The Indian Weekender 21 July 2023

Friday, 21 July 2023 

Volume 15 / Issue 17 

Learn more about 

your local market. 

Call me before you 

buy or sell property 

Brijesh Patel 

021 529 003 

b.patel@barfoot.co.nz 

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www.iwk.co.nz /indianweekendernz /indianweekender 

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nzimmigration.info contact@nzimmigration.info +64 9379 0219 71 Symonds Street, Level 6, Grafton, Auckland City Centre, New Zealand 1010 

Chandrayaan-3 

KIWI PUSH 

FOR MOON 

MISSION 

DEV NADKARNI IN BENGALURU 

Seven decades after Sir Edmund Hillary raised the 

New Zealand-India relationship to Himalayan 

heights, a Kiwi company has helped catapult it up 

into deep space – to the moon and beyond, to Mars. 

Last week, on July 14, India successfully launched its 

third lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3, that is expected to 

softly land a module on the surface of the Moon. 

At the heart of Chandrayaan’s highly complex 

navigation system are ultra-sophisticated components 

designed and manufactured by Kiwi company Rakon at 

its hi-tech factory in Bengaluru. 

Auckland-headquartered Rakon is a leading global 

provider of frequency control products for the space and 

high reliability sectors. 

They have been a preferred supplier of oscillators to 

the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and the 

European Space Agency besides other global clients. 

Rakon’s new research and manufacturing facility in 

Bengaluru, only inaugurated in June this year, is the 

single largest NZ private sector investment in India. 

• Continued on Page 7

2 

NEW ZEALAND 

Friday, 21 July, 2023 

Read online www.iwk.co.nz 

Deadly shooting in CBD rattles Auckland, 

assailant had family violence history 

RNZ/IWK BUREAU 

Three people were killed in a 

shooting at Auckland CBD 

on July 20, including the 

gunman, 24-year-old Matu Tangi 

Matua Reid, police said. 

Police confirmed one officer and 

four other people were injured. 

The officer was taken to hospital 

in a critical condition but has 

since stabilised. 

As of Thursday evening, police 

said four people had injuries 

ranging from critical to moderate. 

St John said six patients were 

transported to hospital, including 

one in a serious condition who was 

taken to Middlemore Hospital. 

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins told 

media a witness called the incident 

in at 7.23am, reporting there 

was a man with a gun, shooting 

inside a construction site on 

lower Queen Street. 

The gunman moved through 

the construction site, shooting a 

pump-action shotgun. When he 

reached the upper levels he hid 

inside an elevator shaft. 

Police attempted to engage with 

him, but the gunman reportedly 

fired further shots, before he was 

found dead a short time later. 

Police said the motive behind 

the attack was still not clear, but 

confirmed the offender was the 

subject of home detention and 

was not breaching conditions by 

going to the construction site, 

where he was reported to have 

worked earlier. 

Police Commissioner Andrew 

Coster said the shooter did not 

have a licence for the shotgun 

he was using, and that the police 

would not know whether the 

offender was killed by officers 

or took his own life until their 

investigation was complete. He 

believed the two victims were also 

connected to the worksite. 

The assailant was known for 

his family violence history but 

police said there was no history of 

showing prior risk. 

“There has been previous search 

of his property, but never found 

him in possession of a firearm,” an 

officer said. 

It was Hipkins' understanding, 

from advice received, that there 

was no identified political or 

ideological motivation for the 

shooting–therefore there was no 

national security risk, he said. 

"The assessment from officials 

is that there is no national 

security risk. There is no change 

to New Zealand's national threat 

level," he said. 

National leader Christopher 

Luxon lauded the "incredibly 

heroic activity" of the police and 

first responders. 

Luxon acknowledged "that there 

are two people that went to work 

this morning and aren't going 

home tonight". 

"I want to express on behalf of 

the National Party our condolences 

to those families that have actually 

lost loved ones, I want to wish a 

speedy recovering to those who 

have been injured, and importantly, 

also acknowledge those who 

would have been traumatised by 

the events that transpired.” 

Luxon refrained from any critical 

comments. "There are lots of 

questions that New Zealanders 

will have but today is not that day. 

Today is not a day for 

politics, it is really a 

day to remember and 

to express tremendous 

gratitude to our police 

officers, to our ambulance 

officers, to our hospital staff 

and members of the public who 

stepped up and offered help when 

it was most needed by so many, 

so we want to thank them for their 

efforts and want to acknowledge 

that that is New Zealand as its 

best in a really tough situation. 

"There will be a day for us to talk 

about politics and what happened 

here and why it happened but 

that's not today.” 

As of late evening, the opening 

match of the Football World 

Cup scheduled on Thursday 

was planned to go ahead 

despite the shooting. 

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins 

said they have spoken with FIFA 

officials and the tournament will 

go ahead. 

National Party police 

spokesperson and former minister 

of defence Mark Mitchell said no 

one should underestimate "just 

how difficult this situation was for 

the police to deal with". 

"It's almost the worst scenario 

they could have put in front of 

them. You had a very big building 

with multiple floors, you had an 

active shooter, they had to 

recover people who 

had already been 

shot and injured, 

they were 

conscious 

of the fact 

that there 

were people 

in there who 

could've been 

taken hostage, 

and there were 

shots being fired as 

they arrived on scene, and I want to 

acknowledge our front-line staff, 

the ones who put the cordons up, 

and kept the public safe.” 

New Zealand Football said the 

shooting would not affect the 

Football Ferns plans and all the 

players are safe with their hotel 

some way away from the incident. 

Sports Minister Grant Robertson 

confirmed all the other teams 

staying in central Auckland were 

also safe and sound. 

He said teams will be able to 

train and go about their business 

as usual. 

ChCh Matariki gala unites cultures with music, food 

MAHESH KUMAR 

The Christchurch 

Multicultural Council 

(CMC) hosted a celebration 

to mark Matariki Day, also known 

as Maori New Year, at Te Hāpua 

Halswell Centre in Christchurch. 

The July 15 event, attended 

by more than a hundred 

members from diverse ethnic 

communities, emphasised the 

cultural significance of matariki 

in Maori tradition, and its broader 

relevance within the multicultural 

community of New Zealand. 

Matariki is a cherished 

celebration for the people of New 

Zealand. It holds great cultural 

significance, representing a 

time for reflection, renewal, and 

gathering with loved ones. 

The rising of the Pleiades star 

cluster in the winter sky marks 

the beginning of the new year in 

the Māori lunar calendar. 

Matariki’s appearance 

signifies a time of remembrance, 

happiness, and harmony, uniting 

communities to celebrate 

the shared heritage. It is a 

special occasion that brings 

people together to honour their 

traditions. 

While Matariki is unique 

to Maori culture, it shares 

similarities with other cultural 

celebrations worldwide. Various 

Andrew Coster. RNZ / Nick Monro 

cultures have distinct festivities 

that mark significant moments in 

their calendars. 

Chinese New Year, Diwali, 

Songkran, Nowruz, Hanami, Inti 

Raymi, and many others celebrate 

light, renewal, and the connection 

with celestial events. 

In his opening address, Dr 

Surinder Tandon, President 

of CMC, emphasised the 

significance of Matariki as 

a chance for Christchurch’s 

multicultural community to 

come together and embrace 

the cherished Māori values of 

whanaungatanga (togetherness) 

and manaakitanga (hospitality). 

The occasion served as 

a meaningful platform for 

community members to engage 

in mutual learning, acknowledge 

the wealth of their diverse 

backgrounds, and rejoice in their 

shared humanity. 

“As we gather to celebrate 

the Matariki Day, let us reflect 

on the challenges and triumphs 

we have faced as a community. 

Matariki reminds us that, like the 

stars in the night sky, we are all 

connected, and together we can 

navigate through the darkest of 

times as during the Canterbury 

earthquakes, March 15 mosque 

attacks, forest fires and floods,” 

Tandon said. 

The event commenced by 

highlighting the significant 

connections that people from 

Chris Hipkin. RNZ Angus 

Dreaver 

various cultures and faiths 

share with the Matariki star 

constellation. 

Japanese culture associates 

it with Subaru and Tanabata, 

Hindus with Krittika Nakshatra, 

and the Chinese with Mao, 

symbolising the hairy head of the 

white tiger. 

Additionally, Persians, 

Macedonians, and others also 

hold a strong relevance and 

connection to the Matariki 

(Pleiades) constellation. 

CMC members Naomi Peters, 

Irinka Briitnell, Farahnaz 

Khosravi and Archna Tandon 

eloquently discussed the Matariki 

connections with Japanese, 

Macedonians, Persians, and 

Hindus respectively. 

Explaining how Maori Matariki 

and Hindu Kritika both have 

cultural and astronomical 

significance in their respective 

communities, Archna Tandon 

said, “Both are star clusters: 

Matariki in the southern 

hemisphere and Kritika in the 

northern. 

“They are celebrated as 

festivals, symbolising light’s 

triumph over darkness. 

Matariki marks the Maori New 

Year, fostering reflection and 

community gathering. 

“Kritika is part of Diwali, 

"The 

assessment 

from officials 

is that there is no 

national security risk. 

There is no change 

to New Zealand's 

national threat 

level." 

representing motherly love and 

courage. They hold seasonal 

importance: Matariki marks 

winter solstice in NZ, and Kritika 

heralds winter in India.” 

The celebration featured 

captivating musical performances 

that honoured the diverse talents 

and cultural contributions of 

various ethnicities. 

The shared meal, a delightful 

potluck dinner, showcased a 

delicious array of dishes brought 

in by members of diverse cultures, 

providing a delightful culinary 

experience for everyone involved. 

The CMC presented annual 

awards, Certificates of 

Appreciation, to individuals like 

Naomi Peters, Jennifer Hsiao, 

Jianfei Zhao, and institutions like 

Canterbury Kia Ora Academy and 

Simurgh Music School. 

Former Christchurch City 

Councillor Jimmy Chen, who 

worked tirelessly for ethnic 

communities during his four 

terms, was granted CMC’s maiden 

Honorary Life Membership, fondly 

regarded as the local multicultural 

ambassador.

Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 21 July, 2023 

NEW ZEALAND 3 

“Major demands on 

immigration system”: 

Minister Little 

NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH 

IN AUCKLAND 

The newly-appointed Immigration 

Minister, Andrew Little, says he will 

continue to focus on strengthening 

the rebalance of immigration policy to 

address labour market demands and 

streamline visa processing. 

Little took over the new role after Michael 

Wood vacated the post last month. 

In an exclusive interview with The Indian 

Weekender, the 58-year-old shed light on 

his key priorities, challenges faced by the 

country’s immigration system and his 

quest to make New Zealand an attractive 

destination for migrants. 

“Our key priorities are to continue the 

work of strengthening the rebalance of our 

immigration policy and to make sure that the 

processing of visa applications continues to 

be supported. We are achieving our objective 

of filling skills gaps in our labour market just 

as quickly as possible.” 

He acknowledged that there are major 

demands on New Zealand’s immigration 

system, with people seeking to enter the 

country for various purposes, including 

holidays, travel and work opportunities. 

“We still have a system recovering from 

the Covid-19 pandemic, and one of the 

biggest challenges is ensuring we have as 

efficient and effective system as possible. 

We have a new processing system as well 

as new staff running that system. So, I see 

that we’re getting incrementally better every 

day. I’m confident that we have a system 

responding as effectively as possible to the 

demands placed on it,” the minister stated. 

Among the communities hardest hit by 

acute labour shortage are migrants and small 

businesses, many of them Kiwi-Indians. To 

address this issue, Little emphasised the 

rebalance strategy, which aims to make it 

easier to fill genuine skills gaps where local 

talent may not be available. 

Highly skilled workers facing global 

shortages will find New Zealand an attractive 

destination, with fast-tracked pathways 

to residency and simplified application 

processes, he said. 

“The continued growth in net migration 

shows the government’s immigration 

rebalance is striking the right balance as we 

tackle labour shortages,” he pointed out. 

When asked about any possible changes 

in the pipeline, the minister said, “We are 

constantly reviewing issues that come up 

and making sure that we tweak the system 

to be as effective as possible.” 

Little also talked about the muchanticipated 

decision on overstayer amnesty. 

“We have had a look at 

amnesties in the past. In 

the end, it is important 

to have an immigration 

system where we attract 

people…where everybody 

understands the rules, 

everybody sticks to the 

rules, and they find the rules 

easy to follow." 

“We think it is imperative that people have 

certainty, that people don’t feel as if they are 

in some sort of grey zone. We have to balance 

the need to look after people humanely with 

the fact that, as a small country, we must 

manage our immigration very carefully. 

“We have had a look at amnesties in the 

past. In the end, it is important to have 

an immigration system where we attract 

people…where everybody understands the 

rules, everybody sticks to the rules, and 

they find the rules easy to follow. When we 

have overstayers in the way we do, it is often 

because people have not understood what is 

required of them.” 

From October 9, 2023, the current 

settings of Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) 

resident visa will be replaced with a points 

system that sets a clear skills threshold for 

residence and offers several ways for people 

to demonstrate their skill level. 

The new six-point uncapped SMC visa 

will provide a pathway for residency for 

skilled migrants who meet the specific 

criteria in either their income, qualification, 

occupational registered skills, or New 

Zealand-based work experience. 

Sharing insights into the reason behind 

the intended changes, Little said, “It is 

part of the immigration rebalance. Many 

industries are calling for workers because 

of the global labour shortage, and the new 

skilled migrant settings will help attract and 

retain skilled migrants to fill the medium to 

long-term needs that would take longer for 

New Zealanders to fill. 

So, the new skilled migrant category also 

complements other pathways to residence 

such as the green list and other measures 

we are taking.” 

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4 

MAHESH KUMAR 

IN CHRISTCHURCH 

NEW ZEALAND 

It was a night filled with music, 

poetry and good vibes as the 

Samaa & Qawwali evening took 

place in Christchurch. The unique 

event brought together two Sufi 

traditions, combining the powerful 

melodies of Qawwali from the 

Indian subcontinent with the 

sacred Samaa ceremony. Guest 

singers Banat from India and Waris 

Rajput from Christchurch added 

to the magic with their soulful 

singing. 

The Fendalton Community 

Centre provided an intimate 

setting for this unforgettable event, 

welcoming nearly 100 attendees. 

The atmosphere exuded warmth 

and inclusivity, encouraging active 

participation from the audience. 

The event was in a series 

of monthly Samaa evenings 

organised to celebrate live Sufi 

music, dance and poetry with 

guest artists. 

