The Indian Weekender, 10 March 2023

Friday, 10 March 2023 

Volume 14 / Issue 48 

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Brijesh Patel 

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2 

NEW ZEALAND 

Friday, 10 March, 2023 

‘We’re working to manage the extra 

pressure on Auckland roads’: AT 

Read online www.iwk.co.nz 

NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH 

Ask any Aucklander about 

the traffic situation on 

Auckland’s roads these 

days and one word that would be 

common is ‘mayhem’. 

March is set to be the busiest 

month on the transport network 

since 2019. 

It is the time of the year 

when we see a congested 

road network and busier public 

transport services. 

The reasons for this include 

school and university students 

returning to their regular study 

routines for the year and workers 

returning from summer breaks. 

All these factors combine to 

create pressure on Auckland’s 

transport network. 

One cannot deny that the 

ongoing shortage of bus drivers 

contributes to the road chaos, 

coupled with Kiwirail completing 

major work on its Southern, 

Eastern and Western train lines. 

We spoke to Auckland 

Transport (AT) to know what 

they are doing to make things 

better for Aucklanders this year. 

“We’re putting a whole range 

of measures in place to help 

manage the extra pressure. 

"We appreciate that many 

Aucklanders cannot travel offpeak, 

so putting on extra services 

Richard Harrison 

Traffic jam in Auckland 

for those who need to travel at 

peak time is our top priority. 

"Please allow extra time for 

your journey and check AT’s 

Journey Planner to see if there 

are alternate routes,” says AT’s 

Manager of Metro Optimisation 

Richard Harrison. 

He also pointed out access to 

Karekare, Piha, Te Henga Bethells 

Beach, Muriwai, Anawhata, 

Huia, Little Huia and Whatipū is 

compromised and advised to 

avoid travelling to these areas. 

It is expected that there 

will be pinch points at peak 

travel times, said 

Harrison, adding, “AT 

encourages those who have 

flexibility at work to consider 

travelling outside peak, if 

possible, over the next few 

weeks as this is when there are 

more likely to be seats on buses, 

trains and ferries. We ask our 

customers to plan in advance 

as roads and public transport 

services continue to get busier 

heading into March.” 

We are now seeing 

around 80 per 

cent of pre-Covid 

patronage levels on 

our buses, and we 

are currently running 

around 85 per cent of 

our bus services, with 

up to five per cent 

suspended and up to 

10 per cent cancelled 

daily. As more drivers 

come online, we expect 

these cancellations to 

reduce further." 

– Richard Harrison 

Harrison also thanked 

Aucklanders for their 

continued patience as AT 

continues to work closely 

with the bus operators to 

address the shortage of 

bus drivers. 

“We have made steady 

progress in this space and are 

now at a shortfall of 393 drivers, 

compared with more than 500 

before Christmas. 

"Howick and Eastern added 

34 new drivers in the last two 

weeks and are now at their full 

requirement of bus drivers. 

Waiheke Bus Company added 

three new drivers last week, 

and Go Bus has reduced driver 

vacancies,” Harrison said. 

According to Harrison, AT 

will redirect the largest buses 

to the highest-demand routes 

like the Northern Express 

and Route 27 services. 

“We are now seeing around 80 

per cent of pre-Covid patronage 

levels on our buses, and we are 

currently running around 85 per 

cent of our bus services, with up 

to five per cent suspended and 

up to 10 per cent cancelled daily. 

As more drivers come online, we 

expect these cancellations to 

reduce further,” he added. 

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Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 10 March, 2023 

NEW ZEALAND 3 

Hipkins defends his track 

record in tackling crime 

After a lengthy back 

and forth with Prime 

Minister Chris Hipkins 

on the Labour government’s 

wasteful spending, Leader of the 

Opposition and National Party 

leader Christopher Luxon zeroed 

in with a multiple-choice question 

mocking Hipkins for his handling 

of ministerial portfolios, past and 

present. 

“Which is worse?” Luxon 

asked, “his track record as public 

service minister, where he failed 

to rein in consultant spending, 

his track record as education 

minister, where he failed to lift 

achievement, his track record 

as police minister, where he 

failed to bring down crime, or 

his track record so far as Prime 

Minister, where he’s failed to do 

anything?” 

Luxon was addressing 

Parliament on March 8 during the 

debate on the Prime Minister’s 

statement which was adjourned 

on February 22. 

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins in the Parliament. 

The debate centred on the 

question set out in the Prime 

Minister’s statement that the 

House “expresses confidence in 

the government and commends 

its programme for 2023”, and 

the amendment proposed to it 

by the Opposition. 

In the amendment, Opposition 

Leader Luxon said “this House 

has no confidence in this 

government, which is known for 

three things: wasteful spending, 

an inability to get things done, 

and for building bureaucracies 

instead of improving frontline 

outcomes for New Zealanders”. 

Hipkins parried Luxon’s 

multiple-choice question by 

saying, “I reject all of the above, 

but particularly on crime. I’d note 

that during the time I was the 

Minister of Police the number 

of ram-raids that were being 

conducted fell by three-quarters. 

So, a 75 per cent reduction in 

that through some intensive 

intervention on the part of the 

government.” 

The PM rounded off his reply 

with a barb directed at Luxon. 

“The member so far doesn’t 

seem to be able to get past 

bumper sticker slogans and come 

up with any concrete actual ideas 

about how to make New Zealand 

a better place to live,” he said. 

this House has no 

confidence in this 

government, which is 

known for three things: 

wasteful spending, an 

inability to get things 

done, and for building 

bureaucracies instead 

of improving frontline 

outcomes for New 

Zealanders.” 

– Opposition Leader 

Luxon 

In an apparent effort to 

establish the widely-held 

correlation between truancy in 

schools and the spike in retail 

crime, ACT Party leader David 

Seymour asked the prime minister 

to “explain mathematically what 

impact 82 new truancy officers 

will make on just under 100,000 

chronically absent students”. 

Hipkins told the House the 

attendance officers would be 

working closely with schools to 

get absentee students “back into 

the classrooms on a more regular 

basis”. 

The Prime Minister stressed 

the role of families in the process 

of weaning children away from 

truancy. He said additional funds 

had been provided to get kids 

“who are not enrolled, or who are 

not regularly engaged, and who 

are at that chronic end of nonattendance” 

back to education. 

Dissatisfied with the PM’s 

explanation, Seymour pressed 

on. He called for a Point of 

Order, pointing out that his 

question turned on the word 

“mathematically”. 

Seymour sought to impress 

upon the Speaker that “he [the 

PM] hasn’t addressed the fact 

that he’s got 82 people trying to 

chase about 100,000 kids”. 

• Continued on Page 4

4 

NEW ZEALAND 



Waitakere Indian Association 

brings Holi colours to community 


The Holi celebration by 

the Waitakere Indian 

Association (WIA) on 

Sunday (March 5) was a great way 

to showcase Indian culture and 

bring the community together in 

a fun and inclusive way. 

The event, held at Corbans 

Estate Art Centre, Henderson, 

brought together members of 

the Indian community and other 

cultural groups to partake in the 

festivities. 

The attendees threw brightly 

coloured powder and water at 

each other, creating a vibrant 

and joyful atmosphere. The 

event was open to people of all 

ages and backgrounds, and the 

atmosphere was one of joy, unity 

and inclusivity. 

Families came together to 

enjoy the festivities, and children 

ran around with big smiles on 

their faces, enjoying the fun and 

freedom of the day. The event 

attracted people from all faiths 

and ethnicities. 

Sunil Kaushal, President of 

WIA, told Indian Weekender, 

“Over 7,500 people 

attended the event. 

This is based on the number 

of cars that came through the 

parking barriers and the sale 

of colour packets. We shipped 

5,000 packets of colour, which 

were sold out by 1.30 pm. It 

was great to see people who had 

bought the colours sharing them 

with those who couldn’t buy 

them. 

"We have been blown away by 

the overwhelming and positive 


The family of Janak Patel 

say they are relieved 

after two more men were 

charged with murder on March 

8, 2023, in connection with the 

death of the dairy worker Janak 

Patel more than three months 

ago. Soon after the verdict, 

Patel’s younger sister Neelam 

Patel told Indian Weekender, “We 

are relieved as a family. We have 

full faith in New Zealand’s judicial 

system. We just want to see the 

culprits behind bars. My brother 

deserves justice.” 

Indian national Patel was killed 

outside the Rose Cottage Dairy 

in Sandringham last November, 

sparking widespread protests. 

The killing sparked 

emotions across the country. 

Dairy workers took to the 

streets, begging the government 

for more security. 

Shane Henry Tane and Henry 

Fred were initially charged with 

robbery, while Frederick Hobson, 

who can now be named, was 

charged with aggravated robbery 

and murder. At the High Court in 

Auckland on Wednesday morning, 

Justice Sally Fitzgerald confirmed 

name suppression had lapsed for 

response from the community. 

It was the largest crowd in the 

history of our Holi event, with 

many returning due to parking 

and off-street parking being 

completely utilised.” 

It may be noted that it was 

after a gap of three years due 

to the Covid-19 pandemic that 

WIA held its Holi celebration. 

“It is overwhelming to hold a 

successful event after three 

years and see everyone 

have a great time. 

We helped to bring joy 

and a little happiness to the 

community. Everything else 

‘We are relieved as a 

family’: Janak Patel’s sister 

Janak Patel 

Hobson. All three have now been 

charged with murder. 

Tane is expected to enter 

a plea next week. The other 

two defendants have pleaded 

not guilty. Migrant Workers 

Association president Anu Kaloti 

said the community would be 

relieved at the charges. 

The real comfort for family 

and community members would 

come when there was a verdict, 

Kaloti said. 

“They will be tried and held to 

account, so I guess people can 

breathe a sigh of relief - but I 

suppose what kind of justice... 

remains to be seen.” 

Crowd enjoying the Holi festival at Waitakere Indian Association event in Henderson. 

is secondary. The event was 

overwhelmingly supported 

by over 20 Indian and local 

community organisations. Such 

events showcase our diversity 

within the Indian diaspora 

and educate those unaware 

of our culture and traditions 

while keeping them alive for 

future generations.” 

The event had politicians and 

ministers, including Michael 

Wood, Priyanca Radhakrishnan 

and Deborah Russell, involved 

in the festivities. Radhakrishnan 

and ACT party Deputy Leader 

Brooke van Velden danced to the 

music by DJ Gabroo. 

• Continued from Page 3 

But Speaker Adrian Rerawhe 

overruled the ACT leader, which led 

to some tense exchanges between 

the two before Seymour backed 

down after the Speaker asked if he 

was challenging his ruling. 

At its sitting the previous day, 

Parliament had heard Minister of 

Police Stuart Nash applaud “the 

men and women in blue” who 

upheld law and order. 

In what appeared to be an 

answer to the demand by ram-raid 

victims for harsher punishments 

for offenders, the minister told 

the House: “We need less prisons 

because the police operating 

model doesn’t mean they’re soft 

on crime. It doesn’t mean they let 

people go; they still go really, really 

hard when it’s necessary.” 

In a direct reference to the 

government’s rehabilitation and 

community support measures for 

underaged offenders, Nash said 

the preferred approach was “to 

work with that person, with the 

community to come up with better 

outcomes”. 

“When you put someone in 

prison, not only do you take away 

their freedom, you often take away 

their future,” the police minister 

told the House.” 

Other dignitaries in attendance 

included Phil Twyford, Kanwaljit 

Singh Bakshi, Chris Penk, 

Mahesh Bindra, Simon Court, 

Damien Smith, Melissa Lee, 

and local board members from 

Henderson-Massey, Whau and 

Waitakere Ranges. 

