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30 January 2015

30 January, 2015 Vol. 6 Issue 26 | www.iwk.co.nz

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New Zealands first Kiwi-Indian weekly newspaper

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The Pulse of Kiwi-Indians

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30 January 2015

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Indias Power Play: The 66th

Republic Day

Maya Shivam

hough India became a free nation

on August 15, 1947, it declared
itself a Sovereign, Democratic and
Republic state with the adoption of
the Constitution on January 26, 1950.
A salute of 21 guns and the
unfurling of the Indian National Flag
by Dr Rajendra Prasad heralded the
historic birth of the Indian Republic
on that day. Thereafter, 26th of
January was decreed a national
holiday and was recognised as the
Republic Day of India.
The Constitution gave citizens
of India the power to choose their
own government and paved the
way for democracy. Dr Prasad took
oath as the first President of India

at the Durbar Hall in Government

House and this was followed by the
Presidential drive along a five-mile
route to the Irwin Stadium, where he
unfurled the National Flag.
Today, India boasts of being the
largest democracy in the world and
the Republic Day is synonymous
with the Countrys power display.
This year, military precision
blended seamlessly with cultural
diversity at Indias 66th Republic
Day parade, where US President
Barack Obama was the chief guest.
Heavy
armour,
marching
contingents of the armed forces
and the paramilitary and police
forces, interspersed with brass and
pipe bands - tableaux depicting the

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multifarious multicultural heritage of

this rich vast land and schoolchildren
dancing merrily in spite of the chill
marked the event, crowned by a
flypast that many apprehended would
not happen due to the weather.
For the first time, an all-womens
contingent drawn from the three
services was featured at the event,
while the Indian Army, the Indian
Navy and the Indian Air Force also
fielded all-women contingents.
Keeping up with the theme of Nari
Shakti (Women Power), this year
saw women officers in the lead in
numerous contingents.
In another first, a day before,
a woman officer from the Indian
Air Force - Wing Commander Puja

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Thakur, led the ceremonial guard

of honour presented to visiting
US President Barack Obama at
Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Thakur was seen -- and heard
-- giving commands, which were
followed by the national anthems of
the US and India. The 21-gun salute
boomed next.
Thakur then escorted Obama for
the inspection of the tri-service guard
of honour.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra
Modi drove to India Gate to lay
a wreath at the Amar JawanJyoti
memorial to the unknown soldier.
He later drove back to the saluting
base at Rajpath to welcome Obama
and President Pranab Mukherjee,

who took the salute at the two-hour

parade.
There were many firsts at this
Republic Day event. The tableaux
depicting Make in India, Swachh
Bharat, Beti Bachao to name a few,
were seen at the parade for the first
time, along with the regulars like the
Dare Devils and the flypasts by the
fighters of the Indian Air Force that
are amongst the all time favourites.
The following features bring to
you more details on the splendor and
celebration that marked the Indian
Republic Day this year.
The Indian Weekender wishes all
its readers a very happy Republic
Day.
Continued on Pg 4

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f the annual Republic Day parade is

known for its pomp and splendour,
the 66th edition will remain etched in
the memory for two other factors - the
womens power showcased during
the two-hour event and the presence
of US President Barack Obama as
the chief guest on the occasion.
Quite appropriately, the honour of
leading the marching contingents was
given to the one drawn from the three
services, while the Indian Army, the
Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force
also fielded all-womens contingents.
A woman led the Indian Navy
contingent while a tableau depicted
the success achieved by an allwomens team in scaling the worlds
highest mountain, Mount Everest.
All this, coupled with a woman
leading the contingent that presented
a guard of honour to US President
Barack Obama Sunday is reportedly
Modis way of showcasing womens
power in India - despite the many
stories of atrocities on women and the
odds stacked against them socially.
With woman power as the theme
for this years Republic Day parade,
there was another feather in the cap
when Captain Haobam Bella Devi
unfurled the tricolour at Rajpath, New
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R-DAY SPECIAL

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30 January 2015

played and 21-gun salute is given.

The day began cloudy and rainy and there
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were apprehensions that the flypast, one of
the most-eagerly awaited events at the parade,
would be curtailed but, in the end, the weather
cleared sufficiently for this to take place though
the sky remained overcast.
Before the proceedings began, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, resplendent in a tricolour turban
and for whom it was his first Republic Day

parade, drove to India Gate to lay a wreath at

the Amar Jawan Jyoti memorial to the unknown
soldier.
He later drove back to the saluting base
at Rajpath to welcome Obama and President
Pranab Mukherjee, who took the salute at the
two-hour parade.
Before it commenced, Mukherjee handed
over posthumous Ashok Chakras - the nations
highest military award in peacetime - to the
widows of Major Mukund Vardarajan and Naik
Neeraj Kumar Singh, who were killed in counterinsurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

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Continued on Pg 6

www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

R-DAY SPECIAL

Continued from Pg 5

As in the past, the marching

contingents stole the show with
their dazzling array of ceremonial
uniforms, leaving the audience in
the jam-packed stands - despite the
cold - spoilt for choice: the blue and
gold trimmed tunics of the 61 Cavalry
contrasting with the vivid red turbans
of the Brigade of the Guards, the
red-gold turbans of the Jammu and
Kashmir Light Infantry and the greenblue turbans of a Territorial army unit
attached to the Punjab Regiment.
Most of the paramilitary and police
contingents were in regulation khaki
but they too got a look-in, thanks
to their ceremonial cummerbunds,
sashes and turbans.
Notably, the mechanised columns
were down to a minimum this time
around - perhaps to paper over the
fact that 70 percent of the hardware
with the armed forces is imported, a
situation that Modis Make in India
initiative hopes to reverse.
The music, as usual, made for
considerable patriotic fervour, what
with rousing tunes like Sare Jahan
Se Aacha, Hanste Lushai, Kadam
Kadam Badahe Ja and Sound Barrier,
many of which had Obama keeping
time - which he also did when the
tableaux came on with their wealth of
folk music.
This also made for a seamless
blend of military might and heritage
as 25 tableaux - 16 from the states
and nine from various ministries graphically displayed Indias rich
cultural diversity.

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Andhra Pradesh chose to do this

through a harvest festival; Madhya
Pradesh highlighted the Bhagoria
festival of love and matchmaking;
Uttarakhand through the pilgrimage
to Kedarnath; Sikkim through
cardamom farming, Assam by recreating Majuli, the worlds largest
river island; Telangana by re-creating
the Golconda fort and Haryana
with likeness of the Sultanpur Bird
Sanctuary - quite naturally, with
twittering birds.

Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi

The Make in India tableau by

the department of industrial policy
and promotion depicted a mechanised
lion against the backdrop of a smart
city. The campaign aims to promote
manufacturing in India.
Another pet project of the prime
minister, the Beti Bachao Beti
Padhao programme, a campaign
against female foeticide which he
launched from Panipat in Haryana Jan
22, was also featured in a tableau.
And, as usual, the flower-bedecked

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tableau of the Central Public Works

Department drew loud applause. It
featured the source of the Ganga river
high up in the Himalayas.
The weather began to lift as the
tableaux were rolling down Rajpath
and just as the schoolchildren had
finished their routines, three Mi-35
attack helicopters of the IAF streamed
in through the somewhat cloudy sky.
Then, in quick succession came

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the newly acquired C-130J Super

Hercules medium-lift transport, the
P8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft
escorted by MiG-29 combat jets (both
of the Indian Navy), the C-17 heavylift transport escorted by Sukhoi Su30 MKI combat jets and the Jaguars.
All this left most spectators with a
feeling of Yeh dil maange more, but
for that theyd have to wait a full year.
It would be a wait well worth it.

R-DAY SPECIAL

www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

Of umbrellas, caps
and patriotic songs

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y
R-Daghts
li
Si de

ith the rain playing spoilsport, the

dignitaries gathered at Rajpath to
witness Indias 66th Republic Day parade
were forced to wear caps and take cover
under umbrellas and raincoats.
US President Barack Obama, the chief
guest at the parade, and wife Michelle
were seated in a roofless bullet-proof glass
enclosure along with President Pranab
Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and
his wife Salma and Prime Minister Narendra
Modi.
As it started to drizzle, officials with huge,
black umbrellas and members of the support
staff standing next to them sprang into action.
While the Obamas held their own
umbrellas, the Indian dignitaries and leaders

attending the
ceremony had
their
better
halves
or
their official
staff holding
the cover for
them.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi also held
her own umbrella. Two seats away, Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah was
seen taking shelter under an umbrella held by
his wife.
Kiran Bedi, the BJPs chief ministerial
candidate for next months Delhi assembly
polls, wore a raincoat.
Many dignitaries also donned caps to
Continued on Pg 8

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30 January 2015

R-DAY SPECIAL

Continued from Pg 7

protect themselves from the cold

and drizzle.
Mukherjee and Ansari sported
fur caps, Finance Minister Arun
Jaitley and senior BJP leader L.K.
Advani wore golf caps while Modi
wore a traditional and colourful
Rajasthani headgear.
Modis Swachh Bharat
stumbles at Rajpath
Had Prime Minister Narendra
Modi peeked into the enclosures
erected in front of him at Rajpath

and his ride - The Beast.

The crowds cheered, clapped
and waved at Obama and his wife
Michelle. The Obamas too waved
back, much to the delight of the
crowds.
A group of young men even had
a huge yellow-colored poster with
the message - We Love Obama,
with a red heart signifying love.
In fact, the highly publicised
Modi-Obama chair pe charcha on
the verdant lawns of the Hyderabad
House Sunday was a hot topic of
discussion among the audience

PM Modi, President Mukherjee, US President Obama and

Red
First Lady Michelle Obama
wave at the crowd.

threatened the festivities as well as

dampened the spirits of the people.
The crowds gathered for the
function were a worried lot as the
security personnel did not allow
umbrellas inside the venue due
to safety concerns and the light
drizzle could very well have turned
into a heavy shower.
But much to their relief, half
an hour into the parade, the rain
stopped and the dark clouds that
had been hovering overhead
dispersed and later enabled them
to witness the flypast by the Indian

when the 66th Republic Day parade

concluded, he might have been
forced to rethink the prospects of
his pet Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, or
Clean India campaign.
Soiled sheets of newspapers,
pamphlets (carrying details of the
parade details) and polythene bags
that had been used by the crowds
to clean their seats and cover their
heads during the morning drizzle
were littered all around the VIP
enclosures as the function ended.
Many of the chairs lay toppled
while the seats of almost all of them
had shoe marks and sludge on them
as the crowd had stood atop them
minutes before to catch a glimpse
of the departing dignitaries.

as they waited for the parade to

begin. Most of them had gathered
since early morning, braving the
rain and the January chill.
The friendly warmth and
camaraderie between the two
leaders again evident during the
two-hour parade.

The tableau of the Indian Railways

during R-Day parade

A dose of patriotism
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Orange

It may have been a cold, foggy

and wet Republic Day morning
but the people who packed the
stands, some of whom had walked
for several kilometers to reach
Rajpath, were in a patriotic mood.
Despite the long queues at
the entrances, the crowds raised
slogans like Vande Mataram and
Bharat Mata Ki Jai at regular
intervals. Some of them had small
paper tri-colours pinned to their
shirts and tops while others had tricoloured scarves wrapped on their

US President Barack Obama

arrives in The Beast.

heads and around their necks.

Adding to the feel, were soulstirring songs like Yeh desh hain
veer jawano ka and Mere desh
ki dharti that blared out of the
address system.
However, the show stealers at
the end of the celebrations were the
saffron, white and green balloons
that were released into the sky
from different corners of Rajpath.

When the weather god

smiled
It was a wet, gloomy start to the
66th Republic Day celebrations
here as sporadic overnight rain
that continued in the morning

Insights from 66th Indian Republic

Day celebrations in New Delhi, India
on January 26th.

Air Force.

Fly-past at the Republic Day parade.

We Love Obama
The
camaraderie
between
visiting US President Barack
Obama and Indian Prime Minister
Narendra Modi seems to have
rubbed off on Delhiites as well.
When Obama reached Rajpath
to attend the 66th Republic Day
parade, the crowd climbed atop
their chairs to catch a glimpse him

Republic Day parade underway

at Rajpath in New Delhi.