Sufi music, which has a large 

following among musical fans in 

Christchurch, is deeply rooted in 

the works of influential Sufi poets 

like Rumi, Hafiz, Bulleh Shah, Amir 

Khusrow and Khwaja Ghulam 

Farid. 

Qawwali, which means 

“utterance” in Arabic, is a distinctive 

musical style originating from 

South Asia. It holds a significant 

place in Sufism—a mystical 

branch of Islam that emphasises 

a personal connection with God 

and upholds tolerance, peace, and 

equality as core principles. 

The evening was made even 

more magical with the inclusion 

of guest musician Banat, a Punjabi 

folk artist from India. 

Banat’s soulful voice brought 

Sufi songs to life, captivating 

the audience with its ethereal 

quality. Waris Rajput’s exceptional 

talent took centerstage as he 

paid homage to Nusrat Fateh Ali 

Khan, mesmerising listeners with 

his powerful renditions. Each 

performance showcased the 

profound beauty and richness of 

Sufi music. 

The event commenced with a 

heartfelt rendition of “Sanu Ek Pal 

Chain Na Aave” by Rajput, paying 

homage to the legendary Nusrat 

Fateh Ali Khan, often hailed as 

“Shahenshah-e-Qawwali” (king of 

Qawwali). 

The audience enthusiastically 

joined in with rhythmic claps 


Sufi music, poetry hit 

high note at ChCh event 

as Banat delivered a flawless 

rendition of Bulleh Shah’s “Ni Main 

Kamli Haan.” Her pitch-perfect 

performance elevated the evening 

and captivated everyone. 

The fusion of Qawwali and 

Middle-Eastern instruments 

created an extraordinary synergy 

that fascinated both Sufi musicians 

and enthusiasts. 

Simurgh Music School’s Esmail 

Fathi joined with traditional 

Persian vocals while Liam Oliver 

mesmerised the audience with his 

skilful playing of the Iranian string 

instrument called tar. 

Pragunya Myers-Daly from 

Monk Party contributed to the 

magical atmosphere with his guitar 

melodies. Banat was playing on 

harmonium with Fahim on tabla. 

Ruchika Malhotra, who attended 

the event with her friends, said, “It 

was truly an enchanting experience 

for us! The blend of sufi music and 

the whirling dance created a very 

spiritual atmosphere. I am grateful 

to have been part of such a magical 

evening.” 

Rajput said, “I am grateful to 

the Simurgh Music School for 

providing this opportunity for me 

and I am overwhelmed by the 

feedback from the audience.” 

Rajput went on to sing many 

other numbers, including the ever 

popular, “Dum Mast Kalandar” and 

“Chhap Tilak Sab Cheeni”. 

Simurgh Music School, founded 

in 2022 in Christchurch, was set up 

with an aim to inspire people of all 

ages and backgrounds to explore 

and appreciate traditional music. 

The free event successfully 

brought people together through 

the power of music, poetry, and 

spirituality. 

Crime centrestage as community leaders meet officials 

IWK BUREAU 

Indian community leaders have 

conveyed their concern over 

rising retail crime in a meeting 

with police and government 

officials. 

Recent incidents of aggravated 

burglaries at small businesses 

like dairy stores and fuel stations 

were in the spotlight at the July 

4 gathering at Mahatma Gandhi 

Centre in Auckland. 

The meeting organised by 

New Zealand Indian Central 

Association (NZICA) brought 

together representatives from 

New Zealand Police and officials 

from the government, justice 

ministry and Oranga Tamariki. 

Among those present were 

Deputy Commissioner of Police 

Wally Haumaha; Principal 

Youth Court Judge Ida Malosi; 

superintendents Rakesh Naidoo 

and Scott Gemmel; the Director 

of Prevention – Innovation and 

Change, Mere Wilson Tuala-Fata; 

National Retail Investigation 

Support Unit representative 

Matthew Tierney, and Chief 

Victims Advisor to the government 

Kim McGregor among others. 

Representing the Kiwi-Indian 

community were prominent 

leaders like Prithi Pal Singh, 

Jeet Suchdev, Harshad K Patel, 

Narendra Bhana, Paul Patel, 

Puspa Lekinwala, Chandu Daji, 

Prakash Biradar, Dhansukh Lal, 

Suneel Kuncha, Vai Ravindran and 

Kalyan Rao. 

During the meeting, community 

leaders expressed serious 

concern over the safety and 

security of the business 

community. 

Mere Wilson Tuala-Fata and 

Matthew Tierney from New 

Zealand Police reported on the 

efforts being made to hold retail 

offenders accountable. 

The police emphasised their 

commitment to combatting such 

crimes by deploying all available 

resources, recognising the 

significant impact they have on 

communities. 

Principal Youth Court Judge 

Ida Malose acknowledged the 

aspirations of migrants who come 

to New Zealand in search of a 

better lifestyle. 

She commended the Indian 

community for their valuable 

contributions to New Zealand’s 

economy and society. 

Judge Malose expressed 

sympathy for the concerns raised 

by Indian community leaders, 

understanding their frustration 

and emphasising the need for 

finding effective solutions. 

Deputy Commissioner of Police 

Wally Haumaha shed light on 

the circumstances surrounding 

youth offenders, highlighting that 

a majority of them come from 

disadvantaged backgrounds, 

lacking education and support at 

home. 

He emphasised the importance 

of providing the necessary 

support and appreciated the 

patience and willingness of 

communities to collaborate with 

New Zealand Police and the 

government in making the country 

a better place. 

The meeting concluded on a 

positive note, with attendees 

enjoying a delicious dinner 

provided by Auckland Indian 

Association Inc. 


White 

Island trial: 

Eruption was 

impossible 

to predict, 

GNS Science 

expert says 

FELIX WALTON/RNZ 

The 2019 Whakaari / White 

Island eruption which 

killed 22 people was 

impossible to predict, a leading 

volcanologist has told the court. 

It is the second week of a trial, 

being held at Auckland District 

Court, over alleged health and 

safety failings on the island in 

the lead-up to the eruption. 

GNS Science principal 

scientist Dr Gillian Jolly, who is 

also the Chief Science Advisor 

for the Ministry of Business, 

Innovation and Employment, is 

an expert witness in WorkSafe’s 

ongoing case against the 

island’s owners, their company, 

and two tourism companies. 

GNS Science pleaded guilty 

to charges from WorkSafe in 

May. Dr Jolly told the courtroom 

Whakaari / White Island was 

showing signs of higher activity 

in the days before the disaster, 

but “volcanoes are inherently 

unpredictable”. 

“We can never definitively 

say when an eruption might 

happen,” she said. 

“We never talk about volcanic 

activity being predictable. 

Prediction implies you know 

what is going to happen and 

when. We prefer to talk about 

forecasting and probability.” 

GNS Science had been 

monitoring Whakaari closely, Dr 

Jolly said. 

“Whakaari, being a frequently 

active volcano, we used the full 

suite of monitoring [equipment],” 

she told prosecutor Kristy 

McDonald KC. “On the island, 

we had two seismometers 

permanently providing real-time 

data, we had two global position 

system instruments, we had two 

differential optical absorption 

spectrometers looking at the 

gas coming out [of the volcano], 

and we had three cameras 

pointing at the active vent.” 

She said Whakaari was 

showing heightened activity in 

the lead up to the eruption. 

“For the period towards the 

end of 2019, we saw a number of 

parameters that were showing 

elevated signs. 

“The more unrest indicators, 

the more likely an eruption.” 

But GNS could not use that 

data to determine when, or if, an 

eruption would occur. 

“Monitoring and forecasting 

volcanoes is like forecasting 

weather,” Dr Jolly said. “Except 

you’ve got your eyes closed.” 

She said it would have been 

impossible for GNS Science to 

provide an accurate warning. 

“Not with [our] current 

available technology and 

understanding of volcanic 

activity.” Even if it could, it had 

“no power” to stop tours from 

going ahead, she said.


NEW ZEALAND 5 

“No single bullet”: 

Luxon outlines plan to 

Siva Kilari, National Candidate (Manurewa). 

RAVI BAJPAI IN AUCKLAND 

Christopher Luxon has pointed out 

there is “no single bullet” to deal with 

brain drain, and says he will work on 

“a combination of things” to encourage New 

Zealanders to settle down in the country. 

National’s prime ministerial candidate 

made the comment at a public rally in 

Manurewa, the South Auckland suburb from 

where his colleague, Kiwi-Indian Siva Kilari, 

is contesting. 

“I have to make sure I get more affordable 

housing in place in New Zealand,” Luxon 

told a packed audience at Netball Manurewa 

Events Centre on July 15, 2023. 

“I have to improve the education system, 

I have to improve the healthcare system, I 

have to get the economics and the cost of 

living and inflation under control.” 

tackle brain drain 

“I have to improve the 

education system, I have 

to improve the healthcare 

system, I have to get the 

economics and the cost of 

living and inflation under 

control.” Chris Luxon 

Luxon did not seem too worried about 

people leaving Aotearoa temporarily. “We 

will always have Kiwis going overseas for 

overseas experience. And that’s fine, I was 

one of those people. 

“But we always wanted to come home…I 

have to make sure there is a more attractive 

proposition for you to stay here rather than 

go somewhere else.” 

Luxon was in Manurewa to rally support 

for Kilari, who came to New Zealand as a 

migrant student in 2002 and now owns and 

operates Universal Granite and Marbles, a 

successful benchtop stone business. 

Kilari said more than 1,000 people attended 

the weekend rally, adding the turnout was an 

indication National was building up a strong 

momentum in the electorate, which Labour 

has never lost since 1978. 

“People were even standing at the back. 

If we can put in the right amount of effort, 

we are confident we are going to be winning 

the electorate [vote], as well,” he told 

The Indian Weekender. 

A chunk of the speeches dealt with retail 

crime and National’s proposals to deal with 

criminals, especially juvenile and repeat 

offenders. New Zealand Police have reported 

388 ram raids in the six months to May 2023, 

with 86 young offenders being referred to 

Police Youth Services. In the same period, 

as many as 1,429 youth referrals were 

made in connection 

with retail crime in 

general. 

Kilari pointed to 

these statistics as 

he made a case for 

getting tough on 

offenders, throwing 

his support behind 

Luxon’s proposal 

to send young 

offenders to military-style bootcamps for 

mentoring and guidance. 

“That is a really good policy. Everybody likes 

the policy, most New Zealanders want that 

policy to be implemented. So once the 

kids go into that system…they will be well 

groomed.” 

Talking about Manurewa, Kilari pointed 

to the nuisance dirt bikers have created 

lately and said he will make it a priority 

to fix the problem. 

“They make noise on the streets, and are 

an inconvenience for other drivers…the plan 

to fix it is to not allow dirt bikes on the road… 

we can give separate land for them to drive.” 

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6 

NEW ZEALAND 



Auckland embraces spirit of Bonalu 


IN AUCKLAND 

The Indian community in 

Auckland came together 

enthusiastically and 

passionately to celebrate 

the Bonalu festival, a vibrant 

celebration of the culture and 

traditions of Telangana. 

Bonalu is a Hindu festival 

celebrated mainly in the southern 

Indian state of Telangana, 

particularly in the twin cities of 

Hyderabad and Secunderabad. 

The word Bonalu is derived 

from the Telugu term ‘Bhojanalu’, 

which means a meal or a feast. 

It holds immense significance in 

Telangana, symbolising devotion 

to Goddess Mahankaali and 

seeking her blessings. 

Organised by New Zealand 

Telangana Central Association, 

the event at the Papakura Ganesh 

Temple was indeed a day of joy, 

devotion and cultural pride. 

The celebration on July 16, 

2023, had the temple adorned 

with colourful decorations, and 

the scent of incense filled the 

air, setting the stage for a festive 

ambience. 

The premises was teeming with 

enthusiastic attendees, proudly 

dressed in traditional attire. The 

rhythmic beats of the drums 

reverberated through the air, 

invoking a sense of celebration 

and unity among the crowd. 

The main altar sparkled inside 

the temple with beautiful floral 

arrangements, garlands, and 

intricate rangoli patterns. 

A sense of reverence and 

devotion filled the space as priests, 

led by Priest Chandru, prepared for 

the traditional offering. 

The event saw the presence 

of several dignitaries, including 

Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic 

Colours, rhythm and smiles at Auckland’s Kalolsavam 2023 


IN AUCKLAND 

The Auckland Malayali 

Samajam’s Kalolsavam 

2023, a children’s arts 

festival, was a melting pot of talent 

and creativity. 

The Blockhouse Bay Community 

Centre event witnessed a 

remarkable turnout, with all the 

three stages packed with talented 

young minds, their proud parents, 

and arts enthusiasts from the 

Malayali community and beyond. 

The festival, which took place 

on July 15, 2023, kicked off at 

8am, as young performers took 

to the stage to showcase their 

artistic prowess. 

From mesmerising traditional 

classical dances to captivating 

modern cinematic performances, 

the audience was treated to 

diverse creative expressions. 

Their stunning performances 

brought smiles to everyone’s face 

and showcased the rich cultural 

heritage of the southern Indian 

state of Kerala. 

Blessan M Jose, President of 

Auckland Malayali Samajam, the 

largest Malayali association in 

Oceania, said, “We are delighted 

to acknowledge and applaud the 

exceptional talent displayed by the 

Communities Minister Priyanca 

Radhakrishnan, Member of 

Parliament Helen White, and 

community leaders like Narendra 

Bhana, Navtej Randhawa and 

Kharag Singh. 

New Zealand Telangana Central 

Association President Kalyan Rao 

Kasuganti said, “It was the first 

occasion a minister of cabinet 

rank attended the Bonalu festival 

in New Zealand and across the 

globe. Minister Radhakrishnan’s 

presence added an extra layer 

young participants in our recent 

Children’s Art Festival. 

“It is truly inspiring to witness 

their creativity and artistic abilities 

at such a young age. These 

talented children have not only 

of honour and pride to the 

celebrations 

"We express our heartfelt 

gratitude to the honourable 

minister for attending the Bonalu 

event and gracing it with her 

esteemed presence.” 

Beyond the sacred confines of 

the temple, a cultural extravaganza 

unfolded, mesmerising hundreds 

of attendees with traditional 

Telangana dance performances 

and soul-stirring music. 

The festive spirit fostered 

showcased their skills but have 

also brought joy and enriched our 

community through their artwork. 

