken o Connel, Sam Brotherston 

and Karl Heinrich. 

The contest had chefs from around 

the country battle it out for the top 

place. The day’s winner was Amber 

Heaton, who flew in from Australia. It 

may be noted that Amber will represent 

Australia at the 6th World Tapas 

competition, which is supported by city 

hall of Valladolid, in an all-expenses paid 

trip to Spain in November. 

Speaking to Indian Weekender, she 

said, “I feel honoured to have been able 

to win this contest. I worked hard, and 

it is always great to see your hard work 

paying off. I look forward to making 

Australia proud in Spain.” 

The runner-up of the event was Yee 

Tuk. He would be representing NZ in 

the same, a constitution was 

drafted, and a non-profitable 

society was registered. The 

first AGM took place in April 

2016.” 

Uttarakhand is a very young 

state but is a cradle of ancient 

civilisation, and each region 

in the state carries unique 

knowledge of art-forms, culture, 

history, language and literature. 

“The main motive was to 

preserve this culture and at the 

same time share and learn from 

others. We also aspire to spread 

awareness among our members 

to become productive members 

of our kiwi community. We also 

work towards acting as a bridge 

between the New Zealanders 

and Indian diaspora, through 

finding common grounds and 

activities,” says Rawat. 

Spain. Interestingly, this is for the first 

time that two winners will be competing 

in Spain since they both represent two 

different countries. 

While the award for the most 

innovative Tapas went to Norka, Veenal 

Reddy won the best concept Tapas. 

The event was graced by dignitaries 

Honorary Consul of India Bhav Dhillon and 

Ms Ana Lucia Vich Gadella, Counsellor 

(Trade and Economic) of the Embassy 

of Spain in NZ. It was sponsored by HTT, 

Nestle and Southern Hospitality. 

Masterchef Sanjeev Kapoor, who 

travelled from India to judge this contest, 

was all praise for the contestants. “I had 

judged many culinary contests, but this 

Apart from celebrating all 

important national festivals, 

DANZ holds regular gatherings 

to commemorate events 

unique to Uttarakhand, such 

as ‘fool-dehi’, which is marked 

by kids collecting flowers and 

exchanging them for sweets 

from the elders. In 2019 DANZ 

hosted an event called ‘Baduli’ 

where one of the legendary 

singers from Uttarakhand 

(Padma Shree Awardee) 

Narendra Singh Negi performed 

along with some other famous 

artists in Wellington. 

The community members 

also hold language classes and 

storytelling sessions for the 

kids. The community members 

also have informal career 

workshops for youth and act as 

mentors. 

“We also regularly participate 

in city council events where we 

won a koha (Te reo for a gift) 

and are closely associated with 

the Indian High commission. We 

have continuously celebrated 

‘Holi’ since 2016, which has 

been celebrated not only 

with colours but also with 

unique food and dress from 

Uttrakhand,” says Rawat, 

who feels it is essential to 

have cultural organisations 

in the Kiwi-Indian community 

as it helps to preserve the 

uniqueness of diversity we hold. 

Considering the health 

situation, DANZ is planning 

social activities in the summer. 

They will start with the “masterchef 

Uttarakhand” competition, 

I had judged many 

culinary contests, but 

this one was certainly one of 

the toughest to judge. I was 

surprised to see the talent 

and imagination showcased 

by the participants. It is 

great to see NZ on the world 

culinary platter and young 

chefs making a difference.” 

Sanjeev Kapoor 

one was certainly one of the toughest 

to judge. 

and planning for the Diwali 

celebration is already on the 

way. 

On a parting note, when 

asked about the future of the 

DANZ, Rawat says, “We want to 

be involved more in community 

work. We want to make the 

informal activities we conduct 

for careers and other things 

more structured and regular. 

We are actively looking to 

make it a registered charitable 

society and look for funding 

from councils for assistance.” 

"I was surprised to see the talent 

and imagination showcased by the 

participants. It is great to see New 

Zealand on the world culinary platter 

and young chefs making a difference,” 

he said. 

The competition’s organiser and NZ 

Chefs Auckland Vice-President Jasbir 

Kaur couldn’t contain her excitement. 

“It is so amazing to have the 

competition up and running after a year 

due to the pandemic. I am amazed at 

the talent we have witnessed today at 

our premises of Ignite Colleges. 

"I firmly believe that these competitions 

provide chefs with the opportunity to 

exercise their creative skills and prove 

their competitive edge,” said Kaur, who 

has competed in the 2017 world Tapas 

competition in Valladolid and has been a 

judge at the 2018 Spanish World Tapas 

competition.


NEW ZEALAND 9 

Record crowds at MG Centre as 

Diaspora jointly celebrates India’s I-Day 

SANDEEP SINGH 

The tradition of all major 

community organisations 

of Auckland coming 

together to host one joint 

Independence Day celebration 

has not lost its sheen in the last 

two successive years of Covid 

related disruption, as big crowds 

of the Kiwi-Indian community 

descended on Mahatma Gandhi 

Centre on Sunday, August 21. 

If there was any iota of 

doubt that the previously 

demonstrated mutually shared 

resolve of most diaspora 

organisations in Auckland to 

host one common celebration 

of India’s national day events 

has eroded in the last two 

disruptive years of the Covid 

and consequent inaction, was 

firmly laid to rest, as thousands 

of people came together for 

the flag hoisting and colourful 

cultural performances. 

To mark the special occasion 

of the 75th anniversary of 

India’s Independence Day and 

coinciding with the chain of 

global events as the part of the 

government of India’s Azadi ka 

Amrut Mahotsav celebrations, a 

battery of dignitaries, both local 

and from overseas, including 

a special cultural troupe from 

India attended the event. 

Among the dignitaries present 

on the occasion, key were, Mayor 

of Auckland Phil Goff; Minister 

of Immigration, Transport 

& Workplace Relations, 

Michael Wood; Minister of 

Ethnic Communities, Priyanca 

Radhakrishnan; Associate 

Minister of Immigration Phil 

Twyford; National Party Leader 

Chris Luxon; Labour Party MP Dr 

Deborah Russell; Dr Annae Neru 

Levasa; National Party MP Chris 

Penk; former Kiwi-Indian MP 

Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi; Auckland 

Mayoral candidate Efeso Collins; 

former Governor General of 

NZ Sir Anand Satyanand, Hon 

Consul of India Bhav Dhillon, 

the newly appointed Charge de 

Affairs at the High Commission 

of India, Wellington, Mukesh 

Ghiya, and Padma Shri awardee 

celebrity chef of India, 

Sanjeev Kapoor. 

The Indian tricolour was 

hoisted sharp at 10.30 am 

from the stage collectively by 

all dignitaries and prominent 

community leaders – in a show 

of unity and togetherness – and 

was immediately followed by 

the singing of India’s national 

anthem and loud cheers of 

Bharat Mata ki Jai. 

The event had an 

unmistakable sense of 

patriotism to mark India’s 

Independence Day celebrations 

and an accompanying sense of 

jubilation after having missed 

the opportunity to come 

together in such big numbers in 

the last two years. 

Cultural performances from 

every region of India 

Auckland Indian Diaspora 

Organisation – the overarching 

body of more than forty 

community associations of 

Auckland – ensured that 

the cultural programme 

showcased the rich culture of 

every region of India. 