Mo
Protrtgage
ecti
on

www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

Ashoka Chakra for two

fallen bravehearts on R-Day
M
Orange

ajor Mukund Varadarajan and Naik

Neeraj Kumar Singh were Monday
posthumously awarded the nations highest
peacetime gallantry award, the Ashoka Chakra,
at the Republic Day parade.
Both of them laid down their lives while
fighting heavily-armed terrorists in separate
gun-battles in Jammu and Kashmir last year.
Their widows received the award from
President Pranab Mukherjee.
Varadarajan, of the armys 44 Rashtriya
Rifles, died last April year while leading an
anti-terrorist operation in a village in Shopian
district.
A severely Varadarajan continued fighting
the enemy in the operation that resulted
in elimination of three top-ranked Hizbul
Mujaheddin terrorists. He later succumbed to
his injuries.
Singh, also from Rashtriya Rifles, got killed
when he came under heavy fire from terrorists
while on a search operation in the states
Kupwara district Aug 24, 2014.
A total of 374 gallantry and other defence
decorations to armed forces personnel have
been announced on the occasion of the 66th
Republic Day.
These include an Ashoka Chakra (to Singh
as Varadarajans award had been announced
on Independence Day last year), three Kirti
Chakras, 12 Shaurya Chakras, 48 Sena Medals
(Gallantry), two Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry),
11 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry), 28 Param
Vishisht Seva Medals, three Uttam Yudh Seva
Medals, three Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medals,
53 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 13 Yudh Seva

ur
an
ce

Black

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Medals, 42 Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty),

eight Nao Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), 19
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Wife of late Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh, (below)

wife of late Major Mukund Varadarajan receiving Ashok Chakra from President of India
Pranab Mukherjee

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10

www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

NEW ZEALAND

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Black

Orange

Namaste, Satsriakal, Assalamu alaikum, Greetings

Namaste aur shubh kamanae

I hope you and your family enjoy celebrating the 66th anniversary of Indias Republic
Day.
As well as marking an important day in Indias history, this is a chance to recognise
the strong relationship New Zealand has with India, and the valuable contributions
Indian New Zealanders make to the overall success of our nation. Best wishes for the
celebrations and for a safe and prosperous 2015.
John Key
Prime Minister

I would like to send my congratulations to the New Zealand Indian community as

it celebrates Indias Republic Day.
It is always pleasing to see the large numbers of major Indian organisations and
associations from around Auckland join forces to celebrate the occasion.
India is important to New Zealand as it is our main supplier of skilled migrants,
while the number of international students from India has also increased steadily over
the last few years. In the first eight months of last year just over 15,500 Indian students
were studying in New Zealand, a 60 percent increase over the same period in 2013.
There are more than 155,000 Indians living in the country, making it the fastest
growing Kiwi ethnic group.
India has undergone many changes since gaining independence in 1947. Let us
hope that it will continue to progress and find solutions to all its problems and continue
on a path for prosperity for all its citizens, irrespective of their religion, caste, region
or language.It is a day to remember and pay tribute to the great Indian leaders such as
Mahatma Gandhi and the massive independence movement.
As proved by this months meeting between the United States President Barack
Obama and the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi your nation is becoming a major
global player and we welcome it as a constructive partner on the international stage.
The Indian community is a fine and valued part of New Zealand society, and one
which is much valued by the Labour Party.
Jai Hind.
Andrew Little,
Labour Leader .

New Zealand First congratulates the Kiwi-Indian community on the occasion of

Indias Republic Day.
This will always be a significant day on our calendar, as it is for all Kiwi Indians.
As a Kiwi Indian I look back in awe to those who helped achieve independence
for India, and I look forward to building on the links between India and New Zealand.
I hope you all had a wonderful Republic Day.
All the very best.

Mahesh Bindra
List Member of Parliament
New Zealand First

www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

Tri-colour flies high at MG Centre

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Rizwan Mohammad

he 66th Indian Republic Day celebrations

were held with a flag hoisting ceremony
at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre. The event
organised by Auckland Indian Association,
commenced with garlanding the statue of
Mahatma Gandhi and hoisting of the tri-colour
by chief guest Makanbai Goenbai.
This ceremony was further continued by
patriotic songs, Gujarati hymns portraying the
greatness of Bapu (Mahatma Gandhi) and
speeches by representatives of various Indian
associations.
Auckland Indian Association which is
led by its President Ashokbhai Darji, was
formed in 1926 and Mahatma Gandhi Centre
was established under the association which
completes its 25 years of existence in 2015. In
the absence of the President, of the association,
acting President Nanette Nathoo who is also the
Vice President of the association, took charge
of the ceremony.
The prime activity of the association is to
maintain and promote Indian culture amongst
its vast community in Auckland and New
Zealand as a whole.
Auckland Indian Association is one of
the wings that come under the New Zealand
Indian Central Association led by Harshad
Patel. He mentions, The country had a rollercoaster ride since its independence but is now
the powerhouse of the world. With the new
government led by Hon. PM of India Narendra
Modi, India has become one of the challenging
forces both economically and culturally to the
world.

The ceremony ended with the national

anthem and a vote of thanks by the Secretary of
the Association, Shanti Patel, to the community
who were present at the venue for flag hoisting.

NEW ZEALAND

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www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

NEW ZEALAND

Diplomatic ties fly high on R-Day

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IWK Bureau

The 66th Indian Republic

Day celebrations in Wellington
was one of the biggest events in
years. Hosted and organised by
His
Excellency
the
High
Commissioner of India in New
Zealand Mr Ravi Thapar and
MrsSharmilaThapar in association
with New Zealand India Friendship
Association (NZIFA), the fanfare
and celebrations were attended
by Ambassadors and Members

of the Diplomatic corps, from

different parts of the world along
with other distinguished guests
from the Kiwi Indian and the
larger Kiwi community. The High
Commissioners from the United
States, United Kingdom, Italy,
Israel and Pakistan graced the
event with their presence.Amongst
other guests at the occasion were
the Mayor of Wellington Celia
Wade-Brown, Minister of Ethnic
Affairs Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga,

During its journey of 65 years as a Republic, India has

matured into a US$2.1 trillion economy, which in terms of
Purchasing Power Parity, translates into its being the third
largest economy in the world. Having evolved through
long periods of indigenous kingship and foreign rule,
India deeply values its strong democratic foundations.
Although nourished by its ancient civilizational
heritage and spiritual ethos, it actively pursues the use
of scientific and technological tools for securing a better
and prosperous future for its teeming millions. Indias
immense pool of scientists and engineers has always done
the country proud. A few months ago, in September 2014,
they excelled themselves when India became the first
country in the world to put an indigenously-designed and
manufactured satellite vehicle into the Mars orbit in the
very first attempt, that too, at a record economical cost of
US$ 74 million, which is less than what it cost to shoot the
Hollywood blockbuster Gravity!

In the current era of globalization, Internet & social

media, jet travel and speedy telecommunications, the
whole world has shrunk into a global community.
Economic prosperity and development are no longer
merely a domestic policy concern or objective.
Various critical, global issues today are not just
addressed in parliaments and multilateral gatherings.
The social media and the virtual international
community too have a considerable say in these
matters. As more and more people connect with the
global highway, the role of the virtual international
community will become even more pronounced.
Global benchmarks and multilateral negotiations
can have a significant bearing on any initiatives being
attempted for augmenting technology, capital and
projects for upgrading infrastructure in any country.
International cooperation between all countries,
howsoever remote and distant they might be, is hence
of high priority.

MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi,

Leader of the Opposition Andrew
Little and his wife, MP Paul Foster
Bell and Honorary Consuls from
various countries. Amongst other
community leaders were Dr Kanti
Patel, Ranjana Patel,
Pritipal
Singh,
Roshan Nauhria, Jay
Randhawa, Sunil Kaushal to name
a few.
The
celebrations
were
inaugurated by the lighting
of the lamp by the Indian

High
Commissioner
and
Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga ,followed
by a brief speech on Indias
economy and its rich culture. The
celebrations were also marked by
cultural performances and food.
The ladies of the diplomatic corps
also accepted and wore bindi (the
dot) signifying their embracing
of the culture and wholehearted
participation in the event.
The celebration back in Indiathis
year has been a huge success,

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making historywith the presence of

US President Barack Obama . But
the celebration in New Zealandalso
made history with it being the
biggest celebration of the Indian
Republic Day, so far with the High
Commissioner of the United States
in attendance. Mr Thapar left no
stone unturned in making this event
a success.
We bring you a photo feature of
the event along with the speech by
His Excellency-Mr RaviThapar.

In light of this background, India has

been taking principled and informed
positions, based on discussions with
like-minded democracies, on various
issues such as poverty alleviation,
women empowerment, climate
change, reform of the international
monetary and financial architecture,
international terrorism and all
such matters. As the most populous
democracy in the world, it looks
forward to partnering with all nations
for forging international consensus on
these important themes. We sincerely
hope and believe that given Indias
sustained and active contribution to
all such discussions, it will also have
opportunities to contribute more
tangibly to such issues in the future, as a
permanent member of a reformed and
expanded UN Security Council.
As the world grapples with chronic
trouble spots in the Middle East and in
other parts of the world, and mankind
becomes more and more embroiled
in the race for political influence
and power and weapons, the Indian
time-honoured principles of peace,
ahimsa [non-violence], democratic
governance, yoga and belief in a unified
and universal spiritual consciousness,
which have been extolled in India for
centuries, assume a special significance.
It is in this light, that as proposed by
Honble Prime Minister of India at the
UN General Assembly in September
2014, a record 177 nations out of the
193 UN members endorsed Indias
resolution / proposal for declaring the
21st of June as the International Yoga
Day.

www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

Red

The current
trends of economic
interdependence and electronic
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connectivity also influence bilateral relations between India and
New Zealand. In earlier years, the immense geographical divide
between India and New Zealand posed serious constraints in
intensifying linkages. Today, experts and centres of excellence in
both democracies can go digital and jointly evolve positions on
various critical issues confronting the world today. The presence
of a large overseas Indian community also facilitates such
linkages. It is noteworthy that after the last General Elections in
New Zealand in September 2014, three members of the Indian
origin community have made it to the august portals of New
Zealand Parliament. Exchange of high-level visits in recent
years from New Zealand at the level of Prime Minister, Foreign
Minister and other Cabinet-level ministers and from India at the
level of the Speaker of the Lower House of Indian Parliament,
Deputy Chairperson of the Upper House of Indian Parliament
and several Cabinet Ministers have added to the momentum of
ongoing ties.
Both countries have already laid down an extensive, theoretical
framework for strengthening bilateral relations by finalizing
MoUs for enhancing cooperation in the fields of Agriculture,
Education, Science & Technology, Audio-Visual cooperation and
promoting exchanges between supervisory authorities in the
Banking Sector. A Free Trade Agreement and a more elaborate
Air Services Agreement for facilitating better air linkages and
connectivity are also being negotiated. What is now important
is to give practical shape to some of the objectives enshrined in
these bilateral arrangements.

NEW ZEALAND

13

The prospects for strengthening ongoing cooperation between both countries are
hence positive and promising. New Zealand is not merely a major global supplier of
agricultural goods and primary commodities. Rather, many companies here have
developed smart and innovative technologies which cannot be commercialized
easily due to New Zealands modest-sized market. Given Indias rich reservoir of
scientists and engineers, professionals and consultants, substantial market and
huge middle class and ever-burgeoning economic requirements and expanding
investments in infrastructural projects, New Zealand businesses can work closely
with their Indian counterparts for commercializing such technologies for sale not
only in India but also in other markets. The bilateral trade turnover in 2014 was
approximately to the tune of NZ$ 1.1 billion. There are significant opportunities for
enhancing such engagement. And the investment flows need not only be geared
towards India. Rather, as has just been established through the allocation of a large
offshore block off the Taranaki coast to ONGC Videsh Ltd. - which is a subsidiary of
its US$ 58 billion parent company Oil & Natural Gas Commission of India - Indian
companies and corporate majors could also invest in tangible projects in New
Zealand.
We, at this High Commission, look forward to working with all sections of the New
Zealand political, official and business community in stepping up multi-faceted
cooperation between both countries in all these areas. A good beginning has
already been made with the establishment of the New Zealand India Friendship
Association [ nzifa.org.nz] under the patronage of the High Commission. Poised to
connect centres of excellence and leading members of the professional, business
and talented stakeholder communities in India and New Zealand, the NZIFA can go
a long way in deepening ongoing bilateral engagement between both countries.

