The Indian Weekender| 08 August 2025

Friday, August 8, 2025

Volume 16 / Issue 71

Read • Watch • Engage

www.iwk.co.nz /indianweekendernz /indianweekender

RED SIGNAL

Immigration NZ Responds To Spike In Asylum Cases From India

URJITA BHARDWAJ

New Zealand is taking the message

to India that migrants should follow

the correct path to enter the country,

following a record spike in asylum claims from

the subcontinent over the past two years.

The total number of asylum and refugee

claims from India rose from 69 in 2022 to

1,079 in 2024.

In comparison, the total number of asylum

and refugee claims received by Immigration

New Zealand from many countries rose to

2,396 in 2024, up from 358 in 2022.

At a recent Education and Workforce

Committee meeting on June 17, 2025 —

during the second session, which included

MBIE Chief Executive Carolyn Tremain and

Associate Immigration Minister Casey

Costello among other officials, Carolyn

Tremain pointed out that one of the operational

measures being taken to check those entering

the country without proper processes, is to

“identify people in the queues at the port of

embarkation to New Zealand to actually stop

them boarding and arriving here.”

Tremain was responding to a second query

on asylum claims by Labour’s immigration

spokesperson Phil Twyford about what

Representational photo

measures the government was taking in light

of the spike in asylum applications.

Associate Immigration Minister Casey

Costello had initially pointed out that

immigration is facing the broader challenge of

global displacement.

“There is a lot of displacement around

the world and there's a lot of attractiveness

to move and use any lever one can to get

through,” she said. “I think we are doing a lot of

work in every way we can.”

However, Twyford noted that the biggest

increases in applications are coming

from South Asia. “That's not people [who]

are fleeing war, genocide. There it's not

geopolitical instability,” he said.

He pointed out that the Indian

subcontinent, India, Pakistan, and

Bangladesh in particular, the major increase

in asylum claims is from that region.

“It's India, Pakistan, Bangladesh with the still

really big numbers coming in.”

Costello responded by saying that New

MORE ON PAGE 4

Choose from

wide range

of courses

→ Architecture

→ Business

→ Computing

→ Construction

→ Engineering

→ Trades

Unitec.ac.nz/international

Don’t dream it’s paid off - Live it now

Mortgage Genius Plan designed to get you where you want to be financially!

Home Loans Business Loans Commercial Loans Insurance

Allow you to pay off your

mortgage quicker

without increasing loan instalment

Build wealth faster

Enable you to free up cash to

purchase additional properties

*Disclosure Statement available on www.globalfinance.co.nz

Airport Oaks 09 255 5500 Manukau 09 263 5555 Henderson 09 836 5555 North Shore 09 255 5591 Tauranga 07 577 0011 Hamilton 07 577 0888

Read online www.iwk.co.nz

NEW ZEALAND

Friday, August 8, 2025 3

IWK BUREAU

Eight Indian-born recruits were

among the 87 new police

officers who graduated from

the Royal New Zealand Police

College (RNZPC) on July 31, 2025.

The new recruits will begin work in

their assigned districts across the

country from Monday, August 11.

At the graduation ceremony,

Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill

Rogers, Police Minister Hon Mark

Mitchell, members of the Police

Executive, and Wing Patron Dame

Noeline Taurua congratulated

the recruits from Wing 386 at Te

Rauparaha Arena in Porirua.

Four of the eight constables

born in India have been assigned

to different regions: Dilsher Singh

will be posted in Taumarunui,

Bhanu Yandav in Queenstown,

Pavneet Singh in Palmerston North,

and Sehajpreet Sidhu in Counties

Manukau. Of the 87 graduates, 33

were born overseas, with eight born

in India. Six graduates previously

worked at the Southern Police

Emergency Communication Centre

as 111 call takers. Additionally, 25

of the recruits are multilingual, and

20 hold university or postgraduate

qualifications.

The Minister’s Award for top

student went to Constable Kaha

Bluegum of Ngāi Te Rangi iwi. A

former Head Boy at Katikati College,

he said the training was challenging

but helped him learn more about

himself. The Commissioner’s Award

for Leadership and the Patron’s

Award for second top student went

to Constable Leo Wynyard Winiata

of Ngātiwai iwi.

The other award winners included:

From left to right: Dilsher Singh will be working in Taumarunui, Bhanu Yandav in Queenstown, Pavneet Singh, Palmerston North and Sehajpreet Sidhu will be based in Counties Manukau/Photo: Supplied

India Born New Recruits Step

Into NZ Police Uniform

• Driver Training and Road Policing

Practice Award: Constable Kim

Jepsen (Northland)

• Firearms Award: Constable

Chantelle Jordaan (Canterbury)

• Physical Training and Defensive

Tactics Award: Constable

Christian Leathers (Central)

The 87 constables will now start

duties as probationary officers in

the following districts:

• Northland: 7

• Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland): 21

total (Auckland City 5, Waitematā

7, Counties Manukau 9)

• Waikato: 5

• Bay of Plenty: 7

• Eastern: 6

• Central: 12

• Wellington: 13

• Canterbury: 10

• Southern: 6

• The wing included 28.7% female

and 71.3% male recruits. Ethnic

diversity was represented by

67.8% New Zealand European,

11.5% Māori, 6.8% Pasifika,

12.6% Asian, and 1.1% Other.

• Wing Patron Dame Noeline Taurua

DNZM, a decorated netball coach

and former Silver Ferns player,

attended the ceremony. Dame

Noeline has had a distinguished

career both as a player and coach,

including leading the Silver Ferns

to a World Cup title in 2019 and

a Constellation Cup victory in

2024. Recognised with numerous

awards and honours, including

being named a Dame Companion

of the New Zealand Order of

Merit in 2020, she now serves on

the board of High-Performance

Sport New Zealand.

4 Friday, August 8, 2025 Read online www.iwk.co.nz

NEW ZEALAND

IWK BUREAU

"He was such a humble

man,” says Parnesh,

the brother-in-law of

45-year-old Arvind Kumar, who

died in a fatal crash last week.

Kumar was driving his wife,

Jashoda Gounder, to the airport

at 4am. She was flying to Fiji to

attend her aunty’s funeral when,

according to Parnesh, “a car from

behind came and crashed into

Kumar’s car as he was waiting at

the red light.”

Arvind Kumar died on George

Bolt Memorial Drive, near the

intersection with Tom Pearce

Drive, near the main road leading

to Auckland Airport, which was

temporarily closed following the

crash. Kumar, who moved to New

Zealand from Fiji nearly two and

a half years ago, is remembered

as a religious man who “touched

many lives in New Zealand

in just two years that he was

here,” Parnesh told The Indian

Weekender.

“He was so humble that he

never swore, was never angry,”

he recalled fondly. The family

describes Kumar as a man with

a “golden heart” who always

contributed to the community.

“He had a genuine soul, who

could never say no to help for

anything,” recalled the brotherin-law.

“We’re getting a lot of

support from the community, the

Kiwis, and those whom we do not

even know,” he told The Indian

Weekender.

“This event has personally

shocked me — it’s a reminder

that anything can happen and life

shouldn’t be taken for granted,”

Parnesh shared. He said the

loss of Arvind’s life has taught

him to forgive, forget, and love

'Biggest Increases In

Asylum Applications Are

Coming From South Asia'

FROM PAGE 1

Zealand is working with these

countries, informing them about the

proper immigration processes, while

also not ignoring those who may be

potential economic refugees.

Responding to the same query,

Tremain said, "Often we find that

they're coming in on visitor visas,

and one of the things that we have

been doing is trying to identify

people in the queues at the Port

of Embarkation to New Zealand to

actually stop them boarding and

arriving here.” “We have reinforced

our connections offshore," she

added, among other measures.

Tremain also mentioned that

Deputy Secretary of Immigration

Alison McDonald, along with

other immigration officials, had

visited India earlier this year. She

added that several overseas trips

are planned, including to China

and other countries, to reinforce

the message. This also includes,

as she put it, “messages about

people coming in lawfully into New

Zealand on the appropriate visa.”

The committee, which discussed

a range of immigration topics, was

in its second session with Costello

following an earlier session with

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford.

During an earlier part of the same

meeting, Labour MP Phil Twyford

raised a question about the “rampedup”

number of asylum seekers.

“Asylum seeker numbers—I see that

processing has ramped up. I think a

1,000 [is] likely to be processed over

Family Mourns The Loss Of

Fijian-Indian Man In Fatal Crash

Arvind Kumar celebrating with family/Photo: Supplied

the 12-month period, but that's still

half the number of applications that

are coming in,” Twyford said. “The

rate of the number of applications

coming in hasn't gone down, I think,

within 10 months,” he added.

Costello responded that there has

been a lot of work to address where

those asylum claims are coming

from. “There has been a slight shift in

terms of the number of applications

that are coming through for asylum

claims,” she said.

“The processing of those claims

is speeding up as well, which I think

is sending a stronger message.”

The Indian Weekender reported on

February 5, 2025, that immigration

experts were concerned a surge

in refugee claims over the last two

years could significantly lower the

chances for Indians to secure a

visitor visa to New Zealand.

In 2023–2024, the number of

people seeking asylum in New

Zealand (2,345) was five times higher

than the yearly average since 2014–

2015. In a cabinet note published

in September 2024, Immigration

Minister Erica Stanford called out

suspicious asylum claims.

As reported in February, immigration

officials said the refugee surge

hasn’t impacted how they process

general visa applications from India.

However, immigration advisers The

Indian Weekender spoke to noted that

the sharp rise may be contributing

to a decline in visitor visa approval

rates, raising concerns about the

unintended consequences of asylum

trends on legitimate travellers.

each other, “especially your close

ones.” According to Parnesh,

the eyewitnesses told him the

car that hit Kumar’s vehicle was

speeding. He, who also lives in

Auckland, was informed of the

incident around 4.25am.

“Jashoda is still at Middlemore

Hospital, although she has

regained consciousness, and

we’re trying to get back her

mobility as soon as possible,” he

Representational image

said. According to him, Jashoda’s

recovery could take weeks, if not

months. “She has got a fracture

in the ribs and her spine,” he said.

According to Parnesh, a

small ritual was performed for

Kumar at Middlemore Hospital

in Jashoda’s presence. She was

unable to fly to Fiji due to her

injuries and remains bedridden.

“The service held in Auckland

and Fiji both had an estimated

600 people attending Kumar’s

funeral,” he shared.

Sam Achary from Auckland

Indian Funeral Home told The

Indian Weekender earlier this

morning that a service for

Kumar in Auckland was held

on Friday night and that Kumar

was repatriated back to Fiji on

Sunday.

