Indian

Indian Log on to www.iwk.co.nz

March 18, 2011
Volume 2, No. 24
New Zealand’s first Indian weekend magazine
For free distribution

Community | 21 Fiji |12 New Zealand | 6

Growing green, Fiji’s Christchurch Bigger, bolder Indi King
eating healthy gesture

Does the
astronomical
extent of
Corruption in
India make
your heart
bleed?
You can do
something about it.

Call 09-6223308 or
021-1227516 and
speak to Aryan

Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz 1

Indian
Bank of Baroda announces
expansion in NZ
Bank of Baroda India Chairman and Managing Director M D Mallya and Bank of Baroda NZ Managing Director
Satish Vermani during the former’s visit to Auckland for the bank’s formal inauguration last month
Close on the heels of the formal inauguration of
Bank of Baroda NZ’s operations in the country
earlier this year, the bank’s management has an-
nounced the opening of two new branches.
Bank of Baroda NZ Managing Director Satish
Vermani told Indian Weekender last week that the
bank’s board had approved the expansion of the
bank’s operations with two new branches – one in
Auckland and the other in Wellington.
“The second branch in Auckland after our Do-
minion Road head office and branch will be either
in Papatoetoe or somewhere in South Auckland
while we are looking at a new branch in Welling-
ton,” Mr Vermani said.
2 Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz
Bank of Baroda Chairman and Managing Di-
rector M D Mallya had earlier told Indian Week-
ender during his visit to Auckland for the bank’s
formal inauguration that following the success-
ful early run the bank’s operations had here,
it wouldn’t be long before new branches were
opened.
Though he had not mentioned a time frame, he
had mentioned it would be “soon”. But obviously,
the Indian management has been impressed with
the its subsidiary’s progress here for having en-
couraged its board to give the green light so early.
Bank of Baroda is the first Indian bank to open
its doors in New Zealand.
New Zealand
Aucklanders least prepared for disaster,
Civil defence says
Aucklanders are being urged to take steps to ensure they are
ready to respond to an emergency.
Auckland Civil Defence controller Clive
Manley says that the recent Christchurch
earthquakes provide tragic reminders of
the need for Aucklanders to be prepared
for a disaster of any kind.
“The situation in Canterbury illustrates
how important it is for everyone to have
adequate water, food and an emergency
plan,” he says.
“In a major disaster, emergency services
cannot be everywhere at once and people
need to be ready to help themselves by
drawing on their own resources.”
A 2008 survey of 8,000 households by
Statistics New Zealand revealed that 90
per cent of households with dependent
children had not taken steps to ensure
they had enough food and water for three
days and developed a household emer-
gency plan.  
Aucklanders were less prepared than the
rest of New Zealand, as only one-third [34
per cent] had stored water in case of an
emergency, whereas almost half [49 per
cent] of Kiwis had done this.
Volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, earth-
quakes, storms and flooding are among
the natural disasters which threaten New
Zealand’s largest city - home to almost 1.5
million people.
“Aucklanders need to hone their survival
instincts and, as the TV commercials say,
‘get ready to get through’,” Mr Manley
says.
Get Ready to Get Thru
To be prepared, you need:
l A Household Emergency Plan
l Your family or household need to have a plan
in case you are separated before, during or after
an emergency.
l You need to know how to apply that plan to
whichever disasters may strike.
l Emergency Survival Kit
l Food and water for at least three days
l Battery-powered torch and radio
l First aid kit
l Supplies for pets.
l  Getaway Kit if you need to be evacuated
l Essential items from your Emergency Sur-
vival Kit
l Family documents, such as passports and
drivers’ licences
l Personal items such as medication and toi-
letries.
l More information about preparing for disas-
ter is available online at HYPERLINK “http://
www.getthru.govt.nz/”www.getthru.govt.nz,
including translated advice and resources in a
range of languages.
Indian
Rajneel Singh wins Grand Prize for short film
Fiji-born New Zealand filmmaker Rajneel Singh has had a whirlwind year of success that has culminated in taking out the grand prize in the 2nd Annual Indian
Film Festival’s Western Union Short Film Competition. The competition, which took place over the past three months saw this talented filmmaker winning not
only a trip to Melbourne where his winning film was screened at the festival’s Melbourne leg but also a trip to the home of Bollywood, Mumbai, India.
Meenal Maharaj caught up with Rajneel to find out
more about his film, his thoughts on Indian cinema
and to hear what advice he has for budding filmmak-
ers.
Tell us about your winning film Blank Spaces.
The film was produced as part of the Your Big
Break Competition in February 2010. The competi-
tion was run by Tourism New Zealand and guided
by Peter Jackson and executive producer Barrie
Osborne (“The Matrix”, “Lord of the Rings”) and the
aim was to find five finalists (out of 1100 entries) to
shoot a 3 minute professional short film about how
New Zealand is the “world’s youngest country”. My
film was about a young man who decides to try and
leave his mark on the local landscape of New Zealand
which still contains many features that are not yet
named.
What convinced you to enter the IFF 2011
Western Union short Film Competition?
My father was the one who brought the competition
to my attention when it was advertised on the Indian
Weekender. He asked whether any of my films
would be eligible for entry into the short film com-
petition and I realized that “Blank Spaces” fit the bill.
I decided to enter just to see how well the film might
place, despite the fact that it doesn’t necessarily have
an Indian theme to it.
Winning means an introduction to Bolly-
wood, is that a direction you want to head in?
It certainly does, though not in a way that one might
expect. With the world financial crisis, many of the
sources for financing movies in the West have dried
up while places like China and Bollywood is still
going strong. At the same time, Indian films are
having to compete more and more with English-lan-
Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz
guage productions for the same audiences as younger
Indians are now very savvy about movies and enjoy
watching Hollywood films. So with Indian-film in-
vestors needing to reach a broader audience in order
to make ends meet, there is huge potential for cross-
marketing and investing in overseas productions; for
instance an English language feature film shot in
New Zealand, but made for Western market. It’s my
hope to visit Bollywood and see the lay of the land
in terms of sourcing Indian money for a more Holly-
wood-type production.
You’re definitely not a novice to the film in-
dustry, what advice do you have for others
who want to do what you’re doing?
Make films. It’s really as simple, but as difficult, as
that. The more films you can make, the better you
will be at it. Writing, shooting, editing, directing; it’s
all about practice making perfect. Expect the film
industry to be very difficult, expect to not have a con-
stant income or work at times and expect it to reshape
the way you live your life, the friends you have and
the way you approach the world around you.
And most importantly: jobs are given through ex-
perience, not qualifications. Having a degree in film-
New Zealand
making will not get you employed; it may not even
get you through people’s front doors. What you will
need is a tonne of experience as an editor or writer or
director and an impressive showreel; which is why it
is important to make films as often as you can. Cast
your friends, beg for favors, research on the internet,
watch as many movies (both amateur and profes-
sional) as you can and make your films.
It’s a very long and very hard road, but if you have
the stamina and the talent then you can go very far
indeed.
And finally, what are your thoughts on the
Indian Film Festival 2011: Bollywood &
Beyond? Are there any movies you’re par-
ticularly looking forward to?
I’m very excited to see such an amazing variety of
Indian films screening all over Australia and in
Auckland. Between the “Bollywood” and “Beyond
Bollywood” sections, the selection of old-fashioned
‘masala movies’ and the new-wave of ‘art films’ is
without compare and there’s definitely something
to intrigue and excite everyone. It is important that
films like these get high-profile screenings outside of
India, not only because I think New Zealanders and
Australians will enjoy them, but also because Bolly-
wood has to reach to a broader audience in order to
compete today’s tough film market. I think people
will be incredibly satisfied with the films that are on
offer and I’m particularly looking forward to seeing
“Kabul Express”, “Dabangg” and “Dhobi Ghat”
which I’ve heard wonderful things about.
Blank Spaces will be screened alongside other
winning short films during the festival. For more
information on the festival and for screening details,
please visit www.indianfilmfestival.com.au.
3
Indian
Christchurch Update:
Indian community continues
to rally around
The Wellington Indian Association and the
Wellington Indian Sport club raised just over
$20,000 during their annual bazaar (celebrat-
ing the culture and food of India ) on March 5.
Before the bazaar started, the WIA and WISC
had pledged to donate $20,000 to the CCC
Mayoralty fund, irrespective of the outcome of
the Bazaar.
“We will deliver the $20,000 to CCC
Mayor fund and the balance over and above
that in its entirety (100 %) once we have a net
profit figure. I estimate that to be a further
$6,000  = $26,000 total,” Paul Soma, President
of the Wellington Indian Association said in a
communiqué.
Sudima rises to the occasion
In another message to Indian Weekender,
Sudima Hotels’ Sudesh Jhunjhunwala said,
“Our hotel in Christchurch wasn’t affected by
the earthquake and we are fine. As a matter of
fact, we have become the hub of accommoda-
tion for many of the emergency crews moving
to Christchurch.
“We were also able to shelter about 900
people on the day of the earthquake – this has
also been reported in the papers and this at-
tached tourism website. I am very proud of our
team who worked tirelessly in spite of damages
suffered to their own houses and properties,”
Mr Jhunjhunwala added.
The hotel offered free meals and provided
pillows and bedding for the hundreds that
wanted to stay the night. A free continental
breakfast was also provided the next morning
while people waited for the airport to re-open,
the Tourism NZ website reported.
British man Peter Johnston and his son
Darren were among the many who stayed at
Sudima following the earthquake. They were
glowing in their feedback of Warren and his
staff, telling the New Zealand Herald newspa-
per their story.
“They just took us all in – they gave us a
blanket and a meal and you slept where you
could. The staff and management were abso-
lutely brilliant – if that’s hospitality, then that
was a bloody good example,” Mr Johnston
said.
Conference to discuss
ethnic diversity issues
Critical issues about New Zealand’s growing
ethnic diversity will be discussed at a national
conference on ethnic affairs in April.
The Office of Ethnic Affairs has invited key
speakers to take stock of New Zealand’s journey
as a diverse nation and consider what this means
for the country’s future.
The Minister for Ethnic Affairs, Hon Hekia
Parata, will open the conference and will outline
the Government’s priorities in relation to ethnic
communities.
‘’I’m looking forward to sharing ideas on
how to further improve the social, cultural, and
economic well-being of ethnic communities in
New Zealand,” Ms Parata says.
Addressing key international trends, includ-
ing the people’s protests in the Middle East, will
be the US Special Representative for Muslim
Communities, Farah Pandith.
Ms Pandith, who reports to US Secretary of
State, Hillary Clinton, travels the world staying
in touch with community groups and individu-
als.
She says the number one issue for Muslim
youth is figuring out their identity – how to be
modern and Muslim.
The Director of the Office of Ethnic Affairs,
4 Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz
Indian community provides
‘Shoe Boxes of Love’ for Christ-
church
National List MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi is
calling on the generosity of the Indian commu-
nity for the Shoe Boxes of Love initiative, de-
signed to get care packages to quake affected
people in Christchurch.
The boxes are care packages filled with
goodies and feel good gifts, some which
include personal notes of support, aimed to lift
the spirits of the recipients.
“This is a great opportunity for us to show
Christchurch residents that we are thinking
of them, and doing our bit to help them get
through this difficult time” says MP Bakshi.
People are asked to create a Shoebox of
Love and deliver it to his Out of Parliamen-
tary Office based in Manukau East.  The
boxes from around New Zealand will be sent
to Christchurch and distributed by Rotary and
other key support organisations.
Indian residents have been quick to offer
support through financial donations and offers
of accommodation.
“I have been overwhelmed and humbled by
the level of support from our community,” said
MP Bakshi, “we cannot underestimate the toll
the earthquake is taking on Christchurch resi-
dents.  They are going to need our support for
many months to come.”
The ‘Shoe Boxes of Love’ initiative is based
on one that worked successfully in Queensland
during the January floods, where over 11,000
packages were delivered to families.
Visit the website HYPERLINK “http://
www.shoeboxesoflove.org.nz” www.shoebox-
esoflove.org.nz for more information or ideas
on what to include in your shoebox.
For further information please contact Ash
Kaur at MP Bakshi’s Out of Parliamentary
Office on 09 278 9302 or Email: HYPER-
LINK “mailto:bakshi.mp@parliament.govt.
nz” bakshi.mp@parliament.govt.nz
Have you or community undertaken a pro-
gramme for Christchurch? Share it with us
by sending your story and pictures, if any, to
editor@indianweekender.co.nz
Mervin Singham, says “the conference will
provide invigorating discussion. In addition it
will also offer practical support and encourage-
ment to ethnic communities.”
Mr Singham says “for example, the debate on
“Multiculturalism in New Zealand: is it a myth
or reality?” will help to prepare ethnic people’s
participation in the constitutional debate that
the Government has announced. The session
on “Enterprising Synergies” in which welfare,
immigration and community funding organisa-
tions will contribute, will help ethnic organisa-
tions to be innovative and self-sustaining.”
He says the Office of Ethnic Affairs is pro-
viding an opportunity for people to boost their
knowledge and engagement regarding issues
that are relevant to New Zealand’s ethnic di-
versity. “The inspirational programme is taking
place all under one-roof, giving delegates a val-
ue-for-money opportunity to access an intense
array of ideas.”
The conference is being organised by the
Office of Ethnic Affairs, at Alexandra Park,
Auckland 1 & 2 April 2011. It is free and open
to the public.
See the full programme at www.ethnicaf-
fairs.govt.nz
‘Ethnic diversity has economic benefits’
Mervin Singham with the Minister of Ethnic Affairs, Hekia Parata.
A conference to discuss critical issues about New Zealand’s
growing ethnic diversity is being held in Auckland on April 1 and
2. The conference, which is open to the public, will hear from
expert speakers both from here in New Zealand and abroad
(Details of the conference are elsewhere in this issue).
In the run up to the event, Indian Weekender editor-in-
chief Dev Nadkarni spoke to Mervin Singham, Di-
rector of the Office of Ethnic Affairs, who is based in
Wellington, on the role of the office, its programmes
to foster better understanding between ethnic com-
munities and mainstream New Zealand and what the
conference plans to achieve.
Excerpts from the conversation:
What can the Office of Ethnic Affairs and
the New Zealand government do to in-
crease the ethnic share of voice in main-
stream media?
The New Zealand Government (including gov-
ernment agencies such as the Office of Ethnic Affairs
(OEA)) does not have any control over the media.
However, OEA recognises the role that media can
play in forming public opinion. Therefore, we consid-
er it is important that the media increasingly portrays
issues related to diversity more fairly, robustly and ac-
curately. To achieve this, we have supported Ethnic
communities to engage with mainstream media more
effectively through workshops and other activities.
We have also met with mainstream media to convey
the importance of ensuring Ethnic people’s issues are
reflected in mainstream media. One such meeting oc-
curred in the NZ on Air Symposium where Ethnic
communities, Ethnic media and Mainstream media
met to discuss these issues and improve collaboration
with each other.
Other than the media, what does ethnic
affairs to do to promote acceptance of NZ
as a growing ethnic melting pot to the so-
called “middle New Zealand”
There is growing evidence that Ethnic diversity
has benefits for the economy and social and cultural
life in NZ. OEA actively promotes information on
the benefits of diversity to the NZ public in order to
promote acceptance and respect for diversity. For
example, OEA has published a series of case studies
on the benefits of diversity in a publication entitled
‘Riding the Wave’ in order to highlight how ethnic
diversity benefits businesses. When New Zealanders
see how ethnic diversity adds value to our country, it
becomes much easier to create an environment of in-
clusion for all people, irrespective of national origin,
colour or creed.
Another area of focus for OEA, is the development
of intercultural competence in NZ. This is important
so people from diverse backgrounds can communi-
cate more effectively and meaningfully across cul-
tural boundaries. This is particularly important in the
workplace because workplace integration supports
stronger connections with the community as a whole.
Strong intercultural competence in the workplace
lifts organisational performance through increased
productivity and innovation.
When employers recognise these benefits and
have the tools to deal with diversity in the work-
force, they will be more likely to employ people from
diverse backgrounds. This will in turn lead to more
employment opportunities for Ethnic communities.
The OEA has run numerous intercultural communi-
cation workshops with this goal in mind.
How can the department help increase
interaction between different ethnic
New Zealand
groups so they come out of the silo men-
tality that seems to pervade individual
ethnic communities?
One of the biggest challenges in other countries that
are as diverse as NZ is the avoidance of the develop-
ment of insular minority communities that are not
connected to everyone else. This disadvantages both
the host as well as minority communities. The OEA
works hard to build strong connections across com-
munities to prevent this from happening. We have
contributed to Interfaith dialogue and the develop-
ment of intercultural awareness in NZ in order to
promote the building of these connections that are
vital to the health and wellbeing of our society.
The EthnicA Conference in April is one way we
contribute to ensuring that Ethnic communities also
actively interact with and learn from people of other
cultures. We hope this will also encourage the devel-
opment of Ethnic community solidarity - an ingre-
dient that is essential in avoiding the development of
silos within Ethnic communities.
What are the biggest challenges facing
the ethnic affairs department today?
One of the biggest challenges the Office of Ethnic
Affairs has is meeting the huge demand from Ethnic
communities for our advice and services. Ethnic
communities are comprised of established Ethnic
communities, migrants and refugees. Each of these
groups has very different needs. There are also
immense differences between each individual Ethnic
community based on religion, language, culture and
identity. The OEA seeks out the most efficient and
effective ways of dealing with Ethnic community
needs. We focus on dealing with strategic or systemic
matters such as employment for Ethnic people or
developing leadership capability within Ethnic com-
munities rather than dealing with individual requests
for support.
What is the rationale behind the confer-
ence?
The primary goal of the EthnicA Conference is
to encourage the development of strong and self-di-
rected Ethnic people in New Zealand. The EthnicA
Conference is being organised to enable Ethnic
people in Auckland to come together to consider a
range of topics that are relevant to the future of Ethnic
people in New Zealand. We are organising a number
of plenary sessions and practical workshops to enable
Ethnic people to build their knowledge and aware-
ness of issues related to Ethnic diversity. We also want
to arm Ethnic communities with the knowledge and
skills they need to participate actively in all aspects
of public life in New Zealand. It is also important to
us that Ethnic communities enjoy the Conference
and reflect on the huge contributions they are already
making to this country.
What do you plan to achieve at the end of
the conference?
At the end of the conference, we hope to achieve
the goals outlined above. We also want to see the
development of stronger bonds of respect and under-
standing across different Ethnic communities. This
solidarity within the Ethnic sector will be the founda-
tion from which Ethnic people can chart the course
for their own future in New Zealand.
Indian
‘SIT has a natural cultural fit with India’
dev nadkarni
Southland based Southern Institute of
Technology plays an important role in
building skill capacity in a range of areas
in one of New Zealand’s most sparsely
populated regions.
Higher numbers of skilled people living
and working in the region are vital for its
economic growth. Over the years, SIT has
been casting its net far and wide across
the world to bring a wide range of students
through its portals, many of whom settle
down in the region after obtaining qualifi-
cations in their desired fields, becoming
productive contributors to the region’s
economy.
SIT has a large contingent of students from
India from across its courses and several
students Indian Weekender spoke to love
the experience of living and studying in
Invercargill and Queenstown – where SIT
has its campuses besides Christchurch.
Many of these students come from rural
India and find the easy going and close
knit nature of SIT’s campuses comfortably
familiar.
“We are a very safe and family oriented
community here in Southland,” says Penny
Simmonds, SIT’s chief executive. “Having
recently travelled to India, I’ve seen how
important family is to Indians. We have a
strong family focus here at SIT and that’s a
good natural fit for people from India.”
As well as the family orientation and the
more relaxed and easygoing pace of life
than one you would find in campuses in
bigger cities, SIT’s sheer range of courses
are a magnet for Indians for most of whom
education is only the route to leading a bet-
ter life.
“We have a good range of programmes
at SIT, which are sought after by Indians:
computing, business, commerce, digital
media and many more are all attractive to
Indian students.
Ms Simmonds says SIT is aware that many
institutions around the country offer those
courses. What differentiates SIT from oth-
ers as regards Indian students is the total
package that SIT offers.
“It is more than just offering courses. It
is important to have more than that. For
instance, how you try to integrate students
from India into the local community, the
importance of a family oriented commu-
Penny Simmonds in her office in Invercargill
Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz
New Zealand
Indian students add some spice to the Invercargill community
nity, the ability to preserve and celebrate Simmonds. “Most come here for the whole- SIT’s plans to cast its net wider in coming
the culture back from home,” says Ms some lifestyle and the family orientation months and years.
Simmonds. “I realised how important fam- that SIT and Southland offer.”
ily values and culture are to Indians when I “We are quite focused on growing student
visited India.” Though India is an important market and numbers – we have always been upfront
ever greater numbers from India are tak- about that since I took over in 1997. It’s
SIT works closely with Immigration New ing up SIT’s wide range of courses, the simply because we need a bigger popula-
Zealand to assist students to study at the institute is also looking at other markets tion of skilled people for the economic
institute in Southland. “We welcome new around the world. “We are looking at China growth of a beautiful region the size of
migrants in the region. We need to build and Vietnam in Asia as well as at Europe Switzerland but with just about 100,000
our population and have more skilled and South America,” Ms Simmonds says of people.
people to grow the economy here.”
Ms Simmonds says SIT has been attract-
ing older students from India, many of
them who come there with families. These
are serious students intent with qualifying
themselves and then settling down with a
new start in life in a new region and a new
country.
“With India, there is a natural fit – everyone
speaks good English, we share a love of
similar sporting activities and of course
family orientation is something that is so
important to Indians and we also have simi-
lar work habits,” says Ms Simmonds
This situation works well for everyone –
the student, the institute and the region’s
economy, as the students often choose to
live and work in Southland after gaining
qualifications.
Ms Simmonds says Immigration New
Zealand has successfully addressed the
visa bottlenecks for students at its New
Delhi High Commission and has consider-
ably speeded up processes over the past
18 months.
“Obviously a lot more apply for various
reasons than we can get here. But it is im-
portant not to mislead potential students;
it’s a matter of being transparent and telling
students what to expect out of their living
and studying experience here.”
SIT realises that Southland is not a des-
tination with an appeal for everybody. It
doesn’t have the trappings of big city life
like casinos and neon-lit busy streets. But
it does appeal to a growing number of
people who are looking for an easier pace,
family oriented environment to study, live
and work.
And that’s not just the students. “We attract
staff from the UK, South Africa, Australia,
India and many other countries,” says Ms
5
Indian
New Zealand
Indi King bigger and better than ever
This year’s Indi King dance competition compete in the ultimate dance battle for
is set to be a hit with the addition of a com- the title of “The Ultimate King of the Dance
plementary event, say the organisers. Floor and a larger prize pool,” said Mumta.