Minister for Diversity, Inclusion 

and Ethnic Communities Priyanca 

Radhakrishnan took to social 

media and wrote: “Fabulous 

afternoon at the west Auckland 

Holi festival organised by Sunil 

Kaushal & the team at Waitakere 

Indian Association. 

After a hiatus of a few years 

because of Covid and last 

Mortgages: 

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M. 021 236 7070 

nimish@saffronfinance.co.nz 

month’s floods that affected 

so many out west, it was lovely 

to come together to celebrate 

the festival of colour and love. 

These events are a good way for 

different communities to come 

together, celebrate and learn 

about different traditions.” 

Minister for Auckland Michael 

Wood said, “A wonderful, sunny, 

happy day in West Auckland for 

the Waitakere Indian Association’s 

annual Holi celebration. 

"This is the Auckland I love - 

positively celebrating our status 

as one of the world’s most diverse 

cities, bringing people together, 

and having a good time.” 

Brooke van Velden also loved 

being part of the event and told 

IWK, “Over the past few weeks 

we’ve seen the worst from nature 

with the floods but the best in 

Kiwi spirit with the community 

coming together to help each 

other out. 

"That spirit was on show again 

at Holi with the Waitakere Indian 

Association hosting this event 

for everyone from all cultures 

to enjoy. It was awesome to see 

people dancing, laughing and 

enjoying the sun. I loved being 

part of the celebrations.” 

The organisers arranged for 

traditional Indian music, dance 

performances, and various food 

and refreshments, making it an 

unforgettable experience for all 

those who attended. 

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NEW ZEALAND 5 

Fight to save Citizen Advice Bureaus 


Auckland Council has 

recently proposed cuts in 

its budget in an ongoing 

effort to reduce debt. 

This is likely to cut the funding 

for Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) 

centres. 

CAB is a nationwide non-profit 

organisation that provides free 

and confidential advice and 

information to anyone seeking 

help with various issues. It 

offers advice on legal matters, 

consumer rights, housing, 

employment, immigration and 

many other areas. 

The main aim of the CAB 

is to empower people to 

access their rights and to 

help them navigate complex 

systems and procedures. 

CAB advisers are trained 

volunteers who provide 

information and guidance on 

various issues. 

The proposed cuts in Auckland 

Council’s draft budget for 2023, 

which is currently in consultation 

till March 28, add up to nearly 

$125 million cutting across 

departments and groups. 

It stretches to most services 

Auckland Council provides, 

with buses, parks, libraries, 

recreational facilities, clubs, 

events and more in the firing line. 

The council’s proposed 

budget cuts are in response to 

Simon Oosterman during the protest in Auckland. 

a $295-million funding shortfall. 

This includes further spending 

reductions. CAB Waitakere staff 

called a strike on Tuesday, 

February 27, and held a protest 

outside the New Lynn Citizens 

Advice Bureau at Lynn Mall, 

asking the council to save the 

bureau that has 34 centres 

across Auckland supported by 

several independent charities. 

The Indian Weekender spoke 

to Simon Oosterman, Climate 

Campaigner and Advocacy 

Sector Organiser at Public 

Service Association, the trade 

union for those providing public 

and community services. 

How many people attended the 

strike? 

The seven Citizens Advice 

Bureau Waitakere staff all went 

on strike. 

Forty members of the 

community supported the 

workers, including representatives 

from local community groups 

such as Grey Power Waitakere, 

Waitakere Justice of Peace 

Support Group, Waitemata 

Community Law Centre, Migrant 

Workers Association and others. 

It may be noted that only CAB 

Waitakere can legally strike. 

The other CAB staff can’t for 

technical reasons. 

What are your demands? 

We want to save Auckland 

Citizens Advice Bureaus by 

asking people to sign our petition 

at www.psa.org.nz/petition and 

to make submissions on the 

Auckland Council’s proposed 

budget to stop them from 

cutting funding of our CABs. 

Our outstanding 

managers and admin 

staff work longer 

hours than they are 

paid for, and losing 

their jobs because 

of the council’s cuts 

would be a kick in 

the guts." – Simon 

Oosterman 

How do you think CAB’s 

closure would impact the 

community? 

CABs help Aucklanders when 

they are most vulnerable and 

have fallen through the cracks in 

society. For every $1 the council 

invests in CABs, they provide 

$13 of social value. 

The impact of the cuts will be 

13 times greater than it appears, 

with more Aucklanders struggling 

to get the support they need. 

CABs provide an essential 

connection for our Kiwi Indian 

community when they are most 

vulnerable – for those who 

recently arrived, those who have 

been here for a while, and those 

born here. 

CAB is a bridge connecting 

people with various other 

organisations, including the 

Migrant Workers Associations and 

the Auckland Indian Association. 

What kind of community 

support have you experienced 

so far? 

The support we received 

on the day, and the ongoing 

support after the strike, has 

been outstanding – well beyond 

anything we expected. We are 

so grateful that the community 

is helping our excellent CAB staff 

help them. 

How do you think the closure of 

CABs would impact the staff? 

Suppose CABs close, staff will 

be made redundant. Waitakere 

staff have some redundancy 

compensation as they are 

unionised, but other CABs 

without the union will likely get 

no redundancy compensation. 

Our outstanding managers 

and admin staff work longer 

hours than they are paid for, 

and losing their jobs because of 

the council’s cuts would be a 

kick in the guts. I am confident 

they will continue to volunteer 

in the community and do what 

they do best. 

Dr Anae 

Neru Leavasa 

MP for Takanini 

My office can advocate and advise 

on issues relating to: 

- Housing and Kainga Ora 

- MSD 

- Immigration issues 

- Local issues and concerns 

- Education 

- ACC claims 

- Inland Revenue 

Please contact me via: 

0800 997 527 

takanini.mp@parliament.govt.nz 

/DrAnaeNeruLeavasa 

@dr_anae_neru_leavasa 

Authorised by Dr Anae Neru Leavasa MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

6 

NEW ZEALAND 



Onehunga comes alive with 

music, food, and fun at festival 


holders and all the wonderful people who 

supported and had a great day out.” 

Josephine Bartley, Councillor for 

Maungakiekie-Tāmaki ward, who took her 

niece and nephew with her to the festival, 

said, “It was just awesome this year. I 

took my niece and nephew with me this 

time, and they enjoyed themselves. It was 

great to chat with all the locals too. As 

always, great work Onehunga Business 

Association.” 

Another attendee, Fiona Lal, stated, “It 

was such a well-organised event! All the 

stallholders and performers were good. I 

loved the vibe.” 

Angela Corbett, Events and 

Communications Manager, Onehunga 

Business Association, was delighted by the 

overwhelming presence of the community. 

She said, “It was truly wonderful to see 

our community enjoying themselves, 

“I had a blast at the Onehunga Festival. Meeting so many locals at my stall and chatting about what matters to them 

was great, says Priyanca Radhakrishnan. 

especially after the last few years with 

Covid restrictions followed by the recent 

severe weather events. 

Events such as the Onehunga Festival are 

important for the Kiwi-Indian community 

to help them connect with others in their 

local area and create a real sense of 

belonging in the community.” 

The Onehunga Festival 2023 on 

Saturday (March 4) was a huge 

success and saw a big turnout of 

about 6,000 people who came out to 

enjoy the event. 

The crowd was seen making the most 

of the beautiful weather and enjoying the 

free entertainment and activities at the 

Onehunga Bay Reserve. 

The Cardboard Boat race, which Aotea 

Sea Scouts organised along with the 

Onehunga Business Association, attracted 

much attention. 

It was great entertainment to watch as 

11 teams frantically paddled their handcrafted 

boats, constructed entirely from 

cardboard, duct tape, glue, cable ties and 

waterproof paint, across the lagoon. It 

was the second boat race to be held on 

Onehunga Lagoon, the first being in 2021. 

Sharing her experience of attending 

the event and taking part in the race, 

Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic 

Communities Priyanca Radhakrishnan, who 

is also MP for Maungakiekie, said, “I had a 

blast at the Onehunga Festival. 

Meeting so many locals at my stall and 

chatting about what matters to them was 

great. My entry, ‘The Pri-anchor Rudderkrishnan’ 

wasn’t the first cardboard boat 

over the finish line, but she got us safely 

across the lagoon. 

"Huge thanks to the Onehunga Business 

Association and all others who put on such 

a stellar event and to my amazing team of 

VENU MENON IN 

WELLINGTON AND MAHESH 

KUMAR IN CHRISTCHURCH 

Indian classical music 

enthusiasts in Wellington and 

Christchurch were spellbound 

as celebrated vocalist Arati 

Ankalikar Tikekar performed in 

the two cities last week. 

The 60-year-old from 

Karnataka is known for her 

mastery over genres like khayal, 

thumri, and bhajan. She kicked 

off her first overseas tour since 

winning India’s highest honour for 

the performing arts, the Sangeet 

Natak Akademi Award, with a 

show in Wellington on March 4. 

Tikekar said she was often 

asked if New Zealand would offer 

an audience appreciative of Indian 

classical music. “We have to give 

credit to our great tradition of 

Indian classical music and also 

to you [audience] for having 

the love for our music,” Tikekar 

told attendees at the Indian High 

Commission auditorium. 

High Commissioner Neeta 

Bhushan pointed out love for 

Indian classical music in New 

Zealand extended beyond just 

Bollywood. “It is truly momentous 

and historic that, after receiving 

the Sangeet Natak Akademi 

Award, you have come to NZ and 

performed for the first time on 

the high commission premises.” 

Event host Megha Barpande 

introduced the accompanying 

artists. Kishori Telang trained 

as a vocalist under Tikekar, 

volunteers.” 

Other popular activities with the kids 

included face painting, balloon twisting, 

the mobile petting farm and The Bubble 

Man. Children also had fun on the goliath 

obstacle course, water rollers and other 

inflatable amusements. Some of them 

thoroughly enjoyed a tie-dying activity, 

new to the festival, where they made and 

took home their tie-dye t-shirt. 

The stage entertainment also drew a 

great crowd throughout the day with a 

diverse mix of performances from local 

cultural and dance groups, an acoustic set 

by musician Chris Bates and songs to sing 

and dance to from the band Hands Off. 

As every event is incomplete without 

some great food, there was a great range 

of food on offer. 

Debbie Burrows, Deputy Chair 

Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board, said 

this was the best Onehunga Festival. She 

said, “Onehunga Festival 2023 celebrated 

30 years of the Onehunga Festival with the 

best one yet! Thank you to the amazing 

team at Onehunga Business Association, 

Onehunga Community Patrol, Onehunga 

sea scouts, the sponsors, artists, stall 

Indian classical music doyen Arati Ankalikar Tikekar wows NZ 

Indian High Commissioner Neeta Bhushan addressing the audience 

Arati Ankalikar Tikekar poses with guest in Chriustchurch. 

while Wellington-based Sanjay 

Dixit learned tabla under Gyan 

Shankar Ghosh. Samir Bhalodkar, 

an Auckland Transport employee, 

has played the samvadini for over 

two decades. 

The event was organised by 

Prashant Belwalkar of the Migrant 

Heritage Charitable Trust, which 

promotes Indian art and culture, in 

collaboration with the Wellington 

Maharashtrian Association. 

Tikekar later attended an 

event in Christchurch on March 

Classical music superstars in Auckland on March 17-18 

DEV NADKARNI 

Megha Barpande (left) with Neeta Bhushan. 

