The Indian Weekender | 19 April 2024

Friday, 19 April 2024 

Volume 16 / Issue 04 

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An Indian woman living in New 

Zealand for eight years says she 

has decided to leave the country as 

“it seems more like a prison now”. 

Prerna Joshi (name changed) says she 

was looking forward to hosting her father in 

Auckland, the first time in her eight years in 

the country that someone from her family 

was planning to visit her. Her father was 

granted a tourist visa, but there was a 

catch. 

“My father can’t travel alone so I 

requested my cousin brother to accompany 

him.” 

Her cousin, a widower, applied for a 10- 

day tourist visa, but it was rejected citing 

a lack of strong ties to his home country, a 

reason cited when immigration is not sure 

the applicant intends to return. 

“Just because he lost his partner you 

assume he won’t go back? My brother has 

been living with his parents for years and 

has a good job in India. 

“We had planned to travel to South Island 

and even made all the flight and hotel 

bookings. He had provided all the proof. It’s 

all the more frustrating since we have no 

way to contest the decision,” says Joshi. 

Her brother reapplied and this time, 

Joshi says, he submitted at least 50 

documents, including photos of family 

IDs, birth certificates, salary slips, flight 

and hotel bookings, income tax returns, 

proof of savings, bank statements etc. The 

application was rejected again, this time for 

lack of sufficient evidence. 

“Now my father can’t visit. It’s so 

insensitive. We’ve been through such a 

tough time during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

I was really looking forward to spending 

some quality time with my father and 

giving him a glimpse of life that I live here.” 

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NEW ZEALAND 3 

‘Insulting, confusing’: 

Hipkins on clampdown 

on low-skilled migrants 

RAVI BAJPAI 

The government’s 

clampdown on low-skilled 

overseas workers is “quite 

insulting” for migrants and 

sends confused signals to those 

planning to make New Zealand 

their home, says Chris Hipkins. 

The Labour leader and former 

prime minister was responding to 

work visa changes Immigration 

Minister Erica Stanford announced 

last week, which essentially make 

it harder for low-skilled workers 

to migrate or lay roots in New 

Zealand. 

“I think the messages that 

we're getting from the current 

government are very confused… 

and I think quite insulting to some 

of the migrant community who 

work really hard,” Hipkins said 

during a visit to the office of The 

Indian Weekender on April 17. 

Stanford said the new rules 

would put New Zealanders at the 

front of the queue for low-skilled 

roles like hospitality workers, bus 

and truck drivers, supervisors, 

fast-food cooks, labourers, 

kitchen hands, cleaners, factory 

workers, etc. 

RAVI BAJPAI 

Low business confidence 

isn’t 

stopping 

entrepreneurs from buying 

and selling businesses across 

New Zealand at levels one 

industry insider describes as 

“unprecedented”. 

“I’ve never seen such activity in 

my career,” says Nathan Miglani 

of NZ Mortgages. “I am seeing 

unprecedented surge in the 

buying and selling of businesses 

across the country, signaling a 

newfound vibrancy in the local 

economy.” 

The surge would seem 

counterintuitive, given the first 

quarter this year ended on a 

sombre note with economic 

indicators suggesting a drop in 

business confidence. But Nathan 

says established enterprises are 

capitalising on current market 

conditions by either acquiring 

new ventures or divesting to 

pursue fresh opportunities. 

“Despite 

prevailing 

uncertainties, businesses 

are navigating challenges 

with a strategic mindset, 

leveraging available resources 

to drive growth and expansion 

initiatives.” 

A key driver behind this surge 

in business activity, Nathan 

explains, is the abundance of 

labour in the market. During 

the challenging years of the 

Covid-19 pandemic, many 

The new rules require these 

low-skilled migrant workers 

to leave the country after a 

maximum of three years and 

reapply for a work visa, beside 

virtually cutting them off any 

pathway to residency. 

“If I go and visit our rest homes, 

for example, we will often find care 

workers who are working very, 

very hard, they're often migrant 

workers…and for the government 

to be saying ‘actually, we don't 

need you’... that's pretty insulting 

to those workers,” Hipkins said. 

“We should respect the fact that 

people have often turned their 

lives upside down to come to New 

Zealand because we asked them 

to come…because we said that, 

you know, we've got jobs here and 

we would like you to come and do 

them.” 

In the days leading up to last 

week’s rule changes, Stanford 

has blamed the previous Labour 

government for letting in about 

50,000 low-skilled workers, 

a move she described as “a 

mistake”. 

She said New Zealanders, 

particularly those on job-seeker 

benefits, should be prioritised for 

businesses shut down as a 

result of border closures and the 

subsequent halt in the influx of 

overseas workers. 

But with migration to New 

Zealand now at record levels 

after borders reopened, the 

landscape has undergone a 

significant transformation. 

Labour shortage has eased, 

leading to a more favourable 

operating environment for 

businesses and a reduction in 

operational costs. 

“I remember during the 

pandemic, a leading restaurant 

brand had to sell an outlet at 

half the price within months of 

opening. It just couldn’t deal 

with the labour shortage. But 

now the market has turned on its 

head, there’s plenty labour and 

opportunities.” 

Hemant Gupta, an Aucklandbased 

business broker at Clyth 

Macleod Business Sales, is also 

reporting a surge in business 

these roles over migrants. Hipkins 

points out Stanford was singing a 

totally different tune when he was 

the prime minister last year. 

“What [the government] is doing 

now doesn't necessarily reconcile 

with what they were talking about 

before the election. So they were 

putting huge pressure on us as a 

government to get more people 

into the country faster. 

“Now they're saying, well, we 

shouldn't have done that, when 

actually they were some of 

the ones who were making the 

loudest noise about the fact that 

we needed to allow more people 

into the country." 

Hipkins was more guarded 

when asked whether he thought 

overseas workers were needed 

in the economy for low-skilled 

“I think the messages 

that we're getting from 

the current government 

are very confused…and 

I think quite insulting 

to some of the migrant 

community who work 

really hard.” 

activity, particularly among the 

Kiwi-Indian community. 

“Currently, we're experiencing 

an unprecedented surge in buyer 

inquiries, with a steady stream 

jobs, and instead took a jibe at the 

government’s public sector job 

cuts to trim spending. 

“The way the government is 

going, they will put so many 

people out of jobs there will be 

lots of workers available locally 

for all kinds of work soon.” 

‘Unprecedented’: Kiwi-Indians leading 

business sale, purchase boom 

“I’ve never seen such 

activity in my career. I am 

seeing unprecedented surge 

in the buying and selling 

of businesses across the 

country, signaling a newfound 

vibrancy in the local 

economy.” 

Hemant Gupta, business broker at Clyth 

Macleod Business Sales 

Nathan Miglani of NZ Mortgages 

of interest pouring in weekly. 

Our pipeline for under-contract 

businesses is at the highest 

it’s ever been for our company, 

indicating a strong market. 

“Indication is, 80 per cent of 

our prospective buyers in our 

food and hospitality, distribution 

and laundromats are from 

India, a trend attributed to the 

influx of immigrants seeking 

opportunities in New Zealand,” 

he says. 

Hemant says new buyers are 

stepping in with confidence, 

ready to infuse fresh ideas and 

energy into their ventures. 

The flurry of activity is 

driving an uptick also for the 

entire business buying and 

selling ecosystem, especially 

commercial financing that 

Nathan points out is completely 

different from the home loan 

market. 

“Banks typically lend to 

businesses against one of two 

collaterals–equity in either 

a residential or commercial 

property, or against cash flow 

projections. That’s where it 

becomes tricky because you 

need to have knowledge of 

running a business, including 

cash flows, financials and lease 

agreements,” says Nathan. 

'It makes 

me so 

angry' 

• Continued from Page 1 

Joshi told The Indian Weekender 

she hopes to move to Delhi and has 

started applying for jobs. “I also 

have a house here in Auckland. I 

have already told my brokers to put 

it for sale.” 

Subsequently, Joshi sent a 

message to Immigration New 

Zealand’s complaints department, 

stating that the decision for the visa 

application was biased and she did 

not receive appropriate feedback/ 

explanation for the visa decline. 

An Immigration officer at Visitor 

Visa Operations in Christchurch 

responded to Joshi via email. 

“All the documents provided 

with the application were 

carefully reviewed and considered 

when making a decision for 

the application,” the mail read. 

“Information contained in the 

documents submitted were not 

deemed satisfactory to mitigate our 

concerns in relation to your financial 

ties and financial incentive to return 

back to India.” 

After this response, Joshi has 

confirmed she is ready to leave, and 

her eyes are set on India, where she 

plans to secure a job before packing 

her bags completely. 

“This is really disappointing and 

makes me so angry,” says Joshi. “I 

knew they wouldn't be of any help.” 

Joshi is now waiting for her 

sister’s visa to be approved so she 

can help her move back to India.

4 

IWK BUREAU 

NEW ZEALAND 

Court has stayed proceedings 

against one of the three 

men accused of killing Kiwi- 

Indian dairy worker Janak Patel. 

On April 17, 2024, Justice 

Graham Lang noted the Solicitor 

General had informed the court 

the accused, Henry Fred, was 

terminally ill. 

As per rules, the Solicitor 

General has the authority to direct 

a stay in proceedings any time 

after a person has been charged 

and before judgment is delivered. 

The stay means the court will 

suspend any hearings in the case 

that pertain to Fred. 

On March 13, 2024, 35-year-old 

Auckland resident Frederick Gilbert 

Hobson admitted to murdering 

Janak Patel during a robbery in 

November 2022. 

The killing at Rose Cottage 

Superette in Sandringham, a 

family-run establishment where 

Patel had recently relocated, had 

sparked nationwide outrage. 

Hobson, one of them men 

charged in the murder, appeared 

at the High Court at Auckland last 

month, and pleaded guilty to a 

charge of murder and aggravated 

robbery with a knife. 

Justice Mathew Downs 

remanded him in custody to 

appear for sentencing on June 26. 

Patel was attacked in the street 

near the Rose Cottage Superette 

on November 23, 2022 and later 

died. He was an employee of the 

store who was minding the shop 

while the owners were on holiday 

in India. 

A third accused in the case is 

set to go to trial in May in relation 

to Patel’s death. The incident 

prompted a surge in calls from 

small business owners and 

employees for the government 

to intensify efforts in combating 

crime. 

The impact of Patel's death 

resonated deeply, compelling top 

politicians, including then-Prime 

Minister Jacinda Ardern and 

Friday, 19 April, 2024 

Janak Patel murder : 

Why court suspended 

proceedings against 

one accused 

Mouse found in breakfast cereal 

aisle at Pukekohe supermarket 

IWK BUREAU 

A 

supermarket customer in 

Pukekohe, South Auckland, 

appeared nauseated when a 

large mouse was spotted feasting on 

breakfast cereal yesterday afternoon, 

The New Zealand Herald reported. 

A photo shared on social media 

showed the mouse on the bottom 

shelf of the breakfast cereal aisle 

at Woolworths Pukekohe South. 

The mouse seemed to have nibbled 

through a bag of Sanitarium Ricies, 

which was on the supermarket floor. 

A witness told the Herald that a 

woman passing by looked as though 

she was about to be sick. 

The witness said they were startled 

by the discovery and promptly 

informed a staff member, who quickly 

cleaned up the area. 

Following inquiries by the Herald, 

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) 

confirmed that officials had contacted 

Woolworths and requested further 

details, which would be reviewed. 

Vincent Arbuckle, NZFS's deputy 

director-general, stated that while it 

is not uncommon for rodents to enter 

supermarkets "from time to time," they 

should not come into contact with 

food or be visible to consumers, as 

seen in the photo. 

"All food businesses are required to 

have pest management plans in place 

to address the risk," Arbuckle said. 

A Woolworths spokeswoman stated 

that the company, along with Rentokil 

and NZ Food Safety, was investigating 

the sighting. 

"Maintaining hygienic stores is 

incredibly important to us, and we are 

looking into this matter urgently," the 

spokeswoman said. 

She added that staff promptly 

cleaned up after the rodent, which was 

found dead, upon being informed by a 

customer. 

Commenters on the social media 

post described the sight as "feral" and 

"disgusting." 

Others commented on the mouse's 

size, with one saying, "That's either a 

rat or a very well-fed mouse." 

"It looks like he's experiencing a 

food coma," another wrote. 

This incident is the latest in a series 

of rodent sightings at Woolworths 

stores across the country since the 

beginning of the year. 

Dunedin South Woolworths 

(formerly Countdown Dunedin 

South) had to close for 18 days due 

to numerous rodent sightings in the 

store. Twenty-four rats were caught 

during the closure. 

Earlier this month, MPI confirmed 

that two rats had been captured at 

Dunedin South Woolworths over five 

weeks since it reopened on February 

28. 

