The Indian Weekender | 30 August 2024

Friday, 30 August 2024 

Volume 16 / Issue 23 

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CHEF'S 

FINGERS 

CUT OFF 

New migrant attacked 

with knife-like weapon 

URJITA BHARDWAJ 

Chef Gagon Dhamijaa, whose 

middle and ring fingers were 

severed this week, is facing 

mounting financial worries after the 

attack that has also put his pathway 

to residence in jeopardy. 

“Everything feels over,” he told The 

Indian Weekender days after a man 

slashed his fingers with a knife after 

what seems to have been a rage 

attack on a busy Auckland road on 

August 23, 2024. 

“I can not go so many months 

without work. It is difficult for me to 

sit at home.” 

Given his skills as a chef, 

Dhamijaa cannot work with his 

current employer for at least 18 

months till his fingers regain 

mobility. 

Dhamijaa moved to Auckland April 

last year on an Accredited Employer 

Work Visa (AEWV) to work at Delhi 

Tadka restaurant in the southern 

Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe. 

• Continued on Page 5

Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 30 August 2024 

NEW ZEALAND 3 

Delhi college dropout 

named NZ’s rising real 

estate star 

IWK BUREAU 

“Even though they are back in India, they are 

cheering me on from afar.” Tarun Marwah 

remembers his parents as he recalls how 

the seeds for his success in New Zealand were 

sown back in his hometown of Delhi. 

Tarun was recently awarded the ‘Industrial 

and Commercial Rising Star Award’ by the Real 

Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ), the 

country’s biggest trade body for realtors. 

Tarun is based out of Auckland and works 

with the real estate marketing firm James Law 

Realty. He took the plunge into real estate when 

he was just 17 years old. 

“I was studying at Amity University in Noida 

[a suburb of Delhi]. I decided to drop out and 

jump into the family business as a part-timer,” 

he recalls. 

“I helped with buying and selling properties, 

learning the ropes of the trade. I learned how to 

spot good deals, negotiate like a pro, and pay 

close attention to details. 

"All these lessons have helped shape my 

approach to both business and studies.” 

Tarun arrived in New Zealand to pursue a 

bachelor’s degree in business, specialising in 

marketing. One of the reasons he chose the 

country as his future home was because he 

“heard that New Zealand police don’t even carry 

guns”. 

“It made me think, ‘Wow, this place must be 

super safe!’ I wanted a country where I 

could get a great education and enjoy a 

peaceful life, and New Zealand was the 

perfect fit.” 

Post-grad life wasn’t all sunshine and 

rainbows, though—he started out with 

nothing but sheer 

grit and a dream. 

Before jumping into the property world, 

he worked as a luxury hotel front office 

host, honing his customer service chops 

and mastering 

the art of hustle. 

Tarun joined James Law Realty in 2023. 

Starting from scratch, he was ready to 

take on the typical newbie struggles—but not 

for long. In just 18 months, Tarun went from the 

bottom rung to one of the top agents, reportedly 

hitting six figures within his first six months. 

Tarun’s influence stretches beyond personal 

wins. He’s been busy shaping Auckland’s 

commercial landscape, locking in leases for bigname 

clients like Big Village Clothing and giving 

the city’s food scene a facelift by snagging 

top-tier locations for prime 

hospitality players. 

Looking back, Tarun says, 

“Winning this [REINZ] award 

"I was studying at Amity 

University in Noida [a 

suburb of Delhi]. I decided 

to drop out and jump into 

the family business as a 

part-timer." Tarun Marwah 

was a huge moment 

for my family and 

me. It’s a reminder 

of how far I’ve 

come, and every 

achievement 

feels like a 

victory over the 

odds.” 

Indian products being 

sold as '100% pure NZ' 

RNZ 

A 

Hamilton dairy 

company has been 

fined $420,000 for 

using false claims on its 

packaging. 

Milkio Foods Limited had 

descriptions like '100 per 

cent Pure New Zealand' 

and 'from the clean green 

pasture based dairy farms 

in New Zealand' on its ghee 

products - despite using 

butter imported from India. 

It also used false and 

incomplete information to 

retain approval to use the 

FernMark logo - a trusted 

symbol to identify products 

made in New Zealand. 

The 

Commerce 

Commission was referred 

the case by the Ministry 

for Primary Industries and 

charged Milkio with 15 

breaches of the Fair Trading 

Act. 

The company pleaded 

guilty to the charges. 

When handing down the 

sentence Judge Thomas 

Ingram emphasised the 

significant damage the 

misrepresentations could 

do to the New Zealand 

dairy industry, noting the 

damage was "not merely 

to consumers, but also to 

other producers who rely 

upon brand New Zealand 

in connection with sales of 

dairy products". 

Judge Ingram referred to 

the use of FernMark as the 

cherry on top of Milkio's 

brand positioning strategy, 

intended to provide an 

additional and unassailable 

layer of quality assurance to 

the consumer. 

"In this case the claimed 

level of negligence or 

carelessness reaches a level 

that might fairly be described 

as wilful blindness, perhaps 

to the point of commercial 

sleepwalking." 

"In this case the 

claimed level 

of negligence 

or carelessness 

reaches a level 

that might fairly be 

described as wilful 

blindness, perhaps 

to the point of 

commercial 

sleepwalking." 

Commerce Commission 

fair trading general manager 

Vanessa Horne said it was 

an important case for the 

commission to prosecute 

because of the global value 

of New Zealand's export 

brand. 

"New Zealand has built an 

international reputation for 

high quality dairy products, 

which underpins the value 

of our dairy industry and 

exports. 

"Milkio took advantage 

of this reputation to 

promote their own 

products through the use 

of descriptions like 'from 

the clean green pasturebased 

dairy farms in New 

Zealand', and 'produced and 

manufactured in pristine 

New Zealand' despite some 

of their products using 

imported butter from India." 

She said this conviction 

should serve as a warning to 

others who might be looking 

to falsely claim the New 

Zealand brand. 

Five people charged for ACC travel fraud 

RNZ 

Five people have been charged over 

a "significant" fraud involving ACC's 

travel reimbursement claims. 

Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Neilson 

said the five were believed to be the key 

people behind the fraud. 

"Due to the large scope of offending, 

police are making further enquiries and 

further charges are being considered." 

The five were accused of misusing an 

online platform to get money through the 

reimbursement process. 

"In November 2023, police were alerted 

to a co-ordinated operation where the 

alleged offenders were engaged in creating 

fraudulent ACC claims," Neilson said. 

All five of those arrested faced two 

charges of accessing a computer for 

dishonest purposes. Three women, aged 

31, 24, and 36, and a man, 41, were due 

to appear in Hamilton District Court on 

Thursday. A woman, 42, was due to appear 

in Manukau District Court the same day. 

ACC deputy chief executive service 

delivery Michael Frampton said ACC's 

teams had worked with external 

forensic experts to conduct a thorough 

investigation. 

"Our investigation into the fraudulent 

travel reimbursement claims showed there 

was no evidence that ACC's cyber security 

had been compromised. 

"Maintaining the privacy of client 

information is of utmost importance to 

us and clients who use our MyACC selfservice 

application can be assured the 

platform is safe to use and their data is 

secure." 

Date set for Auckland liquor restrictions 

RNZ 

Auckland Council has unanimously 

voted for off-licenses to stop 

selling alcohol after 9pm, setting a 

date for the changes. 

Supermarkets and liquor stores will be 

required to implement the change from 9 

December. 

The Auckland Local Alcohol Policy, 

approved by council on Thursday, will 

also see a two-year freeze on new bottle 

shops opening in some town centres from 

16 September. 

The council says the new rules will 

reduce alcohol-related harm. 

Before voting, Deputy mayor Desley 

Simpson spoke on the 10-year legal battle 

with Woolworths and Foodstuffs, which 

delayed the policy's implementation. 

"There's a colloquial saying 'good 

things take time' - in this case 4917 

days." 

Community advocates in attendance 

from Communities Against Alcohol Harm, 

Otara Gambling and Alcohol Action Group, 

and Turehou Māori Wardens cheered 

and clapped after the alcohol policy was 

approved. 

Mayor Wayne Brown was absent 

from the vote but arrived immediately 

after. Desley Simpson confirmed he had 

been speaking at the Building Nations 

Infrastructure Conference. 

Manurewa-Papakura Ward councillor 

Angela Dalton criticised supermarket 

chains that opposed the policy. 

"It's unacceptable for to make profit out 

of harm to vulnerable people." 

She said the vote was a milestone for 

Auckland and would set a precedent for 

other councils across the country.

4 

NEW ZEALAND 


Read online www.iwk.co.nz 

Auckland Sri Ganesh temple to 

host Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 

IWK BUREAU 

The Auckland Sri Ganesh 

Temple is gearing up for 

a grand celebration of 

Ganesha Chaturthi 2024, one 

of the most important Hindu 

festivals, which honours the birth 

of Lord Ganesha, the remover of 

obstacles and the god of wisdom 

and prosperity. 

The event will take place on 

Saturday, 07 September 2024, 

from 4:30 AM to 10:00 PM at the 

Auckland Sri Ganesh Temple. 

The temple invites all devotees 

and well-wishers to participate 

in a day filled with rituals, 

prayers, and community spirit. 

The schedule includes an array 

of spiritual activities, beginning 

with the temple opening at 4:30 

AM, followed by special poojas, 

abhishekams, and homams 

throughout the day. 

Event Highlights: 

• Morning Poojas (5:00 AM 

- 7:30 AM): The day will 

start with the Asta Dravya 

Sahitha Moola Mantra 

Homam, Vigneswara Pooja, 

Puniyaha Vachanam, Dravya 

Abhishekam, and Special 

Arathi, blessing attendees 

with divine energy and peace. 

A breakfast prasadam will be 

served at 7:45 AM. 

• Mid-Morning Poojas (10:00 

AM - 2:00 PM): The spiritual 

activities will continue with 

the 108 Sankha Pooja and the 

Uchikala Pooja, concluding 

with the Maha Deeparathanai, 

a traditional offering of light to 

the deity. 

This celebration 

is a beautiful 

opportunity for the 

Hindu community in 

Auckland and across 

New Zealand to come 

together in devotion 

and unity. 

• Evening Program (5:30 

PM - 8:30 PM): The 

evening will feature the 

108 Kalasabishekam and 

Atharvashirsha Homam, 

culminating in a grand 

procession (Tiruveethi Ula), 

which will see Lord Ganesha 

paraded around the temple 

grounds in a colourful and 

vibrant display of devotion. 

Prasadam will be distributed 

to all attendees throughout the 

day, and the temple encourages 

the community to come together, 

partake in the rituals, and seek the 

blessings of Lord Ganesha during 

this auspicious occasion. 

10-Day Special Event: In 

addition to the Ganesha Chaturthi 

celebration, the temple will also 

host a 10-day special event from 

08 September to 17 September 

2024, featuring daily special pooja 

abhishekams and processions 

to continue the festivities and 

devotion. 

• Special Pooja Registrations: 

• Morning Homam: $101 

• Chaturthi Archana: $15 

• 108 Kalasabishekam 

Sponsorship: $101 

Those interested in participating 

in these special poojas can 

register by contacting the temple 

priest or trustees at 022 034 

3536 (Mr. Vijay), or by visiting 

the temple’s official Facebook 

page at www.facebook.com/ 

officialASGT. 

This celebration is a beautiful 

opportunity for the Hindu 

community in Auckland and 

across New Zealand to come 

together in devotion and unity. 

With the vibrant rituals and 

cultural festivities, it promises 

to be a spiritually uplifting 

experience for all who attend. 

The Auckland Sri Ganesh 

Temple, dedicated to Lord 

Ganesha, serves as a spiritual hub 

for Auckland’s Hindu community. 