The fourth annual dance competition, “To make things a little more interest-
which will be held on May 7 in Manukau, ing, Yogesh introduced the concept of a
will feature for the first time the King of wildcard entrant – Sid Krish to compete
kings competition in addition to the regu- with Indi King winner ’08 Nav Chand, win-
lar event. ner ’09 Sanil Singh, Winner ’10 Shamal
Prasad. This was decided upon for three
“After much research, I have decided to main reasons: Positive Attitude, Judges’
hold our 4th annual event at Telstra Clear Scorecard and Public Demand.
Pacific Event Centre on the 7th of May,”
event founder Yogesh Gounder said. So for the May Indi King event, they have
seven entrants, and four for the King of
“I am looking to provide our participants Kings competition.
with full glamour and professionalism this With the couple both working fulltime in
year with a large stage and Iifa awards the financial sector/banking industry they
style lighting, for each of them it will be a understand about quality and profession-
performance worth remembering,” Yogesh alism in the public’s eyes.
told the Indian Weekender.
Says Mumta: “I can be proud of having
Husband and wife teamYogesh and Mum- my name attached to an event that brings
ta Gounder launched the first Bollywood Indi King 2010 winner Shamal Prasad flanked by organisers Mumta and Yogesh Gounder. glamour and fame to the youth of today
Male Dance Comp Indi King in 2008 in a and still maintains fairness and enjoyment.
the biggest dance battle of the year where Roshans, Shahid Kapoors and SRKs.
small town hall in Auckland. The concept Yogesh and I are big fans of all things Bol-
a special edition of complementing event
boasts of a title of “The King of The Dance lywood.
of King of Kings was guaranteed to set the The past three years have been sellout
Floor” where the lead entrant wins $1000
stage on fire. successes for the husband and wife team,
cash as first prize. “Indi King is our way of keeping that alive
The concept of the Bollywood male dance therefore with 2010 introducing the birth
in the ‘real world’. Through the process we
competition came to Yogesh after the of their second son Rian (three months),
Four years later, with the event growing have met so many amazing and talented
birth of his first son Raul (now aged three the duo decided upon the King of Kings
each year in relation to talented dancers, people which we continue to surround
years).Having discovered that there was concept.
supportive sponsors and loyal well wish- ourselves with. The production crew we
no platform for talented male dancers, “King of Kings comes once every three
ers, Yogesh and Mumta have decided to have formulated all have strong passion
Yogesh roped in Mumta as the manager to years, it is an additional and complemen-
take Indi King to the next level. for their responsibilities, these key attri-
set up a unique event so that New Zea- tary event of Indi King where winners of
Yogesh said the event this year would be butes make our event successful.”
landers could enjoy their very own Hrithik the past three years come together to

Roses are red, but … ?

Join the St John-Indian Weekender Roses are red, violets are blue . . . . ? This old
phrase may be common as ever throughout
the world, but for one Auckland family, it
ambulance project & help the community... certainly is not living up to its colours . . . red
roses that is.

For more than five years, Vijay Ramanlal

and his family had red roses which always
flowered red in their “rose bageecha”.

They had a few rose shrubs of other colours

in the garden, but this week, the red rose
tree, full of gorgeous red blooms, had an
unusual bloom in their midst – a stunning
white rose which has had the Patel family
stumped.

“Never before this has happened,” Vijay told the Indian Week-
ender this week. “It has always bloomed red flowers, we’re really proud of our roses and
they are well looked after and add much beauty to our place.

“It’s a mystery, but the white one just adds to the beauty.”

Vijay’s sister, Ramilla, attributes it as a good sign and showering of blessing for her
brother who married Freni Vijay Patel a
month ago in Auckland.

“It’s a blessing for the couple,” Ramilla

said. She said she was aware of hy-
brids and different types pf propaga-
tion, but was amazed that only a single
flower turned white.
“The whole tree has bloomed red flow-
ers only this whole time.”
Ramilla said the white flower had stayed
full and bright throughout the week, and
had just started losing its petals few
days ago.

The family is keen to find out if anyone

else can shed some light on the rare
occurrence.

6 Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz

Indian
India

Ghazal King Jagjit Singh’s 70th birthday celebrated

New Delhi: Perfect Harmony Productions, a
leading name in the world of entertainment,
glamour and glitz, created history by celebrat-
ing the 70th birthday of Ghazal King Padma
Bhushan Jagjit Singh with a unique evening of
music featuring Jugalbandi of Gulzaar, Jagjit
Singh and Pandit Birju Maharaj. It intends to
take this Ghazal Symphony compilation by
Jagjit Singh across the US, Europe, Asia and
Australia on occasion on Jagjitji’s 70th birth-
day.
Titled ‘Tridhara’, the evening was organised
by Perfect Harmony Productions at Siri Fort
Auditorium, New Delhi, where the legendary
Ghazal King was felicitated. The jugalbandi
of three legends; Gulzar, Pt. Birju Maharaj and
Jagjit Singh was the attraction for all the guests
and delhiites present there. During the program
Jagjit Singh enthralled the audience with his
popular ghazals including; ‘Wo Kaghaz Ki
Kashti..’ and ‘Ye Daulat Bhi Le Lo, Ye Shohrat
Bhi Le Lo..’.
On the momentous occasion, Ghazal Samrat
Padma Bhushan Jagjit Singh said, “I’m happy
that Perfect Harmony Productions has thought
of multiple unique ways to honour me and fe-
licitate me on the occasion of a historic mile-
stone in my life! I shall celebrate Year 2011 with
70 live shows and take my music repertoire far
and wide.”
Abhinav Upadhayay of Perfect Harmony
Productions said, “India’s famed and finest
ghazal exponent Padma Bhushan Jagjit Singh’s
legendary vocal repertoire and range along with
complete mastery over Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu
languages have helped him perfected the art of
ghazal gayaki as well as to give well-rounded
expression to his rendition of Indian classical
music.
We are honored and proud to present on the
world stage Jagjit Singhji as India’s goodwill
and cultural emissary to spread the magic and
melody of ghazals.”
– Santanu Ganguly

PLEASE DONATE GENEROUSLY

TOWARDS A FULLY EQUIPPED
AMBULANCE AND BE A PART OF THE
INIDIAN COMMUNITY CREATING A SAY
IN THE BEST CHARITY ORGANIZATION
ST JOHNS (refer to page 6)

Resolve Telangana Issue: Baba Ramdev

Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev has called for an immediate and clear statement from the
Centre on the Telangana issue.

14th Mar, 2011: Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev on Monday called for an immediate and
clear statement from the Centre on the separate statehood demand.

Addressing the gathering at a Yoga camp organized here, the famous guru stated that
the call for a separate state has been resounding from across the 10 districts of Telan-
gana. Despite this, the Centre has been maintaining silence on the demand, he said.

Pointing out that the call for separate statehood has intensified, Baba Ramdev said
that the Centre has to listen to the voice of the people and immediately take a clear
decision on the issue.

The Yoga Guru also stated that there should not be any more violence or ill-will in the
society due to the separate statehood demand.

On March 11th, Baba Ramdev had opined that smaller states will ensure faster de-
velopment and would be more convenient to administer. “Division of the state for the
convenience of administration is advisable,” he had added.

Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz 7

Indian
Is diet responsible for India’s high
obesity, heart disease?
Is diet responsible for India’s high
obesity, heart disease?
The role of diet and eating habits in
India’s progressing chronic disease
epidemic is unclear but needs to be
studied more precisely to establish
a coherent relation between the two.
India has the highest prevalence
of diabetes in the world. Indian
people are also at a much higher
risk for cardio-metabolic disorders
at younger ages and lower BMI as
compared with their Western coun-
terparts.
Earlier studies have indicated that
demographic changes, urbaniza-
tion and changes in dietary patterns
contribute to this trend. Although
India is still trying to overcome
poverty, under-nutrition and com-
municable disease on one hand, the
emergence of ‘nutrition transition’
due to economic betterment and
industrialization is causing cardio-
metabolic diseases, especially, in
urban areas.
Boat clinic for Assam
district launched
Guwahati: A full equipped boat clinic,
named ‘Numali’, is ready for service in
Assam’s Sonitpur district.
The boat clinic has been sponsored
by Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL)
to the Centre for North East Studies
and Policy Research (C-NES) as part
of its Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR), an NRL release informed.
The boat will provide health ser-
vices to the marginalised river island
population of Sonitpur district as part
of C-NES – innovative Boat Clinic pro-
gramme under National Rural Health
Mission (NRHM).
8 Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz
In India, diet varies from region to
region. Amidst this “nutrition transi-
tion” across the country, noticeable
variation is seen among the popula-
tion of north and south towards the
susceptibility of cardio-metabolic
risk factors related to diet. For
example, high fat consumption,
corresponding to approximately 40
percent of total energy intake, more
so in Delhi and Mumbai, indicated
that components of Indian diet may
be contributing to this risk.
A multi centre pilot study by “India
Health” was conducted to investi-
gate the connection and correlation
between regional diet and chronic
diseases. It included men and
women between the age group of 35
to 69, who provided lifestyle, diet,
and medical histories, blood pres-
sure, urine, fasting blood, and other
anthropometric measurements such
as skin folds, height, weight, waist,
and hip circumference.
The inaugural function of the launch
of ‘Numali’ was held on March 11 near
Majuli Ghat, Jorhat, the site at which
the boat was built.   Nations offices, including two deputies
Senior officials from NRL led by B
Ekka, DGM (HR), and C-NES Manag-
ing Trustee and eminent writer-jour-
nalist Sanjoy Hazarika were present at
the launch.
NRL has funded an amount of Rs. 12
lakhs for the boat to support the boat
clinic initiative in Assam.
The first installment of Rs. 4 lakhs was
earlier handed over by the Manag-
ing Director NRL, BK Das, to Sanjoy
Hazarika in September 2010.
Two dietary patterns were identified
with factor analysis in Delhi, Mum-
bai, and Trivandrum, In multiple cas-
es models adjusted for age, gender,
income, education, religion, marital
status, physical activity, alcohol, to-
bacco, and total energy intake. As-
sociations between regional dietary
patterns and abdominal adiposity,
diabetes, hypertension, and dyslip-
idemia were investigated.
The results showed that more than
80 percent of the participants had
abdominal adiposity and around 10
to 28 percent of participants turned
out to be diabetics.’
In Delhi region, the “fruit and dairy”
dietary pattern was noticed to be
positively associated with abdomi-
nal adiposity. In Mumbai, the “fruit
and vegetable” pattern was in-
versely associated with high blood
pressure and the “meat and snack”
pattern appeared associated with
abdominal adiposity. In Trivandrum,
the “pulses and rice” pattern was
inversely related to high blood
India Briefs
Lakshmi Puri appointed as UN
Assistant Secretary-General
New York: UN Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon on Friday announced five
senior appointments to several United
to the head of the newly-created entity
for gender equality and the empower-
ment of women. On the recommenda-
tion of Michelle Bachelet, the Executive
Director of UN Women, Ban appointed
Lakshmi Puri of India and John Hen-
dra of Canada to the positions of UN
Assistant Secretary-General, accord-
ing to the deputy spokesperson of the
Secretary-General, Farhan Haq. Puri will
serve as UN Assistant Secretary-Gen-
eral for Intergovernmental Support and
Strategic Partnerships at UN Women.
She brings a wealth of experience to the
position, including a long career at the
UN Conference on Trade and Develop-
ment (UNCTAD). She has also worked,
in various capacities, for gender equality
and women’s empowerment, human
rights and peace and security.
Sudhanshu Pandey turns
prince
Mumbai: Guess who’s just bagged a
plum role! Model-turned-actor Sud-
hanshu Pandey will soon be seen in Zee
TV’s Jhansi Ki Rani playing Yuvraj, the
foreign-returned young prince of the
Moth province. Sources revealed, “Sud-
India
glucose levels and the “snacks and
sweets” pattern was positively asso-
ciated with abdominal adiposity.
The study concluded that cardio-
metabolic risk factors were strongly
prevalent in the given population.
Across all regions, it was noticed
that there was very little evidence of
Westernized diet. Dietary patterns
characterized by animal products,
sweets, or fried snacks appeared
to be positively associated with
abdominal adiposity. Traditional
diets in the Southern region which
mainly consisted of more pulses
and vegetables showed the prob-
ability of lesser risk of diabetes and
hypertension.
The researchers felt that for better
understanding of risk factors in the
given population and the possible
means of prevention, a continued
investigation of diet, as well as other
environmental and biological factors
has to be studied further.
hanshu essays the role of a young
man who has returned from London,
having studied Law there. He is suave,
stylish ... a man who has adapted the
ways of the Brits and finds himself at
home in London rather than in his own
country. “As a lawyer, he will be seen
involved in the trial of the great Mangal
Pandey, fighting the case on behalf of
the British”. When contacted, Sudhans-
hu said, “I personally enjoy the research
and detailing that goes into planning the
look, styling, diction and demeanour for
such a role. I hope that the audience ap-
preciates my work!”.
Indian

Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz 9

Indian
Maruti Suzuki to promote aspiring engineers
Mumbai: Maruti Suzuki India Limited, India’s
leading car manufacturer, is all set to provide a
brighter future to a number of young engineer-
ing students.
Maruti Suzuki and Society of Automotive
Engineers (SAEINDIA) signed an agreement
on Monday to support the SUPRA SAEINDIA
2011 competition. This competition promotes
young engineering talent for automobile engi-
neering and facilitates participants to conceive,
design and fabricate formula-1 style sports cars.   showcase their skills, understanding and
The agreement was signed by Shashank
Shrivastava, Chief General Manager (Market-
ing) Maruti Suzuki and V Sumantran Chair-
man, SUPRA SAEINDIA, in the city.  Motorsport Club race tracks near Chennai. The
On the occasion, Shashank Srivas-
tava, Chief General Manager (Marketing)
Maruti Suzuki said, “Just in the past five years
the average age of our car buyers a drop of 10
years  For these younger customers, we make
youthful and energetic cars, while not compro-
mising on the value of fuel efficiency.”
SUPRA SAEINDIA contest originated
through the Society of Automotive Engineers
(SAE International) USA promises a level
playing field to budding under graduate and
post graduate engineers across India.
The contest provides an opportunity to
passion for automobiles.
The contest will see 44 teams create their
dream  cars and test at the renowned Madras
winning car will be displayed at Asia Pacific
Automotive Conference at Chennai in Oct‘11
and Auto Expo’
India
R.K. Narayan my favourite
Indian writer: Archer
Kolkata: Literature lovers in the city had a
unique experience of interacting with re-
nowned storyteller Jeffrey Archer, as he was
here to officially launch his latest novel titled
‘Only Time Will Tell’.
Archer said, “I wanted a new challenge,
something that will drive me. My earlier
works were different and thus I decided to
write this one. I did not know where I will go
(the completion of the story) and that was
the biggest challenge.”
“Only with this book that even in the last
page I was not sure where I will go and end
and there will be a twist,” he said.

Speaking Indian authors, Archer said that

his favourite writer from the country is R K
Narayan.

“He really can tell a story,” Archer said.
“I feel that he needs world wide recogni-
tion. When I tell people about him they often
tell that they do not know about Narayan,
but I feel that this is bad.” Archer said.
He said that it is necessary for a writer to
stay in a place and grasp the local customs
and traditions to compose novels or stories
based on that locale.
“Everybody reading it will understand that
he has popped in for the weekend,” he said.
“Speaking about his rewriting of his famous
novel ‘Kane and Abel’ the renowned writer
said: “I decided to rewrite it because i feel
that if it lasted for 30 years then why wont it
last for more 30 years, I want to write it for
next generation and generation afterwards,”
he said.

“No I really need to live here to realize the His latest book ‘Only Time Will Tell’ spans
manners, the customs, you cannot just write from World War I to World War II (1920 to
in 10 weeks,” he said. 1940).

10 Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz

Indian
Media also part of a corrupt society, says veteran journo
Kolkata: There are two ways for a journalist to
choose- the honest and the dishonest, says veteran
Journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta.
Thakurta was here on Wednesday speaking at
The Bengal Chamber, India’s oldest chamber of
commerce, in association
with the KKN Group about
the increasing corruption in
the media world.
Delivering the 3rd of the
‘Think’ series lecture, on the
theme  ‘Corruption in Indian
Media’, he said it is nothing
unusual that that there is
corruption in media, as the
society itself is corrupted
and media being a part of the
society, is bound to be corrupted.
Citing the example of the movie ‘Citizen Kane’,
he referred that there are two ways of success for a
journalist-honest and dishonest way.
The honest way being tough and a time con-
suming, whereas, the dishonest way is much easier
very fast.
Thakurta said that it depends on the journalists
Indian Navy arrests 61 pirates
New Delhi: Sixty-one heavily armed pirates were
arrested and 13 sailors rescued by Indian Navy
from a pirate mother vessel in the Arabian Sea,
about 600 nautical miles west of India.
Navy sources on Monday said that the opera-
tion was carried out by the force on Saturday night
following warning signals received a day earlier.
The pirates and sailors were being brought to
Mumbai and Kochi where their nationality will be
verified.
The pirate mother vessel Vega 5 was intercept-
ed by the Navy’s INS Kalpeni in the sea at 9 pm
on Saturday.
Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz
which way they will choose.
He said: “We should not forget that still in
remote places, people have more faith in a journal-
ist for justice than even the District Magistrate.”
Giving various examples of media houses in-
volving in corrupt practices,
he emphasised on the insti-
tutionalisation of corruption
in the Indian Media.
Referring to Julian
Assange, he discussed the
strength of a jouranlist
which can move even the
strongest institution of the
world like the Government
of America.   edly by a storeman and her body was found in a
He said that the world
is changing, and the people are becoming more
aware of the happenings in the world, thanks to the
media.
He said that in the days to come, corruption will
slowly come to an end, and this will happen only
if the media personnel remain honest themselves. 
(Reporting by Arijeet Basu, Photos by Neelan-
jan Barua) 
Warships Khukri, a missile corvette, and
Kalpeni, a water jet fast attack craft, were put on
the trail of Vega 5 after naval surveillance aircraft
Dornier picked a call from MV Vancouver Bridge
that it was under pirate attack on Friday.
Kalpeni closed in on Vega 5 on Saturday night
and a gun-battle ensued, during which the pirate
mother vessel caught fire.
The navy recovered 74 personnel – 61 pirates
and 13 members of the original crew.
The Mozambique-flagged ship was a fishing
vessel that was hijacked on December 28.
India monitoring probe in student’s
murder in Australia
New Delhi: Terming the rape and murder of an
Indian student in Australia as “unfortunate”, India’s
External Affairs minister SM Krishna on Monday
said the government is monitoring the probe into the
case.
“This is a very, very unfortunate incident. We
are getting a report from our Ambassador, ” Krishna
said.
“We are closely following and monitoring the
investigation,” he added.
Twenty-four-year old Tosha Thakkar was raped
and killed in northwestern Sydney last week alleg-
suitcase.
Thakkar was murdered by a “predator who
waited until their housemate was away to sexually
assault and kill her”.
DGCA to check all commercial
pilots’ credentials
New Delhi: Alarmed after the expose of two pilots
who procured commercial licence using forged
documents, the Directorate General of Civil Avia-
tion (DGCA) is now scrutinising the records of all
pilots.
Two pilots have already been arrested this
month after it was found that they had used fake
mark-sheets to get commercial licence.
DGCA chief Bharat Bhushan said criminal pro-
ceedings have been initiated against the Air India
pilot who was found to have used forged documents
in a scrutiny of credentials of pilots after another
was arrested earlier this month.
Captain JK Verma was found to have used
forged marks-sheet and has been immediately ar-
rested.
India
Stani-Reginald, from Croydon, was arrested late
on Friday night and charged with murder.
Meanwhile, the Australian High Commission on
Monday extended its condolences to the family and
friends of Tosha.
High Commissioner Peter N Varghese had sent
a personal message of condolence to Thakkars and
also spoken to the family, the high commission in-
formed in a statement.
“There is no indication that this awful crime was
racially motivated. Our thoughts are with Tosha’s
family and friends in India and Australia,” the state-
ment said.
Attacks on Indians roiled Australia last year, but
the alleged racial crimes had come down of late.
The girl’s rape and murder, however, left every-
one shocked as the fear revisited the Indian diaspora.
Bhushan, emphasizing that the DGCA will
ensure that all records are checked thoroughly,
said only one pilot, Verma, was found to have used
forged papers out of the 500 pilots checked so far.
The DGCA will be scrutinizing credentials of
over 4,000 commercial pilots in the process.
Under the radar of suspicion are two pilots of
Indigo and MDLR Airlines.
The first arrest was made on March 8 when
Indigo pilot Parminder Kaur Gulati was apprehend-
ed by the Delhi Police crime branch for using fake
marks-sheet to procure her commercial licence.
Gulati had come under probe after her wrong
landing techniques on several occasions caused
damage to the aircraft, the latest being on January
11 when she made a rough landing at Goa airport.
11
Indian
Fiji

Bhikha, Sorovakatini found guilty

KERESI NAUWAKARAWA
Suva: Suncourt Hardware director
Dhansukh Lal Bhikha and former
Ministry of Agriculture principal ac-
counts officer Suliasi Sorovakatini were
remanded in custody earlier this week
after five assessors found them guilty
of three counts of official corruption.
The pair appeared yesterday before
Justice Sitabarampillai Thurairaja in the
High Court in Suva.
Justice Thurairaja passed his verdict
after the five assessors unanimously
found Bhikha and Sorovakatini guilty of
three counts of official corruption each.
The assessors found the two not guilty
for one count of official corruption each
and acquitted them for that count.
The charges relate to Dhansukh Lal
Bhikha and others corruptly giving ben-
efits to Suliasi Sorovakatini, on account
of acts done by him in the discharge of
his duties of his office in 2000 and 2001
when the Farming Assistance Scheme
was in place.
Sorovakatini’s charges relate to him
corruptly receiving benefits in the dis-
charge of the duties of his office.
The assessors deliberated yesterday
on their verdict for almost four hours
The defence lawyer objected to them
being placed in remand but Justice Th-
urairaja stated they were now convicts
and would have to comply.
The sentencing is at 10am today in the
High Court in Suva.

Air Pacific, Fiji govt Top surgeons to provide free service

gesture for Christchurch
Fiji’s national carrier Samisoni Pareti, spokesperson for Air Pacific said.
Air Pacific has More information will be released once the ini-
thanked the Fijian tiative is finalised in conjuction with crisis manage-
government for ment agencies in New Zealand.
granting a departure Air Pacific and its subsidiary Pacific Sun to-
tax waiver to pas- gether fly more than 500 flights per week. The
sengers selected for company operates B747, B767, and B737 aircraft to
humanitarian flights being offered to New Zealand 18 cities in 12 countries.
to support victims of the Christchurch earthquake. Destinations include places like Hong Kong,
Under the proposed Christchurch humanitar- the USA, Australia, New Zealand,
Western Samoa,
ian initiative, up to 100 affected Christchurch resi- Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Vanuatu,
Solomon Islands
dents will be invited to spend one week at selected and of course Fiji. Air Pacific
aircraft bring in over
resorts in Fiji, and air travel and accommodation 66% of all visitors who fly
to Fiji.
during the seven-day stay in resorts in Nadi will be It employs over 950 people, earns gross
complimentary. revenue of F$600 million, and contributes 11% of
“Air Pacific is extremely grateful to the Fijian the country’s Gross Domestic
Product (GDP).
Government and to our colleagues in various Pacific Sun operates a combination of ATR
resorts here in Fiji for their assistance in this pro- 42-500s and De Havilland
Twin Otter aircraft on
posed humanitarian initiative.” Fiji’s domestic island routes and between Suva,
“This is an effort that was launched by the Tonga and Tuvalu as well as
between Nadi and
people of Fiji for the people of Christchurch,” Port Vila.
Suva: A team of plastic and reconstructive surgeons
will be in Fijifrom April 11-15.
Their visit was made possible by the Rotary
Club of Lautoka in collaboration with its interna-
tional body-Rotary International.
The visit will see the team attend to people who
otherwise could not afford making a trip overseas
for medical treatment which the team would be
bringing to our doorsteps.
Arrangements have been made for the two sur-
geons, accompanied by two anaesthetists and four
nurses from Interplast Australia and New Zealand
to perform the treatment procedures on patients at
the Lautoka hospital.
President elect of the Lautoka Rotary Club Rick
Eyre said the aim of bringing the specialist team to
Fiji was to treat the poor and disadvantaged of the
local community who do not have the luxury of
access to such services.
The Lautoka Club is hosting the visit, and the
generous project is funded by Rotary International.
The Interplast team has been coming to Fiji for
a number of years now and each time have provided
their services free of charge.
Interplast functions from the contributions of
volunteer surgeons and other specialists, provid-
ing free surgical and other allied health services to
developing Asia Pacific countries, and its expenses
are met by charity organisations such as the Rotary
Club.
The team travels the region, providing treat-
ments to hundreds of needy people throughout the
year, and on this trip will be providing reconstruc-
tive work for hypospadias, cleft lips and palates and
acquired conditions such as burns and scars.
Most people living with deformities and disabili-
ties are among the most disadvantaged, not only in
Fiji but in the world. They are often unable to have
access to such treatments because of poverty, isola-
tion and lack of medical expertise in the area.
Mr Eyre said he was proud that Lautoka Rotary
was able to be a part of a worthy cause and urged
the public to take advantage of such an opportunity.
Appointments for treatment are being taken at
the Lautoka Hospital.
– Fiji Sun

Eminent educator passes

away in India
GEORGE RUBINE
Suva: A long time teacher and educator in the
local education sector died in India at the age
of 74.
Joan Raj Singh passed away in Gurgaon,
New Delhi, India on Friday, March 4.
Mrs Raj Singh had an extensive career in ed-
ucation in Fiji where she taught at Dudley High
School, Suva Grammar, Marist Brothers High
School and the University of the South Pacific.
She was born in Rangoon, Burma and grew up
all over India where her father was a govern-
ment official.
She came to Fiji in 1961 after her post-
graduate studies in India when she married Raj
Singh whom she met at university.
Among other things, she was extensively
involved in curriculum development for senior
English and English Literature as Senior Educa-
tion Officer in the Ministry of Education.
She also organised and choreographed the
numerous Indian dances for the Fiji Indepen-
dence Celebrations on October 10, 1970.
Joan Raj Singh was very active in a wide
variety of social and philanthropic activities in
Suva.
These include serving on the Vestry of the
Holy Trinity Cathedral, the organising com-
mittees of the Hibiscus Festival, the Secondary
Schools Music Festival, and the Flower Show,
being a Representative to the Fiji Council of
Churches, Treasurer of the Fiji National Council
of Women, a member of the Fiji Arts Council
and PASEAWA.
But her most significant achievement was
as a teacher and mentor to hundreds of young
people over the forty years she lived in Fiji.

