The Indian Weekender, 16 October 2020

16 OCTOBER2020 • VOL 12 ISSUE 31 

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Helen White for Auckland Central 

Arena Williams for Manurewa 

Michael Wood for Mt Roskill 

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BY ELECTION DAY 

17 Oct

The Indian Weekender Friday, October 16, 2020 

NEW ZEALAND 3 

FIRST COVID ELECTIONS: Has the 

SANDEEP SINGH 

Like most of the things this year, 

election-2020 is also going to 

be etched in public memory 

for quite some time for being the first 

covid-elections, regardless which 

side of the political divide one’s 

opinion rests. 

Although, we hope that this should 

also be the last covid elections as 

well, assuming we get a vaccine 

soon, and the world returns to the 

pre-covid normalcy, even if slowly, 

yet there is no escaping from the 

fact that this is the first-ever covid 

elections for New Zealand. 

The covid-19 is responsible for 

bringing almost the entire world 

to a standstill and causing major 

disruption to every aspect of modern 

life in a manner unseen since the 

days of the two world wars almost 

three-quarters of a century ago. 

In New Zealand we are certainly 

placed better than many other parts 

of the world; however, we are yet not 

out of the woods – in both – health 

and safety challenge and bearing 

the financial cost of our elimination 

approach in managing the tricky 

virus. 

Given the scope of disruptions 

that we all are starting to face in 

the immediate future, there was a 

huge expectation that this election 

campaign could have been different 

than what we have become used to in 

last many years, if not decades. 

At least, many would have 

expected some deviation - if not 

complete disruption - in the major 

party’s respective traditional belief 

system, world views and ideology 

and expected them to come up with 

some radical new approach. 

However, sadly though, both major 

parties have chosen to remain static, 

repetitive and predictable in their 

outlook and failed to capture this 

opportunity to embark upon some 

new, untested paths of addressing 

long persisting social problems. 

On most of the persisting social 

issues facing our country, both 

major parties have chosen to stick 

to their traditional worldviews, 

without conceding ground on 

campaign been widely off the mark? 

anything that was either not 

working for them despite 

their best intentions, or 

acquiescing to the need for 

changing tac. 

Those on the side of 

the political left, continue to 

believe that all social progress and 

transformation can only happen 

by remaining aspirational, and not 

following up with smart measurable 

actions on the ground. Their urge to 

tax wealth - either inherited or selfcreated 

– remains insatiable, and for 

those on the far left of the political 

spectrum, even non-negotiable. 

Labour-Green 

remains 

unapologetically aspirational, to an 

extent have become clueless. 

In the last term, the failures of 

some of their most aspirational goals 

of Labour-led coalition on Kiwibuild, 

housing, Light rail, or immigration is 

long and listless, yet they refuse to 

subdue aspirations with measurable 

targets. 

To make it worse, one of their key 

election promise in this campaign 

is for more sick leaves and public 

holidays, almost unmindful of the 

current chaotic economic climate and 

future of those very same businesses 

where the workers need 

to be working, 

Sadly 

though, both 

major parties have 

chosen to remain static, 

repetitive and predictable 

in their outlook and failed 

to capture this opportunity 

to embark upon some new, 

untested paths of addressing 

long persisting social 

before being 

able to take 

advantage 

of leaves 

a n d 

public 

holiday. 

It is 

problems. not to 

suggest that 

the National 

Party has been better in 

any respect. 

In fact, the manner in which their 

traditional world view has been 

presented in this election has been 

responsible for the recent flight of 

voters from its fold. 

National’s obsession with 

“personal responsibility” for most of 

the socio-economic challenges – be 

it law and order or even obesity – is 

simply confounding. 

The rationale advanced by the 

party for their “tax-cuts” in 2020 

election when the country is staring 

an economic downturn, has been 

completely opposite for the same tax 

cut earlier being promised in 2017 

elections when we were supposedly 

doing well and therefore deserved 

tax cuts. 

The party also remains status-quo 

in every realm of human activity, be it 

managing the economy, agriculture, 

climate change, uplifting those 

facing generational socio-economic 

deprivation. 

Sadly, immigration remains the 

only area where both major parties 

have odd convergence, and that too, 

in remaining equally evasive and 

non-committal that offers no clarity 

to either businesses or migrants. 

This election has indeed come 

down to a choice between two 

leaders and their political persona, 

rather than any substantive policies 

that their respective parties intend to 

implement. 

In that regard, both the major 

parties have remained wide off the 

mark in this first-ever Covid election, 

which could have seen far more bold 

politics than what we have seen in 

this campaign. 

Yet, we will have a new government 

soon, with a fresh mandate to act on 

the same problems that we have been 

trying to fix for quite some time.

4 NEW ZEALAND 

Friday, October 16, 2020 

The Indian Weekender 

Election 2020: Has Judith Collins been served 

well by National’s key tacticians and strategists? 

SANDEEP SINGH FOR RNZ 

Opinion - Sooner or later this question will 

be asked - if National Party Leader Judith 

Collins has been served well by her key 

tacticians and strategists in this campaign, 

writes Sandeep Singh. 

One of the key tasks cut out for her 

tacticians would have been to shore up 

National’s chances and lead the party to 

electoral victory and form the next government. 

However, successive opinion polls show that 

National is still lagging behind with just few 

days before election night, with just one more 

leader’s debate still pending tonight. 

Will Collins be able to produce something 

scintillating to sway a large voter base 

decisively that can eventually turn around the 

wheels of fortune for the National Party? That 

remains to be seen. 

However, until then, a quick review of 

National’s key tacticians providing inputs to 

Collins in decision-making and deciding the 

party’s broad future trajectory is in order. 

So far it seems that in the manner in which 

Collins campaign is being shaped the focus 

is on how to project “brand Judith” vis a vis 

“brand-Ardern” - a formidable adversary - 

and the one solely responsible for torpedoing 

National’s-ship which was until six months 

ago, sailing reasonably well. 

In this endeavour, the choices available to 

them were severely limited as they have to 

emphasise the point of difference between 

the two leaders, their personality and style 

of leadership so as to offer a starkly different 

choice to prospective voters in this election. 

If you are done with Jacinda’s so-called 

“waffle” in last three years then you have 

Judith’s “firm, assertive style” on the offer to 

choose for the next three years - that’s how 

probably her advisers would have hoped to 

frame the debate in the public narrative. 

This was definitely the thinking that would 

have propelled Collins in declaring resolutely 

on national television during a live leader’s 

debate that she will not hesitate clawing back 

from businesses which have taken wage 

subsidy from the government despite making 

huge profits - causing some confusion and 

concern - in the party’s supposedly core base of 

business community. 

Not to waffle unnecessarily and not to shy 

away from taking bold assertive decisions 

seems to be the key emphasis on which Collins’ 

strategy team would be working behind the 

scenes. 

There’s nothing completely wrong about 

this approach, except that there would also be 

the expectation to firm-up “brand Judith” in a 

manner that further accentuates the credibility 

of the National Party, as the alternative viable, 

and stable government, and not otherwise. 

However lately, on many occasions the 

manner in which Collins has presented herself 

out in the public domain - be it on announcing 

policy on the hoof, or attacking her opponents 

in Labour and Green Party and criticising 

their policies vehemently to a level seen as 

fear-mongering by some - seems that while 

“brand-Judith” might be shoring up, it might 

not have helped the cause of the National 

Party in presenting itself as a viable and stable 

alternative government. 

The successive polls so far where National’s 

vote share is seen to have plateaued at around 

32 percent while Collin’s popularity as 

preferred Prime Minister continues to rise, 

seem to confirm worst fears in some quarters of 

the National Party. 

The recent media leak by a relatively low 

profile National MP expressing dissent on 

Collin’s Auckland Council policy announcement 

without any communication with her also hints 

at how some caucus colleagues might be seeing 

a seeming lack of alignment between “brand- 

Judith” and National’s credibility as a viable 

alternative government. 

The latest episode of doubling down on the 

need for “personal responsibility” to address 

the major societal issue of obesity, is another 

example of how “brand-Judith” operates. 

For a long time, this “brand-Judith” has 

co-existed and operated without having 

to simultaneously lift the responsibility of 

nourishing the credibility of the National Party 

amongst prospective voters. 

That responsibility has been resting with 

another leader, while Collins had the freedom to 

operate without having any additional burden. 

Things have changed in this election, and we 

don’t know with confidence, how much “brand- 

Judith” been able to shore up chances of the 

National Party. 

To be fair, she was reined in by her caucus 

colleagues as an opportunistic last choice as 

party leader, after their previous collective 

decision of rolling then incumbent leader, by 

a fresh, unseen, and untested challenger had 

misfired. 

Clearly, they were hoping to be rescued by 

the personal brand that she has assiduously 

built and cultivated over last two decades in 

politics. 

She is indeed National’s battle-hardened foot 

soldier who resonates and reflects the party’s 

core values, albeit in her own combative style, 

which constitutes her own personal charisma. 

