The Indian Weekender| 10 April 2026

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GONE TOO SOON

Indian Auckland engineering student passes away after Lake Taupō tragedy

IWK BUREAU

A

21-year-old University of Auckland

Engineering student, identified

as Shaurya, has died after being

pulled unconscious from Lake Taupō

during a trip with friends over the Easter

break, according to a family friend.

A GiveALittle page set up by The

Muthtamil Sangam NZ described him as

a kind young man.

“Shaurya was a bright, kind-hearted

young man and the only child of his

parents. Their world has been devastated

by this unimaginable loss - no family

should have to endure such heartbreak,”

the page said.

Police said emergency services were

called to Whakamoenga Point in Acacia

Bay at around 3.20pm on Sunday, April 5.

“A person has died after being pulled

unconscious from the water at Lake

Taupō,” the statement said.

Despite best efforts, the person died at

the scene, a police spokesperson said.

The death was referred to the Coroner.

Family friends told The Indian

Weekender that Shaurya, originally from

Mumbai, had travelled to Taupō with

friends for the holiday period. They said

his family is devastated and is now

seeking assistance to help expedite

repatriation arrangements.

According to those close to the family,

Shaurya entered the lake during the

trip but began to struggle in the water.

He could not be revived. A family friend

also said the student was a confident

swimmer, despite speculation on social

media suggesting otherwise.

A GiveALittle page said, “Every

contribution will make a meaningful

difference.”

“If you prefer to remain anonymous,

we fully respect your privacy. If you are

comfortable sharing your details, please

email presidentmtsauckland@gmail.com

so the family may express their gratitude

in time.”

It added that all funds raised will be paid

directly to Anns Funeral Services Ltd to

ensure transparency and that contributions

are used solely for funeral expenses.

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NEW ZEALAND

Friday, April 10, 2026 3

IWK BUREAU

India’s long-awaited free trade

agreement with New Zealand is

expected to be signed by the end

of April, with a high-level ministerial

visit paving the way for the deal.

Commerce and Industry Minister

Piyush Goyal said on last Thursday

that New Zealand’s Minister for

Trade and Investment Todd McClay

would travel to India later this month

for the formal signing.

He said McClay would be coming

to India in the fourth week of April

when ‘we plan to sign the FTA’.

The announcement follows the

conclusion of negotiations between

the two countries in December last

year, after nine months of talks aimed

at strengthening bilateral trade ties.

Separately, a visit by Prime Minister

Narendra Modi to New Zealand is

expected in the near future, although

dates have yet to be confirmed. The

proposed FTA is likely to be a central

outcome of the visit. Momentum for

the trip gathered pace after bilateral

discussions between Goyal and

McClay on the sidelines of the WTO

Ministerial Conference MC14.

According to a Ministry of

Commerce and Industry statement

issued on 29 March, both sides

reviewed preparations for the prime

ministerial visit during their meeting.

“Expressing high enthusiasm

for this visit, New Zealand

confirmed that a substantial list

of deliverables are currently being

finalised by both sides for this visit.

To further strengthen economic

ties, New Zealand will be hosting

a high-level business delegation

during the Prime Minister Modi’s

visit,” the statement read.

RNZ

The Indian government has declared a free

trade agreement with New Zealand will

be signed later this month, but Trade Minister

Todd McClay isn’t getting ahead of himself,

refusing to confirm it. Speaking to reporters in

New Delhi on Thursday, India’s commerce and

industry minister said his New Zealand trade

counterpart, Todd McClay, would travel to India

in late April to formalise the deal.

“We also had meetings with Mr Todd McClay

… who will be coming to India in the fourth week

of April, when we plan to sign the free trade

agreement finalised with New Zealand,” said

Piyush Goyal, India’s Commerce chief. However,

McClay on Tuesday refused to confirm such a

timeline when asked by RNZ.

“India and New Zealand are working towards

legal verification of the text and have been

discussing what would be an appropriate time

to sign,” he said, adding it was a “very positive

sign” that India was keen to move quickly.

Both ministers met late last month on the

sidelines of the 14th Ministerial Conference

of the World Trade Organisation in Cameroon.

The development came as India announced

details around Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s

maiden visit to New Zealand. While no official

dates have been confirmed, RNZ understands

planning is underway for a visit around the

middle of the year. New Zealand confirmed

the conclusion of free trade negotiations with

India in December, but coalition partner New

Zealand First withheld its support. The party

invoked an “agree to disagree” clause in its

coalition agreement with the National Party,

with leader Winston Peters describing the

Photo credit: PTI

Conflicting statements over India

free trade agreement signing

India, New Zealand expected

to sign FTA this month

deal as “neither free nor fair”.

As a result, the government requires opposition

backing to pass the agreement. McClay said the

government had been actively engaging with

Labour on the deal, including meetings with trade

spokesperson Damien O’Connor and providing

access to officials for detailed briefings. He said

two Labour MPs had recently taken part in a

four-hour session with officials to go through

the details of Labour leader Chris Hipkins’ latest

correspondence, and a formal response from the

government was expected later this week.

Hipkins told RNZ’s Morning Report on Tuesday

that he was still waiting for more information from

the government regarding the trade agreement.

“We’ve been very clear of what our terms are, and

the government thus far hasn’t responded to those

in detail,” he said. He also raised concerns about

projections of a $33 billion investment in India

over 15 years under the free trade deal, comparing

it to about $1.5 billion invested in China under its

agreement. Whereas much of investment in China

had been driven by Fonterra, the proposed India

agreement excluded dairy.

Hipkins confirmed two Labour MPs had

reviewed the agreement in detail and would

consider the government’s response to their

queries this week. Asked whether Labour would

support the agreement ahead of a potential visit

by Modi, Hipkins said the party would make its

decision based on the merits of the deal rather

than timing.

“We’ve to do the best thing for New Zealand

based on the information that we’re provided,

and we should do that based on the timetable

that requires rather than what lines up with the

prime minister’s photo opportunities,” Hipkins

said. -By RNZ

Notice to drivers

April road closures

in Pakūranga

Plan ahead for temporary road closures

and lane changes.

Marriott Road closed: 1 April – mid 2026

William Roberts Road closed: 2 – 27 April

Edgewater Drive near the shops closed: 3 – 19 April

Temporary lane changes at Gossamer Drive: 2 – 9 April,

and Palm Avenue late April.

Allow extra time for your journey.

To find out more, scan the QR code.

Visit AT.govt.nz/journeyplanner to plan your journey.

4 Friday, April 10, 2026 Read online www.iwk.co.nz

NEW ZEALAND

IWK BUREAU

A

post circulating on X shows

two individuals linked

to an anti-immigration

group standing outside an Indian

community organisation in central

Auckland on Tuesday, holding

banners calling for “remigration

now”.

The two members of a group

calling itself Remigration New

Zealand gathered outside the

Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Eden

Terrace.

The group said on X that they

were “demanding the remigration

of the Indian diaspora”, linking it

to recent statements made by

NZICA on historical racism and

calls for a formal government

apology.

A community leader told

The Indian Weekender that the

incident occurred when there

was no one present at the centre

except a few staff members.

Three people arrived at the centre,

with two posing with a banner

while a third took the photograph

before leaving.

According to The Noticer,

the demonstration was held

in response to NZICA’s public

comments on discrimination faced

by Indians in New Zealand.

“We reject this subversive foreign

ethnic lobby and its growing

“Remigration now” banners outside

Mahatma Gandhi Centre

influence over our politicians,

including Winston Peters, who

recently attended their annual

events at the Cordis Hotel,” a

remigration activist told The

Noticer.

The NZICA, a peak representative

body for Indian organisations in

New Zealand, held an event on

February 28 in Auckland attended

by Prime Minister Christopher

Luxon, Labour leader Chris Hipkins,

and Foreign Minister Winston

Peters.

At the event, an NZICA official

said the Indian community was

seeking formal recognition of

historical racism in New Zealand.

“White supremacy was very

strong in New Zealand historically

and the Indian community faced

the brunt of it. This being an

election year, we would like all

political parties to understand the

gravity of our demand and take it

forward.”

The official also said an official

apology was a necessary step.

Narendra Bhana, KSM, Immediate

Past President of NZICA, said the

act was “deeply concerning” due

to the nature of the rhetoric being

promoted.

He said the language of

“remigration” was particularly

troubling.

“It implies exclusion and removal

of people who are legally here, who

contribute, who employ, who pay

taxes, and who call this country

home,” he added.

Bhana pointed out that

generations of Kiwi Indians have

contributed to building New Zealand

through business, healthcare,

education, infrastructure, and

public service.

“We are not outsiders. We are

part of New Zealand.”

He added that New Zealand has

always been a nation shaped by

migration.

“That is not a weakness. It is one

of our greatest strengths.”

Bhana also said it was important

for the community to continue

engaging with government,

advocating for fairness,

and contributing to national

conversations.

Four Square Taupō, former director Gurvinderpal

Singh fined over employment breaches

IWK BUREAU

ATaupō Four Square operator and

its former director have been fined

more than $80,000 after the Employment

Relations Authority uncovered serious

breaches, including the exploitation of

migrant workers who were underpaid,

overworked, and in one case charged

$10,000 for a job, according to The New

Zealand Herald.

The ERA found that G&G Bolina Ltd,

trading as Four Square Tauhara, underpaid

and overworked four employees, two of

whom were migrant workers recruited from

overseas in 2023. One of the workers paid

a $10,000 premium to secure employment

with the company, in breach of employment

laws.

The case was brought by a Labour

Inspector against the company and its

former director, Gurvinderpal Singh, who

was found to have been involved in the

breaches. Singh, previously one of two

directors until December 2021, was now a

50 percent shareholder in the business.

ERA member Rachel Lamer said Singh

had taken advantage of the “inherent

inequality of power in the employment

relationship” by failing to ensure workers

were paid the minimum wage for all hours

worked.

“The Labour Inspector submitted that the

inherent inequality of power in the employer/

employee relationship is amplified in this

case as the complainants were migrant

workers, recently arrived in New Zealand,

whose visa status was dependent on the

respondents,” Herald quoted as saying.