12 Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz

Indian
Fiji

Fiji nationals in Japan safe

Decision on Casino
plan soon, says govt
Suva: Some Fijians in Japan’s earthquake and safe. In Fukushima, Nilesh Anand of Labasa, re-
tsunami-devastated areas have contacted the Fiji ported that he was safe.
Embassy in Tokyo to say they are safe. In Saitama, Emosi Tuqota contacted the
The Embassy revealed that an email network- Embassy and confirmed he was safe. In Akita
ing was started by the Embassy on Saturday. rugby player Setareki Tawake confirmed he was
The emails solicited responses from Fiji na- safe and he has confirmed the safety of four other
tionals in the areas that were affected by the rugby players in Akita.
tsunami/earthquake that hit Japan last Friday. In Fukuoka Dr Don Wilson and family are SHIRI LATA The cha rge s rela te to Dha nsu
kh
“The email network started with a few cor- safe. and oth ers cor -
Lal Bhi kha
respondents being requested by the Ambassador “He is also our contact person for Fiji nation- c-
to report their safety status and to send the same als in the southern parts of Japan,” the Embassy Suva: Sun court Hardwa re dire ruptly giving ben efit s to Sul
iasi
Lal Bhi kha and acc oun t of act s
request to all Fiji nationals they know to do the statement said. tor Dha nsukh Sorova kat ini, on
e ge of
same.” As at 10am Sunday March 13, the follow- In Tokyo all Fiji nationals whose email/phone former Ministr y of Agr icultur don e by him in the disc har
0
ing was received: contacts are with the Embassy were contacted and prin cip al acc oun ts offi cer Su- his dut ies of his offi ce in 200
- As-
In Niigata Arnold Kumar reported that he was they reported that they are all safe. lias i Sorova kat ini were rem and and 2001 whe n the Far ming
tod y ear lier this wee k em e was in pla ce.
ed in cus sist anc e Sch
m te to
afte r five ass ess ors found the Sorova kat ini’s cha rge s rela
nts of offi cial ng ben efit s
guilty of thre e cou him cor ruptly rec eivi
ge of the dut ies of
cor ruption. in the disc har
The pair app eared yes terd ay his offi ce.
i
bef ore Jus tice Sita bar ampilla
rt in
Thurair aja in the Hig h Cou The ass ess ors delibe rate d
Suva. yes terd ay on the ir verdic t for
alm ost four hours
Jus tice Thurair aja pas sed his
ors to
verdic t afte r the five ass ess The def enc e law yer obj ected
and and
una nim ous ly found Bhikha the m bei ng pla ced in rem
e
Sorova kat ini guilty of thre but Jus tice Thurair aja sta ted
counts of offi cial cor ruption they were now convict s and
eac h. would have to comply.

The ass ess ors found the two The sen ten cing is at 10a m to-
- a.
not guilty for one count of offi day in the High Court in Suv
cial cor ruption eac h and acq uit- - Fiji Sun
ted the m for tha t count.

Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz 13

 Indian
Indian
Letters
What kind of times did the Ramayana exist in?

From the Editor
Could jasmines bloom in our region?
When a street vendor in the Middle Eastern nation of Tunisia immolated himself in extreme frustration
on being unable to gain redress after a raid on his humble enterprise by the country’s authorities, it set
of a chain of events that has plunged the entire region into an unprecedented crisis.
It was as though this event was the last straw that broke the camel’s back in the Arab nation. The
vendor’s tragic action became a focal point for the pent up frustrations of Tunisians; the spontaneous
anti government protests turned violent toppling long reigning President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali who
fled the country.
Soon, unrest escalated in Egypt. After eighteen days of raging violence President Hosni Mubarak
resigned after mounting pressure from the nation’s armed forces.
The unrest has spread like a contagion to Libya, Bahrain and Yemen, with hundreds of deaths being
reported. These countries have enjoyed a reputation as oil rich havens because of the opulent lifestyles
of their leaders.
Recent events have however given the lie to that claim proving discontent among the hoi polloi had
been simmering for decades and needed all but a nudge before it boiled over claiming hundreds of lives
and sending the autocrats and their cohorts packing.
The common thread that runs through all the leaders of these countries is the wealth they have ac-
cumulated at their people’s expense, keeping them in perpetual impoverishment.
While revolutions throughout history have been triggered by seemingly innocuous events like the
Tunisian’s suicide, they are tipping points that turn the tide in a nation’s history exposing the raw nerve
of the long suffering, silent multitudes.
Can this happen in the Pacific region? Let’s look at some of the ingredients that go into such a
potentially explosive tinderbox.
For one, these countries are ruled by ironfisted despots – often, political dynasties leaving no room
for dissent, debate or the fair distribution of wealth and essential services like education and health-
care. Leaders build their power base and personal wealth on a structure that keeps the masses poor,
uneducated, disempowered and all too focused on the business of survival.
This last point has become increasingly important for the poor in nations across the world as food
prices have spiraled following a cocktail of circumstances ranging from the global financial crisis to
climate change and freakish weather.
Add to that bubbling cauldron the fact that the Middle Eastern nations have shared histories as
well as shared cultural and religious mores. They are also land locked facilitating an easier transfer of
ideology and people.
But probably the factor that has the rapidest multiplier effect spreading such unrest in the most
unlikely of places is the proliferation of mobile and online social media.
Both Tunisian and Egyptian protests are believed to have reached a critical point following Twitter
and Facebook messages exchanged between citizens, spurring the regimes to pull the plug on internet
services.
What has now come to be the “Jasmine revolution” is even reported to have spread to China, where
authorities swiftly moved to snuff out even the slightest whiff of dissent.
The geography, social mores, political and economic ground realities and the levels of activism of
Pacific peoples is vastly different. It is unlikely that the same drivers that sparked the revolution in the
Arab world could drive similar movements in the Pacific.
However, leaders cannot afford to be complacent with that unlikelihood. None of the Arab leaders
saw the revolutions coming until the tsunami of protesting citizens hit them from all sides, causing them
to flee.
The extent of discontent among people, the deep distrust of politicians and their jetsetting lifestyles
at taxpayer expense, their indulgence in corruption, nepotism and routine abuse of power eventually
builds to a tipping point.
The ever-rising prices of food, fuel and essentials, diminishing opportunities for employment,
worsening living standards brings the cauldron to a boil. All that is required to tip it over is the instant
media that today’s communication technologies provide. It is by far the most powerful tool available to
the common citizen. And no political leader of any hue anywhere can afford to ignore that.
So there is nothing to suggest that jasmines can’t bloom in our region.
- Dev Nadkarni
Opinion Poll:
Many western authors also say same thing like Graham Hancock, Eric Von Daniken etc. Right
from marvel of building pyramid to perfection or many underwater cities tell us many things.
Rightfully Mahabarat and Ramayana has to be coded. The authors simplied the subject which
is far more complex.Thanks for sharing this article. Very nice to see Indian authors on this
topic and helps get more Indians aware of our rich, lost past.”
-Sundar
Why unnecessarily imagine what times existed. Its about Lord Ram and his values. Why use
Ramayana for any other purpose. Please read the purpose of Ramayana in ‘Valmiki Rama-
yana’ and ‘Tulsi Ramayana’. Hope Tulisdas and Valmiki did not write  Ramayana to be talked
about like this. Why do this silly imagination about “True Past” etc...Ramayana is about Lord
Ram – about Values. That’s it. Get it?
– Krish
Bank of Baroda starts full-fledged operations
Your bank service is best.
-S.S. chauhan
Shivaji and the rebirth of a nation
Shivaji’s contribution to India is massive. The Muslim rulers in India were always looking to
invite Afghans (the nearest Muslim majority territory) to invade India whenever the Hindus
became strong. During the Maratha ascendancy, they invited Ahmad Abdali to invade India
and he savagely destroyed and looted Punjab and other areas.
– Arjun Singh
The fact that Shivaji liberated Punjab after 800 years of Islamic rule is itself commendable
and heroic. Forget Punjab, the Marathas had a clear plan to bring back Afghanistan back
into the Hindu empire but the coming of the British spoilt their plans as they had to fight three
wars against the British. It was just timing for the Hindus as they managed to beat the Muslims
totally after all these centuries but Hindu rule over India lasted just 150 years before the Brits
grabbed it slowly.
– Sandeep Mahendru
We need to build memorials
This is so timely. What we need is to build memorials to Sivaji so people understand his
amazing contributions. Sivaji is one of the few pan-Indian names in the country, from Tamil
Nadu to Bengal.
– Sneha Joshi
Shivaji liberated Punjab, but what is the situation now?
Shivaji may have liberated Punjab, but once again most of Punjab has nothing to do with
India, and less said about Afganistan the better. The legacy of shame that the Nehru dynasty
has brought lingers forever. The Punjab that remains in India is a tiny fraction of what Punjab
really was.
-Maninder Singh

New Zealand’s Governor-General is currently appointed by the Prime
Minister. Do you think the holder of the most powerful office in the
country should be elected by Parliament?
YES NO
Can NZ Hindus kick start a social revival?
Good to see Hindus in NZ getting serious about social revival. In the US, we have a hugely
effective Hindu body and now when mainline newspapers want a quote they call them. Hindus
NOT SURE in NZ should actively follow that path.

75% 0% 25%
– Anand Patwardhan

Ten top stories on iwk.co.nz

1 Japan quake: NZ sends rescue team
Indian Weekender Volume 2 No. 24
Publisher: Kiwi Media Group Limited
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Online editor: Arvind Kumar arvind@indianweekender.co.nz
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Please email original editorial contributions, community notices and pictures to 7 Quake impact on economy and mortgage rates
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Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher 8 New Zealand Sikhs lifeline to Christchurchs Indian student
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9 ‘I was put into sex symbol slot’
Indian Weekender is published by Kiwi Media Group, 98 Great South Road, New Market 10 Celebrating Holi with a touch of Maori
and printed at APN Print, Ellerslie, Auckland
Copyright 2010. Kiwi Media Group. All Rights Reserved. 11 Bollywood’s Hitler movie unveiled in Berlin

14 Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz

Indian
Are cricket umpires biased? You be the judge
Rakesh Krishnan Simha
A study of cricketing data is needed to establish if there is implicit bias. Whatever the outcome, only better tech-
nology and closer electronic scrutiny of umpires will check poor decisions.
A study on bias in cricket is long overdue. The
sport is data rich – names of bowlers, batsmen and
umpires are readily available. Crunch all that data
and it won’t be hard to figure out if umpires are
handing down tricky decisions based on race, re-
ligion and country.
International cricket today resembles a geopo-
litical battleground rather than a contest between
willow and leather. The latest flashpoint was the
high-octane 2011 World Cup game between India
and England during which umpires Billy Bowden
(New Zealand) and M. Erasmus (South Africa)
and TV umpire R.J. Tucker (Australia) ruled an
England player not out even after the electronic
review system ruled in India’s favour.
The controversy would have died out as the
tournament progressed but then Dave Richardson,
the stuffed suit at the ICC, reignited it by criticising
Indian captain M.S. Dhoni for disputing that deci-
sion. Richardson, a servant of cricket’s governing
body, was clearly out of line here by blathering off
against Dhoni, cricket’s most valuable player.
The fact is that the fine print in the rule book
is called into play only when Indian and Pakistani
players are involved. In fact, players from the two
countries are consistently handed out heavy fines
or match suspensions or both while for similar of-
fences, players from, say, Australia, England or
South Africa get a mere warning or at worst a rep-
rimand.
If you are not convinced there is bias in cricket,
perhaps you should look at a study on bias in base-
ball by Daniel Hamermesh, a professor of eco-
nomics at the University of Texas, Austin. Among
sports, baseball comes closest to cricket in the
manner of play, terminology and gear.
After analysing 2.1 million pitches in Major
League Baseball from 2004 to 2006, the study
says that the highest percentage of fair calls occur
when both umpire and pitcher (bowler in cricket)
are white, while the lowest percentage is when a
Women in business generate more profits
dev nadkarni
Another International Women’s Day has come
and gone. As usual, governments and organ-
isations have paid the usual lip service to the
importance of integrating women in all walks
of life, giving them greater representation in
parliaments and as well as a bigger share of
voice in other areas of human endavour such as
business, managing the environment and com-
munity affairs.
But it is not often that a globally renowned
organisation comes up with findings supported
by hard numbers and statistics, which go to
prove that involving women in areas where they
are poorly represented not only makes sound
economic sense but could also accelerate the
world’s hard trudge out of the financial mess it
has found itself in over the past few years.
The study has observed that organisations
that are able to capitalise on the roles women
play as economic actors will most likely have a
competitive advantage as the world pulls out of
the global recession.
Financial advisory services provider De-
loitte, in its recently released report on ‘Gender
Dividend’, is making a case for investing in
women as they strongly believe that women
may well be the dominant source of economic
growth in the near future.
Taking cognizance of this fact, Deloitte aims
to integrate women into both the workplace and
the marketplace, under its new initiative called
retention and Advancement of Women (WIN).
Such integration leads to Gender Dividend –
a steady benefit that is earned by making wise,
Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz
white umpire is judging a black pitcher. The results
showed that in about 1% of the pitches thrown, an
umpire was more likely to rule in favour of the
pitcher if both were of the same race or ethnicity.
What? A measly 1 per cent? Well, look at what
the study says next: At first, this effect may seem
trivial, affecting on average less than one pitch per
game. The indirect effect--when players anticipate
the effect of a biased umpire and strategically alter
After analysing 2.1 million pitches in Major League
Baseball from 2004 to 2006, the study says that the
highest percentage of fair calls occur when both umpire
and pitcher (bowler in cricket) are white, while the
lowest percentage is when a white umpire is judging
a black pitcher.
their behaviour--may, however, have an even larger
impact on outcomes.
Two such situations in cricket can be recalled
here. One was the 2008 Sydney game where Aus-
tralia, knowing that umpires Mark Benson and
Steve Bucknor were handing down a spate of poor
decisions against Indian batsmen, went for the of-
fensive after being in hopeless situations several
times. India lost that match which it could have
won.
Again, in a 1978-79 series in Pakistan, Indian
legend Sunil Gavaskar observed Pakistani pace
bowler Imran Khan consistently overstepping the
crease. Gavaskar, who was at the non-striker’s end,
pointed it out to the umpires who ignored his pro-
balanced investments in developing women as
workers and potential leaders as well as under-
standing women as consumers and their impact
on the economy and the bottom line. It also re-
flects in increased sales, expanded markets, and
The study has observed that organisations that are
able to capitalise on the roles women play as econom-
ic actors will most likely have a competitive advantage
as the world pulls out of the global recession.
improved recruitment and retention of a key
talent segment.
Latha Ramanathan, Senior Director, De-
loitte Touche Tohmatsu India Private Limited
says, “As of June 2010, 29 countries had reached
or exceeded the 30 percent mark in women’s
representation in parliament; of these 29 coun-
tries, at least 24 had used quotas. India with
a population of 500 million women does not
figure in that list.
“The world over, organisations and gov-
ernments are working at policies and enabling
institutional arrangements to bring more and
more women into the workforce.  These include
affirmative actions in the areas of recruitment,
retention and board level appointments of pub-
tests, allowing Khan to bowl some unplayable no-
balls that were not called. The series, which could
have been a close one, became a one-sided contest
which India lost 0-3.
Another study by economists Joe Price of
Brigham Young University and Justin Wolfers of
the University of Pennsylvania showed that during
the 13 National Basketball Association seasons
from 1991 through 2004, white referees called
fouls at a greater rate against black players than
against white players.
Billly’s controversial decision was in fact the
second time he went after the Indians in that match.
Earlier, he insisted that Zaheer Khan move a step
closer to the batsman in order to comply with the
fielding restrictions. Billy in fact pointed at a spot
with his boot where Khan should stand.
Would he treat an Australian differently?
Perhaps he would. This is what former Australian
test batsman Matthew Hayden writes in his new
book Standing My Ground:
“I used every resource I legally could to
enhance my game, and umpires were part of that
process. Sometimes they’d drop subtle lines that I
licly listed companies, to flexible working ar-
rangements and childcare policies.
“It is time, we in India, looked at similar
actions to encourage more women to both study
and move into the workforce to leverage their
earning potential as also ensuring their conti-
nuity in workforce by creating a conducive and
supportive work environment at our farms, con-
struction sites, offices etc.”
Deloitte emphasises on this positive change
that leads to double-digit difference in produc-
tivity between those organisations with more
women as leaders compared to those with less.
Women’s earning power is growing even faster
in developing countries, where their earned
income grew at a rate of 8.1 percent, compared
to the 5.8 percent rate for men. In short, women
constitute the largest emerging market the
world has ever seen.
Having said that, in BRIC countries (Brazil,
Russia, India, and China) labour force participa-
Comment
considered important feedback. Bowden, in par-
ticular, was good this way. During the match, I’d
say to him, What do you reckon? And he’d say,
Looking real good, just stay patient. I’d sometimes
ask, Is he swinging that much? And he’d say, Oh,
it’s just starting to reverse. Billy was brilliant that
week.’’
Aren’t you supposed to be neutral, Billy?
The bias in cricket is not just white and black,
of course. Bucknor, who is of African origin, had
given unfair decisions against Indian players for
well over two decades before he was kicked out
in 2008. And strangely, Sri Lankan players, who
have suffered extreme racism from the Australian
Prime Minister down, have, after becoming match
officials, penalised Indian players severely while
letting off Australian, English and South African
players with mere warnings. Ranjan Madugalle
and Roshan Mahanama once fined an Indian
bowler for over-zealous celebration.
So what’s the way out? Despite India’s aver-
sion  – in hindsight, justified – for the electronic
review system, the way out is better technology and
closer monitoring. Bias disappears under two con-
ditions: one, when the game’s attendance is high or
two, if electronic review technology is used.
There’s a reason for that. When you’re going
to be watched and have to pay more attention,
you don’t subconsciously favour people like your-
self. “When discrimination has a price, you don’t
observe it as much,” says Hamermesh.
To be sure, most umpires do not intend to be
biased before a game. As the American researchers
argue, bad decisions appear to be the result of im-
plicit bias -- subtle mental associations that surface
when people are forced to make snap judgments.
In the cricket world, with its considerable colo-
nial baggage, that bias comes into play too often for
comfort. Only fool proof technology can prevent
needless controversy. For, clearly, there are a lot of
fools out there.
tion rates for women lag those for men, and even
when women are working, turnover is higher
for women than men or women fail to advance.
In other words, leaders continue to overlook and
underutilise women as a source of talent.
What may be missing in many of these in-
stances is the hard, cold fact that not capitalis-
ing on women as workers and consumers has
real impact on the bottom line and overall
success of an organization. To bring home this
reality, investing in women must be taken out
of the realm of ideology and into the executive
suite, or better yet, the balance sheet. Promot-
ing women needs to be viewed as any other
business decision—and that involves building a
solid business case.
Investing in women should be no different.
But the business case is only the beginning.
Programs and initiatives will need to follow that
promote and support women and a proactive
push must be made to include women at every
level of an organization.
 Ultimately, women must become a seamless
part of management—not just a novelty to serve
what is erroneously perceived as a niche market.
Only by embedding gender diversity into the
core decision-making processes of a company
can the true Gender Dividend be reaped.
For an organisation to grow, it needs to
develop all of its resources, men and women
alike. Having both men and women in decision-
making roles gives organisations the perspec-
tive they need and helps in solving complex
problems or innovating.
15
Indian