Anuradha School of Dance 

presented a wonderful medley/ 

amalgamation of four classical 

dance forms from four regions 

of India including three 

from the southern states – 

Bharatnatyam (Tamil Nadu), 

Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh), 

Mohiniyattam (Kerala) and 

Kathak (Uttar Pradesh – North 

India). 

Special Bhangra 

troupe from India 

A special Bhangra troupe was 

sent by the government of 

India’s Indian Council of Cultural 

Relations to perform at India’s 

Independence Day celebrations 

event in Auckland. 

Notably, as part of 

fostering and strengthening 

cultural relations and mutual 

understanding between India 

and other countries, ICCR sends 

special cultural performers to 

key global events. 

In New Zealand, till now, 

ICCR has been sponsoring and 

sending cultural performers for 

the Auckland and Wellington 

Diwali festivals – one of the two 

mega celebrations of Indian 

culture in this part of the world. 

The fact that this year a special 

cultural troupe had been sent 

to the joint Independence Day 

event held at Mahatma Gandhi 

centre, bringing together most 

of the community associations 

and a large number of the Kiwi- 

Indian community affirms that 

this joint-celebratory event 

is also rated very high within 

the government of India’s 

international cultural calendar. 

Contributions of Kiwi-Indian 

community and NZ-India 

relations affirmed 

Every dignitary speaking from 

the stage or with the Indian 

Weekender acknowledged 

the contribution of the Indian 

diaspora in every realm of 

public life in NZ ranging from 

society, economy, business, 

and culture. 

Minister of Immigration 

Michael Wood and National 

Party Leader Chris Luxon 

reiterated the support of the 

Kiwi-Indian community to their 

respective Labour and National 

Parties. 

Outgoing Mayor of Auckland 

and the former Labour MP 

of Mt Roskill – one of the 

most ethnically diverse 

suburbs of Auckland – Phil 

Goff, who remains immensely 

popular within the Kiwi- 

Indian community, used the 

opportunity to revisit his deep 

connection with the Mahatma 

Gandhi Centre and the broader 

Indian community. 

Community Leaders resolutely 

express ‘unity in diversity’ 

Almost every prominent 

community leader, such as 

Jeet Suchdev of Bhartiya Samaj 

Charitable Trust, Dhansukh Lal 

of Auckland Indian Association, 

Narendra Bhana of New Zealand 

Indian Central Association and 

Sunil Kaushal of Waitakere 

Indian Association – expressed 

satisfaction with the coming 

together of the majority of 

associations for one joint 

celebration. 

“With standing room only, 

the event was a testament to 

the unity of the Indian Diaspora 

in NZ. We need to continue to 

work together as Kiwi Indians 

to ensure we stand united, 

with our regional diversity 

being celebrated not just at 

Independence or Republic days 

but also in supporting each 

other’s regional events. United 

we stand and divided we fall,” 

Sunil Kaushal said. 

Hon Consul of India expresses 

satisfaction with the success of 

the event 

Hon Consul of India, Bhav 

Dhillon, was clearly elated 

with the success of the 

event and extended thanks 

to all dignitaries, community 

leaders and the members of 

the public for coming out in 

big numbers to be part of the 

biggest celebrations of India’s 

Independence Day in Auckland. 

“Overall, it was a very well 

attended event which added 

to the respect and mana of our 

Indian Community here in NZ 

and was a true reflection of the 

growth and strength of Brand 

India on the global stage.” 

“This is an example of a 

united diaspora which has 

rightly risen above divisiveness 

to reinforce the true nature 

of India’s unity and diversity, 

emphatically rejecting any 

attempts at divisiveness,” Mr 

Dhillon concluded.

10 

NEW ZEALAND 


Bringing Mumbai’s 


flavours to Christchurch 

MAHESH KUMAR 

and smart decisions like promoting takeaways, 

click-and-collect etc. 

Anup Nathu, a second-generation 

Nathu also thanks his patrons and 

immigrant and first-generation 

community for supporting them during 

entrepreneur, holds the 

the hard times. He also maintains that 

distinction of introducing Indian cuisine 

the next 3-4 months will also be little 

to Christchurch and operates two 

challenging before things settle down 

hugely popular and trend-setting Indian 

restaurants in the heart of the city. 

Besides being a veteran restaurateur 

and having a solid reputation of building 

the business from scratch, Nathu is also 

a seasoned cricketer, having played 

first-class matches for Canterbury and 

and go back to pre-covid levels. 

The couple has three daughters who 

have been involved in the business at 

various stages. They have seen the hard 

work their parents put into the business 

and also learnt the ropes. 

During the peak of Covid, his daughter 

Wellington. Nathu remains active in 

“I 

Aneri opened the Auckland branch of 

cricket and is president of Canterbury 

am grateful business, consolidate 

Mumbaiwala at the busy Ponsonby Road. 

Cricket. 

for cricket as it the operations 

Nathu says it was difficult to open amid 

Nathu grew up in the Wellington of the 

opened many doors for and evolve their 

a raging pandemic, but we did not want 

1960s and 70s in an ethnically diverse 

me and connected me offering to the 

to let the opportunity go as the location 

community with a sizeable Pacific and 

with people who became next level. 

was great and now we are happy with 

Indian migrant population. Sports played 

friends for life and Mumbaiwala 

the progress it is making. 

a big part in Nathu’s childhood, with 

were instrumental in was the result 

Nathus also set up Permit Room in 

cricket dominating his life growing up. 

turning me into an of this evolution. 

Christchurch, which is a colonial-India 

Early on, he realised he was good at 

entrepreneur. It opened on 

themed restaurant located in Isaac 

the game and spent considerable time 

Hereford St in 2016. 

House opposite Victoria Square. It is a 

playing and practicing during school 

Nathu says he was 

historic building built in 1920s that has 

and university. Just in the typical 

impressed with UK’s iconic Dishoom 

been empty since the earthquake. The 

Indian tradition, Nathu not only played 

restaurant. The couple decided to adopt 

restaurant offers South-Indian food with 

excellent cricket but was also great at 

its concept for the Christchurch market, 

shared plates, vegetarian/vegan and sea 

studies, especially in math. 

offering a fresh take on Indian cuisine. 

food. It has a small menu but done well. 

After university, Nathu spent a year in 

Mumbaiwala is not your usual curry place 

Located near Christchurch’s new 

Anup Nathu 

England on a scholarship to play cricket. 

but an upmarket restaurant that serves 

convention centre, surrounded by 

In 1983, he moved to Christchurch to background in the industry, they did their 

street-style Indian food in a unique 

various tourist attractions, the place has 

play for Canterbury and spent the next homework right, and when they opened 

setting. As always, Nathu’s focus on 

a great future once tourists return to 

eight years playing at various levels Tandoori Palace in 1990, it immediately 

customer service is unmissable. 

the country. 

along with cricketing legends such as gained popularity. It was the first proper 

Says he, “We felt a sense of pride 

Nathu is content with life and says, 

Sir Richard Hadlee and Martin Crowe. He restaurant in Christchurch offering 

as Mumbaiwala was the first licensed 

“I am grateful for cricket as it opened 

played as an opening batsman with John Indian cuisine back then. 

restaurant to come back in Christchurch 

many doors for me and connected me 

Wright, another legend who was also the Within three months of opening 

CBD after the earthquake. 

with people who became friends for life 

first foreign coach of the Indian national the place, Nathu quit his job to focus 

In our offering, we intentionally moved 

and were instrumental in turning me 

cricket team. Nathu played 45 first-class on running the restaurant fulltime. 

away from having lots of curries on 

into an entrepreneur. I am happy to be 

or List A matches. 