“The community came together

to help,” Achary added. Parnesh

said he really wanted to thank

Sam Achary for his services and

support. In a message of thanks

to Achary, Parnesh wrote,

“We were extremely distressed

and uncertain about how to

arrange his (Arvind’s) funeral —

the responsibility of repatriating

him back home to Fiji.” “It was

during this time of immense

grief and disarray that we met Mr

Sam. From the very first meeting,

he took complete ownership of

the situation and guided us with

genuine compassion, humility,

and professionalism,” the

message added. A message from

Parnesh for people on the road,

“Please be cautious. Someone

lost their life through no fault of

their own. Road safety isn’t just

about protecting yourself. Drive

carefully for the safety of others

too. A single moment can take

a life and leave a family without

their breadwinner.”

Parnesh, who along with the

family is dealing with the loss,

says that he can’t imagine how

the family will restart their lives

without Arvind.

“We still can’t believe his

innocent soul is gone because of

someone else’s carelessness.”

Indian-Origin Vet’s Fake

Credentials Uncovered In NZ

IWK BUREAU

man attempting to

A fraudulently register as a

veterinarian in New Zealand has

been convicted and fined $7,000

by the Wellington District Court,

RNZ has reported.

Siddharth Tushar Vaishnav,

a qualified veterinarian from

India, applied to register with

the Veterinary Council of New

Zealand in February 2024. As part

of his application, he submitted

a certified copy of a Doctor of

Veterinary Medicine degree he

claimed to have earned from the

University of Melbourne.

The council initially granted him

provisional registration, but during

a routine verification process,

the University of Melbourne

confirmed that Vaishnav had

never been enrolled there. When

confronted, Vaishnav provided a

transcript which was also found

to be falsified. Consequently,

his registration was cancelled

in March 2024 before he could

commence practice.

Vaishnav was found guilty of

knowingly using false documents

to obtain registration, an offence

under the Veterinarians Act 2005.

The court imposed a fine of

$7,000.

Deputy Registrar of the Veterinary

Council, Liam Shields, said this

was the first case of its kind in New

Zealand, RNZ reported. Shields

emphasised the seriousness of

presenting false documentation

and highlighted how easily fake

degrees and academic transcripts

can now be obtained. Shields

stressed the importance of

thorough verification with tertiary

institutions to ensure the safety of

both people and animals.

He also noted that Vaishnav’s

Indian veterinary qualification

was not automatically recognised

in New Zealand and that he

would have been required to

undertake further study or pass

the Australasian Veterinary

Examination (AVE) to qualify to

practise in the country.

Leighton Wilson

Managing Director

Ladder & Co

Joined in 2023

Why I joined.

“Running a business is difficult. I knew

the Chamber would provide support

and resources to help us navigate

through these challenges.”

Leighton Wilson

Whether you are looking for business support and resources like Leighton from Ladder & Co, or interested

in business savings, mentorship, networking, training or a range of our other services, the Auckland

Business Chamber is here to make it easier for you to do business no matter where you are in your

business journey.

Since 1856 we have been committed to creating a prosperous and sustainable future for Auckland

businesses. At the Auckland Business Chamber, our team is dedicated to providing advice, support, and

a wealth of resources aimed at supporting business growth and success. We offer a comprehensive

suite of services, including networking events, international trade support, business awards, mentorship

opportunities, business savings, advocacy, employment support and more. Membership gives you

access to an extensive array of benefits ensuring you have all the tools necessary to thrive in today’s

business environment.

By being part of the Chamber, you can connect, learn, grow, and contribute to our influential voice for

business advocacy. Join us at the Auckland Business Chamber and unlock the full potential of your

business, just like Leighton did with Ladder & Co.

WATCH

aucklandchamber.co.nz/membership/why-i-joined

Business made easy

Join the Auckland Business Chamber

aucklandchamber.co.nz


NEW ZEALAND

DEV NADKARNI

Nikhil Ravishankar’s

appointment as the next

Chief Executive of Air

New Zealand should have been

a straightforward moment of

national pride. A New Zealandeducated

leader, with a proven track

record in digital transformation

and customer experience, rising

to the top of the national carrier

after a global search –it’s the kind

of merit-based success story we

ought to celebrate.

And many did. For the Indian

community and other migrant

groups across Aotearoa, his

appointment sparked genuine

pride. But the reactions online

also revealed an uglier side: one

that New Zealand continues to

downplay at its own peril.

New Zealand likes

to think of itself

as inclusive and

progressive.

And in many

ways, it is. But

these kinds

of reactions

expose how

fragile that

self-image

can be when

tested. The

reality is that

people of colour

in this country

still carry an extra

burden; having to

prove they belong, over

and over again, no matter their

credentials.

The thread of racist commentary

that followed Ravishankar’s

A Moment Of Pride...And

A Reality Check

appointment was

not subtle. Stereotypes about

food, jibes likening Air New

Zealand to Air India, and cynical

digs implying that Ravishankar’s

ethnicity somehow made him

less qualified. A few went even

further, invoking racial tropes with

disturbing ease.

Let’s be honest: this is more

than ignorance. It reflects a

deeply embedded discomfort

with diversity in leadership, and

the persistent idea that leadership

in NZ must still conform to an

outdated image –usually white,

male, and monocultural.

Nikhil Ravishankar Appointed

as Next CEO of Air New Zealand

Ravishankar’s story is a

shining endorsement of NZ’s

internationally respected higher

education system. He holds

first-class honours in Computer

Science and Information Systems

from a New Zealand university. He

is proof of what the system can

deliver when talent is nurtured and

given opportunities to grow. He

is, quite literally, a calling card for

prospective international students

–a reminder that New Zealand can

offer world-class education and

career progression. That message

matters, especially now.

New Zealand’s international

education sector is still recovering

from the reputational damage and

economic losses caused by its

hard border closures during the

COVID-19 pandemic. The country

needs credible success stories

like Ravishankar’s to restore

confidence and attract the next

generation of global learners –and

with them, much-needed export

revenue. His rise is not a favour. It

is earned, and it is strategic.

The backlash he has received

from some corners is a reminder

that we still have work to do.

If this country wants to truly

embrace its future, it must let

go of its reflexive suspicion of

brown-skinned success. If the

appointment of a highly qualified,

homegrown leader of Indian

heritage can provoke this kind of

backlash, we have work to do.

For the sake of a truly inclusive

New Zealand, it’s time to stop

measuring leaders by their

surnames, looks and skin colour

–and start focusing on what they

actually deliver.

Ravishankar belongs in that role.

The question is: does New Zealand

want to belong to the future he

represents?

We’ll help you find the sweetest mortgage deal whether it’s your first home,

next home or investment property.

Home loans

Construction loans

Refinances and restructures

Top ups & debt consolidation

Commercial loans

Business loans

Call us today

0800 21 22 23

29 Sale Street

Auckland Central

Best at what’s best for you


NEW ZEALAND


IWK BUREAU

Kiwi Woman Among 10 Travelling

To India For Surgery This Year

A

62-year-old Nelson woman

in need of urgent double

hip replacement surgery

is among ten New Zealanders

preparing to travel to India next

month for medical treatment, after

being unable to afford private

surgery locally and facing long

delays in the public health system,

Stuff has reported.

The woman, who previously led an

active life, has suffered from severe

leg pain for years. Her condition

worsened when the pain spread

to her hips, leaving her unable

to walk. She used her savings to

consult a specialist in Blenheim,

who informed her that she required

an urgent double hip replacement.

According to the specialist, her left

hip was beyond repair, and her right

hip was rapidly deteriorating.

She has since been prescribed

opioid medication and placed on

a public waitlist for treatment.

However, her mobility has

continued to decline, and she

told Stuff that she is now in

excruciating pain and unable to

care for her family. The estimated

cost of up to $100,000 for private

surgery in New Zealand made local

treatment financially unviable.

After reading a Stuff article

about Kiwi nurse Claire Olsen, who

IWK BUREAU

17-year-old has been arrested and

A charged after two pedestrians were

struck by a car on Auckland’s busy Queen

Street early Sunday morning.

The incident occurred around 6am

between City Road and Karangahape Road,

where the vehicle reportedly mounted

the footpath and hit the two individuals.

According to police, the driver abandoned

the car and fled the scene on foot

immediately after the collision.

saved over $60,000 by undergoing

a double hip replacement in India,

the woman contacted medical

tourism agent Jackie Brown. She

is now one of ten New Zealanders

travelling with Brown to Mumbai in

September for surgery.

According to a July report by

KPMG, treatment in India can cost

up to 90% less than in Western

countries, with complex procedures

such as heart bypasses offered at

a fraction of the global price. The

report noted that this pricing makes

high-quality care widely accessible.

Brown said that since Olsen’s

story made headlines, she has

received a flood of inquiries. A

former academic and lecturer with

Teen Arrested After Car

Hits Pedestrians On

Auckland’s Queen Street

Teen Arrested After Car Hits Pedestrians

Emergency services responded swiftly,

and both victims were taken to hospital.

One person sustained serious injuries,

while the other suffered minor wounds,

police confirmed. Following investigations,

authorities apprehended a 17-year-old male,

who has now been charged with wounding

with intent to cause grievous bodily harm

and injuring with intent.

The teen is due to appear in the Auckland

Youth Court on 4 August.

Police have not ruled out the possibility

of additional charges as the investigation

continues.


expertise in global medical tourism,

Brown also organises tours to

Mexico for bariatric surgery and to

Thailand for cosmetic procedures.

She noted that India is rapidly

emerging as a world leader in

medical tourism.

Brown explained that she was

initially concerned that the average

New Zealander might be hesitant

to consider India, but perceptions

are changing. She said that after

17 years of organising medical

tours, she finds Indian hospitals

offer an unmatched level of care

— describing them as real working

hospitals that exceed the quality

typically expected in New Zealand.

She added that patients receive


daily physiotherapy sessions,

regular doctor visits, attention

from nutritionists, and consistent

cleaning, which she described

as holistic care not often seen

elsewhere.

Brown cited long public waitlists,

rising health insurance costs, and

steep private healthcare fees in

New Zealand as reasons why many

Kiwis are now looking overseas for

medical treatment. She said some

of her clients have waited months

just to see a specialist, only to

be told they are years away from

qualifying for surgery.

When asked about the growing

number of New Zealanders

seeking surgery

overseas, Health

Minister Simeon

Brown told Stuff

that his focus

remains on

ensuring timely,

quality healthcare

for all citizens. He

said the Government

is progressing with its

elective boost programme,

aiming to deliver an additional

21,000 elective treatments over

the next year through coordinated

efforts between public and private

providers.

Dr Chellaraj Satyasdas Benjamin, a

leading Oncologist in New Zealand,

IWK BUREAU

man who urinated on a supermarket

A shelf while allegedly stealing cans of

alcohol was arrested at his home on Friday

after police were called to Woolworths in

central Dunedin, Stuff has reported.

The man had entered the store twice

that day, with his first visit at 9.41am,

when he allegedly stole three packets of

scotch fillet, porterhouse steak, and pork

chops by placing the items in a bag and

walking out, according to Senior Sergeant

Anthony Bond.