In February, a video emerged 

showing a mouse on top of a salad at 

Christchurch's Eastgate Countdown. 

Woolworths New Zealand's director 

of stores, Jason Stockill, confirmed 

that a live mouse was found in 

the salad section of the deli on 

February 7. 

"The incident was reported, and 

Rentokil came to the site and identified 

some entry points, which have now 

been sealed," Stockill said. 

He added that a dead mouse was 

found the next day, indicating that the 

pest control programme was effective 

and that there had been no further 

sightings. 

A Woolworths spokesperson said 

that while birds were a common 

issue in food environments, it was 

disappointing to see droppings on the 

signs. 

"The team at our Three Kings store 

has cleaned all the aisle signs, and we 

ask any customer who sees something 

like this in a store to alert our team so 

they can deal with it immediately," the 

spokesperson said. 

Last month, Foodstuffs recalled a 

batch of pre-packaged garlic bread 

from stores after a customer reported 

finding a rat's foot inside. 

The incident occurred at Pak'nSave 

Te Awamutu, where a mother 

discovered the foot while feeding her 

toddler. 

In February, a pigeon was alleged to 

have put its head in a nut dispenser at 

Woolworths in Milford. 

The impact of Patel's 

death resonated 

deeply, compelling 

top politicians, 

including then-Prime 

Minister Jacinda 

Ardern and Police 

Minister Mark 

Mitchell, to attend 

Patel's funeral. 

RAYSSA ALMEIDA/RNZ 

A 

former prisoner 

has likened being 

denied a daily hour 

outside to being treated 

like an animal. 

The Office of the 

Inspectorate said minimum 

entitlements were a right, 

not a privilege, after it was 

found that 190 prisoners 

were only allowed outside 

every second day. 

Lionel Rusia was 

released from prison 

in January after being 

sentenced to 19 months 

for drug supply. He 

spent his time in various 

Auckland prisons. 

Rusia said there were 

several times when he was 

also not allowed to leave 

his cell. The 44-year-old 

described them as his 

worst moments in prison. 

"I understand that we 

are being punished for 

the crimes we committed, 

and I accept that. What 

I don't accept is that we 

get treated like animals 

when we are already inside, 

paying the price for our 

poor choices." 

At other times the one 

hour outside was reduced 

to 30 or 15 minutes, he 

said. 

"Imagine being allowed 

out of your room only one 

hour per day. That would 

be the most important hour 

of your day, so the we were 

all waiting for it. 

"To wake up in the 

morning and hear that you 

won't be able to go outside 

at all, it creates frustration, 

some people just go crazy." 

Read online www.iwk.co.nz 

Police Minister Mark Mitchell, to 

attend Patel's funeral. In the High 

Court at Auckland, Hobson entered 

guilty pleas to charges of murder 

and aggravated robbery, with 

sentencing scheduled for June 

instead of the initially planned trial 

in May. 

Dairy workers across the country 

stood in solidarity, holding protests 

and temporarily closing their 

businesses to raise awareness 

of the dangers they faced. Ardern 

acknowledged the urgency to 

implement retail safety measures, 

such as fog cannons, and vowed to 

discuss further actions in Cabinet. 

Janak Patel, an immigrant from 

Gujarat, India, had recently fulfilled 

his dream of running a business 

in New Zealand with his wife, 

Vijeta. Mourners at his funeral 

remembered him as a true family 

man, grounded in religion, and 

deeply caring for those around 

him. The devastating loss struck 

a chord with many, highlighting 

the hardships faced by immigrant 

families. 

In the aftermath of Patel's killing, 

his sister passionately called for 

justice, urging the New Zealand 

Government to swiftly apprehend 

the criminal responsible and 

ensure the murderer faced the 

harshest punishment. 

'Treated like an 

animal': Prisoners kept 

inside 24 hours 

Rusia said he would 

hear people shouting 

and banging on the walls 

and doors. At times the 

reduced time outside was 

because of fights between 

inmates, other times they 

were told it was because of 

staff shortages, he said. 

"You have a mix of 

people in there who have 

already been sentenced 

and a bunch still waiting 

for it. So, sometimes, for 

safety, officers will keep 

people inside their cells for 

24 hours." 

The lack of time outside 

was worse for younger 

inmates, the first-time 

prisoner said. 

"I'm 44 years old and I 

can handle my thoughts; 

I knew I was in prison and 

that there was nothing I 

could do about it, so on 

days I couldn't get out at 

all, I focused my energy on 

exercising. 

"But for some prisoners, 

mostly the young ones, 

you could see the 

anxiety building up, the 

frustration." 

Corrections deputy 

commissioner Neil 

Beales said yesterday 

that the units involved 

housed some of the most 

difficult and dangerous 

prisoners and the situation 

happened when they were 

significantly understaffed. 

He said attrition rates 

post Covid had taken them 

by surprise and staffing 

levels were better now. 

Beales said Corrections 

acknowledged the 

report and accepted the 

recommendations.


NEW ZEALAND 5 

Indian driver crushed 

between buses at 

Auckland depot 

MAYANK KUMAR 

A 

twenty five-year-old 

Indian, Vivek Chugh, is 

fighting critical injuries 

after being caught between two 

buses during a break at Māngere 

Town Centre. 

Chugh, who arrived in New 

Zealand as a student in 2019 and 

has been working as a driver for 

GoBus for the past six months, 

was walking behind his parked 

bus when another bus reversed 

into him, trapping him between 

the vehicles. 

Emergency services rushed 

to the Māngere Bus Station on 

Bader Drive, where the incident 

occurred, and Chugh was 

immediately taken to Middlemore 

Hospital in a grave condition. 

His friend, Kunal Bhalla, was 

called to the hospital to assist 

after the incident. 

"The doctors said that his head 

and heart were fine, but his lower 

body was crushed and he needed 

immediate surgery," Bhalla told 

The Indian Weekender. 

Chugh underwent a surgery 

the same day. Doctors said the 

operation went well but there 

haven't been any more updates. 

Chugh's roommate, Shresth 

Malhotra, also arrived at the 

hospital upon hearing about his 

friend's condition. 

The doctors said 

that his head and 

heart were fine, 

but his lower body 

was crushed and he 

needed immediate 

surgery. 

"It's just him and I living here 

in New Zealand. The rest of 

his family is in India, and they 

don't know what's happened. 

We're currently waiting for a 

meeting with GoBus to review the 

incident on their CCTV footage to 

understand what truly happened," 

Malhotra said. 

A spokesperson for Kinetic, the 

largest provider of bus services 

in Auckland, told The Indian 

Weekender that they are working 

with the police and worksafe 

to determine the cause of the 

incident. 

"We are providing close support 

to our driver, his family, and his 

colleagues during this difficult 

time," the spokesperson added. 

Kunal has been in touch with 

Chugh's family about the incident 

and is arranging their visas so 

they can visit their son and check 

on his condition. 

Originally from Muktsar, Punjab, 

Chugh left his family and moved 

to New Zealand in 2019, joining 

his friend Shresth, who had 

moved a year earlier for study and 

better opportunities. 

Chugh took up multiple jobs 

before obtaining his open work 

visa. GoBus has not yet issued 

any new updates. 

New Zealand's planetheating 

gases hit lowest 

level since the 1990s 

ELOISE GIBSON 

Clean energy is behind 

the country's lowest 

greenhouse gases since 

1999, Climate Change Minister 

Simon Watts says. 

New Zealand has now cut its 

planet-heating gases for three 

years in a row, with the latest drop 

the biggest since climate change 

efforts began. 

A major reason was burning less 

coal and gas to make electricity, 

helped by plenty of rain in the 

country's hydro dams. 

Watts says the positive 

result backs the Government's 

commitment to doubling New 

Zealand's renewable energy 

capacity. 

He says he wants New 

Zealanders to benefit from 

affordable, clean energy. 

However, the former minister, 

Green MP James Shaw, says it's 

important to remember that if 

there's another dry year, Huntly 

power station will need to increase 

coal use again. 

More efficient vehicles also 

contributed, with road transport 

burning less fuel despite similar 

kilometres travelled. 

Other factors included closure 

of Marsden Point oil refinery and 

a slight drop in sheep, beef cattle 

and fertiliser use by farmers. 

The figures come from New 

Zealand's latest Greenhouse Gas 

Inventory, which covers 1990 to 

2022. 

Gross emissions fell to 78.4 

million tonnes, four per cent lower 

than in 2021, the third year running 

in which emissions have dropped. 

The annual drop was 3.4 

million tonnes - or around three 

times the emissions produced 

by all domestic flights in 2022, 

according to the Ministry for the 

Environment. 

That was the biggest drop since 

the tally officially began in1990. 

2.5 million tonnes of this saving 

was from the energy sector, which 

used more renewables and less 

fossil fuels to make electricity in 

2022. That was mostly due to a 

boost to hydro generation because 

of wet weather, although increased 

wind power also helped. 

Forestry fluctuations meant 

trees removed less carbon dioxide 

than the year previous, however 

the long-term trend was towards 

more tree planting. 

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6 

NEW ZEALAND 


Have you tried this latest 

outdoor gym in Papatoetoe? 

IWK BUREAU 

enthusiasts. Now, with the 

introduction of the outdoor 

Residents of South Auckland 

gym, individuals have even 

now have access to a 

more opportunities to engage in 

state-of-the-art outdoor 

physical activity and pursue their 

fitness centre, courtesy of 

fitness goals. 

the newly-opened facility at 

Construction of the outdoor 

Papatoetoe Recreation Ground. 

gym commenced in January 

This addition to the community 

and was completed ahead of 

comes at no cost, thanks to a 

schedule, thanks to favorable 

substantial investment totaling 

weather conditions and diligent 

$150,000 from the Ōtara- 

workmanship. 

Papatoetoe Local Board and 

With 12 stations equipped with 

Auckland Council 

comprehensive instructions, 

The outdoor fitness centre is 

users can navigate the equipment 

equipped with a diverse range 

with ease, maximising their 

workouts for optimal results. 

of equipment tailored to meet 

To further enhance the user 

various fitness needs, including 

experience, a user-friendly app 

cardio, strength, balance, and 

has been developed to provide 

flexibility training. 

detailed guidance on equipment 

Whether individuals prefer solo equipment”, says Apulu. 

centre further enriches the 

usage and workout routines. This 

workouts or group sessions with The project was made possible facilities available to residents. 

digital resource complements 

friends and family, this facility through a collaborative effort From indoor cricket to tennis 

the physical infrastructure 

accommodates a wide range of involving Access for Change and courts, the ground serves 

of the outdoor gym, offering 

preferences and fitness levels. the AUT Center for Active Ageing. as a hub for various sports users additional support and 

This inclusivity aligns with the Recognising the importance 

encouragement on their fitness 

vision of Apulu Reece Autagavaia, of providing accessible fitness 

journey. 

chairperson of the local board, options, the local board 

"The local board was Looking ahead, Access for 

who champions initiatives that supplemented the initial funding 

Change has plans to host an 

foster an active lifestyle within the to ensure the project's success. able to leverage off the 

event showcasing the future 

community. 

This partnership exemplifies project to provide extra stages of development for the 

“Local tertiary students won the power of community-driven funding, to ensure the outdoor fitness center. 

a competition to bring these initiatives in creating positive 

project could go ahead, 

outdoor facilities to Papatoetoe. change and addressing the needs 

The local board was able to of residents. 

and that our locals 

leverage off the project to provide Papatoetoe Recreation Ground can access the fitness 

extra funding, to ensure the already offers an array of sporting equipment.” Apulu 

project could go ahead, and that and recreational activities, and 

Reece Autagavaia 

our locals can access the fitness the addition of the outdoor fitness 


Reserve Bank 

considers 

digital dollar 

New Zealand could be using 

a government-backed 

digital currency by the end 

of the decade. 

The Reserve Bank (RBNZ) 

has opened a round of public 

consultation on the move towards 

a digital dollar, which would 

circulate alongside physical notes 

and coins. 

Director of money and cash Ian 

Woolford said it offered the public 

another means of buying goods and 

services, but would bring efficiency, 

innovation and competition to the 

financial system. 

"It would be the first digital form 

of New Zealand currency backed 

by the government and available 

to the public. 

Physical cash in banknotes and 

coins would still be available, so 

people would have the option to 

use either digital or physical cash. 

"You would likely need a digital 

wallet, payment card or phone app 

to access your digital cash. You 

wouldn't need a commercial bank 

account to use it." 

Woolford said the financial sector 

was changing and challenging the 

country's monetary system with 

the development of cryptoassets, 

digital currencies from global 

companies, smart contracts and 

distributed ledgers. 