While the place was doing well, there 

the menu. We also chose the location 

associated with Canterbury cricket as 

At the same time, Nathu joined KPMG, were various challenges as well, and 

carefully to be at the hub of tourism in 

it keeps me in touch with the young 

having graduated with an accounting the couple put in long hours at work 

the city.” 

generation. We love Christchurch and 

degree. 

streamlining the operations, interacting 

Mumbaiwala gives its patrons a 

believe in this city. The rebuilding work 

He married Sadhana a laboratory with the customers and improving the 

different ambience and makes you feel 

which is going on is terrific, and the city 

technician, and life was generally good services based on their feedback. 

as if you just walked on a Mumbai street. 

will grow immensely becoming truly 

with a young family, a steady job and Nathu remembers those days as full 

Rustic, old-world charm of the great city 

world-class in the next few years.” 

cricket still a big part of his life. His entry of excitement and hard work. Customers 

has been painstakingly recreated with 

into the hospitality industry happened were happy, business was booming and 

many authentic artifacts, etc., brought 

by chance. 

soon, they had eight outlets, including in 

in from India. 

He credits his entrepreneurial journey Rotorua and Queenstown. 

The last two years have been 

to his friends who pushed him to set up Then the Christchurch earthquake 

challenging with the pandemic induced 

a restaurant on a commercial property happened, which devastated the city. It 

lockdown when they suddenly found 

they had bought but could not lease also eliminated three of Nathu’s outlets. 

they had no revenue. They managed 

out due to the recession. With no It turned out to be a big turning point for 

to weather the storm with a few timely 

Nathu, who decided to restructure the 

Teeyan Da Mela performances steal the show 

MAHESH KUMAR 

Organised by Nitika 

Bhuller and Hitesh 

Sharma, Teeyan Da 

Mela Christchurch was another 

successful event with a great 

turnout from the community, 

which attended in full 

traditional attire and witnessed 

some fantastic performances. 

The festival season has 

indeed kicked off. 

After the lull of two years, 

there are community events 

galore all over New Zealand. 

And Christchurch is also having 

a busy event season. 

The latest in the list was 

Teeyan Da Mela, celebrated 

on 20 August at La Vida 

Conference Centre, keenly 

awaited by the Punjabi 

community in Christchurch. 

Teeyan Da Mela refers to 

the Punjabi name of the Teej 

festival as celebrated in Punjab 

and Haryana. 

The festival is dedicated 

to the onset of the monsoon 

and focuses on womendaughters 

and sisters. The 

festival is all about happiness, 

fun and prosperity. 

Traditionally, it is 

celebrated with swings, 

new clothes, jewellery and 

traditional ornaments. 

The event saw around 600 

members of Christchurch’s 

Punjabi and wider communities 

come together. 

La Vida Conference Centre 

was decked up in traditional 

Punjabi decore with scenes 

from Punjab village, providing 

the perfect backdrop for 

obligatory selfies and family 

photos. 

A huge line of people stood 

patiently in front of the Novelty 

Sweet counter to sample some 

authentic Indian food. 

The highlight of the event 

was undoubtedly the lineup 

of performances by some 

spirited artists including 

young kids, women of all ages 

and punjabi gabrus. 

Performances ranged from 

singing and dancing in the 

traditional Bhangra and Giddha 

styles. 

The event was sponsored by 

Generation Homes, Sandeep 

Khanna Mortgages, Maia Foods, 

Zealand Immigration, Harman 

Deep Ray White , Arise Financial 

Services, Just Tax, Novelty and 

Kaur Ethnic Collection.


NEW ZEALAND 11 

‘Will make sure to do 

Qantas announces 

Auckland to New 

York direct flight 

my best’: Jasvir Kaur 

Australian flag carrier 

Qantas has announced a 

new direct flight between 

Auckland and New York, taking 

The newly elected President of the Supreme Sikh Society of New Zealand wants to prove her mettle as 

on Air New Zealand. 

The airline said the Sydneythe 

first female President of the organisation 

Auckland-New York route is 

NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH (which has 700 enrolled kids), 

Absolutely. This news has set to take off in June 2023, 

New Zealand Sikh 

gone global, and we have initially three times a week. 

Jasvir Kaur recently 

I 

Sports Complex 

received messages from other It comes as Air New Zealand 

created history when 

credit 

and Childz 

countries that NZ became the prepares for its inaugural service 

she was elected as the 

our Guru, who 

Choice Trust by 

first country to make this real. to New York City, starting in 

first female President of the 

gave this vision 

giving all top 

That’s primarily because all four about a month’s time. 

most prominent Sikh Body in 

to the leadership of 

management 

entities are given to women. The new service would be 

New Zealand, the Supreme 

SSSNZ. Our leadership 

positions to 

We will work together to get operated by its Boeing 787 

Sikh Society of NZ (SSSNZ). 

fully respect 

women. 

more involved. 

Dreamliners, with three new 

The prestigious role of leading 

women’s role in 

aircraft scheduled for delivery 

As a woman, 

an organisation established 

Sikhism. 

Your message to those who 

next year. 

how do you see 

supported you 

in 1978 did bring a lot of 

Qantas Group chief executive 

this change in SSSNZ 

responsibility. 

Jasvir Kaur 

Thanks for their trust in us, 

Alan Joyce said flying via 

to have all leadership posts 

and we will make sure we do 

The Indian Weekender caught 

for ladies? 

buying a property for elder 

Auckland would provide 

our best to prove the same. My 

up with Jasvir Kaur, who has 

I was sure one day it would care and Punjabi school at 

better connectivity from more 

team is very excited to work 

been associated with SSSNZ for 

happen because in our history, 50 Takanini School Road. 

destinations in Australia, before 

for the community; all men are 

almost 25 years, to learn how 

women played a vital role, and Fortunately, we secured the 

an uninterrupted 16-hour flight 

supporting us and helping us as 

she looks forward to her role, 

our Holy Guru Granth Sahib ji deal with 1.6 million to buy 

to New York. 

usual. 

her journey and much more. 

gave equal rights to women. It that property within days of 

“We can’t wait to return to 

What was your first reaction 

Since when have you been 

was only a matter of who will our leadership. Four classes of 

New York and it’s made possible 

when you got to know about 

associated with SSSNZ? 

take this initiative. I credit our Punjabi school will be held on 

by the delivery of new aircraft, 

I have been involved with SSSNZ 

being elected as the President 

of SSSNZ? 

the leadership of SSSNZ. Our plan to build an Ashram for the 

delays that have impacted lots 

Guru, who gave this vision to this property, and there is a 

which have been caught up in 

since 1998. In 2005, when the 

country’s largest Gurdwara 

I was shocked because I had leadership fully respect elders. We will continue with 

of airlines,” he said. 

was built in Takanini, I was 

never heard of any woman women’s role in Sikhism. Daljit previous decisions, including 

Joyce said Qantas received 

the kitchen-in-charge. I have 

becoming the president. I was Singh took the initiative and getting more youth and ladies 

positive customer feedback 

been working in the Gurdwara’s 

also surprised. I had many had many meetings with senior involved and providing full 

about its Dreamliner cabins on 

kitchen for 17 years, where we 

questions, including who will leadership, other gurdwara support to our team in helping 

longer international flights, as it 

prepare food seven days for 

be the vice-secretary and managements, senior members, the wider community in every 

had more room and fewer seats 

5000 people every week. 