16 Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz

Indian
Takanini Gurdwara celebrates
6th Anniversary
People’s Advisory Panel
Sri Kalgidhar Gurdwara is the largest religious
place in New Zealand connected to the Indian
Diaspora. This magnificent building is housed in
8.6 acres of prime flat land in the Takanini suburb
in Auckland and home to the revered Sri Guru
Granth Sahib. This nodal Sikh place of worship
has over 8000 devotees visit it over any given
weekend thus again making it the most visited re-
ligious place in the country. The foundation stone
of this temple was laid by the traditional Sikh Panj
Piaras in the presence of the then Prime Minister
Helen Clark who was a regular visitor throughout
her tenure as the leader of the nation. This project
was completed in a record time of 2.5 years under
the able leadership of Daljit Singh JP. The build-
ing houses a modern
Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz
stainless steel 220 m2 kitchen and a angar hall
on the ground floor and the main assembly hall
on the first floor were a congregation in excess
of 5000 can assemble and listen to kirtan in the
presence of Guru Granth Sahib. There is also a
three bed room accommodation for the religious
minister apart from cricket, soccer, volleyball and
kabadi ground.The official opening ceremony was
held on the 13th of March 2005 and ever since its
annual anniversary function is celebrated with
intense religious fervour around the middle of
March. As of today the total assets on this site are
about $10Mn and the NZ Sikh Society Auckland
which is a registered charitable trust
Community
manages the day to day
operations.
Recently the 6th
anniversary was cel-
ebrated with great
religious enthusiasm
and fervour. The cel-
ebration spanned over
a week and every day
there was a func-
tion culminating in a
large function over
the weekend where
over 8000 people
paid obeisance and
partook langar in
community kitchen
as per established
Sikh traditions. A noted Sikh scholar
and preacher Bhai Pinderpal Singh
had specially come all the way from
India to interact with the community
and share his knowledge and love for
the religion. The in house kirtan jatha
led by Bhai Jeet Singh Jeet and Bhai
Gurpreet Singh Jalandharwala also
regaled the audience with mesmerising
kirtan and sang hymns from the revered
Guru Granth Sahib. After a week long
string of religious functions, the celebra-
tions were culminated with traditional
Indian games like Kabadi, Soccer, Volley-
ball. There was also a kabadi competition
for young children. In line with the impor-
tance the Sikh religion accords to women, a
special musical chairs competition was also held
for the girls.
Dr. Rajen Prasad, Dr. Jackie Blue and Dr. Paul
Hutchinson all parliamentarians also graced the
occasion and gave out the prizes to the winners
in sport. This annual Kabadi competition is soon
finding a place on the international kabadi circuit
as two international teams, one from Australia
and the other from India had specially flown in to
participate. The final trophy was won by the team
from India after beating the Australian team. The
following local teams participated – Doaba Club,
Kalgidhar Club, Sikh Sports Club, Des Punjab,
Dashmesh Sports Club, and Waikato Sports club.
In the final match the Sikh Sports Club Tauranga
wrested the trophy by defeating Kalgidhar Sports
Club Auckland in a nail biting 31-27 win. In vol-
leyball the final was between Pukekohe Spikers
and Kalgidhar Lions in which the team from Puke-
kohe won the trophy. In soccer, Massey United de-
feated Auckland lions and lifted the trophy.
Prabhjot Kalkat was nominated as the best
soccer player and Dilawar Haripuria was declared
the best kabadi player. A team of highly trained
and specialist umpires and referees were on hand.
The commentary was being done by Jarnail
Singh Rahon from Hamilton and the well
known Makhan Ali had been flown in specially
from India. On the sports field, entertainment
scaled a new height when well known Punjabi
singer Mangal Hathoor took over the stage.
Another high point of the day was the breathtak-
ing and fiery display of the famous Sikh martial
arts display called Gatka by the group from Tau-
ranga referred to as Dashmesh Akhara . A 10
year old boy named Harshbir Singh Samra was
the shining star in the Gatka display and left the
crowd speechless as he deftly controlled the tra-
ditional sword and displayed his talent of using it.
Overall it was day surely etched in the memory
of the Sikh community in New Zealand and it
ended at 6 PM after all the winners were presented
trophies. This has been an excellent endeavour of
the management committee to involve the young
and old in the celebrations and give it an all inclu-
sive community feel to the whole show. It is perti-
nent to mention that many non-Sikhs but of Indian
origin were participating in the celebrations.
17
Indian
Community

Celebrating Holi with a Holistic health focus of

touch of Maori
Holi – the Hindu Festival of Colours –
will be celebrated at Rotorua SoundShell
(on Memorial Drive) and Village Green,
Rotorua on Sunday, March 20.
As part of the festival, a ‘Mehndi Moko’
workshop will be held from 9.30am till
10.30am at the SoundShell for the benefit
of the Rotorua public, in particular the arts
community.
The workshop will include both Maori
and Hindu designs and will be run by Gina
Wright, a well known Maori artist.
Recently, Gina Wright was invited by
the organisers of the 5th Annual Henna
Gathering (25-27 March 2011) at Provi-
dence, Rhode Island, USA. Gina has been
requested to conduct two workshops on
Mehndi Moko at the international gather-
ing. It is the first time an artist from New
There will be a registration fee of $10.
Seats are limited and registrations are on a
first-come-first-served basis.
Holi is a festival of fun accompanied
by folk songs and dances. People celebrate
it by covering each other with coloured
powder, and drenching with coloured water,
in a spirit of merry making. This colourful
festival bridges social gaps and differences,
bringing people and communities together.
Last year, in addition to Rotorua public,
international visitors from Germany, Neth-
erlands, France, Belgium, England, Canada
and Brazil also participated in the festival.
One of the key objectives of this festival
is to encourage youth to not only partici-
pate but to also learn to organise festivals
at a community level. This Holi festival will
be run by youths – mainly teenagers from
Hindu conference
The Hindu Council of New Zealand and Waiwhetu
Marae are jointly organising the second regional
Hindu Conference in Lower Hutt, Wellington on
Saturday, April 9.
Theme of the conference is “Hindu-Maori Per-
spectives on Holistic Health: from Individual and
Whanau to Community”.
The conference will discuss Hindu and Maori
perspectives on the interdependence of individu-
al, family and community for building a healthy
society.
Workshop and plenary sessions at the confer-
ence will deliberate on two main areas:
l Individual health – will discuss how the prac-
tices of yoga, meditation, ayurveda and Maori
medicine can contribute to enhancing the general,
physical, mental and social wellbeing of commu-
nities in New Zealand.
l Healthy families and communities – will discuss
the Maori concept of Whanau (family) comple-
mented by the Hindu concept of Vasudaiva Ku-
tumbakam (world is one global family).
The session will also draw from the experienc-
es of the volunteers from the Hindu Community to
build a stronger community.
The conference will hear history of the
Waiwhetu marae, the people who make up this
community and their perspectives on whanau
wellbeing.
Dr Nagendra, the President of Hindu Univer-
sity of America and Vice-Chancellor of SVYASA
Yoga University (India), will be the keynote
speaker at the conference. Dr Nagendra holds a
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and has been a
research associate at NASA.
The speakers in this session consist of local
practitioners of Maori, Ayurveda and Western
Medicine. A quick glimpse at the line up of local
speakers:
Dr. Raj Vinod Anand, General Practitioner at
Wellington hospital and President of Art of Living
Foundation in New Zealand;
Dr. Vijay Senan, practicing psychiatrist in the
Wellington region
Prajakta Joshi, an Ayurveda doctor.
The conference will also feature
Yoga for kids – Carpet Ride and Yoga Safari
for 5 to 10 year olds
Pre-exam yoga – “how to be an effective test
taker” workshop for youth, featuring Yoga pos-
tures, breathing and visualisation techniques to
improve the ability to focus. Conducted by Shri.
Sou. Riri Trivedi ji who runs her own yoga school
in Singapore with specialised yoga programmes
for kids.
The conference will be suitable to health
practitioners who are interested in holistic view
of health, community development practitioners,
government agencies that work with families and
communities, community volunteers; researchers
and academics; students and any members of the
public who have an interest in the above stated
topics.
Early bird registrations for conference will
close on 1st April 2011.
AROGYA (Aotearoa Research Organisation
for Generic Yoga and Ayurveda), the health divi-
sion of Hindu Council of New Zealand, in partner-
ship with SVYASA Yoga University, is conduct-
ing a Yoga Instructor’s course in Wellington from
10th to 22nd April. Mohan Tewani and Subhadra
Tewani of SVYASA University will travel to Wel-
lington to conduct some of the key sessions of the
course in Wellington. They will also conduct a
Stress Management program in Wellington.
Highlights of the Stress Management pro-
gramme are:
35 minutes of practice equivalent to 6 hrs of
good sleep.
Helps reduce stress and treatment of ailments
such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma etc (stress
related).
For more details on the 2nd regional Hindu con-
ference in Wellington, or activities of AROGYA –
Wellington, please contact:
Dr Rajiv Chaturvedi,
Ph: 021 079 5036,
Co-ordinator 2nd Regional Hindu Confer-
ence.
Co-ordinator 2nd Regional Hindu Confer-
ence
Ram Bharadwaj
Ph: 021 241 7825
 Wellington President, Wellington Region
Email: hinduconference@gmail.com
Email: arogyawellington@gmail.com

Dates announced for Howick Ward

Zealand has been invited for such a gather- various communities.
ing. The committee comprises the following:
Gina Wright said that the international Praneita Narayan, Navneet Nair, Murali

demand for high quality Mehndi Moko has
been overwhelming, and she feels privi-
leged to represent Rotorua, Aotearoa on the
international stage.
“By holding workshops and classes I
have been able to promote this art form to
a wider range of people sharing the many
benefits of this contemporary adaptation of
an ancient art form,” Ms Wright added.
“Despite lack of public funding the mo-
mentum of this art form continues to open
markets and promote our culture on a scale
unforeseen.
The concept of ‘Mehndi Moko’ was born
in Rotorua in 2010 during the first Rotorua
Holi Festival organised by the Hindu
Council of New Zealand, with the bless-
ings of elders at the Te Papaiouru Marae,
Rotorua.
Last year’s workshop not only brought
together two art forms (Mehndi and Ta
Moko) but also gave birth to a new phrase
– Mehndi Moko.
“It is pleasing to know that an art form
born of a cultural exchange here in Rotorua
is receiving such recognition and appre-
ciation internationally,” said Dr Magesan,
General Secretary of Hindu Council of New
Zealand.
Those who are interested in attending
the Mehndi Moko workshop on Sunday,
20 March need to register their names with
either Gina Wright [gwrightfam@gmail.
com] or rotorua.holi@gmail.com.
Magesan, Deepika Magesan, Valencia
Herbert and Gabriella Wright with guid-
ance from Dr Meeta Patel and Dr Guna
Magesan.
“Given the support this festival is re-
ceiving, it is not difficult to visualise the
real potential for the Rotorua Holi Festival
becoming a permanent Youth festival in
Rotorua,” said Ms Praneita Narayan, the
co-ordinator of this festival.
The official festival will start at 11am
with a Maori welcome. Food and other
stalls will open for the public, where Indian
food, clothing and craft will be available.
A number of dance performances and an
Indian dance competition will also take
place, followed by traditional Indian games
and Holi folk songs. From 2.30 to 3pm, par-
ticipants will get an opportunity to indulge
in customary revelry with coloured powder
and water.
This festival is a smoke-free, alcohol-
free and meat-free festival with free entry
to the public. Rotorua Holi Festival is
sponsored by Rotorua Civic Arts Trust; we
sincerely thank our sponsors, supporting
organisations and media partners for their
support.
For more information: Please email
rotorua.holi@gmail.com or visit
our Facebook page www.facebook.
com/rotorua.festivals .
by-election
A by-election will be held in May following the res- 24 Wellesley Street West, Auckland
ignation of Howick Ward councillor, Jami-Lee Ross. l phoning 09 973 5212
The by-election will be conducted by postal vote l visiting www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
and Howick Ward residents will receive voting doc- To be eligible to stand for the position, a can-
uments from Thursday 5 May, with polling to close didate must be a New Zealand citizen who is en-
at midday on Friday 27 May. rolled as a Parliamentary elector anywhere in New
Voters have until midday, Thursday 7 April 2011 Zealand.
to check that they are on the electoral roll or to update The Mayor has taken the opportunity of the
their details. The announcement of the
electoral roll to by-election date to pay
be used for this The by-election will be conducted by tribute to new Botany
by-election can be MP Jami-Lee Ross
inspected at the postal vote and Howick Ward resi- whose resignation as a
electoral office dents will receive voting documents councillor led to the by-
(details below), election.
Pakuranga
from Thursday 5 May, with polling to “Jami-Lee has
Library, High- close at midday on Friday 27 May. served his community
land Park Library, well as councillor. I
Howick Library know he will continue
and Botany Library. to be a strong advocate for Howick and the Auckland
Enrolment details can also be checked by calling region in our nation’s parliament,” says Len Brown.
0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56), by visiting “It’s important that people take part in the demo-
HYPERLINK “http://www.elections.org.nz/”www. cratic process so their voices can be heard on the big
elections.org.nz, at any NZ PostShop or by freetex- issues facing Auckland.
ting your name and address to 3676. “The council is focused on how we tackle Auck-
Nominations are now sought for the position of land’s transport problems, keep rates affordable and
councillor and close at midday, Thursday 7 April. turn Auckland into one of the world’s most liveable
Candidates must be nominated on a nomination cities. The new councillor has an opportunity to help
paper available by: shape our region’s future.”
l visiting the electoral office, Independent Elec- There are approximately 90,000 electors in the
tion Services Ltd, Ground Floor, Bledisloe House, Howick Ward.