However, if “brand Judith” was suited for 

this critical phase of our nation’s history, 

especially when New Zealanders seem to have 

less appetite for any transformational change 

for the benefit of future-generations, and are 

more worried about maintaining the statusquo 

- a status quo of safety - only remains to 

be seen. 

*Sandeep Singh is the editor of Aucklandbased 

community newspaper The Indian 

Weekender. The views expressed are 

author’s alone. 

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NEW ZEALAND 5 

Asking for spare change, 

landing a job instead! 

RNZ 

Domino’s pizza franchise owner Rishi 

Sharma was on his way to work one 

morning in Lower Hutt when he spotted 

a man using a pizza box to ask for spare change 

from passers-by. 

One thing led to another, and instead of 

giving him a few coins, he ended up giving him 

a job at one of his outlets. 

Rishi told Jesse Mulligan how he came to 

chat with Brian ‘Sooty’ Wallace. 

“I saw the pizza box of my brand and so I 

parked my car and approached this amazing 

guy Sooty and I just said ‘hi mate how are you 

doing?’ and I wanted to see what was written 

on the box on the other side. He was asking for 

spare change. As soon as I spoke to him, the 

manners were very nice,” Rishi says. 

Rishi noticed Sooty was shivering so offered 

him a coffee and the pair walked to a nearby 

café. 

“It was just a great conversation, he was very 

humble, and I just made up my mind I just have 

to give this guy an opportunity.” 

After the coffee Rishi offered to make Sooty 

a pizza at his Lower Hutt store. 

“We had a coffee and I said did you have 

something to eat and he said nothing today … 

can I make a pizza for you? I have a Domino’s 

store. 

“I invited him to the store, ‘what pizza would 

you like to have?’ He asked for a ham and 

cheese and I said ‘mate can I make you a meat 

lovers? And he said no I like ham and cheese 

it’s my favourite.” 

While the pizza was cooking they chatted 

and Rishi discovered Sooty was homeless. 

“I read somewhere the world is full of nice 

people, if you can’t find one, be one and I said 

"It was just 

a great 

conversation, he was 

very humble, and I just 

made up my mind I just 

have to give this guy an 

opportunity 

‘Sooty would you like to work for me?’ And he 

said yep.” 

Three weeks have now passed and Sooty is 

learning the ropes and getting his life back on 

track, Rishi says. 

“The journey is great, he’s very happy 

learning a lot of new things.” 

Rishi says business has an obligation to help 

where it can. He has three stores in the Hutt 

Valley employing between 80 to 90 staff and 

says Sooty is happy in his new role. 

“He is very happy, he has a house in Taita 

now and Work and Income has been very 

amazing. I spoke to them last Monday and a lot 

of things have been sorted. 

“Today he’s at the store right now he’s 

working and I’m just looking forward to going 

back and working with him,” Rishi says. 

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FACT-CHECKING: Were 

temporary migrants pre-warned of 

consequences of border closure? 

SANDEEP SINGH 

Following Kiwi-Indian MP 

Priyanca Radhakrishnan’s 

assertion during our interview 

last week about giving a pre-warning 

to temporary migrants on the full 

consequences of the border closure, 

we have done a fact check for 

reader’s and viewers benefit. 

To give a little context, a multiparty 

immigration debate was hosted 

by the Indian Weekender (on Zoom) 

on Wednesday, October 7, with 

Labour MP Priyanca Radha 

Krishnan, National MP Stuart 

Smith and ACT Party candidate Dr 

James McDowall, discussing their 

respective party’s immigration plan 

for the next parliamentary term. 

Among many interrelated issues, 

one of the important issues fiercely 

debated was the issue of temporary 

migrants stuck overseas due to 

border-closure. 

Tens of thousands of temporary 

migrants who were ordinarily resident 

in New Zealand are currently stuck 

overseas after the government had 

announced border closure on March 

19, and are now facing a grave risk 

of permanently losing their ability to 

return back to the country. 

So far both the Labour-led current 

government, and the main opposition 

National party both have remained 

equally evasive, and non-committal, 

on allowing back them into 

the country. 

When the Indian 

Weekender’s moderator made the 

point if the government would 

have been slightly more clearer to 

temporary migrants before closing 

borders irreversibly on them 

about the full consequences of 

border closure then some of them 

might have returned back timely 

– Radhakrishnan pushed back that 

such a warning was given by the 

government. 

“We couldn’t have done that… So 

we gave as much notice as possible,” 

Radhakrishnan said. 

“There was no notice for 

temporary visa holders,” the 

interviewer interjected. 

“No that’s untrue,” 

Radhakrishan affirmed. 

Both, the interviewer and 

Radhakrishnan stood ground 

affirming to follow-up later, although 

Radhakrishnan quickly clarified in 

the next sentence that there was a 

notice for everybody which said 

that if they want to come back as the 

borders were closing. 

Fact-checking: 

Chronology of decision on 

border closure 

The earliest clear warning related 

to overseas travel was issued by 

the Minister of Foreign Affairs and 

Trade Winston Peters on March 

"From 11.59 tonight, we will 

close our borders to any nonresidents 

and citizens attempting to travel 

here. This will stop tourists, temporary visa 

holders, including students and temporary 

workers from coming to and entering New 

Zealand 

19, advising New Zealanders not to 

travel overseas. 

“We are raising our travel advice 

to the highest level: do not travel,” 

Mr Peters had then said. 

“This is the first time the New 

Zealand Government has advised 

New Zealanders against travelling 

anywhere overseas,” Mr Peters said. 

“Mr Peters has also urged all 

New Zealanders currently travelling 

overseas to consider returning home 

immediately,” the official press 

release from his office stated. 

This was shortly followed by an 

announcement by Prime Minister 

Jacinda Ardern the same day on 

the national TV in her 4 pm Covidaddress 

to the nation. 

“From 11.59 tonight, we will close 

our borders to any non-residents and 

citizens attempting to travel here. 

This will stop tourists, temporary 

visa holders, including students and 

temporary workers from coming to 

and entering New Zealand,” Prime 

Minister Ardern had then said. 

“NZ citizens and residents will be 

able to return. And of course, that 

includes children and partners of 

citizens and permanent residents,” 

Ardern said. 

A quick analysis on how 

things unfolded around 

border closure 

Undoubtedly, the government was 

given clear advice then by the Health 

Department to close the borders – an 

unprecedented event in NZ history – 

for everyone. 

As the health department was 

rightly focussed on offering a piece 

of advice to the government, which 

they believed was the best possible 

advice to keep everyone safe, the 

government had taken the conscious 

call to keep the borders open for 

permanent residents and citizens, and 

their partners. 

That decision was unequivocally 

supported by one and all, including 

the temporary visa holders, who were 

ordinarily residents in NZ, and were 

on the line to bear the maximum 

brunt of the border closure decision. 

While the decision, undoubtedly 

hard one, as it required to balance 

between mutually competing 

interests of - safety for everyone, and 

the rights of citizens and residents to 

return NZ - obviously appeared to 

be taken in disregard of the fact that 

there were at least around 200, 000 

temporary migrants ordinarily living 

in the country. 

Notably, the number of temporary 

workers in the country (mostly on 

different types of work visas) has 

consistently hovered around 200, 

000 since last few years. 

According to a report released 

by MBIE (Ministry of Business, 

Innovation & Enterprise), the number 

of temporary workers present in 

New Zealand on June 30, 2017, was 

16% higher than the year before at 

152,432. Since then there had been 

more years with a significantly 

higher number of net-immigration. 

The government’s abrupt decision 

of border closure had clearly put 

the future of that vast number of 

temporary workers at risk and just a 

matter of luck, depending upon where 

they were right at that moment. 

Those who were travelling 

overseas, which according to 

government’s rough estimate are 

around tens of thousands – were 

simply unfortunate – and now locked 

out of NZ. 

The biggest risk they face is that 

with each passing day, their visas 

are expiring, making their huge 

investments of money, work, and 

efforts of creating a life in New 

Zealand permanently jeopardised. 

To be fair to the government, New 

Zealand was not the only country to 

take such a decision of border closure 

whereby leaving temporary visa 

holders locked out of the country. 

No political party willing 

to offer any relief to 

temporary migrants 

stuck overseas ahead of 

elections 

Despite all criticism flaked by 

the government especially those 

seeking entry of temporary migrants 

stuck overseas back into the country, 

what is notable is the fact that with 

elections around the corner, none of 

the political parties, including the 

main opposition National Party has 

so far offered any promise for an 

early return into the country. 

The 

Indian 

Weekender’s immigration debate 

that involved National’s Stuart Smith 

and Act Party’s Dr James McDowall, 

along with Labour Priyanca 

Radhakrishnan heard an equally 

evasive and non-committal response, 

on this important issue from 

every party. 

Immigration portfolio, at best has 

been made subsidiary to the policy of 

border-management, in this election.