He returned at 3.30pm, allegedly stole

more steak, and then moved to the alcohol

told The Indian Weekender earlier

last month that Indian hospitals

offer a viable solution to rising

surgery costs in countries like

New Zealand and Australia.

“Surgeries in New Zealand and

Australia are costly,” Dr Benjamin

said. “A cardiac surgery that costs

around $100,000 in a private

centre in Auckland can be done in

India for $20,000.”

Born in Tamil Nadu, India, Dr CS

Benjamin has worked as a cancer

specialist for the past 30 years

at the Auckland Public Hospital

where he has treated more than

500 patients a year. He was

the Clinical Director of

Radiation Oncology

at Auckland Hospital

where he efficiently

ran the oncology

department until

September 2007.

He has organised

several health expos for

the community.

He named institutions such

as Apollo and Fortis as key

players in India's medical tourism

industry and suggested that

these hospitals could consider

expanding into Pacific countries

like Fiji and Samoa.

Man Urinates In Supermarket

While Stealing Alcohol

section where he urinated on a shelf that

had stock on it while loading cans of alcohol

into his bag.

Police later located the man at his

residence, where he was arrested on eight

charges, including offensive behaviour,

three counts of trespass, wilful damage,

and two shoplifting offences.

He appeared in court on Saturday

morning, where police opposed bail. The

man was remanded in custody until later

this week.

In a separate incident, Bond said police

also arrested a 29-year-old man at his

home address in connection with an

earlier case of unlawfully interfering with

a motor vehicle.


NEW ZEALAND

RUBY DHILLON

Princess Sophia Jindan Alexandrovna

Duleep Singh, the granddaughter

of the great Maharaja Ranjit Singh

of Punjab, India, and the goddaughter

of Queen Victoria. She was born in

England on August 8, 1876 to Maharaja

Duleep Singh and Maharani Bamba

Muller. The Princess was fifth of six

children and grew up in an aristocratic

environment at Elveden Hall.

Princess Sophia Jindan Alexandrovna

Duleep Singh was the granddaughter of

the great Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab,

India, and the goddaughter of Queen

Victoria. She was born in England on

August 8, 1876, to Maharaja Duleep Singh

and Maharani Bamba Muller. The Princess

was fifth of six children and grew up in an

aristocratic environment at Elveden Hall.

Sophia was not only a princess of high

society, but also a member of a royal

family, wealthier than many European

monarchies. Despite her royal upbringing,

this down-to-earth Sikh Indian princess

dedicated her life to the fight for women’s

right to vote in early 20th-century Britain.

She became an active member of

the Women’s Social and Political Union

(WSPU), an organization founded in 1903

to demand voting rights for women in the

UK. At the time, only men had the right

to vote and women had no real say in

the laws or decisions that affected their

lives. Although the suffrage movement

was largely dominated by white British

women, Sophia stood out as a woman

of colour and royal descent passionately

advocating for the same cause.

The members of the WSPU came to be

known as “The Suffragettes”.

In 1908, at the age of 32, Princess

Sophia met Una Dugdale, a fellow member

of the WSPU. Inspired by their mission,

Sophia officially joined the movement in

1909. She quickly rose to prominence

and pledged a lifetime commitment to

the cause of women’s rights. She regularly

attended meetings and soon became part

of the inner circle of Emmeline Pankhurst,

the movement’s formidable leader.

The same year in October 1909, a new

Princess Sophia

Duleep Singh,

‘A Suffragist’

suffragette organization, the Women’s

Tax Resistance League, was formed

as a forum for nonviolent protest. The

suffragettes refused to pay taxes, forcing

the government to pay attention to their

cause. As an active member of the

WSPU, Princess Sophia also refused to

pay licenses for her dogs and carriage.

Additionally, she declined to pay charges

associated with keeping servants, clearly

stating that if women could not vote, they

should not be expected to pay taxes.

A year later, in 1910, Princess Sophia

participated in “Black Friday”. She marched

to Parliament Square alongside Emmeline

Pankhurst and the Suffragettes to meet

the Prime Minister. When the PM refused

to meet them, the protesters refused to

leave, leading to hours of brutal clashes

between the Suffragettes and the police,

during which many women were injured.

During this violence, Princess Sophia

sustained several bruises on her arms.

She also helped a woman who was being

assaulted by an officer, recorded the

officer’s badge number and later filed a

formal complaint against him. That day,

women were both physically and sexually

assaulted, and many were taken to prison.

Although Princess Sophia was arrested,

she was never imprisoned due to her

elevated social status and royal lineage.

The Suffragettes in 1911, also boycotted

the census. Princess Sophia, determined

to support the cause, refused to pay the

census and instead wrote on the census

form, ‘No vote, no census, as women do

not count, they refuse to be counted, I

have a conscientious objection to filling

in this form’. She then signed her name

underneath in large and bold letters.

As Princess Sophia was part of Britain’s

social elite, the authorities were reluctant

to act against her. They could not risk

arresting a princess and facing the

possible consequences. Initially, they

politely requested payment of taxes and

fines, but over time, their approach grew

increasingly forceful. In due time, Sophia

received letters from the court informing

her that she would now face fines and a

court hearing.

One the morning in 1911, the bailiff from

the County of Middlesex arrived at Faraday

House with a warrant. They entered

the property and seized a seven-stone

diamond ring, a piece worth significantly

more than the total fines, and court costs

combined and auctioned it off to recover

the unpaid taxes.

In Sophia’s early days, Queen Victoria

had given her Faraday House, part of

the Hampton Court Estate. There, she

became an active member of the local

WSPU branch in Kingston upon Thames,

just a few miles from Hampton Court. In

1913, Sophia attracted further attention

from both the press and the government

when she sold copies of The Suffragette

newspaper right outside the gates of

Hampton Court Palace, causing

a scandal at the highest levels.

Subsequently, on the morning

of January 16, 1914, bailiffs

once again forced their way

into Faraday House and

seized a necklace comprising 131 pearls,

along with a diamond and pearl-studded

gold bangle featuring a heart-shaped

diamond. Regardless of this, in the same

year, Princess Sophia donated $51 to the

WSPU, the largest individual contribution

of that year.

Finally, in 1918, women in Britain who

were over the age of 30 and met specific

property qualifications were granted

the right to vote. Despite this partial win,

Sophia started advocating for voting rights

for Indian women and supported a public

statement demanding that they also be

granted the right to vote.

Princess Sophia remained a dedicated

advocate for women’s rights until her

passing on August 22, 1948, at the age

of seventy-one. She had witnessed

the historic milestone in 1928, when

equal voting rights were granted

to all women over the age of 21.

Princess Sophia Duleep Singh’s legacy is

one of unwavering courage, conviction

and principle. She did not use her royal

status for comfort or personal gain, but

as a powerful instrument of change

challenging injustice, defying societal

expectations and amplifying the voices

of women. Sophia’s lifelong commitment

to the cause of women’s rights reminds

us that true nobility lies not in titles or

heritage, but in the courage to stand up for

what is right. Her dedication made her one

of the most influential

women of her

time and a

symbol of

strength,

justice

a n d

reform.

Kiwi Indian Honoured At

WHEF 2025 For Global Service

IWK BUREAU


Indian-origin industrialist Vikas

Rambal has been ranked 31st

on the 2025 Australian Financial

Review Rich List, with a net worth of

$4.98 billion, marking a significant

milestone in his decades-long

journey from migrant to billionaire.

But for Rambal, the ranking is just a

number — his true ambition, he says,

is to create wealth for others.

In a remarkable moment of

recognition, Professor Guna

Magesan, a prominent Kiwi Indian

academic and community leader,

was honoured at the World Hindu

Economic Forum (WHEF) 2025 for

his enduring contributions to the

global Hindu economic movement.

Held in Adelaide, the annual

forum brought together influential

Hindu professionals, entrepreneurs,

and economists from across the

world. During a special recognition

ceremony, WHEF honoured a select

group of veteran delegates for their

service and leadership. Among

them, Professor Magesan stood out

for his over 13 years of dedicated

involvement, making him one of the

most consistent contributors to the

WHEF’s global mission.

Professor Magesan was awarded

a Certificate of Recognition by

Swami Vigyananand, Founder

of WHEF. The citation lauded his

“exceptional commitment and

support” for the organisation’s

mission of Arthik Samriddhi

(economic prosperity). It further

noted his participation in the highest

number of global conferences over

the course of more than a decade.

“This is a powerful moment that

highlights the reach, unity, and

resilience of our community,” said

the event host. “These leaders

exemplify seva, selfless service, and

the enduring values of our Dharma.”

Swami Vigyananand emphasised

the role of long-serving volunteers

and professionals in sustaining

WHEF’s global impact. “The World

Hindu Economic Forum is more

than an event—it’s a movement,”

he said. “The selfless dedication of

our karyakartas is the foundation

of our continued progress.”

A Life of Service and

Leadership

Man Killed In Violent Street

Brawl In Auckland’s Otara

IWK BUREAU

late-night street fight in Auckland’s

A Otara suburb has left one man dead

and another seriously injured, prompting

police to launch a homicide investigation.

Emergency services responded to

reports of a brawl on Wymondley Road

shortly before midnight on Friday. “Upon

arrival, two men were located with critical

injuries,” Detective Senior Sergeant Simon

Taylor said. Both were rushed to hospital,

but one of the men died shortly after. The

other remains in serious condition.

The incident has sent shockwaves

through the Otara community. Manukau

councillor Alf Filipaina told RNZ that local

leaders were deeply unsettled by the

World Hindu Economic Forum (WHEF) 2025

violence. “They are sending condolences

to the families involved,” he said. “It is just

something that, for them, is not ‘us’.”

He added that such a violent episode is

rare for the area. “They’re just saying ‘it’s

not Otara’. You’ve now got one person who

has passed, and then you’ve got another

seriously injured, so they are shocked.

We haven’t had anything this serious for a

while,” Filipaina told RNZ.

Police remained at the scene on

Saturday, conducting a forensic

examination. Cordons are still in place,

and investigators are urging anyone who

witnessed the altercation or has relevant

information to come forward.

The investigation is ongoing.

NEW ZEALAND


Professor Magesan, formerly

Professor and Head of

Environmental Science at Fiji

National University, took early

retirement in 2014 to dedicate

himself to voluntary service in India.

During this period, he served as

honorary CEO of WHEF. He played

a crucial role in organising the

inaugural World Hindu Congress

(WHC) in New Delhi, which drew

over 1,800 delegates from more

than 60 countries.

Since then, he has remained

an integral part of WHEF’s global

operations, often arriving weeks

in advance of each international

conference to oversee logistics,

planning, and community

engagement. His ongoing

commitment exemplifies the spirit

of seva that lies at the heart of the

movement.

Unemployment Rates

Spike: Migrants Wary

IWK BUREAU

ew Zealand’s unemployment

N rate is expected to climb to

5.3 per cent by the end of June,

its highest level since 2016,

highlighting the continued strain

on the labour market following last

year’s recession and a sluggish

economic recovery.