"New Zealand's money must 

innovate to stay relevant and 

useful and ensure our monetary 

sovereignty."


NEW ZEALAND 7 

Immigration changes: New petition 

backs low-skilled migrant workers 

RAVI BAJPAI 

A 

new petition is calling on 

the government to roll 

back a new immigration 

rule that requires low-skilled 

migrant workers to leave the 

country after a maximum of 

three years and reapply for a 

work visa. 

On April 7, 2024, Immigration 

Minister Erica Stanford 

announced a slew of changes 

to immigration settings to 

curtail what she described as 

unsustainably high migration 

levels. 

Most of the changes are 

aimed at reducing the number of 

migrants arriving for low-skilled 

jobs. Among them is a cap on 

the duration for which they can 

stay in the country. 

All migrant workers in Level 4 

and 5 occupations– the official 

classification for low-skilled 

work–are now allowed to work 

for only two years at a stretch 

and a third year if their employer 

can’t find a suitable replacement 

on-shore. 

“This seems really 

unreasonable for the businesses 

that bring in these workers,” says 

Jagjeet Singh Sidhu of Aucklandbased 

Immigration Matters NZ, 

who started the petition on April 

15. 

“The businesses train these 

workers for two or three years 

and then they leave, does that 

seem reasonable? They have to 

then retrain new workers.” 

Sidhu points out the new rule 

impacts not just the businesses 

but also the workers and their 

families. “What about their 

children who study here? Don’t 

they deserve continuity? It’s 

one thing to say they won’t get 

residency. But such a restriction 

makes the whole proposition to 

work here unattractive.” 

In his petition, Sidhu is calling 

on the government to either 

extend the three-year cap or let 

low-skilled workers apply for 

a fresh visa without having to 

leave the country. 

“This change will provide 

stability for migrant families 

while ensuring continuity for 

businesses relying on their 

skills.” 

As of the afternoon of April 

18, the petition had garnered 

“The businesses train 

these workers for 

two or three years 

and then they leave, 

does that seem 

reasonable? They 

have to then retrain 

new workers.” Jagjeet 

Singh Sidhu 

497 signatures. Sidhu says he 

plans to take the petition to the 

parliament. 

Last week, Erica Stanford 

unveiled a range of changes 

to the Accredited Employer 

Worker Visa scheme, the 

country’s main temporary work 

visa, saying they would help 

protect against exploitation and 

address "unsustainable" levels of 

migration. 

She pointed to the near-record 

173,000 non-New Zealand 

citizens who migrated here in 

2023, and said the changes 

would focus on using the local 

labour market first, while still 

attracting high-skilled migrants. 

The changes - which took 

effect immediately - included 

English language requirements 

for low-skilled Level 4 and 5 

roles, with employers required to 

engage with Work and Income 

before filling those positions. 

Farmers oppose 

changes to work visas 

IWK BUREAU 

Farmers are expressing 

discontent over the 

government's recent 

changes to the Accredited 

Employer Work Visa (AEWV) 

scheme this week, Rural News 

reported on 12 April. 

Richard McIntyre, dairy chair 

and immigration spokesperson 

for Federated Farmers, has 

expressed concern and confusion 

over the changes, stating that they 

will make it significantly harder 

for farmers to recruit staff from 

overseas. The alterations include 

a reduction in visa length to two 

years, with a maximum stay of 

three years, and the introduction 

of a 12-month stand-down period 

at the visa's end. 

Additionally, new minimum 

requirements for skills, work 

experience, job advertising, and 

engagement with Work and 

Income have been imposed. 

McIntyre has criticised these 

changes, claiming that they will 

create unforeseen challenges 

for farmers, potentially leading 

to staff shortages that could 

impact health and safety, mental 

well-being, and animal welfare 

on farms. Federated Farmers has 

written to Immigration Minister 

Erica Stanford to express their 

concerns and request an urgent 

meeting to address the issues. 

The changes primarily affect 

migrant workers in ANZSCO Level 

4 and 5 roles and took effect from 

7 April 2024. 

They include a shorter visa 

length of two years, a 12-month 

stand-down period at the 

visa's end, an English language 

requirement, minimum skills 

and work experience criteria, 

longer job advertising periods 

(increasing from 14 to 21 days), 

and engagement with Work and 

Income. 

Federated Farmers 

has written to 

immigration 

minister to express 

their concerns and 

request an urgent 

meeting to address 

the issues. 

India's High Commissioner to New Zealand Neeta Bhushan joined volunteers of the Waitakere Indian Association on April 16 to pack 

meals for the community. She commended them for their selfless service towards providing more than 21,000 meal packets. Bhushan 

also appreciated MP Phil Twyford for his continuous support of the association. 

Name Change 

I, Sahil Patel s/o Dhiraj Patel residing at 14 Pate 

Crescent, Favona, Auckland, 2024 have changed my 

Name Patel Sahil Dhiraj From 16/04/2024. I change 

this by my self as an adult.

8 

NEW ZEALAND 



NZICA: Celebrating Indian 

culture, unity in New Zealand 

IWK BUREAU 

The New Zealand Indian 

Central Association 

(NZICA) recently held its 

98th Annual General Meeting 

(AGM) at the vibrant Diversity 

Centre in Papatoetoe, Auckland. 

The event, hosted by the Punjabi 

Cultural Association, was more 

than just a meeting—it was a 

jubilant celebration of Indian 

culture, unity, and progress in New 

Zealand. 

The AGM kicked off with a 

captivating keynote speech by 

historian Jacqueline Leckie, who 

mesmerized attendees with tales 

of India's rich history and its 

influence in New Zealand 

The atmosphere was electric as 

delegates from all corners of the 

country came together to reflect 

on past achievements and set the 

stage for future endeavours. 

A momentous highlight of the 

evening was the honouring of 

Jagdish Natalie, a dedicated Life 

Member of NZICA, who marked his 

50th AGM attendance. President 

Narendra Bhana delivered a 

heartfelt tribute to Mr. Natalie, 

acknowledging his unwavering 

commitment and invaluable 

contributions to NZICA and the 

wider community. 

President Bhana also outlined 

the association's achievements 

over the past year, including 

initiatives to promote cultural 

awareness and support 

educational endeavours. 

He shared his vision for NZICA 

to own its building by 2030, 

setting an ambitious yet inspiring 

goal for the future. 

The AGM was not just about 

business; it was a celebration 

of community spirit and 

volunteerism. Several volunteers 

were recognised with Community 

Service Awards for their 

outstanding contributions to their 

local branches, highlighting the 

dedication and passion within the 

NZICA community. 

The following Delegates were 

elected as the Executive Officers: 

The event also saw the addition 

of two new branches, Hamilton 

Kerala Samajam and Tamil 

A momentous 

highlight of the 

evening was the 

honouring of Jagdish 

Natalie, a dedicated 

Life Member of 

NZICA, who marked 

his 50th AGM 

attendance. 

Society Waikato, expanding 

NZICA's reach and influence 

across New Zealand. This growth 

is a testament to the association's 

commitment to serving the 

needs of the Indian community 

and promoting its interests in all 

spheres of society. 

As the evening drew to a close, 

there was a sense of optimism 

and excitement for the future. 

The AGM had not only 

reaffirmed NZICA's commitment 

to unity and progress but had also 

reignited a sense of pride and 

cultural identity among Indian 

New Zealanders. 

In conclusion, the NZICA AGM 

was a resounding success, 

showcasing the strength, 

resilience, and vibrancy of 

the Indian community in New 

Zealand. Through collaboration, 

dedication, and a shared vision, 

NZICA continues to be a driving 

force for positive change and 

empowerment in the community. 

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NEW ZEALAND 9 

Australia, NZ Rajasthan associations 

come together to celebrate Gangaur 

IWK BUREAU 

Rajasthan Kutumb of Victoria 

(RAJKOV) has unveiled its plans for 

Gangaur 2024, set to take place on 

April 20, 2024 at Caulfield Racecourse in 

Melbourne's lively Jewish community. 

This year's Gangaur festival promises to 

blend Hindu customs, Jewish warmth, and 

the artistic talent of Muslim performers, 

creating a narrative of unity that transcends 

boundaries. 

Beyond being a celebration of Rajasthani 

culture, Gangaur 2024 aims to strengthen 

the relationship between Rajasthan 

associations in Australia and New Zealand. 

The Rajasthan Association of New 

Zealand has been invited to participate 

in this event, marking a significant step 

towards preserving Rajasthani heritage and 

culture. 

Reema Sharma, chairperson and founder 

of the Rajasthan Association of New 

Zealand, expressed her excitement about 

this collaboration. 

She shared that their association, which 

started as a small family group to promote 

Rajasthani culture, has grown steadily since 

its official registration in 2022. 

"Being invited by the Rajasthani 

association in Australia is a big step for 

our association as well. It would be a good 

learning experience for the Rajasthan 

Association NZ," said Reema Sharma in an 

interview with The Indian Weekender. 

Gangaur, scheduled for April 20, 2024 

is a festival dedicated to Goddess Gauri, 

symbolising purity, virtue, and devotion. 

Rooted in Rajasthan's culture, this festival 

celebrates the strength and resilience of 

women, highlighting their achievements 

across different cultures. 

The festival will feature performances 

by Batool Begam and Anwar Hussain, 

renowned artists showcasing Rajasthani 

folk music. 

Batool Begam, the only female Maand 

singer, is breaking barriers and inspiring 

aspiring female artists. Her collaboration 

with Anwar Hussain, known for blending 

traditional and contemporary music, 

underscores the innovative spirit of 

Rajasthani music. 

Gangaur 2024 serves as a platform 

for dialogue, understanding, and 

empowerment. By hosting the event in an 

area known for its strong Jewish heritage 

and featuring pioneering Muslim artists, 

"Being invited by the 

Rajasthani association in 

Australia is a big step for our 

association as well. It would 

be a good learning experience 

for the Rajasthan Association 

NZ." Reema Sharma 

RAJKOV aims to promote messages of 

peace, cooperation, and gender equality. 

Reema Sharma also mentioned to IWK 

that the Gangaur Pooja was held last 

Thursday in New Zealand and although 

small, it was a good experience for people 

who joined to revive the Rajasthani culture. 

"It is fortunate for us that we will be able 

to attend the pooja again in Australia," 

Reema said. 

According to Reema, the Rajasthan 

Kutumb of Victoria and Rajasthan 

Association of New Zealand have also 

signed a Memorandum of Understanding to 

promote and support the culture, language, 

and heritage of Rajasthan. 

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10 

NEW ZEALAND 

Meals on 

wheels: Indian 

food truck 

boom in NZ 



RIZWAN MOHAMMAD/RNZ 

New Zealanders are 

witnessing a boom in 

Indian food trucks serving 

street delicacies uncommon to 

traditional Indian restaurants. 

Already popular with Indian 

migrants, street food from the 

subcontinent is starting to appeal 

to other New Zealanders seeking 

to enjoy a mind-boggling array of 

flavours. 

Indian fast food, previously 

limited to cultural festivals and 

special events via temporary 

food stalls, is now becoming 

mainstream with food trucks. 

It is difficult to ascertain who to 

credit as the pioneer of the Indian 

food truck scene in New Zealand, 

but every aspiring entrepreneur in 

this space has a story to tell. 

There are multiple reasons why 

Indian food trucks have grown in 

popularity in recent years, with 

operators of mobile services 

attracted by low start-up costs, 

minimal overheads and flexible 

work hours. 

A chef makes dosa at a night 

market in Auckland. 

These 'on the wheel' outlets 

also offer new cuisines to 

explore at relatively lower costs 

for customers, gain popularity 

through word of mouth and, most 

importantly, nostalgia for enjoying 

street food in India. 

Many started their mobile 

kitchens with a desire to make 

delectable Indian snacks, which 

they feel are often limited to costly 

Indian sweet shops. 

Some felt the authentic taste 

of Indian street food was slowly 

diminishing on restaurant menus, 

which left a void to fill. 

A few made lip-smacking 

snacks as a hobby, selling their 

creations on food trucks as a 

second income option. 

Akeel Ahmedabadwala, a chef 

by profession, wanted to bring 

the authentic taste of Mumbai's 

Chowpatty Beach to New Zealand. 

Authenticity for 

Ahmedabadwala meant producing 

unaltered street-spiced snacks 

such as dabeli, panipuri and 

chaat - items he sells at Trucking 

Delicious on Auckland's North 

Shore. 

Anant and Manisha Patel, 

owners of Apna Adda in Mt 

Roskill, recognised a need for latenight 

food spots for the growing 

Indian community in Auckland. 

The husband-wife duo now 

serves Gujarati-fusion items 

such as Indian Maggi noodles, 

homemade sauce sandwiches 

and innovative beverages that 

keep them occupied till late on 

weekdays and weekends. 