We are proud to have provided a 

“It was the first 

occasion a minister 

of cabinet rank 

attended the Bonalu 

festival in New 

Zealand and across 

the globe. Minister 

Radhakrishnan’s 

presence added 

an extra layer of 

honour and pride to 

the celebrations We 

express our heartfelt 

gratitude to the 

honourable minister for 

attending the Bonalu 

event and gracing it 

with her esteemed 

presence.” Kalyan Rao 

Kasuganti 

platform for their talents to shine 

and look forward to fostering more 

opportunities for young artists 

to thrive and bring joy to the 

community.” 

The event coordinators, Julie 

Vinu, Daisy Sujo and Archa 

Ravikumar, who worked tirelessly 

to ensure the festival’s success, 

deserve a special mention. 

“It is truly inspiring to 

witness their creativity 

and artistic abilities 

at such a young 

age. These talented 

children have not only 

showcased their skills 

but have also brought 

joy and enriched our 

community through 

their artwork." Blessan 

M Jose 

The event featured various 

competitions, including classical 

dance, classical music, cinematic 

dance, film song, mimicry, fancy 

dress, recitation, painting, drawing, 

and poetry writing. 

A unique and entertaining 

a sense of camaraderie and 

cultural pride as the attendees 

danced and clapped together, 

celebrating their heritage and 

embracing their roots. 

A sumptuous ‘mahaprasadam’ 

served to all the devotees aimed to 

forge deep bonds and emphasised 

the essence of community unity. 

As celebrations were in full 

swing, a large screen displayed a 

heartwarming video message from 

former Indian parliamentarian 

Kalvakuntla Kavitha, who is now 

a municipal councillor in the 

state, conveying her warm Bonalu 

wishes to the Auckland gathering. 

She was scheduled to attend 

the event, but she reportedly faced 

technical issues with her visa and 

could not attend in person. Her 

heartfelt message resonated with 

the audience, strengthening their 

connection to their homeland. 

Bhartiya Samaj Charitable 

Trust’s Chairperson Jeet Suchdev 

expressed his heartfelt gratitude 

for the invitation to attend the 

festival, and described the 

experience as truly extraordinary. 

Another attendee, Rani Nalam, 

said, “It was a very well-organised 

and well-attended event. Felt 

blessed to be part of such a 

beautiful celebration.” 

On a parting note, Kasuganti 

said, “This Telangana Bonalu 

celebration was a significant 

milestone in promoting Telangana 

culture, traditions, and spirituality 

in New Zealand.” 

contest, ‘Kiddies Smiling’ also 

brought an extra touch of joy and 

laughter to the event, becoming 

the day’s highlight. 

The young performers’ hard work 

and dedication were rewarded as 

the winners of each event received 

medals and certificates. 

“The coveted titles of 

Kalathilakam and Kalaprathibha 

will be bestowed upon the most 

outstanding participants at the 

upcoming mega Onam day on 

August 19, 2023,” said Blessan, 

while thanking all the committee 

members for making the event a 

success. 

The delightful spread of 

traditional Kerala cuisine at the 

food stalls added to the festival’s 

allure. Attendees were treated to 

a delectable culinary experience 

that heightened the cultural 

atmosphere of the event. 

One of the attendees, Arati 

Reddy, said. “The festival provided 

a fun-filled environment for kids 

and families to come together, 

creating unforgettable memories, 

laughter, and joy for all involved.”


NEW ZEALAND 7 

Hi-tech Kiwi company’s 

stellar role in Chandrayaan-3 

• Continued from Page 1 

Rakon has been operating in 

India for more than 15 years and 

has seen remarkable growth, to 

become the largest provider of 

advanced frequency control and 

timing solutions in India. 

Speaking to this writer at the 

sparkling new Bengaluru facility 

just a few days before the launch 

of Chandrayaan-3, Rakon India 

Managing Director Arun Parasnis 

said, “Chandrayaan-3 mission is 

proud moment for us as we have 

contributed with many of our 

products in this mission.” 

Over the past couple of years, it 

has expanded its operations with 

its growing engagement in India’s 

ambitious space programme. 

“We were part of earlier 

Chandrayaan missions as well as 

Mangalyaan mission and there 

will be many more to come,” 

Parasnis said. 

Mangalyaan was ISRO’s first 

designed and built unmanned 

interplanetary mission that 

consisted of a Mars orbiter 

launched in 2013 that continues 

to orbit earth’s nearest 

neighbouring planet. 

In investing in the new facility, the 

company took advantage of Indian 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 

‘Make in India’ programme, which 

encourages global companies to 

manufacture in India. 

It invested in excess of NZ$15 

million in the new Bengaluru 

facility. Its location in Bengaluru, 

at the Special Economic Zone 

Aerospace Park is in the heart of 

the aerospace technology hub, 

adjacent to other global aerospace 

giants like Boeing. 

Rakon has plans to invest an 

additional NZ$55 million in its 

Indian operations within the next 

three to five years. As of now, it 

employs more than 500 skilled 

individuals from the local 

community in the thriving 

high-tech sector. 

As the company continues to 

expand, it aims to hire additional 

staff in the hundreds over the 

next five years. Located in the 

aerospace technology hub of 

Bengaluru, Rakon benefits from its 

strategic position in the industry. 

As part of its long-term 

strategy, Rakon plans to relocate 

certain product lines from its 

manufacturing sites in NZ and 

France to the new facility. 

This transfer is expected to have 

a positive impact on margins, 

as the company anticipates 

lower manufacturing overhead 

costs. In addition, Rakon has 

made provisions within the new 

facility to facilitate the future 

expansion of its proprietary 

XMEMS® resonators and 

nanotechnology 

manufacturing 

process. 

The new 

building is 

designed for 

expansion 

and there 

is potential 

to build two 

additional floors, 

Parasnis said. 

“Chandrayaan-3 

mission is proud 

moment for us as we 

have contributed with 

many of our products 

in this mission. We 

were part of earlier 

Chandrayaan missions 

as well as Mangalyaan 

mission and there 

will be many more to 

come.” Arun Parasnis 

The design of the new facility 

adheres to sustainable building 

practices, emphasising efficient 

water and energy usage. Rakon 

anticipates that the facility will 

meet the criteria for obtaining 

a Leadership in Energy and 

Environmental Design (LEED) 

certification. 

Rakon operates from seven 

manufacturing sites owned by 

the company or its partners and 

has six research and development 

centres, totally employing more 

than 1000 people. 

It is a listed company on the 

New Zealand Stock Exchange 

(NZSE:RAK). 

While helping navigate India’s 

space programme, Rakon has 

also shown the pathway for NZ 

companies to navigate their way 

into the world’s fastest growing 

market that clearly has an ocean 

of opportunities. 

(The writer travelled to India 

on a grant from the Asia New 

Zealand Foundation.) 

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“Not enough”: Hipkins proposes 

new law to tackle young ram-raiders 

RAVI BAJPAI IN AUCKLAND 

Chris Hipkins this week acknowledged 

existing tools to deal with young 

ram-raiders “were on their own not 

enough”, as he announced a new offence to 

deal with the menace. 

The prime minister said the proposed law, 

which allows a maximum 10-year sentence, 

will also allow offenders aged 12 and 13 

years to be tried in Youth Court, expanding 

the scope of existing laws that apply to only 

those aged 14 and above. 

“Enabling 12 and 13 year olds who carry 

out ram-raids to be charged in the Youth 

Court will give Police and Oranga Tamariki 

a wider range of options to deal with child 

offenders that are more intensive,” Hipkins 

said. 

“At a practical level, it means 12 and 13 

year olds can be charged in the Youth Court, 

giving Police the ability to apply for bail 

conditions or for the offenders to be held in 

the custody of Oranga Tamariki.” 

The proposed law will also apply to 

passengers in the ram-raid vehicle if they 

enter the shop to steal or cause damage. 

Justice Minister Kiri Allan pointed to the 

need for increasing accountability of young 

offenders, “while continuing to break the 

cycle of crime”. 

“Without Police having the jurisdiction 

to file a charge in Youth Court for ram raid 

offending for children of this age, there are 

fewer interventions available that could 

make a more significant difference to stop 

repeat offending, provide the necessary 

support and hold them to account for their 

actions,” she said. 

Earlier in the week, the government 

announced another set of new rules to 

rein in youth offending, which business 

advocates said were welcome but perhaps 

not as “robust” as they need to be. 

The additional measures were aimed at 

those who encourage youngsters to commit 

crimes, Hipkins said on July 16. 

Among them is a provision that allows 

judges to consider it an aggravating factor 

when sentencing a person who egged on a 

youngster to commit a crime. 

“Fundamentally, the overall objective 

remains that we are toughening the 

consequences for people who are 

commissioning young people to commit 

crime,” Hipkins said. 

The government hopes this will discourage 

gang members, and people in general, 

from using minors to front the crimes they 

mastermind, knowing the law will go easy 

on the youngsters in case of an arrest. 

Another new provision empowers family 

courts to impose restorative justice on 

youth offenders rather than just make 

recommendations, as allowed under 

existing rules. 

The justice spokesperson of the main 

opposition National Party said the 

government was “obviously scrambling to 

look like they are doing something firmer on 

law and order”. 

“There needed to be more robust 

consequences for young people committing 

crime…the problem at the moment is really 

they are just seeing that they can get away 

with it and if you talk to retailers, that is the 

thing that frustrates them the most,” Paul 

Goldsmith told RNZ. 

It was not petty offending but “very, 

very serious crime” that needed a serious 

consequence, he said. 

New Zealand Police have reported 388 

ram raids in the six months to May 2023, 

with 86 young offenders being referred to 

Police Youth Services. In the same period, 

as many as 1,429 youth referrals were made 

in connection with retail crime in general. 

The Dairy and Business Owners Group, 

an umbrella body of hundreds of small 

businesses, welcomed the fact the Labour 

government was “finally taking note of 

crime”, but did not seem too impressed with 

the new rules.


NEW ZEALAND 9 

Harela Mela: Harvesting unity and joy 


IN AUCKLAND 

The vibrant cultural heritage of 

Uttarakhand came alive at Mount 

Roskill War Memorial this week at an 

event organised by Uttarakhand Association 

of New Zealand (UANZ). 

The July 15 event celebrated Grand Harela 

Mela, a festival that marks the onset of the 

monsoon season and the harvest in the 

Uttarakhand region of India. 

This year’s celebration held special 

significance as the association 

commemorated its remarkable journey of 

growth and service, completing a successful 

decade of fostering cultural ties within the 

Kiwi-Indian community. 

The event endeavoured to recreate 

the spirit of Harela Mela within the 

New Zealand landscape. It attracted 

nearly 200 people from the Kiwi-Indian 

community and beyond. 

Talking to The Indian Weekender, Ramya 

Negi, Vice-President of UANZ, said, “Our 

primary focus has always been to preserve 

the rich cultural heritage of Uttarakhand 

through our various cultural celebrations as 

a part of our community service. 

Harela is a significant festival for our 

community, and this year, we wanted to 

make it even more special as we celebrate 

our association’s first decade of service.” 

The event’s highlights included the 

felicitation of dignitaries and founding 

members of the association, recognising their 

invaluable contributions to the community. 

The evening also saw the launch of the 

commemorative booklet titled ‘The Journey 

– Uttarakhand Association of New Zealand’, 

capturing the association’s decade-long 

journey of service and achievements. 

The event showcased the cultural diversity 

of India with mesmerising multicultural 

performances that enthralled the audience. 

Attendees were treated to a delightful 

array of traditional and contemporary 

performances, celebrating the essence of 

India’s unity through its diverse cultures. 

The festival’s atmosphere was further 

enriched by various multicultural food and 

accessory stalls, providing a taste of the 

diverse cuisines and traditional crafts from 

different regions of India. 

Among the distinguished guests were 

parliamentarians Melissa Lee, Damien 

Smith and Michael Wood, who joined the 

celebration to show their support for the 

Kiwi-Indian community. 

The event also witnessed the presence 

of eminent diaspora leaders, including Jeet 

Suchdev, Vai Ravindran, Prakash Biradar, 

Narendra Bhana, and Neha Nalawade. 

Negi said the event received 

overwhelmingly positive feedback from the 

wider community. Attendees, hailing from 

Uttarakhand and other states, expressed 

their delight in experiencing the rich 

cultural heritage of India and the warmth of 

community engagement during the event. 

“As immigrants, such 

festivals play a vital role in 

helping our future generations 

understand and appreciate 

India’s traditions and cultural 

legacy. Events like these 

promote cross-cultural 

knowledge exchange and 

foster unity among the diverse 

communities residing in New 

Zealand.” Ramya Negi 

“As immigrants, such festivals play a 

vital role in helping our future generations 

understand and appreciate India’s traditions 

and cultural legacy. Events like these promote 

cross-cultural knowledge exchange and 

foster unity among the diverse communities 

residing in New Zealand.” 

Sharing the same sentiment, one of the 

attendees, Namrata Sharma, said, “It was a 

pleasure being part of Harela Mela organised 

by UANZ. There were such amazing dance 

performances and yummy food. I enjoyed 

myself.” 

The event culminated with attendees 

dancing to traditional songs that continued 

until 11pm, signifying the celebrations’ 

jubilant spirit and lasting impact. 

Panmure.OtahuhuMP@parliament.govt.nz 

23-PRO-1204_IW2_AUC 

MP for Panmure-Ōtāhuhu 

Electorate office: 

7 Fulton Cres, Ōtara 

09 274 9231 

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Ōtāhuhu and Riverside Clinic: 

Ōtāhuhu Town Hall, 

10-12 High St 

Monday Mornings 

9.30am to 11.30am 

Panmure and 

Point England Clinic: 

By Appointment 

Phone 09 274 9231 

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Auckland Council's 21 LocalBoards have comeupwith 

athree-year plan outlining keyinitiatives we want to 

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It ’ s your place. Your voice.

10 

NEW ZEALAND 



The puzzle of the silent mind 

CLAIRE CONCANNON/RNZ 

If I asked you to play your 

favourite song in your head, 

how clear would it be? 

Would you hear all the different 

instruments – the tone of them, 

the timbre? Or would it be just a 

basic melody, as if played from a 

distance? 

Or is this something you just 

cannot do at all? 

Most people, over 99% of us, 

can imagine sounds in our head 

– environmental sounds, music 

and our own voices. Some of us 

imagine better than others. But 

there is a small proportion of 

people, estimated at just less than 

1%, who can’t imagine sounds. 

This lack of ‘auditory imagery’ 

has recently been given a name 

by psychologist Professor Tony 

Lambert, based at the University of 

RNZ 

Australian Prime 

Minister Anthony 

Albanese will make 

his first official visit to New 

Zealand next week. 