In total, 23 breaches were identified,

spanning violations of the Employment

Relations Act, Holidays Act, and Minimum

Photo: Google Maps

Wage Act, along with a breach of the

Wages Protection Act related to the

unlawful premium payment. The unpaid

entitlements across the four employees

amounted to $28,139.24.

The ERA heard that the migrant

workers were required to work between

five and seven days a week, with daily

hours ranging from two to 15. However,

company records inaccurately reflected

that they worked only five days a week for

six hours per day.

One worker was not paid for 358.47 hours

worked between September and December

2023, resulting in $8137.19 in unpaid

wages. Another was unpaid for 351.46

hours between October and December,

losing $7978.22. The company also failed

to meet obligations relating to public

holiday and alternative holiday payments

for all four affected employees.

Lamer described the workers as

“vulnerable employees” and said

seeking premiums from them was

“egregious”, particularly given their

limited understanding of New Zealand

employment law.

“[They] were dependent on Bolina for their

visa status to remain current, which made

them particularly vulnerable to Bolina’s

demands. This illustrated the imbalance of

power the respondents held in this case.”

She also noted that the migrant workers

were treated differently from other

staff, and that the company’s actions

undermined employment standards,

giving it an unfair advantage over

competitors.

G&G Bolina Ltd was ordered to pay a

penalty of $52,800 to the Crown, while

Singh was fined $27,840. An earlier ERA

decision confirmed that outstanding

wage and leave claims had been resolved

between the parties.

Foodstuffs North Island, which oversees

the Four Square, New World and Pak’nSave

brands, said it was “shocked and deeply

disappointed” by the findings.

“Exploitation of workers is unacceptable

and will not be tolerated within our cooperative,”

a spokesperson told NZME, as

quoted by Herald.

The spokesperson added that the

conduct fell short of the co-operative’s

expectations.

“It does not reflect our values, our Code

of Conduct, or the standards of our owneroperator

members.

“This case is a source of real

disappointment to our owner-operator

community, who overwhelmingly do the

right thing and take their responsibilities

to their teams seriously. Where behaviour

does not meet our standards, we will act,”

Herald quoted.

The New Zealand Herald report

mentioned that Foodstuffs North

Island confirmed it had completed its

own investigation into the matter and

would review its systems and oversight

processes.

“We remain committed to continuously

strengthening our systems and

oversight and will review whether any

further improvements can be made as a

result of this case,” Herald quoted.

IWK BUREAU


A

20-year-old man who

repeatedly scammed

people out of their vehicles

using fake bank transfers and

later led police on dangerous

high-speed pursuits has been

sentenced to home detention.

According to a report by Al

Williams of NZ Herald, Rohinel

Prasad targeted victims through

Facebook Marketplace, arranging

to buy cars before presenting

falsified proof of payment. After

gaining the owners’ trust, he would

take possession of the vehicles

and disappear without paying.

His offending escalated

into multiple police pursuits

across Auckland, including

one incident where he

drove at speeds exceeding

160km/h through suburban

streets. During the chase,

he reportedly switched the

headlights of the stolen car on

and off before police eventually

stopped him using spike strips.

Judge Tom Gilbert described

Prasad as “young and dumb”, and

said he had been out of control.

Addressing him during sentencing

in the Christchurch District Court,

the judge said, “Don’t come back”,

while wishing him “good luck”, as

quoted by NZ Herald.

According to NZ Herald, Court

documents revealed the pattern

began in January

2025, when Prasad

agreed to buy a car in

Stanmore Bay for $2200. He

showed the seller a fake bank

transfer and was handed the keys,

with the expectation payment

would arrive shortly. It never did,

and the identification he used

was also fake.

Police later spotted him driving

the stolen vehicle and attempted

to stop him, but he fled, weaving

through traffic at high speeds.

He was eventually tracked

using CCTV and air support and

NEW ZEALAND


Facebook scammer Rohinel Prasad used fake

payments, led high-speed police chases

Facebook

scammer Rohinel

Prasad used fake

payments, led highspeed

police chases.

(Representational

Image)

arrested, with cannabis found in

the car.

The same method was

repeated multiple times in the

following months, with victims in

Weymouth, Papatoetoe, Clendon

Park, and Manukau all deceived

using fake transfers ranging from

$3,950 to $8,000, the NZ Herald

has reported.

In one chase on March 7, police

observed him speeding along the

Southern Motorway before exiting

and continuing dangerously

through several suburbs. He drove

on the wrong side of the road in

Māngere and nearly collided with

a truck before officers brought

the vehicle to a stop using spikes,

as reported by the NZ Herald.

Prasad and an associate

attempted to flee on foot but were

quickly apprehended. In addition

to the car scams, the court heard

he used similar tactics to obtain

a PlayStation and a mobile phone,

which were not recovered. All

stolen vehicles, however, were

eventually returned.

Judge Gilbert acknowledged signs

of progress and remorse, telling

Prasad, “You say it was a result of

getting in with the wrong crowd.

“Your shift here to Christchurch

appears to be working well,” the

NZ Herald has quoted.

Taking into account his guilty

pleas, remorse, youth, and time

already spent in custody, the judge

sentenced him to six months’

home detention. He was also

disqualified from driving for two

years and ordered to pay $1300 in

reparations.

“If you come again, you will go

to jail,” the judge warned him, as

quoted by the NZ Herald.


NEW ZEALAND

MATA split over calls for re-election

amid ongoing differences

IWK BUREAU

The Mana Andhra Telugu

Association (MATA) is

facing renewed internal

tensions, with one group

proposing a fresh election to

resolve ongoing disputes, while

the other rejects the need for any

leadership vote.

The issue has resurfaced

as legal proceedings linked to

internal disagreements continue

in court, with one section of the

association pushing for a reelection

in May to establish a clear

mandate and restore stability.

Members of the group

supporting fresh elections,

including Bujje Babu Nelluri and

Sushwanth Sai Konigeti, have

expressed willingness to settle

the dispute through a democratic

process.

“In alignment with directions

discussed during recent court

hearings, the leadership has

affirmed its readiness to proceed

with a fresh election to ensure

the stability and integrity of the

Mana Andhra Telugu Association

(MATA),” the press release shared

by Bujje Babu said.

The same group says prolonged

disagreements have affected not

just internal functioning but also

the wider community that relies

on the association for cultural

representation.

Representational image

“Our primary concern is the

well-being of the association and

the community we represent,”

stated the press statement.

They have also said they are

prepared to return to members for

a fresh mandate despite having

won the previous election.

“We are currently awaiting a

decision from the other parties

involved regarding the framework

for this election process.”

The proposal includes a call for

a “fair and transparent” election

conducted through physical ballot

voting only, with no online or proxy

voting.

However, the opposing group

within MATA, led by Dileep

Maddukuri, has rejected the

proposal for any new election,

with member of the same faction,

Dr Samuel Reginald saying

the organisation already has a

recognised leadership structure.

“We do not recognise there is

any other party. We are officially

recognised in the societies and

charities…We have not proposed

any elections,” Dr Reginald

Samuel, a member of the group,

told The Indian Weekender.

He also said there was no need

for a leadership vote at this stage.

“We have got an official

president and there is no need

for us to go for an election,” Dr

Samuel said.

He further stated that, in

their view, the organisation is

functioning normally.

Dr Samuel also dismissed

suggestions that a May election

was being planned, calling them

inaccurate.

“There is no election in May, as

being propagated by some people,

that is misleading,” he said.

A trademark for a community

organisation formally set up under

the Societies Act was registered

in the personal name of Reginald

Samuel, as reported in March

this year, a development that has

prompted questions around legal

and governance considerations.

Meanwhile, supporters of the

proposed election say that if

held, the outcome will not affect

their continued involvement in

community work.

“Regardless of the results,

their commitment to community

service and the promotion of

Telugu culture remains their

guiding principle,” Babu said in a

statement.

A community leader told The

Indian Weekender that such

disputes are not uncommon

when organisations split, and

said members should be given an

opportunity to vote to maintain

the democratic fabric of the

association.

They said this could be done

through independent election

services that handle the process,

including secure voting, to ensure

neutrality and compliance.

There is no confirmation

whether a formal election process

will proceed, but both sides

remain firm in their positions as

legal and internal discussions

continue.

Air NZ cuts more flights from

schedules, lifts ticket prices

amid fuel crisis

RNZ

Air New Zealand is making further

cuts to its flight schedules and lifting

ticket prices in response to the high

cost of jet fuel.

The airline said the changes apply to some

of its services in May and June, affecting

4 percent of flights, and 1 percent of total

passengers due to travel in the period.

“We have worked hard to keep disruption

to a minimum, with the vast majority of

impacted customers still travelling on the

same day,” the airline said in a statement.

It said affected customers would be

notified from Tuesday morning, and all

notifications would be completed by the

end of the week.

“These changes are relatively small

compared to others in the New Zealand

market, where some airlines are reducing

capacity by more than 10 percent,” the

airline said. The global cost of jet fuel has

soared since the start of the US-Israel-Iran

War this year. Asian jet fuel prices soared

to US$230 a barrel according to the Platts

benchmark, compared to below US$100 a

barrel before the war.

“Like airlines globally, we’re experiencing

jet fuel prices that are more than double

what they would usually be,” Air New

Zealand said.

“This is driving higher costs across the

industry, and we’ve made further increases

to some airfares to help manage this.” The

airline said customers whose updated

flights did not suit their plans could choose

a refund or credit.

“If you don’t hear from us, your flight is

operating as scheduled.”

Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford said the

airline had assured him it was a short-term

response on Tauranga flights.

“For the May and June schedule they will

be consolidating Auckland services by 27

rotations (averaging 4 per week), Wellington

services by 30 rotations (averaging 4 per

week), and Christchurch services by 10

rotations (averaging 1 per week),” he said

on Facebook.

“These changes are on top of the earlier

reductions already in place from 16 March

to 3 May, which were, Auckland services

being reduced by 31 rotations (averaging

just one daily rotation most weeks, but

maintaining full capacity during April

school holidays). Wellington services down

by 21 rotations (about three per week on

average). Christchurch services reduced by

3 rotations.” Rutherford said he would be

advocating strongly to “protect Tauranga’s

connectivity”.