Mohammed Ismail Sarwar, a 

Raj Mhatre of All Around The World in Hamilton. (Supplied photo) 

civil engineer by profession, felt 

Indian restaurants did not do 

enough justice to Indo-Chinese 

cuisine. 

His response was MI Indo-Chi 

on Stoddard Rd in Mt Roskill, 

Auckland. 

Driven by a passion for street 

food and a desire to break free 

from a corporate-style work life, 

Vaibhav and Varuni Joshi started 

small with their food stall at 

events. 

"Getting a license 

for a food truck 

and complying with 

council regulations 

was challenging but 

a learning curve for 

us. We have to tick 

the boxes for each 

requirement and, if we 

were stuck, we Googled 

or asked the council 

to guide us and were 

eventually through." 

Vaibhav Joshi, owner 

of Mumbai Vada Pav. 

Vaibha and Varuni Joshi at their 

Mumbai But when an opportunity 

opened in Sandringham, they 

seized it without a second 

thought. 

"Getting a license for a food 

truck and complying with council 

regulations was challenging but 

a learning curve for us," says 

Vaibhav Joshi, owner of Mumbai 

Vada Pav. "We have to tick the 

boxes for each requirement and, 

if we were stuck, we Googled or 

asked the council to guide us and 

were eventually through." 

One common attribute among 

most food truck operators was 

that they typically started out 

hosting food stalls at night 

markets, weekend markets, 

festivals and community events. 

The feedback from such places 

cemented their determination to 

open a mobile outlet. 

Tauranga's Food Point Delicious 

Dosa gained immense popularity 

with its South Indian fusion 

cuisine customed to New Zealand 

taste. 

Tauranga’s Food Point Delicious 

Dosa has gained immense 

popularity with its South Indian 

fusion cuisine customed to New 

Zealand taste. 

Chef Lakshmi Chandrasekaran 

created a team of 12, divided 

them into different groups and 

sent them around the North 

Island to set up their food trucks. 

They operate weekly stalls in 

Mt Maunganui, Taupo, Rotorua, 

Hamilton and Auckland. 

They operate simultaneously 

in multiple locations at peak 

times during summer in Bay 

of Plenty and Tauranga towns 

such as Edgecumbe, Papamoa, 

Whakatane, Te Puke, Mystery 

Creek in Waikato and Christchurch 

in the South Island, among other 

locations. 

"We have served 

thousands of 

customers across 

music festivals and 

multicultural events 

in NZ and have seen a 

growing admiration for 

good Indian street food 

among New Zealanders 

over the years." Rahul 

Minhas from Original 

Chaiwalla 

Umesh Lathia, owner of 

Indian Express Food Truck in 

Christchurch, says it is important 

to maintain hygiene when running 

a mobile operation. 

"Rationing for prepared food 

items, spot cooking, spices, oil, 

Rahul Minhas in the kitchen of Original Chaiwalla in Wellington. (Supplied photo) 

storage, takeaway or serving 

plates, spoons, cleaning, recycling 

and rubbish - all elements are 

to be considered daily," Lathia 

says. "Failing to manage these 

eventually reflects poorly on the 

confined truck space and the food 

quality." 

Raj Mhatre of All Around The 

World Food Truck in Hamilton 

Hamilton's Raj and Kayla 

Mhatre started All Around the 

World with an Indian palette of 

street food but soon encapsulated 

finger food and snacks from all 

over the globe, serving the tastes 

of different cultures in one spot. 

"We started in 2015 with a small 

cart serving chai at local markets," 

says Rahul Minhas from Original 

Chaiwalla in Wellington. "We 

introduced different types of chai 

and our Delhi-style street food, 

complementing the beverage - 

that made us the talk of the town. 

"We have served thousands of 

customers across music festivals 

and multicultural events in NZ and 

have seen a growing admiration 

for good Indian street food 

amongst New Zealanders over the 

years." 

A different story lies behind the 

success of Sandringham's Chai 

Wala Bhai food truck. 

Laid off before Covid, 

Christianson Welsly started a 

small Indian chai-coffee counter 

serving simple Indian snacks 

such as bread pakora, bhajiya and 

bread omelette on a property on 

Sandringham Rd, Auckland. 

In a matter of months, the 

space became a popular hotspot 

amongst youngsters, helping 

Welsly serve approximately 1000 

cups of chai a week. Word of 

mouth drew greater footfall every 

week, with his customers visiting 

from other suburbs and some 

from as far away as Papakura in 

South Auckland. 

Entrepreneur Suresh Mogili's 

tech shop was in gradual decline, 

and he had to consider other 

options to sustain his future. 

Suresh Mogili in front of his 

Smashed Burgers food truck in 

Sandringham, Auckland. 

Inspired by an overseas pilot 

who started a burger joint after 

losing his job, Suresh learned and 

created his own menu, bringing 

an Indian touch to his Smashed 

Burgers [Eat Love Repeat] food 

truck in Sandringham, Auckland. 

His months of trial and error paid 

off, and he is set to open multiple 

mobile outlets in other suburbs, 

including Avondale, Papakura, 

Manukau and Auckland's CBD. 

A consensus amongst all 

food truck operators is that 

low-cost maintenance and 

flexibility to operate are some of 

the key reasons for entering this 

business. 

"With food trucks, you either 

rent a trailer or buy one and 

custom the interior per your 

needs," says Hitesh Patel from 

Kaki Ka Kitchen, a small food 

trailer serving authentic Gujarati 

snacks in Sandringham. "[There 

is] no staff cost, you pay a 

nominal rent for the space, are 

flexible in your operating times, 

have no major utility costs and 

you can move around to serve 

different locations." 

(Rizwan Mohammad is a content 

marketing specialist and a 

freelance contributor focusing 

on the growing South Asian 

community in New Zealand.)


NEW ZEALAND 11 

ANZAC DAY 

Places to visit in 

NZ to understand 

the history 

IWK BUREAU 

As April 25, 2024 

approaches, New Zealand 

prepares to commemorate 

Anzac Day, a poignant day of 

remembrance for both Australia 

and New Zealand. Anzac Day, 

known as Rā Whakamahara 

ki ngā Hōia o Ahitereiria me 

Aotearoa in Māori, holds deep 

significance, honouring the 

memory of all Australians and 

New Zealanders who served 

and died in wars, conflicts, and 

peacekeeping missions. 

Initially established to pay 

tribute to the members of the 

Australian and New Zealand 

Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought 

in the Gallipoli campaign, Anzac 

Day has evolved into a broader 

commemoration of the sacrifices 

and contributions of all who have 

served their countries. 

This day marks a significant 

event in Australian and New 

Zealand military history, when 

forces from both nations 

suffered heavy casualties during 

World War I. The term ANZAC, 

derived from the acronym for 

the Australian and New Zealand 

Army Corps, refers to the soldiers 

who served in this campaign. 

Over the years, Anzac Day 

has become one of the most 

important national events in 

both countries, with ceremonies 

Couple leaving NZ after advisor forgets visa application 

RAYSSA ALMEIDA/RNZ 

A 

Brazilian couple 

living in Auckland for 

the last 8 years are 

set to leave the country after 

their immigration advisor 

missed the deadline to apply 

for a new visa. 

The Auckland couple 

paid thousands of dollars 

to have their application for 

the 2021 Residence Visa 

(RV2021) submitted by the 

advisor, who said due to 

staffing issues, they forgot 

to process the couple's 

application. 

The one-off residency 

pathway was offered in 2021 

for work visa holders already 

in the country and had more 

than 200,000 applications 

approved so far. 

Back then, Newton 

Santos and his wife, Nubia, 

paid over $4000 for the 

Auckland company Sunrise 

Immigration Services to 

process their application. 

"We have worked with 

them before; they were the 

same ones who helped us 

with our work visas and 

such. 

"Sometimes the whole 

and traditions that have evolved 

since its inception in 1915. 

Historian Martin Crotty from the 

University of Queensland notes 

that Anzac commemorations 

have historically served political 

purposes, particularly during 

the war years, aiming to bolster 

recruitment efforts. 

A typical service on Anzac 

Day begins with returned service 

personnel marching to their 

local war memorial before dawn. 

Former veterans and current 

servicemen and women lead the 

ceremony, with members of the 

community joining in for prayers, 

hymns, and a minute's silence. 

The service concludes with 

the singing of the national 

anthem. Later in the day, veterans 

and community groups, including 

members of the armed forces, 

cadets, and the Red Cross, will 

wear their medals and march 

behind banners to the local 

war memorial. This service 

is a more public, less formal 

commemoration, where people 

can lay wreaths and pay their 

respects. 

The red poppy has 

become a universal symbol 

of remembrance for those 

who served in wars, closely 

associated with Anzac Day in 

New Zealand. Known as the 

Flanders poppy, it was one of the 

first flowers to bloom in the mud 

application process can 

be complicated, and we 

believed with the help of an 

advisor we would have less 

chances to get anything 

wrong." 

Santos said in the lead 

up to the submission's 

deadline, he contacted 

the advisor multiple times 

and was reassured the 

application had been put 

through. 

"We called and e-mailed 

her, asking about any 

The Albany 

Memorial Library 

was built in 1922 

to commemorate 

the 24 men from 

Albany, Dairy Flat, 

Greenhithe, and 

Oneroa who lost 

their lives out of 

the 77 who went 

to war. 

and devastation of Flanders in 

northern France during World War 

I. The significance of the poppy 

was immortalised in the poem 

'In Flanders Fields' by Lieutenant 

Colonel John McCrae and has 

since served as a tribute to the 

soldiers buried in unmarked 

graves. 

To gain a deeper understanding 

of the significance of Anzac Day, 

individuals can visit various 

places and war memorials in 

Auckland, listed by Auckland 

Council. These sites serve as 

reminders of the impact of war 

on local communities and offer 

a glimpse into the lives of those 

who served 

1.Albany Memorial Library: 

This charming cottage-style 

building at 21 Library Lane in 

Albany serves as a memorial to 

locals who served in WWI and 

updates in our application, 

and she always said 

everything was good, that 

we just had to wait for the 

immigration response. 

"As far as we knew, 

everything was all good." 

The applications for the 

RV2021 closed on 31 July, 

2022. 

A few days after the visa 

submissions cut-off date, 

and after seeing friends 

granted the one-off visa, 

Santos called the advisor to 

check on the applications. 

"She said her assistant 

forgot to apply for our visa. 

"My wife was in tears, I 

didn't know what to do - 

we had the qualifications 

to be eligible for a type of 

residency visa that doesn't 

come out very often and just 

like that, we had nothing. It 

was devastating," Santos 

said. 

"We left the office with [the 

advisor] promising us she 

WWII. The library was built in 

1922 to commemorate the 24 

men from Albany, Dairy Flat, 

Greenhithe, and Oneroa who 

lost their lives out of the 77 who 

went to war. It features a stone 

archway listing the dates of WWI 

and stained-glass windows 

commemorating the period. 

Although it ceased operating as a 

public library in 2004, it can now 

be hired for community events. 

2.Memorial Tower, Narrow 

Neck Beach: Located on 

Devonport’s Narrow Neck 

Beach, this memorial tower was 

constructed in 1960 to honour 

10 members of the Wakatere 

Boating Club who died in WWII. 

The tower is occasionally used by 

the club for starting heritage boat 

races, but it primarily stands as 

a reminder of the men who loved 

sailing on the Tīkapa Moana/ 

Hauraki Gulf. 

3.Drinking Fountain, St Heliers 

Bay: Situated on the waterfront 

in St Heliers Bay, this drinking 

fountain commemorates Guyon 

Brookfield, a local scoutmaster 

had a way around it, but we 

didn't put much faith on it." 

RNZ had access to a letter 

sent by the advisor to the 

Minister for Immigration 

15 days after the cut off 

deadline for applications. 

In the letter, the advisor 

confirmed that Santos and 

his wife had been their 

clients since their arrival in 

the country in 2016. 

She said the oversight was 

due to increased workload 

and staff shortages. 

"When the RV2021 was 

enacted and implemented... 

[Santos and his wife] were 

the very first ones to signify 

the interest in lodging [their 

application]." 

The advisor said many 

companies have contracted 

Sunrise Immigration 

Services to process their 

application for the visa 

category. 

"Drafting agreements, 

gathering information of 

more than 500 RV2021 

applicants, conducting 

meetings... my body 

succumbed to pressures, 

and was hospitalised. 

"While I thought we were 

who died in northern France in 

June 1916 at the age of 34 during 

WWI. Guyon, an engineer, was 

beloved by the St Heliers Bay 

community, and the local scout 

group was named the Brookfield 

Pack in his honor. The scouts 

still attend the St Heliers Anzac 

Parade annually. 