It regularly hosts religious 

ceremonies, cultural events, and 

community gatherings to foster 

a sense of devotion and unity. 

For more information, visit the 

temple’s official Facebook page or 

contact Tiru Balakrishnan (Temple 

Community Relations) at 027 387 

2129. 

Mahesh Kale 

set to enchant 

Auckland on 

Sunday 

Mahesh Kale/Facebook 

IWK BUREAU 

Auckland is gearing up 

for a night filled with the 

enchanting melodies of 

Indian classical and traditional 

music as the renowned vocalist 

Mahesh Kale is set to perform on 

September 1, 2024. 

Known for his profound mastery 

of the genre, Kale’s concert is 

eagerly awaited as one of the 

most anticipated cultural events 

in the city this year. 

The performance, which 

will be held at the Dorothy 

Winstone Centre, is a highlight 

of his Australia New Zealand 

tour and promises an evening 

rich in musical heritage and 

captivating artistry. 

This event, meticulously 

organised by Shanayaan Arts and 

CFI Events with the backing of the 

Mohan Nadkarni Foundation and 

the Migrant Heritage Charitable 

Trust, marks Kale’s first-ever 

performance in New Zealand. His 

arrival has sparked considerable 

excitement among music 

enthusiasts, particularly those 

who appreciate the nuanced 

beauty of Indian classical music. 

Kale, who has earned a global 

reputation for his exceptional 

skills in both classical and semiclassical 

music, is expected to 

deliver a performance that will 

leave a lasting impression on all 

who attend. 

Shanayaan Arts’ Hemant 

Shirsat expressed his enthusiasm 

for the upcoming concert, 

emphasising the unique 

experience that Mahesh Kale 

brings to his audience. “Attending 

a Mahesh Kale concert is more 

than just listening to music; it’s a 

captivating experience. 

He has a rare ability to connect 

with his audience through his 

“The response has 

been great from not 

only the Marathi 

community but 

also from other 

communities who are 

fans of Mahesh Kale. 

With only a few tickets 

remaining, I would 

encourage everyone 

to get theirs soon.” 

Hemant Shirsat 

mastery of classical, semiclassical, 

and devotional music. 

His performances are not just 

about the music itself but also 

about the stories and the context 

behind each piece, which he 

shares with the audience in a way 

that makes the music come alive.” 

Kale will be accompanied by a 

group of highly skilled musicians 

from India, further enhancing 

the richness of the musical 

experience. 

The evening’s programme will 

feature an eclectic mix of Bhajans, 

Abhangas, Natyasangeet, 

and Thumris, showcasing 

Kale’s versatility and his deep 

understanding of the various 

forms of Indian classical and 

semi-classical musical genres. 

These genres, each with its 

own distinct style and emotional 

depth, will offer the audience a 

comprehensive journey through 

India’s rich musical traditions. 

The response to the concert has 

been overwhelming, with ticket 

sales reflecting the broad appeal 

of Mahesh Kale’s music. 

Shirsat noted that the 

enthusiasm extends beyond the 

Marathi community, with many 

others eager to witness Kale’s 

performance. 

“The response has been 

great from not only the Marathi 

community but also from other 

communities who are fans 

of Mahesh Kale. With only a 

few tickets remaining, I would 

encourage everyone to get theirs 

soon.” 

CFI Events’ Ram Iyer says, “It’s 

his maiden trip to New Zealand 

and he has mentioned in his 

promo that firsts are always 

special.” 

Adding to the evening’s allure, 

attendees will also be able to 

indulge in delicious homemade 

food available for purchase from 

local caterers. 

For families with young children, 

a child- minding service will be 

available at the venue, though 

spots are limited and filling up 

fast. 

This concert is poised to be a 

memorable event for Auckland’s 

diverse community, offering 

an opportunity to experience 

the profound beauty of Indian 

classical music. 

As Kale makes his first 

appearance in New Zealand, his 

performance is set to be a night 

to remember, blending cultural 

heritage with musical excellence 

in a way that only he can deliver. 

Don’t miss out on this 

extraordinary musical evening— 

secure your tickets before they’re 

gone!


NEW ZEALAND 5 

'A well-built man stormed out 

with a large knife-like object' 

• Continued from Page 1 

He is now anxious about 

providing for his four-year-old 

son and his wife, who joined him 

from India only last month and 

earns only “a modest income”. 

Adding to his woes, Dhamijaa’s 

AEWV expires in 20 months, but 

his recovery is expected to take 18 

months. This leaves him in a dire 

situation to manage his current 

household expenses and with 

limited time to work before his 

visa expires. 

Dhamijaa was attacked while 

driving to Otahuhu to buy a 

second-hand car. As he drove 

along Great South Road, a car 

honked “aggressively” behind him. 

“I thought the car was in a hurry, 

so I let it pass,” he recalled. But 

the car swerved abruptly in front 

of him, forcing him to stop. 

“A well-built man stormed out, 

with a large knife-like object. He 

said, ‘You just wait. I’ll tell you,’ 

and attacked me,” Dhamijaa 

shared. 

His fingers were slashed in 

the assault. He was rushed to 

Middlemore Hospital, where 

surgeons managed to reattach his 

fingers. 

Dhamijaa says when he first 

arrived on an AEWV, the company 

that hired him turned out to be a 

fraud, and the employer fled the 

country. He was then hired as 

an asbestos removal worker but 

was not able to work a single day 

under the said company. 

“I managed to secure a new 

visa and job, but then my mother 

passed away, and I had to return 

to India for four months while she 

was still sick.” 

Dhamijaa was expected to 

resume work next month but as 

a result of this injury he will be 

unable to work for a prolonged 

period of time. 

Now, with his savings depleted, 

Dhamijaa is considering a career 

shift, but he worries about 

“I didn’t know about the 

ACC scheme at the time 

of my accident, and I’m 

unsure if the necessary 

forms were completed 

during my hospital 

visit.” Gagon Dhamijaa 

changing employers again. 

Vandana Rai of Aucklandbased 

Immigration Advisers New 

Zealand Ltd says New Zealand 

has a strong history of protecting 

and promoting human rights at 

home and internationally. 

“Publicly available information 

indicates that the International 

Convention on the Protection of 

the Rights of all migrant workers 

and members of their families, 

of which New Zealand is not yet 

a signatory, mandates countries 

to safeguard the right to life 

for migrant workers and their 

families.” 

Rai points out Article 16 of 

the convention guarantees 

that migrant workers and their 

families have the right to effective 

protection by the state against 

violence, physical harm, threats, 

and intimidation, whether these 

come from public officials, private 

individuals, groups, or institutions. 

“Considering the unfortunate 

circumstances, and human 

cost involved, Immigration New 

Zealand must treat the case as an 

exception rather than routine,” she 

adds. 

As for Dhamijaa’s current 

situation, a claim with the 

Accident Compensation 

Corporation (ACC) is still in 

process. 

“I didn’t know about the 

ACC scheme at the time of my 

accident, and I’m unsure if the 

necessary forms were completed 

during my hospital visit,” 

Dhamijaa says. 

The ACC provides financial 

compensation to those who suffer 

personal injuries, but Dhamijaa’s 

unfamiliarity with the process 

has left him uncertain about his 

options. 

Ethnic liaison officers from 

the New Zealand Police reached 

out to him this week to provide 

guidance and support. 

“Two Kiwi-Indian officers came 

to my home and reassured me 

they would help me through every 

step of my recovery,” Dhamijaa 

said. 

Dhamijaa’s work visa expires in 

20 months, which leaves him with 

limited time to work before his 

visa expires. 

“I will also hire a lawyer to help 

me out with the intricacies of the 

next step of my employment,” 

he says. 

Strong winds 

disrupt flights 

at Wellington 

Airport 

Strong winds at Wellington 

Airport have caused 11 

flights coming in and out of 

the capital to be cancelled, and 

hundreds in the city are without 

power. 

In a statement, Air New Zealand 

said flight NZ417 was returned to 

Auckland after it was unable to land 

from gusty weather, and customers 

would be accommodated on the 

next available service. 

Customers were advised to 

check their flights on the Air 

New Zealand app and website 

for updates. Wellington Airport 

warned there might be further 

disruptions. 

Meanwhile, almost 250 

properties were without power in 

the capital. 

Crews were working to fix the 

fault after the outage happened 

at 11.30am, affecting more than 

20 streets in Petone. Wellington 

Electricity said the outage was 

caused by damage to its overhead 

network equipment. 

The power was estimated to be 

restored by 5pm. 

MetService has forecast a heavy 

rain watch and a strong wind watch 

with gusts expected to reach up to 

100km/h for Wairarapa, Wellington 

and the Marlborough Sounds 

through to 4pm on Thursday. 

The north-to-northwest winds 

may approach severe gale in 

exposed places, it said. 

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6 

NEW ZEALAND 



Crispy potato wafts 

Kiwi-Indian chef to 

victory at Tapas contest 

IWK BUREAU 

It may have been his first-ever 

culinary arts competition, 

but that didn’t stop Kiwi- 

Indian chef Chetan Saini from 

making it into the top three at the 

prestigious Australasia Tapas 

Competition over the weekend. 

Held at Ignite Skills cookery 

school in Manukau, the event 

saw 28 talented chefs 

from both sides of the 

Tasman battle it out 

for the grand title of 

Australasia Tapas 

Champion, and the 

chance to represent 

the region at the World 

Tapas Competition in 

Spain later this year. 

Chetan’s crispy 

potato and smoked 

kahawai brandade dish was 

a show-stopper, topped off with 

kawakawa emulsion and beetroot 

caviar, and served in a smokedfilled 

bespoke box. It earned 

him third place overall, and high 

praise from the judges, including 

celebrity chef Peter Gordon 

who described his creation as 

“fantastic”. 

Currently a sous chef at Michael 

Meredith’s acclaimed restaurant 

Mr. Morris, Chetan has been 

in the industry for eight years, 

and jumped at the chance to 

showcase his skills at this year’s 

competition. 

“I really tried to showcase New 

Zealand natives in my tapas 

dish – kahawai, manuka and 

kawakawa,” he says. “The event 

was a lot of fun and I’ll definitely 

continue doing more competitions 

in the future,” he says. 

“My favourite part was seeing 

all the competing chefs’ hard work 

and creations on the plate. Placing 

in the top three in this competition 

means a lot to me, and my goal is 

to one day represent New Zealand 

in Spain at the World Tapas 

Competition.” 

This year that honour went 

“My favourite part 

was seeing all the 

competing chefs’ hard 

work and creations on 

the plate. Placing in 

the top three in this 

competition means a 

lot to me, and my goal 

is to one day represent 

New Zealand in Spain 

at the World Tapas 

Competition.” Chetan 

to Paris Butter head chef Zach 

Duxfield, whose sensational 

‘mince and mushrooms on toast’ 

earned him the opportunity to 

compete against the best on the 

planet at Valladolid City Hall in 

Spain from November 11 to 13. 

Executive Pastry Chef at Pullman 

Hotel, Manoj Deigiri, came in a 

close second with his mouthwatering 

duck liver and chocolate 

pate, and special awards went 

to Makarand Karkhanis (Most 

Fusion Flavour), Jamie Johnston 

(Most Innovative Tapas), and 

Melbourne-based chef Miguel 

Rios (Most Creative Tapas). 

Now in its sixth year, the 

high-pressure Australasia Tapas 

Competition cook-off gives 

competitors just 25 minutes to 

create their tapas dish, which is 

then presented to a panel of top 

foodies, including World Tapas 

Competition Director Angel 

Moreton and celebrity chefs Peter 

Gordon, Sid Sahrawat and Simon 

Gault. 