18 Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz

Indian
Community
Sachdev, Pala in Ethnic
People’s Advisory Panel s ‘Tadka Marke’
Don’t mis
next weekend
Leaders of Indian and Fiji Indian origin Jeet have a mechanism to communicate and engage
Sachdev and Ann Pala have been selected as with Auckland Council, and have a say in the future
members of the Auckland Council’s Ethnic Peo- of Auckland.”
ple’s Advisory Panel. Councillor Richard Northey said, “This group what would be a
ar to ha ve so m e fun n frolic and
The entire panel comprises Kudakwashe of people represents a wide range of ethnicities, e ye
It is that time of th and thoda Masti.
Tuwe – Zimbabwean; John Hong – Chinese; Ann backgrounds, personal skills and experiences and
r wa y to do it with some Music
bette
Pala – Fijian-Indian; Camille Nakhid – Trinidad areas of Auckland. With the calibre and competen- w and
ans with some ne
& Tobago; Jeet Suchdev – Indian; Bevan Chuang cy of these 12 candidates, and their collective ex-
su pp or t t he ne w group of musici yo u wi th re cent hit
– Chinese; Sadiqa Hajee – Bahraini; Kafeba Per- perience in community networking and advocacy, Join in to o  pr om ise to mesmerise
some known sin
ge rs wh Dhamal so s. ng
goleze Alvis Mundele – Congolese; Amail Habib – we are confident this panel will be an authentic and
da z, Dh oo m Dh adaka and more
Pakistani; Susan Zhu – Chinese; Asoka Basnayake articulate voice for all the ethnic communities of Geets, Sufi an
Tadka
– Sri Lankan; and Grace Ryu – Korean. Auckland. s - Total Filmy....
is ha pp en in g at ‘Krazzy Tune
“The diversity of our communities is one of the “They will advise us on, and actively bring to All this
features that make Auckland such a special place,” our attention, the issues facing all our ethnic com- Maarke........’ 
le College The-
Mayor Len Brown said. “More than 180 different munities throughout Auckland now and in the
ha pp en ing at the Avonda rday,
ethnicities call Auckland home, giving it a cultural future.” The entry is only
$15 an d it’s PM onwards Satu
, Av on da le, Au ckland from 6:30
richness and vibrancy second to none.” “We are a city of 1.4 million people, and it is ater, Victor Street
“Our strength lies in our variety, in our many vital that the diverse communities that make up
26 March 2011.
different communities; but while diversity brings Auckland, be they the rural community, business,
strength, it also holds within it the possibility of Pacific Island people, et hnic communities, people
division. The challenge of our new Auckland is to with disabilities or young people, have a means of So who is with t
who:
reach out, connect, and genuinely value each other. communicating with the council and its representa- si band? Here’s
“It’s important that our diverse communities tives,” Mayor Brown said. his new Funk y De
riya & Sashi
esh, Moushumi, P
The new - Kavin

New book examines Asians’ role in Kiwi society The known - Ashi
sh, Kanik & Sneh
a

Fifteen writers contribute to an important new book, Localizing Asia in Aotearoa, ju & Viraj
The guests - Man Con-
examining the role of Asians in New Zealand’s ethnically diverse society. ckland Bolly wood
fe at ur e fo r th e first time in a Au
The concer t will player
The contributors explore the complex picture of past and contemporary interactions e and Accordion
cert – a Sa xophon
between New Zealander and Asian communities. They address questions such as: tion with Indian
What kinds of misrepresentations or outright prejudice have characterized interac- ht to yo u by CF I Events in associa
The event is boug
tions? To what extent have Asian cultures been known and accepted? Has diversity
Weekender.
been understood beyond limiting and potentially distorting oppositional dichotomies? HYPERLINK
1- 52 9 98 2 , 09 -827 0559 or
Contact Ram Iye
r on 02 fi@gmail.com to
Edited by University of Otago academics Paola Voci and Jacqueline Leckie, the book m .c fi@ gm ail .c om”email-ram.c
“mailto:email-ra
contains essays and personal narratives. Various ethnic and national groups are dis- .
book your tickets
cussed, including Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Asian, Maori and Pakeha.

Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz 19

Indian
BollyworX now in Papatoetoe
It’s official. BollyworX has come to Papatoetoe.
With the amazing success of BollyworX in New
Lynn and Mt Roskill where weekly classes are
run, SPROUT has successfully launched the
Bollywood music based fitness phenomenon
last month at the ISSO temple in Papatoetoe.
BollyworX is SPROUT’s popular weekly group
workout for South Asian families.
The ‘Swasth Jeevan’ initiative of Counties
Manukau District Health Board has made this
physical activity opportunity possible for South
Asians in the Manukau area. SPROUT in col-
laboration with ISSO temple is providing the
weekly BollyworX in Papatoetoe.
BollyworX is a “Work out” based on Bollywood
music which will burn calories, build, tone and
sculpt muscle, perk up stamina and endurance
levels. BollyworX is designed to give an awe-
some cardio workout and help in developing
balance, posture and core strength and chal-
lenge co-ordination and mental agility. Most
of all it will make you feel so good that you
won’t even realise you’re exercising! No dance
experience is required because this is not a
dance. BollyworX is not dance but a workout
that everyone can enjoy without feeling self-
conscious it’s suitable for all ages and fitness
levels and you can start anytime. Typically a
BollyworX session plays about 10 to 12 songs
for workouts.
The many participants who enjoyed the full-
body workouts, also got the opportunity to get
their weight, hip to waist ratio measured. For
those who continue, there will be periodic mea-
20
Community
5 Easy tips for
Diabetes.
surements. During these sessions SPROUT to help overcome these health risks.
will also organize nutrition sessions and
promote active lifestyle. All for free. BollyworX BollyworX instructors Amanda says “The good
is run by Netfit trained community coaches thing about BollyworX is that it is addictive and Practice Pranayam
who are committed to make a difference at the on the average calorie burn is from 200-400 ( breathing exercise
grass roots level. calories per one hour class depending on the ) everyday - for
intensity of the class and of course, how hard classes contact -
BollyworX is a registered trademark of Sports you work out.” Aaryan 6223308)
Recreation and Outdoors Trust (SPROUT) a
grassroots community health organisation Vidya one of the BollyworX instructors says
which is an action oriented, charitable, volun- BollyworX appeals to the Indian community as Take 1 tablet of Madhu-
tary and non-profitable trust. SPROUT aims the music is familiar, catchy and whole families nashini along with 1 tab-
to educate, encourage, promote and provide can take part. “Even my Mum and people in let of Chandraprabhavati
opportunities in sports, recreation, outdoor our community think it’s really easy and they twice a day.0
pursuits and balanced nutrition to achieve see they can achieve good fitness.
greater wellbeing for people of South Asian
origin in New Zealand. Deepti Masarani is a regular participant at the
New Lynn classes says “Frankly, I’m not a gym Mix 1 cap (JMJK) Jamun
A recent health assessment of Indians in person but I knew I needed to work out and Juice & Amla juice and
Auckland shows that our key health risks are it was fun and I wanted to continue with it.” add 100gm of hot water,
cardiovascular disease (CVD), Type-2 Diabe- The 43-year-old says she’s since introduced drink it twice morning
tes, Obesity etc and one of the key reasons is a several friends to BollyworX. “They thank me all and evening.
sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity. the time and they go regularly now. Its Indian
BollyworX is a culturally appropriate program music but I think all cultures can enjoy it.
Pressing the point
What: Mt.Roskill BollyworX under the small-
When: Every Wednesday est finger below
BollyworX - Get Fit Indian Where: Mt Roskill War Memorial Hall, 13 the life line is the
Style May Road Mt Roskill acupressure point
Timing: 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm for Diabetes.
Papatoetoe BollyworX After meals take
When: Every Thursday New Lynn BollyworX a long walk & avoid sleeping after
Where: ISSO SwamiNarayan Temple, When: Every Saturday lunch. Eat green vegetables and
10-12 Wentworth Avenue, Papatoetoe Where: New Lynn Community Centre, avoid sweets.
Timing: 7.45 pm to 8.45 pm 45 Totara Avenue, New Lynn
Timing: 11.15am to 12.15 noon More info: jmjk.co.nz
Classfied Ads
Wanted Experienced tow truck driver for towing cars to Penrose yard Auckland.
You can contact us on 021 507097 or 021 351 352. Jeew Or Stephen
Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz
Indian
Success leads to garden
project expansion
The former Manukau City Council’s ini-
tiative to proactively address deepening
health concerns in a large section of the
population by promoting healthy eating
has proved to be a great success, en-
couraging the new Auckland Council to
expand the project.
Over the past two, the Manukau Parks
Growing for Health – Teaching Garden
project has had more than 1000 people
involved in its innovative programme.
An alarming 74% of the local popu-
lation is considered obese with 12,000
diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and a
further 12,000 suspected cases.
Eating a healthy diet of mostly or-
ganically grown vegetables can go a long
way in providing the required balance to
a diet otherwise deficient in fibre and
other valuable nutrients that come from
veggies.
The Growing for Health project en-
courages people to grow their own
veggies themselves and then enjoy their
health benefits. Project Manager Varsha
Belwalkar says, “We provide garden
plots, seeds and mentors to teach how to
plant, grow and manage vegetable and
fruit gardens and encourage people to
grow their own kitchen gardens in their
homes. And it is free.”
The Teaching Gardens project sup-
ports the Let’s Beat Diabetes Gardening
Samaj seeks views on rest home
The Bhartiya Samaj Charitable
Trust plans to set up a rest home spe-
cially designed for South Asian commu-
nities.
“We intend to fulfill the cultural needs of
our respected elders which seems to be
missing in the existing rest homes,” says
Samaj trustee Jeet Sachdev.  consult, collaborate, initiate and sup-
According to the trust’s plans, doctors,
nurses and caregivers who understand
South Asian languages and are familiar
with cultural values will be made avail-
able. Home cooked food will be provid-
ed and served in the rest home.
“An assurance will be given that there
shall be no lack of companionship and
Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz
Community
for Health and Sustainability initiative.
The model is one of experiential learn-
ing of basic horticultural husbandry
techniques delivered by paid mentors.
Plots are allocated to an individual or
a group to grow vegetables for a season,
and participants are taught a range of
skills from seed germination through to
harvesting. The project is based on two
20-week courses aligned to the winter/
summer seasons. The 20-week course
prepares participants to grow their own
fruit and vegetables at home.
“We started with 4 Gardens – 2 in the
Mangere area and 2 in Papatoetoe. The
concept was to bring all community to-
gether and enjoy the parks -- Extended
recreation,” says Ms Belwalkar.
Two more gardens will be developed
this year and new programmes will also
include cooking classes – free (Vegetar-
ian cooking) as also Food Processing as
an extension of this programme.
The programme won the award for
best project of the council last year.  
 “We are starting new season – mid
March. Please come and join this free
programme,” says Ms Belwalkar.
 
For more information about joining the
project call 09 262 8900 extension 5183 
or mobile 0274731078. Website: www.
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
communication as the most common
language shall be used so that under-
standing each other does not create an
issue. They will be entertained with the
installation of the popular Indian TV,
movies, etc.” Mr Sachdev says.
“Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust will
port the process of brainstorming on the
future of old age nurturing, for our com-
munity in New Zealand.”
The Samaj is seeking views of the wider
community and has set up a survey
page on the following website:
www.surveymonkey.com/s/bhartiyas-
amaj
21
Indian

22 Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz

Indian
Bollywood

James turns Jealousy rules Bollywood: Kangana

director with
‘Rocky- The Slave’
Mumbai: Action Director James
John is all set to come up with
his first movie as a director, titled
‘Rocky- The Slave’.

The film will feature new faces like

Preeti Mishra and Islam Qureshi.

Directed by James John and

produced by Shobha Barla the
film will feature popular B-town
names like Shakti Kapoor, Jackie
Shroff, Pradeep Kabra, Gavin,
and Sanjeev Siddharth.

Shakti Kapoor said, “Aboutt 30

years ago I worked in a movie
Rocky which was successful and
now with the same titled movie
Rocky-The Slave is coming and I am acting in this movie too. I hope audience will like
it”.
James had directed action scene for movies like ‘Ziddi’, ‘Border’, ‘Daag-The fire’ and
‘International Khiladi’.
James got his name in Guinness
Book of world record for his stunt in
Ziddi movie as he had jumped from
9th floor.
Speaking about the movie James
John said: “As you all know I am a
stunt master and you will see more of
action in my movie. I have taken fresh
faces like Preeti Mishra and Islam
Qureshi and with that we have Jackie
Shroff and Shakti Kapoor in the main
lead.”
Mumbai: She’s outspoken and not one
who’s afraid to rustle a few feathers with her
comments. And she was quite in the mood
when she came to the sets of ETC Bolly-
wood Business.
In a candid chat with host Komal Nahta,
Kangana Ranaut confessed that as an out-
sider – an actor without industry pedigree
– she felt angry at the ones who had it.
“I’m angry at some people in the industry.
If the star kids fly a kite, so much is writ-
ten about it. And when people like me
win international awards, we are ignored.
People from the industry send gifts to me-
diapersons’ homes, invite them for dinners,
send money to them…90% media toh unke
chacha, taya, betiyaan aur boyfriend se
bhaare huye hain! Outsiders like me are left
out because, ‘She’s not blue blood naah’!”
fired Kangana.
 “No room for love…only jealousy rules Bol-
lywood!” she said.
 At just 23 years of age, the beautiful Kangs
does get very affected by the rumors
floated about her.
“I’m just 23 years old. So when people write
that are malicious and untrue, that malign
me, I do get hurt.” Ouch… The feisty girl
still wasn’t done, as Komal realized.
She continued, “Softer feelings like love
and compassion are ignored here. Jeal-
ousy bahut hain iss industry mein. Kaafi
log apna time aur paisa kharch kate hain
doosron ke bare mein galat khabar chap-
wane mein!”
Taking a cue from her on screen persona
of Tanu (from the film ‘Tanu Weds Manu’),
Kangana sure still has some acidic com-
ments.