“I know how vital reliable air connections

are for the Bay of Plenty, whether it’s for

business, tourism, family visits or medical

appointments,” he said.


NEW ZEALAND


Papatoetoe re-run election —

preliminary results announced

PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR PAPATOETOE

SUBDIVISION ELECTION

Candidate Affiliation Votes Rank

HAUSIA, Vi Labour 2788 1

SINGH, Jeet Papatoetoe Otara Action Team 2484 2

SAINI, Sandeep Papatoetoe Otara Action Team 2479 3

NAIR, Kushma Papatoetoe Otara Action Team 2383 4

BHALLA, Kunal Papatoetoe Otara Action Team 2343

LATHAM, Chris C&R - Communities and Residents 2342

WEBB, Chris Independently Papatoetoe 1902

LIM, Albert Independently Papatoetoe 1865

CHOUDHARY, Ashraf Labour 1758

Representational image

DHALIWAL, Avinash Kaur Labour 1607

IWK BUREAU

Preliminary results for the 2026

Papatoetoe subdivision local

board election have been

released, covering all 20 candidates.

The preliminary results are as

follows:

Vi Hausia, Labour, at 1st rank

with 2788 votes, Jeet Singh from

Papatoetoe Otara Action Team at

2nd with 2484 votes, Sandeep Saini,

Papatoetoe Otara Action Team 3rd

with 2479 votes and Kushma Nair,

Papatoetoe Otara Action Team at 4th

with 2383 votes, followed by others.

The final results will be declared

today, 10 April, 2026.

The vote marks a rare re-run in

Auckland’s local elections, ordered

after irregularities were identified in

the October poll last year.

The original result was set aside

following allegations of voting issues,

with a district court finding evidence

of about 70 stolen and misused

voting papers. The judge accepted the

irregularities could point to wider fraud

and may have affected the outcome.

In the months that followed, a

separate legal challenge was filed

in February when four winning

candidates from the voided election

sought a High Court judicial review.

After a hearing on 17 February, the

High Court upheld the District Court’s

decision to void the result.

In a judgment delivered on March

5, 2026, Justice Jane Anderson ruled

that the court could not revisit key

factual findings due to limits under the

Local Electoral Act 2001, declining the

orders sought and dismissing both

the applications for judicial review and

requests for declarations.

The re-run election was

subsequently held for the Papatoetoe

subdivision, with preliminary results

now released.

The successful candidates will join

three Labour representatives on the

wider Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board.

SINGH, Raj Labour 1590

WEAKLEY, Alison Independently Papatoetoe 1280

DONS, Peter Independently Papatoetoe 1019

NELSON, Swanie Independent 998

PEACE, Taitosaua Bill Independent 738

MOKARAKA, Karl Independent 569

KA, Tuafuti Independent 541

LOAU, John 522

KUMAR, Namrata Nandika 409

DEO, Harold Hirdeshwar 401

Informal 58

Blank 8

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For great young men


NEW ZEALAND

Photos: Supplied

Auckland hosts Chinmaya Amrit

Mahotsav celebrations

IWK BUREAU

Thousands of devotees gathered in

Auckland for one of the country’s

largest spiritual events, as part of

the Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav celebrating

75 years of the global Chinmaya Mission.

The Chinmaya Hanuman Festival, held at

Due Drop Events Centre, featured a largescale

Samashti Hanuman Chalisa Havan

conducted across 108 sacred kunds,

drawing participants from across New

Zealand.

The havan formed part of what organisers

described as one of the largest Hanuman

Havans ever held in the country, highlighting

the growing cultural and spiritual presence

of the community.

The event centred around the collective

chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa,

alongside ritual offerings, symbolising a

shared invocation of strength, courage, and

inner transformation—values associated

with Lord Hanuman and reflected in the

teachings of the Mission.

The evening programme transitioned into

a cultural segment, including a devotional

music performance by Amrita Kaur.

The event centred around the collective

chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa,

alongside ritual offerings, symbolising a

shared invocation of strength, courage, and

inner transformation—values associated

with Lord Hanuman and reflected in the

teachings of the Mission.

The evening programme transitioned into

a cultural segment, including a devotional

music performance by Amrita Kaur.

The festival marked 75 years since the

founding of the Chinmaya Mission by

Swami Chinmayananda, with the Amrit

Mahotsav celebrations reflecting his vision

of self-development, service, and spiritual

awareness. Organisers said the gathering

not only honoured a global legacy but also

reinforced cultural identity and community

unity within New Zealand’s diverse society.


NEW ZEALAND

Wellington Sushi outlet mistakenly

sells soy sauce in a Coca-Cola bottle

IWK BUREAU

A

sushi restaurant in

Wellington has apologised

after accidentally selling a

bottle labelled as Coca-Cola that

was later discovered to contain

soy sauce.

According to a report by Stuff,

the incident occurred at the

Manners Street branch of One

Sushi on Tuesday morning, when

a staff member mistakenly placed

the bottle in a customer’s fridge. A

customer who purchased the drink

later became unwell after taking a

sip.

The man, who identified himself

as JT, shared his experience on

social media after visiting

the store during his

morning break. He said

he picked up a 600ml

bottle of Coke Zero

Sugar while his colleague

ordered food.

Speaking to Stuff, JT

explained that he did not closely

inspect the bottle at the time

of purchase. It was only after

Wellington

Sushi outlet

mistakenly sells soy

sauce in a Coca-Cola

bottle. Photo:

Google Maps

returning to his worksite and

taking a large sip, expecting a

fizzy soft drink, that he realised

something was wrong. Instead,

the bottle contained soy sauce,

causing him to feel immediately

sick, as reported by Stuff.

JT returned to the store, where

staff apologised and provided a

replacement drink.

One Sushi operates as a

franchise, and owner Jim Jiang

said he investigated the matter

with the Manners Street branch. He

explained that the store had been

displaying bottles near the counter

to promote meal deals, but these

had frequently been stolen.

In response, staff had filled a

display bottle with soy sauce,

believing its appearance would

deter theft. However, a new

employee mistakenly placed the

bottle in the fridge intended for

sale, Stuff has reported.

Jiang acknowledged that while

the business had been trying

to minimise losses during a

challenging period, the practice

would now be discontinued.

Despite the unpleasant

experience, JT said he does not

hold any resentment toward the

business and plans to return. He

added that he regretted posting

about the incident after seeing the

level of attention it attracted.

“I know they’re honest,

hardworking people, and, you know,

I enjoy their sushi,” he said, telling

Stuff he bore them no ill will and

recommending that other people

give them a go, as quoted by Stuff.

Stuff has quoted that, “They’ve

got good sushi,” he said.

Child left in locked van

for over an hour after

teachers missed

seat check

IWK BUREAU

young child was left distressed

A and screaming after being

accidentally locked inside a van

at an early childhood centre for

nearly 90 minutes, according to a

disciplinary ruling in New Zealand.

According to a report by Stuff, the

New Zealand Teachers Disciplinary

Tribunal found Auckland teachers

Rochelle Odette Gray and Mee Sung

(Michelle) Choi guilty of serious

misconduct over the incident,

which occurred on December 1,

2022. Both educators have been

formally censured and must

disclose the tribunal’s decision to

future employers for the next year.

The tribunal heard that the teachers

failed to carry out a roll check after

returning from an excursion to a local

farm-forest with nine children. During

the unloading process, Choi secured

two sleeping children in their seats

but did not clearly inform Gray that

another child, referred to as Child A,

remained in the back row. Gray, who

was coordinating the trip, locked the

van at 2.39pm without completing a

final inspection, as reported by Stuff.

The situation came to light at

3.28 pm when a parent arriving

to collect their own child noticed

movement and heard cries coming

from inside the vehicle. After the

staff located the keys, the child was

quickly removed and comforted.

In its findings, the tribunal said the

incident had negatively impacted

the child’s well-being and damaged

the reputation of the teaching

profession. It emphasised that the

child’s age and the failure to follow

a fundamental health and safety

procedure were central to the ruling

of serious misconduct, as reported

by Stuff. Both teachers expressed

remorse and issued apologies to

the child’s parents. Gray told the

tribunal that a prior injury and time

away from work may have affected

her judgment, while Choi said the

experience had reinforced the

importance of constant vigilance.

According to Stuff, Kakapo

Creek Children’s Garden, the centre

involved, sought name suppression,

arguing that publicity might

discourage self-reporting and harm

its community. Choi also applied for

suppression, citing concerns about

personal consequences.

However, the tribunal rejected

both requests, stating that the

“ordinary anticipated consequences

of publication” did not outweigh the

need for transparency in the public

interest. It also noted that the

incident was an isolated lapse and

that the centre had since updated

its policies, Stuff has reported.

Permanent suppression orders

remain in place to protect the

identities of the children and their

parents.

IWK BUREAU

An unlicensed plumber and drainlayer has

been ordered to pay an $8000 fine after

carrying out illegal and substandard work across

multiple properties in Central Otago, creating

potential risks to public health and safety.

According to a report by 1News, Ben DeClifford

was found to have completed plumbing and

drainlaying jobs at five properties in Wānaka

and Cromwell between 2023 and 2025. His work

included installing sewerage drains, potable water

systems, and a hot water cylinder, despite lacking

the required authorisation to perform restricted

sanitary plumbing and drainlaying tasks.

Records show that while DeClifford previously

held limited exemptions and trainee authorisations

between 2015 and 2021, he never secured full

registration or a practising licence, according to

the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board,

as reported by 1News.

A technical review of the installations revealed

that the work failed to meet the New Zealand

Building Code and posed a moderate risk to

public health. Inspectors identified several

issues, including incorrectly sized pipes,

unsafe placement between drinking water and

wastewater systems, and pipework installed

Illegal

plumbing

work lands

unlicensed

contractor with

$8000 fine

Illegal plumbing work lands unlicensed

contractor with $8000 fine

beneath concrete slabs without proper access

points, 1News has reported.