“Every year the dishes get better 

and better,” says Simon. “In the 

early days of this competition 

the dishes were too big, but now 

chefs are really understanding 

the concept of tapas, and they are 

creating incredible dishes that are 

just one or two bites.” 

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NEW ZEALAND 7 

The Kiwi-Indian shaping 

student success at Unitec 

IWK BUREAU 

opportunity for them to interest the 

client with their skills.” 

Malama Saifoloi, Academic 

Programme Manager at Unitec, 

says Sanjeev's keen interest in 

applied research in the supply 

chain and operations field is key to 

his students’ success. 

“It’s a dynamic discipline – 

“It’s incredibly satisfying to see 

students receive job offers 

as a result of their hands-on 

experiences.” 

Sanjeev Vellore Ranganathan’s 

focus on real world experiences 

strikes you as he begins to talk 

about what he loves about his work. 

The man from Hyderabad has built 

quite a reputation for himself at 

Unitec, where he works as a senior 

lecturer in management. 

“I enjoy placing students in the 

industry. The biggest roadblock for 

migrant students here is a lack of 

New Zealand experience. I try to 

bridge that gap.” 

Sanjeev teaches applied 

operations, a Level 7 course, 

and supply chain design at the 

Masters for Applied Business at 

Unitec’s Mount Albert campus. 

He is also co-ordinator of the 

Bachelor of Business and Bachelor 

of Accounting Internship-Based 

Learning (IBL) programme at the 

facility. 

His focus on job placements 

features in nearly every 

conversation you have with his 

colleagues. 

“My work requires me to be in 

touch with the market, and that 

comes in handy when I am getting 

students placed in internships or 

connecting them with prospective 

employers,” he says. 

Sanjeev moved from India to 

Australia in 2005 for his masters 

in logistics.. He lived their for six 

years doing private jobs, then went 

Sanjeev Vellore Ranganathan at Unitec's Mount Albert campus in Auckland. (Supplied photo) 

back to India before arriving in 

New Zealand. 

“I like the peace and calm of this 

country. My stints in Mumbai and 

Sydney were quite hectic,” says 

Sanjeev, who lives in Auckland 

with his wife and two children. 

He took the plunge in the 

education industry once he moved 

to New Zealand, taking guest 

lectures and picking up extra 

teaching assignments. 

A big part of his role at Unitec is 

to work with students on real time 

problems, which requires him to 

set up industry gigs for his pupils. 

“Just a few days back we went to 

Gilmours for an industry visit. We 

converted that into an assessment 

for students. 

"This way they got realtime 

experience, and it also created an 

“It’s a dynamic discipline – 

constantly changing. Sanjeev 

researches local and global 

trends, so he knows how best 

to prepare students and how to 

keep the IBL programme and 

his teaching relevant." Malama 

Saifoloi, Academic Programme 

Manager at Unitec. 

constantly changing. Sanjeev 

researches local and global trends, 

so he knows how best to prepare 

students and how to keep the 

IBL programme and his teaching 

relevant," she explains. 

Sanjeev's teaching style 

balances research-based insight 

with a keen eye for practicality – 

he wants to set his students up 

to hit the ground running as they 

start their careers. 

He uses a mixture of lectures, 

group work, and one-on-one 

support to make learning as 

effective and engaging as possible. 

"Sanjeev's classes have always 

been closely linked with the real 

world," explains former student 

Ricky Dragland, who now works 

as National Workshops & Reverse 

Logistics Manager at FujiFilm NZ. 

Ricky frequently thinks back to 

his classes with Sanjeev. "A lot 

of his teaching and advice I still 

use every day, in both work and 

personal life." 

Ma'ata Lavaki Ma'u, Student 

Representative with Chartered 

Accountants Australia and New 

Zealand, points to Sanjeev's ability 

to deliver complex academic 

concepts alongside realistic 

workplace advice. 

"His seminars taught me and my 

fellow students a lot about being 

professional and self-reliant in the 

workplace," she explains. 

Sanjeev's teaching style 

balances research-based insight 

with a keen eye for practicality 

– he wants to set his students 

up to hit the ground running as 

they start their careers. He uses 

a mixture of lectures, group work, 

and one-on-one support to make 

learning as effective and engaging 

as possible. 

"Sanjeev's classes have 

always been very engaging 

and closely linked with the real 

world," explains former student 

Ricky Dragland. Now working as 

National Workshops & Reverse 

Logistics Manager at FujiFilm NZ, 

Ricky frequently thinks back to his 

classes with Sanjeev. 

"A lot of his teaching and advice 

I still use every day, in both work 

and personal life," Ricky says. 

Flatmates fight to get compensation for living in mouldy home 

CHARLOTTE MULDER/RNZ 

A 

group of young women are 

fighting to get the money 

owed by their former 

landlord after living in a house 

with black mould, mushrooms and 

windowless bedrooms. 

The landlord told the tenants 

that the conditions were normal, 

but she was fined $4463.30 by the 

Tenancy Tribunal. 

Lexi Muir, Mitaruna Tipene, and 

another flatmate, paid $900/week 

for the four-bedroom property in 

the Wellington suburb of Hataitai. 

"It was a little shoebox room. 

No windows, tiny, but it was under 

$200, so I was broke, keen, and I 

took it," Muir said. 

They moved in February 2023 

and were initially happy with the 

property. 

However, when winter arrived 

Muir said they realised the house 

was not up to standard. 

"Mushrooms lining the walls, 

and when the wall was finally 

pulled down there was black 

mould everywhere." 

The property also had rotten 

window frames in one of the 

bedrooms, which fell out twice 

during their tenancy. 

It made it impossible to find 

new tenants for that room, forcing 

the remaining tenants to pay 

more rent. Housing health expert 

Dr Lucy Telfar-Barnard said such 

conditions would have negative 

consequences on those living 

there. 

"Mould can cause skin 

and eye irritation, can create 

allergic reactions and a range of 

respiratory symptoms needing 

coughing, wheezing and so on. If 

you have asthma, it can bring on 

an asthma attack or just make it 

more wheezy in general," she said. 

Looking back, Muir struggled to 

understand how they managed to 

live in the conditions. 

"There were nights we didn't 

even want to make dinner 

because it was so cold. There was 

definitely an element of just sort 

of like depression that came with 

living like that. 

"Waking up in a cold house, 

your day's ruined from the start. I 

was going to uni just to get warm 

basically." 

A recent report from Consumer 

NZ said approximately one-third 

of renters experience a problem 

with dampness and mould, while 

21 percent said they could not 

afford to adequately heat their 

homes. 

Muir tried to raise her concerns 

with landlord Laura Mursell but 

"Mould can cause skin 

and eye irritation, can 

create allergic reactions 

and a range of 

respiratory symptoms 

needing coughing, 

wheezing and so on. 

If you have asthma, it 

can bring on an asthma 

attack or just make 

it more wheezy in 

general." 

says she was repeatedly brushed 

off. 

"When I asked if we could get 

the vent and the kitchen fixed, 

she asked if I wanted to move out 

because I sounded ungrateful," 

Muir said. They eventually made 

minor fixes themselves, but said 

they were dismayed at being 

ignored. 

"It was just becoming a 

nightmare." 

Muir's tenancy ended in 

October 2023, after being granted 

an early release. After some 

encouragement from their peers, 

the three tenants took Mursell to 

the Tenancy Tribunal in February. 

At the tribunal, the judge said 

tenants would be compensated 

for not living in an HHS-compliant 

house. 

Muir and her flatmates have 

been blocked from their exlandlord's 

contact, with no 

compensation in sight. After six 

months the amount has built 

up to $4,824. The Ministry of 

Justice's Tracey Baguley said the 

responsibility of recovering the 

money awarded at the tribunal 

lay with the person owed the 

debt. Community law legal expert 

Rupert O'Brien said the tenants 

had to do everything on their own. 

"They have to protect their 

interests and protect their rights 

and tendencies. Compliance is out 

there doing their best and they're 

trying to deal with the worst 

cases, but they're pretty limited 

in their resources and they don't 

deal. 

"You have the right to a decent 

home and now they've not only 

got to take the tribunal case but 

now the enforcement as well," he 

said. 

Renters United president Zac 

Edwards said vulnerable renters, 

such as young people, often faced 

a power imbalance with landlords. 

"You might get sick because of 

living in an unhealthy home. That 

might mean that you have to take 

time off work, which might put you 

behind in rent payments because 

you don't have as much income, 

adding to stress and making you 

more sick," he said. 

Mursell has not responded to 

any of RNZ's attempts to contact 

her for comment.

For Sponsorship And Table Bookings 

Ravi Bajpai: ravi@indianweekender.co.nz


NEW ZEALAND 9 

Migrant students: Can NZ benefit 

as Canada, Australia cap intake? 

Lovejit Singh 

New 

Zealand has a reputation 

for a welcoming 

environment and excellent 

education, making it an ideal 

destination for international 

students. 

By 2023, more than 69,000 

international students will 

be enrolled in New Zealand 

universities, showing a promised 

recovery from the Covid-19 days. 

However, this number is only 

about 60 per cent of the pre 

pandemic level, indicating fierce 

competition in other countries. 

If New Zealand is to remain the 

dominant choice, it must address 

the rising cost of living, especially 

housing and food. 

China, India, Japan, South Korea 

and Thailand send a chunk of New 

Zealand’s international students. 

Students from these countries 

know studying abroad can be 

expensive. 

Starting October 1, 2024, new 

visa fees will be introduced for 

international students, and these 

additional costs may further 

burden them. 

To counteract this, universities 

might need to enhance financial 

aid and offer discounted housing, 

while policymakers could focus on 

maintaining affordability. 

Australia and Canada’s 

strategic shifts 

Australia’s recent move to cap 

international student enrolments 

at 270,000 by 2025 highlights the 

impact of migration on housing 

and infrastructure. 

The University of Melbourne 

has cautioned that this cap, 

while addressing immediate 

concerns, might harm education 

and the economy in the long 

run. International education 

contributes AUD36.4 billion to 

As other countries, 

like Australia and 

Canada, make it 

harder for students 

to enroll, New 

Zealand must remain 

affordable and 

appealing to attract 

students. 

Australia’s economy. 

Similarly, Canada’s restrictions 

on international student numbers, 

driven by housing affordability 

issues, are causing concerns. 

If these limitations become 

stringent, Canada’s economy 

and job market could suffer, 

given its reliance on international 

students. 

The Implications for New 

Zealand 

Zealand faces similar 

challenges with rising living costs 

and global competition. Cities 

like Auckland and Wellington are 

experiencing increased prices 

for essentials, which could deter 

international students. 

As other countries, like Australia 

and Canada, make it harder for 

students to enroll, New Zealand 

must remain affordable and 

appealing to attract students. 

Students from regions such 

as South Asia, Iran, and Nigeria 

are increasingly considering the 

US, Germany, Italy, and Austria 

due to more accessible policies 

compared to Australia, Canada, 

and the UK. 

New Zealand’s ambitious goal 

to expand its international student 

base by 2027 is achievable but 

hinges on addressing rising living 

costs. 

With Australia and Canada 

imposing enrollment restrictions, 

New Zealand has an opportunity 

to stand out as a top destination. 

However, achieving this will 

require a focus on maintaining 

affordability and creating a 

supportive environment for 

international students. 

To secure its position as a 

leading educational destination, 

New Zealand must balance 

growing its international student 

population with providing a 

stable and affordable experience, 

despite the challenges of 

rising living costs and global 

competition. 

(The writer has years of work 

experience in the international 

education sector in sales, 

marketing and student support.) 