Auckland is all set to witness a musical 

extravaganza as two stalwarts of Hindustani 

classical music, Arati Ankalikar Tikekar and 

Jayateerth Mevundi, are scheduled to perform at 

Chinmaya Nikunj in Mangere on March 17 and 18. 

Both the artists are on their respective Australia- 

New Zealand concert tours. 

Tikekar is a disciple of renowned vocalist Kishori 

Amonkar. Mevundi is a protégé of legendary Pandit 

Bhimsen Joshi and he won the Sangeet Natak 

Akademi Award in 2017. 

Both stalwarts will be accompanied by local NZbased 

artists. Tikekar’s concert is hosted by the 

Migrant Heritage Charitable Trust Inc (MigHTi) and 

the New Zealand Kannada Koota is hosting the 

Jayateerth Mevundi concert. 

Both concerts are supported by the Centre 

for Indian Performing Arts (CIPA) and the Mohan 

Nadkarni Foundation. 

Where: Chinmaya Nikunj, 63, McKenzie Road, 

MangereWhen: Arati Akalikar Tikekar - Friday, March 

17, 7 pm; Jayateerth Mevundi - Saturday, March 

18, 6 pm.Tickets: www.eventfinda.co.nz (March 17 

event); www.trybooking.co.nz (March 18 event) 

8 organised by Christchurch 

Marathi Group - Apli Manse team 

led by Abhay Vengurlekar with 

support from Suruchi, Sudhir 

Joshi, Dhaval, Amol, Komal, Rahul 

and Padmakar Shevde. 

It is truly momentous 

and historic that, 

after receiving the 

Sangeet Natak Akademi 

Award, you have come 

to NZ and performed 

for the first time on 

the high commission 

premises." – High 

Commissioner Neeta 

Bhushan 

Talking about her childhood, 

Tikekar said, “I was fortunate 

to have parents who were 

passionate about music and 

always encouraged me to pursue 

my dreams. My mother would sit 

with me during my riyaz (musical 

practice) encouraging me to 

keep going.” 

The highlight of the evening 

was a surprise for Tikekar when 

the organisers connected her 

husband live on video from 

India, providing the audience an 

opportunity to enjoy the light 

banter between the couple.


NEW ZEALAND 7 

Chch’s Hare Krishna temple 

celebrates sixth anniversary of rebuild 

MAHESH KUMAR 

The Hare Krishna Temple in 

Christchurch is a place of 

great significance for not 

just the Indian community but 

the wider community as well. 

Established in 1982, it was a hub 

of spirituality for decades until it 

was destroyed in the devastating 

earthquake of 2011. 

After a lengthy battle 

with insurance companies, 

construction on the temple 

began in 2015 and opened to 

devotees in 2017. 

The temple celebrated the 

6th anniversary of the rebuild 

on March 4-5. On the occasion, 

special guests HG Kalasamvara 

Prabhu and HG Trivikrama Prabhu 

shared their memories of the 

temple, adding to the electric 

ambiance. A rare Maha Abhiseka 

of the deities was performed, 

previously done only in 1986, 

1996 and 2017. 

The temple was filled with 

devotees immersed in the kirtan, 

creating a powerful atmosphere 

of devotion and spirituality. After 

the Gaura Arati, a sumptuous 

vegetarian feast was served. 

The Hare Krishna movement 

has a long history in New Zealand, 

with the Auckland temple 

established in the early 1970s. 

The movement’s message of 

Devotees in the temple. 

spiritual and cultural unity has 

resonated with many people 

over the years, including Prabhu 

Ramanuj, who is in charge of the 

Christchurch temple. 

In a brief chat with The Indian 

Weekender, Ramanuj Prabhu 

talked about the temple’s journey 

and shared how his involvement 

in the movement has shaped his 

own life. 

Prabhu, who joined the Hare 

Krishna movement in 1979, has 

been a part of the Christchurch 

temple for over 15 years. 

His journey to the movement 

began when he was a teenager, 

felt a void in his life and h 

ad many questions. 

After coming into contact with 

Hare Krishna chanters in the 

street, he started reading their 

books and eventually joined the 

temple as an initiated devotee 

at the age of 21. Though it 

was initially a complete change 

of culture, it was a decision he 

never regretted. 

Prabhu quotes Bhagwad 

Gita and says “Paraṁ dṛṣṭvā 

nivartate”, which means to 

have better engagement, one 

will have to give up this inferior 

engagement. 

Prabhu spent over 20 years in 

India, spending time building Hare 

Krishna temples in Mayaapur, 

West Bengal and Jaipur. 

Prabhu recalls his experiences 

in India: “Visiting India for the 

first time is an experience like no 

other - a land of diverse cultures, 

languages, lifestyles, and attire 

that can leave you in awe. 

The extreme contrasts can be 

overwhelming at first, but soon 

enough, you begin to feel a sense 

of belonging amidst the chaos 

and beauty of this incredible 

country.” 

Prabhu returned to Christchurch 

and took charge of the temple 

in 2007, spending several 

years refurbishing it before the 

earthquake struck. 

After the earthquake, the 

community gathered every 

Sunday in a community hall for 

six years until the new temple 

could be built. 

The reconstruction of the 

temple began in 2015. 

Prabhu was instrumental in 

designing the new temple, which 

was built using earthquake-proof 

timber construction based on 

Japanese buildings. The temple’s 

design is based on Vaastu 

principles, emphasising harmony 

and balance in architecture. 

Initially destined for the Auckland 

temple, the deity statues built in 

India with Makrana marble were 

donated to Christchurch. 

With weekly congregations 

and events like Krishnafest, 

the temple is now a place of 

tranquility and spirituality. It 

also operates a vegan cafe on 

Thursdays and Fridays, which is 

open to all. 

One of the most striking changes 

in the temple’s congregation 

since the earthquake has been 

the increase in the number 

of Indians attending. Prabhu 

shares, “Previously, there were 

few Indians, but now up to 90 

per cent of the congregation is 

Indian. Many are young families 

who want to keep their children 

connected to their culture.” 

In many ways, the Hare Krishna 

Temple in Christchurch stands 

today as a beacon of hope and 

a reminder of the importance of 

spiritual and cultural connection. 

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8 

NEW ZEALAND 

Rangmanch to 

stage Hindi play 

IWK BUREAU 

Ra n g m a n c h , 

a renowned 

theatre group 

from Auckland, will be 

showcasing a Hindi play 

titled ‘Once Upon A Time 

In Kallygunj’ at TAPAC, 

Western Springs, Auckland 

on March 17 and 18. 

The play, which is a 

period comedy with several 

unexpected plot twists, 

can be interpreted in the 

context of contemporary 

issues despite its 

setting in a time without 

modern communication 

technologies. It is a 

comedy with a substantial 

message and intelligent 

humour. The director 

of the play, Jayanta 

Bhaduri, who has directed many 

Rangmanch productions in the 

past, has high hopes for its 

success. 

Over the years, Rangmanch 

has provided high-quality Indian 

theatre to Auckland audiences 

and has staged successful Hindi 

productions in the past, such 

as Zimmedari, Ballabhpur ki 

Kahani, Dildar, Sunhere Sapne, 

Rajdarshan, Mareech Ka Khel, Ek 

Adhuri Kahani, Kuch Kuch Locha 

Hai, and Mere Saamne Wali Khidki 

Mein among others. 

Theatre enthusiasts in 

Auckland are encouraged to 

attend the show, and tickets are 

available for purchase at iticket. 

co.nz for $25. 

Event: Hindi 

play by Rangmanch: Once Upon 

A Time In Kallygunj 

When: March 17, 2023 (Friday) 

at 7.30 pm and March 18, 2023 

(Saturday) at 6.30 pm 

Where: TAPAC, 100 Motions 

Road, Western Springs, 

Auckland 



Memorable ghazal recitals at Tarannum 

DEV NADKARNI 

Like its inaugural concert 

two years ago, Tarannum, 

CFI Events’ ghazal offering, 

featured Hemant Shirsat and 

Arpita Chanda, two of Auckland’s 

talented singers. 

That first edition was dedicated 

to legendary maestro, the late 

Jagjit Singh and his timeless 

ghazals, geets and nazms. Last 

week’s second edition, however, 

had an eclectic but equally 

popular collection drawn from 

the oeuvre of a range of singers 

and Hindi films. 

The three-hour concert 

featured more than 20 songs 

with Hemant and Arpita singing 

both solos and duets with 

flourish and finesse, to the 

delight of the audience that 

filled the Green Bay High School 

Performing Arts Theatre. 

The show began with a 

welcome and introduction by ace 

percussionist Araad, who showed 

his additional talent for emceeing 

and delivering shayari in style. 

The performances were 

peppered with shayaris by 

both singers before many of 

their songs. Shayari are like 

garnish to the delectability of 

a ghazal, adding to its overall 

appeal. Both singers delivered 

their shayaris with as much 

aplomb as their singing. 

Both Hemant and Arpita showed 

their versatility in presenting the 

different numbers that ranged in 

complexity with some steeped 

in classicism and others in more 

rhythmic variations with ease. 

Their renditions, especially of the 

more popular and lilting ghazals, 

Performers enthralling the audience at Tarannum event in Auckland. 

were met with enthusiastic 

applause from the audience and 

a few ‘once mores’. 

This reviewer had discovered 

Hemant’s talent as an engaging 

speaker at Tarannum One where 

he introduced many of the 

ghazals, with rich information 

about their nuances, their story 

and sometimes their history with 

humour and candour. He did an 

encore this time around and his 

commentary was lapped up by 

the audience. 

Ghazals, geets and nazms have 

been popular forms in the music 

of North India for centuries. 

While all three forms are similar 

in terms of their use of language 

and meter, they have distinct 

differences in terms of structure, 

themes, and musical styles. 

Ghazal originated in Persia 

(now Iran) and is widely used 

in Urdu poetry. It has rhyming 

couplets and a refrain. Ghazals 

typically explore themes of 

love, loss, and longing, and 

are known for their intricate 

wordplay and metaphors. 

Traditionally ghazals are 

accompanied by acoustic 

instruments like tabla for 

percussion, sarangi and/ 

or harmonium to follow 

the singers and the sitar. 

Electronic instrumentation to 

add to the soundscape are a 

latter-day addition. 

Geets are a poetic form 

associated with light, popular 

music and are usually set to 

upbeat, catchy tunes and are 

more conducive to the use of 

electronic instrumentation for 

accompaniment than ghazals. 

Unlike ghazals and geets, 

nazms do not follow a strict 

rhyming structure and are usually 

written in a more straightforward, 

narrative style and are known 

for their clarity and directness, 

unlike the liberal use of 

metaphors in ghazals. 

Which brings me to the sound 

management of ghazal concerts. 

The soul of the ghazal soundscape 

is the harmonium and the tabla 

and when it is there, the sarangi. 

Electronic accompaniment is 

not only not traditional but 

detracts from the simple melodic 

beauty of the ghazal form –– 

especially if the sound is not 

balanced optimally. 

At Tarannum-2, the 

electronic instruments seemed 

to continually drown out the 

acoustic tabla, wielded exquisitely 

by Prashant Kumar and singer 

Hemant Shirsat’s harmonium. 

The harmonium is the 

very backbone of the ghazal 

soundscape and its sound was all 

but feeble throughout the show. 

At one point, it appeared 

that Hemant was simply moving 

his fingers over the keyboard 

without producing any sound. 