14

www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

POWER COLUMN

Recalling Gandhis leadership, courage and intergrity

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Phil Goff
Labour MP

t was good to celebrate India

Republic Day on 26 January and its
significance for Indian communities
around the world. Sixty five years
ago India completed its transition to
becoming an independent republic
and adopted its new constitution.
Symbolically this occurred on the
same day and month on which,
twenty years earlier, the Indian
National Congress proclaimed its
Declaration of Indian Independence.
Indias Republic Day is a

day to look back on with pride

and acknowledge those who
contributed to the struggle to achieve
independence.
In particular we remember
Mahatma Gandhi for his inspirational
leadership, courage and integrity. He
set an example for the world through
his commitment to non-violent social
activism and social justice for all.
India Republic Day is also a day
to recognise and celebrate Indias
place and role as the worlds largest
democracy. We properly recognise

the tenacity and commitment

of Indians in preserving their
democratic heritage and the human
rights it guarantees when so many
other countries around it have often
succumbed to military coups.
This year India celebrates its
Republic Day with a new Government
and hope that there will be economic
transformation to improve the life of
all its people. India has the worlds
tenth largest economy by GDP.
Early reform by Manmohan Singh
as Prime Minister of the Congress
party contributed to high growth but
in the term of the Congress Party
Government the momentum seemed
to be lost. In particular there was a
widespread recognition of the need
to find fresh answers to problems of
poverty, corruption and economic
underperformance.
I hope that the new Government

under Narendra Modi considers

advancing negotiations on the free
trade agreement with New Zealand as
part of the reforms needed to promote
Indias economic development.
New Zealands technology and
services, particularly in the agritechnology area can help Indias
productivity. New Zealands high
quality food products, freed from
the burden of high taxes and tariff
imposed on imported products, can
also help India meet the demand for
high protein, safe and good quality
food which, as incomes improve, is
growing.
India has the worlds largest
population which consumes dairy
products and produces much more
milk than New Zealand. But its
technology and productivity are
low. New Zealand could help India
in this area. New Zealand is the

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leading expert on animal husbandry

and technology associated with
dairy herds. It could also help with
technology and services in keeping
produce fresh India suffers a huge
40% loss of fresh produce spoiling
before it gets to market.
While Indian farmers with an
average herd size of two dont
want to compete directly with New
Zealand on dairy, there is room for
NZ to aim for the top of the market
and to complement local production
in helping meet growing demand.
New Zealands Free Trade
Agreement with China has worked
to the benefit of both countries.
An agreement with India would
do the same as our two countries
have complementary economies
and much in common in terms of
language, heritage and commitment
to democracy.

Raising achievement for kids back at school

Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi
National List MP

he new school year is starting,

with our kids heading back to
the classroom.
National is working hard
to ensure all our kids have the
opportunity to engage in learning
that meets their needs. We want to
make sure theyre getting the best
education they can.
Were making great progress with

kids starting earlier in education,

staying longer, and leaving better
qualified.
There will be over 60,000 new
entrants starting school this year,
and we want every single one to
have the chance to do their very best
and grow up to be successful in life.
This wouldnt be possible without
our dedicated teaching profession,

our school leaders, and the parents

and whanau who make sure their
kids are attending early childhood
education (ECE) or school, and
support their learning at home.
National increased ECE funding
to get more young Kiwis into
education earlier, and provide
more targeted services to best suit
communities who need them the
most.
At school we introduced National
Standards, so we would have better
data to help identify where more
effort and resources need to be
focused to raise achievement.
And now we are investing in
supporting our great teachers and

principals, and their practices, across

communities of schools.
Nationals $359 million Investing
in Educational Success initiative
will lift achievement in Kiwi schools
by helping schools share their best
resources their best teachers and
principals. Children will benefit
from shared teaching practices and
expertise.
Evidence shows quality of
education and school leadership
are the two most important factors
in a childs education, so we are
investing in these areas.
We want to see greater
collaboration
among
schools,
improved transition through the

I havent met anyone whos impressed with

ATs road design
David Shearer
Labour MP

hen Im out and about in my

electorate on the weekend, I
see a lot of Indian families enjoying
the Western Springs Park area.
Its the perfect place for a family
picnic in the sun or shade. People
go there because of the space, the
beautiful landscape and the trees in

the middle of our city.

You may have heard that
Auckland Transport wants to chop
down six mature Pohutukawa trees
across on the other side of Great
North Road, opposite Western
Springs.
These trees are beautiful and

without them wed look out

on acres of road and concrete.
Auckland Transport is determined
to chainsaw these trees and ignore
the wishes of the community
and elected local board, who
overwhelmingly want to keep and
protect the 80-year-old trees.
I havent met anyone whos
impressed
with
Auckland
Transports road design.
When I went to their liaison
meeting last week, I was stunned
at the inflexible thinking of their
engineers.
Questions from local people

were
treated
as
annoying
inconveniences.
The trees on and near the park is
the reason so many people go to the
park with their families. My view is
that if we cant have both roads and
trees, Auckland Transport needs a
new engineering team.
It seemed obvious at the
meeting that a compromise could
be reached that would satisfy
everyone, but Auckland Transport
wasnt interested in exploring any
compromise or alternative.
Surely if we can find room for
17 road lanes yes 17! then we

education system for children, and

better career pathways for teachers.
The first 11 communities of
schools will begin working together
this year, across different areas of the
country. Together they cover 38,000
students from primary, secondary,
intermediate and area schools.
Were making sure all kids have
their very best shot at succeeding in
education by improving the quality
of teaching and leadership in our
schools.
All parents want to see their
children lead happy, successful
lives. National believes giving every
child the best education possible
will help achieve that.

can find room for six trees, with

all their beauty, history shade, and
welcome relief from the acres of
asphalt.
It looks like this disagreement
might go all the way to the
environment court a slow and
expensive process.
My hope is that Auckland
Transport can show some late
flexibility, and a willingness to
work with others. A better design
will give Aucklanders the roads we
need without sacrificing the historic
Pohutukawa trees that are after all,
the emblem of Auckland City.

www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

NEW ZEALAND

15

Auckland Council serving up exciting Youth Employment Pledge partners

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Black

hree of Aucklands leading

hospitality
businesses
and
Auckland Council itself have signed
pledges to further advance the
councils targeted effort to help the
citys 23,000 unemployed young
Aucklanders.
A pledge signing event hosted
by Mayor Len Brown saw
InterContinental Hotels Group,
SKYCITY Entertainment Group,
Hilton Auckland and Auckland
Council make a commitment to
tackle their citys youth employment

Orange

issue head-on. The signing formally

recognised and acknowledged the
employers collaborative efforts
to date to improve employment
opportunities, as well as those that
will be made in the future.
Len Brown said he was very
encouraged by Aucklands major
employers stepping up to sign up.
Pledge partners are attracted
by the opportunities the council
initiatives such as Youth Connections
provide to overcome the barriers to
youth employment and develop ways

to equip the next generation with the

right skills.
Auckland Council has 16
graduates entering the second year
of their programme with a further
41 starting next month, 22 summer
interns, 11 cadets who joined the
organisation in October last year
and a further 30 places available
this year. More Youth Employment
Pledge partners are in the pipeline
and council has set a target of 50 by
the end of June this year.
As part of the councils youth

employment work two

youth
employment
summits have been
held with a third,
JobFest15, taking place
on February 21 at MIT.
JobFest15 is expected
to attract 1000 work
ready young people and
50 businesses with jobs
to offer.
Mayor Len Brown at the youth employment pledge signing with ATEEDs
General Manager Economic Growth Patrick McVeigh and Auckland Council
cadet Antonio Taulutoa.

MAYORALDRIVE
N e w s fro m th e Council

Home grown
talent headlines
175thfestivities

free, family friendly concert at

Barry Curtis Park on Waitangi
Day, produced by Auckland Council in
partnership with Toi o Manukau, will
mark the 175thanniversary of the signing
of the Treaty of Waitangi.
Wellington
based
reggae
group Tomorrow People headlines
a strong line-up that includes Annie
Crummer, Moana and the Tribe, Tama
Waipara and Whenua Patuwai. Comedian
Mike King will host the event.
Mayor Len Brown says, February
6th this year is particularly significant,
marking the 175th anniversary of the
signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.
The day-long free event offers
Aucklanders and their families, a
destination to gather and have fun through
sharing music, crafts, entertainment and
food.
The concert, the regions largest
Waitangi Day event, begins at10amwith
a mihi whakatau - ceremonial welcome
- and kapa haka performance from
Manurewa Marae, Te Tai Tonga.
South Auckland all girl group
Soul 7, kick off the live stage show
at11amfollowed by Moana and the Tribe.
New to the event this year is Auckland
Museums popular summer childrens
programme, Tmaki Tales.
Youngsters can listen to stories, design
a street flag, weave a tututuku, handle
Taonga Puoro and watch master carvers
work on a variety of commissioned
pieces.
On show also, nine replicas of the
original signing sheets of the Treaty of
Waitangi.
The day is focused on providing a
safe, zero waste, alcohol and smoke-free
experience, encouraging Aucklanders to
make the most of the fantastic free local
music acts whilst learning more about
our unique history in a relaxed whnau
friendly setting.

Air India Airlines Special Fares for Indian Sub

continent starting from $1025.00* (Inclusive all taxes)
*Travel dates : 16th Feb to 31st May 2015
*Sales Expiry : 31st Jan 2015
Malaysia Airlines Special Fares for Indian Sub
Continent starting from $1299.00 (Inclusive all taxes)
*Travel dates : 16th Jan to 17th Nov 2015
*Sales Expiry : 16th Feb 2015
Cathy Pacific Airlines Special Fares for Indian Sub
Continent starting from $1465.00 (Inclusive all taxes)
*Travel dates : 15th Jan to 31st Aug 2015
*Sales Expiry : 31st Jan 2015
Singapore Airlines Special Fares for Indian Sub
Continent starting from $1475 (Inclusive all taxes)
*Travel dates : 8th Mar to 30th Jun 2015
*Sales Expiry :31st Jan 2015
Thai Airways Special Fares for Indian Sub Continent
starting from $1685 (Inclusive all taxes)
*Travel dates : 23rd Jan to 30th Nov 2015
*Sales Expiry : 31st Mar 2015

16

www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

NEW ZEALAND

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If you dont value your time, neither will others.

Stop giving away your time and talents. Value
what you know and start charging for it.

Editorial

From the desk of the

Managing Editor

- Kim Garst

A tribute to R.K. Laxman ?

On behalf of the entire team at Indian Weekender, I wish to extend my heartiest greetings
to all Indians on the occasion of the 66th Republic Day. This year the Republic Day has
been a milestone with many firsts.
The world seemed to have stopped to watch as India created history with the President of
United States attending the Republic Day celebration for the first time, this also being the first
time that the President of the United States has visited India twice during his term in office.
Incidentally it was also the first time that the US President broke his security protocol and
stayed out in the open for so long, as he watched the celebrations.
The turnout at Rajpath was massive, in spite of the drizzle. The crowd cheered their beloved
leader as Modi arrived and the cheering continued as President Obama arrived in the Beast.
The celebration itself was unparalleled, with India displaying its best and its mightiest.
As contingents proceeded down Rajpath one could not help but be proud of the upward path
that India is currently on. As usual, the daredevils took everyones breath away and the flypast by out fighter aircrafts seemed to get the attention of the crowds, in spite of the weather
conditions. The all women contingents were the star attraction and were a first.
Indeed it was a time of great excitement as we all watched the chemistry between Modi and
Obama unfold over the three-day visit. In this issue we bring you the big and small stories of
the Republic Day celebrations and the big and small events around Obamas India visit. This
visit saw many highlights: while on the one hand there seemed almost a sense of urgency in
the US wanting to partner with India on various levels, on the other hand there were many light
and memorable moments that these three days brought. We have tried to cover a lot of these
stories and yet due to space constraints there were some that we have saved for the next issue.
So it wasnt only Indias power play that made the world stop in its tracks. It is also this
new-found friendship with the United States that the world is stopping to note. The two super
powers are indeed emerging as natural partners.
Amidst all this fanfare and excitement, the nation sadly bid farewell to the much-loved
common man. RK Laxman was a legend and we bring you a tribute to his genius, in this
issue.
We are also starting a new column, in this issue, to encourage a healthy discussion on who
we call ethnic and why. We would like to hear the thoughts of our readers. Do write back to us.
It is indeed heartening to note that Indias Republic Day was celebrated with enthusiasm
and fanfare even in New Zealand. We bring you snippets of the biggest ever celebration held
under the very dynamic and energetic Indian High Commissioner, His Excellency Mr Ravi
Thapar at Wellington. This was attended by many diplomats, community leaders and also the
High Commissioner of the United States to New Zealand.
It goes to the credit of the citizens of a Country when the whole world joins them to
celebrate their democracy. With India emerging as a new power not just in terms of being the
largest democracy in the world but also because of its growth rate and development in various
other areas under a capable and efficient leadership.
Lets take a moment to be proud of the country and dedicate ourselves to our own growth
and development. Lets do this for our own sake and for the sake of our country. I would like
to end with the words from John F. Kennedy ask not what your country can do for you, ask
what you can do for your country.
Vande Mataram! Jai Hind!