His trip to Wellington will 

mark a year of anniversaries, 

including 40 years of the Closer 

Economic Relations free trade 

agreement. 

“I believe that the trans- 

Tasman relationship is the 

strongest it has been in 

decades,” New Zealand Prime 

Minister Chris Hipkins said. 

“In both Australia and 

Prime Minister Albanese, New 

Zealand has a close friend and 

ally, so I’m very pleased to 

host him here during this year 

of milestone anniversaries.” 

On top of the trade 

anniversary, this year marks 

50 years of the Trans- 

Photo: Burst/Pexels 

Auckland, and his colleague. They 

call it anauralia. 

Tony first became intrigued 

by the idea after reading about 

people who lack visual imagery. 

This phenomenon was called 

Australian Prime Minister Anthony 

Albanese to visit NZ next week 

Tasman Travel Arrangement 

and 80 years of diplomatic 

representation. 

Hipkins said the visit was 

a chance to recognise past 

trans-Tasman achievements, 

celebrate the progress made 

this year and set ambition for 

where both countries want to 

go next. 

“This visit will provide me 

with another opportunity 

to thank Prime Minister 

Albanese for his instrumental 

aphantasia by Professor Adam 

Zeman in 2015, whose work was 

widely reported. 

But from Tony’s point of view, 

while aphantasia was getting 

its day in the sun, a lack of 

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, on his trip to 

Australia in February, 2023.RNZ / Samuel Rillstone 

role in one of this year’s 

major achievements: the 

announcement of the new 

direct pathway to citizenship 

for New Zealanders living in 

Australia, which came into 

effect this month.” 

While in Wellington, the two 

prime ministers will celebrate 

New Zealand and Australia cohosting 

of the FIFA Women’s 

World Cup, which kicks off on 

20 July. Albanese’s visit will 

take place from 26-27 July. 

auditory imagery had gone largely 

unstudied. So, he decided to 

change that. 

The key questions that Tony 

and his team now want to answer 

centre around how anauraliacs 

(people who experience anauralia) 

process and store information 

in the present, create and recall 

memories, and imagine the future. 

Previous research has linked 

these particular functions of the 

brain to auditory imagery, so 

what strategies do people lacking 

imagined sound use instead? 

PhD candidates Zoé Schlep and 

Gage Quigley-Tump have used 

results from the New Zealand 

Attitudes and Values Survey to 

start investigating. 

The survey included questions 

asking about auditory and visual 

imagery. Zoé recruited some of 

those who reported experiencing 

anauralia to her study of working 

memory. She uses a simple 

memory test to challenge 

both anauraliacs and control 

participants, and then interviews 

them about the different strategies 

they employ. 

Gage has used the survey data 

to look for correlations between 

anauralia and the likelihood that 

people will end up in certain careers. 

He is also looking at identifiable 

physiological differences for those 

with anauralia. Right now, he is 

investigating if changes in pupil 

dilation – triggered when people 

do and don’t imagine music in their 

head – might hold the answer. 

The work of Professor Lambert 

and his team is supported 

by Marsden Funding for their 

project Anauralia: The enigma of 

the silent mind. 

Inflation falls to lowest level since late 2021 

GYLES BECKFORD/RNZ 

Inflation has fallen to its lowest level 

since late 2021, but domestic pressures 

remain high. Stats NZ said consumer 

prices rose 1.1 percent for the three months 

ended June, with the annual rate falling to 

6 percent from 6.7 percent. The figure was 

slightly above analysts’ expectations of 1 

percent, but just below the Reserve Bank’s 

May forecast of 1.1 percent. 

“Prices are still increasing at rates not 

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Global dairy prices at lowest in more than 

2 years after further drop at auction 

RNZ 

Prices have fallen yet again at the 

global dairy auction overnight, 

with prices at their lowest level in 

more than two-and-a-half years. 

The average price at the overnight 

auction fell 1 percent to US$3289 

(NZ$5241) a tonne. 

It follows the 3.3 percent fall in the 

previous auction a fortnight ago. 

Prices have fallen in most auctions 

this year and the global dairy trade 

(GDT) price index is now at its lowest 

level since November 2020. 

The price of wholemilk powder, which 

strongly influences the payouts for local 

farmers, fell 1.5 percent to 

US$3100 a tonne. 

Of the other products offered, cheddar 

fell more than 10 percent, while butter 

fell 2.7 percent and skim milk powder 

eased 0.6 percent. 

In a report, NZX dairy analyst Alex 

Winning and dairy economist Amy 

Castleton said market sentiment had 

seen since the 1990s but are rising at a 

lower rate than the last few quarters,” Stats 

NZ consumers prices senior manager Nicola 

Growden said. The main drivers were the 

familiar factors - food prices, building costs, 

rents, insurance, and energy, which were 

partly offset by a fall in transport costs, 

fuel, and telecommunications. Food prices 

were up 12.3 percent for the year, building 

costs by 7.8 percent, and rents by more 

than 4 percent. The so-called non-tradables 

inflation - a measure of domestic inflation - 

rose 6.6 percent, while imported inflation - 

tradables - was 5.2 percent. 

“Domestic inflation remains high, sticky 

and is lagging the pull back we’ve seen 

in recent pricing surveys,” ASB senior 

economist Kim Mundy said. 

She said core inflation measures, which 

eliminate more volatile components, were 

little changed at around 6 percent and in 

some cases had edged higher, which would 

make the Reserve Bank (RBNZ) nervous. 

“Sticky non-tradable inflation will keep the 

RBNZ on alert and of the view that monetary 

policy will need to remain restrictive for the 

foreseeable future.” 

Last week, the RBNZ said in its 

latest statement that it did not expect 

not changed and demand remained soft. 

“Buyers are getting what they need 

but aren’t willing to pay more than they 

need to. 

"No one is stocking up in fear they 

won’t be able to get product in a few 

months’ time,” NZX said. 

South East Asia continued to be the 

lead buyer at GDT events, it said. 

“North Asia is buying, but not exactly 

pushing itself. Buying from this region 

continues to seem to be hand to mouth 

- just keeping things flowing rather than 

adding in any extra product,” 

the report said. 

There were also signs that milk supply 

was slowing, particularly in the Northern 

Hemisphere, but it had yet to show in 

the market, NZX said. 

“All in all, this result shouldn’t be 

much of a surprise to 

the market,” it said. 

“It’s likely prices will continue to 

slowly soften like this going forward, as 

there just isn’t much in the market to 

support any increases.” 

inflation back in its target band until 

late 2024, and the 5.5 percent official 

cash rate would need to stay high for an 

extended period. 

Mundy said the RBNZ could not and 

would not think it has inflation on the run, 

but doubted, at this stage, the need for 

another rate rise. However, ANZ senior 

economist Miles Workman said the inflation 

risks were firmly to the upside. 

“We maintain our forecast that the RBNZ 

is not in fact done hiking yet, with a 25 basis 

point hike pencilled in for November.” 

The New Zealand dollar spiked about a 

quarter of a cent higher against the US dollar 

and wholesale interest rates also rose as 

investors pushed out the chances of rate cuts 

well into next year. 

Finance Minister Grant Robertson said the 

inflation fall was encouraging. 

“Inflation is still too high and we are 

committed to helping bring down the cost of 

living and supporting those doing it tough.” 

“The government is also doing its bit 

to ease inflation pressures by reducing 

spending to more normal levels and reduce 

overall demand in the economy, with real 

government consumption forecast to fall by 

5 percent by the beginning of 2025.”


NEW ZEALAND 11 

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can create a negative impression If you are currently sharing in their search for a rental property. 

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The Power of first impressions 

accommodation, obtain a Embrace patience, be proactive, 

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She can be reached at 027 201 

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Michael Wood referred to Privileges Committee 

for failing to disclose conflicts of interest 

CRAIG MCCULLOCH/RNZ 

A 

scathing inquiry has 

criticised former Cabinet 

minister Michael Wood 

for "a worrying and ongoing lack 

of awareness" over the need 

to quickly correct errors when 

managing conflicts of interest. 

Wood - who resigned as a 

minister last month - has now 

been referred to Parliament's 

Privileges Committee, where MPs 

will consider whether he is guilty 

of contempt. 

Registrar of Pecuniary Interests 

Sir Maarten Wevers launched 

an investigation in June after 

it was revealed the thentransport 

minister had failed 

to sell his shares in Auckland 

Airport despite repeatedly being 

told by Cabinet officials to do so. 

His report, published on 

Tuesday, concluded Wood "did not 

turn his mind to his interests as 

he should have". 

"In so doing, he has damaged 

his own standing as a member 

and has also cast a shadow over 

the entire register, and the trust 

and confidence that the public are 

entitled to expect they can have in 

their elected representatives." 

Sir Maarten said he was 

Former transport minister Michael Wood returned to Parliament on Tuesday. (VNP / Phil 

Smith) 

"surprised and concerned" Wood 

could not say whether had read 

the material given to all MPs 

every year which outlines their 

obligations. 

"Wood also demonstrated a 

worrying and ongoing lack of 

awareness of the need to correct 

errors and omissions in his 

pecuniary interest returns and 

that the corrections should be 

notified in a timely manner," he 

said. 

"Wood was very tardy in 

correcting his prior returns." 

Sir Maarten interviewed Wood 

face-to-face on 28 June, and 

noted the MP brought along "a 

senior partner in a leading law 

firm" without any warning before 

their meeting. 

"After some consideration, I 

decided to allow that gentleman 

to remain in the room, but only 

as an observer, and adviser - if 

requested - to Wood." 

Wood returned to Parliament for 

the first time since his resignation 

on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters 

earlier, he said the public could 

trust him. 

"Like a lot of people, I do 

sometimes make mistakes. I have 

in this case. I've apologised for 

those and I've spent the last few 

weeks putting things right." 

Wood said he had received a 

"really good response" from the 

public over the past few weeks 

in his home electorate of Mount 

Roskill. 

"A lot of people have sort of 

said, 'Look, you're a silly goose, 

you got this wrong, you need to 

sort these things out... and get 

focused on the issues.' 

"That's what I'm doing." 

Wood confirmed he intended 

to contest October's election and 

seek re-election in Mount Roskill. 

"There are a lot of important 

issues there, and I want to get 

on with helping people with 

those as part of the next Labour 

government." 

National MP Chris Bishop - who 

sits on the Privileges Committee 

- said the MPs would meet in due 

course to consider next steps. 

"It would be inappropriate for 

me to make any comment as 

I'll be sitting on the committee 

considering the matter. Everyone 

knows the background to exactly 

what happened... we'll be meeting 

in due course, and that'll be it." 

Most embrace 

NZ tourism 

in survey, but 

worry over cost 

of domestic 

holidays 

More New Zealanders 

are getting onboard 

with tourism in 

Aotearoa, but higher holiday 

costs are causing concern, 

according to new research. 

The research was conducted by 

Tourism New Zealand, government 

departments, Tourism Industry 

Aotearoa, and Regional Tourism 

New Zealand in May. Close to 90 

percent of those surveyed agreed 

tourism was good for New Zealand 

which was six percent higher than 

last May’s figures. 

Among the perceived benefits 

were growth opportunities 

for businesses, the economy 

and regions, and sharing of 

culture and values. Tourism 

Minister Peeni Henare said the 

results were promising. 

“Hugely encouraging, the 

number at the moment. But like 

I said, we won’t get complacent 

about these matters and we’ll 

continue to push forward.” 

Those surveyed said the 

biggest downsides included traffic 

congestion and the increasing 

cost of domestic holidays 

for New Zealanders. 

Henare was pleased to see 

inflation was coming down, but he 

said there would be a lag before 

those benefits reached consumers. 

“I’ve always been clear that what 

we need, in particular if you want 

to continue to have social licence, 

is a good tourism offering that 

doesn’t continue to price locals 

out of paradise.” 

Henare said he had been 

monitoring prices to ensure New 

Zealanders and tourists got a fair 

go, and had found them mostly 

stable and pretty fair. “I’ve seen 

some amazing operators do some 

really good work around making 

sure that they’re competitive, their 

prices are fair and that they can 

still to have an amazing offering.” 

More New Zealanders are 

getting onboard with tourism in 

Aotearoa, but higher holiday costs 

are causing concern, according 

to new research. The research 

was conducted by Tourism New 

Zealand, government departments, 

Tourism Industry Aotearoa, and 

Regional Tourism New Zealand in 

May. Close to 90 percent of those 

surveyed agreed tourism was 

good for New Zealand which was 

six percent higher than last May’s 

figures. Among the perceived 

benefits were growth opportunities 

for businesses, the economy and 

regions, and sharing of culture 

and values. Tourism Minister 

Peeni Henare said the results were 

promising. 

“Hugely encouraging, the 

number at the moment. But like 

I said, we won’t get complacent 

about these matters and we’ll 

continue to push forward.” 

Those surveyed said the 

biggest downsides included traffic 

congestion and the increasing 

cost of domestic holidays for New 

Zealanders.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK 

"Surat Diamond Bourse showcases the dynamism and 

growth of Surat’s diamond industry. It is also a testament to 

India’s entrepreneurial spirit." 

- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi 

Editorial 

IN FOCUS : Picture of the week 

Govt finally wakes 

up on youth crime 

Following months of mounting criticism from all sections of New Zealand society 

about the government’s lackadaisical attitude to dealing with youth offending, 

particularly ram-raids and violent crime around the country, the prime minister 

has finally announced seemingly tough measures that finally show some intent on the 

government’s part. 

Youth offending has left families shattered, victims traumatised, and communities 

in fear. Repeated protests by Kiwi-Indian retailers and business owners have fallen 

on deaf years, as though the government was wilfully denying the problem. 

Not long ago, government ministers spouted statistics saying ram-raids were on 

the wane, flying in the face of anecdotal evidence that indicated the opposite, going 

by the almost daily reporting of such serious crimes in the media. 

While the recent flurry of measures introduced by the government is a step in the 

right direction, it raises eyebrows about the timing of their implementation. 

As elections loom closer, it is clear that the newfound urgency to combat teenage 

crime is more politically motivated than genuinely driven by a desire to make a 

difference in the lives of New Zealand’s youth. 

This is particularly glaring as the leading opposition parties, particularly National 

and Act, have upped the ante on the crisis for several months now, and appear to 

have improved their ratings with their decisive stand on this important issue. 

Clearly, Labour Party strategists have seen the writing on the wall with elections 

less than three months away, and the measures announced by the prime minister 

with a sense of urgency that seemed absent all along indicate that the party has 

finally realised that youth offending and ram-raids are one of the two foremost 

election issues – the other being the rising cost of living. 