4.Avondale Memorial Reserve: 

Located between St Georges and 

Great North Roads, this small 

triangular park in Avondale is 

where residents gather for the 

local Anzac Day parade. The 

reserve was gifted to Auckland 

Council by St Ninian’s Church in 

1948, and a memorial area was 

constructed to commemorate 

those who served in WWI, WWII, 

and the Boer War (1899-1902). 

The memorial was unveiled in 

April 1951 by Auckland Mayor Sir 

John Allum. 

running smoothly...[Santos'] 

application was oversighted 

and we discovered 3 days 

after the [RV2021] was 

closed for submissions," the 

letter read. 

The advisor said she was 

"shocked to the core" and 

considered the oversight 

negligence from her office's 

part. 

Santos said the 

negligence has taken a 

toll on the couple's mental 

health. 

"My wife has been crying 

non-stop. Her dad passed 

at the same time as this had 

been happening, so she had 

to go through therapy to 

cope with all the stress and 

anxiety. 

"I manage my mental 

health with work because I 

love what I do, but these last 

three years have been the 

hardest for us. It's hard to 

stay optimistic." he said. 

Through a statement, 

the advisor from Sunrise 

Immigration Services, 

who RNZ has decided not 

to name, said she fully 

accepted the oversight.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK 

“Your talent determines what you can do. Your motivation 

determines how much you’re willing to do. Your attitude 

determines how well you do it.” — Lou Holtz 

Editorial 

Cutting jobs 

won’t fill tax 

IN FOCUS : Picture of the week 

cut hole 

The decision by the coalition government to implement severe job cuts across 

public services is not just a fiscal adjustment; it’s a decision with potentially 

dire consequences for the nation’s most vulnerable populations. In the past few 

weeks alone, the government has cut more than 2,500 jobs and it will cut even more in 

the coming weeks and months in a bid to save $1billion. 

While the government frames these cuts as necessary to rein in debt that it hopes 

will help it fulfil election promises of tax cuts, the collateral damage is significant, 

particularly in crucial sectors like education, child welfare, healthcare and a range of 

government services to taxpayers. 

Education, often considered the cornerstone of a prosperous society, stands to bear 

a heavy brunt. With over 550 full-time roles proposed to be axed within the Education 

Ministry alone, the repercussions are alarming. These cuts not only destabilise families 

but also whole communities, as highlighted by the Secondary Principals’ Council. It’s 

not just about the loss of jobs; it’s about the ripple effect on the quality of education 

and support services for children across the country. 

One of the most concerning aspects is the impact on initiatives like the school lunches 

programme, Ka Ora, Ka Ako. With reduced funding and staff, ensuring the success 

and sustainability of such vital programmes becomes increasingly precarious. Health 

Coalition Aotearoa rightly questions how the same results can be achieved with fewer 

resources. The risk of hungry students, financial strain on families, and heightened 

barriers to educational attainment cannot be understated. 

Cuts to agencies like Oranga Tamariki threaten the safety and well-being of at-risk 

children. Valid concerns have been raised about the ability of these agencies to listen 

to feedback and implement necessary changes without adequate staffing. The loss of 

experienced professionals weakens an already fragile and under resourced support 

structure for vulnerable youth, potentially leaving them even more marginalised and 

underserved. 

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is among the 

government departments implementing job cuts, with over 286 positions already 

eliminated, costing over $6 million in redundancy pay outs. While the total expense of 

these cuts across all departments remains unclear, Finance Minister Nicola Willis, who 

will present this government’s first Budget in May, believes the savings will outweigh 

the costs. Despite assurances that senior management positions won’t be spared, 

concerns persist about the disproportionate impact on junior staff. Willis aims to 

ensure the public service remains balanced and efficient, with a review of managerial 

roles planned after the Budget in May. 

The government’s argument that these cuts will redirect funds to frontline services 

seems dubious at best. While Education Minister Erica Stanford assures that redirected 

funds will enhance student achievement, the reality is starkly different. The assertion 

that the Ministry of Education has bloated in size without evidence of productivity 

overlooks the critical roles these professionals play in supporting teachers and 

addressing the complex needs of students. 

National MP Chris Bishop’s argument about the sustainability of public servant 

numbers fails to acknowledge the human cost of these cuts. While there may be a 

need for efficiency, it cannot come at the expense of essential services. Labour MP 

Kieran McAnulty rightly points out that these professionals are not idle; they are 

integral to supporting teachers and vulnerable children. Passing the burden on to 

already overstretched educators is not a solution but a recipe for further strain on an 

already burdened system. 

During a recent session of the Finance and Expenditure Committee, Willis 

acknowledged the necessity of borrowing to meet the upcoming Budget’s requirements. 

This acknowledgment directly contradicts previous statements made by her during her 

time in opposition, where she asserted that the tax plan would not entail any additional 

borrowing. 

Ultimately, the government’s approach to debt reduction through slashing public 

sector jobs lacks foresight and compassion. The long-term consequences on 

education, child welfare, and healthcare could be profound, exacerbating inequalities 

and undermining the nation’s future prosperity. Rather than focusing solely on shortterm 

fiscal goals, a more balanced approach that prioritises investment in vital services 

and social infrastructure is imperative for New Zealand’s well-being. 

Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik creates a sand sculpture of Lord Ram on the occasion of Ram 

Navami festival at Puri beach 

This week in New Zealand’s history 

22 April 1936 

Rātana and Labour seal alliance 

The alliance between the Rātana Church and the Labour Party was cemented at an historic 

meeting between Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana and Prime Minister Michael Joseph Savage. 


Prince William meets 'buzzy bee' 

Among the highlights of the April 1983 royal tour were photographs of the Prince and 

Princess of Wales’ infant son, Prince William, playing with New Zealand’s iconic ‘buzzy 

bee’ toy. 


Prince of Wales arrives for New Zealand tour 

King George V’s son, Edward, Prince of Wales (who later reigned briefly as Edward VIII), 

visited New Zealand to thank the Dominion for its contribution to the Empire’s war 

effort. After arriving in Auckland aboard the battlecruiser HMS Renown, he spent four weeks 

travelling the country aboard a lavishly appointed Royal Train and by motor coach, visiting 50 

cities and towns from Auckland to Invercargill. 


New Zealand's first poppy day 

A 

total of 245,059 small poppies and 15,157 larger versions were sold, earning £13,166 

(equivalent to $1.34 million in 2020). Of that amount, £3695 ($376,000) was sent to 

help war-ravaged areas of northern France; the remainder went to unemployed New Zealand 

returned soldiers and their families. 


Gallipoli landings 

Each year on Anzac Day, New Zealanders and Australians mark the anniversary of the 

Gallipoli landings of 25 April 1915. On that day, thousands of young men, far from their 

homes, landed on the beaches of the Gallipoli Peninsula, in what is now Türkiye. 


First Anzac Day 

People in communities across New Zealand and overseas gathered to mark the first 

anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. NZ observed a half-day holiday from 1pm. 

Indian Weekender : Volume 16 - Issue 4 

Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited 

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

General Manager: Ravi Bajpai | 020 441 2233 | ravi@indianweekender.co.nz 

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

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

Senior Digital Producer: Urjita Bhardwaj | 021 952 246 | urjita@indianweekender.co.nz 

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

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

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

the views of the team at the Indian Weekender 

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

Printed at NZME, Auckland, New Zealand. 

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

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


NEW ZEALAND 13 

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14 

INDIA 



No discrimination in policies, benefits 

reach all citizens: PM Modi in Assam 

Prime Minister Narendra 

contesting 1. In 2019, the BJP 

Modi said there’s 

had won 9 seats, Congress 3 and 

no discrimination in 

All India United Democratic Front 

implementation of the policies 

of the NDA government and its 

benefits reach all citizens 

The policies of the National 

Democratic Alliance (NDA) 

government at Centre are meant 

for all eligible citizens without 

any discrimination, Prime 

Minister Narendra Modi said 

on Wednesday, accusing the 

Congress of dividing people. 

Addressing an election rally 

in Assam’s Nalbari, Modi said, 

“In 2014, I came to you with 

a ray of hope. In 2019, I came 

to you with a trust and today I 

have come to Assam’s soil with 

a guarantee. Modi’s guarantee 

means it’s a guarantee of fulfilling 

a guarantee.” 

“There’s no discrimination in Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public meeting ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in Assam’s Nalbari district on Wednesday. (PTI) 

(AIUDF) and Independent won one 

seat each. 

In 2019, the Barpeta seat was 

won by the Congress’s Abdul 

Khaleque, who was denied a 

ticket this time. The seat has seen 

considerable change in boundary 

after last year’s delimitation. 

This time, the AGP candidate 

would have a triangular contest 

with Deep Bayan of the Congress 

and Manoranjan Talukdar of the 

CPI(M). Later in the afternoon, 

Modi will address another public 

meeting at Agartala to seek 

support from voters for the two 

Lok Sabha seats from Tripura. 

The two BJP candidates from the 

state are, former chief minister 

Biplab Kumar Deb (West Tripura) 

and member of Tripura royal 

implementation of the policies of 

the NDA government. Its benefits 

reach all citizens. Now the NDA 

has decided to reach all eligible 

citizens and provide them with all 

the benefits,” he added. 

Modi said that in the next five 

years, 30 million more homes 

under Pradhan Mantri Awas 

Yojana will be provided and 

free ration will continue to be 

distributed to all beneficiaries in 

the next five years. 

“I would like to assure all 

citizens above 70 years of age 

that all expenses on treatment 

of their diseases will be borne 

by their son, Modi. These senior 

citizens will get free treatment of 

up to 5 lakh under the Ayushman 

Bharat scheme,” said Modi. 

He assured the crowd there 

would be no discrimination in the 

scheme’s implementation as all 

senior citizens from all categories 

will be included as beneficiaries 

under it. 

“The Congress worked towards 

dividing people of northeast, but 

Modi embraced it. I worked for 

peace and security in the region. 

What the Congress couldn’t do 

in 60 years, Modi did it in 10,” he 

said. 

PM Modi mentioned the new 

semi-conductor facility, which 

is being set up at Jagiroad with 

an investment of 27,000 crore 

and stated that in coming years 

it will generate around 15,000 

jobs. He also listed the important 

development projects undertaken 

in the past 10 years like bridges 

over Brahmaputra and expansion 

of the road network. 

“Votes given to the Congress 

won’t help form its government 

at Centre. On the other hand, 

each vote for BJP will help 

in transforming India into a 

developed nation,” the PM said. 

Of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in 

Assam, BJP is contesting 11, the 

Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has 

fielded candidates in 2 and United 

Peoples Party Liberal (UPPL) is 

family, Kriti Singh Debbarma (East 

Tripura). 

This is the first election rally 

attended by Modi in Assam 

and the rest of northeast after 

announcement of poll schedule 

and comes on the day when 

campaigning for the first phase 

of polling to be held on April 19, 

ends. Polling to 13 of the 25 Lok 

Sabha seats in northeast and 

50 assembly seats in Arunachal 

Pradesh will take place on that 

date. 

Rajnath Singh slams CPI(M) 

manifesto over nuke disarmament 

promise: ‘Pak, China has it’ 

Defence minister Rajnath 

Singh on Wednesday 

questioned the Communist 

Party of India (Marxist)'s 

election manifesto that pledged 

to dismantle India's nuclear 

weapons, accusing it of 

compromising national security. 

He also sought clarity from the 

Congress party on the issue. 

In an election rally in Kasaragod, 

Singh said, “CPI(M) has released 

its manifesto in which they have 

said that if they come to power, 

they will destroy India's nuclear 

weapons. I want to ask the 

Congress party what will you do 

with this promise of CPI(M).” 

In Kerala, there is a triangular 

battle for Lok Sabha seats 

between the Congress-led United 

Democratic Front (UDF), CPI(M)- 

led LDF and BJP-led National 

Democratic Alliance (NDA). 

The CPI(M) in its manifesto has 

said that there will be "complete 

elimination of nuclear weapons 

and other weapons of mass 

destruction, including chemical 

and biological weapons". 

“Atal ji gave India the status of a 

nuclear power by conducting not 

one but five successful nuclear 

tests,” the senior BJP leader 

said, accusing the Opposition of 

wanting to weaken India's power. 

He said that since Pakistan and 

China too have nuclear weapons, 

“talking about destroying India's 

nuclear weapons is nothing less 

than playing with the country's 

"Now they are planning 

a joint ‘Money Heist’ at 

the centre. We will not 

let this happen. The 

people of India have 

decided 'Abki Baar 

Chaar Sau Paar' (this 

time, we will cross the 

400 mark)." 

security.” 