It is understandable that 

synthesisers and electronic 

rhythms are necessary to 

provide a soundscape especially 

in the absence of the full range 

of acoustic instruments and 

artistes to play them but then 

sound engineers must balance 

equipment accordingly so as not 

to overpower the sound of the 

acoustic instruments on stage, 

making it difficult to appreciate 

their uniquely natural and 

wholesome sounds. 

Araad on electronic 

percussions, Prashant Kumar 

on tabla, Hemant Thakar on 

keys, Prasanna on guitar and 

Sargam Madhur on sitar provided 

superb accompaniment to the 

accomplished singers. 

Conceived, organised and 

hosted by Ram Iyer’s CFI 

Events, Tarannum-2 was made 

possible by sponsorships from 

City Forex NZ, Travel Corner, 

Reliance Ventilation, Growth 

Property Management and 

Transparent Finance. The event 

was supported by CIPA (Centre 

for Indian Performing Arts) and 

the Mohan Nadkarni Foundation. 

Indian Weekender was the media 

partner. 

Bengaluru Stallions Spirit of Cricket champs 

IWK BUREAU 

The usual venue of 

Auckland Domain was put 

out of commission by 

the flooding caused by Cyclone 

Gabrielle to have any matches 

there so the venue was moved to 

the Avondale Racecourse. 

The finals, played last Sunday, 

was a contest between past 

winners TUFXI and new entrant 

Bengaluru Stallions. The 

Shamiullah father-and-son duo 

along with Naved were too hot to 

handle for TUFXI and they folded 

for a meagre 34 runs making it 

a simple target for Bengaluru 

Stallions. 

However, TUFXI made a 

match of it by sending half the 

Bengaluru Stallion team into 

the pavilion, but indiscipline in 

bowling (13 wides) cost them 

a closer match in a low scoring 

one. So we had a new winner for 

the trophy – Bengaluru Stallions 

and the runner-ups were TUFXI. 

Defenders picked up the second 

runners-up prize. 

Covid and climate took toll 

The tournament was off to 

a great start by November 20. 

And then something that had 

not been seen in 25 years of the 

tournament happened. Rain gods 

decided to wash out five Sundays 

from the tournament schedule, 

thereby reducing the matches 

played to just five completed 

rounds. 

This was unprecedented in 

the history of the tournament, 

forcing the organisers to scrap 

a few rules in order to make 

it a level playing field based on 

games completed rather than the 

The winners with the cup. 

luck of one over. 

As usual, there was some 

excitement like a tied match, 

hat-tricks in bowling and 

50s off the bat. Overall, the 

tournament has now become the 

benchmark for other communitybased 

tournaments that have 

mushroomed around Auckland. It 

is indeed a moment of pride that 

this tournament has sustained 

itself for 25 years with the help 

of community members and 

teams. 

Relianz Forex, was the lead 

sponsor as it has been for 

a decade, and Director Giri 

Giridharan gave away the 

trophies and mementos at the 

conclusion of the tournament on 

the sunny Sunday afternoon at 

the Avondale race course.

10 

NEW ZEALAND 



India’s rich artistic traditions 

showcased at Auckland fair 


The Autumn Gift and Homeware Fair 

– one of New Zealand’s largest retail 

buying events in Auckland – had a 

special India connection this year. 

That’s because the free event from March 

5 to March 7 at Auckland Showgrounds 

had an international pavilion featuring the 

vitality of India. 

The Indian pavilion was organised by the 

Federation of Indian Export Organisations 

(FIEO). It was set up in 1965 under the 

aegis of the Ministry of Commerce, 

Government of India. It allowed about 

16 top Indian artisans and makers to 

showcase high-quality, never-seen-before 

products from India. 

The fair hosted more than 200 exhibitors, 

including many new to the industry, and 

old faces who have returned for 2023, 

with hundreds of visitors in attendance. 

The fair had national and international 

exhibiting wholesalers showcasing the 

latest products sourced from not only 

New Zealand but around the world. 

Those in attendance included retailers 

ranging from high-street stores to local 

outlets. It also attracted many interior 

designers, specifiers and corporate gift 

buyers. This year, up to 3,000 retailers, 

designers and corporate buyers were in 

attendedance. 

Event organiser Tony Waite, General 

Manager of XPO Exhibitions, told The 

Indian Weekender, “Discussions about 

having an Indian pavilion started a few 

years ago. However, because of all the 

delays and travel restrictions due to the 

Covid-19 pandemic, it wasn’t until now 

that it eventually happened. We all learnt 

many things and ways to improve the 

pavilion’s attendance. Anything that can 

ChCh’s community unites in 

a colourful celebration of Holi 

MAHESH KUMAR 

Holi is a festival of colours, joy, and 

harmony celebrated by people 

worldwide. 

The festival is celebrated in many parts of 

the world, and New Zealand is no exception. 

On March 4, 2023, Christchurch’s Hagley 

Park North was transformed into a vibrant 

and colourful place as people from all 

ethnicities of Christchurch gathered to 

celebrate the Holi festival. 

The event was from 11 am to 4 pm 

and was packed with activities that kept 

everyone engaged. 

There was a stage where many 

performances were held, and a live DJ 

played catchy music with the crowd 

dancing and singing along. The energy 

in the air was electric, and everyone was 

having a great time. 

The main attraction of the event was, of 

course, playing with colours. Stalls selling 

eco-friendly colours were set up and were 

crowded with people buying them. Kids, in 

particular, were having a great time running 

around with coloured faces. The festival 

was all about having fun and enjoying the 

company of friends and family. 

The event also had stalls selling street 

food, and the aroma of flavours filled the air. 

The event began with Sally Pitama of 

Ngai Tahu leading a Karakia, and notable 

dignitaries in attendance included Hon Dr 

Duncan Webb, MP for Christchurch Central, 

Sarah Pallett, MP for Ilam, Dr Sunita 

Gautam, Board Member representing 

the Central Ward, and Surinder 

Tandon, the President of Christchurch 

Multicultural Council. 

The event was organised by Maia 

Foods and Sandeep Khanna Mortgages 

in association with the Christchurch City 

Glimpses of the Indian Pavilion at the Autumn Gift and Homeware Fair in Auckland 

Member of the Christchurch Indian Community celebrating Holi. 

Council. The weather was warm and sunny, 

and people came out in large numbers to 

celebrate the festival. 

The organiser, Hitesh, expressed his 

gratitude to all the supporters, sponsors, 

and the community for making the event 

a success. 

He said, “It is heartening to see so many 

people come out and support this event. 

After three years, the community has 

finally got a chance to celebrate this fun 

festival again.” 

Karan, one of the attendees, said, “We 

were looking forward to celebrating Holi, 

especially the kids who don’t get a chance 

like this to get together with friends and 

have fun like this.” The festival provided an 

opportunity for people to come together 

and celebrate the joy of life. 

Presented by Sandeep Khanna Mortgages 

and supported by Harman Deep, Arise 

Financial Services, Homes by Parklane, the 

event was very well organised and a great 

success. 

enhance economic relations is a positive 

and a small step towards this.” 

Bhav Dhillon, Hon Consul of India in 

Auckland, who met Vineet Arora, Deputy 

Director of FIEO, at the Consulate of India 

office in Onehunga, appreciated FIEO’s 

efforts in organising India Pavilion at NZ 

Gift and Home Fair and assured all support 

and cooperation. 

He said, “Though it was the first year of 

having the Indian pavilion at the fair, it is a 

great beginning. 

"We wholeheartedly welcome this 

endeavour by FIEO. 

Such initiatives will ensure better 

trade relations between India and New 

Zealand. We assure you all our support 

and cooperation for Indian participants 

in the future.” 

NZ Gift and Home Fair events are the 

country’s most significant trade-only 

retail buying events. They have existed 

for almost 40 years and are the primary 

sourcing event for thousands of retailers 

from around the country. They are held 

three times a year. 

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NEW ZEALAND 11 

Homeownership can lead to 

a sense of empowerment for 

women: Rasleen Kaur 

MAHESH KUMAR 

To mark International Women’s Day 

on March 8, The Indian Weekender 

spoke with Rasleen Kaur, Mortgage 

Advisor at Sandeep Khanna Mortgages 

in Christchurch. She shared her inspiring 

story of success through resilience and 

determination. 

Kaur takes pride in helping women 

achieve their dream of home ownership 

while also empowering them to take 

control of their finances and becoming 

financially independent. 

Kaur started her career as a home lender 

with a bank in 2014 and worked there until 

2021. During these years, she worked as a 

home lender in retail and business banking. 

After having her second child in 2021, she 

got an opportunity to work as a mortgage 

advisor, which offered her the flexibility 

she needed while working full-time and 

looking after her young family. 

Despite facing situations where her 

skills, knowledge, and experience were 

underestimated because of her gender, 

Kaur feels fortunate to work with the right 

people who believe in her capabilities. 

“As a result of the encouragement and 

mentorship I have received from Sandeep 

Khanna and Mona, I have managed such 

situations to deliver positive outcomes for 

my clients,” she said. 

Emphasising the importance of financial 

independence for women, Kaur says, 

“Homeownership provides financial 

security and a sense of empowerment 

that helps women focus on other goals, 

such as retirement savings, raising family, 

and improving the quality of their lives.” 

She takes special pride in 

helping women, including 

“Being 

a woman 

professional in this 

industry undoubtedly 

can be a bit much 

sometimes; this gets 

even more challenging 

when you are a 

‘mom’ as well. 

single mothers with young 

children, achieve their 

home ownership goals. 

“I remember the feeling 

of joy when I helped a 

single mom with young 

kids in achieving her home 

ownership goals by working 

with them for a few months. 

This involved a lot of hard work 

ranging from helping them with budget 

planning to tidying up their accounts, 

working with them on their short-term and 

long-term goals,” she said. 

She believes women these days have 

many resources available to them, such 

as social media, seminars by financial 

institutions, and professional guides to 

help them become financially independent. 

Kaur’s tips for women wanting to secure 

a home mortgage include sorting out their 

finances, differentiating between needs 

and wants, and cutting off other liabilities 

and debts. She also advises seeing a 

mortgage advisor early on in the homebuying 

journey. 

Indian players shine as NZ beats 

Australia in O40I tournament 

MAHESH KUMAR 

New Zealand has defeated Australia 

by 2-0 in the historic Over- 

40s International series held in 

Christchurch. The tournament that began 

on 19 February lasted for a week, with two 

warm-up games followed by three O40I 

matches. 

This victory marks an incredible 

achievement for the New Zealand over- 

40s cricket team, who put up a fantastic 

performance against their Australian 

counterparts. It was a thrilling series 

of cricket, with both teams showing 

remarkable skills, dedication, and 

commitment. 

The three Kiwi-Indian players 

participating in the tournament- Vishal 

Dube, Hardeep Singh and Deepak Joon all 

contributed with their skills to help New 

Zealand post the win. 

The historic tournament which was the 

first O40I played anywhere in the world 

had the International Masters Cricket 

Committee Chairman, Stirling Hamman, 

present at the occasion. 

Jim Morrison, Director of NZ Over-40s 

Cricket said, “The series was a wonderful 

way to start over-40s cricket around the 

world. We hope that the success of this 

series will attract new players, supporters 

and sponsors to this amazing new format 

of cricket.” 

New Zealand won the first O40I match 

by six wickets. The second match was 

washed out without a ball bowled due to 

damp pitch. 

The second and final O40I match saw 

New Zealand win by 43 runs. James 

Marshall’s 70 runs and Adam Hastilow’s 

3/13 helped New Zealand finish at 232/9. 

Australia’s Over 40s Cricket scored 198, 

and the New Zealand team won the series 

2-0. 