NEW ZEALAND 7 

Govt to allow small number of 

international students to return NZ 

IWK BUREAU 

The Government has established a new 

category that will allow 250 international 

PhD and postgraduate students to enter 

New Zealand and continue their studies, in the 

latest set of border exceptions. 

“The health, safety and wellbeing of people 

in New Zealand remain the Government’s 

top priority. Tight border restrictions remain 

critical to protecting New Zealanders against 

COVID-19 and ensuring that Kiwis can return 

home,” Education Minister Chris Hipkins said. 

“There are many calls on the Government 

to grant exceptions. So far around 10,400 

exceptions have been granted for people such 

as essential health workers, other critical 

workers and family of New Zealand citizens or 

permanent residents. 

“Just last month, new exceptions were 

announced for some normally resident 

temporary visa holders, more partners of 

New Zealanders, and a limited number 

of veterinarians, deep water fishing crew 

and agricultural and horticultural mobile 

plant operators. 

“The exception today is a balanced decision 

that recognises the vital role international 

education will play in the recovery and rebuild 

of New Zealand and the need to continue the 

fight against the pandemic. It will enable us to 

welcome back a good portion of those PhD and 

Masters students who are caught off-shore, and 

who need to be in New Zealand to complete 

their work. 

“These are students who hold or held a visa 

for 2020, and whose long-term commitment 

to study here was disrupted by COVID-19. 

Priority will be given first to those who need to 

be in the country for the practical components 

of their research and study. 

“The first students are likely to arrive in 

November 2020, with the majority arriving in 

the new year. 

“The number of international students we 

are granting exceptions for is a very small 

proportion compared to the numbers we are 

used to. I acknowledge that other international 

education providers, such as schools and Private 

Training Establishments, will be disappointed 

that their students are not a part of this border 

exception group. 

“Our approach is pragmatic and allows us to 

carefully manage the demand on our quarantine 

facilities and the complex nature of bringing 

students back into the country. 

“Allowing these students to travel to New 

Zealand is a step in the right direction for the 

international education sector. The Government 

will review other possible border exceptions, as 

and when it is safe to do so. 

“International PhDs and other postgraduate 

students make a significant contribution to our 

research and innovation systems and boost the 

global reputations and competitiveness of our 

institutions,” Chris Hipkins said. 

The Ministry of Education will now contact 

Tertiary Education Organisations to work 

through student identification and selection. 

Students that have questions about this 

process should contact their providers in the 

first instance. 

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8 NEW ZEALAND 



Multicultural NZ Spearheads National 

Community Conversation and Celebration 

IWK BUREAU 

Multicultural New Zealand’s 

31st Annual General 

Meeting was a historical 

moment in the journey of NZ’s 

move to becoming a truly Te Tiriti 

based nation. It brought together a 

unique group of prominent national 

community leaders along with 

kaumatua Maori and multicultural 

delegates from 19 different regions 

of Aotearoa. 

The weekend event was held 

at Te Wharewaka o te Poneke, 

and began with a powhiri where 

delegates were welcomed on by Te 

Atiawa, some of the mana whenua of 

Poneke Wellington and the Iwi that 

MNZ’s kaumatua and patron Ihakara 

Puketapu belongs to. 

The first day involved a Wananga 

with kaumatua Maori o te motu, 

opened by Wallace Haumaha Deputy 

Police Commissioner, and facilitated 

by Race Relations Commissioner 

Meng Foon and E Tu Whanau 

advocate and Ngati Kahungunu 

member PJ Devonshire. 

This Wananga challenged notions 

of biculturalism and multiculturalism 

in Aotearoa and explored what a 

Treaty-based Pathway to Citizenship 

would look like to both Tangata 

Whenua and Tangata Tiriti. MNZ 

launched their latest Huarahi Hou 

report, covering the blessings and 

wisdom received from tangata 

whenua for this hikoi. 

MNZ’s Annual General Meeting 

saw the re-election of Pancha 

Narayanan as President, Prem Singh 

as Treasurer, Rabeea Inayatullah 

as Secretary, and a new Vice- 

President Marion Kerepeti-Edwards 

from Whangarei. 

Community Service awards 

were presented to individuals from 

the regions that had demonstrated 

sincere service to the community. 

The publication of MNZ’s 

2020 Advocacy document was 

acknowledged as the powerful 

voice of Aotearoa’s multicultural 

communities’ recommendations for 

Government in the lead up to the 

2020 Election. 

The day was closed with a very 

colourful Community Dinner and 

Awards Ceremony with an opening 

kapa haka from Ngati Poneke. 

The opening address was provided 

by Pancha Narayanan, National 

MNZ President. This was followed 

by a serious message on racism by 

Sir Mark Solomon of Ngai Tahu. 

Chief Human Rights 

Commissioner, Paul Hunt, talked 

about the need to ‘re-imagine’ 

human rights based on the ‘3- 

Rs’: relationships; responsibilities 

– not only the responsibilities of 

government but the responsibilities 

of all of us to each other; and rights. 

Human rights, he said, are not about 

‘I’ and ‘me’, they are also about ‘we 

and ‘us’, and they are grounded in 

Te Tiriti. 

With Wellington down to 

Alert Level 1 MNZ was able to 

open the doors to more than 120 

people from the community and 

partners in government and the 

multicultural sector. Merit Awards 

and Life Memberships were given 

to members of MNZ who had shown 

longstanding commitment and 

service to their communities and 

to the organization. The highlight 

of the evening culminated in the 

Distinguished Service Awards, given 

to four esteemed individuals who 

have demonstrated exceptional and 

selfless contribution to Aotearoa and 

its people. 

• Dr Te Maire Tau, University of 

Canterbury 

• David Dome, Wellington Phoenix 

• Acting Superintendent Rakesh 

Naidoo, New Zealand Police 

• Kate Frykberg, Te Muka Rau 

• Dr. Ashley Bloomfield, Director 

General, Ministry of Health 

The message coming up 

throughout each part of the weekend 

centred around the same word: 

Relationship. 

“MNZ looks forward to engaging 

the relationships with its member 

Regional Multicultural Councils, 

Tangata Whenua, government 

agencies, organisations and 

individuals that are committed to 

the marutau (safety), kotahitanga 

(unity) and mana of the rich diversity 

of communities that call Aotearoa 

home,” a spokesperson from 

Multicultural New Zealand said. 

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10/09/20 12:03 PM


NEW ZEALAND 9 

For the first time, Mahatma Gandhi Centre 

cancels its most popular ten days Navratri event 

RIZWAN MOHAMMAD 

Mahatma Gandhi Centre owned 

and operated by Auckland Indian 

Association Inc. has cancelled its 

one of the most popular festival events of the 

year ‘Navaratri’ assessing public risk of huge 

gatherings in the era of Covid scare. 

Even though AIAI witnessed a sharp fall in 

revenue due to cancellations of events for the 

last six months and Covid lockdowns, they 

have decided not to host this event as massive 

gathering at the mega event for ten days pose 

a greater risk for the community and under 

Auckland’s AL1, indoor assembly is limited. 

Auckland Indian Association Inc. is the 

oldest Indian community organisation in New 

Zealand and since 1920 has been working on 

preserving and promoting the Indian culture in 

New Zealand. 

Due to Covid restrictions from early this 

year, the organisation saw scores of events of 

different scales being either postponed infinitely 

or cancelled. The only prominent events the 

centre has been able to hold are Janmashtami 

and its Annual General Meeting after the first 

lockdown under Alert Level 1 before Auckland 

went back into Level 3. 

Under AIAI is the iconic Mahatma Gandhi 

Centre on Eden Terrace, Auckland, and is 

one of the most renowned Indian community 

centres in New Zealand. 

The venue is generally booked well in 

advance for various community events, 

celebrations, functions, meetings, weddings and 

cultural programs. The Radha Krishna Temple, 

adjacent to the Centre hosts and celebrates all 

religious occasions and programs. 

Like many event centres around New Zealand 

who have seen cancellations of bookings or 

organising them on a much smaller scale to 

adhere to gathering restriction, MG Centre had 

to face a big blow in 2020 with almost every 

event axed from its calendar, thereby, cutting its 

main revenue streams. 

Auckland Indian Association’s Navratri 

celebration is one of the most popular 

celebrations amongst the Indian community in 

Auckland and attracts over 15,000 people over 

ten days and nights from all corners of the city. 

The event also brings a team of famous artists 

from India who stay in Auckland for at least 

two weeks and perform at the Navratri event. 

“Aucklanders eagerly wait for Navratri 

celebrations at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre, 

and it also allows the organisation to connect 

with its members, volunteers and supporters. 

“Auckland Indian Association Inc. is not 

immune to the impact of COVID-19, and just 

like many other businesses in NZ, it has also 

covered all operational costs while no revenue 

has been generated during the lockdown and 

to an extent even now,” president of Auckland 

Indian Association, Narendra Bhana told The 

Indian Weekender. 

He added that Navratri cancellation also 

hugely impacted the Indian businesses, food 

suppliers, small vendors supplying different 

amenities to the annual event. 