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10 

NEW ZEALAND 

Kerala community 

unites for tug-ofwar 

showdown 



BLESSEN TOM/RNZ 

New Zealand's Kerala 

community came together 

at Auckland's Manukau 

Tennis Centre for a spirited tugof-war 

competition on Saturday. 

Tug-of-war, also known as 

vadam vali, is a traditional sport 

with deep roots in the southern 

Indian state of Kerala. 

The competition in South 

Auckland brought the Kerala 

community together for the first 

time at a national level. Previous 

tournaments had been held in 

regional centres. 

Tug-of-war is an athletic 

contest in which two teams at 

opposite ends of a rope try to drag 

the other across a centre line. 

Auckland-based Thekkans 

won the competition by defeating 

Brisbane Sevens from Australia in 

the final. 

Titled Mamankam 2024, the 

competition was organized by 

Auckland Malayali Samajam and 

featured more than 150 players 

across 15 teams from New 

Zealand and Australia. 

"This is the first time we are 

hosting a vadam vali competition 

here in Auckland, and it is the 

biggest ever," said Robin Babu, 

president of Auckland Malayali 

Samajam. 

Traditionally celebrated around 

the harvest festival Onam, tugof-war 

had become increasingly 

popular in New Zealand, Babu 

said. 

Teams travelled from 

Whangārei, Auckland, Hamilton, 

Nelson, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki and 

Christchurch to compete in the 

tournament. 

Additionally, a self-declared 

"undefeated" team from Australia 

travelled across the ditch to battle 

for the trophy. 

"We expected more teams from 

Australia, but unfortunately, some 

of the team members had visa 

delays," Babu said. 

Babu said the event also 

featured food stalls offering 

traditional southern Indian and 

Kerala cuisine for the community 

to enjoy. 

"The current team was formed 

in 2016, and we've managed 

to win 14 championships. 

Luckily, we haven't lost any 

contest in the past couple of 

years." Arun Kalluparampil 

Although the origins of tug-ofwar 

are uncertain, the sport was 

believed to trace its roots back to 

ancient India, Greece, Egypt and 

China. 

Tug-of-war appeared in five 

Olympic Games from 1900 until 

1920, with team sizes ranging 

from five to eight members. 

Great Britain was the world 

leader in the event, winning two 

gold medals, 

two silvers and a 

bronze. 

Tug-of-war 

was once a 

popular sport 

in rural New 

Zealand, 

but interest 

has declined 

over the years. 

RNZ reported in 

2020 that only two 

Arun Kalluparampil, captain of Brisbane 

Sevens. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom 

clubs were left - Te Awamutu and 

Hastings. 

Arun Kalluparampil, captain of 

Brisbane Sevens, has competed in 

the sport since 2011. 

"The current team was formed 

Fifteen teams from New Zealand and Australia competed in one of the country's largest tug-of-war competitions on 

Saturday. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom 

Robin Babu is the president of Auckland 

Malayali Samajam. Photo: RNZ / Blessen 

Tom 

in 2016, and we've managed 

to win 14 championships," 

Kalluparampil said. "Luckily, we 

haven't lost any contest in the 

past couple of years." 

He said competition was fierce 

in Australia, with multiple national 

competitions held every year. 

"I can see that the sport is being 

picked up by many here in New 

Zealand," he said. 

Mebin John, who has been 

competing for two years, agreed. 

"The interest in the sport is 

growing here," he said. 

John, who is also the secretary 

of the Auckland Malayali 

Samajam, said his West Auckland 

team, the Western Knights, 

practiced every day leading up to 

the competition. 

"We've had tug-of-war teams 

since 2013, but only now has 

it gone professional, thanks to 

increasing support and interest 

from the Kerala community," John 

said. 

He extended an invitation to 

the wider Kiwi community to 

participate in future competitions. 

"Everyone is welcome to join 

us," John said. 

Woman says she waited 16 hours at hospital ED 

NATALIE AKOORIE/RNZ 

A 

woman waited more 

than 16 hours at Waikato 

Hospital's emergency 

department with suspected 

internal bleeding only to be 

referred back to her GP. 

The patient, who does not want 

to be named, spoke to RNZ from 

within the ED detailing distressing 

scenes from an overnight wait for 

a doctor. 

"An elderly man was in a 

wheelchair. His wife had gone up 

to the counter many times. 

"He was shaking. His body was 

going into shock because he was 

in so much pain." 

She said about 25 patients in 

the waiting room helped care 

for the man, lifting him out of 

the wheelchair and onto a more 

comfortable chair. 

The man had suffered a heart 

attack earlier in the day. 

"They got sent up here via 

ambulance and he'd had a few 

more heart attacks while sitting 

here and they were just waiting 

for hours." 

Another case involved a 

pedestrian hit by a car. 

"It took about 12 hours for her to 

get an ultrasound that the police 

requested she get." 

Another patient waited 90 

minutes in an ambulance before 

A source said that some people were waiting 10-12 hours at Waikato Hospital ED to see a 

doctor, even with the most serious conditions. Photo: RNZ / Simon Rogers 

even being brought into the 

waiting room. 

"They're telling people when 

they come in it's a seven-hour 

wait, but it's actually about 27 

hours." 

A source close to the ED said 

patients were not being seen in 

primary care or could not afford it 

so larger numbers were arriving in 

ED much sicker. 

They said Waikato ED had lost 

experienced nurses, its IT systems 

were outdated and inefficient, and 

there were backlogs on the wards 

because there were not enough 

community care beds available 

such as in rest homes and mental 

health settings. 

"Wait times are very bad, 

sometimes up to 10 or 12 hours 

to see a doctor even with the most 

serious conditions. 

"We've had critical incidents of 

people being unable to get into a 

bed and becoming very unwell in 

the wait room." 

They said patients could be 

in an ED bed for up to 48 hours 

without being able to get onto a 

ward, which meant ED staff could 

not access new patients. 

"So sometimes there's up to 50 

people in the wait room with one 

or two nurses looking after them 

so the staff are burnt out and not 

able to give care properly. 

"A lot of us are trying to do the 

best we can while we're at work. 

But a lot of us are very frustrated. 

We're very angry. There's such a 

disconnect with Te Whatu Ora." 

Association of Salaried Medical 

Specialists (ASMS) executive 

director Sarah Dalton said 

the woman's experience was 

"unfortunately" increasingly 

common throughout the country. 

"We know that there are 

significant staffing shortages 

both in ED and other parts of the 

hospital which make it harder to 

see patients in a timely fashion 

or... admit them to the appropriate 

ward. 

"I don't know what has to happen 

to get the message through to 

Te Whatu Ora leadership and 

ultimately the government that 

our health system, our hospitals, 

in particular key services like ED 

and mental health services, (must 

be) more appropriately resourced 

- I just don't know what it's going 

to take." 

Dalton said vacancies were not 

being filled making the situation 

"near enough" to a recruitment 

freeze. 

"That tells me that health 

leaders are more concerned about 

budgets and balance sheets than 

they are about caring for people. 

"The sad story is that many 

people are going to have to wait 

for a very long time to be seen. 

"This is obviously something 

that is very distressing for 

patients. It's also very distressing 

for the staff that want to care for 

them." 

Health Minister Dr Shane Reti 

acknowledged New Zealanders 

were often waiting a long time in 

EDs, particularly in winter. 

"That's why this government 

has introduced a target that 95 

percent of patients are admitted, 

discharged or transferred from an 

ED within six hours. 

"I have also set up a Ministerial 

Health Workforce and System 

Efficiencies Committee, led by Dr 

Andrew Connolly, to provide me 

with regular insights advice about 

our health workforce directly, 

without being filtered through 

layers of officials." 

Reti said he planned to visit 

Waikato Hospital soon to discuss 

its challenges with frontline health 

workers. 

Health New Zealand Te Whatu 

Ora Waikato operations group 

director Michelle Sutherland 

said there hadn't been any extra 

demand at Waikato Hospital 

during the past few weeks. 

She said during times when 

there were high numbers of acute 

patients, non-urgent cases could 

face extended waits. 

"In those instances we 

encourage non-urgent patients to 

seek treatment in an appropriate 

clinical setting."


NEW ZEALAND 11 

Uber drivers applaud landmark 

employment court ruling 

BLESSEN TOM/RNZ 

Some drivers at global 

ridesharing giant Uber have 

welcomed a New Zealand 

court's decision to classify 

them as employees rather than 

contractors. 

In 2022, the Employment Court 

handed down a landmark decision 

against Uber, granting workplace 

protections to four Uber drivers. 

The ruling provided the drivers 

with employee benefits, including 

leave entitlements, holiday pay 

and the minimum wage. 

Uber appealed against the 

decision in June 2023, but the 

Court of Appeal rejected the 

challenge on Monday, ruling in 

favour of the drivers. 

"I think the decision is really 

good," said Asesh Narayan, a fulltime 

Uber driver from Auckland. 

Narayan, who has been driving 

for the rideshare company since 

2021, believed the decision would 

significantly benefit drivers. 

"Uber has so many drivers in 

Auckland now that you can't make 

a living out of it anymore," he said. 

"It takes ages to get a ride these 

days." 

Narayan said ride requests had 

declined dramatically in recent 

months. Murali Radhakrishnan, a 

driver from New Plymouth, shared 

a similar view. 

"The earnings were pretty good 

when the economy was in better 

shape, but now it's much less," 

he said. Radhakrishnan, who has 

been driving for Uber for the past 

18 months, said fewer people 

appeared to be using the app. 

"I used to make about $250 on a 

good day here in Taranaki, but now 

Uber drivers rally outside the Court of Appeal in Wellington on March 19. Photo: RNZ / Pretoria Gordon 

that's gone down to $50 to $100 a 

day," he said. 

He said while the number of 

drivers hadn't increased much 

in the region, the number of 

ride requests had significantly 

declined. 

Jojo George, who drove parttime 

for Uber in Auckland until 

about 12 months ago, quit after 

struggling to secure enough rides. 

"I used to have days where I 

could make between $1,000 and 

$2,000, but those days are long 

gone," George said. 

He appreciated the flexibility of 

being a contractor, allowing him 

to work on weekends, but said 

that Uber's market dominance had 

made things difficult, particularly 

with changes in pricing and surge 

rates. 

"We used to get 1.2 to 2.2 times 

the normal rate during peak hours, 

but now Uber's pricing changes 

mean we only get a dollar or two 

extra, which doesn't help," he said. 

"Given the current situation, 

being an employee might be 

a better option than being a 

contractor." 

Mathews Biju, who used to drive 

Uber for more than 12 hours a day, 

had also reduced his hours. 

"All my friends used to drive 

part time, but most of them have 

stopped because it's not practical 

anymore," Biju said. 

Biju echoed the same concerns 

Two NZ universities at high 

risk as finances worsen 

JOHN GERRITSEN/RNZ 

Universities' finances are 

worse than they appear, 

a commercially sensitive 

Tertiary Education Commission 

briefing paper says. 

The March briefing, provided to 

RNZ under the Official Information 

Act, classified two universities as 

high risk and cast doubt on sector 

forecasts of net profits in the next 

two years. 

It also warned a drop in capital 

spending could cause some 

universities' facilities to become 

substandard or even unusable. 

The report said the sector's 

$138 million surplus in 2023 

was driven by one-off gains and 

increased trust fund valuations 

which hid an underlying deficit of 

$66m. 

"We consider this is more 

reflective of performance from 

core operations and the pressure 

that the sector is facing," the 

report, for Tertiary Education 

Minister Penny Simmonds, said. 

The eight universities had 

forecast a collective $42m deficit 

this year, a figure equivalent to 0.9 

percent of their expected income, 

it said. 