Commenting on the win, Vishal Dubey 

told Indian Weekender, “Winning the 

tournament was the best feeling and for 

most of us it was realising our dream to 

play and to represent the country in over 

40s cricket.” 

“I want to thank Jim for organising 

the event and making it a memorable 

experience and Rhys Henderson, the team 

manager, for taking excellent care of the 

team, allowing them to focus solely on 

cricket and Our team physio Graham who 

made certain the boys were ready for their 

next game despite the most challenging 

aspect of the tournament for us was being 

match fit. We are now looking forward to 

the first-ever over40’s world cup.” 

Being a working mother in the financial 

industry can be overwhelming as Kaur 

shares, “Being a woman professional in 

this industry undoubtedly can be a bit 

much sometimes; this gets even more 

challenging when you are a mom as well. 

The mortgage mom is another level; I 

am a mother of two little kids under 

the age of 4, and no matter how 

much flexibility we are given in 

this industry, some days get 

really tough. 

Sometimes, I get calls 

when putting kids to 

sleep or when I am out 

spending quality time 

with them. 

One of the reasons people 

come to advisers is that 

they can be contacted after 

hours or on weekends. So 

this is something that’s 

unavoidable and we are 

prepared for.” 

Kaur says she is 

fortunate to work for SKM, where she has 

been given opportunities for professional 

growth and flexibility in managing work-life 

balance. 

Kaur also hopes to see more women 

join the industry to bring a different 

perspective and empathy much needed in 

the financial industry.

Editorial 

Geopolitical 

rivalries mar 

G20 talks 

India’s leadership of the G20 was sorely tested when the summit held in 

New Delhi ended on March 2 with no communique. 

The absence of a communique indicates the failure to achieve a 

consensus among the participants, and the onus to build such consensus is 

squarely on the host. 

That said, it could be argued that a single issue thwarted the prospect of a 

unanimous outcome, tilting the talks towards deadlock. 

Russia’s war in Ukraine dominated the discussions and India, currently 

presiding over the G20, acknowledged that, in the end, disagreement defied 

reconciliation, leading to the delegates from 19 wealthy nations, as well as 

the European Union, dispersing without issuing a joint statement. 

Instead of a closing statement, New Delhi cobbled together a “chair’s 

summary,” citing the divergence of views around the war in Ukraine. 

As G20 president, India tried to stay above the fray and pushed its agenda 

on behalf of the Global South, which had unsustainable debt, digitalisation, 

inflation and food security at its centre. 

The challenge before New Delhi was to make the G20 look beyond Ukraine. 

But with China and Russia jointly opposing a majority statement condemning 

the war in Ukraine, India’s bid to forge a diplomatic consensus fell apart. 

No doubt, India’s own ambivalence on Russia did not go unnoticed. New 

Delhi has held firm in the face of mounting pressure to denounce Russia’s 

aggression in Ukraine. It has consistently abstained from voting on UN 

resolutions condemning the war in Ukraine, including a vote held in the UN 

General Assembly recently. It has stepped up its oil imports from Russia, 

which also supplies arms to India. 

National interest and compulsions of realpolitik, no doubt, lie behind New 

Delhi’s strategic choices. 

But, as the G20 host, India has had to resort to a diplomatic fig leaf to 

camouflage its position on Russia by bringing up the “UN Charter, international 

law, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states” in its 

statements on Ukraine. 

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s observation that India “tried, 

but the gap between the countries was too much” is a telling postscript to 

its efforts to choreograph a consensus out of disharmony. 

But the summit was not devoid of optics. 

At the foreign ministers’ session in Delhi, Russia’s Sergei Lavrov met Antony 

Blinken of the US on the side lines. The brief encounter came on the heels 

of bellicose pronouncements by Russian officials over US “ blackmail and 

threats.” 

While opening the session, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi skirted the 

Ukraine war but hinted that geopolitical tensions could hamstring talks. 

So, when delegates and guests sashayed to the venue where India was 

hosting the Raisina Dialogue 2023, timed to match the G20, in the Indian 

capital, the transition was almost cathartic. 

Touted as India’s “leading geopolitical and geoeconomics conference,” 

the Raisina Dialogue, which was inaugurated by Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia 

Meloni and India’s Modi, provided a platform for “correcting the perception” 

of a lack of unanimity within the G20. 

India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Seetharaman said there was agreement on 

15 out of 17 critical issues discussed by the G20 and identified the war in 

Ukraine as the divisive issue. She also took a veiled swipe at China and Russia 

for their obstructionist role in India’s unsuccessful bid to forge an elusive 

consensus within the G20. 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK 

My election as the President of the world’s 

largest democracy is a part of the story of 

women empowerment 

– Indian President Droupadi Murmu 

IN FOCUS : Picture of the week 

This week in New Zealand’s history 

11 March 1884 

New Zealand Freethought Association founded 

Indian Weekender : Volume 14 Issue 48 

Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited 

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

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Indian External 

Affairs Minister 

S Jaishankar 

celebrating Holi 

with United States 

Secretary of 

Commerce Gina 

Raimondo at Indian 

Defence Minister 

Rajnath Singh 

House in New Delhi 

on March 8, 2023 

(Wednesday). 

Forty delegates from six regional associations met in Dunedin to adopt a constitution 

and elect the first officeholders in the new organisation 


New Zealand Red Cross worker killed in Vietnam 

Returning from leave in Laos, 30-year-old Malcolm ‘Mac’ Riding was on board an Air 

Vietnam DC4 when it crashed 25 km from his Red Cross team’s compound near 

Pleiku, South Vietnam 


New Zealand’s first test cricket victory 

New Zealand was already 3–0 down in the series going into the fourth and final test at 

Eden Park in Auckland. Their West Indies opponents included household names such 

as Gary Sobers and Everton Weekes, who had broken batting records for a New Zealand 

season. 


New Zealand troops riot in England 

Four months after the end of the First World War, hundreds of New Zealand soldiers 

rioted at Sling Camp on Salisbury Plain in southern England. It was the most serious 

breakdown of discipline in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the European theatre. 


First Taranaki War erupts at Waitara 

The opening shots of the first Taranaki War were fired when British troops attacked a 

pā built by Te Āti Awa at Te Kohia, Waitara. 


Only surviving Maungatautari Bank cheque issued 

The Maungatautari Bank was one of several set up by Māori in the decades after the 

New Zealand Wars to handle the money they were receiving from land sales.


NEW ZEALAND 13 

Vinod Rathod wows audience 

with soulful performance 


On Saturday (March 4), Aucklanders 

experienced the magic of ace 

Bollywood singer Vinod Rathod’s 

singing. 

Rathod, who gained popularity in the 

1990s and early 2000s primarily for his 

contributions to Bollywood films, has been 

entertaining music lovers for decades with 

his unique voice and ability to convey 

emotions through his singing. 

His Auckland concert, presented 

by Trivision Entertainment, was a 

much-awaited event for the Indian 

community and music enthusiasts in 

New Zealand. The concert at Mahatma 

Gandhi Centre was attended by nearly 

500 people and showcased his musical 

prowess and popularity. 

The 60-year-old Rathod, who is known 

for his melodious voice and versatile 

singing style, crooned his popular songs 

like Aisi Deewangi (Deewana), Nayak Nahin 

Khalnayak Hoon Main (KhalNayak), Ae 

Mere Humsafar (Baazigar), Dholi Taro Dhol 

Baje (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam) and M Bole 

To (Munna Bhai MBBS) among many others 

and left the audience craving for more. It 

was not just about music but also about 

the experience and emotions he evoked in 


(From top left) Chandni Mukherjee, Vinod Rathod and Jaswant Singh Rathore. 

his listeners. 

Interestingly, the event also saw melodious 

singer Chandni Mukherjee performing with 

Rathod, and the duo’s chemistry was well 

appreciated by one and all. 

Their songs made people dance, and 

some enthusiastic dancers were invited 

onto the stage. Preetika Chand, an 

attendee, said, “It was a full paisa vasool 

show. It was a night full of fun and 

Rotorua Hindi School celebrates 

Holi with colourful festivities 

music. I enjoyed Vinod Rathod’s singing 

and was transported back to the lively 

music of the 90s.” 

Another guest Swati called the event 

“a mesmerising evening filled with music, 

dance, and entertainment”. 

Talking to Indian Weekender during a 

break in the three-hour-long event show, 

Rathod said, “I am enjoying a lot, and 

the crowd in Auckland is just incredible. 

The mood is awesome. It is a wonderful 

experience. I want to thank everyone here 

from the bottom of my heart.” 

The cherry on the cake was a standup 

act by comedian Jaswant Singh 

Rathore of India’s Laughter Challenge 

fame, who entertained the audience 

with his jokes and mimicry of Bollywood 

stars. “It was superb. It kept the crowd 

hooked till the end,” said one of the 

attendees about the act. 

Dharmend Shyam of Trivision 

Entertainment, the main organiser 

of the show, also seemed 

quite happy with the response. 

He said, “It was an amazing night with 

glimmer, glitter and musical hungama. Such 

events are well needed in our community 

as it revives our Indian culture and love for 

music and songs sung by original singers. 

The success of this show is so 

encouraging, and we hope to have more 

such musical nights for our Kiwi Indian 

community in NZ.” 

Locals showcase 

Indian language poetry 

Holi – one of the most popular Indian 

festivals – was celebrated with full fervour 

by the students of Rotorua Hindi School 

- a division of the Hindu Council of New Zealand 

(HCNZ). 

The Sunday (March 5) event saw the students 

celebrating the festival by covering each other 

with coloured powder and drenching with coloured 

water in a spirit of merrymaking at the Playtopia 

Educare. 

In the afternoon, before the celebration, the 

Hindi teacher at the school, Shweta, explained the 

festival’s importance to children during the class. 

It gave children a background about the festival 

and its significance. 

Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm by 

people of all ages and backgrounds. Moreover, it 

marks the arrival of spring, the triumph of good 

over evil, promotes unity and brotherhood, and 

spreads joy and happiness. 

It is a time when people come together to 

celebrate the beauty of life and forget their 

worries, and it holds significant cultural and social 

significance in India. 

The festival is an expression of the rich cultural 

heritage of India, and it brings people together in 

a spirit of celebration and harmony. 

Observed since ancient times, Holi glorifies good 

harvest and fertility of the land. The timing of 

the festival coincides with spring in the Northern 

Hemisphere. 

Regarding the event, Prof Guna Magesan, 

President of the HCNZ, said, “It was a great day. 

It was great to see our schoolchildren celebrating 

our traditional festivals while away from India. 

Many children in our school have never even 

been to India, and such events are critical to 

keeping our younger generation in touch with our 

rich heritage. We endeavour to celebrate Indian 

festivals with our kids, so they understand and are 

proud of our culture.” 

The first Rotorua Holi Festival was introduced 

to the Rotorua public in 2010 by HCNZ. Rotorua 

Hindi School was formally launched on October 

Hindu School volunteer teachers with president of Hindu Council. 

Children enjoying Holi festival 

2, 2021, for the benefit of children and others 

interested in learning Hindi. 

The Rotorua Hindi School runs on Sundays from 

Playtopia Educare at 2 Ti Street in Rotorua. 

The Hindu Council of New Zealand is a non-profit 

organisation that represents the Hindu community 

in New Zealand. 

It was established in 1996 to promote and 

preserve the Hindu culture and traditions in New 

Zealand. It has been instrumental in promoting 

interfaith dialogue and understanding and building 

bridges between different communities in NZ. 

Gaurav Sawant and Vaibhav Naik 

IWK BUREAU 

A 

video project featuring 

seven local poets who write 

in Indian languages shows 

that the Indian literary tradition is 

thriving in Auckland. 