The anticipated increase from

5.1 per cent in the previous quarter

reflects ongoing job losses and

minimal hiring activity. Economists

estimate the economy may have

shed up to 40,000 jobs over the past

couple of years, with the recovery

yet to make a meaningful impact on

employment.

“We expect the unemployment

rate to rise, as very modest growth

in the labour supply meets a small

contraction in employment,” said

ANZ senior economist Miles

Workman, as reported by RNZ. He

noted that many firms had been

“labour hoarding,” retaining staff

in hopes of an economic rebound.

However, that optimism may be

waning. “If a recovery in economic

momentum doesn't do the heavy

lifting when it comes to 'rightsizing'

firms' labour input, a further

reduction in headcount may be

needed,” he added.

Westpac senior economist

Michael Gordon highlighted that

young people are among the worst

affected. “As the economy cooled

off, this group has found themselves


out of work again or are struggling

to get into work in the first place,”

he said. ASB senior economist

Mark Smith pointed to falling job

advertisements, continued layoffs,

and fewer people actively seeking

employment. “Earlier falls in hiring

and more competition for jobs is

expected to continue to deter some

candidates,” he said.

Slowing Wages Ease

Inflation, Strain Households

Annual wage growth is expected to

remain just above 2 percent, with

private sector labour costs likely

rising only 2.3 percent in the June

quarter—a four-year low. While the

cooling wage growth may help

reduce inflationary pressure, it also

tightens household budgets.

“Wage inflation can be considered

broadly consistent with CPI inflation

around target,” Workman noted. “But

given we're a decent clip from the

labour market entering inflationary

territory, disinflation pressures

stemming from the labour market

are set to continue for a while yet.”

NZ Police


LIFESTYLE

Hook, Flirt, Release—Welcome

To Modern Romance

Dr Mehak Jonjua

Journalist, Author & Media Mentor

X @janjuamehak

I

n 2025, dating will undoubtedly

be hectic and one popular trend

is the "Catch and Release"

method. Consider fishing: you "catch"

someone, savour the moment, and

then "release" them back into the

ocean of unmarried life. However,

in this instance, the sea is your

constantly scrolling dating app, and

the catch? An uncomplicated, shortlived

liaison.

Why is Catch and Release

becoming popular? In a time

when there are countless options

and instant gratification, many

single people are more interested

in experiences than in long-term

commitment. A Pew Research

survey from 2024 found that more

than 40% of adults between the ages

of 25 and 35 acknowledge having

casual relationships with several

people without any immediate plans

to become exclusive.

The reasoning? When something—

or someone—better is always only a

swipe away, why settle? Changing

cultural values are also reflected

in this trend. Compared to earlier

generations, millennials and Gen

Z place a higher priority on mental

health, professional goals, and

personal development. Instead of

being a sureshot route to marriage,

dating turns into an exploratory

stage. Catch and Release is ideal

because it allows for connection

without the burden of expectations.

But let's face it, this style involves

striking a difficult balance in addition

to freedom. If you do too much Catch

and Release, you run the risk of both

parties experiencing emotional

burnout. Casual dating without clear

communication can result in feelings

of confusion and rejection, according

to the Harvard Review of Psychology.

Therefore, even though this trend is

liberating, it requires honesty and

emotional intelligence. Will romance

end with Catch and Release? Not

very likely. It's quick, adaptable, and

experimental—more like romance

on shuffle. This trend demonstrates

how dating culture has changed,

whether you like it or not. The best

catch is sometimes the one you let

go of gracefully, so keep that in mind

the next time you're speaking with a

new person.

Credit: Sergey Sokolov

Credit: Sergey Sokolov

Rise Of The

Multi-Hyphenate Career

Dr Neeraj A Sharma

Honorary Consul General of the

Republic of Palau to India

X @Neerajpalau

The way we work is evolving,

and one of the most exciting

shifts happening right now is

the rise of fractional hiring and

the growth of portfolio careers.

Instead of sticking with a single

full-time job, more professionals—

especially in tech, marketing,

strategy, and leadership roles—

are choosing to work with multiple

companies at once, offering their

expertise on a part-time, projectbased,

or contract basis.

Fractional hiring refers

to bringing in experienced

professionals—like CMOs, CFOs,

or product leads—on a “fraction”

of their time, without committing

to a full-time salary or long-term

contract. For start-ups or small

businesses, it’s a game changer.

They get access to top-tier talent

without the cost of a full-time

executive. For professionals,

it means more flexibility,

control over their time, and the

opportunity to diversify income

and experience across different

industries or markets.

This model is especially

booming in post-pandemic work

culture. According to a 2024

McKinsey report, nearly 30% of

U.S. workers now operate in some

form of independent or portfoliostyle

employment. Platforms like

Contra, Wethos, and Fiverr Pro are

fuelling this shift by connecting

highly skilled freelancers and

fractional executives with

businesses looking for flexible

arrangements. In tech, fractional

CTOs are helping start-ups scale

infrastructure, while in marketing,

fractional CMOs are designing

growth strategies without being

on payroll full-time.

The portfolio career—a term

popularized in the last few years—

describes a professional lifestyle

where someone builds a career

by combining multiple income

streams and roles. For example,

someone might consult for one

company, teach an online course,

invest in start-ups, and write

industry newsletters—all under

their personal brand. This career

model offers autonomy, creative

freedom, and economic resilience

in uncertain times.

Gen Z and Millennials, in

particular, are embracing this

path for its flexibility and potential

for better work-life balance. As

companies get more comfortable

with remote work and resultsdriven

hiring, the traditional 9-to-5

is giving way to agile, skills-based

contributions. Whether you’re a

start-up founder looking for top

talent or a professional tired of

corporate constraints, the future

of work might just lie in going

fractional.

Credit: Andrej Lišakov

Karma, The Power of Cause

and Effect in Everyday Life

Dr Mehak Jonjua


X @janjuamehak

The word karma often makes an

appearance in conversation—

and usually with a smirk—often

in an instance when someone

cuts in line and soon after drops

their coffee. "Karma!" we say. But

behind the casual usage lurks

a powerful idea: actions shape

experiences.

Simply put, karma is pretty much

every cause and effect. What you

put out into the world via words,

choices, or behavior will eventually

come back to you. Not always

right away, oftentimes not how you

expect it, but it will show up. Think

of it as life keeping receipts.

Karma is not just about

punishments. It is about rewards.

If you help somebody without any

expectation of return, in a couple

of months, somebody might be

standing up there and helping

you through your days. That is not

magic; it is just the garden-variety

ripple effect of being kind. Your

energy creates echoes.

Let me give you an example: a

person who lies nonstop might end

up losing the trust of the people,

even if the lies were never spoken

aloud. A kind of darn aura placed

around them. On the converse,

the person known for kindness

and honesty has such a favorable

reputation that opportunities open

up for them.

That kind of karma is subtle.

Consider a gossip. Nothing

bad might seem to happen

immediately; however, over time,

one might find the sting of isolation

or become embroiled in yet more

drama. That is karma, too—just

consequences, not punishment.

Karma gets misinterpreted as

a scale for perfection. Instead,

it is about awareness. Firmer

realization about the power behind

your actions makes you pick your

actions. You think about what you

are about to say. You treat another

person with respect, not because

you fear karma but because you

comprehend it.

Karma is like a personal

feedback loop. Life will be a

reflection of who you are as a

person. The more you embrace

responsibility for your actions,

the more you'll feel in charge of

your life.

So, the next time you decide to

forgive, to help, to lie, or to criticize,

remember you are planting a seed.

Karma is how and when that seed

grows. Choose wisely.


ENTERTAINMENT


instagram

Tamannaah opens

Up About Virat, Abdul

Tamannaah Bhatia is one of the

few actors who has created

a distinct niche for herself in

Bollywood as well as the south film

industry. And predictably, she has

often found herself at the centre of

the proverbial rumour mill. However,

it was the buzz around her romantic

involvement with cricketers Virat Kohli

and Abdul Razzaq that grabbed

the headlines like no other.

Never the one to

hesitate in expressing

her opinion,

Tamannaah has

finally broken her

silence about the

rumours.

Trashing the

dating buzz with

Virat Kohli as

rumours, the ‘Aaj

Ki Raat’ actor said,

“I feel so bad because

I literally met him for only

once. I have never met Virat after that.”

For the unversed, a photograph of

Tamannaah with Kohli had gone viral

in 2012. While netizens went crazy

claiming that the due was romantically

involved, turns out, it was just a formal

interaction during the shooting of an

advertisement that the two did together.

Another picture of Tamannaah

with Pakistani cricketer Abdul

Razzaq had gone viral when the two

happened to be present in the same

Trashing

the dating

buzz with Virat

Kohli as rumours,

the ‘Aaj Ki Raat’ actor

said, “I feel so bad

because I literally

met him for only

once.”

jewellery shop. The grapevine went

into an overdrive and claimed that

the two had tied the knot.

Responding to the rumour, the

‘Baahubali’ actor said: “Mazaak

mazaak mein Abdul Razzaq! The

Internet is a fun place. Yeah, according

to the internet, I was briefly married to

Abdul Razzaq.”

With folded hands, she quipped:

“I'm sorry sir. You have

children. I don't know about

your life but it was so

embarrassing.”

She added that it

was the inauguration

of the jewellery shop

where both Razzaq

and she were present.

“It is very awkward

when the media links

you to someone you have

absolutely no connection

with. But there is nothing

you can do. It takes time but one

finally accepts that there’s nothing one

can do about it. You can’t control what

anyone thinks,” she concluded.

One the work front, Bhatia is

working on multiple language films,

including Hindi folk thriller ‘VVAN

- Force Of The Forrest’, Telugu film

‘That Is Mahalakshmi’ set to release

in December this year and Tamil

romantic drama ‘Yen Endru Kadhal

Enben, scheduled to release in

August 2026.

Gratitude & Humility: SRK On

Winning First National Award

pride, humility, and

overwhelmed, ' says Bollywood

'Gratitude,

superstar Shah Rukh Khan on winning

his first National Award as Best Actor in over

three decades of his acting career. Khan won

the award for his 'Jawan' movie in 2023. The

movie, which minted over Rs 1,100 crore at

the worldwide box office, was a high-octane

thriller and featured SRK in the dual role of

Army officer Vikram Rathore and his jailor

son Azad. In a video message on Instagram

on Friday, the 59-year-old actor said the

National Film Award serves as a reminder

that his work "matters" and encourages him

to "keep going, working hard, keep creating

and keep serving cinema".

"I am overwhelmed with gratitude, pride

and humility. To be honored with the National

Award is a moment that I will cherish for a

lifetime," he said in the video message.

In the video, the actor's right hand was in

a sling following an injury he sustained while

shooting for his upcoming film "King".