secretary and will 81 trustees trustees and financial members, possible way. 

than most of its competitors. 

and 550 financial members 

“We think this route will be 

and all agreed to support the Do you feel your election 

agree with the decision. I was 

very popular with Australians 

move. 

as the SSSNZ President 

then told that the society’s 

given the opportunity to 

What is your vision for will pave the way for other 

leadership is planning to 

connect via Auckland and it 

SSSNZ? 

women to take up important 

empower women in SSSNZ and 

also gives New Zealanders more 

Our AGM recently approved leadership roles? 

at Sikh Heritage Punjabi School 

choice,” Joyce said. - RNZ 

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK 

“We must fight any creeping attempt to normalize relations with [Russian President 

Vladimir] Putin... We also know that this is not the time to advance some flimsy plan 

for negotiation with someone who is simply not interested. You can’t negotiate with a 

bear while it’s eating your leg, and you can’t negotiate with a street robber who has 

pinned you to the floor,” - Outgoing UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson 

Editorial 

IN FOCUS : Picture of the week 

Bullying pushed 

backstage in 

NZ politics 

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern can draw comfort from the fact that 

due process was served and her troublesome MP from Hamilton 

West was balloted out of the caucus on August 23. 

But the question, and it is one the Labour Party leader will struggle to 

answer, is whether expelled MP Gaurav Sharma has been silenced. 

As an independent MP, marooned in Parliament by his party caucus, 

Sharma is no longer gagged by party discipline. 

This was borne out when Parliament was in session to elect the new 

Speaker, Adrian Rurawhe, on August 24. Sharma used his parliamentary 

privilege to level accusations against outgoing Speaker Trevor Mallard. 

In his post-expulsion musings to the media, Sharma has hinted at an 

unfinished personal agenda and the lack of proper closure to the issue of 

workplace bullying at the party caucus meeting that did not go into “the 

specifics.” 

Despite, or perhaps because of, his change of status within Parliament, 

Sharma continues to push for an independent investigation, whose terms 

of reference would include himself. 

Sharma is invoking the right of the first mover, saying he was the one 

who “raised concerns regarding my staff, not the other way around.” 

According to him, “that’s when the bullying from the whips started.” 

In hindsight, it was perhaps disingenuous and politically naïve for the 

beleaguered MP to imagine that the party leadership would spring to 

action and be prompted to launch an independent inquiry into bullying 

claims raised by its MP via the media. 

Sharma argues in his own defence that when that didn’t happen and the 

“prime minister said there wasn’t any bullying, I had to then release the 

screenshots.” 

That exposed him to the charge of choosing media over mediation, 

which amounted to breach of trust. 

Sharma’s by-line on the Op-ed piece published in a local daily on August 

11 was akin to a calling card left at the crime scene. 

But though the feisty MP has claimed the tacit support of fellow MPs who 

he says are groaning under the whiplash of chief whip Kieran McAnulty, 

who the prime minister has stoutly defended, it is patently clear that 

what has played out in the public domain is a proxy war between Sharma 

and Ardern. 

Ardern’s statement in the wake of the MP’s expulsion was a deadpan 

articulation of House rules. 

But it carried the gravitas of a royal decree from the party monarch, 

banishing an errant subject from the realm. 

Sharma would no longer receive support from the party, or have access 

to the caucus in any way. He would have the right to attend select 

committees, but would not be a member of one, Ardern ruled. 

But Ardern is clearly anxious to close the file on the matter and move 

on, saying “our focus remains on the significant issues New Zealanders 

are grappling with and our responsibility to serve them -- not the interests 

of an individual MP.” 

When pared down to its simplest elements, the storm in the debating 

chamber is a semantic quibble that revolves around the definition of 

“bullying.” 

New Zealand’s parliamentary lexicon sheds no light on the matter, it 

would appear. 

As long as bullying is not strictly defined under Parliament’s code 

of conduct rules, it would be difficult to establish a violation and any 

independent investigation would likely be inconclusive. 

Both accuser and accused are two sides of the same coin. 

Indian External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, who is on his 

first ever visit to South America, met Paulo Guedes, Minister 

of Economy of Brazil in Brazil recently. He discussed the 

strengthening of India’s economic cooperation to meet 

contemporary global challenges. 

This week in New Zealand’s history 

27 August 1904 

Foundation stone for Victoria University’s first building laid 

Victoria College (now Victoria University of Wellington) was founded in 1897 to 

mark Queen Victoria’s 60th jubilee. 

29 August 1914 

New Zealand force captures German Samoa 

Colonel Robert Logan led a 1400-strong expeditionary force to capture German 

Samoa in New Zealand’s first military action of the First World War. 

30 August 1926 

Kawarau Falls dam becomes operational 

Hundreds attended the opening ceremony for a dam above the Kawarau Falls 

which was to temporarily block the outlet from Lake Wakatipu and hopefully 

expose gold-bearing rock to prospectors. 

02 September 1945 

Air Vice-Marshal Isitt accepts Japanese surrender 

Air Vice-Marshal Leonard Isitt added New Zealand’s signature to the Instrument of 

Surrender between the Allied powers and Japan. 


New Zealand’s rowing eight wins gold 

In 2008 the well-known sports writer Joseph Romanos chose the victory of the 

1972 rowing eight as the best team performance by New Zealanders at an Olympic 

Games. 


First open-heart surgery in New Zealand 

Pioneering heart surgeon Brian Barratt-Boyes performed the surgery using a heartlung 

bypass machine. The procedure, at Green Lane Hospital in Auckland, was 

carried out on an 11-year-old girl with a hole in her heart. 

Indian Weekender : Volume 14 Issue 23 

Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited 

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

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

Multimedia Specialist: Karan Bhasin | 022 0772 156 | karan@indianweekender.co.nz 

Accounts and Admin.: 09-2173623 | accounts@indianweekender.co.nz 

Auckland Reporter: Navdeep Kaur Marwah: | 021 952 246 | navdeep@indianweekender.co.nz 

Waikato Reporter: Sandeep Singh | 021 952 245 | sandeep@indianweekender.co.nz 

Wellington Reporter: Venu Menon | 021 538 356 | venu@indianweekender.co.nz 

Christchurch Reporter: Mahesh Kumar | 021 952 218 | mahesh@indianweekender.co.nz 

Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher 

is not responsible for advertisers’ claims as appearing in the publication 

Views expressed in the articles are solely of the authors and do not in any way represent 

the views of the team at the Indian Weekender 

Kiwi Media Publishing Limited - 133A, Level 1, Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland. 

Printed at Horton Media, Auckland 

Copyright ® 2022. Kiwi Media Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved. 

Send your suggestions and feedback to editor@indianweekender.co.nz


NEW ZEALAND 13 


Auckland is gearing up for a high 

on music night. 

The event, titled Dil Chahta 

Hai, organised by Rachit Bhatia of Rachit 

Music, will see 13 artistes, including four 

singers enthralling Aucklanders with 

their performances. 

It will take place on Saturday 24th 

September at 6 PM at the Dorothy 

Winstone Centre (16 Howe Street, 

Freemans Bay.) A visibly excited Bhatia 

said, “The concept of Dil Chahta Hai as a 

concert has been dreamt of and formed 

over the past 20 years. 