The project, called Srujan, 

showcases the talents of these 

poets and highlights the passion 

for Hindi and Marathi in Auckland’s 

neighbourhoods. Created by a 

group of passionate creatives 

and funded by the Albert-Eden 

Local Board, the project elevates 

the work of the Indian community 

and reveals the universal human 

experiences of love, friendship, 

and hope found in their poems. 

Director Gaurav Sawant, 

experienced in theatre and 

performing arts in India, hopes the 

project will celebrate the collective 

experience of the poets and writers 

and showcase their talent to the 

world. The overwhelming response 

from the community’s call-out for 

submissions, which resulted in 

15 local creatives collaborating, 

shows that the Indian literary 

scene in Auckland is thriving and 

deserves recognition. 

“This is a unique project 

because poets or writers in Indian 

languages exist in Auckland, but 

seldom get an opportunity to be 

seen. This project shows that 

they’re talented and passionate. 

I hope we are able to celebrate 

this collective experience with 

everyone globally from right here 

in Auckland,” Sawant said. 

The project was conceptualised 

by writer-producer Shriya 

Bhagwat. Singer Amrita Bhende 

has lent her voice and musician 

Ben Fernandes has composed the 

background score.

14 

FIJI 



Fiji to look for business at NZ trade show 

Fiji is ripe for significant investment. government is looking at avenues and we are there to look for business convert that into opportunity.” 

Acting Prime Minister Manoa opportunities that will benefit the nation. for our country.” 

Kamikamica says that at the end of 

Kamikamica made this comment He says a team will be present in “I think Fiji is ripe for some significant the event, what is important is that all 

ahead of Fiji’s participation in a trade New Zealand for the trade show, and investment, and so that trip will be all discussions become actions on the ground. 

show that will be held in New Zealand in they will promote Fiji as an investment about trying to get connections, see He says this is a key priority 

the coming weeks. 

The Acting Prime Minister says the 

hub for the region. 

“We are not there to have a holiday; 

who is interested, and I believe there is 

significant interest, and we will try and 

for the government. 

Fiji an important partner of India 

in the Indo-Pacific: S Jaishankar 

External Affairs Minister 

S Jaishankar described 

Fiji as an important 

partner of India and said that 

he has conveyed to the Fijian 

leadership that New Delhi has 

very substantial interests in the 

strategic Indo-Pacific region. 

Addressing the Indian 

community in Suva, Jaishankar 

said that he had a detailed 

discussion with Fijian Prime 

Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada 

Rabuka about the future of India- 

Fiji relations. 

"The message I brought 

to him from Prime Minister 

Narendra Modi was that India's 

interests in the Indo-Pacific are 

very substantial. Whether you 

look at it as economic, political, 

security, technology or trade 

interest," he said. 

Mr Jaishankar is on a threeday 

visit to the South Pacific 

archipelago nation to attend the 

12th World Hindi Conference 

currently being held there. 

He also thanked the 

government of Fiji for partnering 

with India for the conference 

and said that "we were 

honoured by the presence 

of Fijian president Wiliame 

Katonivere and the Fijian-Indian 

community at the event". 

Jaishankar said, "When we look 

at the Indo-Pacific, we certainly 

see Fiji as a very important 

partner with whom we have a 

historic link." 

The Indo-Pacific is a 

biogeographic 

region, 

comprising the Indian Ocean and 

the western and central Pacific 

Ocean, including the South China 

Sea. The US, India and several 

other world powers have been 

talking about the need to ensure 

a free, open and thriving Indo- 

Pacific in the backdrop of China's 

rising military manoeuvring in 

the resource-rich region. 

"The challenge for us, as two. 

Former PM and suspended Leader of Opposition 

Voreqe Bainimarama has resigned from Parliament 

Bainimarama says FijiFirst 

will nominate Inia Seruiratu 

in the next sitting 

of Parliament to be Leader 

of Opposition. 

The former Prime Minister 

says his work as leader with the 

General Secretary will be to guide 

FijiFirst’s Parliamentary Caucus 

so they can continue to fight 

inside Parliament. 

“I have tendered my resignation 

from Parliament with immediate 

effect, however, please be 

assured that I will still continue to 

be the Leader of FijiFirst. FijiFirst 

S Jaishankar had a detailed discussion with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka 

"The message I 

brought to him from 

Prime Minister 

Narendra Modi was 

that India's interests 

in the Indo-Pacific 

are very substantial. 

Whether you look at it 

as economic, political, 

security, technology or 

trade interest." 

governments, is how do we 

refresh this relationship and 

make it more up to date and 

how do we address the issues 

which may have arisen especially 

in the last three years," he said, 

apparently referring to China's 

aggressive moves in the region. 

The two leaders also discussed 

ways to expand the development 

partnership 

between 

the two countries. 

The minister also said that the 

Fijian-Indian community and their 

contributions are valued and 

the Fijian government is "keen 

Voreqe Bainimarama 

on upgrading the relationship 

between the two countries and 

intensifying cooperation." 

Mr Jaishankar, in a tweet, 

said, "Interacted with the 

Indian community in Fiji today. 

Discussed recent developments 

at home and abroad that open up 

new vistas for our cooperation 

with Fiji." 

On India's G20 presidency, 

Mr Jaishankar said, "We want 

to make a difference not 

through political headlines but 

by asking the world 'what is it 

that is missing and which part 

of your core concern did not 

get on the table?' and how do 

we voice that?" 

During Jaishankar's visit, a visa 

waiver agreement was signed 

between India and Fiji that would 

permit diplomatic and official 

passport holders of the two 

countries to travel and stay in 

each other's country without 

holding a visa for 90 days, the 

Ministry of External Affairs said 

in a press release. 

Jaishankar also unveiled the 

bust of Sardar Patel at the India 

will nominate Hon. Inia Seruiratu 

in the next sitting of Parliament 

to the Leader of Opposition.” 

Bainimarama 

says 

they will engage more 

actively outside Parliament 

with FijiFirst supporters. 

He assures all their supporters 

and all Fijians that they will 

be seeing more of him on the 

ground as he engages with them 

to listen to their needs, wants, 

and concerns. 

The FijiFirst Leader was 

suspended from Parliament 

after breaching a standing 

House in Suva. He also visited 

the Fiji Museum and inaugurated 

the Girmit gallery. 

"Visited the Fiji Museum and 

inaugurated the Girmit gallery 

there supported by India. The 

exposition of the story of the 

Fiji-Indian experience captures 

the striving of our people 

who created their own way 

of life far away from home," 

Jaishankar tweeted. 

India and Fiji share close, 

friendly and long-standing 

relations with a strong element 

of development partnership. 

This year marks the 75th year 

of the establishment of India's 

diplomatic presence in Fiji. 

"India's foreign policy 

today parallels its domestic 

outlook. We seek greater 

fairness and justice, ensure 

better delivery and promote 

development of all," Jaishankar 

said in a tweet. 

Jaishankar's visit marks the 

first high-level visit to Fiji since 

the change of government 

in December 2022, the MEA 

statement said. 

order where he made 

allegations against President 

Ratu Wiliame Katonivere. 

Sachida Nand is the next 

FijiFirst member in line to become 

an MP. 

So far, four FijiFirst MPs 

who crossed the threshold to 

join Parliament following the 

2022 General Election have 

left their posts. 

They are General Secretary 

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Voreqe 

Bainimarama, Rosy Akbar, and 

Doctor Mahendra Reddy. 

Fiji open to 

international 

flights 

Minister for Civil Aviation 

Viliame Gavoka says Fiji 

will welcome any new 

international flight, however, 

they need to be guided by the 

Air Services Agreement. 

Gavoka says the ASA ensures 

Fiji’s national airline continue 

to thrive amidst operating in a 

competitive environment. 

In the past there has been 

interest from the likes of Emirates 

to operate out of Fiji. 

The Minister says they do 

not anticipate an open skies 

agreement as it might compete 

with the national airline. 

“For a small country like Fiji, you 

cannot go for open skies, because 

when you go for open skies, the 

big boys can come and compete 

with our national airlines, and that 

will be damaging for us. We need 

our airlines to survive.” 

Fiji Airways currently flies to 

13 countries and 26 cities on 

a bilateral basis, which includes 

Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, 

Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Vanuatu, 

the Solomon Islands, Hong Kong, 

Japan, Singapore, Canada, and 

the United States. 

Gavoka says they are also 

anticipating to cross two million 

passengers this year. 

“And they are always on a 

bilateral basis, like between 

Australia and Fiji. We allow a certain 

number of seats from Australia to 

Fiji and a certain number of seats 

from Fiji to Australia. 

And all Australian companies 

can access that allocation 

of seats. Like in Fiji, we do 

that with Japan, we do that 

with Hong Kong, and we do 

that with Singapore. 

Every country in the world is 

covered, so any airline from those 

countries that wants to fly to Fiji 

will do so under the provisions of 

the ASA.” 

Tourism Fiji Chief Executive 

Brent Hill says the main focus 

remains getting more tourists into 

the country, as they contribute 

to 40 percent of the country’s 

gross domestic product. 

“From a capacity perspective, 

they’ve always got to balance 

capacity and yield. So from that 

perspective, for example, we 

work closely with Fiji Airways, 

where a lot of our focus is, and 

they do an amazing job. They 

are about to open up in Japan 

and Hong Kong, so from that 

perspective, Fiji Airways does an 

incredible job of covering a lot of 

ports around the world.” 

In response to questions sent 

to Emirates and Korean Air, the 

two airliners say they have no 

immediate plans to start services 

to Fiji.

16 

WORLD 

The Australian High Commissioner, 

Barry O’Farrell, Monday said Australia’s 

respect for India’s sovereignty is 

unwavering, and the Khalistan referendum in 

his country has no legal standing. 

The envoy, who was talking to 

reporters ahead of Australian PM Anthony 

Albanese’s visit (March 8 to 11), said that 

Australians were horrified at the incidents 

of vandalism at places of religious worship, 

including in Brisbane. 

“The police are very active in trying to 

track down those who are responsible… 

Australia’s respect for India’s sovereignty 

is unwavering,” he said, adding that the 

Australian government has made it clear 

that the Khalistan poll has “no legal standing 

either in Australia or in India”. 

Australian High Commissioner Barry O'Farrell. 

“Freedom of speech does not give you the 

right to engage in violent protests in hate 

speech or vandalism. And those matters are 

taken seriously in Australia,” O’Farrell said, 

responding to questions. He also said the 

Adani Group has successful businesses and 


Australia’s respect for India’s 

sovereignty unwavering: Envoy 

continues to be the largest investor from 

India in Australia. 

The Australian envoy also said that 

the impact of the Hindenburg report on 

the Adani Group is a matter for India’s 

regulators and that there have been no 

reports about the business group ceasing 

operations in Australia. 

“Mr Adani’s investments in Australia are 

fully functioning and providing resources. 

There have been no reports that his 

operations have ceased. So, he is still a 

significant investor from India… In countries 

like Australia and India where you have an 

Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, 

people make decisions on the basis of their 

interest. These matters are not for the 

government,” he said. 

Afghanistan is world's most repressive 

country for women, says UN 

Since the Taliban takeover 

of Afghanistan, the 

country has become the 

most repressive in the world for 

women and girls, deprived of 

many of their basic rights, the 

United Nations said Wednesday. 

In a statement released on 

the International Women’s 

Day, the U.N. mission said that 

Afghanistan's new rulers have 

shown an almost “singular focus 

on imposing rules that leave 

most women and girls effectively 

trapped in their homes.” 