Pick of the week

Wing Commander Pooja Thakur walked US President Barack Obama for the inspection of
the tri-service Guard of Honour at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on Jan 25th. This
came as Nari Shakti (woman power) was the theme for the Republic Day parade this year.

Giri Gupta

Indian Weekender Volume 6 Issue 26

Publisher: Kiwi Media Group Limited
Managing Editor: Giri Gupta | girigupta@xtra.co.nz
Editor: Maya Shivam | editor@indianweekender.co.nz
Associate Editor: Paula Ray | paula@indianweekender.co.nz
Chief Reporter: Swati Sharma | reporter@indianweekender.co.nz
Reporter: Rizwan Mohammed | iwk.rizwan@gmail.com
Chief Technical Officer: Rohan Desouza | rohan@indianweekender.co.nz
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Accounts and Admin.: Farah Khan | accounts@indianweekender.co.nz
Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher
is not responsible for advertisers claims as appearing in the publication
Indian Weekender is published by Kiwi Media Group, 98 Great South Road, Auckland
Printed at Guardian Print, Ashburton
Copyright 2014. Kiwi Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

Stoked

Pronounced: Stoked
Very pleased or excited,
Usage: I was stoked to win the race!

TIP from the TRENCHES

If you have ever had to give eye drops
to a small child, you know how hard it
can be. Ask your child to lay down and
closer his/her eyes. Place a small drop
on the inside corner of the eye. The
drop will slip onto the eye ball as soon
as the child opens his/her eyes.

www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

OPINION / EDITORIAL

17

Obama visit paves way for new era in

India-US ties

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Arun Kumar

S President Barack Obamas historic visit

to be the chief guest at Indias Republic
Day celebrations turned out to be much more
than symbolic as it helped cut the nuclear knot
and paved the way for a new era in India-US
relations.
US Deputy National Security Advisor
Ben Rhodes believes the signal that is being
sent from Obama and Indian Prime Minister
Narendra Modi to their respective governments
is going to catalyse a lot of activity.
It also sends a message to the world, I
think, that the US and India are going to be
closer partners going forward, he told US
reporters accompanying President Obama at a
briefing in New Delhi.
And thats entirely consistent with the
presidents focus on the Asia-Pacific region
and building closer relations with emerging
powers, particularly the worlds largest
democracy here in India, he said.
Recognising the importance of their
deepening economic and commercial ties,
India and the US also decided to expand their
annual strategic dialogue into a US-India
Strategic and Commercial Dialogue.
The last two days have demonstrated that
over the years India and the United States
have systematically forged an indispensable
partnership, as US Commerce Secretary
Penny Pritzker put it.
Pritzker, who would now jointly lead the
expanded dialogue with Secretary of State John
Kerry, said the developments were indicative
of a new day in the commercial relationship
between India and the United States.
The talks in New Delhi may not have led to
setting up goals for reducing carbon emissions,
but John Podesta, counsellor to the president,
was upbeat about Modis aggressive
programme to produce clean and renewable

energy.
Our ability to partner with India to
help produce 100 gigawatts of solar power
between now and 2022, is part of a shift
across the globe towards cleaner forms of
energy, he said and it is being done in
conjunction with tackling the problem of
climate change.
Obama and Modi had turned a corner for
the United States and India, by resolving
issues in a long-stalled nuclear deal that for
years kept US nuclear power companies from
doing business in India, noted Alyssa Ayres,
senior fellow for India, Pakistan, and South

Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Ayres, a former US deputy assistant
secretary of state for South Asia, suggested
that the US should now aim for bigger
economic plans with India by backing Indias
membership of Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation body.
Obama, coming out of this symbolic and
important visit to India, should demonstrate
that Washington will do its part for Indias
future by integrating India into economic
regimes focused on delivering growth, she
wrote in a commentary in Fortune. Influential
Politico magazine, noting that the US and

India were getting serious about nuclear

trade, wondered if it was a New era for
US-India relations.
Christian Science Monitor too saw signs
of a changing US-India relationship amid
the pomp on Delhis Rajpath noting that
a trip to New Delhi designed to mend old
differences had kicked off with a nuclear
deal.
But the influential New York Times
summed it up saying Obamas acceptance
of Modis invitation this year was seen in
New Delhi as a great tribute to India, a sign
of the countrys arrival on the world stage.

most ethnically diverse nations at the OECD

(Organisation for Economic and Cooperative
Development).
In this sense, diversity adds to the
economic, social and cultural development
of the nation.
The fact that the government has
demarcated a separate office or cell for such
activities goes to prove the proactivity of the
governing body in safeguarding the interest
of the diverse people. But then, at the same
time, does it not segregate the society by
identifying the differences of the sub-groups
within the wider population?
Being a predominantly immigrant nation,

how does New Zealand government identify

who is not an ethnic community? Yes, the
Office of Ethnic Affairs does say that the
ethnic groups are not part of the dominant
group within the nations population. But
then, the dominant British population is also
a migrant group of people whose numbers
have only multiplied over the years.
Does the standing of a race depend on the
physical space they occupy? What about the
native inhabitants of the land? Are they part
of the dominant group or do belong to yet
another ethnic sub-group? Lets find out in
our next round of ethnic-babble!

Is race dependent on
space?

Paula Ray

lobal cities around the world boast of the

diverse ethnicities they support. In fact,
displaying the diversity often turns into an
obscene game for going global. More on this
later; first let us try to understand: what does the
word ethnic actually mean?
Ethnic can be understood as a sub-group
of people within a larger population who
share common cultural traditions, customs
and even descent. As such, the people of a
nation comprises of one dominant community
and several other ethnic communities.
It would not be wrong to presume that
overlapping customs and traditions of
diverse ethnic groups help the sub-groups
to coalesce and collectively they form the
complex whole.
In this sense, several ethnic groups
make up the population of a city, say, like
Auckland which has an enviable mix of
people who are Chinese, Korean, Indian,
Arabic, Spanish, and more.
It is the composition of these ethnic

groups that make some cities of New

Zealand more diverse than the others.
While Wellington has a presumably higher
south Asian population, Auckland has more
number of east and south-east Asian people.
But as an immigrant-friendly nation, the
New Zealand government tries to look after
the needs of each and every community,
by way of celebrating various cultural
festivities unique to them through the year.
The Office of Ethnic Affairs, as the
government department is labelled, identifies
each matawaka or ethnic group by its
peoples cultural values, customs, beliefs,
languages, traditions and characteristics
that differ from the wider society. The
celebration of these people through their
customs and traditions has become part of
the Governments affairs.
This does not come as a surprise.
As the Office rightly says: a quarter of
New Zealanders were born overseas.
Accommodating and addressing their
diverse interests make the country one of the

18

www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

FIJI

Indian Republic Day

celebrations in Fiji

Red

Black

NEWS in BRIEF

Orange

FNPF sells shares for a

whopping $17m

T
I

ndian community in Fiji celebrate Indias

66th Republic Day hailed by Indian High
Commissioner. At the residence of the Indian
High commissioner in Tamavua, Suva, around
100 members of the Indian community gathered
to commemorate the day.
Its a very big moment when we celebrate
Republic Day away from home and Fiji is also
home for us in other ways so we had the flag
hoisting in the morning and the amazing thing
is, this is perhaps the first place in the world
where the Indian flag in unfold as part of the
celebration of Republic Day so Fiji is the first
in the world to celebrate the day, mentioned
Indian High Commissioner Gitesh Sharma.
India gained its independence on August
15, 1947 however the constitution came into
existence on January 26, 1950, he added, and
that is why they had always celebrated this
day in January. So as of that day we became
masters of our own destiny. We became a truly
democratic nation and as we say we are the

worlds largest democracy, he said.

One of the things that you will find is that
we have Indian communities all over the world,
our general message to them is to integrate and
contribute to society where ever they are.
We say that people here are connected with
India and we are happy that they are with us
and we celebrate the fact that they have been
very good Fijians citizens who also love their
own country.
This ceremony was later celebrated at the
Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva which was graced
by the presence of Prime Minister Voreqe
Bainimarama.
It is an extreme honour that Mr
Bainimarama is with us today on our Republic
Day celebration, Mr. Sharma said.
Mr Bainimarama was among Members of
Parliament, and Diplomatic Corps who were
present. The President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
was unavailable for the ceremony since he was
out of town.

he Fiji National Provident Fund Investment Ltd sold its 51 per cent stake in
Penina Ltd for $17 million to Tappoo Holdings Ltd. The chairman of FNPF
mentioned that the initial investments of FNPF Investments Ltd. Of $5.6 million was
established in 2006 that comprised land and cash contributions.
The shares of Penina Ltd, the owner of the Tappoo City Complex in Suva has
shown gains of more than $11 million or in other words 1204 per cent. Penina Ltd
declared and paid the dividends to two of its shareholders of $1.9 million before the
settlement took place.
Tappoo Holdings Ltd will take over the responsibility for the $37m loan liability
that Penina Ltd has with a commercial bank, Mr Kodagoda said. The sale achieved
an amicable solution for both parties and the divestment is the best possible outcome
for the fund both commercially and in terms of long-term investment strategy.
He also mentioned that the investments in Penina Ltd were made prior to the
appointments of the present board members, and the decision to add fund ensured
that the sales provided good results.
Tappoo Group Chairman Kanti Tappoo added that acquisition and investment of
such a magnitude posed a huge challenge for the investors and they had to be looked
on a long-term basis. The proceeds from this sale are expected to be invested in
other FNPF projects that are in the pipeline. The chairman further added that they
had invested carefully in their multi-storey departmental store and food court at the
Tappoo City Complex.

Education to get a boost

he Ministry of Education of Fiji has decided to offer 100 enthusiastic couples

a salary increment to move out to the less provisional rural and maritime areas
with a goal to improve the standard of education there.
The Education Minister Dr Mahendra Reddy mentioned that he had a meeting
arranged with his staff members to search 100 willing couple explaining that have
to take the challenge to manage and fix major educational issues in the rural areas.
Ive asked for a list of 100 couples who are willing to go into rural and maritime
areas and we will talk with them first, because we want to know that they dont have
a babysitting issues or parents to look after, Dr Reddy said.
And for them we will give them an increment. Well tell them well look after
you, after three years we will promote you, but go there and change these schools.
The list of willing couples is expected to be ready in a months time and the
teachers will be deployed in another two months. Mr Reddy also mentioned that the
structures in these schools in the rural areas will also need to be renovated because
the wooden structures are almost 40 years old and bear a risk to crumbling to the
ground.
He also explained that the schools in the rural and maritime areas can get potential
technological assistance via donations from business enterprises to the Education
Ministry. Weve got a donation of 5000 tablets from India and we will distribute
those to maritime and interior schools where we dont have proper facilities. He
added.

FNPF increase employers

contribution

he Fiji National Provident Fund has asked the employers to pay 10 per cent as a
mandatory contribution towards their employees retirement plans. The current
announcement has been followed by governments 2015 Budget Plans, an increase of
25 per cent from the previous 8 per cent mandatory employers contributions.
This move by the government has been taken in order to boost the savings for
the members and increase their income statement at retirement. This change in
regulation is effective January 1st 2015 and all the employers need to comply as
soon as possible.
The maximum amount of contribution is 30 per cent from a compulsory member.
Therefore, 10 per cent will be paid by the employers, 8 per cent by the employees
and 12 percent of additional and/or excess contributions. The excess contributions
are paid my some employers as a part of their employees benefits paid above
mandatory employer contribution.
FNPF chief executive, Aisake Taito said allowing members to pay additional
contributions towards their FNPF means that members can save more for retirement.
Our core area of business, again this could not be emphasised enough is to ensure
that members have a decent income to live comfortably at retirement.
The Fund therefore will continue to explore opportunities to secure the future
for our members, Mr Taito said

www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

Red

Black

NAMOSTE OBAMA

19

Orange

India, US achieve breakthrough in civil

n-deal implementation

ndia and the US Sunday (25 Jan)

announced the much-anticipated
breakthrough
agreement
on
commercial implementation of their
landmark civil nuclear deal, six years
after it was signed, and also entered a
new strategic phase of co-production
of some defence projects, as Indian
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and
visiting US President Barack Obama
held talks marked by much warmth
and camaraderie.
Both Obama and Modi announced
that the breakthrough had been
arrived at in the civil nuclear deal
- which ended decades of Indias
nuclear isolation because of its refusal
to sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation
Treaty (NPT) - during the joint press
interaction after a marathon over
three-hour talks at the Hyderabad
House which was referred to as Chai
Pe Charcha.
Modi said in his speech: I am
pleased that six years after we
signed our bilateral agreement, we
are moving towards commercial
cooperation, consistent with our law,

our international legal obligations,

and technical and commercial
viability.
Obama, describing it as a
breakthrough understanding, said
the two leaders agreed to advance
our civil nuclear cooperation and we
are committed to moving toward full
implementation.