Mr Bhana says the cancellation has 

disappointed the community they would look 

forward to the event and come with families 

and friends and participate in the ‘Navratri 

Garba’ till late in the night. 

One of the most important events besides 

the nine-nights of Navaratri celebration 

in September-October is the centennial 

celebrations of the establishment of the 

Auckland Indian Association. 

The Auckland Indian Association had formed 

a centennial celebration committee to plan the 

100 years completion mega event. 

The committee had planned grand 

celebrations in September this year that 

included exhibition, art, music, Mahila Samaj 

activities, religious katha and a gala dinner. 

The committee had also invited high profile 

AUCKLAND INDIAN ASSOCIATION 

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dignitaries from India and New Zealand, but the 

celebration was postponed due to the pandemic. 

“The centenary celebrations will be planned 

Auckland 

indian association 

Years 

1 9 2 0 - 2 0 2 0 

Tel: (09) 357 0665 or (09) 377 2424 

Email: office@aiai.org.nz 

Inc. 

as soon as the international border is open and 

we are able to invite dignitaries from overseas,” 

Mr Bhana said. 

Website: www.aiai.org.nz

SERVICES 

10 NEW ZEALAND 



'There was no impact of Covid-19 on property 

market so far because demand is still more 

than supply,' Global Financial Services 


One of the leading and most awarded 

mortgage, and insurance advisors 

in New Zealand, Global Financial 

Services (GFS) has affirmed that Covid-19 

lockdowns had minimal to no impact on the 

property market of the country. 

Speaking with the Indian Weekender, 

Director of GFS Ajay Kumar says the year 

2020 has left a strong mark on the country’s 

property market and the demand for properties 

is still higher than the supply despite the 

country being several levels of lockdowns and 

closures. Earlier this month, GFS launched 

its new product ‘Mortgage Genius’ that will 

help Kiwis manage their finances. Excerpts 

from the interview, and more about Mortgage 

Genius below: 

IWK: How has the property market 

and mortgage industry fared in the last 

two lockdowns? 

Ajay: Due to Level 4 and thereafter, level 3, 

2.5 and level 2 and then now back to level one, 

banks are taking more time (two to three times 

more) because many bankers are working 

from home. There was no impact of Covid-19 

on property market so far because demand is 

still more than supply. 

IWK: Do you think there is a blessing 

in disguise for property buyers (both 

commercial & residential) due to conditions 

in the market? 

Ajay: Not in property prices but of course 

relief due to lower interest rates. 

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for an individual or family to buy their 

first house/business given banks are 

more cautious giving loans? 

Ajay: Landings from banks are as usual as 

before; in fact, it became easier for homebuyers 

to service home loans due to lower interest 

rates. The cost of servicing, in general, is now 

32% of gross income which was earlier 48%. 

IWK: Tell us about your new product 

‘Mortgage Genius Plan’? 

Ajay: Considering the devastating 

financial impact COVID-19 has taken on 

economies around the world, Global Finance 

has developed an amazing product that will 

change the way Kiwis manage their finances. 

The ‘Mortgage Genius Plan’ is carefully 

designed and developed on a unique basis 

whereby it highlights the need for everyday 

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In this low-interest rate environment, 

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Not only does it save you interest it allows 

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The extraordinary results of our customers 

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Mortgage Genius Plan is a very efficient and 

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to put you in control of your mortgage 

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IWK: How will it help an individual 

and family to pay their mortgage/ 

loans quickly and easily? 

Ajay: Mortgage Genius Plan is a very 

effective money management tool designed to 

put you in control of your mortgage repayments 

within your capacity, saving interest, reducing 

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We know providing people with the same 

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Everyone’s circumstances are different; your 

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contribution to your financial wellbeing and 

peace of mind knowing that we have got 

you sorted. 

IWK: How can GFS help people ease 

their financial plans and make better 

financial decisions? 

Ajay: Global Finance provides a tailormade 

solution enabling you to take control 

of your mortgage repayments. It will allow 

for a plan that is dedicated to fulfilling your 

personal needs and future goals. 

When your unique plan is followed as 

planned, you can expect to save hundreds of 

thousands of dollars on your home loan by 

reducing interest costs– and become debt-free 

sooner, minimising financial worry enabling 

you to take better and informed decisions. 

Whilst following this plan, you could 

potentially purchase investment properties, 

businesses which you like and enable you to 

support your family and ultimately create a 

family-oriented lifestyle that you want as per 

your capacity. 

It also helps you to create reserves without 

any increase in your loan instalment to 

minimise your financial worry in a situation 

like Covid-19. 

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Humm FM. 

With over a 59,000 listeners as per GfK 

radio audience measurement, commercial radio 

stations, Auckland survey 3, 2020, cumulative 

audience Monday – Sunday 12mn – 12mn, 

people 10+. HummFM has consistently been 

on top as per the GfK survey. 

The survey catapulted Humm FM’s 

listenership to new heights, across all its 

program segments including weekends and latenight 

shows. More people tuned in, enjoying 

the best in Bollywood music, interactive shows 

and a hard-hitting weekend talkback show. 

“The range and variety of shows combined 

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“Listeners are at the heart of our achievement, 

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HummFM Program Director Vijay Varma 

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NEW ZEALAND 11 

Five reasons why the community 

should be excited about Wellington Diwali 


The Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing 

lockdowns have caused massive 

disruptions to our normal working, 

social, business and cultural lives this year, 

including the abrupt cancellations of several 

mega-events. 

The fact that the Wellington Diwali Festival 

2020 is still going ahead, under Alert Level 1, 

albeit in a slightly abridged version from its 

earlier avatars, is a source of much celebrations 

and joy not only for the Wellingtonians but 

from the wider event industry. 

Notably, New Zealand’s event industry, 

including organisers, producers, performers, 

artists and related businesses are 

experiencing the maximum brunt of Covid-19 

inflicted disruptions. 

The festival is scheduled to be held on Sunday, 

October 25, at TSB Bank Arena and Shed 6 and 

is eagerly awaited by all Wellingtonians and the 

wider Kiwi-Indian community who might have 

been quietly watching the constriction of the 

calendar of the broader Indian cultural events. 

Here are FIVE reasons why the community 

should be enthralled about the Wellington 

Diwali Festival 2020 

1. Festive season and 

celebration: 

Diwali is the biggest and most popular 

festivals in the Indian calendar, and it’s not 

just one day of celebration for the community 

but a season of festivities, lights, sweets 

and celebrations. 

This might be first, or perhaps, one of the 

most prominent of many big events planned 

for the community in 

New Zealand and the 

celebration will bring 

a change of weather 

for people- an escape 

from worries of the 

year to dance, music and 

Diwali. 

2. Exhilarating 

Performances: 

Diwali events in the past years has 

imprinted an unforgettable memory in the 

minds of thousands of visitors and is known 

for magnetic performances at the show- be 

it classical music, contemporary Bollywood 

or fusion of different 

cultural performances on 

the stage. 

The day-long event 

includes inauguration 

by MPs, Ministers and 

Indian High Commission 

team, evolves into some 

live drumming and music 

performances and continues 

through the evening ascending into highoctane 

dances including bhangra, classical 

songs, ramp walks etc. 

3. Food and craft stalls: 

It’s the time and event of the year where one 

can find almost every Indian snack and delicacy 

under one roof. From classic chhole-bhature 

to Idly, Parathe, gulab jamun, chai, dosa, to 

samosa chat, Lassi and jalebi etc. 

People while watching the show treat their 

taste buds with amazing snack items offered by 

over a score of vendors at Shed 10. 

Visitors also shop for traditional Indian 

clothing, arts and crafts for themselves and 

their houses that are on display inside the TSB 

Bank Arena. 

Shopping there and having the tasty 

delicacies offered by food vendors help these 

small businesses thrive, especially after coming 

out of precarious business situation earlier 

his year. 

4. Biggest Indian festival 

happening in 2020: 

Several big events around New Zealand had 

been cancelled or kept on hold not just due to 

lockdowns but also lack of funding, and it is 

fortunate that the biggest festival of the Indian 

community, Wellington Diwali Mela 2020 is 

happening despite several alert level changes 

and postponements. 

5. Spectacular Fireworks: 

Diwali stands for lighting, music, sweets and 

most certainly fireworks. 

This year, not many big Diwali events might 

happen, but the Wellington Diwali will have 

the spectacular fireworks lighting up the skies 

in hundreds of colours and sparkles. 

So, this Wellington Diwali Mela 2020 is 

certainly not to be missed by the Wellingtonians, 

as it might be the only big Indian event 

happening this year in New Zealand. 

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Thought of the week 

“Never underestimate the power of dreams and the 

influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in 

this notion: The potential for greatness lives within 

each of us.” —Wilma Rudolph 

Editorial 

IPL 2020: A panorama 

for cricket lovers 

The panorama that the Indian Premier League (IPL) brings to a cricket lover is wonderful. 