For far too long, the rising rates of youth crime have been a glaring concern, with 

communities grappling to find solutions to protect their youth and maintain a sense 

of safety. 

The government has been late to wake up to this crisis and announce plans for 

robust measures to address this social scourge. 

A myriad of factors contribute to this problem, ranging from socio-economic 

disparities, family dysfunction, substance abuse, and a lack of positive opportunities 

for youth engagement. 

To create lasting change, it is essential to address each of these contributing 

factors holistically. 

One of the primary catalysts for teenage crime is the lack of access to quality 

education and vocational training. Many at-risk youth face limited opportunities to 

break free from the cycle of poverty and crime. 

The government must invest in education and job training programmes tailored 

to equip teenagers with essential skills and knowledge that will steer them away 

from criminal activities. 

By empowering the youth with the tools for a brighter future, we can create a 

society where crime loses its appeal. 

Moreover, early intervention programmes play a pivotal role in deterring teenagers 

from engaging in criminal behaviour. Instead of punishing youth offenders without 

understanding their underlying struggles, NZ must adopt a rehabilitative approach 

that addresses the root causes of criminal activity. 

Diverting funds toward support services, counselling, and mentorship 

programmes will help troubled teenagers find a path to redemption and personal 

growth, rather than a path toward incarceration. 

Any approach to tackle teenage crime must acknowledge the disproportionate 

impact it has on indigenous communities in NZ, such as the Māori and Pasifika 

populations. Historically marginalised and facing systemic disadvantages, these 

communities are more susceptible to teenage offending due to socio-economic 

disparities and a lack of representation in decision-making processes. 

Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive understanding of the specific 

challenges faced by these communities and crafting solutions that are culturally 

sensitive and inclusive. 

It is good to see the government finally taking action on the issue of teenage 

crime but meaningful change can only be achieved through sustained efforts 

that address the root causes of youth offending, prioritise education and support 

systems, and respect the cultural diversity of our society. 

The future of our nation depends on how we handle this crisis. If we fail to provide 

our youth with the support they need to thrive, we risk losing a generation to a life 

of crime, impacting not just individual lives but the well-being of the entire country. 

Acknowledgement of the issue and announcement of measures is a good start 

though unconscionably delayed. 

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met World Bank President Ajay 

Banga on Wednesday in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The two discussed ways to 

strengthen regional connectivity. 

This week in New Zealand’s history 

July 22, 1987 

Lotto goes on sale for first time 

Outlets opened to long queues, with a first division prize in the inaugural draw of $360,000 

(equivalent to more than $760,000 today). 


Maria wrecked near Cape Terawhiti 

Twenty-six lives were lost when the barque Maria was wrecked near Cape Terawhiti. 

This provided more ammunition for Wellington settlers who were trying to convince the 

government of the need for a lighthouse. 


Floods kill 25 miners in Central Otago 

Approximately 25 gold miners died on the Arrow diggings, north-east of Queenstown, in a 

series of flash floods and slips caused by 24 hours of heavy rain. 


Parliament moves to Wellington 

The capital moved from Auckland to more centrally located Wellington on the 

recommendation of an Australian commission. The former Wellington Provincial Council 

chamber became the new home for Parliament. 


Kiwi boxer fights for world heavyweight title 

In the midst of boxing’s golden age, Gisborne-born Tom Heeney took on Gene Tunney in front 

of 46,000 spectators at Yankee Stadium, New York. Although he was defeated, his title bid 

had aroused tremendous interest in both New Zealand and the USA. 


Ann Hercus becomes first Minister of Women’s Affairs 

Ann Hercus became New Zealand’s first Minister of Women’s Affairs following the election 

of the fourth Labour government. 

Indian Weekender : Volume 15 Issue 17 

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the views of the team at the Indian Weekender 

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Printed at NZME, Auckland, New Zealand. 

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


NEW ZEALAND 13 

Putting a name to a face: Te Papa on a 

mission to identify early Indian immigrants 

GAURAV SHARMA/RNZ 

A 

Wellington woman was 

handed a photograph of an 

elegantly dressed Indian 

man wearing a sports blazer 

in April as part of an attempt 

to identify dozens of unnamed 

portraits that had been sitting in 

the basement of the country’s 

national museum. Much to her 

surprise, the gentleman turned out 

to be her father. 

Stephanie Gibson, curator of 

New Zealand histories and culture 

at Te Papa Museum in Wellington, 

had sent Lalita Kasanji the portrait, 

asking her if she knew who he was. 

Gibson sent the image to 

Kasanji because her mother, 

Ruxmani, has been advising the 

museum on matters related to the 

history of Indian New Zealanders 

since the 1990s. 

“I had a suspicion, which was 

confirmed when my mother looked 

at the photograph and told me 

it’s my father, Vanmali Kasanji,” 

Kasanji says. 

Kasanji’s father, who is seen 

wearing a Wellington Indian Sports 

Club blazer in the portrait, had died 

a few decades back. 

“Mum remembered dad 

had an old passport with that 

image,” Kasanji says. “We found 

the passport and showed it to 

Stephanie to verify the original 

portrait. He is in his late 20s 

in the photograph, which was 

clicked at the Cuba Photographic 

Studio in Wellington. 

“My grandfather, Kasan Bhula, 

was one of the first Indian 

immigrants to New Zealand. He 

came here in 1912 for the first 

time,” says Kasanji, who wrote a 

master’s thesis documenting early 

Indian migration to New Zealand. 

“After several trips back and forth, 

he finally brought my father with 

him to Auckland in 1929. 

The family later moved to the 

capital.” 

The portrait of Kasanji’s father 

is one of nearly 4000 negatives 

that were found in the 1990s in 

a cupboard at 147 Cuba Street in 

Wellington. Te Papa acquired the 

collection in 1998. 

The building was occupied by 

portrait photography studio Berry 

& Co., which was established 

in 1897 by William Berry. Cuba 

Photographic Studio took over the 

premises in the 1930s. 

“Of these, there are 95 portraits 

of early Indian immigrants taken at 

the Cuba Photographic Studio in 

the 1930s and ‘40s. 

"But there will probably be more 

in the collection taken at different 

studios in different time periods,” 

Gibson says. 

“After her father’s portrait 

was identified, Lalita suggested 

enlisting the help of the Wellington 

Indian Association to see if they 

could name any of the portraits,” 

Gibson says. 

“I created the collection link in 

May - Portraits of the Wellington 

Indian community - and made 

"Vanmali Kasanji wearing Wellington Indian 

Sports Club blazer, 1939, Wellington" Photo: 

Cuba Photographic Studio. Purchased 1998 

with New Zealand Lottery Grants Board 

funds. Te Papa. 

hard copy booklets of all the 

portraits for Lalita to distribute 

with a questionnaire attached. If 

people have information, they can 

feed it back to us so we can update 

our records.” 

Gibson says they’ve made 

some progress identifying other 

individuals in the collection. 

“We have 10 names, but detailed 

information is available only for one 

to date,” Gibson says, referencing 

the portrait of Kasanji’s father. 

“Our intention is to share the 

portraits on Te Papa’s Collections 

Online and provide biographical 

information on early Indian 

immigrants to New Zealand.” 

If the past is anything to go 

by, staff at the museum remain 

hopeful. 

“We ran a very successful project 

around the Berry & Co. negatives in 

conjunction with the First World 

War centenary,” Gibson says. “In 

2014, Te Papa Press published 

Berry Boys: Portraits of First 

World War Soldiers and Families. 

We also held a small exhibition 

of photographs called The Berry 

Boys: Naming the Kiwi faces of 

World War I.” 

“There is also an ongoing 

project to name the Chinese 

portraits in the collection titled 

Family Ties: Portraits of Chinese 

New Zealanders. It has been 

successful.” 

Kasanji, who is a member of 

Wellington Indian Association’s life 

membership awards committee, 

feels the quest to identify the 

portraits represents more than 

simply putting a name to a face. 

“As a community, it would be 

an incredible achievement to give 

names to these portraits and, if 

possible, share their history with 

our future generations and to add 

to their genealogy, especially as 

the Wellington Indian Association 

approaches its 100th anniversary 

in 2025,” Kasanji says. 

“It’s a start of a journey to 

discover the achievements 

of the pioneers of the Indian 

community in New Zealand, 

and how proud they would be 

reflecting on where they started 

and how far their children and 

grandchildren have come.” 

Countdown to become Woolworths in $400-million rebrand 

From early next year, 

Countdown supermarkets 

will be rebranded as 

Woolworths. 

It comes as Countdown 

announces its long-term plan 

to deliver the "best supermarket 

experiences" for Kiwis. 

An investment of more than 

$400 million over the next three 

years would see the brand change, 

a focus on older stores across 

Aotearoa, and a new loyalty 

programme called Everyday 

Rewards. Security and upskilling 

staff will also be invested in, 

costing $45m. 

A new distribution centre for 

fruit and vegetables will also open 

in Christchurch, akin to the one in 

Auckland which opened last year. 

Managing director of 

Countdown and Woolworths 

"Two men, circa 1930s, Wellington" Photo: Cuba Photographic Studio. Purchased 1998 with 

New Zealand Lottery Grants Board funds. Te Papa. 

Left: "Man, circa 1930s, Wellington". Right: "Woman and child, circa 1935, Wellington". 

Photo: Cuba Photographic Studio. Purchased 1998 with New Zealand Lottery Grants Board 

funds. Te Papa. 

"Two children, circa 1935, Wellington" Photo: Cuba Photographic Studio. Purchased 1998 

with New Zealand Lottery Grants Board funds. Te Papa. 

Group New Zealand Spencer Sonn 

said the supermarket chain had 

been working hard to become a 

better business and do more for 

its customers. 

"Having had the privilege of 

leading the New Zealand team for 

over two years now, I know there's 

a lot that people love about what 

we do, and none of that will be 

going away. But our ambition is 

to be the best and to do this we 

know we need to be a better place 

to shop, better to work for and 

all-round better for Aotearoa's 

tomorrow. 

"We are proud to be part of New 

Zealand communities and with 

this transformation our customers 

can expect to see more value, 

Left: "Man, 1 June 1937, Wellington". Right: "Four men, circa 1930, Wellington" Photo: Cuba 

Photographic Studio. Purchased 1998 with New Zealand Lottery Grants Board funds. Te Papa 

better ways to shop in-store and 

online, sustained investment in 

our charity partnerships and for 

us to lead in sustainability." 

Sonn said it was changing for 

the better - and changing its name 

to Woolworths was part of that. 

"In the coming months and 

years, you're going to see 

us bringing the best of the 

Woolworths brand across the 

Tasman and equally sharing the 

best of what we have here with the 

broader Woolworths Group." 

Woolworths Group chief 

executive Brad Banducci said 

Woolworths had a "long history" 

in New Zealand with its first store 

opening in Wellington in 1929. 

There is now 194 Countdown 

stores across the country with 

22,000 employees. "I'm excited 

by today's announcement and 

what it means for our continued 

commitment to New Zealand 

and its ongoing importance to 

Woolworths Group," Banducci 

said. 

"The next stage of our 

transformation and the rebranding 

of our stores to Woolworths 

Supermarkets New Zealand, 

means we're doubling down on 

our trans-Tasman connection 

to bring the very best to our Kiwi 

customers. 

That includes a refreshed loyalty 

programme focused on providing 

more value and a materially 

improved fresh offer. 

"Woolworths signage will start 

popping up at Countdown stores 

in the coming months, with the 

"entire network" planed for the 

next couple of years. - RNZ

14 

INDIA 

President Murmu, PM 

Modi lead tributes for 

Oommen Chandy 

Condolences poured in this 

week after the demise of 

former Kerala chief minister 

and Congress veteran Oommen 

Chandy, with prominent leaders 

including Indian Prime Minister 

Narendra Modi, President Droupadi 

Murmu and Congress leader Rahul 

Gandhi remembering him. 

Modi remembered Oommen 

Chandy as a humble and dedicated 

leader. “In the passing away of 

Oommen Chandy Ji, we have lost a 

humble and dedicated leader who 

devoted his life to public service 

and worked towards the progress 

of Kerala,” the PM tweeted. 

“I recall my various interactions 

with him, particularly when we both 

served as Chief Ministers of our 

respective states, and later when 

I moved to Delhi. My thoughts are 

with his family and supporters in 

this sorrowful hour. May his soul 

rest in peace,” Narendra Modi 

added.President Murmu said that 

in the demise of Oommen Chandy 

the country has lost an eminent 

personality. 

“In the demise of former Kerala 

Chief Minister Shri Oommen 

Chandy Ji, the country has lost 

A 

meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) 

was held this week under the chairmanship of Indian 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

All the 39 alliance partners participated in the meeting 

that was organised on the occasion of the completion of 25 

successful years of the foundation of NDA. 

Shiv Sena President and Chief Minister of Maharashtra 

Eknath Shinde proposed the resolution in the meeting. 

AIADMK’s K Palanisamy and Atul Bora of Asom Gana 

Parishad supported the resolution. 

The resolution stated the NDA is a leading representative 

of ‘One India. United India’. “This journey of good governance 

and development has seen the participation of all sections, 

regions and communities. NDA in its very form is a leading 

representative of ‘One India. United India’,” it said. 

It also resolved to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha polls under 

Modi’s leadership and elect him as the prime minister for the 

third consecutive time. 

The NDA parties lauded Modi for propelling India on 

the path of unprecedented development through his 

commitment, devotion, unrelenting hard work and selfless 

dedication, and giving the citizens the opportunity to feel 

proud over the realisation of the power and prowess of their 

country. The NDA constituents unanimously committed that 

under Modi’s leadership, as participants of this development 

journey, “we are one, we are united and we are unanimous”, 

the resolution stated. 

The alliance partners passed a resolution stating the 

government has realised the vision of ‘sewa’, ‘sushasan’ and 

‘gareeb kalyaan’ in the true sense under Modi’s leadership. 



Odisha opens gymnastics, hockey highperformance 

centres 

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik this week 

inaugurated the Gymnastics High Performance 

Centre and the new Hockey High Performance Centre 

at the Kalinga Stadium. 

The Gymnastics High Performance Centre is a joint 

initiative with Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel India, while the 

Hockey High Performance Centre is in partnership with Tata 

Steel and Tata Trusts. 

On this occasion, the chief minister also presented a 

cheque of 10 lakh Indian rupees to gymnasts Rakesh Patra 

and Tapan Mohanty for qualifying for the upcoming Asian 

Games 2023. 