Despite initial promises of 

a more moderate stance, the 

Taliban have imposed harsh 

measures since seizing power in 

August 2021 as U.S. and NATO 

forces were in the final weeks of 

their pullout from Afghanistan 

after two decades of war. 

They have banned girls' 

education beyond sixth grade 

and women from public spaces 

such as parks and gyms. Women 

are also barred from working 

at national and international 

nongovernmental organizations 

and ordered to cover themselves 

from head to toe. 

“Afghanistan under the 


Australia and Japan PMs bound for India, China elephant in the room 

Afghan women students stand outside the Kabul University in Kabul. (AP) 

Taliban remains the most 

repressive country in the world 

regarding women’s rights," 

said Roza Otunbayeva, special 

representative of the U.N. 

secretary-general and head of 

the mission to Afghanistan. 

“It has been distressing 

to witness their methodical, 

deliberate, and systematic 

efforts to push Afghan women 

and girls out of the public 

sphere,” she added. 

The restrictions, especially 

the bans on education and 

NGO work, have drawn fierce 

international condemnation. But 

the Taliban have shown no signs 

of backing down, claiming the 

In the backdrop of China 

hiking its military budget 

by a whopping 7.2 per cent 

to USD 225 billion, QUAD allies 

Australia and Japan are bound 

for India to deepen defence and 

economic cooperation even with 

Beijing’s “no limit ally” Russia 

hitting out at the informal yet 

powerful forum of India, US, 

Australia and Japan. 

Australia PM Anthony Albanese 

(left), PM Narendra Modi (centre) 

and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida. 

While Australian Prime Minister 

Anthony Albanese is scheduled 

to visit India from March 8-11, 

Japan Prime Minister Fumio 

Kishida is arriving in Delhi on 

March 19 for a one-day official 

visit on March 20. 

Both countries are very close 

partners of India with late 

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo 

Abe and Indian Prime Minister 

Narendra Modi virtually cofounders 

of revived QUAD. 

Although the three countries 

along with the US have a 

very close relationship with 

information exchange on virtually 

any topic, the hot topic of 

discussion this time will be forging 

defence cooperation and setting 

up resilient global supply chains 

due to the ongoing Ukraine war 

and Chinese belligerence in the 

Indo-Pacific. 

bans are temporary suspensions 

in place allegedly because women 

were not wearing the Islamic 

headscarf, or hijab, correctly 

and because gender segregation 

rules were not being followed. 

As for the ban on university 

education, the Taliban 

government has said that some 

of the subjects being taught 

were not in line with Afghan and 

Islamic values. 

“Confining half of the country’s 

population to their homes 

in one of the world’s largest 

humanitarian and economic 

crises is a colossal act of national 

self-harm," Otunbayeva also 

said. 

The Xi Jinping regime has hiked 

its military budget to USD 225, 

which is more than the combined 

budgets of India (USD 73 billion), 

Australia (USD 48.7 billion) and 

Japan (USD 51 billion). 

To make matters worse, 

the Chinese military budget is 

higher than the released figure 

as revenues from its growing 

military-industrial complex are 

ploughed back into military 

“It will condemn not only 

women and girls, but all Afghans, 

to poverty and aid-dependency 

for generations to come," 

she said. "It will 

“It further isolate 

has been Afghanistan 

distressing from its 

to witness their o w n 

methodical, deliberate, citizens 

and systematic efforts and from 

to push Afghan women 

and girls out of the 

the rest of 

the world." 

public sphere.” T h e 

U.N. mission 

to Afghanistan 

also said it has recorded an 

almost constant stream of 

discriminatory edicts and 

measures against women since 

the Taliban takeover — women’s 

right to travel or work outside 

the confines of their home 

and access to spaces is largely 

restricted, and they have also 

been excluded from all levels of 

public decision-making. 

“The implications of the harm 

the Taliban are inflicting on their 

own citizens goes beyond women 

and girls,” said Alison Davidian, 

the special representative for 

U.N. Women in Afghanistan. 

spending and this figure also 

runs into billions of USDs. The 

strategic intent of the increased 

spending is to prepare China 

against three major dangers: 

invaded (read Taiwan), toppled 

(read Sinkiang or Xinjiang) and 

separated (read Tibet). 

The picture of which countries 

China considers as adversaries 

become clear as any military 

emergency over Senkaku Islands 

or neighbouring Taiwan will 

seriously impact Japan, and 

military consolidation in Tibet and 

Xinjiang will put pressure on India. 

Backed by ambitious Beijing, the 

Chinese PLA is in an expansionist 

mode and is running into friction 

with Australia as Xi Jinping forges 

military cooperation in the Far 

Pacific and along with Russia has 

hit out at the AUKUS alliance. 

The AUKUS alliance will 

strengthen Australia's maritime 

capability by providing 

US "Indo-Pacific 

Strategy" seeks 

to create Asia- 

Pacific version 

of NATO: China 

China's Foreign Minister Qin 

Gang slammed the US-Indo 

Pacific Strategy, saying 

that it was created as an attempt 

to gang up to form "exclusive 

blocs" by plotting an Asia-Pacific 

version of NATO and added that 

it is "bound to fail." 

Gang said, "The US-Indo Pacific 

strategy while purportedly 

aiming at upholding freedom 

and openness maintaining 

security and maintaining 

prosperity in a region is, in fact, 

an attempt to gang up to form 

exclusive blocs to provoke a 

confrontation by plotting as Asia 

Pacific version of NATO." 

"The US claims to shape the 

strategic environment in which 

China operates actually reveals 

the purpose of its Indo-Pacific 

strategy which is to encircle 

China, such an attempt will only 

disturb ASEAN-centered open 

and inclusive regional cooperation 

architecture, and undermine the 

overall and long-term interests of 

regional countries. 

It is bound to fail," he added. 

The press conference was held 

during the first session of the 

14th National Press Conference 

and it is also Qin's first 

appearance in two sessions since 

he took office three months ago. 

Earlier, talking about its 

relationship with Russia, the 

Chinese Foreign Minister said 

that their relationship set a good 

example of international relations 

and is based on no alliance, no 

confrontation. 

Gang said, "China and Russia 

have found a path of major country 

relations featuring strategic trust 

and good neighbourliness, setting 

a good example for international 

relations." 

"China-Russia relationship is 

based on no alliance and no 

confrontation and it doesn't 

target any third party. It is not 

a threat to any country, nor is 

it subject to any interference or 

discord sewn by any third party," 

he added. 

Canberra with nuclear-powered 

conventionally armed submarines 

to patrol its area of influence. 

Albeit the situation all along the 

3488 km Line of Actual Control 

(LAC) with China is stable, there 

has been no de-escalation of PLA 

forces from the border since 

Beijing tried to unilaterally change 

the ground situation in May 2020 

in East Ladakh. While the Indian 

opposition parties are trying to 

provoke the Modi government 

into some misadventure with 

China, the Indian Army is all 

prepared for any emergency 

with its plans in case of a 

worst-case scenario. 

Among India, Australia and 

Japan, Indo-Pacific is one of the 

main agendas with expansion 

of Chinese Navy and its 

intermediate-range conventional 

and nuclear missile arsenal a main 

concern.


ENTERTAINMENT 17 

Brahmastra 

reminds me of 

dad's cancer 

treatment 

days: Ranbir 

Ranbir Kapoor witnessed several life 

changes in last three years of his 

life. He lost his father and actor Rishi 

Kapoor in 2020 after his year long battle with 

cancer despite him returning to India after 

getting better. 

He was shooting for Ayan Mukerji's 

Brahmastra at the time of his cancer 

treatment. Ranbir has opened up about how 

certain scenes in the film remind him of 

memories of those days. 

Brahmastra was delayed by many years and 

could release only last year and went on to 

become his biggest blockbuster. It is Ranbir 

and wife Alia Bhatt's first film together and is 

actually the film that brought them together 

in real life. Talking about how the film reminds 

him of the last months of his father, Ranbir 

Actor Sushmita Sen took 

to her Instagram account 

and informed fans that 

she has been declared fit by her 

cardiologist as she started light 

body movement at home. 

In her own words, she said she's 

‘cleared’ to start stretching, 

days after she suffered from a 

heart attack. She was admitted 

at Nanavati hospital in Mumbai 

and underwent an angioplasty 

and stent placement last week. 

On the occasion of Holi, 

Sushmita posted a photo of 

herself stretching her back on 

a chirp wheel on her balcony. 

She was in her athleisure look. 

Sharing the post, she wrote, 

In 1982, Amitabh Bachchan 

had to be rushed to hospital 

in Bangalore after an on-set 

accident ruptured his spleen. The 

actor was shifted to a Mumbai 

hospital where he recovered 

after a few months. Fans across 

India prayed for his well-being. 

With news of Amitabh 

Bachchan being injured on 

the sets of Project K over the 

weekend, fans were reminded 

of another time in the actor's 

life when he was injured on set 

for Coolie (1983). He wrote, 

“rib cartilage popped broke 

and a muscle tear on the 

right rib cage”. 

The veteran actor, who broke 

his rib cartilage and had a muscle 

tear on the right rib cage, has 

been advised to rest after 

receiving medical care. Back in 

1982, Amitabh's condition had 

been grave as he was shifted 

from Bangalore to Mumbai 

where he eventually recovered. 

On Manmohan Desai's Coolie, 

“ #wheeloflife cleared by my 

cardiologist…stretching begins!!! 

What a feeling!!! #oneweek 

#slowandsteady #breathe 

This is my “Happy Holi” …how 

was yours? I love you guys!!! 

#duggadugga #yourstruly." 

Soon after Sushmita shared 

her health update, fans rushes to 

the comment section and prayed 

for her full recovery soon. One of 

them wrote, “Genuinely glad to 

see you sharing this and previous 

posts. I cannot even begin to 

imagine how scary it all must 

have been for you.” “I wish you 

speedy recovery, so good to see 

you back , God bless you always, 

you are a gem and inspiration 

the actor had been performing 

his own stunts and was acting 

opposite Puneet Issar in a fight 

sequence. He was supposed to 

fall on a table and later on the 

ground, but unfortunately that 

day, he struck the corner of 

the table during the 'fight' and 

ruptured his spleen. 

Amitabh was taken to St. 

Philomena’s Hospital in an 

unconscious state, where 

an emergency surgery was 

performed. However, there was 

a chance that his stomach would 

rupture again. 

“The 

biggest thing 

that happens in an 

individual's life is when you 

lose one of your parents. That 

really is something... Especially 

when you're nearing your 40s, 

that's the time when something 

like this usually happens... 

Nothing prepares you for 

told the 

media, “When 

my father was 

suffering from 

that, but it brings the 

cancer and was 

family closer. 

going through his 

treatment, I was working o n 

Brahmastra and Shamshera at that time. When 

I see Brahmastra now, there are amazing 

memories, but there are certain scenes I see 

and I get reminded of moments... like 'Oh! At 

this time, he was having chemotherapy or he 

was on a ventilator...'” 

He also talked about how Rishi Kapoor's 

death affected him. He said, “The biggest 

thing that happens in an individual's life 

is when you lose one of your parents. 

That really is something... Especially 

Sushmita Sen says she's ‘cleared’ by cardiologist 

as she starts exercising days after heart attack 

always,” added another fan. 

Last week, on March 2, 

Sushmita broke the news of 

her heart attack, two days 

after it happened. She said 

she requested doctors to 

ensure no one knew about her 

hospitalisation after the health 

scare. Later, upon returning 

home, the former Miss Universe 

held a live session on Instagram 

and informed fans that it was 

a “massive heart attack” which 

cause a 95% blockage in one of 

her main arteries. 