Watching matches after matches unfold with such precision and in a professional manner is 

truly a remarkable achievement. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) must be complimented 

on being able to host the IPL, and from the looks of it they may become the hub of sports events 

in the future. 

UAE is now the center of excellence for sports in this period of pandemic. India seems far away 

in reviving sporting activities at present and so one may see the UAE as a convenient alternative 

till normalcy returns. 

One does miss the hustle and bustle and activities that keep one entertained by spectators at 

stadiums, but to have cricket back on the screen is in itself a satisfying experience. 

All eight IPL teams, unfortunately, have not had the normal preparation that they go through 

as a pre-tournament routine to strategise, plan and evaluate the squad. In the normal course, they 

also spend time in identifying players useful for conditions known to them at the various venues 

in India. 

The IPL auction is where they bid for specific players to enable them to get the entire spectrum 

of skills and capabilities that were necessary to implement their plans 

Unfortunately, the playing surface and the ground conditions at the three venues in the UAE, 

which were unknown to them, have put several of the team’s management and thinkers in disarray 

The teams that can quickly put their playing squad in order are the ones that will benefit in 

qualifying for the playoffs. 

At present, Mumbai Indians and the young and aggressive Delhi Capitals seem to have 

managed the change for the better, solely on account of the variety of player skill they have in 

their armory. Every other side, understandably, is on a chop-and-change mission, hoping to crack 

the combination as soon as possible. 

The outcome of the trial and test, which the teams have had to undergo, has turned out for 

the better and is just the opportunity and golden platform for India’s international and domestic 

players. 

With no domestic cricket and tournaments in the near future in India in sight, the IPL is their 

only opportunity to stake their claim to either retain their place or get recognised. India have two 

very important series in the pipeline, against Australia and England. The venues and details for 

both these tours are being finalised, but with the UAE as an alternative option, cricket for the three 

top playing nations looks a good possibility. 

The quality of young dashing cricketers being churned out in India is heartening to see. Cricket, 

for each one of them, is their key to a successful life and the passion, maturity and approach that 

most of them have shown when given an opportunity in the IPL has been quite astonishing. 

Batsmen such as Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill, Devdutt Padikkal, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju 

Samson, Ishan Kishan, Rahul Tripathi, the phenomenal power hitter from Haryana, Rahul Tewatia, 

and many more have shown how Indian cricket has progressed. 

Young bowlers such as Shivam Mavi, Navdeep Saini, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Kartik Tyagi, 

Thangarasu Natrajan, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravi Bishnoi have already started rubbing shoulders 

with their elders in speed and ability. 

All these young dynamites, along with the seasoned domestic performers and the India’s 

international stars, have brought a rainbow of joy to Indian cricket. One can envy the task of the 

new selection committee under Sunil Joshi, who very shortly will have to select the team for the 

T20Is, ODI, and the Test teams play Australia in November. 

The fielding has had its ups and downs in the IPL. Players have dropped some simple high 

catches, which must be due to the lights and atmosphere. However, we have also seen some 

stunning catches. The highlight as regards fielding was the incredible save by the Kings XI Punjab 

and the West Indian player, Nicholas Pooran. 

His effort to save a boundary has gone into the annals of cricket history as arguably the best 

fielding save ever! With 22 of the 49 matches to decide the four teams that will qualify for the 

playoffs stage completed, one does not see any one team showing superiority over the rest. The 

team management and the captains are getting a better insight into the potential in their squad and 

the success of many of the Indian players has brought about a feeling of comfort for some of them. 

The Mumbai Indians, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, seem to have their batting, the 

power hitting, and their fast and spin bowling in place. 

Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, have a young talented side with both their bowlers and batters 

aiming to make their presence felt. 

Rajasthan Royals, unfortunately, are still waiting for their superstar all-rounder Ben Stokes to 

stoke their fire. Royal Challengers Bangalore are breathing a sigh of relief with Virat Kohli back 

in form. They, along with SunRisers Hyderabad, have a super topline batting order but lack big 

hitters who can finish the innings. 

Kolkata Knight Riders have a captain struggling for runs and they need to utilise the batting 

skill of England World Cup winning captain Eoin Morgan sensibly. He needs to bat much higher 

in the order as he is an established performer who could single-handedly win them matches. 

One feels sorry for Kings XI Punjab, as they have lost some very close encounters and although 

KL Rahul, their captain, is in sublime form, he along with Mayank Agarwal are not being able to 

carry their team to the winning post. 

The race is still open for the four slots to reach the playoffs. However, the IPL has turned the 

lives of cricket lovers all over the world into a blessing. While we applaud and revel in the exciting 

cricket and watch some unbelievable shots being played by the batsmen, “let the best team win”. 

16 October – 23 October 2020 

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thu 

On-and-off 

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Indian Weekender : Volume 12 Issue 31 

Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited 

Content Editor: Sandeep Singh | sandeep@indianweekender.co.nz 

Chief Reporter: Rizwan Mohammad | rizwan@indianweekender.co.nz 

Chief Technical Officer: Rohan deSouza | rohan@indianweekender.co.nz 

Sr Graphics and Layout Designer: Mahesh Kumar | mahesh@indianweekender.co.nz 

Graphic Designer: Yashmin Chand | design@indianweekender.co.nz 

Accounts and Admin.: 09-2173623 | accounts@indianweekender.co.nz 

Media Sales Manager.: Leena Pal: 021 952 216 | leena@indianweekender.co.nz 

Sales and Distribution: 021 952218 | sales@indianweekender.co.nz 

Editor at Large: Dev Nadkarni | dev@indianweekender.co.nz 

Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher 

is not responsible for advertisers’ claims as appearing in the publication 

Views expressed in the articles are solely of the authors and do not in any way represent 

the views of the team at the Indian Weekender 

Kiwi Media Publishing Limited - 133A, Level 1, Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland. 

Printed at Horton Media, Auckland 

Parlty 

sunny 

Clouds and 

sun 

14° 

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dafr 

This week in New Zealand’s history 

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Copyright 2020. Kiwi Media Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved. 

Sunshine 

and pactcy 

clouds 

17 October 1877 

Chief Justice declares treaty 'worthless' and a 'simple 

nullity' 

16° 

9° 

A few 

morning 

showers 

Chief Justice Sir James Prendergast’s statements when delivering judgment in the case of Wi 

Parata v The Bishop of Wellington would influence decision-making on Treaty of Waitangi 

issues for decades. 


First trans-global radio transmission to London 

From the family sheep station in Shag Valley, East Otago, amateur radio operator Frank Bell 

sent a groundbreaking Morse code transmission that was received and replied to by Londonbased 

amateur operator Cecil Goyder. 


New Zealand’s day with LBJ 

President Lyndon Johnson and his wife, Lady Bird, arrived at Ōhakea air base at the start of a 

whirlwind 24-hour visit to New Zealand. His visit, the first by a United States president, was 

primarily to shore up support for the war in Vietnam. 


Fred Hollows Foundation launched in New Zealand 

The foundation was established in Australia by the Kiwi-born ophthalmologist (eye doctor) 

to treat eye problems in poorer countries. Within six years, 200,000 people had their sight 

restored via cataract surgery. 


New Zealand ensign proclaimed 

The design of the New Zealand ensign that was to be flown by ships owned by the colonial 

government was established by the publication in the New Zealand Gazette of a proclamation 

by the governor, Sir George Bowen. 


Mt Ruapehu air crash kills 13 

On the morning of 23 October 1948 two experienced pilots, Commander Max Hare and 

Second Officer Brian Russell, flew ZK-AGK Kaka, a Lockheed Electra of the National 

Airways Corporation’s fleet, from Hamilton to Palmerston North. 

15° 

9°

MELA 

SUNDAY 

25 OCTOBER 

TSB BANK ARENA 

AND SHED 6, 

QUEENS WHARF 

3PM–8.30PM 

Gold coin entry 

Find out more at 

wellington.govt.nz/diwali 

J011440

14 FIJI 

Friday, October 16, 2020 The Indian Weekender 

Monument marks Fiji’s 

New system 

to assist 

history and strive forward 

Fijians during 

disaster: 

No virus, no once-in-a-century 

region and a destination for visitors 

crisis could temper the love 

from all around the world. 

we share for our nation, our 

The monument is one of many that NDMO 

people, our home. 

will be built throughout a new Suva Officiating at the launch, 

That was the message relayed by 

heritage walk which will tell the Minister for Disaster 

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama 

city’s story. 

Management Inia Seruiratu 

yesterday at the unveiling of a 

It also pays tribute to all frontline says disaster demands the 

commemorative monument to mark 

workers, including doctors, nurses, quick dissemination of accurate 

Fiji’s 50th Year of Independence. 

lab technicians and members of information to ensure Fijians 

He said history would remember 

the discipline forces whose tireless are updated with happenings 

that even as Fijians endured great 

efforts and sacrifice have spared around them. 

adversity the country marked its 50th 

Fijians from the worst of COVID-19. Seruiratu says Fijians must be 

birthday with patriotism and pride. 