Speaking at the inauguration event, Patnaik said, “Odisha 

follows a partnership model for sporting excellence. With 

the inauguration of the new Hockey High Performance 

Centre and the Gymnastic High Performance Centre, 

Odisha’s sporting ecosystem has become even more robust, 

enhancing athletes’ abilities to compete and shine in both 

national and international competitions. These new centres 

will play a pivotal role in discovering untapped talents and 

nurturing potential medal-winning athletes.” 

Dedicating the Gymnastics High Performance Centre to 

the gymnasts of India, he added, “Odisha is committed to the 

development of gymnastics. I am delighted to see our state 

and AM/NS India come together towards the development 

of gymnastics. This partnership will go a long way in 

creating a vibrant gymnastics ecosystem in the country and 

help identify and nurture young talent for the future.” 

Speaking on the new hockey high performance centre, 

he said, “We are extremely happy on our partnership with 

the Tata Group for hockey development at HPC and even 

grassroots centres. 

“This will help nurture talent and contribute towards 

producing elite players for the national teams. We have now 

developed a more open and holistic sports ecosystem with 

excellent and modern infrastructure with an aim of helping 

athletes in achieving sporting excellence.” 

Since 2019, Odisha has emerged as a hub of highperformance 

centres in the country. Today, Odisha has 

high performance centres for shooting, hockey, badminton, 

weightlifting, athletics, sports science, swimming, 

football, gymnastics and a centre of excellence in sports 

management. 

Patnaik also announced the strengthening of the 

partnership with Tata group and starting of new centres 

for archery and sports climbing, adding this will further 

help state athletes in developing their skills in these sports 

disciplines. 

PM Modi inaugurates new terminal building at Port Blair airport 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually 

inaugurated the new Integrated 

Terminal Building of Veer Savarkar 

International Airport at Port Blair in the 

Andaman and Nicobar Islands this week. 

Addressing the gathering, the prime 

minister said that “even though today’s 

programme is taking place in Port Blair, 

the entire nation is keenly looking towards 

the Union Territory as the demand for 

increasing the passenger handling capacity 

of Veer Savarkar International Airport is 

being fulfilled”. The operationalisation of 

an eminent personality who was 

dedicated to serving the people. 

“His contribution to the progress 

of Kerala and his impact on 

the national political space will 

always be remembered. I convey 

my heartfelt condolences to the 

members of his family and his 

countless followers,” the President 

tweetedRahul Gandhi remembered 

him as someone who represented 

the spirit of Kerala and the spirit 

of India. “Chandy ji represented 

the spirit of Kerala and the spirit of 

India. He was a true leader of the 

people of Kerala. 

“We will all miss him. We 

loved him very much and we 

will remember him fondly. My 

‘India First’ spirit central to 

thoughts: NDA resolution 

the new terminal building will give a boost 

to the expanding tourism industry in the 

islands of Andaman and Nicobar and 

will also embolden the island economy. 

Increased aerial connectivity to the islands 

will create new employment opportunities 

for the local community. 

Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister of 

Civil Aviation, and General VK Singh (Retd) 

were also present on the occasion. 

With a total built-up area of 40,837sqm, 

the new terminal building is capable of 

handling 1,200 passengers during the 

condolences to his family and 

everybody who loved and cared 

for him,” Rahul Gandhi said while 

talking to reporters in Bengaluru. 

Former prime minister and senior 

Congress leader Manmohan Singh 

wrote to Oommen Chandy’s wife 

Mariamma Oommen to express 

condolences over the demise 

of her husband. In his letter he 

remembered Oommen Chandy as 

a leader of high esteem. 

“I have learnt with profound 

sorrow the demise of your beloved 

husband Shri Dolmen Chandy ji 

today. He was a leader of high 

esteem who was respected 

by everybody irrespective 

of party lines." 

Champs-Elysees march a 

momentous occasion: Indian 

contingent commander 

Vrat Baghel, Commander 

of the Indian Navy 

Marching Contingent 

that participated in the Bastille 

Day parade at Champs-Elysees 

described the event as a 

“momentous occasion”. 

“It was a momentous occasion 

to march down the Champs- 

Elysees on the Bastille Day 

Parade. Not just to march but 

to open the parade was an 

experience that we will cherish for 

the rest of our lives. Chief of Army 

Staff (COAS) General Manoj Pande 

has received us and has given us 

a positive response,” said Baghel. 

Indian Army chief General 

Manoj Pande felicitated the Triservices 

Contingent of the Indian 

Armed Forces which participated 

in the Bastille Day Parade -2023 

in France. 

Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy 

said, “It was amazing that we 

marched on the foreign land in 

front of our own Prime Minister 

and the President of that State. 

We landed today and Chief of 

Army Staff (COAS) General 

Manoj Pande received us and 

congratulated us. This was an 

extremely satisfying moment for 

all of us here.” 

The Indian contingent marched 

down Champs-Elysees in front 

of Prime Minister Narendra Modi 

and French President Emmanuel 

busiest operational hour, also known 

as peak hour, and about five million 

passengers annually. 

“The new passenger terminal building has 

three floors comprising lower ground, upper 

ground and first floor. 

The lower ground floor will be used as 

remote arrival, bus lounge and service 

area; the upper ground floor as access to 

the terminal building for departure and 

arrival of passengers; and the first floor as 

Security Hold Area (SHA) for international 

passengers,” read an official press release. 

Macron. 

Captain Aman Jagtap, 23 

Punjab Regiment, said, “The 

experience was out of the 

world. This was a once-in-alifetime 

opportunity for us. We 

dedicated our parade as a tribute 

to the ancestors of our Punjab 

Regiment. It was a moment 

of pride for me and our troop. 

We are very grateful to get this 

opportunity.” 

The tri-services contingent 

of the Indian Armed Forces 

marched alongside their French 

counterparts at Bastille Day 

Parade on July 14, which also 

witnessed a 269-member triservices 

contingent of the Indian 

Armed Forces marching alongside 

their French partners. 

Inspired by nature, the architectural design 

of the airport terminal resembles a shellshaped 

structure depicting the sea and 

islands. 

The airport building is equipped with 

28 check-in counters, 12 immigration 

counters, three passenger boarding bridges 

and three conveyor belts. An Apron suitable 

for two B-767-400 and two AB-321 types of 

aircraft has also been constructed at Port 

Blair Airport at a cost of 80 crore Indian 

rupees, making the airport suitable for 

parking 10 aircraft at a time.


WORLD 15 

Tehran turns clock back on hijab rules 

Hardline clerics ruling Iran have 

decided to reactivate the so-called 

“morality police” enforcing the 

strict hijab rules. The morality police had 

suspended its activities for about 10 months 

following the widespread protests over the 

death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who 

died while in police custody for wearing her 

hijab improperly. 

Meanwhile, many reformist politicians 

are pondering whether to submit their 

candidacy in next February’s elections, since 

it is almost certain that the Guardian Council 

will disqualify their candidacies. 

The death of 21-year-old Amini last 

September sparked massive protests in 

almost all major cities and towns in Iran 

that went on for months, while thousands 

of women refused to wear the compulsory 

hijab. In the past, several Iranian women 

who had been arrested by the morality police 

reported horrific experiences including 

torture, sexual abuse, rape and beatings. 

The protests that resulted in the death 

of about 500 protesters represented the 

PLA Rocket Force explodes in capability, 

China refuses to explain why 

It is alarming when a military 

expands its intercontinental 

ballistic missile (ICBM) 

launchers by a factor of five. China 

has done precisely this, but the 

reasons for this snowballing have 

never been expounded by Beijing. 

The People’s Liberation Army 

(PLA) is a secretive organisation 

at best, but the missile force takes 

paranoia to a whole new level. 

However, a researcher in the 

USA has shed much-needed light 

on the PLA Rocket Force (PLARF), 

which is responsible for China’s 

conventional and nuclear-tipped 

missile inventory. In total, the 

PLARF boasts 41 combat missile 

brigades, many of which were 

only created in the past decade. 

Decker Eveleth of James Martin 

Center for Nonproliferation 

Studies published an up-to-date 

PLARF order of battle in July. 

Eveleth’s credentials are topnotch, 

for he was the first civilian 

to identify massive missile silo 

fields being built in China’s interior 

in 2021. 

Eveleth warned: “Currently, 

Chinese nuclear thinking is a 

black box – we can see the 

security drivers being fed into the 

box, and we can see the military 

infrastructure and deployed 

US semiconductor industry presses 

Biden to refrain from more China curbs 

The Semiconductor Industry Association 

has called on US President Joe Biden’s 

administration to ‘refrain from further 

restrictions on chip sales to China’, according to Al 

Jazeera. This came as chief executives from the 

biggest US semiconductor firms planned to visit 

Washington this week to press their views on the 

China policy. 

The trade group’s statement came this week 

as the Biden administration considers a set of 

export controls banning Chinese companies 

from buying advanced chips and chip-making 

equipment without a license, as well as a new executive 

order restricting some outbound investment. 

This also comes after China moved to restrict 

exports of raw materials like gallium and germanium 

that are used in making chips. 

The trade group said further rule-tightening by 

US officials risks “disrupting supply chains, causing 

significant market uncertainty and prompting 

continued escalatory retaliation by China”, according 

to Al Jazeera. 

The industry group further said it wants “the 

administration to refrain from further restrictions 

until it engages more extensively with industry and 

experts to assess the impact of current and potential 

restrictions to determine whether they are narrow 

military systems that come out 

of that box, but as the Chinese 

military does not publicly talk 

about their thoughts concerning 

nuclear weapons and deterrence, 

their exact thinking eludes us.” 

The PLARF has traditionally 

been quite small and held at 

low readiness levels. It was 

constrained by China’s policy of 

“no first use” of nuclear weapons. 

However, in 2015, Xi Jinping 

raised the Rocket Force into full 

service in its own right. A decade 

ago, China had only about 50 

ICBMs, of which only 30 could 

reach the US mainland. 

Now, the PLARF owns a range 

of missile types that can perform 

specific missions like neutralising 

Taiwanese defences, targeting 

American warships at sea or in 

port, or conducting retaliatory 

nuclear strikes. 

The report summarised: “China 

is currently in the process of 

radically expanding its arsenal of 

conventional and nuclear landbased 

missile launchers. 

“Over the past decade, China 

has doubled the number of 

combat missile brigades in the 

PLARF, and has unveiled a myriad 

of new capabilities, including 

missiles capable of firing both 

conventional and nuclear 

warheads, and missiles equipped 

with hypersonic glide vehicles 

designed to evade missile 

defences.” 

and clearly defined, consistently applied and fully 

coordinated with allies”. Chips are vital for everything 

from smartphones and self-driving cars to advanced 

computing and weapons manufacturing. 

US officials have talked about the move as a 

measure to protect national security interests. And 

to make it more effective the US needed other key 

suppliers, located in the Netherlands and Japan, to 

join them and they did. 

China eventually retaliated. In April, it launched a 

cybersecurity probe into Micron before banning the 

company from selling to Chinese companies working 

on key infrastructure projects. On July 10, Beijing 

announced the restrictions on gallium and germanium, 

as per CNN Business. 

biggest challenge to Iranian theocracy, and 

forced the regime to withdraw the “morality 

police” from the streets. 

Many people hoped the hated morality 

police enforcing the strict hijab rules was 

disbanded. However, these hopes were 

dashed this week. Saeid Montazeralmahdi, a 

police spokesman, said the morality police 

will resume their duties “notifying and then 

detaining women not wearing hijab in public. 

Police would initially issue warnings to 

non-compliant women and refer those who 

persist in breaking the law to the judicial 

system”. 

He added police patrols were now 

operating on foot and in several vehicles 

to arrest people whose headscarves are 

A 

US soldier is believed to 

have been detained by 

North Korean authorities 

after he crossed the military 

border “willfully and without 

authorisation,” a US official said, 

adding authorities are working 

with the Korean People’s Army 

to resolve this incident, CNN 

reported. 

“We believe he is currently in 

[Democratic People’s Republic 

of Korea] custody and is working 

with our counterparts to resolve 

this incident,” US Forces Korea 

spokesperson Col. Isaac Taylor 

said this week. 

The official also stated 

the soldier had been facing 

disciplinary action by the US 

military and was set to be sent 

back to the United States. 

The service member is a junior 

enlisted soldier who was assigned 

to US Forces Korea and had been 

on the Joint Security Area (JSA) 

tour as a civilian. 

There was no indication the 

soldier was trying to defect, a 

separate US official said, as per 

Defending its decision of 

military trials of civilians 

involved in incidents of 

violence and vandalism targeted 

at military installations and 

government buildings, the federal 

government of Pakistan has 

termed them as a direct attack 

on the national security of the 

country, reported The Nation. 

The government claimed this 

week that acts of violence against 

the armed forces and vandalism 

against military installations 

harmed Pakistan’s security, 

interests, and defence since they 

directly threatened the country’s 

national security. 

On behalf of the government, 

Mansoor Usman Awan, the 

Attorney General of Pakistan, filed 

a response to petitions objecting 

to the trials of civilians in military 

courts and pleading for their 

dismissal. 

He claimed that the episodes 

of May 9, 2023, entail planned 

and coordinated targeted attacks 

on numerous military stations 

and establishments around the 

country. 

The attacks were not specific 

to one area or isolated, as per The 

misplaced or whose behaviour is deemed 

inappropriate in the Islamic Republic. 

Enforcement, he admitted, has been lax due 

to ongoing protests. 

What is worse is that from now on 

violations of the mandatory hijab law will be 

treated by many judges as criminal offences. 

Each case is different based on what the 

judge declares as the punishment. In most 

cases, the penalty is jail for up to six months, 

which may be converted into a monetary 

penalty. In other cases, the penalty imposed 

is a number of lashes, while a court has 

sentenced one woman to the ritual washing 

of corpses in a cemetery for a month, and 

another woman to hundreds of hours of 

cleaning government buildings. 

US soldier believed to be 

detained by North Korea 

CNN. 

“A US National on a JSA 

orientation tour crossed, without 

authorisation, the Military 

Demarcation Line into the 

Democratic People’s Republic 

of Korea (DPRK). We believe he 

is currently in DPRK custody 

and is working with our KPA 

counterparts to resolve this 

incident,” the UNC said. A US 

official told CNN the soldier 

appeared to have crossed the line 

voluntarily. 

US officials say they are waiting 

to confirm his identity until his 

next of kin is notified, reported 

CNN. 

The prospect of a US soldier 

being held in North Korean 

military custody comes at a time 

when both countries are going 

through military tension. 