Further concerns were raised about the

durability of the installations, with some water

pipes unlikely to last the required 50-year lifespan.

The faulty work also increased the likelihood of

sewer blockages.

According to 1News, DeClifford also faced

charges for misrepresenting himself as a licensed

professional. He used another practitioner’s

registration number to sign official documents,

without that individual’s knowledge.

He pleaded guilty to eight charges and was

sentenced in the Invercargill District Court

on March 31. He was not present during the

sentencing.

The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board

stressed the seriousness of the case, stating,

“Restricted plumbing and drainlaying work can

only be carried out by licensed or authorised

people. These requirements are in place to protect

public health and safety,” as quoted by 1News.

The board further warned of the dangers

associated with unauthorised work, adding, “This

outcome reflects the importance of maintaining

standards and ensuring only authorised

practitioners carry out restricted work,” 1News

has quoted.


NEW ZEALAND


Rotorua hospital welcomes two overseastrained

doctors into GP training programme

IWK BUREAU

A

new government-funded training

initiative at Rotorua Hospital is

allowing overseas-trained doctors to

return to clinical practice and fulfil long-held

ambitions of working in medicine.

Dr Gursharan Dhami, originally from India,

and Dr Bhenaa Chandar, from Malaysia, are

among the first participants in a two-year

primary care training programme aimed

at strengthening New Zealand’s general

practitioner (GP) workforce. Both doctors

had previously trained and worked in their

home countries but were unable to practise

in New Zealand due to limited training

pathways, as reported by Megan Wilson of

the New Zealand Herald. The programme,

announced last year by Health Minister

Simeon Brown, was designed to support

up to 100 internationally trained

doctors in transitioning into general

practice roles. At the time of the

announcement, Brown highlighted

the gap in opportunities, stating,

“It makes no sense that overseastrained

doctors living in New Zealand

are willing to work in primary care, but

can’t, because there aren’t enough training

opportunities,” the New Zealand Herald has

quoted.

He added, “We are fixing this by building

on a successful pilot in the Waikato and will

support their transition into general practices

that need them most,” the New Zealand

Herald has quoted.

According to a report by Megan Wilson

of the New Zealand Herald, interest in

the initiative has been strong, with 180

overseas-trained doctors expressing interest,

according to Health NZ. The programme,

which has now been rolled out nationwide

after successful pilots in the Lakes, Waikato,

and Taranaki regions, focuses on helping

doctors gain registration while preparing

them for GP roles.

For Dhami, the programme represents

IWK BUREAU

Air India will see a change at its

top level after chief executive

Campbell Wilson stepped down

from the role, the airline confirmed

on Tuesday. His exit comes as

the carrier continues to deal with

financial pressure and ongoing

safety-related scrutiny.

Wilson, a New Zealand-born

aviation executive, was appointed

in 2022 following the Tata Group’s

takeover of the former stateowned

airline. He has resigned

before completing his five-year

tenure, though he will continue in

the position until a successor is

appointed.

The airline said Wilson had

already informed group chairman

N Chandrasekaran in 2024 of his

intention to step down this year

and had been working with the

organisation to ensure a smooth

Rotorua

hospital

welcomes two

overseas-trained

doctors into GP

training programme.

Photo: Supplied

a return to a lifelong passion.

She said she had always admired

doctors for their ability to support

people in vulnerable moments. After moving

to Christchurch to pursue a master’s degree

in health informatics before the Covid-19

pandemic, she later settled in New Zealand

and worked as a healthcare assistant in

Hamilton. According to the New Zealand

Herald, she described the transition process

for internationally trained doctors as complex,

noting, “It can take time to understand the

local clinical guidelines and gain experience

within the system, so programmes like this

are incredibly valuable in helping bridge that

gap.”

Dhami relocated to Rotorua to take part

in the programme and said she is open

to continuing her career there or in other

underserved areas. “I’m also open to working

in other areas of New Zealand where doctors

are needed, especially in rural communities

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson resigns

transition.

“Campbell and his team have

demonstrated tenacity and resolve

and have aligned an organization

drawn from many backgrounds

behind the shared goal of

building the new Air India that

is now emerging,” Chandrasekaran

said.

A search process for the next

that may have limited access to healthcare.”

Chandar’s journey has been similarly

shaped by persistence and adaptation. After

training in India and Malaysia and working in

internal medicine, she moved to New Zealand

in 2023. She gained insight into the local

healthcare system through an observership

at Auckland City Hospital before joining

the GP training programme. She said the

initiative has helped her reconnect with her

original aspirations. “It gives me a structured

pathway to rebuild my confidence, update

my clinical knowledge, and understand

how healthcare works in New Zealand. For

someone trained overseas, that support

makes a huge difference,” the New Zealand

Herald has quoted.

Now settled in Rotorua with her husband,

Chandar reflected on her connection to the

region, saying, “In my own faith, I believe God

guides us in subtle ways, and sometimes I

feel He placed me exactly where I needed to

Campbell

Wilson, CEO

of Air India.

Photo: Air

India

chief executive has been initiated,

with a committee tasked to finalise

an appointment “in the coming

months”, the airline said.

Wilson’s tenure coincided with a

period of major restructuring at Air

India under the Tata Group, which

regained control of the airline in

2022 and has since focused on

fleet expansion and operational

upgrades.

While he led efforts to improve

service delivery and integrate

the airline’s various divisions,

his leadership period also faced

several operational headwinds,

including delayed aircraft

deliveries, restrictions in

airspace linked to the 2025

India-Pakistan conflict, and

disruptions associated with the

ongoing Middle East war.

The most severe setback during

his time in office came in June

2025, when Air India Flight 171 —

be, in a city rich in Māori culture, community,

and connection,” as quoted by the New

Zealand Herald. Local healthcare leaders

say the programme could play a key role in

addressing workforce shortages. Rotorua

Area Primary Health Services chair Dr

Genevieve Matthews described it as an

“exciting project” with potential to boost GP

numbers both locally and nationally. She

warned that the current shortage remains

serious, saying the GP workforce gap in

Rotorua is “significant and concerning”

as practices prepare for increased patient

demand in the coming winter months.

Placements for the programme’s GP

rotations in local practices are expected

to be confirmed in the coming months,

marking another step toward integrating

overseas-trained doctors into New Zealand’s

healthcare system, according to a report by

the New Zealand Herald.

a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound

for London — crashed shortly

after departing Ahmedabad. The

accident killed all but one of the

242 passengers and crew, along

with 19 people on the ground.

An early investigation report

from India’s Aircraft Accident

Investigation Bureau indicated that

fuel supply to the aircraft’s engines

was cut off shortly before impact,

raising questions that included

possible pilot error.

However, that interpretation has

been disputed by two major Indian

commercial pilots’ associations,

as well as the father of one of the

pilots who died in the crash.

Authorities have yet to publish a

final investigation report.

In the aftermath of the crash, Air

India also faced multiple showcause

notices relating to separate

safety concerns.

12 ENTERTAINMENT

Friday, April 10, 2026 Read online www.iwk.co.nz

Meryl Reveals

The Icons Behind

‘Miranda

Priestly’

AGENCIES

In a surprising revelation ahead of the highly anticipated sequel to

“The Devil Wears Prada”, actor Meryl Streep has clarified the real-life

inspirations behind her iconic portrayal of Miranda Priestly, debunking

a long-standing fan theory. In a recent interview, Streep addressed

speculation that her character was based on fashion editor Anna Wintour.

Instead, she revealed that two Hollywood legends shaped the role:

Mike Nichols and Clint Eastwood. “I was basically imitating Mike

Nichols that whole time,” Streep said, adding, “If Mike Nichols and

Clint Eastwood had a baby... it would be Miranda Priestly.”

The Oscar-winning actor explained that Nichols’ directing style

influenced the character’s sharp yet humorous authority.

“The command on the set. And Mike would do it sort of with a

sly humour,” she said, adding, “People take it as mean, but it’s

funny. I think it’s funny.”

Eastwood, by contrast, inspired a quieter, understated power.

“Clint would never raise his voice,” Streep noted, adding, “He

would direct and people had to lean forward to hear what

he was saying.”

While she hasn’t shared this insight with Eastwood,

Streep said Nichols was aware and delighted. “I told

Mike, and he was thrilled,” she added.

Reflecting on the film’s initial reception, Streep

recalled it being labelled a “chick-flick,” which

affected its budget. “That designation has not

worn well,” she said, citing the success of femaleled

films like “Barbie” and “Mamma Mia!” “We

had to scramble for our budget,” she said of

the original, adding, “This one, honey, they

spent the money.” The revelation comes as

anticipation builds for “The Devil Wears

Prada 2”, slated for release on May 1.

Ananya’s ‘Chand Mera Dil’

To Release On May 22

AGENCIES

Ananya Panday’s latest film

“Chand Mera Dil” is set to release

in theatres on May 22.

The film also features Lakshya in

the male lead and is directed by Vivek

Soni. Karan Johar’s banner Dharma

Productions has produced the film.

The makers shared the news with a

post on social media on Monday, which

comprised a series of film posters.

“Presenting a love story where…life

happens faster than love. ‘ Chand Mera

Dil’ in cinemas 22nd May, 2026,” read the

caption.

The film marks the first collaboration

for Panday and Lakshya, who made his

acting debut with “Kill” in 2024, which

was produced by Dharma Productions

and Sikhya Entertainment.

The actors re-shared the posters of the

upcoming film on their respective social

media handles.

Panday’s latest work is “Tu Meri Main

Tera Main Tera Tu Meri”, which released

in 2025 and featured her alongside

Kartik Aaryan. She will next feature in the

second season of “Call Me Bae “, which

will stream on Prime Video. Lakshya

starred in Aryan Khan’s directorial debut

series “The Ba***ds of Bollywood”. It

released in September 2025 and featured

the actor in the role of Aasmaan Singh.

Sara Arjun Lauds

‘Dhurandhar’ Crew

AGENCIES

Actor Sara Arjun has heaped

praises on filmmaker Aditya

Dhar and the entire crew of

“Dhurandhar” as she expressed her

gratitude to them.