“This is a conspiracy to weaken 

the country's security,” Singh 

alleged. 

Singh attacked both UDF and 

LDF, alleging that they have 

"looted the people of Kerala in 

their successive regimes." 

He said, "Now they are planning 

a joint ‘Money Heist’ at the centre. 

We will not let this happen. The 

people of India have decided 'Abki 

Baar Chaar Sau Paar' (this time, 

we will cross the 400 mark)." 

The Lok Sabha elections will be 

held in Kerala on April 26 and the 

results will be declared on June 4. 

India is 'one of the 

strong performers': IMF 

India is "one of the strong 

performers", the International 

Monetary Fund, which in a 

report projected a 6.5 per cent 

growth rate for the country for the 

year 2024, said on Tuesday. 

With this, India continues to be 

the fastest growing economies 

of the world and ahead of China’s 

growth projection of 4.6 per cent 

during the same period, it said. 

“Indeed, India is one of the strong 

performers. We had a fairly sharp 

revision in the Fiscal Year 2023 to 

2024, the one that is ending, and 

that has just ended. Then we have 

0.3 percentage point upgrade for 

Fiscal Year 2024 to 2025. So India 

is doing quite well,” Pierre-Olivier 

Gourinchas, chief economist of 

the IMF, told reporters at a news 

conference here. 

Growth in India is projected to 

remain strong at 6.8 per cent in 

2024 and 6.5 per cent in 2025, 

with the robustness reflecting 

continuing strength in domestic 

demand and a rising working-age 

population, according to the latest 

edition of the World Economic 

Outlook released by the IMF ahead 

of the annual spring meetings At 

the same time, growth in emerging 

and developing Asia is expected to 

fall from an estimated 5.6 per cent 

in 2023 to 5.2 per cent in 2024 

and 4.9 per cent in 2025, a slight 

upward revision compared with 

the January 2024 WEO Update. 

“Growth in China is projected to 

slow from 5.2 per cent in 2023 to 

4.6 per cent in 2024 and 4.1 per 

cent in 2025 as the positive effects 

of one-off factors – including 

the post pandemic boost to 

consumption and fiscal stimulus – 

ease and weakness in the property 

sector persists,” the IMF said. 

Global growth, estimated at 3.2 

per cent in 2023, is projected to 

continue at the same pace in 2024 

and 2025. 

The forecast for 2024 is revised 

up by 0.1 percentage point from 

the January 2024 WEO Update, 

and by 0.3 percentage point from 

the October 2023 WEO, the IMF 

said.


WORLD 15 

Thailand and NZ vow to 

strengthen economic ties as 

they set lofty new trade goals 

Thailand and New Zealand on 

economic relationship. 

Wednesday vowed to boost 

The two leaders said they looked 

economic cooperation with 

forward to tariff-free entry for all 

an aim to triple two-way trade by 

2045, as the New Zealand leader 

visited Thailand for the first time in 

11 years. 

New Zealand Prime Minister 

Thai and New Zealand imports due 

to take effect Jan. 1. 

They also said they agreed to 

further facilitate visas between 

Thailand and New Zealand, and 

Christopher Luxon arrived in 

to resume direct flights that were 

Bangkok on Tuesday and met 

with his Thai counterpart Srettha 

Thavisin at the government house 

on Wednesday. 

They discussed trade, education, 

shut after the pandemic. 

Just before the news conference, 

the prime ministers presided over 

the signing of two agreements to 

increase cooperation in education 

investment, visa arrangements, 

and aviation supply, repair and 

tourism, transnational crime and cooperation in all dimensions,” and for new opportunities. Today maintenance. 

cybersecurity. 

Srettha said during a joint news we announced an ambitious goal The situation in neighboring 

“We have agreed to elevate conference after the meeting. to triple our two-way trade by 

Myanmar was also discussed. 

Thailand-New Zealand relations Luxon said that trade between 

Srettha said Thailand is closely 

2045,” he said. 

to a strategic partnership in 2026 the countries has tripled since a 

watching the tense situation 

Business delegations from both 

or sooner, which will mark the free trade agreement was signed 

on its northwestern border, 

70th anniversary of our diplomatic 20 years ago. 

countries also held a meeting 

where the key Myanmar town of 

relations. 

"But today we have committed helmed by the two prime ministers Myawaddy recently fell to forces 

This will create the momentum 

for us to further expand and deepen 

to look for further opportunities to 

expand our economic cooperation 

at the government house, seeking 

to rapidly expand the bilateral 

fighting the military, which seized 

power in 2021. 

Australia plans $32bn defense boost to face new risks 

Australia has pledged to 

increase spending on its 

military forces by A$50.3 

billion over the next decade, 

with Defence Minister Richard 

Marles warning the country faces 

its “most complex strategic 

circumstances” since World 

War II. 

“Australia no longer has the 

luxury of a 10-year window 

of strategic warning time for 

conflict,” Marles, who is also 

deputy prime minister, said in a 

speech to the National Press Club 

in Canberra on Wednesday. 

The announcement comes 

as China expands its military 

footprint in the Asia-Pacific and 

the US reinvigorates traditional 

regional alliances to counter 

Beijing. Australia’s geographic 

isolation, once a strategic asset, 

has been diminished as both 

global growth and geopolitical 

tensions shift to its part of the 

world. 

The government in Canberra 

is trying to pivot the nation’s 

military posture to deterrence, 

including via drones and missiles, 

to complement a planned fleet 

of nuclear-powered submarines 

that are scheduled to be delivered 

in the 2030s under the Aukus 

agreement. 

The funding increase will take 

Australia’s defense spending to 

2.4% of gross domestic product 

by 2033-34, in line with global 

peers such as France and the UK, 

but well below the US and China. 

Still, only a modest A$5.7 

billion of the additional outlay 

will be disbursed over the next 

four years. That opens up the 

possibility of future changes to 

the program and raises questions 

over whether Australia’s armed 

forces will be prepared for 

a conflict in an increasingly 

disputed region. 

Over the next decade, the 

government will re-prioritize 

A$72.8 billion in military spending 

to meet its new objectives, Marles 

said. At the same time, Australia 

will look at closing the gap in its 

recruitment of new soldiers by 

attempting to recruit non-citizens 

to serve the country’s military. 

A major report into the state 

of the nation’s defense forces 

released by the government a 

year ago found the military was 

not “fit for purpose” in the current 

strategic environment. 

Despite the increased 

spending, there are still 

questions over whether Australia 

is addressing the gaps in its 

military capabilities, said Bec 

Shrimpton, director of Defence 

Strategy and National Security 

at the Australian Strategic Policy 

Institute. 

“We’re not actually looking 

at getting some of the major 

capabilities that we’re talking 

about in place and having this 

sort of integrated force, fit for 

purpose, for another decade,” she 

said. “And given we don’t have 

that decade of strategic warning 

anymore, have we got it right?” 

The Turkish Embassy in 

New Delhi announced 

that Turkish authorities 

will now require the "Electronic 

Airport Transit Visa" (e-ATV) for 

Indian and Nepalese passport 

holders travelling to Mexico, 

Panama, Colombia and Venezuela, 

transiting via the Istanbul Airport. 

"Important announcement 

regarding Indian and Nepalese 

passengers traveling to Mexico, 

Panama, Colombia, Venezuela via 

Istanbul Airport, starting from 15 

April 2024," The Turkiye embassy 

in New Delhi posted on X. 

"The Embassy of the Republic 

of Turkiye announces that Turkish 

authorities has commenced 

requiring the "Electronic Airport 

Transit Visa" (e-ATV) for Indian 

& Nepalese passport holders 

traveling to Mexico, Panama, 

Colombia and Venezuela, 

transiting via the Istanbul Airport," 

it stated. 

Moreover, the statement further 

read that Indian and Nepalese 

passport holders, subjected to 

the requirement of e-ATV, can get 

their e-ATV via the website "evisa. 

gov.tr" starting from April 15, 

free of charge as per the current 

practice. The Indian and Nepalese 

passport holders, travelling to the 

mentioned countries should carry 

the print-out of their e-ATVs while 

travelling as it would be checked 

by the relative airlines and service 

providers. 

"Above-mentioned Indian & 

Nepalese passengers should 

carry the print-out of their e-ATVs 

along during their travel since it 

should be checked by the relative 

airlines/service providers at the 

departure airports in accordance 

with international aviation rules 

and by Turkish authorities at the 

visa points of transit passenger 

arrival area at the Istanbul 

Airport," the statement added. 

India calls for inclusive framework, decisive action on UN Security Council reform 

India on Tuesday called for decisive 

action on Security Council reform, 

championing an inclusive framework 

that truly represents the dynamic global 

landscape of today. 

During the 6th round of the 

intergovernmental negotiations on Security 

Council reform on Tuesday (local time), 

the Permanent Representative of India to 

the United Nations in New York, Ruchira 

Kamboj said, " India is in favour of expansion 

of UN Security Council membership in 

both the permanent and non permanent 

categories, as we believe that this is the 

only way to achieve genuine reform of the 

Security Council and make it legitimate, 

representative, responsive and effective." 

She said that India needs a council 

that caters to the geographical and 

developmental diversity of the United 

“We’re not actually 

looking at getting some 

of the major capabilities 

that we’re talking about 

in place and having 

this sort of integrated 

force, fit for purpose, for 

another decade.” Bec 

Shrimpton 

Nations today. 

"In a nutshell, we need a reformed Security 

Council that better reflects the geographical 

and developmental diversity of the United 

Nations today. A security council where 

the voices of developing countries and 

unrepresented regions, including Africa, 

Latin America and the vast majority of Asia 

and the Pacific, also find their due place 

at the horseshoe table. And for this, an 

expansion of the council in both categories 

of membership is absolutely essential," she 

said. Kamboj underlined that India's position 

is widely supported by the majority of the 

member states, adding that "this fact is on 

record in the 2015 framework document on 

Indians travelling 

to South America 

transiting via 

Istanbul airport 

will now require 

'Electronic Airport 

Transit Visa' 

"Important 

announcement 

regarding Indian and 

Nepalese passengers 

traveling to Mexico, 

Panama, Colombia, 

Venezuela via Istanbul 

Airport, starting from 

15 April 2024." 

the issue of categories of membership." 

"A total of 113 member states out of 

122 who submitted their positions in the 

framework document supported expansion 

in both of the existing categories specified 

in the charter.This means that more than 90 

per cent of the written submissions in the 

document were in favour of expansion in 

both categories of membership specified in 

the charter," Kamboj emphasised. 

"On the contrary, longer term non 

permanent seats, which was an idea mooted 

during the inception of the United nations to 

only be discarded due to its ineffectiveness, 

cannot be treated as a convergence as it is 

only backed by a handful of member states.

16 

TIME OUT 

i FreeDailyCrosswords.com 

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

1) "Brian's Song" star James 

5) Comes out of one's skin 

10) Self-congratulatory 

14) Radius' comrade-in-arms? 

15) Youngest-ever Oscar 

winner 

16) Folkestone farewell 

17) "B 5!" "C 11!"? 

19) Took_ (snoozed) 

20) Downed 

21) Typing type 

22) Considers carefully 

24) "Emma" author Austen 

25) Hersey's bell town 

26) Place or site 

29) Transverse beam 

32) Itsy-bitsy bits 

33) "In_ tn1st" 

34) Recipe word 

35) Cravings 

36) Emulate "Old Blue Eyes" 

O, O! 

1 2 3 

14 

17 

20 

26 27 28 

32 

35 

38 

41 42 

CROSSWORD 

37) Kid's "seat" on Santa 

38) Alternative to .net 

39) Less extroverted 

40) TV's "Cosmos" creator 

41) Author's explanation 

43) Yuletide songs 

44) Backup sounds 

45) Random sampling 

46) "Monkey Trial" teacher 

48) Seafood choice 

49) Josh 

52) Door section 

53) John Wayne character, 

larger-than-life? 

56) More than suggest 

57) Recording studio alert 

58) Water sport 

59) Some antique autos 

60) Family men 

61) Bud holder 

Richard Auer 

11 12 13 

7th June 

DOWN 

1) Island south of Florida 

2) Dismounted 

3) Archer or Heche 

4) Endless faultfinder 

5) Home of the John Deere 

headquarters 

6) Like beverages at barbecues 

7) A 1 Capp character 

8) Fielder's choice? 

9) Trooper's warning 

10) Wood-surface applications 

11) Tropical fruit dance? 

12) Great Salt Lake state 

13) Adjusts, as a spark plug 

18) Multicolored gems 

23) "_ on Down the Road" 

24) Traffic tangles 

25) Eagerness 

26)_ the land (how things stand) 

27) Alamogordo's county 

28) Kinshasa drum? 