"Four universities have 

budgeted for a deficit, two are 

budgeting for a break-even result, 

and two are expecting to produce 

a surplus." 

Universities provided the same 

forecasts to RNZ in July. 

The report cast doubt on the 

sector's expectations of a $44m 

surplus in 2025, increasing to 

$129m in 2026. 

"This is predicated on increases 

to both domestic and international 

enrolments while expenditure 

growth is constrained. This will 

be a difficult equation to manage, 

with individual performance 

expectations varying over this 

period. 

There remains a considerable 

number of profitability challenges 

for the sector - particularly for 

Massey University." 

The report said universities' 

expenses were expected to rise 

more than their income. 

"I think the decision 

is really good. Uber 

has so many drivers in 

Auckland now that you 

can't make a living out 

of it anymore. It takes 

ages to get a ride these 

days." Asesh Narayan 

It said universities were 

deferring capital spending, but 

some of the projects were needed. 

"For several universities (e.g. 

Massey, [Victoria University 

of Wellington], Waikato and 

Otago), we are concerned that 

they do not have the base level 

of performance required to 

deliver their capital programmes, 

especially given ongoing 

construction price inflation. 

There is a risk that the backlog 

of deferred maintenance and 

upgrades mean some universities 

will not be able to use certain 

assets (e.g. due to seismic or 

compliance issues) and/or they 

are unable to offer facilities that 

meet students' needs (or that are 

comparable to other universities)." 

The warnings come as the 

government faces significant 

costs related to its dissolution 

of mega-institute Te Pūkenga 

and reform of polytechnics and 

industry training, and amid an 

independent review of universities 

due for completion early next year. 

as other drivers, now only driving 

on occasion. 

"The number of trips has 

declined, and with factors such 

as rising petrol prices and car 

maintenance costs, it simply isn't 

favourable for drivers anymore," he 

said. 

"I don't think anyone can make 

money driving for Uber these 

days." Biju said that while people, 

including himself, would be willing 

to work for Uber if they were 

guaranteed at least a minimum 

wage, he's doubtful whether Uber 

could implement such changes. 

On Monday, Uber Australia and 

New Zealand managing director 

Emma Foley said it would seek to 

appeal the decision again. 

"The court's decision 

exacerbates the current state 

of uncertainty for workers who 

value the flexibility of contracted 

arrangements and for businesses 

across New Zealand that rely on 

contractor workforces," she said. 

She added there was an 

urgent need for certainty in the 

law pertaining to contractor 

arrangements. 

"We believe such arrangements 

- where people have genuine 

flexibility and are also free to work 

for other companies, including 

competitors - are an important 

feature for all industries across 

New Zealand in the 21st century. 

"Ninety percent of drivers and 

delivery people tell us that they 

would not keep earning with Uber 

if the current flexibility of the work 

were to go away. 

"Flexibility and choice are 

hallmarks of today's modern 

workforce, and Kiwis deserve 

certainty when it comes to the type 

of work they choose to do." 

In June, Workplace Relations and 

Safety Minister Brooke van Velden 

began working on law changes that 

could prevent workers classified as 

contractors from challenging their 

employment status in the courts. 

FIRST Union and E tū Union have 

since called for the minister to 

drop her expedited plans. 

The Labour Party celebrated the 

Court of Appeal's decision, saying 

Uber drivers deserved to be treated 

fairly and protected by law. 

The Green Party urged the 

government to respect the court's 

decision and not tamper with 

employment protections. 

Biju said people only worked for 

Uber these days out of desperation 

to earn a little cash but believed 

that the glory days of driving for 

Uber had passed. However, he 

remained hopeful that the situation 

could improve if Uber made its 

drivers permanent employees. 

"I think a lot of people will return 

to driving cabs if Uber does that," 

he said.

Editorial 

Brain drain a strong 

wake-up call 

New Zealand is currently facing a challenging period as more 

citizens are leaving the country than arriving. 

This trend is expected to have wide-reaching consequences 

on productivity, the tax base, and the ability to fund essential sectors 

like healthcare and aged care, particularly as the population ages. 

Recent statistics show a troubling pattern: over 130,000 people 

departed New Zealand in the year ending June 2024, marking the 

highest level on record. Among these, over 85,000 were New Zealand 

citizens. 

This departure of skilled workers and professionals presents a 

serious issue for the country’s workforce, as it leads to a shrinking 

pool of talent. 

The loss of these individuals, who often occupy critical roles, 

threatens to slow down economic growth and innovation. 

It also raises concerns about the ability to maintain essential 

services, given that many who leave are from sectors such as 

healthcare, education, and other vital industries. 

The economic impact of this exodus is also likely to be severe. 

As more people leave, the tax base will inevitably shrink, reducing 

government revenue. 

This decline comes at a time when the demand for public services, 

particularly in healthcare and aged care, is increasing due to the 

aging population. 

The strain on these services could grow, with fewer professionals 

available to meet the rising needs and less funding to support these 

crucial sectors. 

The situation creates a difficult cycle. High living costs, rising 

interest rates, and limited job opportunities are pushing people to 

seek better prospects abroad, particularly in neighbouring Australia. 

As more individuals leave, the economy may weaken further, 

leading to even more departures. 

This trend is reminiscent of previous periods when New Zealand 

experienced a similar outflow of talent, but the current global 

economic challenges and New Zealand’s unique situation could 

make the impact more severe. 

To address this issue, New Zealand must work on creating a more 

favourable environment for its citizens. 

This could involve improving economic conditions, ensuring 

that the cost of living is manageable, and providing better job 

opportunities besides reversing the increasingly worrisome law and 

order situation. 

Additionally, policies aimed at retaining skilled workers, such as 

incentives for professionals in key sectors to remain in the country, 

could help to slow the rate of emigration. 

It is also crucial to focus on integrating and retaining migrants 

who choose to move to New Zealand, ensuring that they contribute 

to the economy in the long term. 

The current situation presents a critical juncture for New Zealand. 

The outflow of talent and workers is not just a passing trend but a 

reflection of deeper issues within the country’s economic and social 

fabric. 

This moment calls for introspection and decisive action. 

New Zealand must not only address the immediate economic 

factors driving people away but also reimagine its long-term strategy 

for retaining talent and ensuring sustainable growth. 

By focusing on creating a more resilient and attractive environment 

for both current residents and potential immigrants, New Zealand 

can turn this challenge into an opportunity to build a more robust 

and inclusive future. 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK 

“There is always light. If only we’re brave 

enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to 

be it.” — Amanda Gorman 

IN FOCUS : Picture of the week 

Participants take part in the traditional Panjat Pinang game climbing to the top of 

greased tree poles to collect prizes as part of the annual celebration of Indonesia’s 79th 

Independence Day in Jakarta. (Yasuyoshi Chiba) 

This week in New Zealand’s history 

23 August 1947 

Assisted immigration resumes after war 

The first draft of 118 British immigrants arrived in Auckland on the New Zealand Shipping 

Company liner Rangitata. They were among 77,000 men, women and children who arrived 

from Great Britain under the assisted immigration scheme between 1947 and 1975. 


Wellington steam-tram service opened 

The governor, the Marquess of Normanby, formally opened the new service, which was 

said to be the first in the southern hemisphere. 


New Zealand soldier executed 

After being found guilty of desertion, 28-year-old Private Frank Hughes was killed by 

a firing squad in Hallencourt, northern France. He was the first New Zealand soldier 

executed during the First World War. 


First flight across Cook Strait 

Captain Euan Dickson completed the first air crossing of Cook Strait, flying a 110-hp Le 

Rhone Avro from Christchurch to Upper Hutt with the first air mail between the South and 

North Islands. 


Telegraph line laid across Cook Strait 

After two bungled attempts and near disaster at sea, the installation of the first 

communications cable between the North and South Islands of New Zealand was 

completed. A simple copper telegraph cable was laid on the sea floor from Whites Bay, north 

of Blenheim, to Lyall Bay on Wellington’s south coast. 


New Zealand Coat of Arms warranted 

On 26 August 1911 King George V signed the Royal Warrant, addressed to the Earl Marshal, 

assigning the first NZ Coat of Arms (officially the Armorial Bearings of the Dominion of 

NZ). The Warrant was published in the New Zealand Gazette on 11 January 1912. 

Indian Weekender : Volume 16 - Issue 23 

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

Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 9 August 2024 

FIJI 13 

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24th November 2024 

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Please scan the QR code to register your 

expression of interest

14 

INDIA 

President Droupadi Murmu 

has voiced her deep dismay 

and horror in her first public 

remarks regarding the brutal rape 

and murder of a trainee doctor 

in Kolkata earlier this month. 

Speaking to PTI, the President 

expressed her anguish over the 

crime saying "enough is enough" 

and urging society to confront the 

chronic issue of violence against 

women. 

The President's remarks come 

as nationwide protests continue 

in the wake of the discovery of 

the 31-year-old doctor's body at 

Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College 

and Hospital on August 9. The 

case has ignited widespread 

outrage, with citizens from 

various walks of life joining the 

demonstrations. 

President Murmu condemned 

the continued threat posed by 

criminals, even as the nation 

rallies in support of justice. 

“Even as students, doctors 

and citizens were protesting in 

Kolkata, criminals remained on 

the prowl elsewhere,” PTI quoted 

President Murmu as saying. 

"No civilised society can allow 

daughters and sisters to be 

subjected to such atrocities," 

she added, stressing the need 

for "honest, unbiased selfintrospection" 

within society to 

address the root causes of these 

heinous acts. The President also 

spoke out against the "deplorable 

mindset" that often sees women 

as lesser beings—less powerful, 

less capable, and less intelligent. 

She lamented the "collective 

amnesia" that has plagued Indian 

society in the years since the 


Kolkata rape-murder: President 

Murmu slams society's ‘collective 

amnesia’ on violence against women 

Jaishankar lauds Chile's support 

for India’s UNSC bid in opening 

of Joint Commission meeting 

External Affairs Minister S 

Jaishankar welcomed his 

Chilean counterpart Alberto 

van Klaveren for the India-Chile 

Joint Commission meeting and 

said that the two nations have a 

lot to discuss. 

"It's really a great pleasure 

to have you all here for the 

meeting of the second India- 

Chile Joint Commission meeting," 

Jaishankar said in his opening 

remarks at the India-Chile Joint 

Commission meeting. Jaishankar 

also highlighted Chile's active 

participation in the Voice of Global 

South Summit, held in August, 

where Chilean President Gabriel 

Boric delivered insightful remarks. 

"We very much value the 

participation of Chile in the 

Voice of Global South Summit," 

Jaishankar said, underscoring 

India's appreciation for Chile's 

continued support, including its 

endorsement of India's bid for 

permanent membership in the 

Expanded Security Council. 

Jaishankar acknowledged 

Chile's involvement in the 

upcoming Trade and Economic 

Ministers meeting in November 

2023, further cementing economic 

ties between the two countries. 

"We heard your President, he 

gave a very very insightful set 

of remarks at the summit in 

August. We also thank you very 

much for your support for our 

permanent membership in the 

expanded Security Council. Your 

own participation in the Trade and 

"No civilised society 

can allow daughters 

and sisters to be 

subjected to such 

atrocities," said 

Murmu, stressing on 

the need for "honest, 

unbiased selfintrospection." 

2012 Nirbhaya case, highlighting 

that countless rapes have been 

forgotten over time. 

"This collective amnesia is 

obnoxious," she said, urging 

the nation to face its history of 

violence against women squarely. 

“Let us deal with this perversion 

in comprehensive manner to curb 

it right at the beginning,” President 

Murmu said. 

The Kolkata incident has 

sparked renewed criticism of 

the government's handling of 

crimes against women, with 

many questioning the efficacy of 

existing measures. 