Sara, who essayed the role of

Yalina Jamali in Dhar’s directorial

“Dhurandhar”, which released in 2025

and its sequel “Dhurandhar: The

Revenge”, said “history has been made”.

Released on March 19, the sequel has

already crossed the mark of Rs 1,500

crore at the global box office. The actor

shared a post on her Instagram handle

on Sunday, which comprised a series

of pictures featuring her alongside the

crew. The actor said she realised Dhar

would do “something special for cinema” when she met him.

“The first time I ever met Aditya sir, there was a look in his eyes. I

realised that he would do something special for the cinema. At every

single step of this journey, the sheer magnitude of that realisation

revealed itself...But the peak detailing we all miss along the way hit

me only when I looked back, after it was all said and done, and saw the

army of people standing outside the frame,” she wrote.

She said the post is dedicated to the “unsung heroes” of both

“Dhurandhar” films. “To the captain of the ship, @adityadharfilms and

his direction team: the architects of our focus, who tirelessly worked

to take this dream to the screen. To the producers and the production

team, @dhar_lokesh Jyoti ma’am, @officialjiostudios @b62studios

weathering the storms so we could stand in the light.

“To our DOP, @vik_now and camera team, who captured scale and

soul in every frame. To our casting director, @castingchhabra and

casting team, who set out looking for the right faces but ended up

nailing the cast down to the very heartbeat,” she said.


MIX & MATCH

Friday, April 10, 2026

13

Recipe

SOYA KEEMA

by

Ruby Dhillon

Soya granules are a

healthy alternative to

meat-based keema,

offering a vegetarian

version of the popular

mutton or chicken

keema. When paired

with peas, this dish

gains extra flavour and

texture.

PREPARATION TIME: 5 minutes |

SOAKING TIME: 30 minutes | COOKING

TIME: 20 minutes | SERVES: 4

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup soya granules • 1tsp coriander powder

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp cumin powder

• ½ cup peas

• 1tsp garam masala

• 2 dry red chillies

powder

• A pinch asafoetida • 1tsp salt or according

• 1/2tsp cumin seeds to taste

• 2 onions, large

• 2 tbsp yoghurt, plain and

• 11/2tsp garlic paste at room temperature

• 1tsp ginger paste • 2 tomatoes, large

• 3 green chillies

• 2 tbsp oil for cooking

• 1tsp red chilli powder • Fresh coriander leaves

• ½tsp turmeric powder and julienned ginger

METHOD

Soak the soya granules in hot water

with ½ teaspoon of salt for about 30

minutes. Drain them through a sieve,

then gently squeeze out the excess

water by pressing the granules with

your hand or a spatula. Transfer the

granules to a bowl and set them aside

for later use.

Heat oil in a heavy base saucepan over

medium flame.

Add dry red chillies, asafoetida, and

cumin seeds. When cumin seeds start

to splutter, add peeled, washed, and

chopped onions and sauté until they

turn golden brown in colour.

Add garlic paste and stir. Then add

ginger paste and sauté for 2-3

minutes. Add chopped green chillies

and sauté for another 1-2 minutes.

Lower the flame, then add all the

powdered spices. Mix well, with a

splash of water to prevent them from

burning. Beat yoghurt and add it to the

mixture, stirring continuously until the

oil separates.

Add chopped tomatoes and sauté over

medium flame until the oil separates

from the mixture.

Add the soya granules and peas along

with 1 tablespoon of water, and mix

RUBY’S TIP

well. Add salt, mix, cover, and cook

on low flame until the peas are soft,

stirring occasionally. Since this is a

dry dish, add water in tablespoons to

prevent it from sticking to the bottom

of the saucepan.

Transfer the soya keema to a serving

bowl and garnish with chopped

coriander leaves and julienned ginger.

Serve hot with buns or paratha.

You can add chopped vegetables like carrots or capsicum to your

soya keema as per your preference.

If you are not adding anything to soya granules, then boil them in

a deep-based saucepan over medium flame with ½ teaspoon of

salt for about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the masala. Drain

the granules well, then add them to the mixture, this will help save

cooking time as well.

Dr Neeraj A Sharma

Honorary Consul General of the

Republic of Palau to India

X @Neerajpalau

At the beginning of Q2 2026,

global financial markets

are in an awful contradictory

situation. The macroeconomic

structure looks healthy on paper.

According to the IMF, worldwide

GDP growth is anticipated at

approximately 3.3% in 2026;

while inflation is expected to

fall from 4.1% in 2025 to 3.8%

in 2026. However, beyond this

image of calmness, we have

an economic system that is

fragile and being shaped less

by economic fundamentals

and more by geopolitical shock

factors, particularly the ongoing

conflict in the Middle East.

Iran has become the definition

of macro variable for 2026.

Restrictions in the Strait

of Hormuz (through which

approximately 30% of the world’s

oil and 20% of LNG flows pass)

have caused energy agencies

to call this among the largest

supply shock events in history.

Thus, current oil prices have

Middle East Conflict Has Pushed

Markets To An Inflection Point

become highly reactive to future

escalation scenarios (some

estimates suggest that if the

conflict continues for another

few months, oil prices could

increase to $170 per barrel).

For investors, this situation

presents a paradox. Just months

ago, the consensus forecast was

for a disinflation, a decrease in

interest rates, and a soft landing

for the economy. Now investors

have the threat of renewed

inflation layered on top of weaker

economic growth. According to

OECD analysis, US inflation could

reach as high as 4.2% under

prolonged conflict conditions,

while economic growth in

Europe will likely slow down to

approximately 0.5% in the second

half of 2026.

Central banks are dealing with

these two opposing forces and

are acting, at best, hesitantly.

The data suggests that most

large central banks have put

their interest rate decisions on

hold because they are uncertain

about what is expected in the

near future, not because they

are confident that they know

the future. Thus, hereto fore,

monetary policy is no longer the

primary determinant of markets.

Geopolitical events are primary

Pic Credit: Maxim Hopman

determinants of markets.

The supply disruptions faced

by global financial markets

extend far beyond energy

disruptions. Fertilizers are

expected to increase by 15-20%.

Food inflation is expected to

be approximately nine percent

in developed economies, such

as the UK. Shortages along

the entire supply chain—from

chemicals to aircraft—are again

appears to be on a long road

toward a successful resolution.

Again, the results of these supply

issues will be most detrimental

for emerging and low-income

economies; as a result, the risk of

a global recovery divergence will

be increased.

Although some markets have

started to re-price the potential

negative ramifications of these

new risks on energy prices, many

equity valuations in other regions

are still based on expectations of

interest rate cuts and earnings

resilience. The disconnection

between equity valuations

and other regions suggests

that investors have either

underestimated the conflict’s

duration or overestimated

what they believe will be done

to cushion the effects of the

conflict.

Now, the concept of “inflection

points” becomes key. The

second quarter of 2026 is not

going to work for those who

have made bold predictions

(bullish and/or bearish) about

what is going to happen because

very few predictions will have

a high degree of probability;

therefore it may reward patients,

diversification, and liquidity—

especially in an environment

where one geopolitical event

can change all three variable—

oil prices, inflation expectations,

and interest rate expectations—

simultaneously.

History illustrates that markets

typically underprice geopolitical

risk in the early stages and then

adjust sharply once they can

see the impact of second-order

effects on inflation, growth, and

policy. The current cycle is likely

to have the same characteristics.

Therefore, the real danger to

the investor is not volatility, but

the false sense of certainty.

The second quarter of 2026

is shaping up to be a period in

which patience will be rewarded

more than speculative actions.


VIEW POINT

Prana, Purity & Peace: Vastu

Science Of A Harmonious Home

Vikrant Parmar

Editor, Writer & Media Mentor

X @vikrantparmar17

In an era replete with existential

anxieties and frenetic urban

living, the pursuit of well being

within the precincts of one’s own

domicile has become far more

than a mere aesthetic pursuit — it

has emerged as a psychological

and cultural imperative. To

maintain a clean home is not

simply to dust and mop; it is to

cultivate a sanctuary of serenity

that fosters mental equilibrium,

emotional resilience, and—

according to traditional Indian

thought—an unobstructed flow of

positive energy.

At the heart of this philosophy

lies Vastu Shastra, a millennia

old corpus of spatial wisdom

that emphasises harmony

between humans and their built

environment. Vastu prescribes that

clutter is not merely an eyesore

but a tangible impediment to the

circulation of prana, the vital life

force believed to permeate living

spaces. Modern interpretations

of Vastu, as reported in recent

columns, underscore the

importance of keeping pivotal

zones such as the main entrance,

northeast corner, and kitchen

clean, open, and well lit to enhance

health and overall well being.

The nexus between cleanliness

and psychological health is

increasingly corroborated

by contemporary research.

Environmental psychology

has observed that disorderly

surroundings can elevate stress

hormones and diminish cognitive

performance, whereas organised,

clean interiors are associated

with reduced anxiety and

improved emotional regulation.

Thus, the humble act of cleaning

metamorphoses into a ritual of

psychological affirmation — a

declarative sign that inhabitants

value their environment and, by

extension, themselves.

From a practical standpoint,

maintaining a clean home mitigates

the proliferation of allergens,

pathogens, and indoor pollutants.

Studies from institutions like

the American Cleaning Institute

suggest that regular sanitisation

can reduce the incidence of

respiratory and dermatological

ailments, bolstering both physical

health and subjective well being.

Furthermore, an uncluttered space

enhances the influx of natural light

and air circulation — elements

lauded by Vastu experts for

amplifying positivity.

Yet clean homes are not

solely corollaries of sweeping

and scrubbing. They embody

intentionality — mindful placement

of furniture to allow free movement,

the strategic introduction of indoor

plants that purify air and symbolize

growth (such as Tulsi or money

plants), and the avoidance of

superfluous detritus that anchors

stagnant energy.

To cultivate a home that radiates

positivity is to engage in an act of

harmonisation — where ancient

architectural ethos coalesces

with contemporary evidence on

environmental psychology. The

cleanliness of one’s home thus

becomes a mirror of the clarity

of one’s mind, a sanctuary where

order begets inner peace, and where

serenity is not merely aspired to but

deliberately engineered.