For all your

legal needs
Aaron Kashyap
BA, LLB
Barrister and solicitor
Level 1, 351 Manukau Road, PO Box 26-596, DXCP 32513, Epsom, Auckland
Mobile: 0274 857 302 Phone: (09) 6238277 Fax: (09)6235177
Email: aaron@kashyaplaw.co.nz

Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz 23

Indian
Bollywood
Jhansi Ki Rani Mr. Perfectionist turns 46
gets her looka-
like
Mumbai: A quick glance at the picture and you’d
think it’s the Jhansi Ki Rani from Zee TV’s ongoing
historical saga. But a closer look and you’ll know it’s
someone else impersonating the Rani!
So who is this new girl on the block who’s dis-
guising herself as the legendary female freedom
fighter?
It’s newbie Ishita Vyaas whose uncanny re-
semblance to Kratika Sengar has landed her the
role of Jhalkari Bai. Well, the current track of the
show reveals the entry of a mysterious character who
everyone mistakes for the Rani herself!
Will she prove to be of any strategic help to the
Rani in combating the British forces? Or is she a
mere pawn in the hands of the British who they will
manoeuver and manipulate as they plan a conspiracy
against the Rani? Whether she’s a positive or negative
character remains to be seen!
Speaking of the introduction of Jhalkari Bai, Mumbai: Monday was a very special day ence for all fans of Rancho from 3 Idiots.
‘Queen Bee’ Kratika said, “Ishita’s got strong, for the ‘Mr. Perfectionist’ of B-Town, Aamir
sharp features ... and an oval face like mine! With Khan. The talented Indian actor turned 46. The three leading ladies of B-town, Deepika
the right kind of make-up, she can be made to look Padukone, Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif
very similar to me. She’s passed the real test of re- Known for his brilliant acting and portray- are fighting hard to become the female lead
semblance recently, when some unit members actu- ing different kinds of characters on screen, in the Aditya Chopra produced film, oppo-
ally mistook her for me!” Aamir is busy these days shooting a action site Aamir Khan who is supposed to sing a
thriller that is directed by Reema Kagti. song in the film, media reports said.

Aamir will be seen sharing the screen space Besides acting in so many films, Aamir is

Akshay Kumar turns Home

with Bollywood beauty Rani Mukherji. also busy as a producer with his next ven-
He will also feature in the next film of the ture ‘Delhi Belly’ that will feature Imran Khan,

Delivery guy
thrilling ‘Dhoom’ series titled ‘Dhoom 3’. Shenaz Treasuryvala, Rahul Pendkalkar, Vir
Das, 
And after John and Hrithik, Aamir Khan will Kunal Kapoor in the lead roles.
co-ordinator,
Bollywood, Hong Kong’s eminent stunt now be seen as the bad man in Dhoom 3, The film is all set to hit the big screen on July
Mumbai: The ‘Khiladi’ of Ridley Tsu i. which is surely going to be a different experi- 1.
ar is bac k in his chivalrous film will
Aksha y Kum
n batt ering hoo- The action of the com mercial
avatar when he wil l be see the aud ienc e as the aero batics
vision com mercial by mesmer ize n Ak ki
in the new tele e oth er tha
ligans were performed by non
Dollar innerwear. himself.
ns pester-
The Master Chef notices goo Sharing his views on the com
mercial,
rest aur ant.   A fter trash- r , Dollar
ing nubiles in his Vinod Gup ta Ma nag ing Dir ecto
, Ak sha y in his inim itab le expos- extr eme ly hop eful,
ing them
home deliver y Industr ies said, “We are
ing Dollar vest says, “Free that this com mer cial too wil l be well ap-
n.” like it’s pre-
bhi kar ta hoo
f turning preciated by the audience just
The secret of the Master Che decessor. The pre vio us adv erti sement was
hom e deli ver y boy afte r the rough e of the acti on syner-
to a a huge success becaus
sers will be
treatment towards the eve-tea gized wit h the hum our asp ect. ”
e the com mer cial will be re- advertising
reveale d; onc
t wee k of March. He fur ther stated that the
leased on air from the firs the com ing fisc al yea r will be
e whe re the spend for
This is for the first tim by Rs.25
has bee n dire cted
stunts of the film

Hard Kaur in full swing with ‘Faltu’

Mumbai: Rapper Hard Kaur is is on full

swing of popularity these days with her
new song ‘Faltu’ from a movie of the same
title doing good at the charts.

The song has been specially appreciated

by the youngsters as it speaks about their
life style.
The lyrics of this foot tapping number has
been given by Sameer while the music
has been composed by music director
Sachin-Jigar.

The youth could relate to the whole song,

which says “party all night without doing
anything and just enjoy”.  

If you want to party and have fun then this

song is a must to listen, Kaur says, adding
that she has sung it very intensely  

24 Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz

Indian

Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz 25

Indian
‘I cannot repeat myself as actor’
The biggest thing happening to Irrfan Khan’s career as an actor is that he has been roped in to play the lead in Ang Lee’s
3-D screen adaptation of Yann Martel’s Life of Pi.  Shoma A. Chatterji pokes him over lunch at a Cairo hotel recently.
The poker-faced actor, who speaks without pitch
or tone, holds his tongue firmly in cheek and
sometimes chooses to smile. Besides Ang Lee’s
film, he, is also playing one of the two villains
in Marc Webber’s remake of Spiderman! But
the actor of Slumdog Millionnaire and Name-
sake   does not seem to be excited. He’s been
there, done it. Excerpts:
You do not seem to be overly excited about
these two important happenings in your
life. May we ask why?
I am basically an actor looking for good roles under
good banners in good films. The origins of the pro-
ducer do not concern me. The first film I played the
lead in, The Warrior was an international produc-
tion. Hardly anyone knew me then. The film won
several awards and was screened in India much
later. It is not the glamour of the banner that attracts
me. It is the role. I also worked in A Mighty Heart
and New York I Love You apart from Slumdog Mil-
lionnaire and Namesake. I recently completed a
TV series called In-Treatment, which stars Gabriel
Byrne and Debra Wenger. It is a series about thera-
pists and patients. So, what’s new?
But you are going to share screen space
with Gerard Depardieu, one of the greatest
actors in the world in Life of Pi.  Does this
not excite you?
I feel deeply honoured to share screen space with
him, not excited. I think it will be an excellent learn-
ing experience. Depardieu is playing Chef, an im-
portant character. I am looking forward to my first
3D film to be shot majorly in the ocean with small,
26
lightweight, RED Epic cameras. Lee says that Life
of Pi will change the way people look at the sea. I am
honoured to have been chosen by Ang Lee to play
the adult Pi in this Booker Prize winning novel. A
large chunk of the novel takes place on the sea. I am
no longer the age when everything seems exciting.
Are you disappointed when your films do
not do well at the box office?
It’s normal, isn’t it, for any actor to feel disappointed
when his film does not do well? But the disappoint-
ment is momentary and you cannot let it get you
down. Life goes on and you are constantly working
in different films so you look ahead, not behind. So,
I concentrate on the assignments I am working in at
that point of time. A film is a very intriguing com-
modity. No one can tell whether the film is going
to work for the audience or not.  Even when every-
thing seems perfect on paper, after editing and post-
production, the whole thing might suddenly change
and the audience reacts to it in a completely different
manner. A great deal depends on the strange chem-
istry that sustains between a film and its audience.
What about the disaster Hisss turned into?
What about it? I do not regret having worked in the
film at all because it gave me the wonderful oppor-
tunity of being directed by Jennifer Lynch. It was
a brilliant experience. The way she saw the story
was amazing. The film had marvellous special
effects that should have appealed to the audience for
shock value. It was a horror film, but it talked about
many things like life, death, respect for animals and
respect for nature. There were many layers to the
Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz
Bollywood
film. You cannot rubbish it just because it did not
do well commercially. I was looking forward to
other films like Saat Khoon Maaf and Knock Out
too. Neither of them turned out the way they were
expected to. It’s all in the game.
You are said to be very choosy about ac-
cepting films. Why?
I am choosy because I cannot afford to repeat myself
as an actor. I cannot afford to get typecast though
some films have featured me as police officer but
the characterizations are different. My name sells
because filmmakers and my audience like my
acting. I do not have a face that can sell tickets, let’s
face it. I tried out a new look in Knock Out and the
director liked it. Vishal Bharadwaj presented me
very differently as a poet in the public domain and a
pervert in private life in Saat Khoon Maaf. I am con-
stantly looking for stories that portray me in charac-
ters I have not done before. The co-star matters a lot
to me too and I am particular about who I share a lot
of screen space with especially when some scripts
demand more of interaction between and among
actors than action and reaction. For me, working
with Chitrangada Krishna after a long gap for Yeh
Saali Zindagi was a wonderful experience.
We would like you to tick off your personal
favourites over your career spanning 25
years or so.
Haasil is the first film that established me as an in-
dependent actor on the big screen. The others are
The Warrior, Maqbool, Life in a Metro, Namesake,
Slumdog Millionnaire, Mighty Heart, Billoo, Dil
Kabaddi, Saat Khoon Maaf, Thank You and Paan
Singh Tomar
Indian
Bollywood

Mirch Masala to be screened

at John F. Kennedy Centre
Mumbai: Ketan Mehta’s classic film lar names in Indian cinema: Naseer-
‘Mirch Masala’ will have a special uddin Shah, Smita Patil, Raj Babbar,
screening at The John F. Kennedy Cen- Suresh Oberoi, Benjamin Gilani, Om
tre in Washington DC on Mar 20.  Puri, Deepti Naval, Ratna Pathak Shah
and Supriya Pathak. 
“It’s a moment of great honour and
pride for me that film Mirch Masala, “Mirch Masala was a film that cut
considered one of the first truly cross- straight across the social lines. The
over films and perhaps the first feminist power of cinema lies in its ability to cut
film on the Indian Diaspora, is selected across social barriers. We used meta-
amongst others to feature portrayal of phor of Mirch Masala to symbolize the
women in Indian films since the 1960s fiery strength of a woman and above
,“said Ketan Mehta, who will be present all a human being against all forms of
on the occasion in Washington.  oppression. The film portrays the feisty
and fiery, uncompromising and strong
The John F. Kennedy Centre is current- willed woman who fights to save her
ly holding the Maximum India festival dignity against all odds.”
featuring the dance, music, cinema,
literature, theatre and cuisine of India “Kennedy centre enjoys an interna-
from Mar 1 to 20.  tional reputation for the quality of films
screened at the festival. I am complete-
Ketan Mehta’s movie will be screened ly thrilled that a film like Mirch masala is
on Mar 20  at Terrace Theater.  selected for screening,” he said.

Mirch Masala is a film about oppres- Apart from the screening of ‘Mirch
sion. It’s the story of a feudal village in Masala’, Ketan Mehta will also be a
pre-Independence India and how the part of discussion on Indian women in
powerless of the village—the old men films on Mar 15 that will be moderated
and the women—risk all they have to by actress Nandita Das with Shabana
fight that oppression.  Azmi, Sharmila Tagore, director Adoor
Gopalakrishnan and Dilip Basu. 
The film comprises of few of the popu-

Punjabi actor Mannat shooting her first Hindi film

Mumbai: Popular Punjabi actor Mannat is busy
shooting for her first Hindi film titled ‘Haule Haule
Ho Jayega Pyar’.
With Indian festival of colours, ‘Holi’, round the
corner, a Holi song sequence was shot in a village of
Punjab recently, which featured the beautiful Punjabi
actress.
Mannat said, “We enjoyed a lot, the whole song
was very colorful and enjoyable. We don’t find any
Holi song in today’s movies but I am happy there is
one song in my movie. Director had shot it very beau-
tifully. I hope this song will be liked by audiences.”
Mannat will be seen sharing screen space with
actor Shakti Anand.
The movie is produced by Rakesh Uppadhaya
and directed by Pankaj Batra.
“I am very happy about this movie, it’s a beauti-
ful story about a family which is to be shot in Punjab
and Canada. Shakti Anand is opposite me besides
the other actors like Gulshan Grover, Sunita Dhir,
Vikram and Priyanka Shah,” Mannat said. 

Raghuvir’s Hitler unfurled at Berlin

Berlin: The film ‘Dear producer, said.
friend Hitler’ starring Interestingly, the
Indian actor Raghuvir Berlin film festival gave a
Yadav in the role of Hitlar clear idea of the movie to
was unveiled in the Berlin everyone.
Film Festival. Filmmakers got a
The idea of an Indian chance to clear their
actor playing the character misconception about the
of Hitler was appreciated at movie that it’s not about
the Berlin film festival. Hitler’s ideology but how
Raghuvir Yadav who his ideology of violence
has played the character of conflicts with Gandhi’s
Hitler says: ‘It’s very diffi- ideology of peace.
cult to play such a multifac- Anil Sharma said:
eted character as Hitler.” “There is no appraisal or
“When we took the reverence of Hitler’s char-
out-takes of the film to the acter in the movie.”
Berlin Film Festival, the The actors of the movie
audience was excited at the have basically worked
prospect of seeing such a on their part of character
subject and the character of Hitler played by rather than highlighting on the controversial
Bollywood actor,” Anil Sharma, the film’s facet of the movie. 

Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz 27

Indian
Heritage

‘HOLI’ is not just about colours

ram lingam

Holi means fun. Holi means colours. Holi is one of the oldest Hindu festivals that goes back thousands of years.
Like any Indian festival, it is full of meaning. But Holi is not just about colours…
Originally Holi festival is known as Utsav of
‘Holika’ or ‘Holikotsav’. It’s also celebrated
as spring (vasant) festival in northern In-
dia. But Holi is not just about colours as it
is quite symbolic of the colourful diversity
in India. A closer look at Holi reveals an
Indian lifestyle which is so colourful in
every way that it comes across as an over-
whelming experience to a tourist. But the
humble desi takes it for granted as he lives
and breathes those colours everyday..

Rang barse…Where can we see the daily

colours of India. Here’s a glance into the
everyday colours: To start with the Indian
kitchen, the critical masala dubba has
so many colourful spices. What to say
about the colourful Indian textiles, regional
fashion, colourful designs, patterns etc.
For example just one Rajasthani turban
has a smorgasbord of colour. What about
the colourful make-up on the face of
a Kathakali dancer? Want to see more
colour…here’s just a random list of colour-
ful stuff India is made of - Indian cuisine,
Indian thaali, festivals, Indian architecture,
landscape, ecology, soil, temple frescoes,
folk art, bangles, sarees, duppattas,
handicraft, bedding, bridal wear, gems
and jewellery, traditional kitchenware,
home decor, carpets, the pooja alter,
the bazaar…. the list goes on. Even our
regional profiles and skin shades are co-
lourful. Kitne rang bare hain Bhārat mein.
This is the daily Indian holi we see day in
and day out.
Holi prācheen kaal se Bhārat mein…
Traditionally the story of Holi is associ-
ated with the devotional story of devotee
Prahlad and the demoness Holika. Holi
got its name as the “Festival of Colours”
from Lord Krishna’s colourful play with
his devotees in Mathura where he used to
drench them in water and colours. Also,
it has mention in early religious works,
ancient Indian literature etc. A textual ref-
erence to Holi is found in the 7th century
Sanskrit drama, Ratnāvali where a scene
talks about the townsfolk who are danc-
ing at a jetspray of coloured water and
coloured talcum powder.
Various references are also found in the
sculptures on the pillars and walls of old
temples. A 16th century panel sculpted
in a temple at Hampi, the ancient capi-
tal of the mighty Vijayanagara kingdom,
shows a Holi scene where a prince and his
princess are surrounded by maids waiting
with syringes to wet the royal couple in
coloured water. There are old paintings
that depict royal Holi scenes with people
merry making throwing the colours of Holi
at each other - be it the old Ahmednagar
paintings or the traditional Rajasthani Me-
wari paintings or even the Bundi miniature
art.
Holi ka sandesh…As we all know Holi
is connected to the legend of bhakta
Prahlad’s devotion to Lord Narayana and
how the Lord enabled his escape from
death at the hands of Holika. In the words
of H.H. Swami Shivananda, the meaning
of the story is “… to remind people that
those who love God shall be saved, and
they that torture the devotee of God shall
be reduced to ashes… The call of Holi is
to always keep ablaze the light of God-
love shining in your heart. Inner illumina-
tion is the real Holi. The spring season is
the manifestation of the Lord, according to
the Bhagavad Gita. Holi is said there to be
His heart. “
Holi ke rang aur gulaal… Originally the
making of the Colors of Holi was totally or-
ganic. The colors of Holi, called ‘gulaal’, in
the medieval times were home made. The
main ingredients for gulal were the forest
flowers of the ‘tesu’ or ‘palash’ tree. In
those days, these, bright red orange flow-
ers were collected dried and then ground
to fine dust. The powder when mixed
with water made a beautiful orange-red
dye. This pigment and also ‘abeer’, made
from natural colored talc were the ancient
colors used during Holi. In fact abeer’s co-
lours are derived from flower extracts like
that of aparajita, marigold, hibiscus and
dopati. They were certainly not harmful as
it was naturally good for the skin, unlike
the modern day synthetic colours.
From north to south and east to west, In-
dia has colours that are so unique that one
wonders if Holi is celebrated every day.
You will not get such a colourful a country
anywhere else in the world. That’s prob-
ably why it is termed as a ‘subcontinent’. It
is no surprise that India has always been
known to the world for its brilliant colours
since ancient times. Colours too are heri-
tage of India.
Holi ka SMS: Here’s a cool and colour-
ful Holi SMS: “Khaa key gujiya, pee key
bhaang, laaga k thora thora sa rang, baaja
ke dholak aur mridang, khele holi hum tere
sang. HOLI MUBARAK”.
Happy Holi everyone. Have a safe Holi.
“A closer look at Holi reveals an Indian
lifestyle which is so colourful in every way
that it comes across an overwhelming
experience to a tourist. But the humble
desi takes it for granted as he lives and
breathes those colours everyday.