"A national award is not just about

achievement. It's a reminder that what I

do matters. It tells me to keep going, keep

working hard, keep creating and keep serving

cinema. In a world full of noise to be heard,

truly heard, is a blessing. And I promise to use

this recognition, not as a finish line, but as

fuel to continue striving, learning and giving

back. This award is a reminder for me that

acting is not just work but a responsibility, to

show the truth on the screen. I am grateful

for all the love," Shah Rukh said. The actor

extended his thanks to the award jury, the

Ministry of Information & Broadcasting,

and his recent collaborators -- directors

Rajkumar Hirani ("Dunki"), Siddharth Anand

("Pathaan") and especially Atlee.


VIEW POINT

Key Lies In The ‘Kiwi Trick’

Vikrant Parmar

Editor, Writer & Media Mentor

X @vikrantparmar17

Innovation frequently takes the

most surprising forms in the

dynamic field of farming and

the so-called "kiwi trick" is one such

twist. No, it has nothing to do with

birds or New Zealanders' secret

handshakes, but rather a clever

farming method that is enabling

farmers to grow kiwis in areas

where the fruit was previously

thought to be challenging to grow.

Native to China and famously

marketed by New Zealand, kiwis

generally like a temperate climate

with the ideal ratio of sunshine

Dr Neeraj A Sharma

Honorary Consul General of the

Republic of Palau to India

X @Neerajpalau

Millions of us use social media

every day, frequently without

even recognizing how much time

we're wasting as we swipe, like,

comment, and scroll. People use

social media sites like Facebook,

to rainfall. However, farmers in

nations like India, Iran and even

some parts of southern Europe

are now producing high-quality

kiwis, frequently during off-season

cycles, thanks to climate-adaptive

farming methods and more

intelligent greenhouse controls.

The trick? Managed microclimate

control and cross-pollination

through organic composting, drip

irrigation, and shade nets.

The dioecious nature of kiwi

plants, which means that male and

female flowers grow on different

vines, is a significant problem

for kiwi farmers. Pollination can

therefore be challenging. The "kiwi

trick" involves farmers strategically

planting a higher-than-normal ratio

of male vines and using companion

plants that attract bees, like

marigold or lavender, in the area.

This produces bigger, sweeter

fruits in addition to increasing

pollination rates. To effectively

guide pollinators between vines,

farmers occasionally even apply

Instagram, TikTok, and X for

more than two hours every day

on average, according to studies.

That's over 700 hours annually.

Imagine, then, if you could devote

just half of your daily screen time

to learning a new skill. That's

more than 180 hours annually. It's

a genuine opportunity, not just a

whimsical idea.

To put it in perspective,

language learning applications

such as Babbel or Duolingo

indicate that within a year, 15 to

30 minutes per day is sufficient

to develop conversational

fluency in a new language. With

a comparable time commitment,

coding platforms such as

Codecademy or freeCodeCamp

can prepare you for employment

Cut the Feed, Feed Your Mind

Credit: Szabo Viktor

in fields like data analytics

or front-end development.

Consistent, brief daily sessions

can help develop even creative

skills, such as writing, digital

illustration, or photography. Over

time, what initially seems like a

small sacrifice could become

something profound.

It's not about giving up social

media completely. It's about

reclaiming a small portion of that

time and using it for something

that will help you in the future.

The majority of us can't even

recall what we scrolled through

yesterday, but we can recall the

time we spent taking care of

ourselves, whether it was learning

something new, making progress,

or producing something we were

proud of.

Furthermore, well-being is just

as important as productivity.

Limiting daily social media use

to 30 minutes has been shown

to significantly reduce symptoms

of loneliness and depression,

according to research from

the University of Pennsylvania.

You can improve not only your

skill set but also your mood

and confidence by substituting

learning or creating for a little

doomscrolling.

We frequently claim to be

time-constrained. In actuality,

though, the time exists; we are

only deciding where to spend it.

Furthermore, life doesn't become

boring if you dedicate a tiny

percentage of your social media

time to developing your skills.

Actually, it can lead to better

employment, new interests, or

side projects that provide creative

fulfilment or additional revenue.

Think about taking a different

approach the next time you find

yourself instinctively reaching for

your phone. Your entire year could

be transformed by a few minutes

of mindfulness each day.

natural pheromone boosters.

Timing is another component of

the trick. Farmers utilize "dormancybreaking

sprays" made from

natural compounds to promote bud

development earlier in the season in

(Credit: Emiliano Vittoriosi)

areas with less than ideal winter chill.

Farmers are successfully deceiving

the plant into believing it is growing in

a climate that is conducive to kiwis by

fusing traditional knowledge with lowtech

solutions.

This method has produced

financial gains. Some regions

of India's Himachal Pradesh

and Arunachal Pradesh have

started growing kiwis instead of

apples because they are two to

three times more expensive per

kilogram. Exports of kiwis have

been increasing globally, with Italy

and Iran now ranking among the

top producers after New Zealand.

The next time you cut into a

tart, green kiwi, keep in mind that

it may be the result of more than

just soil and sunlight; it may also

be the result of ingenuity, regional

adaptation and a little botanical

mischief! After all, farming is now

about outwitting nature, one trick

at a time, rather than just growing.

(The writer can be reached at

vikrant.webs@gmail.com)

Spilling Secrets

To ChatGPT?

ou may have questioned whether ChatGPT is truly private if you've

Y ever used it to write a message, ask for advice, or simply brainstorm.

Given the increasing prevalence of AI tools like this in daily life, it's a

legitimate question. In a nutshell, no. Even though it could seem like

you're conversing with a robot one-on-one, your messages don't simply

vanish. By default, OpenAI has access to your chats in order to enhance

ChatGPT's functionality. This

implies that actual people working

behind the scenes might see your

conversations. They examine

conversations to improve, secure,

and enlighten the AI, but they are

not snooping on you for fun.

This usually doesn't indicate

Dr Mehak Jonjua


X @janjuamehak

that someone is actively

listening to what you have to say.

However, your name, address, or

any other sensitive information

you enter may wind up in the

data that OpenAI uses to train

the system. Your messages

are saved and may appear in

upcoming training updates

unless you disable the chat

history setting. Therefore, even

though you're not being watched

in real time, your words may

still be examined at a later time.

There is a method to lessen the

exposure if that worries you.

This prevents the model from learning from your conversations.

The catch is that OpenAI retains those conversations for 30 days

in order to keep an eye out for abuse or offensive material. They are

then removed. Technically speaking, they are still not totally private,

but if you're worried, it's a positive move.

According to OpenAI, it complies with all significant privacy

regulations, including the California Civil Code and the GDPR in

Europe. You can even request that your data be deleted or seen. Your

level of trust in the system is ultimately up to you. OpenAI provides a

premium version of ChatGPT Enterprise for users who require more

privacy, such as businesses or professionals handling sensitive

data. That version has stricter privacy controls and doesn't use

conversations for training at all. However, it's worth exercising a little

caution for the typical user. The interface is not necessarily private just

because it seems welcoming and intimate. Consider it more akin to a

public notebook that could be viewed by someone to help improve its

intelligence. It's not the same as using an encrypted messaging app

or conversing with a friend. Therefore, perhaps refrain from saying it

to ChatGPT if you wouldn't say it in public.

Although ChatGPT is a useful tool, it is not a private setting. That's

the best way to use it. If you want more control over your data, change

your settings and refrain from sharing anything too sensitive.


INDIA


No Pigeon Feeding in Mumbai

A Bombay High Court order directing the closure of Mumbai’s traditional 'kabutarkhanas' has triggered a

storm of controversy, street protests and even the city’s first criminal case for feeding pigeons.

AGENCIES

A

Bombay High Court order directing

the closure of Mumbai’s traditional

kabutarkhanas has triggered a storm

of controversy, street protests and even the

city’s first criminal case for feeding pigeons.

For decades, pigeons have been an

inseparable part of Mumbai’s streetscape —

from railway stations and marketplaces to the

iconic Gateway of India. These birds have long

flocked in large numbers around designated

feeding spots known as kabutarkhanas.

However, after the High Court’s recent

directive, many of these sites now stand

covered with tarpaulin sheets, as officials

clamp down on public feeding.

At the centre of the row is a July 31 order

from the Bombay High Court instructing the

Mumbai civic body (BMC) to strictly enforce

criminal proceedings against those defying

the ban on feeding pigeons at public places

and heritage sites.

In its order, the court flagged serious public

health hazards, including respiratory illnesses,

and cited damage to heritage sites caused

by pigeon droppings. The ruling comes

amid a surge in the city’s pigeon population,

which residents say has become increasingly

unmanageable.

However, the move has drawn strong

opposition from animal welfare groups and

members of Mumbai’s influential Gujarati and

Jain communities, who regard pigeon feeding

as auspicious and deeply rooted in their

spiritual traditions.

Mumbai’s affair with

'kabutarkhanas'

The tradition of feeding pigeons in Mumbai

is said to have been popularised by Gujarati

and Jain businessmen, who helped set up

dedicated feeding zones across the city.

Many Jains believe feeding pigeons earns

religious merit and blessings from ancestors.

For decades, it has been a common sight to

see devotees scattering grain near temples

and trust-managed feeding areas.

Over the past month, civic authorities have

shut down more than 50 kabutarkhanas.

One of the most prominent, the Dadar

kabutarkhana, recently saw BMC workers

Bombay High Court order fuels Mumbai pigeon row.

PIGEON DROPPINGS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS DISEASES

Medical experts warn that dried droppings of pigeons harbor fungal spores that can trigger

serious respiratory conditions, including cryptococcosis, which can also affect the nervous

system. Beyond health issues, pigeons create a mess at bus stops, public squares and

near monuments. Their acidic droppings have been found to corrode the stonework of

protected heritage sites such as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.

erect a bamboo barricade to stop people

from feeding pigeons there. The move

sparked protests led by members of the Jain

community and animal rights activists.

Protests and the first

criminal case

On Sunday, over a thousand protesters —

including activists and Jain spiritual leaders —

marched from Colaba to the Gateway of India,

demanding that the ban be rolled back.

Jain monk Nareshchandra Ji Maharaj

even threatened to begin a fast-unto-death if

feeding was not allowed to resume. Protesters

claimed that hundreds of pigeons have already

starved to death since the crackdown began.

Although a ban on feeding pigeons in public

has existed for years, it was rarely enforced

due to the political sensitivity of antagonising

Mumbai’s influential Jain and Gujarati

communities.

But on August 3, Mumbai Police filed the

city’s first-ever criminal case against an

individual for feeding pigeons in a public place.

Pigeon politics

The issue has now taken a political turn, with

Maharashtra minister and BJP MLA Mangal

Prabhat Lodha writing to the municipal

commissioner to express concern over the

dismantling of kabutarkhanas.

Lodha questioned whether feeding alone

was the root cause of the health hazards and

called for a court-monitored committee to

suggest long-term, sustainable solutions.

He pointed out that restricting feeding

has led to pigeons starving and dying on

the streets, creating new hygiene concerns.