(The writer can be reached at

vikrant.webs@gmail.com)

Pin Codes & Paramours: A

Convenient Conspiracy Of Cupid

Dr Mehak Jonjua

Journalist, Author & Media Mentor

X @janjuamehak

We’ve entered an era

of digital love, with

algorithms taking the

place of human connection and

romance communicated via text.

There is also new urban wisdom

called “Zip Coding,” a new version

of simplicity that tells us we should

limit our romantic interests to only

those who can easily be reached

using services like Uber.

Zip Coding is a modernized

version of the “proximity principle,”

a theory in social psychology that

suggests people tend to have

stronger emotional bonds with

those who are physically close to

them. If only Romeo and Juliet had

looked up their postal codes, they

would have saved themselves a lot

of trouble!

Through technology, we are now

actively trying to meet people within

a certain distance to each other

instead of relying on the natural

attraction phenomenon. The data

backs this idea up. By 2024, 61%

of couples who marry will have

met online compared with other

traditional means of meeting (i.e.

friends, family, or by chance)—

leaving many people yearning for

a more romantic time. However,

because of the possibility of finding

endless possibilities for meeting

people, many now prefer to look for

someone to date that lives close

by, similar to how when we go out

to eat, we often only think about the

closest restaurant—regardless of

the type of cuisine offered.

What led to this retreat into this

radius?

Exhaustion plays a role.A report

from 2025 established that more

than 90% of men and women

assert that today’s dating scene is

tougher than it has ever been, and

consequently, many are now looking

for someone who not only lives in

the same area as them, but whose

overall mindset is somewhat similar

to their own. So, if you attempt

to look at it from a “let’s survive

together” perspective, then you can

see that convenience can actually

be viewed as a healing factor in the

midst of such exhaustion.

There are real benefits to being so

close to each other. Proximity leads

to frequency, which in turn helps

establish a sense of familiarity.

The fact that you each have a

neighbourhood coffee shop that

you both frequent together, that

you have similar schedules, and

that your body clocks do not differ

by several time zones creates a

level of sustainable closeness

for each couple. Furthermore,

with the success rate of longdistance

relationships (those starcrossed

Beatrice and Benedick

Pic Credit: Polina Rytova

types) reportedly being only 58%,

it is obvious that distance plays

a significant role in the theatre

production called “love”.

However, the story gets more

complicated...

Recent research has shown that

couples who initially meet face

to face—often made possible by

being in close proximity—report

greater levels of intimacy, passion,

and commitment than do couples

who initially met purely online. It

can therefore be suggested that

when love is not being mediated by

the ability to swipe endlessly left or

right, it becomes more meaningful—

i.e., there’s a “less menu, more meal”

(The phrase “less menu/more meal”

was borrowed from a blog post by

Robert P. Ng).

So, before we anoint Zip Coding

as a major innovation for modern

romantic relationships, let’s not

make the mistake of falling into the

trap of geographical determinism.

Although proximity has power,

it is not the fix-all for romantic

relationships. Two people may

actually reside in the same zip code

but could be continents apart with

respect to their personalities. Also,

long-term relationships can be very

difficult logistically to maintain, but

the emotional and communications

growth that is achieved in these

types of relationships is often

at a much more profound and

more significant level than those

associated with being within close

proximity to each other.

Thus, Zip Codes allow us to

continue to adapt but also allow

us to give up a little—Zip Codes

allow us to tame the complexities

of contemporary dating but do not

allow us to eliminate them entirely.

Imagine in the future, when dating

websites and/or applications will

filter users based solely on distance

from other users according to traffic

conditions, as opposed to interests

or values; as if romance will become

all about an administrative function

rather than romance.

Nonetheless, there is still a reason

for optimism. While geography

dictates whom you can and cannot

access, it does not determine whom

you can and cannot desire. Human

heart is free of all governments and

cannot, even now, be contained by

the confines of a pin code.


SPIRITUAL CORNER


Is Thinking The

Highest Form Of Knowing?

Designed by Freepik

In the

coming

week…

ARIES

(March 23–April 22)

TAURUS

(April 23–May 22)

You may feel a surge of inner strength and creative

energy this week. The cosmos encourages you to

remain adaptable and true to yourself rather than

fixating on one outcome. Engaging with supportive

communities and collaborations can enrich your

personal and professional life.

Lucky Day: Thursday, Vibe: Radiant

This week brings a steady, reflective energy.

You’re guided to assess what’s working — and

what isn’t — before acting. Think of it as cosmic

housekeeping: clearing space internally and

externally prepares you for future progress.

Lucky Day: Monday

Vibe: Focused & helpful

RAVI K DHAR

Modern education trains us

to believe that the highest

function of the human

mind is thinking. Logic, analysis,

and reasoning are celebrated as the

peak of intelligence. To understand

something is to break it down, examine

it, and reconstruct it through thought.

But thinking is not the highest form

of knowing.

From the perspective of Indian

knowledge systems—and what we may

call a conscious energy framework of

reality—the mind is not the summit of

awareness. It is one layer in a wider

spectrum of consciousness.

Thinking is a process of organizing

fragmented experience. The mind

works through division—subject and

object, cause and effect, premise and

conclusion. It moves step by step,

attempting to bring order to what

appears separate.

This function is indispensable.

Logic reduces confusion, sharpens

clarity, and stabilizes understanding.

But it operates within limits. It can only

rearrange what is already divided.

True knowledge is not constructed.

It is directly seen.

There are moments when insight

arrives without effort. A solution

appears whole. A truth becomes

clear instantly. There is no chain of

reasoning, no sequence of steps—only

direct recognition.

In Indian thought, this is called

Shruti—knowledge that is revealed,

not produced.

From the standpoint of conscious

energy, such knowing arises when

the internal field becomes coherent.

When thought, emotion, and attention

align, the mind no longer struggles to

construct truth. It becomes capable of

receiving it.

This also reshapes how we

understand knowledge itself. In the

conscious energy framework, the

hierarchy of knowing shifts:

- At lower coherence, knowledge is

sensory and reactive.

- At the mental level, it becomes

conceptual and logical.

- At higher coherence, it becomes

intuitive and direct.

- At the highest, it becomes identity—

being itself knowing itself.

Understanding, then, is not the end

of learning. It is a bridge.

At one level, we understand through

concepts. At a deeper level, we realize

through coherence.

This does not diminish reason;

it clarifies its role. The rational

mind prepares the ground. It clears

confusion, refines attention, and

builds internal stability. But beyond a

?

certain point, thinking must give way

to direct seeing.

The real shift is simple but profound:

From thinking about truth

to resonating with it

This has implications far beyond

philosophy. If knowing depends on

coherence, then clarity is not merely

intellectual—it is existential. Our state

of being determines our capacity to

know.

Practices such as meditation,

disciplined attention, and mindful

living are methods of tuning the field

of consciousness. They increase

coherence.

And when coherence stabilizes,

knowledge no longer needs to be

pursued.

It reveals itself.

The highest form of knowing is not

the effort of thought, but the clarity

of alignment—the state in which truth

is no longer approached, but directly

present.

(The writer is a spiritual guide)

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)

PISCES

(February 23–March 22)

Focus and simplicity are keywords for you.

Although many opportunities may beckon, clarity

comes when you hone in on priorities that align

with your long term goals. Communication and

decision making are favoured this week, so tackle

important conversations with confidence.

Lucky Day: Saturday, Vibe: Balanced and open

A gentle and supportive current carries you this

week, especially in domestic and family matters.

Activities around home or loved ones may require

your care and attention — use your intuition to

navigate these with grace. Lean into comfort and

nurture; your emotional intelligence is a strength

now. Lucky Day: Wednesday, Vibe: Intense but

revealing

This week’s energy brings mental clarity and

domestic harmony. Old anxieties begin to fade,

creating space for a calm and restorative rhythm.

Whether through meaningful conversations or well

earned rest, you’ll find opportunities to replenish

your emotional reserves.

Lucky Day: Friday, Vibe: Playful and bold

The beginning of the week may feel slow or

demanding on routine tasks, but by midweek

your confidence will deepen. A bold decision

about work, family, or personal goals can give you

momentum — and once made, your disciplined

follow through will bring steady results.

Lucky Day: Tuesday, Vibe: Disciplined but tired

This is a period to anchor yourself. Reflect on your

long term goals and let clarity guide your choices.

Maintaining balance remains key; trust your

intuition in interpersonal dealings and cultivate

harmony where possible. Peaceful alignment will

help you make meaningful progress.

Lucky Day: Thursday, Vibe: Inventive and bold

You might feel pulled inward — this week is

excellent for rest, reflection, or nurturing your

inner world. Taking time for self care or spiritual

practices will enrich your emotional reserves and

help you reset for upcoming challenges.

Lucky Day: Monday

Vibe: Sensitive but strong

Dynamic developments and insights await.

Unexpected opportunities and team invitations

may arise. Be bold and spontaneous, but

also grounded — balancing adventure with

introspection will deepen your connections and

broaden horizons.

Lucky Day: Wednesday, Vibe: Bold but mindful

Your career and goals remain in focus.

Discipline and strategic planning will help

solidify emerging opportunities. Stay steady

and committed — slow and deliberate progress

builds strength for the future.

Lucky Day: Friday, Vibe: Grounded growth

Clarity and calm dominate your professional

sphere. A structured approach brings smoother

workflows and fewer delays. Lean into routines

that promote productivity — you’ll feel more in

control and poised for success.

Lucky Day: Tuesday,

Vibe: Curious & clever

Your week carries a pleasant tailwind: small tasks

are supported by favourable cosmic influence.

Steady progress in personal pursuits brings

satisfying results without overt pressure. Use this

momentum to prepare for the weeks ahead.

Lucky Day: Sunday, Vibe: Nurturing but firm


GAME ON

SRH Will Have To Go All Guns

AGENCIES

Blazing, Says Klaasen

Dashing former Proteas batter

Henrich Klaasen feels it is still

early days in the tournament

for the Sunrisers Hyderabad and

is confident that the 2016 IPL

champions will fire in all departments

going forward after two defeats in

their first three games.