29) Australian bush call 

30) Just right 

31) Wonderlands 

33) Southern breakfast dish 

36) Auto despair site? 

37) Marx or Benz 

39) Pirate's knife 

40) Town of many trials and hunts 

42) Plains homes 

43) Plays with crayons 

45) Lecterns 

46) Tim Duncan, for one 

47) Kind of package 

48) Cold spell 

49) Nautical mile 

50) Not going anywhere 

51) Condemn 

54) "Put_ Happy Face" 

55) Photo_ (media events) 

i FreeDailyCrosswords.com 

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

1) "Brian's Song" star James 

5) Comes out of one's skin 

10) Self-congratulatory 

14) Radius' comrade-in-arms? 

15) Youngest-ever Oscar 

winner 

16) Folkestone farewell 

17) "B 5!" "C 11!"? 

19) Took_ (snoozed) 

20) Downed 

21) Typing type 

22) Considers carefully 

24) "Emma" author Austen 

25) Hersey's bell town 

26) Place or site 

29) Transverse beam 

32) Itsy-bitsy bits 

33) "In_ tn1st" 

34) Recipe word 

35) Cravings 

36) Emulate "Old Blue Eyes" 

O, O! 


CROSSWORD ANSWERS 

37) Kid's "seat" on Santa 

38) Alternative to .net 

39) Less extroverted 

40) TV's "Cosmos" creator 

41) Author's explanation 

43) Yuletide songs 

44) Backup sounds 

45) Random sampling 

46) "Monkey Trial" teacher 

48) Seafood choice 

49) Josh 

52) Door section 

53) John Wayne character, 

larger-than-life? 

56) More than suggest 

57) Recording studio alert 

58) Water sport 

59) Some antique autos 

60) Family men 

61) Bud holder 

1M l.1 1 b 

Richard Auer 

ATA 

N A p 

I G H 5 

0 

T 30 1 3e 

D D 

E E 

N 

7th June 

DOWN 

1) Island south of Florida 

2) Dismounted 

3) Archer or Heche 

4) Endless faultfinder 

5) Home of the John Deere 

headquarters 

6) Like beverages at barbecues 

7) A 1 Capp character 

8) Fielder's choice? 

9) Trooper's warning 

10) Wood-surface applications 

11) Tropical fruit dance? 

12) Great Salt Lake state 

13) Adjusts, as a spark plug 

18) Multicolored gems 

23) "_ on Down the Road" 

24) Traffic tangles 

25) Eagerness 

26)_ the land (how things stand) 

27) Alamogordo's county 

28) Kinshasa drum? 

29) Australian bush call 

30) Just right 

31) Wonderlands 

33) Southern breakfast dish 

36) Auto despair site? 

37) Marx or Benz 

39) Pirate's knife 

40) Town of many trials and hunts 

42) Plains homes 

43) Plays with crayons 

45) Lecterns 

46) Tim Duncan, for one 

47) Kind of package 

48) Cold spell 

49) Nautical mile 

50) Not going anywhere 

51) Condemn 

54) "Put_ Happy Face" 

55) Photo_ (media events) 


SUDOKU SOLUTIONS 

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52 

56 

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Your Weekly Horoscope: 19 April - 26 April, 2024 

ARIES (MAR 21-APR 20) 

You are likely to do well for yourself on the 

professional front. Realising a handsome 

amount from someone is possible on the 

financial front. Your health consciousness is 

likely to contribute towards maintaining good 

health. Busy schedule may not leave enough 

time for you to enjoy the social scene. You can expect the 

full support of your family in all your endeavours. An evening 

out, just for a drive, will give you much fun. Shifting to a new 

house is indicated, especially for those getting transferred. 

.TAURUS (APR 21-MAY 20) 

Your professional prospects look bright. 

Career enhancement through promotion 

is possible for people in uniform. A social 

event may engross you totally and give you a 

solid sense of achievement. Diet control may 

become the key to your remaining fit. On the 

home front, looking at the positive side of life will help boost 

optimism. If you are undertaking a journey today, you are 

certain to make good time. A suitable accommodation is 

yours and that too is within your budget. 

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUN 21) 

Popularity on the social front is set to rise, 

as you remain at your helpful best. The 

chances of enjoying a vacation look strong. 

Efforts to grow financially strong are likely to 

show positive results soon. Health remains 

good. Today, you are likely to impress those 

who matter on the professional front. Your foresight is likely 

to prove a big asset on the academic front. You are set to 

enjoy a family gathering today. 

CANCER (JUN 22-JUL 20) 

Some of you are likely to top an exam or crack 

a competition. Homemakers may organise a 

function at home. Some of you are likely to 

get a good bargain on property. A new vehicle 

is on the cards for some. The much-awaited 

feedback on the work front is likely to come 

positively in your favour. Selective eating will keep you fit as 

a fiddle. Money from some unexpected source may come to 

you and make your bank balance healthy. 

LEO (JUL21-AUG 20) 

Payments may get delayed but will be 

received. Health needs to be guarded, 

especially for those suffering from lifestyle 

diseases. The family will go all out to make 

you comfortable. The chance of meeting 

a celebrity on a journey is possible. This 

is the right time to plan for the future on the professional 

front. Seizing an opportunity to go on a trip will be in your 

interest. Don't be hasty in disposing of your property as loss 

is foreseen. 

VIRGO (AUG 23-SEP 23) 

Financially, you are likely to remain in a 

comfortable position. Regular workouts 

will help in keeping fit. Things turn 

favourable at work, as your contribution gets 

acknowledged. The home front requires your 

attention, so don't neglect it. A pilgrimage is 

possible and is likely to prove most fulfilling. Buying a new 

property cannot be ruled out for some. Expect to get VIP 

treatment, as your social life perks up. 

LIBRA (SEP 24-OCT 23) 

You will be keen to impress those who matter 

on the professional front. Being regular in 

your workouts will prove good for your health. 

You will be much more conscious of your 

financial situation now, than previously and 

budget your expenses. Organising a function 

or an event on the home front can keep some busy today. 

A good understanding with someone influential will be of 

much advantage to you. A long journey is possible. 

SCORPIO (OCT 24-NOV 22) 

Good financial planning can get you in a 

happy state. Professional front brightens 

up for some as new projects come your way. 

Some of you are likely to participate in a funfilled 

activity on the home front. Resuming an 

exercise routine is indicated for some. Getting 

something new may get some youngsters all excited. A trip 

may get cancelled or postponed. Some sacrifice on your part 

will be required to get close to your partner emotionally. 

SAGITTARIUS (NOV 23-DEC 21) 

You are likely to adopt healthy options to 

achieve total fitness. You are likely to grasp 

a situation on the work front quickly and turn 

it to your advantage. There are indications 

that some of you can be asked to travel out 

of the station on short notice. A lucrative deal 

that brings in good returns is likely to be seized. Religiousminded 

will be able to achieve total peace of mind. Socialise 

more. Nearness to partner brings comfort and immense 

happiness. 

CAPRICORN (DEC 22-JAN 21) 

Completing an assigned job will give you 

the edge at work. Discussing investment 

options with a financial expert will help you 

make the correct decision. Homemakers may 

be tempted to buy an appliance or gadget. 

Your fitness regime will benefit. Property 

investments may not get immediate results but promise big 

money at a later date. The desire for a change of scene may 

take you out on an exotic vacation. The feeling of something 

good happening to you may persist today. 

AQUARIUS (JAN 22-FEB 19) 

You are likely to benefit immensely by making 

health your priority. Despite rising expenses, 

you will be able to remain fairly well off 

financially. You may have to seek alternatives 

if you are unable to accomplish something at 

work. Efforts on the academic front put in now 

will pay rich dividends later. People are likely to appreciate 

your upholding the family traditions. A chance to convert an 

official trip into a leisurely one may come to some. 

PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 20) 

An active lifestyle will help keep minor 

ailments at bay. You will manage to plan your 

expenses well to remain within the budget. 

Homemakers will need to be motivated to 

go in for cleaning and painting of the house. 

A promotion or increment is likely for some, 

especially those in the armed forces. Those travelling on a 

long journey will be able to find entertaining company en 

route. The social front can keep some busy entertaining 

guests.


FEATURE 17 

Ingredients 

• 2 cups, 4 handfuls, fresh 

shiitake mushrooms 

• 1 1/3 to 1 1/2 pounds thin 

cut chicken breast or chicken 

tenders 

• 2 tablespoons light colored oil, 

such as vegetable oil or peanut 

oil 

• Coarse salt and coarse black 

pepper 

• 3 cloves garlic, chopped 

• 1 inch ginger root, finely 

chopped or grated, optional 

• 1 orange, zested 

• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced small 

• 1 small tin, 6 to 8 ounces, sliced 

water chestnuts, drained and 

chopped 

• 3 scallions, chopped 

• 3 tablespoons hoisin, Chinese 

barbecue sauce, available on 

Asian foods aisle of market 

• 1/2 large head iceberg lettuce, 

core removed, head quartered 

• Wedges of navel orange -- 

platter garnish 

Methods 

• Remove tough stems from 

Healthy cooking every day 

Barbecued Chinese chicken lettuce wraps 

mushrooms and brush with 

damp towel to clean, Slice 

mushrooms. Chop chicken 

into small pieces. 

• Preheat a large skillet or wok 

to high. 

• Add oil to hot pan. Add chicken 

to the pan and sear meat by 

stir frying a minute or 2. Add 

mushrooms and cook another 

minute or two. Add salt and 

pepper to season, then garlic 

and ginger. 

• Cook a minute more. Grate 

zest into pan, add bell pepper 

bits, chopped water chestnuts 

and scallions. 

• Cook another minute, 

continuing to stir fry mixture. 

Add hoisin Chinese barbecue 

sauce and toss to coat the 

mixture evenly. 

• Transfer the hot chopped 

barbecued chicken to serving 

platter and pile the quartered 

wedges of crisp iceberg lettuce 

along side. 

• Add wedged oranges to platter 

to garnish. 

• To eat, pile spoonfuls into 

lettuce leaves, wrapping 

lettuce around fillings 

and squeeze an orange 

wedge over. 

Sweet and sour glazed shrimp 

Ingredients 

• 1/4 cup Chinese plum sauce 

• 1/4 cup ketchup 

• 2 teaspoons soy sauce 

• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red 

pepper flakes 

• 1 1/4 pounds medium shrimp, 

peeled and deveined and tails 

removed 

• Kosher salt and freshly ground 

black pepper 

• 1 tablespoon peanut oil 

• 2 scallions, thinly sliced (white 

and green parts kept separate) 

• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 

• 1 teaspoon finely chopped 

peeled fresh ginger 

• 3 tablespoons unseasoned 

rice wine vinegar 

• Cooked white rice, for serving, 

optional 

Method: 

• Stir together the plum sauce, 

ketchup, soy sauce and 

pepper flakes in a small bowl 

and set aside. 

• Sprinkle the shrimp with salt 

and pepper. 

• Heat the oil in a medium skillet 

over medium-high heat. 

• Add the shrimp to the skillet 

and cook, stirring occasionally, 

until just cooked through, 2 to 

3 minutes. 

• Transfer to a plate. 

• Add the scallion whites, garlic 

and ginger to the skillet and 

cook, stirring constantly, until 

soft, about 1 minute. 

• Add the vinegar and scrape 

up any brown bits that cling to 

the bottom of the skillet. Add 

the plum-ketchup sauce and 

bring to a simmer. 

• Return the shrimp to the skillet 

along with the scallion greens 

and give the skillet a swirl to 

bring everything together. 

• Divide among 4 plates 

and serve with white 

rice if using. 

Grilled fish tacos with lime slaw 

Ingredients 

• 2 1/2 cups shredded coleslaw mix 

• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced 

• Juice of 1 lime, plus wedges for serving 

• 3/4 teaspoon sugar 

• Kosher salt 

• Vegetable oil, for the grill 

• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 

• 1 1/2 pounds skinless grouper or other firm 

white fish, halved crosswise 

• 8 corn tortillas 

• Fresh cilantro, Mexican crema and salsa verde, 

for serving 

Methiods: 

• Toss the slaw mix, red onion, lime juice, sugar 

and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl; set aside. 

• Preheat a grill to medium. Oil the grates. Mix the 

cayenne with 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl; 

rub all over the fish. Grill until well marked on 

the bottom and the fish releases easily from the 

grill, about 6 minutes. Flip and grill until cooked 

through, 4 to 6 more minutes. Transfer to a 

cutting board and slice or flake the fish. 

• Meanwhile, wrap the tortillas in foil and warm on 

the grill, about 4 minutes. 

Divide the fish among the warm tortillas. Top with 

the slaw, cilantro, crema and salsa verde. Serve with 

lime wedges. 