Lodha argued this could ironically worsen the

same public health risks that the ban aims

to address. The controversy also echoed

in the Maharashtra legislative council last

month after a member cited a family death

caused by a lung disease linked to exposure

to pigeon droppings. Medical experts warn

that dried droppings harbour fungal spores,

which can trigger respiratory conditions,

including cryptococcosis, which can also

affect the nervous system. Beyond health

issues, residents have long complained about

the mess pigeons create at bus stops, public

squares and near monuments.

True Indian Wouldn't

Lie: SC Raps Rahul

AGENCIES

The Supreme Court of India on

Monday issued a strong rebuke

to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

regarding his claim that China had

annexed 2,000 square kilometers

of Indian territory. The court stated

that such a remark was unbecoming

of a 'true Indian.' However, it did

grant interim relief by staying the

defamation proceedings against

Gandhi related to the statement.

The comments in question were

made by Gandhi during his 2023

'Bharat Jodo Yatra.' At the time, he

claimed that a retired Army officer

had informed him that China had

occupied 2,000 square kilometers

of Indian land.

A bench comprising Justices

Dipankar Datta and Augustine

George Masih was hearing Gandhi's

plea to challenge the defamation

case. During the hearing, the court

questioned the basis of his claim,

asking, "How did you know about

2,000 km being annexed by the

Chinese?" The bench emphasised,

"If you're a true Indian, you

wouldn't say it." The judges further

reprimanded Gandhi, who serves

as the Leader of the Opposition

in the Lok Sabha, by asking, "You

being Leader of the Opposition, why

would you say these things? Why

will you not ask these questions in

Parliament?"

Gandhi had approached the

Supreme Court after the Allahabad

High Court, on May 29, dismissed

his plea. He had challenged both the

summoning order and the criminal

complaint against him, arguing that

the case was politically motivated

and filed with malicious intent.

The complaint was filed by

Udai Shanker Srivastava, a former

Director of the Border Roads

Organisation. Srivastava alleged

that during the Bharat Jodo Yatra

in December 2022, Gandhi made

several derogatory and defamatory

remarks about the Indian Army in

the context of the border standoff

with China.

Shibu Soren, Ex-Jharkhand CM

And JMM Chief, Is No More

AGENCIES

After a protracted illness, Shibu

Soren, the former Chief Minister

of Jharkhand and the original patron

of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha

(JMM), died on Monday at the age

of 81 in a Delhi hospital.

Hemant Soren, his son and

current chief minister, announced

his passing on social media, writing,

"Respected Dishoom Guru has left

us all. Today, I have become empty."

Shibu Soren, affectionately known

as 'Dishoom Guru' (Great Leader)

by his followers, had been largely

absent from active politics in recent

years. He was admitted to a Delhi

hospital in the last week of June for

a kidney-related ailment.

A prominent and towering tribal

leader, Shibu Soren was a key figure

in the movement for a separate

Jharkhand state. He was one of the

founding members of the JMM and

led the party for nearly four decades.

He served as the party's president

from 1987 until April. Throughout

his distinguished career, Shibu

Soren served as the Chief Minister

of Jharkhand on three separate

occasions: in March 2005, from

August 2008 to January 2009, and

from December 2009 to May 2010.

Shibu Soren.

However, he never completed a full

five-year term.

In addition to his state-level roles,

he was also a Union Cabinet Minister

for Coal in three separate stints

between 2004 and 2006. A six-time

Lok Sabha MP, he represented the

lower house of India's parliament

from 1980 to 2005. He was also

elected to the Rajya Sabha three

times during his career.

Top national leaders, including

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, paid

tribute to Soren’s remarkable legacy.

Describing him as a monumental

figure in Indian politics, the

Prime Minister acknowledged

Soren’s lifelong devotion to the

empowerment of tribal communities

and the establishment of Jharkhand

as a separate state.

“Shri Shibu Soren Ji was a

grassroots leader who rose

through the ranks of public life

with unwavering dedication to

the people. He was particularly

passionate about empowering

tribal communities, the poor and

downtrodden. Pained by his passing

away. My thoughts are with his

family and admirers. While speaking

to Jharkhand CM Shri Hemant Soren

Ji and expressed condolences. Om

Shanti,” Modi wrote on X.


WORLD

India And Philippines Launch

Patrols In The South China Sea

AGENCIES

Indian Navy warships have begun

patrolling parts of the disputed

South China Sea with their

Philippine counterparts for the first

time, confirmed the Philippines’

armed forces on Monday. This

came at a time when President

Ferdinand Marcos departed for a

state visit to New Delhi.

The two-day patrolling includes

three Indian Navy ships, which

started a day before Marcos

left on an official trip where

he is supposed to meet Prime

Minister Modi. The Philippines has

increased its defence cooperation

with several allies over the past

year after repeated clashes with

the Chinese Navy in the

disputed sea.

Beijing claims the

entirety of South China

despite the international

ruling, which was

announced without

Beijing’s presence. In a

response to the arbitration

body’s ruling, the Chinese foreign

ministry recently said the ruling

does not apply to China since it

does not recognise the claim.

China and India are diplomatic

and military competitors in the

South Asia and Southeast Asia

region, where both are trying to

Indian Navy

warships were

patrolling areas of the

disputed South China

Sea with their Philippine

counterparts for

the first time on

Monday.

The Philippines has increased its defence cooperation with

several allies over the past year after repeated clashes with

the Chinese Navy in the disputed sea.

assert dominance over the region.

The Indian naval ships participating

in the patrolling exercise included

the guided missile destroyer INS

Delhi, which arrived in Manila for a

port visit late last week.

China and India have also

engaged in border clashes in

the Ladakh area, where the two

militaries have still been locked in a

standoff since 2020 after Chinese

troops entered Indian territory

following the revocation of Article

370 from Jammu and Kashmir.

Beijing has repeatedly alleged

that the four-way partnership, first

conceived by late Japanese Prime

Minister Shinzo Abe, was created

as a way of containing China.

The QUAD group, according to

China, is somehow meant to contain

China’s rise of influence in the region

as a global economic and military

superpower after the US.

Despite the US pressure, India has

shown no sign of stopping its oil

purchases from Russia. (File Photo)

Oil Politics:

Trump Aide

Blames India

AGENCIES

senior aide to President Donald

A Trump has publicly criticised

India for its continued purchase of

Russian oil, arguing that the country

is indirectly funding Russia’s war in

Ukraine. The comments come as

the Trump administration intensifies

its pressure on nations that maintain

energy trade with Moscow.

Stephen Miller, a highly

influential advisor to Trump, stated

on 'Sunday Morning Futures' that

Trump holds a clear position on the

matter. "What he (Trump) said very

clearly is that it is not acceptable

for India to continue financing this

war by purchasing oil from Russia,"

Miller said.

During his press conference,

Miller expressed surprise at the

scale of India's oil trade with Russia.

"People will be shocked to learn that

India is basically tied with China in

purchasing Russian oil," he said.

"That's an astonishing fact."

Last December, They Waited.

This December, They’ve Got a Checklist

BRANDED CONTENT

Why Indian families across New Zealand

are planning smarter and booking

earlier with Maitrip.

This December, more families are making

smarter decisions—thanks to Maitrip’s

trusted service, early fare specials, and

step-by-step travel guidance.

Your Official December Travel

Checklist (2025 Edition)

Made for Indian families living in New

Zealand.

Book Early Before Peak Fares Spike

December is the busiest month of the year

for travel to India and Asia. Waiting too long

means limited availability, high prices, and

missed chances. Maitrip is offering:

• India Return Fares from $1319* (Qantas )

• India Return Fares from $1396* Economy

(Singapore)

• India Return Fares from $5911* Business

(Singapore)

• Peak December Fares from $1689 (All-

Inclusive)

• Custom Group Packages for Weddings

& Events

$20 App Booking Bonus + Exclusive App

OffersIf you already have a wedding invite,

a holiday break, or a family commitment—

book now before seats vanish.

Download the Maitrip App – Travel

Tech That Thinks Like You Do

Smart families aren’t waiting for the internet

to update prices. They’re using the Maitrip

App, which gives them:

• Instant fare drop alerts—before prices

are shown anywhere else

• App-exclusive flight deals and travel

packages

• A $20 booking bonus on your first in-app

reservation

• One-tap access to real-time WhatsApp

support

Whether you’re booking from your kitchen or

during a lunch break at work, the app keeps

you ahead of the game.

Coordinate Wedding Travel

the Easy Way

Indian weddings are big, emotional, and

beautifully complex. But managing guest

travel doesn’t have to be.

Maitrip offers full-service wedding travel

planning, including:

• Group bookings for guests from multiple

cities and countries

• Airport transfers and hotel blocks

arranged for families

• Special fares for larger bookings and

off-peak travel

• One contact point for all your relatives’

travel coordination

Whether you're planning a wedding or

attending one—let Maitrip handle the

logistics so you can focus on celebrations.

Plan a Holiday That Feels

Like a Break

Not everyone is heading home in December—

some are heading out to relax. Maitrip offers

holiday packages designed for comfort,

value, and unforgettable experiences.

Top holiday deals for December–January

departures include:

Hong Kong Holiday Package: 5-day

tour, $1,853* per person, includes flight,

accommodation, meals, and transportation.

Departure dates: 01 Sep 2025–31 Mar 2026.

Offer

ends 17 Aug 2025.

New York Holiday Package: 6-day tour,

$3,403* per person, includes flight,


Departure dates: 01 Jul 2025–28 Feb 2026.

Offer ends 31 Aug 2025.

Fiji Holiday Package: 8-day tour, $1,223*

per person, includes flight, accommodation,

meals, and transportation. Departure dates:

16 Nov 2025–25 Mar 2026. Offer ends 31

Aug 2025.

Gold Coast Holiday Package: 5-day

tour, $845* per person, includes flight,


Departure dates: 01 Jun 2025–30 Apr 2026.

Offer ends 30 Sep 2025. Family-friendly.

Customizable. And always best-priced

through Maitrip.

Get Support That Understands Your

Culture and Concerns

Booking a flight isn’t just about the price—it’s

about trust, clarity, and being heard.

Maitrip understands the expectations and

preferences of Indian families in NZ. That’s

why we provide:

• Friendly, multilingual staff who speak

Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, and more

• In-person booking support at our four

NZ branches: Auckland, Wellington,

Christchurch, and Hamilton

• Quick support via WhatsApp for lastminute

queries and document sharing

• Personalized service for elderly travelers,

students, and first-timers

We’re not just a website. We’re a team you

can call, visit, or message—and get real help,

every time.

Don't Wait. Don’t Wonder. Just Tick

and Book with Maitrip.

Families across New Zealand are already

checking off their December plans.

They’ve booked their flights. Claimed their

app bonus. Coordinated their wedding group

travel.

And found their dream holiday package—all

through Maitrip.

Now it’s your turn.

Visit your nearest Maitrip branch.

Download the app and get instant access to

exclusive offers.