*Travel until 30th Nov 2015

Special Ending 16th Feb 2015

It is an important step and shows

us how we can work together to
elevate our relationship.
The deal is done... We have
broken the logjam of the past few
years, said Foreign Secretary
Sujatha Singh, briefing newspersons
later.
She acknowledged that the

political leadership played key role

in pushing forward the agreement.
In the field of defence, the two
sides renewed the 10-year Defence
Framework Agreement and the
Defence Trade and Technology
Initiative (DTTI).
The new framework is to enhance
the bilateral defence partnership

with more intensive joint military

exercises and maritime security
efforts among others.
Under the DTTI, which is for
co-production, both have agreed on
four projects, including the Raven
unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and
the roll-on, roll-off intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance
module for the Lockheed Martinmanufactured C-130 J transport
aircraft, Sujatha Singh said.
Both sides are also to form a
working group to explore technology
for aircraft carriers and also share the
design of jet engine technology.
Modi, in his opening address
in English at the press interaction,
said both have decided to take our
growing defence cooperation to a
new level.
In the field of energy, Obama
expressed interest in participating
in Indias 100 gigawatt solar energy
project.
Both sides also resumed talks on
the bilateral investment treaty and on
a totalisation agreement.
Continued on Pg 20

20

www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

NAMOSTE OBAMA

Continued from Pg 19

We will also start discussions

on social security agreement that is
so important for the hundreds and
thousands of Indians professionals
working in the US, Modi said.
The two sides also inked three
MoUs between the US Trade and
Development Agency and the
governments of Andhra Pradesh,
Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh for the
smart city projects involving Ajmer,
Allahabad and Vishakhapatnam.
The US is also cooperating with
India on the Digital India programme.
Two-way trade which stands at
$60 billion is poised to reach the
$100 billion mark by 2018. The US
is keen that the trade figure should
reach $500 billion by 2020.
The breakthrough on the civil
nuclear deal was arrived at after the

It is an important step
and shows us how we
can work together to
elevate our relationship.
The deal is done... We
have broken the logjam
of the past few years

Red

India-US nuclear contact group held

talks in London that were extended
by a day in order to arrive at a
consensus.
Besides the US concerns over
Indias stringent civil nuclear
liability law that puts the onus for
any accident on suppliers, India had
objection to the US insistence on
control in perpetuity over the nuclear
fuel and equipment.
The contact group was set up
during Modis US visit in September
last year. It was charged with
advancing the implementation of the
stalled nuclear deal.

The US and India are also

working towards a proposal to set up
a $250 million insurance pool with
money from all stakeholders to pay
off any liabilities.
The insurance pool is aimed at
indemnifying companies building
nuclear reactors in the country,
against liability in case of an
accident.
In a joint statement, the two sides
also elevated the bilateral relationship
through their endorsement of a
new India-US Delhi Declaration of
Friendship, which builds on their Sep
30 Vision Statement.

Both noted commonalities in their

regional policy - in Indias Act East
Policy and the US rebalance to Asia
and said it provides opportunities
for India, the US, and other AsiaPacific countries to work closely to
strengthen regional ties.
The two also announced a Joint
Strategic Vision to guide their
engagement in the region.
The two leaders pledged to
translate their commitment of
Chalein Saath Saath: Forward
Together We Go of September into
action through Sanjha Prayaas; Sab
Ka Vikaas: Shared Effort; Progress

Modi, Barack chatted like old friends

Ranjana Narayan

he friendly warmth and

camaraderie between Indian
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and
US President Barack Obama was on
full display as the two chatted and
laughed like old friends over a twohour period while watching Indias
Republic Day parade and pageantry.
A day after the two leaders - one
the prime minister of the worlds
largest democracy and the other
the president of the worlds oldest
democracy - got down to referring
to each other in first person terms Barack and Modi respectively - their
easy friendship was visible for the
world to see.
Amid a steady drizzle that at
times almost threatened to spoil the
celebration of Indias military might,
cultural diversity and technological
prowess, Modi was seen carrying on
a steady conversation with Obama,
explaining to him the different facets
of the Republic Day parade as it
marched down Rajpath.
The two leaders chatted, mostly
without the help of an interpreter,
who was seated within the bullet
proof enclosure.
Within the enclosure was also
President Pranab Mukherjee, US
presidents wife Michelle Obama,
Vice President Hamid Ansari and his
wife Salma.
Modi, whose sartorial vibrancy
was also remarked on by Obama,
was attired in a dark bandhgala and
topped with a colourful tricolour
Rajasthani turban. Modi is known to
pay special attention to his attire and
has become known for changing his
dress for different occasions.

For All.
Black
Orange
Obama, who arrived in the
morning, was first accorded a
ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati
Bhavan after which he went to
Rajghat to lay a wreath at the
memorial of Mahatma Gandhi
and also planted a sapling. He
held marathon talks with Modi in
Hyderabad House over luncheon.
The two also strolled in the green
lawns of Hyderabad House without
aides and had tea, with Modi pouring
the tea for his VVIP guest.
The chai pe charcha moment
drew smiles when it was referred
to at the joint presser, and Obama
thanked the prime minister.
Modi also said the two sides have
decided to set up a hotline between
the two leaders.
To a question on their body
language, he referred to the US
president with the first name, saying
that Barack and he have been
maintaining contact over phone, and
also chat.
He said the personal equation
between two leaders goes a long way
towards bringing two nations and
their people together.

Barack and I:
Modi stresses
personal
chemistry

Obama with Modi during At Home at Presidents house in New Delhi.

On Sunday (25 Jan), during the

presidential banquet, Obama had
complimented Modis dressing style
and said Tonight I was thinking
about wearing a Modi kurta myself
- a reference to the popularity that
Modi has brought to the kurta,
matched with differently coloured
sleeveless jackets.
While Obama was wearing
a formal dark grey suit, with a
lavender coloured tie, Modi topped
his attire by donning a pair of stylish
shades.
Michelle was seen chatting with
Salma Ansari, but mostly kept quiet
and watched the proceedings.
In the initial moments of the

parade, when the tanks, missiles

and armoured cars were wheeled
on Rajpath, Obama looked on with
interest, and continued to look
interested in the long march past
by different wings of Indias armed
forces.
Towards the end of the march
past, when the mounted floats from
different states and the folk dancers
came in a steady stream to showcase
their cultural splendour, the attention
of the US president appeared to flag.
But his companion, in Modi, kept
up a lively chatter - explaining each
bit with an expressive show of his
hands.
The daredevil motorbike stunts

by men of the Border Security Force

had the US president and his wife
visibly interested and both clapped
with enthusiasm.
The successful holding of the
Republic Day parade, which marks
perhaps the longest period of time
that the US president has spent in
the open in any country, went off
without a hitch -- marking a high
point for the security detail put in
place for the VVIP guest who has
the highest level of security in the
world.
Obama did come in his own car,
The Beast, to the Rajpath, in a break
from protocol and not in President
Mukherjees black limo.

alking glowingly about his

good friendship with US
President Barack Obama and how
it had brought the people of India
and US closer, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi addressed him by
his first name Barack more than
once while Obama, in response,
was less informal and addressed
him as Modi or prime minister.
Barack and I have forged a
friendship. There is openness when
we talk on the phone and we also
crack jokes, Modi said.
This chemistry has brought
Barack closer to me but also
brought the people of India and
America closer he added.
Im fairly new in this area
but relations between countries
depends less on full stops, commas,
and more on the personal chemistry
between the leaders. I think this
chemistry is very important and
will only grow, he said further.
Obama too agreed with Modi
and said their friendship reflected
the warmth between the two
countries.
In addition to the personal
friendship that we have built in
a brief amount of time we are
reflecting the warmth between the
people of India and US, Obama
said.
We compared hours of sleep. It
turns out that Modi is even getting
less sleep than me. Thats because
he is still new, Obama said much
to the amusement of the media
persons.

www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

NAMOSTE OBAMA

21

A suit to suit his style

Red

Black

Orange

close look at Narendra Modis

bandhgala suit that he wore for
a joint appearance with US President
Barack Obama in New Delhi,
showed it was a customised marvel
- with the prime ministers full
name Narendra Damodardas Modi
written in pinstripes.
Modi wore the deep blue
bandhgala suit Sunday (25 Jan)
evening at Hyderabad House when he
stepped out for a Chai Pe Charcha
meet and a press conference with
Obama.
It would have passed off as a
regular ensemble that the Indian

leader flaunts every now and then,

but zoomed images of the outfit have

revealed another story altogether -his name was intricately woven into
the fabric.
Fashion designers say the finesse
with which Modis name features in
the fabric requires special technique,
and that the fabric is most likely
hand-woven.
Its a very fine jacquard technique
of weaving. Its not embroidery,
and its cost would be dependent on

the fibre and technique, designer

Samant Chauhan told media,
indicating that developing such a
fabric could cost anything between
Rs.80,000 up to Rs.500,000.
Designer Raakesh Agarvwal says
its daring on Modis part to wear it
for an important event.
The name was so intricately
woven that it looked like pinstripes. I
think its quite a daring choice... This

personalised textile is the in thing.

From (international brands)
Burberry to Hermes, all are doing it,
Agarvwal told media.
Another designer, Gautam Gupta
is sure that the fabric is not machine
made as the technique would not
have given it the finesse that the
material had. He also said that if the
outfit was made in Italian wool, it
would be very expensive.
This is not the first time a
leader has worn an ensemble
with his own name all over
it. Ousted Egyptian leader
Hosni Mubarak is also
said to have flaunted a
similar suit back in 2011.
Since taking charge
as prime minister, Modi
has impressed the fashion
community and the common
man with his sartorial choices.
Whether it is with his well-fitted
bandhgala suits, his half-sleeved
kurta and brightly coloured Nehru
jackets or his choice of an orange
shawl; Modis style statements have
always been eye-catching; so much
so that during the Obamas visit for
the countrys 66th Republic Day
celebrations, he stole the thunder
from the US First Lady as far as
fashion was concerned.
His pinstripe-with-his-name suit

has generated a lot of buzz on social

networking mediums.
Former actress Twinkle Khanna,
who calls herself @mrsfunnybones
on Twitter, posted: So wht if NaMo
wears a suit with his name on it?
Better than carrying bags with LV
LV all over (referring to fake Louis
Vuitton). Well if ur name is Lucky
Verma then maybe.

Michelle arrives in Indo-American designers creation

(From L- R) Michelle during her arrival to India; during

At Home; R-Day parade at Rajpath; departure from
India.

S First Lady Michelle

Obama landed in India last
week looking chic in an ensemble

designed by India-born Bibhu

Mohapatra, who is based in New
York.
She had accompanied US
President Barack Obama on a
three-day state visit to India.
Michelle wore a geometricprint black and white knee-length

dress with blue-floral motifs as

she emerged from the US Air
Force One jet with her husband.
She completed the outfit with a
matching coat with the same motifs
and print and looked stunning in
the outfit.
Mohapatra, who specialises

in womens luxury wear with

daywear and evening wear, shared
a photograph of the US First Lady
wearing his creation along with one
of his ramp shots.
The
President
and
the
First Lady arrive in #india. @
michelleobama
wearing
@

bibhumohapatra #spring15 poppy

print dress and coat @flotusnews @
christyrillingstudio @cfda @vogue
@bergdorfs thank you #MK and @
johnnywright220 Xb, the designer
posted on Instagram.
The
power
couple
were
welcomed by Indian Prime
Minister Narendra Modi at the
VVIP terminal of the Indira Gandhi
International Airport, New Delhi.