SRH lost to Royal Challengers

Bengaluru by 6 wickets in their

opener and then were humbled

by 5 wickets by Lucknow Super

Giants in their last game.

Their only win -- 65-run victory

– came against Kolkata Knight

Riders. “Our batting has been good

so far, but we missed out about 40

runs in 3 games. We need to bat

better. The two games that we

struggled, we didn’t execute with

the bat. The bowlers, especially

the pacers have been fantastic.

We need to get to 220-230 mark

to give our bowlers chance of

defending,” Klaasen said.

“Our fielding has been poor and

that’s what is affecting us. I will

give us 6 out of 10 so far, we played

some brilliant cricket in phases, but

lost out in the crucial phases of the

game. Bowlers are hanging on as

per plan, rest of the batting is doing

well. I will give 80 per cent but our

fielding needs to improve, we need

to hold onto our catches. If you need

to go 8-9 in rating, you need to build

some momentum, you need to put

all three compartments together,”

he added. Klaasen, who has retired

from all forms of international

cricket last year and is now only

plying his trade in franchise, struck

consecutive fifties for SRH in their

last two games, and is happy with

his form. “Unfortunately we lost two

games but on a personal note, it was

a good start for me especially since

I am not playing too much cricket

these days. I would like to continue

the form,” said Klaasen.

Bulbul removed as BCB

president, Tamim named

ad hoc panel head

AGENCIES

Days after the Bangladesh

Cricket Board reached out to

the BCCI, requesting the revival

of bilateral ties, former skipper

and BCB president Aminul Islam

Bulbul was on Tuesday removed

by the country’s National Sports

Council (NSC), which formed an

ad hoc committee to run the dayto-day

affairs till fresh elections

are held.

According to sources in

the BCB, Bulbul was removed

primarily due to the fiasco

during the T20 World Cup where

erstwhile interim government

advisor Asif Nazrul literally held

the former skipper hostage and

didn’t allow the national team to

visit India for the global event.

Anti-India hardliner Nazrul’s

stand was to shift Bangladesh’s

games from Kolkata and Mumbai

to Sri Lanka as a mark of protest

for removal of Mustafizur

Rahaman from the IPL.

During the whole issue, Bulbul

was a mere bystander and over

the past few days, six directors

of the BCB resigned because of

him. Former Bangladesh skipper

and country’s greatest opener

Tamim Iqbal has been named as

head of the 11-member ad-hoc

committee, whose duty would

be to hold the cricket board’s

election in the next 90 days.

According to NSC Director

Aminul Ehsan, the decision

to dissolve the current BCB

board and put forth an ad-hoc

committee has been intimated to

the International Cricket Council

(ICC). While the ICC charter

doesn’t allow government or

external interference in board

matters, it is unlikely that

the global body will ban the

Bangladesh board as a timeline

to hold the elections has already

been announced by the NSC.

The 11-member ad-hoc

committee comprise Tamim

Iqbal (president), Athar Ali Khan,

Rashna Imam, Mirza Yasir Abbas,

Syed Ibrahim Ahmed, Minhazul

Abedin Nannu, Ishrafil Khusroo,

Tanzim Choudhury, Salman

Ispahani, Rafiqul Islam and

Fahim Sinha.

Pragg Has A Lot Of Catching

Up To Do At Halfway Stage

AGENCIES

Indian Grandmaster R

Praggnanandhaa will be desperate

for an elusive win in his bid to stay

afloat in the Candidates Tournament

when he takes on Dutchman Anish

Giri in the eighth round here on

Tuesday. The 20-year-old from

Chennai, who currently occupies

the third spot with Giri after logging

3.5 points in seven rounds, just has

another seven rounds to turn the

tide at the halfway stage.

Starting off with a victory over

Giri in the opener, Praggnanandhaa

has been looking for a second

win that is just not coming. It has

been a tough ride in which he has

drawn five games and lost one

against tournament leader Javokhir

Sindarov of Uzbekistan, who has

enjoyed a fairytale journey since last

October when he won the World Cup

against a highly competitive field.

At the start of the tournament

he was, at best, a dark horse,

according to experts but he has

proved himself way stronger than

the rest. He has, so far, clocked the

most impressive performance in the

history of the tournament by winning

five and drawing the remaining

two games. With Sindarov on six

points, the nearest contender and

only one within striking distance is

Fabiano Caruana of United States

and he too is 1.5 points behind the

leader. The eighth round will see

Praggnanandhaa take on Giri with

white pieces, while Sindarov has to

ROUND 8 PAIRINGS

Men: Anish Giri (Ned, 3.5) vs R

Praggnanandhaa (Ind, 3.5); Hikaru

Nakamura (Usa, 2.5) vs Fabiano

Caruana (Usa, 4.5); Andrey Esipenko

(Rus, 2) vs Javokhir Sindarov (Uzb,

6); Wei Yi (Chn, 3) vs Matthias

Bluebaum (Ger, 3).

Women: Anna Muzychuk (Ukr,

4.5) vs Divya Deshmukh (3.5);

Aleksandra Goryachkina (Rus, 3) vs

Kateryna Lagno (Rus, 3.5); Bibisara

Assuabayeva (Kaz, 3) vs R Vaishali

(Ind, 4); Zhongyi Tan (Chn, 2.5) vs

Jiner Zhu (Chn, 3).

fight it out against Esipenko.

Wei Yi of China is on the joint

fifth spot with Matthias Bluebaum

of Germany on three points while

Hikaru Nakamura closely follows

them half a point behind. Andrey

Esipenko of Russia is in the last

spot in the USD 700,000 prize

money tournament that will decide

the challenger to reigning world

champion D Gukesh later this year.

The women’s event being held

simultaneously is comparatively

open but the surprise package has

been Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine,

who leads on 4.5 points out of

her seven games. Muzychuk, who

replaced Koneru Humpy after

the latter withdrew citing security

concerns, was probably least

prepared for the event, but has thus

far given a good account of herself.

AGENCIES

Satwiksairaj

Rankireddy

and Chirag Shetty have

withdrawn from the Badminton

Asia Championships due to the

former’s shoulder injury, even as

inform Lakshya Sen and seasoned

PV Sindhu gear up to spearhead

India’s challenge with an aim to

end a long wait for a singles title in

the continental showpiece.

Satwik and Chirag, who had

won the title in 2023, opted out as

the former continues to recover.

“Satwik still has some pain, so

they won’t be playing this week,”

coach Tan Kim Her said. The duo

had earlier pulled out of the Swiss

Open ahead of their quarterfinal

match due to a recurring right

shoulder injury to Satwik.

India will now rely on Lakshya

and Sindhu in singles, with both

looking to end the country’s 61-

year wait for a title in the discipline.

Former national champion Dinesh

Khanna remains the only Indian

to win the men’s singles gold at

the continental meet in 1965, and

Lakshya will be keen to follow in his

footsteps after a runner-up finish

at the All England Championships.

The 24-year-old from Almora will

open his campaign against Hong

Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu.

Sindhu, meanwhile, returns after

a disrupted European leg. The

two-time Olympic medallist was

stranded in Dubai en route to the

All England Championships due to

Satwik-Chirag Pull Out Of

Badminton Asia Championships

the conflict in West Asia, forcing

her withdrawal. She subsequently

skipped the Swiss Open to recover

and will begin her campaign

against Malaysia’s Wong Ling

Ching.

India will also have a busy men’s

singles slate, with HS Prannoy,

returning after recovering from

a shoulder injury, set to face a

qualifier, while Kidambi Srikanth

takes on Singapore’s eighth seed

Loh Kean Yew. US Open champion

Ayush Shetty faces China’s fifth

seed Li Shi Feng.

In women’s singles, apart from

Sindhu, Unnati Hooda meets

Thailand’s Supanida Katethong,

Tanvi Sharma takes on Malaysia’s

K. Letshanaa, and Malvika

Bansod faces Thailand’s Busanan

Ongbamrungphan.

In men’s doubles, Hariharan

Amsakarunan and M R Arjun, who

won back-to-back titles at the

2025 Al Ain Masters Super 100

and the 2025 Turkiye International

Challenge, face top seeds Kim Won

Ho and Seo Seung Jae of South

Korea. P. Krishnamurthy Roy and

Sai Pratheek K. take on Japan’s

Kakeru Kumagai and Hiroki Nishi.

In women’s doubles, Ashwini

Bhat K. and Shikha Gautam face

Thailand’s Hathaithip Mijad and

N. Tungkasatan, while Treesa Jolly

and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela

meet China’s Luo Yi and Wang

Ting Ge. Priya Konjengbam and

Shruti Mishra await a qualifier.

In mixed doubles, Rohan Kapoor

and Gadde Ruthvika Shivani face

Malaysia’s eighth seeds Goh Soon

Huat and Lai Shevon Jemie, Ashith

Surya and Amrutha Pramuthesh

meet another Malaysian pair Wong

Tien Ci and Lim Chiew Sien, while

Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto

take on Thailand’s P. Horbanluekit

and Benyapa Aimsaard.


LEAF FROM HISTORY


Stark was able to work

with 12 tigers in one cage.

Stark poses with one of her tigers in 1957, when she was

employed as a trainer at Jungleland in Thousand Oaks.

For the sharpest minds in

show business, there’s

always another hustle. Take

Joe Exotic, whose 2020 conviction

for a murder-for-hire plot and

violations of the Endangered

Species Act hasn’t kept the

eccentric tiger trainer out of the

headlines. Since beginning his

21-year sentence, the “Tiger King”

star has started a cannabis brand,

hawked digital art and begun

work on an album tentatively

titled “Jungle Rhapsody: A Tiger

King Experience.” His most recent

gambit involves selling personal

phone calls from his cell – “What

better Valentines gift could you

ever get your loved one,” he posted

on Instagram in January 2026.