It’s not a tribute to just one person 

Get ready for a melodic treat 

or a single era, but rather a highlight 

reel of all the melodies that have taken 

a special place in all our hearts up until 

today. I expect each person to exit the 

venue at the night’s end with a huge 

smile and memories to last a long time.” 

Bhatia maintains that he wanted to 

present a show with NZ’s finest Bollywood 

artistes where each generation of a 

single family could enjoy it equally and 

move through multiple eras of Bollywood 

music close to their hearts 

The show will see a team of 13 

talented artistes performing. 

“I’m pleased we could put this team 

of four singers together - Arpita Chanda, 

Ankita Ghatani, Raul Cardoza, and yours 

truly, who are being backed by eight 

of NZ’s finest musicians led by Hemant 

Thaker. Also navigating our audience 

through the night, tying all the songs 

together into a playlist they’ll love, will 

be our MC Junoo, one of the top RJs 

here,” reveals Bhatia. 

Incidentally, this show marks the 20th 

anniversary of Bhatia’s first singing 

performance in NZ. 

When asked how the tickets are 

selling, Bhatia proudly says, “We are 

pleasantly surprised with the rate of 

ticket sales so far. 

It has surpassed our expectations. 

Tickets are going fast, with people 

purchasing not only from Auckland but 

also from Wellington and other cities 

outside Auckland. So, please don’t wait 

and grab your tickets now. 

Even Aucklanders are looking forward 

to the show. Tania, one of the community 

members who bought the ticket, says, 

“I am excited about the show and relive 

Bollywoods’ greatest songs over the last 

decades.” 

The show will take place on Saturday 

24 September at 6 PM at the Dorothy 

Winstone Centre (16 Howe Street, 

Freemans Bay) and has Indian Weekender 

as its media partner. 

Tickets available at TicketBazaar 

start from $30, or contact: Rajesh on 

0221341234 

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The Divine connection 

The festival of Shree Krishna Janmashtami was celebrated with great fervour and grandeur 

at Swaminarayan Temple Avondale Auckland, with hundreds of devotees and several key 

dignitaries attending the event. The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is a spiritual, volunteerdriven 

faith dedicated to improving society through individual growth by fostering the 

Hindu ideals of faith, unity, and selfless service. This year BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is 

celebrating hundred years centenary celebration of Swami Pramukh Maharaj, and a mega 

event is being planned on September 19 at Victory Convention Centre.

14 

NEW ZEALAND 


Telangana man repatriated to 

Hyderabad with support from 

community, Indian High Commission 


SANDEEP SINGH 

The deceased Telangana man 

Vamshi Reddy has finally departed 

Christchurch on his last journey 

back home to Hyderabad via Dubai after 

on Tuesday, August 23, and is scheduled 

to reach its destination on Wednesday, 

August 24. 

High Commission of India officials from 

Wellington have been in continuous 

touch with all stakeholders to ensure 

that the body reaches the family at the 

earliest opportunity. 

Upon the request of the family, 

financial support was also provided for 

this repatriation. 

The recently appointed Chargé 

D’Affairs of the Indian High Commission 

Mukesh Ghiya expressed deep 

condolences and confirmed that all 

formalities have now been completed 

and the body has departed New Zealand 

via Emirates airlines to reach Hyderabad. 

“High Commission of India in Wellington 

has always been very proactive in such 

cases and do everything possible to 

support such cases of distress,” Ghiya 

said. 

The Indian Weekender had earlier 

reported on Thursday, August 18, 

quoting Siva Killari, the noted community 

leader who had been the person actively 

involved on the ground in organising all 

coordination work, including dealing with 

NZ authorities (police, department of 

coroner, department of Internal Affairs, 

the funeral home) and the office of the 

Indian High Commission. 

It was then reported that the body 

was likely to travel back on Friday, 


Killari was approached by a member of 

the community about the unfortunate 

death of 32-year-old Vamshi Reddy on 

August 15 (three days after the death) 

and he has immediately flown down 

to Ashburton to take charge of the 

situation. 

Killari had not only spoken to the 

hapless parents of Vamshi Reddy back 

in Hyderabad on August 15 over a video 

call and had consistently been in touch 

with them keeping informed about the 

necessary developments. 

Sharing with the Indian Weekender 

the timeline of the events, Killari said 

“the death happened on August 12, 

a death certificate was issued by NZ’s 

Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) on 

August 18 and the entire paperwork 

was completed by the Indian High 

Commission’s office on the same day on 


“I had been constantly speaking 

with Hon Consul of India in Auckland 

Bhav Dhillon who have facilitated a 

spontaneous connection with the 

officials of the Indian High Commission in 

Wellington and it has been an expeditious 

processing since then,” Killari said. 

Killari also told the Indian Weekender 

that he has given a personal assurance to 

the local funeral home involved in making 

necessary repatriation arrangements 

to complete the process and send the 

family an invoice which would be cleared 

promptly. 

“However, the local funeral home, 

which had little experience in sending 

a body overseas before had taken 

more than initially anticipated time that 

resulted in a delay of couple of days,” 

Killari said. 

“In the end we were able to receive 

generous contributions from kind 

community members via multiple 

fundraisers and a significant amount 

contributed by the Indian High 

Commission to facilitate the repatriation 

process,” Killari said. 

Responding to suggestions in some 

quarters that the necessary paperwork 

had taken more than expected time, 

Ghiya reiterated that it was a standard 

process followed every time Government 

of India’s help was sought to bear cost 

of travel arrangements to ensure all 

necessary due diligence was completed 

before authorising spending of public 

money. 

“Before authorising any spending of 

public money, the officials are required 

to ensure that due diligence is completed 

to prove that the case was needed and 

deserving release of funds. 

“It is a process followed with utmost 

care, empathy and speed and generally 

those involved in the coordination 

between hapless family and the 

authorities in such circumstances are 

able to understand and support the 

process,” Ghiya concluded. 

Collective efforts from different 

stakeholders within community 

appreciated 

Meanwhile, several community 

associations and key stakeholders have 

been working emphatically for the best 

outcome for the hapless family over the 

last week to bring an expeditious closure 

to the case. 

The key stakeholders involved in 

Vamshi’s repatriation arrangements 

involved Siva Killari, Senior leader of 

Telangana community Kalyan Rao 

Kasuganti (Telangana Federation of New 

Zealand), Jagan Vodanala, President of 

NZ Telangana Rashtra Samithi Party, 

Suneel Kuncha and Anitha Mogilicharla 

of NZ Telugu Association and Telangana 

Association of New Zealand (TANZ). 

Celebrating the magical folk dances of Punjab 


The first Punjabi Heritage 

folk festival 2022 gave a 

befitting glimpse of the 

Punjabi cultural dances right in 

the heart of Auckland. 

The event took place 

on Sunday 21 August, 

at the Vodafone Events 

Centre in Manukau. 

Organised by Gurpreet Saini 

and his wife Reet Sandhu Saini 

of Punjabi Heritage Dance 

Academy Auckland, the soldout 

event saw some 700 people 

in attendance. 

Audiences were seen 

thoroughly enjoying the high 

energy performances which were 

18 in number. Interestingly, 250 

performers showcased their 

talent during event. 