Mr Bainimarama reiterated that equipped with vital information 

The monument, as he explained, 

while the pandemic continues to rage 

before and when a disaster strikes. 

was strategically located in the 

overseas, the good health of Fijian 

heart of nearly 140-years of history, before, all the way back to 1882 from its colonial past. I love that this citizens is the greatest blessing, due 

along Queen Elizabeth’s Drive, in when the seat of the then-colonial city has grown and modernised, yet to successful containment efforts. "Every 

the shadow of the Grand Pacific administration was moved here from kept its character. And I love that “We are safe – at home in the 

Hotel, across Albert Park, Thurston Levuka,” Mr Bainimarama said. today we have a chance to celebrate safest place in the world. The lives of 

Fijians 

Gardens, down the way from State “I’m proud of what we have done this city and its history. But today is our most vulnerable are not at risk,” knows how 

House, and a stone’s throw away in recent years to bring life back not only about our past.” 

he said. 

important that 

from Parliament and the seat of into this section of our capital, with He said Suva as a premier city He also mentioned that a nurse 

Government. 

upgrades and refurbishments which in the South Pacific must continue who contracted the virus while 

“This new monument is dedicated have restored Suva’s shine. 

becoming a better home for its working in an isolation facility had 

to Suva City, our capital through “I love that we have been able to citizens, a hub of finance, technology, made full recovery and has since 

our independent history and long preserve and use the architecture and telecommunications for the returned home. 

Indian monthly magazine features 

PM Bainimarama and PM Modi 

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and 

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi are 

featured on the front cover of this month’s 

issue of the India Empire magazine. 

The New Delhi based magazine was first 

published in 2004. It focuses on Diaspora, 

Diplomacy, Business and Politics. 

In an interview with the magazine, 

Fiji High Commissioner to 

India Yogesh Punja said Fiji’s 

achievements had been driven 

by its strategic location in the 

heart of the South Pacific and 

cost-competitive location for 

investors. 

He said Fiji had become an 

export-driven economy spurred 

by high technology, knowledge-based and 

capital-intensive industries to the Pacific. 

“The establishment of a modern and inclusive 

2013 Fijian Constitution, along with an 

unprecedented programme of administrative 

reforms across Government; substantial and 

Work on getting the multimillion 

dollar New 

Zealand and Fiji Police 

Strengthening Program is expected 

to get underway next month. 

A joint announcement was 

made by Prime Minister Voreqe 

Bainimarama and his NZ counterpart 

Jacinda Arden in February this year 

to find new ways to improve the 

health, wellbeing and resilience of 

their people, both agreeing to expand 

security partnership into policing cooperation. 

Following a Zoom meeting held 

this week with New Zealand Police’s 

Inspector Paris Razos, senior Fiji 

Police Directors and NZ High 

Commission to Fiji Representatives 

held discussions on preliminary work 

to be carried out before his arrival in 

Fiji in November. 

"Fiji 

has also 

emerged as a 

respected advocate 

on some of the greater 

challenges facing humanity, 

including climate change, 

sustainable development 

and the preservation 

of our oceans." 

consistent public investment in infrastructure, 

public utilities, education, health and social 

inclusion; and a concerted effort to position Fiji 

as the hub of economic activity and regional 

engagement in the Pacific,” he said. 

“Fiji has also emerged as a respected advocate 

on some of the greater challenges facing 

humanity, including climate change, 

sustainable development and the 

preservation of our oceans.” 

Mr Punja stated that Fiji and India 

shared deep and enduring ties of 

history and culture and a common 

global challenge of peace and 

cooperation in the interlinked ocean 

regions. 

“India expands its cooperation in 

defence and security, including assistance in 

defence training and capacity building, enabling 

environment for Fiji to expand its economic 

diplomacy through trade and investments, 

development assistance, cultural cooperation, 

closer collaboration in areas of information 

NZ and Fiji Police strengthening 

programme to begin soon 

Fiji Police Director International 

Relations SSP Ulaiasi Ravula says 

the first Zoom meeting was to allow 

the Directors from the Criminal 

Investigations Department, K9, 

Training, Corporate Services and 

Drugs to assist IP 

Razos understands the specific 

needs required in their specialized 

fields. The partnership programme 

between the New Zealand Police and 

Fiji Police will focus on combatting 

transnational crime and enhancing 

investigative skills. 

Ravula adds that the Fiji Police 

Force is looking forward to working 

with IP Razos who comes with 

extensive years of experience in 

international training development. 

The New Zealand Government 

will be investing $11million over 

three years into the program. 

technology with the establishment of centre for 

excellence in information and technology in Fiji, 

scholarship opportunities, cultural exchanges, 

Agricultural, health, medical, education and many 

more.” he said. 

“Every Fijians knows how 

important that mission must be as we 

are already experiencing cyclones 

in Fiji are becoming more severe. 

Winston may have broken records 

in 2016 but the next unprecedented 

superstorm could strike anytime 

of the year so we must be prepared 

every time everywhere.” 

NDMO Director Vasiti Soko says 

the system will help Fijians identify 

their nearest evacuation centre and 

will also provide safety measures that 

can be followed during a disaster. 

“Preparedness save lives. 

Introducing such a tool, we hope that 

we can improve the ability of people 

to move to the nearest evacuation 

centre when threats are starting to 

come their way.” 

As we near the cyclone season, 

the NDMO will be providing 

awareness materials which will 

create behavioural changes and 

preparedness to help Fijians. 

Ambassador Khan reaffirms 

Fiji’s relationship with the UN 

Fiji’s Mission in Geneva has 

reaffirmed its commitment to 

work closely with the United 

Nations in Geneva and Vienna. 

This is in advancing Fiji’s interests 

and development priorities. 

The Permanent Representative of 

Fiji to the United Nation Ambassador 

Nazhat Shameem Khan said Fiji 

has made remarkable achievements 

and recognition in areas of UN 

peacekeeping, multilateralism, 

human rights, climate change, 

inclusivity and sovereignty. 

She says Fiji’s Mission in Geneva 

is working closely with the UN 

Human Rights Council and the 

Office of the High Commissioner for 

Human Rights in ensuring the Bill of 

Rights is relative to all Fijians. 

Ambassador Khan reiterated 

that integrating human rights and 

climate action with a focus on Blue 

mission must be 

as we are already 

experiencing 

cyclones in Fiji are 

becoming more 

severe. 

Oceans Economy is central to the 

work carried out by the Fiji Mission 

in Geneva. In paying tribute to 

all those who have supported the 

Mission’s work, Ambassador Khan 

thanked Fiji’s development partners, 

Mission staff and diaspora for their 

tremendous support to the Mission.


INDIA 15 

India: Coronavirus cases 

Confirmed: 6,310,267 | Deaths: 98,708 

Recovered: 5,270,007 

India expected to have Covid 

vaccine from more than one source 

by early next year: Health minister 

India is expected to have 

a Covid-19 vaccine from 

more than one source by early 

next year and the government is 

formulating distribution strategies 

for the immunisation of people across 

the country, Union Health Minister 

Harsh Vardhan said on Tuesday. 

“We’re expecting that early next 

year we should have vaccine in the 

country from more than one source. 

We are formulating strategies for 

planned distribution of the vaccine 

in the country,” he said in a tweet 

after chairing the 21st meeting of 

the High-level Group of Ministers 

(GoM) on Covid-19 through videoconference. 

Vardhan had earlier said a Covid-19 

vaccine is likely to be available by 

the first quarter of 2021. He had also 

said the Centre estimates to receive 

and utilise 40-50 crore doses of a 

Covid-19 vaccine, covering 20-25 

crore people, by July next year. 

On Sunday, the minister said 

considering the large population 

size of India, one vaccine or vaccine 

manufacturer will not be able to fulfil 

the requirements of vaccinating the 

entire country and added that the 

government is open to assessing the 

feasibility of introducing several 

Covid-19 vaccines in the country in 

accordance with their availability. 

Vardhan further said the country’s 

preparedness to make a Covid-19 

vaccine available to its citizens was 

reviewed at the GoM meet. 

He added that work is going on 

around 200 vaccine candidates 

across the world, of which 151 are 

in pre-clinical stages and about 

40-42 are in various clinical trial 

stages. Nine vaccine candidates are 

in an advanced clinical trial stage, of 

which three are in India. 

Modi offers India’s COVID-19 

vaccine capacity to ‘all humanity’ 

Prime minister says India moving ahead with thirdphase 

trial before mass production as country’s 

cases, deaths surge. 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged at 

the United Nations that his country’s vaccine production 

capacity would be made available globally to fight the 

coronavirus crisis. 

“As the largest vaccine-producing country of 

the world, I want to give one more assurance 

to the global community today,” Modi said in a 

prerecorded speech to the UN General Assembly. 

“India’s vaccine production and delivery 

capacity will be used to help all humanity in 

fighting this crisis.” 

Modi made the pledge even as India is struggling to 

contain the spread of the virus, which has already infected 

5.9 million Indians and left more than 93,000 dead 

nationwide – the third-highest fatality toll in the world. 