Book online at maitrip.co.nz or reach out on

WhatsApp.

This December, your story starts with the

right booking. Let Maitrip take you there.

Maitrip – Love Your Holiday.


SPIRITUAL CORNER


In the

coming

week…

ARIES

(March 23–April 22)

This week, your energy is unstoppable! Use your

natural drive to tackle a project you’ve been

putting off. But watch out for impatience—

slow down and listen to others’ advice.

Lucky Day: Monday

Vibe: Sensitive but strong

Satvic Eating – The Inner

Alchemy of Food & Consciousness

RAVI K DHAR

When yoga moves beyond

postures and breathing

into the deeper work

of transformation, the body

becomes not just a vehicle but a

conscious collaborator. For me,

that realisation came during the

pandemic, when my sadhana was

entering a new phase. The inner

work demanded not just stillness

and meditation, but purification at

the most tangible level — the food I

was putting into my body.

The change began unexpectedly.

My elder son, who had not visited

India for years, arrived home

against all odds during the travel

restrictions. What seemed like a

family reunion soon revealed a

deeper orchestration. He came

carrying not just affection, but

knowledge — and a determination

to overhaul my diet.

Until then, my kitchen was

like most urban Indian kitchens:

aluminium pans, plastic storage,

the comfortable familiarity of

onions, garlic, refined oil, and

an occasional indulgence in

processed foods. That world

changed overnight. Earthen

pots, steel and glass replaced

aluminium and plastic. Onion,

garlic, refined oils — even animal

products — were gently but firmly

set aside. In their place came fresh

coriander, turmeric root, ginger,

lemon, coconut, desi ghee made

by the ancient bilona method,

and vegetables so fresh they still

seemed to carry the sun’s warmth.

In yoga, food is not merely

fuel. The Bhagavad Gita

speaks of three types

of food — rajasic

(stimulating), tamasic (dulling), and

satvic (pure, harmonious). Satvic

food is light, fresh, easy to digest,

and vibrationally alive. It quiets the

mind, steadies the emotions, and

sharpens inner perception. In my

case, shifting to satvic eating was

not a philosophical experiment;

it was a necessity. My body had

to become lighter, cleaner, more

transparent to the descent of prana

and light.

Under my son’s guidance, meals

became simple: boiled vegetables

in clay pots, garnished with lemon

and coriander; chapatis made

fresh, soft, and unadorned; cooling

drinks like ash gourd juice — revered

in Ayurveda for its cleansing and

restorative effect on the gut. The

shift was not just culinary, it was

energetic. I began each day feeling

less burdened, more present, more

attuned to my practice.

One of the principles in

yogic nutrition is that digestion

consumes prana. The heavier and

more processed the food, the more

life-force it diverts. Light, living

food — especially when eaten in

moderation and with awareness

— frees that prana for higher work:

meditation, insight, the subtle

labour of transformation. I began

eating only one cooked meal in the

forenoon, and fruit in the evening.

My body adapted quickly. Cravings

faded. Energy no longer spiked

and crashed, but flowed steadily

through the day.

The physical results were visible

— a slow, steady weight loss

from 96 kg to 76, digestive health

restored, blood pressure stabilised.

But the real transformation was

inward. My meditations deepened.

My mind cleared. My body felt

like an instrument tuned to a finer

frequency, ready to respond to the

faintest inner promptings. The

inertia — tamas — that had once

resisted change was dissolving.

(The writer is a spiritual

guide)

Designed by Freepik

TAURUS

(April 23–May 22)

GEMINI

(May 23–June 22)

CANCER

(June 23–July 22)

LEO

(July 23–August 22)

VIRGO

(August 23–September 22)

LIBRA

(September 23–October 22)

SCORPIO

(October 23–November 22)

SAGITTARIUS

(November 23–December 22)

CAPRICORN

(December 23–January 22)

AQUARIUS

(January 23–February 22)

Comfort and routine feel good, but try stepping

outside your bubble. A surprise invitation

could lead to new friendships. Financially,

think twice before big purchases.

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Vibe: Bold but mindful

Communication is your superpower this week.

Whether it’s a tricky conversation or pitching

ideas, you’ll shine. Just be careful not to scatter

your energy—focus on one task at a time.

Lucky Day: Friday

Vibe: Grounded growth

Your intuition is extra sharp now. Trust your

gut, especially in relationships. Emotional

self-care is key—take time to recharge with

activities that soothe your soul.

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Vibe: Curious and clever

Your intuition is extra sharp now. Trust your

gut, especially in relationships. Emotional

self-care is key—take time to recharge with

activities that soothe your soul.

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Vibe: Curious and clever

Details matter, Virgo, but avoid getting stuck in

perfectionism. This week favors progress over

polish. Organize your space and mind—clarity

will help you make smart decisions.

Lucky Day: Thursday

Vibe: Radiant and magnetic

Balance is your goal, and harmony in

relationships is achievable now. A heartfelt

talk can clear misunderstandings. Plus, a bit of

self-indulgence won’t hurt—treat yourself!

Lucky Day: Monday

Vibe: Focused and helpful

Passion fuels you, Scorpio. Dive deep into a

project or relationship, but watch for intensity

that could overwhelm others. Channel your

emotions through creative outlets.

Lucky Day: Saturday

Vibe: Balanced and open

Adventure calls! Whether it’s travel or learning

something new, embrace it. Be open to

unexpected detours—they might lead to

exciting discoveries.

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Vibe: Intense but revealing

Hard work pays off. Focus on your goals with

steady determination. Don’t hesitate to ask for

help—collaboration can speed up your progress.

Lucky Day: Friday

Vibe: Playful and bold

Innovative ideas flow freely now. Share

your vision with like-minded friends or

colleagues. Stay grounded so you don’t get

lost in abstract thinking.

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Vibe: Disciplined but tired

PISCES

(February 23–March 22)

Your empathy is a gift, Pisces. Use it to

support loved ones but remember to set

boundaries. Creative hobbies will bring joy and

help you express feelings.

Lucky Day: Monday

Vibe: Sensitive but strong


SPICE ROUTE

Healthy cooking

every day

Ruby

Dhillon

GO FOR

GOAT

CURRY

Those who love mutton will agree that it does not taste

quite the same overseas as it does in India and they

can’t quite put their finger on the reason why. All is not

lost though; with simple tweaks, a mutton recipe can

taste as sumptuous.

• 750g goat pieces, on bone

• 2 black cardamoms

• 3 cloves

• 4 black peppercorns

• 1 bay leaf

• 21/2 cm cinnamon stick

• A pinch of stone flower

(optional)

• 2 onions, large

• 2 tbsp garlic paste

METHOD

Clean, wash and cut goat into

pieces; cover and refrigerate

till used.

• For the preparations: Peel,

wash and grate onions;

place them in a bowl and set

aside for later use.

INGREDIENTS

Lighter Takes

& Easy Tips

• 2 tbsp ginger paste

• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder

• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder

• 1/3 tsp garam masala powder

• 11/2 tsp salt or to taste

• 1 cup warm water

• 2 tbsp clarified butter for

cooking

• ½ cup fresh coriander, roughly

chopped

• Heat clarified butter in a

heavy bottom pan over a

medium flame. Add the black

cardamoms, cloves, black

peppercorns, bay leaf, cinnamon

stick and stone flower. When they start to

sizzle add the grated onions and sauté till, they are

brown in colour.

• Add garlic paste, stir and add ginger paste and sauté for 2-3

minutes. Lower the flame and add the red chilli powder, turmeric

powder and stir, with a splash of water.

• Add goat pieces and stir over medium flame for 5-6 minutes or

until the meat is browned and the extra water has evaporated.

• Add garam masala powder, salt and 1 cup of warm water to

the meat and mix well. Cover and bring to the boil over high

flame, then lower the flame to medium and let simmer for 20-25

minutes, or until the meat is tender (stir now then to prevent meat

from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Add half a cup of water at

a time and stir. This dish should have a gravy style sauce).

• Garnish with a chopped coriander on top.

• Serve with tandoori roti and jeera rice.

RUBY’S TIP

• Goat curry tastes good with

onions properly browned

instead of sautéed.

• Slow cooked goat curry over

the stove top gives much

better taste than cooking

it in the pressure

cooker.

Maya & The Secret Of

The Mountain

IPSA MEHTA

Boxer By Grit, Storyteller By Soul, Human Above All

A

curious girl named Maya used to live in a

quiet village tucked away between towering

mountains and a glittering river. She enjoyed

listening to the river's song, exploring the forests and

observing the birds. The skies poured more than ever

during one rainy season. The surrounding fields were

inundated as the river grew and rushed more quickly.

Once-tall trees started to sway. Maya also saw that

large areas of earth were slipping down the hills like

enormous cake crumbs!

Maya ran to Grandpa, the village storyteller, in worry.

Why is the river so untamed, Grandpa? "What's causing

the hills to tremble?" she inquired.

Grandpa let out a soft sigh. "Maya, the mountain

is attempting to communicate with us. You see, the

soil loses its hold when we cut down too many trees.

Landslides can occur when rains wash away the earth

that isn't supported by strong roots. The mountain is

stabilized by the forests.

Maya gave it some serious thought. She recalled that

in order to create more space for crops, some farmers

had cleared large areas of the forest. "So, the mountain

will be happier and safer if we take care of the trees?"

Maya rallied her friends, determined. They cleaned

the riverbanks, planted young trees, and shared the

mountain's secret with the locals. The river calmed

as the seasons changed. Encased in verdant

Zeera-Ajwain Water

Is The Buzzword

Dr Mehak Jonjua


X @janjuamehak

Have you ever woken up

feeling heavy and lethargic or

experienced bloating after eating?

Consider looking at your kitchen

shelf before grabbing a pricey

supplement or fancy detox tea.

Because zeera (cumin) and ajwain

(carom seeds), two common

ingredients with significant

health benefits, are hidden away

in most Indian spice cabinets.

Zeera-ajwain water, a traditional

remedy that is making a modern

resurgence, is made by combining

them and boiling them in water.

Despite being traditional, this

beverage has scientific support.

Packed with antioxidants, cumin

seeds have been shown to improve

digestion by increasing pancreatic

enzyme activity. Cumin may even

help control blood sugar and

lower inflammation, per a study

published in the Journal of Food

Science and Technology. Thymol,

a substance found in ajwain, is

known to combat bacteria and

enhance gut health. They function

as a digestive tag team when

combined.

It can be very beneficial to drink

this combination first thing in the

morning. It's particularly beneficial

if you frequently struggle with gas,

acidity, or a slow metabolism.

Because it improves digestion,

decreases water retention, and

may reduce cravings, regular

drinkers swear it also helps

with weight management—not

Credit: Monika Grabkowska

ChatGPT Image

because it magically burns fat. A

small clinical trial conducted in

2020 even found that regular use

of ajwain helped lower cholesterol

levels. It's absurdly simple to

make. In two cups of water, bring

the cumin and ajwain seeds to a

boil, adding about half a teaspoon

each. After 5 to 10 minutes of

simmering, strain and enjoy while

still warm. It's delicious on its own,

but if you want, you can add some

lemon or honey.