From Bhangra, Giddha, 

Jhoomer to Sammi and Jindua, 

the event showcased a number 

of Punjabi folk dance forms. With 

an aim to promote Punjabi folk 

dance and music in Aotearoa, 

the event saw participation 

from various dance academies 

across New Zealand. 

“It was overwhelming to see 

the kind of support we got 

for the first Punjabi Heritage 

folk festival 2022. Our main 

idea behind organising the folk 

festival was to give a platform 

to our younger generation and 

keep them connected to our 

culturally rich Punjabi roots,” 

Gurpreet said. 

Many dignitaries and known 

names from the Kiwi Indian 

community also supported 

the event with their presence. 

Those in attendance included 

Former member of the New 

Zealand Parliament Kanwaljit 

Singh Bakshi; community 

leaders Kharag Singh and Anne 

Singh; and the team of NZ 

Sikh Games, including Daljeet 

Singh Sidhu, Tara Singh Bains 

and Gurwinder Singh Aulakh, 

among others. 

Praising the initiative, 

Bakshi said, “I feel great to 

see performances by talented 

children and youngsters. What 

a great idea to keep Punjabi 

heritage alive in NZ through its 

great folk dances.” 

Mukesh Ghiya, Head of 

Chancery and acting Charge 

d’ Affaires of The Indian High 

Commission in Wellington 

Our main idea 

behind organising 

the folk festival was 

to give a platform 

to our younger 

generation and keep 

them connected to our 

culturally rich Punjabi 

roots.” 

too, showed his support for 

the event on social media. He 

wrote, “Good to see that we 

are preserving and promoting 

our culture and folk dances. 

Kudos to all who are involved 

in this.” 

The audience was left 

asking for more. One of the 

audience members Harsheen 

Kaur said, “What an amazing 

way to witness the colourful 

folk culture of our motherland 

Punjab in faraway NZ. The whole 

vibe and feel truly transported 

me back to Punjab. I hope to 

see more such events in our 

Indian diaspora.” 

Elated by the response to 

the first Punjabi Heritage folk 

festival, the organiser plans to 

make it an annual event. “We 

are so happy to see the support 

of our community for this show. 

God willing, we will make it an 

annual event and come back 

with a much bigger and better 

event next year,” signed off 

Reet.


INDIA 15 

India's growing presence in 

India eyes selfsufficiency 

milestone 

in urea within 4 years 

India is hoping to end its 

Brazil is visible: Jaishankar 

reliance on imported urea 

within the next four years 

by expanding output of a locally 

developed version of the key 

External Affairs Minister, 

business community, and the 

crop nutrient, known as nano 

S Jaishankar interacted 

Indian diaspora in Paraguay. 

urea, an official said requesting 

with the association of 

He also unveiled a bust of 

anonymity. Self-sufficiency in 

entrepreneurs of Brazil, LIDE 

Mahatma Gandhi in Paraguay 

urea will save the government 

and said that India and Brazil 

on Sunday and appreciated the 

nearly ₹40,000 crore. 

are not only partners but can 

Asuncion Municipality's decision 

The country’s food 

share best practices for their 

to locate it at the prominent 

security is closely linked to 

mutual growth and progress. 

waterfront of the city. The 

sufficient availability of a 

"Networking of established 

External Affairs Minister also 

range of fertilisers, which 

Brazilian entrepreneurs with 

visited the historic Casa de 

are federally subsidized for 

growing Indian presence in 

la Independencia from where 

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday visited Brazil, (Twitter) 

millions of farmers. 

Brazil was visible. India & Brazil 

Paraguay's Independence 

India, the world’s largest 

are not only partners but can Industry association of Brazil. On Monday, Jaishankar movement started more than 

buyer of urea and di- ammonium 

share best practices for their Presentations from WEG, @ concluded his first ever official two centuries ago. 

phosphate, has been hit by a 

mutual growth & progress," embraer and UNICA reaffirmed visit to Paraguay where he This was the first ever visit 

sharp rise in global fertiliser 

said EAM in a tweet. 

the significant opportunities inaugurated the newly opened of an Indian Foreign Minister 

prices this year due to supply 

The EAM also visited the that exist for greater business Indian Embassy in the capital to the Republic of Paraguay 

disruptions. Costlier raw 

Federation of Industries of the cooperation," Jaishankar city, Asuncion. The embassy which has taken place as the 

materials, higher freight charges 

State of Sao Paulo which is the tweeted. 

of India in Asuncion was two countries completed 

as well as sanctions on Russia, 

largest Industry association The External Affairs Minister, jointly inaugurated by EAM the 60th anniversary of the 

a major fertilizer exporter, 

in Brazil and reaffirmed that S Jaishankar is on an official and his Paraguay counterpart establishment of diplomatic 

are likely to keep fertiliser 

several opportunities await visit to Brazil, Paraguay, and Julio Cesar Arriola. The relations. 

prices elevated, according 

for both nations in business Argentina from August 22-27. inauguration was attended by Prior to his visit, Jaishankar 

to a report by the Food and 

cooperation under the umbrella During his visit, in addition to dignitaries from the Paraguayan on Friday met with the 

Agriculture Organization. 

of strengthened bilateral ties. bilateral engagements with his government including Interior Ambassadors from Latin 

Prices of some crop 

"Visited Federation of counterparts, External Affairs Minister Federico A. Gonzalez. American and Caribbean 

nutrients have stabilized in 

Industries of the State Minister will call on the top Other guests included members countries in New Delhi ahead of 

the past two months from 

of Sao Paulo, the largest leadership in all three countries. of the diplomatic corps, the his visit to the region. 

multi-year highs earlier. 

Is India’s skewed sex ratio at birth getting better? 

Yes - and it's fuelled 

largely by changes within 

the Sikh community, 

according to a study by USbased 

Pew Research Center. 

The non-profit think tank 

studied the data from the 

latest National Family Health 

Survey (NFHS-5) - the most 

comprehensive household 

survey of health and social 

indicators by the Indian 

government, conducted 

between 2019-2021 - with a 

special focus on how gender 

imbalance at birth has been 

changing within India's major 

religious groups. 

The study says sex ratio 

at birth (SRB) has been 

improving for Hindus, Muslims 

and Christians, but the 

biggest change seems to be 

among Sikhs - the group that 

previously had the greatest 

gender imbalance. 

Experts, however, advise 

caution while interpreting this 

data as the survey covers only 

about 630,000 of India's 300 

million households. 

"The true picture will be 

known only after the census 

which counts the entire 

population and provides a 

more accurate account," 

says researcher and activist 

Sabu George. 

India's well-documented 

preference for sons has 

historically led to a very skewed 

sex ratio in favour of men. 

It's rooted in widely-held 

cultural beliefs that a male 

child would carry the family 

name, look after the parents in 

their old age, and perform the 

rituals on their death - while 

daughters would cost them 

dowries and leave them for 

their matrimonial homes. 

This anti-girl bias, coupled 

with the easy availability of 

pre-natal sex screening from 

the 1970s, has seen tens of 

millions of female foetuses 

aborted - a process known as 

female foeticide. 

Despite a government ban 

on sex-selection tests in 1994, 

campaigners say it remains 

rampant. Nobel laureate 

Amartya Sen has described 

India as "a country of missing 

women" and the UN estimates 

that nearly 400,000 female 

births - or 3% of all female 

births - are missed annually as 

a result of gender biased sex 

selection.Experts say if there's 

no sex selection, for every 100 

girls born, there will naturally 

be 105 male births, but the 

number of female births in 

India has been much lower for 

decades now. 