But before Joe Exotic, there was

Mabel Stark. Often described as

America’s most famous female

tiger trainer, the Tiger Queen

was renowned for her pluck

and charisma. There’s a lot of

unpublished archival material

about Stark’s long career training

animals. Like Joe Exotic, Stark had

a knack for the spotlight. But even

more impressively, she did it under

the scrutiny of being a woman in

a male-dominated world, while

caring for her animals with love

rather than fear.

From nurse to tiger

trainer

Born Mary Ann Haynie in 1888 or

1889 – the exact year has always

been a mystery – Stark grew up

in Princeton, Kentucky. When she

was 8 years old, she attended her

first circus, where she was awed

by the performances of trained

animals. Two decades would pass

before she got a chance to try her

hand at animal training. Taking a

vacation in California from her job

as a nurse, Stark met Al Sands,

manager of the Al G. Barnes Circus.

After learning of her interest in

training animals, he hired her on

the spot. Stark started by riding

horses and training goats. It would

take several years before she started

working with tigers. But once

she did, her career took off.

Crowds gathered to watch the

“Tiger Girl” wrestle with big cats and

wow audiences by commanding

a dozen tigers at a time to follow

her lead. Her wrestling act with her

favourite tiger, Rajah – in which the

duo would roll three or four times

on the ground – became one of the

bestknown cat acts in the U.S. She

leveraged that success to join the

LIFE AND TIMES OF TIGER

QUEEN MABEL STARK

In early 20th century American life, women might not have been able to vote or to serve

on juries in most states, but in the ring, they commanded the audience’s attention riding

bareback on horses, displaying strength and stamina, and performing gravity-defying acrobatic

feats. Stark was acutely aware of the path she was paving. “I deliberately chose a field in which

no other woman had specialised,” she wrote in her autobiography.

Poster advertising Mabel Stark’s act for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Ringling Circus – the largest circus

in the U.S. – for twice the pay.

As her popularity grew, Stark

collaborated with screenwriter

Gertrude Orr to write her life’s story.

“Hold That Tiger” hit bookstores

in 1938. Caxton Printers, a small

publishing company in rural Idaho,

issued the book and marketed

it primarily to young readers. It

proved popular, selling well enough

to warrant multiple re-printings.

Known for giving a voice to firsttime

writers and authors from

underrepresented groups, Caxton

Printers found a niche market

for circus-related titles. It also

published books about Stark’s first

employer, Al Barnes, as well as the

Ringling Brothers and renowned

lion trainer Louis Roth, who also

happened to be one of Stark’s exhusbands.

Female power in the ring

Stark was acutely aware of the

path she was paving. “I deliberately

chose a field in which no other

woman had specialised,” she wrote

in her autobiography.

The conventional wisdom at the

time, she added, was that “tigers

were considered too dangerous

for a woman to handle.”

Stark’s willingness to defy

convention mattered. As circus

historian Janet M. Davis noted,

“circus women’s performances

celebrated female power” and

represented “a startling alternative

to contemporary social norms.”

In early-20th-century American

life, women might not have been

able to vote or to serve on juries

in most states, but in the ring,

they commanded the audience’s

attention riding bareback on

horses, displaying strength and

stamina, and performing gravitydefying

acrobatic feats. Stark’s

schedule was relentless. She

performed almost daily with

travelling circuses, and she

continually refined her act. In

1938, she worked with both tigers

and lions at the same time, a first

for a female trainer. She made

history again working with 12

tigers in one cage.

Whether it was due to the

demands of her schedule or her

preference for her cats, Stark’s

relationships with men rarely

worked out. Over the course of her

life, Stark married four times, three

of which ended in divorce. “I love

these big cats as a mother loves

her children,” she admitted to a

friend. But “with hus- bands I was

never happy.”

‘An animal trainer can’t

have nerves’

Stark, aware of other trainers’

abusive behaviour toward their

tigers, took a different route.

“Kindness and patience are

the biggest factors in training.

Trainers who try to beat animals

into submission always get into

trouble,” she said. Yet her trade

was not without danger. “An animal

trainer can’t have nerves. I haven’t

had any since I gave up nursing,”

she said in a 1922 interview.

“They may be planting violets on

me tomorrow, but while I have

my health and strength, I’d rather

take care of 10 tigers than a sick

person.”

Stark had several serious

accidents. Perhaps the worst was

in 1928: After a circus train arrived

late, Stark started her act without

realising her tigers hadn’t been fed

for 24 hours. Two famished tigers

attacked Stark after she fell in mud.

“As I lay there, helpless,” she

wrote, “I wondered into how many

pieces I would be torn, and how

long it would take for the other

tigers, growl- ing and snarling

restlessly on their seats, to finish

me.” She suffered multiple broken

bones, nearly lost her leg and

required 300 stitches. Another

incident took place in 1950, when

a tiger mauled her as she reached

for its cub. Doctors initially thought

they would have to amputate

her arm but managed to save it.

Despite these close calls with her

tigers, Stark maintained that “I am

not afraid. I like the challenge of

their roaring defiance.”

The stark reality

Stark toured with circuses until the

late 1940s, when she was hired by

Jungleland, a zoo located outside

of Los Angeles. Save for the threeand-a-half

years she lived in Japan

touring with her wild cat act, she

spent the last 20 years of her career

at Jungleland. Stark never stopped

drawing crowds to her show, nor did

she shy away from the spotlight.

She even appeared on the game

show “What’s My Line?” in 1961

as a contestant whose profession

the panel had to guess. “Each year

has left scars on my body, but it

has also brought a full measure

of happiness,” she recalled. Stark

worked at Jungleland until she

was fired in 1967 after the park’s

insurance company stopped

covering her. Being away from

her tigers devastated her, and she

died by suicide just months later

on April 20, 1968, at her home in

Thousand Oaks.

The concluding paragraph of

Stark’s autobiography anticipates

the end of her life: “The chute

door opens as I crack my whip

and shout, ‘Let them come!’ Out

slink the striped cats, snarling and

roaring, leaping at each other or at

me. It’s a matchless thrill, and life

without it is not worth while to me.”

Via The Conversation


SPARE A THOUGHT

LEARNING over WINNING

Ravi Nanda

Youtube handle

@Ravinandatalks

There are moments in life when

we stand at a crossroads,

one path glittering with the

promise of victory, the other quieter,

humbler, offering no applause…

only growth.Most of us chase the

glitter.But the ones who truly rise

the ones who build character, depth,

and wisdom choose the quieter

path.Because they know a simple

truth:Winning makes you proud.

Learning makes you powerful.

In a world obsessed with results,

we often forget that the most

meaningful victories don’t come

with medals. They come with

lessons.They come quietly in the

form of mistakes, setbacks, and

second chances.And if we pay

attention, these lessons shape us

far more deeply than any moment

of applause ever could.

All Greatstories of leaders,

creators or visionaries’ carries the

same pattern:They learned more

from their failures than from their

triumphs.

Thomas Alva Edison Mary Kom Abraham Lincoln

They grew more in their losses

than in their wins.And they

discovered that the real reward is not

the trophy, but the transformation.

Exploring three real stories that

remind us why learning over winning

is what truly matters.

1. Thomas Edison — The Man

Who Failed 1,000 Times

Before the light bulb

illuminated the world,

Edison walked through

darkness again.He didn’t

“fail” 1,000 times.He

learned 1,000 ways that

didn’t work.When a reporter

asked him how it felt to fail so often,

Edison replied:

“I didn’t fail. I found 1,000 ways

that won’t work.”His brilliance

wasn’t in the invention.It was in his

mindset.He valued learning over

winning and that mindset changed

human history.

2. Mary Kom — The Champion

Who Lost Before She Won

Before becoming a six time

world champion, Mary Kom faced

rejection, financial struggle, and

countless defeats.But every loss

taught her something about

discipline, about hunger, about

heart.She once said that

her early failures were her

greatest teachers. They

didn’t break her. They

built her.Mary Kom’s story

reminds us that the world

sees the medals…but the

real victory happened long before

the podium — in the quiet moments

where she chose to learn instead of

quitting.

3. Abraham Lincoln — The

Leader Forged by Defeat

Lincoln lost elections, failed

in business, and faced personal

tragedy.By traditional standards,

he was a “loser” for most of his

early life.But every setback carved

depth into him — empathy, patience,

clarity, and strength.Those lessons

later shaped him into one of the

most influential leaders in history.

His greatness wasn’t born from

winning.It was born from learning

— from refusing to let defeat define

him.

These stories remind us of a

profound truth: winners focus

on results, but learners focus on

growth. And in the long run, it is the

learners who become true winners.

To conclude dear reader, Life

will not always let you win.But it

will always let you learn.And if

you choose learning over winning,

something beautiful happens:You

stop competing with others…and

start growing into the person you

were meant to become. Remember,

Winning is a moment.Learning is a

lifetime.

“Learning over winning” is not

about rejecting success; it is about

redefining it.Winning gives you a

moment of joy, but learning gives

you a lifetime of growth. Winning is

temporary; learning is permanent.

When we focus only on winning,

we develop fear, FEAR OF FAILURE,

FEAR OF JUDGMENT, FEAR OF

TRYING AGAIN. But when we shift

our mindset towards learning, every

experience becomes valuable. Every

setback becomes a stepping stone.

Every failure becomes a teacher.

So, the next time life doesn’t go

your way, don’t ask, “Why did I lose?”

Instead, ask, “What did I

learn?”Because life is not a

competition to defeat others; it is

a journey to discover yourself.So,

readers,LET’S CELEBRATE THIS

WEEK, THE PEOPLE WHO TRY,

WHO FALL, WHO RISE, WHO GROW,

BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES

WHO TRULY WIN IN THE END.

Dear Reader, for most of the Life

queries, you can meet me at my

you tube channel @Ravinandatalks

where most of the LIFE VALUES are

shared in small & short messages.

Thank You

The Winning Strategy for

Your Commercial Property

Lalit Arya

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Elite athlete’s discipline and

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Top Broker with proven

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Regional Director specialising

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Regional Director

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Industrial Sales & Leasing (Auckland)

021 033 2309

lalit@jameslaw.co.nz

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021 258 1370

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027 201 4720

The Indian Weekender| 10 April 2026

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