A civic volunteer has been 

detained in connection with the 

Kolkata case, but the victim's 

family alleges that the crime was 

a gang rape involving multiple 

perpetrators. The Supreme Court 

has since ordered a national task 

force to investigate how security 

for healthcare workers can be 

bolstered, describing the incident 

as one that has “shocked the 

conscience of the nation.” 

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets Chile Foreign Minister 

Alberto Van Klaveren, in New Delhi. 

Economic Ministers meeting in 

November 2023 is also something 

we appreciate very deeply. I think 

today we have a lot to discuss," 

Jaishankar said. 

The meeting was expected 

to cover a wide range of topics, 

with representatives from various 

Indian ministries in attendance to 

discuss areas of mutual interest. 

Foreign Minister Klaveren 

arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday for 

an official visit aimed at enhancing 

bilateral cooperation. Following 

the Joint Commission meeting, he 

is scheduled to participate in the 

Chile-India Business (Agriculture) 

Summit before departing for 

Mumbai. 

The Ministry of External Affairs 

(MEA) previously described 

Chile as a "key partner of India 

in the Latin American region," 

emphasizing that the visit would 

provide an opportunity to review 

and expand bilateral relations. 

India concerned over situation in West 

Asia; emphasises dialogue, diplomacy 

India on Wednesday expressed 

The two sides also discussed 

its concern at the “escalating 

issues of bilateral interest and 

situation in West Asia and 

reviewed the entire gamut of 

emphasised restraint, dialogue, 

bilateral endeavours. They also 

and diplomacy” during foreign 

office consultations with Israel in 

exchanged views on the situation 

in the Indo-Pacific. 

New Delhi. 

India initially expressed 

The Indian side reiterated its 

condemnation of the October 7 

solidarity with Israel in the wake 

of the attacks on Israel by Hamas. 

terror attacks on Israel by Hamas 

Following concerns expressed 

and called for a ceasefire, the 

immediate release of all hostages, 

by India’s partners in the Arab 

world, New Delhi adopted a more 

and continued humanitarian 

nuanced position and called for 

assistance, according to a Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri with Israel’s foreign secretary Yaakov Blitshtein during a return to the path of dialogue 

statement from the external affairs foreign office consultations in New Delhi. (X/@ReuvenAzar) 

to find a lasting solution. It also 

ministry. The Indian side at the 

consultations was led by foreign 

the escalating situation in West 

Asia and emphasised restraint, 

on Israel, the Foreign Secretary 

called for the unconditional and 

reiterated its support for a twostate 

solution. 

secretary Vikram Misri, while dialogue, and diplomacy,” the immediate release of all hostages, India’s concerns have also 

the Israeli delegation was led by statement said. 

ceasefire, the need for continued grown at the mounting death toll 

Yaakov Blitshtein, director general “Reiterating India’s strong humanitarian assistance, and in Gaza because of the Israeli 

of the foreign ministry. 

and unequivocal condemnation adherence to international offensive, which has resulted in 

Misri shared “India’s concern at of the October 7 terror attacks humanitarian law,” it said. 

more than 40,000 deaths. 


India, EU 

launch new 

funding 

initiative for 

research 

cooperation 

The Council of Scientific and 

Industrial Research (CSIR) 

and the European Union 

on Wednesday launched a joint 

funding initiative to foster research 

cooperation under a programme 

named after Marie Curie that 

supports research and innovation. 

The initiative will be under the 

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions 

(MSCA) staff exchanges, which 

is part of Horizon Europe, the 

EU’s research and innovation 

programme. The CSIR will top up 

selected MSCA staff exchanges 

projects, enabling its institutes 

to engage in joint research with 

European and international 

partners. 

The new partnership will 

strengthen research and 

innovation ties between Europe 

and India and drive scientific 

and technological progress by 

enhancing bilateral institutional 

cooperation, collaborative 

research and researcher 

exchanges under Horizon Europe, 

the EU said in a statement. 

CSIR scientific and technical 

staff will be seconded to European 

research organisations for 

knowledge-sharing and research 

activities. This will promote 

“balanced researcher mobility 

and long-term collaborations”, the 

statement said. 

The funding, for the period 

2025-2027, will be open to 

any CSIR institution involved 

in successful projects that are 

selected under the upcoming staff 

exchanges calls. 

Through its staff exchanges 

scheme, the MSCA promotes 

collaborative research, knowledge 

transfer and innovation by 

supporting the secondment of 

research and innovation staff 

within international consortia of 

organisations based in the EU, 

countries associated to Horizon 

Europe and third countries. 

EU ambassador Hervé Delphin 

said the co-funding initiative 

marks a “watershed moment in 

EU-India research cooperation”. 

The initiative will support the 

political commitment to enhancing 

scientific excellence and peopleto-people 

connectivity, as 

outlined in the EU-India joint 

roadmap 2025. 

“Facilitating exchanges between 

our most brilliant researchers will 

turbocharge joint innovation in all 

domains and pool our expertise to 

better address global challenges 

that impact our economies and 

societies,” he said. 

CSIR director general N 

Kalaiselvi said: “We are excited 

to join forces with the EU on this 

transformative initiative. The Marie 

Skłodowska-Curie Actions staff 

exchanges co-funding programme 

will not only boost the exchanges 

of our researchers but also forge 

stronger institutional ties and 

foster groundbreaking research 

collaborations.”


WORLD 15 

Chinese students to learn about 1962 

India-China war in latest history books 

New Chinese history 

textbooks to be rolled out 

for school students next 

month includes information about 

the 1962 India-China war, media 

reports said on Wednesday as 

Beijing focusses on strengthening 

a sense of national security among 

its citizens and pushes to embed 

President Xi Jinping’s political and 

economic philosophy in society. 

The textbooks – which also 

contain a rare mention of the 

1979 China-Vietnam war – will 

be distributed from the upcoming 

autumn semester in Chinese 

schools to students in the first 

and seventh grades, a report in 

the Hong Kong-based South 

China Morning Post (SCMP) said, 

citing national broadcaster, China 

Central Television (CCTV). 

“The new history textbooks will 

include the brief but bloody border 

war in 1962 between China and 

India, which ended with India’s 

Former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru addresses jawans in Ladakh in 1962. 

defeat after four weeks,” the 

SCMP report said without sharing 

details about what and how much 

information about the war will be 

in the books. 

A Chinese education ministry 

official said the new content 

would “allow students to deeply 

understand that national security 

Sunita Williams' husband and 

mother break silence over her 

extended stay on ISS 

Sunita Williams and 

Barry Wilmore, 

two NASA astronauts, 

arrived at the International Space 

Station on 5 June on Boeing's 

Starliner spaceship. 

They are expected to stay 

there until February 2025, when 

SpaceX is scheduled to bring 

them back to Earth.They both 

were scheduled to return to Earth 

in the same spacecraft in 8-10 

days. However, their arrival was 

delayed and they remained stuck 

at the International Space Station 

(ISS) following helium leaks and 

thruster issues. 

NASA administrator Bill Nelson 

declared that while Starliner will 

return without crew, the two will 

come back to Earth in February 

aboard a SpaceX capsule. 

Nelson informed reporters 

that “space flight is risky even at 

its safest and even at its most 

routine.” On being asked about 

the decision to keep them on the 

ISS, he said the move to return 

the Starliner without Williams 

and Wilmore “is the result of our 

commitment to safety,” as “our 

core value is safety.” 

While Williams 

and Wilmore prepare for the long 

haul, the former's family has 

opened up about her delay in 

return to Earth from space. 

Her husband, Michael J. 

Williams, and astronaut mom, 

Bonnie Pandya, appeared to be 

less worried about how Sunita is 

faring while up in space. 

“That's her happy place,” stated 

Michael in an interview to the Wall 

Street Journal in August 2024. 

Meanwhile, Bonnie Pandya 

is a top priority and that everyone 

has a responsibility to safeguard 

it”. Inclusion of information on the 

1962 war comes in the backdrop 

of the ongoing border tension 

between the two Himalayan 

neighbours in the western sector, 

triggered after a standoff between 

border troops in May, 2020, 

stated she is unbothered if her 

daughter is taking longer than 

expected to return to Earth, 

stating that Wilmore and Williams 

are both working hard at their 

jobs at the ISS. 

In an interview with NewsNation 

host Andrew Cuomo on CUOMO, 

Pandya called her daughter a 

“seasoned astronaut.” 

followed by a deadly clash in 

eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley in 

June that year. 

The clash along the Line of 

Actual Control (LAC) left 20 Indian 

and four Chinese soldiers dead, 

plunging bilateral ties to the lowest 

level since the 1962 war. 

Several rounds of diplomatic 

and military talks have failed to 

fully resolve the ongoing tension 

and both sides continue to deploy 

thousands of troops and heavy 

weaponry along the LAC in eastern 

Ladakh. 

To be sure, China rarely brings up 

the 1962 war in official narratives 

though it has intermittently allowed 

the ongoing tension, especially 

videos of the brutal Galwan 

Valley clash, to be circulated 

on social media. 

In October 22, Chinese 

authorities played People’s 

Liberation Army (PLA) footage 

of the Galwan Valley clash at the 

This undated handout picture from Nasa released on July 2, 2024 shows NASA's Boeing 

Crew Flight Test astronauts (from top) Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams inside the 

vestibule between the forward port on the International Space Stations Harmony module 

and Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. (AFP) 

“I don’t give her any advice. 

She knows what to do. She is a 

seasoned astronaut. She’s been 

up for over 400 days in space,” 

the proud mother stated. 

Pandya, who spoke to her 

daughter two days back, stated 

that Sunita told her “not to 

worry about her”, ensuring that 

“everything’s going to be fine”. 

Elon Musk throws shade at Boeing as SpaceX 

set to rescue Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore 

Elon Musk poked fun 

at Boeing on Tuesday, 

mocking the SpaceX 

rival over the Starliner mishap. 

In a hilarious exchange 

with Tesla investor John Hanna, 

the 53-year-old businessman on 

X, formerly Twitter, the 53-yearold 

businessman quipped about 

a potential collaboration between 

the two companies he founded. 

This comes after NASA 

announced that astronauts Sunita 

Williams and Butch Wilmore will 

be returning to Earth in SpaceX 

Crew-9 next February. 

Elon Musk throws shade at 

Boeing with potential Tesla/ 

SpaceX collaboration 

The South African-born 

American investor joked on 

his social media platform on 

Tuesday, “Potential Tesla/SpaceX 

collab: ride hailing works even if 

you’re in space!” Musk's remark 

came in response to Hanna's 

tweet, “Who would have guessed 

that SpaceX would beat Tesla to 

market with a ride hailing service?” 

His response quickly went viral, 

garnering 37.6 million views at 

the time of writing. Netizens also 

joined in on the fun, with American 

actor and film producer Kevin 

Sorbo commenting, “Alright fine 

I'll go to space.” 

Meanwhile, 18-year-old social 

media personality Bo Loudon, who 

“Who would 

have guessed 

that SpaceX would 

beat Tesla to market 

with a ride hailing 

service?” Elon Musk 

on X 

is friends with Donald Trump's 

youngest son Barron, wrote, “Elon, 

you will go down in history as the 

man who: SAVED FREE SPEECH! 

HELPED SAVE AMERICA! STOOD 

UP TO EVIL AND WON! I have your 

back, sir!” 

NASA astronauts Sunita 

Williams, Butch Wilmore to return 

next year. The space agency 

confirmed last week that Williams 

and Wilmore, who have been 

“stranded” in space for over two 

months now, will return to Earth in 

February 2025. 