According to the 2011 

Census, India had about 111 

boys per 100 girls. The number 

Only behavioural 

change can stop 

the neglect of the 

girl child, but that's a 

long-term process," 

Mr Kumar says. "It 

takes time to change 

attitudes. And the 

pace of change is 

very slow." 

improved slightly to about 109 

in the NFHS-4 (in 2015-16) 

and is at 108 now. 

This new data, Pew says, 

suggests that the preference 

for sons has been waning and 

Indian families are becoming 

less likely to use sex selection 

to ensure birth of sons rather 

than daughters. 

The biggest change, it says, 

is seen among the Sikhs - a 

community that makes up 

less than 2% of the Indian 

population, but has accounted 

for an estimated 5% - or 

approximately 440,000 - of 

the nine million baby girls 

who went "missing" in India 

between 2000 and 2019. The 

wealthiest of India's major 

religious groups, Sikhs were 

the first in India to use sex 

determination tests widely to 

abort female foetuses. 

The community saw its sex 

ratio at birth peak at 130 in the 

early 2000s - it is now down 

to 110 which is much closer to 

the national average of 108. 

"This follows years of 

government efforts to curb 

sex selection - including a ban 

on pre-natal sex tests and a 

massive advertising campaign 

urging parents to 'save the 

girl child' - and coincides with 

broader social changes such as 

rising education and wealth," 

the study says. 

Amit Kumar, a gender 

researcher based in Punjab, 

says despite the decline, 

he finds little change in the 

attitudes on the ground. 

"I do not see any difference 

in narratives today from 

what I found in books from 

a 100 years back. Agents 

of patriarchal structure also 

evolve with the time, so you 

see that the same practices 

exist, the same attitudes exist, 

but they get modified and look 

a bit different on the ground. 

It's old wine in a new bottle," 

he says. 

The PhD student in 

masculinity studies, who 

undertook a survey two years 

back in rural Punjab, says 

two years back, he met a 

28-year-old villager who said 

that he would have killed his 

daughter if his wife had given 

birth to a girl. 

"In Punjab, a girl is seen as a 

burden, a liability, and it's very 

normal and culturally accepted 

for people to seek blessings at 

Gurdwaras (Sikh temples) and 

shrines for a male child." 

If you ask people a direct 

question, he says, they 

will always deny that they 

discriminate between boys and 

girls. But if you probe deeper, 

you find the son preference 

very much exists, with most 

people saying that having 

one son is necessary because 

he has to perform rituals 

after their death. In the past 

few years, Mr Kumar says, 

hoardings and advertisements 

have come up that warn people 

against resorting to illegal sex 

determination tests and that 

has created some fear among 

the public. 

"So sex determination tests 

and abortions have decreased 

a bit, but only a bit and 

everyone knows which clinic to 

consult if they want to abort a 

female foetus." 

What is also worrying, he 

says, is that if you look at the 

official crime data, it shows 

a consistent increase in the 

numbers of "miscarriages and 

abandonment of the girl child" 

from 2012 - which could mean 

that girls are being neglected 

after birth. "Only behavioural 

change can stop the neglect of 

the girl child, but that's a longterm 

process," Mr Kumar says. 

"It takes time to change 

attitudes. And the pace of 

change is very slow."

Festival of Lights 

8 - 9 

October 

Aotea Square 

For more information visit aucklandnz.com/diwali


FEATURES 17 

SHORBA – warm and comforting winter food 

SHORBA word is derived from the Arabic word SHURBAH, 

originated in the Middle East. It is the most comforting 

food in the chilly winter evenings; its warm, nutritious and 

fulfilling. Shorba can be a whole meal by itself and with a 

MUSHROOM SHORBA 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 500gm - button mushrooms 

• 1tbsp - cumin seeds 

• 1tbsp - coriander seeds 

• 1 - red onion, large 

• 4 - garlic cloves 

• 2 - green chillies 

• 2tbsp - butter 

• 1tsp - mustard seeds 

• 50gm - rice, basmati 

• 1cup - vegetable stock or 

water 

• 1tsp - salt or according to 

taste 

• 2tbsp - cream 

• 1/2tsp - crushed black 

pepper 

METHOD: 

• In a heavy base fry pan, 

dry roast cumin seeds 

and coriander seeds over 

medium flame till fragrant. 

• Transfer seeds onto a plate 

to cool then grind them into 

a powder and set aside for 

later use. 

• Peel, wash and chop onion; 

wash and chop garlic cloves 

and green chillies. Set aside. 

• Heat butter in a heavy base 

sauce pan over medium 

flame. 

• Add mustard seeds when 

they start to sizzle add 

onions, cook stirring 

through for 5 to 6 minutes 

until soft. 

• Add garlic cloves, green 

chillies and cook for another 

2-3 minutes. 

• When the onion mixture are 

softened and are smelling 

fragrant, add the ground 

cumin and coriander powder 

and stir through for another 

minute. 

• Rinse rice till the water runs 

clear then add them to the 

onion mixture. 

• Add washed and sliced 

mushrooms; stir everything 

together for 1-2 minutes till 

well blended. 

• Add vegetable stock, stir, 

bringing it to one boil then 

turning down the flame and 

let simmer for 10 more 

minutes. 

• When the shorba is ready, 

remove from the heat and 

leave it to cool slightly and 

then blend it into a purée. 

• Season with salt and give a 

good mix. 

• Mix in cream over low flame. 

• Garnish with a sprinkle of 

crushed black pepper on 

top. 

• Serve hot with chilli naan 

bread or preferably bread 

sticks. 

• Serves - 6 

• TIP: Before serving you can 

always blend the shorba and 

leave it in the pan to warm 

it up again. 

combinations of naan bread or garlic sticks it can be all the 

more filling. It is a traditionally prepared meal, by simmering 

meat or vegetable in boiling water along with salt and 

flavoured with aromatic curry spices and herbs. 

TOMATO SHORBA 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 12 - tomatoes, large 

• 1 - onion, medium 

• 2 - garlic cloves 

• 1 - green chilli 

• 2tbsp - butter or oil 

• 1tsp - cumin seeds 

• 1tsp - fennel seeds 

• 1 - bay leaf 

• 4tbsp - tomato paste 

• 1tsp - salt or according to 

taste 

• 1/2tsp - crushed black 

pepper 

• 2tbsp - cream 

• 20gm - coriander leaves, 

fresh 

• Bread croutons 

METHOD: 

• Wash and roughly chop the 

tomatoes; set aside. 

• Peel, wash and slice onion, 

garlic and green chilli. Set 

aside. 

• Heat butter in medium size 

pan over low flame. 

• Add cumin seeds, fennel 

seeds and bay leave, when 

they start to sizzle add the 

onions and sauté for 3-4 

DAL SHORBA 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1tbsp - split yellow lentil ( dhuli moong dal ) 

• 1tbsp - split red lentil ( dhuli masoor dal ) 

• 4cups - water 

• 1tbsp - clarified butter ( ghee ) 

• 1 - onion, medium 

• 1 - tomato, large 

• 2 - green chillies 

• 1inch - ginger 

• 4 - cloves 

• 1/2tsp - black pepper powder 

• 1/4tsp - turmeric powder 

• 1tsp - salt or according to taste 

FOR TEMPERING: 

• 1tbsp - oil 

• 1/2tsp - cumin seeds 

• 1/4tsp - kashmiri red chilli powder 

• 1 - lemon 

• Fresh coriander leaves 

METHOD: 

• Wash dal till the water runs clear. 