Earlier, North Korea accused 

the US of illegally flying over the 

economic zone eight times and 

warned of counter-action, state 

media Korean Central News 

Agency (KCNA) reported. 

Pak federal government justifies 

military trials of civilians 

Nation, a leading daily newspaper 

based out of Lahore. 

According to him, the events 

of May 9 point to a planned and 

intentional effort to weaken 

the country’s armed forces and 

impede domestic security as 

numerous military facilities were 

simultaneously targeted. 

It also stated that on that date, 

62 violent incidents were reported 

in Punjab alone, injuring almost 

250 individuals, including 184 

members of the law enforcement 

community. 

The overall damage caused by 

the violence, and the hours that 

followed, is estimated to be worth 

nearly 2,539 million Pakistani 

rupees. 

It further stated that multiple 

FIRs were filed against the culprits 

as a result of the events on June 

9. Even while some FIRs do not 

explicitly specify the provisions 

of the Army Act, it is important 

to remember that this Court 

has ruled that the nature of the 

offences made out depends on the 

content of the FIR, not on whether 

a specific statutory provision 

is mentioned, according to The 

Nation.

16 FEATURE 


Healthy cooking every day 

Five-spice roast chicken 

Ingredients 

• 1 kilograms chicken legs 

• For Marination 

• 1 tablespoon 5 spice powder 

• 1/4 cup soy sauce 

• 2 tablespoon ginger 

• 2 tablespoon Chinese rice wine 

• 1/4 cup virgin olive oil 

• 2 tablespoon garlic paste 

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt 

• 1/2 teaspoon sugar 

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt 

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 

Method 

• To prepare this amazingly delicious 

chicken recipe, first, you need to prepare 

the marinade. 

• For the same, take a medium bowl and 

mix together 5 spice powder, lemon 

juice, Chinese rice wine, garlic paste, 

grated ginger, garlic salt, soy sauce, 

sugar, kosher salt and virgin olive oil. 

• Next, when you are done with the 

marinade, take the chicken leg pieces 

and put them in a large bowl. 

• Pour the marinade over these leg 

pieces and marinate them using 

your hands. 

• Let these chicken leg pieces marinate 

for about 2-3 hours. 

• You can even cover the bowl with a foil 

and put inside the refrigerator. 

• Once the chicken leg pieces are 

marinated, take them out of the 

refrigerator and spread them on a 

baking sheet in a tray. 

• Place this baking tray in a preheated 

oven and bake these chicken leg pieces 

at 190 degree Celsius for about 15-20 

minutes. 

• After 15 minutes, turn them upside d 

• own and bake once again for another 15 

minutes at the same temperature until 

golden brown in colour. 

• Take out the chicken leg pieces after 

they are done and transfer them to a 

serving plate and serve warm along 

with lemon wedges. Enjoy! 

Vegetable and chicken skewers 

Ingredients 

• 400 gm chicken breasts 

• 240 gm onion 

• 240 gm yellow bell pepper 

• 5 gm oregano 

• salt as required 

• 240 gm zucchini 

• 240 gm red bell pepper 

• 5 gm powdered black pepper 

• 150 ml virgin olive oil 

• lemon wedges as required 

Method 

• Soak the bamboo sticks in water for 

about 10 minutes. 

• Cut the chicken, zucchini, onion, red 

and yellow capsicums (bell peppers) 

into 1’’ square pieces. 

• Take one mixing bowl and put olive 

oil, salt, crushed black paper, oregano 

herbs and mix properly. 

• Marinate the chopped vegetables 

and chicken. Ensure all the pieces are 

Zucchini and cashew pasta 

Ingredients 

• 200 gm pasta spaghetti 

• 3 tablespoon peas 

• 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow 

pepper 

• 1 cup chopped cherry tomatoes 

• 2 tablespoon chopped parsley 

• 2 pinches salt 

• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese 

• 3/4 cup water 

• 1/4 cup lemon juice 

• 1 dash sesame seeds 

• 3 zucchini 

• 1/2 cup finely chopped red peppers 

• 1 chopped,peeled carrot 

• 2 tablespoon chopped basil 

• 2 teaspoon lime zest 

• 1 dash black pepper 

• 1 cup soaked cashews 

• 1 clove chopped garlic 

• 1/2 teaspoon coconut water 

Method 

• In a saucepan containing boiling water, 

add the pasta, salt and a couple of 

drops of oil. 

• Boil them till tender. 

• In a large bowl, peel one cm wide 

coated well. You need not leave them 

to marinate for long. 5-6 minutes is 

enough. 

• Insert the chicken pieces and veggies 

into the bamboo skewers. Cook 

the skewers on preheated grill until 

vegetables and chicken are tender. 

Keep turning the skewers to cook 

evenly and prevent burning. 

• Once cooked, your Vegetable and 

Chicken Skewers are now ready to 

be served. Serve with some lemon 

wedges on the side. Enjoy! 

strips of zucchinis so that it resembles 

pencil shavings. You can do so using a 

vegetable peeler. 

• Take a pan over medium flame and add 

peas, bell peppers, carrots, tomatoes, 

basil, parsley, lemon zest, salt and 

pepper. Toss all these ingredients well 

into a salad and set aside. 

• Prepare the sauce by using a blender 

on high speed to mix cashews, water, 

coconut nectar, garlic and lemon juice 

into a smooth paste. 

• Add a little salt. 

• In a serving dish, lay out the pasta. Add 

a layer of zucchini salad on it. Top the 

salad with a layer of sauce. 

• Garnish with the grated Parmesan 

cheese and indulge in the goodness. 

Ingredients 

• 400 gm halved chicken breasts 

• 3 tablespoon virgin olive oil 

• 1/2 teaspoon salt 

• 30 ml white wine 

• 30 gm broccoli 

• 20 ml red wine 

• 3 tablespoon chopped thyme 

• 1 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic 

• 1 pinch powdered black pepper 

• 2 stick blanched asparagus 

• 40 gm barbeque sauce 

For The Main Dish 

• 1 medium sliced thick 

zucchini 

Method 

• Get the grill started on medium 

high heat. 

• While the grill is heating up, whisk together 

half of the thyme, oil and 1/4 teaspoon of 

the minced garlic in a shallow dish. 

• Sprinkle salt and pepper on the chicken 

and add it to thyme mixture. Leave it for 

ten minutes. 

• Saute garlic in a large 

heavy-bottomed pan. 

• Add zucchini and handful of chopped 

thyme. Let it cook uncovered 

Lighter Takes 

& Easy Tips 


Pepper chicken with braised zucchini 

Chicken Momos 

Ingredients 

• 450 gm all purpose flour 

• 1 tablespoon refined oil 

• 2 large onion 

• 1 inch ginger 

• water as required 

• 1 tablespoon chilli garlic paste 

• 300 gm boiled chicken 

• 5 green chilli 

• salt as required 

• 2 teaspoon soy sauce 

• black pepper as required 

• 1/2 cup red bell pepper 

Method 

• Chicken Momos is a dish that needs no 

introduction. However, it is pretty easy to 

prepare it at home without putting in much 

effort. Here’s how you go about preparing 

it at home: To begin with, rinse the veggies 

and chicken with lukewarm water to 

thoroughly clean them. 

• Then take a clean chopping board, chop the 

vegetables separately and keep them aside. 

• Then take a pan or a pressure cooker and 

boil the chicken, with a pinch of salt and 

pepper. If you want to make it aromatic, 

you can add a small teaspoon of ginger and 

chilli garlic paste. If you like the flavour of 

garlic, you can add some more garlic paste. 

Once done, carefully mince the boiled 

chicken. Keep it aside. 

• Now, take a deep mixing bowl and add 

refined oil in it followed by all-purpose flour 

and salt. Mix well with enough water and 

knead the mixture into a smooth dough. 

on low flame. 

• Heat a new skillet and add white wine. 

Reduce it to half and add zucchini. Cook 

for a minute and 

remove the pan. 

• Grill chicken until brown for approx 5 

minutes on each side. 

• Blanch the broccoli and asparagus in hot 

water and keep them aside. 

• Take barbecue sauce and dilute it with red 

wine, and add black pepper. 

Knead well and ensure that no lumps are 

formed. 

• Take another mixing bowl and add chicken 

followed by chopped vegetables, mix well 

and combine everything together. Then, 

add soy sauce to the chicken mix and stir 

well. Now take the prepared dough and roll 

out small balls out of it. 

• Using a rolling pin, flatten the balls in a 

square shape and add the chicken and 

veggies stuffing at the centre. Bring the 

edges close and secure them to make a 

momo. 

• Repeat this step with the remaining balls. 

Transfer the prepared momos to a steamer 

and steam for 20 minutes or until they turn 

soft and tender. Serve fresh and hot with 

your choice of chutney or dip. 

Tips 

• The very first rule to make Chicken Momos 

is that always roll your edges thin and the 

centre should be thick. Many people miss 

this part, which makes the momo break 

apart. 

• You can also freeze Chicken Momos for 

20-30 days and boil them for 5 minutes and 

they will be ready to eat. 

• If you don’t have a steamer at home, you 

can always use aluminium foil for steaming 

your momos. Aluminium foil balls can 

help you create that steam in any type of 

container. 

• You can also pan fry or deep fry your 

chicken momos if you don't have a 

steamer at home.


ENTERTAINMENT 17 

“Couldn’t be more proud”: Anil 

Kapoor praises Shanaya for 

bagging Mohanlal’s film 

Actor Anil Kapoor this 

week gave a shout-out 

to his brother Sanjay 

Kapoor’s daughter Shanaya as 

she bagged her debut pan-India 

film. 

Taking to Instagram, Anil 

shared a monochrome picture 

of Shanaya and wrote, “This is 

the beginning like no other, and 

we are so incredibly happy to 

witness your dreams turning 

into reality. May this project be 

the first of many remarkable 

achievements in your shining 

career. We believe in you 

wholeheartedly, and we couldn’t 

be more proud! Boundless love, 

unwavering support and hearts 

bursting with pride, always!” 

Shanaya Kapoor is all set to 

star in megastar Mohanlal’s 

upcoming pan-India film 

‘Vrushabha’. Even before 

the release of her debut film 

‘Bedhadak’, Shanaya signed her 

new movie. 

Apart from her, the film will 

also star Mohanlal, Zahrah S 

Khan and Telugu actor Roshann 

Meka in the lead roles. The 

film will be produced by Ektaa 

Kapoor. 

A few days ago, producer 

Ektaa made the announcement 

about her new film ‘Vrushabha’ 

in collaboration with actor 

Actors Ranveer 

Singh and Alia 

Bhatt this week 

revealed how they used 

to bond with director 

Karan Johar on the sets 

of their upcoming romantic 

drama film ‘Rocky aur Rani Kii 

Prem Kahaani’ (RRKPK). 

During a press 

conference in Delhi, 

Alia said, “Karan 

and Ranveer 

used to 

discuss 

each other’s 

looks as 

soon as we 

came on the 

sets. Before 

starting the scene, 

Ranveer would come 

and observe Karan’s 

shoes, his clothes, which I never 

saw happening in any other film 

sets because the appreciation 

they both have for each other’s 

style is very special to just the 

two of them.” 

Ranveer agreed with Alia 

and shared, “This is our 

morning ritual. This is how we 

warm up. As you must have 

heard in in ‘Koffee with Karan’, 

in our episode, ‘Karan aur main 

do aise mard hai jiske andar ek 

Dilli ki aunty hai’.” 

Don’t demean Indian culture: Anurag Thakur cautions OTT players 

Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting 

Anurag Thakur this week told OTT players the 

government will not tolerate any content that 

portrays Indian society and culture in bad light. The 

minister revealed his mood during a high-level meeting 

with top executives from platforms to address concerns 

surrounding content regulation. The meeting aimed to 

strike a balance between creative freedom and responsible 

content while emphasising the need to prevent the 

demeaning of Indian society and culture. As per ministry 

sources, the minister clearly stated OTT platforms will not 

be allowed to be reckless in the name of creative freedom. 

Mohanlal. 

Taking to Instagram, Ektaa 

shared a picture featuring 

herself, her father-actor 

Jeetendra and Mohanlal. 

Sharing the picture, she wrote, 

“Posing with d legend n the 

genius !!!! JAI MATA DI so excited 

to b working with the actor par 

excellence @mohanlal. Balaji 

Telefilms partners with Connekkt 

Media and AVS Studios for 

VRUSHABHA - a Pan India 

Ranveer Singh calls Karan Johar, 

himself “Dilli ki aunty” 

Ranveer also recalled how he and Karan used to 

indulge in “fashion-banter” on the sets of the film 

and revealed how they used to tease each other 

with different brand names. 

During the interaction with media, the actor also 

revealed Karan Johar has intentionally used his 

previous directorials ‘Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham’ 

and ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ references in RRKPK. 

“This is the most Karan Johar-est film. 

It has the ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham’ 

feeling in it. It is deliberate. Karan is 

bringing back that type of cinema 

that we have grown up watching. 

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, K3G are 

timeless cult classics he created. 

These films form such an integral 

part of our growing-up years. All 

of those elements are in this film 

now, including colours, family, 

songs, happiness and joy. I really 

think this is a film which will make 

people happy. You’ll have a smile on your 

face and warmth in your heart when you walk 

out of the theatres,” the ‘Gully Boy’ actor said. 

Helmed by Karan Johar, the film stars Ranveer, 

Alia Bhatt, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan and 

Shabana Azmi in the lead roles and is set to hit 

the theatres on July 28. 

The film’s trailer took us into the lives of Rocky 

Randhawa and Rani Chatterjee, whose lifestyles 

are diametrically opposed. While Rocky is a 

Punjabi lad from a wealthy Punjabi family, Rani 

comes from a Bengali household where knowledge 

and intelligence are valued above all else. They fall 

in love but soon the couple realises their families 

don’t like each other. Then Rocky and Rani decide 

to live with each other’s families to impress them. 

The meeting was aimed at implementing a code of ethics 

to enhance content regulation. Thakur raised concerns 

about the increasing vulgarity, violence, ideological bias 

and the negative portrayal of Indic religions and traditions 

in OTT content. He wondered why OTT platforms are being 

used to propagate vicious propaganda and ideological 

biases that demean Indian society and culture. 

The minister discussed various other aspects including 

content regulation, user experience, accessibility for the 

specially-abled, and overall growth and innovation within 

the sector. 

However, he praised the transformative impact of OTT 

bilingual Telugu Malayalam Film 

starring megastar Mohanlal. 