Because of the antimicrobial

leaf blankets, the hills remained steadfast. Maya

discovered that nature defends humans in return.

Maya became the village's miniature protector of

the mountain after that day, constantly listening,

showing concern, and reminding everyone that every

tree and every drop of water counts.

qualities of ajwain, this beverage

can also aid with mild respiratory

congestion, menstrual bloating, and

even dental health. It also doesn't

dehydrate you and has no caffeine,

unlike your morning coffee.

To put it briefly, zeera-ajwain

water is a clever, natural way to

support your body on a daily basis,

not just a grandma's cure. You might

be shocked at how much better your

gut (and energy levels) feel after

a week. The simplest things can

sometimes be the most powerful.


ENTERTAINMENT


Sonali Talks About

Switch To Small Screen

Actor Sonali Bendre has undoubtedly been

one of the most popular actresses in

Bollywood. She has won countless hearts

across decades with not just her exceptional

acting abilities, but also for her breathtaking

beauty and charismatic personality. And

since she has shifted to the small screen, her

popularity has only soared. But it was not

always so for the 50-year-old actor. In a latest

interview, Bendre revealed how her decision to

do television was not welcomed with open arms.

But looking back, she calls it the "best

thing" she ever did - a move that gave

her career a fresh lease of life along

with a great pay check. Bendre first

appeared on television in "Kya Masti

Kya Dhoom....!" after the success

of her films "Hum Saath Saath Hai"

and "Sarfarosh". Recalling how her

decision to switch to the small

screen made people question her

sensibilities.

"Everybody thought I had lost

the plot because television was

not the thing to do. It was like,

‘Why are they doing TV?’ But it was

a great show, I loved the concept

of that show, and I thought itwas a

fantastic paycheck," Bendre said.

She even credited her partner at

the time, and now her husband,

Goldie Behl, for supporting her

decision. "This (TV) is the future,

television is going to become

big (Goldie said). I listened to

him and said, 'Let me do it'". It

was the best thing I did," the actor said. Bendre

went on to judge reality shows like "Indian Idol 4",

"India's Got Talent", "Hindustan Ke Hunarbaaz",

"India's Best Dramebaaz", "India's Best Dancer

3". In fact, according to Bendre, it was

television that helped her remain

relevant. "The kids (on her first

reality show) who used to see me

at that time are all grown up now,

and they still remember me. So,

as a celebrity, your life is as long

as your fans remember you. I got

a great lease of life. At that time,

people used to say that you are

doing TV, but it just gave me

an amazing lease of life, which

I didn't think that's what would

happen, but it did happen," she added.

Besides, working in television offered

her the opportunity for a healthy worklife

balance, which became a crucial

factor since she wanted to be present

for her son during his formative

years. Sonali is currently hosting the

show "Pati Patni Aur Panga" that

features popular celebrity couples

such as Debinna Bonnerjee-Gurmeet

Choudhary, Hina Khan-Rocky Jaiswal,

Rubina Dilaik-Abhinav Shukla, Avika

Gor-Milind Chandwani, Swara Bhasker-

Fahad Ahmad, Geeta Phogat-Pawan

Kumar, and Sudesh Lehri-Mamta Lehri.

The show, which premiered on Saturday

on Colors Channel, will see celebrity

couples compet- ing against each other

as they take on fun challenges.

Lindsay Lohan Set To

Break The Mould

Hollywood actor Lindsay Lohan

is sharing her frustrations about

how growing up in the spotlight

“pigeonholed” her early in her acting

career. The actor, who started her

career at the age of 10 with the soap

opera “Another World” in 1996, says

she was typecast and admits having

to fight for the same even now.

Lohan’s breakthrough came in 1998

with Disney film “The Parent Trap”.

“Yeah, I do (think I was pigeonholed),

the actor said in an interview.

The 39-year-old said working on the

2006 musical comedy “A Prairie Home

Companion”, changed things for her.

“I was so thrilled to work on ‘A Prairie

Home Companion’ and yet even today

I have to fight for stuff that is like that,

which is frustrating. Because, well, you

know me as this — but you also know

I can do that,” Lohan said. “So let me!

Give me the chance. I have to break

that cycle and open doors to something

else, leaving people no choice. And in

due time, if Martin Scorsese reaches

out, I’m not going to say no,” she added.

Known for movies like “Freaky

Friday”, “The Holiday”, and “Mean Girls”,

Lohan was at the top of her career when

took a break from the limelight in 2013.

She returned to acting in 2022 with

Netflix’s romantic comedy “Falling for

Christmas”. “I wanted to take a minute.

I was losing that feeling of excitement

about doing a film, and I wanted to live

my own life for a bit, figure out how to

have a more private life, a real life. I

wanted to wait to get that itch again,”

she said, recalling it.

Artist impression only

BUCKLANDS BEACH

26 MURVALE DRIVE

4 3 1 1

Luxury Living in Macleans

FOR SALE

Welcome to your dream home - a brand new, freestanding masterpiece that exudes luxury

and style! This stunning property is located in the prestigious Bucklands Beach, zoned for the

top schools in the region. With 4 double bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, this home offers ample

space for your family to thrive. Step inside and be greeted by an extra spacious Living, Dining,

and Kitchen area, perfect for entertaining guests or simply relaxing in style.

barfoot.co.nz/913002

SCAN

for details

and viewing times

Manas Nanda

021 1570 240

m.nanda@barfoot.co.nz

Deepak Arora

021 545 530

d.arora2@barfoot.co.nz


GAME ON

Indian players acknowledge the crowd following the team’s victory in the fifth Test match against England at The Oval in London on Monday.

Sensational Siraj Wins It All At Oval

AGENCIES

ENG vs IND, 5th Test Day

5: India sealed a dramatic

win at The Oval after

Mohammed Siraj’s double strike

and Prasidh Krishna’s wicket of

Josh Tongue left England all out,

levelling the series in style.

Mohammed Siraj: My only plan

was to bowl good areas. Didn't

matter if I took wickets or went for

runs. (Thoughts after Brook drop)

I didn't think I'd touch the cushion

when I took it. It was a matchchanging

moment.

Brook got into the T20 moment.

We were behind the game after that

but thank god. I always believed

that I could win the game from any

point, and did to the morning.

The one-hour madness on

Monday morning was perhaps

the only fitting way for the Oval

finale of the Anderson-Tendulkar

Trophy to conclude. India and

England kept trading punches until

the very last moment of a fiercely

contested series.

Neither side truly deserved to

lose. Perhaps India did, for the way

they fought back in Manchester

and kept the contest alive until

the Oval. Perhaps England did, for

the bravery Chris Woakes showed

when he walked out to bat with a

dislocated shoulder.

But in sport, you rarely get what

you deserve. There could only be

one winner — and it was India.

Mohammed Siraj’s heart, perhaps,

was bigger than everything else on

that frenetic Monday morning. He

picked up a five-wicket haul and

emerged as India’s undisputed

hero.

England fell short by just six runs,

bowled out for 367 in pursuit of

374. Siraj claimed three of the four

wickets to fall on the final morning.

Fittingly, it was the warrior himself

who stepped up to finish the job,

sealing it with a searing yorker.

India levelled the series 2–2 and

retained the Anderson-Tendulkar

India sealed a

dramatic win after

Mohammed Siraj’s

double strike and

Prasidh Krishna’s

wicket of Josh

Tongue left England

six runs short

Trophy.At the start of play, England

required 34 runs. India needed four

wickets. Perhaps only three — but

it had been confirmed that Chris

Woakes, despite a dislocated

shoulder, would walk out to bat

left-handed if needed.

It was a fitting conclusion

to a series where both teams

had pushed themselves to their

physical and emotional limits.

The heavy roller was deployed,

as expected, with England hoping

to iron out the up-and-down nature

of the fifth-day pitch.

Yet, for perhaps the first time

in the series, overhead conditions

tilted the balance in India’s favour.

Under grey skies, the ball moved

just enough in that decisive first

hour to negate the effect of the

roller.

The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy

— which has ebbed and flowed,

defied predictions and rewritten

scripts — lived up to its hype on

the final day. India nearly conjured

something extraordinary, defying

the odds one last time.

On a gloomy Monday

morning, however, India

began on the worst

possible note. Prasidh

Krishna was struck

for two consecutive

boundaries. A short

ball barely rose above

the shoulders of the

burly Jamie Overton,

who pulled it to the midwicket

fence.

Prasidh adjusted his length,

settling into the channel, but

Overton rode his luck — an inside

edge missing the stumps and

sneaking past the keeper for

another boundary.

He Is A Captain’s

Dream, Says Gill

AGENCIES

bowler of Mohammed

A Siraj's calibre and skill-set

is every captain’s dream, said

Indian captain Shubman Gill,

terming the 2-2 score line as a

“fair reflection” of the quality of

cricket that was on display in the

five-Test series against England.

Gill, who was India’s “Player of

The Series” with 754 runs and

four hundreds, was all praise for

Siraj, whose lion-hearted effort

got him nine wickets in a series

levelling performance at the

Oval.

“Siraj is a captain's dream.

Gave it his all every ball and

every spell he bowled… 2-2 is

a fair reflection. It shows how

passionate both teams were and

how well they played,”

Gill told Michael Atherton at

the post-match presentation

ceremony. "When you have

bowlers like Siraj and Prasidh,

captaincy looks easy. I think the

way we responded today was

magnificent. We were confident,

even yesterday, we knew they

were under pressure,” Gill said.

About his coming of age as a

batsman in the just-concluded

series, Gill said it was satisfying.

"We wanted to make sure it stayed

throughout. Very rewarding, my

aim was to be the best batsman

in this series and getting there

is very satisfying. It's always

a matter of sorting things out

technically and mentally, they

are correlated." Asked about his

learning from the six weeks, he

said, "We never give up.”

He had a phenomenal

series, says Brook

England batsman Harry Brook

was expecting an easy win for

his side on the final morning of

the fifth Test on Monday, but

he admitted that India pacer

Mohammed Siraj's brave spell

dashed the hosts’ hopes. “I

thought we'll easily take it home

in the morning, but the way

Siraj bowled, he deserved the

success today. Siraj has had a

phenomenal series and a finish,"

said Brook after being chosen

by India head coach Gautam

Gambhir as England’s Player of

the Series.

Brook said the ball moved

around under grey skies at the

Oval. “I thought the pitch would

be flatter after the roller. But the

ball zipped around under the

cloud,” he said.

Sales Sales

Want to reach 300K

Kiwi-Indians?

Let’s help you grow your

brand — and your profits

For competitive digital &

print ad packages

anish@indianweekender.co.nz

+64 224667656

The Indian Weekender| 08 August 2025

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

Delete template?

Save as template ?