22

www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

NAMOSTE OBAMA

Modi, Obama unveil steps for new high to

business, trade ties
Red

Black

Orange

ndia-US business links were

set for a quantum jump with
Prime Minister Narendra Modis
assurance of consistent policies
and welcoming environment
leading to US President Barack
Obama announcing steps to lead to
$4 billion trade with and investment
in India.
Over the next two years, our
Export Import Bank (EXIM)
will support $1 billion Made In
America goods exports to India.
Our Overseas Private Investment
Corporation will support lending
small and medium businesses
across India in more than $1 billion
in loans. And our US Trade and
Development Agency will invest
nearly $2 billion in renewable
energy in India, Obama said in his
address at the US-India Business
Summit in New Delhi Monday (26
Jan).
Listing out more steps, he
said the US was ready to help in
broadband connectivity and build
better roads.
We need to make sure that
economic growth in both India
and US is inclusive. Diaspora
investment initiative will aid
India, he said.
US exports to India is nearly 35
percent. Indian investments in our
country is growing as well. Those
Indian investments are supporting
jobs across America. Our growing
trade relations are also a win for
India. Both Indian and US workers
are benefiting from the ties,
Obama added.
Saying that there is a lot of
untapped trade potential, he
added: PM Modi agrees that there
is a lot of scope to improve the
trade relations. We have to focus
on making doing business easier in
both our countries.
In his address earlier, Modi
said the state should be driven by
policies which should be consistent
so as to draw more investments,
while revealing US investments in

India jumped by 50 percent in the

first six months of his government.
State should be policydriven. That will help investment.
Consistency is another very
important aspect that will bring
more investments in the country.
These things will address many
problems, he said.
He assures US business that they
will find environment that is not
only open, but also welcoming.
It will make it easy to do
business; our immediate target is

They are telling us

that we are on the right
path. Our economic
growth has increased
by a percentage
point. Today, business
sentiments in India are
the strongest among
major Asian markets.
Consumer confidence
in India has turned
positive after three
years
to bring us from the rear ranks of
the world into the top 50. You will
find a tax regime that is predictable
and competitive. We have removed
some of the excesses of the past.
We will now soon address the
remaining uncertainties.

Our goal is an economy where

skills, infrastructure and resources
will not be constraints to growth,
he said, adding heavy investments in
infrastructure and agriculture will
improve the economy.
Noting that in the world of
economics, numbers are often an
unforgiving mirror to performance,
Modi said: They are telling us
that we are on the right path. Our
economic growth has increased by
a percentage point.
Today, business sentiments
in India are the strongest among
major Asian markets. Consumer

confidence in India has turned

positive after three years.
Stressing
the
India-US
partnership will be vital for
prosperity at home and our
economic leadership abroad,
he held it will also help address
global challenges of our times.
Turning to President Obama,
Modi said that with his support,
quite simply, the joined hands of
India and the United States will
make this world a better place
for all. With your leadership, Mr.
President, and with the support of
our gifted people, we will turn our

commitments into concrete action.

The
US-India
Business
Council (USIBC) along with
Indias department of industrial
policy and promotion (DIPP), the
Confederation of Indian Industry
(CII) and the Federation of Indian
Chambers of Commerce and
Industry (FICCI) organised the
summit.
Before this meeting, Modi,
speaking at the interactive India
US CEO Forum, highlighted
key priorities of his government
including improving Ease of
Doing Business, and the Make
in India initiative. He also added
it is extremely important to listen
to investors, as this helps speed up
decisions.
Reacting to the statements by
Modi and Obama, CII president
Ajay Shriram expressed hope that
the newly-announced US-India
Strategic and Commercial Dialogue
will convene soon to chart out
the path for enhanced bilateral
economic cooperation.
He also welcomed Modis
commitment to making the business
environment in India easier and
more predictable. In this regard,
he welcomed the new cell being
set up in the PMO to fast track US
investments in India.
It is these steps, he noted,
that will help step up the USs
engagement
in
the
Indian
economy.

US can be Indias best partner: Obama

ecalling the historic address

of Swami Vivekananda, US
President Barack Obama Tuesday
won over his audience by referring
to them as sisters and brothers of
India and said he firmly believes
America can be Indias best partner
and together the two nations can
bring more prosperity to their people.
In his final engagement in India,
before flying to Riyadh and then
home, the US president addressed a
town hall-style meeting in Siri Fort
auditorium, where he said: India
and the US are not just natural
partners, I believe that America can
be Indias best partner, I believe

that.
Addressing an invited gathering
of young people, civil society and
diplomats, the US president reached
out to the audience with many
Hindi words like Namastey,
Dhanyavad and even some
references to Bollywood films,
which had the crowd ecstatic.
He said he was absolutely
convinced that when both the
democracies stand together they can
produce more jobs, opportunities
and prosperity for their people. I
believe that, he said.
Recalling the historic address
of Swami Vivekananda, Obama

began his town hall meeting with

the invocation sisters and brothers
of India and talked about how
the philosopher-sage introduced
Hinduism and yoga to America in a
city that was his hometown.
He recalled Swami Vivekananda
and his famous speech in Chicago,
exactly 100 years ago, where he
addressed the gathering as sisters
and brothers of America and
said he was going to address the
audience likewise.
Obama struck a personal chord
with the mainly youthful crowd,
saying he was very impressed with
Continued on Pg 23

www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

NAMOSTE OBAMA

23

Continued from Pg 22

the daredevilry of the motorcycle

Black
Orange
contingent riding Royal Enfield
bikes and wished he could ride a
bike too.
But the Secret Service does not
let me ride motor cycles, he said,
and also remarked that he cannot
dance as well as his wife Michelle.
In a speech where he touched
on the need for India and the US to
work together on climate change,
on how the US can partner India
in its growth story, in defence
cooperation and becoming partners
in the security of the Asia-Pacific
region, the American president
also stressed on the need for
He said the US wants to partner
the government to uphold the
India in its infrastructure push,
freedom of religion written in the
building ports, bullet trains, smart
cities and develop technology
that we do with closest allies and
If the grandson of
also touched on cooperation in
a cook can become
tackling terrorism.
president, and the tea
In the beginning, Neha Buch,
seller can become the
a young representative of Indian
prime minister, so can
NGO Prabha, introduced Obama
young people from the
to the audience as a man who
humblest of origins dare is known for his empathy with
to dream big and realise common people.
their aspirations,
He connected with the audience
by talking about his own humble
roots which he said were in many
constitution of both the countries.
ways similar to the roots of the
He also spoke of the civil
Indian prime minister.
nuclear deal that both countries
If the grandson of a cook
are pushing ahead with, saying
can become president, and the
it would help bring electricity to
tea seller can become the prime
homes in India and more clean
minister, so can young people
energy.

Red

from the humblest of origins dare

to dream big and realise their
aspirations, he said to loud cheers
and applause.
He also talked about the
importance of women in society
and said a nation is successful
when its women are successful,
a remark which again drew strong
applause.
He talked about how impressed
he was with the incredible
women in (Indias) armed forces
that he witnessed at the Republic
Day parade Monday and also
mentioned about the women
officer - Wing Commander Pooja
Thakur of the Indian Air Force
- who led the guard of honour at
Rashtrapati Bhavan at his official
welcoming ceremony Jan 25.
He also stressed the right to

The Beauties and The Beast

freedom of individuals to profess,

practice and propagate religion
and said it was important for India
with its multiplicity of faith to
uphold this fundamental right.
Obama said for India it will
be more important to uphold the
fundamental freedom of religion
as, with its diversity, it was an
example for the rest of the world.
Nowhere is it more important
than in India... nowhere is it going
to be more necessary that the
foundational value be upheld. India
will succeed so long as it is not
splintered along lines of religious
faith, splinter along any lines and
it is unified as one nation; and all
Indians whatever their faith go to
the movies and applaud actors like
Shah Rukh Khan or athletes like
Milkha Singh and Mary Kom, he

Obamas DDLJ moment in India

B
C

ommandoes Jordan and Hurricane are known to have

single-handedly intercepted and pinned down an
intruder in the White House. No, these are not the SWAT
team but dog officers of the elite K-9 squad of the US
Secret Service, one of whom was also on the Osama bin
Laden mission.
Some of these officers, one-foot-tall Belgian Malinois
dogs, were in Delhi ahead of US President Barack
Obamas visit and were staying in style in suites of a
five-star hotel with their handlers. The squad is an integral
part of Obamas security apparatus and were in the core
security layer, tasked with sanitizing everything in the
100-metre vicinity of the president.
While an advance party of the K-9 squads dog
officers arrived in Delhi and started work, the core team
was to arrive with the president.

Jordan and Hurricane were to team up with other

officers named Rock and Fredrick, from the security
wing of Delhi Police. Together with their other team
mates they were to take control of Rajpath and the area
around Maurya Sheraton, where the president was to stay.
Officers say the dogs had been trained to sniff out even
the most minute traces of explosives. Not just that, squad
members are trained to overpower a target within seconds.
These beauties can run at speeds of 40-50kmph and have
a deadly bite. Meanwhile Delhi was visited by the Beast
for the second time in five years - but there was nothing to
panic about. Thats the moniker of the armoured limousine
is the US Presidents official vehicle. President Obamas
vehicle arrived in Delhi before him and was parked at the
Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport. The car is part
of the US Secret Service motor pool.

said.
Obama recounted how in his
last visit in 2010 he had visited
Humayuns Tomb and met the
families of some labourers
working there.
The little son of one of them,
Vishal, is today a 16-year old, he
said, and added he was happy to
note that Vishal today studies and
dreams of joining the armed forces
an example of the talent that is
here.
The teenager and his family
were in the auditorium at the
special invitation of the US
president.
Ahead of his speech, Obama
and his wife met Nobel Peace
prize winner Kailash Satyarthi at
the auditorium as well as some of
the NGOs.

ollywoods impact was evident

when US President Barack
Obama made a reference to a
memorable dialogue from iconic
Hindi movie Dilwale Dulhania Le
Jayenge, during his address at the
Siri Fort Auditorium here Tuesday.
Obama said that on his visit to
India in 2010, he had experienced
some bhangra.
He also recounted dancing with
some children in Mumbai, but
this time, he said: Unfortunately,
we were not able to schedule any
dancing on this visit.
He then delivered Bollywood
superstar Shah Rukh Khans
dialogue from the hit 1995 movie.
Senorita, bade bade deshon...
You know what I mean, Obama
said, leading the crowd in the packed
Siri Fort Auditorium to break into

loud cheers that kept the American

president silent and smiling for 12
seconds during his speech.
The audience largely comprised
young people, students, NGOs and
diplomats.
In the speech, he also touched
on the need for India and the US to
work together on climate change, on
how the US can partner India in its
growth story, in defence cooperation
and becoming partners in the security
of the Asia-Pacific region.
Another Bollywoood moment
at the event occurred at the end of
Obamas speech when the song
Mitwa from Aamir Khans Oscarnominated movie Lagaan was
played.
Obama was accompanied by
his wife Michelle, whom he hailed
as a strong and talented woman.

24

www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

NAMOSTE OBAMA

Red

Grab a SIM to get this plan:

Low international rates

What is known is that the US Secret

Service had told the Indian security
agencies that Obama would only travel in
the official vehicle of the US president.

Black

Orange

Service hold onto these when running

alongside the car.
The
car
is
protected
against
biochemical attacks and has its own

to mobiles and landlines in countries above plus more

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Nepal

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Singapore

Sri Lanka

20 / min

5 / min

One of the officer from the K9 squad

The multi-layered bullet-proof car was

flown into Delhi in a large cargo aircraft.

oxygen supply. There is also a blood bank

of the presidents blood type in the trunk.

For the record, the seven-seater Beast

is built on the Cadillac DTS platform.
For obvious reasons, most of its details
are classified for security reasons. What
is known is that it incorporates a special
night vision system. Special loops take the
place of the regular door handles. Secret

The Beast was last here during Obamas

visit in Nov 2010. This might be the last
time the car is seen in Delhi because by the
time the next US president comes calling,
another more sophisticated vehicle could
have taken its place, given the rapid pace
at which technology is progressing.