• Boil water in a heavy base sauce pan over 

medium flame; add clarified butter. 

• Add dal, give a good mix and cook over 

medium flame. 

• Peel, wash and chop onion; wash and chop 

tomato, green chilli, ginger and garlic. 

• Blend everything into a paste and add them 

to the dal. 

• Add black pepper powder, turmeric powder 

and salt, mix well. 

• Cover and let simmer for 8-10 minutes till the 

minutes till they are soft. 

• Add garlic, green chillies to 

the onions and sauté for 

another 2-3 minutes. 

• Now add the tomato paste 

and stir over medium flame 

until caramelised. 

• Add the chopped tomatoes, 

mix well and allow to simmer 

for 10 -12 minutes (at this 

point you can add half a cup 

of water to have a moderate 

consistency). 

• Take the pan off the flame; 

discard bay leaf and blitz 

tomatoes with the hand 

blender until very smooth. 

• Return to the flame for 

5 minutes (tomatoes on 

medium flame), stirring in 

between. 

• Add salt, black pepper and 

mix well. 

• Add cream and mix well 

again. 

• Cover and let simmer over 

low flame for 4-5 minutes, 

stirring in between. 

• Place shorba in a serving 

bowl and drop some 

croutons on top. 

• Garnish with fresh chopped 

coriander. Serve hot with 

garlic bread. Serves - 4 

dal is soft and mushy ( to pressure cook the 

dal; add 3 cups of water and cook everything 

together up to 5 whistles). 

• Remove the sauce pan from the flame and 

with the help of the hand mixer blend it into a 

smooth paste (at this point you can also sieve 

the dal as per your choice). 

FOR TEMPERING: 

• Heat oil in a heavy base frypan over medium 

flame. 

• Add cumin seeds; when they start to splatter 

add kashmiri red chilli powder, stir. 

• Add the tempering to the dal and give a good 

mix. 

• Place dal shorba in the serving bowls; squeeze 

few drops of lemon on each. 

• Garnish with fresh chopped coriander leaves 

on top. 

• Serve hot with garlic bread or bread sticks. 

• Serves - 4

18 

ENTERTAINMENT 



Vijay Deverakonda 

is happy being 

forgotten, cites 

examples of Rajesh 

Khanna and Vinod 

Khanna: ‘Nobody 

remembers…’ 

Actor Vijay Deverakonda is all set 

for the release of his debut Hindi 

film, Liger, on August 25. 

While he is already an established 

actor in Tollywood, his foray into the 

Hindi film industry has been creating a 

lot of buzz lately. 

However, even with all the fanfare 

around him, the actor said that he 

doesn’t mind being forgotten one day 

in the future. 

The 33-year-old actor, in an 

interview with Galatta Plus, said 

that he is more than happy to allow 

others a chance to shine, and cited 

the examples of Rajesh Khanna and 

Vinod Khanna. 

“While I am an actor, it is important 

that people recognise and love you for 

it. Once I am done, I move on, and they 

move on to the next. I am sure there 

will be another person. 

There are lots of other people who 

come who are really good. 

I think I should vacate space so that 

you make space for others to be loved 

and worshipped,” said Vijay. 

Vijay is known for hits such as Dear 

Comrade and Arjun Reddy, which was 

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also remade in Hindi as Kabir Singh. 

The actor said that he wants to spend 

time with his family after his heyday as 

a movie star concludes, and that he is 

looking forward to it. 

“I will go back to my life, 

hopefully chilling with some kids, 

grandkids, and friends. 

"I hope they are still around and 

we are still playing board games over 

drinks. I am not fascinated by being 

remembered. I am very happy being 

forgotten. I have understood that 

nobody remembers,” he said. 

He added, “I have known actors who 

James Cameron's Academy Awardwinning 

2009 epic adventure 

'Avatar,' which was released 

in theatres 13 years ago, is all set to 

return to theatres on September 23rd 

this year. 

The film will be re-released in theatres 

in India three months prior to the 

release of its sequel - 'Avatar: The Way 

of Water'. The second part of the film 

will hit theatre globally on December 

16, 2022. So in case you were confused 

about the characters, and their storyline 

or may have missed the first part of 

the film, you can now see it in theatres 

from September 23 onwards. The muchawaited 

sequel 'Avatar: 

The 2009 movie is coming back 

to theatres for two weeks starting 

September 23rd and will be shown in "all 

formats," including IMAX, 4K / HDR, and 

-- of course -- 3D. 

The second instalment - 'Avatar: The 

Way of Water' will be released by 20th 

Century Studios in English, Hindi, Tamil, 

Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. 

The makers unveiled the teaser of 

the film in May this year. Set more 

than a decade after the events of the 

first film, 'Avatar: 

The Way of Water' tells the story of 

the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their 

kids), the trouble that follows them, the 

lengths they go to keep each other safe, 

the battles they fight to stay alive, and 

the tragedies they endure. 

are worshipped by the country like 

Rajesh Khanna, Vinod Khanna. 

These guys were… 

Rajesh Khanna, I have heard 

stories of him. 

But, me and the generation after are 

not aware of this or don’t care. For 

them, now it is about somebody else.” 

Directed by Puri Jagannadh, 

Liger also stars Ananya Panday 

in the lead role. 

The film, co-produced by Karan 

Johar and Charmme Kaur, also features 

American boxer Mike Tyson. 

Here's everything you need 

to know about re-release 

of 'Avatar' and its sequel 

'Avatar: The Way of Water' stars Zoe 

Saldana, Sam Worthington, Sigourney 

Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis, Joel 

David Moore, CCH Pounder, Edie Falco, 

Jemaine Clement, and Kate Winslet. 

Disney's official synopsis for the 

upcoming 'Avatar' sequel reads: "Set 

more than a decade after the events of 

the first film, 'Avatar: The Way of Water' 

begins to tell the story of the Sully 

family, the trouble that follows them, 

the lengths they go to keep each other 

safe, the battles they fight to stay alive 

and the tragedies they endure." 

For her role, Winslet learned to hold 

her breath underwater for the movie and 

ended up breaking Tom Cruise's record 

for the longest underwater breath-hold 

in a feature film, reported Variety. 

As for what it was like reuniting 

with Cameron so many years after 

'Titanic', Winslet told the magazine, 

"Jim and I are both totally different 

people now to who we were 26 years 

ago. He is calmer, and I am definitely 

more hyperactive now!"

Keeping up to date 

with your vaccinations 

is really important, 

even if you’ve already 

had COVID-19. 

You can catch COVID-19 more than once. Boosters are 

your best protection from severe illness, ending up in 

hospital, and even death. 

Keeping up to date with your vaccinations is one of the most 

important things you can do to help protect yourself, your whānau 

and your community. 

A booster will provide extra protection from a previous vaccination 

and help your immunity be stronger and last longer. And, by staying 

as healthy as you can, you help reduce pressure on our communities, 

businesses and the health sector. 

If you’ve had COVID-19, you can get your booster three months 

after you tested positive. Make sure you are up to date with your 

COVID-19 vaccinations. 

Check your eligibility at Covid19.govt.nz or call 0800 28 29 26.

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The Indian Weekender 26 August 2022

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