Modi said India was moving ahead with phase three 

clinical trials – the large-scale trials considered the gold 

standard for determining safety and efficacy – and would 

help all countries enhance their cold chain and storage 

capacities for the delivery of vaccines. 

Modi said in August that India was ready to massproduce 

COVID-19 vaccines when scientists gave the goahead. 

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been 

pushing for a “people’s vaccine” that is available and 

affordable everywhere and expressed concern on Tuesday 

that some countries were “reportedly making side deals 

exclusively for their own populations.” 

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated 

the "digitization" and "cyberization" of 

engagements - work from Home has 

become a new norm. There is a greater dependence 

on digital payment platforms due to reduced cash 

handling. 

The 2nd ASEAN-India Track 1.5 Dialogue 

on Cyber Issues held virtually focused upon 

cooperation and security in the digital and cyber 

domain in the backdrop of coronavirus pandemic. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the 

"digitization" and "cyberization" of engagements - 

work from Home has become a new norm. There is 

"Australia’s 

pledge is clear: 

if we find the 

vaccine we will share 

it. That’s the pledge 

we all must 

make." 

“Such ‘vaccinationalism’ is not only unfair, it 

is self-defeating. None of us is safe until all of us are 

safe. Everybody knows that,” Guterres told the General 

Assembly Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told 

the General Assembly on Friday: “Whoever finds the 

vaccine must share it.” 

“Some might see short-term advantage, or even profit,” 

Morrison said. 

“But I assure you to anyone who may think along those 

lines, humanity will have a very long memory and be a 

very, very severe judge. 

“Australia’s pledge is clear: if we find the vaccine 

we will share it. That’s the pledge we all must 

make,” Morrison said. Pope Francis told the UN on 

Friday that the poor and weakest members of society 

should get preferential treatment when a coronavirus 

vaccine is ready. 

a greater dependence on digital payment platforms 

due to reduced cash handling. Presence on social 

media has also increased. It was discussed in the 

meeting that with increased interconnectedness, the 

dangers related to cybercrime is also on the rise. 

COVID-19 related frauds, phishing campaigns, 

and online sale of fake medical supplies and PPEs 

are on the rise too. 

Vijay Thakur Singh, Secretary (East) in External 

Affairs Ministry highlighted the dangers involved 

with cybercrimes. 

"Increased dependence on digital technologies 

has created both pressures and opportunities for 

World: Coronavirus cases 

Confirmed: 34,153,075 | Deaths: 1,018,732 

Recovered: 25,424,847 

NEWS in BRIEF 

India's human space flight may face slight delay: 

ISRO chief 

India's human space flight mission Gaganyaan will be "slightly delayed" 

owing to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic even as ISRO resumes 

rocket launch activities from the first week of November, space agency 

chief K. Sivan said on Monday. 

Answering a query at the plenary session of the International Astronautical 

Congress 2020, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman 

said India's first human space flight was targeted in August 2022, but owing 

to Covid-19's impact on the operations, the there will be a slight slip in 

meeting the mission's target date. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his Independence Day speech 

on August 15, 2018, had said when the nation is celebrating 75th year of 

Independence in 2022, an Indian son or daughter will be flying into space 

under the Gaganyaan mission. 

Sivan said that the Gaganyaan mission has advanced well and the country 

is taking the help of other space-faring nations like Russia for training the 

astronauts and some other critical aspects, France in the space medical area 

and is also approaching US space agency NASA. 

India-Mexico exploring ways to promote tourism 

To strengthen trade ties, India and Mexico will explore ways to promote 

tourism and enhance people to people contact. 

This was decided at the fifth meeting of the India-Mexico Bilateral High 

Level Group on Trade, Investment and Cooperation (BHLG) held earlier 

this month, an official communique said on Tuesday. 

"Both sides discussed a number of bilateral ongoing and outstanding 

issues, ranging from ‘Audio-visual Co-production, Bilateral Investment 

Treaty', market access for agricultural products, a cooperation framework 

on ‘Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) & Technical Barriers to Trade' (TBT) 

measures between the two countries, co-operation in the ‘Intellectual 

Property Rights', and exploring ways to promote tourism and people-topeople 

contact between India and Mexico," the communique said. 

"They also agreed to expand and diversify the bilateral trade relationship 

to tap the potential of the complementarities between India and Mexico 

through enhanced cooperation in pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, 

healthcare, agro-products, fisheries, food processing and aerospace industry 

etc." 

Govt chalks out plan for storage of Covid-19 vaccine 

With several experimental 

vaccines against the 

coronavirus disease (Covid-19) 

reaching late-stage trials, the 

government has started making 

logistical arrangements for 

procurement, storage and distribution 

to ensure the uninterrupted delivery 

of a vaccine, when one becomes available 

The Centre has begun identifying both government and private facilities 

to create hubs for vaccine storage. The focus is on maintaining cold storage 

as most vaccines require to be stored and distributed at a fixed temperature, 

failing which the vaccine becomes ineffective. 

Under the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for 

Covid-19 that is chaired by Dr VK Paul, member (health), Niti Aayog, 

there are subgroups looking into various aspects of vaccine development, 

procurement and distribution, including one that looks at cold chain 

requirements. 

“The subgroup has already mapped the existing cold chain that is presently 

being utilized under the immunisation programme of the government, and it 

has also made a projection of the additionality that will be required. 

ASEAN-India Summit focuses on cyber security during Covid 

creative policy solutions and regional collaboration 

to foster a secure, resilient and equitable 

cyberspace," he said. 

In view of the lurking dangers involved with 

it, Mr Singh laid stress on the enhanced need to 

formulate and implement measures for securing 

cyber domain from the malicious actors. 

He also stressed on the Indian initiative to tackle 

the situation with flagship Digital India programme 

- Pradhan Mantri Grameen Digital Shaksharta 

Abhiyan (Prime Minister's Rural Digital Literacy 

Campaign) and National Cyber Security Strategy 

2020 for the next five years.

ENTERTAINMENT 


Kishore Kumar, Screen Sensation: 

16 

10 films that define the playback legend as actor 

Tuesday marks the 33rd death 

anniversary of playback legend 

Kishore Kumar, who passed away 

on this day in 1987. To define the versatile 

genius as just the iconic singer that he was 

would be unfair. Kishore Kumar is celebrated 

till today as a maverick actor, too, besides 

screenwriter, director, producer and composer. 

Today, we look back at some of his memorable 

performances as an actor. 

NAUKARI (1954) 

The film cast real-life siblings Ashok Kumar 

and Kishore Kumar as brothers. "Bhai-Bhai" 

was directed by MV Raman. 

LUKOCHURI (1956) 

JHUMROO (1961) 

DOOR GAGAN KI CHHAON MEIN 

(1964) 

An adaptation of the American film "The 

Proud Rebel", this film was written, directed 

and produced by Kishore Kumar. He also 

starred in the film with son Amit Kumar and 

Bengali film actress Supriya Choudhury. The 

film received critical acclaim. 

PADOSAN (1968) 

Kishore Kumar played the lead alongside 

Sheila Ramani in this Bimal Roy directorial. 

Naukari is one of the initial films that helped 

Kishore Kumar gain prominence as an actor. 

ADHIKAR (1954) 

The romantic comedy starred Kishore 

Kumar and Usha Kiran in the lead. The film, 

directed by Mohan Segal, did good business at 

the box office. 

BHAI-BHAI(1956) 

The Bengali rom-com features Kishore 

Kumar in a double role, opposite Mala Sinha 

and Anita Guha. The film directed by Kamal 

Majumdar, was produced under the banner of 

Kishore Kumar Films. "Shing nei tobu nam 

tar shingho" and "Ek poloker ektu dekha" are 

peppy numbers sung by Kishore Kumar that 

remain popular till today. 

CHALTI KA NAAM GAADI (1958) 

The comedy starred brothers Ashok 

Kumar, Anoop Kumar and Kishore Kumar 

with Madhubala playing the female lead and 

Satyen Bose directing. "Babu samjho ishare", 

"Ek ladki bheegi bhaagisi", "Hum the woh thi 

aur sama rangeen" and "Haal kaisa hai janaab 

ka" are popular Kishore Kumar numbers from 

the film. 

Kishore Kumar and Madhubala starred in 

this musical romantic comedy film helmed 

by Shankar Mukherjee. "Main hoon jhumroo" 

and "Koi humdum na raha" in Kishore's voice 

remain evergreen numbers from the film. 

HALF TICKET (1962) 

Kishore Kumar starred alongside 

Madhubala in this Hindi classic directed by 

Kalidas. His act as an overgrown little boy 

seems hilarious even after all these years. 

The musical comedy helmed by Jyoti 

Swaroop is counted among Bollywood's 

greatest comedies ever. Based on the 

Bengali film "Pasher Bari", it stars Kishore 

Kumar alongside Sunil Dutt, Saira Banu and 

Mehmood. The film is remembered for RD 

Burman compositions like "Mere samne wali 

khidki pe" and "Kehna hai" sung by Kishore 

Kumar, and "Ek chatur naar" by Kishore 

Kumar, Manna Dey and Mehmood. 