“NASA has decided that 

Butch and Suni will return 

with Crew-9 next February, 

and that Starliner will return 

uncrewed,” NASA administrator 

Bill Nelson said while explaining 

that their return to Earth was 

delayed after Boeing spacecraft 

Starliner experienced problems 

with its thrusters. 

Communist Party of China’s 20th 

national congress at the Great Hall 

of the People in Beijing. 

The SCMP report said the 

1979 China-Vietnam conflict will 

feature in the new history books. 

“Some 300,000 Chinese troops 

entered Vietnam to prevent Hanoi 

from overthrowing the Beijingbacked 

Khmer Rouge regime in 

Cambodia”, resulting in heavy 

casualties on both sides. Like with 

India, China has a border dispute 

with Vietnam. It claims nearly the 

entire South China Sea, a claim 

disputed by several maritime 

neighbours including Vietnam, 

Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and 

Indonesia besides Taiwan. 

Among topics highlighted in 

the new textbooks on language, 

morality and law is “Xi Jinping 

Thought on Socialism with Chinese 

Characteristics for a New Era”, 

enshrined in China’s constitution 

in 2018, the SCMP report added. 

India, Israel hold 

17th round of 

Foreign Office 

Consultations 

India and Israel held the 17th 

Round of Foreign Office 

Consultations, during which 

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri 

shared India's concern at the 

escalating situation in West 

Asia and emphasized restraint, 

dialogue, and diplomacy. 

According to the Ministry of 

External Affairs, the Indian side 

was led by the Foreign Secretary, 

Vikram Misri, and the Israeli side 

was led by the Director General 

of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign 

Affairs Yaakov Blitshtein. 

"Reflecting on the strength of the 

India-Israel Strategic Partnership, 

both sides discussed various 

issues of bilateral interest in depth 

and reviewed the entire gamut of 

bilateral endeavours. 

The two sides also shared views 

on the prevailing situation in West 

Asia and the Indo-Pacific," the 

ministry added. Further, during 

the event, the Foreign Secretary 

also reiterated India's strong and 

unequivocal condemnation of the 

October 7 terror attacks on Israel 

and called for the immediate 

release of all hostages and a 

ceasefire. 

"Reiterating India's strong 

and unequivocal condemnation 

of the October 7 terror attacks 

on Israel, the Foreign Secretary 

called for the unconditional and 

immediate release of all hostages, 

ceasefire, the need for continued 

humanitarian assistance, and 

adherence to international 

humanitarian law. 

At the same time, he also shared 

India's concern at the escalating 

situation in West Asia and 

emphasized restraint, dialogue, 

and diplomacy," said MEA. 

Foreign Secretary @VikramMisri 

reviewed the entire range of - 

bilateral relations and the strategic 

partnership together with @ 

IsraelMFA DG Yaakov Blitshtein."

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 

46 47 

52 

56 

59 

SUDOKU 

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A N E 

S 

5lJ R G E b N 

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Your Weekly Horoscope: 30 August - 05 September, 2024 

ARIES (MAR 21-APR 20) 

Reintroduce yourself, Aries! Mercury 

Retrograde ends in Leo on Wednesday, 

helping you define the new version of 

yourself to those who need to know. 

Venus enters Libra on Thursday, marking 

the most romantic time of the year for 

you. Pluto reenters Capricorn on Sunday, 

motivating you to change your approach to career goals and 

the discipline it takes to achieve them. 

.TAURUS (APR 21-MAY 20) 

You can hear your heart again, Taurus. 

On Wednesday, Mercury Retrograde in 

Leo ends, reconnecting you with your 

emotional intelligence. Venus enters 

Libra on Thursday, attracting people and 

situations that improve the quality of your 

well-being. Pluto reenters Capricorn on Sunday, inspiring 

you to consider new opportunities for expansion through 

travel and/or education. 

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUN 21) 

Clear the air, Gemini. Mercury Retrograde 

ends in Leo on Wednesday, gradually 

clearing up miscommunications from your 

life. Venus enters Libra on Thursday and 

you'll feel even more confident in taking 

courageous risks when it comes to love. 

On Sunday, Pluto reenters Capricorn and 

you'll be tasked with addressing some of your intimacy 

issues to cultivate more trust in your connections. 

CANCER (JUN 22-JUL 20) 

Save and spend, Cancer. On Wednesday, 

Mercury Retrograde in Leo ends, helping 

you understand the psychology of money 

in a different way. Venus enters Libra on 

Thursday, showing you the people who feel 

like home and can keep your heart safe. 

Then on Sunday, Pluto reenters Capricorn, challenging you 

to see boundaries as not just for protection but also for 

connection. 

LEO (JUL21-AUG 20) 

The cloud lifts, Leo! Mercury Retrograde 

in your sign ends on Wednesday, helping 

you implement the lessons you've learned 

since your birthday. Venus enters Libra 

on Thursday, attracting highly curious and 

communicative people to you. On Sunday, 

Pluto reenters Capricorn, putting your habits and routines 

under a microscope to see if they're supporting your growth. 

VIRGO (AUG 23-SEP 23) 

Happy birthday, Virgo! Mercury Retrograde 

in Leo ends on Wednesday, putting things 

in motion for you to find closure from the 

past. Venus enters Libra on Thursday, 

bringing financial abundance. Pluto reenters 

Capricorn on Sunday, encouraging you 

to build confidence through small, consistent habits — 

like gratitude and meditation — that disrupt comparison, 

perfectionism, and cynicism. 

LIBRA (SEP 24-OCT 23) 

Conflict is inevitable, Libra. Mercury 

Retrograde in Leo ends on Wednesday, 

helping you repair relationships after 

conflict with friends and loved ones. Venus 

enters your sign on Thursday, harmonizing 

and beautifying your relationships across 

the board. Pluto reenters Capricorn on Sunday, motivating 

you to express your feelings in real time so others know 

what's happening within you. 

SCORPIO (OCT 24-NOV 22) 

Take a U-turn, Scorpio. Mercury Retrograde 

in Leo ends on Wednesday, inspiring you 

to make a significant professional change 

that aligns with your heart. Venus enters 

Libra on Thursday, helping you heal from 

past pain. Pluto reenters Capricorn on 

Sunday, challenging you to see integrity not 

just in actions but in words too, so that others can better 

understand your behaviour and communication. 

SAGITTARIUS (NOV 23-DEC 21) 

Keep your head in the game, Sagittarius, and 

also, make sure you’re focusing on the right 

goal! Systematic Mercury turns retrograde 

until August 28, rewinding through Virgo 

and your career zone until August 14, then 

backing into Leo and your expansive ninth 

house. During this three-week headscratcher, you may feel 

like you’re taking giant leaps forward, only to hit detours at 

every leg of the journey. 

CAPRICORN (DEC 22-JAN 21) 

This week, don’t confuse “real talk” with 

aggressively foisting your opinions on 

everyone around you. While it’s true that 

Capricorn knows best, you can’t force people 

to take your salient advice and life tips. 

Certain loved ones have to learn things the 

hard way, anxiety-producing though it may be. Let go! That 

goes double for your love life since Venus is traveling sideby-side 

with Mercury retrograde this week. 

AQUARIUS (JAN 22-FEB 19) 

You will be spending one-on-one time with 

people this week, Aquarius, as Leo season 

begins. You might be catching up with 

good friends, or if you’re single, you could 

be dating and forming a connection with 

someone new. If you’re in a relationship, you 

may be learning how to better compromise or you could 

have to support your partner. As Mars moves into Gemini, 

you will also be letting loose and having fun. Your calendar 

might be filling up with social events. 

PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 20) 

It's all about the small things, Pisces. 

Mercury Retrograde ends in Leo on 

Wednesday, helping you notice the details 

and small things that make a big difference. 

Venus enters Libra on Thursday, deepening 

your relationship with intimacy and trust. 

Pluto reenters Capricorn on Sunday, 

helping you create more mutually beneficial friendships and 

a supportive community.


FEATURE 17 

Beer and lime chicken Chicken lemon coriander soup 

Ingredients 

• 250 gm chicken 

• 1 inch ginger 

• 1 green chilli 

• black pepper as required 

• 1 teaspoon vinegar 

• 2 tablespoon lemon juice 

• 5 cloves garlic 

• 10 sprigs coriander leaves 

• 2 teaspoon corn flour 

• salt as required 

• 1 tablespoon water 

Method 

• Add all the chicken in a pot and fill the pot with 

Ingredients 

• 400 gm chicken 

• 3 tablespoon lime juice 

• 2 teaspoon honey 

• 1 teaspoon black pepper 

• 1 tablespoon spice paprika 

• 1 1/2 cup beer 

• 7 cloves minced garlic 


• 3 tablespoon cilantro 

Method 

• Wash and clean the chicken, 

cut them into desired pieces 

and pat dry. Next, take a bowl 

and add beer, lime juice, honey, 

garlic, salt, paprika, pepper and 

cilantro. Mix all the ingredients 

and let the honey dissolve 

completely. 

• In the next step add the chicken 

pieces to the bowl and and 

marinate for about half an hour. 

• Preheat the grill, and place the 

chicken pieces after removing 

the excess marinate. You can 

keep the marinade for basting 

the chicken and grill by flipping 

sides. Place the chicken pieces 

on the grill and let them cook 

for 5-7 minutes each side or 

until the chicken is tender and 

juices run clear. 

• Serve hot with lemon, green 

chili sauce/green chutney. 

Chilli chicken 

Ingredients 

• 500 gm chopped chicken 

• 1/2 cup corn flour 

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic paste 

• 2 tablespoon sliced green chilli 

• 2 tablespoon vinegar 


• 1 beaten egg 

• 1/2 teaspoon ginger paste 

• 2 cup chopped onion 

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 

• 1/2 cup sunflower oil 

• 1/2 cup sliced capsicum (green 

pepper) 

• For Garnishing 

pieces in the oil until cooked 

through. Remove and drain 

excess oil on absorbent paper. 

Meanwhile, heat 1 or 2 tbsps 

of oil in a separate pan over 

medium flame. Once the oil is 

sufficiently hot, add the onions 

and fry for 2-3 minutes till they 

turn translucent. Then add the 

capsicum and green chillies 

and mix well again. You can 

also add some dry roasted 

green chillies to accentuate the 

taste. Moreover, If you prefer 

the dish extra spicy, you can 

• 1 handful chopped spring also add some vinegar-soaked 

onions 

Method 

• To make this delicious recipe, 

begin with washing the chicken 

in some lukewarm water and 

rinse it again in cold water. 

Then take a large bowl and 

combine chicken, eggs, gingergarlic 

paste and cornflour in it. 

Mix all the ingredients properly. 

You can also drizzle a little 

water to the batter to coat the 

chicken pieces evenly. Once 

done, refrigerate the chicken 

for 1-2 hours. 

• After 1-2 hours, take out the 

marinade. Next, heat oil in a 

deep pan over a high flame. 

Carefully place the chicken 

green chillies to this recipe, as 

it adds to the taste and flavour. 

(optional) 

• When the veggies are partially 

cooked, add soy sauce, vinegar, 

chicken and salt. Mix all the 

ingredients well and make sure 

that the chicken is well coated 

in the sauces. Keep stirring so 

that the chicken does not stick 

to the pan. 

• Once done, remove and transfer 

the dish to a bowl. Garnish with 

the spring onions and roasted 

sesame seeds (optional) and 

serve it to your family and 

friends. We are sure your loved 

ones will love this awesome 

recipe. 

water up to a level where it covers the chicken. Add 

1 tbsp of salt, ½ inch ginger and a few coriander 

leaves. Let this boil for 15 minutes 

• Take the chicken out of the pot and let it cool down. 