20 / min

20 / min

plus more countries

see meramobile.co.nz

29

nO

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www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

Red

Black

Orange

NAMOSTE OBAMA

Bromance and more

- on the airwaves
many other countries who may
not be advancing as rapidly in
improving this public health sector,
he said.
The Prime Minister, Narendra
Modi expressed concern over the
skewed sex ratio in India and blamed
a defect in attitude towards girls
and boys for it.
There is a lot of worry because
of the sex ratio in India. For every
1,000 boys, the number of girls is
less. And the main reason for this is
that there is a defect in our attitudes
towards boys and girls, he said.
Modi said the US presidents life
was an inspiration as far as the girl

Maya Shivam

he much awaited special

episode of the Mann ki Baat
radio address featuring the Prime
Minister Narendra Modi and US
President Barack Obama sharing
their thoughts was aired on Tuesday
27th Jan 2015.
Advertisements put out by the
Information
and
Broadcasting
Ministry in newspapers said: Be
a part of this memorable Mann
Ki Baat programme, illustrating a
special bond between India and the
US, it said. It also invited questions
from the listeners.
The address was broadcast on All
India Radio and could also be heard
on Vividh Bharti, FM Gold, and FM
Rainbow radio. The programme
was also live-streamed on the prime
ministers official website.
Official sources said Obama and
Modi recorded the Mann Ki Baat
episode on Sunday after their summit
level talks at Hyderabad House.
In the US, radio address was
started by then president Calvin
Coolidge, the 30th president, who
had his inauguration broadcast
on radio and later also delivered
a presidential address on radio.
President Barack Obama did his
first weekly radio address Jan 24,
2009 and has continued with it. He
has added a new element to it: a
YouTube video.
Continuing their bromance on the
airwaves Prime Minister Narendra
Modi choose to start his radio
address by explaining the meaning
of US President Barack Obamas
first name which is one who is
blessed.
Some people wonder what is
the meaning of Barack..., in Swahili,
which is prevalent in African nations,
Barack means he who is blessed,
Modi said in the radio programme
which he recorded with President
Obama.I believe his family has
blessed him with this name, he said.
Modi, who surprised many by
referring to the US president by
his first name at the joint press
conference Sunday, referred to him
the same way several times during
the address.
African
countries
follow
Ubuntu philosophy, which is about
unification of humanity. There is a
gap of centuries, and of boundaries,
but the sentiment that prevails in
India - Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
(world is a family) - the same
sentiment grows from the forests of
Africa, the prime minister added.
The mutual admiration was
apparent through the fond manner
that President Obama spoke of
Modi. People are very excited
about the energy Prime Minister

25

Modi is bringing to this country. I

appreciate your PM for his personal
commitment to strengthen the
relationship between India and the

Some people
wonder what
is the meaning
of Barack. In
Swahili, which
is prevalent
in African
nations, Barack
means he who
is blessed. I
believe his
family has
blessed him
with this name
United States, he said.
On other matters, he said that India
and the US had much in common
like being great democracies
and innovative economies. It is
wonderful to speak to you directly.
India and United `States are natural
partners because we have so much
in common. We are two great
democracies, innovative economies
and diverse societies dedicated to

empowering individuals.
We want to be partners on clean
energy, reduce poverty, Obama
said.
The President also said he will
bring his daughters on his next
India visit. He, however, stated that
may not be during his tenure as the
president.
They (my daughters) very much
wanted to come. They are fascinated
by India, Unfortunately each time
that I have taken a trip here, they
had school and they couldnt leave
school.
They are fascinated by the
culture, and the history of India, in
part because of my influence I think,
they are deeply moved by Indias
movement to Independence, and the
role that (Mahatma) Gandhi played,
in not only the non-violent strategies
here in India, but how those ended
up influencing the non-violent Civil
Rights Movement in the United
States, Obama said.
So when I go back I am going to
tell them that India is as magnificent
as they imagined, he said. I am
quite sure that they are going to
insist that I bring them back the next
time I visit. It may not be during my
presidency, but afterwards they will
definitely want to come and visit.
Modi in response said Obama is
always welcome to India, during or
after his presidential tenure.
One of the other main features of
the address was President Obamas
commitment to working for public
health in India. Obama, was
answering a question on whether he
and the US First Lady would like

to work on health issues in India

like philanthropist couple Bill and
Melinda Gates.
Well, we very much look
forward
to
partnering
with
organisations, and the government
and non-governmental organisations
here in India, around broader public
health issues, including the issue of
obesity, Obama said.
I am very proud of the work
that Michelle has done on this issue.
Were seeing a world-wide epidemic
of obesity, in many cases starting at
a very young age, Obama said.
And a part of it has to do with
increase in processed foods, not
naturally prepared. Part of it is a lack
of activity for too many children.
And once they are on this path,
it can lead to a life time of health
challenges, the US president said.
He said: This is an issue
that we would like to work on
internationally, including here in
India. And it is a part of a broader
set of issues around global health
that we need to address.
Obama said that he and Prime
Minister Narendra Modi had
discussed how to better handle
issues like a pandemic. And making
sure that we have good alert systems
so that if a disease like Ebola, or a
deadly flu virus, or polio appears, it
is detected quickly and then treated
quickly so that it doesnt spread.
He stressed that the public health
infrastructure around the world
needs to be improved. I think the
prime minister is doing a great job
in focusing on these issues here in
India. And India has a lot to teach

People are very

excited about
the energy
Prime Minister
Modi is bringing
to this country.
I appreciate
your PM for
his personal
commitment
to strengthen
the relationship
between India
and the United
States
child was concerned. The way he
has brought up his two daughters,
the way he is proud of his two
daughters...
In our country too, I meet
many families who have only
daughters. And they bring up their
daughters with such pride, give
them such respect, that is the biggest
inspiration, he said.
I believe that inspiration is our
strength, Modi said, adding that
to save the girl child, to educate
the girl child, is our social duty,
cultural duty, and humanitarian
responsibility. This also comes
as an add-on to the Beti Bachao
Andolan which has been catching
up on the issue.
Both exceptional orators, indeed
appealed to the mann of all
listeners, confirming once again
that their chemistry indeed creates
magic. All that needs to be seen now
is how these two stalwarts deliver
on their magic.

26

www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

EVENTS

Aucklanders cheer their city on its 175th!

Red

Rizwan Mohammad

uckland celebrated its 175th

birthday on 26th January, 2015,
the celebrations for which started a
couple of days before the actual day.
It witnessed the participation of more
than 50, 000 Aucklanders. Auckland
city was formed in 1840 and has
developed since under the British
regime and was also the official
capital of New Zealand until 1865.
The bay side of the city was
beautifully decorated, covering
Aucklands waterfront, Queens
Wharf, Cook Wharf, Quay Street,
The Cloud and Shed 10. The
celebratory function was divided
into three sections: a huge stage on
the waterfront was set up with band
performances and childrens play
stalls; the second section was along
Queens Wharf, Shed 10, Cook
Wharf and The Cloud; while the
third section was the Quay Street
intersection that was lined up with
priceless vintage cars and historic
hoardings of the city.
The
celebration
showed
remarkable participation from
enthusiastic Aucklanders who
flocked the venue from early
noon, their numbers increasing
with every passing hour. The
waterfront also offered 15 minutes
helicopter rides for $69 per person,
jumping balloon houses, kids
rock climbing, sea-saw, merry-gorounds, free ferry rides and huge
grass carpets with couches to enjoy
the band performances.
Queens Wharf housed comedy
circus artistes and clown performers
who were surrounded by 100s of
Kiwis laughing and cheering at the
same time. Captain Cook Wharf
HMNZS offered a rare opportunity
to get on-board and explore the
navys newest patrol vessels and
a musical show accompanied by
three jet planes marking white
trails in the sky. Quay Street was
cordoned off with vintage cars that
were on display, along with huge
boards showing rare historical
pictures of Auckland city.
Shed 10 showcased the history
of Auckland in the most magnificent
form possible. It had a 20-feet-

long horizontal screen displaying

the timeline of transformation of
Auckland and its waterfront in the
last 175 years. This was followed
by another segment designed in
a traditional village show-house
decorated with Maori culture
artefacts and a screen that played an
animated picture of the history of
Auckland from early 1800s to what

Black

Orange

it is today. The best part of Shed

10 was the 15-feet-long screens
- across 10 screens - displaying
renowned
Kiwi
personalities
telling their stories that made the
audience feel their virtual presence
in the hall.
No function is certainly
complete without food. Outside the
Cloud, was an extended chain of

food stalls that served from organic

juice, ice-creams to Mexican and
Indian delicacies. It was an alcoholfree event.
The Cloud shed had Maori
artefacts and vintage household

items for sale and another kids

play area. The second day of
the celebrations ended with a
spectacular firework display from
the barges in the harbour and also
from the Sky Tower.

www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

Red

Black

Dhanush an
accomplished
actor: Amitabh

Wazir this year.

Dhanush is a wonderful choice for
the role, which is said to have been
offered to Shah Rukh Khan first, in
Shamitabh.
Now that I have almost seen the
product of our film, I do feel that he
is a wonderful choice, said Big B.
Directed by R. Balakrishnan aka
Balki, Shamitabh also features
Akshara Haasan.

27

Orange

I feel like a
Bengali: Sushant
Singh Rajput

egastar Amitabh Bachchan

says he has always admired
his Shamitabh co-star Dhanush as
an actor.
I have always admired him as an
actor. I have seen his south films. I
have seen Raanjhanaa also. He is
a very accomplished actor and he is
a huge star, Amitabh told reporters
here.
The 72-year-old also believes that

ENTERTAINMENT

ctor Sushant Singh Rajput,

who will be seen in Dibakar
Banerjees Detective Byomkesh
Bakshy!, says at times he feels like
he is a Bengali.
The film, based on fictional
detective Byomkesh Bakshy, is set in
Kolkata during the 1940s.
My director and I went there
(Kolkata) before starting the films
shooting. Dibakar told me all the
things related to Kolkata and food
was an integral part, Sushant said at
the trailer launch of the film.
Ive tried the six-course meal.
Mishti Doi, all the sweets, Maachh
Bhaat and I love them.
It was very unfortunate that I did
not connect to Kolkata before this
film. So, during the research I stayed
there for quite a few days...and did

Katrina shoots
with visually
impaired
photographer

my homework. Now, I feel like Im a

Bengali, he added.
But the actor didnt take Bengali
classes for the film, which will
release April 3.

Amitabh,
Dilip Kumar
conferred Padma
Vibhushan

egendary actor Dilip Kumar and

megastar Amitabh Bachchan
were conferred the Padma Vibhushan
honour on the eve of 66th Republic
Day Saturday.
They have been announced as
the recipients of the honour, which
is awarded for exceptional and
distinguished service, in the category
of art.
Dilip Kumar, who real name is
Yusuf Khan, became a name to reckon
with in the 1950s and 1960s, thanks
to his performance in Aan, Daag,
Devdas, Madhumati,Paigham,
Mughal-E-Azam,
Ganga
Jamuna, Leader and Ram Aur
Shyam.
After working for about six
decades, he bid adieu to arclights in
1998. His last movie was Qila.
Amitabh, who is known as the
Shahenshah of the Hindi silver
screen, has also delivered some

exceptional performances in his over

four decade-long film career. With
movies like Deewar, Agneepath,
Sholay and Don, the actor has
carved a special place for himself.
The 72-year-old actor is also
known for his performances
in Black and Paa. With an
endeavour to add more variety in his
career, the screen icon will be seen in
movies like Shamitabh, Piku and

ctress Katrina Kaif posed for

a photoshoot with visually
impaired photographer Bhavesh
Patel for a global beauty brand.
The photographs, which bring
out the feminine sensuality of the
actress, were captured by Patel for
Lux. A video of the photoshoot was
launched on video-sharing website
last week.
The video, titled Perfume
Portraits, features Katrina posing
in a purple gown. It also shows the
photographer feeling the actress
photographs with his hands.
With every photograph I took,
her fragrance formed a vision in my
mind, Patel said in a statement.
Patel, born visually impaired,
not only has a nose for fragrances
and ears to catch sound action, but
an acute sense to judge distances
between his camera and subjects
and how to use new technology for
good shot.
On the film front, Katrina will
be seen next in Phantom opposite
Saif Ali Khan and in Jagga Jasoos
with Ranbir Kapoor.

Shri Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan of NZ Inc.

Saburi

Shraddha

Temple First Anniversary

Celebrations
7th, 8th and 9th of February 2015
07. 02. 2015 (Saturday)
07.00 to 07.30 AM
07.30 to 08.30 AM

Kakad Aarati
Abishekam for Shiva Linga and Navagrahs

08.30 to 09.30 AM
08.00 to 10.00 AM

Babas Abishekam (By devotees)

Prasad (breakfast)

10.00 to 02.00 PM Baba Palki Yatra to Papakura & Balmoral Temples

12.00 to 12.30 PM Madhyan Aarati followed by Mahaprasad
02.00 to 05.00 PM Babas movie
06.00 to 06.30 PM Dhoop Aarati
06.30 to 08.30 PM
08.30 to 09.00 PM

Dandiya and Garba

Shej Aarati. Followed by Mahaprasad.

08. 02. 2015 (Sunday)

07.00 to 07.30 AM
07.30 to 08.30 AM
08.30 to 09.30 AM
08.00 to 10.00 AM

Kakad Aarati
Abishekam for Shiva Linga and Navagrahs
Babas Abishekam (By devotees)
Prasad (breakfast)

10.00 to 12.00 PM
12.00 to 12.30 PM

Sai Gayatri Havan

Madhyan Aarati followed by Mahaprasad

02.00 to 05.00 PM
06.00 to 06.30 PM
06.30 to 08.30 PM
08.30 to 09.00 PM

Babas movie
Dhoop Aarati
Cultural program
Shej Aarati. Followed by Mahaprasad.

09.02.2015 (Monday)
06.00 to 06.30 PM
06.30 to 08.30 PM

Dhoop Aarati
Bhajan Sandhya (Jaggie and Vidya Thakare)

08.30 to 09.00 PM

Shej Aarati. Followed by Mahaprasad.