She also updated fans about 

her upcoming work as she is 

recuperating and yet to return to 

work. She said once better, she 

Amitabh remained critically ill 

in hospital for several months as 

when you're nearing your 40s, that's 

the time when something like this usually 

happens... Nothing prepares you for that, 

but it brings the family closer. It makes you 

understand life.” Last year turned out to be 

the most eventful year of his life with multiple 

happy news. He got married to his longtime 

love Alia Bhatt, became a father to daughter 

Raha Kapoor and also delivered the biggest 

commercial success in Brahmastra. 

Ranbir is currently busy with the 

countrywide promotions of his upcoming 

romantic comedy, Tu Jhoothi Main Makkar. 

He will be seen opposite Shraddha Kapoor for 

the first time in the film. It is directed by Luv 

Ranjan and will release in theatres on Holi, 

March 8. 

will be resuming shoot. “Once I 

get a clearance from my doctors, 

I will be off to Jaipur to finish 

Aarya and I will also be working 

on the dubbing for Taali,” she 

also told fans about her next 

film, Taali. 

When entire nation prayed for Amitabh's recovery after 1982 Coolie accident 

"The worst phase is when 

you discover that what 

they have told you is, in 

fact, true. Your entire 

body is finished from 

within. You're in full 

bloom, you're healthy 

and you're full of life and 

gusto. And to suddenly 

find that the body is not 

there. 

he recovered. Fans from across 

the country prayed for his wellbeing 

and eventually he returned 

on September 24, 1982, two 

months after the Coolie accident. 

The actor calls August 2, 1982, 

his second birthday because that 

was the day when he was revived 

from a near-dead condition and 

put back on the path to recovery. 

Amitabh has previously said 

that he hates discussing what 

had happened. 

“It's like really pushing me into 

areas that I've put away. It's 

going to be difficult. 

See, I never knew that I was 

going to die. I knew that there 

was something very wrong with 

me but I never knew that I was 

going to die. 

And the entire period when I 

was seemingly gone, when I was 

struggling for life, I was in a state 

of coma. I was unconscious. 

That was a difficult period for 

my family. It was easy for me 

because I was oblivious. 

Alia Bhatt only 

Bollywood star on 

Variety's Impactful 

International 

Women of 2023 list 

Alia Bhatt has added 

another feather to her 

cap. She has been named 

in Variety's list of Impactful 

International Women of 2023 list. 

The list includes overachieving 

women from different arenas of 

showbusiness who have delivered 

stellar work recently. 

Alia was named for her work 

in SS Rajamouli's RRR and 

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai 

Kathiawadi. She said to the 

publication, “There’s always 

that one film that’ll transcend 

language and leave its mark 

in people’s hearts." The small 

intro for her also mentions her 

upcoming film Rocky Aur Rani Ki 

Prem Kahani with Karan Johar. 

“I am so excited about this one 

because it’s giving quintessential 

Bollywood and I’m finally wearing 

sarees in the snow [so it’s a 

dream come true from every 

angle],” she said. 

Also on the list are the women 

of HBO hit House of the Dragon- 

-Milly Alcock, Emily Carey, Olivia 

Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Sonoya 

Mizuno. Spanish singer Rosalia 

is also on the list. The women 

of Lord of the Rings: The 

Rings of Power, women of Real 

Housewives of Dubai and others 

also feature. 

Alia was last seen in Brahmastra 

with husband Ranbir Kapoor. Also 

last year she was seen in comedythriller 

Darlings. In Gangubai 

Kathiawadi, she played the 

madame of a brothel in Mumbai's 

Kamathipura area. In RRR she was 

paired opposite Ram Charan and 

had a short role in the film. 

Recently, the team of RRR 

got the Spotlight Award at the 

Hollywood Critics Association 

Film Award. 

As Alia and Jr NTR were not 

present for the event, they will 

be given the award later. On 

Friday, the organisation revealed 

that they will be sending out their 

trophies next week. 

The difficult period for me 

started after I got okay. When 

you're told what you've been 

through." 

He added, "The worst phase 

is when you discover that what 

they have told you is, in fact, 

true. Your entire body is finished 

from within. You're in full bloom, 

you're healthy and you're full of 

life and gusto. And to suddenly 

find that the body is not there. 

You can't move your fingers. 

Your legs can't support you. 

And your whole system has 

gone through a battering. But 

you know that it was there. It 

was just there the other day. 

How come it's not working? It 

was a very frightening time.” 

The film was released in 

theatres on December 3, 

1983 and became a super 

hit. Also starring Rishi Kapoor, 

Rati Agnihotri, Kader Khan, 

Waheeda Rehman and Suresh 

Oberoi, it was the highest 

grossing film of 1983.

18 FEATURE 


ALOO PARATHA 


ORANGE JUICE 

Fruit platter 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 2 - granny smith apples 

• 1bunch - red or green 

seedless grapes 

• 2 - kiwis 

• ½ - watermelon 

• 1 - pint blueberries 

• ½ - pint blackberries 

• 1 - pint strawberries 

• 1 - pint raspberries 

• ½cup - pomegranate seeds 

• Strawberry yoghurt 

• Chocolate dip 

METHOD: 

• Gently rinse and dry all fruit. 

• To prepare the apples, 

quarter them, remove the 

core from each quarter by 

slicing it out diagonally, and 

then slice each quarter into 

four or five slices ( Granny 

Smith apples don’t brown 

quickly, so you can do this 

in advance without worrying 

about it ). 

• To prepare the grapes, 

remove the stems to form 

little bundles of 5 to 10 

grapes. 

• To prepare the kiwis, peel 

off the skin with a vegetable 

peeler. 

• Slice kiwis crosswise into 

rounds. 

• To prepare the watermelon, 

place the half watermelon 

cut side down and cut it into 

four quarters. Slice each 

quarter crosswise 

i n t o 

triangular slices. 

• To prepare the strawberries, 

either leave whole if they’re 

smaller or remove leaves and 

cut into halves or quarters if 

they’re large. 

• ARRANGE THE FRUITS: 

• Take a serving plate. 

• Start with the larger fruits. 

• Place a stack of watermelon 

slices on one side of the 

platter and another one 

somewhere across the 

platter. 

• Begin filling in spaces on 

the platter with bunches 

of grapes and handfuls of 

berries. 

• Work in layers, filling in gaps 

where you see them, and 

aiming for an abundant, 

almost overflowing look. 

• Sprinkle pomegranate seeds 

on top as garnishing. 

• Serve with strawberry 

yoghurt and chocolate dip in 

the bowl on the side ( tastes 

very nice with yoghurt or dip 

as a dessert in the end ). 

• TIP: Aim for a rainbow of 

colours or a variety of 

colours within a particular 

palette. 

• You certainly don’t have to 

use the exact fruits listed 

here to make a gorgeous 

fruit plate. 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 2cups - atta ( wheat flour ) 

• 1/4cup - warm water 

• FOR FILLING 

• 4 - potatoes, medium and boiled 

• 1 - onion, large and chopped 

• 2-3 - green chillies, chopped 

• 1/2tsp - red chilli powder 

• 1tsp - dry mango powder 

• 2tsp - ginger, fresh grated 

• 1tsp - salt or according to taste 

• 1/2cup - coriander, fresh and 

chopped 

• Oil for basting 

METHOD: 

• Take flour in a large bowl, slowly 

add water and using your hand, 

mix flour with water until you 

have a soft non stick dough 

(knead it for about 4-5 minutes 

or until the mixture has formed 

a smooth dough). 

• Cover the dough with a damp 

tea towel and leave it to rest for 

at least 15 minutes. 

FOR FILLING: 

• In a large mixing bowl, place 

boiled potatoes with onions, 

green chillies, red chilli powder, 

mango powder, grated ginger, 

salt and fresh chopped 

coriander. 

• Using a fork mash and mix all 

the ingredients together. Cover 

and keep aside. 

TO ASSEMBLE: 

• Preheat tawa or heavy base flat 

pan over medium flame. 

Egg bhurji 

• Divide the dough into equal size 

balls. 

• Dust the clean counter or rolling 

board with flour. 

• Roll a dough ball between your 

hands until its smooth and 

without cracks. 

• Using the rolling pin, flatten the 

ball into a 12cm round circle. 

• Take 1 tablespoon of potato 

mixture and spoon it into the 

centre of the dough to form 

a pouch then press the edges 

together tightly to close. 

• Once sealed, press the dough 

ball (filled with potato mixture) 

down gently with the rollingpin, 

and again roll out into a 15 

-16cm in circle into paratha. 

• Place the paratha onto the hot 

tawa or pan. 

• Once the top surface of the 

paratha starts to dry out, flip it 

over using a spatula. 

• Then using a spoon spread 1 

tablespoon of oil thoroughly on 

the paratha and flip it over. 

• Now spread 1 tablespoon of oil 

on the to facing surface of the 

paratha and flip it over again. 

Cook until both the sides are 

golden- brown in colour. 

Repeat with the other dough 

balls, making them into parathas. 

Serve hot with the dollop of 

butter on top. 

Mango pickle and mint raita on 

the side. 

Serves - 4 

INGREDIENTS: 

• ½cup - water 

• 4 - medium oranges, peeled 

and deseeded 

• 1½cup - ice cubes 

METHOD: 

• Place all ingredients into the 

blender. 

• Start the blender on its 

lowest speed, then quickly 

increase to its highest speed. 

• Blend for 1 minute or until 

desired consistency is 

reached. Serve immediately. 

• TIP: Try plain orange juice 

with pineapple, it tastes very 

good. 

For recipe variation, add 1/2 

cup of fresh pineapple with 

orange juice. Double this recipe 

and reserve in the refrigerator 

to have during the week. 

MINT RAITA 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 11/2cup - mint leaves, fresh 

• 2 - green chillies 

• 1cup - yoghurt 

• tsp - dry mango powder 

• Salt to taste 

METHOD: 

• Wash mint leaves and green 

chillies. 

• Grind them into a paste and 

keep aside. 

• Tip yoghurt into a medium 

size serving bowl, whisk a 

little then add the mint paste 

and mix well. 

• Add mango powder and salt 

and mix well again with the 

fork. 

• Serve. 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 6 - eggs 

• 2 - onion, medium 

• 1 - tomato, large 

• 2- green chillies 

• 1/2tsp - red chilli powder 

• 1/4tsp - turmeric powder 

• 1tsp - salt or according to taste 

• 1tbsp - oil 

• Fresh coriander 

METHOD: 

• Break the eggs into a medium bowl. 

• Using the fork, whisk the eggs well and set aside. 

• Heat oil in a heavy base fry pan over medium 

flame. 

• Peel, wash and chop onions then add them to the 

oil and fry until light brown in colour. 

• Add washed and chopped green chillies, sauté for 

few seconds. 

• Add washed and chopped tomato, sauté for a 

minute or until the tomatoes are soft. 

• Add red chilli powder, turmeric powder and salt, 

mix well with a splash of water. 

• Add eggs and cook for 2-4 minutes over medium 

flame, scrambling the eggs. 

• Garnish with fresh chopped coriander. 

• Serve with plain paratha and a cup of tea. 

• Serves - 4

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Happy International 

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MEN’S 

DAY 

Wishing each & every woman the abundance of success, love, 

laughter & good wealth. Their presence makes the world beautiful 

& worthwhile. Hope they stay stronger and rise higher.

The Indian Weekender, 10 March 2023

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