28 Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz

 Indian
Column
Are you covering, or carrying risk? House rents in Auckland –
OlIVER PEREIRA
why are they going up and up?
RAVI MEHTA
Most people insure their cars and properties against plan to hold things together when life turns an un-
damage and loss, but many neglect to insure their expected corner.
lives and livelihoods. Even those who have thought These products can pay either a lump sum or
to protect their lifestyles may not have the levels of monthly payments to the beneficiary in the event that There is an acute shortage of rental ing in properties and renting them out.
cover they need. When was the last time you as- the insured person dies, or suffers a critical illness properties in Auckland. Any good It is true that a capitalist invests money
sessed the risks to you and your family? or an illness or accident that prevents them from
property available for rental evokes very for his own profit, but if we look at dif-
Life insurance products (sometimes known as earning their usual income and maintaining their
‘risk’ insurance) are designed to provide a backup lifestyle and financial commitments. good response and landlords get mul- ferent economies, these are the capital-
tiple enquiries on listing. With demand ists who invest and create employment
exceeding supply, rents are creeping opportunities for others. Of course they
So, can you afford not to have insurance? up. do not do it for charity, but it will be
THINK ABOUT THESE SCENARIOS… unfair not to recognize their contribution
So what are the reasons behind this to society. Similarly most of property in-
You or a family member needs to go to hospital to have a major operation (perhaps rising rents scenario? Broadly there vestors have built property portfolios by
for breast cancer or heart bypass) – would you be prepared to wait on the public are two reasons. The first one is that working for longer hours, saving money
health system for treatment, with little choice regarding the hospital care you would new house construction activity is very by sacrificing their life style. They are
receive? low. Funding to developers is not easily doing a service to society by buying
accessible, majority of non banking fi- houses and renting those out to those
YES NO
You are unable to work for six months due to illness or injury – do you have enough nance companies who cannot af-
savings to see you through without damaging your long-term financial goals? collapsed with ford to buy. Even
financial crisis Housing New
YES NO
You or your partner suffers a life-changing and traumatic event such as diagnosis of hitting the world The financial crisis Zealand is depen-
economies, banks dent on property
cancer, a heart attack or stroke, and makes a slow recovery – would you have enough
savings to live on during recovery and adjustment without adding financial stress to were never eager started with falling investors to fulfill
the situation? to lend to develop-
ers earlier also,
house prices in US. the demand for
housing.”
YES NO
You die suddenly leaving your partner and children behind – would they cope finan- they are not eager Though the New
even now. So de- Further I wrote,
cially without an insurance pay-out?
YES NO velopment funding Zealand situation “Everyone needs
has dried up. is different to US, it a roof on his/
her head. New
If you have answered ‘No’ to any of these
questions, then you are likely to be ‘carrying’
and provide advice on how best to manage these
risks within your budget.
The second one has created negative Zealand popula-
is the reduction tion, particularly
some level of risk or, in other words, be underin-
sured. Doing a lifestyle check with an insurance
For further information, please contact:
Oliver Pereira – OPM Insurance Services Ltd. of tax gains to attitude in the minds of Auckland popula-
adviser will show whether you have the right Ph. 0800 66 77 92 Faxmail. 021 551 669 landlords on hold-
ing of investment
public about investing tion is growing
each day. More
kind of insurance for your stage of life. We can Mobile. 021 66 77 92
help you understand the risks you are carrying, Email. oliver.pereira@xtra.co.nz properties who in housing. Coupled and more houses
are thus trying are needed. In
to recoup lost with that constant case of lack of
revenue by raising
rents. According
media reports, views first home buyers,
property inves-
By Ruby Dhillon to one Goldman of different experts tors fill the gap.

Recipe Sachs economist,

one possible expressing fears that So Government
should avoid
reason for rise
in rents is that
house prices will fall making any dras-
tic changes.”
landlords are try- further have only added
Dum Pukht Mutton Biryani
ing to recoup their But the Govern-
losses in respect to disinterest in the ment, not only
of reduced gains
by increasing
minds of public about removed depre-
ciation allowance
Ingredients masala) in a non stick pan over medium rents. buying houses. to property inves-
4 - cups long grain basmati rice (boiled) heat for 3 to 5 minutes and grind well to tors, but also
500g-  diced mutton(boneless) a powder. The financial crisis tightened rules
3tbs-Ginger paste   started with falling in respect of
3tbs-garlic paste Heat oil in a wok and fry onion paste house prices in LAQCs.
4tbs-lemon juice until golden. Add marinated mutton US. Though the New Zealand situation
7tbs-vinegar alongwith marinade and freshly ground is different to US, it has created nega- This is happening when the interest
Salt according to taste special dum pukht masala. tive attitude in the minds of public about rates are very low; imagine what will
5-green chillies Cover and cook until mutton is tender, investing in housing. Coupled with that happen to rents when interest rates start
2-onions into paste adding little water and ensuring that the constant media reports, views of differ- climbing.
1/2tsp-kesar (saffron),soaked in a little gravy be thick. ent experts expressing fears that house
warm milk Slice the 3 onions and deep fry them, prices will fall further have only added to Reduced tax advantages have reduced
3-onions sliced along the length keep aside. disinterest in the minds of public about the attractiveness of owning rental prop-
20gms Chopped fresh coriander leaves   buying houses. The Government made erties. Considering tight lending criteria
  Pre heat oven to300 F. the things worse by removing depreca- of different banks, many of first home
Special Dum Pukht Masala Take a baking pan spread boiled bas- tion allowance and making some other buyers are unable to get a loan and
2- daalchini sticks (cinnamon) mati rice at the bottom. Layer the rice changes to taxation of rental income. buy a house. Low construction activity,
1tsp-zeera (cumin seeds) with half of the mutton and continue lack of interest by property investors in
4-Laung (cloves) with alternate layers ending with rice on In my column in this paper dated buying rental investment properties is
2-Bari elaichi(black cardamom) top. 26.03.10 titled “Tax Working Group rec- creating a shortage of available hous-
Sprinkle saffron on the top and garnish ommendations have created uncertainty ing for rent. The position will keep on
Oil for frying with fried onions. in property market” I had warned that worsening, unless corrective measures
Cover tightly with a lid or foil and place the timing is wrong to remove depre- are taken immediately.
in hot oven for 15 to 20 minutes. ciation allowance on residential house
Method Ensure that the lid or foil is sealed air buildings. In that column I had written: Ravi Mehta is an Auckland based Financial
Marinate mutton with ginger, tight and locks in the steam as this is Advisor and can be contacted on ravi.mehta@
garlic,vinegar,lemon juice, green chillies basic to Dum Pukht style of cooking. “I have read different comments in re- pfsl.co.nz. A disclosure statement under Securities
chopped and salt for an hour Serve immediately with raita and sponse to articles in media where many Markets Act relating to his services is available on
chopped coriander. people feel that property investors do request and is free of charge.
Dry roast the Daalchini, Zeera, Laung     not do any service to society by invest-
and Bari Elaichi ( special dum pukht

Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz 29

Indian
Europe’s fabulous party central, Ibiza
ANMOL TRIKANNAD
As the snow in the mountains of Europe melt, people
shed their winter coats and boots to signal in the
spring/summer shorts and jandals are just what the
doctor ordered. Spring might signal new life and new
beginnings, but summer clearly is when the cities of
Europe come alive to party!
One such sun soaked island seems to provide just
that respite. At first, this tiny little island nestled in the
Mediterranean seems to be an innocent little para-
dise – a tiny airport, the bus takes it own sweet time
to arrive, runs once every 2 hours and the people
seem to be in no hurry at all. Except, this is the play-
ground for Europeans who are young and young at
heart alike; this is Ibiza.
Ibiza lies in Balearic Islands chain, an autono-
mous community of Spain. It is known the world
over as ‘Party Central’, a place to leave your inhi-
bitions behind and partake in the riotous nightlife.
The island draws many a tourist from far and wide
(including New Zealand) who love to frolic in the
island sun by day and party all night long. By the way
the fact that the party never stops is true, only mere
mortals tire out.
A place easier to enjoy than to understand, makes
perfect sense as a destination for two twenty some-
thing’s – it’s the stuff dreams are made of! There are
two main places for tourists wishing to stay ‘central’
to the party scene – Eivissa and San Antonio.
Eivissa, also known as Old Ibiza town is about 15
minutes away from the Airport, while San Antonio
is 30 minutes away.
A range of transfer options include taxis, buses
and even limousines, if that tickles your fancy. We
chose ‘San An’(San Antonio), as the locals call it, as
it has plentiful accommodation at very reasonable
rates. Hostal Rosalia, located very close to where the
bus drops you off and is about 5-10 minutes from the
beach. The room was clean and affordable at about
€60(NZ$120). It also has a restaurant, bar, internet,
small pool and a scooter/car/bike hire facility. Note:
30
Travel
Ibiza does not appear to have backpacker dorms, fooled into thinking what’s in it for me if I just want sun and sand.
only flats and villas. the sun and sand minus the noise – the answer still As the afternoon approached, we made our way
My real intention is to attend a performance by is Ibiza. The government wants to develop Ibiza to into Eivissa, also know as Ibiza town. The ride on
the current trend in DJs, David Guetta, who per- cater to a variety of travellers – not just partygoers. the scooter, which refused to go beyond 50kmph
forms every Thursday night of the summer at Pacha, And there is more to this island than meets the eye. on an 80kmph stretch of expressway, was painful!
a world famous nightclub. The online tickets for the Far removed from the commercialisation of the party Needless to say, the same goes for the effect the seats
entire summer had already been sold. Never fear, scene, you will see Ibiza in a different light when caused! However, the sight of a quaint little town and
the dozens of scalpers, mostly English, Irish and you realise that large portions of the island are regis- the historic Dalt Vila in clear view made our troubles
Australian (crikey, tered as UNESCO disappear like the Sangria being served in the street
them too!) summer World Heritage side cafes. Eivissa is abuzz with activity as the sun
campers who ended sites. The seabed, starts to set. Street side shops, some belonging to the
up staying longer than which has a pecu- night-clubs selling merchandise, souvenir shops with
they wanted, should liar type of seagrass products that shout out ‘Ibiza’ or ‘Espana’ in varied
or could afford, in San that supports a colours, sizes and fonts and outdoor cafes where
Antonio will surely sell diverse ecosystem people gazing seems to be the norm add to the charm
you a ticket, albeit for a and Dalt Vila, with and buzz which sets the tempo for the evening.
premium. We ended its narrow, winding The clear turquoise waters also provided excel-
up spending NZ$140 and steep streets, in lent diving excursions. After making sure we had
for a ticket, which had old Ibiza town, are enough fuel for the day, we made our way to the dive
sold for NZ$90 – and notable examples. centre we saw close by. It was also the first time I met
this was a bargain! However, this also a Spanish Rastafarian Dive Master. A quick flash of
Other clubs know means that you the PADi dive license and a transaction of Euros, we
the world over and call need to be careful were all tanked up and ready to go. The boat was full
Ibiza home, include of setting foot on of Spaniards, Americans, Russians and now Kiwis;
Privilege, Amnesia, isolated islets as NO, this isn’t the start of a joke! We had a quick
Space and Eden. The you risk a hefty revisit of the hand signals as we approached the dive
season typically starts fine. site, donned our wetsuits, masks and tanks and we
in June and ends in the The next day were ready to take on the deep blue.
first week of October. we decided to rent The visibility was excellent and we could see the
The top producers a Scooter and set tiny jellyfish blissfully swimming while we steered
and DJs have weekly out to explore Ibiza clear and swam around them to avoid being stung.
nights, in between tours other international destina- further. It was probably the wisest investment at Some of the divers also saw Paul the Octopus (after
tions around Europe and the world. The concept of €38(NZ$76) per day (you have to pay hefty deposit ‘Paul’ the German octopus predicted Spain as the
Super-Clubs is new to us. Imagine a nightclub with which is fairly normal) and the cheapest yet most Football World Cup winner, all Octopi are named
anywhere between 2-4,000 people. Now imagine enjoyable way to get around town. Expect to pay Paul), a few big rays and a school of barracuda. I was
6-8 of these packed to the rafters, going off every €50(NZ$100) upwards at other places. The morning more than happy steering clear of these creatures
night of the week! These clubs are not for the faint was spent riding around the streets of San Antonio, instead checking out the nooks and crannies of the
hearted, if the claustrophobia doesn’t scare you then discovering tiny streets that opened up into beach underground rock formations. The place seemed a
the price of alcohol and water surely will. A 300 ml side areas and crowds of people basking in the sun. perfect setting to find a Mermaid, or could have been
bottle of water can cost €10(NZ$20) and a glass of A homemade seafood Paella and a chilled pint of Es- the nitrogen narcosis setting in!! The afternoon was
wine €20(NZ$40). trella Damm, a Spanish ‘Cerveza’ (Spanish for Beer), approaching and in true Spanish tradition, we were
While reading this story thus far, if you have been provided the perfect complement to a day out in the due for a Siesta.
JMJK
Retail Outlets.
West Auckland 
Aarkh Foods - 222 Swanson Rd Henderson. Ph:836 7666 
Saffron Food - 214 Universal Drive Hender-son. Ph:836 2005 
MALABARI SPICE MERCHANT-18 Delta Avenue, Newlynn, Ph:  09 8264549
Top-in-Town - 583 Sandringham Rd, Sandringham. Ph:846 9009 
Shahnaz Husain Nz - 40 Lincon Road, Phone 09-908 2440
Central Auckland
Khyber Royal Oak - 822 Manukau Rd Royal Oak. Ph:625 1766
Yogi Ji’s - 26 Carr Rd Mt Roskill. Ph:624 5757 
Top-in-Town - 583 Sandringham Rd Sandringham. Ph:846 9009 
Spice Supermarket - 537-539 Sandringham Road, Phone: (09)-815-1748.
Payless - 333 Sandringham Rd. Ph:963 6167 
East Auckland
Saluja - Unit 13   2 Bishop Dunn Pl Flat Bush. Ph:265 1502 
South Auckland
Kwality Baazar - 286 Great South Rd Papatoe-toe. Ph:277 9596 
Indo-Sprice - 12E Puhinui Rd Manukau. Ph:277 6007 
Rockyz-Manurewa - 154 Great South Rd M-nurewa. Ph:266 6688
Rotorua 
Shahji’s Royal Masala - 1122 Eruera Street, Off Fenton Street, Rotorua 3010, New
Zealand (07) 348 0280
Wellington 
Hare Krishna Higher Taste Restaurant -  Customhouse Quay, Wellington 6011,
New Zealand (04) 472 2233
Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz
Indian

Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz 31

Indian

32 Indian Weekender | March 18, 2011 | www.iwk.co.nz