28

ENTERTAINMENT

www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

Red

Soha ties the knot with Kunal

ctress Soha Ali Khan and

Kunal Khemu exchanged
vows in Mumbai last week.
The wedding took place at their
Khar residence in the presence of
registrar and family members like
brother Saif Ali Khan, sister-inlaw Kareena Kapoor and mother
Sharmila Tagore.
Soha had earlier shared that
the ceremony would be a small
wedding in the presence of our
family members.

The Mehendi ceremony took

place on Friday that was attended
by friends including actress
Neha Dhupia, who had shared
photographs of Soha who was
chillin like a Villian during the
pre-wedding function.

Soha, who believes that

people need to have a sense of
commitment, maturity and infinite
patience to make a marriage last,
got engaged to Kunal in Paris last
year.

Black

Actresses should make

informed choices on
item numbers: Shabana
Veteran actress-social activist
Shabana Azmi Sunday said actresses
should make "informed" choices
on accepting item numbers as such
sequences lead to sexualisation of
children.
"I am saying let it be an informed
decision. I am not going to dictate
this is what you should do. But be
aware that when you do a song like
that it is leading to the sexualisation
of children and there are four-yearold girls dancing at all kinds of
weddings to really really bad songs.
"So be vigilant of the fact that
this is leading to the sexualisation of
children and if this is something that
you would like to do... make your
own choice but make sure it is an
informed choice," she said at a special
session of the Kolkata Literary Meet
here to a query on responsibility of
actresses while doing item numbers.
Shabana also batted for "selfregulation" on part of the film
industry but also stressed one can't
surrender to the moral brigade.

"Self-regulation is very important

for the film industry. It is a very thin
ice because if you start saying this is
wrong... this item number is wrong
then tomorrow the moral brigade
will say don't wear this... don't do
this. You can't surrender to the moral
brigade... so whatever comes must
come from yourself... ," she added.

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EVENTS

www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

Red

WHATSOn
Black

Orange

Waitangi Day Family

Celebrations

Date: Friday 6 February

Time: 10am-5pm
Venue: Barry Curtis Park, 201-203
Chapel Road, Flat Bush
Proudlypresented by Auckland Council
and Toi o Manukau, Waitangi Day
Family Celebrations at Barry Curtis
Park in Flat Bush has live performances
by Tomorrow People, Whenua Patuwai,
Annie Crummer, Moana and the Tribe,
Tama Waipara and much more.
This is a free event for the entire family,
to celebrate 175 years of partnership.

The Light Show

Date: until Sunday 8 February 2015

Time: 10am-5pm
Venue: Auckland Art Gallery Toi
o Tmaki, Cnr Kitchener and
Wellesley Streets, Auckland
Continuing from its sell-out season
at Londons Hayward Gallery in
2013, the spectacular Light Show
comes to Auckland Art Gallery this
spring. Playing tricks of the mind, as
well as tricks of the eye, Light Show
immerses and surrounds the viewer
with stunning environments, from
atmospheric installations to intangible
sculptures that you can move around
and even through.
Visit Auckland Art Gallery and
experience the wonder of light in all of
its spatial and sensory forms.
You can also buy tickets on any day of
the exhibition, from the Gallerys front

desk $15 pe head and group discounts

too.

Building Opportunities
Together

Cornwall Park
Summer Music
Concerts

Date: Sunday 1 & 8 February 2015

Time: 1pm- 6pm
Venue: Cornwall Park, Greenlane
Rd, Auckland
Double Concert, Twistin the Swing
1-3pm, an acoustic band influenced by
Gypsy jazz, The Silverblue Set -4-6pm.

A new, resurgent and confident Fiji is throwing open its doors

to international investors in the infrastructure, commercial,
manufacturing, industrial and property sectors, among others.
This is a great opportunity to establish key business relationships in
Fiji and be a part of the new unfolding Fiji story. Fijis potential as an
economic hub of the Pacific has long been known and acknowledged.
Now the time has come to leverage your knowledge, expertise and
investment to be a partner in Fijis progress and prosperity.

An Introduction
to the Treaty of
Waitangi

Expression of Interest deadline: 4pm 20th Feb 2015

Date: Tuesday 3 February 2015

Time: 9 am to 1 pm
Venue: Bounty Room, Forum North
Rust Avenue, Whangarei.
New to New Zealand? Interested
to know about Treaty of Waitangi?
Whangarei Citizens Advice Bureau
is holding a free workshop on An
Introduction to the Treaty of Waitangi
for the new migrants presented by
Moea Armstrong, Network Waitangi
Whangarei. Refreshments and light
lunch will be provided.
Registration is needed to cater the
attendees.
Please contact Citizens Advice Bureau
Whangarei at Municipal Building, 71
Bank Street, Whangarei- 0140 or call
09 438 8046 asap.

ac
9
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29

We are seeking the participation of 12 New Zealand-based

businesspersons, irrespective of whether they are of Fijian origin,
in a high level trade and investment delegation in March/April 2015.
The delegation will meet with Government officials, representatives
of the commercial sector and businesses and work programmes for
engagement, both in the short and long terms..
Please contact us for further information

Fiji High Commission

Maraia Vakasilimiratu
Mob: 021 322353
Email: secretary002.fhc@gmail.com
Mr Harish Lodhia JP
Mob: 021 626282
Email: harishlodhia@gmail.com

New Zealand Fiji Business Council

Mr Chander Sen
Mob: 021 467736
Email: csen@pacificprojects.co.nz
Mr Michael Burges
Mob: 027 4410727
Email: Michael.Burgess@ema.co.nz

www.fiji.org.nz www.nzfiji.org

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30

SPECIAL TRIBUTE

www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

Farewell, Uncommon Man

Red

Black

Orange

R.K. Laxman, Indias legendary cartoonist and creator of the Common Man passed away this week. Founding editor of Indian Weekender and
cartoonist Dev Nadkarni, who knew the genius and his wife Kamala closely for several decades, pays this intensely personal tribute

Dev Nadkarni

t has been my good fortune to have

known two R.K. Laxmans: the
unspeaking Common Man on Times
of Indias front page, who legions
of readers like me adored, and the
uncommon man who made me wonder
whether he was indeed the creator of
the balding, bespectacled, dhoti-clad
gent, generating a zillion LOLs a day,
every day for six decades.
I was introduced to the first Laxman
when I was about 10 years old. My
dad, Mohan Nadkarni, was a longtime
Times columnist and on one of my
visits to the Times with him, we ran
into Laxman on the long third floor
corridor.
Dad and he chatted a bit and then
we trooped into his cabin on the far
side of the building. It felt great to meet
the man who actually drew the cartoon
on the Times front page.
Sifting through his pile of sketches
next to his drawing board, he picked
an inked sketch of a street urchin and
gifted it to me, which to this day is
among my most prized possessions.
Over the years he knew me as
Mohans boy and seemed quite fond
of me stopping by to chat with me if
I ran into him while running dads

R.K. Laxman with Dev Nadkarni in 2011

R.K. Laxman in his home in 2011

errands in the Times building. Then,

in 1984, when my first cartoon strip
appeared in the Sunday Magazine of
the Indian Express, I asked my father
if I should mention it to Laxman. He
hesitatingly assented.
A few days later I was in the
building again, saw Laxman and
showed him a copy of my first
published work. He looked at it for all
of five seconds, handed it back, said

nothing and went his way. That was

my brief introduction to the second
Laxman. We never discussed my
cartoons ever again. Neither did he
like to say anything about any other
cartoonists work.
In 1987, when, as part of the
Festival of India, some 10 Indian
cartoonists were invited to exhibit
their work at the Bande Dessinee
festival in Switzerland, he declined to

join our contingent. Because of my

acquaintance with him, I was asked
to persuade him but he had made up
his mind. So we had Mario Miranda,
Sudhir Dar (Hindustan Times), Ram
Waeerkar (Amar Chitra Katha/Tinkle),
noted freelance cartoonist Vins (Vijay
N Seth), a few others and me, but
Indias greatest wasnt there. We were
hard put to explain the shows visitors
why his work wasnt there.
My associates in the business of

communications and media knew

about our friendship. I was therefore
able to drum up quite a few lucrative
special assignments for Laxman,
including a diary for a leading
international bank and a calendar for
a major Indian IT outfit, besides many
smaller assignments like traffic and
law and order education booklets for
Mumbai Police.
It was also great to have facilitated
his meeting with over 1000 adoring
Continued on Pg 31

SPECIAL TRIBUTE

www.iwk.co.nz
30 January 2015

31

Continued from Pg 30

software professionals of my friend

Anand
Deshpandes
company,
Red
Black
Orange
Persistent Systems, in Pune. My
encounters with Laxman grew few and
far between over a number of years
until my family moved to Pune.

Pune days

One weekend, as we strolled

through our quiet, leafy street, Laxman
spotted me and called out. We knew
the Laxmans had a flat somewhere
hereabouts but had no idea that it was
a mere stones throw away, just about
50 metres from where we lived. We
clambered up to his commodious flat
and were warmly welcomed by his
ever-affable wife Kamala and treated
to idlis and some superb filter coffee.
He told me he was contemplating
living and working in Pune and that the
Times was setting up some scanning
equipment so that he could send his
cartoons electronically.
We were delighted to have him
live so close by. Our meetings grew
more regular the couple would visit
us and we would visit them. On many
evenings he would insist I join him for
his customary regimen of Black Label.
He would simply call and say,
Come over for a drink. Ive lost
count how many Johnny Walkers
weve downed between us. He would
often invite me to walks around the
area, which were almost always
interrupted by wide-eyed fans and
autograph seekers.
We talked of many things why
he liked to paint crows, his favourite
comic strips, illustrators and artists, his
huge collection of twigs and stones,

An autographed cartoon
of the Common Man

his fascination for Lord Ganeshs

iconography even though he openly
claimed to be an atheist, at least in
those days.
He also told me why he refused
excellent offers to work in the UK, how
he went about planning his cartoon for
the next day and so much more. He
related fascinating personal anecdotes

of his travels around the world and his

encounters with famous people from
the Shankaracharya to Indira Gandhi.
Someday, perhaps soon, Ill put
them to paper. But I can see it will be a
rather long piece
The uncommon creator of the
common man that I came to know
better was typically critical and

brooding.
There hardly was any humour in
most of our conversations, though there
was the odd joke or funny gesture. It
made me wonder if this was indeed the
man who would produce a rip-roaring
comment with an economy of brush
strokes and a less-is-more approach to
captioning, the next day.
But then again, maybe that
sullenness was actually the fuel that
propelled his creative genius to produce
such incredible work: Drawing his
You Said It daily pocket cartoon was
like trying to fill your tummy now by
thinking of yesterdays meal, he once
said.
On the morning of my fortieth
birthday Laxman and Kamala turned
up at our home quite unexpectedly
with a box of sweets for our girls (he
didnt know it was my birthday). We
were to host a party that night and
had a few friends over, helping out.
Laxman asked what the preparations
were all about.
The couple wished me, had a cup of
coffee and left. Later that day, Laxman
came back with a most gorgeous
drawing of Ganesh as a birthday gift to
me. Specially for you, my friend, he
said. That framed masterpiece has had
pride of place in all the homes I have
lived in since.
Over the past decade, I met Laxman
only a few times whenever I visited
Pune. His health declined steadily.
Then, a stroke paralysed him
and took away his speech. His last
years have been spent quite like his
unspeaking common man who indeed

has immortalised him. He would

speak in gestures, lovingly interpreted
by Kamala. When it was possible, he
would write what he wanted to say.
He mainly stayed at home, confined
to a wheelchair but every evening, a
longtime faithful friend took him on
a drive around parts of Pune for about
an hour. Visiting a Ganesh temple was
part of the routine.
I last met him just over a month ago
in December 2014. I told him about
dads passing. He remembered they
were of the same age, he gestured (dad
was a year younger). He then insisted
I join him on his evening ride (I had
to reschedule an appointment, which I
am so glad I did). We visited a Ganesh
temple in Aundh.
An attendant brought forth a red
hibiscus, which Laxman touched
and was then placed at the feet of the
God of Creativity. The rest of the trip
was spent in silence, my left hand
gripping his right forearm. I glanced
at him as we passed by the statue of
his Common Man at the Symbiosis
Institute Complex on Senapati Bapat
Road. He didnt seem to notice.
Back home, we sat around for
a while as Kamala chatted with the
unending stream of evening visitors.
Not long after that, I said my final
goodbye. It felt like the final flourish
with which the great master crossed
the x in his Laxman signature
before handing in the picture that
would launch a million laughs the
next morning.
R.I.P. Laxman.

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