Once it cools down, start shredding the chicken 

using either fork or knife. Meanwhile, add some 

butter in a pan and add chopped garlic and ginger 

to it. along with green chilli slit in half. 

Indian grilled chicken pasta 

Ingredients 

• 150 gm halved chicken 

• 5 gm salt 

• 10 gm green olives 

• 5 gm garlic 

• 70 gm pasta penne 

• tomato chili sauce as required 

• barbeque sauce as required 

• black pepper as required 

• 30 gm lettuce leaf 

• 10 gm cherry tomatoes 

• 10 ml virgin olive oil 

• 5 gm thyme 

• 50 ml cocktail sauce 

• mayonnaise as required 

• tomato ketchup as required 

Method 

• To make this delicious recipe, 

preheat the grill to a high heat. 

Apply steak seasoning on the 

chicken halves. (Note: steak 

seasoning can be prepared 

by mixing together salt, black 

pepper, garlic and a tiny dash 

of chili flakes) 

• Now, grease the grill gate and 

put the chicken to grill. Cook 

Fried chicken momos 

Ingredients 

• 2 cup all purpose flour 

• 1/2 tablespoon baking powder 


• 2 cup refined oil 

• For Filling 

• 1 cup chicken 

• 1 tablespoon garlic 

• 1/4 tablespoon vinegar 

• 1/2 cup onion 

• 1/2 tablespoon light soya 

sauce 

• 1/4 tablespoon black pepper 

Method 

• To prepare this delicious 

chicken momos recipe, mix allpurpose 

flour, salt and baking 

powder in a dough kneading 

plate and knead to a stiff 

dough using a little water. Keep 

it aside to rest for at least 30 

minutes before you make balls 

out of it. 

• Put a saucepan over medium 

flame and heat 1 tbsp oil in it. 

When the oil is hot enough, add 

finely chopped onion and garlic 

to it. 

• Once they are cooked until soft, 

add the chicken. 

• Turn the heat high and take it 

off the heat until the chicken 

is almost cooked. Do not cook 

it completely. Mix in the soya 

sauce, salt, vinegar and black 

pepper. 

• Roll the dough thin (translucent) 

and cut into 4"-5" rounds. 

• Take a wrapper, wet the edges 

and place some filling in the 

centre, bring edges together to 

cover the filling, twist to seal 

and fill the rest in the same 

way. 

• Put a steamer over medium 

flame and steam these chicken 

momos for about 10 minutes, 

and leave them to cool. 

• Meanwhile, heat some oil in 

a wok and once the oil is hot 

enough, carefully slip these 

steamed momos in it and 

deep-fry them. Remove on 

a kitchen napkin to soak the 

extra oil. Serve hot with spicy 

chutney! 

• Once the ginger and garlic cook nicely, add in 1 cup 

of chicken stock and about 2 cups of water along 

with the shredded chicken and bring this to a boil. 

Season it with salt and pepper and add vinegar. To 

this, add a cornflour slurry and coriander leaves 

along with the juice of 2 lemons. Serve hot with 

some toasted bread! 

each side of the chicken for 6 to 

8 minutes or until the juices are 

cleared out. After the chicken 

is grilled, remove from heat 

and allow them to cool. Cut the 

halves of chicken into strips. 

• In the meanwhile, take a deep 

bottomed vessel and boil 

the penne pasta in a slightly 

salted water. 

• Boil the pasta for around 8 to 

10 minutes or until it turns soft. 

Now, drain the water and rinse 

the pasta with cold water to 

cool it down. 

• Next, take a large mixing bowl 

and combine all the sauces, 

mayonnaise, olive, lettuce and 

cherry tomatoes together. 

Pop in the pasta and chicken 

into the mixture and toss well. 

You are now ready to rock this 

amazing dish. 

Tips 

• For Fried Chicken Momos, 

make sure you have steamed 

them before deep frying. If you 

don't follow this step, there are 

chances that momo skin will 

tear up in hot oil. 

• While frying the momos, make 

sure that you balance the heat 

of hot oil. It should be neither 

too hot nor too warm as it can 

hamper the momo skin. 

• Always make sure while 

making Chicken Momos that 

your filling is made of minced 

chicken and not chicken 

pieces.

18 

ENTERTAINMENT 

Farhan Akhtar 

doesn’t resonate with 

Ranbir’s Animal: ‘The 

character is problematic’ 

It’s been over six months, 

but the Ranbir Kapoorstarrer 

Animal refuses to go 

out of discussion. Now, actor 

filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, in 

an interview with Faye D’Souza, 

spoke about the controversial film, 

saying he would never back such a 

problematic project. 

Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal 

was released in December last 

year. It opened to polarising 

responses and went on to become 

a huge success at the box office. 

In the interview, Farhan 

was asked about his views 

about the film, and he didn’t 

sugarcoat his words. 

“The film didn’t do much for 

me. Is it something that I would 

recommend somebody to watch, I 

guess not,” he said. 

When asked if he had the 

opportunity to produce Animal, he 

responded, “No, I won’t. It doesn’t 

Stree 2 has created a new milestone 

in Shraddha Kapoor's movie career. 

The film has not only shattered 

box office records but is also one of the 

biggest commercial success in Shraddha's 

filmography as well. A glimpse at some 

of her top films ever. Stree 2, directed by 

Amar Kaushik, has amassed over `400 

crore Net in India within two weeks of its 

release, reported by Sacnilk. 

Saaho 

Prabhas-Shraddha Kapoor starrer 

action-thriller Saaho had one of the 

biggest box office openings in 2019, 

despite receiving mixed reviews. 

Although the film couldn't live up to the 

expectations, it is still considered one of 

the top films in Shraddha's career. Saaho 

collected `265.65 crore in its first week, 

according to Sacnilk. T 

Chhichhore 

Nitesh Tiwari's Chhichhore received 

resonate with me. For me, I feel 

that the character is problematic.” 

At the time of the release, Animal 

saw a lot of flak coming in from 

all quarters on social media. In 

fact, Javed Akhtar and Swanand 

Kirkire had also slammed the film 

for portraying misogyny, toxicity 

and violence. 

This is the second time when 

Farhan expressed his views 

about Animal. Sometime back, in 

an interview with YouTuber Raj 

Shamani, he was asked about 

his take on Ranbir Kapoor’s 

character Ranvijay. 

At that time, he shared, “I don’t 

believe that some things should 

not be shown. We are in a field 

where, if someone tells me, ‘You 

can’t make a film like this’, then I’ll 

be like, ‘Who are you to tell me what 

I should and should not make?’ I 

am permitted by the laws of this 

country, and I have the freedom of 

Shraddha Kapoor's top 10 

films ever: After Stree 2, 

what are her biggest hits? 

artistic expression to say whatever 

I want.” 

During a chat with Nikhil 

Kamath, Ranbir also reflected 

on the film garnering a wave of 

negative response. 

He said, “Social media played 


havoc. They need something to talk 

about, so they really went to town 

claiming it was a misogynistic 

film. What happens is that the hard 

work that you put in… I know the 

director had made Kabir Singh, 

which also faced the same thing, 

the hard work gets diminished. 

Because it gets this tag, which 

isn’t true, the perception stayed 

with this film”. 

“So, the general public will speak 

very fondly about the film, but 

there are many people I meet, who 

tell me, ‘You shouldn’t have done 

this film, we are so disappointed in 

you’. And a lot of people from the 

film industry (said the same thing). 

I quietly apologise and say, ‘Sorry I 

won’t do it next time.’ I don’t really 

agree with them, but I am in that 

phase of my life I don’t argue with 

anyone. If you don’t like my work, I 

will say I am sorry I will try harder 

next time,” Ranbir added. 

praise for its social theme addressing 

the Indian education system and youth 

suicides, while also proving to be a 

commercial success. 

The film, made with a budget of `70 

crore, earned `153.16 crore net in India 

and `211 crore worldwide, according 

to Sacnilk. 

Tu Jhoothi Main Makkar 

Luv Ranjan's film Tu Jhoothi Main 

Makkar earned `147.28 crore net in India 

and `223 crore worldwide, as reported by 

Sacnilk. The movie was produced with 

a budget of around `70 crore and is 

considered one of the biggest commercial 

hits of 2023. It starred Ranbir Kapoor, 

Shraddha Kapoor, Anubhav Singh Bassi, 

Dimple Kapadia, Boney Kapoor, and others 

in important roles. 

Stree 

Amar Kaushik's horror-comedy 

Stree, made within a budget of `30.00 

crore, earned `129.83 crore net in India 

and `182.00 crore worldwide gross, 

as reported by Sacnilk. 

The film collected `60 crore in its 

opening weekend, marking a significant 

milestone in the careers of Shraddha 

Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao and paved the 

way for Maddock Supernatural Universe. 

ABCD 2 

Remo D'Souza's musical dancedrama, 

featuring Varun Dhawan and 

Shraddha Kapoor, earned `106.12 

crore net in India and `166.00 crore 

worldwide, as reported by Sacnilk. The 

film was appreciated for its hip-hop and 

contemporary fusion choreography. It is 

one of the first movies where Shraddha 

was praised for her dancing skills, in 

addition to her acting abilities. 

Baaghi 3 

Ahmed Khan's Baaghi 3, starring 

Tiger Shroff and Shraddha Kapoor, 

earned `90.67 crore in its first week, 

according to Sacnilk. The film's business 

was affected due to the outbreak of the 

Covid-19 pandemic, followed by lockdown. 

However, the action-thriller managed 

to collect `96.5 crore net in India 

and `137 crore worldwide against its 

approximately `100 crore budget. 


Kriti Sanon 

defends Bollywood 

as Nikhil Kamath 

says Hindi film 

industry is not 

thriving 

Kriti Sanon recently 

discussed Bollywood's 

enduring cinematic legacy 

and how theatres are back in 

business after a dry spell. 

The actor responded to 

entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath's 

statement in his podcast that the 

Hindi film industry isn't thriving 

anymore. Kriti defended the 

movie industry, mentioning how 

audiences' expectations from 

cinema have also increased in 

today's times. 

When Nikhil pointed out that the 

success of the movie business 

in Bollywood has declined and 

struggles to employ as many 

people as before, Kriti disagreed 

with him. She gave examples of 

her movies Crew and Teri Baaton 

Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya. 

While further elaborating her 

views, she said, “Earlier, if a film 

earned ₹100 crore, it would be a big 

deal. Now, ₹100 crore is nothing. 

So, the expectation has gone 

somewhere else only. There was 

a phase when it (Bollywood) was 

not (thriving), but now theatres 

are back and how.” Rapper-singer 

Badshah, who was also a guest 

on the podcast, agreed with the 

Do Patti actor. He pondered how 

individuals in Bollywood have 

learned from the challenging times 

and are now thriving. 

Kriti made her acting debut with 

Nennokadine (2014) opposite 

Mahesh Babu. Her first Bollywood 

project was Heropanti (2014) 

opposite Tiger Shroff. 

Ek Villain 

Shraddha Kapoor achieved another 

major success after Aashiqui 2 with Ek 

Villain, co-starring Siddharth Malhotra. 

According to Sacnilk, the musical actionthriller 

earned `105.76 crore Net in India 

and `155.00 crore gross worldwide. 

The film, directed by Mohit Suri, had a 

budget of `39.00 crore. 

Aashiqui 2 

Shraddha Kapoor and Aditya Roy 

Kapur's film Aashiqui 2 marked their first 

commercial hit in their careers. 

This musical romance-tragedy 

earned `78.10 crore net in India 

and `109.07 crore worldwide, 

as reported by Sacnilk. Directed by Mohit 

Suri, the film was considered a blockbuster, 

especially considering it was made within 

a budget of `15 crore.

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The Indian Weekender | 30 August 2024

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