High on emotions and VFX, the 

film is an Epic Action Entertainer 

transcending generations…” 

Directed by Nanda Kishore, 

the film goes on floors later 

this month and will be released 

simultaneously in Malayalam, 

Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and 

Hindi. The film is slated to 

release in 2024. 

Shanaya will be making her 

acting debut with Karan Johar’s 

‘Bedhadak’, in which she will be 

seen essaying the role of Nimrit. 

The film also stars Lakshya and 

Gurfateh Pirzada in lead roles. 

In March 2022, she announced 

the news on her Instagram 

handle and unveiled her first 

look from the film. The official 

release date of the film is still 

awaited. 

Actor Celina Jaitly has come 

a long way in her career. 

Her first tryst with success 

happened when she won the title 

of Femina Miss India in 2001. 

She later became the fourth 

runner-up at Miss Universe 2001. 

However, her journey has not been 

an easy one, it has been full of 

challenges. 

Celina recently took to Instagram 

and recalled facing constant 

criticism and rejection. 

“I entered the fashion industry 

at a very young age [15 years] 

after being scouted at an army 

party. The struggles that one went 

through in a new and upcoming 

fashion industry in a not-so-openminded 

Kolkata were not easy, 

plus the pressure of studies & 

competitive exams made my entire 

teenage a journey of hard work and 

toil. 

“I also suffered from severe acne 

and very severe endometriosis and 

had to be hospitalised almost every 

month during my menstruation 

due to severe dysmenorrhea and 

blood loss so it was an incredibly 

intense life for a child who had 

many dreams and aspirations. 

“While others would enjoy 

weekends I would take up shoot 

and ramp show offers in Kolkata 

and work for meagre amounts of 

monies (sic),” she wrote. 

She also spoke about how 

she was criticised for being “too 

What to expect from Vir 

Das’ upcoming world tour 

Comedian Vir Das is all set for his world 

tour titled ‘Mind Fool’. Spanning 33 

countries, the ‘Mind Fool’ world tour 

will take Vir Das to some of the most iconic 

venues worldwide. 

Audiences can expect his performances 

at legendary locations including Carnegie 

Hall in New York, Opera House in Sydney, 

The Apollo in London, The Kennedy Centre 

in Washington DC, Dubai Opera in Dubai, 

and The Esplanade in Singapore, to name 

just a few. 

In addition to its global reach, the tour 

will embark on a remarkable journey 

through 35 Indian cities, bringing laughter 

and joy to audiences across the country. 

Excited about it, the stand-up comedian 

said, “ I am beyond excited to embark on 

the Mind Fool world tour, which promises 

to be a monumental milestone for Indian 

comedy. It’s a privilege to be recognised 

as an international comedian and to have 

the opportunity to perform at renowned 

venues… 

“This tour is not just about me; it’s 

about shining a spotlight on the incredible 

talent within the Indian comedy scene 

and inspiring artists around the world. 

Get ready for an unforgettable comedy 

extravaganza that will transcend borders 

and bring laughter to audiences across the 

globe.” 

“Too white or not tall”: Celina 

Jaitly recalls criticism 

white”. “Many a time I wouldn’t 

even end up getting paid for my 

hard work and unauthorised use 

of images due to lack of industry 

regulations. Then there was the 

constant criticism and rejection 

either I was too white, too thin, not 

tall enough or too tall etc. 

“For many years I had to hear 

many derogatory things about all 

the things that made me unique 

and go on despite that. For a 

child in her teens it was truly 

overwhelming hence the journey 

to the crown was a very intense 

one,” she added. 

Towards the end of the note, she 

said beauty is a “powerful tool of 

persuasion”, and added that she 

is thankful for the opportunity to 

represent the country on various 

platforms–as an actor, brand 

ambassador and activist. 

platforms on content consumption and its ability to 

showcase regional content globally and nurture new talent. 

During the meeting, the minister expressed his displeasure 

over the overt Western influence and depiction of Indic 

religions and traditions in bad light through the OTTs. 

vHe sought representatives to propose solutions within a 

fortnight to address these concerns, adding OTT platforms 

cannot act against India’s collective conscience and its 

diversity. The meeting discussed the implementation 

of age-based classification, parental locks, and content 

descriptors to ensure appropriate access and viewing for 

different age groups.

18 

TIME OUT 

CROSSWORD 

i FreeDailyCrosswords.com 

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

1) "A man's house_ castle" 

6) _'clock (midmorning) 

10) Pampering places 

14) Worst possible turnout 

15) African antelope 

16) Travel by foot 

17) 1998 film about a ball for 

teachers? 

20) Be humiliated 

21) James or Marilyn 

22) IRA type 

23) Top-of-the-line 

24) Bette Midler film about a 

thorny person? 

31) Paddled a canoe 

32) Golden Triangle country 

33) "Deep Space Nine" shapeshifter 

34) Walk of Fame figure 

35) Fresh from the shower 

MOVIE EXTRAS 

2 3 4 5 

14 

17 18 

54 

56 

59 

7 

37) Boo-boo 

38) Suffix for "acrobat" 

39) Hermes' mother 

40) Hotel offering 

41) Tom Cruise flick about a 

bed? 

45) Gen. Robert_ 

46) Homemade knife 

47) Thing-in-_ 

50) Like some bathing suits 

54) Hitchcock thriller about a 

balcony seat? 

56) Make airtight 

57) Italian pronoun 

58) Like Erik the Red 

59) Diarist Frank 

60)Coup d'_ 

61) Slip cover? 

8 9 

19 

nes Brown 

12 13 

4th June 

DOWN 

1) Like JFK and LAX 

2) Manhattan neighborhood 

3) Some gardening tools 

4) One who derives by reasoning 

5) Type of restaurant 

6) "Good comeback!" 

7) Colleague of Agatha and Dashiell 

8) Big Apple paper's inits. 

9) Pretty ugly, for one 

10) Foster's river of song 

11) Wife number VI for Henry VIII 

12) Sax type 

13) Kind of terrier 

18) Rum Tum Tugger's musical 

19) Mallards' domains 

23) Honor student's grades? 

24) "I'll have _ this one out" 

25) Contrive, as a scheme 

26) Wipe clean 

27) Flash of light 

28) "God's honest truth" 

29) Corrects text 

30) Boxing-ring features 

35) Happy-go-lucky 

36) Citrus fruit 

37) CBS reality show 

39) First name in lip-synching? 

40) Grad student's payment 

42) Decrepit 

43) Comparable to a pin? 

44) He and she 

47) "_ Wonderful Life" 

48) In those days 

49) Penn of movies 

50) Olympus Mountains peak 

51) Ireland, affectionately 

52) "Pool" intro 

53) Mother sheep 

55) Summer time, but not in Ariz. 


CROSSWORD ANSWERS 

i FreeDailyCrosswords.com 

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

1) "A man's house_ castle" 

6) _'clock (midmorning) 

10) Pampering places 

14) Worst possible turnout 

15) African antelope 

16) Travel by foot 

17) 1998 film about a ball for 

teachers? 

20) Be humiliated 

21) James or Marilyn 

22) IRA type 

23) Top-of-the-line 

24) Bette Midler film about a 

thorny person? 

31) Paddled a canoe 

32) Golden Triangle country 

33) "Deep Space Nine" shapeshifter 

34) Walk of Fame figure 

35) Fresh from the shower 

37) Boo-boo 

38) Suffix for "acrobat" 

39) Hermes' mother 

40) Hotel offering 

41) Tom Cruise flick about a 

bed? 

45) Gen. Robert_ 

46) Homemade knife 

47) Thing-in-_ 

50) Like some bathing suits 

54) Hitchcock thriller about a 

balcony seat? 

56) Make airtight 

57) Italian pronoun 

58) Like Erik the Red 

59) Diarist Frank 

60)Coup d'_ 

61) Slip cover? 

MOVIE EXTRAS 

1 

I 2 nes Brown 

G 

5 3H 41 55 T 7E B 1 1 

N 90 

 

s 

1 

1 

N 0 0 N E b R y X A L K 

1 ,- 

H E F A 1 t u L T y 11> 

A R T y 

2 l 0 F A C E in 0 N R 0 E 

2 

0 T 

'" 

A 0 N 

H 2 

R 0 5 E 2 2 

G A R 

2 e 

3b A R D 3l A 0 b D 0 

3 

3s T 

5c 3\. E I p 

C 3M A I I T E 

I R E 5 5 

L 

I V 

L F 

p I S E s t 5 

s;- H E B I R I E w 

S 

E A L E 5 5 

R 5 E 

S A N N E 6'E T E 5 5 

4th June 

DOWN 

1) Like JFK and LAX 

2) Manhattan neighborhood 

3) Some gardening tools 

4) One who derives by reasoning 

5) Type of restaurant 

6) "Good comeback!" 

7) Colleague of Agatha and Dashiell 

8) Big Apple paper's inits. 

9) Pretty ugly, for one 

10) Foster's river of song 

11) Wife number VI for Henry VIII 

12) Sax type 

13) Kind of terrier 

18) Rum Tum Tugger's musical 

19) Mallards' domains 

23) Honor student's grades? 

24) "I'll have _ this one out" 

25) Contrive, as a scheme 

26) Wipe clean 

27) Flash of light 

28) "God's honest truth" 

29) Corrects text 

30) Boxing-ring features 

35) Happy-go-lucky 

36) Citrus fruit 

37) CBS reality show 

39) First name in lip-synching? 

40) Grad student's payment 

42) Decrepit 

43) Comparable to a pin? 

44) He and she 

47) "_ Wonderful Life" 

48) In those days 

49) Penn of movies 

50) Olympus Mountains peak 

51) Ireland, affectionately 

52) "Pool" intro 

53) Mother sheep 

55) Summer time, but not in Ariz. 


SUDOKU SOLUTIONS 

SUDOKU 

Your Weekly Horoscope: July 21-July 27, 2023 

ARIES (MAR 21-APR 20) 

Old wounds are resurfacing in significant 

ways that can create jealousy. It's not that 

you aren't happy about other's success. You 

wish that some of their fame and acclaim 

could be given to you. Everyone has their 

moment in the sun, and you're always 

shining bright, so you should allow your peers their chance. 

Before you know it, you'll be the one receiving gold trophies 

and notice from others. 

TAURUS (APR 21-MAY 20) 

Real talk: You aren't going to back down from 

confronting people who are disappointing 

you on any level — even if they are a public 

figure or not. It's more than likely that you'll 

go on Threads and debate politics and 

defend your beliefs. Speaking your mind 

is important and will allow your voice to be heard. On a 

personal level, you might choose to assert your feelings 

about a relationship or person you're entangled with. 

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUN 21) 

It will be easier than you think to get over 

a recent heartbreak. You're not allowing 

yourself to cry over spilled milk for more 

than a few days. Once you get out of your 

funk, you'll feel well enough to start tackling 

projects and meeting up with your pals. This 

week, the quick emotional change is happening because 

you are beginning to realize that life is like the Wheel of 

Fortune tarot card. One day you're up, the next, you're not. 

CANCER (JUN 22-JUL 20) 

The desire to connect intensely with your 

significant other or crush makes you feel 

more pressure than ever. No one knows more 

than you that intimacy takes time. Don't 

rush the process by demanding they tell you 

about their life — the same applies to you. 

Tread lightly and don't overshare or expect them to. Getting 

to know someone is the best part of any relationship. 

LEO (JUL21-AUG 20) 

Your kind heart wants to give lots of TLC to 

those in need. The caveat is that you might 

give your BFF more attention and affection 

than anticipated. And, as you'll learn, that's 

never a good thing. The reason is that you 

have to give yourself more love than you're 

pouring out. This could be hard if you're in a 

people-pleasing mood, which you will be this week. Check 

in with yourself before putting yourself on the back burner. 

VIRGO (AUG 23-SEP 23) 

Pay attention to the beige flags that are 

being shown to you this week – they'll give 

you the most truthful impression of others. 

While you may not be ready to take a stance 

and decide how you want to move forward, 

weigh your options now. If you can overcome 

or work through some of the alarming challenges in the 

relationship, you will have to take the next step. However, 

it's still possible that you'll want to rethink the partnership 

and come to terms with what you can and cannot tolerate 

LIBRA (SEP 24-OCT 23) 

Your home life is tense right now (to say 

the least). You and your family are pushing 

boundaries to see who's the boss in the 

dynamic. Fighting back and revolting against 

your brood won't get you very far — so flip the 

switch. Have an open conversation where 

you share your beliefs, feelings, and politics. You'll find that 

discussing matters can lead to a mutual understanding — 

rather than yelling and tears. 

SCORPIO (OCT 24-NOV 22) 

No one knows more than you that words can 

hurt. When you feel like others are poking 

you, you can't help but take your stingers out 

and go in full attack mode. This week will 

bring arguments front and center — however, 

you have the option of not participating in 

the drama by holding yourself back. Biting your tongue in 

restraint might be frustrating and unpleasant at the moment. 

SAGITTARIUS (NOV 23-DEC 21) 

You are tired of being second fiddle to your 

friend's or romantic partner's squad. A 

relationship between two people must be on 

an even footing. You shouldn't have to beg 

your loved ones to hang out with you. Let 

them know you aren't sitting around waiting 

for them. Put them on ice and leave them on read when they 

reach out. Do your own thing with those who actually want 

to spend time with you. 

CAPRICORN (DEC 22-JAN 21) 

You're on fire this week, Capricorn! Being that 

you're at the top of the world, you want to 

share your throne with someone special you 

adore. You can totally meet someone new, 

reconnect with an ex, or broaden your current 

situationship right now. As long as you are 

honest about your intentions and feelings, the relationship 

you both want to come to fruition will blossom at this time. 

AQUARIUS (JAN 22-FEB 19) 

You're tired of being the underdog in 

situations. You wish people had more faith in 

you when overcoming obstacles, but the only 

person who needs to believe in you is YOU. 

Instead of ruminating over stumbling blocks 

that are holding you back from attaining 

your goals, have trust in yourself that you can overcome 

them. The first step is changing your mentality by seeing 

things clearly and not scapegoating matters you can easily 

augment. 

PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 20) 

Just like Barbie, you're longing for answers. 

You seek honesty and truthfulness after 

living in your imagination and a fantasy world. 

Luckily, your friends are able to give you the 

clarity you desire. This comes in handy when 

you're being gaslit by your boo. Rather than 

take their word at face value, you'll call upon your besties 

to help you analyze the surface-level communication and 

actions to find deeper meaning.


NEW ZEALAND 19

The Indian Weekender 21 July 2023

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