Lighter Takes 

& Easy Tips 

Chicken stir-fry 

Ingredients 

• 2 tablespoons dark sesame oil, 

divided 

• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced 

• 2 pounds chicken breasts, skinless 

and boneless 

• 1 head broccoli, stems removed 

• 1 dozen mushrooms, sliced 

• 3 carrots, peeled and julienned 

• 1/4 pound green beans, diced 

• 1 head bok choy, chopped 

• 2 to 3 tablespoons teriyaki sauce 

Method 

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a saute 

pan over medium heat. Add garlic 

and stir. 

• Place the chicken in the pan and 

brown 4 minutes on each side. 

Remove from pan, slice into strips, 

set aside. 

• Heat remaining tablespoon of oil 

Ingredients 

• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive 

oil, plus more for the pan 

• 1 pound carrots, thinly sliced 

• 2 tablespoons honey or agave 

nectar 

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 

• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 

plus lime wedges for serving 

• 4 6-ounce center-cut salmon 

fillets (about 1 1/2 inches thick) 

• Kosher salt and freshly ground 

pepper 

• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 

• Pinch of ground cinnamon 

• 1/3 cup roughly chopped fresh 

mint 

• 1/4 cup sliced almonds 

Method 

• Preheat the broiler. Lightly oil the 

broiler pan. 

• Toss the carrots with 1 tablespoon 

olive oil in a bowl, then spread out 

on one side of the pan. Broil until 

in a wok over high heat. Add the 

vegetables and teriyaki sauce. 

Stir-fry quickly until the vegetables 

begin to soften. 

• Add the chicken strips, combine 

well and continue to cook for 2 to 3 

minutes. Serve immediately. 

Glazed salmon with spiced carrots 

Ingredients 

• 6 taco shells 

• 100 ml salsa sauce 

• 150 gm cheese sauce 

• 50 gm lettuce leaf 

• 50 ml virgin olive oil 

• 5 gm white pepper powder 

• 225 gm paneer 

• 50 gm capsicum (green pepper) 

• 50 gm jalapeno 

• 50 gm coriander leaves 

• salt as required 

• 1/2 teaspoon taco seasoning 

Method 

• Marinate paneer with salt, white 

pepper powder, olive oil & keep 

aside for 10-15 minutes. 

• Heat the griller with some oil and 

grill the Paneer until done. 

• Heat some oil in a pan, add taco 

seasoning, and then add capsicum 

the carrots begin to soften, 2 to 3 

minutes. 

• Meanwhile, whisk 2 tablespoons 

olive oil, the honey, mustard and 

1 tablespoon lime juice in a small 

bowl. 

• Brush the tops and sides of the 

salmon with the glaze. 

• Put the salmon, skin-side down, 

on the other side of the broiler pan 

next to the carrots and season 

with salt and pepper. 

• Broil until the salmon is golden 

• brown and just cooked through 

and the carrots are crisp-tender, 5 

to 7 minutes. 

• Whisk the remaining 1 tablespoon 

each olive oil and lime juice, the 

coriander, cumin, cinnamon, mint 

and almonds in a bowl. 

• Add the carrots and toss to 

combine; season with salt and 

pepper. 

• Serve the salmon with the carrots 

and lime wedges. 

Cornitos grilled paneer tacos with salsa 

and onions. Sauté nicely for 3 to 5 

minutes, then remove from heat. 

• Place Taco shells on boat and 

line them with lettuce. Top them 

with grilled paneer and sauteed 

mixture, coriander leaves and 

jalapeno. 

• Then, spread cheese sauce and 

salsa dip evenly on top and 

sprinkle taco seasoning. Serve 

Tacos with salsa dip.

18 

ENTERTAINMENT 

Richa Chadha 

takes inspiration from Meena 

Kumari for her role in Heeramandi 

Richa Chadha revealed how she delved 

into the iconic performances of 

legendary actor Meena Kumari to craft 

her character in Heeramandi. 

Richa Chadha, who is gearing up for the 

upcoming series Heeramandi: The Diamond 

Bazaar, revealed how she delved into the 

iconic performances of legendary actor Meena 

Kumari to craft her character. 

Richa, who essays the role of Lajjo, a 

courtesan with a captivating persona, shared 

that she found inspiration in Meena Kumari's 

portrayal of Shahibjaan in the timeless classic 

Pakeezah. 

"Carefully observing, learning from and 

taking lessons from Meena Kumari ji's 

character in Pakeezah was a truly enriching 

and deeply transforming experience for me 

ahead of shooting for Heeramandi. 

In the movie Pakezah, Meena Kumari's 

character has a certain tragic depth and 

complexity that resonated with Lajjo, the 

character that I play in the show. I worked on 

the voice and diction, while studying Meenaji's 

work, to the point of imitation sometimes. I 

felt like I was walking in the footsteps of a 

cinematic legend, and it was an honour to 

pay tribute to Meena Kumari ji through my 

portrayal of Lajjo," she said, according to a 

statement. 

Recently, the makers unveiled the trailer. Set 

against the backdrop of the Indian freedom 

struggle of the 1940s, Heeramandi: The 

Diamond Bazaar promises to be an epic saga 

of love, power, revenge, and freedom. Through 

the stories of courtesans and their patrons, 

Raveena Tandon says before 

the corporates came in, 

the pay for actors was far 

less than what it's today. Women 

had to, especially, work for longer 

hours. 

Raveena Tandon has been 

acting in Bollywood for over three 

decades now. The actor has now 

said in an interview with Jist 

News that female actors, like 

herself, had to work on 15-20 

films to earn as much as their 

male co-stars did on just one film. 

“In those days, the money was 

very, very less, especially the pay 

the series delves deep into the cultural reality 

of Heeramandi. 

Bhansali Productions shared the trailer on 

their official Instagram handle. The caption 

reads, "In the glittering, regal halls of Shahi 

Mahal, romance and revolution clash in 

silence...Sanjay Leela Bhansali's sweeping 

saga of love, loss and liberation - Heeramandi: 

The Diamond bazaar..Trailer out now!" 

The intriguing trailer showcases the lives 

of courtesans in Heeramandi, Lahore, British 

India. Mallikajaan (Manisha Koirala) governs 

over an aristocratic courtesan house. She 

plans, fearing no one, until the homecoming 

of her late nemesis' daughter, Fareedan 

(Sonakshi Sinha), which raises 

problems in the household. 

Outside, the city is rolling 

with revolutionaries seeking 

India's independence from 

British domination, with 

Mallikajaan's daughter, 

Bibbojaan (Aditi Rao 

Hydari), joining the 

struggle for freedom. 

Meanwhile, 

Mallikajaan's youngest 

daughter, Alamzeb 

(Sharmin Segal), fantasises 

about falling in love with the 

son of a nobleman, Tajdar (Taha 

Shah Badussha), and wishes to escape 

Heeramandi. 

At one point, it gives glimpses of India's 

freedom struggle and on the other hand, it 

also shows Mallikajaan and Fareedan face off 

Mumbai, It's time for 

women to "break free 

and do more fun stuff" in 

cinema, says Bollywood star Vidya 

Balan, who believes the moment is 

right for such stories to be explored 

following the success of "Crew". 

Starring Tabu, Kareena Kapoor 

Khan and Kriti Sanon, the comedy 

film became a hit at the box office 

and Balan said it was refreshing 

to see women in the movie "not 

taking themselves seriously". 

"Female-led cinema is still in 

its nascent stage. I did ‘Ishqiya’ in 

2008. That was an aberration at 

that time, and then slowly things 

started changing. I feel in the past 

15-16 years, we’ve seen lots of 

women-led films. 

"Now, it's the right time for us 

to break free and do more fun 

stuff, we are taking ourselves so 

seriously. It’s time to step into the 

next phase, which is where you 

don’t take yourself seriously. I love 

that,” Balan, who has headlined 

intense movies such as “Ishqiya”, 

“The Dirty Picture”, “Kahaani”, 

“Sherni” and “Jalsa”, told in an 

interview. 

The National award-winning 

actor said she is constantly looking 

for something new to do. 

"I'm someone who is very 

impatient, gets restless and I feel 

like, ‘I need something new to keep 

me challenged and motivated'... 

I want to do out-an-out comedy, 

then negative and then I’m happy 

to do anything. Someone please 

write an out-an-out comedy ." 


in an epic battle for the title of Heeramandi's 

huzoor. 

Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar is 

scheduled to be out on May 1. The series 

marks Bhansali's debut in the web world. 

Time for women to step into next phase 

and do more fun stuff in films: Vidya Balan 

disparity between actors and 

actresses. The male stars got a 

lot; much, much more. What they 

would make in one film, I would 

make in, say 15 films. For women 

actors… me, personally… actually, 

I can't speak for everybody, I can't 

generalise this. I had to do 15-20 

films to make as much money as 

my male counterparts,” Raveena 

said. 

She said her male co-stars 

like Salman Khan and Aamir 

Khan did far more selective work 

because of the same reason. 

“For everybody overall as well, 

the money was much lesser than 

the situation today. There are 

a lot more corporates coming 

in. It's become a much more 

professional way of doing things, 

which is great actually,” added 

Raveena. 

Raveena Tandon was last seen 

as a lawyer in Patna Shuklla, 

which also stars late actor Satish 

Kaushik and Manav Vij. Patna 

Shuklla dives into the education 

scam of roll numbers that affects 

the lives of thousands of earnest 

students in India. 

Speaking about the film, 

The actor may get her wish 

fulfilled with her new movie "Do 

Aur Do Pyaar", her first romantic 

comedy in a decade. The film, also 

starring Pratik Gandhi opposite her, 

presents a humorous take on love 

and extra-marital relationships. 

The film, directed by debutant 

director Shirsha Guha Thakurta, 

also stars Illeana D'Cruz and 

Sendhil Ramamurthy. 

The actor, whose last rom-com 

was “Shaadi Ke Side Effects” 

opposite Farhan Akthar in 2014, 

believes there are not enough 

romantic comedies being made in 

Bollywood. 

"For some reason, films have 

become intense, they are either 

action packed or thrillers and dark. 

Where are the love stories?" 

Raveena says she did 15 films to earn as much as 

what her male co-stars made with just one movie 

Raveena, who essays the role of 

Tanvi Shukla said in a statement, 

"Patna Shuklla aka Tanvi Shuklla's 

journey is relatable with Indians, it 

is a story of women leading at the 

front and managing her household 

and work life, which certainly is 

every women in our country. I've 

poured a part of myself into my 

character." 

Patna Shuklla is produced 

by Arbaaz Khan. Directed by 

Vivek Budakoti, it's streaming on 

Disney+ Hotstar. 

Raveena will be next seen in 

Ghudchadi and Welcome Back. 


Amitabh 

Bachchan to be 

honoured with 

Lata Deenanath 

Mangeshkar 

award 

Bollywood Megastar 

Amitabh Bachchan will 

be honoured with the 

prestigious third Lata Dinanath 

Mangeshkar award for his 

remarkable dedication to the 

nation, its people, and society, the 

Mangeshkar family announced. 

Previous recipients of this 

esteemed award include Prime 

Minister Narendra Modi and 

popular singer Asha Bhosale. 

Established by the Deenanath 

Mangeshkar Smriti Pratishthan 

in memory of the late Bharat 

Ratna awardee and legendary 

singer Lata Mangeshkar on 

February 6, 2022, the Lata 

Dinanath Mangeshkar award was 

also conferred on several other 

personalities for their outstanding 

contributions to their respective 

fields. 

The Pratishthan decided to 

honour several others with the 

Master Deenanath Mangeshkar 

award: music director AR 

Rahman and veteran Marathi 

actor Ashok Saraf for music; 

Padmini Kolhapure for films; 

singer Roopkumar Rathod for 

Indian music; actor Atul Parchure 

for Marathi theatre; and retired 

teacher and author Manjiri 

Phadke for literature. Additionally, 

actor, producer, and director 

Randeep Hooda received a special 

award for his contributions 

to cinema. The Marathi play 

'Galib' will receive the Mohan 

Wagh Award for best drama. 

The Deepstambh Foundation's 

Manobal project, which provides 

residential training to persons 

with disabilities, orphans, and 

economically disadvantaged 

students, will be recognized for 

its outstanding social service. 

Addressing the press during the 

award announcement, music 

director Hridaynath Mangeshkar 

said that over the past 34 years, 

212 eminent personalities from 

diverse fields have been honored. 

Singer Usha Mangeshkar, 

Hridaynath's son Aadinath 

Mangeshkar, and other dignitaries 

attended the event. 

The award recipients will 

be honored on April 24 at the 

Dinanath Mangeshkar Natyagruha 

in Vile Parle.

The Indian Weekender | 19 April 2024

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