HUNGAMA (1971) 

The SM Abbas directorial comedy stars 

Kishore Kumar alongside Vinod Khanna, 

Zeenat Aman, Mehmood, Johnny Walker and 

others. With these and many more brilliant 

performances, particularly in the comedy 

genre, Abhas Kumar Ganguly -- known to all 

by his screen name Kishore Kumar -- left an 

indelible mark in the mionds of Bollywood 

buffs. 

Does the thought of doing it make you anxious? 

Are you worried your parents might walk in on 

you? Or has a lack of experience been holding 

you back? 

Well, not to worry – there’s a voting booth out 

there for everyone. Whether you’re 18 or 81, 

everyone’s vote is equally important, and it gives 

young New Zealanders a chance to shape their 

future. That’s really all you need to vote; simply 

caring about the world you live in, and what’s 

best for your family and community. It doesn’t 

matter how knowledgeable you are about 

politics or what other people think you should 

do, because your vote is a private expression 

of your own beliefs. Plus, you can tell all your 

friends you’ve finally done it. 

Don’t be nervous about your first time voting.

There will be safety 

measures at all 

voting places. 

Hand sanitiser is provided and physical 

distancing will be practised when you vote. 

vote.nz | 0800 36 76 56 

ELE0213 Covid Message1_IndianWeekend_255x355.indd 1 

10/09/20 10:47 AM

18 

FEATURES 


Street food style buns 

GREEN CHUTNEY 

INGREDIENTS 

• 1cup - coriander leaves 

• 1inch - ginger 

• 8 - garlic cloves 

• 6-8 - green chillies 

• 2tbsp - lemon juice 

METHOD 

• Grind everything together into 

a fine paste using little water 

if needed in tablespoons. 

TAMARIND CHUTNEY 

INGREDIENTS 

• 1cup - tamarind 

• 1cup - jaggery (gur) 

• 1/2tsp - red chilli powder 

• 1tsp - black salt (kala namak) 

• 1/4tsp - dry ginger powder 

(sonth powder) 

• 1tsp - cumin powder 

METHOD 

• Break tamarind into small 

pieces and add it to the pan 

along with 1 cup of water. 

• Boil tamarind for 2-3 minutes 

stirring continuously then 

strain it. 

• In a medium saucepan add 

tamarind pulp followed by all 

the other ingredients except 

cumin powder. 

• Boil them over medium flame 

for 5-6 minutes, stirring in 

between. 

• Add cumin powder, mix well 

and cook for another 1-2 

minutes then transfer chutney 

into a bowl to cool. 

TIP 

• If you do not want to shallow 

fry the tekkies immediately, 

shape them and store in an 

airtight box in the fridge. 

• You can freeze these tekkies 

for 15 – 20 days. Thaw them 

at room temperature before 

frying. 

• Boil the potatoes in advance 

and store them in the fridge. 

Cold and dry potatoes make 

the tekkies real crisp. 

• Birds eye, bubble n squeak can 

be used as the replacement. 

BUN SAMOSA 

INGREDIENTS 

• 6 - buns 

• 2cups - plain flour 

• 1tsp - salt 

• 4tbsp - oil 

Water as required 

INGREDIENTS 

FOR FILLING 

• 4 - potatoes, medium 

• 4tbsp - oil 

• 1tsp - cumin seeds 

• 1/2cup - peas, boiled 

• 1/2cup - water 

• 1tsp - ginger paste 

• 2-3 - green chillies 

• 1/4tsp - garam masala powder 

• 1tsp - red chilli powder 

• 11/2tsp - mango powder 

• 1tsp - salt 

• 1tbsp - lime juice 

• 2tbsp - coriander, chopped 

• Oil for frying 

• 1 - red onion, thinly sliced 

• Tamarind chutney 

• Green chutney 

METHOD 

• Mix flour, salt and oil together in a large bowl. 

• With your fingers rub oil into the flour until the oil is fully 

mixed. 

• Add little water at a time just enough to keep the dough 

supple and knead the flour gently to form a semi hard 

dough. 

• Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and set aside for 

15-20 minutes. 

• Heat oil in a pan over medium flame. 

• Add cumin seed and stir until they began to crackle. 

• Add ginger paste, stir, add chopped green chillies and sauté 

for few seconds. 

• Add garam masala powder, red chilli powder, mango 

powder, salt and peas, mix well with a splash of water. 

• Peel, wash and dice the potatoes; add them and mix well 

with a half cup of water. 

• Cover and cook stirring in 

between until the potatoes are done, 

liquid has evaporated and the mixture is 

completely dry. 

• Remove from flame and cool slightly. 

• Add lime juice and chopped coriander, 

mix well. 

• Knead the dough lightly again and divide it into 

equal balls (big enough to make 20cm in diameter). 

• Place the dough balls on a lightly floured surfaced. Flatten 

each ball with a rolling pin into a round circle, approximately 

20cm in diameter, and cut in half. ( you will get 2 samosas 

from one circle ). 

• Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan over medium flame (to fry). 

• Using your finger apply some water along the edges of one 

semi circle. Now fold it into a cone and slightly press the 

edges and then place 1 tbsp of the potato mixture into the 

cone and again using water seal the edges by pressing them 

firmly. 

• Prepare all the other samosas in the same way. 

• Deep fry the samosas in small batches over medium flame 

until golden brown and crisp. 

• Drain on an oil absorbent paper towel. 

• Cut buns into half and over medium flame, fry the inside of 

the buns with little oil. 

• Spread green chutney on the inner side of the half bun; 

break samosa with your hand and then place it on the green 

chutney bun; sprinkle some sliced red onions and then 

spread tamarind chutney on the inner other side of the other 

half of the bun and place it with chutney side down on the 

samosa. 

• Press the bun with your hand and cut it into 4 parts. 

• Serve with a cup of tea. 

Bun Tikki 

Navigating NZ Health System 

& Emergency Preparedness 

10 am to 12 noon - Understanding NZ Health System – Services you are eligible for – Q & A 

Facilitators : Parvin Kapila & Cathy Martin 

12 noon to 1 pm – How to prepare a household emergency plan and be prepared – Grab bag 

Facilitators : Maggie Chum & Good & Ready team 

Friday 23 rd October 2020 

Citizens Advice Bureau Pakuranga/ Eastern 

Manukau offer free, face to face support to new 

migrants. Phone : 09 5768331 

Email: pakuranga@cab.org.nz 

10 am – 1 pm 

Tea / Biscuits provided 

Howick Local Board Meeting Room, Pakuranga Library Building, 7 

Aylesbury Street, Pakuranga 

Vani , Migrant Connect Administrator Registration Necessary 

Email: settlement.pakuranga@cab.org.nz Text/ Call : 021 459 520 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 6 - buns 

• 6 - potatoes, large 

• 4tbsp - rice flour 

• 2 - onions, medium 

• 4 - green chillies 

• 2tsp - chilli flakes 

• 1tsp - cumin powder 

• 2tsp - coriander powder 

• 1tbsp - chaat masala powder 

• 1tsp - salt or according to taste 

• 1 - red onion 

• 1/2cup - green chutney 

• 1/2cup - tamarind chutney 

• 4tbsp oil 

METHOD: 

• Boil potatoes and drain them in a metal colander; 

leave the potatoes for 5-6 minutes so that any excess 

moisture in them drains out. 

• Remove the outer skin of the potatoes, transfer them 

into a large bowl and mash them with the fork. 

• Peel and wash red onion, thinly slice them, then, 

sprinkle some red chilli powder on it and keep aside 

for later use. 

• Peel, wash and chop onions, chop green chillies 

then add them to the potatoes. 

• Add chilli flakes, cumin powder, coriander powder, 

chaat masala powder and salt, mix well using your 

hand or the fork. 

• Rub some oil on your hands; take a handful of 

potato mixture and shape them into a tikki (make 

the potato mixture into a boll then slightly press it 

between your palms to flatten and then press the 

edges to make it round). 

• Repeat the process until done. 

• Cover with a foil and let it rest in the fridge for 15 – 

20 minutes (or till needed to fry). 

• Heat oil over medium flame in a heavy base fry pan. 

• Shallow fry the tekkies in small batches till crisp and 

golden from all sides (add more oil in tablespoons if 

needed as tekkies tend to absorb it). 

• Drain the tekkies on an oil absorbent paper towel. 

• Cut buns into half and in the same fry pan over 

medium flame, fry the inside of the buns with little 

oil. 

• Spread green chutney on the inner side of the half 

bun; place tikki on it, sprinkle some sliced red 

onions and then spread tamarind chutney on the 

inner side of the other half of the bun and place it 

with chutney side down on the potato tikki. 

• Press the bun with your hand and cut it into 4 parts. 

• Serve with tomato ketchup.

The Indian Weekender, 16 October 2020

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